Danny approaches the concierge. He’s looked over.
DANNY
I’m here for Rich. He’s expecting me. I’m a friend.
INT. RIVERSIDE APARTMENT BUILDING. ELEVATOR. NIGHT
A stylish elevator rises up to the Penthouse.
Apprehensive, Danny waits.
The door opens directly into --
INT. RIVERSIDE PENTHOUSE. HALLWAY. NIGHT
The space oozes wealth without style.
Few personal possessions.
Danny knows the way. He threads a path through.
Walking through this space as if it were a bad memory.
He passes a wall of platinum albums.
INT. RIVERSIDE PENTHOUSE. MAIN ROOM. NIGHT
Vast glass windows.
The room itself is sparse. Pre-installed luxury. Shelves are filled with records. A sophisticated music system with decks.
And there, in a chair, at the corner of a dining room table sits Rich. In shadow and light.
Who is this man?
Rich is a record producer. Self made, started his own label, nothing cool, boy bands. Despite the sentimentality of the music he’s not sentimental. He’s razor sharp shrewd.
He’s infamous for discarding bands as they grow tiresome or unpopular. And this fact informs the way he treats people in general - taking what he wants and then moving on.
Rich is as brilliant as he is ruthless. He has charisma and verve and feline savvy.
He knows what people wants. He gives it to them. And in exchange he always gets what he wants.
Formerly a producer who did drugs on the side he sold his label for a vast payoff and he’s now a man who does drugs with a bit of producing on the side.
He’s a high functioning crystal meth addict: the kind of man who would never accept that he was an addict.
Mid forties, he dresses in Dolce & Gabbana, conspicuously expensively. The clothes look lousy on him. Flash. Glossy. But we shouldn’t be laughing at him: he’s come up from nothing, why shouldn’t he be proud of the money he’s made.
He’s seated, smoking from an elaborate glass pipe.
It’s not chance that he’s smoking from this pipe: he knew Danny was coming and this pipe is for Danny.
Let’s take a look at the pipe in detail: it’s a precise piece of equipment, a narrow cylindrical tube with a round golf ball shaped glass end. It has a fragile beauty.
The crystal rocks are like large salt crystals. They sit in the base of the golf ball curve where they’re heated by a flame. The smoke fills the sphere. It’s then sucked up through the narrow tube.
Rich exhales: a cloud of smoke. Note the smoke is odourless and not unpleasant.
He puts the pipe down.
The effect this drug has on Rich’s character is to make him sharp, heightened senses, not drowsy, but intense and crisp. With a voracious sexual appetite.
There is a flood of dopamine to the brain. If Rich were a first time user he’d be euphoric, ‘wasted’ but he’s been using for many years and the receptors in his brain have been desensitized. He smokes now to maintain a level.
This means he’s perfectly coherent. But changeable. His mood can turn on a dime.
Rich is playful only because he’s sure that he’ll win. Playful like a snake. Playful like a predator.
He’s dangerous. Seductive. And Danny should get as far away from him as possible. Except Danny can’t.
RICH
Dan - ne.
DANNY
Rich.
RICH
It’s been a long time.
FLASH TO:
INT. RICH’S APARTMENT BUILDING. ELEVATOR. NIGHT (PAST)
Rich and Danny with just three other guys. None of the guys are over the age of twenty five. None under twenty.
They feel young in life experience terms, first jobs, minimum wage, cheap tight jeans and cheap white sneakers.
They should be a “type” - slim, lean muscular, attractive, and poor, not posh.
Rich is the only one in expensive clothes.
The contrast is sharp and clear.
These young men orbit him like planets around the sun.
All their eyes on Rich.
He has the drugs. He dangles the bag of crystal.
There’s laughter. It’s shallow. One laughs and another laughs merely to echo it. There hasn’t even been a joke.
Rich is bringing them home, herding them home.
Danny’s eyes eager - on the drugs.
BACK TO:
INT. RICH’S APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT (PRESENT)
Danny’s eyes wary, nervous.
Rich gestures for Danny to sit beside him.
Which he does.
Very deliberately Rich sets up a white crystal in the pipe.
The process is as much part of the hit as the drug.
Danny watches.
Rich lights it with care using an expensive sharp blue flame lighter, a gas blaze. The crystal rock glows.
Precious smoke fills the circular base of the pipe.
Danny’s eyes follow the swirls of smoke.
Danny is resisting. Fighting. It’s a battle.
Rich spots this reaction, it confuses him.
RICH
You seem tense.
Rich offers his pipe.
DANNY
I’m good, thanks.
Rich’s eyes sharpen.
The pleasure flashes into anger. He’s confused. He thought Danny had come here for free drugs in exchange for sex.
RICH
It’s all yours...
(Danny doesn’t move)
If you don’t smoke it it’s going to be wasted...
Sure enough the smoke begins to seep out of the top.
And Danny’s eyes are on the smoke. His brain does remember this pleasure, some part of him wants to say yes.
He’s fighting it.
RICH (CONT’D)
It’s getting away...
DANNY
I’m good.
RICH
(sharp)
You’re not a man who usually says no?
FLASH BACK TO:
INT. RICH’S APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT (PAST)
The three young men and Danny are lined up.
All have their tops off.
All have their mouths open, like sparrows waiting to be fed.
Rich lights the crystal meth pipe. He inhales deeply.
And then walks down the line of boys, blowing a little smoke into each of their open sparrow mouths.
Rich reaches Danny. He blows smoke inside his mouth.
And closes his lips around Danny’s lips, trapping the smoke inside. The rush hits Danny.
His pupils explode.
Rich observes.
BACK TO:
INT. RICH’S APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT (PRESENT)
Now Rich sits back, his brilliant mind is reassessing Danny and wondering what on earth he’s doing here.
DANNY
I need information.
RICH
Information? How very grown up you’ve become. What information could you possibly want?
Danny puts down the card we just saw him copying out.
The escort card.
Rich stares at Danny a while, still assessing.
Something’s changed about Danny. It’s curious.
He has grown up.
Rich finally turns his attention to the card.
He picks it up. Runs his finger over it.
Rich’s reaction darkens. He’s anxious. Afraid even.
RICH (CONT’D)
Who sent you?
DANNY
No one.
RICH
Who gave you this?
DANNY
I was shown it. The real thing. I copied it down.
RICH
Who showed it to you?
DANNY
Who are these people?
RICH
Why are you being so evasive?
DANNY<
br />
Can you help me?
RICH
You can’t be that stupid.
DANNY
You know them - don’t you?
RICH
(considers)
No, not stupid. Just blindly stumbling around...
(considers)
Yes, I know.
DANNY
How do I contact them?
RICH
Impossible.
DANNY
It’s important.
Volatile Rich’s moods shift again. Danny clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing. Not a trap. Rich senses opportunity and gestures for Danny to move closer.
RICH
Closer.
Danny moves closer.
RICH (CONT’D)
Closer!
Danny moves very close.
Rich leans in. He sniffs Danny.
RICH (CONT’D)
You have the particular stink of a man out of his depth.
The proximity is held for a beat. And we wonder if Rich is going to kiss him. Danny tries hard not to recoil.
RICH (CONT’D)
Open your mouth.
DANNY
Can you help?
RICH
If you open your mouth it might become possible.
Rich lights the pipe.
RICH (CONT’D)
Open.
Danny weighs it up.
RICH (CONT’D)
Open.
Rich inhales, but not for himself, he intends to blow it into Danny’s mouth.
Danny can’t.
Angry Rich blows it across his face.
RICH (CONT’D)
(angry)
You think I’d give this information away for free? Do you have any fucking idea how upset these people would be if I shared their secrets with the likes of you? They value privacy. They do not take kindly to indiscretion.
A cruel smile from Rich.
Despite the abuse Danny is still here. He hasn’t left.
Danny’s trapped. He wants this badly.
Rich relishes the dilemma.
He changes tack. Becoming charming.
RICH (CONT’D)
Why don’t you take a minute? Freshen up. And ask yourself: how badly do I want this?
INT. RIVERSIDE APARTMENT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
An amazing marble bathroom. A giant bathtub positioned by the window with views over London.
Danny washes his face. Looks in the mirror. Opens the cabinet. Viagra. Valium. Cocaine. Lube. Condoms. Clamps.
FLASH TO:
INT. RIVERSIDE APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT (PAST)
A vision of hedonism: a post club party, seven-eight-nine guys, various states of undress, music, drugs - happiness of the thinnest kind.
Danny among them. Rich has his hands all over him.
A naked man walks feline like on all fours towards them.
FLASH BACK TO:
INT. RIVERSIDE APARTMENT. BATHROOM. NIGHT (PRESENT)
Danny’s thoughts are interrupted by an awful laugh. Rich is at the door. Watching him.
He enters, squeezing past, hands on Danny’s hips. He climbs into the tub, despite it being empty.
RICH
I’m going to die in this tub. Heart attack. Or a stroke. They’ll find me here, tongue hanging out, my little dick bobbing about in the bubble bath. Four strong men will heave me out. My flesh will slosh and slop on the marble floor. And they’ll write about me: “he was a man who always got what he wanted”.
He laughs. And smokes. Regarding Danny’s dilemma.
DANNY
I can’t.
Rich turns mean. He was sure Danny would say yes.
RICH
Then fuck off.
INT. DANNY’S APARTMENT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
Danny in the shower, under a dribble of tepid water, scrubbing the night’s sleaze from his skin.
FLASH TO:
EXT. ESTUARY. DAY (PAST)
Danny and Alex walking by the sea - happy.
BACK TO:
INT. DANNY’S APARTMENT. BEDROOM. NIGHT (PRESENT)
Danny enters his bedroom. In jogging pants, ready to sleep. However, he finds Sara sitting on his bed.
She’s been waiting for him. She seems anxious.
Even though he’s exhausted, Danny joins his troubled friend putting an arm around her - ready to help.
DANNY
What’s wrong?
She’s upset. And nervous.
SARA
Why didn’t you tell me?
Danny’s surprised - this is about him.
DANNY
Tell you what?
Sara’s sad eyes stare into his. Trying to make sense of his response.
SARA
Nothing would change between us, you know that, don’t you?
Danny’s perplexed.
DANNY
Sara, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Sara searches his expression: blank incomprehension. She becomes embarrassed. And apologetic.
SARA
You’re not ready. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...
(hugs him)
I love you.
There are tears in her eyes. She stands, intending to leave. But Danny gently takes her hand. Stopping her.
DANNY
Hey?
She’s confused by the signals.
DANNY (CONT’D)
Tell me.
SARA
Danny, I found it.
DANNY
Found what?
SARA
Your medication.
Sara’s beginning to doubt herself.
In contrast, Danny becomes assertive.
DANNY
Sara, what did you find?
She walks to Danny’s desk. Opens the drawer, reaches in. Pinched between her fingers is the pill from episode 2.
Danny’s confusion transitions to fear.
INT. SOHO. SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC. RECEPTION. DAY
Danny at the reception. Filling in a form.
“Do you have any particular reason for wanting an HIV test today?”
Danny stares at the Yes or No answer.
INT. SOHO. SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC. WAITING AREA. DAY
The room’s bright and clean. Effort has been spent on making the space welcoming. However, a waiting room it remains. With an anxious energy.
Danny’s seated. He steals glances at the other people.
The room is full. A mix of older and younger, a few couples. Predominantly men.
Very little conversation. Some are there for support. Even so, only a few whispered words.
On a digital screen is a notice: ‘Had sex without a condom? Fill in a survey to win an Ipad’.
A sexual health clinician appears. A middle aged woman. She’s reading from the form he filled in.
CLINICIAN
Danny?
Danny hears his name. No surname. A fractional pause before he stands. Eyes land on him, briefly, curious.
The woman smiles, professionally. Unusually for him, Danny doesn’t smile back.
INT. SOHO SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC. TESTING ROOM. DAY
A desk. An ancient computer. An examination bed. Blue plastic shelves full of testing equipment. A sink.
A narrow window with a view over Soho.
The room is narrow and rectangular. Standing in the middle with arms outstretched you could touch both walls.
Danny seated.
The clinician at the desk, glancing over his form.
CLINICIAN
Last test was eight months ago. Since then, one sexual partner. And you’re always safe?
DANNY
Always.
The clinician reacts to his unusually forceful emphasis.
CLINICIAN
Do you use a condom during oral sex?
DANNY
No.
CLINICIAN
It’s low risk but not ‘no risk’.
She stands. Readying the test. T
here’s a ritual. The commentary is always spoken, no matter how many tests you have. Like airline safety procedures.
CLINICIAN (CONT’D)
We’re going to use a finger prick test. This isn’t a test for HIV but for the antibodies produced in response to the infection. It will detect infections six weeks after exposure --
DANNY
I haven’t had sexual contact - of any kind - for over six weeks.
Again, she’s sensitive to his emphasis.
CLINICIAN
Then this result will be up to date. I need to ask, before the test, if the result comes back positive is there someone you can phone?
The question hits Danny hard. Danny manages a nod.
The clinician puts her plastic gloves on.
CLINICIAN (CONT’D)
We have a support network. No one is ever alone. Just so you know.
She takes Danny’s hand, pushing down all his fingers except for the middle.
CLINICIAN (CONT’D)
Going to feel a slight scratch.
A finger prick stamp on the tip. A bubble of blood. She gives it a squeeze and fills a very thin glass tube.
She places a bud of cotton on the top of his finger.
She’s finished. Blood taken. Easy. Quick. Sample ready.
CLINICIAN (CONT’D)
This will just take a few minutes.
She leaves.
Danny alone.
There’s no clock on the wall.
We should not jump cut out of this wait. Play it in real time, feel every beat with Danny. Discount how quickly it reads on the page - this should be roughly two minutes.
- Danny looks out of the window. Coffee shops and passers-by. He watches the random street interaction. The fragments of conversation.
- He turns back and stares at door.
- He looks at the blue plastic shelving units full of different testing equipment.
- Notices a box of free condoms and lube on the desk.
London Spy Page 12
