The Universal Language Of Stoned

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 17 of AFTERHOURS, Silverlake hipster dealer Mickey Mertz's business partner Harry Dill arrives on the scene looking for Mickey, and is disappointed to find out he's dead ... and that now he's a hostage, too ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING.
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? Wh-what h-happened?

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 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 --

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 16 of AFTERHOURS, Danny starts grilling his celebrity hostages about why they're hanging out in an after hours club at five in the morning on a 'Sunday night,' but just as they start revealing their deep, dark secrets, someone starts pounding on the door, demanding to be let in ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Danny looks at Vin.

DANNY
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.
Thinking 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.
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 --

The Gentleman Gunman

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 15 of AFTERHOURS, in the aftermath of the bloody attempted mutiny, hostage-taker Danny Peel surprises the celebrities when he sends rogue cop Vin Vargas out to get food for everybody ...


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

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 14 of AFTERHOURS, after stopping Sky and Easy's attempt to grab Danny and Vin's guns and blowing off Easy's arm at shoulder, Danny has to deal with stopping the gushing wound ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Casey stares in horror at the blood.
Easy's missing arm on the floor.

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.

Vin walks back in, 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 --

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 13 of AFTERHOURS, the shit hits the fan when celebrity hostages Easy and Sky try to grab Danny and Vin's guns, which erupts into a bloodbath of epic proportions ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
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.’

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,
Sky 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?

Breakfast of Champions

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 12 of AFTERHOURS, killer on the run Danny Peel parties with his celebrity hostages and starts making them do lines of coke, but things get more than a little tense when bartender Mia Tanaka refuses ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - 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.

Getaway Plan

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 11 of AFTERHOURS, while bonding with the hostages, Danny Peel discovers that Angel the bouncer owes money to a loan shark, and that he's on his way to collect his debt ...


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 --