The Hessian, Chapter 7

The whispers of the wind wafted by her eardrums and drowned out her footsteps as she traversed through the street. Clarissa knew that Alastor was attempting to spook her so that she would turn back and go home, but she would do nothing of the sort! Originally, yes, she had intended on skipping the funeral because yesterday was so emotionally taxing and she didn’t esteem that she contained the fortitude to withstand their intense negativity, but she thought about what Kenneth would have advised her to do if he had been able to stay, and she reckoned that he would persuade her to ignore the contentious lot in order to do the right thing. Saying goodbye to a neighbor was an incredibly courteous act of service to do, but she recognized a more urgent reason to attend this ceremony- she felt quite sure that if the majority of the town was all congregated in one spot, trouble was sure to follow! She didn’t believe that this evil specter could step foot inside of a holy site, but she had no way to verify this hunch! Plus, she feared what may come once everyone left the church! Clarissa anticipated that his letters would question the activities regarding the protection of Colfrith, and she wouldn’t have been able to stand it if she had to write anything that would show she did not try her hardest to keep them all safe! Her initial hesitation caused her to be late, but she became resolute in not allowing anything to prevent her from acting with righteousness in pursuit of their critical mission!

            As she grew closer to the chapel, she saw no other activity in the town square but a few carpenters fixing some slate shingles on a cottage next to the parish. When she passed them, they glared at her in a reproachful manner. She grimaced from the assumption that this would was a portent of her experience in this venture, but she reminded herself that she made this visit for motives far more vital than making friends! Still, she did not relish having to go through this ugly process! It would all be worth it one day, but not that day- this morning was bound to prove rough! While she stared at the heavy wooden doors of her destination, she crossed her fingers that an uncomfortable social situation would t urn out to be the worst issue she dealt with indefinitely, but she had a feeling it would never fare that way for her! She took a deep breath, and as she entered the building, she hoped her prediction would emerge as unfounded…

            “Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to-,” Pastor Absalom ceased his speech as he detected the congregates’ attention waiver. He heard the tardy entrant, but he thought nothing of it until the crowd had evidently deemed it as noteworthy, and when he espied that the source of the disruption had been Clarissa, he could comprehend why their focus had swayed!

            “I’m shocked that she had the nerve to attend this!” one person quietly opined to the individual beside them. With the silence of the room coupled with the acoustic nature of the sanctuary’s walls, that remark clearly resounded throughout the space!

            The masses began to murmur in agreement of the previously stated comment, and Clarissa’s neck craned low in discomfort. She had guessed that no one there was likely to enjoy her company, but now she fretted that her presence would incite a ruckus that would ultimately have her kicked out of there! Pastor Absalom gazed at her piteously, and then he cleared his throat. When nobody’s awareness shifted back to the altar that he stood upon, he repeated that gesture more audibly and then sternly reminded his flock, “Remember, all are welcomed in the Lord’s house! Everyone, please have a seat so we can proceed…” The attendees obviously didn’t think highly of his decree, but they unwillingly obeyed and swiveled back to a more forward position. Clarissa gratefully smiled at Pastor Absalom, and he gave her a quick grin before returning to his sermon.

            Clarissa proceeded toward the front where she had normally sat, but each pew that she went by had people shifting so that it appeared completely full. Not a single person made eye contact with her, but their faces hardened as she neared them. Clarissa sighed and decided to watch the commemoration while standing in the rearmost section of the structure. She felt odd to get placed amongst the servants, but she strove to ignore her awkward inklings and channel all of her care into watching out for signs of Alastor.

            “Hmm! You don’t look like you’ve burst into flames!” Gabrielle, a laborer she had previously seen working at the coffeehouse, softly spoke to Clarissa.

            “Huh?” Clarissa responded with slight confusion.

            Gabrielle clarified, “Everyone is saying that you’re a witch, but from my understanding, a wicked soul cannot set foot onto sacred grounds, so you must be alright! Would you like to sit?”

            Clarissa was completely taken aback by somebody actually showing her some kindness, she almost didn’t know how to react to it! When Gabrielle scooted over and created a space for her, she was so touched that she simply had to accept her offer in order to avoid hurting this generous woman’s feelings! As Pastor Absalom narrated the details of the deceased’s life, Clarissa grew curious about Gabrielle’s knowledge. If she had that bit of information regarding sorceresses, then she deduced that perhaps she had more lore on the occult that she could share! She hoped that after the gathering disbanded, she could press her for recommendations on how to defeat a vengeful ghost…

            “Roger worked hard to provide for his family, but he also put considerable effort into assisting his community.” Pastor Absalom glanced around the area and peered into specific men and women’s eyes to really emphasis his point. “Whenever he could, he would stop what he was doing to lend a hand! He truly exemplified the spirit of giving, and it meant a lot to him to play a part in his community’s well-being! If Roger could communicate anything to us right now, he would plead with his neighbors to follow his example and do all they can to make the village, the entire village, thrive…” Most of the assembly seemed reluctant to adhere to this message, but before he could move on, an earsplitting scream reverberated from outside!

            “Nigel, what did you do?” a woman cried out hysterically. Everyone in the church glimpsed towards the root of the unrest with alarm, but Clarissa was the first to get up and see what was going on. Her foresight had already prepared her for a contentious battle, but she prayed that this conflict would not develop into a deadly dilemma in this instance…

            “Good heavens! Is that man dead?” Elmira gasped as she stood with her father on the stairs of the chapel. As the parishioners exited the establishment, they immediately beheld a man laying facedown on the ground, but they soon learned that the blood trickling out of his skull was the least of their worries…

            A small boy crouched on the rooftop with completely dilated pupils and his lips seething profusely! His mother frightfully commanded him, “Nigel, get down from there!” Nigel stood up and stretched out his foot as though he planned on casually walking off, so his mother urgently requested, “No, not like that!” The child let out a devilishly delightful laugh as he crouched back down again!

            Clarissa emerged from the place of worship with a wooden goblet and raced towards the scene! As Nigel’s mother struggled to convince her son to get off of his dangerous perch, one of the two remaining carpenters mutedly queried to the other, “Do we really want him down here while he’s still… in this condition?”

            Prior to the other carpenter getting a chance to respond, Clarissa pushed past them and darted to their ladder. She clasped the cup using her teeth as she ascended the rungs, and as she heard the astonished buzz emanating from the spectators below, it occurred to her that she had put herself into a potentially perilous position- no one was holding the base of the rail, so the evil inside of Nigel could have propelled him to push her so she would meet her doom! She opted to cast that ominous possibility from her mind! This had to be done, there were no alternatives around it! She told herself that if he charged after her, it would actually work out to her advantage since it would give her a window to strike! When she reached the pinnacle, all she could do was refuse to entertain the notion of any outcome where she didn’t escape unscathed!

            The air grew eerily quiet as Clarissa made eye contact with the besieged boy. Clarissa held on to the ledge with one arm as she took the chalice out of her mouth and clutched it in a fashion that would permit her to move it at the proper moment, and Nigel gawked at the contents of that vessel warily. She waited for a few seconds to see if he would grow inquisitive and approach it on his own, but when he didn’t, she beckoned him, “That’s for you, Nigel! Come over and get it!” Nigel turned to her and bristled, but Clarissa still went on, “It’s a gift! You’ll love it!” Nigel started to gutterly growl at her, but she continued, “Don’t you want to see it?” His snarling intensified, but he didn’t budge an inch, so she discerned that mere baiting wouldn’t suffice! “If you don’t want to retrieve it, I’ll bring it to you!”

            For a brief beat, Clarissa got the impression that he would grant her access to his perimeter, but before she could do that, he lunged towards her! He rapidly crawled like a spider in her direction, and Clarissa readied herself to hurl the essence of the basin at the afflicted youth, but the Nigel abruptly veered off of the side! His mother as well as the rest of the witnesses present screamed as he crawled down the walls of the abode like an insect! Clarissa clung onto the roof fully expecting to lose her solid footing, and it stunned her when he headed straight into the throng instead!

            Everyone tried to flee, but Nigel managed to pounce on one man and knock him to the floor! The man hid his visage, which prompted Nigel to bite his arm! As he tore apart his clothing, Clarissa grabbed the goblet and descended the ladder with as much haste as she could generate! Pastor Absalom reached the pair preceding the finish of her endeavor, and he swiftly propped open his Bible. Nigel gnarled at him, but despite that, Pastor Absalom read out loud, “And forthwith, Jesus gave them leave! And the unclean spirits went out, and-!”

            Nigel shoved Pastor Absalom with enough exertion to make him smack against the cobblestone surface! Clarissa was horrified at this sight, but thankfully, he landed on his limbs and did not seem gravely injured! She then viewed Nigel chasing more bystanders. Her earliest instinct had been to tail him so she could catch him and subdue him enough to endure her impact, but his movements were too fast to pull that off! Fortunately, she dreamt up another idea…

            “Nigel, no!” the kid’s mother desperately pled with him, but he ignored her as he terrorized the multitudes! He stumbled into an elderly fellow on a cane, and sensing his feebleness, he made a beeline for his body! The old gentleman sought to scurry, but he could hardly maneuver with nimbleness! Nigel roared as he reared his dentition, but prior to him sinking his fangs into his flesh, Clarissa popped out and put the chalice in his trajectory! Nigel attempted to free himself, but it was too late! Clarissa forced him to swallow it, and after a bit of writhing, Nigel’s alter-ego let out one last hideous howl! After that, Nigel’s pupils returned to normal, and he passed out! “Nigel!” his mother screeched.

            “Mama!” Nigel wailed as she cradled him. She sobbed uncontrollably as she held him, and he croaked out, “Mama! I feel ill! What happened?”

            No one had the heart to explain it to him! Clarissa surveyed the square, and several individuals were aiding one another in arising after their tumble. A few people nursed the wounds and abrasions that they got during the fracas, and Doctor Cuthbart examined Pastor Absalom. “It looks as though you’ve sustained a humerus fracture.”

            Pastor Absalom winced as he asserted, “I’ll be fine! Please, check on my flock!”

            “You attacked a child! Have you no shame?” Elmira hollered to Clarissa.

            “Is there nothing I could say to convince you that I bear no guilt in this crime?” Clarissa challenged Elmira. Elmira simply persisted in her cold stance, and Clarissa was in no mood to argue, so she shook her head in disgust and marched out of the vicinity. As she aimed to return to the inn, she totally disregarded the snickering that the bitter breeze brought her as it passed…

The Unsuper Heroes, Chapter 20

She let out a deafening screech as she rose out of the pile of boxes and sprouted wings as well as feathers. It didn’t take long for her to transform into a giant eagle, and she immediately dove for Dason! Narcius used his super speed to push him out of the way, and she swooped back up into the air. Kefalia flew up to her and brandished her sword. She tried to strike Kefalia with her beak, but Kefalia dodged it. Impuse suddenly felt heat sting her underbelly, and when she looked down, she saw Akintos firing at her. Before Kefalia could slash her, she barreled down towards Akintos. When she got close, she saw a sword come from seemingly nowhere! She avoided getting stabbed, but as she halted, a crate rammed right into her chest! As she got pinned to the wall and struggled to breathe, the contents of the box spilled out, which made it light enough for her to push it off. She tried to reach for her cane, but just as he was about to grab it, Dason put his foot on it. “You’re really gonna take a cane away from an old lady?” she scathed.

“Why do you need it?” Kefalia questioned. “You can just wait until your powers reset and just become something that can walk better!”

“Don’t give her any ideas!” Stocastin advised her.

Impusa gave them both dirty looks and renewed her efforts to retrieve her cane. Exelda stared at her curiously until an idea struck her. She picked the cane up, and when Impusa urgently crawled towards her, she tossed it to Akintos and directed him, “Burn it!”

“Nooooo!” Impusa desperately cried. She tried to tone it done as she added, “I need it to walk!”

Exelda responded, “We’ll get you another one, we’re just going to destroy this one. Akintos, burn it!”

Akintos formed a fireball in his palm, and Exelda watched Impusa’s panicked expression deepen as the flame grew closer to her cane. “No! I want that one! Please don’t!” Exelda gave her a knowing look, so she unwillingly admitted, “Alright, fine! That cane is special. Now, give it to me!”

“You can’t use your powers without your cane, can you?” Exelda surmised.

Impusa snidely confessed, “Okay, fine, Missy! Not all of us are lucky enough to have our powers imbued within us! Some of us rely on a relic to enact our abilities! Happy now? Now, give it to me!”

“This cane makes people shapeshift? Woah!” Akintos closed his eyes and tired to make himself transform, but he practically strained himself trying. “How does it work?”

“It doesn’t work for just anyone!” Impusa said indignantly. “It has the ability to recognize-.”

Narcius requested, “Let me try!” He took it from Akintos and flipped it in various directions to try to make it work for him. “Hey, this is kind of fun!”

Impusa glared at him for his flippant attitude towards her precious object, and Exelda took her bout of silence to bargain with her, “We’ll cut you a deal: give us information on your boss and we’ll give you back your cane.”

“Okay, he colors his hair. Now, gimme my cane!” Impusa demanded.

“Give us useful information if you want it back,” Exelda clarified.

After she huffed from annoyance, she warned them, “Any minute now, my boyfriend’s gonna come help me, and then you’ll all be in trouble!”

Kefalia remarked, “You have a boyfriend?”

“Of course I got a boyfriend!” Impusa told her proudly. “Who wouldn’t want this body?”

“I wouldn’t!” Akintos retorted. Stocastin, Narcius, and Dason all shared his sentiments.

Impusa didn’t look ruffled by their slant. “Fine, your loss! I can turn into anything, you know!”

Dason pointed out, “Yeah, only for a minute!”

‘What, you need more time than that?” Impusa shot back.

“Yeah, a lot more!” Dason stated firmly.

Exelda reacted pleasantly to him, “That’s good to know!” Dason shrugged sheepishly, and Exelda shifted her focus back to business. “Ahem, anyways… We need something from you!”

Narcius exclaimed, “Mirrors!”

“What?” Exelda and Impusa asked simultaneously.

“That’s what was in the boxes!” He bent down and picked one up with excitement. “Hello, beautiful!”

Stocastin challenged Impusa, “Why do you have such an unwavering allegiance to your boss when he has shown you none in return?”

Impusa differed, “Excuse me? He’s been real good to me, and under his rule, I’ll have a much better life than I would under your parents’ rule.” She indicated to Dason. “Your laws haven’t been very fair to my people, so why should I help you?”

“Laws take time to enforce,” Dason countered. “Just because a law changes doesn’t mean people will obey them. Like we have a rule against treason, but that hasn’t stopped your boss from doing it!”

“I guess that’s true,” Impusa unwillingly acknowledged. “But he’s still promised me a fabulous lifestyle for helping him! I’d be crazy to give that up!”

Akintos brought up, “This guy can make you all kinds of promises too! Doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen!”

Impusa looked affronted. “You’re calling him a liar? He’s been nothing but nice to me, so why should I-?”

“He’s just using you!” Exelda told her. “He’s buttering you up so he can get what he wants out of you. I’m sure he’s not the first man to do that to you!”

“You’re wrong!” Impusa emphatically denied. “If you just met him, you’d know that he’s a genuine guy!”

Kefalia commented, “I don’t think any of us thought he was a girl!”

Stocastin started to correct her, “No, she meant-.”

Exelda interrupted him, “Too bad we can’t meet him and verify your story since we don’t know where he is!”

“Yeah, I guess we’ll just have to imprison you and have troops storm the entire area,” Dason tacked on. “I bet your boss won’t be too happy with that!”

Impusa didn’t seem too keen on that alternative, and everyone but Narcius, who couldn’t tear himself away from his reflection, watched her as she did a lot of thinking. Finally, she seemed to have come to a decision. “I gotta deliver this ransom money. If I go too late, he’ll have the night guard surrounding the place. I need to go now so no one has to deal with any guards.”

Exelda picked up on her hint right away, “Gotcha!” Dason agreed, and Stocastin as well as Akintos realized what she had really meant to say. Narcius wasn’t paying attention, and Kefalia looked lost in thought. Exelda addressed her, “We’ll explain later.”

“Now gimme my cane!” Impusa snatched it from a distracted Narcius and picked herself up. “I need to hurry!”

She trudged along as fast as she could, but she could still hardly inch along. Akintos wondered, “Wouldn’t it be faster if you turned into an animal that can move quicker?”

Impusa responded to him, “I gotta save my powers in case I’m attacked. It’s okay, I’m moving along just fine!” The rest of them watched her maintain her slow gait, which prompted Narcius to impatiently sigh.

As the sun began to set, Dason and the five heroes had weary expressions as they walked at a snail’s pace. “Can we at least play a game ’til we get there?” Narcius requested.

“No!” Exelda snapped. “And keep it down! We could be getting close, and we don’t want this guy to hear us! Plus, we need to stay vigilant for any traps he may have for us.”

“Wouldn’t Impusa have already run into these traps before us?” Akintos probed.

Stocastin replied, “She would know how to get around them, and we’re not close enough to her to see how she would do it.”

Akintos argued, “Then why can’t we just get closer? She already knows we’re following her, why can’t we just-?”

“Hey! The lady said no, and her word is final!” Dason admonished him.

Exelda smiled at his support, but she sternly reminded Akintos, “We need to stay out of this guy’s sight. Once his attention is on the gold and his guard is down, we-.”

Kefalia gasped, “Oh my Zeus!” Everyone turned to her with wrapt attention. “My ear finally popped!”

Exelda rolled her eyes. “Okay, no more talking until we get there!” They rounded the corner, and a giant palace suddenly came into view. “Well, we’re here, but I still don’t want you to talk!”

Heaven’s Headquarters

“How did I get here?” Ethan, a man with silky brown hair, green eyes, and a slim physique, realized he fell asleep on an elevator. He doesn’t recognize this elevator, which has ornate, gilded walls, and he’s mystified as to how he ended up inside. Last thing he remembered, he was walking down the street. He suddenly realized that the elevator had no buttons! The elevator kept going up, and Ethan had no idea where he was going, so he started to worry. Suddenly, the elevator stopped and the elevator doors opened. Ethan stepped out cautiously.

Ethan walked into a reception area and looked around to figure out where he was. The walls and floors were cloudy white. There wasn’t much else there except a lot of doors and a pearly, circular desk at the center. A perky, blonde secretary popped up behind the desk and watched Ethan. Ethan, not knowing what else to do, went up to the secretary, who had a name plate that read: Hailey. Before Ethan could ask her anything, Hailey chirped, “Welcome to Heaven’s Headquarters! Please fill out these forms.” She slid a white clipboard with a couple of crisp papers on it to to him.

Ethan felt totally confused. He had no clue where he was, and yet this woman seemed to have been expecting him. “Forms?

Hailey simply explained, “Yes, to show us what would make your eternity the ideal level of blissfulness.”

Ethan started to think that he either got too drunk at dinner or else someone had slipped something into his drink. Either way, he thought that maybe he had blacked out and had booked some spa getaway in his haze. That didn’t seem like a smart idea, so he tried to clear this up with Hailey, “Look, I’m not sure how I got here, but I gotta leave. I got work in the morning, so-.”

Hailey interrupted him, “Work? No, you don’t work in Heaven. It’s your time to relax.”

Ethan got a little annoyed by this. He knew that companies often had their secretaries try to save their sales, but she didn’t seem to get it, he really didn’t have time for this. “Relax? I got a big presentation in the morning. So, can you-?”

“Listen,” Hailey looked him square in the eyes and talked in a very serious tone at this point. “you’re not going back to work. Or your home or anywhere else. You’re dead.”

Whatever response he had expected to hear from her, it wasn’t that! The ease he felt from what he thought was a logical conclusion to this situation had vanished, and if he hadn’t booked a luxurious hotel in a drunken haze, then he didn’t know what else would bring him here. The fact that she mentioned that he was dead now sent him to a panic. “Is that a threat? Are you holding me hostage?”

“Oh boy!” Hailey sighed. She coolly hit a pager button on her office phone and spoke into it, “Peter, can you come to the Pearly Gates please?”

A handsome man with a nice suit and a clipboard in his arm appeared next to Hailey instantly. Ethan had to blink. He couldn’t explain how the man, who he could only assume was Peter, could appear from nowhere unless it was some kind of theatrical ruse to scare and confuse him. Peter glanced at Ethan and then regarded Hailey, “Who’s this? Let’s see…ah, Ethan Miller. I told you already that he is most definitely welcome here!”

Hailey calmly revealed, “I know, but he hasn’t accepted.”

Ethan, in addition to feeling a little scared, grew frustrated by the lack of answers. He had a right to know what was happening! He spouted, “Who are you?”

Peter smiled gently and introduced himself, “On Earth, I’m known as Saint Peter.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. He didn’t believe that was his real identity, and he resented the task he now had of figuring out who these people were. He remarked to Peter, “Saint Peter, huh? What are you guys, the mob or something?”

“Wow!: Peter seemed bewildered by Ethan’s response, but he kept his composure. “You weren’t kidding about this man! Better send him to the Big Guy.”

“Who? Where are you taking me?” Ethan decided he wasn’t going to let them take him anywhere and prepared to put up a fight.

Peter snapped his fingers, and Ethan instantly disappeared! Ethan reappeared in a huge office. It seemed to be empty except for the same cloudy walls and floors and a big, wooden desk with a computer on it. Whoever “the Big Guy” was, he wasn’t in the office right now. Ethan looked all around him in utter confusion “Okay, what the hell just happened?”

At that moment, a very tall, clean shaven man with gray hair and a light gray suit walked into the room. The man reproached him gently, “Sir, we don’t swear here.” Ethan jumped at his sudden approach. The man kindly instructed, “Go ahead and have a seat.”

A cushy chair appeared before the desk right behind where Ethan stood. He reluctantly took a seat. He needed answers, and he figured that they must lie with this man. “You’re the “Big Guy?”

The man replied, “I’m known by many names. A higher power, Nirvana, Inner Peace, Mother Earth (somehow)…but you probably refer to me as God.”

“Oh, you’re God? Yeah right!” Ethan wondered what was wrong with these people. They were either giving him their nicknames or else he had come across a very delusional cult.

The man seemed unruffled by Ethan’s disposition. He probed, “What makes you doubt me?”

Ethan couldn’t believe that this guy had really believed that he was God! He had to put him in his place, “God isn’t some businessman! He has a really long beard and a robe…”

The Big Guy chuckled, “You mean like this?” He snapped his fingers and, to Ethan’s astonishment, hechanged into Ethan’s description of God. “Yes, this look was all the rage when the Bible was written, but we’ve made some updates since then.” The Big Guy snapped his fingers again and changed back into the outfit he previously wore.

Ethan still didn’t totally accept their claims that he had died or that he was speaking to God, and he didn’t want to feed into that delusion. He had to try to get home. “Look, I don’t wanna be here, in ‘Heaven,’ I want to-!”

“No?” the Big Guy remarked. “Would you rather be in Hell? It’s not as fun as rock stars make it seem. Here, have a look.”

The Big Guy turned his computer monitor around to face Ethan. An automated voice greeted him, “Welcome to Hell Dot Com! I’m Jaime, your virtual host. Let me give you a tour!” The screen changed into a red office with a blonde man in a pepper-gray business suit sitting at a dark, wooden desk. “This is Lucifer’s Chamber! He decides how cruel of an eternal punishment a sinner gets.” The screen changed into a room with some fiendish monsters standing in front of some sharp rocks. The monsters smile and wave to the camera. “This is the physical pain and torture chamber where sinners go to receive a Hell of a lot of, well, pain and torture.” The screen changed to a completely empty room with a small green couch and a wide screen television “This is the viewing room where sinners are forced to watch their worst nightmares over and over again.” The screen changed to small, run down town. “This is Sinners’ Living, the living quarters of sinners. Their homes turn into whatever they would consider the most unbearable living conditions.” The screen changed to a door with the number 666 on it. “This is Area Six Six Six, where the most evil sinners go. It is so gruesome that we cannot display it on the web.” The screen changed to a room full of what looks like operators and telemarketers. “This is the communications room where our “devils” tempt ordinary people to commit a sin.” The screen changed to a picture of an empty reception desk. “That ends our tour of Hell Dot Com. We are currently seeking a Hell Secretary if you’re interested. See you in Hell!”

The Big Guy turned the computer off and swiveled it back so it faced him. Ethan now felt very much perplexed. Ethan supposed that the Big Guy thought that this presentation would convince him that he had died, but he wasn’t buying it! “I can’t be dead! The world couldn’t go on without me!”

“You don’t think so?” The Big Guy reacted. “Well, I can show you that’s not true either. Oh Joseph!” He pushed a button on his phone to summon him. A young man with a gray suit and a white tie, black hair, muscular build entered and looked to the Big Guy to await his instructions. The Big Guy directed Joseph, “Show Ethan his world without him. I gotta go. I’m helping my son throw a party tonight! Hope to see you there!” The Big Guy winked and disappeared.

Joseph grumbled, “Thanks a lot, now I’m going to miss that party!”

Ethan could care less about this man’s desire to go to some party. He didn’t know what they wanted with him, but it seemed like he had no choice but to play their game. He scoffed, “So, who are you? Saint Joseph?”

Joseph forgot about the party and pleasantly answered Ethan, “No! My name is Joseph Love. I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.”

Whether it was real or not, Ethan grew curious about Joseph’s back story. “Oh, you got killed in battle?”

Joseph told him, “No, after we won, my friends and I had a party and I died there.”

“How’d you die?” Ethan asked him.

“I don’t know.” Joseph shrugged.

This notion triggered a thought, and again, whether it was true or not, Ethan was owed an explanation. “Wait a minute, how’d I die?”

“No one in Heaven is supposed to know,” Joseph educated him. “If they think about their death, they’ll never stop dwelling on it. Though the last thing I remember is swimming, so I think I drowned. But who knows! Anyways, you think the world can’t survive without you, huh? Who depended on you?”

Right away, Ethan came up with, “My fiancee, Diana Shaw. She’s in love with me, so there’s no way she’ll survive without me!

Joseph’s mouth twitched, but he hid his grin. “Is that right?” He snapped his fingers, and they both disappeared.

Ethan and Joseph reappear in a gourmet restaurant that is mostly full of delighted patrons. With all of these magical entrances and exits, Ethan now thought he was in a dream or having some kind of coma vision, so he decided to stop fighting the acceptance of whether or not this was real and just rolled with it. The only way he was going to get through this was to show these people that he told the truth about the world needing him to stay around. He inquired, “Can anyone see me?”

“Nope,” Joseph answered. “Where’s Diana?”

Ethan scanned the restaurant and sees her at a table. His heart fluttered when he gazed at her beauty. She was unlike anyone he had ever met before. Her strawberry blonde hair was done up in a bun and she wore a chic red dress, which made her look even more devestatingly beautiful. For a moment, Ethan wondered what she had been doing there. It took him a while to see that Diana was sitting with a very handsome man that he could only hope was a new boss. If he wasn’t invisible to them, Ethan would have confronted the man. All he could do was stand next to her, listening to her dialogue. Diana confessed, “This the first date I’ve been on since my fiancee died three months ago.”

Ethan stared at Joseph questioningly. “Three months?”

Joseph apologized, “Sorry, Heaven doesn’t have a real concept of time.”

The man admitted to Diana, “I have to confess when I befriended you at work, I always hoped that you would break up with your fiancee. I mean, he’s the greatest guy I know, but I had such a crush on you for a long time! I only hope that I can give you as much happiness as Ethan did.”

“I think you will.” Diana told him. “I have to make another confession. I loved Ethan with all my heart, but ever since I met you, my heart was torn between two men. I know that he would’ve wanted me to move on and be happy.” Ethan wished she could have seen the cross look on his face! She went on, “I could really see myself have a future with you. I think I could be falling for you!”

The man beamed upon hearing this, but he still felt like he needed to ask, “Are you afraid of moving too fast?”

“Ethan will always be a part of my past, but you are my future!” She reached across the table and stroked his hand, smiling lovingly at this man. He held her hand and returned her sentiment.

Ethan blew up, “That bastard! This whole time he was trying to steal my woman! I’ll kill him!” Ethan tried to strangle Frank, but his hands went right through him.

Joseph stood next to him and reported, “A few things. First of all, remember you’re not supposed to swear. Second, you’re invisible, so he can’t see or feel you. And lastly, I doubt the Big Guy will let you into Heaven if you actually did kill someone. I know you’re hurting, so I’m gonna pretend I didn’t see that.”

Ethan still looked frustrated, but he knew that Joseph was right. He sighed, and then he remembered why he was there. “Okay, so maybe she’s move on, but my parents will be devastated!”

Joseph didn’t seemed convinced. “If you say so.” He snapped his fingers, and they disappeared from the restaurant.

Joseph and Ethan reappeared in his parents’ living room, a very neat and clean space with a lot of comfortable furniture. Mrs. Miller was knitting on her flowery couch with her orange cat curled up beside her and a faint smile on her face. Mr. Miller entered the front door with a broad grin. He announced, “Good news, honey! I got a huge promotion!”

“Oh really?” Mrs. Miller reacted merrily. “That’s wonderful! What’s your new position?”

Mr. Miller proudly told her, “You’re looking at the new manager of the Animal Buffet Pet Food factory!”

“Manager? Oh honey!” Mrs. Miller got up and gave her husband a huge hug. “Ethan would be so proud of you!”

Mr. Miller agreed, “Before he died, he kept trying to get me quit drinking and work harder. If only he could see his old man now! Now we can stop using his inheritance he left us to pay bills and really treat ourselves! Maybe we can visit Cally in France!”

“That would be wonderful!: Mrs. Miller rejoiced. “And instead of selling these blankets to supplement, our income, I’ll give it charity! Oh, I’m so glad we’re going to be alright! I dreaded what life would be like without him, and I’ll always miss my baby boy, but I’m so glad we will be okay without him! He is probably looking at us now, smiling.”

Ethan was frowning. “Now they don’t need me? They even said it! Ugh! My fiancee has moved on, and my parents are happier than ever with me being gone!”

Mr. Miller suggested, “Let’s go out to a nice restaurant to celebrate!”

Mrs. Miller reacted, “Wow, this will be the first time we’ve really dined out since Ethan died six months ago!”

Ethan turned to Joseph, “So, every time you snap your fingers, it’s been three months on Earth?”

“I guess,” he replied. Then he addressed Ethan seriously, “So, your fiancee and your parents can live without you. Are you ready to admit that the world doesn’t need you to go back?”

“No!” Ethan denied it. “My sister must need me! We were best friends-how could she live without me?”

Joseph laughed, “Let’s find out together, shall we?” He snapped his fingers, and they disappeared.

Joseph and Ethan appear at the end of a lecture in a large university classroom, and the professor spoke entirely in French. Joseph told Ethan, “Hold on, I can get subtitles.”

Ethan seemed a little relieved, but his mind was elsewhere. “Cally went to another country to study? She probably had trouble making friends so wanted to get a fresh start in France. She was really shy, I was trying to help her with that. She must be so lonely and miserable here!”

Joseph smirked. “Sorry to disappoint you, but she doesn’t look so sad.”

They found Cally pretty easily. She looked a lot like Ethan except she had golden brown eyes and curvy, womanly figure. She listened to the lecture with a lot of interest. After the lecture concluded, Cally gathered her things and walked out of the classroom alone. Ethan pointed out, “See, alone and miserable!”

Cally soon got joined by a handsome young, handsome blonde French man. “Bonjour Cally!” His subtitles read, “Hello Cally!”

Cally smiled big and greeted him, “Salut Jean! Ça va?” Her subtitles read, “Hey Jean! What’s up?”

The young man replied, “Oui, ça va. Et toi?” His subtitles read, “I’m good. How are you?”

Cally replied, “Oui, ça va. Où est-ce que tu vas?” Her subtitles read, “Yes, I’m good. Where are you off to?”

He shrugged, “Chez moi.” His subtitles read, “My house.”

Cally invited, “Je vais aller au café. Tu veux venir avec moi?” Her subtitles read, “I’m going to a cafe. Do you want to go with me?”

He emphatically replied, “Mais oui!” His subtitles read, “Yes, of course!”

As the young man and Cally leave the class together, Joseph pointed out to Ethan, “She asked a guy out. Sounds like she got out of her shyness!”

Ethan was flabbergasted by this development, but he wouldn’t admit defeat. “Hold on. Let’s see how well she does on this supposed date.”

They followed Cally and her date to a small bistro down the street from the college. The young man and Cally sat outside and studied a menu. Joseph sat down and lounged casually but Ethan watched them anxiously. Her date asked, “Qu’est-ce que tu veux manger?” His subtitles read, “What do you want to eat?”

Cally decided, “Un croissant et des thé.” Her subtitles read, “A croissant and some tea.”

The man laughed, “C’est toût?” His subtitles read, “That’s all?”

Cally replied, “Oui. Qu’est-ce que tu vas manger?” Her subtitles read, “Yes. What are you

going to eat?”

He told her, “Je pense que je vais manger un sandwich et un chocolât.” His subtitles read, “I think I’m going to eat a sandwich and some hot chocolate.” He motioned to the waiter. “S’il vous plaît, Monsieur!” His subtitles read: “Please, sir!”

The waiter promptly came to their table and asked, “Vous desirèz?” His subtitles read, “What would you like?”

As Jean repeated their food choices they just made, Joseph nudged Ethan. Ethan responded, “What? I’m trying to read!”

With a hint of mischievousness, he replied, “Just checking on you.” Ethan groaned and returned to reading their subtitles.

The waiter brought Cally and Jean their food, and as they happily munched, Cally inquired, “Qu’est-ce que tu faire avec ton vie?” Her subtitles read, “What do you want to do with your life?”

Her date answered, “Je suis acteur.” His subtitles read, “I’m an actor.”

Cally replied honestly, “Ah bon? C’est cool.” Her subtitles read, “Oh really? That’s cool.”

The young man asked, “Et toi?” His subtitles read, “And you?”

Cally told him, “Je veux être employée de bureau. C’est quoi mon frère a fait.” Her subtitles read, “I want to be an office worker. It’s what my brother did.”

He responded, “Qu’est-ce qu’il fait maintenant?” His subtitles read, “What does he do now?”

Cally revealed, “Il est mort.” Her subtitles read, “He is dead.”

Her date said sadly, “Je suis très desolé!” His subtitles read, “I’m so sorry!”

Cally didn’t seem upset by this. “Ne suis pas. C’est parce que de lui je suis ici.” Her subtitles read, “Not me. It’s because of him I’m here.” She paused for a moment, and then she confessed, “J’aime toi beaucoup!” Her subtitles read, “I like you a lot!”

This made the young man smile broadly. “J’aime toi aussi. Est-ce que tu es ma copine?” His subtitles read, “I like you too. Will you be my girlfriend?”

Cally gushed, “Oui, bien sûr!” Her subtitles read, “Yes, of course! Cally stood up and leaned close to her date, giving him a kiss. He gladly kissed her back.

Ethan was furious, and Joseph rubbed it in, “Wow, not only is she not shy, but she’s gutsy! She made the first move!”

“She’s using my death as a way to pick up men!” Ethan scathed. “Well, I guess she’s okay with my death too!”

“Ready to give up yet?” Joseph grinned and stared expectantly.

Ethan retorted, “No! Let’s go to my old work. They’ll miss me for sure! I just hope they didn’t move the company to somewhere that requires more subtitles!” Slightly disappointed, Joseph dully snaps his fingers, and they disappeared again.

Joseph and Ethan reappeared in a row of cubicles, and it was apparent that the office was in the middle of a huge party. People were dancing, drinking cocktails, laughing, and conversing animatedly. They wore much more formal attire than usual with the exception of nametag stickers. Joseph remarked, “Sure doesn’t look like they’re depressed!”

Ethan’s face fell. “We’ve never had an office party before! What’s going on?”

At that moment, the best dressed man there, Gregory, turned off the music. Everyone paid attention as he prepared to speak. “I just wanted to take a moment to remind you all why we’re here and we’re celebrating today. Exactly one year ago we lost a brave hero. Ethan Miller died tragically. He was certainly an asset in his life, but he proves to be an even greater influence through his death. His actions have inspired us to be the company we are today. Profits have soared higher than ever, thanksto his philosophy! So, let’s all have a toast!” He raised a champagne glass over his head. “To Ethan!”

The rest of the office raised their drinks and toasted, “To Ethan!” Gregory turned on the music back on, and everyone resumed the party. Ethan told Joseph, “Don’t even ask. I’m not ready yet. Just because the company doesn’t miss me and is more profitable than ever since I died doesn’t mean my coworkers don’t miss me.” Joseph looked skeptical but said nothing. He let Ethan listen to his coworkers chat.

A man named John commented, “I hope this party makes Ethan proud!”

“You know it does!” Gabriel replied.

A younger man named Paul inquired, “Didn’t I replace him?”

“You didn’t replace him. No one could replace what he did,” a woman named Esther put in. For a moment, Ethan got his hopes up, but then she went on, “ But essentially you took over his duties when he was gone.”

Gabriel told Paul, “You were the only one that was not intimidated by taking his old cubicle. No one thought they could fill his shoes. Lucky you did! The company is doing so well now!”

“Thanks guys!” Paul swelled with pride upon hearing this. “Hey, John! Isn’t that the girl you like over there?”

John noticeably blushed, “No!”

“Yes it is!” Esther almost shrieked with delight. “Look at Sarah standing by herself. Go ask her to dance!”

“Oh, I couldn’t!” John dismissed the idea passively. Everyone could tell he really wanted to go for it.

Gabriel urged John, “Do it dude! Or someone else will!” Although he didn’t want Gabriel to flirt with Sarah, he was still really nervous. The others kept encouraging John to go ask Sarah to dance. He hesitated, but eventually they convinced him to go for it. They watched him from a distance. When she said yes, and they all cheered. As John danced with Sarah, the group changed subjects and talked about their favorite cocktails.

Ethan looked absolutely crestfallen. Joseph put his arm around either and leveled with him, “Your fiancee moved on. Your parents are doing well. Your sister turned out fine. Your coworkers are flourishing. Is there anyone else you want to see, or can we finally go back to Heaven’s Headquarters?”

Ethan inwardly knew that he was losing this argument, but he refused to believe the whole world had moved on without him. He didn’t want to die, so he decided to fight for his life. “I’m not a quitter! Someone in this town must miss me!” Joseph groaned but snapped his fingers to take them away anyways.

Joseph and Ethan popped inside a pub where they see a group of Ethan’s friends toasting to a victory with cocktails. Ethan folded his arms in annoyance. Joseph snapped his fingers and they disappeared.

Ethan stood outside in his old neighborhood. He noted, “I see someone bought my house!” He watched a mother load her infant into a car in the driveway where he used to live. The mother waved hello to the across the street neighbor, who was dressed in a suit and obviously leaving for work. One of his next door neighbors was working on a garden while the other watered his lawn. Ethan walked down the street and saw everyone getting ready for their day. They all seemed so untroubled, which made Ethan pout. Joseph snapped his fingers and they disappeared again.

Next, Ethan and Joseph watched his dentist smiling while working on a patient. Joseph shook his head and snapped his fingers to make them disappear.

After that, Ethan walked down a street that was full of shops and restaurants, listening to several conversations. When he realized no one was talking about him and everyone seemed to be in a pleasant mood, Ethan shook his head despondently. Joseph snapped his fingers to make them disappear.

Ethan then watched as travelers at the airport. People went to baggage claim, headed towards their gates, got food and drinks at a nearby coffee stand, and waited for their friends and loved ones on vacant seats. He desperately listened, truly hoping to hear one person mention him. Finally, one traveler asked another, “Did you hear about Ethan?” Ethan looks hopeful. When the traveler said he hadn’t, the first traveler revealed, “He’s directing a new movie in L.A.” Ethan was heartbroken to hear this. Joseph snapped his fingers to make them disappear.

This time, Ethan watched as the mayor gave a speech about public safety. The crowd appeared enthused. Joseph looked at Ethan, who is walked away from the scene with his head down. Joseph quickly followed him.

Joseph caught up with Ethan at a graveyard and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Sniffling a little, Ethan admitted, “I get it. I guess no one misses me.”

“That’s not true!” Joseph disputed.

Before Joseph could say more, Ethan ranted, “Clearly the world is better off with me not in it!”

“Don’t say that!” Joseph reacted with complete sympathy but genuinely disagreed with him.

Ethan argued, “It’s true! If it’s not true, then you wouldn’t have shown me all this!”

Joseph assured him, “You were missed! But you needed to die! I can’t tell you why!”

Ethan didn’t believe him. “Whatever. Maybe Heaven can cheer me up.”

Joseph gently asked, “You ready to go?”

“Can I have a minute?” Ethan requested.

“Of course,” Joseph relented. A cell phone in Joseph’s pocket rang, and Joseph exclaimed, “Hey, it’s J.C.!”

“Who?” Ethan’s curiosity perked up even though he was severely depressed.

“The Big Guy’s son.” Joseph answered the call. “Hey!” He paused while J.C. spoke, and then he reported, “Yes, we’re almost done. How’s the party? George Washington did what?” As Joseph talked on the phone, Ethan gazed forlornly at the graveyard. Suddenly, something caught his eye. He can’t explain why, but he was compelled to look at a statue with a huge angel on it. He ran over to it. Joseph kept chatting, not noticing that Ethan was reading the epitaph on the grave he was drawn to. “Sounds like a great party!” He paused again when J.C. asked him something. “Yeah. I’m watching Ethan! What do you mean, where is he? He’s in the graveyard and…oh shi-! Shoot!”

It was too late. Ethan read, “Here lies Ethan Jacob Miller, who sacrificed his body to save his sister’s life. Even in death, he encourages his loved ones to live life to the fullest. God rest this brave soul!” Ethan closes his eyes, remembering.

His memory flash-backed to Cally and Ethan coming out of a restaurant, laughing and conversing pleasantly. As they strolled down the street, a man came up from behind them with a gun and pushed them into a nearby alley. Ethan and Cally are pushed to the ground by the gunman. They stand up and face him. The gunman growled, “Hand over all your money!” Ethan handed over his wallet, but Cally did not move The gun man ordered, “Gimme your money too, you dumb girl!

Frantic, Cally sputtered, “I don’t have any money, so I didn’t bring my purse! I don’t have anything!”

The robber directed, “Give me your jewelry then!”

Tears forming, Cally cried, “I don’t have any jewelry!”

“Ugh! Quit playing me, bitch!” the mugger was losing his patience.

“I don’t have anything, honest!” Cally was now in tears. The gunman let out a roar of frustration. He aimed his gun at Cally and fired. Cally winced, expecting to get hit. Ethan threw his body in front of her and took the bullet! The weight of Ethan’s body knocked Cally to the ground. Cally howled, “Ethan!”

Someone on the street yelled, “Was that a gun? Call nine one one!”

The robber ran off as witnesses poured in to see what happened. Cally turned Ethan’s body around to face her. She looked at his wound in horror and is horrified to see Ethan’s labored breathing. Cally pleaded, “No! Ethan! Don’t die! You’re gonna make it! Hang on!”

In betwenn breaths, Ethan told her, “There are some things worth dying for! I don’t want anyone to be sad for me. They’ll show me they care by having fun and achieving their potential. Tell Diana not to become an old maid! Tell Dad to quit drinking and get ahead at work! Tell everyone we know to live life to the fullest! Cally, you’ll be getting a lot of money. Use it to go to school in France like you’ve always dreamed of! Don’t cry! It’s my time! I love you, sister! Tell everyone!”

Ethan stopped breathing just as the paramedics came. As they put his body on the gurney, through thick tears, Cally swore, “I’ll tell everyone! I promise!” She cried hysterically as the paramedics took her older brother away.

Back in the graveyard, Joseph came running up to Ethan, who was in tears. Joseph asked, “Are you okay?”

Ethan nodded and wiped away some of his tears so he could speak. “You were right, I needed to die! Everyone moving on was honoring my last wishes! I inspired them! I wouldn’t change a thing!”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Joseph inquired, “Ready to go now?”

Ethan stated firmly, “Yes.” Joseph was about to snap his fingers, but Ethan stopped him. “Wait! I got an idea.”

Ethan took over the empty reception desk at the entrance to Hell. He used his office phone to call the Big Guy. Ethan conversed,“Whew! What a busy morning! A group of Somali pirates’ boat went down, that’s a lot of paperwork! No really, I’m loving this! I get a lot of satisfaction sending evil people where they deserve to go! Oh, someone is coming, gotta go! Thanks again for everything, Big Guy!” Ethan hung up the phone and waited expectantly. A portal appeared and spat out the gunman who murdered him! Ethan smiled triumphantly at him. “Ah, Mister Gun Man! Thought you could out gun the SWAT team, huh? Wow, you’re a lot more evil than just murdering me! Please go straight to Area 666!” Ethan pulled a lever and flung him away. He then put up his feet and sighed happily.

 

 

 

 

 

The Obssessive (Entire Story)

FADE IN.

INT. UNDERWORLD.
Establishing shot. Time Unknown. SUPERIMPOSE:
“The Underworld-Order of the Serpent Headquarters.”

A group of hooded men sit at a round table. B.G.-the walls are cavern and the room is round. The room also has small caves leading out from the room. A statue of a snake made of copper hangs on the wall at the front of the room.

APOLLYON:
Welcome, brothers, to the Order of the Snake.
Cresil, have you made progress?

CRESIL:
With help from Mammon…

Cresil nods to one of the hooded men, who nods in acknowledgement.

CRESIL:
We managed to infiltrate Emperor Keres. His love
of money clouds his judgement. He now rules with
the soul purpose of gaining money. He does not
care for his Polis or the people in them.

APOLLYON:
Excellent work, men!

VETIS:
Apollyon, sir, Orthon and I want to work on
the townsfolk.

APOLLYON:
Why?

ORTHON:
We need some people on the outside to agree
with the emperor’s new ideas so they have
other voices to convince them that the change
in government is a good thing.

APOLLYON:
Good idea. We need an outspoken individual to
reword the emperor’s laws to convince them to
comply. Velos?

VELOS:
Yes sir?

APOLLYON:
Help Orthon and Vetis find the right soul.

VELOS:
I won’t fail!

INT/EXT. VELOS’ LAIR/GREEK STREETS. DAY.
B.G.-the cavern room is small. It has a chair, a stone table, and a crystal ball. VELOS (handsome, chiseled jaw, cold eyes, pale skin) waves his hand over the crystal ball lazily. He looks bored. The stone wall has a projection screen that changes every time he moves his hand. The screen shows ancient Greek people with orbs in various colors over their hearts.

VELOS:
Is there no one who could draw
a crowd?

He suddenly stops, and his eyes grow wide in awe. ANGLE ON- GREEK KORA (beautiful, brunette, golden eyes, curvy physique). Greek Kora lounges imperially in a bath. ZOOM IN to the screen and FOCUS on her golden orb. CUT BACK to Velos, who is mesmerized by the image. Orthon and Vetis walk in.

VETIS:
Did you find someone?

Velos’s look changes to a lustful greed.

VELOS:
Oh yes. I found my future bride!

Orthon and Vetis look at the screen and smile.

ORTHON:
A worthy choice.

VETIS:
That’s the princess! How are you going
to convince her to marry you?

VELOS:
Let me work my magic!

EXT. GREEK BRIDGE. NIGHT.

SUPERIMPOSE: Greece 872 B.C.

Greek Kora stands on the bridge looking at the stars. GREEK ANDREW (good looking, blue eyes, dark curly hair, strong) approaches her cautiously.

GREEK ANDREW:
Princess?

Greek Kora looks at him and smiles.

GREEK KORA:
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you coming.

GREEK ANDREW:
Your father in law is looking for you.

GREEK KORA:
Of course he is. He’s missing one of
his most prized possessions. He’s changed.

Suddenly Greek Kora shudders.

GREEK KORA:
Who else is out there?

GREEK ANDREW:
Only your lowly slave.

GREEK KORA:
You’re not just a slave. You know that.

GREEK ANDREW:
No, it’s true. I’m yours. Whenever you
need me, I’ll be there!

Greek Kora smiles. Greek Andrew smiles too. ZOOM IN on Greek Andrew clasping his fingers with Greek Kora’s. CUT BACK to Greek Kora and Greek Andrew smiling at each other.

INT. GREEK KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.

B.G.-Greek Kora’s room is all golden-including the walls, the cushy bed, and her desk with a vanity mirror. Greek Kora sits in front of her mirror combing her hair. Suddenly, Velos appears in the mirror.

VELOS:
Hello my love!

Greek Kora gets surprised by his sudden appearance. She looks behind her and sees no one. The image in the mirror is very clear.

GREEK KORA:
Who are you?

VELOS:
I’m your future husband.

GREEK KORA:
What?

Velos climbs out of the mirror. Greek Kora is frightened.

GREEK KORA:
Who are you?

VELOS:
You asked me that already. But I will indulge
you. I am Velos, ruler of magic in the
Underworld. I went looking for souls to steal,
and when I saw your beautiful soul, I fell
deeply in love with you!

Velos stares deep into her chest. Greek Kora backs away from him.

GREEK KORA:
Get away from me!

VELOS:
I will never stay away from you,
my beautiful bride!

GREEK KORA:
I’m already married, and I would
never marry you!

Greek Kora turns to run away.

VELOS:
You can’t run from me! Wherever you go,
I will find you! I’ll kill anyone who tries
to take you from me! Whenever your soul
reincarnates, I will find you! We’re meant
to be together-embrace your fate!

Greek Kora quickly leaves the room. Velos rolls his eyes and disappears.

EXT. GREEK FOREST. NIGHT.

Greek Kora runs through the forest as fast as she can. She looks truly frightened, her clothes are torn, and she has a few scratches on her. She finally runs out of breath and clutches against a tree. ZOOM OUT to show she is by a river.

VELOS (O.S.):
You can keep running all your life
if you want.
(laughs)

GREEK KORA:
You won’t hurt anymore of my friends!

Greek Kora hurls herself into the river. Beat. Velos comes to look for her and eventually her corpse floats up.

EXT. MEDIEVAL ROAD. DAY.

SUPERIMPOSE: England 1619

MEDIEVAL KORA (looks like Greek Kora but with medieval garb) walks down the street happily. She greets people as they pass.

VILLAGER 1:
Good morrow!

MEDIEVAL KORA:
‘Tis indeed!

VILLAGER 2:
How fare you?

MEDIEVAL KORA:
Very well!

VILLAGER 2:
As always!

Medieval Kora chuckles. She reaches her destination and enters into a house.

INT/EXT. MEDIEVAL KORA’S HOUSE. DAY.

Medieval Kora sits by a window reading a book. She looks very relaxed. She closes the book, and looks out to the sea. INTERCUT to the ocean. INTERCUTT BACK to Medieval Kora sighs in contentment.

EXT. MEDIEVAL ROAD. NIGHT.

The villagers all carry torches and shout in anger. Medieval Kora is tied to a post, and hay surrounds the post. A medieval LORD reads from a parchment.

LORD:
Due to the suspicious amount of murders
around thee and the strange activity
coming from thine house, you have been
charged with heresy. Thou art sentenced
to burning. Any last words?

VILLAGER 1:
Burn her!

VILLAGER 2:
She’s a witch!

MEDIEVAL JULIAN (dark hair, brown eyes, skinny physique) runs up to her.

MEDIEVAL JULIAN:
Don’t let them do this! Tell them
thou art innocent and they’ll let
thee go!

MEDIEVAL KORA:
Everyone is safer this way.

The lord pushes Medieval Julian out of the way. The torch bearers light the hay. Medieval Kora closes her eyes and embraces her fate.

EXT. VICTORIAN SHIP. DAY.

SUPERIMPOSE: Virginia 1824

VICTORIAN KORA (dressed in servant robes) sits at the side of a large ship. She gazes out at the water. INTERCUT to her view of the land in the distance. CUT BACK to Victorian Kora. Her cat, MICKEY (a long-haired white cat) jumps onto the edge with her.

VICTORIAN KORA:
Look at it! It’s Virginia, our new home!
Sure, I’ll be an indentured servant, but
once I’ve earned enough money, I can buy
my freedom! Can you imagine it? No longer
will I slave away in poverty! And no
uptight aristocrats judging us. Everyone
here came for an adventure. I cannot wait
to have my own adventure! That’s what
freedom is-an adventure! Nothing can stop
us now!

INT. VICTORIAN KORA’S ROOM. SUNSET.

Victorian Kora lays on her deathbed. She is extremely pale. A VICTORIAN DOCTOR enters.

VICTORIAN DOCTOR:
Your influenza seems to have taken
a turn for the worst.

VICTORIAN KORA:
Yes.

VICTORIAN DOCTOR:
Why did you wander outside in the
winter with no cloak?

VICTORIAN KORA:
I was focused on…other things…

VICTORIAN DOCTOR:
A lot of people have died around
here lately. It’s a shame to add
one more to the list.

VICTORIAN KORA:
No, it’s better this way. I’ll
finally get my freedom!

VICTORIAN DOCTOR:
Alright, well, let’s try blood
letting one more time. Maybe
this time will take.

Victorian Kora grows fainter as he puts leeches on her.

VICTORIAN KORA:
Everyone is safe now! Freedom!

The Victorian Doctor looks at her strangely as he places the leeches.

INT. VELOS’S LAIR.

Velos bangs one of his fists against the wall and cries out in frustration. He then paces back and forth angrily.

VELOS:
How do I keep losing her?

Velos stops and looks at his crystal ball.

VELOS:
Mark my words-next lifetime, she
will be mine!

Velos waves his hand over the crystal ball. ZOOM IN to the crystal ball, which gains a multi-colored cloud.

CUE OPENING MONTAGE

SUPERIMPOSE: San Francisco 1987

KORA’S ROOM
ZOOM IN on Kora’s boombox. PLAY SONG “I Got My Mind Set On You” by George Harrison. Kora shakes her rear end to the drum intro. When lyrics start, ZOOM OUT to Kora in her pajamas (shorts with hearts, tank top) singing into a full length mirror using a gold hair brush.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you.
Kora goes to her dresser and picks out an outfit while still dancing and lip syncing to the music.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
But it’s gonna take money,
a whole lot of spending money,
it’s gonna take plenty of money
to do it right child.

PAN AWAY from Kora to the floor and show her pajamas hitting the floor.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s gonna take time,
a whole lot of precious time,
It’s gonna take patience and time,
mmm, to do it-

PAN BACK to Kora, who is fully dressed.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it,
to do it right child!

Kora goes to her bed. BG- various posters are behind her bed, including the Princess Bride. Mickey is on the bed, and Kora lip syncs to him.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you.
Mickey runs out of the room.

HALLWAY

Kora passes by four portraits. One is of her. Also up there is DYLAN (high school aged, brown hair, brown eyes), MERNA (late forties, curly brown hair, green eyes) and HAROLD (early fifties, salt and pepper hair, golden brown eyes).

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
And this time I know it’s real,
the feeling that I feel-

BATHROOM
BG-Kora’s bathroom is small but cozy. Kora does her hair.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
I know if I put my mind to it,
I know that I can really do it!
I’ve got my mind set on you,
set on you.
I’ve got my mind set on you,
set on you.

Kora does her make up.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(Singing)
But it’s gonna take money,
a whole lotta spending money,
it’s gonna take plenty of money
to do it right child.
It’s gonna take time,
a whole lotta precious time,
it’s gonna take patience and time,
to do it, to do it, to do it,
to do it, to do it, to do it right.

When Kora finishes her make up, she does a little kiss towards the mirror and walks out.

HALLWAY

During the ten second breakdown, Kora dances in the hallway.

STAIRWAY

Kora goes up and down the steps rhythmically.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you,
I’ve got my mind set on you.

KITCHEN

Kora dances as she prepares toast and coffee.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
And this time I know it’s real,
the feelings that I feel,
I know if I put my mind to it,
I know that I can really do it!

Kora goes to the kitchen table to eat and drink her breakfast.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
But it’s gonna take money,
a whole lotta spending money,
it’s gonna take plenty of money,
to do it right child.

Kora dances into the living room.

LIVING ROOM

Kora grabs her shoes that are by the door and puts them on while sitting on the couch.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
It’s gonna take time,
a whole lotta precious time,
it’s gonna take patience and time
to do it, to do it, to do it,
to do it, to do it, to do it right.

Kora heads outside.

FRONT YARD

BG-Kora’s home is brown and has grass and bushes on the front lawn. A small chain fence surrounds the house, except for the backyard, which has a wooden fence. The Bay can be seen in the distance. Kora, who wears a walkman, dances down the porch, unlatches the gate, and heads out.

GEORGE HARRISON (O.S.):
(singing)
Set on you, set on you,
set on you, set on you,
set on you, set on you,
set on you, set on you,
set on you, set on you,
set on you, set on you.

SONG FADES

END OF MONTAGE

EXT. JULIAN’S HOUSE. DAY.

Kora walks toward her house with a small grocery bag and a small cup of soda. BG-Next to Kora’s house, there is a pink home with similar architecture to Kora’s home. Julian emerges from his house. He sees Kora and waves happily. Kora does not see him. Julian runs up to his front gate and taps her shoulder. Kora looks confused and then looks towards Julian. When she realizes who it is, she takes off her headphones excitedly.

KORA:
(gasps)
Skipper!

JULIAN:
Kora!

Julian hops over his gate, and they give each other a hug.

KORA:
So, I’m not the only one moving
back in with her parents!

JULIAN:
Actually, my parents retired in
Florida. Ugh, so cliche! I
own this house!

KORA:
Wow, so now you own a house
and a boat!

JULIAN:
Well, I inherited the boat
but I bought the house from
my parents. Guess who’s San
Francisco’s newest public defender!

KORA:
You’re practicing law now? Why
didn’t you tell me?

JULIAN:
I wrote you a letter, but apparently
you don’t live in Seattle anymore.
What happened?

KORA:
Graduate school wasn’t right for
me. I don’t think I’m meant to be
a teacher.

JULIAN:
So, what are you going to do now?

KORA:
I’m looking for work in the Bay
Area until I figure out what I’m
meant to do. So, have you settled
down with anyone yet?

JULIAN:
(laughs)
Yeah right! Too many cute men out
here! Though you’ll be happy to know
I’ve started using condoms more.
(laughs again)
Seriously though, you can’t be too
careful right now.

KORA:
I knew a guy in Seattle that got
AIDS. He’s not doing too well.

JULIAN:
No kidding! What about you?

KORA:
I don’t have AIDS.

JULIAN:
No, I meant do you have a man
in your life?

KORA:
Are you kidding? I’m a twenty-
four year old living with her
parents and I have no job-who
would want me?

JULIAN:
Someone will. How could they not-
you’re awesome!

KORA:
I’m not worries about finding a
man. When the right time comes,
he’ll come to me. Anyways, I’m
more concerned about finding a
job with equal pay.

JULIAN:
Well, good luck, sister! Listen,
I got to go! Let’s do drinks some
time this week.

KORA:
Sounds great! Oh, I’m so glad that
I can hang out with my Skipper again!

JULIAN:
It’s going to be so much fun! But if
a cute guy’s around, remember to call
me by my full name, Julian Alwin,
esquire.

KORA:
Alright. See ya later!

JULIAN:
Later Kora!

Julian goes to his car in the driveway. Kora smiles and walks to her house.

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. DAY.

Kora is eating lunch when Harold, Merna, and Dylan walk in wearing church clothes.

MERNA:
Hey! I thought you were too sick to
go to church!

KORA:
No, Mom, I said I was sick of church.

HAROLD:
Look, no one likes going to church, but-

KORA:
Last week everyone said a prayer for me
to get a job. It’s embarrassing to be
center of attention like that.

DYLAN:
So, get a job and problem solved, right?

KORA:
I worked hard to get my degree, so I
deserve to make the same amount as man!
Mom, you make as much as a man; aren’t
you proud?

MERNA:
I’m a female pilot-no one thinks I
exist, so they pay me like a man.
Maybe if you go to school for it,
you can be a pilot too.

HAROLD:
Oh no, I’m not paying for more
education til Dylan goes to college.

DYLAN:
What if I get a football scholarship?

HAROLD:
Oh please! At the rate you’re going,
you’ll be keeping your sister company
after high school!

KORA:
Hey! Do you really think it’ll take
me that long to get a job?

DYLAN:
I can’t be that bad if they keep
letting me on the team.

KORA:
Then why were you the only boy
allowed to play on the Powder
Puff team?

DYLAN:
I disguised myself to look like
you so boys would stop hitting on me.

MERNA:
That’s enough! Even though kids grow
up, they still squabble like children!

HAROLD:
Kora, you’ll get a job if you keep
trying. Dylan, boys will stop hitting
on you if you cut your hair.

Dylan rolls his eyes.

MERNA:
So Kora, have you done any job
hunting today?

KORA:
It’s Sunday, Mom. Everything’s closed.
Look, you don’t need to worry about me.
It’s not like I want to stay here
forever. I’m just tired of taking chances
on things only for it to not work out.
If I accept another job, I want something
that will last, something that means a lot
to me and will let me live the life I
want to live. I know what I’m doing, so I
don’t want people watching my every move.
I do want to maintain a small sense of
freedom, okay?

HAROLD:
Alright, alright, we’ll back off. We’re
cool. Do you kids still say cool? Oh I
got it, we’re radical. We’re radical!

Kora and Dylan laugh and shake their heads. Merna laughs, and Harold smiles.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.

Kora sits in her room in her pajamas while listening to some upbeat music and reading a book. She looks out the window and sighs. Mickey jumps onto the windowsill, obstructing her view.

KORA:
Oh, hello Mr. Moody! Am I not
paying enough attention to you?

Kora goes to pet Mickey, but Mickey gives her a stern look.

KORA:
Or maybe you just wanna look
out the window.

Kora stands up and also looks out the window.

KORA:
What do you see when you look out
there, Mickey? The ocean gives me
hope. It just reminds me there is
more out there. Like, no matter
what’s happening to me here, there’s
a whole world out there, and my
problems seem less significant.
Doesn’t work with rivers though.
I don’t know why.

Kora sits back down.

KORA:
I feel like something is coming for
me, but I don’t think it’ll be easy
to get. Sometimes I fear I’ll never
be happy, like I’m doomed by some kind
of curse. I try not to think like that
though. All I can do is take it one day
at a time. I don’t need my answer right
now. I’d settle for the Niners beating
those stinking Cowboys!

Mickey jumps off the windowsill and scampers off. Kora turns off the music and lights and then goes to bed.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. DAY.

Kora wakes up and gets out of bed. When she gets to her dresser, she sees a shadow move out of the corner of her eye. She looks in the direction of the shadow, sees nothing, and shrugs. As she starts to undress, she senses the shadow behind her. She looks again, sees nothing, and continues to undress.

INT. KORA’S BATHROOM. DAY.
As Kora sits on the toilet, she hears someone take a deep breath. She finds it strange but does not do anything about it.

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. DAY.
Kora’s family sitting down for breakfast. Merna is wearing her pilot’s uniform, Harold is wearing a suit, and Dylan wears school-appropriate clothes. The radio in the kitchen is playing a news station.

NEWSPERSON (O.S.):
…This stock market crash is the
biggest fall we’ve seen in a long
time, which prompted the media to
call this day “Black Monday”…

HAROLD:
Great! My clients will not be happy
about this.

DYLAN:
What does working for a bank have
to do with the stock market?

MERNA:
People who lost money are going
to look at all their assets. I
wonder how this will impact the
British economy. I guess I’ll
find out later.

KORA:
I’ve always been fascinated by
England. I don’t know why, but
for some reason I always think
about a big bonfire when I
picture England.

HAROLD:
You should be a writer. Sometimes
you say the most random things!

The family is quiet for a moment. The napkins at the center of the table suddenly tip over. Merna picks it it up, and Kora stares at it peculiarly.

INT. TROLLEY. DAY.
Kora sits in a crowded trolley car. The lady next to her is doing her make up. Out of the corner of Kora’s eye, she thins she sees some cold eyes looking at her from the mirror. She turns and looks at the mirror. All she can see is the lady doing her make up. Kora looks confused.

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING. DAY.
As Kora walks towards the entrance, she slips, but someone catches her.

KORA:
Thank you!

Kora looks around and sees no one. She frowns and walks inside the office building.

INT. KERES’S OFFICE. DAY.
Kora enters into an office and speaks with a man whose desk labels him as John KERES.

KERES:
Hello! I’m John Keres, the hiring manager
for Globalnet Finanical Investments. Have
a seat.

Kora sits down.

KERES:
Do you have any experience in finance
or business?

KORA:
No, but I have a bachelor’s degree.

KERES:
What was your major?

KORA:
English. And I started a graduate
in Education but-

KERES:
Do you have experience in sales?
Office management?

KORA:
For a while, I was a cashier at
Montgomery Wards.

KERES:
Okay, great. So, what is your
availability like?

KORA:
I’m completely open.

KERES:
Can you come in on Monday?

KORA:
For a second interview?

KERES:
No, I’d like you start working.

KORA:
I got the job? Just like that?
Oh, thank you! Did you like my
job experience then?

KERES:
No, I like your ta-tas.

KORA:
Excuse me?

KERES:
I should say the company likes your
ta-tas. We like to have a girl on
our staff because other financial
investors tend to donate more when
they see an attractive woman.

KORA:
So, I wouldn’t be doing any actual
work? I thought you were advertising
for a financial assistant!

KERES:
And you would be assisting us. Just
wear a tight blouse and act like you
understand what the men are saying.

KORA:
I understand a lot about finances!
My dad is a bank manager.

KERES:
Sweetie, you don’t need to use your
brains anymore. You’ll be making twice
as much as you did at Montgomery Ward
but all you gotta do is look pretty.
Like modeling.

KORA:
Without the dignity!

KERES:
What? You’re offended? You feel
complimented!

KORA:
I don’t want your job if it means
a lack of respect! Find another
pin up, dickhead!

Kora storms out. Keres raises his eyebrows, shakes his head, and throws away her paperwork.

INT. BAR. NIGHT.

Kora and Julian sit on a couch in a trendy bar.

JULIAN:
What a pig! You should sue him!

KORA:
Yeah right.

JULIAN:
Seriously, sexual harassment victims
can sue for thousands. I’m talking
six figures.

KORA:
Yeah, and I’m sure his high priced
lawyers will claim I’m just trying
to pull a scam since I’m having so
much trouble finding work. I don’t
want that drama. All I want to do is
find a job!

JULIAN:
You don’t just want a job. You want the
job. Otherwise you would’ve taken that slimeball’s
offer.

KORA:
I guess I just feel like I belong somewhere.
I’ve been in the Bay Area, away, and back
again. Why is it so much trouble for me?

JULIAN:
You got standards. Like, look at our dating
history. Do I get more dates than you? Yes.
But I’m not going for the stable guys with
a future.

KORA:
But you have a stable job.

JULIAN:
Yeah, I got my life, so a man would have
to be pretty darn special to change that.
But my point is most people settles for
something that makes money. You want
something that makes you happy. Take your
time ’cause that won’t be easy to find!

KORA:
I can’t just take my time. I already have
bill collectors bugging me about my
student loans. I feel so hopeless!

RANDY (a sleazy bar patron) sits on the arm of the couch next to Kora.

RANDY:
You feel low? I’ll raise you up!

KORA:
Who do you think you are to just
go up to a girl and say that?

RANDY:
Name’s Randolph, but girls call me
Randy ’cause that’s how I make them
feel.

KORA:
Ugh! I’ve had enough creeps today.
Get lost!

Randy attempts to touch her, but Kora pushes his hand away, which causes Randy to spill his drink on her blouse. Kora marches straight to the bathroom, very angry.

INT. BAR BATHROOM. NIGHT.
Kora slams the bathroom door closed. She looks at the red stain on her blouse and growls. She tries wiping it off with a paper towel, but it doesn’t come out. She thrusts the paper towel into the trash and takes off her blouse. Her white camisole is low cut, and as she tries scrubbing out the stain with soap and water, she does not notice Velos appear in the mirror. He looks down her cleavage and smiles pervertedly. He watches her chest moving while she cleans.

VELOS:
Oh yeah!

Kora hears this. She looks around the bathroom but sees no one. Velos disappears from the mirror, but Kora catches a glimpse of his eyes. She does not understand what just happened, but she feels a little violated. She grabs her blouse, quickly puts it on, and rushes out of the bathroom.

INT. BAR. NIGHT.
Kora rushes up to Julian.

JULIAN:
Don’t worry, Randy’s gone. Started
hitting on some slutty girl that he
says looks like Debbie Gibson. I’m
like please, she is no Deb-

KORA:
Skipper! I think someone is following
me!

JULIAN:
Someone in this bar, you mean?

KORA:
No! All morning I saw shadows
everywhere. And after I tripped this
afternoon, someone caught me and
disappeared. And just now, in the
bathroom, I saw a guy in the mirror
watching me.

JULIAN:
There’s a man in the ladies’ room?

KORA:
No, he was in the mirror.

JULIAN:
Like it was a two way?

KORA:
Sorta. But as soon as I noticed
he was there, he disappeared.

JULIAN:
Okay, if you file a police report,
you’ll need a to have a little more
proof. Wait til you’re completely
sober and get a long enough look to
get a description.

KORA:
Can we just get out of here?

JULIAN:
Of course! You call me if he
causes you anymore problems!

KORA:
Thanks Skipper!

He gives her a hug, and they leave together.

INT. KORA’S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.
Kora bursts into the living room, not paying attention to why her father was in the room.

KORA:
I’ve had the worst day!

HAROLD:
Kora…

KORA:
This town is full of perverted men!
Why can’t I seem to get rid of them?

HAROLD:
Kora-

KORA:
The fact that my blouse is ruined is
the least of my problems! That interview
I went to was a disaster! That man outright
said he liked my ta-tas! Can you believe
that? I wanted to kill him!

HAROLD:
KORA! We have a visitor!

Kora had been so busy ranting that she didn’t realize a man was sitting on the chair. ANDREW (looks like Greek Andrew but with a thin mustache and detective clothing) turns around.

KORA:
Oh! Oh gosh! I’m so sorry! I’ll
just go upstairs so you two can
talk alone.

Kora starts to go upstairs.

ANDREW:
Actually, I’m here to talk to you.
Kora stops and turns to him.

ANDREW:
Detective Andrew Zalman, homicide.

KORA:
Homicide?

ANDREW:
Yes, homicide. I’m investigating
the murder of John Keres.

KORA:
He’s dead? No way! I just saw him
this afternoon!

ANDREW:
I know. You, apparently, were the
last one to see him alive. We found
your resume on top of his desk. It
was covered in blood.

KORA:
Wow. So was he shot or stabbed?

ANDREW:
Why don’t you tell me?

KORA:
What’s that supposed to mean?

ANDREW:
Did you kill him?

KORA:
What? No!

ANDREW:
You just said you wanted to.

KORA:
Not literally! The guy was a
scumbag, but I’d never kill him
over it! For god’s sake, my best
friend’s a lawyer! I’m on the
law enforcement’s side!

ANDREW:
Alright, alright. If you didn’t
kill him, then you must’ve seen
who did.

KORA:
No. I was so mad that I stormed
out. I used a pay phone to call my
friend to meet for drinks. Some
people passed by on the street, but
I wasn’t paying attention to their
faces.

Kora starts to head upstairs again.

ANDREW:
Where are you going?

KORA:
Upstairs. You’re added to list of
men who offended me today!

Kora starts going upstairs again.

ANDREW:
So, you have nothing else to say
to me?

KORA:
Yeah, that mustache makes you look
like a dweeb!

HAROLD:
Kora!

Kora goes upstairs. SOUND EFFECT-Kora slams her door.

ANDREW:
If she remembers anything else,
have her call me.

Andrew hands him a business card.

HAROLD:
Yes, sir.

As Andrew leaves, he feels his mustache and ponders.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Kora angrily gets ready for a shower.

HAROLD (O.S.):
Kora, I’m picking your brother
up from football practice.

KORA:
Whatever.

HAROLD (O.S.):
Are you okay?

KORA:
I’m fine!

HAROLD (O.S.):
Alright, I won’t be long.

Kora says nothing. After she hears him leave, she starts to leave the room. She hears Velos take a deep breath. She checks all over the room to places where a man could hide but sees no one. Though she feels uneasy, she leaves.

INT. KORA’S BATHROOM. NIGHT.
As Kora lays in the tub trying to relax, she hears more heavy breathing. She looks around and can tell the sound is coming from just outside the door.

KORA:
Who are you? Show yourself!

The door cracks open, and Kora clearly expects the worst. Mickey pops in.

KORA:
Oh, it’s you.
Mickey stares at her fixedly.

KORA:
Mickey, why are you watching me?
You never do that.

Mickey stares and sits completely still. Kora is suspicious and bathes as concealed as she can get.

INT. VELOS’S LAIR.
Velos watches her bathe through the eyes of the cat. He puts his hand down his pants and continues watching.

INT. KORA’S ROOM NIGHT.
After Kora has finished bathing, she goes to her room. Before she takes off her robe, Mickey pushes his way in.

KORA:
No, Mickey! You leave!

The cat does not move.

KORA:
Get out of here!

She pushes the cat, but the cat does not move.

KORA:
Get out!

VELOS:
(through the cat)
I can’t! I love you too much!

Kora screams.

INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.
Harold and Dylan arrive when they hear Kora’s scream. They run up to help.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Harold and Dylan run in to see Kora backed into a corner of her bed as far away from Mickey as she can get. Mickey stays firmly by the door.

HAROLD:
What’s going on?

KORA:
The cat talked to me! Like he moved
his fucking lips and said he loved me!

DYLAN:
The cat said that?

KORA:
Yes! I saw his lips moving! But it
wasn’t like he was trying to be
sweet. He sounded like…

HAROLD:
You’ve had a stressful day.
Get some rest.

Harold and Dylan start to leave.

KORA:
Wait! Take that thing away from
me!

Harold and Dylan give her a look, but Dylan stoops down to take the cat. Mickey digs his claws into the rug, and Dylan cannot move him. Harold stoops down and releases the cat’s claws. Mickey looks mad as Dylan takes him out of the room. Harold looks at Kora, worried, then leaves. Kora, still freaked out, gets off the bed.

INT. COFFEEHOUSE. DAY.
Kora stands in line at a coffee shop. JESSE (handsome male barista) sees her and smiles. She smiles back shyly. When she gets to the register, Jesse takes her order.

JESSE:
What’ll you have?

KORA:
A medium latte, please.

Jesse picks up a medium cup and writes her order on it.

JESSE:
Can I have your name?

KORA:
Kora, with a K.

JESSE:
Okay, Kora with a K, can I
get your number?

Kora blushes.

BARISTA SUPERVISOR:
Not on company time, Jesse.

JESSE:
I get off at two.

She digs out her wallet, but Jesse gestures to stop.

JESSE:
It’s on me!

He pours her the drink and hands it to her. The supervisor comes over and looks mad. Kora slips away, smiling.

EXT. COFFEESHOP. DAY.
Kora, wearing a very tight, sexy outfit, heads to the coffee shop. She stops to check herself out in a car window. She makes a couple of adjustments and then keeps walking. She comes to a chair outside and sees the back of Jesse’s head. She taps it playfully. Jesse falls to the floor. She immediately goes down to help him, turns him over, and sees that he has been stabbed. Her eyes go wide.

KORA:
Oh my god!

EXT. COFFEESHOP. DAY.
Kora talks to a couple of police officers outside the coffee shop, which is now surrounded by crime scene tape. Andrew arrives on the scene (now mustache free). He goes over to Kora.

ANDREW:
Wow, this is the second murder scene
you’ve been connected to in the last
twenty-four hours!

KORA:
Are you kidding me? They both have
been coincidences!

ANDREW:
Two homicides within twenty-four
hours in a big city like this?
That’s not a coincidence! You are
connected to these murders.

KORA:
Yesterday, you accused me of killing
someone I hated. This is different. I
was gonna go on my first date in four
years!

ANDREW:
It’s all about sex then. Keres advanced
on you, so you killed him. Today
presented another opportunity to do it,
so you stopped it the possibility from
happening.

KORA:
That’s stupid! If I didn’t wanna sleep
with him, I would’ve stayed home.

ANDREW:
I better set out a warning to all of the
men in San Francisco to watch out for the
black widow! Gotta protect any man you
want to sleep with.

KORA:
Well, I guess that means you’re
safe!

Andrew frowns.

ANDREW:
I’m gonna have to have a female
officer come search you.

KORA:
My outfit is skin tight. You could
see if I had a weapon!

She spins around to show him. He rustles her hair a little and peeks inside her small purse.

ANDREW:
You can go. Just remember we can test
DNA from crime scenes now, so if you
left any trace of yourself at another
murder, I’ll be back.

KORA:
I’m not worried. I did nothing wrong!
She starts to leave.

ANDREW:
If you know who is connected to
this, you need to tell me!

Kora turns back to him.

KORA:
I don’t know anyone who would…

She stops mid-sentence, remembering.

ANDREW:
Aha! You do know something!

KORA:
Goodbye!

She storms away. Andrew wants to follow, but the officers stop him, shaking their heads.

EXT. PARK BENCH. DAY.
Kora sits in a secluded part of a park, crying.

VELOS:
It’s okay, my love.
I’m here.

Kora looks up in horror.

KORA:
You’ve been following me,
haven’t you?

VELOS:
Every time you reincarnate,
my future wife!

KORA:
Future wife?

VELOS:
Yes. I’ve been trying to get
you for four thousand years,
and this time I’m gonna make
you mine!

KORA:
You killed those men, didn’t
you?

VELOS:
I will cut down anyone who
gets in the way of our love.
Now, come with me.

KORA:
Go where?

VELOS:
To the Underworld to marry
me.

KORA:
You’re out of your mind!

VELOS:
Come! You belong to me!
Come now!

Velos grabs her wrist and tries to pull her. She breaks free.

KORA:
Help! Help!

A jogger comes by to help. Velos disappears.

JOGGER:
Are you okay?

KORA:
A man tried to grab me!

JOGGER:
I’ll find a phone and call
the police!

KORA:
No! I mean, it’s okay. I just
wanna go home.

JOGGER:
Can I give you a ride?

Kora runs away. The jogger shrugs and keeps jogging.

INT. COURT ROOM. DAY.
A public court just finished wrapping up a case. Julian packs up his papers into a briefcase when Kora walks up to him.

JULIAN:
Kora? You’re a mess! What
happened?

KORA:
Can we talk privately?

JULIAN:
Of course. Let’s go to my
office.

He gathers up his things, and they leave.

INT. JULIAN’S OFFICE. DAY.
In Julian’s law office, Julian sits behind his desk. Kora sits in the client chair with her hand on her lip, clearly lost in thought.

JULIAN:
I have a consultation in fifteen
minutes, so spill it.

KORA:
Someone is definitely following
me! He tried to grab me just now.

JULIAN:
Woah, he tried to grope you?

KORA:
No, he was gonna kidnap me.

JULIAN:
Kora, you need to tell the
police!

KORA:
The police suspect me of two
murders now.

JULIAN:
Wait, they suspect you of murder?
Two of them?

KORA:
Yeah. That sleazebag who interviewed
me yesterday and this date I had at
the coffee shop. I’m connected to
both of them. But even if I wanted to
go to the cops, I don’t think it’d do
much good. I don’t think my stalker is
human.

JULIAN:
You don’t think he’s a human?
What do you mean?

KORA:
All I know is he was in front
of me in one second and he
disappeared in the next second.
He said he’s been following me
for four thousand years!

JULIAN:
He’s delusional!

KORA:
No, I think he’s telling the
truth. He possessed my cat
last night too. He talked to
me through Mickey!

Julian looks contemplative but non-believing.

KORA:
You don’t believe me, do
you?

JULIAN:
I’ve seen a lot of liars in
my career, and I don’t think
you’re being dishonest. But
how can I-?

He is cut off when Velos appears and puts an arm around Julian’s throat.

VELOS:
Who is this? Another potential
boyfriend?

Velos threatens Julian with a knife.

KORA:
No! He’s my best friend from my
childhood! And he’s gay!

Velos loosens his grip on Julian a little.

VELOS:
How do I know she’s telling
the truth?

JULIAN:
Check my desk drawer.

Velos opens the nearest drawer and sees a picture frame. CLOSE UP on the picture, which shows Julian kissing on an ex-boyfriend.

VELOS:
Alright, I believe you.

Velos lets go of Julian.

VELOS:
Just remember, I’m watching
you, Kora!

Velos disappears. Julian stands up and paces, trying to process what just happened. Beat.

KORA:
What do I do?

Julian opens his mouth but cannot think of an answer. His secretary walks in.

SECRETARY:
Mr. Aldwin, your four o’
clock is here.

JULIAN:
I gotta go, Kora. Keep yourself
surrounded by potential witnesses,
okay?

KORA:
Okay.

Kora leaves.

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. DAY.
Merna, who clearly just came back from her flight to London, sits at the table. Kora enters the house and tries to avoid eye contact. Merna sees her and gets worried.

MERNA:
Sweetheart! What happened?

KORA:
I wish I could tell you.

MERNA:
You can tell me anything, you
know that.

KORA:
It’s better if you don’t know.

Kora looks at the window and sees a bird on the sill staring at her oddly. She starts crying and runs upstairs. Merna wants to follow but hears Dylan come home. Dylan enters. She goes to talk to him.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Kora lays on her bed with a hot towel on her face and the radio playing. She feels a tap on her shoulder, shrieks, and hits the hand away. She takes off the towel to see a very confused Dylan.

KORA:
I’m sorry, I thought you were…
never mind.

Dylan looks at her like she is strange but decides not to press the issue.

DYLAN:
Mom says it’s dinnertime.

KORA:
Okay, I’ll be there in a
minute.

Dylan looks concerned but leaves. The radio plays “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Kora throws a pillow at it, causing it to fall down and break. Kora reluctantly goes down to dinner.

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. NIGHT.
Harold, Merna, and Dylan sit at the table happily. Kora sits down, avoiding eye contact. She eats, not really paying attention to the conversation.

HAROLD:
Kora? Hello?

KORA:
Huh? What?

HAROLD:
Didn’t you hear your mother’s
question?

KORA:
No, sorry. It’s been a long day.

HAROLD:
Lots of job applications?

KORA:
Jobs? Oh right, that.

The family looks to each other for answers but just get a confused look from each other.

MERNA:
Are you feeling okay?

KORA:
I’m fine.

The napkins on the table fall over again. Kora starts crying and runs out of the room. The family turns to each other to discuss.

INT. KORA’S BATHROOM. NIGHT.
Kora goes into the bathtub with a full swimsuit on. Instead of taking a bath, she takes a shower. She goes quickly. She steps out and sees Mickey there.

KORA:
Leave me alone! Please!

Dylan opens the door and the cat runs out.

DYLAN:
Oh, sorry! Wait, why are you
wearing a swimsuit? Did you
take a shower? You always take
baths!

KORA:
I don’t wanna talk about it.

DYLAN:
Is this something to do with
the murder that guy accused
you of?

KORA:
I don’t wanna talk about it.

DYLAN:
You’re going to have to explain
it sooner or later.

KORA:
I wish I could. I really wish
I could!

She pushes past him to leave. Dylan looks concerned.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. DAY.
Kora wakes up on her own. She looks around the room. She picks out an outfit, not paying attention to whether or not it coordinates. She gets dressed in front of her closet with her backside partly in the closet to keep watch. She gets her shirt on, but before she can get her pants on, Velos appears behind her. He holds her against him and kisses her neck.

VELOS:
You are so beautiful!

Kora breaks free and runs out the bedroom door.

INT. LIVING ROOM. DAY.
Kora runs to the front door. Velos magically appears before it.

VELOS:
Why do you run away from me?
All I wanna do is love you!

KORA:
I don’t love you! I don’t
even know who you are!

VELOS:
But I know you. I know every
inch of you!

He caresses her. Kora whimpers, not knowing what to do. A knock on the door is heard, and Velos disappears. Kora starts crying. The person who knocked lets himself in. It is Andrew. Kora turns, sees him, and she feels slightly annoyed but still more worried than anything else.

KORA:
Go ahead and yell at me if you
want. Right now, I’m too scared
to really care. Do whatever you
want with me! Apparently what I
want doesn’t matter!

She curls up on her couch and starts crying hysterically. Andrew sits next to her and sympathetically pats her on the back.

ANDREW:
You do have a man killing people
over you, don’t you?

Kora says nothing.

ANDREW:
Has he touched you?

KORA:
He’s held me, kissed my neck, and
tried to take me away…

ANDREW:
Do you know his name?

KORA:
I shouldn’t have told you that.
You’ll be next!

ANDREW:
I work surrounded by police
officers, and I live next to a
firehouse. There’s always
someone close by to help me, so
let him try! What’s his name?

KORA:
I don’t know.

ANDREW:
When does he bother you?

KORA:
All the time!

ANDREW:
I can assign police protection
to you.

KORA:
I don’t think that’ll help. He’ll
still be there.

ANDREW:
You know, most rapists get away with
their crime because women fail to
report them.

KORA:
I can’t report him. I really wish it
were that simple!

Andrew frowns but gets ready to leave.

ANDREW:
Just remember, you don’t have to be
a victim; you can fight back!

Kora contemplates this and sees some truth. Andrew starts to leave.

KORA:
Wait. Why did you come here?
Was someone else murdered?

ANDREW:
No one was murdered, not
yet anyways.

KORA:
Then why did you come?

ANDREW:
Just checking on you. What? Did
you think I was gonna just leave
you alone after you were connected
to two crime scenes?

Andrew grins, and Kora tries to smile but cannot muster one.

ANDREW:
I’m gonna figure this out. Whatever
you’re hiding, I’ll find out.

KORA:
It’d be a miracle if you solved
the case and figured everything
out considering I’m still trying
to understand it myself!

Andrew shakes his head, waves goodbye, and leaves. Kora runs to the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN. DAY.
Kora goes over to the kitchen and thumbs through the phone book. She finds what she is looking for and picks up a phone that’s hanging on the wall.

KORA:
Hi! I don’t go there, but I’d like
to make an appointment with you.
(beat)
I have something I’m trying to
understand, and you seem like the
best person to help me.
(beat)
Okay, I’m gonna change and take
the BART down there.
(beat)
Thank you, bye!

Kora hangs up and runs upstairs.

INT. PROFESSOR CLEIO’S OFFICE. DAY.
PROFESSOR CLEIO (fifties, curly hair, big glasses) grades some essays in her office. A KNOCK is heard.

P. CLEIO:
Come in!

Kora enters, slightly nervous.

KORA:
Hi! We just spoke on the phone.

P. CLEIO:
Ah yes, have a seat.

Kora sits in front of P. Cleio’s desk.

P. CLEIO:
What’s your name, dear?

KORA:
Kora.

P. CLEIO:
Kora is an Ancient Greek
name. Did you know that?

KORA:
Makes sense. Four thousand
years.

P. CLEIO:
Excuse me?

KORA:
Well, I, uh, read this story…
but it only slightly referenced
this subject, and it’s been
bothering me.

P. CLEIO:
Okay, so what specifically did
the story mention?

KORA:
It’s set here in 1987. This girl
is being followed by a man. He
watches her through mirrors and
animals that he possesses. He
comes out to murder people who get
in the way of their love. Except
she doesn’t love him, yet he keeps
trying to take her.

P. CLEIO:
Sounds interesting. What makes you
think it may be a historical
reference?

KORA:
He mentioned taking her to the
Underworld. Isn’t that Ancient
Greek?

P. CLEIO:
Yes, it was. The Underworld was
where the dead went. It was also
where Hades lived along with a
few demi-gods.

KORA:
What kind of demi-gods?

P. CLEIO:
Here. I’ll give you a list
that you can look up. I could
fill a lecture or two about
them.

KORA:
Oh thank you!

P. CLEIO:
(as she writes)
It sounds like your novel is
modernizing Greek mythology.
It was common for gods to
steal mortals as their brides.

KORA:
Why would they do that?

P. CLEIO:
Many reasons, just like when
people fall in love in real life.

KORA:
(pouts)
Some love! What kind of man would
put his lover through so much
anguish?

P. CLEIO:
Can I read it?

KORA:
What?

P. CLEIO:
When you’re done with it, of
course. It sounds like good
fiction!

KORA:
Fiction, yeah. It doesn’t
sound real, does it?

P. Cleio thinks she is making a joke and laughs. P. Cleio hands her the list.

KORA:
Great. Thank you so much
for this information!

P. CLEIO:
Take care, Kora.

KORA:
I’ll sure try!

Kora leaves, and P. Cleio goes back to grading papers.

INT. COLLEGE HALLWAY. DAY.
As Kora walks down the hall, she hears P. Cleio scream.

KORA:
No!

Velos appears in the hallway with a blood-soaked knife.

VELOS:
Why did you make me do that?

KORA:
I made you kill her? Why would
you do that? She wasn’t hitting
on me! How could you!

VELOS:
What did she tell you about me?
Kora does not answer.

VELOS:
You will find out all you need
to know on our wedding night!

KORA:
No!

VELOS:
What did you say?

KORA:
You heard me, creep! You cannot
take me! Find another mortal to
steal!

Velos slaps her across the face. She falls down. He picks her up by her hair.

VELOS:
Why did you make me do that?
Do you think I like hurting you?

Kora is in pain, but she tries to reach for his body. She cannot.

VELOS:
Let’s go, Kora!

He drags her by the hair. Kora finds his arms and digs her nails into it. He cries out in pain. She starts to run, but he catches her and uses his body to pin her to the wall.

VELOS:
Why did you have to do that now?

Before Kora can say anything, Andrew enters the hallway. He sees what is happening and draws his gun.

ANDREW:
Put her down!

Velos sneers at him.

DISPATCH (O.S.):
Zalman, what’s your forty?

In the moment that Andrew looks down to answer the radio, Velos disappears.

ANDREW:
Shit! Where did he go?

KORA:
He disappeared, I don’t know.

When Andrew answers the radio, Kora runs away.

INT. BUS. DAY.
Kora sits on the bus, trying to catch her breath and relax. Just as the bus driver is about to take off, someone stops the bus. The bus driver lets the person on. Kora looks out the window, not seeing the person who got on. She winces as someone puts their hand on her shoulder. She turns to see Andrew.

KORA:
Crap!

ANDREW:
(concerned)
Why did you run away?

KORA:
You can’t help me; please
stop trying!

ANDREW:
Protecting people is my job.
You need to tell me about
the man I saw you with.

KORA:
I can’t!

ANDREW:
You have to! I know you’re
scared, but it’s vital that
I know!

KORA:
I’m sorry, but I just can’t!
Andrew sighs.

ANDREW:
Then I’m going to have to
arrest you.

KORA:
What? Why?

ANDREW:
The other officers don’t believe
that there was a man on scene, he
left no evidence. As far as they’re
concerned, you’re the number one
suspect. And you fled the scene,
so that just adds to their evidence.

KORA:
You know I didn’t do this!

ANDREW:
Hey, if you don’t wanna tell me
things then I can’t help you! Do
you have something for me now?

Kora looks weary but says nothing. Andrew is angry.

ANDREW:
Well, then you’re going to jail.
He handcuffs her.

KORA:
Maybe it’s better this way. He can’t
hurt anyone if I’m alone in a cell
not talking to anyone.

ANDREW:
You prepared to lose your freedom
over that crap?

KORA:
You’re mad at me? This isn’t my
fault!

ANDREW:
It is your fault! You wouldn’t tell
me the truth, so now someone innocent
is going to jail while a guilty man
runs free! Come on! I hate doing this
to you, so let’s just get it over with.

Andrew escorts her off the bus.

INT. JAIL CELL. NIGHT.
Kora sits by herself staring out the barred window, looking at the stars. She hears the warden come in and turns around.

WARDEN:
Miss Nicodemus, you have a
visitor.

Kora gets up and Julian enters.

JULIAN:
It doesn’t look good, Kora.

KORA:
No, this is perfect. I’ll spend
the rest of my life in jail where
there is always someone with me.
He can’t get me here!

JULIAN:
So, you’re going to live the life
of a murderer and you think that’s
freedom?

KORA:
What else am I supposed to do?
He can feel things, but I’m pretty
sure he can’t actually die.

JULIAN:
There has to be a solution!
There’s always a way out!

KORA:
Yeah, I could die and hope that
in the next lifetime, I find a
solution!

JULIAN:
Don’t you dare contemplate
suicide! Look, the more evidence
you have at a trial, the better
chance you have of proving your
case. The more you find out about
this guy, the better chance you
have of finding out the weakness
to take him down.

KORA:
I got a list of Greek demigods
that live in the Underworld.
Skipper, he has to be on that
list! The police have the list.

JULIAN:
You’re lucky I’m your lawyer.

He opens his briefcase and shows her the list.

JULIAN:
Luckily I get a chance to review
the evidence against you. I’ll do
as much research as I can, but I
gotta start preparing for your
defense.

KORA:
Don’t do your research alone! He
killed that lady ’cause she gave
me a clue. He let you go once, but
if he finds out that you-

JULIAN:
We’re both going to live through
this! We’ll find a way to defeat
this guy, and I’ll be at your
fiftieth wedding anniversary in
the Bahamas!

Kora starts crying because she does not believe in it.

JULIAN:
I mean it! That’s what I picture
in your future! Not this! Don’t
lose faith in me! And especially
don’t give up on your future! That’s
what makes life worth fighting for!

Kora wipes her tears.

JULIAN:
I gotta go. I’ll see you soon,
okay Kora?

KORA:
Okay!

Julian squeezes her hand through the bars. The warden escorts Julian out. The warden is not gone long when he returns.

WARDEN:
Miss Nicodemus, you have more
visitors.

The warden lets in Harold and Merna.

HAROLD:
You owe us an explanation, young
lady.

Kora hesitates, trying to decide how much to tell them.

KORA:
I’m not a murderer, you know that!

MERNA:
Well, of course not! In my gut, I
know my baby isn’t a murderer! But
why would they think you were?

KORA:
Stuff is happening that is out of
my control! I’m trying to find
answers, but I don’t know what to do!

HAROLD:
Tell them the truth! You have nothing
to hide, right?

KORA:
Look, I don’t know how much Julian
would want me to tell you…

MERNA:
Of course, of course. But we just
need to have some justification for
bailing you out.

KORA:
What? Why would you do that?

HAROLD:
What? You wanna await trial in this
dank cell all by yourself? No, you’re
coming home.

MERNA:
But you’ll have to wait ’til tomorrow
’cause the bank isn’t open ’til nine.

HAROLD:
Now, we have to put the house up, so
you better not do anything to get
yourself in more trouble!

KORA:
You’re risking the house?

MERNA:
Do you know another way for us
to get a hundred thousand dollars?
Anyways, we just wanted to let
you know the plan. We’ll see you
in the morning!

KORA:
No! Don’t put up the house for
my bail!

HAROLD:
We’re doing it, end of discussion!
Goodnight, Kora!

Merna and Harold leave. Kora looks worried.

INT. JAIL CELL. NIGHT.
Kora is asleep on a bench. She hears the cell door open. She wakes up and looks confused.

KORA:
What’s going on?

ANDREW:
You’re being released.

KORA:
What? Why?

ANDREW:
There’s been another murder. You’re
connected, but you were in here all
night, so you’re obviously not guilty.

KORA:
He did this on purpose! He doesn’t
want me in the safety of this place!

ANDREW:
You’d be safe if you just told me
who is doing this.

KORA:
Who died?

ANDREW:
Some guy named Randy. He had some
wine-soaked blouse that turned out
to be yours.

KORA:
Oh god! I forgot about that blouse!

ANDREW:
If you won’t tell me, I’ll find a way
to get the information one way or
another.

KORA:
Can I go?

Andrew lets out a frustrated howl but steps aside to let her go. She sheepishly walks out.

EXT. DARK STREET. NIGHT.
Kora gets off the bus and walks down the street. It is cold enough for her to see her breath as she exhales. She hunches over from the cold weather. Once the bus takes off, the street is eerily silent. Kora walks quickly. She darts her eyes erratically and expectantly. She kicks a soda can on accident, pauses, and closes her eyes in dread. Nothing happens, so she goes on. She quickens her pace. Suddenly, Velos appears before her. Kora almost falls trying to stop and avoid crashing into him.

VELOS:
Now there is nothing keeping us
from leaving together.

KORA:
There is one thing-me! If you
don’t leave now, I’ll scream
and wake up everyone in the
neighborhood!

Velos appears behind her, covering her mouth. Kora tries to break free, but his grip is strong. Before he can magic them away, she bites his hand. He loosens his grip involuntarily, and she tries to dive out of his arms. He grabs her waist, so she turns over and knees him in the groin. The pain makes him let go, and Kora falls onto the cement pretty hard. She ignores her pain as Velos reaches for her again. She almost springs up, but Velos grabs her ankle. She kicks him in the face, and when his grip loosens, she runs away. Velos is angry.

VELOS:
I’m everywhere, you know! My
men and I have infiltrated
the minds of powerful people!
You can’t avoid me forever!

Kora disappears from his view.

INT. KORA’S KITCHEN. DAY.
Harold, Dylan, and Merna are in the kitchen eating breakfast. Kora walks in and tries to hide her face from them.

MERNA:
Kora! What are you doing here?

Harold notices something on her face. He stops her on the staircase and makes her show her face.

HAROLD:
Did you escape from jail?

KORA:
No, I was released.

She hands him some paperwork she had in her back pocket. Merna examines her wounds.

KORA:
I’m fine.

MERNA:
Someone attacked you!

HAROLD:
Why would you take the bus in
the middle of the night?

KORA:
I just wanted to be left alone,
for once! Look, you don’t have to
risk the house for my bail money
anymore, so let’s just forget it
ever happened, okay?

Kora heads upstairs. Merna sees blood on the back of her Kora’s head.

MERNA:
You cracked your skull open!

Kora feels the back of her head and finds dried blood.

HAROLD:
You’re going to the hospital.

KORA:
I-

HAROLD:
Don’t even try to argue! You’re
hurt and you need help, so you’re
going to the hospital. End of
discussion!

Kora unwillingly goes down to her parents. Merna throws her car keys to Dylan.

MERNA:
Take yourself to school.

DYLAN:
But I wanna know what’s wrong
with her!

MERNA:
We all do, dear.

KORA:
There’s nothing wrong with me!

HAROLD:
Really? You really wanna walk in
looking like hell and tell us
nothing is wrong?

Kora says nothing.

MERNA:
If you don’t tell us what’s
emotionally wrong, we’re at
least gonna make sure you’re
physically normal. Now, come on.

They leave.

INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE. DAY.
The DOCTOR (same as Victorian Doctor but in modern dress) finishes sewing up her head.

DOCTOR:
You’re lucky your injury
wasn’t more serious!

KORA:
I’m lucky? That’s a joke!

DOCTOR:
You know, it could be worse.
I have some patients in a coma
that’d gladly change places
with you.

KORA:
Is that an option?

DOCTOR:
Sounds like you’re a little
emotionally disturbed.

KORA:
It’s not my emotions that
are disturbing me.

The doctor finishes patching her up.

DOCTOR:
As great as a person as you are,
I hope I don’t see you back here
for a while. If the person attacking
you isn’t going away, perhaps you
should start carrying a weapon.

KORA:
That’s a good idea, actually! Maybe
there is some hope for me.

DOCTOR:
Of course there’s hope-you’re alive,
aren’t you?

The doctor chuckles. Kora gives him a faint smile and leaves.

INT. LIBRARY. NIGHT.
Kora and Julian look exhausted as they thumb through books. Julian puts the book he was reading on top of a large pile and starts a new one.

LIBRARIAN:
The library is closing in five minutes.

JULIAN:
I think I’ve learned every Greek god
that’s ever existed, and yet we still
haven’t found him!

KORA:
He told me he has infiltrated the
minds of a lot of powerful men. I
don’t see anything in Ancient Greek
culture about that. I’m gonna check
this book about ancient gods from
cultures around the world.

JULIAN:
Well, we can see how much we can
read in five minutes. If not, maybe
we can try again another day.

KORA:
I may not last another day! He isn’t
telling me his name for a reason! If
we find out his identity, we’ll find
a way to stop him!

Julian silently agrees and keeps reading. He notices Kora’s eyes grow wide as she stares fixedly at page nineteen. Andrew enters, so Kora slams her book shut.

KORA:
How did you know I’d be here?

ANDREW:
I don’t know. So, you guys are
really into pagan religions, huh?

KORA:
What do you want?

ANDREW:
I’d like to know what you and
your lawyer are doing that
prompts this guy to kill for you.

KORA:
Don’t start following me!

ANDREW:
I’d stop if you just tell me
who is doing this.

KORA:
(sarcastically)
An Ancient Greek demigod is
trying to take me as his bride.
There, you happy now?

ANDREW:
Oh, very funny! I don’t understand
why you won’t cooperate with me
when all I wanna do is protect you!

KORA:
You’re just going to have to accept
that you can’t save everyone! Sorry,
Dudley Dooright, but I can’t be your
good deed for the day!

ANDREW:
You know what, fine! I give up!
I’ll just let you keep getting
attacked and blamed for murders
that you didn’t commit!

KORA:
Good!

ANDREW:
If you change your mind-

KORA:
I won’t!

ANDREW:
Your dad has my card.

KORA:
Great. You can leave now.

ANDREW:
Fine!

KORA:
Fine!

Andrew storms out.

LIBRARIAN:
The library is now closed. If you
have some books to check out, please
do so now. Otherwise, we open again
at nine a.m.

Julian grabs the book that Kora was looking at.

JULIAN:
I’m gonna check this out. Your mom
is outside waiting for you, right?

KORA:
(still angry)
Yeah.

Julian grins.

KORA:
What are you smiling at?

JULIAN:
Nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow!

Kora leaves, still a little huffy. Julian smiles knowingly and goes to the check out desk.

INT. KORA’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Still angry, Kora gets ready for bed. Before she can take her clothes off, Mickey walks in with that same glazed look in his eyes. Kora takes off her shirt and throws it on top of his head. By the time Mickey wrestles the shirt off, Kora is already in her pajamas. Mickey jumps into the bed with her.

VELOS:
(through Micky)
I love you!

KORA:
Ugh!

Kora gets up, grabs her pillow, and leaves the room.

INT. DYLAN’S ROOM. NIGHT.
Dylan is sleeping when he hears a KNOCK on the door.

DYLAN:
Come in.

Kora walks in, embarrassed.

KORA:
This is gonna sound kinda dumb,
but can I sleep in here with you?

Kora’s eyes brim with tears. Dylan gets up, takes off a pillow and blanket from his bed, and sets up on the floor.

DYLAN:
Take my bed.

KORA:
Thank you!

Kora puts her pillow on his bed and lays down.

DYLAN:
Please get help for whatever
is bothering you!

KORA:
I’m trying!

Dylan looks at her sympathetically. Kora smiles appreciatively but turns away. She looks out at the night sky, which is full of shadows, and tries to go to sleep.

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.

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 no 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!

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 getting 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 soul mate!

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
soul mate. 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.

Forgotten Society, Part 15

EXT. CROSSGROVE HOLLOW. EVENING.

Everyone convenes when they reach safe quarters.

MIGUEL:
First of all, I want to thank
Benjamin and his team for
rescuing us! And thank you
for bringing Tiffany to the hospital.

BENJAMIN:
Obliged we could help!

MIGUEL:
They’re expecting us to run down there,
and we won’t be able to pull off another
amazing escape. What we need is a red
herring, something to distract whatever
guards they may have in place long enough
for us to enter the dragon realm. Besides,
Thornprick Path, where else would they
need a lot of protection.

CURTIS:
Daniel’s home.

MIGUEL:
Yes! So, I want us to split up. One group
will storm Daniel’s home while the rest
fight the grand dragon. If one group
survives, go to the other location to
find the others. I’m going to the grand
dragon. Who wants to go to Daniel?

RENEE:
I do!

BENJAMIN:
I’ll go too.

Most of Benjamin’s group volunteers too.

MIGUEL:
The rest of you come with me.

CURTIS:
I-

MIGUEL:
They have their volunteers. We
need you in the lair.

The groups depart. Curtis looks back longingly at Renee. Renee too looks back for a moment but determinedly sets on her mission.

EXT. DANIEL’S ESTATE. NIGHT.

Renee leads the others to his new estate, which is small but swanky. Before they make a move, Tiffany arrives with a cast and TRINA (a pregnant Asian woman).

TIFFANY:
What are you doing here?

RENEE:
We’re going to kill Daniel.

BENJAMIN:
Tiffany! You’re okay!

He gives her a big hug.

BENJAMIN:
What are you doing out of the hospital
so soon?

TRINA:
She saved me from some guy who could
breathe out fire! Thank goodness I haven’t
gone into labor! Daniel is my neighbor.
What’s going on?

RENEE:
Dragon men are trying to build up power
here, but we’re cutting them off at the source.

DANIEL:
Is that so?

Daniel stands on his lawn with twice as many guards as Renee’s group. Everyone gets ready to fight.

EXT. DRAGON REALM ENTRANCE. NIGHT.

Miguel and his group climb up. Miguel notices Curtis looking a little glum, so he pulls him aside.

MIGUEL:
I need you to buck up.

CURTIS:
I know, but I just can’t help it.
What if I never see Renee again?

Miguel laughs softly.

MIGUEL:
You got her optimism now, huh? What
would you tell her if she had said that
to you?

CURTIS:
Quit thinking so negative! Even if one
of us doesn’t survive, I’ll always be
with you!

He braces himself on a rock, trying to hold back some tears. Miguel pats him on the back and keeps moving.

CURTIS:
(quietly)
Please don’t die!

He steels himself up. He joins the others. They take a deep breath and enter the cave-like tunnel.

EXT. DANIEL’S ESTATE. NIGHT.

A battle rages on. Renee’s team puts up a skillful fight against the dragon men. At one point, JOHN (Trina’s husband) sees his wife involved in this battle. He grabs a gun out of his car and joins in.

JOHN:
Trina, baby, are you alright?

TRINA:
Don’t worry about me! I’m a survivor,
you know that! Just don’t you die on
me! I’m not raising this baby alone!

John laughs. He gives Trina his gun.

JOHN:
I’m calling my men for back up, and
I’ll be back in a sec.

They kiss, and he goes to the radio in his car. As they battle, Renee watches Trina and John longingly.

TIFFANY:
You’ll get your chance to say
good-bye to him!

RENEE:
To who?

TIFFANY:
Curtis. Isn’t it obvious, he’s crazy
about you!

Before she can respond, they get separated by fire.

Forgotten Society, Part 13

EXT. MORNING STAR APARTMENTS. MORNING.

The five arrive to a place of huge disarray. People are evacuating the building, and firemen are trying to put out the fire. Some of them go inside to rescue people. The police are there trying to get everyone to safety. Some of the civilians volunteer to help with the evacuation. The five spread out and do the same. Things seem chaotic enough when suddenly people look to the sky in horror as a second dragon appears and flies straight into the apartments. As it crashes, it blows fire and explodes on impact. The building is in really bad shape.

FIRE CHIEF:
All units, cease rescue efforts. Everyone,
immediately! Building looks ready to collapse!
(beat)
Why aren’t they responding?

CURTIS:
I’ll go get them!

FIRE CHIEF:
Here’s a gas mask. Don’t delay!

Curtis runs into the building. William is helping police against people who are reluctant to leave. Miguel is carrying people to places where they can get aid. Tiffany finds a camera and is taping both the scene and people’s reactions. Renee is showing people to safety. She sees Curtis enter the building and this bothers her. She sees a little Haitian girl crying.

GIRL:
Mama! Papa! Où-est vous?

Renee sees a piece of debris about to fall on her, so she runs to her, scoops her into her arms, and runs away just in time. More pieces of debris fall down. The rescuers make an urgent effort to get people out of the way.

EXT. REMONT HOTEL. MORNING.

The Remont Hotel, a fancy lodging, is a safe distance form the apartment. Renee sees a frantic man who looks like he could be the girl’s father. She gives the child to him, and he looks so relieved.

FATHER:
Vous la savez! Merci!

He kisses her cheeks and runs inside. Renee is taken aback from his gratitude.

EXT. MORNING STAR APARTMENTS.

Tiffany is still video taping everything. William and Miguel are evacuating everyone.

INT. STAIRWAY. MORNING.

Curtis finds the firemen.

CURTIS:
Your radios aren’t working! The chief
said to evacuate. The building is about to-

He hears some loud creaking, and the ground begins to shake.

EXT. MORNING STAR APARTMENTS. MORNING.

People are horrified as the building starts to fall. People run as fast as they can to escape the smoke and billowing ashes.

EXT. REMONT HOTEL. MORNING.

Everyone watches in horror as the apartments collapse. Renee lets a blood-curling scream. After it is finished collapsing, Renee searches the crowd. She finds an ash-covered William and Miguel. They find Tiffany too, who is still filming.

RENEE:
Did Curtis make it out of the building?

William and Miguel gesture that they do not think so. Renee, Miguel, William, and a bunch of others rush to go help any possible survivors.

EXT. APARTMENT REMAINS. MORNING.

People begin to dig through the rubble. They bring any body they can find out of the ruins. A lot of people are calling out for their missing loved ones.

RENEE:
Curtis! Curtis!

She gets no response. Suddenly, she hears some beeping. She starts digging.

INT. STAIRCASE RUBBLE. MORNING.

It is pitch black. Curtis and the firefighters hold each other’s hands so they know where they are.

CURTIS:
We’re still alive?

FIREMAN 1:
Yes, but we have about thirty floors above
us. Who knows how long it’ll take for them
to find us!

FIREMAN 2:
Do you hear that beeping? That’s activated
when a fireman’s body is still for too long.
At the very least, they’ll find our bodies.

After a long moment, Curtis notices some light.

CURTIS:
Look! There’s light!

FIREMAN 3:
Wait, that’s sunlight! We’re at the top now!
(shouts)
Hello?

RENEE (OS):
Hello?

CURTIS:
Renee?

RENEE (OS):
Curtis? Thank God!

CURTIS:
We’re gonna climb out! Keep digging!

EXT. REMONT HOTEL. NOON.

KENNETH (Tiffany’s father) stands outside directing people.

KENNETH:
Welcome to my hotel slash hospital slash
rescue shelter! Please, come in and find a
spot!
(beat)
Tiffany?

Tiffany runs to her father and they hug.

KENNETH:
My God, where have you been?

TIFFANY:
I got the attack on video!

KENNETH:
Of course you did! Well, tell me about
your adventure later. Help me organize
all this!

Curtis and Renee (covered in dust) come in sight.

TIFFANY:
You guys made it!

She gives them both hugs.

KENNETH:
You saved my daughter’s life, didn’t
you? Something didn’t seem right
about what they said in the news.
Tell me about it later. Get inside and
get some rest!

Curtis, Renee, and Tiffany go inside. A moment later, Daniel tries to enter with a couple of his guards. Kenneth blocks them.

KENNETH:
This is private property! You can’t
enter without a warrant!

Daniel looks surprised at his defiance.

DANIEL:
We believe you are harboring a fugitive.

KENNETH:
Come back with a warrant.

DANIEL:
Fine. Just a warning, you may want to
take caution with those you associate
with. It could determine your future
with me.

KENNETH:
I’ll that in mind if you get elected. Now, leave!

Daniel raises an eyebrow but leaves.