ONE WEEKEND

SUPERIMPOSE: "Friday"

FADE IN:

INT. THE GUEST ROOM - DAY

Daylight pours in around the cracked curtains. There's a mess of bedsheets in an empty bed by the window. On the other bed with Thistle's footpaw sticks out of a twisted wreck of pillows and bedding. Thistle groans while stirring awake. His arm stretches out of the blanket heap with a muffled yawn. He pauses. Then, with flailing kicks he rushes upright. Grabs the clock that flashes "12:25". His face fills with panic.

Scrambling to untangle himself from the sheets, he falls face-first out of bed. He leaps to his feet and searches the room in a hurry.

With the blanket still wrapped around his midsection, he grabs his pants from the floor, and pulls his phone from the pocket.

He tries the power button several times to no screen, then shakes the phone.

The electronic door latch whirs and clicks. Clover steps into the room carrying a plastic bag, closing the door behind him. Clover lifts the bag.

Clover tries to avert his gaze as he hands the bag to Thistle, who in his underwear frantically trying to put on his pants.

Clover glances at the clock on the middle nightstand

Thistle sniffs the air as Clover presents a nondescript, take-out box and places another "Good Boix" shirt on top of it. Thistle accepts it, wagging his tail.

INT. CON SPACE - DAY

HALLWAY

Thistle walks alongside Clover as he fidgets with his new con badge pinned to his shirt. Clover lunges ahead and opens the door to the main stage, he makes a sweeping gesture towards the opening. Thistle smiles bashfully and tucks through the doorway.

MAIN STAGE

Thistle and Clover join a crowd, they spread out into a huge room with a gaudy, crystal chandelier. More and more people fill the room. Along the sides, several people sit with water bottles, while staring at their phones. The front is densely packed. Up on stage, big, purple, silky curtains shimmer in the bright stage lights. Stage left, a figure peeks at the crowd through the shroud.

BACK STAGE

Diego peers past the stage. His wire hair tail stands tense through his violet tail coat & slacks. He steps back, takes a deep breath, adjusts his lavalier mic, breathes out sharply, and snaps the fingers on both his hands simultaneously, then points forward.

MAIN STAGE

He walks out on stage with the confidence of a rock star, waving out at the crowd as the piano intro plays.

( MUSIC: "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" )

( END: "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" )

Quiet, awkward chuckles ring from the crowd. Along with the subtle hyena giggles of Diego.

The crowd erupts into cheers. Diego widens his eyes a bit in surprise. He shakes his head, puts on a big smile, and waves at the audience while walking off stage.

BACKSTAGE

He turns the microphone off and sets it on a chair near the stage entrance, and proceeds to pull out his phone. Looking at the screen a bit his face puts on a slight angry scowl.

Diego puts his phone back in his pocket and takes a step forward, only to violently knock his head into Rojo.

Diego looks off to the side.

FLASHBACK TO:

BACKSTAGE - EARLIER

Diego is backstage in front of a board with switches and dials. Diego takes one of the dials and twists it to the right, causing sparks to fly and lights to dim on the panel. An A/V CREWMAN dives in to turn the dial back down, the lights going out before he can reach it.

BACK TO PRESENT

Diego starts walking away from Rojo out to main stage.

Rojo shakes his head in frustration, looking at a spreadsheet of events on his phone. He uses his free hand to scratch behind his flop ear, causing his eyelids to droop slightly and his footpaw to bounce.

Rojo turns towards the voice.

HALLWAY

The doors to the main stage open as people pour out, including Thistle and Clover. Thistle holds his phone about eye-level inaudibly reading it off as Clover weaves them both through the crowd.

Clover's eyes focus in on something, he stops abruptly. Thistle without missing a beat, walks right around him and continues reading off his phone.

Thistle lowers his phone, looks up at Clover, then to the same direction as Clover. Thistle's eyes light up and his jaw drops.

A medley of colorful fur approaches, as a group of Fursuiters mob the hallway. The Fursuiters walk right in front of the crowd that the two are in. Clover grins, watching the excited little dog take in the sight.

( MUSIC: "STITCHES" )

Thistle steps through the gathering crowd, in tune with the opening piano keys of "STITCHES". The crowd blurs away into a fuzzy haze of shapes. The naturally lit corridor brightens to an almost iridescent glow. He dances unnoticed between the Fursuiters.

Thistle continues dancing between the Fursuiters.

The lighting returns to normal as Thistle returns to Clover's side.

( END: "STITCHES" )

HOLLIE, a German shepherd female with bright pink hair, standing just in front of them in the crowd, turns her head while clapping.

Thistle looks at his phone, then back at Hollie. Putting away his phone, Thistle looks up towards Clover.

Clover chuckles. They both turn and push through the crowd.

INT. RANDOM HOTEL ROOM - DAY

A hotel room, similar to the Guest Room. The furniture is pushed against the walls or upturned. The bedding spread all around. Empty glass bottles of various shapes and labels spread on the floor. Through the curtains, a stream of daylight flows in.

On the floor, Sahny lays on their back, motionless, jaw wide open, arms spread out. The beam of light shines upon their face.

Three other people lay on the ground in various compromising positions next to Sahny. A tipped over bowl of chips and scattered black and white cards add to the chaos of the room.

The noise causes the other occupants to move and shift, but not to wake.

Sahny opens their eyes and looks around. The hyena sharply sits upright, patting their chest, their pockets, then, their crotch. Holding at the crotch, they let out a sigh of relief.

Sahny gets to their feet, firmly rubbing their temple while squinting. They scratch under their arm. Removing their hand, they pull out a sweaty playing card. They look at it with surprise and disgust, then flick it aside. They grab their hoodie and pick up the cell phone charging on the nightstand before shuffling out.

Sahny turns to meet a polar bear who is already holding a full glass of water to offer them, with slight hesitation they accept the offering. After nearly drowning themselves the hyena manages to set the glass down, thanks the bear and slips out of the room all in one motion. Shutting the door and noting "512" as the room number. The thought crosses over them of returning as a backup in the event that other parties fall through.

While making their way through the hallways and down to the con space Sahny checks for new messages in the main group chat.

Clover shared his location.

INT. DEALER'S DEN - DAY

The room is filled with rows of tables, side by side, lined with various hand-crafted swag and art pieces. Crowds walk along one side of the tables. On the other side, merchants stand to pitch their products or sit behind frames crowded with items, quietly sketching.

Thistle and Clover enter into the Dealer's Den. Thistle looks in awe at the micro-market before him.

Thistle and Clover browse some of the tables of wares. Behind one of the tables, sits YOTE ARMOUR, a green-eyed coyote with hair like fire. He leans in toward PIPER FOX, a red fox with soot-black hair wearing naught but a pair of shorts. Armour points out Thistle's "Good Boix" shirt.

Piper shrugs a shoulder and makes a gesture that reads something to effect of "When you're right, you're right."

Thistle and Clover peruse the dealers. Clover walks with a slow pace behind the spastic canine jumping between items at the tables.

Thistle stops at a table with a "HushPuppies" sign in provocative coloring, suggestive fonts and covered in a various leather accessories over a sensual table linen. Curiously, Thistle picks up the a collar of soft chocolate leather with blaze orange stitching.

Thistle loosely strings the collar to his neck, examining the look in a mirror. Clover smiles faintly.

Clover jolts forward. Sahny stands behind him, clutching his arms at the elbows. Clover sharply spins around, teeth bared. Only easing a bit when he recognizes Sahny.

Clover's stance returns to normal, as he pulls his phone from his pocket.

Sahny's eyes focus past Clover at the table behind him.

Clover looks back at the table, then dips a bashful head. Thistle turns to Sahny, setting the collar down. Sahny gives a quick upward tip of the head to Thistle.

Sahny turns to leave in defeat, but hesitates and turns back with a smile. Reaching past them, Sahny pulls out a collar and hands it to Thistle.

Thistle thoughtfully wraps his fingers around the collar. Clover shakes his head as Sahny leaves.

Clover walks off. Thistle places the collar back on the table and rejoins him.

Clover stops at the end of the row in front of Baz's table. He looks around for a bit.

Clover scans for the sergal.

DEALER'S DEN - EARLIER

Baz hurries along the crowd with a chain-brand coffee cup in hand as her messenger bag sways in her hustle. She looks up and stops abruptly.

At the end of a row of vendors is a table divided by two banners. The first banner is decorated in colorful cartoon animals, next the text "Bazeri" along with various social media icons including SocialCreature's. Behind the other banner that reads "dauB - Fine art illustration" sits an extremely tall, pale-orange tiger, dressed in Boho chic. DAUB takes his big, round glasses to wipe them off with his shirt and smiles warmly at the passersby.

The lights fade on the dealers den, the piano tune fades in, a spotlight shines on Baz. Her purple jacket shimmers like a sequin dress. She walks towards the table, singing and dancing as she goes.

( MUSIC: "BUY MY STUFF" )

Baz walks around to the back of table with dauB. He looks up at her with a warm smile.

Baz stands grabbing her sketchbook. The table disappears as she stands.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. F.U.R.S. BAR - NIGHT

Baz sits down as a small pub table slides into place in front of her. Baz sets down her sketchbook and rests on her arm as she leans towards dauB. She listens intently to his continued story, as he gestures with his hands.

DauB finishes his drink. Baz slips into her jacket, then looks at dauB.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. DEALER'S DEN - CONTINUOUS

Baz and dauB stand up at the pub table and appear at their table in the Dealer's den to conclude the last lines of the song.

Song fades out. They both sit.

( END: "BUY MY STUFF" )

Baz collects the slew of art references and sketches strewn across her table. She tucks them into her sketchbook.

Baz hesitates on the last word.

Baz squints at the speaker with a hint of agitation.

Baz goes to say something, but the announcer interrupts right as she starts talking.

Baz looks at the speaker amused.

Baz and dauB laugh.

The dealer's den is empty, except Baz and dauB. The ANNOUNCER stands with his arms dramatically waving them out.

INT. SECOND STAGE - NIGHT

Gathered around a well-lit stage are several groups of suiters and attendees, hundreds of eyes glued in anticipation of the competition as it unfolds. A fox suiter finishes his set, and standing before them now is the champion from the previous years. SLEDGE is an Ocelot of varying shades of pink with onyx markings, his eyes in and out of suit are a unique shade of ice blue. The crowd goes absolutely wild once he looks around, shouting and cheering as the announcer attempts to talk over them. One of the louder voices belongs to a GAZELLE who seems to be getting into a stance to run forward onto the stage when Sledge lifts both hands and shakes his head in panic. A gasp erupts from several of the members in the crowd as the bovidae is frozen in place like a deer in headlights.

A catchy melody plays, accompanied by defined bass kicks as Sledge makes his way across the waxed floor and begins to resemble liquid in the smoothness of his contortions. Behind Sahny's plush suit head are dagger wielding eyes, scanning for a mishap and as Sledge oversteps during part of his routine, Sahny is satisfied in watching him recover.

Slow and soft the song begins, a perfectly paced opening as the freestyler makes their way to the optimal place in ample time. Divulging into several breakbeat style switches, the tune invites the very pop-n-lock moves Sahny shows off. Some have been seen with last years performance but a lot have not, and there still seems to be a card unplayed on the field. With the glances in between angled adjustments Sahny spots Clover and Thistle one moment, and the next they are gone. A glimpse of blue and pale white. Could it be? Hard to tell with the sudden crowd gathered on the right side of the stage.

The beat seems to climb higher and higher in pitch before dropping and in that moment of time Sahny manages to perfectly land a backflip. The crowd roars, but among the various voices a distinct noise, a series of energetic chirps and excited whistles can be heard.

SECOND STAGE - EARLIER

Diego paces behind the judges table, toying with his radio from paw to paw. He nervously watches the crowd, visually checking the lighting and listening acutely to the audio quality. He waits for an opportunity to talk to the judge who is watching the competitors intently.

As Sahny begins their routine, Diego taps the main judge on the shoulder. The judge looks startled as they break their attention from the dancer on the floor. Looking slightly upset until they see who is interrupting them.

The judge turns around and gives the hyena their complete attention. The pair speak quietly due to the competition going on around them.

The judge distractedly looks back to Sahny's dancing then back at Diego.

Diego looks up at Sahny's routine and huffs.

The judge nervously turns back to Sahny's routine a little distracted

The judge smiles.

The judge becomes a little more visibly agitated and distracted by the routine he's supposed to be watching

The Judge nods to the stage. Diego snorts.

Diego rolls his eyes

Diego sports a toothy grin at the thought of that happening. The judge winces at what Diego just suggested, but only briefly. Sahny's song is wrapping up and the judge immediately looks shocked and whips around to face the dance floor.

Diego not wanting to interrupt the show, slinks off.

INT. MAIN FURSUIT LOUNGE - NIGHT

Sahny is drowning themselves in body spray, febreezing the parts of their suit that is dry and desperately attempting to dust and fan out the moisture that has found its way into the most troublesome of places. Switching the usual amber eyes with an intoxicating neon spiral of green was all part of the transformation as the evening fast approached.

Dropping everything and throwing the still damp head over their balaclava, the hyena wastes no time launching themselves back onto the dance floor. The opportunity to see their idol face to face is too good to pass up.

Within moments Sahny met the wall of people gathered around Keystone, a blue and white Dutch Angel Dragon suiter who speaks only in chirps, clicks and whistles while in character. This was the very moment Sahny planned, waited, and aimed for; if only they could get through to them they could secure the connection. Yet still, the harder Sahny fought to squeeze in between people the farther back they were tossed when the crowd ejected them. Falling hard on their back the wind was ripped from the hyena's lungs and for a moment it almost sank in how truly small and insignificant they were.

Sledge tripping and managing to save the fall with a tumble.

Sledge grunts as he helps Sahny to their feet.

Sahny struggles to walk as they lean on Sledge.

Sledge spends a few moments in the headless lounge feeding cold air and water to Sahny.

Once Sahny catches their breath, Sledge helps them get back in suit.

As Sahny emerges once more from the headless lounge their eyes fall on Keystone's entourage following with envy.

( MUSIC: "POWER" )

( END: "POWER" )

Sahny sighs and heads back to the hotel room to change into a different suit, needing to save the deer for Saturday night. As they approach the room a note on the door catches their eyes, and it reads:

"You were fire out there! Looking forward to seeing you win, fam." -- Keystone~

Sahny's hands shake in excitement and shock, quickly looking around to see if anyone else is in the hallway. The idea that their idol stalked them back to their room is quickly shot down by the familiar drawing left on the door that Baz did for the four of them. Entering the room to change, the door shuts behind the hyena with a soft click.

INT. CON SPACE - NIGHT

HALLWAY OUTSIDE PANELS

In a short corridor with gaudy carpet and a handful of open doors with temporary signage for Fursasion panel details, Thistle and Clover rush out of one of the doorways. Clover jams his palms into his eyes, stretching his eyelids. Thistle is stiff shoulder and wide-eyed.

Clover pops the top on his water bottle and peers into the opening.

Clover pulls money from his wallet.

Thistle exchanges his bottle for the cash and walks away.

Clover fills up a bottle from a water cooler in the hallway. Music thumps through the walls. As the bottle continues to fill, Clover pulls out his phone and flicks at it with his thumb. A muffled thud. He looks to the right.

OUTSIDE CON-OPS

A machine whines as it converts granules of sugar into the consistency of a carded cotton.

A spectacularly dressed individual dips a paper cone into the machine and presents the second pink cloud of goodness to the ever so excited, bouncing white pooch. Thistle swipes up the treat, tosses the cash into the tip vessel, then walks away as another steps in to fill his space in line.

HALLWAY OUTSIDE PANELS

Thistle bites a chunk out of the cloud of sugar as he rounds the corner where he last left Clover. He halts and whips his head away from the cotton candy, small strands cling to his doggo lips.

Clover kneels next to LINNUX, a passed out mouse in a teal penguin fursuit with a red trilby and bowtie. Her suit head is off and resting to the side. Her mousy fur is wet and matted. Clover, in a panic, fans her with his phone.

Thistle stands, clutching the two cotton candies. His face affixed on the fainted fursuiter. Clover continues fanning her. She mumbles incoherently. Clover looks back at the dog, who is frozen in fright.

Thistle's head moves as if to look at Clover but instead looks through him.

Thistle's eyes focus on Clover.

Clover punches through the air, pointing toward the hallway. Thistle scrambles in that general direction, disappearing behind the corner.

Clover continues fanning the suiter. He stops to check his phone. He grunts and shakes the phone violently.

Thistle runs back around the corner, holding a cotton candy in each paw. He's followed by KRUS, a tall red panda with a patch on his vest labeled "Service Dog", who is carrying a first aid kit.

Krus kneels next to Linnux. Opening the first aid kit, he pulls out an ice pack and puts it on her head as she starts to stir.

Krus kneels down next to her. He opens the first aid kit, then repositions her feet.

Clover wobbles to his feet. Holding a bear claw to his fuzzy forehead, he lets out a deep wavering sigh. Thistle, still clinging to the cotton candy, stares at Linnux and Krus. Clover lowers his paw and glances at Thistle.

Thistle nods, not changing his gaze.

Thistle looks up at Clover with those puppy dog eyes.

Thistle lowers his hand as if to reach for his pocket, stopping once he recalls the cotton candy in hand.

They start walking. Thistle mindlessly licks the cotton candy, dissolving it slowly. He looks at it and motions the spare over to Clover. Clover refuses it with a hand wave.

Thistle's last word echoes softly. Clover's eyes dart ponderously.

They arrive at the elevators. In the small elevator corridor, a crowd has formed so large they have had to exceed the weight limit of multiple elevators.

Clover pushes past the crowd, making a gap that slowly closes behind him. Poor Thistle struggles to keep up, weaving politely through the oblivious crowd.

INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT

Clover forces open the steel door of the stairwell, it slams against the wall. He starts up the stairs. The door begins to close. He sighs and snatches the door, holding it open just as Thistle walks through.

Clover lets the door close. Thistle stops. Clover makes it halfway up the flight before...

Clover stops.

Clover whips around.

Clover climbs a few steps.

Looking up toward Clover, Thistle's eyes glimmer in the cruddy stairwell lighting. Clover's face softens, the anger melts into remorse.

Thistle's chin trembles, he drops his head. HAWKUS, a lanky bird dog, pushes open the door carrying a cardboard box with some weight to it. He stops and looks between the two of them. Clover turns his head away.

Hawkus walks up the stairs, followed closely by Thistle. He scooches past the bear.

Thistle makes his way past as well, with his face hidden. Clover watches him pass, reaching out as they become adjacent, but Thistle retracts from the bear's reach. Clover pulls his arm away.

Hawkus and Thistle disappear up the flights. Their footsteps fade away. Clover watches them go, then pauses for a brief minute. He growls and smacks his forehead twice. Second time, holding his head. He finally sighs an exasperated sigh.

INT. THE GUEST ROOM - NIGHT

Thistle lays in bed with his face buried in a pillow. The cotton candies lay on their sides on the end table. The door creaks open. A defeated Clover walks into the middle of the room, sighing as he sees Thistle. He leans against the wall next to his bag and slides down to sit on the ground. He covers his face with his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. Breathes in. Rubs his face. Exhales slowly.

Thistle repositions his head, cheek to the pillow. Both of his arms still wrapped around the pillow.

Clover rubs his handpaws together.

Clover closes his eyes.

Clover stares for a beat, sighs, then lays down.

INT. OUTSIDE F.U.R.S. THEATER - NIGHT

Baz and dauB exit the theater. Daub holds a huge bucket of popcorn. Baz walks beside him, clasping her muzzle.

Baz stares at the floor.

Daub smiles, tugging her arms away from her mouth. She takes them back and covers her eyes, looking between her fingers at dauB.

Baz resumes walking down the hall with dauB. He munches on handfuls of popcorn. She hesitates then turns to dauB, stopping.

Baz and dauB laugh as they continue on.

INT. CHAIN-BRAND COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT

Baz and dauB sit in a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. She holds a white paper mug. He has a mostly eaten, unwrapped candy bar placed squarely in front of him. Baz spoons a bit of frozen yogurt that drips with specialty coffee. She sways the spoon as she talks and takes a bite mid sentence.

The laughter subsides. She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. Daub eats the last bit of candy bar. The two sit in silence for a moment. She picks up the cup, looks into it, swirls it, then offers it to dauB. He waves his hands and shakes his head. She frowns.

Baz watches in curiosity as Daub takes the candy wrapper and thoughtfully folds it.

Baz looks at her phone and groans

They both stand. DauB snags up all the trash. Baz shoulders her messenger bag. As they walk next to each other, dauB tosses the rubbish in the recycle, then dusts his paws. Baz watches him, smirking.

Baz is smiling, a sort of bitter sweet smile.

They stop in front of the elevators, Daub presses the elevator call button.

The elevator bings. The doors slide open, some fursuiters step off and some more step into the elevator.

Baz steps into the elevator and begins to yawn. She covers her mouth and waves excitedly with her other hand. She manages to finish her yawn, before the doors starts closing.

The elevator door shuts.

INT. THE GUEST ROOM - NIGHT

The Guest Room lays restless at night. Clover is curled in a wool blanket on the floor. Thistle snores somewhere in a mess of sheets. The latch whirs and the door slides open. Baz walks into the room. Her messenger bag slides off her shoulder, dragging on the floor behind her.

Baz steps past the bear and sits at the table in the corner of the room. She clicks on the lamp. Pulls out her sketchbook, sets it on the table and presses her pencil to the page.

DISSOLVE TO:

Baz lays with her face down in her sketchbook. A sharp hyena giggle rings out. Baz jumps in her seat and rubs her weary head. Sahny can be heard behind the door, giggling like an idiot after managing to place the keycard in properly. Sahny steps into the room, confused at Baz still being awake so late in the evening. Baz looks up in concern.

Placing her supplies to the side, the sergal gets up from her seat, stretching to get some blood flowing after being in the same spot for so long. As Sahny removes their head and shuffles through the room, a familiar smile is plastered on their face.

Sahny shrugs off the suit. Baz nods appreciatively, returning to drawing.

Clover sighs and sits up, glaring at Sahny.

Baz leans over with a cheesy grin. Sahny places their paws on their hips with an exaggerated frown.

FADE OUT.