Double Down

INT. VIVA LAS VEGAS CABARET AND CASINO – NIGHT

Well, it seems that they decided to indeed go to the casino. And what a casino it is. It’s not as big as the cabaret, but it’s just as vibrant and as bustling with activity. On paper, it’s pretty much your average Las Vegas casino: slot machines, black jack tables, Rolette wheels, change machines, below zero temperature, skimpily dressed waitresses toting drinks, and yadda yadda.

What really sets it apart though is its arcade-like atmosphere. Most of the slot machines have themes such as The Rat Pack and Elvis. Three in a row to win and all that, but if you almost come close to winning, the machines offer phrases from impersonators reciting famous lines, or encouraging ones: “Better luck next time, baby!” is probably one of the most common. Most of the lights come from the slot machines themselves, seeing as how colored lights on the walls are turned to the walls, to give a more shadowy effect.

Angel and Demonica just stroll around, casual-like, admiring the décor and getting freaked out by the old folks determined to earn their monies worth back.

ANGEL

You wanna try your luck?
DEMONICA
(smacks lips)

Naw, man. Casinos are a scam. This gambling stuff is for the birds. There’s no point in putting ten dollars in a machine and getting two dollars outta it. That’s crap. It’s just like the lottery. You pay one dollar, hoping to get a hundred or so and end up, nine times outta nine, getting nothing. Then, you spend twenty or so dollars on a drink that’s 95% water and 5% booze. You know, they pump oxygen in the air to encourage people to stay as long as possible. Then, they make it as cold as ice in this fire hazard...I guess the hope is someone’ll get frozen in place. I mean, look at these old people.

CUT TO:

Various shots of old people using the slot machines.

DEMONICA
(o.s.)
It’s so sad…

Back to Angel and Demonica. They’ve stopped walking and Demonica’s leaning on a machine, looking at the old people. She has kind of a big-eyed sympathetic look. Angel’s looking at the people play Keno and slots.

ANGEL

Well, why don’t you just tell me how you really feel…Wasn’t this your idea in the first place?
DEMONICA

Yeah, well, you can smoke in casinos, right?

Demonica pulls out a pack and a lighter and smokes up. They continue walking.

DEMONICA

Besides, I may detest them, but they’re still a good way to see Vegas’s culture and night-life.

ANGEL

Odd, considering we have no purpose here. I mean, the only card game I know is FreeCell.

DEMONICA

Eh, I’m more of a Solitaire fan.

She exhales smoke and looks around a bit.

DEMONICA

I know a little about blackjack. Doubling down and all that.

ANGEL

That was a great flick.

They walk past a poker table and a familiar voice calls out.

VOICE

Hey, hey! My two favorite people! My favorite tag team! (under breath)Well, twin tag team…

The girls whip around to the friendly (as it is hairy) visage of Russ Vinnieo, dressed in his best polyester leisure suit. Gold chains glistening.

RUSS
(rapidly)

Hey ladies! What are you guys doing here? Never mind that. Come on over! Have a seat! Have a drink! Get comfortable! Take your bra off if you’d like!

DEMONICA

Uh, no. We’re just here to take in the sights. The best of what Vegas has to offer.

RUSS

Hey, I know. This place is wild, isn’t it? The action is pretty good, too. Hey, what do you ladies say to a little friendly competition?

DEMONICA

Uh, no.

RUSS

What? Nonsense! This is Vegas! What’s Vegas without a little fun and games? C’mon, how about of…say…what about…strip poker?
DEMONICA

Why? So you can be assed out on two levels?

INT. THE CORRIDOR OF THE BLONDE IGUANA – NIGHT

Demonica and Angel walk to their room, Demonica occasionally knocking on people’s doors and quickly ducking behind corners, when they’re opened. When Angel reaches the room, she pulls out her room key and opens the door, but closes it behind her. Demonica runs up to it and knocks vigorously.

DEMONICA

Open the door!
ANGEL

You didn’t say the magic word.
DEMONICA

Please open the door! C’mon!

The door is opened and Demonica SOCKS Angel in the arm. Not as hard as she’d do an opponent, but hard enough to send a message.

ANGEL

OW!
DEMONICA

The next to try to tangle with Mad Child will get worked from every angle.

Angel flops down on her bed, rubbing her arm. She lays back and sighs. Demonica plops down on the couch, and then angles herself so that she’s sitting upside down. Satisfied and situated, she begins clicking channels on the telly.

ANGEL

So, what do you what to do tonight?

DEMONICA

Nothing with you.

ANGEL

That was cold-blooded, man.

DEMONICA

I mean it, you’re lame.

ANGEL
Lame is when you’re legs are inapplicable. What you mean is “unexciting”.

DEMONICA

Well, what I mean is what I’m saying and what I’m saying is later for you.

ANGEL

Well, if you’re gonna put it that way…fuck you.

Soundtrack:
Luck Be A Lady” Frank Sinatra
What’s New Pussycat?” Tom Jones
The Lion and The Cucumber” The Vampire Sound Inc.