Lotus Canyon - The First Few Minutes (First Draft)

pegasusphysics (55)in #writing • 7 years ago (edited)

`EST. CANYON NINE - DUSK`

A canyon oasis inhabited by hardy lotus flowers, bioluminescent willow trees, and an assortment of entertainment establishments.

`EXT. WUXIA BORDELLO`

A muralled dome draped with willows, surrounded by outdoor seating of booths and bed swings. Stylish signage adorns the main door.

Breaking glass echoes over exotic music.

`INT. WUXIA BORDELLO`

`ATRIUM - LOBBY`

Posh, yet cozy. Bold colours of passion. Decor best described as harem-chic meets majestic-dojo. A marble fountain stands at the centre. The sounds of sitars and spacedrums welcome guests.

Sounds from above (O.S.): Human noises of pain and aggression. Bodies hitting walls. Breaking appliances. Cracking wood.

Then the fast-approaching sound of a man screaming.

His screaming stops when his body bounces off the side of the fountain.

`ATRIUM - 8TH FLOOR ARCADE`

BRIDGET, mid 20s, hair of gold on petite hourglass curves, peers over the broken railing.

BRIDGET

Oh, whoops...

JAYNE, a tall strapping ginger in his mid 30s, arrives at the scene.

He looks at Bridget's broken bedroom door, her dishevelled appearance, the broken railing... Peers over the edge, the lifeless body.

JAYNE

What did you do?

BRIDGET

What did I do?! He stabbed me!

She yanks the dagger out of her thigh.

BRIDGET

See?

JAYNE

So you murdered him?!

BRIDGET

That was an accident.

JAYNE

Oh my god...

BRIDGET

Maybe he's okay?

TORRENCE (O.S.)

Nope.

They look down.

`ATRIUM - LOBBY`

TORRENCE, a bespectacled, dirty blond beanpole in his late 20s, is casually perusing the attacker's pockets.

BRIDGET

You sure?

Torrence nudges the body.

TORRENCE

Pretty sure.

JAYNE

Are you robbing him?

TORRENCE

(lying)

Uh...no?

`ATRIUM - 8TH FLOOR ARCADE`

JAYNE

Come on, we have to tell Sky.

(calling to Torrence)

At least take him to the infirmary.

BRIDGET

Right. Let me just...

Bridget grabs a scarf from the doorway of her ruined room and ties it around her wound.

TORRENCE (O.S)

Me? Why do I have to do it?

The two follow the railing as Jayne continues his conversation with Torrence.

JAYNE

Because you're the one picking his pockets?

TORRENCE (O.S)

No, I'm investigating!

JAYNE

Just do it! Evening rush is starting soon.

TORRENCE (O.S)

Fine, fine...

Jayne turns from the railing, crosses the walkway, and unlocks a door.

They enter the

`8TH FLOOR GREENHOUSE HALL`

a passage between two glass walls.

People tend to greenhouses behind both.

Jayne presses the call button when they reach the

`STAFF ELEVATORS`

then continues down the hall to the

`KITCHEN`

where he gestures to the chef.

JODY, a terse and sturdy woman, late 40s, thrusts her chin at him.

She pulls two travel containers from a nearby oven and gives them to Jayne.

JAYNE

You're the best, Jody.

JODY

And don't you forget it.

(to Bridget)

What about you, Bitty? You want something? You hungry?

(looks Bridget up and down)

You're bleeding on my kitchen.

BRIDGET

Oh shit, sorry.

Jody tosses Bridget a clean towel.

BRIDGET

Thanks. Yes. Please. Anything.

Jody pulls another travel container from the oven and gives it to Bridget.

JODY

Okay, go on. Get. I'm busy.

JAYNE

Love ya, Jody.

JODY

Yup.

Jayne and Bridget exit the kitchen and return to the

`STAFF ELEVATORS`

Bridget presses the button

Jayne bites into a steamed bun from the top 'container'.

The elevator DINGS, the doors open.

A look of ecstasy crosses his face.

JAYNE

Mmm... So good...

The board the elevator and the door closes.

`STAFF ELEVATORS - 1ST FLOOR`

The doors open.

Jayne and Bridget are licking their fingers.

Bridget is holding the two empty containers.

They exit the elevator and proceed down the

`CENTRAL HALLWAY`

Bridget sets the empty containers on a room service tray outside a door.

On one side, dimly lit bordello bedrooms - some with clients, others with residents on media devices or eating dinner.

On the other, active martial arts classes for various styles and levels of proficiency.

They stop at one of the classes in progress. The sign over the door reads:

`BLIND MANTIS DOJO - INSTRUCTOR: SKY`

SKY, 35, short, ethnically ambiguous, stands blindfolded.

Her opponent is also blindfolded. They begin sparring.

Jayne and Bridget watch them spar for about 30 seconds before Jayne pulls a folding fan from his pocket.

He nudges Bridget and nods at the travel container in his hand.

Bridget grins and opens the container.

Jayne fans the food, directing the smell at the fighters.

Sky catches a whiff.

Her opponent seizes the opportunity and flips her.

SKY

Ha! Well done!

She slips her blindfold off and rolls to face the source of the smell that distracted her.

SKY

Of course.

(to the class)

Break for dinner.

Sky springs to her feet and takes the food from the laughing Jayne.

She takes a giant bite as she scans Bridget.

SKY

What happened to you?

BRIDGET

A client stabbed me-

JAYNE

And then she murdered him!

BRIDGET

That was an accident, I said!

SKY

Slow down...

She looks at the bun in her hand and takes another bite.

SKY

Why did he stab you?

BRIDGET

I don't know-

JAYNE

And he's dead now, so we can't ask him.

SKY

Stop it, Jayne.

BRIDGET

Yea! Stop it, Jayne.

SKY

Where's the body?

JAYNE

I told Torrence to take it to the infirmary, so, probably still in the atrium.

SKY

Show me.

The three exit the room and follow the

`CENTRAL HALLWAY`

heading away from the elevators.

SKY

Did he say anything?

BRIDGET

Nope. Just came at me with this massive dagger...

Had all these crazy moves...

I barely got him off me!

SKY

Hm... Well, here's hoping--

Sky is stunned by the sight of a stand-off in the

`1ST FLOOR ATRIUM`

Half a dozen similarly-dressed "clients" stand armed on one side of the fountain.

Just as many bordello residents stand ready on the other.

The musicians play dramatic music.

JAYNE

Hoping what?

SKY

Nothing, hopes shattered.

What the hell is happening in my castle?!

State your demands!

And be sure to include a good reason as to why we shouldn't turn you in to sand.

To be continued...

Written by @PegasusPhysics