Asking for It

By
Jennifer Jeudy
INT. STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
Its loud, crowded, and dark - just what youd expect. Music
and the sound of feet moving along seem almost synonymous,
and everything is so hot that youre forced to keep fanning
yourself as if its a new dance craze. Men and women fill up
the room in crowds, all cheering and jeering towards the
stage, throwing bills.
The stage, is full of women of all sizes and shades, dressed
pretty similar - underwear underneath a see through cover
up. They all use each other to move their set along, as well
as to attract more customers.
Among them there is STASIA, a tall, dark woman in her early
twenties, her hair is wild with curls. She dances alongside
another girl, the two take a moment to stare into each
others eyes, before Stasia leans in slowly, grasping the
girls face, closing in on her with a deep kiss. The crowd
goes wild, whistling and more bills are thrown on stage. A
man grazes the other girls ankle, pushing a few bills into
the side of her heel.

STASIA
Good girl.
Just another night. She kisses the top of the girls head,
continuing to dance with her.

EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - EARLY MORNING/DAY

The sound of clicking against the concrete is heard, then
shown to be red heels worn by Stasia. She has on a fitted
red dress, and a fur coat drapes around her shoulders.
As Stasia walks the streets, she ignores the staring of
others: not to much avail, though.
MAN ON STREET
Hey mama, you cold?
Stasia looks up at him, an innocent smile has made its way
onto her face. He seems surprised to be acknowledged - did
that really work?

She takes a few steps towards him, putting on her regular

routine - strides with her hips forward, slowly lifting up
her hand. She puts her index and middle finger to her lips,
kissing them, before putting her index finger down, allowing
her middle finger be revealed to the man.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.

MAN #2 ON STREET
(laughing)
Nah man, shes cold blooded.
Stasia nods, letting a laugh escape her mouth. She continues
walking, a few more men staring at her as she does. She
doesnt let it phase her.
She goes up her apartment stoop, pushing her keys into the
door.

INT. APARTMENT, LEVIS ROOM - DAY

An alarm clock ringing reads 7:15 AM. In bed, LEVI stirs
himself awake. Hes in his early twenties, has a light brown
complexion, and his face is covered with bruises, his right
side sporting a shining black eye.
Levi reaches for something on his nightstand. A cigarette
and lighter. He puts the stick between his lips and lights
the end, taking a long drag.

INT. APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - DAY

Stasia enters the apartment, pulling her heels off and
bunching them up in her hands. She walks around the space
before setting her shoes down in front of the couch.

The apartment is neat for the most part, except for traces
of Stasias shoes and clothes. Theres an almost full
ashtray on the coffee table next to a half full bottle of
whiskey. Stasia picks the bottle up and takes a swig,
wincing and shuddering as she swallows it.

She looks over into the hallway at a door, and slinks off
her coat onto the floor. She smiles smugly, and begins to
walk over. When she reaches the door, instead of knocking,
she turns the knob quickly, and bursts into the room.

INT. APARTMENT, LEVIS ROOM - DAY

Levi looks up at door, a small smile creeping up on his
face.

LEVI
Nastasia.
He uses his unoccupied hand to mess with his hair, still
smoking his cigarette.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.

STASIA
Leviticus.
LEVI
You know that Levi isnt short for
that, right?

Smiling, Stasia comes close to him. She puts her hand on his
cheek, sweeping her thumb on a bruise.
STASIA
Still getting your ass beat for
kicks?
Levi moves her hand away from his face. He takes another
inhale of his cigarette, and slowly exhales.

LEVI
Funny. Still taking money from
creepy old men?
Stasias smile turns into a scowl. She pushes Levis chest,
hard, but then, without missing a beat, she turns it back
on, smiling at him once again.
STASIA
You know it, babe.
She lifts her dress up to reveal a bundle of bills tucked
neatly in the fold of her underwear. She beckons to Levi.
He stares down at her, taking the last of his cigarette
before ashing it out on his nightstand. He carefully places
his hands around Stasias hips, bringing her closer to him.
He looks into her eyes, and she does the same to his -
barely blinking, as if they were in a staring contest.
Without moving his gaze, Levi reaches downwards for the
bills. He pulls them out of Stasias underwear, throwing the
money to the other side of the room.

LEVI
I told you, I dont care about
that.
STASIA
Hm.
Stasia leans forward for a kiss, wrapping her arms around
Levis neck.
The sound of a phone vibrating is heard through the door,
and Stasia scampers out of Levis room.
 4.

INT. APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - DAY

Stasia grabs her cellphone from her coat, the screen
lighting up in her face - Work.
STASIA
Shit.
LEVI (O.S)
Another one of your sugar daddies?
You know I cant compete!

Stasia ignores him, answering the call. She presses her

phone against her ear, listening.
STASIA
Yeah, hi, sir.

Her eyebrow raises.

STASIA
A meeting? (through gritted teeth)
Sure.

Stasia hangs up. She scowls.

LEVI (O.S)
I can hear you scowling.

She picks up her coat, putting it on.

STASIA
I have another "meeting".
LEVI (O.S)
Oh, shit. Well, they cant fire
you. Thatd look bad.
STASIA
Yeah, obviously. I just wonder: Who
saw me now?

Levi walks into the living room, watching as Stasia puts on

her shoes. He shrugs.
LEVI
Maybe he did. Maybe hell be your
sugar daddy now.
Stasia stands up, laughing and shaking her head.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.

STASIA
Shut up.

INT. CALDWELL OFFICES - DAY

Stasia makes her way into a white office, filled with men
and women dressed in business casual clothing who type away
on their computers. Some of them look up at her, quizzical
looks on their faces, but others smile. Stasia smiles at
everyone that she passes. She walks up to the biggest door
in the building, knocking a few times.
CHARLES
Come in.
Stasia does, closing the door behind her. She takes the seat
in front of CHARLES, a man in his late thirties, dressed in
a fitted suit with his hair combed out neatly.
CHARLES
Stasia.

STASIA
Charlie.
He smiles at her, running a hand through his hair.
CHARLES
What am I going to do with you?
Stasia rolls her eyes.
STASIA
You know, there isnt just one
strip club in New York.
He nods.
CHARLES
Thats true.
STASIA
So, if Joe and Isaac from HR have a
problem, they can take their
business elsewhere.

CHARLES
Stasia.
STASIA
What?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.

CHARLES
Youre supposed to be professional.
STASIA
And I am. Its not like Im
stripping here at the office.

Charles looks at her aghast.

CHARLES
Yeah, thanks for that saintly deed.

STASIA
Charles, you know you cant fire me
for this. So, whats the point?
Charles pauses.

CHARLES
Are you having money problems?
Stasia lets out a huge sigh.

STASIA
Oh my god.
CHARLES
What? I mean, what else could be
the reason?

STASIA
What do you mean, "What else could
be the reason"? Did you maybe
consider that, I like stripping?

CHARLES
What?
STASIA
Im not being held against my will
to strip, Charles.

CHARLES
Im not saying that--
STASIA
Yeah, you basically are. Why is it
that I cant revel in how goddamn
hot I am? Since men get to all of
the time?
Charles falls silent.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.

STASIA
I like dancing. I like my body. I
like the control.
CHARLES
You know if something were to
happen to you, theyd say that--
STASIA
That I was asking for it?

Charles quickly shakes his head.

STASIA
Yeah, thats what you meant.
CHARLES
Im just.. concerned for you is
all.
STASIA
And thats great, Charles! I like
that you care - but realize
something: just because I dont
have on clothes, doesnt mean that
Im asking for it.
CHARLES
There are some real creeps out
there...
STASIA
I know! I work with most of them.
(pauses) No offense.

CHARLES
None taken.
STASIA
Charles, I get where youre coming
from. But at the end of the day,
Im not going to let any man tell
me what I can or cant do.
CHARLES
Oh.

Stasia smiles.
STASIA
I mean, I guess since youre my
boss, you can tell me to get you
coffee. But thats it.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.

Charles also smiles, nodding his head.

CHARLES
Well, thanks for the compromise.
STASIA
Im here to please.
CHARLES
Yeah, I know.

Stasia laughs.
STASIA
You know, thats kind of sexual
harassment?

Charles eyes widen in realization.

STASIA
Youre all good, Charles. I know
you werent asking for it.

CHARLES
Okay. Will you please go do your
job -- your office job.
STASIA
Yeah, I guess. Ill get you that
sugary mess of a coffee.
CHARLES
Great.
Stasia gets up to leave, and Charles opens up his briefcase.
She turns to leave when Charles calls her name.
STASIA
Yeah?

CHARLES
I could do Chippendales, right?
Stasia pauses, laughing at him.
STASIA
Charles, please shut up.