The Obsessive, Part 14

BEGIN SHOWDOWN MONTAGE.

Play Europe’s “The Final Countdown.”

SCHOOL GYM

The crowd arrives at the gym.

BUS

Kora looks dismal on the bus.

SCHOOL GYM

Once the beat begins, show crowd get fired up.

BUS STOP

Kora gets off the bus near a forest.

SCHOOL GYM

The cheerleaders get ready to introduce the team. Julian and Andrew wait for Kora to arrive.

FOREST 1

After fifty five seconds, the beat changes. At this point, Kora enters the forest.

SCHOOL GYM

The football players and coach run into the room. No sign of Kora.

FOREST 2

Kora walks cautiously through the woods.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
We’re leaving together, but
it’s still farewell.

SCHOOL GYM

The pep rally begins. Julian and Andrew cannot find Kora.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
And maybe we’ll come back
to earth, who can tell?
I guess there’s no one to blame.

FOREST 3

Kora keeps walking.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
We’re leaving ground,
will things ever be the same again?
It’s the final countdown!

SCHOOL GYM

As the pep rally continues, Julian and Andrew grow more and more anxious.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
We’re heading for Venus and
still we stand tall,
’cause maybe they’ve seen us
and welcome us all.

FOREST 4

Kora keeps walking.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
With so many light years to go
and things to be found,
I’m sure that we’ll all miss her so.
It’s the final countdown.

SCHOOL GYM

During instrumental solo, Andrew and Julian give up.

JULIAN:
She’s not coming. Where could
she be?

ANDREW:
Let’s go find her.

JULIAN:
Where?

ANDREW:
I know where she is.

JULIAN:
How?

ANDREW:
Trust me.

FOREST 5

Kora is still moving.

ANDREW’S CAR

Andrew races down the highway with Julian to get her.

FOREST 6

Kora is still moving, but she starts to hesitate.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s the final countdown.

BUS STOP

Andrew parks by the bus stop. Julian and Andrew race towards the forest.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s the final countdown.

RIVER BANK

Kora runs out of breath.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
We’re leaving together…

FOREST 7

Andrew follows subtle clues, and Julian follows Andrew.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
The final countdown.

RIVER BANK

Kora rests on a tree trunk but looks worried.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
We’ll all miss her so.

FOREST 8

Andrew and Julian keep moving. Andrew seems to know where they are going, and Julian looks uncertain/scared.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s the final countdown.

RIVER BANK
Kora looks ready to embrace something.

EUROPE (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s the final countdown.

When the music comes to an end, Velos appears.

END MONTAGE.

EXT. RIVER BANK. DAY.

Velos looks at Kora, who stands up and faces him.

VELOS:
My beautiful bride, what are you
doing here in the middle of nowhere
all by yourself?

KORA:
There’s only one way for my family
to safe.

She holds out her hand. Velos looks greedily victorious. He takes her hand. They are about to disappear.

ANDREW:
No! You can’t have her!

Kora looks horrified when she sees Andrew racing to them closely followed by Julian.

KORA:
If I don’t go, he’ll keep harming
my family in this lifetime and next.
I’m ending the cycle today!

JULIAN:
So, you’re gonna stand by his
side while he and his men destroy
the world?

VELOS:
That’s right! She will live, and
you won’t. You lost, so let her
go! She made her choice-she belongs
to me!

ANDREW:
No-she belongs to me!

VELOS:
What?

KORA:
What?

ANDREW:
I know her. That’s how I knew the places
she would go. I knew she would try to
sacrifice her own happiness to protect
her family. I know how she’s feeling, and
why, without her telling me, she does the
things she does. I’ve known this in every
lifetime, haven’t I? It’s why you disappear
when I’m around. You’ve seen both of our
souls and they match, don’t they? We both
claim she belongs to us, but unlike you, I
don’t view her as a prized possession. I
belong to her as much as she belongs to me.
Why do you think I’m risking everything to
save her? I wish I realized this several
lifetimes ago! She’s my soulmate!

Kora is surprised, but deep down she know it is true. Velos holds her close.

VELOS:
She’s mine! She promised herself
to me!

KORA:
No, I didn’t. I just held out
my hand.

VELOS:
Be that as it may, your souls only
belong together if you marry your
soulmate. Too bad you don’t have
time to go down to the city and do that!

ANDREW:
We don’t need time! We can do it here!
He can marry us!

Andrew points to Julian. Kora and Velos look to Julian.

ANDREW:
He owns a boat, and a ship captain
has the power to marry people!

JULIAN:
That’s true! Legally, I can marry
people.

Kora shoves off Velos’s hands and holds Andrew’s hands. CLOSE UP Andrew and Kora clasp hands. CUT BACK.

JULIAN:
Um, Andrew, do you take this woman
to be your wife in this lifetime and
each one that follows?

ANDREW:
I do!

VELOS:
No!

JULIAN:
Kora, do you take this man to be
your husband in this lifetime and
each one that follows?

VELOS:
Kora, no! I love you!

Kora glares at Velos and faces Julian.

KORA:
I do.

VELOS:
No! She’s mine!

JULIAN:
I now pronounce you husband and
wife. You may kiss the bride.

Andrew and Kora kiss. Velos bitterly shrieks. When they break apart, they see Velos is bitterly crying.

VELOS:
Fine! I would’ve treated you like a
queen, but enjoy the suffering that
Earth may bring! Don’t think you’ve
seen the last of me! My men and I will
take over the world, and I’ll have no
problem destroying you!

Velos leaves. Andrew, Kora, and Julian cheer and hug each other. Kora cries out of relief and happiness. Andrew strokes her hair.

ANDREW:
It’s over, Kora!

KORA:
I can’t believe it!

JULIAN:
I can’t believe he cried! I almost feel
bad for him.
(laughs)
He did love her, in a sick, obsessive
way. But that’s not real love. True
love is comfort and trust, it lets
you make your own decisions ’cause you
know each other so well that you know
that they’ll do the right thing. Or
if your love wants to do the wrong thing,
the other will balance out that wrong and
make it right. You guys seem to have that!

ANDREW:
Yeah, this is awkward. Our souls know
each other, but we know very little
about one another.

KORA:
Yeah, awkward! Well, we’ll have plenty
of time to get to know each other now
that we’re married…

JULIAN:
Spiritually, you’re married. Legally,
you’re not. You would need to sign a
marriage license.

KORA:
Let’s hold off on that for a while!

ANDREW:
Yes! This is sort of backwards. We
got married and now we’ll begin
dating. I mean, only if you want to.

KORA:
You’re my hero, why wouldn’t I wanna
date you?

The three laugh.

JULIAN:
Oh my god, let’s get out of here!

KORA:
Seriously!

Kora walks between Julian and Andrew, though she is still holding Andrew’s hand.

EXT. BUS STOP. SUNSET.

Police have gathered by Andrew’s car. Harold and Merna are a mess from worry. Dylan looks anxious and eyeballs the forest expectantly. He spots Andrew, Kora, and Julian emerging from the woods.

DYLAN:
Look! There they are!

Everyone gathered has cheered. Harold and Merna run up to Kora and hug her tightly.

HAROLD:
We thought we lost you!

KORA:
You almost did! These two
saved me!

Harold and Merna hug Julian and Andrew.

MERNA:
So, all the craziness is over?

KORA:
Basically.

POLICEMAN:
Did you get the man who was
attacking her?

ANDREW:
He’s history!

DYLAN:
So, what now? Should we just go
to the Homecoming game?

KORA:
Sounds great!

ANDREW:
Before you go, are you still
looking for a job?

KORA:
Oh right, I guess I’m back to
that old search again!

ANDREW:
You’re tough as nails, plus you’re
so smart and clever. I think you’d
make an excellent detective. I mean,
you would have to start off as a
police officer, but we need more
women on the force. I think we need
to start a domestic violence unit.
So, what do you think?

Kora looks skeptically. Andrew interrupts her before she can object.

ANDREW:
We would offer you equal pay, if
that makes a difference.

Harold and Merna laugh. Kora smiles gratefully at him.

KORA:
I think that feels like that
right place for me.
(beat)
You’re amazing, you know that?

Andrew smiles. Kora and Andrew kiss. The family looks on fondly.

EXT. CARIBBEAN BEACH. NIGHT.

SUPERIMPOSE: Bahamas 2152

FUTURE KORA and FUTURE ANDREW (elderly) dance on the beach with a bunch of people. There is a banner that reads: Happy Fiftieth Anniversary. The song “Caribbean Queen” by Bill Ocean plays.

FUTURE KORA:
I’ve always liked nineteen-
eighties music. I don’t know
why!

Future Andrew laughs. They keep dancing. PAN TO ASHANTI (young, African-American, lots of curly hair, nice body) dances happily. The view of the scene changes to Velos’s screen, and he sees Ashanti’s golden orb. ZOOM IN on Ashanti’s orb over her heart. Velos breathes heavily.

FADE TO CREDITS.

The Obsessive, Part 13

INT. JULIAN’S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.

Kora watches television despondently. Julian comes downstairs.

JULIAN:
So, I see you’ve put trash
bags over all the mirrors in
my house…

KORA:
Well, I’m not gonna make it
easier for him!

JULIAN:
Fair enough, but just so you
know, I’m gonna have to use
the mirrors on my car in the
morning.

KORA:
Oh, right.
(beat)
Have you thought of any solutions?

JULIAN:
Like I’d keep that from you if I
did!
(beat)
Wait, he wants to marry you. So,
what if you just got married?

Velos appears behind them.

VELOS:
Nice try! When you lived in
Ancient Greece, you were married.
You were a princess because you
married Emperor Keres’s son. You
did not love him, but you were
comfortable.

KORA:
Keres? Isn’t that the name of
the guy you killed?

VELOS:
One of them, yes. He was an
important tool in the Order.
I was sad to see him go. But,
like I said before, I’ll kill
anyone who stands in the way
of our love!

JULIAN:
If you want her, you’ll have to
go through me!

VELOS:
(chuckles)
Oh, you want to join your ex-
boyfriend? I can help you drown
like he did!

JULIAN:
You son of a bitch!

Julian rushes to him. Velos uses magic to us Julian’s lamp to knock him out.

KORA:
Stay away from him, Velos!

VELOS:
Kora! Come with me! Now!

Kora pulls out a knife.

KORA:
Never!

VELOS:
Okay, I’ll can go next door
and kill your family!

KORA:
You wouldn’t dare!

VELOS:
You don’t think so?

Kora rushes to him, brandishing the knife. Velos grabs the arm she is using to brandish the knife and pushes her down. He goes after her, but she manages to grab the knife again and stabs him in the eye. He looks like he is in pain. Kora watches as his eye quickly heals/reforms. Kora tries to run, but he grabs Kora with both arms.

VELOS:
It’s time!

Suddenly, Velos is flung away from Kora. Julian has gotten up. Velos brandishes his dagger, but Julian holds him back. Kora is frantic, not knowing what to do. All of a sudden, Velos disappears. Andrew is in the living room with his gun drawn.

ANDREW:
Where’d he go?

KORA:
He disappeared.

JULIAN:
Why did he disappear for you?

ANDREW:
You’re injured.

JULIAN:
I’m alright.

ANDREW:
(to his radio)
We have some head trauma, we’ll
need an ambulance sent to this
location.

DISPATCH (O.S.):
Copy that.

ANDREW:
(to Kora)
Are you alright?

KORA:
I’m alright.

ANDREW:
No, you’re not. But you will
be. We just gotta figure out
how to send this guy to the
dimension of hell he belongs
in! Yes, I know.

KORA:
You don’t think I’m crazy?

ANDREW:
Seeing is believing. I watched
him use magic to kill that
waiter. As soon as he knew I
was there, he disappeared. I
told you I’d figure it out. Like
it or not, I’m involved now.

Andrew had a slight grin. Kora looked away, slightly annoyed. Andrew put his hand on her back. She looked back at him more softly.

KORA:
Damn it, Julian! I hate it
when you’re right!

Julian smirked. Before Andrew could ask what they were referring to, the paramedics enter. They escort Julian to the ambulance. Andrew and Kora follow them.

EXT. JULIAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT.

Julian gets put into the ambulance. From Kora’s house, Merna, Harold, and Dylan come rushing out.

MERNA:
Kora? Oh, thank God!

Merna gives Kora a hug in relief.

ANDREW:
Go with your family, get some
rest. I’ll see you when Julian
gets released from the hospital.

KORA:
Thank you!

Andrew smiles at her and then heads into the ambulance.

HAROLD:
We’re glad you’re alright!

KORA:
I’m glad you’re alright!

MERNA:
Why wouldn’t we be?

DYLAN:
It’s cold out here-let’s go
inside!

HAROLD:
Yes, we’ll go get some rest.
You won’t be alone, Kora. Your
mom doesn’t have a flight
leaving ’til the afternoon, and
I’m taking the afternoon off to
see your brother at the Homecoming
pep rally. And you can have your
brother in the room as you sleep.
You’ll be okay, Kora.

KORA:
I hope so! He’ll never leave me
alone, but he better leave you alone!
(shouts to the air)
Leave them alone! You hear me? Don’t
you dare touch another loved one!

Everyone else had left, so the family is confused as to who she is talking to. They shrug and escort her inside.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.

Kora sleeps in her bed while Dylan sleeps on the floor in a sleeping bag. Velos strokes her hair. Kora wakes up and looks around everywhere. Velos is not there. Kora groans and tries to go back to sleep.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. DAY.

Kora wakes up groggily. She checks around the room. She decides to act quickly. She undresses as fast as she can. When she is in only her bra and underwear, Velos tackles her. He holds a hand over her mouth to muffle her. He looks at her with great interest. As he bows his head to kiss her, a knock is hear on her door.

DYLAN (O.S.):
Kora?

VELOS:
(whispers)
I’ll take care of him!

Unable to move, all Kora can do is shake her head and plead with his eyes. He is about to use magic against Dylan when the DOORBELL RINGS. Velos looks a little frightened.

VELOS:
Damn it!

Velos disappears. Dylan bursts into the room protectively.

DYLAN:
I used a paperclip to jimmy-open
your lock. I heard a man in here!
Where did he go?

KORA:
He disappeared.

DYLAN:
The man who’s attacking you really
is a demi-god, isn’t he? I don’t
think you’re crazy. I mean, why
would you be afraid of your cat
for now reason? And a man was in
here and then he wasn’t! Anyways,
I believe you.

KORA:
Thanks Dylan.

Merna walks in.

MERNA:
What’s going on?

DYLAN:
Kora fell down. I was just
seeing if she was okay.

Merna does not quite believe him but decides to not press the issue.

MERNA:
Okay. Well, there are people waiting
for you downstairs.

Merna and Dylan leave the room. Kora gets dressed.

INT. KORA’S LIVING ROOM. DAY.

Kora sits in the living room with Julian and Andrew.

JULIAN:
I can’t believe how much glass was
stuck in my head! They were all in
little chunks too, so it took forever
to get out! The doctor ordered me to
go on bed rest. I could totally work
today if they’d let me!

ANDREW:
You got a serious hit to the head.
I think it’s a good idea to monitor
your behavior to make sure you didn’t
get brain damage. Besides, it’s only
one day, and then it’s the weekend.

Merna and Dylan enter.

MERNA:
Niners are playing this weekend.

KORA:
Hmm?

MERNA:
You love watching the forty-
niners play!

DYLAN:
Mom, she’s a little stressed
out right now.

Merna looks deeply concerned.

MERNA:
You’ve given up everything you
loved-baths, music, dressing
cute, and now the Niners…
Are you gonna be okay?

KORA:
Probably not.

ANDREW:
She’s going to be fine. We’ll
stay with her. Go ahead and take
your son to school, Mrs. Nicodemus.

Merna still looks concerned but she and Dylan leave.

KORA:
Velos almost got Dylan.

ANDREW:
When?

KORA:
This morning. I was getting dressed
and he pinned me down. Dylan knows
about him. My family isn’t safe with
him around!

JULIAN:
We need to end this! When I was in
the E.R., I had a lot of time to think.
We don’t have a solution, but I think
there’s strength in numbers. The more
people we have on our team, the better
the odds are of someone finding a
solution. If seeing is believing, we
just need to show people who Velos
is and what he’s capable of.

KORA:
How are we supposed to do that?

ANDREW:
Your brother has a pep rally
today, right?

KORA:
Yes, but how would we get Velos
to surface with that many
witnesses?

ANDREW:
Dress up really cute and go to
the coach. Give him a kiss, and
hang on his arm the whole time.
It’ll drive Velos crazy, and
eventually he won’t be able to
stand it and probably try to attack
someone. I mean, that’s how I
would react if the girl I loved
did that! It’s instinct that takes
over, not logic! He’s bound to
take the bait!

KORA:
That will probably work, but what
if he kills the coach or some high
school kids?

JULIAN:
Once he calms down, he’ll get
overwhelmed by the people that
saw what he did, so he’ll disappear.
then we will step up and recruit
people for help.

Kora looks skeptical.

JULIAN:
Come on, you have to try! I
mean, how much longer do you
wanna live like this?

KORA:
I can’t let him hurt my family.
Something must be done.

JULIAN:
Exactly!

Andrew eyes Kora suspiciously. Merna returns.

ANDREW:
I gotta go.

JULIAN:
Me too. I really need a nap-
I got no sleep last night, if
you can imagine that!

ANDREW:
We’ll see you at the pep rally…
right Kora?

KORA:
Yes….
(beat)
It’s time for a final showdown!

The Obsessive, Part 12

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. DAY.

Kora’s family is just finishing with breakfast when Kora walks in.

HAROLD:
We saved you some pancakes.

KORA:
Thanks.

MERNA:
We got a phone call. Someone
you know died.

KORA:
Of course they did.

Harold and Merna both look surprised that she is not surprised.

MERNA:
It was your friend from Seattle.
He lost his battle with AIDS.

KORA:
Oh! Oh no, that’s awful.

HAROLD:
There is something wrong with
you! Tell us now!

KORA:
You won’t believe me!

MERNA:
Try us anyways.

KORA:
Okay, well, I have a demigod
trying to take me as his bride
and kills anyone who stands in
his way.

Merna and Harold exchange looks of concern.

INT. PYSCHOLOGIST’S OFFICE. DAY.

Kora begrudgingly sits before a psychologist.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Tell me, Kora, who is our
current president?

KORA:
Ronald Reagan.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Good. Do you know where we are?

KORA:
A shrink’s office.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Do you hear voices that no
one else does?

KORA:
No.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Do you have any hallucinations?

KORA:
No.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Are you feeling paranoid?

KORA:
No.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
How do you feel most days?

KORA:
Fine as long as I’m not being
attacked.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Who’s attacking you?

KORA:
Some creep.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
A Greek demi-god?

KORA:
At least he thinks he is.

The psychologist writes some things down.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
Okay. Excuse me.

He leaves.

INT. PSYCHOLOGIST’S WAITING ROOM. DAY.

Harold and Merna sit anxiously. When the psychologist enters, they stand up anxiously.

PSYCHOLOGIST:
She seems normal, though whoever
is attacking her is not!

HAROLD:
Normal? But there’s obviously
something wrong with her! In
the past few days, she has
completely changed her personality.

The psychologist shrugs. A CRASH is heard from inside the psychologist’s office.

MERNA:
Maybe her mind is fine,
but her soul is not…

INT. CHURCH. DAY.

Kora sits defiantly as a pastor performs an exorcism.

PASTOR:
Satan, be gone!

Beat. The pastor grabs a vial of holy water.

PASTOR:
The power of Christ compels
you!

He throws the holy water on Kora. Kora finds it annoying but otherwise does not react.

PASTOR:
I don’t believe she is
possessed.

MERNA:
Are you sure?

Behind them is some stained glass, and only Kora can see Velos in the window laughing.

KORA:
Can we go now?

Merna and Harold reluctantly agree.

EXT. BAY VIEW RESTAURANT. DAY.

Julian waits at a table at a restaurant by the bay. Kora arrives, looking annoyed.

JULIAN:
Finally! You know I only have
like ten minutes ’til I gotta
get back to work.

KORA:
Sorry, my parents were trying
to heal my mind and soul.

JULIAN:
What’s that on your neck?

KORA:
That would be holy water. My
parents missed a shift at work
for this crap.

Julian looks slightly amused.

JULIAN:
Well, I have something that will
make you happy.

He opens up the library book back to page nineteen.

KORA:
Oh my gosh! I forgot!
(reading)
Deep in the Underworld rests the
Headquarters for the Order of the
Snake, a group that has existed
since the dawn of time. Named after
the snake that tempted Eve, the
Order’s soul purpose is to use magic
and manipulation to induce humans to
bring about the end of the world, when
they will be free to roam the Earth.

JULIAN:
From the sounds of it, I think
this guy is your stalker.

Julian points to the book.

KORA:
Velos!

The waiter comes over to them.

WAITER:
Hello, beautiful! Can I get
you anything?

KORA:
No, I’m fine.

WAITER:
Yes you are!

KORA:
Oh god, don’t hit on me!
Seriously, you have no idea!

WAITER:
Sorry, you’re just so pretty…

JULIAN:
Here’s the money for my meal.
Keep the change and get the
hell out of here.

The waiter raises an eyebrow but leaves. Kora stares at the bay. INTERCUT to the bay and CUT BACK to Kora.

JULIAN:
That poor bastard!

Andrew enters.

ANDREW:
Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye
on him.

KORA:
Oh good, then you’ll have to
leave me alone.

ANDREW:
But you’re never alone, are you?

KORA:
Shut up!

JULIAN:
Kora, since your family still thinks
you’re unbalanced and you don’t wanna
sleep alone, why don’t you stay at my
place ’til this thing is over?

KORA:
Good idea! Thanks, Skipper!

ANDREW:
Skipper? Like Barbie’s friend?

KORA:
No. He owns a small yacht, so he’s
nicknamed Skipper.

JULIAN:
How do you know about Barbie
stuff?

ANDREW:
I had to buy a Skipper doll for
my niece’s birthday once. It was
super embarrassing!

Julian snickers. The waiter comes out and heads to his car.

ANDREW:
Looks like our potential victim is
on the move. I gotta go-unless you
wanna tell me-

KORA:
No!

ANDREW:
Then goodbye-for now!

Andrew goes to his car and follows the waiter.

JULIAN:
Very nice! Does he have a gay
older brother?

KORA:
What?

JULIAN:
Don’t be coy! I can cut the
sexual tension with a knife!

KORA:
Sexual tension? With him? You’re
crazy! He makes me so mad!

JULIAN:
Uh-huh.

KORA:
First he accused me of murder,
and now he won’t leave me alone!
I can’t tell him what is happening!
You saw how my parents reacted when
I told them.

JULIAN:
Alright, alright.

Kora looks out at the bay sadly. INTERCUT to the bay and CUT BACK to Kora.

KORA:
The ocean used to give me hope.
Now I don’t feel like I have any!

JULIAN:
Don’t say that! We’re a step
closer now.

KORA:
So, we know his name now. And that
super creepy group he’s a part of.
What does that do to help me?

JULIAN:
This guy is in love with your
soul. How do we stop this creep
from following you in this life
and next?

KORA:
I can’t die-he lives in the land
of the dead. So, what do I do?

Julian hands her a ten.

JULIAN:
Go buy some tequila and margarita
mix. I’ll make tacos and we’ll have
a fiesta for dinner!

Kora gives him a small smile.

JULIAN:
I’m late for work. I’ll see
you later.

Kora watches him go to his car and leave. Beat. A few police officers race down the street. Kora drops her head to the table in anguish.