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 --