Swingers Page #16

Charles approaches the crew.

CHARLES:

They're out of Glenlivet.

MIKE:

What else is going on?

TRENT:

We could hit the Dresden.

Overhead LONG SHOT of the swingers entrenched in the CROWDED

PARTY.

SUE:

Yeah. This place is dead, anyway.

CUT TO:

46 EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - OUTSIDE THE CHATEAU MARMONT - NIGHT 46

The swingers have left the party and are heading to their

cars. They are all parked in a row, one behind the other.

They each climb behind the wheel of their own car. They pull

out in UNISON.

They travel like a train with their bumpers ALMOST TOUCHING.

CUT TO:

47 EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREETS - NIGHT 47

SHOTS of the CAR-TRAIN driving and making turns.

"O SOLE MIO" reprise.

DISSOLVE TO:

48 EXT. THE DRESDEN - VERMONT AVE. - HOLLYWOOD - NIGHT 48

The car-train BREAKS UP to nose-in park behind the bar. They

all "club" their steering wheels.

CUT TO:

49 INT. "THE DRESDEN ROOM" - SAME 49

The SWINGERS lounge in a booth against the cork-paneled wall,

sipping cocktails. They watch MARTY and ELAYNE, the resident

lounge act, perform a jazz fusion cover of "Staying Alive" on

synth and upright bass. The seventies are alive and well

here, but they're starting to yellow around the edges...

The room is busy, but not packed.

The swingers have all had a few.

CHARLES:

I know what you're saying, man. I don't

know what to tell you...

ROB:

... I mean, does it have to be "Goofy"?

I was playing Hamlet off-Broadway two

months ago, for crying out loud...

Trent and Sue are involved in a different conversation. They

are observing two HOT GIRLS at another cocktail table.

The girls are wearing short plaid skirts with black stockings

pulled up to midthigh. It's the "catholic-school-girl-gone-

bad" look.

The girls are a little too touchy-feely with each other,

suggesting a certain sexual open-mindedness.

TRENT:

It's on.

SUE:

You think?

TRENT:

Baby, I know it is. It's a black diamond

trail...

SUE:

... double diamond...

TRENT:

... but it's worth the risk. True or

false:
It's worth the risk.

SUE:

True.

As they get up to leave...

MIKE:

God bless you guys.

They cross to the ladies.

Mike's P.O.V.

The girls seem at first cold, the receptive. Trent and Sue

join their table and share some laughs.

Mike half-heartedly looks on. He is obviously not happy with

where he stands on the bell-curve of masculinity.

Mike, looking for any kind of escape, crosses to the bar.

CUT TO:

50 INT. BAR - DRESDEN ROOM - SAME 50

Mike unsuccessfully tries to catch the attention of the

middle aged BARTENDER.

MIKE:

(to himself)

I can't even get this guy to notice me...

A cute BLONDE sitting at the bar chuckles at his comment.

Mike is at first self-conscious, then pushes ahead.

MIKE:

You like laughing at the misery of

others?

BLONDE:

I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. Let me

make it up to you.

She raises her finger and the bartender immediately

approaches.

BARTENDER:

What can I get you?

MIKE:

I'll have a Dewars on the rocks.

He goes to fix it.

MIKE:

Thanks.

BLONDE:

I've seen you somewhere...Where have I

seen you?

MIKE:

You ever go to the Kelbo's? On Pico?

BLONDE:

... maybe...

MIKE:

... Monday nights? I host an open

mike...

BLONDE:

You're a comedian?

MIKE:

Yeah.

BLONDE:

What's that like?

MIKE:

(trying to bluff, not an ounce

of sarcasm)

Well, you know, it's tough. A lot of

traveling. A lot of hotels... but, you

know, it's a dream... and the money's

really good. I think I might buy another

really expensive imported car after my

next gig in Vegas...

BLONDE:

(politely interrupting)

I know! Starbucks! I served you an

espresso at Starbucks.

MIKE:

Are you sure? Maybe...

BLONDE:

Yes! Remember? You asked me for an

application? I introduced you to the

manager?

MIKE:

(trying to pull out of the

dive)

Oh, yeah... Boy, that must've been a

while ago.

BLONDE:

I'd say about two weeks.

MIKE:

Probably a little longer than that, but,

whatever.

BLONDE:

(smiling at him)

You better pay the man.

Mike notices the bartender, who has been waiting patiently

with the drink.

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