INT. TATTERDEMALION MAIN FLOOR - NIGHT
Arden stands on the stage, addressing the crowd from the mic. Everyone is present. The riser behind him is Swiss cheese.
ARDEN
...so that’s our best chance to get out of this mess. You ready?
BEGIN MONTAGE
Thrash music plays as we see:
- Arden rallying a group of musicians into setting up the instruments on stage
- Ebaneen leading audience members in getting the floor of the club in shape
- Ulrich working with the club’s employees to set up the lighting and sound system
- Bartenders, servers, bouncers, and other staff purposefully doing their jobs
END MONTAGE
Arden, Ebaneen, and Ulrich - each in different parts of the club’s floor - survey the scene. The vast room looks like a metal club once again. They look at each other and nod.
ARDEN
(calling out)
We’re ready. Who’s got the judges?
On the stairs from the second level, Richie leads the three judges - Cliff, Lezlie, and Tyrus - down to the first floor. F.F. and Turk walk behind the group, keeping them moving.
Arden meets them in the center of the floor.
ARDEN
Okay, I know my guys filled you in on the rules, but just to reiterate - you have to be absolutely honest in your scoring.
CLIFF
Or what? How would a bunch of demons even know if we cheat anyway?
ARDEN
I have no idea, but I’m pretty sure they would... somehow. And then we’d all be screwed.
LEZLIE
We’re already screwed. But letting those monsters out is absurd.
TYRUS
It is suicide!
Arden gives the judges a stern expression.
ARDEN
No doubt about it - it’s a risk.
Ebaneen gives him an approving look.
ARDEN
But it’s our only shot at getting out of this mess.
Ulrich walks over.
ARDEN
Okay, Ulrich - take us through what’s supposed to go down.
ULRICH
Damned if I know.
Everyone looks shocked. Arden’s eyes go wide.
ULRICH
I-I mean, get the judges to their positions, get the host on stage, musicians backstage, and then...
He gestures to the drum riser. It’s now more holes than wood.
ULRICH
...let them out.
Arden nods. He looks at the judges.
ARDEN
You heard him. Take your seats, judges. Everyone else...
He looks at the crowd. Club staff, musicians, audience - they all look tense but prepared for whatever comes next.
ARDEN
...get your asses ready for the metal.
INT. TATTERDEMALION STAGE - NIGHT
Everything is in place – the club looks like it did pre-Demonic infestation.
Judges are on their platform. Bands wait backstage. Club employees do their various jobs. Dramatic music plays from the sound system.
Arden and Ebaneen watch from backstage. Deen walks over. He’s sweating and hyperventilating.
DEEN
Arden, man, I don’t know if I can--
ARDEN
You can, Deen. Go! Do it!
He gives Deen a push. Deen trips out onto the stage, an unconvincing smile planted on his face.
DEEN
(into mic)
Okay, you fuckin’ metal maniacs - you’ve been waiting patiently, but the time for waiting is over...
His bravado almost covers up the fear in his voice.
DEEN (O.S.)
...because Tatterdemalion’s Battle of the Bands is about to conclude!
Arden join his bandmates, who wait near the drum riser. They grab the riser’s corners, lifting it very slowly.
Arden signals a lighting guy in the truss near the balcony. He shines a searingly bright spotlight on the drum riser.
Vehement Volition pull the riser off the pit, revealing the three Demons below. They’re super pissed off now, jumping up and trying to climb out.
Ivor Demon grabs hold of the edge of the pit. He pulls himself up, but the blinding spotlight makes his eyes go wide. He drops back down.
IVOR DEMON
Too fuggin bright!
Ebaneen walks over to Arden.
EBANEEN
Are we in trouble here?
ARDEN
Only if Deen can’t sell it.
(calling out to Deen)
Keep it going!
Deen nods, scanning a notecard for his words.
DEEN
We’re gonna pick up where we left off. So welcome to the stage, the, uh... scourge of Scandinavia... The Putrefication Principle!
Arden walks across the stage to the pit. He looks down, hiding his fear.
ARDEN
Ivor? Do. You. Understand. Me?
IVOR DEMON
Fug youh Arthden!
ARDEN
Good. Look, Ivor - we want you to play some heavy fuckin’ metal. You ready to do that?
IVOR DEMON
Fug yesth! We ready to rock!
Arden smiles.
ARDEN
Fantastic. Now let’s get you the fuck out of here before you hock another loogie at me.
Arden signals to the Lighting Guy above, waving him off.
ARDEN
It’s cool. Pull it back.
The Lighting Guy turns off the spotlight.
Ivor Demon unshields his eyes. He leaps out of the hole, then turns and helps pull his two Demon bandmates out behind him.
DEEN
(into mic)
This crowd is hungry for some metal. What do you say, Putrefication Principle?
All eyes on Ivor Demon and his bandmates. It’s silent.
Ivor Demon scans the room, taking it all in. His expression is impossible to read.
He saunters over to Deen and grabs his mic.
Ivor Demon looks right at the crowd. His eyes are fierce.
IVOR DEMON
Less get dis fuggin show goin'!
The crowd cheers! Ivor hands the mic back to Deen.
Arden smiles. He turns to a group of Stage Hands next to him.
ARDEN
Go ahead, guys.
The Stage Hands help the Demons with their instruments.
DEEN
After The Putrefication Principle, we’ve got Dark Divinity followed by Vehement Volition. And then we find out who wins this fuckin’ contest!
Ivor Demon gives the judges a menacing look.
IVOR DEMON
(to the judges)
You be good!
The judges nod nervously.
Richie leans in to Arden.
RICHIE
Ebaneen killed one of them. Now they won’t have their twin-guitar assault. That’s not really fair.
ARDEN
Why is that a problem? It increases our chances of winning!
RICHIE
Oh right. Riiiight.