HUNTER AND PREY ©

by Jim Caswell

CREDIT SEQUENCE
HUNTER AND PREY
Loud music-the stuff that is constantly overplayed on the radio with a strong beat but easy to dance to-pulsates through the entire opening sequence. Each song, as is par in these types of places, only lasts 3 - 4 minutes each.

HALFWAY THROUGH CREDITS - FADE IN ON INT. BLISS - MIDNIGHT
Bliss is what could be considered a high-class topless bar - or gentleman’s club - located in downtown San Francisco. Dancers - ten total - are scattered everywhere, roaming among the patrons throughout the establishment. Two smaller stages connect with one larger stage on which the main performances take place. Behind the stages is a curtain that leads to the back room. Tables are scattered throughout and surround the stages, with a bar stretching the length of the building along the southern wall. The six bouncers are dressed in vests, jeans and roach-killer boots. They are evenly distributed around the bar.

PANNING SHOT AROUND BAR
The camera begins to pan while the credits continue to roll. While all of the performers are exotic dancers, they spend a majority of their time in lingerie unless they are on stage. The idea of this place being happy and friendly is conveyed through the smiles, laughing, joking and general happiness of the establishment.

STOP WITH WIDE SHOT FEATURING MASON
The camera comes to a stop on MASON, a young man appearing to be in his mid- to late twenties. He has short-cropped black hair, clean-shaven and is dressed in a tan three-piece suit. He is standing beside the door, overlooking the area, as a King would survey his domain. He is sipping a red substance from a crystal wine goblet.

PAN TO WIDE SHOT OF MAIN STAGE
The featured dancer, AMANDA, finishes her routine. Every table around the stage is full, mostly with groups of men together. One table, however, has but one occupant, WALTER. He is captivated by the dancer’s moves. The first song begins to end.

THOMAS (over loudspeaker)
All right folks, put your hands together for...Amanda.

ZOOM TO MEDIUM SHOT FAVORING AMANDA
Amanda steps off the stage and receives her costume (a white vest attaching with one button) by Vincent, one of the bouncers. The bar fills with applause. The next song starts to play as the announcer continues his spiel.

THOMAS
Next up we have Brittany.
Remember, gentlemen, to tip large and tip often.
If not for your contributions, these ladies wouldn’t be able here.
Talk to your server or favorite dancer about a personal ecstasy dance.

MEDIUM MOVING SHOT OF AMANDA
BRITTANY takes the main stage and Amanda starts to walk off. Walter continues to follow her with his eyes. Amanda stops in her tracks and spins around to face him. She smiles and takes the seat across from him.

MEDIUM TWO SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER

AMANDA
Good evening. I’m Amanda. What’s your name?

WALTER
Walter.

Walter takes a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.

You were incredible.

AMANDA
Thank you. Would you care to join me in the back for an ecstasy dance?

WALTER
Maybe in a few minutes. Can we sit and talk first?

Amanda smiles at him and licks her lips.

AMANDA
Sure.

Amanda crosses her legs, brushing them against Walter’s; who has a momentary reaction to the physical contact. It is a lustful reaction, with a tinge of well-hidden fear.

WALTER
Who’s the guy over by the door? The man in the suit?

PAN TO WIDE SHOT FEATURING AMANDA, WALTER AND MASON
Amanda looks at him questioning.

AMANDA
That’s Mason. He’s the owner.

WALTER
He’s the leader then?

Walter stammers slightly, realizing that he has made a slip of the tongue.

I mean, he runs the entire operation?

ZOOM TO TWO SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER
Amanda looks a little uncomfortable, and then fades back into the happy stripper.

AMANDA
He takes more of a hand off approach to running things.

Moves even closer to Walter, almost sitting on his lap.

But enough about him. Let’s talk about you.

PAN TO MEDIUM SHOT FEATURING MASON
Mason continues to hold his post by the door with the goblet in his hand. A second man named BORIS - an incredibly muscular bouncer - approaches Mason.

BORIS (Over the pounding beat of the music.)
Courtney is really drawing them in tonight, huh sire?

CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF COURTNEY
COURTNEY, a voluptuous brunette, is standing next to the bar. She is the most attractive woman in the place, while also having on the most amount of clothing. She wears a black, very low-cut nightgown, which accentuates her form, and a black nylon robe hanging loosely around her. At least a dozen men are crowded around her, each one vying for her attention. She flashes a loving smile towards Mason.

MASON
Yes Boris. She will be eating well tonight.

CUT TO TWO SHOT OF MASON AND BORIS
Mason is smiling.

MASON
How are we doing tonight?

BORIS
296 through the door, 73 current.
Every girl has gone in back at least five times.

MASON
Good. Good. Moreover, has everyone else been taken care of?

BORIS
Yep.

Boris reaches out and rings Mason’s goblet with a long pinky fingernail.

But nothing beats the real thing.

MASON
Patience Boris. After all, Monday is Ladies Night.

The two men exchange smiles.

CUT TO MEDIUM TWO-SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER
Amanda and Walter are continuing their conversation, with Amanda having gradually moved around the table and is now sitting next to Walter.

AMANDA
Are you from around here or did our reputation precede us?

She gently caresses his face, focusing all of his attention on her. Between her lack of clothing, her gentle smile and her hand resting on his inner thigh, he has turned all of his attention to her.

WALTER (uncomfortably)
No. I was just passing through town on business, saw your sign,
and decided to stop.

AMANDA (soothing voice in almost a purr)
And are you glad you did?

WALTER (spellbound)
Something tells me I will be very soon.

AMANDA
Are you ready for that dance yet?

Walter looks as though he is fighting an inner battle of indecision for a few seconds. Amanda smiles at him gently.

There’s nothing to worry about darlin’. I don’t bite.
Nibble maybe, but never bite.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF WALTER
Walter is completely entranced by her beauty now and makes up his mind.

WALTER
What the hell. You only live once.

CUT TO MEDIUM TWO-SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER

AMANDA
That’s the spirit.

MEDIUM PANNING SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER
The pair rises from their seats hand-in-hand and start moving to the northern side of the building. A set of swinging doors separates the back room from the rest of the club.

CUT TO INT. PRIVATE ROOM
This room is filled with tilted-back chairs for the patrons to sit in. The shape of the room is circular with mirrors covering every inch of wall space. Four other couples are in here as well.

CLOSE PANNING SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER
Amanda leads Walter by the hand to a chair. She seats him here and leans down in front of him.

CUT TO AMANDA

AMANDA
We just have one rule here. I can touch you, but you cannot touch me.
We clear?

CUT TO WALTER
Unable to speak, he simply nods his head.

CUT TO TWO SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER

AMANDA (whispering)
Good.

Amanda begins her dance routine at the transition between the second and third songs, slowly removing her vest. It is the typical routine for the first minute to relax him. She then moves in close to Walter and caresses his cheek. Oblivious to him, she has made a very small cut with her little finger by the base of his jaw.

CUT TO MOVING CLOSE SHOT ON AMANDA’S MOUTH
Amanda then moves in very close to the wound, letting her extended canine teeth show for the first time.

CUT TO SLOW PANNING MEDIUM SHOT AROUND ROOM
A similar occurrence is taking place all around the room with men’s faces filled with pleasure and beautiful half-naked women dancing, caressing and nibbling on them.

STOP ON TWO SHOT OF AMANDA AND WALTER
Amanda moves back, showing the wound completely healed and Walter feeling nothing but pleasure. He is unaware that anything has happened. Amanda finishes her routine, and then takes Walter by the hand. He is in a daze, similar to that of a good buzz or having just reached orgasm. As the third song ends, Amanda helps him to his feet and pulls him very close, rubbing up against him.

AMANDA
See? That didn’t hurt a bit.

FADE OUT

FADE IN ON EXT. BLISS - NIGHT
The exterior of Bliss is even flashier than the interior. The large neon sign is seen from several blocks away. It is far from gaudy, and holds the same welcome feeling as the interior... minus the naked women.

MEDIUM PANNING SHOT ON WALTER
Water exits from the building and walks down the entrance. He still has the half-spaced look on his face from before. He walks down the road a couple of blocks and steps into a no-tell motel room. It is the type of dive you would expect to find this close to a strip joint.

CUT TO INT. MOTEL ROOM
WIDE SHOT ON ENTIRE ROOM
The room looks as expected from a establishment of this low caliber. The red shag carpeting is stained from various body fluids, as is the heart-shaped pink bed. The room is generally tacky in appearance and makes any self-respecting individual want to turn the other way. All of this is contrast by the 16 men in paramilitary gear. They are mulling around, waiting and cleaning various pieces of weaponry. DEVON, an elderly man in his late sixties to early seventies, is sitting with his back to the camera. He has gray in both his hair and beard and is balding over a good portion of his head, but this is the only hint towards his age. Physically, he appears as though he could take any man in the room. The only one not dressed in military gear, Devon is wearing black from head-to-toe: black turtleneck shirt, slacks, vest, boots and trench coat. As Walter enters the room, all attention goes to him. The men start coming towards him with Devon remaining seated. FORD is the first one to reach Walter.

FORD
What took you so long?

CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT FAVORING WALTER

WALTER
Nothing to worry about.

DEVON (back still to audience)
What do you mean, “nothing to worry about?”

WALTER
Just what I said, boss. The place is normal. Nothing to worry about.
Ya must have gotten a bum lead or somethin’.

DEVON
“A bum lead or somethin’?”

Walter starts to come off his high and is getting slightly agitated.

WALTER
Listen. There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
Just your average strip joint.

Turning his attention towards JOSHUA. Walter and Joshua look enough alike to be brothers, which they are.

I’ll tell you somethin’. There was this gal. Oh my God.
The things she could do with her body.

The smile returns with the memory. Devon rises from his seat slowly, but we still don’t see his face. He moves towards Walter cautiously; with purpose.

DEVON
You didn’t contact any of them, did you?

The smile on Walter’s face widens.

WALTER
You could say that.

DEVON (commanding)
Men.

Devon snaps his fingers and the hired help grab a hold of Walter. In response, Walter begins to panic and struggle.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF WALTER

WALTER
I’m telling you boss. Everyone was normal.
There’s nothing out of the ordinary.
I think I would have noticed things like fangs or wings or somethin’.

CUT TO MEDIUM GROUP SHOT
Devon pulls a photo out of his upper, left-side vest pocket.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF PHOTO
It is a very old and worn black-and-white of Courtney.

CUT TO MEDIUM GROUP SHOT

DEVON
Was she there?

Walter looks at the photo questioning.

WALTER
Someone who looked like her. But that doesn’t prove anything.
It could be a granddaughter or twin or somethin’.

Devon grabs Walter’s face and begins to examine his neck.

DEVON
They got to him. He’s one of them.

Walter realizes what is about to happen and begins to struggle harder and scream.

WALTER
No! Don’t do it! My God, where’s your humanity? Don’t!

Devon reaches behind his back and pulls a stake out of his coat.

CUT TO TIGHT MOVING SHOT ON STAKE
With one swift motion, Devon drives it into Walter’s chest.

CUT TO MEDIUM GROUP SHOT
Walter lets out a blood-curdling cry as he looks down at his chest and dies. Joshua is the only one of the bunch to show grief on his face for the loss of his brother. Devon turns to face the camera for the first time.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF DEVON

DEVON
Take him south of town and stake him to the ground for the sun.
That should dispose of the body.

CUT TO MEDIUM GROUP SHOT
The men start to drag off the dead body.

DEVON
And get rid of those damn uniforms. They draw too much attention.

TWO SHOT OF DEVON AND JOSHUA
The room is now empty except for Devon and Joshua.

JOSHUA
Sir?

DEVON
Yes Joshua.

JOSHUA
Are you sure that was necessary?

DEVON
Yes.

JOSHUA
What makes you so sure?

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF DEVON

DEVON
I’ve been hunting for too long not to be.

CUT TO EXT. BLISS - JUST BEFORE DAWN
MEDIUM SHOT FAVORING MASON
Mason stands at the entrance to Bliss, facing in the direction of the rising sun. He is no longer wearing the suit, but sleeping clothing instead. Even so, he still looks model-esque. The club is all but empty, save the roaming employees in the background. Mason stands there as the sun slowly comes over the horizon.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF MASON’S FACE
The sun rises his face slowly, illuminating the paleness of his skin. He looks at it longingly. As the sun hits his eyes, Mason quickly turns and reenters the building, slamming the doors behind him.

CUT TO INT. BLISS – SAME TIME
WIDE SHOT FAVORING MASON
Mason is standing in front of the closed doors, smoldering lightly. We see the closing ritual of Bliss, with people cleaning the tables and sweeping the floors. Everyone is dressed for bed, the women actually wearing more now than when working. Mason witnesses this as Courtney swiftly appears at his side.

COURTNEY
You came very close tonight, my love.

MASON
I should know better than to even try.
I lost the right to gaze upon the sunrise long ago.

Upon seeing Mason, everyone heads towards the back room.

PANNING SHOT OF GROUP
Mason leads the group back through the double doors, behind the mirrors and down a staircase into a hidden room.

CUT TO INT. VAMPIRE DEN – SAME TIME
WIDE SHOT OF ROOM
Like most things with this pack, the vampire den is hardly what would be expected. No coffins or bleakness is to be found, but instead the room looks like one giant bedroom. Flowers and brightly colored paintings hang around various beds. This room is equal in size to the entire upstairs, providing plenty of sleeping area for all.

CUT TO INT. MOTEL ROOM – SAME TIME
WIDE SHOT OF ROOM
The men, now all dressed in black, are crowded together in the little motel room. All of the windows and doors are shut up tight, leaving the room cast in darkness and looking very bleak and dismal.

CUT TO INT. VAMPIRE DEN – SAME TIME
MEDIUM SHOT OF ROOM
Each of the vampires goes to their respective beds for their morning’s rest. Mason and Courtney share the largest bed, a Victorian king.

ZOOM TO TWO SHOT OF MASON AND COURTNEY
They snuggle together as though they were newlyweds and Courtney falls fast asleep in the crook of Mason’s arm. He, on the other hand, stares into the distance, caught up in thought.

CUT TO INT. MOTEL ROOM – SAME TIME
TIGHT ONE SHOT OF DEVON
Devon lies alone in the heart-shaped bed, mimicking Mason’s thought-filled stare.

continue …