NIGHTLIFE
by
Lanny Maude
FADE IN:
A nightclub. Lights are flashing; music is blaring. Everyone
is having a good time.
In walks JOE. Joe is the average guy. He's not too old, not
too young. He's not unattractive. He just blends in to become
invisible.
He eyes the ladies as he walks to the bar. Nobody eyes him
back. He gets to the bar where he orders a beer from an
indifferent BARTENDER.
JOE
Beer.
The bartender sets an opened bottle in front of Joe.
BARTENDER
Three bucks.
Joe slaps a five onto the bar. The bartender takes the money
and Joe takes the beer. Joe turns to look at the crowd while
sipping the brew. The bartender puts Joe's change on the bar.
Joe spies ANNA and MARGARET sitting at a table, talking to each
other. He makes his way to the table. The women look up at him.
JOE
Good evening, ladies. My name's Joe. Would
either of you care to dance?
They look at him. They look at each other. They look back at
him.
ANNA
Sorry, Joe. We're just waiting for our
dates to show up.
MARGARET
Maybe some other time.
Anna kicks Margaret under the table. Margaret jumps only
slightly. They both smile up at Joe.
JOE
Okay. See ya.
He walks back to the bar. Anna and Margaret are clutching each
other, giggling.
Joe sees JULIE sitting at the bar. She's alone! He moves in
for the kill...or at least to try to strike up some
conversation. Julie senses a presence next to her. She turns
to see Joe standing there.
JOE
Hi. My name's Joe.
JULIE
Hi, Joe.
She turns around so that her back is to Joe. Joe is
discouraged. He moves away from Julie and sits at the bar,
close to the bartender.
JOE
What am I doing wrong?
The bartender shrugs. He also makes a mumbling noise. If Joe
were a dentist, he would have been able to decode the mumbling
as, "I don't know." A hand taps Joe on the shoulder.
VICTOR
Excuse me...
Joe turns to see VICTOR. Victor has pale skin contrasted by
dark hair and eyes.
VICTOR
I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but hear.
Joe is a little suspicious.
JOE
Yeah?
VICTOR
No luck with the ladies?
JOE
What's it to you?
VICTOR
I may be able to help.
He pulls out a business card and hands it to Joe. Joe looks at
the card, then back at Victor.
JOE
This is just an address.
VICTOR
Yes, but what you'll find at that address is
the best nightclub in town.
JOE
What makes it so good?
VICTOR
It has the most beautiful women. Much nicer
than here. And they're all so friendly.
JOE
What are you? Some kind of pimp?
Victor is not offended.
VICTOR
No. I just thought I might be able to help.
Joe finally lightens up.
JOE
Hey. Thanks, man.
VICTOR
Don't mention it. Just enjoy yourself.
Joe looks down at the card. Victor fades back into the crowd.
EXT. CLUB - NIGHT
The front door opens and out comes Joe. He goes to the parking
lot where he gets into his average car and drives off on his
average way.
EXT. NIGHTLIFE - NIGHT
This is a dark, industrial section of town. There is no
indication of any nightclub.
Joe pulls up and parks his car.
INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS
Joe looks at the address posted above a door. He compares it to
the card that Victor gave to him. It's hard to believe, but
this must be the place. Joe opens the car door.
EXT. NIGHTLIFE - CONTINUOUS
He climbs out of the car. He looks up and down the street in
disbelief. He looks at the card once again before deciding to
try. He closes the car door and heads for the address indicated
on the card.
As he gets close to the door, he notices the faint sound of
music. He reaches out to grab the door handle. He takes one
last look before pulling the door open.
INT. NIGHTLIFE - CONTINUOUS
Joe stands in the open doorway. He can't believe it. It is a
nightclub, just like Victor said. He just looks for a moment.
The lights are low. The music is energetic, but not
overpowering. And it full of people.
Joe walks in, the door closing behind him. He makes his way to
the bar. Many of the eyes in the club discreetly follow him as
he moves.
ERIC is tending the bar tonight. He moves to meet Joe as Joe
reaches the bar.
ERIC
Evening.
Eric already knows the answer to the next question.
ERIC
This your first visit to Nightlife?
JOE
Nightlife?
Eric indicates his surroundings.
ERIC
The club. It's called Nightlife.
JOE
No. I had no idea this was here.
He looks around.
JOE
There was no sign out front.
ERIC
As you can see, we do very well on word-of-
mouth. We also have a dedicated clientele.
JOE
Yeah, I guess...
ERIC
Since this is your first time, how about a
drink on the house?
Joe is astounded at the treatment that he is receiving.
JOE
Sure.
Eric sets a tall glass on the counter. He pours about an ounce
of bright green liquid into the glass. He then sets a wedge-
shaped perforated spoon, a plate of sugar tablets, and a carafe
of water onto the bar.
JOE
What's this?
ERIC
It's absinthe. It was very popular around
the turn of the century.
Joe indicates the paraphernalia in front of him.
JOE
What am I supposed to do with all this?
ERIC
Well...start by putting the spoon across the
top of the glass.
Joe places the spoon.
JOE
Like this?
ERIC
Yes, that's right. Now place one of the
sugar tablets on the spoon.
Joe follows the instructions.
ERIC
Now you very slowly pour the water over the
sugar cube so it dissolves into your drink.
Joe picks up the carafe.
JOE
It seems kind of complicated.
ERIC
Many of our patrons enjoy the ritual. Plus,
it lets one adjust the drink to his or her
taste.
JOE
How much water do I add?
ERIC
Till it's somewhere between an inch and
half-an-inch from the top.
Joe starts to drizzle the water onto the cube. As the sugary
water drips into the absinthe, the liquid turns cloudy.
JOE
Hey, is it supposed to do that?
ERIC
Yes. That's called the louche.
JOE
It kind of neat, isn't it?
ERIC
Yes, it is.
While Joe is occupied with his drink, he doesn't notice a dark
FIGURE approaching. The figure gets closer and comes into the
light.
Her name is LILLITH. She is similar to Victor in that she is
pale with dark eyes and hair. She is also wearing dark
lipstick.
Meanwhile, Joe sips his absinthe.
JOE
Hmmm...it tastes a little like licorice.
ERIC
It's anise, actually.
Joe takes another sip. He hasn't noticed Lillith yet, but Eric
has. Eric moves away.
LILLITH
Hello.
Joe is a little startled. He manages to disengage himself from
his drink without spilling it. He turns to look at Lillith.
Wow!
JOE
Hi...
LILLITH
My name's Lillith. What's yours?
JOE
Joe.
LILLITH
Mind if I join you?
Joe is amazed. No woman has ever come up to him like this.
JOE
Of course.
Lillith moves next to the bar.
JOE
Would you like something to drink?
LILLITH
I'll have an abs.
JOE
Excuse me...
LILLITH
An absinthe. What you're having.
Joe gets Eric's attention then points to his drink. Eric looks
at Lillith who looks back and taps a long, dark fingernail on
the bar a couple of times.
Eric sets another glass in front of Lillith, pours the absinthe,
and leaves a spoon.
Lillith sets up her drink and pours on the water. Joe is
mesmerized. Once she's finished preparing her drink, she takes
a sip.
Joe finally realizes that he's been staring. He looks away and
takes another sip of his drink.
LILLITH
So, Joe, how did you find this place?
JOE
I was in another club and a guy handed me a
card.
He shows her the card. She only glances at it. He sets it on
the bar.
LILLITH
You cruise the clubs often?
JOE
Well, I try to get out. Have some fun, you
know.
While Joe is talking, Eric quietly retrieves the card with the
address and leaves.
LILLITH
What's your idea if fun?
JOE
I like to have a few drinks, listen to some
music, maybe dance a little.
LILLITH
Would you like to dance?
Joe is taken by surprise. Having never gotten this far before,
he's into uncharted territory.
JOE
With you?
Lillith takes his response in stride.
LILLITH
I'm the one who asked.
Joe comes to his senses.
JOE
Sure. Of course.
The two move onto the dance floor. It's a slower number.
Lillith moves in close so Joe can put his arm around her. He
does so slowly, tentatively. He finally accepts that this is
really happening, so he hold her close.
As they dance, Lillith nuzzles up against Joe's neck.
The song eventually comes to an end, transitioning into
something different. Joe and Lillith stop dancing. Lillith
takes Joe's hand and leads him back to the bar. They sip their
drinks.
LILLITH
You want to go to my place with me?
Joe isn't sure he heard that correctly.
JOE
What?
LILLITH
Let's go to my place. It's more private.
Joe hesitates. He starts to get suspicious.
JOE
Don't take this wrong, but...
LILLITH
What?
JOE
Are you a hooker?
A smile slowly spreads across Lillith's face.
LILLITH
No, of course not.
JOE
Then why are you doing this? Are you
playing some kind of game?
Lillith tries to calm him.
LILLITH
Can't you just accept that I'm attracted to
you?
They look at each other. Joe eventually speaks quietly.
JOE
I've never done this before.
Lillith is very comforting.
LILLITH
Don't worry. I'll show you what to do.
She holds out her hand. Joe slowly reaches out to her. She
takes hold of his hand.
LILLITH
(whispers)
Let's go...
He is now captivated by her. He would do anything for her at
this point. She leads him to the door. Eric efficiently moves
to where they were sitting and cleans away their partially
finished drinks.
LILLITH
Tonight will be the highlight of your life.
She leads him out the door, into the night.
At one of the tables, MICHAEL and CYNTHIA watches them leave.
MICHAEL
I just love the smell of fresh normal.
Cynthia smiles to reveal vampire fangs.
CYNTHIA
I know what you mean. I just wish it was my
turn tonight.
FADE TO BLACK.
The End
Nightlife is © 2000 Lanny Maude