Ain't Nobody
AIN'T NOBODY

Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan

(A musical interpretation by Sabrina Dunbar.)


The idea of the music video is the fantasies of eight people of Salem. The video has a surrealistic quality to it, as if it's not really happening. There are moments of stark realism and blurry shots. We never know until the end whose fantasy it is.

Wardrobe: black vinyl skirts, jackets, and boots
for the girls, with velvety halter tops.
The men are dressed in everyday wear.

Using a Steadicam, this is how I propose to do the shoot:

The first four bars are the start up of the synthesizer.
We see the hourglass rotating.

The next sixteen bars are the introduction
of the synthesized overlay.

The principal women are in dressing rooms, trying on clothing.
Carrie has the first four bars, then comes Ali, Nicole and Taylor.

2 bars: We see a pair of manicured hands sliding a black vinyl skirt up a pair of legs,
2 bars: And then a shot of the hands zipping up the skirt.

2 bars: Then we see a pair of hands tying the top of the halter together,
2 bars: And adjusting the bottom of the top.

2 bars: A shot of a jacket being slipped on.
2 bars: A shot of the jacket being zipped up ever so slightly.

2 bars: A shot of boots being zipped up.
2 bars: Taylor slides on her sunglasses.

The next eight bars are backbeat-driven, and the background music is established.

The principal women seem to burst forth from the dressing rooms. They are dressed identically alike, except for the color of their halters. Carrie is in royal blue, Ali is emerald green, Nicole in red and Taylor in white. They have matched footfalls, and their stride is confident. They are all wearing sunglasses that suit their faces. It's like Men in Black, only its now Salem Women in Black.
The Steadicam pans from a panoramic dead-on shot of their faces to a shot of their profiles, to their unified stride, and up their legs to reveal the town of Salem, most importantly, the hospital. We see Nicole and Taylor split off from the rest of the group as Ali and Carrie continue towards the hospital. Their steps match the beat, so the footage has to be slowed down.


VERSE I:

The idea: Carrie walks into Mike's office, shuts the door, locks it behind her and seduces the hell out of fine, upstanding Mike Horton.

Captured effortlessly

We see Mike's look of utter surprise as he sees Carrie in his doorway. She's wearing a predatorial look, accompanied with amusement as she locks his door. He's trapped.

That's the way it was

She cocks an eyebrow as she unzips her jacket.

Happened so naturally

She walks towards him and as she takes it off, tossing it onto a chair before his desk.

Did not know it was love

She walks around the side of his desk and gently runs a hand through his hair.

The next thing I felt was you

She's behind his chair now. He's visibly sweating, not believing his eyes. He's desperately trying not to give in to the temptation she presents. We can see his thoughts written on his face: "She's a married woman. Oh God, she's hot!"

Holding me close

Carrie leans down and encircles his neck with her arms, running her hand down his chest and nuzzling his ear. Mike closes his eyes and takes a deep, shuddering breath. He's fighting for superiority over his instincts.

I didn't know what to do

She pulls away and he looks really disappointed until she comes around the side of his chair. . .

I let myself go

And sits on the edge of his desk, planting each booted foot firmly on the chair space between the outside of his legs and the arms.

And now we're flying through the stars,
I hope this night will last forever. . .

She grabs his tie and reels him in so that their lips are so close that they're practically breathing each other.


VERSE II:

The main idea here is that Ali is seducing Craig. She's already in his office. He takes it all in stride as she works her wiles on him. The feeling is explicitness, but it is tastefully done.

I've been waiting for you.

Craig walks into his office as Ali spins around in his chair, her arms crossed, and acknowledges his presence.

It's been so long

She looks him up and down and he grins, not knowing what to expect. (Think Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald in the closet in The Breakfast Club.

I knew just what I would do

She motions him to sit on the couch and he obeys.

When I heard your song.

She gets up out of the chair and walks over to stand above him.

I fill my heart with your kiss.

She runs a hand down his face.

It gave me freedom.

He captures her hand and kisses the wrist.

You knew I could not resist.

He tugs her gently, trying to get her to come down so he can kiss her.

I needed someone.

She rests her other hand on his shoulder.

And now we're flying through the stars.
I hope this night lasts for ever.

Ali plants each knee softly on the couch and straddles his lap, lowering herself to sit on his thighs. Their mouths are very close together, almost, but not quite touching.


INTERJECTIONS

(These words were never officially part of the lyrics, but the punctuation of them with an explicit shot of our couples is too much fun to pass up.)

Oh!

Mike grabs Carrie and hauls her up to him.

Oh!

Craig plants his hands on Ali and pulls her even farther onto his lap.

Oh!

Shot of Carrie's face as Mike kisses her neck.

Oh!

Shot of Ali's face as Craig runs his lips over her shoulder.


CHORUS:

The main idea for the chorus is to show how the various seductions have gone off.

Ain't nobody (NOBODY)

Shot of Taylor and Nicole walking towards the Titan building.

Loves me better (LOVES ME BETTER)

They get on an elevator.

Makes me happy

Shot of Carrie lying on Mike's desk, halter top riding up, as Mike kisses her belly. Her hand is on his head, gently curled.

Makes me feel this way (NOBODY)

Shot of Craig running a hand up the back of Ali's bare thigh as he kisses her neck.

Ain't nobody (NOBODY)

Shot of Carrie looking Mike in the eye; her hands are cupping his face. He's clearly in love with her and ready to do whatever she wants.

Loves me better

Shot of Ali and Craig, one of her hands is around Craig's neck, the other is curled around his head.

(THAN YOU)

Shots of Carrie grabbing Mike's back in one hand and closing her eyes as he kisses her neck, Ali leans back in Craig's arms as he goes for her collarbone.


VERSE III:

The idea is for Nicole to seduce Austin. I'd like to see the two of them together and I think they'd make a cute couple.

I wait for nighttime to come

Nicole strides into Titan's gym, where all is quiet and dark but for a single light that illuminates Austin, who is hitting punching bag with wrapped fists.

To bring you to me.

He seems to know she's there and grins knowingly.

Can't believe I'm the one.

She runs a hand down his sweaty back and wraps her arms around, splaying her hands on his chest.

I was so lonely.

He holds her hands against his chest and kisses her fingers and she rests her head against his shoulder blades

I feel like no one can feel.

He turns in her arms and settles his hands on her waist, bringing her in close.

I must be dreamin'.

He raises a hand to cup her face and she nestles her cheek into his palm.

I want this dream to be real.

She rests her forehead against his chest and he places his chin atop her head as he holds her.

I need this feeling.

She raises her head and gives him a look that can only mean one thing: "I want you, NOW!"

I make my wish upon a star
And hope this night will last for ever.

He kisses her neck and she closes her eyes, her hands shoved into the hair at the nape of his neck.


INTERJECTIONS

Oh!

Austin lifts Nicole up and she wraps her arms and legs around him!

Oh!

Carrie rips open Mike's shirt, scattering buttons everywhere!

Oh!

Craig's shirt is already open as Ali wrestles him down to the couch!

Oh!

Austin turns with Nicole holding on as she throws her head back.


CHORUS:

Ain't nobody (NOBODY)

Austin lays Nicole down on an exercise mat and unzips her jacket.

Loves me better (LOVES ME BETTER)

Carrie runs her hands all over Mike's bare chest as he slides his hands up her bare thighs.

Makes me happy

Ali's on top of Craig and they're both on the couch. They're kissing as he tries to undo the knot in her halter top.

Makes me feel this way (NOBODY)

Taylor is getting her picture taken by Eric and she looks happy and relaxed.

Ain't nobody (NOBODY BABY)

Nicole sits up, throws off her jacket and pulls Austin back down on top of her.

Loves me better

Mike stands and gets rid of his labcoat and shirt as Carrie holds on to him with both hands and runs her lips all over his chest.

Ain't nobody

Craig's eyes are closed as Ali nibbles on his ear.

Loves me better (THAN YOU)

Eric gets up, put his camera down and walks over to Taylor, who we can see is having a very shivery reaction to him. He starts to adjust her shoulders. . .

BRIDGE

First you put your arms around me.

Eric slides his hands around her waist as Taylor blushes and smiles softly to herself.

Then you put your charms around me.

He kisses her hair as she closes her eyes.

I can't resist this sweet surrender.

Taylor's eyes are still closed as she raises an arm to touch Eric's cheek.

Oh, my night's are warm and tender.

He takes hold of her hand with his, and kisses her palm, while still holding on to her.

We stare into each others eyes.

She turns and looks at him. They cannot seem to break eye contact at all. Their looks are filled with newfound, innocent lust.

And what we seek is no surprise.

Still keeping their eyes locked on each other, Taylor gets off of the stool and moves closer to Eric.

I've got a feeling most would treasure.

She removes her jacket and lets it slide off of her arms as he wraps his own arms around her waist.

And our love's so deep we cannot measure.

They tilt their heads, and Taylor's hands glide up form his biceps to his neck. On the word "measure" they start to kiss violently.


CHORUS:

Ain't nobody (NOBODY)

All we can see is Mike's hot, sweaty and very bare back and Carrie's face, which is tucked into his right shoulder. She's digging her nails into him. One can guess what's happening.

Loves me better (LOVES ME BETTER)

We see Ali's hot, sweaty, and very bare back, and Craig's hands which are resting on her bare hips, gripping tightly.

Makes me happy

Nicole has one arm wrapped around Austin's hot, sweaty and very bare back and another cradling his head.

Makes me feel this way (NOBODY)

Taylor and Eric are still kissing, He's got one hand around her waist and the other resting on the stool for balance because she's tilted back so far.

Ain't nobody (NOBODY BABY)

We see Carrie's hot, sweaty and very bare back as she rises to a sitting position, and we can see Mike's face now. He's trying to hold on to control, but for an entirely different reason.

Loves me better

Shot from the side capturing Craig and Ali's profiles: their arms are around each other, they're both breathing heavily, and their eyes are glazed as they look at each other.

Ain't nobody

The shot is from the side as he we see Austin, eyes and jaw clenched tightly, Nicole's hand gripping his neck.

Loves me better (THAN YOU)

Eric and Taylor have broken apart and are looking at each other, unsure of whether or not to continue.


Ain't nobody (NOBODY)

Mike's head is resting on Carrie's shoulder. They are both struggling to get a breath, due to their exertions.

Loves me better (LOVES ME BETTER)

Craig has collapsed back on the couch and Ali is stretched across his chest, panting like the survivor of a shipwreck. His hand is resting on the back of her head.

Makes me happy

Austin and Nicole are lying side by side on the exercise mat, her head is on his shoulder, his arm is curved around her. His hand is stroking her hair.

Makes me feel this way (NOBODY)

Eric's hand traces Taylor's face as she smiles tentatively at him.

Ain't nobody (NOBODY BABY)

Carrie wakes up in bed beside Austin, panting, not believing that she had an extremely explicit and sexual fantasy about Mike.

Loves me better

Ali, barely awake, snuggles in closer next to her pillow and suddenly opens her eyes when she realizes what she was dreaming about.

Ain't nobody

Austin opens his eyes to see an issue of Bella, with Nicole's face on the cover. He runs a hand through his hair, not understanding what he was dreaming about.

Loves me better (THAN YOU)

Eric wakes up and finds himself thinking about Taylor, and smiles just enough to indicate that he might have a crush on her.


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