SCENE NINE: EAST END
*The scene begins back in the bar, which is now empty aside from Greg, Stacey, Rah and Adam. Adam has his head on the bar, and looks distraught. Rah is playing darts in the background, Greg is standing nearby, while Stacey is tending to Adam's injured hand, wrapping it up in a bandage.*
RAH (casually): Dude, even I can see that plan wasn't going to work. And I thought you were a genius?
GREG: I hate to agree with Rah, but he's right. I knew you had the bus and all, but the costume? What were you thinking?
ADAM (sobbing): Pulling that mask off Kirby was the happiest moment of my life…I thought it might have been hers, as well.
*Stacey smacks Adam's bandaged hand, who yelps with pain.*
STACEY (angry): Thought? No, you didn't think! Did you conveniently forget that her best friend tossed on that very same costume and killed those closest to her…and then what happened to her Dad? You should consider yourself lucky…if it were me; you wouldn't have gotten off that bus alive.
GREG (stepping in): OK, relax! I'm sure he feels bad enough already, Stacey. You don't need to twist the knife.
ADAM: I'll…I'll make it up to her. She knows how much I love her…it was why I did it.
GREG: Love can make us do some crazy things. Can't it, Stacey?
*Greg narrows his eyes at the still annoyed Stacey, who softens when Adam puts his head back down onto the bar.*
STACEY (soothing): Hey! It'll be OK…Kirby loves you, and she sure as hell knows how much you love her. Just give her some time to calm down.
ADAM: And what am I meant to do in the meantime?
GREG: Take your mind off it. You look like hell, man.
ADAM: Don't even ask me about the day I've had.
STACEY: You know what you need? A night out on the town with me…I've been told it can be very therapeutic.
RAH (quietly): Maybe for guys who need counselling after sleeping with you…
STACEY: What?
RAH: Nothing…but I reckon she's right, man…let's head out on the town! Tear it up like old times! Forget what happened by erasing your memory of tonight with the wonderful magic of alcohol.
ADAM: I dunno…
STACEY: It's not like you can head home at the moment. Let us help you, Adam.
ADAM: I guess I could use a drink…or ten.
RAH: Excellent! Look at it this way, there's plenty more fish in the sea, bro. And it's the Rah guarantee that you will get laid on the night of your proposal…Kirby or no Kirby.
ADAM: I don't want to get laid, Rah. I want Kirby. She's all I ever wanted.
RAH: I know that, bro. But tonight was basically meant to be your stag do. I can't afford to be buying you cocktails twice a year, you get me? So the free pass still applies…kinda.
STACEY: That's gross…not everybody thinks with their cock like you do.
RAH: Aren't you a feisty one tonight?
STACEY: If you think I'm feisty now, wait until you see me on the dance floor.
RAH: Sweet! So you're in?
STACEY: Well, it's a Friday night, and I'm already dressed up. You only live once, right?
GREG (whispering): You sure this is a good idea?
STACEY (whispering): Somebody has to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.
RAH: What about you, G? Wanna come out and make it a night that we'll never…remember?
GREG (shaking head): Heading out and about isn't really my scene…maybe ten years ago. You guys head out and have some fun, take your minds off things.
STACEY: Guess I'll ring a cab, then.
RAH: Leave it to me, doll. I have pull with these cats.
*Rah exits with his phone out. Stacey rolls her eyes, and shudders.*
STACEY: Does he always have to be so…crude?
ADAM: It's the best and worst of him…but he's good value to keep around.
GREG: I don't know how you live with him. I'd want to strangle him after a few hours of his company.
ADAM: Patience is a virtue.
STACEY: And mine is virtue-ally gone.
*Rah pops his head in the door, waving the two out onto the street.*
RAH: We're good to go, being picked up in ten. Let's hit it!
ADAM: Thanks for the shoulder to cry on, Greg.
GREG: Anytime, Adam. I'm here if you need me.
STACEY: Let me know if you can get through to Kirby, Greg.
GREG: Will do. Have a good night, guys.
*The three of them leave the bar, but Adam quickly runs back in and whips out his phone. He shows Greg a picture of Sidney, and he immediately looks slightly sheepish.*
ADAM: One more thing…if you see this woman, stay away from her. And let me know if you see her hanging around near the bar…you hear me? She's trouble.
GREG (guiltily): No problem…I'm good with faces.
*Adam nods, and leaves the bar.*
*The scene shifts to Kirby, who is walking on the side of a busy street. She is upset. A dark figure shoots from an alleyway, and begins to follow her.*
*The scene shifts back to Adam, Stacey and Rah. They are exiting a taxi in front of a popular nightclub. The line is already large, and loud club music can be heard from outside. Everybody is very well dressed and tipsy.*
RAH: Now this is what I'm talking about!
ADAM: What is this place?
STACEY: The East End. New joint that only opened a few months ago…I'm a bit of a regular. The place is packed nearly every night.
ADAM: What's so good about it?
RAH: What's so good about it? Look at the bi-atches in the line, bro! It's like J. K. Rowling.
STACEY: J. K. Rowling?
RAH (grins): Some quality tale.
*Adam and Stacey look at each other, and in spite of themselves, they laugh. Adam puts a hand on Rah's shoulder, slightly teary.*
ADAM: You always know how to pick me up, man. Thanks.
STACEY: That actually wasn't too bad. You're not as stupid as you look, are you?
RAH: I'm Indian, and my parents haven't completely disowned me yet. Of course I'm smart! Now, shall we get crunked? Or shall we get crunked?
ADAM (dejectedly): I vote for crunked.
STACEY (grinning): In that case, follow me; I've got pull with one of the bouncers. Sometimes it helps to be hot.
RAH (running hands through his hair): Tell me about it.
*The three laugh and walk to the front of the line, where Stacey hugs one of the bouncers and begins to talk to him. The bouncer lets the three into the club after a short discussion. On the other side of the road, Sidney's car pulls up to the curb.*
END SCENE