#RogueTripPlaylette - 21.08.2014 - “A Velvet Rope Is Only As Good As Its Weakest Bouncer”

A #RogueTripPlaylette in three actlettes.

ACT ONE - PAVILION KL CENTRE COURT - EVENING
(BILL walks past a large, open concourse in a shiny mall. The concourse is blocked off by velvet ropes. Looking, he sees that within the ropes a party is taking place: WAITERS and WAITRESSES dressed in all-black move amongst a well-dressed, almost in all-black CROWD with glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres, several CHEFS in white work at various food stations, both entrees and desserts, and a band with a lithe female VOCALIST wearing a short haircut plays on a small riser.

Bill stops, and changes direction, his facial expression clearly saying, “Free booze? Interesting.” He approaches an opening in the velvet ropes, the entry to the party, where a small WOMAN HOSTESS dressed in black, wearing a headset, and holding a clipboard, stands.)

HOSTESS: (accented English) May I help you, sir?
BILL: Yes, I’m here for this.
HOSTESS This is the TimeKulture Swiss Watch Exhibition.
BILL: Yes. I’m here for this.
HOSTESS: You are? (She checks the guest list, presumably for “Only White Guy Within Five Miles Dressed in a Grey T-Shirt & Cargo Shorts and Wearing a Backpack”) Who are you?
BILL: (had this already chambered; he's had three beers and a plan all along, see!) I’m a travel reporter for the New York Times.
HOSTESS: This is a private event, sir.
BILL: (already seeing an opening in the velvet ropes at about 10 o’clock, where a bored  WAITRESS is staring at her phone) Oh, okay. No problem.
HOSTESS: Yes, sir.

(Bill walks away, in the general direction of 10 o’clock.)

ACT TWO - PAVILION KL CENTRE COURT - TIMEKULTURE SWISS WATCH EXHIBIT - 30 MINUTES LATER

(The band finishes a song, to zero applause or reaction of any kind.)

VOCALIST: (into mic) We’re going to take a short break now. Thank you very much.

(A DJ begins playing music on the turntables, as the band files off the stage and past Bill, who sits on a faux-couch eating a plateful of ice cream and drinking a glass of white wine. The vocalist sits down next to him and proceeds to ignore him. Pause.)

BILL: Nice job.
VOCALIST: (looking him up and down) Thank you. You’re supposed to be here?
BILL: Sure.
VOCALIST: Then, thanks.
BILL: Sure.
VOCALIST: You’re American.
BILL: Yes. I'm a travel writer for the New-
VOCALIST: -and you’re supposed to be here.

(Bill looks up and sees the hostess walking around, mingling. He stands up.)

BILL: Take care now.

(Bill walks away.)

ACT THREE - PAVILION KL CENTRE COURT - TIMEKULTURE SWISS WATCH EXHIBIT - FIVE MINUTES LATER

(Bill spies a waiter with a tray of full wine glasses. He moves to him and takes a glass of the tray. Turning, he almost bumps into the hostess.)

HOSTESS: This is a private event, sir.

(Bill hands her the glass.)

BILL: Yes.

(Bill exits.)