Sláinte Mhaith (Good Health)

It’s open mic night at the McKinnon Lounge, a small but respectable Soho jazz club. The night’s events are underway. At a table alone is WARWICK (28), nervous and clutching a trumpet case. He watches the stage, in awe of the performers. They finish their set and FRANKLIN (50) walks on, giving a speech and announcing that open mic night will resume shortly. Someone at the bar watches Warwick then tells the barman she’ll cover his next drink. Warwick goes to the bar for another drink. He’s about to pay when the barman tells him it’s been covered. Warwick looks around to see who bought him the drink. A few stools along sits MIKAYLA (25). They get to talking and Warwick reveals his need to impress Franklin and his friend SMASH (70). Mikayla tells Warwick that she can introduce him but only in return for helping her with something which she doesn’t reveal. Warwick and Mikayla go back to Warwick’s table and continue their conversation. Mikayla offers to buy him another drink. Mikayla goes up to the bar and gets a couple more drinks, including a whiskey for Franklin, which she spikes, and holds with a napkin over the glass to cover her finger prints. Mikayla returns to the table. Warwick sees the whiskey, asking who it’s for and Mikayla motions towards Franklin, suggesting that he should go over and offer Franklin the drink. Warwick is reluctant but Mikayla convinces him. Warwick and Mikayla make their way over to Franklin’s table. Mikayla schmoozes their way to a seat with Franklin and Smash who ask Warwick about his skills as a musician. Franklin suggests that Warwick perform next, which he readily accepts. Franklin toasts to Warwick before he goes on stage. Warwick performs, assisted by the backing beats of a drummer, Franklin slumps out of his chair, putting an abrupt end to the performance. Police are called, it’s pandemonium. Warwick’s on stage, he spots Mikayla leaving through an emergency exit, then eyes his hands. A montage reveals Mikayla’s set up, using the drink to to poison Franklin with Warwick’s fingerprints on the glass. As Mikayla walks through the back alley, she puts on a disguise, and throws away the poison. Police sirens fill the air and blue lights begin to appear.