(XO adaptation of Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

EXT. GOLDEN, COLORADO – NIGHT

A full moon glows over the foothills. Crisp mountain air moves through pine silhouettes. The quiet clink of wine glasses and low conversation drifts from a rustic-modern wine bar.

INT. CAIRN WINE BAR – NIGHT

Wood-beamed ceilings. Dim lights. Vinyl jazz murmurs from behind the bar.

BOOM and EVAN39 sit at a corner table. Two plastic wine flights rest in front of them. Boom picks at a charcuterie slate. Evan sips Tempranillo, lost in thought.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Boom and Evan39 had flown in from SeaTTTle that morning. They'd ended up here, in Golden, beneath the Front Range. Tired, altitude-buzzed, and restless.

BOOM

(sniffing)

Everything here smells like pine sap and real estate debt.

EVAN39

(nods)

I kind of like it.

Boom rolls his eyes. Evan glances across the room—

ANGLE ON: A man at the far end of the bar. He wears a charcoal Norrøna jacket. His olive skin seems to hold the candlelight. He drinks alone, eyes on them.

BOOM

(watching Evan)

What are you looking at?

EVAN39

Is that... I think we saw him outside earlier.

BOOM

Looks like the type who corrects your climbing stance mid-trail and then steals your girl.

The man stands. Walks toward them.

BOOM (CONT’D)

And here he comes.

MAINLINING arrives at the table. Calm. Soft smile. No introduction.

MAINLINING

American?

EVAN39

Uh... yeah. I’m Evan. This is my friend, Boom.

MAINLINING

What color are your eyes?

EVAN39

(startled, then smiling)

Blue.

MAINLINING

I'd like to invite you both to come with me to Monarch.

BOOM

Monarch?

MAINLINING

It’s in the mountains. A casino. But that’s not the point.

EVAN39

When?

MAINLINING

We leave in an hour.

My Land Cruiser’s out front. She’s old, but climbs clean. The etchings hum if you're quiet.

We'll drink. Poast under false names. Maybe disappear for a while.

There’s a transmission tower on Elk Ridge I want to see.

It sings differently in March.

Won’t last long.

BOOM

(flat)

Wait—you want us to just... go with you?

MAINLINING

(smiles faintly)

Yes.

BOOM

Just like that?

MAINLINING

Just like that.

EVAN39

That’s... flattering. But we don’t even know you.

MAINLINING

But you do.

(pause)

Q1 ’15. Forty-seven shifts.

Boom’s bat was taped before he ever logged on.

(soft flicker of something vulnerable)

I didn’t come down to this elevation for blackjack or wine.

The Mahchine pinged twice.

Once for each of you.

BOOM

(flashing)

I didn’t fly in from SeaTTTle to get roofied by a Norrøna poaster with a lantern jaw and a glyph kink.

MAINLINING

We’ll eat well.

Drink good wine.

(beat)

We’ll make love.

BOOM

Yeah… who exactly is gonna be doin’ the lovemaking?

MAINLINING

Hopefully… all three of us.

Evan39’s gaze lingers on Mainlining’s mouth. Then hands. Then returns to his eyes.

BOOM

Jesus Christ.

MAINLINING

I’ll get your tab.

He walks away.

BOOM

(leaning in)

What the fuck just happened?

EVAN39

I think he invited us to something real.

BOOM

Evan. This guy is one graphite sketch away from becoming a sex cult.

You remember the BBW from the bakery aisle, right?

EVAN39

I want to go.

BOOM

You’re not serious.

EVAN39

He has altitude in his voice.

You didn’t feel it?

BOOM

I felt scam vibes and an open carry permit.

EVAN39

He wasn’t lying. About anything.

That tower’s real. I don’t know how I know it, but I do.

BOOM

(disbelieving)

This is insane.

EVAN39

(quietly)

I would love to go.

Boom stares. No reply.

FADE OUT.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5698479&forum_id=2:#48774176)