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?