INTERIOR
MID SHOT
KITCHEN
BRIAN, GENE
MORNING
Rain is pounding outside. It’s dark a gloomy. It’s the kind of weather that will have traffic tied up for hours. GENE and BRIAN sit at the breakfast nook. Neither want to talk, or have the energy. The radio plays in the back ground.
RADIO VOICE
One thing is for sure,
the museum will be unable to open the Sumerian exhibit
which was supposed to open tomorrow night. The thieves that did
this had one thing in mind. Only pieces from the recently excavated
‘Juyenna’ burial site have been taken.....
Brian glances at his watch.
BRIAN
Everything’s screwy today.
Well,.... I gotta go.
Enjoy your day off.
Gene sits still and nods. Brian starts to walk away.
BRIAN
Take it easy, okay?
Brian walks out into the living room. His screaming brings Gene running to his side.
INTERIOR
LONG SHOT
LIVING ROOM
BRIAN, GENE, MAVIS
DAY
Someone has drawn the blinds and the living room is quite dark. MAVIS stands in her bathrobe thumbing through the paper. BRIAN clings to GENE in a frightened manner. They look at each other.
MAVIS
Hey, what’s up?
Brian is about to say something when the phone rings. Twice, three times, four.... Gene breaks from Brian to answer the phone. Pause. Gene re-enters.
GENE
Uh.... Mavis? I think you should answer this.
Mavis folds the paper, hands it to Gene, and goes in the other room. A very uncomfortable pause while Mavis takes the call. Brian and Gene stand, wondering what the hell is going on, wondering if anyone knows.
BRIAN
I think we were premature in telling
Kay that Mavis was dead.
GENE
I think we should call a priest.
Mavis strides back into the room. She glances at the wall clock.
MAVIS
You’re going to be late if you don’t go now.
BRIAN
Who was on the phone?
Gene starts to answer, but Mavis cuts him off.
MAVIS
That was the hospital.
I’ve taken care of it.
GENE
Kay’s going to be pissed as
hell when she comes home.
MAVIS
We’ll deal with that when it happens.
She points at the clock.
MAVIS
Brian! You’re going to be late! Go!
Brian looks at his watch.
BRIAN
Uh... look. I have to go.
I, uh,.... I’ll talk to you later.
He leaves. Mavis walks into the kitchen. Gene follows.
MID SHOT
KITCHEN
MAVIS, GENE
MAVIS pours herself a cup of coffee and sits at the breakfast nook. GENE sits across from her, staring. He picks up mug. It shakes slightly in his hand. Mavis flips through the paper.
MAVIS
Ugh.... The paper has pictures.
Gene watches silently. Mavis looks up from the paper.
MAVIS
What?
GENE
Nothing.
MAVIS
You’re staring at me.
GENE
No... no. I wasn’t staring.
Mavis looks back to the paper. Gene stares some more. Mavis talks without looking at him.
MAVIS
Gene, I have an errand to run today.
Could you come with me.
GENE
I called your aunt.
She’s making funeral arrangements.
MAVIS (ignoring him)
It won’t take very long.
GENE
I think you should rest.
You’re in no shape to drive.
MAVIS
Gene, I am perfectly fit to travel.
GENE
It’s pretty nasty outside.
MAVIS
You won’t even have to leave the car.
Now put on your shoes and let’s go!
Gene purses his lips and sets his mug down. Mavis stares back even harder. He’s just about to say something, but she cuts him off.
MAVIS
Well?
GENE
I’m putting on my shoes.
EXTERIOR
MID SHOT
MAVIS’ CAR
MAVIS, GENE
DAY
The storm is getting worse as MAVIS and GENE arrive at Quinn’s house. The thick trees sway overhead with the threat of a tornado. Mavis gives Gene a ‘SIT’ look and leaps out of the car into the down-pour. Gene sits in the passenger seat and fumes.
LONG SHOT
FRONT PORCH
MAVIS
MAVIS strides up to the front door and raps strongly. No answer. She tests the door. It opens.
INTERIOR
LONG SHOT
FRONT DOOR
Inside has been kept dark. The temperature is mid-winter. Dried roses, silver-framed photos, old lace. MAVIS walks in the front door. She’s dripping wet.
MAVIS
Stupid.
Close-up on the alarm panel next to the door. It’s flashing.
Back to Mavis moving through the house. She moves slowly...not sneaking... more like swimming.
INTERIOR
MID SHOT
BEDROOM
QUINN, SABINE, LEILA
Another bedroom where QUINN sleeps with his brood. SABINE and LEILA curl and twitch like new born kittens. DEREK is curled in a corner by himself. Twigs and leaves are in his hair. Mud is spattered on his feet. The phone rings and Quinn reaches for it in his sleep.
QUINN
Hello? Is it? No... we must have left a window open.
I’m sure we can take care of it our selves. Thank-you.
He rises from the bed, hardly touching the others.
LONG SHOT
HALLWAY
MAVIS, QUINN
MAVIS is walking down the hallway, examining door after door, looking for evidence of what she came for. She opens one door, gasps, and as she tries to close it, a hand reaches out and grabs her by the throat. QUINN enters the hallway as he lifts her off the ground. Mavis kicks and claws in vain. A flash of lightening. Quinn cocks his head--Rutger Hauer in Bladerunner--and grins. The sound of collapsing cartilage as he crushes her larynx.
QUINN
You are supposed to be dead.
He throws her into the room. She hits the wall and crumples to the floor. She does not move after that. Quinn wipes his hands and shuts the door.
HEAD SHOT
ROOM
MAVIS
MAVIS gurgles softly through her crushed larynx. Reaching for her throat, she coughs and there is a popping sound--like the seal on a Tupperware container--a hacking that undoes the damage to her concave throat. Still rubbing the damaged tissue, Mavis struggles to a seated position and looks around. Spread out on a table is the collection of ancient middle eastern artifacts: bead necklaces, perfume bottles, a golden knife, and the silver crown. Mavis manages to get to her feet and stumbles to the table. She runs her fingers over the pieces.
MAVIS
So… this is it.
Looking around, she sees an aluminum briefcase. Opening it reveals cut foam packaging: just right for the collection.
MID SHOT
HALLWAY
MAVIS
Now MAVIS exits that room and continues to work her way down the hall. She is testing doors just to test them. She opens one, looks shocked, and steps inside.
LONG SHOT
BEDROOM
MAVIS, KAY
Laying on a bed, wrapped up in her own dreams, is KAY. MAVIS sets the suitcase down and shakes Kay.
MAVIS
Kay! What are you doing here? Wake up!
Kay opens her eyes a little--then all the way. She’s fully awake. Remember, she’s looking at someone she thought was dead. Mavis starts to pick clothes off the floor and throw them at Kay. She dresses half-heartedly, but more out of modesty than anything else.
KAY
Jesus! You’re a ghost! I’m sorry, Mavis.
You died and I came here and had the greatest time of my life....
MAVIS
I’m not dead.
KAY
What?
MAVIS
I’m not dead. Now get dressed.
We’ve got to get going.
KAY
What do you mean,
you’re not dead?
MAVIS
I think it’s sort of self-explanatory.
KAY
Brian and Gene told me you were dead!
The hospital said you were dead!
MAVIS
Well..... they were misinformed.
Get dressed! We don’t have much time.
KAY
Wait a minute!
I’m not going anywhere!
First of all, even if it weren’t for
this whole death thing, you’re still
breaking and entering. But then, then
you show up after putting me through hell
thinking I just lost my best friend. Now you’re
here, telling me what to do--like always! Can’t
anyone do anything without you?
MAVIS
Are you getting dressed or not?
KAY
I am dressed!
MAVIS
So are you coming with me?
KAY
No! Just go away!
You don’t have to take care of me
like a three-year-old. Just let me live
my own life. You can’t even keep your own life
in order; why do you keep messing with mine?
Mavis purses her lips and makes fists.
MAVIS
Are you coming or not?
KAY
No!
And with that, Mavis clocks Kay. Kay falls back on the bed. Mavis picks her up in a fireman’s hold, grabs the suitcase, and struggles out of the room.
LONG SHOT
HALLWAY
MAVIS, KAY, QUINN
MAVIS has almost made it to the front door when QUINN steps between them and the exit. A pause as he assesses the situation. Everything happens at once.....
Mavis throws KAY one way as she jumps the other. For someone who is supposed to be dead, she moves suprisinly quickly. Quinn leaps after Kay, then drops her and turns to Mavis. Quinn grabs her by the waist and swings her into the opposite wall.
SABINE and DEREK have made it half-way down the stairs. Derek runs to Kay, picks her up, and starts up the stairs....she’s starting to wake up. Sabine closes on Mavis with Quinn. Mavis hits Sabine on the head with the suitcase, she falls back into Quinn. He throws her aside. Sabine struggles up and rubs her head as Quinn leaps at Mavis’ legs. Mavis strikes with the suitcase and Quinn nabs it mid-air. He lifts it and Mavis off the ground...she knees him in the gut. He drops them both. She lands and runs after Derek and Kay. Kay turns with a suprised look as Mavis clocks her again. Kay falls like a sack of mice and Derek catches her. By now, Mavis has managed to get the suitcase open and is fumbling through it. Sabine grabs Mavis around the waist and they roll before Mavis slams the suitcase lid on Sabine’s head. Stuff goes spilling and Mavis scrambles to get it back into the case. Derek is attending to Kay on the staircase. She rubs her jaw. Now Mavis has the gold knife and is brandishing it like a street thug. Sabine starts to approach her, but stops short when she sees the knife. Quinn shoves her out of the way and bulldozes towards Mavis. Mavis slashes a gash across his arm and he recoils. The arm is a nasty mess; the knife was not very sharp. Covered in Quinn’s blood, Mavis stabs at Derek and grabs Kay by the arm. Mavis tears ass for the front door, dragging Kay and the suitcase behind
EXTERIOR
HEAD SHOT
MAVIS’ CAR
GENE
DAY
GENE is smoking like it’s his last cigarette. The car is full of smoke and Gene stops every now and then to rub his eyes. He hears the noise outside and rubs the condensation off the window. MAVIS is dragging an unwilling KAY out of Quinn’s house. Mavis is covered in blood and rain. Kay is struggling and yelling. Gene starts to panic.
GENE
Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god.......
INTERIOR
MID SHOT
DOORWAY
LEILA
In the doorway of the house, quite unfazed, stands LEILA. Her motions are slow and fluid as she raises a gun and fires two shots. SABINE covers her ears at the sound of the gun.
EXTERIOR
LONG SHOT
FRONT WALK
MAVIS, KAY
MAVIS winces and stumbles to the ground. KAY falls behind her. Mavis gets to her feet and lifts Kay by the waist..... still making progress towards the car. Together, they slam into the back door of the car. GENE has crawled into the driver’s seat and is starting the car. Mavis throws the suitcase in, then Kay, then leaps in just as Gene tears away from the house.
INTERIOR
POV: OUTSIDE
DOORWAY
LEILA, DEREK, SABINE, QUINN
DEREK grabs the gun from LEILA. QUINN is holding his arm, trying to staunch the bleeding.
DEREK
What do you think you’re doing?
Do you want the neighbors to hear?
LEILA
But they were getting away....
QUINN
Then let them go..... it’s the middle of the day.
DEREK
If they go to a hospital, the doctors will call the police!
SABINE
What if they call the police?
QUINN
She won’t go to the hospital.
Not that one, she’s got too much to hide.
Leila turns to Derek.
LEILA
Did she stab you?
DEREK
She tried to. I think she bruised my kidneys.
SABINE picks something off the floor.
SABINE
Here’s what she got you with...
It’s the golden knife. Everyone stares at it. Everyone knows what it means. Mavis has the collection.
EXTERIOR
HEAD SHOT
MAVIS’ CAR
MAVIS, KAY, GENE
DAY
In the car, Gene and Mavis are trying to talk at once. Mavis is digging in the back for a blanket to cover Kay with.
GENE
What happened in there?
What the fuck’s going on?
Mavis rubs an arm across her face and licks her lips.
MAVIS
It doesn’t matter now, okay?
Just drive faster and try
to not get pulled over!
GENE
Just an errand?! Yeah right!
I should have known! I am never,
I mean it, never going to run errands
with you ever again! Gunshots!
Jeezus! Gunshots! Fuck!
MAVIS
That’s not important now.
Gene is trying to calm down. Mavis tries to adjust the blanket around Kay. Gene tries to look in the back.
GENE
Is she dead...?
MAVIS
No. She can’t die....
I won’t let her.
INTERIOR
LIVING ROOM
MID SHOT
QUINN, SABINE, DEREK, LEILA
DAY
LEILA and DEREK tidy while SABINE stitches up QUINN’S arm. He winces in pain and slams the table-top with his good hand. Sabine tries to move with him in stitching the arm.
QUINN
That insufferable woman refuses to stay dead!
I want to know what the hell is keeping her
on her feet! Do you understand?
DEREK
Maybe it’s will-power.
SABINE
Will power makes you stop smoking or start
jogging. It does not re-animate the dead.
LEILA
Maybe she never died.
Maybe she was kinda sick.
Do you think it could be that?
That she was just sick?
QUINN
The woman was DEAD!
I made sure to that!
DEREK
Gehenna is coming this weekend.
We don’t have time for this.
SABINE
We have all the time in the world.
Derek starts to say something...... but stops.
QUINN
Of course...
INTERIOR
MID SHOT
KITCHEN
BRIAN, GENE
NIGHT
BRIAN looks like he’s about to bust at the seams. GENE sits nervously, afraid that maybe Brian’ll lash out and pop him one. Brian sits and fumes.... or stands and paces.
BRIAN
I can’t believe this. This whole thing’s so stupid.
I need to think about this. I’ll be back soon.
He storms out the back door to roar away in his car. Gene can only sit nervously, staring at the ceiling, knowing what is going on upstairs. Mavis has told him what is what, but he still can’t make out what is real and what is part of the horrible nightmare he can’t wake up from. A knock on the door scares him out of his skin. Gene looks out the window to see DEREK , standing alone, begging admittance.
GENE
What do you want? Go away!
DEREK
Let me speak with her.
Let me speak with the Lazurian.
INTERIOR
POV: GENE
MAVIS’ ROOM
MAVIS
NIGHT
MAVIS is wrapped in a blanket. When GENE opens the door, only enough light to keep her face hidden is let in. Mavis’ voice is curdled milk.
MAVIS
What?
Gene fumbles with the words.
GENE
Uh... Mavis... There’s a guy here who wants to talk to you, I guess.
EXTERIOR
HEAD SHOT
FRONT DOOR
DEREK, MAVIS
NIGHT
MAVIS opens the door and gives DEREK a once-over.
MAVIS
You’re alone?
DEREK
I am.
MAVIS
What do you want?
DEREK
I would wish to speak to you.
Mavis isn’t afraid of him, just irritated. He’s shaking where he stands. She stands back and lets him in with a wide swing of her arm. Derek steps across the threshold into the world of Mavis’ twisted immortality.
INTERIOR
LONG SHOT
LIVING ROOM
MAVIS, DEREK, GENE
MAVIS leads DEREK into the living room and collapses in the easy-chair. Crumpled in the seat, she resembles a sick lioness: able to tear you apart, just not as quickly as usual. Derek is terrified. Sitting before him is someone who is supposed to be dead and ISN’T. Mavis is someone who stole Kay from under his nose and took that which he came to the city for in the first place. He knows if she were in the peak of health, he wouldn’t be left standing. She sits staring--waiting for him to make the first move. GENE watches this--unsure what to make of the whole deal--unsure of what to do next. He tries to be polite.
GENE
Can I get either of you something to drink?
A pause as they glower at him.
GENE
No, huh?...Okay.... I’ll...
just be in the other room then.
Mavis and Derek watch him carefully as he walks out. Mavis turns to Derek with an exhausted look,
MAVIS
Well, what do you want?
You’re not taking anything from this house.
DEREK
How fares your friend?
MAVIS
She’s doing all right... now.
DEREK
You must understand that....
MAVIS
I don’t wish to discuss it.
Why don’t we just talk about
why you came here, okay?
DEREK
You have stolen something from us.
I have come to ask for its return.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to avoid any conflict.
It’s really for the best.....
MAVIS
I don’t have it.
DEREK
What?
MAVIS
I don’t have it. It’s somewhere where you’ll never
be able to get it. So I guess there’s no point
to this meeting, is there?
DEREK
Where is it?
MAVIS
I’ll never tell. And you’ll never find it.
Derek wrings his hands and looks nervously around the room.
MAVIS
No, it’s not here. It’s nowhere near here by now.
Even with all the people you obviously have working for you,
it will take several lifetimes before you can even get close to where
it’s been. I can’t return it to the museum because you’ll just steal it
again, and there’s no lake deep enough to hide it forever,
so I’ve put it somewhere you can’t get to it.
Derek reacts with shock and runs his fingers through his hair. He looks at Mavis with despair.
DEREK
My own stupidity has caused this. I guess you have no idea
how important it is I have it back. Never mind. Mistakes have
been made and consequences will fall where they will.
I apologize for wasting your time.
MAVIS
Don’t worry about it. I have a
feeling I have a lot more time
on my hands then I used to.
Derek turns to go, but stops and looks at Mavis. She pulls herself out of the chair.
DEREK
May I see her? May I see Kay before I leave?
POV: KAY’S ROOM
HALLWAY
DEREK, MAVIS
Kay’s labored breaths can be heard. DEREK looks shocked. MAVIS looks bored.
DEREK
What have you done to these people?
Mavis shuts the door.
MAVIS
I think you should go.
Expand this scene.
EXTERIOR
HEAD SHOT
BRIAN’S CAR
BRIAN
NIGHT
BRIAN drives around aimlessly. He’s so upset he can hardly see straight. He clenches his teeth and fumes.
BRIAN
So? So, she won’t tell me what’s going on.
Fine! Fine, I can deal with that. No-one’s
going to get hurt. Any more hurt. No,
Mavis wouldn’t allow it. She sees to it that
everything turns out okay... jeezus...
She’s going to get us all killed. God...
His eyes have misted over and he sniffles.
BRIAN
I’m so sorry, Kay. I can’t run out on you.
Mavis knows what’s best. She always has...
He turns the car around. He’s said the words, but now he has to get back to the house and believe them.
INTERIOR
MID SHOT
KAY’S ROOM
KAY, GENE
NIGHT
GENE carries a tray into Kay’s room. He stops in the middle of the room and cocks his head.
GENE
Kay? You all right?
The sound of KAY whispering. Gene approaches the bed and sets the tray down on the bed-side table.
GENE
Kay? It’s.. it’s microwaved lasagna.... the plate’s a little hot
and I’ve got a coke if you’re thirsty...... Kay?
KAY
I don’t want anything to eat.
Her voice is very faint. She raises her arm slightly. Gene takes her hand.
KAY
You’re such a good friend.
GENE
Ah, uh... well, here’s the lasagna. If you...
KAY
Why do you listen to her?
GENE
What?
KAY
Why do you listen to her? She’s so wrong.
GENE
She’s not all wrong. If.. if we take you to a hospital,
the doctors... it’s a gunshot wound. Kay, if the
police get involved... we’re all screwed.
KAY
Jeezus, I can’t believe this...
GENE
Please, Kay...
KAY
She always helps where she isn’t wanted.
MAVIS has been standing in the doorway. She comes in and sits on Kay’s vanity.
MAVIS
Are you feeling any better?
KAY
You’re crazy. I don’t know...
I don’t know what’s going on...
If... if I die..
MAVIS
You’re not going to die.
KAY
I just......
Her voice is trailing off. She’s very weak.
KAY
You dug a bullet out of me.
MAVIS
I know.
KAY
When are you going to stop the pain?
Mavis looks at Gene. Her eyes say she’s hurting.
MAVIS
Just don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.
Just like I take care of everything. Trust me.
Gene gives Mavis a look that is nothing but hate. He wants to trust her, but he feels like his trust has been violated. Mavis needs him to trust her.
MAVIS
Everything will be all right.
INTERIOR
LONG SHOT
LIVING ROOM
BRIAN
NIGHT
BRIAN comes storming into the living room. He stands in the middle of the room.
BRIAN
Mavis!!!
MID SHOT
KAY’S ROOM
MAVIS, GENE, KAY
MAVIS and GENE look up at the noise.
MID SHOT
LIVING ROOM
BRIAN
BRIAN is standing in the middle of the room, shouting.
BRIAN
Mavis! Mavis, god-damnit! We need to talk!
MAVIS scurries up behind him.
MAVIS
Stop shouting.
BRIAN
You and me..... we need to talk.
MAVIS
I was kind of busy upstairs.
BRIAN
I don’t care.
MAVIS
Well, I do.
BRIAN
Look, this is crazy. You don’t know
what you’re doing. She should be in a hospital.
For that matter, so should you.
The phone rings in the background. GENE answers it.
MAVIS
You don’t think the police will want to
know where the bullet came from?
BRIAN
Fine! We’ll tell them.
MAVIS
And go to jail for breaking and entering.
BRIAN
You’ll go to jail.
MAVIS
You’re an accessory to the crime.
Gene holds the phone out to Mavis. He looks terrified.
GENE
Uh.... Mavis....
She grabs the phone.
MAVIS
What?
DEREK’S VOICE
Get them out, Lazurian.
Get them out now.
Mavis’ eyes practically bug. The connection ends with a click. Brian is still pissed.
BRIAN
So? What’s it going to be?
Keep her here and let her die,
or take her to a hospital?
MAVIS
Brian, go upstairs and get Kay.
Gene, go help him.
BRIAN
And what are you doing?
MAVIS
I’m going to get the car.
She walks away. Brian turns to Gene with a smug look.
BRIAN
See? She listened to reason.
GENE
I don’t think it was you she was listening to.
Close-up on Brian’s face. He doesn’t get it.
EXTERIOR
POV INSIDE GARAGE
GARAGE
MAVIS
NIGHT
MAVIS walks out to the garage and unlocks her car. It can only whine and sputter when she tries to start it. She pops the hood and looks underneath.
MAVIS
What the hell?
INTERIOR
LONG SHOT
KAY’S ROOM
BRIAN, GENE, KAY
NIGHT
GENE is scrounging around for more blankets. BRIAN is struggling to get KAY off the bed. Gene helps as best he can. Together they manage to get Kay into a sitting position. The doorbell rings.
BRIAN
Who is that?
GENE
It’s Mavis. I bet the door
locked after her. I’ll get it.
Gene leaves. Brian wraps Kay in one of the blankets. He’s just getting her to her feet when he stops short and calls after Gene.
BRIAN
But she’s getting her car..... she has her keys.
Brian sets Kay down.
BRIAN
Gene! She’s got her keys!
It’s not Mavis!
He starts to run out of the room, but SABINE steps between him and the door.
BRIAN
Sabine? What are you doing here?
INTERIOR
POV FROM FRONT PORCH
FRONT DOOR
GENE, QUINN
NIGHT
GENE opens the front door, looks up and sees QUINN waiting.
QUINN
Thank-you.
GENE
Uh.... hi.... uh.....
Quinn steps in through the door. Gene backs up.
GENE
Aren’t you..... you’re..... Aren’t.....
I mean.... the other one..... Mavis said.....
QUINN
Mavis was wrong.
LONG SHOT
LIVING ROOM
GENE, QUINN
GENE runs into the living room; QUINN follows at a slow easy pace. Gene gets into the living room, and searches frantically through the books there. He grabs a family bible--a huge, monstrously heavy thing--and holds it at arm’s length. Quinn’s eyes widen.
GENE
Stand back! Stand back or
I’ll beat your head in!
QUINN
You would hit me with a bible?
Isn’t that a sin or......
Quinn is cut short as Gene thrusts the bible with both hands into the bridge of Quinn’s nose. Gene hits Quinn with the bible a few more time, drops it, and runs upstairs.
GENE
Brian! Brian, help!
EXTERIOR
MID SHOT
GARAGE
MAVIS
NIGHT
MAVIS is looking under the hood of her car. She shakes her head and slams the hood of the car, only to reveal LEILA sitting on the roof of the car.
LEILA
Hello.
MAVIS
Hello.
LEILA
We cut your phone line.
MAVIS
Did you?
Leila giggles. Mavis backs slowly into the back of the garage, her hands feeling the back wall, looking for just the right thing.
LEILA
Everyone wants to know how you came
back the first time. Did Derek do that?
MAVIS
Who?
LEILA
Derek said it was will power, that happens sometimes.
Was it will power? You must be very strong willed.
MAVIS
I had something to do. Unfinished business.
Mavis curls her fingers around the object, a turned wooden bulb planter.
LEILA
I wasn’t sure when I started all this. I’m a sunny person.
I like sun. I was going to be an actress. Did you know that?
Mavis turns the bulb planter in her hand, ready to make her move.
LEILA
I guess I should forget about getting a tan now.
Mavis is getting ready to leap onto the hood of the car. Gene’s yelping breaks her concentration.
GENE (off screen)
Brian! Help!
The yell catches Mavis mid leap. She drops the bulb planter. The clatter catches Leila’s attention. A brief moment as the two look at each other. Mavis leaps anyway and clocks Leila. Mavis pushes Leila off the roof of the car. Leila lands on the hood with a dull thud. Mavis pulls Leila off the hood. There’s a dent.
MAVIS
Damn!
INTERIOR
MID SHOT
KAY’S ROOM
BRIAN, SABINE, KAY
NIGHT
SABINE shuts and locks the door. KAY moans softly. Sabine moves the blanket from Kay’s face.
SABINE
You didn’t take her to a hospital?
Was this your idea?
BRIAN
No.... Mavis.
SABINE
This is wrong. No-one has
the right to do this.
Brian glances behind him at the bedroom window. He gives Sabine a look and backs up to the window.
SABINE
It’s a long way down, and you
can’t run on broken legs.
GENE (off screen)
Brian! Help!
SABINE
Your friend, he helped you do this?
BRIAN
Mavis is taking care of everything.
SABINE
Oh? So Mavis can turn back
the hands of time now?
BRIAN
How can you say what you do is any better?
Who shot her? One of us? No.
SABINE
I just do what I’m told.
BRIAN
That’s not very original.
SABINE
People have been saying it for centuries.
LONG SHOT
HALLWAY
GENE
GENE is throwing himself against the door. QUINN is slowly coming up the stairs.
GENE
Brian! Kay! Help!
HEAD SHOT
KAY’S ROOM
KAY, BRIAN, SABINE
KAY stirs slightly on the bed. She’s paler than the sheets and her lips are slightly blue.
KAY
Gene.....
BRIAN starts towards her but stops. SABINE moves closer.
SABINE
We had a job to do, we came here to do it. In our world,
you do what your told, maybe a little extra,
you get rewarded for the little bonuses.
BRIAN
And I was the bonus?
SABINE
Not yet.
LONG SHOT
KITCHEN
MAVIS
MAVIS kicks through the back door of the kitchen.
MAVIS
Brian?.... Gene!
From the kitchen she can see the mess in the living room. She starts for it as GENE comes running down the back stairs. He’s in a complete panic.
GENE
Mavis! Mavis!
He gets half-way down and trips--falling on his back. QUINN is walking slowly down the stairs. Gene lets out another yelp and panics to get up, but there’s more adrenaline going to his stomach than his limbs: his arms and legs won’t work the way he wants them to. Mavis runs from the living room, through the ding room, picking up a chair leg without even breaking stride. She smashes the chair on the door frame and lunges at Quinn with the broken chair leg. Quinn brushes her off and throws her into the wall head firs; She’s knocked out cold. LEILA runs in from the other room.
QUINN
Where have you been?
LEILA
I... uh....
QUINN
I don’t want any trouble from that one...
Quinn gestures to Gene. Leila crouches to where Gene is and pulls out a roll of duct tape out of her jacket. She starts to bind his hands behind his back.
GENE
You’re not going to bite me again, are you?
LEILA
No.....
GENE
Well, good. I hated that.
QUINN
Shut him up.
Leila puts a piece of tape across Gene’s mouth.
QUINN
You bit him?
LEILA
Yeah....
Quinn picks Mavis off the floor and shoves Gene into the living room.
QUINN
Now we’re going to get the answers
to a few questions. Leila, see what’s taking Sabine.
LONG SHOT
HALLWAY
LEILA
LEILA walks up the stairs and tests doors on the second floor. She stops at Kay’s door and puts her ear to it.
LONG SHOT
LIVING ROOM
QUINN, MAVIS, GENE
QUINN has put GENE in an easy chair. Gene shifts and wiggles. MAVIS is on the couch. Quinn sits on the coffee table; he gives the broken chair leg in Mavis’ side a twist.
QUINN
Tell me where it is....
MAVIS
Nuh.... no! I can’t!
QUINN
Oh, I doubt there’s much you can’t do.
This is easy. Where is it?
MAVIS
I ah! I don’t..... ahhh.... It’s not here.....
QUINN
It’s not here. So where is it?
Mavis doubles over. She stares at Quinn from under her brows, grinning with a mouthful of her own blood
MAVIS
Never.... in your.... lifetime....
Quinn stands and lights a cigarette.
QUINN
Then perhaps in your friend’s life time?
Maybe he can give us a little information.
Quinn approaches Gene with the lit cigarette. He rolls it between his finger and thumb like a cigar and holds Gene’s face with the other hand.
QUINN
Maybe your friend can tell us where
it is... while he can still see...
DARK WOAMN (off screen)
Quinn!
Quinn swings around. Standing on the stairs is SABINE, BRIAN, and the DARK WOMAN, who has a small hand pistol.
DARK WOMAN
Your move.
Quinn lets go of Gene’s face and takes a drag off his cigarette.
QUINN
If you don’t mind, you’re interfering with my interrogation.
The dark woman leads Sabine to the couch and pulls the chair leg out of Mavis’ side. Mavis groans.
QUINN
Get out, Moira! This is a personal matter.
DARK WOMAN
There are no personal matters.
You taught me that yourself.
The dark woman turns to Mavis.
DARK WOMAN
I apologize for not arriving earlier.
You can hand it to me now.
MAVIS
I don’t have it.
DARK WOMAN
What?
QUINN
You’re working with this woman?
I should have known; she reeks
of your stupidity.
DARK WOMAN
It was your half of the deal…
MAVIS
A rotten deal....
DARK WOMAN
I gave you the power to protect your friends...
QUINN
Moira, what are you talking about?
MAVIS
You gave me nothing but death!
QUINN
What did you give her, Moira?
MOIRA
Stay out of this!
Gene is working the tape off his mouth.
MOIRA
You were supposed to give it to me!
MAVIS
You just said to make sure he didn’t have it!
BRIAN
Whois this? Mavis?
MAVIS
Shut up, Brian! I’m dealing with it!
SABINE
Quinn, what are they talking about?
QUINN
I don’t know....
BRIAN
No! You’re done dealing with things.
You dealt everything into a big god-damned mess!
QUINN
Moira? What is she talking about? What deal?
MAVIS
You don’t have to worry about this!
MOIRA
This is between me and her!
BRIAN
What have you done to us?
DEREK (off screen)
An interesting question.
DEREK comes through the front door, followed by a short dark WOMAN in a huge black coat. She is of indeterminate age. She could be very old and just not show it. Quinn, Moira (the dark woman), and Derek, all treat her with great respect and fear.
MOIRA
Gehenna!
QUINN
Gehenna! I can explain!
GEHENNA
Derek, bring the last one down.
Moira takes Sabine’s arm and walks her to the couch. Quinn walks to the couch, but doesn't sit. Mavis groans. Brian stands at the bottom of the stairs. Gene backs into the wall.
GEHENNA
Well now, well now, well now. This is very interesting. The best
and brightest are sent to do something, and upon arriving at the house,
no-one can be found.
QUINN
Gehenna, I...
GEHENNA
Derek makes an appearance and now we are here.
Why here? These people have nothing to do with the task at hand.
You shouldn’t know any of them, so why are we here?
QUINN
I can explain....
Gehenna glares at Quinn. She paces slowly around him.
GEHENNA
Where is it?
QUINN
We had it, but...
GEHENNA
Where is it?
QUINN
She stole it and....
GEHENNA
Where is it?
QUINN
I... I don’t know.
GEHENNA
Ah. And who does know?
QUINN
This! This Lazurian!
This resurrectant who....
GEHENNA
Who stole it from you? Her?
She turns her head, very slowly, like a lizard, to look at Mavis.
GEHENNA
She stole it from you? What was your excuse?
What were you doing? Sleeping?
QUINN
Moira has betrayed you. She made some sort of
deal with this woman and....
GEHENNA
Oh, a deal. Explain.
MOIRA
Gehenna, I was mearly trying to illustrate how......
GEHENNA
How none of you can be trusted.
QUINN
This is exactly the point I was trying
to make. You see.....
GEHENNA
Shut up.... stand.
Mavis stands up, against her will. She looks like shit.
GEHENNA
You removed private property from…..
MAVIS
They belong to the museum.
GEHENNA
They belong to me! Where are they?
MAVIS
Gone.
GEHENNA
No-one seems to be capable of giving a
straight answer this evening. Where are they?
MAVIS
I don’t know.
GEHENNA
You don’t know, he doesn’t know...
doesn’t anybody know?
MAVIS
No.
GEHENNA
And why not?
MAVIS
It’s in the system.
MOIRA
What system?
GEHENNA
Which system?
MAVIS
The US postal system. It’s in a cardboard box with
some canned peppers and garlic powder. There’s
an incorrect address on the top. It’ll get shuffled
around the country for years before anyone can track it.
GEHENNA
A cardboard box.... with garlic powder....
MAVIS
I think the lid on the garlic powder was a little loose.
I’m sure it came open. The canned peppers might have
burst as well. They were a little swollen when I packed them.
No-one seems to find this funny, except Gehenna.
GEHENNA
One of the greatest archaeological finds in history!
In a common cardboard box!
What precisely was the address on that box?
MAVIS
I don’t remember. It was illegible.
Gehenna continues to laugh.
GEHENNA
Did you hear that? A cardboard box!
She gives Mavis a very hard stare.
GEHENNA
When was the last time you fed?
MAVIS
I.... I had a salad this morning.
Gehenna laughs and points at Gene. Moira takes his arms and pulls him to Gehenna.
GEHENNA
No, when did you feed? Have you yet?
MAVIS
No.
Gehenna gives Moira a cold glance, then turns back to Mavis. A slow smile. She rests a hand on Gene’s shoulder and stands behind him.
GEHENNA
Aren’t you hungry?
MAVIS
Y... yes.
GEHENNA
This one, then?
He’s ripe for the taking.....
MAVIS
No. No, I can’t.
Gene is terrified, he looks like a cat that’s being held by the scruff of the neck. Gehenna brushes his hair away from the mark Leila left on his ear.
GEHENNA
You missed.
She gives the scab a lick.
GEHENNA
Ah! Yes….. Well-born, premium stock.
MAVIS
Please.... don’t....
Gehenna takes Gene’s hand and sucks his fingers. Gene shuts his eyes, preparing for almost certain death.
GEHENNA
Look, once started, he will be easier for you.
She bites one of his fingers and holds the hand in front of Mavis.
GEHENNA
The flavor is exquisite….
Will you not partake…?
MAVIS
I’m sure... please, just don’t....
Gehenna paints Mavis’ lips with Gene’s bloodied finger. Mavis cannot lick her lips, she just clenches her teeth and shuts her eyes.
MAVIS
No!
Gehenna smiles and returns the finger to her own mouth.
GEHENNA
Your sacrifice shall sate our hunger.
Mavis opens her eyes. She’s crying. Gehenna stops mid-bite. She stands away from Gene.
GEHENNA
Ah, the forgotten element. So much time has
passed since that was part of the equation.
Our great days of glory.
Mavis covers her face. Gene passes out. Gehenna grins at her.
GEHENNA
You have so much to learn.
Derek comes downstairs with Kay in his arms.
DEREK
Gehenna....
Derek sets Kay on the stairs. He looks genuinely concerned. Mavis struggles from the couch.
MAVIS
No! Don’t!
Moira pushes Mavis back onto the couch and looks at Gehenna. Sabine starts to get off the couch, but Moira gestures with the gun and Sabine sits back down
MOIRA
Gehenna, I hope...
GEHENNA
You hope?
MOIRA
I mean....
GEHENNA
Oh, yes. Do try to explain.
What you have to say should prove very entertaining.
Moira cannot talk. She just stands and swallows and stares at the floor. Gehenna stands very close to her.
GEHENNA
Your reasoning remains unfathomable.
MOIRA
I just thought....
GEHENNA
You over-stepped your boundaries. Your only responsibility
was to watch our man Quinn. And yet, you decided to do more
than that. What were you thinking?
MOIRA
I... I don’t know.
GEHENNA
No, you don’t.
Only Derek did as he was told….
The rest of you wallowed in self-direction! Derek!
Derek steps away from Kay and reaches into his jacket. He pulls out the gold knife and hands it to Gehenna. She holds it gingerly and presents it to all assembled.
GEHENNA
This is it. All that is left.
An instrument of destruction and sacrifice.
And now, before us, the three people
responsible for the loss of the crown of an empire.
MAVIS
Oh big loss!
Gehenna starts to pace the room.
GEHENNA
Just something... A little reminder of our days in the sun.
That was all that was wanted… And you people turned it into
some kind of political game. Why? Who’s right for the job?
Who isn’t? Who knows? How do you think things became how they are today?
Who learned a few tricks here and there and always thought
about what they were doing before they did it? You people don’t think.
You just run around and do what seems right at the time,
but you never give any thought to what the consequences are.
Quinn brings in unnecessary members, Moira acts
behind our back, and you!
She gestures to Mavis.
GEHENNA
You’re the worst of the whole lot! You didn’t have to accept her deal,
and now you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your un-natural life!
She thought she’d be clever, she thought she’d prove something.
And what were you doing when you threw it all away?
It wasn’t yours to deal with. If you felt cheated by her deal,
why did you follow through with your half?
You could have left well enough alone.
MAVIS
I just...
GEHENNA
Don’t any of you have a brain in your head?
MAVIS
We’ve all suffered because of you!
GEHENNA
Pardon?
MAVIS
We all had lives before you sent your cronies here!
They’ve done nothing but lie, and cheat, and.... and steal....
GEHENNA
You have no-one to blame but yourself.
Derek looks up from Kay.
DEREK
What about.......?
GEHENNA
Oh, yes. This poor creature. Bring her.
MAVIS
Can you do something for her?
GEHENNA
Can you?
MAVIS
N.... No.
GEHENNA
Then you shouldn’t worry about it….
QUINN
I guess we should go then.
GEHENNA
Yes, we shall.
And, yet…you…
You shall not join us.
QUINN
You can’t leave me here with...
GEHENNA
With the consequences of your actions?
Gehenna starts her pacing again. She approaches Quinn and reaches into his breast pocket.
QUINN
Everything would have been fine,
if it hadn’t been for...
GEHENNA
These people.....
QUINN
Well, these people I had to deal with.
Gehenna has pulled out a box of cigarettes. She pulls one out and puts it in Quinn’s mouth.
GEHENNA
You were warned. Never deal with their kind.
They have their own ways and live in their own world.
She pulls out a box of matches.
QUINN
I remember.
GEHENNA
No, child, you remembered nothing! If you had remembered,
you would be presenting the crown right now,
and definitely not here! No, what happened is clear.
This woman affronted your pride,
and you decided to take up the challenge. Never mind the fact
you had other things you were supposed to be doing.
You were off, running around, living it up,
so to speak, while the others did your job.
She strikes the match and lights his cigarette.
GEHENNA
You forgot everything you were taught, and you were the
most promising student! You took to this life faster than any
of those before you. It came to you naturally, to feed on others.
She blows out the match and snaps it in her gloved hands. Quinn falls to the ground and writhes on the floor with a twisted, broken back. Gehenna kneels to where he’s busy groaning.
GEHENNA
You were my greatest disappointment.
She takes his head now and starts a kiss, Quinn stops his writhing, but looks paler and thinner than before. He is sinking in on himself. The others watch on, horrified, until Gehenna stands up with dust running between her fingers.
GEHENNA
Well, there’s nothing more for us here.
Back to life as usual. Come.
Sabine leaps up from the couch.
SABINE
What about me?
Gehenna doesn’t answer her. Her face doesn’t even register she’d heard anything.
SABINE
Grandmother! You can’t just leave me here!
She starts out the front door.
BRIAN
You’re nothing but a pack of monsters!
Every fucking one of you!
GEHENNA
What is that?
MOIRA
I don’t know.
BRIAN
You do nothing but take people in and use them up!
We’re like cigarettes to you; you just light us up,
suck us dry, and throw us away when you’re done.
GEHENNA
Is that what you think?
BRIAN
It’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?
GEHENNA
Not really.
Derek is carrying Kay out the door. Moira is holding the door open. Gehenna approaches Moira.
GEHENNA
If we were really monsters,
justice would be very hard to dispense.
Gehenna slams the gold knife into Moira’s gut. Moira looks suprised, clutches her middle, and falls over.
GEHENNA
Things are not as cut and dry as you’d like them to be.
BRIAN
Blood sucking.....
Gehenna grins and looks at Mavis.
GEHENNA
You have us mistaken for someone else.
Derek carries Kay out to the car. Gehenna stops half in and half out of the door.
GEHENNA
It would be wise to leave now….
Before the police arrive.
The door shuts behind her. Brian sits on the stairs, head in hands. Sabine sits next to Brian--he gets up and leaves. Gene wakes up, startled. Mavis just stands there in shock. Roll credits.
Okay, very nice. What else can you do?