(We open in a small, dark, smoky bar. Zelda is already there, putting on lipstick.)

*Danny enters the bar and spots Zelda in a booth.*

Danny: *Hurries over to join her* Hope I'm not late.

Zelda: Not at all. (She smiles) I'm glad you came.

Danny: The guys almost didn't let me. *motions to sit* May I sit?

Zelda: (Pats the bar seat next to her) Right here, cutie.

Danny: Right there. *grins and practically misses the seat, but he gets there okay* Hi.

Zelda: You're so cute. I like a clumsy man.

Danny: That's usually the opposite of what I hear.

Zelda: Most people just don't have good taste. (She nods at the bar) What would you like to drink?

Danny: Oh, something light. Liquor doesn't always agree with me.

Zelda: (Nods at the bartender) My usual, for him and for me.

*We see the door open. Butch and Chuck sneak over to a table at the back.*

Zelda: (She hands Danny his drink) Here you go, Danny. Enjoy! (She swallows hers.)

Danny: Thanks. *downs it as quickly as Zelda did; puts the glass down; pauses a moment* Wow...

Zelda: Good stuff, isn't it?

Danny: Yeah. Can I have some more?

Zelda: Of course. (She waves the bartender over.) Refill his glass, please.

Bartender: Right, Miss Zelda. (He does so and hands it back to Danny) Here you go, son.

Zelda: So, did you enjoy your first night's work?

Danny: Yeah, I had a great time! *drinks half of the glass this time*

Zelda: Your friends don't seem to have had a good time. Any ideas what we should do about that?

Danny: *Shrugs* They're just a bunch of worriers. *He finishes his glass.*

Zelda: You know, we really do want you and Mr. Williams to stay on with us. (Slight smirk) Want more?

Danny: Yeah. *sways a little*

*We switch over to Butch and Chuck at a back table. They're both watching Danny and Zelda intently.*

Chuck: *Shakes his head* She's trying to get him drunk. Little does she know that it won't take much.

Butch: He can't hold his liquor in a bucket to save his life. He's probably about ready to fall off the chair now.

Chuck: *As Danny sways more noticeably* You were saying?

Butch: I'd suggest we'd go over there and catch him before he ends up on the floor, but we might blow our cover.

Chuck: I hate to use him like this, but you're absolutely right.

Butch: We need to find out what these guys are really up to...and when they intend to try to turn you into a bloody pulp.

Chuck: Before it happens, preferably.

Butch: I'm worried. These guys mean business. You know what they've done before. I really want play...but not if it's gonna get me and Danny killed.

Chuck: It isn't worth it for that outcome.

Butch: And I don't want Zelda chasing Danny or anyone. After tonight, no more.

Chuck: I won't argue that. Bad enough she did it to Slip and me, but Danny really doesn't need this.

Butch: (Shakes his head) I don't think he'll be able to handle her. Good thing Sheila seems to think he's funny but not worth chasing. He really couldn't handle her!

Chuck: I wouldn't wish either of them on my worst enemy.

Butch: (Points; Zelda is helping Danny stand) Chuck, they're leaving!

Chuck: Leaving? That isn't supposed to be part of them plan! We gotta follow them!

Butch: Right! (They grab their hats and follow them.)

(Cut to Zelda's Fifth Avenue penthouse apartment. Danny leans on Zelda as she comes in and turns on the light, revealing a large, modern room done in shades of lavender and purple. There the latest in stereo equipment, huge bookshelves and a roll-top desk, and the largest TV available in the mid-50s.)

Zelda: (Settles Danny down on the couch) There. How do you feel now?

Danny: There's a whole band playing in my head, but I think the kettle drum is the worst of it. *groans as he holds his head*

Zelda: (She comes out of the kitchen with aspirin and a glass of orange juice) Here, drink this. It will help your head. I don't want you moaning and groaning all night unless I caused it.

Danny: *Doesn't pick up on what she said beyond aspirin; accepts the pills and juice* Thanks. *takes the aspirin and drinks the juice* Sometimes I think I get a hangover just thinking about liquor.

Zelda: If I'd known, I wouldn't have given you something so strong. (She sits down and snuggles against him.)

Danny: It's okay. *sighs* This is kinda nice, though.

Zelda: Isn't it? (She smiles at him) Want to see something?

Danny: See what?

Zelda: This. (She jumps up and goes to a long cord. She pulls the cord...and opens a long series of blinds, revealing a gorgeous panoramic view of midtown Manhattan.) Isn't this pretty? It's fabulous at night!

Danny: *Eyes widen; he gets up carefully and joins her* Gosh! Would you look at that!

Zelda: (She sits back down next to him and puts her arm around his shoulder) Isn't it just something?

Danny: It sure is.

Zelda: (Pulls closer to him) It makes for a wonderful background...for this... (She leans over him and gives him a kiss)

*Danny's eyes widen, but that's it. If anything, he leans more into the kiss.*

Zelda: (She smiles at him when they let go) Now, doesn't that feel nice?

Danny: Yeah, it does feel nice. *puts his hand to his head as he winces* Only the kettle drum is left now.

Zelda: Why don't I drown that drum out? (She kisses him again - harder this time.)

*Danny's arms flail a bit as she presses him back. He puts his hands on her shoulders and tries to push her back a little.*

Zelda: (As she nibbles his neck) What's the problem?

Danny: I d-don't kn-know... *laughs a little* That tickles.

Zelda: Just relax. Enjoy yourself. (Starts running her hands over his chest)

Danny: Well, I...I'm trying... *groans again* Oh, that kettle drum won't go away...

Zelda: (She runs her hands a little further) Maybe this will make you feel better...

Danny: *Grabs her hands* Hold on. Where do you think you're going?

Zelda: On you, of course!

Danny: Excuse me?

Zelda: Why do you think I brought you up here? Ok, I did want you to see the view. Everyone should see that view. But that was only part of the reason.

Danny: *Frowns* Oh, the fellas were right! I gotta go! *starts to get up*

Zelda: Oh no, you don't! (She pulls him back down) You're staying with me. (Runs her fingers further down into his pants...)

Danny: *Yelps and scrambles to grab her hands again* Wait a minute! Couldn't we do something else? Got a deck of cards? We could play Gin Rummy!

Zelda: I'm not in the mood for something else. I'm in the mood for some fun. (She pushes further.)

Danny: *Sliding down in his seat* Gin Rummy's fun! Or maybe Bridge?

Zelda: (Leans over him and goes further) Not as much fun as this!

Danny: *Starting to hyperventilate* But...cards...are...fun!

*Just then, there's a knock at the door.*

Danny: The...door... Someone...at...the...door!

Zelda: Oh, darn! (She gives Danny a little kiss) Stay right there! (She goes to the door...and opens it to reveal what appears to be Butch and Chuck in their mustache and beard again. They wear hats and shirts with "Figaro's Pizza" on them and hold a pizza box.) What's this? I didn't order any pizza! You know, you're breaking up a very important meeting here!

*Danny puts a hand to his forehead.*

Chuck: You didn't? Perhaps the gentleman sprawled out on the couch over there did?

Butch: (Nods, trying to sound like Slip) Yeah! Dat guy ovah there sure looks-a like he could use some good pizza!

Zelda: But I didn't order any!

Butch: (Peers in) Is there anyone else here, ma'am?

Chuck: A butler or anyone like that?

Zelda: No, now go away! You must have the wrong apartment! (She tries to close the door on them.)

Chuck: *Stops the door* Someone's gonna take this pizza!

*Meanwhile, Danny's gotten up from the couch and sneaks up behind Zelda...but he stops behind her and shrugs. What should he do?*

Butch: Come on, lady! We've gotta sell this!

*Chuck tries to direct Danny to a vase on the side with his eyes and a slight jerky nod of his head. Danny just looks around and shrugs, confused.*

Butch: Maybe we could, uh, make a really big HIT with you, ma'am!

Zelda: Hardly. Now get out of here and take your pizza with you!

Chuck: Nothin' doin'! *pushes up on the pizza box, hitting Zelda in the face with it*

(Butch pulls off his shirt, revealing a t-shirt underneath, and throws it over Zelda's head. He grabs Danny by the arm.)

Butch: Come on. We've gotta get you outta here!

Chuck: And fast! *pulls the door closed after them; they take off down the hall to the elevator*

Chuck: *Punches the down button for the elevator* That chick really pisses me off.

Butch: (Nods) Yeah. I wish she'd figure out that our bodies are not for her to use as dolls. (Turns to Danny) You ok? She can be really crazy, especially if you don't know her.

Danny: *Nods* Yeah, I'm okay.

Butch: She didn't get too far, did she?

Danny: *shakes his head* No, just enough to make me feel like a jerk for not listening to you guys.

Butch: (Sighs) We didn't believe it at first, either. Some of us learned the hard way. (Nods at Chuck) She's gone after him before.

Chuck: *As the elevator doors open* We all like to find out the hard way. *they all get in the elevator*

Danny: *leans against the wall* All I know is my head is killing me and I feel really stupid for letting her get to me.

Butch: Don't. Like I said, it's happened to Slip and Chuck, too, and probably many other guys.

Danny: I really liked her. Or I thought I did.

Chuck: *Sighs* You'll be just fine. She's the bad one here, okay?

Danny: Yeah, but now I'm oh-for... *thinks* too many with girls.

Chuck: *As the elevator dings for the ground floor* We'll go to Louie's and you can pour your guts out over an ice cream soda.

Butch: Yeah! Sally and Rachel are watching the store right now.

Chuck: *As the doors open* And... *sees the men waiting for them* Oh crap! *the men pull all three of the fellas out of the elevator*

Chuck: Let go, ya goons!

(Butch just hits men right and left.)

Goon #1: (He yanks Chuck's arm behind his back) My boss wants to talk to you, reporter.

Chuck: Ahh... *struggles* lemme go!

Danny: Can't we talk this over!?

(The second goon barks at Danny and moves his arms like he's going to grab him.)

*Danny yelps and turns quickly...too quickly. He grabs his head for a moment before fainting.*

Chuck: Dan! *struggles against his goon* LET ME GO!

(It takes three men to hold down the angry Butch.)

Goon #1: Let's get you jerks back to the nightclub. Our boss wants to talk to you.

*One goon picks up Danny and hauls him away. Three more drag out Chuck.*

(The other three haul Butch away.)

(Cut to the back room at the nightclub. There's a table and four chairs surrounding one lone bulb. An old plush couch is in behind them, with the moonlight spilling through the one dirty window. The table is surrounded by crates, boxes, racks of costumes, and shelves of kitchen items. Suddenly, the light goes on...revealing the goons dragging in Chuck and Butch. Another carries Danny. When the light goes on, it reveals DuVal sitting at the table.)

DuVal: Hello, gentlemen. I really wish you hadn't pushed things so far.

Butch: You! You're the one who wanted to beat up Chuck! (He struggles angrily.)

DuVal: And it looks like we'll still get that chance. (Smirks) In front of my newest musician, no less.

Chuck: *Struggles* You ain't gonna beat me to a pulp.

*Zelda walks in and comes up next to DuVal.*

DuVal: Hello, dear. I heard they gave you quite a time.

Butch: You! That...bitch! Get her outta here!

Zelda: *Folds her arms, scowling* They dropped in and interrupted everything.

DuVal: Now, that's not very polite.

Butch: Neither is trying to rape a man!

DuVal: Musician, you were paid to play, not talk. Shut him up, boys.

Chuck: No! Don't touch him! *struggles harder*

(DuVal backhands Butch, He closes his eyes...then growls. He turns to Chuck.)

DuVal: Don't worry, reporter. You're going to get your turn. I want to know how much you've heard since you came here tonight.

Chuck: I ain't telling you anything.

DuVal: Your friend is a fine piano player. (Nods at the goon holding Butch; he grabs his hands hard and yanks at his fingers) What if he no longer had that ability?

Butch: OWWWWW! NOOO!

Chuck: LEAVE HIM ALONE! BEAT ME!

DuVal: Talk then, boy. Or your friend will never play his beloved piano...or anything else...again.

Chuck: We know you wanna use Butch and Danny for not so good intentions, and that you wanted to rough me up to get me off your backs.

DuVal: Not-so-good intentions? I just want to give them a chance to play.

Chuck: Yeah, right.

Butch: You want us to be slaves....owwww! (The man yanks another finger back hard)

Chuck: NO! Stop hurting him!

*Danny happens to pick this moment to groan from where he was left on the old couch. He slowly brings a hand to his head.*

DuVal: Then tell us anything else you've heard! (He slaps Chuck hard)

Chuck: *Reels from the slap* Nuuhh...that's it... that's all we know!

DuVal: (Turns to Zelda) Maybe you'd like a turn with him, dear? Your methods might prove more...persuasive.

Butch: N...no...

Zelda: *nods* I'll certainly try... *as she walks over to Butch, Danny lets out a long and decidedly fake moan*

(Butch looks up at Danny...and smiles a little as he realizes that Danny is now completely awake.)

Chuck: *eyes widen, realizing what Danny's done; calls out as loud as he can* ROUTINE TWO!

(Butch shakes his hand out, but it's still sore. He's punching out goons one-handed.)

*Chuck throws fists left and right. He frowns, seeing Danny's having a hard time with the goons.*

Chuck: ROUTINE ONE!

Butch: (Shakes his hand) Right... (grins) Chief. (He starts up the stairs.)

DuVal: Come back here... (But Chuck clips him good, knocking him out and on the floor)

*Danny follows, ducking between the legs of one goon. He scrambles after Butch up the stairs.*

Chuck: *Scowls down at unconscious DuVal* Bastard. *punches out one more goon before following the other two up the stairs*

Zelda: *Looks around disgustedly at the downed goons and her boss* Men! *smirks and goes up the stairs, following the boys*