The Desperate Hours

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 33 of AFTERHOURS, the cops finally find Danny and his celebrity hostages ... and send in a rather unusual hostage negotiator ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Everybody sits around the bar.
Looks at the giant stack of cash
sitting on it.

CASEY
Isn’t it beautiful?

LUTHER
You underestimated.
Two-point-three million.
That means I get one-point-one-five.

DANNY
Check out the math major.

The police radio SQUAWKS to life.

POLICE DISPATCHER (O.C.)
Attention, all units.
The perp is holed up at
Croci’s boutique in Sunset Plaza,
one-five-oh-one Sunset.
All available units respond.

LUTHER
(under his breath)
Shit.
(into the radio)
Copy that. We’re on our way.
Are units on the scene yet?

POLICE DISPATCHER (O.C.)
Roger that.

LUTHER
How’d they find him?

POLICE DISPATCHER (O.C.)
Homeless person found a ‘help’ note
in the window well outside.
Wanted to know if there was a reward.
(chuckles)
Maybe we should hire him.
Did a better job than our guys did.

LUTHER
Copy that. Over.

He clicks the radio off.

LUTHER
You’re fucked.

DANNY
So are you.

POUNDING on the door.
ANGRY COP (O.C.)

POLICE, OPEN UP.
WE KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE.

CASEY
Shit.

SKY
Fuck.

BETTIE
Motherfucker.

DANNY
Okay, everybody.
Calm down. Let me think.

LUTHER
Think?
They’ve got the place surrounded.

DANNY
But I have hostages.

LUTHER
You got co-conspirators.

DANNY
But they don’t know that.
(smiles)
And I’ve got you.
Gimme your weapon.

LUTHER
Are you fucking kidding me?

DANNY
If I’ve got your weapon,
they’ll think you’re a hostage,
not a co-conspirator.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Open the door RIGHT NOW,
OR WE’LL BREAK IT DOWN.

Danny races over to the door. SHOUTS.

DANNY
You might not want to do that.
I’ve got seven hostages.
Three celebrities, three cops
and a bartender.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Three celebrities and three COPS?

DANNY
That’s right.
So I certainly hope
you’ve got one hell of a
hostage negotiator.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
He’s on his way.
Who are the celebs?

DANNY
Sky Masters, Bettie Black
and Casey Montana.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Who’s Casey Montana?
(to someone else)
Already?
(to Danny)
Negotiator’s here.
Get away from the door.
He’s coming in.

Danny unlocks the door.
Moves away from it.
The door OPENS.

In walks MARKO MAISEL (50’s),
medium-height, buff, balding
and fierce-looking.

Wearing a skin-tight black jumpsuit.
Red-tinted shades.

He smiles brightly,
eyes burning with menace.

MARKO
Did somebody order
a hostage negotiator?

Helter Skelter

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 32 of AFTERHOURS, Danny and his celebrity hostages negotiate with Luther, a cop that's agreed to help them escape ... for a price ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
Casey, Sky and Bettie come into view,
weapons aimed.

DANNY
I get by with a little
help from my friends.

LUTHER
Wait a minute.
Sky Masters?

SKY
Yippee-kai-yay, motherfucker.

LUTHER
And Bettie Blue?

BETTIE
Helter Skelter, baby.

LUTHER
(to Casey)
You’re that writer.

BETTIE
(nods)
The sword is mightier than the pen.

LUTHER
(to Danny)
You’re trusting your hostages with guns?
What, they go Patty Hearst on your ass?

DANNY
You’ll have to ask them.

LUTHER
Where’s my partner?
Show me he’s okay.

DANNY
(nods behind him)
In the corner there.
He’s out, but he’s okay.

LUTHER
(sees him, nods)
Where’s the money?

DANNY
Behind the bar in a duffle.
Feel free to count it.

LUTHER
How exactly do you propose
I get you outta here?

DANNY
In your car.
Take me to a motel
and you’re a rich man.

CASEY
I’m coming with him.

LUTHER
What?

CASEY
He’s gonna need someone
to check him in and then
o out for supplies and shit.

LUTHER
You’re gonna jeopardize
your career for him?

CASEY
You got that backwards.
He’s gonna save it --

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 31 of AFTERHOURS, rogue cop Danny Peel and his celebrity hostages prepare for the entrance of their latest guest ... a cop who's hot on Danny's trail ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
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, please.
Aim at the door.

MIA
Don’t I get a gun?

DANNY
Get behind the bar, Mia.

She frowns.
Starts walking toward the bar.

Danny goes to the door.
Leans into it.

DANNY
Come in nice and slow.

The door slowly opens.
In walks Sergeant LUTHER JAMES (20’s),
African-American, tall, good-looking,
holding his weapon in a two-handed grip.

Danny points his sawed-off at him.

LUTHER
Looks like a standoff, cop killer.

DANNY
Not quite.

Casey, Sky and Bettie
come into view, weapons aimed.

DANNY
I get by with a little
help from my friends --

Copland

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 30 of AFTERHOURS, just as Danny and his celebrity hostages try to make their escape, they hear the partner of the cop they've taken hostage on his radio, looking for him ...


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 --

In The Heat Of The Night

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 29 of AFTERHOURS, Danny and the hostages overpower a cop that demanded to come into the club and tie him up ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
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 28 of AFTERHOURS, Danny and the hostages have to scramble when they get a surprise visit from a cop ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
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 --

Leaving Las Vegas

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 27 of AFTERHOURS, in the aftermath of killing their intruders, Oscar-winning screenwriter Casey Montana and her captor, bad cop Danny Peel, start to bond when he tells her how he turned to a life of crime ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - 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.

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.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

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 26 of AFTERHOURS, Danny and his celebrity hostages fight back against the intruders, with deadly results ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN

Ned stares at Danny.
Then the gun he's got
jammed against his neck.

NED
(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.

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 --

Liquor Is Quicker

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 25 of AFTERHOURS, the shit hits the fan when a pair of goons show up to get the money that Angel the bouncer owes them from his gambling debt ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
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.

The Gentleman Bandit

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, in a surprising twist, the celebrity hostages help their captor come up with an escape plan ...


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 --

Double Barreled

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, bad cop Danny Peel and Oscar-winning screenwriter Casey Montana get up close and personal after Casey makes a big confession ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
Casey 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.

Party Out Of Bounds

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Columbus 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 21 of AFTERHOURS, Danny, Vin and the celebrities enjoy deli sandwiches that Vin went out and got for them despite the police dragnet around them, but the peaceful mood is soon punctured when Danny agrees to let Mia use his phone to check on her mother at the hospital ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
Tough-Looking peers inside the dark room.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
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.

A CHYRON reads ‘August 16, 5:51 AM’ over --

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 --

Stop And Frisk

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 20 of AFTERHOURS, after smoking a ton of weed, rogue cop on the run Danny Peel and his celebrity hostages enjoy chilling out ... until a cop knocks on the door and demands to come in ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - 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.
(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 VOICE (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?

The Universal Language Of Stoned

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 19 of AFTERHOURS, rogue cop Danny Peel decides to let dealer Harry Peel give his celebrity hostages some weed to calm them down and keep them in line ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
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 I
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 --

The Dude Abides

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 18 of AFTERHOURS, Danny and the hostages have a surprise visitor to the club ... Harry Dill, who's looking for drug dealer Mickey Mertz, who's shocked to find out that he's dead ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
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.

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?
W-what happened?

Danny PUNCHES him in the stomach.
Harry doubles over.

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

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 17 of AFTERHOURS, Vin sneaks out to go get food for the celebrity hostages, and then rogue cop Danny grills them about why they're hanging out at dawn on a Monday morning in a club instead of being with their families ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
Danny turns. Looks at Vin.

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.

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.
hinking 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.