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FADE IN:
INT. SACRED CHAMBER
Blue lights shine through thick screen of smoke. CONGA DRUMS beat out rhythm that becomes more and more trance-like. As smoke thins out, silhouette of upper part of young woman's body appears. Then her whole figure is seen. Her name is SHEILA MORANDI. She's viewed from the back, walking slowly. A beautiful purple dress tightly envelops her figure.
Small group of people in long robes surrounds Sheila, leaving large clear space around her person. MALE FIGURE approaches and takes her hand
MALE FIGURE
We love you.
Sheila looks straight ahead.
CROWD
We love you.
Sheila smiles blissfully. Music and virtual reality effects stop.
DEEP FEMALE VOICE
(O.S.)
Our hearts are open to receive your power.
CROWD
Our hearts are open to receive your power.
TRAY OF KNIVES is brought into chamber.
Hand removes LARGE KNIFE from tray.
HAND WITH KNIFE reaches high in smokey air and quickly falls down in stabbing motion.
Sheila's face freezes in terror.
BLOOD splashes onto bronze structure behind her.
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CROWD
Your power shall stay with us!
INT. HOTEL ROOM--DAY
Small, shabby space with peeling wallpaper. Two suitcases are open on the bed. Attractive young woman stands in front of worn out dresser, looking in mirror as she finishes putting on make-up. Her name is MARISSA.
She opens largest bag, rummages through stack of small oil paintings and other objects. She finds low cut party dress, starts putting it on.
MARISSA (V.O.)
Many things in my life had gone wrong. I wanted to get lost in a strange city and start over....I was on my own again.
EXT. DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES STREET--TWILIGHT
Marissa wears light coat over party dress. Strides purposefully past knots of homeless. Red sky is getting darker. Sound of wild CONGA DRUMS like those heared in opening sequence. STREET PEOPLE approach her as she walks. They HISS, WHISTLE at her.
MARISSA(V.O.)
Finally, I felt free to go ahead and realize my dreams. Basic survival was the first step. Right or wrong, I was on my way, ready to try something new.
Marissa ignores them. Puts a quarter in news rack, pulls out Los Angeles Times, turns to classifieds.
She tears out ad: "GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!"
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT.CLUB SERENADE --NIGHT
Rundown street adjecent to ultra-modern convention center. CARLOS, Club Serenade doorman, keeps derelicts away from small groups of well-dressed young women who enter club.Marissa approaches, L.A. Times ad in hand.
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MARISSA
I came to work here.
Carlos directs her inside.
INT. MANAGER'S OFFICE--NIGHT
Manager, TONY, is bearded Chicano wearing Raiders' sweatshirt.
TONY
Have you ever done this kind of work before?
MARISSA
Yes. I have a lot of experience.
TONY
(Staring into her eyes)
What experience?
MARISSA
Uh....uh....ah....
TONY
(Looking her over)
It's O.K., Marissa. I think you'll do well here. You can start tonight. Four twenty-five and hour plus tips.
He hands her pen and employment form to fill out.
TONY
Good luck.
INT. CLUB SERENADE DANCE FLOOR---NIGHT
About 20 men of all ages and races are seated in folding chairs. Marissa walks past them and takes her place on well lit sofa as one of about 30 women.
Hand-lettered sign reads: "DANCING---$20 AN HOUR. TIPPING ENCOURAGED."
Marissa dances with well dressed, middle-aged ASIAN MAN. He hugs her tightly, placing his hand on her buttocks. She politely, but firmly, removes his hand, giving him sweet smile. In bg., some girls rub erotically against dance partners. Men, in turn, run their hands all over girls' bodies.
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Off to side of dance floor another group of men stares at dancing couples. Among them is slightly overweight, hip looking man with pony tail---OSCO. His eyes critically examine all the girls. Finally he spots Marissa.
Marissa's hand inserts card into time clock which makes CLICKING sound. Her time dancing with Asian man is recorded. Tony sits behind counter, adding up time on her card.
TONY
Seventy-eight minutes. That's twenty-six dollars.
Osco takes in scene with a smile. Asian man gives Visa card to Tony and places $10 tip in Marissa's hand.
Marissa returns to sofa. But before she can catch her breath, another man asks her to dance. Other girls look at her enviously.
MARISSA(V.O.)
I knew I could earn enough money to live. But halfway through the night I started to feel very lonely.
ATTRACTIVE LATINA in wet T-shirt, bikini bottom dances on small raised platform surrounded by customers who casually APPLAUD.
Marissa is being hosed down with water until T-shirt clings to her figure. She mounts small platform and begins to dance. Male customers CLAP enthusiastically. Marissa gyrates suggestively. Her eyes are far away.
Osco watches Marissa with great excitement. His eyes are peircing, his posture blase.
Tony holds Marissa's hand over her head.
TONY
And the winner is the very beautiful Marissa, just in from New York City. It's her first contest, and I know you all look forward to seeing her dance again next Friday when our prize will be $100.
Osco moves closer to front. Customers CLAP, APPLAUD and WHISTLE. Marissa steps down from platform, heads towards bathroom to change. Osco bumps into her as if by coincidence.
OSCO
Oh my God. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. Are you O.K.?
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MARISSA
Of course, I'm O.K. Excuse me.
She exits to bathroom.
INT. CLUB SERENADE DANCE FLOOR ----NIGHT
Marissa has changed back into her party clothes. She's been clocked out by Osco.
OSCO
(kissing her hand)
My name is Osco.
MARISSA
Marissa.
Osco leads her to quiet place off dance floor. They seat themselves in worn-out sofa. Other couples occupy similar sofas nearby. In bg., elegant-looking Latina in full-length evening dress shyly wipes off her hands with handkerchief. Middle-aged Caucasian discretely stuffs shirt into his pants.
OSCO
First of all, I have to tell you, it's and absolute exception for me to be here.
He gestures towards other male customers.
OSCO
I'm not one of those people. My studio is around the corner. And sometimes when I feel like taking a short walk, I pass by this place. What an amazing coincidence to find you here.
MARISSA
Why?
OSCO
Don't you get it? I would never, ever come here. I'm an observer of life. A wandering spirit has brought me here and here I find you....please, please, I'm not trying to pick you up. God forbid! I would never try to force you to do anything for me. I'm a romantic. Real love, not this.....How about you? Who are you?