I Run This Joint

Happy Tuesday, crime motherfuckers. Are you ready to get your rocks off? Then belly up to the bar and get your daily steaming slice of hardboiled pulp, served hot and nasty ... at That Killing Feeling.

Onto today's joint from LITTLE GIRL BLUE, where the plot not only thickens, it congeals.

Private eye Carrie Love and her new client, college coed/amateur stripper Blue Wonder toast to Carrie's helping Blue find out who killed her sister, but are interrupted by Tolly Chill, the manager of the strip club, who not only hires Blue after her disastrous audition, but also invites her to a party in the Hollywood Hills ...

INT. FANTASY ISLAND STRIP CLUB - BAR - NIGHT

Blue smiles at Carrie. They toast to their new working relationship.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)

There she is. The lovely Miss Blue.

TOLLY CHILL

Appears before them. Suave.

Eyes crinkled with satisfaction.

BLUE

Oh, hi.

TOLLY

I’m Tolly. I run this joint.

BLUE

OH. Nice to meet you.

(beat)

I’m so embarrassed --

He raises her hand to his lips.

Kisses it. Smiles.

TOLLY

Nonsense. You were wonderful.

In fact, I’d like to offer you a job. Dancing.

CARRIE

See? What did I tell you?

TOLLY

(ignores Carrie, to Blue)

I’m going to a little holiday soirée in the Hollywood Hills tonight --

and I’d love for you to accompany me.

BLUE

A party? In the Hollywood Hills?

TOLLY

Should be fun. Nice mix of people.

Movie stars, pro athletes, rock stars, politicians.

(smiles)

I’d be honored.

BLUE

Sure. I’d be honored.

TOLLY

Terrific. I have to go take care of some business in the back office.

Stay here, have a drink on me, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.

BLUE

Okay --

He bows. Turns, walks away. Carrie watches him.

BLUE (CONT’D)

Holy SHIT. A party in the Hollywood Hills.

CARRIE

There’s something -- off about him.

BLUE

Don’t be silly. He’s cute.

CARRIE

Just be careful.

BLUE

He seems like a complete gentlemen.

CARRIE

Sure. All guys who run strip clubs are 'complete gentlemen.'

BLUE

If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re jealous.

Pause.

CARRIE

If you’re going to hire my services,

you’re going to have to trust my judgment.

(off her stare)

Look. I’ve been around the block.

There’s a lot of sharks in this town

that can make a meal out of a gal like you.

Just be careful, okay? Keep your eyes open.

BLUE

Okay.

CARRIE

Okay. And don’t be afraid to call me if anything gets -- weird.

Any time of the day or night.

Think of me like a big sister.

BLUE

I like that --

TOLLY

Appears. All smiles. Eyes flashing.

TOLLY

Are you ready to go?

BLUE

I need to go to the ladies room.

Be back in a sec.

She slides off her stool.

Grabs her purse.

Heads for the loo.

Tolly and Carrie appraise each other.

TOLLY

(watches her)

Gorgeous girl.

(turns, looks at Carrie)

So what’s your story?

CARRIE

(hands him her card)

Carrie Love, PI. A friend.

TOLLY

(reads the card)

It’s nice to see the young lady has --

people watching out for her.

(weird smile)

Can’t be too careful these days.

PUSH IN Carrie.

Finishing her drink.

CARRIE

Gotta watch out for those sharks.

(sips her beer)

Especially when you’re living in a fishbowl.