Fade to main dance floor by the bar. Pete stands at the bar by the dance floor. The dark room is lit only by the random flashing and moving lights. To add to Pete's misery, a high-speed techno track screeches loudly. Pete is going mad. He hits the bar with his fists as he paces back and forth across the floor waiting to be served. The song ends off abruptly. Pete rubs his eyes and moves on to the dance floor, where he listens to the new song start up. It's just as bad. Then, moaning to himself, he moves to the table where the comatose body of Kara lies. He picks up her head and starts stroking her hair in contemplative thought. Slowly, Kara's eyes open and look around the room as she tries to sit up. She falls back down onto Pete's lap and begins to speak, but her voice is so slurred as to be nearly unintelligible.

Kara: Mmmm. Oh, my. Uh, I, uh -- Hoooooch! (giggle) I, owww, oh my head. I, don't, no, no, no...Please stop spinning. No!
Pete looks at Kara in bewilderment, then scratches his head. He gets an idea and gives her a glass of water to drink. She takes a few sips, sits up a bit and moans a little before she starts speaking coherently.
Kara: Alcopop? Here? Mmmmmmm.... I must have some.... Oh no! I'm so drunk!

Cut to DJ booth. Simon Price puts on bad techno track as two men in suits drag Nic onto the dance floor. Nic is forced to dance as the Suits give him angry looks every time he tries to leave the dance floor. Felidae and Forgy walk up the stairs to talk to Price.

Felidae: Mr. Price.
Price: (to Forgy) You may take Nic Gibson to his new job after I have Andrew.
Nic's screams can be heard coming from the dance floor.
Forgy: He's no good to me dead.
Price: He will not be permanently damaged.
Felidae: Mr. Price, what about Shawnee and the Quarrier?
Price: They must never again have net access.
Felidae: That was never a condition of our agreement, nor was giving Nic to this head hunter!
Price: Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly.
Felidae: No.
Price: Good. It would be unfortunate if I had to publish an unfavourable review of your single.
Price turns and walks to the bar with Forgy. Felidae walks swiftly up the stairs to the balcony, muttering to himself.
Felidae: This deal's getting worse all the time.

Cut to lounge. Kara has now gotten a little more sober. She can sit up but still seems unable to walk. She is quite dishevelled and her scarf has fallen in front of her face.

Kara: Oh, yes, that's very good. I think I can almost stand. Oh! Something's not right because now I can't see. Wait. Wait! Oh, my! what have you done? Ohhhhh. My scarf's in my eyes! You dodgy old goth. Get it offffff. Get it......
Kara is cut off in mid-sentence when she falls back down on the sofa and starts giggling. Pete looks up and notices a ragged Nic Gibson coming off the dance floor and collapsing onto the bench. The tall Quarrier gives Nic a big hug. Nic is very tired, with dark circles of eyeliner smudged under his eyes.
Nic: I feel terrible.
Pete helps Nic sit up and then turns to see Shawnee. She, too, looks a little worse for wear. She moves to Nic, who is sitting on the bench, and kneels next to him, gently stroking his head.
Shawnee: Why is the music so bad?
Nic: I never even liked techno.
Felidae and two of his friends come by.
Shawnee: Felidae.
Nic: Get out of here, Felidae!
Felidae: Shut up and listen! Price has agreed to let the girls and Pete go. They'll have to lose their net access, but at least they'll be safe.
Shawnee: What about Nic?
Felidae: Price's giving him to the head hunter.
Shawnee: Price wants to get rid of all of us.
Felidae: He doesn't want you at all. He's after somebody called Andrew.
Nic: Cleggy?
Felidae: Mr. Price has set a trap for him.
Shawnee: (accusingly) And we're the bait.
Felidae: Well, he's on his way.
Nic's rage peaks.
Nic: Perfect. You fixed us all pretty good, didn't you? (spits it out) My friend!
Nic hauls off and punches Felidae. The two friends are instantly engaged in a frantic close-quarters fight. Felidae's friends pull Nic away from him. Pete gets angry and starts for them, they get ready to give him a right good kicking, but Felidae stops them.
Felidae: Stop! I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I have my own problems.
Nic: Yeah, you're a real hero.
Felidae and his friends leave. Nic wipes the blood from his chin as Shawnee and Pete help him up.
Shawnee: (dabs at his wound) You certainly have a way with people.

Cut to a back room in the Electric Ballroom. Simon Price and Felidae sit at a table with four well-dressed men. Papers are being passed between them.

Price: This contract is crude, but it should be adequate to bind Andrew into service of the Pale Emperor.
A bouncer walks up to them.
Bouncer: Mr. Price, there's a goth down the street. I think it's him.
Price: Good. Keep an eye on Andrew and allow him into the club.
The bouncer nods and leaves the room.
Felidae: Mr. Price, I only use this contract for temps. If you make him sign it, it might not be fully binding.
Price: I do not want to give the Pale Emperor's prize too much leeway. We will test it...on Mr. Gibson.

Fade out


Cut to back hallway. With James Forgy in the lead, a team of four bouncers lead Nic, Shawnee and Pete. Kara is leaning on Pete who is helping her walk. She is having trouble and stumbles fairly often. They reach an unmarked door and go inside. Some men in suits approach Nic.

Kara: If only I could only walk, I wouldn't be in this ridiculous position. Now, remember, Pete, you have a responsibility to me, so don't do anything foolish.
Nic: (to Felidae) What's going on...buddy?
Felidae: You've been hired by a large multinational corporation in the City.
James Forgy moves away from the group to Simon Price.
Forgy: What if he sues for duress? He's worth a lot to me.
Price: Melody Maker will compensate you if he sues. Make him sign!
Realizing what is about to happen, Shawnee hits one of the Suits surrounding Nic. Within seconds, some bouncers join the scuffle, trying to pry the angry woman away from the Suits. From the instant of Shawnee's first move, Kara begins to scream in panic while she tries to protect herself from the fight.
Kara: Oh, no! No, no, no! Stop, Shawnee, stop...!
The bouncers are about to bash Shawnee in the face.
Nic: Stop, Shawn, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!
Nic breaks away from his captors. Price nods to the Suits to let him go and Nic breaks up the fight.
Nic: Shawnee, this won't help me. Hey!
Nic gives the girl a stern look.
Nic: Save your strength. There'll be another time. Look, you'll still see me, I'll try not to work too late. You hear me?
In a flash the bouncers have slipped handcuffs on Shawnee, who is too distraught to protest. They look sorrowfully at one another, then Nic moves toward her and gives her a final, passionate kiss.
Shawnee: I love you!
Nic: I know.
Tears roll down Shawnee's face as she watches her dashing husband walk into the conference room. Nic looks one final time at his friends -- and then, suddenly, the door shuts. Pete moans. Shawnee turns away in agony. Felidae winces in sorrow; it makes a life-changing impression on him.
Kara: What...what's going on? Help me up, Pete, I can't see. Oh...they're making him sign a contract for a job in the City. He should be quite well paid -- if he survives the long hours, that is.
Pete is in no mood for rational discussion; he gives the girl an angry glance.
The door opens and Nic comes out being led by a group of lawyers. Felidae walks up to one of the lawyers and takes a stack of papers out of his hand. He skims through it, shaking his head occasionally.
Price: Well, Thomas, is it binding?
Felidae: Yes, the signature's good. It's legally binding.
Price turns to James Forgy.
Price: He's all yours head hunter. (to Suits) Write up another for Andrew.
Suit: Andrew has just entered the club, sir.
Price: Good. See to it that he finds his way here. Thomas, take the girls and the Quarrier to my car.
Felidae: You said they'd be left here with me.
Price: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
Felidae grumbles to himself as he turns to Shawnee, Pete, and Kara.


Part 4

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