The Spectre 3

THE SPECTRE 31

1. Closing scenes from Spectre 22

St Michael: You don’t really think that I couldn’t have taken Starbreaker down if you’d been defeated, or decided not to fight?3

Spectre: [slight pause] WHAT?? All that was for nothing!?4

St Michael: Not for nothing, no. Like I said, God is very pleased with you.5

[The Spectre casts St Michael a withering look and disappears into the depths of Jupiter.]6

2. Caption – “Seven Years Later”7

3. Dark room8

[In a windowless room at some hour of the night, a man, Kyle Crowley, stands inside a circle of protection, casting a spell. Just outside the circle of protection is a large black diamond, sitting on some kind of altar. Crowley’s magic words build to a crescendo, and he raises his arms in anticipated triumph as he reaches its conclusion.9

Nothing happens. Crowley looks around, confused. He consults the ancient manuscript from which he has been reciting, and peruses it carefully. He is clearly satisfied that he has performed the incantation correctly. Disgusted, he hurls the parchment to the ground, and storms out of the circle.10

From off set, we hear a blood-curdling scream, and then deadly silence.]11

4. Traditional Cathedral12

[Declan is being ordained as a priest of the FSSP or SSPX, or similar group. I don’t know a lot about the actual ordination process so I’ll have to fill this in later. The obvious people are in the congregation – David, Jasmine, Vicki, Katherine, Heather. The Spectre is absent.]13

5. Reception after ordination14

[David and Jasmine, with a couple of small children in tow – Gemma (4 or so) and Matthew (2) – go up to the new Father Declan Corrigan, now in his cassock, after the ceremony. David shakes his hand and Jasmine gives him a hug.]15

David: [takes a step back and takes in his younger brother] I suppose I have to call you Father now, do I?16

Declan: [laughs] I suppose you do.17

David: I hope you don’t think I’m coming to you for Confession.18

Jasmine: Maybe I will …19

Declan: That would be a way of keeping track of you!20

Jasmine: It’s just a shame you couldn’t marry us.21

David: I wasn’t waiting that long. She might have got away!22

[General laughter here. Declan is similarly swamped by his mother, aunts and uncles at this point. An old priest, Father McAndrew, manages to get Declan aside.]23

Declan: Excuse me, my confessor wants me already!24

[They get away from the crowd somewhat.]25

McAndrew: Congratulations, young Declan. I’m very proud of you, and especially the way your brother tells me you’ve turned your life around.26

Declan: [bows slightly] Thank you, Father, that means a lot to me.27

McAndrew: I only have one word of advice for you.28

Declan: What’s that?29

McAndrew: I know, being the Spectre’s great-grandson and everything, that you have a natural interest in combating the dark forces. I know you’ve read up on demonology and how to protect yourself from the Evil One.30

Declan: Yes, Father, I have.31

McAndrew: You’ve read the old rites of exorcism.32

Declan: Yes, Father.33

McAndrew: I just want to warn you, that Satan takes a special interest in priests who seek to actively fight him in this world. You may find your soul under siege at times, as the Evil One tries to stop your work. Be ready for him.34

Declan: Yes, Father. And I don’t assume that Great-Grandad will just take care of me.35

McAndrew: Glad to hear it.36

Declan: [smiles] My brother once had a similar conversation with one of his seniors.37

McAndrew: [smiles too] I’m not surprised. Bless you, Father Declan Corrigan.38

6. Reception39

[David’s mobile rings. He gets it out and looks at the incoming number.]40

Jasmine: Trouble?41

David: Yes. It’s Crispus. [answers his phone] Hello?42

Allen: [voice] Corrigan, where the hell are you? I’ve been trying to get through for the last hour.43

David: At the Cathedral. My brother was ordained today. I told you that, didn’t I?44

Allen: [pause] Oh yeah. Look, we’re needed down at the Museum of Natural History.45

David: Why? Someone killed there?46

Allen: No, it’s a burglary. Yes, I know we’re in Homicide, but the uniforms who answered the alarm took the guard’s statement and thought it might be up your alley.47

David: What do you mean?48

Allen: Get here and I’ll tell you. [hangs up]49

Jasmine: You have to go?50

David: Yes. Some trouble at the museum. Crispus won’t tell me exactly what.51

Jasmine: Oh … see you soon, I hope. [they kiss]52

David: Me too. [hugs kids] Dad has to go, OK? 53

Gemma: To catch bad guys?54

David: That’s right. Take care of Mum for me.55

Gemma and OK Dad. 56

Matthew: 57

[David leaves, hurriedly. Declan sees him go.]58

Declan: Police business?59

Jasmine: [sighs] Yes. So, when is your first Mass?60

7. Chicago Museum of Natural History61

[David hurries in to the entrance. Crispus Allen is waiting for him.]62

Allen: About time you got here.63

David: OK, sorry. What’s up?64

Allen: This way.65

[They walk through the museum, into a room with a significant alarm system, and a smashed case in the centre of the room. They are met by the museum curator, Dr Lincoln Harvey, and a guard, Jennings.]66

Allen: Dr Harvey, Mr Jennings, my partner, David Corrigan.67

Jennings: Aren’t you …68

Allen: The Spectre’s great-grandson, yes. Doctor, could you fill David in for us?69

Harvey: [looks like a museum curator] Certainly. As we told Detective Allen, the Black Diamond of Windhoek was stolen from this room last night.70

David: Someone got through your security system? Have you got the surveillance tapes?71

Harvey: Yes, we’ve already provided them. They don’t tell us much, though. Our culprit is a man, about six foot tall, dressed entirely in black, including a black balaclava.72

David: [taking notes] Right. So how did he get in?73

Harvey: That we don’t know. The door just seemed to open for him. 74

Allen: Uniforms say there’s no sign of forced entry to the premises.75

David: Inside job, maybe?76

Harvey: Well, we can’t rule that out. But what Mr Jennings here has to tell you is what really makes this odd.77

David: Mr Jennings?78

Jennings: [I have Rembrandt from Sliders in mind] [Nervous pause] Well, about 3 this morning, this guy just comes walking in here. Like the surveillance tapes show – all in black, black balaclava. I pull my gun, and tell him to freeze – and the next thing I know it’s nine in the morning and the guard from the new shift is pouring cold water in my face to wake me up. 79

David: I take it uniforms have talked to him?80

Harvey: Yes, the police spoke to Mr Garrett first. We called the ambulance for Mr Jennings here, but the paramedics said he was fine.81

Jennings: I’m telling you, I have no idea what happened in those six hours or so.82

David: Do you remember anything about this man?83

Jennings: He mumbled something … in some language I don’t know, and waved his hand at me. Then I woke up around 9.84

Allen: I’ve got the paramedics report. They took a blood sample to see if there’s anything like nitrogen oxide in his system. The pathology lab’s got it now.85

David: Dr Harvey, what is this Black Diamond?86

Harvey: Well, it’s exactly what the title suggests. It’s the largest black diamond in the world, and it was found in what is now Windhoek, Namibia, around 600 years ago, allegedly by Vasco de Gama and his men. It’s extremely valuable, but it would be impossible to sell, because it’s so well known by diamond buffs. By now, the whole jewellery world knows it’s been stolen.87

David: So we’re looking at a theft-to-order for some private collector.88

Allen: Why have you got it?89

Harvey: It was given to the National Museum of South Africa in 1994 – a gift for the end of apartheid I believe – and it’s been on a world tour for the last year. We paid quite a bit for the privilege of exhibiting it.90

Allen: Dr Harvey, Mr Jennings, thank you. We’ll be in touch.91

[They head out.]92

8. Outside museum93

Allen: So what do you think?94

David: I think you’ve got the guard himself in mind.95

Allen: It’s a pretty suspicious story.96

David: It’s outlandish, but why make something like that up? Besides, wouldn’t it all be on the tape?97

Allen: It is, but that doesn’t mean that the perp really did just put Jennings to sleep with a wave of his hand. It could have been staged. Jennings lets the guy in, he makes off with the diamond.98

David: Maybe … but if that was the plan, wouldn’t it be more realistic for Jennings to just make it look like he’d been hit from behind or something?99

Allen: You see why uniforms requested you? They thought you’d be interested.100

David: Yes …101

Allen: [slightly sarcastically] This is a job for great-grandad?102

David: [laughs slightly] No, not yet. But it does require a bit of research …103

9. Large, ornate house104

[A group of people of varying ages are assembled in a library. The titles of the books are peculiar, and a lot of them relate to Wiccan practice and ritual magic. A few have pentagrams on the spine. The group sits in a circle, in some kind of meditation. A leader of sorts quietly exhorts them to open their mind to the great spirit of the cosmos, all that kind of thing. As they are finishing, a man comes down an ornate staircase into the library. He is dressed entirely in black, complete with a black wrap-around cape, which he discards before he sits. It is Crowley.]105

Crowley*: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m so sorry I’m late – I had a few last minute things to attend to. 106

[There are general murmurs of “that’s fine”, “we understand”, etc. There are one or two “masters” thrown in.]107

Crowley*: Well, fellow members of the Chicago Society for Cosmic Awareness, let’s begin. I thought that today we would take a look at the works of the great master Alexander Sanders …108

10. Declan’s study109

[Declan is reciting the Divine Office when his phone rings. He quickly recites the last few lines and then answers the phone.]110

Declan: Hello? Oh, hi, David, yes I have got something for you.111

[The scene cuts between Declan in his study and David at the precinct, depending on who is talking.]112

Declan: I have turned up something on that diamond. 113

David: Yes?114

Declan: I haven’t got far into it, but there’s some references to it in a few old alchemical manuals. It’s described as a huge black diamond, so I don’t think there’s any doubt we’re talking about the same thing.115

David: Go on.116

Declan: When de Gama brought it back to Portugal, he presented the diamond to the King. The Bishop of Lisbon’s writings have survived, and he says it was “haunted” in some way.117

David: Really?118

Declan: Yes, but he doesn’t elaborate. Anyway, the diamond ended up in the Treasury and it wasn’t seen again for years. But it keeps popping up in alchemical manuals for a few years after.119

David: So we’re not just looking for rogue collectors?120

Declan: Maybe not. The diamond seems to be of some occult significance. I’ll need to keep following it up to be able to tell you any more.121

David: So who might be interested in something like that?122

Declan: Could be anyone. But you might like to start with a guy called Kyle Crowley.123

David: Crowley? I’ve heard of him somewhere.124

Declan: Oh yes, he’s the local Wiccan leader, or something like that. He’s rumoured to be a ritual magician too. He’s in the papers occasionally. Crowley might be interested in acquiring an item like that, or know who else might be.125

David: Thanks, we’ll check him out. Do you think he could have pulled off something like this?126

Declan: I don’t know. But I think the diamond would be of interest to him.127

David: OK. Thanks.128

Declan: See you at Mass, if not before. [hangs up]129

11. Crowley’s house130

[David and Crispus Allen knock at the door. It is opened by Crowley.]131

Allen: Kyle Crowley?132

Crowley*: Yes, that’s me. And you are …133

Allen: [shows his badge, as does Allen] Chicago PD. I’m Detective Allen, this is Detective Corrigan. Mind if we come in?134

Crowley*: Well … of course. What is this about?135

[He shows them in. David and Allen are taken to the library we saw earlier. As they walk, they talk.]136

Allen: We’re investigating the theft of the Black Diamond of Windhoek from the Chicago Museum of Natural History yesterday.137

Crowley*: Yes, I heard about that. Quite a brazen theft, I’m told.138

David: Do you know anything about it?139

Crowley*: Only what I read in the papers. [They have reached the library.] Please, detectives, take a seat. [they do]140

Allen: Thank you. Our investigations tell us that the Black Diamond may be an item of interest to you.141

Crowley*: Oh, I see. Well, yes, there are certain rumours about the Diamond being an item of cosmic power. But I had nothing to do with its theft.142

David: [he has got up again, and is perusing Crowley’s bookshelves] Interesting collection, Mr Crowley.143

Crowley*: Thank you. I do try.144

David: The Bible … the Qabbalah … the Vedas … the Koran … the Matter of Britain … alchemical manuals … even a copy of the Voynich manuscript.145

Crowley*: I’m a seeker after truth, detective.146

David: Books by Alex Sanders, Gerald Butler, Aleister Crowley … a relative of yours, Mr Crowley?147

Crowley*: Actually, we are distantly related, I believe. I also think that I am not the only one here with some unusual family history … Detective Corrigan, isn’t it?148

David: Yes, I’m Detective David Corrigan.149

Crowley*: What interesting family gatherings you must have.150

David: If you’re referring to the Spectre, and I’m sure you are, he doesn’t usually attend the Sunday barbecues.151

Crowley*: What a shame. I would love to meet him. To talk to someone who has actually crossed over and returned …152

Allen: Anyway, Mr Crowley, where were you between 2 and 4am yesterday morning?153

Crowley*: Here. And no, I don’t have anyone who can back that up, I was alone. I was either asleep or studying – I went to bed around two or two-thirty. 154

Allen: Do you know anyone else who might have an interest in the diamond?155

Crowley*: The diamond is worth a fortune, Detective, and I’m sure any number of collectors would love to have it. Why don’t you start there?156

David: Because the guard who was watching the diamond claimed that a man put him to sleep with a wave of his hand. That guard knew nothing about the occult significance of the diamond.157

Crowley*: Interesting. 158

Allen: It was almost as if the intruder cast a spell on him …159

Crowley*: Right. Detectives, I think you are attributing supernatural powers to me that I simply don’t have.160

Allen: But in your view, such a spell is possible?161

Crowley*: Anything is possible, Detective. Anything you can imagine. But that sort of thing is beyond me.162

David: I see.163

Crowley*: Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a study group starting at midday. I really must prepare.164

Allen: Well, Mr Crowley, if you hear anything, here’s our numbers. [leaves Crowley with a card]165

Crowley*: [Inspects the card.] Thank you, Detective Allen. I will contact you if I can find anything out.166

David: Please do. [they leave]167

[As the policemen leave, “Crowley” turns on his heel and strides into a back room.]168

12. Back room169

[This is the room in which we saw Crowley make his incantation at the start of the film. “Crowley” transforms into his true form – that of Eclipso. Eclipso is a tall, thin humanoid figure whose only clothing is a pair of long purple trousers. His skin is also a light purple, with odd white geometric drawings on it. He has black hair and a small goatee beard. In short, if you put a tail and cloven hoofs on him he would look like the demon that he is.]170

[Eclipso goes up to a large wooden-framed mirror. He chants a short incantation in an unknown language, and waves his hands over the mirror’s surface. The image in the mirror distorts, until we are left looking at three shadowy figures in the mirror. We can’t see them clearly, but they are obviously evil. They are in fact the demons Asmodeus, Azazel and Ahriman.]171

Eclipso: Greetings.172

Asmodeus: [appears to be the leader of the other two] Greetings, Eclipso. I heard of your release.173

Eclipso: [laughs] Yes, that cretin Crowley thought he could control me after he released me from the Black Diamond. He got quite a shock – although the shock didn’t last very long. [evil chuckle]174

Asmodeus: What do you plan to do with your freedom? I assume you are not simply going to masquerade as Kyle Crowley for the next hundred or so years?175

Eclipso: No. I’ve been doing some research since my release, into the state of the world. 176

Azazel: What have you found?177

Eclipso: I’m particularly interested in two things – the state of the Church, and this being called the Spectre.178

Asmodeus: Yes. The Spectre defeated the last demon to be released on Earth without much of a fight, and banished the cosmic being known as Starbreaker from the universe entirely.179

Eclipso: What was Starbreaker? Was he one of us?180

Asmodeus: No. But we certainly didn’t try to stop him.181

Eclipso: Hmmm … but I see we have finally demolished the Church.182

Ahriman: Nearly.183

Asmodeus: Yes. In the past, we’ve always tried to send someone to destroy the Church from the outside – and while we’ve succeeded in wounding the Church, it’s always recovered. But this time we sent a man in on the inside.184

Azazel: Bugnini destroyed the Mass, the Sacraments … the whole sacredness of the Church! [gleeful laughter]185

Ahriman: And of course without him our Council could never have succeeded, and the Mass would never have been replaced by a Masonic service.186

Asmodeus: [slight pause] But now might be the time for further action. There has always been this … remnant … that has hung onto the true faith. But now the traditionalists are starting to grow in influence.187

Eclipso: If we ended the world now, we’d get all but a million or so of the six billion souls on this planet. But if we wait …188

Asmodeus: We risk losing the advantage.189

Eclipso: And here is where we can use the Spectre to our advantage.190

Ahriman: How so?191

Eclipso: If the Spectre is truly immortal, he cannot see Heaven until Judgement Day, can he?192

Azazel: True …193

Eclipso: So he would be quite susceptible to a suggestion that he is to be the very instrument of the end of the world, would he not?194

Ahriman: But how?195

Eclipso: He won’t believe me, of course, but …196

[Eclipso throws his head back and flings his arms out. He begins to transform again. A white tunic appears over him, and his skin pales. His hair turns blond. Great snow-white wings sprout from his back, and a sword appears in his hand. He is now the image of …]197

Eclipso: He’ll believe Michael the Archangel. This way, we can get the six billion souls due to us on this world, and then march on Heaven itself, with those six billion souls in our army – and the Spectre will actually help us achieve it. We don’t even have to fight him.198

[He gets a round of applause from the demons in the mirror. Eclipso changes back to his true form and bows slightly.]199

Ahriman: [nervously] Do you think … he … should know about this?200

Eclipson: I don’t see why. If we fail, we’d be on the wrong end of his wrath. But if we succeed … we could position ourselves to … perhaps … take his place.201

Azazel: Really?202

Eclipso: Why not? What has he achieved since the Fall? We could do so much more.203

Asmodeus: [pause] I like your thinking.204

Eclipso: [suddenly distracted] Wait a minute …205

13. Hospital ward206

[Ray Smith wakes up suddenly in a hospital room, with various tubes attached to him. He is completely disoriented, but worse, he can hear the demonic applause and laughter, very faintly, in his head.]207

Ray: Oh my God. [calls] Nurse!208

[A nurse rushes into Ray’s room. She is clearly shocked.]209

Nurse: Mr Smith – you’re awake! I’ll call the doctor …210

Ray: Never mind that.211

14. Back room at Crowley’s house212

[Eclipso turns his head suddenly. He can hear Ray’s speech faintly in his head.]213

Eclipso: Interesting …214

15. Hospital215

Ray: Nurse – there’s something … completely evil … loose on Earth.216

Nurse: It’s OK, Mr Smith, Dr Singh is on his way.217

Ray: I need to tell a priest … or David Corrigan … not a doctor.218

Nurse: We’ll get you a priest if you want, but you need to see the doctor first. You’ve been in a coma for seven years.219

Ray: [now he’s shocked] What?220

16. Back room at Crowley’s house221

Eclipso: Hmmm … it looks like I might have to take care of something else first. Goodbye for now.222

Asmodeus: Goodbye, Eclipso. We’ll talk soon.223

Eclipso: [waves his hand at the mirror – the image of the demons dissolves and soon the mirror is reflecting as normal] We will. 224

[He transforms back into Crowley and leaves the room.]225

17. Hospital reception226

[Declan arrives at the hospital’s reception.]227

Declan: Excuse me …228

Nurse: Yes?229

Declan: I believe that a patient here asked to see a priest?230

Nurse: Yes … Mr Smith. He’s awoken after a seven-year coma.231

Declan: [smiles slightly] I can’t imagine he’d have much to tell me in Confession then.232

Nurse: This way, please.233

18. Hospital corridors234

[Declan and the nurse walk together to Ray’s room]235

Nurse: We called you specifically.236

Declan: Oh? Mr Smith specifically asked for a Latin Mass priest?237

Nurse: No, he knows your brother.238

Declan: Is this Ray Smith?239

Nurse: The very same. [they reach his room]240

Declan: Thank you. [He goes in]241

19. Ray’s hospital ward242

[Declan hardly has time to enter Ray’s room before Ray, now sitting bolt upright in bed, despite the monitors and so on attached to him, gets started.]243

Ray: Father! I’m glad you’ve come.244

Declan: That’s what I’m here for …245

Ray: [cuts him off] You’re David Corrigan’s brother. You were only ordained a few days ago.246

Declan: David told me about your … abilities. Now, how can I help you?247

Ray: I killed a man, Father, years ago.248

Declan: I know. David told me. He also said you were having a psychotic episode at the time, but I can certainly hear your Confession.249

Ray: Yes, please. But before that … Father, I need to tell you about something that is loose on Earth.250

Declan: Really?251

Ray: Yes. It’s not like Starbreaker. Starbreaker’s mind was just … overpowering … I couldn’t hear anyone else’s when he was around. But this new presence is there, in the back of my head, all the time, and it’s completely evil.252

Declan: How long have you felt this presence?253

Ray: Since I woke up. They tell me that was about 24 hours ago. Father, we need to do something …254

Declan: Ray, I promise you, I will. But you’re not well right now.255

Ray: You think I’m insane. I can tell from your thoughts.256

Declan: You knew about Starbreaker before anyone else, including even the Spectre. There’s no doubt you have a gift. But what you need now is to rest and recover your strength. Then we will talk more, I promise you.257

Ray: [short pause] OK. Will you hear my Confession now?258

Declan: Certainly. [He puts on his stole, and we zoom out as Ray begins.]259

20. Precinct260

[David is sitting at his desk, looking frustrated. Allen enters.]261

Allen: [registers David’s look] No luck?262

David: No. I’ve got onto Customs, they’ve said they’ll keep a special look out for the diamond in any outgoing luggage, but they don’t know anything. I’ve spoken to every private collector in the USA, and they all say they don’t know anyone who could pull this off. 263

Allen: Interpol can’t tell us anything either. 264

David: So all these collectors are in it together, or they really don’t know. I’d hoped we could have played them off against each other.265

Allen: Do you think that Crowley has anything to do with it?266

David: Crowley’s definitely hiding something. Whether he managed to steal the Black Diamond is another question, but wouldn’t trust him as far as I could spit him.267

Allen: I don’t trust him either. But we need more than that to get a warrant.268

David: I know. [frustrated sigh] Maybe we could get some of his followers to roll on him …269

Allen: Not likely. From what I’ve heard, he’s got them as brainwashed as the Heaven’s Gate cultists.270

David: Maybe we do need Great-Grandad …271

21. Hospital272

[A uniformed police officer walks towards the hospital. He enters the reception, and goes up to the triage nurse.]273

Officer*: [shows badge] Excuse me, miss, I need to speak to a Ray Smith.274

Nurse: The man’s been in a coma for seven years. He’s just seen his priest. He probably needs to rest.275

Officer*: [looks her very carefully in the eye] It will only take a minute, miss.276

Nurse: [reels back slightly, but recovers herself] Ah … yes … of course, officer. Just please don’t take too long. 277

Officer*: Thank you. Where is he?278

Nurse: Room 317, Intensive Care.279

Officer*: Thank you again. You’ve been most helpful.280

[He leaves]281

Nurse: [shivers, speaks to no-one in particular] He’s creepy …282

22. Hospital Corridor283

[The policeman, looking purposeful, heads for Ray’s room. When he gets there, he pauses for a minute, waiting. Soon a nurse exits Ray’s room. They nod to each other. When she has gone, the policeman checks to make sure no-one is watching, and then shape-shifts into the image of the nurse. It is, of course, Eclipso. He/she flings open the door of Ray’s room.]284

23. Ray’s room285

Nurse*: And good afternoon again, Mr Smith.286

Ray: [sits bolt upright] I know who you are. I can read your mind.287

Nurse*: And I can read yours. Now, where will I find that priest you spoke to?288

Ray: I don’t know. You can read my mind all you like, but you won’t find that information.289

Nurse*: True. But his name was … Father Declan Corrigan. Right? Those Corrigans get around, don’t they? I’ve got business with his brother, too …290

[Eclipso shape-shifts again into his true form. Ray’s eyes widen with horror.]291

Ray: Stay back. [prays] Pater noster, qui est in caelis …292

Eclipso: [shrieks, reels back] Aaarrrggghhh!!! [smiles and stands upright again] Actually, that does cause me pain, but not that much …293

24. Corridor294

[A scream comes from Ray’s room. The same nurse as before rushes in, to find …]295

25. Ray’s room296

[Ray is sitting up in bed, wide-eyed and frightened out of his wits.]297

Nurse: Mr Smith! Are you all right?298

Ray*: Oh my God … Starbreaker … it was a dream. He’d escaped … he was coming back!299

Nurse: It’s all right now, Mr Smith. Do you need some more water or anything?300

Ray*: [slight pause] No … I’m all right. Thanks.301

Nurse: What did that police officer want?302

Ray*: I’m sorry, he said I can’t talk about it.303

Nurse: Oh, OK. You sure you’re all right?304

Ray*: Yes, I’m fine. Thanks.305

Nurse: OK then.306

[She leaves and closes the door behind her. “Ray” smiles and shape-shifts into the police officer once more. As he leaves, we can see the real Ray’s arm sticking out from under the bed.]307

26. Precinct308

[The phone rings. Allen answers it.]309

Allen: Chicago PD, Homicide. Can I help you? [pause] I see. We’ll be right there.310

David: [looks up] Trouble.311

Allen: Yeah. [pause] Ray Smith’s dead. Doctor found him dead under his bed. It looks like his neck was broken.312

David: Oh my God … why would anyone want to do that?313

Allen: That’s what we’re here for – to find out. Let’s go, Corrigan.314

27. Hospital315

[David and Allen are in attendance in Ray’s room. Ray’s body has been removed.]316

Allen: So who found the body?317

Nurse: I did, Detective. He was shoved under the bed … [she is clearly distraught]318

Allen: Did anyone come in to see him today?319

Nurse: Rowena in triage said that a policeman was in here today, but no-one else.320

David: Policeman?321

Nurse: Yes, in uniform.322

Allen: Can you get … Rowena down here please?323

Nurse: Sure. [pages her]324

David: [to Allen] Do you know about uniforms sending anyone down here today?325

Allen: [to David] No. This is getting stranger by the minute. 326

[Rowena, the triage nurse from earlier, enters. Does Queen Latifah want a straight role?]327

Rowena: Yes, Detectives?328

Allen: Was a police officer in to see Mr Smith today?329

Rowea: Yes … big, blond uniformed cop. He showed me his badge.330

Allen: Did you get his name?331

Rowena: Ah, no … there was something weird about him, though.332

David: What do you mean?333

Rowena: Well, normally I’d think a guy who looked like that was pretty hot … but this cop gave me the creeps. He just seemed really intense.334

Allen: Did he say where he was from? 335

Rowena: No, he just showed his badge and said “Chicago PD” or something like that.336

David: You didn’t ask any for any more?337

Rowena: No, like I said, this guy was creepy. I was glad to see him go.338

Allen: Could you identify him if you saw him again?339

Rowena: I think I could … is this guy really a cop?340

David: He doesn’t sound like anyone I know.341

Allen: Me neither – but don’t forget, the Chicago PD is a big organisation. We’re not going to know everyone. We can’t assume that he is a cop, or he’s not. But we want to talk to him.342

Rowena: Poor Mr Smith. Fancy waking up after seven years in a coma just to be murdered. It’s shocking.343

David: It is. We’ll get him.344

[The policemen leave. As they leave, they go past a cleaner in the hall. He watches David very carefully.]345

Cleaner*: Just the man I wanted to see … 346

[He grins evilly, showing that it is Eclipso yet again. When no-one is watching, he shape-shifts again, into an unremarkable looking man in an unremarkable suit, and follows the officers out.]347

28. Precinct348

[Late that afternoon. David and Allen are frustratedly going through a long series of police ID photos.] 349

David: Well, we’ve got a few guys that match the nurse’s description, but they were all on duty at the time of Ray’s death. Their partners can vouch for them.350

Allen: [sips coffee, serious expression] So we are looking at an impersonator then. Makes me feel better, actually.351

David: Yes, the last thing we need is some rogue cop wandering around complicating everything further … I think I’ve had it for the day.352

Allen: Yeah, go home, see your wife and kids. We’ve done all we can today. Keep your phone on, just in case.353

David: Yeah. See you tomorrow.354

[David packs up, and heads out of the precinct, through a waiting room. A man, sitting behind a newspaper, pulls it aside and watches David go.]355

Officer: [calls out from behind the counter] Are you OK there, sir?356

Man*: Yes, I’m fine … I’ve decided not to take the matter any further. Good night. [He leaves, and follows David out.]357

29. Night – Corrigans’ house358

[David and Jasmine are in bed. All is quiet. Suddenly a woman’s scream is heard from the outside.]359

Voice: Help! Help me! Oh my God … HELP!360

[David and Jasmine both jolt awake]361

Jasmine: David … what’s that?362

David: Don’t know – I’m on it. 363

[He grabs a dressing gown, gets his service weapon out of a drawer, and rushes outside.]364

30. Outside Corrigan’s house365

[David walks slowly away from his front door, gun in hand.]366

David: [calls] Hello? Miss? Are you all right?367

[He looks around, “hearing” nothing but silence.]368

David: Hello?369

[He hears a growl behind him. He spins around quickly, but a huge creature leaps out of the darkness and is on him almost immediately.]370

David: [shouts] What the hell?!371

[The creature goes for his throat. David is able to fire a shot, which seems to hit the creature in the shoulder. It howls, but is not badly hurt. David is able to get away and for a second and see the creature more clearly under a street light …]372

David: [almost too stunned to react] … A werewolf?373

[The creature almost smiles before leaping again …]374

David: Great-Granddad! Help!375

31. Interior of Jupiter376

[The Spectre is sound asleep, but then hears David’s cry in his head.]377

Spectre: David? [He vanishes, and appears …]378

32. Outside Corrigans’ house379

[The Spectre appears on the scene to see the werewolf attacking David]380

Spectre: What? 381

[He is rather stunned too. The werewolf turns, sees the Spectre, and snarls]382

Spectre: Get away from him.383

[The Spectre’s hands erupt in blinding light. The werewolf shields its eyes, howls in pain and runs. The Spectre races to David.]384

Spectre: David! Are you all right?385

David: [shocked but not badly harmed] Yes, I think so.386

Spectre: Did it … bite you?387

[David looks at his chest and arms. He sees claw marks but no bite marks.]388

David: Um. .. no, I don’t think so.389

Spectre: Good. That could have turned you as well …390

David: A werewolf in Chicago?391

Spectre: Yes … almost as incredible as an undead spirit.392

David: Sorry … hell, you’d better go after it, before it gets someone else.393

Spectre: Hell is where I aim to send it.394

[He flies off in the direction of the werewolf. He scans the scene with some kind of telescopic vision, but there is no sign of it. He alights, frustrated.]395

Spectre: [to himself] It’s already reverted to human form. Damn it.396

[He vanishes. Nearby, a blind man feels his way along the street with a cane, his eyes hidden by impenetrably dark glasses. The Spectre disappears nearly in front of him. He removes his glasses and grins, showing he is not blind after all …]397

Man*: Excellent. Thank you, Detective Corrigan.398

[He shuffles a few more steps, turns a corner and then shape-shifts into the policeman once more.]399

33. Corrigans’ house400

[Jasmine is in the loungeroom with David, verging on hysteria.]401

Jasmine: What’s going on here, David! What just went on out there?402

David: I … don’t know. [He is still breathing very heavily.] I really don’t.403

Jasmine: Do I need to call an ambulance? Are you all right?404

David: I …405

[The Spectre appears in the middle of the room.]406

Jasmine: David, I … [turns around suddenly to see the Spectre, nearly faints] Oh God, you too! You only ever turn up when there’s something very serious going on!407

Spectre: Jasmine, I’m sorry to shock you like that. David called me.408

Jasmine: WHY???409

Spectre: I believe that David was just attacked by a werewolf.410

[Pause while Jasmine takes this in]411

Jasmine: What? You can’t be serious!412

David: Have you ever known Great-Granddad to tell a joke?413

Jasmine: Well, no … but a werewolf? I thought there was no such thing.414

Spectre: Like ghosts, perhaps?415

Jasmine: All right, but here?416

Spectre: Werewolves can crop up anywhere – anywhere that someone is foolish enough to experiment with magic.417

David: [sudden thought] Crowley?418

Spectre: Who?419

David: I’ll have to fill you in later. But you couldn’t find any trace of this thing?420

Spectre: No. It must have reverted to human form before I could find it. But do you know what is really odd about this whole thing?421

Jasmine: [somewhat hysterical again] Besides a werewolf on our front lawn, you mean?422

Spectre: [Having no sense of humour himself, he misses the sarcasm completely] Yes. Look outside.423

David: I can’t see a thing. It’s too dark.424

Spectre: Precisely. It’s a new moon. Werewolves generally prefer the full moon.425

Jasmine: Great, so it’s not even a normal werewolf. [pause] A normal werewolf? What am I saying?426

Spectre: I’m sorry. David, Jasmine, I promise you I will not depart again until I hunt this thing down and kill it. You, and your children, will be safe.427

Jasmine: I … I’m sorry. Thanks for your protection. I can’t think of many better people to have on side.428

Spectre: I will remain until morning to make sure the creature does not return. Then I will go searching for signs of it again. Go back to bed, both of you.429

David: Right. Thanks, Great-Granddad. Ah … what are you going to do?430

Spectre: Wait. It’s what I’m best at.431

34. Declan’s study 432

[Declan is visited by a still shaken David. David knocks at the door.]433

David: Mind if I come in, Father?434

Declan: David! Please do. I wasn’t expecting you.435

[David comes through the door. Declan motions him to a loungechair.]436

Declan: Can I get you anything?437

David: Coffee, please. Black.438

Declan: Sure. [slight pause] What’s the problem?439

David: It’s been a rather dramatic 24 hours, I’m afraid.440

Declan: What’s happened? Are Jasmine and the kids all right?441

David: They’re fine, although Jasmine is a bit stressed out.442

Declan: What is it?443

David: For a start, Ray Smith is dead.444

[Declan crosses himself]445

Declan: Poor man. Has he been given the last rites?446

David: No. He’s in the morgue. There’s going to have to be an autopsy.447

Declan: I take it his death was suspicious.448

David: He was murdered. No doubt about it.449

Declan: [shakes his head sadly] Do you know why?450

David: No. But the only reason anyone would have to kill Ray would be in connection with his psychic powers, surely. It must have been someone who knew of Ray’s gift and was afraid Ray could expose him in some way.451

Declan: At least I gave him Confession not long before … Does Great-Granddad know? I think he’d like to.452

David: No … I didn’t really think to tell him.453

Declan: He’s around?454

David: Yes. I … I was attacked last night by a werewolf. Or something like it.455

Declan: [too shocked to speak for a minute] A werewolf?456

David: Yes.457

Declan: What happened?458

David: I heard a woman calling for help outside at about 2am last night. I went out to investigate and this … thing … jumped me. I called Great-Granddad for help. He scared it off but it ran and he couldn’t find it again.459

[Stunned silence]460

David: [smiles weakly] I didn’t really think to tell him about Ray.461

Declan: But … the power to summon a creature like that it reserved to those who have access to extremely dark powers. We’re dealing with a serious sorcerer here.462

David: Would you say that for someone who can summon up a werewolf, casting a sleep spell would be child’s play?463

Declan: Definitely.464

David: It’s Crowley. I’m sure of it. He stole the Black Diamond and now he’s trying to kill anyone who he thinks might suspect him. He started with Ray and then he moved on to me.465

Declan: Hmmm … given the Black Diamond’s occult significance, possession of it may well give someone like Crowley vastly increased powers. [sudden thought] Have you spoken to your partner today?466

David: No … but since I haven’t heard any “Cop killed by Werewolf” stories this morning, I assume Crispus is OK.467

Declan: Just be careful, David. We’re dealing with someone who can summon up evil spirits. Great-Granddad might not be able to protect you all the time. [reaches behind him] Take this.468

David: [inspects a small plastic container] Holy water?469

Declan: And one for Detective Allen too. [hands him another one]470

David: I don’t know if Crispus will take it.471

Declan: Offer it. I think he needs protection too.472

David: [pockets them both] Thanks. You take care too.473

Declan: I suppose I ought to get you that coffee …474

35. Precinct475

[David enters. Allen is already there, on the phone. He makes a few notes and then hangs up. David sits.]476

David: Morning.477

Allen: Where have you been, Corrigan?478

David: I had a rough night.479

Allen: What, two-year-old keeping you awake?480

David: No, a werewolf.481

[Allen can’t believe what he has just heard.]482

Allen: Well … I hear some kids can be pretty feral …483

David: [snaps] No, damn it, a literal werewolf. If Great-Granddad hadn’t turned up I’d be dead.484

Allen: That’s …485

David: Ridiculous?486

Allen: “Preposterous” was going to be my word. [pause] You’re serious, aren’t you?487

David: It’s Crowley.488

Allen: Crowley’s a werewolf?489

David: I don’t know, but he’s controlling it. Great-Granddad, and my brother, both say that someone with magical powers can transform themselves.490

Allen: Let’s just say you’re right. Why?491

David: He’s getting rid of people who could collar him for the theft of the Black Diamond. Ray first, then me. I’m sure you’re on the list too.492

Allen: You realise we’re going to need more than that to get a search warrant. And what would we be searching for? Dog hair?493

David: Books … items used for ritual magic … something. Surely we could at least get a warrant on suspicion for the theft. Every occult website says that the Diamond has supernatural powers, it’s just the kind of thing Crowley would want, and he’ll do anything to hold on to it. Even commit murder.494

Allen: [thinking] And he doesn’t have an alibi.495

David: And he doesn’t have an alibi. Can we at least try?496

Allen: [Picks up the phone] Maybe the Chief knows a judge who owes us a favour …497

36. Skies over Chicago498

[The Spectre hovers in mid-air, high over Lake Michigan. He is deep in thought. Suddenly he hears a voice in the air behind him.]499

Voice: James Corrigan!500

[The Spectre whirls around, and finds himself face to face with …]501

St Michael*: Greetings.502

Spectre: [slightly unnerved] What … what do you want?503

St Michael*: I bring you news, James. Your long wait is nearly at an end.504

Spectre: Wait for what?505

St Michael*: The end, James. Your long wait to return to Heaven.506

Spectre: What do you mean?507

St Michael*: The end really is nigh, James. God has asked me to give you the message personally.508

Spectre: [He is simultaneously joyful and alarmed] What? When?509

St Michael*: Now, James. You are to be the instrument of the end of the world.510

Spectre: What, you’ve been telling me for years that my job is to protect the Earth, and now you say I’m supposed to destroy it?511

St Michael: Seven years ago it wasn’t time, James. Now it is.512

Spectre: Why?513

St Michael*: [smiles] Even I don’t know that. He has simply told me that the day and the hour are here.514

Spectre: So … why isn’t He here himself? Why send you?515

St Michael*: He will come again in glory, right at the end. But not yet.516

Spectre: So … you want me to sort of wave my hand at the whole planet and disintegrate it?517

St Michael*: It is indeed an honour to be the one to usher in the new Heaven and new Earth.518

Spectre: [pause] Does he expect it done now?519

St Michael*: Well …520

Spectre: Because, unlike you, I have family I want to see again first.521

St Michael*: You will see them again, James, in the glorious new Heaven.522

Spectre: [more sure of himself now] I would like to see them again in this life, Michael.523

St Michael*: You have been chosen to do a great work for the Lord.524

Spectre: And I’m sure He’ll wait another 24 hours or so. Won’t he?525

St Michael*: [realises that the Spectre has drawn a line in the sand] Very well. [bows slightly] I will see you again here exactly 24 hours from now. [He vanishes]526

[The Spectre flies off, looking pensive and more than somewhat confused.]527

37. Crowley’s House 528

[The police have arrived to execute a search warrant. David, Allen and a number of uniformed officers are all present. David knocks loudly on the door.]529

David: Kyle Crowley! [no response] We have a warrant to search these premises!530

[No response]531

David: [to a uniformed officer] Open it.532

[The officer pulls a skeleton key from his pocket, and attempts to open the door with it. No result. Then a number of uniformed officers shoulder and kick the door until it opens. All the officers go inside.]533

Allen: [Addressing the uniformed officers] I want this place searched from top to bottom. We’re looking for anything that might show that the Diamond is here or has been here, or anything to do with ritual magic involving the Diamond. Get to it!534

[David heads straight for Crowley’s bookshelves.]535

David: [Pulls a few slim volumes down from the shelves] Most of this is in Latin. Maybe Declan could read it. 536

Allen: Just stick to the warrant, Corrigan.537

David: Believe me, I am. 538

[David comes across another promising-looking book. He opens it and flicks through it. Then he points at a page.]539

David: Bingo! Crispus, look at this.540

Allen: [peering over his shoulder] Looks like an illustration of the Black Diamond to me.541

David: With all these Latin inscriptions around it. The fastest way to get this translated is to show it to Declan.542

Allen: Is he qualified?543

David: He studied Latin for five years for the priesthood, and he’s an expert in demonology and the occult. I can’t think of anyone better, can you?544

Allen: Fine, take him a copy. But the original stays in the evidence room.545

David: No problem. [He puts the book an in evidence bag.]546

[David runs his gloved fingers along a black powdery substance on a table. He examines it closely and finds that it is hard and sharp. He shakes his hand out of pain and walks away, casting backwards looks at the substance as he goes.]547

[A uniformed officer calls from the rear of the house.]548

Officer: Hey, Detectives, you should come out here.549

[David and Allen head for the back.]550

38. Back yard of Crowley’s house551

[A number of officers are standing around what looks like freshly disturbed earth in the back yard.]552

Officer: I think something’s buried here.553

David: Or someone.554

Allen: Get some shovels over here and get digging.555

David: Better get an ME here too, in case it is a body.556

39. Skies above Chicago557

[Eclipso, still in the form of St Michael, is surveying the scene from the air. He frowns at first, but then appears to come up with a plan and flies away.]558

40. Jovian System559

[The Spectre floats around Jupiter and its moons, contemplating the scene. Then he “calls out”.]560

Spectre: [quietly] Out of the depths I cry to thee … [loudly] Lord!561

Voice of God: James?562

Spectre: Is it true?563

God: Is what true?564

Spectre: You know very well. Don’t play enigmatic with me.565

God: You’re a bit upset, James.566

Spectre: Well, yes. You send someone else to tell me You want me to end the world for You?567

God: That would be frustrating.568

Spectre: Well … did You?569

God: What do you think?570

Spectre: I know Michael the Archangel when I see him. And I saw him today.571

God: And he told you that I want you to end the world.572

Spectre: Yes. That’s right.573

God: Interesting.574

Spectre: So …575

God: Do you want to end the world, James?576

Spectre: Well … I want to see Heaven again. I’ll get to see my wife and son again. And I know the rest of my family will be there too. But the thought of actually being the instrument of their deaths … it’s a bit much.577

God: Do you think I’d ask you to undertake such a task?578

Spectre: [rather confused by this turn of events] Well … I don’t know. You asked Abraham to kill Isaac.579

God: You might also remember I let him out of that deal.580

Spectre: So … is this a test? Are you going to let me out of this? Is this some kind of proof of faith you’re looking for?581

God: I don’t need any proof from you, James.582

Spectre: [frustrated] So what the hell do you want me to do?583

God: I want you to go back to Earth and wait until Michael shows up again.584

Spectre: Then what?585

God: That’s up to you, James.586

Spectre: What is that supposed to mean? Lord? [no answer] Terrific. [he vanishes] 587

41. Crowley’s back yard588

[The uniformed officers are hard at work in the back yard. They step back from their shovelling and call the Detectives and ME over.]589

Officer: It’s a body all right.590

[David and Allen inspect the site. We don’t see the body.]591

David: [stunned] It’s Crowley!592

Allen: You’re sure? He looks like he’s been there a while.593

David: It’s Crowley. 594

Allen: We’ll need dental records to be sure. [pause] How could the body be in this condition?595

David: Don’t know. [He calls the ME over] Doctor!596

[The ME comes over. It could be Dr Suleiman from Spectre I.]597

David: How long has this body been here?598

[The ME inspects the site.]599

ME: Around … two weeks, I’d say. A week and a half at the absolute minimum.600

Allen: We spoke to Crowley … what … four days ago wasn’t it?601

David: Who the hell were we talking to?602

42. Declan’s study603

[Declan is reading when he hears a knock at the door. He goes to it, and opens it to find …]604

Declan: Jasmine?605

Jasmine*: Declan … Father … can I come in?606

Declan: Please … sit down.607

[He ushers “Jasmine” to a chair.]608

Declan: How can I help?609

Jasmine*: It’s David. He told you about that … werewolf, didn’t he?610

Declan: Yes.611

Jasmine*: I don’t know what’s going on. I’m scared, for David, the children, and me. 612

Declan: I don’t know that I do, either. But there’s a very powerful sorcerer out there. Someone with very sinister powers, and I’m sure it’s all connected to that Black Diamond.613

Jasmine*: I don’t think David can protect us. I think maybe you can.614

[“Jasmine” comes closer to him.]615

Jasmine*: I think you have a lot of … untapped potential.616

[She leans down to him and goes to kiss him. Declan jumps out of his chair.]617

Declan: I don’t know who you are, but you aren’t my sister-in-law.618

Jasmine*: [grins] Oh come on now …619

Declan: Get out of here.620

Jasmine*: [sighs] OK, I tried to offer you the nice way out of this, but you won’t take it …621

[“Jasmine” transforms into the werewolf. It howls and stares evilly at Declan, who is too stunned at first to react other than to cross himself.]622

[The werewolf charges Declan. The two of them crash into an altar. The creature rips Declan’s crucifix from his neck and then starts to bite at his throat. Declan reaches frantically amongst the items strewn on the floor and comes up with a bottle of holy water, which he shoves into the werewolf’s jaws. 623

The werewolf involuntarily bites down on the bottle, and gets holy water in its mouth. It screams in pain and backs off. Declan gets to his feet, grabs a large crucifix, and begins reciting an exorcism.]624

Declan: Exorcizo te, immundíssime spíritus, omnis incúrsio adversárii, omne phantasma, omnis légio, in nómine Dómini nostri Jesu Christi eradicáre, et effugáre ab hoc plásmate Dei!625

[The werewolf turns and runs, snarling and screaming as it goes.]626

Declan: [slumps in a chair] Deo gratias. [Then he picks up a phone and dials a number.] David? Your werewolf has just paid a visit.627

43. David’s house628

[Declan sits in a chair, opposite David and Jasmine.]629

David: So this thing just … shapeshifted in front of you?630

Declan: [nods] It’s not a werewolf. It’s something more than that, it can assume any form it wants. And it’s demonic – the exorcism wouldn’t have worked otherwise.631

David: And it probably assumed the form of Kyle Crowley.632

Declan: Probably.633

Jasmine: Why did it want to kill you, though?634

David: Maybe this has something to do with it. [Hands Declan photocopied pages of the book found in Crowley’s library.] Maybe it wanted to stop you translating this.635

Declan: [examines the pages closely] I’ll need some time to work all this out so it’s letter-perfect, but I think I can give you the gist of it now.636

Jasmine: I doubt we have the time to get it perfect, somehow.637

Declan: OK then. [reads] What this says is that the Black Diamond was the – I can’t quite work this word out, but “prison” is probably closest – of a demon called, ah, Eclipso. 638

Jasmine: Eclipso?639

Declan: That’s the closest translation I can get. Anyway, the Black Diamond was found it what’s now Namibia by Vasco de Gama and his men in the 15th century. When they brought it back to Portugal, the clergy realised it was possessed by some kind of spirit. A rogue priest stole the diamond and, using various forms of ritual magic, found the way to release Eclipso from its prison. It seems he believed that if he could release Eclipso, it would be bound to him, like a genie or a familiar spirit. 640

David: Did he succeed in releasing it?641

Declan: This doesn’t say. But it does set out the incantation that the writer believed would release it.642

Jasmine: And someone tried it?643

Declan: My guess is that Crowley found this book, and decided to take the Black Diamond to try to bind Eclipso to him. He used spells he had already mastered, like a sleep spell, to steal it, and then tried to use this incantation.644

David: It looks like it worked.645

Declan: The first part worked – it released Eclipso. The binding part of the spell wasn’t so successful. It looks like Eclipso killed Crowley and stole his identity, probably as soon as it was released from the diamond. And it killed Ray because Ray would have been able to read its mind and discover its secret.646

David: This explains a lot. Crowley, the werewolf, the policeman who the nurses said was asking about Ray and creeped them out – they were all the same person. Well, thing.647

Declan: It could be anyone. We need to let Great-Grandad know about this.648

44. Skies over Chicago649

[A confused Spectre flies high above Chicago, and over Lake Michigan.]650

Spectre: All right, Michael, where are you?651

[“St Michael” swoops down from somewhere and appears in front of the Spectre.]652

St Michael*: Are you ready to fulfil your destiny, James?653

Spectre: I went over your head, you know.654

[“St Michael” is momentarily panicked, but regains his composure.]655

St Michael*: And what did … He … say?656

Spectre: Well, you know what He’s like. I didn’t get a straight answer, of course.657

St Michael*: I see … so you don’t believe me?658

Spectre: I don’t know – there’s something wrong with all of this. 659

St Michael*: I am the captain of His hosts, James. I threw Lucifer himself from Heaven. You can trust me.660

Spectre: I still haven’t said goodbye …661

[“St Michael” detects him wavering.]662

St Michael*: James, maybe this is why you were really brought back, all those years ago. I know your aim was to save your family from Capone, but maybe He let you come back because He always intended you to be the instrument of His judgement.663

Spectre: I …664

[He starts to speak, but he hears David’s voice in his head.]665

David: Great-Grandad!666

Spectre: David?667

St Michael*: What’s going on?668

David: There’s a demon loose – Eclipso – and it’s a shape-shifter. It was the werewolf and goodness knows who else.669

Spectre: How …670

David: It came after Declan too. He saw it transform.671

[The Spectre looks very carefully at “St Michael”.]672

Spectre: I see …673

St Michael*: Whatever you’re hearing, how do you know it’s the truth?674

Spectre: My great-grandson would never lie to me.675

St Michael*: It doesn’t mean he’s not mistaken.676

Spectre: Do you know anything about some shape-shifting demon loose on Earth?677

St Michael*: How do you know that voice that you must have just heard wasn’t the demon?678

Spectre: [Now very confused] What?679

[A voice comes from behind the Spectre.]680

St Michael: Because that’s the demon, there. [He points his sword at Eclipso.]681

St Michael*: Lies! There’s your demon, right there! Destroy him!682

[The two apparently identical beings face off against each other, each with their sword drawn.]683

Spectre: [shouting] How am I supposed to tell who’s who?684

St Michael: Look at my sword! 685

[St Michael shows him his sword, with the Hebrew inscription מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל‎ - “who is like God?”]686

St Michael: Now look at his!687

[Eclipso’s sword is devoid of any inscription.]688

Spectre: It’s blank …689

St Michael: He can’t stand to touch something with the name of God inscribed on it! There’s your proof!690

[The fake Michael snarls with rage]691

St Michael*: And here’s more!692

[“St Michael” transforms into a truly demonic entity – of enormous size, with bat’s wings, cloven hoofs and a tail. It still holds a huge sword.]693

Eclipso: I’ll destroy you both anyway!694

[Eclipso flies at St Michel and the Spectre. The Spectre opens fire with bursts of energy from his hands, but it has no effect.]695

Eclipso: I’m stronger than you, Corrigan. This time you’re fighting a true demon, not just Lucifer’s human underling!696

St Michael: And I’m stronger than both of you.697

[St Michael joins the fray, attacking Eclipso with his sword. The two engage in an aerial fight while the Spectre looks on.]698

St Michael: The Black Diamond! We can imprison him again!699

Spectre: David … he’ll know. [He vanishes]700

45. David’s house701

[The Spectre appears in the midst of David, Declan and Jasmine.]702

Jasmine: Oh, you again! What ..703

Spectre: No time. David – your demon is loose.704

David: What?705

Spectre: St Michael is currently fighting him somewhere over Lake Michigan.706

Declan: My goodness.707

Spectre: Where is the Black Diamond?708

David: We searched Crowley’s house from top to bottom – it wasn’t there.709

Spectre: Damn it. We need it to reimprison Eclipso.710

[Jasmine is staring out the window, from where she can see a distant view of the titanic struggle over the Great Lakes.]711

Jasmine: That black thing … is that Eclipso?712

Spectre: Closer up it’s purple, but yes.713

[Jasmine shudders]714

David: Wait …715

Spectre: What is it?716

David: There was some glassy black powder in Crowley’s house.717

Spectre: That could be it. It makes sense that Eclipso would destroy the Diamond after being released.718

David: Can you … fix it?719

Spectre: I think so. Declan – pray for all of us. Please.720

[Declan nods, and takes a Missal from his bag.]721

Declan: I have the right prayer for the occasion.722

Spectre: Good. [He vanishes]723

46. Interior of Crowley’s house724

[The Spectre looks around. The house is still clearly designated as a crime scene. Finally he notices some black residue on a window sill.]725

Spectre: Here’s hoping …726

[He rubs some of the powder onto his gloved hand. Then he holds his hand up. From everywhere in the house, black dust flies towards the Spectre’s raised hand, swirling around it, and finally reconstituting the Black Diamond.]727

Spectre: Thank you, Lord. Now for Eclipso …728

47. David’s house729

[David and Jasmine are kneeling in prayer. Declan, now in his stole, begins the prayer to St Michael.]730

Declan: St Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle …731

48. Skies over Chicago732

[The Spectre reappears, with the Black Diamond in his possession. Eclipso sees it and screams …]733

Eclipso: NO!!!!!!!!! It’s not possible!734

49. David’s house735

[Declan continues the prayer.]736

Declan: Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.737

50. Skies over Chicago738

[The Spectre hurls the Black Diamond at Eclipso. It strikes the demon in the midriff. As Eclipso screams, it is sucked into the Diamond, like a black hole devouring a star. The last part of him to be sucked in is one clawed hand.]739

[While this is going on, we can hear Declan’s voice:]740

Declan: May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust down to Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits who roam the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.741

[At the final “Amen” Eclipso is sucked completely into the Diamond. It begins to fall towards the surface of Lake Michigan, but the Spectre swoops down and retrieves it. He brings it back to St Michael.]742

St Michael: Well done, James. [he bows slightly]743

Spectre: [He doesn’t need to breathe, but he exhales heavily anyway.] Thank you. It nearly had me believing it was you …744

St Michael: It’s all over now.745

Spectre: Yes. [he looks closely at the Diamond] We can’t let any other self-declared sorcerer get hold of this.746

St Michael: What are you suggesting?747

Spectre: This.748

[The Spectre hurls the Diamond high into the sky. It is tracked through the stratosphere, away from Earth, away from the sun, and out into space.]749

51. Deep space750

[Caption: “Seven years later”]751

[The PKE space probe approaches the Oort Cloud object Eris. From the probe’s point of view, we see the almost completely dark world, orbited by a small moon. Then the camera zooms in on a smaller object orbiting Eris, which is eventually revealed to be the Black Diamond.]752

THE END753

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