A Very Close Call SCREENPALY

Chapter 1

A Very Close Call

NOTE TO READERS: This is the screenplay version of Chapter 1 - A Very Close Call from our novel "The Aristippus Retreat," published 6/12/2022. If you haven't already read the prose version of this chapter, please do and let us know which version you like better. Did we capture the written novel? Which version do you like better? This is our first screenplay, so be kind, but be fair.

CHARACTERS:

LACEY - protagonist, 20-year-old, average height & weight, blonde hair to her shoulders, blue eyes, typical college coed in physical appearance. LOGAN - off duty or retired LA County Deputy Sheriff, working undercover as hotel security. Heavy set, but not fat, crew cut salt & pepper hair. Wearing a blazer, slacks, and a dress shirt with no tie. VIVIAN - Lacey's best friend, 27-year-old, average height but on the skinny side, long dark hair passed her shoulders. General appearance & personality of a "stripper."GINGER - friend of Vivian's. Mid-30s, ginger hair (soft red head) in large loopy curls, college educated, business professional, dressed in stylish 'business casual.' Very attractive and sexually alluring without looking trampy.

ACT 1

INT. HOTEL BAR IN A BUSINESS-CLASS HOTEL NEAR THE LA CONVENTION CENTER -- EVENING

Lacey, dressed in business casual, strolls through the lobby and stops to read the listing of events on the Current Events bulletin board. Then, walking to the lobby bar, she spots a nice-looking middle-aged guy sitting alone at the bar. Lacey zeros in on Logan, her first prospect for the evening. Sliding onto an empty bar stool next to Logan, Lacey folds her arms on the bar and tries to start up a conversation.

LACEY

Hey, nice place - isn't it?

Logan slowly takes a sip of his drink without making eye contact.

LOGAN

Yeah - pretty nice.

Lacey crosses her legs and broadens her smile as she waits for a response. Not getting any.

LACEY

Are you here with the dental convention?

Logan answers with a single word after another leisurely sip of his drink.

LOGAN

Yep.

Lacey responds, still trying to get Logan to make eye contact with her.

LACEY

So am I.

LOGAN

Oh really. So, what do you do?

LACEY

(Speaking with a flirtatious tone.)

Oh, I'm a dental assistant, I guess you'd say. I assist dentists in enjoying the convention.

Still gazing straight ahead and in a deadpan voice, Logan asks.

LOGAN

So, what's your name, Sweetheart?

Lacey immediately responds with an enthusiastic tone of voice and extends her hand to shake his.

LACEY

Hi, I'm Lacey.

Setting his drink down as if to accept her handshake, Logan glances over at her.

LOGAN

How much?

In a perky Valley Girl tone to her voice, Lacey smiles.

LACEY

Well, how much do you think I'm worth?

Logan immediately turns to face her and reaches into his jacket pocket. He pulls out his wallet and flips it open to expose a badge and an official-looking photo ID.

LOGAN

Lacey, if you had mentioned a price, you'd be under arrest right now. But since you didn't, I'm going to give you a break. Now get the hell out of here, and I'd better never see you in here again.

Lacey froze in pure FEAR, looking as though she was about to wet her pants.

LOGAN

Did you hear me?!

LACEY

Yes, sir-yes, sir. Uh - thank you - I mean, yes, sir.

Lacey mumbles as she slides off the bar stool and quickly heads for the door, almost forgetting her purse.

ACT 2

INT. EAST HOLLYWOOD STARBUCKS -- EVENING

Lacey calls her friend Vivian to tell her what happened and ask her for advice. Lacey had met Vivian dancing, and even though she was seven years older, they were inseparable at the club and best friends outside the club. Vivian knew what Lacey was doing, and though she occasionally dated guys she'd met in the club, she was far more discreet about it. Older and wiser, Vivian would tell Lacey when she would suggest that they work the hotels together.

VIVIAN

Hey girlfriend. So, tell me. What happened?

LACEY

(Her voice still shaking with fear.)

Oh, Vivian. I just had a near-death experience.

VIVIAN

Oh my God. Did some guy hurt you?

LACEY

(With eyes as big as saucers.)

No - worse. Cops - I mean a cop. I tried to pick up a cop.

VIVIAN

Where? Were you arrested?

LACEY

At the Ritz-Carlton, and no, I wasn't arrested. He let me go with a warning, but he scared the hell out of me. He had a badge - and a gun!

Lacey didn't actually see any gun, but it sounded much more dramatic to add that imaginary detail. Vivian gets up to get herself a drink and walks to the counter. Moments later, she returns with an Iced caramel macchiato in hand.

VIVIAN

Okay, girlfriend, tell me what happened.

LACEY

Well, I stopped in the lobby to see what convention was in town. I saw that it was the Western Dentist or something, and I figured it would be an easy hook-up.

Lacey pauses to take a sip of Vivian's Macchiato.

LACEY (Cont'd)

So, I walked into the Lobby Bar and spotting this nice-looking guy sitting alone at the bar - I sat down next to him and casually asked him if he wanted any company?

VIVIAN

So, what did he say?

LACEY

Well, he asked, 'How much?'

VIVIAN

And?

LACEY

Well, I said, 'How much do you think I'm worth?' And he pulled out a badge and told me to get the fuck out and don't ever come back.

Vivian was trying to keep from laughing.

VIVIAN

So, did you shit your panties?

Unamused by Vivian's insensitivity.

LACEY

I was wearing a thong - and yes.

Vivian was unable to control her laughter.

LACEY (Cont'd)

So, what do I do? I'm making good money, and I love it. I love getting laid and getting paid for it. I'm a slut - I know it, but it is really what I want to do.

Knowing that her friend was serious and had just escaped a near-death experience.

VIVIAN

Lacey, I have this friend who makes a living as an escort. And from what I understand, she makes a damn good living at it. You want me to call her? Maybe she'll share some of her secrets with you.

ACT 3

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ IN A TRENDY LA NEIGHBORHOOD -- NOON

Two days later, the three women met for lunch at Tender Greens on Sunset Blvd. Vivian made introductions as they munched on farm-fresh salads and sipped herbal tea.

VIVIAN

Ginger, Lacey, and I met dancing, but her interests have really turned to those of an escort. She was doing okay until she ran into security a couple of days ago. It scared her shitless, and to be honest, she just needs some advice.

GINGER

Well, I've been doing this since divorcing my husband about ten years ago. I guess, like you, I liked sex, but to be honest, I didn't want another shit-head man running my life or telling me what to do. So, I can't even remember how I started, but I took up being an escort, and the rest, I guess you'd say, is history.

Bubbling with excitement.

VIVIAN

Yeah, and she does really well at it.

LACEY

I'm more interested in safety and long-term security - if you know what I mean.

GINGER

Oh yeah, I know what you mean. I'm not trying to brag, and you may not do as well, but I generally make about $80,000 a year, I only accept one or two dates a week, and of course, that is completely tax-free. So, it's a decent living, I could make more if I wanted to, but I'm happy. And besides, I really get to meet some interesting people and do some interesting things, like travel and such.

LACEY

So - how do you get started?

VIVIAN

Tell her about the school.

LACEY

What school?

GINGER

Oh - well, about two years after getting into the business, I heard about this school - a school for escorts, I guess you would say. It's actually a retreat. A week-long retreat up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

LACEY

Oh really.

GINGER

Yeah. It's near Lake Isabella. It's called the Aristippus Retreat. I know that sounds religious - but trust me - it's not. Aristippus was a Greek philosopher.

Lacey and Vivian were both on the edge of their seats.

GINGER (Cont'd)

Well, it was five days when I went through the course. You actually live there for five days and five nights. It's absolutely beautiful, high in the mountains, and in total solitude. Every morning starts at eight AM with a healthy but absolutely wonderful breakfast. Then there are two hours of yoga and meditation.

LACEY

Meditation?

GINGER

Oh yeah. It really is amazing how it will focus your mind, which allows you to focus on your own body and your own pleasure. And once you understand that, you'll understand how to please others.

VIVIAN

I guess you can't please others unless you can please yourself.

GINGER

That's exactly right. Then there is an hour of massage before lunch. Massage instructors will show you a new massage skill, and then you get a different guy every day to practice on for about an hour. Then, a light lunch is prepared before the afternoon classes for the day.

LACEY

What classes?

GINGER

Well, there are usually two classes - or lectures - per day. Things like advertising and marketing, the law, safety, business management, fashion, and then the more hands-on stuff. I think we had classes on human anatomy - sexual anatomy, of course, male vanity, the art of fellatio, and, of course, positions. Positions is actually a lab, where you'll be assigned a lab partner every day.

LANCEY & VIVIAN

(Both girls exclaimed in unison.)

A lab partner!

GINGER

Yeah, there were seven in my class when I went through it. And there were seven manly men who served as our lab partners.

VIVIAN

Did you fuck'm?

GINGER

Well, yeah. Every afternoon, one or two of them would serve as demonstration models for that day's lab. Then that evening, each male model would be randomly assigned to each girl for homework.

LACEY

Homework?

GINGER

Yeah - we would all take turns during the class demonstrations. But then, at about five o'clock, we would return to our cabins, shower, and get dressed as if we were going on a date. Around six-thirty or so, everyone meets back in the main lodge, and then you act out like you were on a date with a John. You already knew who your companion for the night was going to be, but you would still introduce yourself to him, like you hadn't met before. You would have cocktails and dinner, like you were on a real date. Then there would be a themed program, before returning to your cabin and performing whatever the day's lesson had been.

VIVIAN

Oh my God - that's incredible. What a riot!

LACEY

Well, do you think it improved your escorting skills?

GINGER

Oh my God, yes. I was just stumbling along before going to the Aristippus Retreat. It saved my life - or I guess I should say it made my life the success it is now. Before the classes, I didn't know how to advertise, I didn't know how to manage my business, I didn't know how much to charge, and mostly, I didn't really know what men wanted or expected. One week at the Aristippus put all of that into focus for me.

There was a moment of silence while Lacey allowed the idea of escort training to sink in.

LACEY

So - how much does it cost?

GINGER

Well, keep in mind I took the class over five years ago, and I think it cost $2,900. But I imagine it costs more now. I've heard the Retreat has become very successful, so I wouldn't be surprised if they raised the price.

LACEY

Jeez, that's a lot!

GINGER

Yeah. But believe me, it's worth it. You get great training and great ideas - the people are wonderful, and the food is amazing. In fact, the entire week is fantastic. Yoga, meditation, massages every day, and the best sex you've probably ever had - now tell me, what could be better than that?

All three women laugh and after exchanging contact information, leisurely finished their lunch and had a glass of wine together before heading their separate ways.

ACT 4

INT. LACEY'S APARTMENT -- AFTERNOON

As soon as the two best friends were back in Lacey's apartment, they flipped open her laptop and Googled the Aristippus Resort. And over a bottle of cheap wine, Lacey and Vivian poured over the website and discussed Lacey's options.

VIVIAN

Oh my God! They have all kinds of classes and retreats. They have couples' retreats, singles retreats, and all kinds of fetish classes. They have classes on oral sex, anal sex, mutual masturbation, and domination - jeez, they have classes on any kinky thing you want to do.

LACEY

Yes, this is absolutely awesome. And they have the Retreat I want to take - Courtesans of Courage. And it's now five days and six nights. But the cost has gone up to $4,500. Where in the hell am I going to come up with that? I would never have that much money at one time.

VIVIAN

I wonder if they offer scholarships?

LACEY

Or maybe work-study?

VIVIAN

Hey, that's an idea. Do you know anybody who would give you an advance and then let you work it off?

LACEY

No, I don't think so. If I called any of my former clients, they'd think it was a scam or something.

Vivian starts to rub Lacey's thigh as they sit side by side.

VIVIAN

Well, I'd at least give it a try, girlfriend. At least give it a try.

ACT 5

A week later, Lacey meets Ginger for drinks.

INT. SITTING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - EVENING

Each woman is sipping a Cosmopolitan.

LACEY

I really want to go to this retreat, Ginger. But the money is absolutely out of my reach. I've called all the gentlemen I thought might be able to help me, but no takers - no one even close. I'm out of ideas.

GINGER

I may know someone.

LACEY

Oh, I don't want a pimp!

GINGER

Oh, he's no pimp. He's a nice-looking middle-aged business executive type. He probably would pass you around to his business associates. But once the debt has been paid off, that would be it. I'm sure of that.

LACEY

How can you be so sure?

GINGER

I've known this guy for years, and I've never known him to cheat or take advantage of anyone, any female at least.

LACEY

Lacey responds cautiously.

Okay.

ACT 6

Three days later.

INT. LACEY'S APARTMENT -- DAY

Lacey, sitting alone on the couch in her apartment wearing nothing but a tank top and boxer shorts, is staring at her laptop and reading aloud an email she has just received.

LACEY

Oh my God, it's from the Aristippus Resort. You are registered for the next session of Courtesans of Courage. Your registration is paid in full. You should arrive between noon and 4 PM on Sunday for check-in. Attached are documents you will need to fill out before you arrive, including a brief resume of prior sexual experience. You are reminded that during your week-long stay at the Aristippus Resort, you will be having unprotected sex with a variety of partners, and that all participants are required to have a current medical certificate signed by a licensed doctor. A packing list of clothes to bring is also included. We look forward to meeting you and having you share in the unique opportunity of becoming a Courtesan of Courage.

Lacey sends the attachments to the nearby printer, and as they are printing, she jumps up and runs to her bedroom to change.

END (Fade to black)

Thank you for reading our first screenplay. Please reread the original prose version and let us know which version you prefer, and give us your thoughts in the comments section. Thank you!