The Warring States of NPF - View Single Post

DFM · 01-04-2009, 02:36 PM

I shake my head. "You still haven't paid me for the last one."

"Oh... that's right..."

"There you go. It's... worth it to know the Hunter's gone and none of the kine were hurt. If you're willing to do me another favor..."

"Tell me what you want and I'll name my price."

"There's a man... David Hatter."

"Poor... poor David Hatter. He's an... aspiring screenwriter and hotel manager. He comes in here more often than he'd admit for... several years now. Poor dear just... well, just isn't very good. But the other day I overheard him talking about his new screenplay with one of my girls."

"It's about secret societies and creatures that find themselves dealing with inner beasts and persecution by elder monsters. Sound reminiscent of something to you?"

I nod. No quips about politics or high schools.

"The details of his story were too insightful to be coincidental. I think someone's working with David, a Kindred who doesn't realize the consequences of their actions."

She sighs, supporting herself on the nearby end table.

"I'm afraid poor David's big break, the screenplay he's worked so hard on, must be destroyed. And his less than silent partner must be... well... stopped. " She pauses for a breath. "I don't think Hatter knows his collaborator is one of the monsters he's writing about, he's no threat to the masquerade on his own. You'll have to take David's screenplay and coax the name of his source out of him. Once you've found out who it is... I won't tell you not to kill them, but if you can find some way to let them walk away and stay quiet... please, take it."

"David works at the Luckee Star motel. He's very passionate about his writing, loves to talk about his craft, I'm sure he'll tell you about screenplay. It might take some persuasion to get him to give up his collaborator's name, however."

"If I do this, I'll need something from you."

"Anything."

"Tell me where to find Ginger Swan."

She blinks at me, confused.

"You mean... the Ginger Swan? I... well, yes, I can tell you where she is."

"That's all I need. I'll be back." I turn to leave and I hear Velvet's voice as I cross the doorway.

"Helen, wait."

I pause, turning briefly.

"...You don't have to be scared anymore. Not with us."

Not with us.

Was she trying to recruit me?

The motel isn't too far from Vesuvius, a trend I'm beginning to like. The siren's have died down, but the Sin Bin must be crawling with police by now. Hopefully the girl I talked to was too wasted to remember my face.

I don't know why, but... part of me wants to... make up for losing control of the situation at the Sin Bin and maybe putting Velvet's head on the chopping block.

So... we'll play things her way. Cool and calm. Hm. That must be Hatter.

"Can I help you?"

"Maybe. Are you David Hatter? The writer?"

He smiles, letting out a wheezy chuckle.

"Writer's such a tarnished term, you know what I mean? It's like... like, every other guy says he's a writer, right? You write a letter, you're a writer, you know? I-it's like... What I do, that's like, that's screenwriting, like, I encapsulate the essences of excellent film in my scripts, alright? Like, I'm a a- I'm like a blackmsith with pens, right; I'm a welder of montage."

I never thought not shooting someone could be so hard. I lean on the counter, just far enough to mildly suggestive. Any more than that would be next to impossible in a ratty, wet leather jacket.

"And what are you writing?"

"Heh. Me? I'm like... looking to redefine the vampire movie, okay. Like, tons of people make vampire flicks, popular characters, you know? But me, I'm gonna be doing the real deal, like, not only is it going to be scary, but it's gonna be like- it's gonna be believable."

"Oh? How're you going to do that?"

"Well, in my story, it's not like about garlic and bats, it's about vampire societies and stuff, you know, like, what would vampires really be all about. How they blend into society without being discovered and stuff."

"That does sound interesting. Do you have a rough script for it yet?"

"A good writer always does in this town. Hey- hey, you- you in the business? Man, I got tons of ideas for movies, in fact, I should give you one of my completed screenplays. This one's still... a work in progress."

"Sorry, David. I'd love to look at them, but my associates are looking for a vampire flick. I don't think they'd be interested in anything else."

"W-Wait you are? You're really looking for one? Man, that's fantastic! I-I can give you my screenplay if you promise to keep it safe."

I hold my hand out across the desk, turning it open.

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

David hurriedly ruffles through piles of papers under his desk before pulling out a large, stapled manuscript and placing it in my waiting hand.

"Wonderful, David. Oh, any supporters or co-writers you want us to stop by and visit?"

"Oh, uh... I can't talk about him. He likes his privacy."

"Come on, David, you'll be famous! Don't you think he wants to be too? After all, that's what this town is all about."

"Well... okay. He's a guy, calls himself Julius. He lives under the pier. In fact, I'm supposed to meet him tonight, he clears his friends out because he likes to meet alone. We talk about vampire film ideas all the time. He's a weird... weird guy, but really creative, you know? I love how his mind works."

"Thank you, David." I wave goodbye, tucking the manuscript behind the Mac 10. "We'll get in touch with the both of you once we go over this script."

He's saying something as I leave, thank you or some other nonsense. Julius. I've heard that name before. Wasn't that one of the thin blood riffraff who hung out on the beach?

I leave the hotel and step out onto the sidewalk.

That fucking cabby is creeping me out.

I get inside and he tells me he'll take me right to the beach. I ask him how he knew where I was going, but he doesn't answer. Vampire bullshit. It's a bit of a drive to Santa Monica, giving me plenty of time to think about what I'm going to do. Think about what Velvet wants me to do. Think about Velvet.

Velvet.

Mmm.

UGH

She's doing it way the fuck out here. I don't believe this shit. The cab stops, pulling over by the side of the road. I jump out and hop down the incline towards the beach.

Julius. All alone. I stride across the beach until he turns his head and sees me. He knows right away why I'm coming. I pull out the forty four as I pass the fire pit.

"W-wh-wh-wha- wh-what de-d-do you want?"

"You know David Hatter."

"N-n-n-na-no..."

"It wasn't a question, Julius. I don't need to ask you any questions because Hatter already gave me all the answers I need. He... doesn't need your ideas anymore."

"Puh-puh-puh-ph-please! I-I-I-I duh- I duh-don-ddinon't know I di- I di-didn't mean... I-I-I-I'm sorry!"

I raise the gun to his face and he jerks backwards, falling halfway into the ocean. He props himself up above the tide, staring horrified at the barrel.

"Nuh-nuh-nuh-no! Oh guh-guh-oh god!"

"No, Julius." I step closer, pinning him against the sand with my foot. "Just us."

He's crying. At least... I think he's crying. He's drenched from the surf.

"Puh-puh-please! F-fi-find your heart! Please f-find your h-heart!"

We're frozen in the pose for what seems like hours. Find your heart. I don't even know what's in my heart. Sam, maybe. Hmm. What would she want me to do? Probably the same thing Velvet wants me to do. If I let him go... I'd be deep shit if he talks again. No reason to take that risk. But... he's not the first person I've let live when they should have died. Well. Alright.

I lower the gun.

"If I let you go, you need to leave LA, and I mean forever. If you come back, they'll shoot you one sight. I'll shoot you on sight. But... if you turn around and run, and never tell anyone... I..." I step off his chest. "I'll let you go."

He pulls himself to his feet, still stuttering.

"Thhh-thhhh-thhank th-th- thanks- thank you! Thank yoU! Oh, thank you!"

I watch him run off the beach, sliding the gun back into my shirt. As he crosses through the access tunnel out of view, I don't know why, but I smile. The radio by fire begins to play their next song.

I'm sinking in the roses
Falling down to fade away
The velvet blade of apathy
Makes the crush so bittersweet

And I, I could have died last night
But I heard the voice of a smaller god
And I, I could have died last night
But I heard the voice of a smaller god

Pfeh.

01-04-2009, 02:36 PM	#655
DFM Om Nom Nom Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,850	I shake my head. "You still haven't paid me for the last one." "Oh... that's right..." "There you go. It's... worth it to know the Hunter's gone and none of the kine were hurt. If you're willing to do me another favor..." "Tell me what you want and I'll name my price." "There's a man... David Hatter." "Poor... poor David Hatter. He's an... aspiring screenwriter and hotel manager. He comes in here more often than he'd admit for... several years now. Poor dear just... well, just isn't very good. But the other day I overheard him talking about his new screenplay with one of my girls." "It's about secret societies and creatures that find themselves dealing with inner beasts and persecution by elder monsters. Sound reminiscent of something to you?" I nod. No quips about politics or high schools. "The details of his story were too insightful to be coincidental. I think someone's working with David, a Kindred who doesn't realize the consequences of their actions." She sighs, supporting herself on the nearby end table. "I'm afraid poor David's big break, the screenplay he's worked so hard on, must be destroyed. And his less than silent partner must be... well... stopped. " She pauses for a breath. "I don't think Hatter knows his collaborator is one of the monsters he's writing about, he's no threat to the masquerade on his own. You'll have to take David's screenplay and coax the name of his source out of him. Once you've found out who it is... I won't tell you not to kill them, but if you can find some way to let them walk away and stay quiet... please, take it." "David works at the Luckee Star motel. He's very passionate about his writing, loves to talk about his craft, I'm sure he'll tell you about screenplay. It might take some persuasion to get him to give up his collaborator's name, however." "If I do this, I'll need something from you." "Anything." "Tell me where to find Ginger Swan." She blinks at me, confused. "You mean... the Ginger Swan? I... well, yes, I can tell you where she is." "That's all I need. I'll be back." I turn to leave and I hear Velvet's voice as I cross the doorway. "Helen, wait." I pause, turning briefly. "...You don't have to be scared anymore. Not with us." Not with us. Was she trying to recruit me? The motel isn't too far from Vesuvius, a trend I'm beginning to like. The siren's have died down, but the Sin Bin must be crawling with police by now. Hopefully the girl I talked to was too wasted to remember my face. I don't know why, but... part of me wants to... make up for losing control of the situation at the Sin Bin and maybe putting Velvet's head on the chopping block. So... we'll play things her way. Cool and calm. Hm. That must be Hatter. "Can I help you?" "Maybe. Are you David Hatter? The writer?" He smiles, letting out a wheezy chuckle. "Writer's such a tarnished term, you know what I mean? It's like... like, every other guy says he's a writer, right? You write a letter, you're a writer, you know? I-it's like... What I do, that's like, that's screenwriting, like, I encapsulate the essences of excellent film in my scripts, alright? Like, I'm a a- I'm like a blackmsith with pens, right; I'm a welder of montage." I never thought not shooting someone could be so hard. I lean on the counter, just far enough to mildly suggestive. Any more than that would be next to impossible in a ratty, wet leather jacket. "And what are you writing?" "Heh. Me? I'm like... looking to redefine the vampire movie, okay. Like, tons of people make vampire flicks, popular characters, you know? But me, I'm gonna be doing the real deal, like, not only is it going to be scary, but it's gonna be like- it's gonna be believable." "Oh? How're you going to do that?" "Well, in my story, it's not like about garlic and bats, it's about vampire societies and stuff, you know, like, what would vampires really be all about. How they blend into society without being discovered and stuff." "That does sound interesting. Do you have a rough script for it yet?" "A good writer always does in this town. Hey- hey, you- you in the business? Man, I got tons of ideas for movies, in fact, I should give you one of my completed screenplays. This one's still... a work in progress." "Sorry, David. I'd love to look at them, but my associates are looking for a vampire flick. I don't think they'd be interested in anything else." "W-Wait you are? You're really looking for one? Man, that's fantastic! I-I can give you my screenplay if you promise to keep it safe." I hold my hand out across the desk, turning it open. "Cross my heart and hope to die." David hurriedly ruffles through piles of papers under his desk before pulling out a large, stapled manuscript and placing it in my waiting hand. "Wonderful, David. Oh, any supporters or co-writers you want us to stop by and visit?" "Oh, uh... I can't talk about him. He likes his privacy." "Come on, David, you'll be famous! Don't you think he wants to be too? After all, that's what this town is all about." "Well... okay. He's a guy, calls himself Julius. He lives under the pier. In fact, I'm supposed to meet him tonight, he clears his friends out because he likes to meet alone. We talk about vampire film ideas all the time. He's a weird... weird guy, but really creative, you know? I love how his mind works." "Thank you, David." I wave goodbye, tucking the manuscript behind the Mac 10. "We'll get in touch with the both of you once we go over this script." He's saying something as I leave, thank you or some other nonsense. Julius. I've heard that name before. Wasn't that one of the thin blood riffraff who hung out on the beach? I leave the hotel and step out onto the sidewalk. That fucking cabby is creeping me out. I get inside and he tells me he'll take me right to the beach. I ask him how he knew where I was going, but he doesn't answer. Vampire bullshit. It's a bit of a drive to Santa Monica, giving me plenty of time to think about what I'm going to do. Think about what Velvet wants me to do. Think about Velvet. Velvet. Mmm. UGH She's doing it way the fuck out here. I don't believe this shit. The cab stops, pulling over by the side of the road. I jump out and hop down the incline towards the beach. Julius. All alone. I stride across the beach until he turns his head and sees me. He knows right away why I'm coming. I pull out the forty four as I pass the fire pit. "W-wh-wh-wha- wh-what de-d-do you want?" "You know David Hatter." "N-n-n-na-no..." "It wasn't a question, Julius. I don't need to ask you any questions because Hatter already gave me all the answers I need. He... doesn't need your ideas anymore." "Puh-puh-puh-ph-please! I-I-I-I duh- I duh-don-ddinon't know I di- I di-didn't mean... I-I-I-I'm sorry!" I raise the gun to his face and he jerks backwards, falling halfway into the ocean. He props himself up above the tide, staring horrified at the barrel. "Nuh-nuh-nuh-no! Oh guh-guh-oh god!" "No, Julius." I step closer, pinning him against the sand with my foot. "Just us." He's crying. At least... I think he's crying. He's drenched from the surf. "Puh-puh-please! F-fi-find your heart! Please f-find your h-heart!" We're frozen in the pose for what seems like hours. Find your heart. I don't even know what's in my heart. Sam, maybe. Hmm. What would she want me to do? Probably the same thing Velvet wants me to do. If I let him go... I'd be deep shit if he talks again. No reason to take that risk. But... he's not the first person I've let live when they should have died. Well. Alright. I lower the gun. "If I let you go, you need to leave LA, and I mean forever. If you come back, they'll shoot you one sight. I'll shoot you on sight. But... if you turn around and run, and never tell anyone... I..." I step off his chest. "I'll let you go." He pulls himself to his feet, still stuttering. "Thhh-thhhh-thhank th-th- thanks- thank you! Thank yoU! Oh, thank you!" I watch him run off the beach, sliding the gun back into my shirt. As he crosses through the access tunnel out of view, I don't know why, but I smile. The radio by fire begins to play their next song. I'm sinking in the roses Falling down to fade away The velvet blade of apathy Makes the crush so bittersweet And I, I could have died last night But I heard the voice of a smaller god And I, I could have died last night But I heard the voice of a smaller god Pfeh. __________________ [14:26] ManoftheRus: YOU GODDAMN SNEAKY DEE Last edited by DFM; 01-04-2009 at 03:03 PM.