INT. GUEST BEDROOM - MALLORY’S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT

The sound of muffled dance music combined with hollering and laughing behind the door.

PAOLA is silently sitting on the edge of the bed while KRYSTAL silently sits on the armchair across from her. 

PAOLA
(breaking the silence)
Why do you always sit so far away from me?

KRYSTAL
Maybe because I don’t trust you.

PAOLA tilts her head.

PAOLA
Why don’t you trust me?

KRYSTAL
Because you’re a complete stranger who’s given me acid.

PAOLA
You’re a very funny girl.

KRYSTAL pulls at a loose thread on the chair and looks down at the floor.

KRYSTAL
So, when is this supposed to kick in anyway?

PAOLA
You’re also a very impatient girl. That’s the third time you’ve asked.

KRYSTAL
Well, excuse me for wanting to know when a drug I’ve never taken before is going to affect me. How silly of me!

PAOLA grins seductively. KRYSTAL breaks away from the look.

KRYSTAL
What?

PAOLA
Come here. Sit next to me.

KRYSTAL
I’m comfortable here.

PAOLA gives the bed a great pat.

PAOLA
Just come here!

KRYSTAL rolls her eyes and goes over to sit beside PAOLA.

KRYSTAL
Happy?

PAOLA
Very.

KRYSTAL
What now?

PAOLA
(mimicking)
‘What now’?

KRYSTAL stares up at the continuously spinning blades of the ceiling fan. PAOLA watches her curiously.

PAOLA
Do I make you nervous?

KRYSTAL briefly side-eyes PAOLA before turning her attention back to the blades.

KRYSTAL
I don't know, wouldn’t you be sorta nervous about a stranger drugging you?

PAOLA bursts out into laughter.

PAOLA
I didn’t drug you. You really are funny.

PAOLA’S fingers slowly crawl down KRYSTAL’S arm. KRYSTAL sits erect.

PAOLA
Why won’t you look me in the eyes?

KRYSTAL jerks her head around to face PAOLA and widens her eyes mockingly.

KRYSTAL
I’m looking into your eyes! Are you satisfied now?

PAOLA smiles and carefully places her hand upon the side of KRYSTAL’S face. 

PAOLA
You know, even when you’re being bratty, you have such kind eyes. Eyes are the window to the soul, aren’t they? So, that must mean Key was right about you having the kindest soul, huh?

KRYSTAL tuts.

KRYSTAL
‘Eyes are the window to the soul’? That’s a little cliché.

PAOLA’S smile is unwavering.

PAOLA
It’s okay to keep things simple sometimes. Simple gets the point across. Not everything needs to be so complex. 

KRYSTAL shrugs.

PAOLA
But maybe you’re the kind of girl that prefers things to be complex all the time. Maybe Key was also right about that.

KRYSTAL
Key is a drunken gossip. He isn’t ever right about anything when he’s ed up.

PAOLA
He has his moments of wisdom from time to time.

KRYSTAL scoffs.

KRYSTAL
Yeah, wise when it comes to deciding which Saint Laurent blouse makes his colored contacts pop.

PAOLA giggles and slaps KRYSTAL’S arm.

PAOLA
You’re one to speak, in that fancy fur of yours!

KRYSTAL looks down at the coat she’s in.

KRYSTAL
I forgot I even had this on.

PAOLA
Only someone who lives a lavish life would forget they have a luxury fur coat on. I can’t even guess how much that must cost.

KRYSTAL crosses her arms defensively.

KRYSTAL
I’m not that type of person.

PAOLA
I know you’re not. I’m assuming you only wore it to please Key. I saw him in a similar one. He kept the more expensive one for himself, I’m sure.

KRYSTAL gives a small smile.

PAOLA
I’m glad I could finally get even the tiniest smile out of you.

KRYSTAL’S smile evaporates. She shuffles on the bed and looks concerned.

PAOLA
What’s wrong?

KRYSTAL
I don’t know. I’m starting to feel a little weird. A little light-headed.

PAOLA nods in agreement.

PAOLA
Now that you mention it, so do I.

PAOLA turns her attention to the speaker sitting on the nightstand. She frowns.

PAOLA
Damnit, I forgot my phone in the car! Do you have yours?

KRYSTAL
I do. What for?

PAOLA
For music, of course! Connect your phone to the speaker.

KRYSTAL
Oh, uh, okay.

KRYSTAL fumbles with her phone. She connects it to the speaker and begins to go through her playlists with shaking hands.

PAOLA
Are you going to play anything?

KRYSTAL
I-I don’t know what to put on.

PAOLA
Don’t be so shy! I’ll enjoy anything, really.

KRYSTAL puts her music on shuffle. Firefly by Airiel begins to play. Attempting to put her phone down, she drops it clumsily onto the nightstand. 

PAOLA
You okay there?

KRYSTAL
I’m just starting to feel really weird. 

PAOLA pulls KRYSTAL into her arms and gives her a squeeze.

PAOLA
You’ll be okay. I promise. It’s going to be wonderful. Just you wait!

PAOLA fluffs the pillows behind her.

PAOLA
Lie down.

KRYSTAL complies without a word. 

As they lie side by side, PAOLA leans her head on KRYSTAL’S shoulder. KRYSTAL responds by leaning her head on top of PAOLA’S head.

PAOLA
Why did you put such a sensual song on?

KRYSTAL’S eyes widen.

KRYSTAL
I-I didn’t, it-it just came on shuffle! I don’t know why this song of all songs came on!

PAOLA giggles and nuzzles into KRYSTAL’S neck.

PAOLA
It was just a joke. Relax, Krystal. Just relax. 

KRYSTAL nods her head and stares at their reflection through the large mirror above the dresser.

They lie in silence, listening to the music.

KRYSTAL suddenly sits up straight.

PAOLA
What's the matter?

KRYSTAL clutches onto her chest.

KRYSTAL
My heart. It’s racing. It’s beating too fast!

PAOLA pulls KRYSTAL back