Raphael The Redemption (1)
Teresa Ann Salyer

 

1.


FADE IN:

1 THE BLACKNESS OF ETERNITY 1

The MAIN TITLE is followed by this:

Redemption: The act of setting free
                                Or saving, as in a sinner.

From the blackness comes the beautiful and haunting
singing of ANGELS.

2 INT. MICHAEL DE NOSTRADAMUS� SECRET UPSTAIRS STUDY - 2
SALON DE PROVANCE � FRANCE � 1555 � NIGHT

MICHAEL DE NOSTRADAMUS, a gray haired man with a long
beard, dressed in long robes of the day and the four
cornered hat of a physician of his times, is seated at
a table.

A central fireplace in the room casts shadows on the
walls and on the table where Nostradamus is intent in
his work. half burned candles and books clutter the
table. a human skull seems to grin from its place on
the table

Nostradamus picks up the branches of a small twig and
Passes them slowly over a brass bowl situated on a tri-
Pod. The brass bowl is filled with water. Ripples
Begin in the darkened water. Nostradamus begins to go
Into a deep trance. His journal is open in which he will
Write his visions while in trance.

Nostradamus goes into trance scrying into the tripod�s
Dark waters. Visions appear in the dark waters. NAPOLEON
Appears in the many portraits made of him in his life.

NOSTRADAMUS
(in trance)
An Emperor will be born near Italy
He will cost his empire very dearly
They will say that by the people
That surround him. He will be found
Less a prince than a butcher. From
A simple soldier, he will obtain the
Empire. From a short robe, he will
Obtain the long.

Visions appear in the dark water of Napoleon in his
Emperor�s robe and crown.

NOSTRADAMUS
(agitated in trance)
An antichrist...

CONTINUED

2.


2 CONTINUED 2

More visions appear in the dark waters. Visions of
Hitler in his rise to power in Germany. Parades of
Adoring Germans, throwing flowers in his path.

NOSTRADAMUS
(in trance)
A captain of greater Germancy
Will by his speeches, seduce
Great numbers. The most part
Of the battlefield will be
Against Hister. They shall sub-
Jugate the borders of the Danube.
They shall pursue the crooked cross
Of iron.
(becoming more agitated)
antichrist!

Nostradamus has been writing all this time in his
Journal.

More visions appear in the darkened waters of the
Tripod. Visions of Sadam appear and visions of the
Gulf War appear. Parades of Sadam with cheers from
The crowds.

NOSTRADAMUS
(very agitated)
Very nearly a million men toward
Persia. The true serpent will
Invade Benzantium and Egypt. He
Will enter wicked, infamous villian.
Tyrannizing over Mesopotamia. The
Land black and horrible in appearance.
(becoming very agitated)
Antichrists, antichrist, my God!

Nostradamus awakens from his trance. He stands up
Very startled, knocking the tripod over. He reads
What he has written in his journal. We see that the
Title of his journal is �The Centuries� by Michael de
Nostradamus�.

Nostradamus picks up his quill and dabs it into the
Inkwell. He writes in his journal.

NOSTRADAMUS
(to himself)
I, Michael de Nostradamus, have
At my disposal, volumes, which
Have long been hidden. But,
Dreading what use may be made of
Them, I consign them to the

CONTINUED

3.


2 CONTINUED 2

NOSTRADAMUS (CONT�D)
Flames.

Nostradamus picks up several magic books on the
Table and throws them into the central fireplace.
An errie, ethereal glow emanates from the fire,
Filling the entire secret study. Nostradamus picks
Up his journal, The Centuries, and is about to consign
This magical volume to the flames.

Suddenly, a hand reaches out to stop him just at the
Last minute. It is the ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL.

Raphael is dressed in long robes befitting the times
Of 1555.

RAPHAEL
Not so fast, my friend. Michael
De Nostradamus! Well done, well
Done. For now I know where to
Find him!

Raphael closes the journal and walks from the
Room.

Nostradamus holds his hands to his head screaming.

NOSTRADAMUS
My God, my God. What have
I done. Raphael!

Raphael holds his finger up to his lips. The
Fireplace explodes with a terrible ethereal fire.
Raphael walks from the room just in time not to
Be consumed in its fire!

3 EXT. MICHAEL DE NOSTRADAMUS� HOME � NIGHT 3

From the windows of the secret upstairs study, we
See the weird, ethereal glow. We hear Nostradamus�
Screams!

Raphael walks away from the house carrying the journal
With him. He smiles a wicked smile. He holds his
Finger up to his mouth.

4 EXT. SECRET CHEMICAL FACILITY � SADAM�S SECRET GERM 4
WARFARE FACILITY � IN THE DESERT NEAR BAGHDAD, IRAQ-
PRESENT DAY � DAY

Several UNITED NATIONS GERM WARFARE INSPECTORS are
Being rudely escorted from the secret germ warfare

CONTINUED

4.


4 CONTINUED 4

facility into a waiting van. The IRAQUI SECURITY
GUARDS are armed. An IRAQUI GUARD roughly escorts
STEVEN, one of the UN inspectors into the van.
Steven is resigned to his situation.

The van drives away. Steven, resigned, looks out of
The van�s window at the secret germ warfare facility.

WOMAN CNN NEWS REPORTER
(voice over)
An alarming turn of events
Today as United Nations In-
Spectors were denied access
To what is believed to be a
Secret germ warfare facility
Outside Baghdad, Iraq today.
UN President, Zachary Graham,
Warned Iraq of irreconcilable
Consequences.

5 INT. HOTEL ROOM � HOUSTON, TEXAS � EVENING 5

Raphael is watching the woman CNN news reporter
On a television set in a small hotel room. He
Is holding a copy of the Gideon Bible in his hand.
Raphael gets up from the small chair he is sitting
In and walks over to turn the television off.

RAPHAEL
Everything�s in play.

Raphael closes the bible he is reading.

6 INT. HOTEL LOBBY ADJACENT TO THE HOTEL BANQUET 6

Raphael walks through the hotel lobby. He walks
Up to the door of the hotel banquet room.

There is a photo of MEGHAN on the Marquette.

Raphael stops before the marquet outside the banquet
Room. The marquet announces, �WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL
PAGAN AWARENESS CONFERENCE�. Well known author and
Witch, Meghan O�Brian, gives the inside story on what
Goes on among those who live, practice, and believe
In magic.

RAPHAEL
(reading aloud to himself from
                                   the marquet).
Well known author and witch, Meghan

CONTINUED


5.


6 CONTINUED 6

RAPHAEL (CONT�D)
O�Brian gives the inside story
On what goes on among those who
Live, practice, and believe in
Magic!

Raphael gently touches the photo.

RAPHAEL
That face, that face�

7 INT. HOTEL BANQUET ROOM � EVENING 7

The banquet room is quite full. Those attending
Are seated at small tables. Many people are having
Refreshments as they wait for the conference to be-
Gin. Many people wear pentagrams and other occult
Jewelry.

Raphael enters the banquet room and passes a table,
Where four unsavory men are seated. They are
SATANISTS. They wear the inverted pentagram
Necklaces around their necks. They are dressed
In black. Raphael suddenly appears back at the table
And leans over to chat with them.

RAPHAEL
(Conspiratorily)
Say, don�t I know you guys?

SATANIST
No, man, you don�t know
Us.

RAPHAEL
(insistently)
That�s funny, �cause I never
Forget a face�

SATANIST
(irritated)
Listen, man, we don�t know
You. Why don�t you have a
Seat and hear what little
Samantha Stevens has to say.

The Satanists begin to laugh viciously.

RAPHAEL
Well, OK, I was sure I
Knew you guys. We�ll meet

                CONTINUED


6.


7 CONTINUED 7

RAPHAEL (CONT�D)
Again, I�m pretty sure. Jerry,
Isn�t it? See ya later.

This startles JERRY, one of the men in the group.

The Satanists snicker at Raphael as he finds a table
And orders a drink from a WAITRESS.

A LADY ANNOUNCER approaches the microphone. She
Holds the night�s itinerary before her.

LADY ANNOUNCER
(with enthusiasm)
Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome
To the Annual Pagan Awareness
Conference!

There is applause from the audience.

LADY ANNOUNCER
The purpose of the Pagan Aware-
Ness Conference is both to inform
And enlighten not only those of
You in the Wiccan community, but
Those of you who are nonwiccans,
Cowans. So, without further adieu,
It is my pleasure to introduce
Meghan O�Brian, one of the world�s
Best-known authors and Witches.

There is applause from the audience.

MEGHAN O�BRIAN, a pretty brunette in her mid thirties
Approaches the microphone.

MEGHAN
I am a Witch.

There is applause from the audience.

MEGHAN
We Witches can date our Old Religion
Back to the days when man was first
In the world, looking with wonderment
Around him. The seasons and their
Ever renewing cycles in the Wheel of
The Year. In these ancient times, our
Ancestors adored the Mother Goddess
And the Father God just as we do now.
In the early days, there was no other
Gods and no man was foolish enough

CONTINUED

7.


7 CONTINUED 7

MEGHAN (CONT�D)
To think that he could flaunt the duality
Of these gods and get away with it.
Then, in his pride, man began to conceive
Of a god made in the image of man;
From this time, intolerance and hatred
Began to bring new dimensions to religion.
In time, even from Christianity sprang
Satanism. If there is a god, then there
Must be a Devil� From good, evil�

A SATANIST interrupts Meghan�s lecture.

SATANIST
(sarcastically)
Do you worship the Devil?

MEGHAN
No, I do not worship the Devil!

Raphael interrupts Meghan�s lecture.

RAPHAEL
Do you believe in God?

MEGHAN
No� That is� I do not believe
In a god who walked on the earth
As a human being. Wicca is not
The only religion believing in
Jesus Christ as a teacher rather
Than a god.

RAPHAEL
What do you worship?

MEGHAN
I acknowledge the existence of
Something much greater than myself,
A Creative Force, a Supreme Being.
From the Supreme Being comes a store
Of energy capable of sending down
Neutral forces which are used by the
Individual. It is the individual who
Decides which way occult forces will
Be used; for good, as in Wicca, or for
Destructive purposes as in black magick.
This is one of the virtues of having
Free will. A Satanist, a black magician,
If you will, uses the forces destructively,
Whereas a member of Wicca is more interested
In using the forces for healing and helping

CONTINUED

8.


7 CONTINUED 7

MEGHAN (CONT�D)
Someone.

A SATANIST interrupts Meghan�s lecture.

SATANIST
Do Satanists really exist?
Isn�t that a myth?

MEGHAN
To make the mistake of thinking
That Satanists do not exist
Today is folly! In my opinion
Dark forces are gathering now at
A much greater rate than ever
Since the Middle Ages.

Raphael interrupts Meghan�s lecture.

RAPHAEL
Where would you say that these
Dark forces are gathering in the
World?

MEGHAN
In the Middle East. Especially
In Iraq. We see it every night
On the news. UN inspectors being
Denied access to what is believed
To be secret germ warfare facilities.
This affects me personally, as my
Husband is one of those UN inspectors.
I am very concerned about his safety.
(returning to her lecture)
I, like most Witches here, worry
That Witchcraft is increasing in
Practice. It is because man is so
Very human and is by nature power
Obsessed.

8 INT. HERBAL SHOP � HOUSTON � DAY 8

Meghan selects several herbs for a sachet. TWO
LADIES, recognizing Meghan, approach her and
Greet her. Each lady holds a basket of herbs.
And several poppets, puppets for occult magic.

MEGHAN
(voice over)
Let me tell you a story. One
Day, while out shopping for some
Herbs for a sachet I was making,

CONTINUED

9.


8 CONTINUED 8

MEGHAN (CONT�D)
I ran into two ladies that I
Knew.

The two ladies whisper conspiratorially in her ear,
Laughing.

MEGHAN
(voice over)
They confided in me that they
Had a friend who was going to
Show them how to put a hex on
Their husbands.

9 INT. LIVING ROOM OF ONE OF THE LADIES � DAY 9

The lady�s HUSBAND slaps her across the cheek and
She falls onto the sofa. She holds her hand to her
Cheek.

MEGHAN
(voice over)
I could sympathize with her
Interest in getting rid of him.

10 INT. LIVING ROOM OF ONE OF THE LADIES � EVENING 10

The lady sits on the sofa. She hands a small bag
To a SATANIST, one of the Satanists attending Meghan�s
Lecture. He takes a bag of herbs and begins to stuff
The poppet. He begins to sew them up with needle and
Thread.

11 EXT. CEMETERY � HOUSTON � VARIOUS SHOTS � DAY 11

A funeral service is in progress. MOURNERS weep
As the casket is lowered into the grave. The Lady,
Dressed in black, throws a small clump of earth into
The grave. As she moves back into the sad group
Of mourners, the Satanist approaches her and whispers
Into her ear.

The Lady moves away from him. He grabs her arm
Hurtfully.

MEGHAN
(voice over)
The Satanist wants his payment.
And in a way he is right. The
Lady contracted him for results,
And he got them. Now he wants
Her to pay and pay�

CONTINUED

10


12 INT. HOTEL BANQUET ROOM � EVENING 12

Meghan closes her lecture.

MEGHAN
I use this example, merely
To show that the role we
Witches must play in this
New century, is to educate.
We celebrate the Mother Goddess
And Father God with love and
Joy and the Wiccan Rede, An
Ye harm none do what ye will.
Thank you.

The audience burst into applause.

13 INT. HOTEL BAR � LATER THAT EVENING 13

Meghan sits at the hotel bar sipping from her
Drink. Raphael sits down at the bar beside her.

RAPHAEL
Hello, there.

MEGHAN
Hello.

RAPHAEL
I enjoyed your lecture tonight.
It�s so rare to hear such an in-
Telligent discussion of good and
Evil.

MEGHAN
Well, I thank you.

RAPHAEL
My name is Raphael.

Raphael extends his hand to her and shakes her hand.

MEGHAN
Meghan� Pleased to meet you.
Raphael. Raphael, as in, the
Archangel Raphael.

RAPHAEL
(taking Meghan�s hand)
Now, Meghan, you must tell
Me everything about yourself.
You understand, everything.

Meghan goes into a trance.

CONTINUED

11.


14 EXT. MACHU PICCHU, PERU � 1965 � VARIOUS SHOTS � DAY 14

The FOLLOWING WORDS appear on the screen:

                                                              MACHU PICCHU, PERU
                                                                                1965

Machu Picchu is situated 50 miles northwest of Cuzco,
Peru. It is an ancient Inca town overlooking the Urubamba
Valley.

The most famous feature of the site is a carved natural
Stone, known as Intihuatana, enclosed by curved walls of
Dressed stone with trapezoidal windows. The stone and its
Complex of surrounding walls is related to the sun religion
Of the Inca.

15 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ADJACENT TO THE INTIHUATANA STONE � DAY 15

An archaeological dig on the Machu Picchu site in Peru
Is being carried out by DR. FERNANDO, a very handsome
Spanish, archaeologist and various STUDENTS.

A grid, with ropes, has been placed over the site adjacent
To the Intihuatana Stone. Students are digging in various
Grids. Some use brushes, painfully going about the task
Of brushing earth from various sections of the grid. Some
Sections of the grid, reveal partially unearthed bones of
Infants. Suddenly, a student unearths a statue.

STUDENT
(excitedly)
Dr. Fernando! Dr. Fernando!

Dr. Fernando, very athletic in his thirties, runs
Hurridly towards the student.

DR. FERNANDO
Yes, what is it?

STUDENT
I�ve uncovered a statue!
So far, this is the only
Artifact uncovered in the
Burial site!

Dr. Fernando takes the statue from the student and
Gently uses a brush to brush off the remaining dust.

WHAT HE SEES. The statue is one of an extremely
Disturbing and ugly Inca god.

DR. FERNANDO
(to himself)


CONTINUED
12.


15 CONTINUED 15

DR. FERNANDO (CONT�D)
Strange. This is a statue
Of an Inca god. Obviously
One of sacrifice, but only
Just discovered today. I�ve
Never encountered this god
Anywhere in my research.

The student takes the statue and holds it only for
A moment.

STUDENT
I don�t like the way it
Feels. It gives me the
Creeps.

DR. FERNANDO
(smiles)
Yes, you might be right.

16 INT. DR. FERNANDO�S TENT � MACHU PICCHU � NIGHT 16

Dr. Fernando sits at a small table with an oil lamp
As the only light in the room. He examines the statue
Of the Inca god and measures it, writing the measure-
Ments in the site journal.

DR. FERNANDO
(to himself)
Strange indeed. A statue
Of an unknown Inca god. The
Only artifact to be found in
A burial site of fifty sacri-
Ficed infants.

Suddenly, there is the sound of gunshots outside.
There is a loud scream. Dr. Fernando jumps up from
His chair. The tent flap is thrown back suddenly,
And a ROBBER carrying a shotgun enters the tent. The
Robber�s face is covered with a bandanna. He is well
Dressed in a suit and coat and wears black gloves. The
Robber points the shotgun directly at Dr. Fernando. Dr.
Fernando raises his hands slowly.

17 INT. MEGHAN O�BRIAN�S OCCULT SHOT � BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 17
HALLOWEEN � PRESENT DAY � NIGHT

Meghan O�Brian�s Occult Shop is a small store fully
Supplied with occult inventory. There are bookstands
Filled to overflowing with books on every subject of
The occult. There are stands with candles and large
Jars of herbs. There are posters with occult themes and art

CONTINUED

13.


17 CONTINUED 17

such as: The Earth Is Our Mother, Treat Her with Re-
spect, My Other Car Is A Broom, My Karma Ran Over My
Dogma, etc. There is a large display of occult jewelry
And crystals.

Meghan is dressed as a witch for Halloween. IDA, her
Younger sister, is dressed as a princess and GERALDINE,
Her older sister, is dressed in a very gaudy belly
Dancing outfit, which she is really too fat for. Meghan\
And her sisters are enjoying candied apples which Meghan
Has made for the Trick or Treaters.

Several TRICK OR TREATERS dressed in Halloween costumes,
Burst into the shop. They all wear masks.

Meghan takes several candied apples from a tray on
The counter and hands them out to the trick or treaters.
The treaters take their treats and leave for a
Night of trick or treating.

MEGHAN
Happy Halloween!

TREATERS
Happy Halloween to you
Meghan!

A SALESMAN enters the store. He is well dressed in a
Suit and tie. A hat nearly covers his face. He wears
Black gloves. He carries a bag.

SALESMAN
Are you the owner of this
Establishment?

MEGHAN
Yes, I am.

SALESMAN
I wonder if I might be able to
Intaerest you in some of my wares.
Some are quite exotic, quite au-
Thentic. I�ve collected many from
The far reaches of the globe as it
Were.

The Salesman places his small bag onto Meghan�s
Countear. He takes out several small statues. He
Places the small statue of the Inca god, stolen
From Dr. Fernando at the Machu Picchu site in
Peru, reverently into her hands. Obviously, the
Salesman was responsible for the theft of the

CONTINUED

14.


17 CONTINUED 17

statue. He is the robber!

Several more TRICK OR TREATERS enter the shop for
Treats.

MEGHAN
(wanting to be rid of the salesman)
Well, look�Alright, how
Much?

SALESMAN
For you my dear, one hundred
Dollars.

Meghan reaches into her purse on the counter and
Hands him the money.

SALESMAN
                                        (with wicked irony)
May you enjoy it my dear.

MEGHAN
Yeah, whatever.

At this moment, EDGAR, a large, black, raven, perches
On Meghan�s shoulder.

MEGHAN
Edgar! I wondere
You�ve been this evening!
You almost missed the treaters!

EDGAR
Frankly, Miss Scarlet. Frankly
Miss Scarlett.

MEGHAN
Stop!

18 INT. MEGHAN O�BRIAN�S OCCULT SHOP � CHRISTMAS 18
SEASON � DAY

The statue of the Inca god is displayed on its own
Stand in a corner of the shop. FATHER DOHERTY, an
Elderly priest, dressed in the traditional black cas-
Sock of the Catholic church stands before the statue.
He examines it in a reflective, but critical manner.

Meghan enters the shop and takes off her coat and
Hat, hanging them on a coat tree.

CONTINUED



15.


18 CONTINUED 18

MEGHAN
(noticing Father Doherty)
Father Doherty, how are you?

FATHER DOHERTY
Oh, just fine, my girl. Say,
This is some statue, you�ve got
Here. Evil looking little thing.

MEGHAN
Yeah, it is. Supposed to be
Of an Inca god.

FATHER DOHERTY
It looks valuable. Authentic.
Do you mind if I examine it?

MEGHAN
Yeah, sure, go ahead.

Father Doherty picks up the statue and the expression
Changes from its usually amicable one, to fear.

MEGHAN
(concerned for Father
Doherty)
Father, are you all right?

FATHER DOHERTY
(taking a second to recover)
Oh, yes, my girl. Quite all right.
Thing felt like it fairly gave me a
Jolt.

MEGHAN
Are you sure, you�re all right?

FATHER DOHERTY
Oh, yes, quite.

Father Doherty gazes at the statue with a very
Sober countenance.

19 INT. MEGHAN O�BRIAN�S OCCULT SHOP � THE FOLLOWING 19
CHRISTMAS

Meghan O�Brian�s Occult Shop is decked out with
Christmas trimmings. Ida is closing up the shop.
The lights in the shop are off. Just as Ida places
The �Closed� sign in the shop door, a sharp rapping
Is heard.

CONTINUED


16.


19 CONTINUED 19

A dark silhouette of a man appears outside the shop
Door! He presses his face to the door. It is the
Archaeologist, Dr. Fernando!

DR. FERNANDO
(urgently from outside the door)
Please, I need to speak with a
Miss Meghan O�Brian.

IDA
I�m sorry, she�s not here. The
Shop is closed.

DR. FERNANDO
Please. I�ve come a very long
Way, on urgent business. I need
To speak with Miss O�Brian.

IDA
I�m sorry, but�Oh, all right!

Ida opens the door half way.

IDA
All right, what is this about?

Dr. Fernando steps into the shop and he is now in
His sixties, with much gray in his hair.

DR. FERNANDO
It�s about a statue�

IDA
Look, I don�t want you to
Say anything to her that
Will upset her. Meghan is
Nine months pregnant.

DR. FERNANDO
Oh, my God! No!

20 INT. MEGHAN O�BRAIN�S HOME � A MILE AWAY � NIGHT 20

Steven is sitting on his sofa. The doorbell rings and
He gets up to answer the door.

Ida and Dr. Fernando rush in.

IDA
Dr. Fernando this is Steven,
Meghan�s husband. Steven, this
Is Dr. Fernando. He has urgent

CONTINUED

17.


20 CONTINUED 20

IDA (CONT�D)
Business with Meghan.

STEVEN
What urgaent business?

 

 

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Copyright © 2002 Teresa Ann Salyer
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"