Night Clerk (3)
Kline bends at the knees, dropping eye to eye with Jerry. KLINE Jerry. Your nails don’t grow. Neither does your hair. It never has, not once in thirty years. (beat) Do you remember when I drew your blood a few years back? He nods. KLINE (cont’d) Those samples disappeared like they’d never been, right after you left the building. Just clean empty test tubes. There’s never been any proof you exist...until now. JERRY What does that mean? KLINE I have no idea but I am going to find out. EXT. THE STREET OUTSIDE JERRY’S APARTMENT -DAY The station wagon chugs to a stop across the street from Jerry’s apartment building. INT. STATION WAGON -DAY Pitcher yawns and stretches, and tries to rub the sleep from his eye. Harris reaches forward and taps Morse on the shoulder. She snaps awake, unsure of her whereabouts for a moment, then collects her self. MORSE Is this it? Pitcher nods and points to the apartment building: PITCHER Vamp central. EXT. THE STREET OUTSIDE JERRY’S APARTMENT -DAY A red early 90’s civic zips around the corner and screechs to a stop in front of the building, across the street from the stationwagon. Kerry jumps out of the car and slams the door, storming towards a side entrance of the building. INT. STATION WAGON -DAY Harris squints at her. HARRIS That’s his girlfriend. MORSE Are you sure? Harris hands her a file-folder. HARRIS See for yourself. Morse scans a thin file dominated by an ID photo from the call center. Pitcher watches the sun rise higher above the horizon. PITCHER Sun’s full-up, boss. Harris nods, silently staring at the building. PITCHER (cont’d) Either he’s in his coffin or he ain’t coming home today. MORSE He might have been delayed or something... (beat) ...hey, you guys got a theory why they can’t go out in the daylight? Pitcher smiles. HARRIS Let’s find a motel. Jerry isn’t going anywhere and we all some shut-eye. INT. DR. KLINE’S OFFICE -DAY Kline backs into her office, telling her receptionist to continue holding calls. The room is still as dark as it can be. Bright strips of light criss-cross the room as Kline makes to switch on the light and stops herself. She drops a large pile of papers and reports onto a chair, then crosses the room to the closet. She knocks quietly on the door and opens it. KLINE (whispering) Jerry? A dark shape shifts with a loud snore. Kline smiles ruefully (its a familiar sound) and closes the door. She walks to the desk and snaps on the desk lamp. She sighs and sits, and after a moment she reaches for the phone-- INT. JERRY’S APARTMENT -KITCHEN -DAY KERRY --HE’S WHERE!?! She’s pacing back and forth in the kitchen. She stops, her shoulders slumping. KERRY (cont’d) I’m sorry Doctor Kline. I just wish Jerry had to call me himself. (listens) I’m glad its nothing serious. Thank you again for letting me know. Please ask him to call me as soon as he can, okay? (listens) Thanks again, good-bye. She hangs up, then stares at the phone for a moment. Tears well up and she begins to sob, covering her mouth with both hands, trying to hold it in. She slowly slides down the wall, unable to contain herself. INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY Pitcher is curled into a fetal position, the covers curled around him, breathing softly through his mouth. Harris is stretched out on the other single bed, his face still tight even though he is asleep. Steam billows out from the bathroom’s half-opened door. INT. HOTEL ROOM BATHROOM -DAY Morse wraps a towel around herself, tucking the end in just before her armpit.She rubs the steam off the grimy mirror with one hand and stares long and hard at herself, studying her tired eyes and the lines forming around her mouth. She grimaces slightly and runs a brush through her hair. INT. HOTEL ROOM -DAY Morse steps out of the bathroom in a grey robe, tieing off the sash. She pulls a ball of clothes from under one arm and tosses it towards her open suitcase in the corner of the room. The small suitcase is surrounded by equipment cases, a duffel bag and well-worn backpack. HARRIS (whispers) Feel better? MORSE (hisses) Dammit! Stop that! He smiles, a tight line. HARRIS You need to get some sleep. He sits up. HARRIS (cont’d) Bed’s all yours. MORSE S’okay, I’m not tired. HARRIS Don’t bother with the tough act, Agent, I need you at your best. She opens her mouth to argue but stops. She sags slightly and then moves towards the bed as he moves away from it. MORSE All right. You sure? HARRIS It’s okay, Morse. Get some rest. She pulls down the sheets and slips into the bed, fluffing the pillow. She turns on one side, away from Harris, hiding that her eyes are wide open. She listens, trying to figure out what he is doing. Harris watches her for a moment and then, as quietly as possible, opens the room’s door and slips out, closing it silently behind him. Morse lets her eyes droop closed and falls quickly asleep. INT. A RED-WALLED ROOM-NIGHT Dark red curtains hang over red-velvet covered walls. Francais Bacon paintings hang like dark blotches on each wall. A large red-wood desk dominates one corner while a full wet-bar stands diagonally across from it. A bartender, young, thin, dark hair with dramatically pale skin, dries glasses and sets them done on the counter. Double doors swing open at the end of the room, announcing the entrance of an impossibly beautiful woman. Long thick black hair follows her, bouncing off the shoulders of her black business suit. She strides towards the desk. SASHA (to bartender) Ronaldo, a drink! He grins and grabs a bottle of vodka, then leans to the BAR FRIDGE. This is the same woman that killed the victim of Jerry’s vision. Her voice is immediately familiar as the one who threatened Kerry. She slides into a large leather chair, crossing her ankles on the edge of the desk. She leans back in the chair, finding a thin cigar and lighting it. Ronaldo crosses the room placing her glass on the desk. Red liquid shimmers in the light. SASHA Thank you darling, that will be all. He bows and leaves the room, pulling the doors closed behind him. She sips at the drink, leaving red marks at the corners of her mouth and closes her eyes, her head lolling back in relaxation. There is a quiet shuffle of a pair shoes across the carpet. She smiles, eyes still closed. SASHA (cont’d) Henry! Welcome! The tall black man tosses a thick file on top of the desk. HENRY We have more pressing matters than this man, this ‘Jerry’. This corporation is a garden that requires constant attention from its CEO and she has been distracted of late. (beat) Magistrix. SASHA All things will wait until I am ready to address them. Nothing is more important than finding him, what does he call himself now? Jerry? Finding Jerry and returning him to my flock. Absence may make the heart grow fonder but 300 years worth is quite enough. (glares) Anything else? HENRY ...no. No Magistrix. He turns to leave. SASHA I have great faith that you can handle things while I am away. HENRY Magistrix! I--thank you-- SASHA However, do not become comfortable, I won’t be gone long. He smiles a cold smile, revealing incisors of a slightly unnatural length and turns to leave, already plotting. Sasha watches him go and then presses a small intercom button. SASHA Henry requires a trip to the box for the duration of my absence. MAN’S VOICE (over intercom) (most respectful) Yes Magistrix...your certain that is desire? SASHA (joyful) Are you questioning me? MAN’S VOICE No Magistrix! She then snaps the intercom off. She touches a small button under the lip of a the desk and almost immediately the Lasher (the latte sipping man from earlier) strides into the room. SASHA (cont’d) Oh Lasher! You have done a simply marvelous job and now the time has come. Jerry’s memory must be returning by now and I cannot wait to see his face when I arrive at his doorstep after all these centuries. LASHER Magistrix. SASHA Go now, and clear my path. Eyes gleaming he smiles and quickly leaves. Sasha returns to the desk and puffs her cigar, laughing. INT. DR. KLINE’S OFFICE - THE CLOSET -DAY Jerry kicks at the closet door as he sleeps. He tosses and turns, deep in the throes of a nightmare, worse and more vivid than any that have come before.... EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA CIRCA 1781 -NIGHT ....a beautiful woman, the victim from his vision, laughs as she tugs at his arm, half-dragging him up a dirt street. The street is lit by the full moon and a few sputtering torches. (All dialogue is in french with subtitles) GENEVIEVE (french with subtitles) JEAN! Jean, let us go, my love,you have great things awaiting you at home. JERRY/JEAN (french) You devil! Calm down. There is no need to hurry. We have as much time as we want, now. GENEVIEVE If my father were here, you would move more quickly I think. JERRY/JEAN Unfortunately he is more than two towns away and does not know that we have escaped into the night to live in sin! GENEVIEVE Only until we are wed and then you are mine forever. JERRY/JEAN I am already that cherie. She begins to sing dramatically, pulling him closer to dance up the street with her. He spins her away and then back into his arms, kissing her with the passion of youth. JERRY/JEAN (whispers in her ear) Genevieve. I will love you forever GENEVIEVE (laughing) Of course you will! How you could do less when I have given up my life for you? JERRY/JEAN (sobering) But I wonder if you are trying to make me feel guilty, cherie? GENEVIEVE I would dare that and all other things to be your wife. You are my mine now, and I am yours. Jean lifts and spins her laughing loudly as she shrieks with delight. He returns her to her feet, unaware of the presence behind him. Genevieve screams again, with fear not joy as a demonic creature grabs Jean by the back of the neck with one hand and effortlessly flings him down the road. GENEVIEVE (screams) JEAN!! He lands hard in the mud, near a pile of horse shit with a shovel sticking out of it. The breath is knocked out of him. The creature hisses. She backs away as the creature bares impossibly long fangs and glowing yellow eyes. Its nails are talons and they dance threateningly before her. Jean struggles to remain conscious. The creatures hisses again, frightening Genevieve back again-- --into the arms of another creature. It snickers as she screams and struggles, held fast in the impossibly strong arms. It’s fangs draw close to her bare neck, saliva dripping onto her flawless skin. The first creature cackles as it watches, licking its lips at the meal to come. The other being’s fangs dent her skin above the artery-- --A shattered wooden shaft pierces the first vampire’s(duh) chest. It screams, clawing at the shaft as Jean tries to dig the broken shovel deeper into the vampire as it writhes in agony. The other creature throws Genevieve to the ground stunning her and moves to attack Jean. The wounded vampire screams hideously. Bright blue sparks begin to issue from the wound in its chest,flowing out over its body to each extremity. Jean watches in horror, overwhelmed. The vampire begins to flicker and distort like video image filled with interference, and spasms wildly. Jean clings to the shovel like it was bucking bronco, his feet bouncing off the ground. The vampire screechs once and arcs like a broken transformer, brilliant blue sparks exploding everywhere, knocking Jean to the ground. The second vampire roars its outrage over its disintegrated brethren and lunges at Jean, who, kneeling, valiantly jabs the charred tip of the shovel handle at the oncoming creature-- SASHA STOP!!!! The vampire freezes, turning to the source of the command. Sasha, dressed in a black leather corset and flowing black velvet cape lined with red silk, saunters over to the sitting man and the vampire standing over him. She smiles seductively, bringing all her ample talents to bear, aimed at Jean. After an eyeful and a moment to steady himself, Jean blushes and looks away. The vampire backs away as she draws near, standing over Jean. SASHA (whispering) You are indeed a gentleman, but I wouldn’t dress this way if I did not want to be appreciated. She reaches down, a finger to Jean’s chin, urging him to look at her. Jean tries to look elsewhere but soon finds himself lost in her eyes. MAN’S VOICE SASHA! The moment is broken as they both turn towards it. A tall dapper nobleman, Lucien, walks quickly towards them. LUCIEN This one must die. SASHA Oh but he’s so pretty. Please, his life? For me? LUCIEN He has slain one of us. Though it was obviously an unintentional, vengeance must be had. JERRY/JEAN It was no accident! LUCIEN Oh but it was. You do not know what we are. Nor do you know how effective that rough spear would be. JERRY/JEAN I know now. SASHA ooooooh, the fire in him. I must have him, Lucien, I must. (cozying up to Lucien) You know had bored I get... Jean gains his feet and starts looking for Genevieve, finding her being held by another vampire, Vladimir. JERRY/JEAN RELEASE HER! Her screams are muffled by Vladimir’s hand, one of her arms hammerlocked behind her back. Vladimir glares at Jean and licks Genevieve’s ear. JERRY/JEAN (cont’d) BASTARD!!! Jean launches himself at the vampire, swinging what’s left of the shovel like a bat. LUCIEN STOP THIS! STOP NOW IF YOU WISH FOR HER TO LIVE! Jean freezes. Smouldering, he turns to glare at Lucien and Sasha. JERRY/JEAN What do you want? SASHA I want you my sweet. Give yourself to me and we will release your wench unharmed. Jean is stunned. LUCIEN Very Well, Sasha. You must decide and quickly, hero. Genevieve’s muffled screams echo across the road. Tears are streaming down her face, her eyes begging Jean not to do this, not even for her. Jean bites back tears as he meets her eyes. JERRY/JEAN (cont’d) (WHISPERING) I love you. She screams as he nods to Sasha The vampire mistress giggles in delight and saunters over to him. SASHA An excellent choice, my sweet. She runs her index finger across his chest as she circles him, impossibly rising as if she was climbing stairs, until she is at eye level with him. Valdimir removes his hand allowing Genevieve to scream at Jean. GENEVIEVE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Jean winces at the sound, trying to ignore her as Sasha leans in to him. SASHA (coos) Oh I am going to enjoy this... He stares straight ahead as she bares her fangs and drives them deep into his neck. Genevieve shrieks and Vladimir lets her collapse, sobbing. Jean squirms as Sasha drinks from him, blood splashing down his shirt. He grows paler and paler, weakening from the blood loss. LUCIEN Are you quite done yet? She releases Jean with satisfied growl, her mouth strangely unmarred by blood. Jean falls to the ground, near death, unable to move. SASHA Rest my sweet. You made the right choice, though you may not think so now. This is for the best. She turns, gesturing to Vladimir, who hauls Genevieve to her feet. LUCIEN I could not live with myself if I knew that you would spend the rest of eternity moping. Mourning the loss of your one true love. Dazed Genevieve takes moment to realize what’s happening before beginning to scream again. GENEVIEVE No! NO!!!! She struggles harder when she sees that Jean is still alive. Vladimir holds her still as Lucien wanders over to them. He throws a semi-conscious Jean a grin and bares his fangs, terrifying Genevieve even more, before biting into her. JERRY/JEAN NOOOO!!!! Jean screams and weeps as he watches, anger and frustration coloring his face. His body begins to shifts and change, warping and shimmering in a way similar to the death throes of the earlier vampire. Jean screams soundlessly as the air is driven from his body. Blue sparks crackle and flicker about him as he begins to thrash and fight-- --there is a brilliant flash of light and the sense of his body imploding. He seems to become incorporeal, his clothing deflating like balloons until they lie empty on the ground. Jean is like a phantasm lying atop the clothing, his translucent form still dressed in the same clothes. As he sits up he quickly becomes less transparent until he has returned to ‘normal’. Lucien is gorging himself on Genevieve. Blood has pooled around their feet and she dangles seemingly lifeless from Vladimir’s arms. Sasha watches with delight, oohing and ahhing. SASHA She looks delicious! She turns to check on Jean to find him gone. SASHA (cont’d) Where has my darling gone? Lucien screams as the charred tip of the shovel handle juts out of his chest. Jean lifts him easily, his face painted with rage. His eyes gleam with madnerss as he holds the sparking figure over his head. SASHA (cont’d) LUCIEN!!!! NOOO!!!! She hisses, moving to leap into the fray. Vladimir leaps at her, stopping her. VLADAIMIR NOW IS NOT THE TIME. HE IS GONE! SASHA NO!! VLADAIMIR HE IS GONE!!! She struggles a moment more, then sags against him. They turn to flee but inspiration colors her face. Sasha turns to some insidious deed.. Lucien’s death cry rattles across the hills, spooking cattle and waking fearful farmers. He shimmers as the earlier vampire did but begins to grow brighter as the interference arcs over him. In a massive flash of light, Lucien explodes but then implodes like a bomb under water. Pure energy lights up the area and then, all at once, flows into Jean, who collapses into the mud, unconscious. EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD- NEAR DAWN Jean awakens, just as dawn approaches. He shakes his head clear, trying to remember the earlier events. JERRY/JEAN Genevieve! He spins, looking any sign of the other. He spots muddy clothes and moves to them. They are his own but in his frenzy he doesn’t recognize them. He crosses over to where Lucien died. Small puddles of dirty blood are here and there, the dry ground soaking up the liquid and forming a dark red-brown crust. A few feet away, half-buried in the mud is Genevieve’s
Copyright © 2001 Robin Taylor |