…following
from # 2 JINXED
112 EXT. NOTCH'S HOUSE. LATE
AFTERNOON
NOTCH
sits in the shade close to his FERAL TOURS army troop carrier, rolling a joint.
Oliver’s red car approaches. NOTCH licks the glue on the cigarette paper as
OLIVER gets out of the car and approaches.
OLIVER
Good
morning, sir. You'll have to excuse me just dropping by like this unannounced,
but I'm trying to find someone and I believe you may be able to help me.
NOTCH
eyes OLIVER suspiciously.
NOTCH
And
who might you be?
OLIVER
It's
a question I ask myself often. Who indeed!
NOTCH
lights his joint, looks at OLIVER. OLIVER looks at the joint longingly, then
away.
OLIVER
I'm
looking for a young woman, short pink hair. Goes by the name of Venus.
Australian, but speaks with an English accent at times.
NOTCH
Why
would she do that?
NOTCH
tokes on the joint as he looks at OLIVER suspiciously.
OLIVER
Doesn't
want anyone to know who she really is.
NOTCH
Bit
like you, ya mean!
OLIVER
My
apologies, Quentin Meades…
OLIVER
hands NOTCH his business card, on which is written, QUENTIN MEADES, COMPUTER SYSTEMS
ANALYST.
NOTCH
Can't
help ya, mate. Sorry.
OLIVER
nods, casts a longing look at NOTCH'S joint.
OLIVER
Gave
up smoking a few months back.
NOTCH
nods. OLIVER'S eyes are on the joint.
OLIVER
But,
hey, you've got to die of something. Do you mind if I roll myself one?
NOTCH
hands him the joint. OLIVER, expecting to roll his own, is a little puzzled but
takes it.
OLIVER
That
an Aussie custom, is it… sharing cigarettes?
NOTCH
nods. OLIVER takes a puff.
OLIVER
Mmmm…
What brand? Interesting taste! Different!
113 INT. DOROTHY AND NEVILLE'S
CAR. LATE AFTERNOON
JOSIE,
in the back seat of Neville and Dorothy's car, reaches into her bum-bag and
takes out Venus' ringing phallic phone.
PHYLLIS' VOICE
Venus,
darling, it's your mother.
It
takes DOROTHY a moment to figure out what the pink phone reminds her of. When
she does, she looks at NEVILLE, smiles.
PHYLLIS' VOICE
That
nice man from the bank called about that $5,000. He was wondering when it would
arrive?
114 INT/EXT. NOTCH'S HOUSE. LATE
AFTERNOON
NOTCH
is washing himself in his outdoor shower - a sarong serving as a shower
curtain. He has tied his hair up into a bob on top of his head.
In
the ‘kitchen’, OLIVER, 'stoned', with the 'munchies' is eating a slice of bread
liberally spread with peanut butter. He
calls out to NOTCH.
OLIVER
Hot
damn, Notch, please excuse my language but I'm feeling that goddam peckish!
Don't
suppose you have any jelly to go with this peanut butter, do you?
NOTCH
You're
not wrong, Oliver.
OLIVER
hasn't a clue what Notch means but moves on quickly.
OLIVER
You
ever feel, buddy, that you got born into the wrong body?
NOTCH
pops his head out from behind the curtain.
NOTCH (grins)
Would
have liked some decent pecs when I was young.
NOTCH
looks at his scrawny arms.
OLIVER
For
me it was ears. Never liked my ears. Or my nose. Or my hair. Nothing about my
life, actually!
OLIVER
smiles wistfully, lost in stoned dreams.
OLIVER
What
I really want to be…is a spy…on a mission…to save the world…you sure you don't
have any jelly? Mars Bar? Snickers?
NOTCH
turns off the shower, takes down the sarong 'curtain', wraps it around his
waist; walks towards OLIVER.
NOTCH
Sorry
mate, can't help you there.
AS
OLIVER turns he sees NOTCH, his hair tied on top of his head and a sarong
around his waist, his eyes light up.
OLIVER
You
too!
115 INT. DOROTHY AND NEVILLE'S
CAR. SUNSET
JOSIE
sits in the back of Dorothy and Neville's car looking out the window. Her
travel journal rests in her lap.
116 INT. NOTCH'S HOUSE. SUNSET
NOTCH,
in his house, is classifying geological specimens spread across the table when
OLIVER calls out.
OLIVER
Surprise!
NOTCH
turns and sees OLIVER, in a woman's wig, wearing a pink bra and pink thong
knickers, his arms held out triumphantly.
OLIVER
I
just love Australia. You can be whoever you want to be here.
NOTCH
laughs, picks up Josie's cardboard camera, takes a photo. FREEZE FRAME: OLIVER
in pink bra and thong knickers.
117 INT. CAR. NIGHT
VENUS
drives fast through the desert - a look of determination on her face. Her hands
are shaking badly.
118 EXT. NOTCH’S HOUSE. NIGHT
OLIVER,
dressed in his normal clothes now, stands by the open door of his red sedan,
shaking NOTCH’S hand.
NOTCH
It’s
been my pleasure. Never met a moron before.
OLIVER
Mormon.
NOTCH
nods, give OLIVER the thumbs up. OLIVER
smiles, drives off.
119 INT/EXT. SYDNEY HARBOUR
BRIDGE. EARLY MORNING
Neville
and Dorothy's sedan and caravan drive across Sydney Harbour Bridge. JOSIE looks
towards the Opera House.
DOROTHY
We
know what its like to be down on your luck, dear, and we'd like to give you a
little something to help you on your way.
JOSIE
smiles. DOROTHY hands a bible to JOSIE.
DOROTHY
Whenever
life gets to be a little confusing…
120 INT. OLIVER’S CAR. SYDNEY
HARBOUR BRIDGE. EARLY MORNING
OLIVER
drives over the Harbour Bridge, listens to Dorothy's muffled voice.
DOROTHY (voice off)
…just
open your bible at any page, pick a passage, any passage, and you'll find the
answer to all of life's questions right there.
121 EXT. KINGS CROSS. DAY
NEVILLE
and DOROTHY drop JOSIE off in Kings Cross, amidst Strip Clubs and Sex Shops.
JOSIE, clutching the bible, smiles as best she can.
JOSIE
Thanks
for this.
DOROTHY
Remember,
just open any page…
JOSIE
nods.
122 EXT. 'FETISHES'. DAY
JOSIE,
wearing a red wig and Venus' ‘Lolita’ sunglasses, Notch's 'bum bag' around her
waist, black shoulder bag hanging from her neck, carrying her red suitcase and
small backpack, walks past ersatz marble statues of naked women leading into
'FETISHES'.
123 INT. LOBBY. 'FETISHES'. DAY
JOSIE
stops a moment, look at herself in the mirrored wall before hearing the
crackling of knuckles. She looks around to see a huge hulk of a man:
MAX,
looking like a thug in a B-grade gangster movie. MAX appraises JOSIE
suspiciously. She smiles nervously.
MAX
Rhonda?
JOSIE
shakes her head.
JOSIE
No....Venus.
Aphrodite. Venus Aphrodite.
MAX
nods, indicates to her to follow him.
124 INT. 'FETISHES'. DAY
MAX
leads JOSIE down red carpeted stairs, past a scantily clad smiling
Receptionist, (TIFFANY), past painted nude portraits in kitsch gold frames.
MAX
Thought
for a sec you was this chick I know called Rhonda.
JOSIE
A
friend?
MAX
cracks his knuckles shakes his head.
MAX
Ripped
me off bigtime.
JOSIE
Oh!
MAX
If
I ever run into that little bitch I'll cut her throat.
MAX
runs his finger across his throat. JOSIE smiles as they walk into a dimly lit
dining area in which sit TERENCE and RANDY. RANDY is wearing a THUNDER
DOWNUNDER t-shirt and has his director's viewfinder around his neck. TERENCE
stands; greets JOSIE with a smile.
TERENCE
Venus?
JOSIE
pushes the ‘Lolita’ sunglasses back onto her forehead, smiles, holds out her
hand, speaks with Venus' Australian accent. Her impersonation of Venus is very
good.
JOSIE
Terence?
TERENCE
Good
to meet you at last. I've heard so much…
TERENCE
Randy
Carnegie…Venus Aphrodite. Randy is a film producer.
RANDY
It's
a pleasure, mam!
TERENCE
You've
met Max, my business affairs manager. (A BEAT) The VHS?
TERENCE
indicates to JOSIE to sit. She does so, takes out the blue VHS case and hands
it to TERENCE. His eyes light up.
TERENCE
Big
Tony!
RECEPTION
AREA:
TIFFANY
(Receptionist) looks to where TERENCE, RANDY and JOSIE sit in the background.
As
TERENCE laughs, takes out the VHS, inserts it into a VHS player, presses
'play'. VENUS appears alongside TIFFANY. Before TIFFANY recognizes her
immediately.
TIFFANY
Rhonda?
VENUS
looks at TIFFANY, trying to place her.
TIFFANY
From
the Detention Centre. Cheryl. You took me on a tour of the Pentagon website,
remember?
VENUS
remembers.
VENUS
Cheryl!
TIFFANY (smiles)
Well,
it’s Tiffany now…
TV
VIEWING AREA:
On
the TV screen, a very bald Tony Babbit stands in front of a large placard which
reads FAMILY FOREMOST. The caption identifies him as 'Tony Babbit':
TONY (onscreen)
The
mainstay of a healthy community has always been and must remain, the family and
I pledge that as your member…
Tony's
voice continues over:
‘Big
Tony’, discretely naked (no X-rated body parts!) dances with the two
close-to-naked strippers seen earlier.
TONY (voice off)
…my
promise, if elected is to closing down sleazy strip joints and dens of
depravity…
TERENCE looks to JOSIE with a smile, raises a thumb
in congratulations. JOSIE smiles, returns the thumbs up, tries to hide her shock
at what she is looking at. Then, onscreen:
Venus,
naked but for the python wrapped around her and her ‘Lolita’ sunglasses,
appears in frame, gyrating provocatively in front of ‘Big Tony’.
TERENCE,
MAX and RANDY all look at JOSIE. At her body, actually - mentally undressing
her. JOSIE smiles with all the nonchalance she can muster.
In
the background, in dim light, VENUS can be seen talking with TIFFANY.
TONY'S
line 'dens of depravity' is repeated several times in a loop as:
Tony
Babbit dances with Venus - who shortly thereafter drops to her knees in front
of him.
TERENCE,
MAX and RANDY look at the screen, entranced. We do not see what they see.
JOSIE’S eyes are open wide in shock.
TERENCE
Now
I know why they call him 'Big Tony'. Anyone got a magnifying glass.
MAX
and RANDY laugh along with TERENCE. JOSIE closes her eyes, not wanting to look.
When she opens them she is aware that all three men are watching the screen
intently and then looking at her in awe. She is mortified.
RECEPTION
AREA:
VENUS
leans close to TIFFANY, whispers in her ear.
VENUS
Tiffany,
I need your help!
TV
VIEWING AREA:
TERENCE
removes the VHS from the player.
TERENCE
Venus,
I don’t know how to thank you?
JOSIE (smiles)
I’ll
be happy with five grand, thanks Terence.
TERENCE
laughs, gestures to MAX, who takes out a wad of $100 bills. He is handing the
wad to JOSIE when TIFFANY walks up.
TIFFANY
Terence,
don't forget Venus's promise to dance for us.
TERENCE
I
hadn't forgotten, sweetheart.
TERENCE
indicates to MAX to hang onto the money.
JOSIE
My
dance!? (A BEAT) Oh, the...snake you’ve lined up!?
TERENCE,
RANDY and MAX nod and smile. JOSIE looks at the wad of money in MAX'S hands,
leaps to her feet, puts on a pretty good act of being relaxed about her impending
performance.
JOSIE
No
worries! Right. Let's do it.
125 INT. CORRIDOR. ‘FETISHES’
TIFFANY
leads JOSIE down a corridor of ‘themed’ rooms - out of which young women and
their thematically dressed (undressed!) clients emerge. JOSIE’S eyes wide in
shock.
126 INT. 'THE DUNGEON'
TIFFANY
leads JOSIE into a room filled with racks, whips, chains, instruments of
torture. JOSIE'S attention is drawn to a python coiled on the floor. Referring
to the python:
TIFFANY
I
hope he's long enough. The snake. His name's Bruce.
JOSIE
No
worries. Length is not a problem.
JOSIE
becomes aware of a big dog with metal-studded leather collar lying in the
corner.
TIFFANY
Dog's
name is Cunnilingus. We have a few women clients. And Cunny just loves his job.
(TO THE DOG) Don't you Cunny?
JOSIE'S
eyes move between the snake, the dog and TIFFANY.
TIFFANY
I'll
go and organize the music.
TIFFANY
walks out. JOSIE looks at the python: to herself:
JOSIE
It's
just an acting job, Josie. Nothing more. Breathe slowly…
JOSIE,
terrified, kneels by the python - trying to be brave.
JOSIE
I
can do this…oh shit! Hi Bruce!
She
touches the python tentatively. With a look of repulsion on her face she is in
the process of picking up the python when the door opens behind her and she turns
to see:
VENUS,
with a gun pointed at her head.
A
LITTLE LATER
JOSIE,
seated in a chair, is being tied up by VENUS - whose hands shake badly. She is
in an extremely agitated state.
VENUS (edgy)
Look,
Josie, I really am sorry about everything but I'm all out of medication and
without my medication... Is that too tight?
VENUS
is tying JOSIE'S hands behind her back.
JOSIE
A
bit, yes...You don't need to do this, you know, Venus. I don't want to be you
anymore.
VENUS
I
don't want to be me anymore either.
Referring
to the tightness of the rope:
VENUS
Is
that okay?
JOSIE (nods)
Your
mother called.
VENUS
removes JOSIE’S red wig.
JOSIE
Something
about the bank. She wants you to call her back urgently.
VENUS
puts the red wig on.
VENUS
Shit!
Oh, and your mum called, too. I told her I didn't want to be an actress. I mean
you didn't want to…
JOSIE
You
what! (A BEAT) Thanks. How did she…?
VENUS
grasps the python's neck firmly with one hand and lifts its body with the
other.
VENUS
Thought
you must be on drugs. Had to laugh because you weren't. On drugs. I mean I
wasn't, but I wanted to be. On drugs, that is. You haven’t got any, I suppose?
JOSIE
shakes her head.
VENUS
Hope
springs eternal!
VENUS,
the python in her arms now, stands in front of JOSIE.
VENUS
A
little kiss for Bruce?
From
JOSIE'S point of view, the python's head looms up and fills the frame. JOSIE
faints.
FADE
TO BLACK. FADE UP TO:
JOSIE
regains consciousness. Music can be heard in the background. She tries to
wriggle free of the twine. No luck.
CUNNILINGUS,
his tongue hanging out, looks at JOSIE.
JOSIE
Don't
even think about it, Cunnilingus!
JOSIE
has sufficient free movement of her hands to turn her bum-bag around behind
her, unzip it, take out her nail clippers. One snip of the twine and…
127 INT. CORRIDOR. 'FETISHES'
JOSIE
runs towards the Fire Escape door at one end of the corridor. Music in the
background builds to a climax. JOSIE opens the door an inch but there is
something jammed against it on the other side. She pushes hard but can't get
the door open wide enough to get out.
JOSIE
Flipping
hell!
She
runs back down the corridor, opens a door, looks inside:
Standing
by a colourful Arabic tent erected on the sand-covered floor is a stuffed
camel.
JOSIE
Faaaaaark!
The
music is loud now as JOSIE moves to the wings, sees VENUS, naked but for
baroque sunglasses, wig and python wrapped around her, dancing for TERENCE,
RANDY and MAX.
JOSIE
runs back down the corridor to the FIRE ESCAPE door; pushes against it with all
her might. It opens a fraction. She can almost squeeze through, but not quite.
Suddenly her attention is caught by:
VENUS
striding towards her, clutching the wad of $100 bills, the python (around her
neck), and Josie's black shoulder bag - which is, in fact, her own (Venus's
that is!)
JOSIE
- mesmerized, terrified - her eyes focused on the approaching python, opens her
mouth to scream.
JOSIE'S
point of view of VENUS and Bruce looming.
The
frame fills with python flesh and JOSIE faints again.
FADE
TO BLACK. FADE UP TO:
JOSIE,
wearing the sunglasses Josie was wearing for her dance, the red wig askew on
her head, her head resting in RANDY’S lap, unconscious.
FADE
TO BLACK briefly, FADE UP TO Josie’s POV as she opens her eyes:
RANDY
looking down at her with concern.
RANDY
Are
you alright, Venus?
JOSIE
shifts her POV to see TERENCE and MAX also hovering above her, looking down at
her.
JOSIE
sits bolt upright in shock!
JOSIE
What
the...!
128 EXT. 'FETISHES'. DAY
VENUS,
a nervous wreck, carrying her black shoulder bag, makes her way down the street
leading away from 'FETISHES'.
REGGIE
appears at Venus' side and walks with her.
REGGIE
Well,
well, well, Venus Aphrodite! How you goin', darlin'?
VENUS (nervous)
Hello
Reggie.
VENUS
is not pleased to see REGGIE.
129 INT. CORRIDOR. 'FETISHES'
JOSIE,
sitting up now, looks at TERENCE, MAX and RANDY.
RANDY
Your
dance was awesome, Venus. Awesome!
TERENCE
Randy
here was so impressed he wants a 'private.
JOSIE
A
'private!?'
130 INT. OLIVER'S CAR. CLOSE TO
'FETISHES'. DAY
OLIVER
sits in his car, listening in. A little further down the street he can see
VENUS and REGGIE talking.
JOSIE (voice off)
What's
a 'private'?
Terence's
laughter is heard.
OLIVER,
puzzled, takes out a pair of binoculars; focuses them on VENUS and REGGIE.
131 EXT. 'FETISHES'. DAY
REGGIE
and VENUS walk towards where OLIVER is parked.
VENUS
I'm
waiting for a cheque to clear, Reggie, honest. Give me a couple more days.
REGGIE
I'll
give you one minute…
VENUS
But…
REGGIE
55
seconds.
132 INT. OLIVER'S CAR. CLOSE TO
'FETISHES'. DAY
OLIVER
sits in his car, looking at VENUS, talking with REGGIE, walking towards him -
without sunglasses, with shoulder length brunette hair.
JOSIE'S
voice, (she speaks with Venus’ Aussie accent) emanates from Oliver’s speakers:
JOSIE’S VOICE
Five
hundred bucks! For fifteen minutes!
OLIVER
is more than a little confused. He compares the photo of Venus and the real
VENUS. They look very similar but…
133 INT. CHANGING ROOM.
'FETISHES'
JOSIE
sits in front of a mirror applying make-up as TIFFANY takes a blue school
uniform from the rack.
JOSIE
And
I definitely don't have to do anything...wierd...with…ping pong balls or
cigarettes…?
134 EXT. STREET CLOSE TO 'FETISHES'
VENUS
and REGGIE are close to OLIVER'S car now. Close also to a limousine, beside
which stand TWO BURLY MEN. VENUS looks at the men, at the smiling REGGIE then
back to the impassive faces of his goons.
VENUS
Okay!
She
takes out the wad of money, hands it to REGGIE, who climbs into the limo and
drives off. VENUS is crestfallen!
OLIVER (voice off)
Are
you alright, mam!?
VENUS,
close to tears, turns, sees OLIVER get out of his car.
VENUS (desperate)
No,
I have no money, if I don't get my medication soon I'm going to die and that
man…
OLIVER
Yes,
I saw…Most definitely NOT a gentleman. Here, I hope this helps.
He
extracts a $100 bill from his wallet and gives it to VENUS.
VENUS
Thanks.
OLIVER
If
there's anything else I can do for you…
OLIVER
hands VENUS his business card. VENUS looks at the card: OLIVER SYMES; INTEGRITY
INSURANCE
OLIVER
If
I can be of any help…(A BEAT) Are you familiar, mam, with the concept of the
doppelganger? A double who looks exactly like you?
VENUS
hasn't a clue what he is talking about.
135 INT. 'PRIVATE' ROOM.
'FETISHES'
The
door opens into a ‘classroom’. RANDY stands nervously behind a school desk, in
front of a blackboard. JOSIE walks in, dressed as a school-girl - in short blue
skirt, white shirt and blue tie, a wig comprising two plaits; the bum-bag that
Notch gave her around her waist. She looks up at RANDY with wide innocent eyes;
talking like a 13 year old.
JOSIE
You
wanted to see me, sir? Have I been a naughty girl?
RANDY
No,
I just wanted…
JOSIE
Oh,
its so hot in here!
She
starts to undo the buttons of her shirt.
JOSIE
You
don't mind if I take my shirt off, do you sir?
RANDY
shakes his head; breathes deeply. Suddenly JOSIE bursts out laughing.
RANDY
turns bright red.
JOSIE
I'm
sorry, Randy, but I'm not really who you think I am.
RANDY
But
I don't think you're anyone.
JOSIE
Well
Thanks! That does wonders for my ego!
RANDY (flustered)
I
didn't mean…
JOSIE
speaks with her own English accent
JOSIE
I'm
not Venus at all. My name is Josie and I just want to get out of this country
as fast as I can and I don't care if you tell Terence because being Venus has
turned my life into a nightmare and…
The
mobile rings in Josie's bum-bag.
RANDY
I
don't understand.
JOSIE
takes the pink mobile from the bum-bag.
JOSIE
Just
answer it! You'll understand.
RANDY
takes the pink mobile, holds it to his ear.
VENUS' VOICE
I
want my fucking phone back.
RANDY
Excuse
me!
136 INT. PUBLIC PHONE BOOTH. DAY
VENUS,
a doctor's prescription pad in front of her, (resting on Dorothy's bible!)
fills out a prescription form (using Josie's name) as she shouts into the
phone.
VENUS
Tell
'Venus' she can take her bible and shove it up her…
137 INT. 'PRIVATE' ROOM. 'FETISHES'
RANDY
puts the pink phallic phone back in Josie's bum-bag.
JOSIE
Well?
RANDY
She
suggested you take your bible and...well, I think her suggestion is
anatomically impossible!
JOSIE
You
see what I have to deal with!?
RANDY
No,
actually, but I'm not sure I want to see, Venus…Josie. You see I'm not who you
think I am either. I mean, I am who you think I am, I think, but you see I
don't really want a 'private', I want a girlfriend. Not a real girlfriend. A
pretend girlfriend. That's why I came here to see if Terence, who’s an investor
in my film, could…rent me a 'girlfriend' for a few days…and the moment I saw
you, even before your dance…
JOSIE
Hang
on a second, buster, I'm not that kind of girl.
RANDY
looks at her unbuttoned shirt:
RANDY
No,
I can see that.
JOSIE
buttons up her shirt.
JOSIE
(sniffles)
I'm
not for rent! (A BEAT) I'm sure Terence can fix you up…
RANDY
In
the next three hours!?
JOSIE
Why
so fast?
RANDY
I'm
a film producer, you see, and I have to fly to Darwin tomorrow and…
138 EXT. COFFEE LOUNGE. DAY
CLOSE
ON the title page of a screenplay: THUNDER DOWNUNDER.
RANDY
(voice off)
A
down-under outback action adventure comedy set in Kakadu…
JOSIE'S
hand turns to page one.
RANDY (voice off)
…destined
to be bigger than 'Crocodile Dundee’.
JOSIE
Destined!
JOSIE
glances at the first page of the screenplay as she and RANDY drink coffee in an
outdoor Kings Cross café.
JOSIE
But
why do you need a 'pretend' girlfriend?
RANDY
Well,
my boss, the producer, is arriving this afternoon with his new girlfriend and
he's dying to meet my girlfriend, Serena. But, you see, Serena…dumped me and...
JOSIE
And...?
RANDY
Well,
Larry's dying to meet her.
JOSIE
Why
don't you just tell Larry that Serena dumped you?
RANDY
Because
I'd look like a loser and Larry loathes losers and we start shooting in a few
weeks and we're leaving tomorrow to find locations…
JOSIE
In
Kakadu?
RANDY
And
it would only be for one night now and one night when we get back from Darwin
and…
JOSIE
You're
leaving for Kakadu tomorrow?
RANDY
Yes,
and I'll give you three grand for two days pretending to…
JOSIE
Do
you believe in fate, Randy? Destiny? I do, because you know what, I know Kakadu
like the back of my hand. I could help you…
RANDY
Unfortunately,
Venus, we already have a locations guy lined up…
JOSIE
Bet
he doesn't know Kakadu like me!
RANDY
You
know where we can find crocs, snakes, spiders…creepy crawlies?
JOSIE
Is
the Pope a Catholic?
RANDY
Snakes
especially. There's a lot of snakes in 'Thunder'.
JOSIE
I've
got a degree in herpetology, Randy...that's snakes, you know...and...and...you
give me five grand and I'll not only be your 'girlfriend'...but I'll come with
you to Darwin and, you know…
RANDY
Help
us with the snakes and crocodiles?
JOSIE
nods. RANDY is not so sure.
RANDY
Five
grand's a lot of money!
JOSIE
If
you want an expert on snakes, I’m your man...woman!
139 INT. CHEMIST. DAY
VENUS,
agitated, hands shaking badly, waits as the CHEMIST fills out a
prescription.
The
CHEMIST arrives at the counter with a bottle of pills.
140 EXT. KINGS CROSS STREET. DAY
VENUS
takes five pills from her bottle, swallows them. As she does so she sees, on
the other side of the road, a hairdressing salon.
141 INT/EXT. RANDY'S SPORTS CAR.
DAY
RANDY
drives a flash rented sports car, JOSIE in the passenger seat, extracts two
$100 bills from Randy's wallet.
RANDY
You're
going to need more than that to convince Larry!
JOSIE
smiles and takes out a couple more $100 bills.
RANDY
…and
just so that Larry doesn't suspect that you're not my girlfriend…well, if you
could…if I could…if we could kiss…just once…when Larry is looking…
142 INT. HAIRDRESSING SALON. DAY
VENUS,
agitated, 'speedy' shows Josie's passport photo to the hairdresser: short-cropped
pink hair. The HAIRDRESSER nods.
143 EXT. RANDY'S HOUSE. DAY
RANDY'S
car pulls up outside a mansion overlooking Sydney Harbour.
JOSIE
is in awe as she walks up the front steps:
JOSIE
Flipping
hell!
RANDY,
close behind her, looks lustfully at her body.
144 INT. INT. HAIRDRESSING SALON.
DAY
VENUS,
her short-cropped hair pink, anxious, stressed, 'speeding' looks at her dilated
eyes in the mirror.
VENUS
scrambles around inside her shoulder bag, yanks out the bottle of pills. In the
process she pulls out other things that fall to the ground. She looks at the
label: VIAGRA.
VENUS
Jesus
H Christ!
She
notices Oliver's business card on the ground. She bends down, picks it up,
looks at it - her hands shaking badly.
145 EXT. RANDY'S HOUSE. SUNSET
RANDY
pulls up in his sports car with LARRY, 60ish, and his elegant late-20s
girlfriend, DELORES. LARRY a deeply tanned and silver-haired Lothario
(Californian accent) has had one too many face lifts and spent too long under
the sun lamp.
LARRY,
RANDY and DELORES make their way up the steps leading to the house. LARRY has
an Actors Directory in his hands - various pages marked with pink stickers.
LARRY points to a photo of a beautiful actress with impressive cleavage.
LARRY
I
don't give a damn if she can act! Look at those tits!
RANDY
Which
part, dad?
DELORES (American accent)
Obviously
not the male lead, Randy!
JOSIE
appears by the front door, smiling radiantly - in a stunning dress (one of her
own designs, seen at Notch's), and brunette wig - like Venus' before her
haircut.
LARRY'S
jaw drops as JOSIE glides down the stairs.
JOSIE
Darling.
She
kisses RANDY on the cheek.
RANDY
Sweetheart,
I'd like you to meet Larry…and Delores. Serena…
JOSIE
beams a big smile, kisses LARRY on the cheek. LARRY'S eyes are popping out of
his head. DELORES' hackles rise.
JOSIE
Larry…Delores.
JOSIE
drapes an arm around RANDY'S shoulder, smiles at LARRY.
JOSIE
How
was your flight, Larry?
DELORES
stakes out her territory; puts her arm around LARRY.
DELORES
I
took good care of him, Serena, if you know what I mean.
JOSIE
No,
I don't know what you mean, Delores.
DELORES
You
never heard of the Mile-High Club?
JOSIE,
playing the coquette, feigns naiveté.
JOSIE
No.
The only club I ever joined was Girl Guides. Dib, dib, dib…
146 INT. OLIVER'S CAR. NIGHT
OLIVER
drives. VENUS, 'speeding', unscrews a vial of Valium, pours three into her
hand. OLIVER looks at VENUS' pink hair.
OLIVER
Hot
damn, Josie, with that pink hair you're a dead ringer for Venus, though you're
more beautiful than she is.
VENUS
You
think?
OLIVER
Not
just on the outside, Josie. On the inside as well.
VENUS
Thank
you. Oliver. (A BEAT) And Venus? What do you think of her?
OLIVER
Less
said about her the better, Josie. I don't like to speak ill of people but…
anyone who could treat poor Madge and Reg at the motel like that is a…I don't
want to swear in front of a lady.
VENUS
Bitch?
OLIVER
That's
the very word I had in mind.
VENUS
What
makes you thinks I'm beautiful on the inside?
OLIVER
I'm
a good judge of character.
OLIVER
smiles warmly at her. VENUS, a little taken aback, tosses the valium into her
mouth.
…to
be continued…
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