239. Red in A Minor - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. THE ARIANA PROJECT - NIGHT


• ALEX walks into The Ariana Project, a small bar tucked away on a small street.


• Wicker lamps hang from the ceiling, giving the room a muted, warm feel.


• He looks down and realizes he is in his pajamas.


• An OLD MAN in overalls walks past, holding a red balloon filled with green butterflies in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, his pinky extended just so.


• Alex blinks and looks around.


• An ASTRONAUT sits in the corner, playing Spanish guitar with amazing skill, despite his thick gloves.


• An OTTER and a uncomfortably large CHIPMUNK sit at the bar engaged in an intense discussion.


• Alex makes his way to the bar and sits a safe distance from the chipmunk.


• The BARTENDER, a woman whose eyes are full circles of pale gold smiles at him.


• She is dressed in a elegant corset and jeans, her hair wrapped around two black and silver chopsticks.


• BARTENDER
• Hi Alex, what can I get for you?


• ALEX
• This is a dream right?


• BARTENDER
• Sure.


• ALEX
• Wow, I think I'm more screwed up than I realized...umm, what are the house specialties?


• BARTENDER
• Maybe I'll tell you on your next visit. But...I can make anything you want.


• ALEX
• Anything?


• She nods.


• ALEX
• I want red in A minor with a twist of lemon.


• BARTENDER
• Coming right up.


• The Bartender grabs a bottles off the shelves behind her.


• She places a large flask full of glowing red light on the bar, then deftly peels a lemon into spiral shapes.


• She pours a measured amount of red into a shaker and tosses the lemon in after it.


• Alex laughs softly, amazed.


• She closes the shaker and attaches what looks like an old ear horn to the top.


• BARTENDER
• Hey Buzz!


• The astronaut looks up.


• BARTENDER
• A minor!


• His gloved fingers race along the strings and the bar is filled with a beautiful, melancholy ballad.


• The Bartender points the ear horn at the astronaut, gently shaking the drink.


• BARTENDER
• Thanks!


• The astronaut nods and waves.


• Alex watches everything slightly slack-jawed.


• The bartender grabs an elegantly hand-blown glass and pours the drink, placing a lemon slice on the rim.


• It is a strange combination of liquid and light with flecks of glowing yellow floating through it.


• She hands it to Alex and nods.


• He takes a sip and his eyes go wide.


• He takes another sip.


• ALEX
• Oh wow, wow...I should definitely get more sleep.


• The bartender smiles then makes her way to the chipmunk, who is impatiently tapping his empty mug.


• FADE TO BLACK.