33       INT. LESTAT'S MANSION - SOUND STUDIO - NIGHT

Lestat and his band rehearse one of their numbers. Music and voice melding into a grand, almost operatic harmony.

34       INSIDE CONTROL BOOTH

Two SOUND ENGINEERS work the board.

SOUND ENGINEER #1
When's the concert?

SOUND ENGINEER #2
Four days.

SOUND ENGINEER #1
These guys are gonna kill.

Behind them, Roger sits pensively watching. Surreptitiously, he glances down at a book on his lap -- its title Vampires -- The Occult Truth.

Looking back up he catches eyes with Lestat who stares at him intensely while he sings.

35       STUDIO

Lestat slides into a high 'C' leaning into the microphone catching his own reflection in the booth's window, and CRACK -- GLASS SPLINTERS.

Roger jumps out of his skin, stifling a cry.

SOUND ENGINEER #1
(dumbfounded)
Shit.

(CONTINUED)

20.

35       CONTINUED:

James, Alex, Louisa and Maudy "whoop" with excitement, thinking it was their music.

JAMES
We rock.

LESTAT
Yes, I'd say I'm down with that.

They all laugh.

Through the broken glass we see Roger slump into a chair, his nerves totally frayed.

ALEX
Think we can call that a night.

Unhooking their instruments, Alex, James and Louisa start to pack up as Maudy slowly approaches Lestat and nuzzles his neck.

Closing his eyes he shivers with temptation. Her hand moves down the front of his pants, when...

Lestat pulls her into his arms. Leaning into her neck he breathes in her scent...

Closes his eyes and...

Suddenly opens them right at Roger who looks on, extremely perturbed.

Smiling like the devil...

LESTAT
Oh, the sweet song of her blood.

Roger stares on terrified.

LESTAT
I'll hear it in my head all night.

Gently letting Maudy go...

LESTAT
Roger...

He goes directly to Roger, reaches into his open shirt, studies the crucifix around his neck.

LESTAT
I didn't know you were religious.

(CONTINUED)

21.

35       CONTINUED:    (2)

Lestat sniffs and reaches into Roger's pocket. Pulls out a string of garlic flowers.

LESTAT
(smiles)
Roger...

Roger has stopped breathing. Lestat puts the garlic back in his pocket and walks away, laughing to himself. Roger exhales with relief.

36       INT. TALAMASCA HEADQUARTERS - TALBOT'S PRIVATE CHAMBERS

The lights switch on and Jesse looks around -- the room is enormous, almost endless, stacked with paintings and ancient relics from every era going back to Babylon. Jesse is drawn to the first painting on the wall.

And eighteenth-century painting.

The interior of an enormous Italian villa, it's open terraces painted in with the spectacular view of the surrounding islands. The moon glitters on the black Mediterranean sea. There's a man in his forties with long white hair, back to us, but his face is reflected in a standing mirror.

TALBOT
What do you see?

JESSE
(entranced)
It's a nightmare.

TALBOT
What else?

JESSE
The detail...

Talbot smiles -- unable to contain his excitement in sharing his secret. Jesse moves to the next painting. A giant medieval tableaux, circa Brugel.

JESSE
This one too... it's amazing...

TALBOT
Look up at the battlements of that
castle.

(CONTINUED)

22.

36       CONTINUED:

SWISH ACROSS AND UP to detail standing on the battlements, impassively watching the bloodshed of gory battles and sacrifice of saints burned at the stake, is the same man with the long white hair.

Jesse moves to the next painting, then the next large authentic paintings, all set and painted in the style of different eras, all featuring a portrait of the same white-maned man.

TALBOT
I've carbon-tested the different
paint samples and they're
authentic. All painted at the
time of that particular style.

Jesse finally stops at a Marius self-portrait, Warhol style.

JESSE
Who is he.

TALBOT
His name is Marius. I believe
that he is not just the subject,
but the painter.

Jesse is almost demented with the discovery...

JESSE
He's a vampire, isn't he? You
found a real vampire! And he's
the one in Lestat's songs!

TALBOT
I've never set eyes on him...
although I'd like to think that
one time in Istanbul... the white-
haired man in the crowd...

Talbot shakes off the memory, rises, frustrated.

TALBOT
For all I know, these paintings
are as close as I'll ever come to
the Ancient Ones.

JESSE
The Ancient Ones?

Drawing Jesse's attention to a series of sketched portraits mounted on one of the office walls.

(CONTINUED)

23.

36       CONTINUED:    (2)

TALBOT
Vampires older than history. Just
names, legends long forgotten.

JESSE
I have to go to Los Angeles.

TALBOT
Jesse, listen to me. These
creatures are powerful and
dangerous beyond our
understanding.

Jesse rolls her eyes in frustration but David persists.

JESSE
What am I doing here if you're
just going to sit on every lead I
find? I have to be at that
concert.

TALBOT
The Talamasca has a West Coast
chapter, with members much more
experienced than yourself. Field
work requires refined mental
skills, the most important being
patience and self-control. You
have yet to develop either.
However, I do offer a consultation
prize...

Talbot goes to his desk and hands Jesse a folder with some photo copies, newspaper articles and old photographs.

TALBOT
... A field trip to New Orleans.

JESSE
Lestat's house?

TALBOT
Here's an old title on the house
you mention in your report this
dates back to the late 1800's.
The name on the title is the
Marquis Lestat D'Lioncourt.

Jesse sits down on the leather couch, frustration overtaken by wonder.

JESSE
You already know about Lestat...

(CONTINUED)

24.

36       CONTINUED:    (3)

Her head spins. There's more to this than she understood. Talbot sits beside her.

TALBOT
This is my personal area of
interest, and you, my bright
spark, have a lot to learn. I
would rather you live to learn it.
You may help me with my work, but
I'm not letting you within a
thousand miles of Lestat. And,
Jesse, please, no more wandering
around at night. Do we have an
understanding?

37       INT. JESSE'S BEDROOM - LATER

Jesse lays awake, unable to sleep as usual.

38       EXT. LONDON STREET - LATER THAT NIGHT

Fog floats in the yellow vapor lights. Jesse emerges from the tube station, and makes her way across the deserted intersection. The only movement at this time of night is the giant street-cleaner that pushes past her.

39       EXT. STREET

Jesse walks up the street and pauses at the intersection of a narrow alley. She hesitates then turns down the lane.

40       EXT. ALLEY

The CLOP of Jesse's chunky, trendy heels ECHO around the flagstones and corrugated back fences.

Jesse walks, the ambient light becoming darker and darker with every step.

41       EXT. ALLEY INTERSECTION

Jesse makes a left, going deeper into the labyrinth of allies. A BOTTLE SMASHES close by, causing her to start. She increases her pace; looking over her shoulder, she runs straight into a bulky figure. A primal scream rises from her stomach.

(CONTINUED)

25.

41       CONTINUED:

The figure is a homeless drunk who bellows back in her face, more frightened than she is. He scuttles off into the night.

Jesse presses her back against the wall and breathes. Something catches her eye.

These are figures moving in the distance through the fog.

Jesse squints, tries to get a better look. She moves along the wall in the shadows.

There's a man handing out cards. Another dark figure takes a card and... flits away at unnatural speed...

Jesse gasps. The man hears her and turns. His face is unnaturally pale and gaunt it almost glows in the darkness. His eyes shine with a strange reflective light, like a cat. A strange HISS seems to come from all directions.

Jesse, paralyzed TIME SLOWS to a crawl as her HEART POUNDS.

The man flies towards her. A flash of movement. Leather jacket catching the air by her cheek, as he passes...

Jesse jumps back against the corrugated iron with a bang.

Then there is nothing. No sign of life or movement. Did she imagine what she just saw? Something catches her eye.

On the ground, a business card has fallen. Jesse picks it up and reads...

"Private Club. 13 Crowley Lane. Invitations Only."

42       EXT. STREET - SOON AFTER

The sign reads "CROWLEY LANE." Jesse moves along the street with determination.

This neighbourhood is worse than the last. Darkened warehouses, junkyards, factories. The flicker of a fire looms in the distance.

Several bonfires line the lane, illuminating rows of prone bodies cardboard shelters, garbage, empty bottles. A city of the homeless.

The drunks look up at her with dead eyes.

(CONTINUED)

26.

42       CONTINUED:

Jesse pulls up the high collar of her coat, but there's no hiding her young legs beneath her short skirt.

13 Crowley Lane. There's a solitary door in the wall up ahead, with a dull blue light mounted above. Another figure flits to the door. Knocks. The door opens. The figure hands over the card and vanishes inside.

Jesse approaches, hears MUSIC and VOICES, must be some kind of nightclub. Jesse knocks.

The door opens, and a vampire peers out curiously.

43       VAMPIRE'S POV

Jesse holds up the card, face averted, her hand hidden by the cuff of her coat.

44       BACK TO SCENE

He takes the card and steps back. Jesse moves forward, the door shuts behind her.

45       INT. VAMPIRE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

The MUSIC is part blues, part Kurt Weil, part Gothic -- dark and ominous as if the pianist and electric guitar player on the small stage knew exactly the sort of trouble Jesse was in.

The bar is comprised of elaborately-carved Chinese dragons, a TV mounted incongruously in the corner showing a silent Vampire Lestat video.

The couple dance cheek to cheek, rotating like figures on a music box. Another couple are necking hot and heavy in the corner. The small tables are occupied by vampires, but no drinks or food anywhere.

Jesse moves through the tables, passing a mortal, a YUPPIE-TYPE sitting with a VAMPIRE GIRL he's obviously just met

YUPPIE
... This place is cool! You sure
you don't want a drink?

VAMPIRE GIRL
Soon.

(CONTINUED)

27.

45       CONTINUED:

Vampire Girl smiles, glances up at Jesse as she passes unnatural pale skin and a wicked knowing smile. Jesse looks away quickly, moves on...

The guitar player and pianist watch as she passes by also unnaturally pale...

The couple necking in the corner begin to get even more aroused. A mortal girl sips on her drink while her lover, a vampire, kisses her shoulder, her throat...

46       UNKNOWN POV

Unaware that she is being watched, Jesse completes her circuit.

47       BACK TO SCENE

as Jesse ends up back at the bar where THREE PUNK VAMPIRES slouch, looking up at Lestat on the video.

PUNK VAMPIRE #1
Breakaway's gonna start a whole
new inquisition.

PUNK VAMPIRE #2
Not if we can help it.

PUNK VAMPIRE #1
You going to L.A.?

48       UNKNOWN POV

We watch the Punk Vampires and hear every word they say as the other SOUNDS FADE AWAY.

PUNK VAMPIRE #3
'Course we are. Whole coven's
going. Wouldn't miss that show if
you drained me dry.

49       LESTAT

leans forward out of the shadows of the corner, smiling, loving the drama he is creating... But again his attention moves to this strange mortal girl...

28.

50       JESSE

moves past the Punk Vampires. They fall silent as she pauses at the bar.

PUNK VAMPIRE #1
Come here often?

Jesse turns and sees that Punk Vampire #1 is leaning towards her.

JESSE
Sure, all the time.

She is distracted by...

51       JESSE'S POV

The Yuppie Guy is being led into he bathroom by his vampire date, oblivious. They pass the necking couple...

...a brief glimpse of the tiny trickle of blood on the mortal girl's neck as she swoons...

...an even briefer flash as her vampire lover comes up for air, his lips and teeth shiny with blood...

52       JESSE

stares, horrified. Suddenly, she is brought back to her own predicament as the Punk Vampire pulls down her collar.

PUNK VAMPIRE #1
Don't see any marks.

JESSE
You haven't seen the rest of my
body.

PUNK VAMPIRE #2
Is that an invitation?

Jesse finds herself surrounded by the Three Vampires. She shakes her head, too frightened to get out a response.

PUNK VAMPIRE #3
So, where's your host?

JESSE
Host...

(CONTINUED)

29.

52       CONTINUED:

PUNK VAMPIRE #3
This is a special club. You have
to come with a member.

JESSE
I know that. He's here somewhere.

She peers into the darkness, looking for her host.

PUNK VAMPIRE #2
Silly boy to leave you alone.

She knows she's in serious trouble, start moving towards the door.

JESSE
You know, I think he went outside.
I'll just go check and see if he's
okay.

She turns and finds herself blocked by Punk Vampire #2, who has supernaturally moved around.

PUNK VAMPIRE #2
Your host. What's his name.

Jesse looks around, trying not to panic. Pale faces, pale eyes watch...

JESSE
Lestat...

53       LESTAT

hearing his name. He leans forward, listens, studies this strange mortal, fascinated.

PUNK VAMPIRE #2
(hisses)
Lestat...

The Punk Vampires laugh.

JESSE
You got a problem with that?

All around her, vampires are turning to look. The MUSIC DIES, leaving a frightening silence.

54       LESTAT'S POV

Jesse keeps up her defiant front. Slides between the two Vampires blocking her and makes it to the exit...

30.

55       EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

Jesse backs out and steps around the immobile doorman.

JESSE
'Scuse me...

She turns and starts up the alley. The Three Vampires from the bar have somehow gotten outside and are blocking her path.

Heart racing, Jesse turns, walks back past the doorman and into the darker part of the alley.

Figures flit past her at super-human speed.

56       EXT. ALLEY - T-SECTION - NIGHT

Jesse bolts, scrambling, as the Vampires land in front of her, beside her, behind her. They close in, smiling.

VAMPIRE #3
Don't worry, darlin'. This ain't
gonna hurt. You might even enjoy
it...

He runs her hand up and down her body. Jesse starts to shake. The others grin.

He picks her up by the throat. Jesse gags, chokes. Her legs flail in the air. Looks like this is it.

Suddenly the two Vampires turn and hiss like cats.

Jesse hits the flagstones hard with a grunt. She gasps for air, looks up. Can't believe her eyes.

The Vampires have gone but a new figure emerges from the fog.

Jesse squints, still woozy.

Is that Lestat standing, silhouetted by the orange vapour lights? Is that Lestat smiling? Or is she delirious from her brush with death? Finally, Lestat comes INTO FOCUS...

JESSE
Lestat...

Lestat moves closer, revealing himself in the light. He smiles, examines Jesse curiously.

LESTAT
Who are you?

Jesse stares, struggles to her feet. She looks down as she steadies herself, but when she looks up...

Lestat is gone.