Act 1 – Scene 2

The Pink Cat Club

Enter ROCK and ROMEO

"Go on, have another drink!" Laughed Romeo, sprawled on a leather couch, a glass of expensive whiskey in his hand, and a number women in various states of undress gyrating around metal poles in front of him.

"I really shouldn't," Rock tried to decline, "I am on the job, after all."

"Ahh piss!" The young man exclaimed good-naturedly. "Don't worry 'bout it, I'm paying for everything!" This was very true, a fact that causing Rock considerable grief. So far, not only had the Montague paid for the drinks of everyone in the club, he had also contributed funds to two of his friend's drug habits, purchased the services of a hooker for a third, and was almost constantly slipping money to the girls in front of him.

Somehow, Rock had managed to keep track of all the expenses so far, however that would change if he had much more to drink. The problem was that Romeo insisted that Rock keep up with him, drink for drink. Rock had always prided himself on his high tolerance for alcohol, but he was starting to think that this guy could drink even Revy under the table. Maybe it had something to do with whatever drugs Rock suspected he'd taken when he'd been to the bathroom half an hour ago.

Rock sat back and tried to look interested in the semi-acrobatic spectacle before him. It didn't hold much attraction to him. Strip clubs brought back bad memories of accompanying drunken businessmen around Tokyo's seedier districts on night-long benders, memories he'd rather forget. Romeo had picked the venue. Apparently his girlfriend had dumped him, so he was getting over the loss by 'examining other beauties'.

The young man noticed Rock's indifference and spoke up. "What's up, buddy?"

"Not my kind of place." He confessed.

"Why could that be?" Romeo pondered. "You have a girlfriend, perhaps?" Rock shook his head. "Do you want one?" The Montague asked conspiratorially. "I could hook you up someone, no trouble!"

"No thanks." Rock politely declined.

"I know what'll cheer you up!" Romeo thumped him on the shoulder. "Have you ever gatecrashed a Masquerade Ball?"

"No, it's not something I'd-" Rock tried to tell him.

"Great!" He grinned. "That's what we'll do then!"

Rock considered protesting against it, but realised it would be futile anyway. Then something occurred to him. "This ball…" He asked nervously, "It wouldn't happen to be the one the Capulets are throwing, would it?"

"Bingo!" Exclaimed Romeo. "Got it in one!"

"You're mad!" Rock gaped in disbelief. "They're the Capulets!"

"I know!" Romeo nodded in excitement. "It's even more fun this way!"

The Japanese grabbed his drink and downed it in one. "Right…" He said in a very small voice.

"Let's go then! We've gotta' prepare for it." The young man practically dragged Rock out the door, giving his friends a wave on the way out.

Rock found himself in the passenger seat of Romeo's bright red convertible sports car, speeding through the streets of Roanapur at a terrifying pace. The Montague was driving like a man possessed, seeming unconcerned that he had ingested an amount of alcohol that would kill an ordinary human, not to mention the drugs.

In the back of his mind, a little part of Rock was hoping that they would crash. That at least would be more pleasant than what the Capulets would do to them.

Exeunt ROCK and ROMEO


Act 1 – Scene 3

The Capulet Mansion

Enter REVY and DON CAPULET

Don Capulet led Revy through the mansion. Revy didn't care much for the architecture; whoever had built the place had had an obsession with marble cherubs and columns. Revy was more of a brick wall person. You could do things with a brick wall. Columns just had no potential.

"I hope you'll try to get along with my daughter." Capulet said to her, then frowning, "Though I feel that may be easier said than done."

"I don't care," Revy shrugged unconcernedly, "As long as I get paid."

Walking down a corridor, Don Capulet indicated a door. "This can be your room. My daughter's is the next one along." Loud boyband pop music was leaking through the wall. The Don hammered on the door. "Juliet! Open up!"

After a lengthy pause, the door slammed open and --

Enter JULIET

-- Juliet stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. "What?!" She demanded in a prissy voice, "Is my music too fucking loud again?" The teenager looked behind her father at Revy. "What're you meant to be?" She sniffed, "Some sort of biker gang ho?"

A vein began to throb on Revy's forehead. She found herself thinking about how great it would feel to break this kid's face.

"She's your new bodyguard." The Don anxiously told his daughter.

"I don't want a bodyguard." Juliet pouted, "Especially not someone like her!"

"Now, now," Capulet hastily tried to avert disaster, "It's for your own good. I only-"

"I'll take it from here." Revy stepped past him, grinning intently.

"Please," Don Capulet whispered to her. "Don't do anything you'll regret."

"Heh!" Revy laughed. "I don't regret anything!" She shut the door behind her, leaving the uneasy Don out in the hallway.

Exeunt DON CAPULET

"You don't scare me." Juliet stated defiantly. "Street trash like you wouldn't dare-"

Revy slammed her against the wall. "Listen here, you little fuck! I'm paid to protect you from Montagues. No one said I couldn't hurt you myself!"

"You're not… you couldn't…!" Juliet stammered, suddenly terrified.

Revy pulled a gun from its holster and held it an inch away from the girl's face. "Maybe I'll just take an eye," She snarled, "Leave you a nice hole in that pretty face!"

Revy realised the girl was crying, a pathetic blubbering that annoyed her even more. She released her hold on her, and Juliet collapsed to a heap on the floor.

"Stop that." Revy ordered. The teenager sniffed and held back her tears. Revy squatted down in front of her. "Just so we're clear, I really can't stand spoiled little rich girls who think their shit doesn't stink. However, as long as you don't piss me off any more, we won't have any problems, got it?" Juliet nodded silently. "Good."

Revy stood up and left, leaving the girl on the floor. Her own room was much like Juliet's, but minus the posters and decorations. She let herself out onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. There was a swimming pool in the courtyard below, and for some reason, she felt a bizarre urge to throw people into it with Johnny Cash playing in the background. She couldn't understand why, she didn't even like Country and Western music.

Her cigarette burned down, and she flicked it into the pool. There was a knock at her door. Revy wondered if it was Don Capulet come to complain to her about scaring the shit out of his daughter.

She opened the door and found Juliet standing in the hallway, looking very apprehensive, with a red dress folded over her arm. Revy stared at her for a few moments, the girl becoming more and more uncomfortable under her gaze. "Well?" She finally demanded.

The teenager jumped at the sound of her voice. She looked down at the floor and mumbled, "There's going to be a party later, so I brought you this to wear." She nervously held out the dress.

Revy eyed it, trying not to laugh. "Do I look like the kind of person who'd wear that?" She scoffed.

"But you can't go like… that." Juliet said quietly, trying hard not to say anything that might set off Revy's quick temper again. "Please." She held the dress out further, like an offering to some vengeful god.

Revy, who was unused to people begging her for things other than their lives, was slightly disarmed by the girl's honest expression. She took dress from her with thumb and forefinger, keeping contact with it to a minimum. "I wear what I want." She told Juliet, and shut the door on her.

She threw the dress onto a chair and glared at it like it was some kind of dangerous opponent. She narrowed her eyes, the dress hung impassively, seemingly mocking her. "Hell no." She decided firmly.

To Be Continued…