76.

144       CONTINUED:

JESSE
That's supposed to scare me. If
you want to kill me, go ahead.

Lestat doesn't know what to make of this one. He drops her unceremoniously on the ground and watches as she brushes herself off.

LESTAT
Why are you following me? Are you
a fan? No...
(reading her mind)
Ah, you're Talamasca. Are they
still at it?

JESSE
You know about the Talamasca...?

LESTAT
Of course. I used to tease them
back in the last century; make the
odd appearance. You don't look
like Talamasca -- much too young
and much too pretty.

Jesse pushes her hair back self-consciously. Did Lestat really just say she was pretty? Lestat smiles, knows that he has her wrapped around his finger.

LESTAT
What have you got there?

Jesse gasps. Lestat is beside her. Reaches into her backpack and takes out his old journal as if Jesse were a coat rack.

LESTAT
Look at this, I had completely
forgotten about this old thing.

Flips through the pages.

LESTAT
You are a busy little thing,
aren't you.

JESSE
Oh, and you can talk...

Jesse falters, realising she might have gone too far. This is one of those rare moments when Lestat is speechless. He smiles, examines Jesse for the first time.

(CONTINUED)

77.

144       CONTINUED:    (2)

JESSE
I mean, you... you've, you know,
done so much.

Lestat turns back to the book.

LESTAT
(flipping)
I have a reasonable style, don't
you think? Perhaps a bit
florid...

JESSE
I think you write beautifully.

LESTAT
You do?

JESSE
You write from the heart. There's
no artifice. It's the same thing
in your songs. There's... truth
in them. That's what makes your
music so timeless.

Lestat blinks at Jesse.

LESTAT
Timeless -- that's good... Time...
less. Good title for the new
album? What do you think?

JESSE
I haven't heard the songs.

LESTAT
Yes, it's a pity I have to kill
you. I'd love you to hear them.

Jesse's heart jumps. She keeps her cool as Lestat circles her like a shark.

JESSE
You won't kill me.

LESTAT
You're so confident. Are you
brave or stupid?

JESSE
I think both. You already saved
me twice.

(CONTINUED)

78.

144       CONTINUED:    (3)

LESTAT
Doesn't mean a thing. I could
save your life one minute, snuff
it out the next.

JESSE
You enjoy this, don't you?

Lestat smiles, moves closer, trying to intimidate. Jesse holds her ground.

LESTAT
You're a curious one. Why have
you come here?

JESSE
I don't know...

LESTAT
Are you sure about that? You've
gone to a lot of trouble.

Now they are very close, Jesse is a deer caught in the headlights of his eyes.

JESSE
I... I can't explain, but I had to
meet you. I had to see you and...

LESTAT
... make sure I was real?

Jesse nods.

LESTAT
Well, what do you think? Am I the
real thing?

JESSE
It's weird. I feel like I know
you...

LESTAT
You read my journal.

JESSE
No... I know you.

LESTAT
Because you're special? Because
only you know the real me?

JESSE
Yes.

(CONTINUED)

79.

144       CONTINUED:    (4)

LESTAT
You think perhaps we're 'soul
mates'?

Jesse is almost defiant against his cynical tone.

JESSE
Yes...

LESTAT
And if you no longer have a soul?

He can't help himself -- he takes her face in his hands.

Jesse's eyes are wide in surprise, but she closes them and waits... Lestat smells her hair, brushes her neck with his mouth...

145       LESTAT'S POV

The PULSE of Jesse's HEART is LOUD in his ears. Jesse's soft white skin glows, and he can see the blood coursing through just under the surface.

146       BACK TO SCENE

Lestat can't help himself -- draws out his fangs. Jesse's eyes are shut tightly, expecting his teeth, grimacing but hoping for it at the same time...

147       CLOSE ON LESTAT

... as he catches himself. His head flails as he tries to stop his natural impulse.

Jesse slowly opens her eyes. Lestat is gone.

148       INT. LESTAT'S MANSION - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Roger comes through the entrance hall, whistling and humming a "Vampire Lestat" tune. He goes into the kitchen and comes out with a bag of rice crackers on his way downstairs to the studio, when he stops.

Jesse lies curled up on the rug. Mouth full, Roger gives Jesse a nudge with his foot.

ROGER
Hey, sleeping beauty. How'd you
get in here?

(CONTINUED)

80.

148       CONTINUED:

Jesse sits up groggy, interrupted in her sleep.

JESSE
Where am I?

ROGER
You're in the Vampire Lestat's
living room is where you are. And
if he finds you here, you'll be
leaving nine pints lighter if you
know what I mean.

JESSE
He already found me.

ROGER
He... saw you in here?

Jesse nods.

ROGER
You were here with... with Lestat?

JESSE
Uh huh.

Roger edges over, tries to get a not-too-discreet gander at her neck.

JESSE
Lestat told me to stay.

ROGER
He told you?

JESSE
He said I should wait for him
here.

ROGER
(squinting)
You're sure 'bout that?

Jesse shrugs, looks nonchalant.

JESSE
S'what he said.

ROGER
All right, you'd better come with
me...

81.

149       INT. LESTAT'S MANSION - STUDIO - SOON AFTER

The band sit around jamming half-heartedly. Roger enters, followed by Jesse who stays in the control booth, while Roger comes in all business handing out envelopes.

ROGER
I don't hear any practicing.
C'mon, get to it... Here's your
advances. Much more generous than
you deserve but that's not up to
me.

MAUDY
Roger, grow a dick.

ROGER
Don't have to, Maudy. You got
enough for both of us.

Roger remembers Jesse who is standing looking out of place. Roger gestures for Jesse to come in.

ROGER
Oh, and this is...

JESSE
Jesse...

ROGER
Right, Jesse is Lestat's... she's
a house guest.

He pulls a face on his way out.

ROGER
Keep an eye on her will ya...

Roger is gone.

JAMES
What an asshole...

ROGER (O.S.)
I heard that!

Awkward silences as they stare at her, trying to figure it out.

JAMES
You're... with Lestat?

JESSE
Yeah.

(CONTINUED)

82.

149       CONTINUED:

Maudy approaches, examines her, tries to get a look at her neck -- she looks normal.

MAUDY
You sure?

Jesse shrugs. Maudy, James, Alex and Louisa exchange looks.

JESSE
So... you know? You all know?

They catch her meaning.

MAUDY
I knew.

ALEX
I'm pretty sure I knew.

They all look stupefied.

JAMES
The weird thing is... it doesn't
bother us. It's like having a
bunch of Hell's Angels for
friends. As long as they're on
your side, you're cool.

ALEX
He needs us to play.
(thinks about it)
Doesn't he?

150       EXT. LOS ANGELES - TIME LAPSE

The sun spins across the sky... the L.A. freeways flow with light.

151        INT. LESTAT'S MANSION CRYPT - NIGHT

Lestat rises.

152       INT. LESTAT'S MANSION - LIVING ROOM

Lestat emerges from the stairwell.

(CONTINUED)

83.

152       CONTINUED:

He stops in surprise as he sees Jesse standing waiting for him.

LESTAT
You're still here.

Jesse nods.

LESTAT
I'm glad.

JESSE
You are?

LESTAT
I'm surprised about that myself.
Strange, last night...

JESSE
What?

LESTAT
I haven't felt that comfortable in
centuries.

Jesse smiles.

JESSE
Me neither.

LESTAT
As tempting as it is, you must
leave.

JESSE
But you just said...

LESTAT
We have no future.

JESSE
You're kidding me... what are you
frightened of?

LESTAT
Me? Frightened?

Lestat is amused.

LESTAT
Jesse, you think you know what you
want. You're so passionate that I
could almost believe you know what
you're saying...

(CONTINUED)

84.

152       CONTINUED:     (2)

JESSE
I'm the only one who understands
how alone you are.

LESTAT
Ah, now I'm lonely...

JESSE
You can sneer all you want. But
that's what this concert's about
isn't it? You hoped being famous
would fill the emptiness inside
you.

Lestat's smile fades -- he doesn't like his inner life being probed.

JESSE
You know it won't work -- to feel
whole, you need someone to love.
Someone who will love you for who
you really are.

LESTAT
What could you know about
loneliness. You're a child. I
have lived since before your
grandfather's grandfather.

JESSE
And look at where that's got you.

LESTAT
Don't push your luck.

JESSE
Maybe I haven't lived three-
hundred years. But I know about
loneliness. The kind that's
inside you, even when you're
surrounded by people.

LESTAT
And you're here to save me from
this terrible fate.

JESSE
We can save each other.

Again, Lestat is taken by her frankness.

LESTAT
Jesse it's not what you think.

(CONTINUED)

85.

152       CONTINUED:     (3)

But now Jesse smiles, knowing that he has given in...

JESSE
It's not?

LESTAT
Not at all. It's like possessing
great talent, like a genius for
music or art -- and yet you can
never really share it with anyone.

JESSE
Show me. Show me what it's like
to be you.

Lestat smiles, admiring her courage, admiring the way she looks into his eyes. He wraps his arms around her.

LESTAT
(murmuring)
All right. This may be a little
painful for a mortal -- you're
still attached to your skin.

JESSE
I don't care.

LESTAT
Do you trust me?

JESSE
Close your eyes. Don't breathe.

Fluttering her eyes closed, Jesse holds one deep, hesitant breath and...

Flash -- with preternatural speed Lestat and Jesse whisk thorough the night, flashing past trees and houses -- down roads...

Opening her eyes for a moment Jesse watches the world whiz past her at incredible speed and suddenly --

They stop on a dime.

Jesse gasps, catching her breath to find herself at Hollywood's highest peak overlooking the city laying out before her like a glimmering blanket.

86.

153       EXT. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY - NIGHT

Looking out over the observatory's ledge, Jesse can't believe what's just happened. She laughs intoxicated by the experience.

JESSE
Do that again.

Lestat laughs, impressed by her bravado. He comes up behind her -- leaning close to her neck.

LESTAT
Don't move. Don't turn.

Lestat leans into her neck and then slides down it, past her back and waist. Jesse shudders with a rush of desire, when suddenly...

She rises off the ground.

Looking down she sees...

Lestat lifting her up by her foot with...

One finger.

JESSE
What are you doing now?

LESTAT
Helping you see the view better.

Lestat lifts Jesse even farther up and...

Over the precipice as she literally stands in mid-air...

Balanced on Lestat's finger.

LESTAT
Do you still trust me?

Jesse steels herself as she looks at the death-drop below.

JESSE
Yes.

LESTAT
How's the view?

JESSE
I can't see you.

Gathering her nerves she turns her foot around on Lestat's finger to face him.

(CONTINUED)

87.

153       CONTINUED:

Lestat gets slightly unnerved at her daring and keeps her balanced with all his skill until finally...

Jesse faces him full-on, still balancing on his finger.

JESSE
There. That's much better.

Lestat lowers her back down.

They both look at each other deeply.

Lestat wants to kiss her.

Jesse knows he does, moves closer...

Lestat hesitates, a little perturbed by her willingness...

Closing his eyes, his lips hover close to her skin...

JESSE
I know you want me. I can feel
it.

LESTAT
There is still trouble for me... I can't protect you.

JESSE
I can look after myself.

Lestat smiles.

JESSE
I want you.

LESTAT
You want the dark gift.

JESSE
If that's what it takes. I don't
care. For the first time in my
life I know where I belong.

LESTAT
You still have no idea...

Jesse's eyes flash in anger.

JESSE
I know!

(CONTINUED)

88.

153       CONTINUED:    (2)

She move into his arms. Lestat doesn't move. Allows himself to be embraced.

JESSE
You're a killer, but it's in your
nature. You need blood to
survive.

Lestat shakes his head.

LESTAT
No, it's not the blood, although
the taste is so rich and sweet...
It's the taking of the life that
feels so good. You feel the heart
strain and weaken. It struggles
even though there is no hope.

Jesse closes her eyes, lost in the gentle rhythm of his voice.

LESTAT
You feel the life slipping away,
the flicker of those brief years.
The taste of mortality you can no
longer experience. There is such
courage and innocence in that
moment, it always touches me...

Jesse kisses him on the lips.

JESSE
Please, give it to me. Let me be
with you.

Lestat smells her, begins to melt.

LESTAT
(groans)
I can smell your blood.

JESSE
(murmurs)
Uh huh... Do you like it?

LESTAT
(losing himself)
Yes...

JESSE
(whispering)
Do it...

(CONTINUED)

89.

153       CONTINUED:    (3)

Lestat lets out a desperate cry and throws her backwards sprawling on the ground. He looms over her, angry.

LESTAT
You want to be with me? All right
then, come...

154       EXT. GRIFFITH PARK - NIGHT

Lestat and Jesse quietly move among the trees. Lestat stops on a dime -- senses tuned. Jesse gasps.

JESSE
Don't...

LESTAT
Be quiet!

He looks into the dark.

Jesse is about to speak when Lestat raises his finger to her lips and points at...

A couple of lovers moving across the meadow. They sit on a park bench. The woman giggles drunkenly.

Jesse watches and gasps as she realises... the male lover is a vampire.

Lestat moves forward. Jesse gingerly follows.

Taking his lover in his arms the vampire begins to bite her neck...

Lestat looks over at Jesse who watches, fascinated and disturbed.

The vampire senses another's presence -- stops and turns to reveal his vampire eyes shining in the dark.

Lestat steps into the halo of a street lamp and hisses.

Sensing Lestat's power, the vampire hisses and instantly... the vampire is gone.

Jesse turns to Lestat but he has disappeared, too. Spinning around again she sees...

Lestat hovering over the mortal woman who is still in a swoon. Checking to see that the vampire is gones, Jesse moves closer to the bench.

(CONTINUED)

90.

154       CONTINUED:

JESSE
Is she alright?

Lestat looks up to her face revealing his blood-stained lips.

LESTAT
Come here, Jesse... I'll show you
how it's done.

Jesse reflexively looks away.

A beat as he marks her reaction.

LESTAT
What are you waiting for?

Jesse tries to be brave, but she can't help herself.

JESSE
No, stop...

LESTAT
This is what you want, isn't it?
This is what you begged me for.

JESSE
No...!

Lestat's expression turns cold as ice -- he arches his back like a great cat and goes in for the kill. The woman's body convulses...

Jesse watches in horror as...

... the woman's hands clutch at Lestat, her back stiffens... finally her legs relax in an obscene parady of orgasm.

Jesse gasps, backs away. Lestat finishes and, wiping his mouth, approaches Jesse.

LESTAT
Do you still want the dark gift?

They stand apart, wanting to move closer but stuck.

JESSE
No...

Lestat lowers his head, nods his acceptance. There's a great sadness between these two lovers -- stranded from each other by this insurmountable divide.

(CONTINUED)

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