<p class="center-text">One More Drink</p> <p class="center-text">by</p> <p class="center-text">Kris</p> --- INT. THE SATIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING RICOCHET's at the bar. An ashtray on the counter holds an impressive number of cigarette butts. He swirls a GLASS half-full of scotch against the counter. A single ice cube clinks. Neon Christmas lights lazily blink red and green on a wall behind him. There's nobody here besides him... Almost nobody. BELLADONNA's stilettos give him away as he walks down the hall and stops behind Ricochet. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Hey, baby. He places a gloved hand delicately on Ricochet's shoulder. He's out of his performance clothing and changed into something gaudy with too much fur. Ricochet doesn't budge at the touch. > > > > > > RICOCHET Donna. > > > > > > BELLADONNA (Hammed up) Ugh, *Donna*? I'm not your grandma, baby. Say the full thing or just leave me to die. Belladonna laughs loud and free and Ricochet snorts. > > > > > > RICOCHET Well, you're acting like an old lady right now trying to kick me out. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Asshole! Belladonna, smiling wide, leans both his hands on each of Ricochet's shoulders and rests his forehead on the back of Ricochet's head. But Ricochet remains still, spinning his glass. A quiet beat. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Ricky- > > > > > > RICOCHET I know. I know. You don't need to say it. I know Janine's closed already, she gave me the death stare. Told me to clean up after myself. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Oh. You're more sober than I thought. This is dire, baby. > > > > > > RICOCHET Exactly. An ethereal, iron cuff around Ricochet's wrist blurs into focus. Belladonna stares at it with a frown. With a sigh, Belladonna runs his fingers across Ricochet's shoulders and slides into the seat beside him. > > > > > > BELLADONNA So... > > > > > > RICOCHET Not in the mood for chatting. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Did I ask if you were? > > > > > > RICOCHET You did. By batting your pretty eyelashes. > > > > > > BELLADONNA I can't help that, baby. (Beat.) So you don't want to leave, but you don't want to talk? > > > > > > RICOCHET (sighing) We can talk. I just don't want to, *talk* talk. > > > > > > BELLADONNA So many restrictions! Are you trying to bind me? Kinky. But fine. Belladonna reaches over to the spot where Ricochet's hand holds the glass. He puts his hand over Ricochet's and helps him swirl the scotch. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Rabbit wasn't performing tonight. But you're still here. Ricochet's chain clamp hits the glass with a loud clink. > > > > > > RICOCHET I said we weren't going to *talk* talk. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Chit-chatting about my coworker isn't serious business, baby. Ricochet's mouth twitches. > > > > > > RICOCHET So... so what? I know Rabbit's not performing tonight. I just had a... busy day dealing with Lenny so I wanted to unwind... > > > > > > BELLADONNA Don't tell me you came out here just for 'lil old me. Nostalgic much? Belladonna adjusts his tits, preens with a grin. > > > > > > RICOCHET Can't a devil drink away Christmas Day in peace here? > > > > > > BELLADONNA You can. But it's not Christmas Day anymore, sweet cakes. December 26, by now. > > > > > > RICOCHET Aren't there 12 days of Christmas? > > > > > > BELLADONNA Touche. Ricochet falls into a small smile. > > > > > > RICOCHET They've been good. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Hm? > > > > > > RICOCHET Rabbit's shows have been good. You know, easy on the eyes. But I just wanted to come here on his off-day. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Okay, but why are you pissed? > > > > > > RICOCHET I'm not. Belladonna lets go of Ricochet's hand and slaps his arm lightly. > > > > > > BELLADONNA (Mock-offended) You're so mad! You're not mad at me for sleeping with him, are you? > > > > > > RICOCHET What? No... I'm not mad at you. I'm not territorial. It's fine if you fool around with him. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Hmph. Good. Belladonna smiles and Ricochet rolls his eyes. Then with a wink, Belladonna leans back in his seat, then spins the chair to face the stage, looking away from Ricochet. > > > > > > BELLADONNA I mentioned earlier that he and I met on Christmas Eve? > > > > > > RICOCHET An orgy with the War King freaks. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Hey. Don't knock them 'till you try them... But yes, Leslie hopped in for a little Christmas "caroling" and we messed around with some horn dogs. It was nothing. He's more of your type than mine, isn't he? So I'm actually glad you're having fun with him instead of just moping here every night. (Beat.) You *are* having fun with Rabbit, right? > > > > > > RICOCHET Yeah, yeah. It's been... > > > > > > BELLADONNA What? Ricochet stares at his iron cuff. > > > > > > BELLADONNA ...He's been off lately, huh? > > > > > > RICOCHET I mean. Yeah. Lot of shit going on. I... also saw him. I dropped by the Diner yesterday for some Morax shit. A business dinner. Before he hooked up with you. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Ohhhhh. I see. Did... something happen? Ricochet grips the glass hard. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Did he upset Lenny? > > > > > > RICOCHET Wasn't his fault. It was his damn... > > > > > > BELLADONNA His damn occultist. > > > > > > RICOCHET (Surprised) Uh, yeah. Ricochet looks Belladonna up and down. > > > > > > RICOCHET Charmed him or something. Maybe accidentally spiked his food. > > > > > > BELLADONNA (Eyes narrowing) Like a love potion? > > > > > > RICOCHET Sure. Don't fuckin' know why Rabbit's putting up with that guy. > > > > > > BELLADONNA It's a better deal. > > > > > > RICOCHET (Angrier) Better than mine? Of course it fucking is. Beat. Belladonna swivels back to face Ricochet, raising an eyebrow. Ricochet pales. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Are you going to scream at me every time we mention your damn contract? > > > > > > RICOCHET No... Sorry. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Better be, baby. (Beat.) Leslie doesn't love his occultist. Obviously...But that's not what bothers you. > > > > > > RICOCHET I'm not bothered. He's a bumbling idiot. But suckers acting like that -- around Lenny? It's begging for a bullet to the brain. And that *damn* occultist is going to drag Rabbit down with him. As soon as their Duke is too far away to reach or the Diner is out of Morax's master equation, *my* fucking occultist is going to wrap his chains around his neck and I'm always going be the one pulling the... Ricochet stops. Belladonna's on the edge of his seat, but quickly settles, trying to look nonchalant. > > > > > > RICOCHET Shit. I shouldn't be- > > > > > > BELLADONNA It's fine baby. I'm not telling anyone. The Diner must know by now that they're surrounded by knives on all sides. (Beat.) Andddd, if I was blowing Lenny I would have ratted you out ages ago, but he never could handle these curves, you know that. Your business is your own. > > > > > > RICOCHET ...I mean. Lenny knows. Lenny knows I hate him. It's a fact. Ricochet lets his body slump against the counter. Belladonna strokes his hair gently. Ricochet tenses at first, but gives in. He closes his eyes and Belladonna hums. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Sorry I made you *talk* talk. A grunt escapes Ricochet's chest. *This always happens.* A long beat. > > > > > > RICOCHET I liked the Rabbit's winter show earlier this week. Belladonna slows his stroking. > > > > > > BELLADONNA Yeah? > > > > > > RICOCHET Not to dock yours. Yours was good too. Precise. Intense. Electric. Always is. > > > > > > BELLADONNA But... > > > > > > RICOCHET But his was... numbing. Familiar. Belladonna's hand stops, finger on the edge of one of Ricochet's horns. A look of guilt crosses Belladonna's face. His lips almost part to speak, but they purse back into a smile as Ricochet shifts to meet his eyes. > > > > > > BELLADONNA There's nothing more classic than a magical rabbit-trick, huh? Ricochet gives a long scrutinizing stare. After a beat, he shrugs and finally gets up, a slack expression shrouding his face as he stretches lazily. *Back to business.* Belladonna spins on the chair as Ricochet heads for the door. > > > > > > RICOCHET See you around, Bella. > > > > > > BELLADONNA You know where to find me baby. Ricochet gives a last look, then exits. Finally alone, Belladonna's smile slowly fades into a quiet, thoughtful look. He stares at the abandoned half-empty glass then downs the rest of the scotch in one go.