Everaldo Creary (left), Kyino Cunningham (centre) and Yuri Stewart star in 'The Candy Shop', the Firefly Films production which debuted at the Flashpoint Film Festival in Negril, Westmoreland, in 2006. - Contributed

by Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

It is just past midnight on Wednesday, the bright lights are on, the music is playing and bodies are moving at Big Stone's Candy Shop, the popular adult entertainment club on Molynes Road, St. Andrew.

There is no entrance fee, though, the moving bodies are uncharacteristically clothed and passers-by are looking over the wall at the action. It is not business as usual; in fact, the action is outside the entrance of the Candy Shop, above which an illuminated sign invites Cum Tek a Lick.

And as 'action' is called intermittently, the music from the scratchy sound system set up on a small stage outside The Candy Shop stops, the bodies keep moving and a young man and young woman break away from the throng outside the entrance, walk a few paces and turn.

It is movie time at the Candy Shop again, with filming for the continuation of the teenage youth comedy The Candy Shop, the first part of which featured Everaldo Creary (Casper), Kyino Cunningham (Preston), Yuri Stewart (Mark), Melissa Fearon (Eve) and Ricardo 'Flames' Orgill (Choppy). Written and directed by Joel Burke, the Firefly Films production debuted at the Flashpoint Film Festival in Negril, Westmoreland, in 2006.

The return of three teenagers exploring life after graduation from high school to Big Stone's Candy Shop is under different circumstances, as on the first go round they were seeking thrills of the flesh and got a bit more than what they were looking for. This time around, explained Candy Shop proprietor Claude 'Big Stone' Sinclair, who again appears as himself, the visit is musical talent based.

Which is fitting, as inside Big Stone's Candy Shop, a number of performers' pictures are on the wall, reflecting Sinclair's music production activities.

"Thank you, people, you have been the best extras ever," a voice over the small sound system congratulates, adding the caution "people, you need to remember is not real liquor."

"Some real liquor soon come your way," someone else comforts those who may have been disappointed.

It may not be a typical night at Big Stone's Candy Shop, but there is still a flash of feminine flesh, as there is a "big up my friend in the red shirt" over the sound system, said friend's plunging neckline showing generous mounds.

"No talking, please," is the request as the music is turned off, the bodies move, the pair's walking away is repeated, there is a cry of 'cut' and the music starts again.

And the action pauses for a while, Big Stone, in purple pimp suit and pipe in mouth, stepping out to play his role as MC of the talent show but returning inside as it is not quite yet his time. At 1:30 a.m. the music is back on with the uptempo dancehall of the 'Dutty Wine' variety, a couple of dancers are dropping moves as the rest watch and wait.

When THE STAR leaves the Candy Shop, Mavado and Busy Signal are marking it as Bad Man Place and shooting is about to resume, the onlookers of mostly young adults showing no signs of moving until the night's final cry of 'cut!'.