In Da Club Script (Rough Draft)

IN THE CLUB

INT. STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
A young guy walks into the strip club and sits down at the bar in front of the stage. There are lights flashing all around him and guys shouting as the dancers perform and comb the room for possible private dances. He sits and stares up at the stage as a waitress approaches him and asks what he was having. You cannot hear his words, and she walks away only to bring him his drink moments later. He sips it and looks down at the table.
ASIA
I haven’t seen you in forever.
Paul looks to his left to see this beautiful and under dressed female sitting next to him smiling.
BEN
(Smiling, but looking confused) ...Not really do understanding what you are talking about, but I’ll bite.
ASIA
I was Ariel then. Kinda the thing at the time, Disney characters. It must have been 10, 11 years ago.
BEN
Sorry.
ASIA
Come on, I know it was a long time ago, it’s me, Pam.
BEN
(Looking away a little, then taking a drink) It must have been longer or something because I am not really seeing it. I got a brother; names James. Looks a lot like me, except older.
ASIA
Maybe. What is he like?
BEN
He’s pretty awesome actually. He’s my hero. Kind of raised me you know.
ASIA
I have a sister that did that.
BEN
He’s really religious though. But it’s cool because he’s been everywhere. Haiti, Russia, everywhere, doing missionary work.
ASIA
That’s him! I used to hang out with him, he came here a few times. He became a Christian a few weeks later and started taking me to church with him. What happened to him?
BEN
He made a lot of mistakes, then did a lot of good things. I think he did mention you before now that I think about it. You have a little girl right?
ASIA
Yeah, he told you that?
BEN
He used to feel so bad about things. He worried a lot about people. He said he was praying for you.
ASIA
He used to read me his poetry. It was some pretty deep stuff.
BEN
He’s not that deep. I think he talks a lot. In reality, I think he is no better than the rest of us you know.
ASIA
Yeah, I don’t know. I still talk about him with my friends. He was a different guy than most.
BEN
He’s no different.
ASIA
He was to me. He was the first Christian to ever tell me that Jesus loved me how I am right now. It was kind of life changing for me. Then I lost touch. I always wondered though what happened to him. I thought he would have changed the world by now.
BEN
He probably could have if it weren’t for his porn addiction.
ASIA
Do you see him much?
BEN
I don’t see him too much anymore. He’s a ghost. He kind of burned, then fizzled, then disappeared.
The dancer looks deeper into Ben’s eyes.
ASIA
You sure your not him? You look so much a like.
BEN
It ain’t me. I am just a guy on a stool talking to a beautiful girl. Wondering how the past 13 years has treated her. I’m sure my brother would have been really happy to see you. He would have told you to keep looking up. He used to tell me that until I stopped listening to him. He would tell you that you are more valuable than this. He would tell you that despite his mistakes, he meant everything he said to you. He would tell you, he has made a lot of mistakes too and really needs God everyday to survive them. He would look you in the eyes (Ben turns toward her to look into her eyes) and tell you that you are beautiful, not because you are naked, and not because you every guy says that to you. He would mean it from the inside out. He would tell you to get out of here and go sit in the sun for a while and keep looking up. (Looking down, then back up again). I think he would tell you that your eyes look empty, different than before. Hollow and empty of life. Then he would tell you they match his.
The voice over the microphone introduces Asia to the stage.
ASIA
(Eyes glossy) If you see James, tell him I miss him and would love to see him again soon. I miss going to church with him.
Asia gets up and climbs the stairs to the stage. Ben stands an drops a dollar on the bar and walks out of the club.
FADE TO BLACK.