the court

int. castle of light and shadows

The lord of light and shadows stands looking into a mirror. he stares intently into it's depths. he is searching for something. the black of his eyes expands until the blue is swallowed, then they begin to glow, gently at first then brighter. he looks away at last, reverently, and waves his hand at the glass until it fogs over. he stares at the fogged over glass intently, then raises his hand and wipes a a spot clear. he leans close to the mirror so that when he speaks his breath fogs over the clear area.

Lord OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

(gently)

Sonia.

outside of the castle it begins to rain. the lord of light and shadows looks up suddenly. inside the wind picks up. loose pieces of drape get caught up and begin to fly around. the winds begin to circle the lord of light and shadows who opens his arms and begins to turn in circles still looking up. slowly the lord begins to laugh.

int. subway

a train pulls into the station. HARLEM is standing against a pillar waiting for someone on the train, he's standing completely still his arms crossed over his chest staring straight ahead. he is the only person on the platform, trash is littered about, as the doors to the train open a newspaper is blown up and sticks to Harlem still he dose not move. a crowd of people get off the train and walk past Harlem to the exit, one of them a woman. Harlem turns his head to the side. he sniffs once. the woman is dressed well, a business suit that is neither well made nor overly cheap. she is in short black heels. on the back of the right heel is a silver serpent, on the back of the left heel is a silver skull. as the woman begins to ascend the steps Harlem steps away from his pillar and starts to follow. a couple next to Harlem laugh. everyone ascends to street level.

ext. street overcast day

the woman steps out of the subway before anyone else. the crowd follows after and disperses down the street. a car pulls away from the subway station and Harlem stands shadowed in the entrance to the subway watching. the woman hails a cab an gets inside but leaves the door open. Harlem stands still for a moment then steps confidently from the shadows, walks up to the cab and gets inside pulling the door shut behind him.

int. cab

Harlem is sitting stiffly, he is clearly unhappy where he is. his hands are in tight fists on his lap. the woman is sitting comfortably smiling faintly.

Leona

Harlem, it's been so long since we've ridden together.

Harlem

(stiffly)

times have changed.

LEONA

yes, yes they have.

Harlem shuffles about uncomfortably.

LEONA

do you like what I've done with myself?

Leona waves her hands about indicating her person. Harlem says nothing. the cab driver starts to hum out of tune. Leona laughs lightly.

HARLEM

why have you called the men of the market?

LEONA

i seek a bodyguard. a bodyguard for my little daughter.

HARLEM

the lady Lilith will not be pleased.

LEONA

(smugly)

yes i imagine she won't

Leona smiles. the car slows to a stop in front of a very high class building. Leona climbs from the taxi gracefully.

Taxi driver

16.25

Leona leans into the back of the cab.

Leona

enjoy your stay Harlem, and good luck on your journey.

Harlem glares at Leona who smirks, winks, looks at the cab driver, and shuts the door.

TAXI DRIVER

16.25

Harlem frowns and glares at the cab river who goes pale. Harlem frowns opens the door and gets out of the cab. the cab driver shakes his head pulls his collar tighter to him and drives off.

ext. slums overcast day

Sonia is sneaking about. she is scurrying down the back alleys looking for something, most of the time she keeps her eyes on the ground but she looks behind her making sure that no one is following her. she's dressed in a long brown coat and is wearing scuffed doc martins. eventually she comes to what she's looking for, a manhole covered by trash, but held propped open by a heavy old book. she pulls out the book looks at it for a moment then tosses it aside and climbs down the manhole closing it up behind her.

int. sewers

Sonia descends almost to the floor then hops of the last few rungs of the ladder. she stands utterly still facing the wall. the area behind her is well lit by clean electric light. Sonia turns carefully away from the wall. there are a few couches strewn about and there are three people lounging about on the couches. three of the walls are made of clean solid concrete but the last wall is bricked up.

Dolph

what up?

Sonia walks forward and plops down on an empty couch.

Sonia

nothing really, me mums going nuts.

the people laugh

Randy

like you said that, ain't news.

Cher walks forward and hands Sonia a beer.

SONIA

thanks

Cher walks off to a corner and sits down.

RANDY

have you heard of that new bar that's opened up?

DOLPH

the new one up on Dilancy street? off of kings cross?

RANDY

yeah that's the one.

SONIA

no i can't say that i have.

Randy sits up and Sonia takes a swig of her beer.

RANDY

it's called Watchers. super exclusive, if you get in then you get in.

DOLPH

i heard that they turned away Mr. Irons.

SONIA

i know him.

she takes another swig of beer and everyone looks at her oddly.

SONIA

i mean i know of him.

DOLPH

doesn't everyone?

RANDY

yeah i mean he owns like half of New York.

Cher

(disdainfully)

hardly.

SONIA

no one owns more than eleven percent.

RANDY

and they turned him away?

DOLPH

yeah, but i see teenagers getting in all the time, it's like they chose randomly who gets in.

SONIA

and you wanna go?

Randy shrugs.

RANDY

why not?

DOLPH

personally i think it's a stupid idea.

there is a pause a Sonia stops to consider.

SONIA

watchers eh?

int. Leona's mansion master bedroom twilight

Leona is standing looking out of a full length balcony window. she has changed into a long black dress. she stares out lazily as if it is something to do idly as she slowly passes the time. in one had she holds a cigarette holder that has no cigarette in it. the room is cold and you can see her breath. in her other hand she holds a small classy clutch. she opens the clutch and pulls out and elaborate cigarette case removes a cigarette, sticks it in her cigarette holder and puts the cigarette case back into her purse.

Markus

you have called the Market men. i have come.

Leona reaches into her purse pulls out a lighter and lights her cigarette.

Marcellus

you have called the market men. i have come.

Leona takes a drag from her cigarette. pauses a moment exhales. and glances back over her shoulder.

LEONA

where's the last of you?

MARKUS

he has met with an unhappy fate.

MARCELLUS

you have done nothing to bring this about.

Leona spins around slowly. Markus and Marcellus are both sitting rather stiffly in leather comfy chairs in the shadows. they are both gripping the arms tightly. Leona smiles at them.

LEONA

(innocently)

of course not.

MARKUS

it never crossed our mind, but we still felt obligated to ask.

MARCELLUS

what is it that you need?

ext. ally night

Sonia, Dolph, Randy, and Cher are walking down the street, Sonia in front flanked by Dolph and Randy, with Cher following behind. Sonia is walking confidently.

SONIA

why are we even bothering? there's no way we're getting in.

Randy steps up and puts his arm around Sonia. everyone stops walking.

RANDY

(dramatically)

but what if we could? what if we could walk over to the door and they just take one look and let us in.

DOLPH

champaign would fall from the sky velvet ropes will part.

CHER

and Dolph and Randy will actually get laid for once.

Cher and Sonia laugh.

CHER

come on.

everyone starts walking again.

ext. Watchers night

Sonia and Cher turn out from the ally arm in arm. Ralph and Dolph turn out slightly after. in front of the club a bouncer stands guard, with two doormen flanking him. despite the crowd surrounding him he stands relaxed but still ready. he lets a couple in and another couple try to sneak in after them, he stops them without even turning his head to look at them. Sonia looks at Cher.

SONIA

what have we got to lose?

Sonia and her friends walk up to the door man with no confidence. the door man catches one look of Sonia and immediately points her out to the two doormen.

Bouncer

V.I.P.

the doormen push their way over to Sonia and gently take hold of her elbows.

SONIA

excuse me.

doorman

you are officially a VIP of the Watchers club.

the doormen lead her over to the door.

SONIA

sweet!

DOORMAN

please step right this way.

Sonia walks over to the door and her friends follow. the bouncer stops them at the door.

BOUNCER

only you.

SONIA

they are with me.

the doormen look at the bouncer who reluctantly puts his hand down and let's Sonia and her friends pass.

BOUNCER

(begrudgingly)

standard treatment.

DOLPH

awesome.

RANDY

sweet.

int. watchers

Sonia and her friends walk in to watchers. the club is lit entirely in blue and black lights. soft music is thumping from hidden speakers. Everyone stops to look around them. there is a bar at one end of the club opposite from the door, to the right is a hookah lounge with a variety of styles and designs of hookahs.people lounge about carelessly, most of them delicate and beautiful, but a few of them are big hulking men who seem out of place. to the left is a door and a dance floor where people are dancing gracefully. the doorman gestures for the group to follow him through a door to the left of the entrance.

DOORMAN

this way my lady.

Sonia looks at him for a moment and doesn't move. she blinks a few times.

SONIA

(suspiciously)

what's through there?

the doorman blinks a few times.

DOORMAN

(dumbfounded)

the VIP room my lady.

Sonia puts her hands on her hips.

SONIA

and may my friends enter?

the doorman looks puzzled and considers the issue for a moment.

DOORMAN

(apologetically)

I'm sorry they may VIP room.

Cher touches Sonia on her shoulder.

CHER

it's cool I've always wanted to smoke a hookah, so I'll be over there.

Cher points to the hookah lounge, giggles and walks off.

DOLPH

yeah i second that.

Dolph waves and walks off to join Cher.

RANDY

you go and enjoy the VIPisums I'm gonna go get a drink.

randy walks off towards the bar but stops midway and turns around.

RANDY

(in an old lady voice)

go on have a good time! just make sure you don't get any grass on your pants.

randy resumes his walk to the bar finds an empty seat and settles down.

Sonia

fine. fine.

Sonia shakes her head and waves her hand that the doorman should lead her on. the doorman dips his head and walks to the door places his hand upon the knob then looks Sonia straight in the eyes.

DOORMAN

It is my distinct pleasure to admit you to the VIP room of the club watchers for the first time.

the doorman opens the door an a blinding white light comes streaming out. Sonia raises her right arm to cover her eyes.

int. Leona's mansion master bedroom night

Leona is standing in front of the window smoking her cigarette, staring coldly at the two market men.

MARCELLUS

and that is what you want?

LEONA

yes.

MARKUS

and what is it you are willing to sacrifice to the men of the market for this?

Leona stands still for a moment then flicks her cigarette ash onto her carpet. she walks into the shadows to the right to a table concealed there, she pulls a heavy wooden box with faded paint forward, and opens it. inside is a stunning broach made of a single oval cut Emerald surrounded by small pears along the outer edge, at the bottom of the broach is a bow made of gold. the Market men are not impressed. they look at the broach for a moment.

MARCELLUS

yes, go on.

Leona stares at them for a moment dumbfounded.

LEONA

(appalled)

what is the meaning of this? do you know what this is?

MARKUS

yes we do what else will you offer us?

Leona looks at the market men sharply walks past them to the large wooden double doors, opens the doors, and whirls around sharply. the glares at them for a moment.

LEONA

(sharply)

come.

The Market men rise and follow Leona from the room Marcellus first then Markus.

INT. WATCHERS VIP room

Sonia puts her arm arm down and looks around the room without stepping in. the door man is holding the door open for her but standing so that on one behind her can see what the VIP room looks like. the VIP room's floor is read and white checker board, immediately in front of Sonia are five or six white wrought iron tables. a few of them are occupied. the people sitting at the table are all sipping golden liquid from champaign glasses. everyone in the room is stunningly beautiful. to Sonia's left is a pool of cool clear blue water were people a swimming naked, or lounging about idly. to Sonia's right is a vast dance floor where people are dancing with unnatural grace. beyond the dance floor is a bar hidden in the shadows, many of the liquor bottles are glowing as though lit by a black light. the lord of light and shadows is sitting propped up against the bar in the last seat on the far right, watching the door. He is sipping a glowing purple liquid from a martini glass, Sonia doesn't notice him and steps into the room.

SONIA

wow.

DOORMAN

please feel free to indulge your self in what ever you would like, the res of the VIP rooms are beyond that door

the doorman points to a door in the wall almost directly in front of Sonia but a little to the left.

SONIA

there's more?

DOORMAN

yes. if you need anything just call. Please remember that for our VIP members everything is complimentary.

SONIA

(in disbelief)

complimentary?

the doorman smiles and closes the door. Sonia looks around.

SONIA

wow.

Sonia takes a tentative step forward. looks around and sees several of the people surrounding her glaring at her. she looks at them reproachfully and starts walking towards the door that the doorman indicated across the room.

int. Leona's mansion vault

Leona is standing with her back to Markus and Marcellus going through a pile of assorted jewelery. she stops and turns around holding a golden ring with a square cut red stone. Leona indicates the ring.

LEONA

is that not fine.

Markus looks at the ring greedily.

MARKUS

yes it will do nicely.

Leona smiles a slow smile.

MARCELLUS

there is something else you may want to know.

INT. WATCHERS VIP ROOM

Sonia is standing in front of the door that leads further into the VIP room staring at it. she slowly raises her right hand grabs hold of the doorknob and turns it. Sonia opens the door a crack, moans and screams can be heard from behind the door. Sonia begins to open the door more but suddenly a hand pushes the door closed.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

you don't want to go through there.

Sonia turns around and stares at him.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

those rooms can be quite intense for new members.

Sonia crosses her arms over her chest.

SONIA

how do you know I'm a new member?

the lord of light and shadows laughs.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

i own this club.

the lord of light and shadows waves his hand and creates a business card out of smoke, he hands the card to Sonia and it leaves a trail of smoke behind it. Sonia takes the card and put it in her pocket without looking at it.

SONIA

how do you do that?

the lord of light and shadows ignores the question, puts one hand around Sonia's waist and gestures with the other to one of the wrought iron tables.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

sit with me.

Sonia looks at him and he smiles, she hesitates a moment then walks over to one of the chairs, the lord of light and shadows walks after her, and pulls out the chair for her and helps her into it before walking around the table and taking his own seat. he sits comfortably with his legs crossed.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

what will you have to drink?

a waiter walks up he is wearing a red velvet vest over a plain white shirt and black pants. he bows once to the lord of light and shadows and then once again to Sonia.

SONIA

what?

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

to drink. what is it that you wish?

SONIA

I want for nothing.

Sonia looks puzzled and the lord of lights and shadows smiles and his eyes twinkle.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

two glasses of humming bird nectar.

the waiter bows and the lord of light and shadows flicks his wrist and dismisses the waiter.

SONIA

(incredulous)

humming bird nectar?

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

it's just a name my dear.

SONIA

(angrily)

don't call me my dear.

the lord of light and shadows spreads his hands innocently.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

i meant no offense.

Sonia humphs and crosses her arms over her chest. the waiter arrives carrying a silver tray with one hand, upon which are perched two tall, thin, and intricately cut glasses filled with a glowing carbonated yellow beverage. the waiter places one glass in font of the lord of light and shadows and one in front of Sonia, bows once, and walks off. the lord of light and shadows smiles and indicates the glass in front of Sonia with a wave of his hand.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

try this it will make you feel better.

the lord of light and shadows begins to reach for his own glass but Sonia snatches his glass before he can reach it, he looks puzzled for a moment but reaches across the table, takes Sonia's glass, lifts it in a silent toast, and takes a drink from it. Sonia gives him a hard look for a moment and but takes a small sip from her own glass.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

that was a peculiar thing to do. may i enquirer as to the mental origins of that action, that is to say why you chose to drink from my glass as opposed to your own?

the lord of light and shadows takes another small sip from his glass.

SONIA

trust.

Sonia pauses and the lord of light and shadows stares at her patiently waiting for her to continue.

SONIA

i don't trust you and i expect that if you were going to drug me that you would naturally put the drugs in the only glass you'd expect me to drink from.

Sonia shrugs.

SONIA

it's a matter of self preservation.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

only a great fool would expect a woman to reach for what she is given, and i am not a great fool so you can clearly not chose the wine in front of me.

Sonia in the middle of taking a sip of the wine, starts laughing and ends up splashing some onto her shirt. she lowers the glass still laughing. the lord of light and shadows smiles a brilliant smile. Sonia gets done giggling and looks at the lord of light and shadows seriously.

SONIA

is it drugged?

the lord of shadows shakes his head sadly.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

no it's just a very nice wine.

Sonia make an ah noise.

SONIA

alright, then that makes everything alright.

the lord of light and shadows smiles again and takes a sip from his glass, which is by now almost empty.

SONIA

(somberly)

what did you say when you meant.

Sonia pauses and looks confused.

SONIA

what did you mean by when you said you own this club?

Sonia goes to drink more but the lord of light and shadows reaches over the table and puts his hand over her glass, before she can drink.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

i believe you've hit your limit.

SONIA

(drunkenly)

I'll hit you if you don't move your hand.

the lord of light and shadows frowns but doesn't move his hand. Sonia looks at him a frown, then yanks the glass out from under his hand and downs the half full glass. the lord of light and shadows becomes angry, he expels himself from his seat.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

(angrily)

Fool! idiot!

the lord of light and shadows storms around the table and grabs Sonia's wrist, and used it to pull her around the table.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

do you have any idea what you've done! you have drank a glass of wine from the high court of fairy!

the lord of light and shadows looks away from Sonia and covers his eyes with his hand, ashamed. Sonia looks at the lord of light and shadows drunkenly but devoid of worry.

SONIA

so?

the lord of light and shadows walks solemnly to his seat, still covering his eyes with his hand. he sits down heavily, and dose not look up at Sonia. he begins to laugh a slow deep humorless sound. he holds sup his right hand and makes a twisting motion with it. the waiter comes immediately. the lord of light and shadows gestures for the waiter to lean close. he removes his hand from the front of his eyes in order to cup his mouth with his hand so that Sonia cannot hear what he says. Sonia looks up drunkenly, and she catches a glimpse of the lord of light and shadows eyes are glowing green. Sonia jumps back, knocking over her chair, and falling to the floor.

SONIA

(hysterically)

what the fuck are you? what the fuck did you put in my goddamn drink!

the lord of light and shadows nods to the waiter and waves him off. the waiter bows and hurries away. the lord of light and shadows glances at Sonia who is on the floor in hysterics.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

(gently)

calm yourself.

the lord of light and shadows rises from his seat, and walks over to kneel by Sonia he places his hand on her arm and she looks deep into his eyes which glow brighter for just a moment and Sonia calms. the waiter returns bearing a silver tray with a shot glass filled with a glowing red liquid. the lord of light and shadows takes the shot glass and the waiter leaves. the lord of light and shadows pushes the shot glass to Sonia's lips.

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

here. drink this.

SONIA

(frightened)

what is it, what will it do?

LORD OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS

drink.

Sonia takes a sip and passes out the lord of light and shadows catches her as she falls and lays her gently upon the floor.