Lust 6 Beach script

Redolence: the aroma of something

Ambergris: a perfume ingredient that has a rich, sweet smell.

Bridled: restrained

Vitriol: hate

Meteoric: massive
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(Rolling ocean waves, seagulls, and Listener and Alastor walking on sand fx)

Careful there, it can be tricky walking on sand.

Watch out for that puddle!

Yes, this beach is renowned for its natural beauty. Miles of sugar-white sand bathed in turquoise water.

Cher, do you want full sun exposure or this shady patch?

Aha, just what I was thinking! I'll lay out the blanket - we don't want sand in our food.

(Alastor snaps open blanket and places it on sand fx)

There!

My, I haven't enjoyed a picnic on the beach for who knows how long. It reminds me of that time I visited Miami in (19) '32.

The Pride Ring, sadly, doesn't have any picturesque beaches, but it does feature the legendary Lake of Fire.

That lake contains not a single drop of water, but is in reality an oil pit cradled by sulfur shores.

The fire has smoldered for millennia.

While I use sulfur frequently, the smell is off-putting. Give me the redolence of roses and ambergris any day over sulfur.

(Alastor opens picnic basket lid and removes plastic wrap from Listener's plate fx)

Here's a plate for you.

I have prepared cold lamb sandwiches with arugula, feta cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette on sourdough bread, quinoa and roasted pepper salad, and a Summer berry tart for dessert.

The wine of choice is a Grenache, which complements the dishes.

I also brought a delightful lemon-mint iced tea. (pours tea fx)

Ah, no need for thanks, I like to eat, too! (pours another glass of tea fx)

(uncorks wine fx)

After last night's, recurring adventure, (pours wine fx)  I needed something to refuel me.

Here's your wine.

My sincerest apologies, (pours more wine fx) I hadn't contemplated that the whiskey would affect me so keenly.

It was extremely primal, and I feel it went counter to my immaculate decorum. (Alastor removes plastic wrap from his plate fx)

I was reduced to a mad beast last night!

Even after you went to sleep, I woke a few times to... see to myself in the bathroom. Cheers.

(Glasses clink fx, Alastor sips his wine fx)

(fork on plate fx) To tell you the truth, I'm as parched as a sun-bleached bone. Which begs the question: should I really be drinking dehydrating alcohol?

Of course not, but it sets the mood so well. Do you like the food, Darling?

Good.

Yes, I do feel the after-effects in my ass this morning. How are you feeling? Are your shoulders better?

(sips fx)

But returning to the topic at hand, I did have foresight to purchase these bottles of water from the gift shop today.

Ha! Bottled water... can you imagine? And it's balanced with electrolytes for quick rehydration!

My lord, I am so boring! Why don't you warn me about rambling on about such tangents? I sound like an old man.

And not one snide remark from you! Yes, I have existed since 1899, but I was 34 when I died.

Hey, just because I admit my faults does not invite you to tease me!

Cher... I would highly advise you choose your next words carefully. Many have met their fates at the hands of the Radio Demon for lesser transgressions.

(Gasp) If I wasn't in such a giddy mood, I'd summon all my shadow powers to drag you down to the circle of infernal treachery...

... but, since I'm enjoying charming company on this secluded beach, I'll let it slide.

I bet you love it when it slides....

(sips fx)

Be that as it may, your cheekiness won't go by unpunished.

Oh, I'll think of something fitting for you.

Maybe a bit of... humiliation?

Oh, guess  what else I procured in the gift shop? A souvenir set of the aphrodisiac whiskey!

I know, I'm still reeling from last night, but it came in a commemorative wooden case with matching crystal tumblers. And you know me, I'm such a sucker for crystal.

(Sea serpents calling out in the distance fx)

Look, you can see a pod of sea serpents out there! This is ancient territory for them.

Majestic creatures.

Dear, you're in Hell and have seen mind-twisting sights, and you're now questioning the validity of sea serpents? You're adorable!

What do you think of that tart?

Well, thank you, your words are appreciated.

(sips fx)

I would consider relocating here, but it's not my Damnation Realm.

Oh, you don't know what that is?

A Sinner's placement is determined by their reigning sin during life.

Mine was pride, and thus, my Damnation Realm is the Pride Ring.

My powers diminish greatly in the other levels of Hell. I fear I cannot climb the ranks here as I have in Pride.

In a more pragmatic reality, I'd probably be defeated here.

See, being an Overlord is a double-edged sword. I'm mighty, but I'm always a target for others.

And while I've been able to defeat all contenders, there's always a chance that could change, especially in a Ring where my abilities are bridled.

I'll just have to remain in Pride.

I guess I grow weary from it because there's bad blood there.

Vox is so hard-up for me that he's always willing to start a confrontation, and I'm blackballed from the Entertainment District.

See, years back, the Overlords there - Vox, Velvette, and Valentino - wanted me to join their entertainment empire. Well, Vox, primarily.

He's in public denial about it, but that man is stiffer than a starched collar when he sees me.

Oh yes, I saw his tent poled pants many-a-times during our meetings.

He insisted on sitting at tables to hide it, but they were usually glass-topped!

I felt there'd be too much tension working around him, that he wouldn't keep it professional, so I kindly declined his offer.

(sips fx)

Well, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', or in this case, a picture box-headed man.

He started a campaign of vitriol against me. He'd take out pages in the newspapers and periodicals, simply to run slander pieces on me.

I decided it best to ignore him, let his tantrums play out until he eventually tired.

The strategy has proven successful for the most part, but from time to time, he'll get that itch for me, strike out, and hope that I'll give in and scratch it.

Yes, I could take him down, but he's so pathetic, it's not worth my time.

There'd be no challenge, no satisfaction.

People would laugh at me for wiping out such a weak opponent, and rumors would spread that I secretly feared him.

Why swat at an insect when there are bigger threats with better yields out there?

(pours more wine fx)

But circling back, I have to stay in Pride. I can always visit here, though.

(stretches) I am so damned relaxed.

Why don't you put that plate down and lie next to me for a bit?

(Listener lies down next to him fx)

I want to thank you again, for joining me on this vacation.

I know very well you could have refused my invitation to spend time for yourself.

No, you misunderstand; I'm not trying to push you away.

I want you to know your autonomy is yours. You're never obligated to participate in something you don't wish to do.

You... wanted this?

Can I tell you a secret? I wanted it, too.

How... how is it possible that fate intervened so strategically for us to meet?

I wonder where you'd be now had you not been in that alley that night.

I wager you'd be dead from your leg infection.

And had your home been spared by that over-enthused serpent, you'd be experiencing your mundane death, because you must admit, time with me is nothing less than extraordinary!

Yes, I am humble! I may possess meteoric fame, but I know when to exercise humility.

And yes, I may be fantastic, but so are you.

(Listener listens to Alastor's heart fx)

Listening to my heart? It beats strong for you.

Oh, hang on, I need to reach into the basket. (lifts picnic basket lid fx)

I brought along the book from the kinbaku kit I purchased.

Okay, you put your head back down. (heartbeat resumes fx)

Let's see... .(flipping though book fx) Oh, oh, what intricacy! It says here kinbaku - also known as shibari - is an erotic art form, focusing on the knot work of rope bondage.

The rope serves various purposes: to suspend, to bind down, or to force open. (flips page fx)

Some see it as the ultimate form of subjugation, while others say it's an expressive art.

Kinbaku allows an intimate closeness between the rope top - the one tying - and the rope bottom, the one being tied.

While a sexually-charged activity, it's also relaxing and requires trust.

(flips page fx) Chapter one: the different types of knots.

A basic knot is the lark's head....