THE HORROR-STRICKEN, FANTASY-PLAGUED, MYSTICAL TALE OF GERARD

THE HORROR-STRICKEN, FANTASY-PLAGUED, MYSTICAL TALE OF GERARD1

Shari Saunders2


ACT I
SCENE I3

(The play is set in England in the mid 1990's. It is about 3:00 PM. Gerard himself is from the city of London, but has decided to move a little ways out to be in Oxford. He finds a home in a more wooded area, though woods are rare in most of the town, this house seems to be sparated quite a ways off from other homes. It is Gerard's first day in his new house. He has invited his girlfriend, Sara, to come and see the house with him. He unlocks the door and they both marvel at the astounding sights around them. Everything seems to be a copy of something from the Victorian Era.)4

Sara
Wow! Well, They say Oxford is famous for it's spires, but I never expected the inside of any home in England to look so, well... How do I put it?5

Gerard
Old fashioned, I suppose you would say.6

Sara
(laughs) Sure.7

( Gerard puts his arm around her, but she soon bounces off into the kitchen, looking at everything)8

(Gerard sighs, then smiles and follows her)9

Sara
Woah, I guess the folks that lived in this house before you just didn't feel like cleaning anything out of it. They even left their silver wear here!10

(Sara says as she opens the cabinet; takes a good look, and closes it again)11

Gerard
Oh, well... All for the better. Just one more thing that I don't have to buy.12

Sara
Yes, you're right... but what about the upstairs?13

Gerard
Let's go and see.14

(Gerard and Sara go upstairs to the first room on the left. Sara goes in first and begins to looks out of the window)15

Sara
Wow... It's really beautiful isn't it?16

(all of the sudden, they hear something shatter behind them. When they look, they see that the old mirror behind them has broken into peices)17

Gerard
Oh, wow... I wonder how that happened?18

Sara
You probably stared at it a bit too hard, didn't you, Gerard?19

Gerard
(smiles) Ha, ha (sarcasticly Said) Very clever, Sara. But you are my girlfriend, so what does that say about you?20

Sara
(puts her arms around Gerard's waist and kisses him)21

(When they are through, Gerard steps back away from Sara and looks at her hair with disgust)22

Sara
Oh my God, what is it? What are you looking at?23

Gerard
Don't move... 24

(Sara looks a little frightened. It's becoming increasingly noticable)25

Sara
What? What?!26

Gerard
There's a spider in your hair!27

Sara
Get it out, Gerard!28

Gerard
Calm down, calm down... It's right...29

(Gerard, at first, acts as if he is getting something out of her hair, then quicky reches down to her sides and begins tickling her and laughing)30

Sara
GERARD!31

(Slaps Gerard on the arm, then begins to giggle)32

Gerard
Hey you do have to admit - I got you pretty good!33

Sara
Yeah, yeah! It was just a fluke! You wait and see!34

Gerard
Sure, sure... What ever helps you to sleep better at night! 35

(Gerard and Sara decide to look at some of the other rooms that are upstairs. Then they check out the attic)36

(Gerard steps in first)37

Gerard
Well, there isn't very much up here now, is there?38

(He says looking upwards)39

Sara
Hmmm... What's that, Gerard?40

Gerard
Huh? What is what?41

(Sara points to a black suit over in the corner of the attic. It sits on a dusty old trunk)42

Gerard
Oh. That? Mist have been here already. I don't recall anything about that.43

(Sara and Gerard walk over towards it. Sara grabs the suit and shakes it out)44

Sara
It isn't dirty... Just has a bit of dust on it.45

(While Sara is fooling with the suit, Gerard looks at the trunk with curiosity. He tries to pry it open, but miserably fails.)46

Gerard
Hmmm... That's interesting...47

Sara
Look, Gerard! This is a very nice suit!48

Gerard
Yeah, it is isn't it. It looks about my size, too.49

Sara
Well, If you don't have to work at the museum tonight, you could wear it to the theater. I'm going to be there.50

Gerard
Sure. What time does the movie start?51

Sara
Uh.. Well, The movie starts at 5:00.52

(They go back downstairs. They lay the suit on Gerard's bed as they go. In the Dining room, Gerard looks at the clock)53

Gerard
Well if we are going to the movies, then we had better hurry up. It's already 4:30. Wow... Time sure seems to fly away sometimes...54

Sara
I'm ready to go when you are.55

(Gerard goes on upstairs to his room and puts the suit on. Then he comes back down stairs. Gerard and Sara arrive a bit late at the movies, but it is fine. Gerard doesn't arrive home until about 7:30 after driving Sara home)56

(Gerard puts some soup in the microwave, when it is done he takes it out and eats it. After he is done and has put the dish into the sink, he hears someone crying from upstairs, so he goes to investigate it. It is coming from the room across from his room. A Woman is rocking back and forth on the floor, she has on a white dress with lace trim. It is dirty and looks tan. Her blonde hair looks so messy that it looks almost teased. Gerard is peaking through a crack in the door, looking at the Woman. It is night. The moon shines through the Victorian curtains to the left of where she is. She is next to a rocking chair. To the right of her there is an old painting of a man about her age or maybe a little older and an ashtray full of smoked cigars. There is also a box labled "Cigars," and a few matches beside it. Everything looks Elizabethan to some extent There are a couple of small wardrobes in the room, all made of dark mahogony or cherry wood. )57


ACT I
SCENE II58

Woman
It feels like that fragile moment in childhood, when you catch that beautiful butterfly only to find, when you have opened your little hands, that you have squashed it... 59

(Gerard opens the door a bit. It squeaks from it's dusty, old henges. The Woman acts as if she hears or sees nothing when Gerard makes his entrance into the aincient, Victorian looking room. As he walks in, his steps stir the dust on the floor, getting dirty the black of his suit, especially his formerly shiny shoes) 60

Gerard
What beauty surpasses that of the butterfly?61

(The woman continues to act as if Gerard wasn't there and begins to giggle)62

Woman
The beauty of ignorance... Frail.. Uncorrupt... Ha, ha, ha... Like that of a butterfly...63

(Gerard walks closer to the woman and on his second step the floor slightly squeaks. With a scratchy throat he says64

Gerard
What are you doing here?65

(The Lady continues to giggle faintly, gradually getting louder. Gerard looks both frightened and confused. His knees begin to tremble as the Woman's laugh slowly becomes a tragic crying. Tears fall from her face. It is so quite in the house Gerard hears them hitting the floor The woman slowly raises her head to look at Gerard. Gerard steps just close enough to converse with her on bended knees)66

Gerard
It's alright... What are you doing here? Who are you?67

(The woman looks down again)68

Woman
What do YOU know about BEAUTY?69

(The Woman Starts to cry again)70

Gerard
I WON'T ask again - What are you doing HERE? This is NOT your home!71

( Gerard is getting angry. He sees The woman's vulnerabitlity and is no longer afraid. She is unarmed)72

Gerard
Look at me when I speak!73

Woman
You don't want that...74

(Gerard grabs her shoulders and turns her into view. He sees that half of her face is torn off, and that the tears she has been crying are blood. Gerard shrieks in fear and jumps back, falling onto the floor. The woman now cries more tragically than ever and bows her head)75

Woman
It's not wise to have a violent temper, is it?76

(The woman dissappears into nowhere, leaving nothing. No blood or tears. Gerard still lies on the floor in shock. He closes his eyes and accidently falls asleep. When it is morning he feels something pulling his hair) 77

ACT I
SCENE IIl78

(Gerard turns around quickly and looks, only to find his friend Olly there)79

Olly
What's wrong, man? You look like you've seen a ghost or something.80

(Gerard sighs)81

Gerard
Man, Olly, you scared me.82

Olly
Yeah, the front door was open... I just walked in... Sorry.83

Gerard
No,no, it's okay, really.84

Olly
So... Why are you laying on the floor again?85

Gerard
Well... ahhh.. I don't know, I was just resting, that's all..86

Olly
Isn't that what the bedroom is for? Oh, well, this is a pretty cool room anyway... This whole house is cool.. and you got it for a killer price too. I almost can't believe it.87

(Olly begins to slowly walk around Examining all of the stuff in the room.)88

Gerard
Yeah, I'm begining to understand why I got it so cheap...89

Olly
huh?90

Gerard
Oh, umm, nothing.91

Olly
Dude, just be glad you got your own house.92

Gerard
Yeah. I know.93

Olly
What's up with that black suit you're wearing?94

Gerard
Oh, this? I found it.95

Olly
Really? Where did you find it? In this house?96

Gerard
Yeah, the attic.97

(Olly touches Gerard's arm briefly to feel the fabric of the suit)98

Gerard
Hey, man, You want to go and get a slurpie or something?99

Olly
Sure.100


ACT I
SCENE VI101

(Gerard and olly are sitting inside of the store at a table sipping slurpies)102

Olly
So... How many stories is your house?103

(sips slurpie)104

Gerard
Three.105

Olly
Are you serious?106

(Gerard nods and Olly's eyes get quite a bit wider with amazement)107

Gerard
Yeah... The Living room, kitchen and dining room down stairs; on the third floor there are three bedrooms and a bathroom... Then there's the attic.108

Olly
That is SO not even cool... You're like, what, nineteen years old and you get to have a three story house all to yourself? UNFAIR.109

(Gerard laughs a bit)110

Olly
What?! This is serious! I'm jealous of you!111

Gerard - Well, you're welcome over anytime you want so stop your complaining.112

Olly
Seriously?113

(Gerard nods. Gerard and Olly both take a drink of thier slurpies.)114

Olly
So, what do the rooms look like?115

Gerard
Well, you've been in the back room - very victorian. Portraits, rocking chairs, you know. The other two rooms are about the same as that save for some of the newer furnishings I have moved in there... Like a Television, for example. The attic is almost empty... with the exeption of a few garments I found up there...116

Olly
Yeah, some of which you happen to be wearing right now.117

Gerard
Yeah. It's nice isn't it?118

Olly
Yeah. Aren't you afraid that the person who sold you the house is going to come back for some of the stuff you're unsing?119

Gerard
Well, I never actually met the owner of the house... 120

Olly
Gerard, What are you talking about? You have to have met the owner. You mean that he or she didn't even check to see what kind of person you are?121

Gerard
Well, no. I saw a "for sale" sign; dialed a number and sent some information in. The person on the phone said that no one has lived in my house for a while.122

Olly
Oh, wow. How lucky are you, huh?123

( There is a long pause. Gerard looks at the floor with worry. Olly knows that there is something that is bothering Gerard.)124

Olly
Hey, What's wrong? I didn't hurt your feelings or anything did I? I didn't mean -125

Gerard
Oh, no, no... 126

(As Gerard and Olly are walking to Gerard's house, Gerard looks at Olly with utmost seriousness)127

Gerard
Olly, can I ask you a question.128

Olly
Sure, Gerard. What is it?129

Gerard
Well, um... ( gets a little red in the face) Do you believe in life after death?130

Olly
Sorta... Well, What do you mean?131

Gerard
Like, ghosts and stuff.132

Olly
No, I suppose not. Never seen one in all my seventeen years on this earth.. Why should I? 133

Gerard
Oh, nah, It was just a hypothetical question.134

(The guys begin walking and decide to roam for a little while. They skate and do some different things)135

(They finally reach Gerard's house.)136

Gerard
(looks at Olly.) Goin' in?137

Olly
Nah, I got to go. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?138

Gerard
Alritght... See ya.139


ACT I
SCENE V140

( Gerard walks into his house and sits down at the dining room table putting his hand on his head as if he had a head ache or something was worrying him)141

Gerard
Well... Maybe it was all just one big dream...142

(Gerard hears his cell phone ring. He takes it out of his pocket and answers it. It is his girlfriend)143

Gerard
Hey, what's up babydoll?144

Sara
Oh... Well, actually I've had some things on my mind for a while...145

Gerard
Really? Like what?146

Sara
Gerard, I know that this is going to be hard for you, but I think that we are going to have to take a little break from our relationship.147

Gerard
wwwwhat do you mean?148

(Sara sighs.)149

Gerard
Sara?150

Sara
I found someone else. I'm sorry.151

Gerard
What?! After all that we have been through together? You are just going to replace me like that? I can't believe this!152

Sara
He just treats me so good and -153

Gerard
And what? I didn't? Sara, I did everything for you and you KNOW it! How could you do this to me?154

Sara
I'm really sorry Gerard. I am.155

Gerard
Why? 156

(Gerard starts to cry a little bit.)157

Gerard
All I want is one good reason.158

Sara
Pick one. 159

Gerard
How can you... I don't see how... God, I don't even know what to say to you...160

Sara
He is more suited to me Gerard.161

Gerard
WELL, FOR GOD'S SAKE TELL ME WHAT I DID WRONG AND I'LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU, I SWEAR!!! 162

(long pause)163

Gerard
... Sara... I swear...164

Sara
You're too immature to handle a relationship. This just proves it.165

Gerard
...but... I can't...166

Sara
I'm so sorry.167

(sara hangs up the phone. Gerard cries for a while.)168

169

( Gerard looks at the grandfather clock in the corner. The golden-brown pendulum is swining back and forth. the black pointed hands are pointed to the twelve and the nine. The numbers are written in numerals.)170

Gerard
Wow... I can't believe it's nine O'clock already... 171

(Gerard stands up and pushes his chair in. The chairs sit around a rectangular green table. All of the chairs are hand-made and in the same color. Like almost everything else in Gerard's house, they too are a little dusty. They have golden colored pillows on there seats to accent the deep green of the table and chairs.)172

Gerard
I should really change for bed... I have to work in the morning.173

(So Gerard climbes the stairs. He marvels at the maroon wall paper. It has a slight leafy design, almost a mideaval feel to it. There are lighter spots where it is obvious a picture or portrait used to hang. Some are slightly larger than others. Halfway up he feels something cold touch his shoulder. He turns around quickly but no one is there. He sighs)174

Gerard
Too much stress on me I guess.175

(Gerard continues climbing the stairs and gets into his room. He sits on the bed while he quickly changes into his loose sleep shorts and T-shirt. He turns out the lamp in the corner and just leaves the old suit in the floor as he climbes into his bed. The bedspread is black and the sheets are white. He has a dark sham over his pillow. He goes to sleep.)176

177

ACT II
SCENE I178

(Gerard hears the doorbell and jumps out of bed. He is wearing a dark blue hoodie and boxer shorts. He runs down the stairs and answers the door. Olly is standing there. He looks pretty happy.)179

Olly
Hey, Gerard! Are you busy?180

Gerard
Oh, of course not... I was just sleeping...181

Olly
Well, do you want to go somewhere with me today?182

Gerard
Get in here...183

(Olly comes inside and sits at the dining table. Gerard gets a couple of sodas from the refridgerator and hands one to Olly as he joins him at the table)184

Gerard
So... Is there any important reason for awakening me from my slumber, or do I have to kill you?185

Olly
Well, for one thing, Gerard, It's almost noon. For another thing - well, there is something special that I have planned...186

(Olly pulls a maroon velvet ring box from his jacket pocket)187

Gerard
Oh my God! Are you serious?188

Olly
I was thinking about paying Rose a visit today...189

(Olly opens the ring box. There is an engagement ring inside.)190

Gerard
No, man, you can't do that yet!191

Olly
Shut up, Gerard... I love her. I really, really do. I want to spend the rest of my life showing her that.192

Gerard
You are serious... Are you sure that you just haven't gone mad?193

Olly
No, I'm not, now that you brought up the subject... but if this is what insanity feels like - I pity the sane.194

Gerard
You're out of your mind. Completely bonkers.195

(Gerard giggles a little at the lovesick look that Olly has on his face.)196

Olly
No... but I would be if something ever happened to Rose... I'm telling you... I don't care if you believe me or not. I would lose every bit of sanity I have. She is my everything...197

Gerard
That's real sweet. Why do you want me to go with you though?198

Olly
Well, You may not be around alot... but you are my best friend. and I would sure feel alot more confident if you at least went to her house with me.199

Gerard
Sure I will. I'm glad you found someone for you. 200

Olly
How are you and Sara doing?201

(Gerard looks down at the floor)202

Olly
Oh, man, I'm sorry!203

Gerard
It's okay... We broke up yesterday... I still care about her... mmm... I'm an idiot... I should have treated her better.204

Olly
but you all looked so happy all of the time!205

Gerard
Yeah... but she said she wants more than that... I guess I'm not real mature all the time if you know what I mean...206

Olly
It's alright, man! I'll stay with you until you're better!207

Gerard
Thanks Olly.208

(Gerard goes upstairs and puts on some of his regular wear. Then he and olly go to the hill where Olly's girlfriend, Rose lives. Right beside of her house, there is a shallow ditch that overlooks a valley covered with trees. Olly and Gerard knock on Rose's front door. There is no reply. On the way back down, Olly notices something red in the water.)209

Olly
Hey Gerard, Lets go down to the ditch. I think there are clothes or something floating around it there.210

Gerard
Alright. That's cool.211

(So Gerard and Olly walk to the ditch. They peak into the water. something red and stringy is on top of the water.)212

Olly
Hmmm...213

(Olly reaches in to get whatever it is. He pulls upward and to the left. Gerard and Olly gape at Rose's pallid face skimming the surface of the water. Olly starts to cry. He seems to be almost out of breath. Not histerical, but moreso in shock. He is still holding tight to her hair. Then the rest of her floats to the surface. She is unclothed.)214

Olly
DON'T LOOK AT HER THAT WAY!215

(Gerard jumps in fear of what Olly may do. They wait a minute. Rose's eyes are open. Olly is staring into them deeply. He is stunned.)216

Gerard
Let go of her, Olly. Let go of her hair.217

Olly
I don't want to. 218

(Olly looks into Gerard's eyes. He is crying. Gerard feels all of the sorrow and tragedy Olly must be feeling.)219

Gerard
Look, man, we'll take her to her house. It's not so far away. Then we'll call the police and -220

Olly
NO! No calling the police... (sniff) I need to say goodbye to her.221

(At this point Gerard's pity is mixed with fear.)222

(Olly and Gerard carry Rose's dead corpse in their arms to her house. Gerard kicks open the door. They carry Rose to her bed. Olly sits in a chair next to her and weeps. He has covered her up with her favorite blankets. Gerard comes into the room, bringing tissues to Olly. They have been at the location for quite a time. Gerard sits beside Olly. Olly takes the ring out of his pocket and gets on one knee.)223

Olly
Rose, you are everything... my past and present and... .. . you were my future...224

(Olly looks down at the floor, crying, then looks back at Rose)225

Olly
After everything, I guess we made it. (sniff) They said we never would... That we'd never be in love when we became adults... but now I see that they knew nothing. Especially of my love for you... and though I know it may not mean much now... I love you Rose...
Will you marry me?226

(Olly puts the ring on Roses hand and histerically weeps, collapsing completely. Gerard tries to comfort him.)227

Olly
Gerard, will you please leave now...?228

Gerard
Yes, Olly. I will leave.229

(When gerard leaves Olly, and goes home, Olly is staring at Rose, in a state of Insanity.)230

Olly
Oh, Rose...231

(Olly glides his hand over her face. He bends down toward her and kisses her lips.)232

Olly
Still as beautiful as you always were.233

(He slides his hand down to touch her chest.)234

Olly
Though not as warm as you used to be...235

(Gerard goes home. It is almost dark by the time he gets there. He sits at the dining room table, consumed by his worries.)236

Gerard
I am so calling in sick to work tomorrow...237


ACT II
SCENE II238

( The next day, Gerard calls into work sick in the morning, as planned. Then he takes some pills that make him sleep. He sleeps until about 10:00 PM. He is in his underwear, so he puts on the first thing in his closet he likes - the old suit. All the sudden, coming from the next room, he hears a clank, as if somone were to throw something made out of hard metal at the wall. He goes into the room and sees the woman)239

Gerard
Oh my God! Am I asleep?!240

(The woman throws a candle holder at Gerard. It hits him in the head.)241

Gerard
I guess not...242

Woman
I HATE you...243

Gerard
Why do you want ME? I have done nothing! 244

Woman
Sorry... Not you in particular... The World...245

Gerard
But why, miss, do you hate the world?246

Woman
I HATE the way things are!247

(walks towards Gerard. Her hair covers the area where her face is missing. Gerard is trying to hide his fright from her. She looks him in the eye. Gerard sees that her eyes are a beautiful blue color and that her rather large pupils are very shiney)248

Woman
You wouldn't know...249

(The woman looks at the ground and begins to cry)250

Gerard
I know how hard life can be... Don't doubt that.251

Woman
Don't doubt that (Mocking Gerard)... I hate myself. More that you could know.252

(The woman looks up into Gerard's eyes. She moves her blond hair so that the other eye (which, strangely, is in tact) can be seen. Gerard's own eyes widen but he soon blinks to hide his astonishment)253

Woman
Or maybe, I will show you.254

(The woman holds out her hand. Gerard hesitates at first, but then takes it)255

Woman
Look into my eyes...256

( all of the sudden a piercing, throbbing pain hit Gerard's face. He begins to squeeze the woman's hand so hard that there are scratches. He feels the feelings of being ripped open inside. He feels supressed anger, supressed desire. He feels completely and utterly rejected in every way rejection can be felt. He feels depression to the point that he feels an ulcer forming violently in his stomach. Then a shocking, burning feeling arises. Gerard flinches and grits his teeth as the woman's smile begins to grow. He lets out a painful hiss, then a yell, and jerks his hand away as the woman begins gigling. A tear falls from Gerard's left eye. He holds his burnt hand in the other. He stares down at it in pain. It is blistered, almost infectious. When the woman stops laughing, she touches Gerards tear, and it becomes a drop of blood.)257

Gerard
What the hell are you?258

Woman
I am NOTHING...259

(The woman turns her head and looks upset.)260

Woman
You KNOW what I am... you just won't let yourself believe it...261

( There is a pause.)262

Gerard
I'm sorry.263

Woman
No, no... no, you have nothing to be sorry about. You have all you need and everything one could want... A job, a home.... your beauty...264

(The characters are tense)265

Gerard
I don't have everything I want.. No girlfriend anymore... A heartbroken best friend...266

Woman
Only because you took things for granted. You threw it away... You know how I feel, but you know not my story...267

Gerard
Please, tell me... Maybe I can help -268

Woman
YOU CANNOT HELP ME!269

(A strong wind comes from nowhere and one of the windows cracks. The candle Gerard used to get up the stairs flickers out. Gerard lets go of his hand, but still feels it aching.)270

Woman
I appologize. I will try to control my temper.271

(The woman looks at the candle and waves her hand, so that, by some metaphysical means, the candle flickers anew.)272

Woman
There was a time... A time when I was the most beautiful girl in Oxford... Maybe even England itself... but that's gone now... 273

(The woman looks deeply into Gerard's eyes and takes a step towards him)274

Woman
It was STOLEN from me...275

(Gerard can see the pure hatred sparking from her as if it were manifesting to become something physical.)276

Woman
I was out one night...277

(the woman begins to cry)278

Woman
It was late... I was waiting for someone... I was attakted... and just like that - it was gone. My beauty - crushed.... like a butterfly in the hands of a child. I got away with my life... but I never got it back. They called me a whore... They accused me off cutting off my own face... like I was insane or something...279

(The woman cries harder)280

Gerard
So... How did you die?281

(The woman smiles with slight insanity.)282

Woman
I committed suicide after a few years...283

(The woman shows Gerard the rope burn on her neck)284

Woman
but that's all done and over with... Best not to dwell on the past...285

Gerard
Then why are you still here? I thought one as you would have crossed over by now.286

Woman
I am uneasy...287

Gerard
If I may ask, why are you uneasy?288

Woman
My ring...289

Gerard
Exuse me?290

Woman
When I died, my sister took my golden ring... It was the only thing my mother had ever given to me... Mother died before me... My little sister was always wreathed with jealousy... and she is evil. And in death, I cannot search for it. But I cannot rest until it is found.291

Gerard
but... What if I found your ring?292

Woman
You would do that for me? If you do that, I promise to restore your life. Olly, Sara... even Rose.293

Gerard
How am I to get the ring?294

Woman
You have to steal it from our family graveyard... They removed the head stones... It is still on her finger... 295

(The woman leads Gerard to the window and points to a knarled tree.)296

Woman
That is where her bones lie. My sister Elizabeth...297

Gerard
Elizabeth... and what is your name?298

(The woman smiles)299

Woman
Lybia. That was my name. My pet-name was Butterfly - known for my beauty. Now I am only to be a butterfly with it's wings ripped off.300

Gerard
Why has no other tenant seen you? Am I the only one?301

Woman
There was only one other... The one who sold this place to you. That magician... The one that once wore the suit you have on. Soon it's ghostly power will grow on you, like mold... and you will no longer need the suit to see me. It used to belong to the man I was meant to marry... I was engaged to him... but when he saw me as this - a half-faced monster - his love died instantly.302

Gerard
You are still beautiful.303

(There is a long pause.)304

Woman
Why do you flatter me when you know I can inflict no serious harm in this condition?305

Gerard
Because I mean what I say. There is more to beauty than just a pretty face. It's a shame what happened to you. It really is. But things are different these days, and many people aren't that shallow. If one can love - love in any form - one is beautiful in that way. One is beautiful in the way that they can love at all. I'll get your ring for you. For you and for myself. Don't worry.306


ACT II
SCENE III307

(Gerard ends up going to sleep in the suit. The next day, at noon, (the clouds block the sun) he washes the suit and takes a bath. Then he puts the suit back on and grabs a shovel. When he gets to the grave beneathe the tree, he sighs, one hand on his hip and a shovel in the other. He begins to dig, then he feels the ground beginning to shake. He stops for a moment, confused. When he begins again, the ground shakes so hard that Gerard falls down. He begins to hear a woman's wild laughter echoing. Gerard stood frozen with fear as he heard something being recited.)308

Voice
Take it, if you think you can...
pluck it from my cold, dead hand
you'll never forget
that type of regret
...suppose that soon you'll understand....309

I'm giving my fair warnings due
I feel that I owe them to you
so sore is my sight,
you can't hide your fright...
maybe it's not worth what you wish to do?310

Gerard
No...311

(Everything is silent. Gerard sticks the shovel into the ground again)312

Gerard
It's going to be worth it.313

(The voice giggles, slowly moving into a hiss)314

Voice
Then.....
...Suffer...315

(Gerard heard no sounds. It took him all day, until the moon could be seen in the sky to dig the casket up. He took the shovel and pried it open. Nothing but a skeleton in a dress. He sees the gold ring on her finger, and takes it. The laughing comes back. A blackness darker than that of the current night falls over everything. Gerard is suddenly inside of a black room. The only light is from the ghostly figure walking towards him. A woman with the same dress on as inside of Lybia's sister, Elizabeth's casket. Her eyes are rolled back up inside of her head. She is smiling. She has blood all over her and is reaching toward the ring Gerard has in his hand. Gerard is scared to death. This is the ghost of Elizabeth.)316

Elizabeth
Come here, boy... ha, I won't hurt you... Awfully handsome, arent you?317

(Elizabeth tries to grab Gerard, but misses. Gerard does the only thing that he knows to do - run into nowhere in the darkness. After running a while, he looses her, and sits down into the nothingness. then, all of the sudden, while he has his eyes closed, he falls hard onto something. He opens his eyes and it is almost morning. He is laying inside of Elizabeth's grave. He gets up, shocked.)318

Gerard
Oh my God... Oh my God...319

( Then Gerard looks up at the clouds that block the sun. He sees the ghost of Elizabeth. She has his shovel and begins to bury him alive.)320

Gerard
NO! Don't do it! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! SOMEONE, please... please... I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!321

(The sun comes out from behind the clouds when Gerard is waist deep in dirt, worms, and beetles. Elizabeth's ghost sees the sun and screams in pain. She then fades away. Gerard pulls himself out of the dirt and goes back to his home. He reaches into his pocket when inside and pulls out the ring. Lybia appears in front of him.)322

Lybia
You Got it! But what of my sister?323

Gerard
She disentigrated into the light of the sun... Why is that?324

Lybia
Her soul is damned, it cannot bear light. But she will be back when night falls... back for that ring.325

Gerard
Gee, I sure appreciate you telling me that your sister was a psycho who would try to bury me alive!!!326

Lybia
Hey, nothing in life is free... or death either. You want your life back together again? You destroyed it, so now I'm going to make you work for it.327

Gerard
So what do I have to do to protect myself from your sister?328

Lybia
You cannot. You must destroy her. Send her soul back to hell where it belongs. 329

Gerard
And just how am I supposed to do that?330

Lybia
I am unsure... Perhaps, but, no...331

Gerard
No, What is it? What are you saying?332

Lybia
(sigh) The only way I could think would be, to go to the magician that used to own this house.333

Gerard
Well, what would be wrong with that plan?334

(Lybia is looking down in discouragement)335

Lybia
It would be quite the risk to you.336

Gerard
What do you mean? He's a nice magician, isn't he?337

Lybia
ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...338

Gerard
I don't exactly like the sound of that.339

Lybia
He's more of the type to behead you and then ask questions later.340

(Gerard starts rubbing his neck)341

Gerard
Why would he behead me?342

(Lybia begins to giggle)343

Lybia
The question, in his mind, might be, why NOT behead you? Potions, spells... human blood is his favorite ingredient.344

(Gerard pauses for a few seconds. He has a look of extreme worry on his face. Then it turns to more of an angry or desparate look.)345

Gerard
How do I get to this magician?346


ACT II
Scene IV347

Lybia
You don't.348

Gerard
What do you mean, "I don't"?349

Lybia
He will get to you. 350

Gerard
What do you mean?351

Lybia
The magician is not living...352

Gerard
Well if he is dead, how am I supposed to contact him? Is he a spirit?353

Lybia
I didn't say he was dead.354

Gerard
Well, then what are you saying?355

Lybia
Nothing that evil is living... nothing that animated is dead... he won't be contacted... all you can do is wait for him to make his time for you... It's like making an appointment.356

Gerard
We don't have that kind of time!357

Lybia
Well, then you must find something alluring to give him in return for his time. I will leave that up to you to decide what. Just DO NOT offer him that ring!358

Gerard
Well, what am I supposed to... Alright, alright... I won't, I'll find something else. What do I do now?359

Lybia
Go to a place of death. He will find you there. He won't be happily called without an offering.360

Gerard
Place of death?361

(Lybia gives Gerard one last look and then soon after, dissapears.)362

Gerard
Damn, I wish she would quite that... What does she mean by an offering?363

(Gerard looks through his whole house. He finds the only thing that he can to offer. A bottle of perfume that his girlfrien used to wear. It is very costly. He walks out to the cemetary and sits. Nothing happens. Then he decides to, instead, go to Roses (Olly's deseased girlfriend's house). He waits by the creek that Rose's dead body was found. Soon after a red light spreads from the creek towards all sides. A tall man arises out of the pond as if he were being born. He can walk on water. He looks no different than any other man, except for his eyes, which are a strange yellow color with a lining of red. He is wearing a black suit. He steps toward the frightened Gerard.) 364

Magician
Why have you called me?365

(The magician's eyes gleam red. Gerard, in fear, begins to studder.)366

Gerard
I-I- W-will you-- Umm..367

Magician
If I may ask, what type of creature are you?368

(The magician circles around Gerard, studying him)369

Magician
A witch, are you? A necromancer?370

(The magician glares as he circles)371

Magician
A wearwolf? No?372

(The magician stops circling Gerard and looks into his eyes. The magician smiles like a genlemen, revealing two large vampiric fangs. Gerard is shocked.)373

Magician
And not a Vamp? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...374

(The magician slides his tonge over his fangs, and they become normal teeth. Then the magicians eyes turn as red as blood as he stares at Gerard. Gerard feels himself being pierced but is unable to look away. The magician's nostrils flare. He takes a deep breath through them.)375

Magician
No... You are but the filthiest, lowest most vile creature of them all... The human being... The stench of mortal wreathes you like the plague. Now, being, tell me what you have to offer and perhaps you shall keep all the working functions of your organs...376

(Gerard holds out the bottle of perfume)377

Magician
I am not interested in this bitter mortal fragrance. For disturbing me, you shall perish!378

(Gerard sinks to his knees, begging for his life)379

Gerard
No, no! I was just kidding! Will you have this?380

(Gerard pulls the ring of Lybia out of his pocket and offers it to the magician. The magician takes the ring and smile slyly)381

Magician
This is not yours to give... I can smell the deciet... for that reason, I value this ring... and I shall take it! Now what do you ask of me?382

Gerard
To destroy Elizabeth, the deceased tenant of you former house in Oxford.383

Magician
And that's all? Ha! Here, take this, then go!384


ACT ll
SCENE V385


(The magician hands Gerard a paper with a ritual written on it. He dissentigrates into molten goo and flows back into the creek. It is directions on how to condemn someone through the use of a voodoo doll. Gerard goes home and studies the directions for an hour. Then he goes upstairs and finds a babydoll in the corner. he rips it's head open. He goes back out to Elizabeth's grave and digs her body up again. He has all of his voodoo supplies with him. He has to hurry - the sun has almost set completely. He rips out a piece of her hair and puts it into the babydoll. He tries to sew it but drops the needle. All the sudden everything is in extreme black again. He hears laughing, then sees Elizabeth coming towards him. He is sewing as quickly as he can. When he sews it up, she is only a few feet away. Then, panicing, he drops the doll, starts to pick it up, then decides that it is better like it is. He cuts his arm and lets the blood drip over the doll. Elizabeth shrieks in pain at his feet.)386

Elizabeth
No! PLEASE!387

(Gerard lights a match and drops it on the doll. As the doll burns, So does Elizabeth. The burning happens quite slowly and grotesquely. Elizabeth's skin carefully peels and falls to the ground to become mere ash. The smell of burning hair and flesh is unbearable as she shrieks with the tourment. Gerard blacks out.)388


ACT lll
SCENE l 389

(When he wakes up, Elizabeth is buried again. Gerard thinks that because this has happened, Lybia has already changed his life back to normal. he is sitting on top of Elizabeth's grave, leaning on the tree she was burried under. The suit he is wearing is also miraculously clean. Gerard gets up and he is extremely happy. Since he thinks that everything is fixed now, he decides to go visit Olly's girlfriend, assuming that Olly is still there with her and that she is now living. As Gerard Walks up the grassy hillside, he looks at his reflection in the water that Olly had once pulled his girlfriend's body from. He sighs, then walks up the hill into the house. When he opens the door to Olly's girlfriend's house, he yells for his friend. Then he yells for his friend's girlfriend. No reply. Gerard starts looking around for them. He hears something coming from the bathroom. When he opens the door, he sees Olly Stradling his dead girlfriend, Rose in a puddle of blood in the bathtu390

Gerard
OH MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!391

(Olly stands up, quite bloody, and wraps a towel around himself. He is giggling. The sound of blood splashing in the tub is heard.)392

Gerard
Have you gone mad, Olly??? What the hell is the matter with you?!393

Olly
Nothing at all Gerard. Just wait a moment for me to dress, then I'll be right with you.394

(Gerard starts to whimper. He isn't sure what to think)395

Olly
What is the matter with you, Gerard?396

(Olly starts to make his way towards Gerard, but Gerard steps away from him)397

Gerard
How could you do this to her, Olly? How could you do this to Rose?398

Olly
Do what to Rose? It's our honeymoon. What are you doing here, anyway?399

Gerard
HONEYMOON? OLLY, ROSE IS DEAD!400

Olly
She is NOT dead... She's living impared.401

Gerard
Well, she's not alive, now is she?402

(Gerard points to the tub briefly in his astonishment and anger)403

Olly
None of your bissiness!404

(Olly pulls a knife out of the cabinet and points it at Gerard. Gerard is taken by surprise.)405

Gerard
Olly, please...406

(Olly moves foreward with the knife. He tries to stab Gerard, but he misses.)407

Olly
(Laughing) Hold still, Gerard!408

(Gerard and Olly Run through the house. The stench of death and blood is thick. When in Olly's girlfriend's living room, Olly tries to stab him again, but misses. Gerard ducks, but when he turns around, Olly stabs him in the stomach. Gerard (with the last bit of strength he can muster) grabs the fireplace poker and jabs it through both of Olly's temples. Olly falls to the ground, dead. Gerard runs through the door in the deepest aching pain he has ever felt. He desparately tries to keep his stomcah acids and intestines from falling out. He makes it to the end of the road, next to a convenience store, and colapses. The owners of the store call for help and Gerard is taken to a hospital. The suit is removed from him, and he is given a gown to wear. Gerard is told what has happened. The police have investigated Rose's house. Gerard tells them what happened at Ollys. They agree (all the evidence matches perfectly). Rose's parents have been informed of her daughters death and are currently in a state of shock. After a period of two or three weeks, Gerard has all of his blood back, all his stiches are in, and is fine. He goes home and changes into some of his normal clothes. Lybia appears in front of him. He can now see her without the suit.)409


ACT III
SCENE ll410

Lybia
How did it go?411

Gerard
How did it go with what?412

Lybia
What did you give the magician? I'm surprised you came back with your life!413

(Gerard looks down in slight fear and discouragement.)414

Gerard
I had to give him your ring.415

Lybia
WHAT?!? After I told you not to!?!416

Gerard
He wouldn't take what I had to offer, he would have KILLED me.417

(Lybia gets up in Gerard's face. Gerard looks up again.)418

Lybia
YOU WILL GET THAT RING BACK! BEG if you must!419

Gerard
I WILL LOSE MY LIFE!420

Lybia
You'll be better off dead than what I am going to do to you if you don't get that ring back!421

Gerard
Fine... I will. I'll go to him.422


ACT lll
SCENE lll423

(Gerard goes and sits down where he did the first time he contacted the magician. Soon after, the magician appears.)424

Magician
Don't tell me why you're here again - let me geuss - You want the ring back?425

(Gerard gives the magician a nod.)426

Magician
I thought you might... I already have something prepared...427

(The magician snaps his fingers. Gerard is in a different setting. There are five doors in front of Gerard, and mirrors everywhere. The room reminds Gerard of a mad house. He hears the magician laugh, it echos from all sides. He turns around from all of his shock, but the magician is no where to be found.)428

Magician
So, Gerard, tell me, where do you think you are?429

Gerard
I think I'm in a mad house...430

(The magician's laugh echos again, even louder than before.)431

Magician
I guess you could say that... or maybe not...432

Gerard
Will you just stop with all of these damned games already!?!433

Magician
Touchy, touchy, Gerard... Do you honestly fell that you can talk to me that way when I have the power in my hands, as we speak, to turn you to dust?434

Gerard
You wouldn't.435

(The magician giggles faintly)436

Magician
And why is that? Please, please, do tell!437

Gerard
You love to play too much...438

Magician
huh?439

Gerard
You want to play games with my head... and if you WERE going to kill me, you would make sure I died in the worst possible way.. Then you would USE me for all your sick 'voodoo' or whatever the hell you practice.440

(The magician is surprised, but giggles again.)441

Magician
Think you've got me all figured out, don't you?442

Gerard
I KNOW I do.443

Magician
Cockiness won't get you anything.444

Gerard
Just tell me how to get the ring back.445

Magician
Is'nt it obvios by now? Choose a door... There are five nice ones... (giggle) so, pick a winner.446

(Gerard is hesitant.)447

Gerard
Why should I trust you? What if they all lead to my impending doom?448

Magician
Trust me? Ha! What other choice do you have? Oh, and by the way, only four out of the five lead to your impending doom.449

Gerard
Oh, THAT makes me fell a lot better.450

Magician
Their good odds for a game I concocted, wouldn't you agree?451

( The magician now shows himself before Gerard in the form he was in the first time.)452

Gerard
Please, how can I win at this game?453

Magician
One of the doors has your ring behind it... but any door you choose will have an obstacle. Only if you choose the correct door, and overcome the obstacle behind it do you have even a chance at keeping your life.454

Gerard
What happens if I choose the wrong door?455

(The magician gives Gerard a half smile.)456

Magician
You die.457


ACT III
SCENE VI458

(The magician laughs)459

Gerard
What?460

Magician
Uhnh, you stink like a mortal!461

Gerard
Well you don't smell great either...462

Magician
That's fine... We'll see who laughs last.463

(The magician dissapears into smoke. Gerard chokes on it and coughs.)464

Gerard
Find a more environmently friendly way to evaporate, will ya?465

(After Gerard is finished shooing the smoke away, he stares at the doors. After careful consideration, he chooses the one in the middle. Gerard steps into the room. He is now in something that looks like a mix between a crypt and an old bookstore. He goes in a little furter, and steps girectly into a spider web. Then he hears a mans voice from behind him.)466


ACT III
SCENE V467

Voice
Hey, it took me three hundred years to let a cob web build that thickly...468

(Gerard turns around. A man dressed in black is behind him. He looks about Gerard's age. Gerard steps back. He sees that the man is a vampire - his fangs are so large and pointed they hang over his bottom lip slightly. Gerard is freaking out. The man is calm, with his hands cupped in front of him.)469

Man
What are you doing?470

(The vampire laughs as Gerard trips over a rock.)471

Gerard
Stay back! Get away from me!472

(The man looks at Gerard like he's an idiot.)473

Man
What? Oh come on, I'm not going to bite you or anything.474

Gerard
Bull!475

Man
Ha, you really think I'm going to hurt you, don't you?476

(The man doesn't know weather to be offended or laugh. Gerard is flinching. He puts up his fingers into a cross and aims it at the vampire. Now the Man can't help laughing at Gerard.)477

Man
Are you even serious? Oh, my God! No one's done that in ages!478

(Gerard puts his fingers down and looks at the vamp.)479

Man
Give me a break. Get up, off the floor.480

Gerard
I don't trust you!481

(The vampire forms a ball of blue energy in his hand, and points his fingers down at Gerard. The energy swirls around him, and lifts him off of the ground onto his feet. Gerard feels a warm tingle around him. The energy dissapears and the man puts his hand down.)482

Man
You don't think, that, with that little trick I couldn't have destroyed you the minute you came in here?483

Gerard
Well, I geuss you're right. Who are you? You're a vampire, right?484

Man
My name is Mortus. And, "Vampire" , it's such an offensive word... It makes me sound like a parasite..485

Gerard
Technically, aren't you a parasite?486

Mortus
Well, yeah, but... You know, no one wants that title.487

Gerard
I geuss your right. Sorry about that.488

Mortus
Nah, don't apologize. It's okay, really. But why are you here?489

Gerard
I need to find a ring...490

Mortus
Ahhh... If it's the ring that magician traded us -491

Gerard
Yes, yes, that's the one! It has to be.492

Mortus
Well, we usually store things in out fake library down the hall.493

Gerard
A fake library? What do you mean?494

Mortus
All of the books are hollowed out. That's probably not where YOUR ring is, though.495

Gerard
Why do you say that?496

Mortus
The magician traded us quite an amount of blood so he could hide the ring in a hollow book in our REAL library. He figured one could never find it there... Thousands of books...497

(Gerard sits down with his hands to his temples.)498

Gerard
I'll never find it now...499

Mortus
Oh, come on, you don't know that! You can't give up so easily. You have to fight for the things that you really want. Soon you'll see that it's better that way anyway, because, nothing is worth anything if you don't have to work for it. Trust me.500

(There is a pause. The vampire sits down beside Gerard and puts his hand on Gerard's shoulder. Gerard feels his shoulder starting to ache and pulls it away.)501

Mortus
Oh, sorry, sorry! I'm a vampire, remember? Sometimes it's hard to control.502

Gerard
I thought vampires only drink blood.503

(Mortus shakes his head.)504

Mortus
Afraid not. Not all of them anyway. There are some vampires that don't even drink blood. They thrive from mental, emotional, or elemental energies only. The coven in this cavern just happens to drink blood, but that doesn't mean that some of us don't have OTHER abilities, too.505

Gerard
Dude, that's awesome.506

Mortus
"Dude"?507

Gerard
I mean, that's cool.508

(Mortus is still confused.)509

Gerard
That's nice!510

Mortus
Oh... Why didn't you just say that?511

(Gerard sighs.)512

Mortus
Sorry... but I never got your name?513

Gerard
My name is Gerard.514

Mortus
You know, the magician didn't say I couldn't help you find what you're looking for... I don't know its exact location, but I senced earlier that it was on the fourth book shelf...515

Gerard
Oh my God, Mortus, is there anything that you can't do?516

Mortus
I can't fly...517

(Gerard and Mortus go to the fourth bookshelf and search together for hours. They check every book, Then they sit down with exhaustion.)518

Motus
Do you want anything to drink?519

Gerard
Not what you're thinking...520

(Mortus laughs.)521

Mortus
Yeah, I guess you're right. But I need something.522

(Gerard watches Mortus open a big trunk beside the shelf. He pulls out a large, heavy jar full of dark red liquid. Mortus sits down beside of Gerard and opens the jar. He smells the liquid.)523

Mortus
Ahhh... Smells so good... like life, I suppose...524

(Mortus starts to drink and gulps down half of the jar.)525

Mortus
This is going to sound stupid, but, are you really sure that you don't want any? It's REAL good...526

Gerard
Uhhh... sure, let me try it.527

(Gerard takes a sip and immediately spits it back out on the floor.)528

Gerard
Holy Hell, Mortus! How do you drink that?529

Mortus
Oh, Gerard, You just don't appreciate goat blood...530

Gerard
I guess not...531

(Mortus stares at the jar of blood and drinks the other half.)532

Mortus
You didn't even really experience the whole taste of it... Oh, well... There was more for me... I know that ring is around here somewhere!533

(Gerard stands and leans against the bookshelf... suddenly a golden book drops off of the top. Gerard opens the book, and there is the ring.)534

Gerard
I found it!535

(Gerard takes the ring and puts it in his pocket.)536

Mortus
Oh...537

(Mortus stands and looks at the ground.)538

Mortus
I guess you have to go then...539

Gerard
Well, yeah, I mean... I have to go.540

Mortus
Yeah... 541

(Mortus seems very sad. He won't look at Gerard.)542

Gerard
Mortus... I want you to know, I'm closer to you as a friend now then I was ever to anyone else. I'm going to miss you.543

(Mortus now actually looks at Gerard.)544

Mortus
Really? Do you really mean that?545

Gerard
Yeah... I do mean it.546

(Only one tear escapes Mortus's eye.)547

Mortus
You don't know how lonely it is here... No one has ever called me a friend before.548

Gerard
Well, you ARE my friend... I'm guessing you don't have a phone, do you?549

Mortus
A "phone"?550

Gerard
I thought not... If you did, we could talk anytime... meet sometimes, you know, hang out...551

Mortus
You would really want to?552

Gerard
Yeah, of course. That's what friends do, Mortus.553

Mortus
Then I want you to have this.554

(Mortus pulls a necklace out of his pocket. the rope is leather and there is a vile of blood hooked on it. Gerard accepts the gift and smiles. He puts it around his neck.)555

Gerard
Thank you.. but what exactly is this?556

Mortus
That's my blood in that vile.. When ever you need me, pour some on the ground, and I'll be there.557

Gerard
Wow, Thanks alot. I wish I had something to give you...558

Mortus
Your friendship is more than enough, trust me. But for now, I'll send you back home.559

Gerard
Cool... I mean, that's great of you.560

(Mortus leads Gerard to a tunnel that leads to the outside world. Gerard climbes through it, saying his last goodbyes to Mortus, and goes home.)561


ACT IV
SCENE I562

(Gerard goes home and goes to his room where he changes out of some very dirty clothes and into some new clean clothes. Lybia appears in Gerard's room.)563

Lybia
So, DId you get it? Did you get the Ring?564

Gerard
Do birds fly?565

(Lybia squeels with joy. As Gerard pulls the ring out of his pocket and hand it to her. She starts crying tears of joy.)566

Lybia
This is the only thing that has ever meant anything to me, Gerard. Thank you so much. Thank you!567

Gerard
Now, can you give me my life back? Please?568

Lybia
Of course, of course!569

ACT Vl
SCENE II570

(All of the sudden, as Lybia is about to fix everything, The magician appears. He looks VERY angry.)571

Magician
NO! How did you get that ring?! I had it hidden amoung a million different books!572

Gerard
Just lucky I guess.573

Magician
You WILL NOT get away with this! No one has ever gotten away from me!574

Lybia
Until now.575

Magician
Lybia?576

Lybia
Yes.577

Magician
I'd quiet myself if I were you, Lybia, you weakling. I'll kill you like I let Gerard kill your sister. You don't have your dear mother to protect you now, do you?578

(Lybia shows the Magician the ring that is now on her finger.)579

Lybia
No, I don't... but I DO have her most prized posession... Did I happen to mention she filled this ring will ALL of her energy?580

(The magician looks intimidated for the first time.)581

Magician
You may have her ring, but you do not know how to use it you ugly, insane little -582

(Gerard inturupts.)583

Gerard
Don't ever call her ugly.584

(The magician laughs almost histarically.)585

Magician
Oh, and now the MORTAL is going to preach to us, is he? Great, just great...586

Gerard
Just face it, I won and you lost, GAME OVER. You are powerless.587

Magician
That's it!588

(The magician starts to hurl a ball of flames at Gerard, When a translucent blue wall forms between tem briefly, protecting Gerard. Mortus appears behind Gerard with his hand out, to keep the wall up by magick. He lowers it soon.)589


ACT IV
SCENE III590

Mortus
Hello, Gerard.591

Gerard
Mortus, What are you doing here?592

Mortus
I got lonely...593

Magician
Great, great... A ghost, a Vamp, and one smelly human...594

Mortus
Oh, Shut up! Bloody hell, with all your ranting, you think you're mouth would get tired... Oh yeah, and Gerard isn't smelly... 595

(Mortus looks at Gerard and smiles.)596

Mortus
Don't worry Gerard, I think you smell good!597

Magician
That is because YOU are a VAMPIRE, Mortus. To you, anything with blood running through it smells good. 598

(Mortus looks down, with a blush to his pale cheeks, sort of embarrased, then shrugs)599

Gerard
That's alright, Mortus, I appreciate it anyway.600

(Mortus looks over at the Magician with hatred and a paralyzing gaze. He walks slowly over to the Magician.)601

Mortus
If I recall, you were nothing but a "stinking human" before you did all that studying...602

Magician
nonscence...603

(The magician looks away from Mortus's eyes, and rubs his own eyes.)604

Mortus
Is it now? Howcome you won't look at me, then? Afraid of being paralyzed? Rendered helpless by my stare?605

Magician
LIAR.606

(Mortus laughs.)607

Mortus
You're pride will be broken soon... How about a staring contest?608

Magician
That's not fair! No creature can withstand a Vampire's gaze.609

Mortus
Sure they can, that is, if they know how to do it. Since you are such a strong and mighty Magician, and, by your words, were never mortal, Let's see your skills.610

(Mortus's blue eyes turned a glowing grey, and fixed themselves on the Magician.)611

Magician
Fine, fine!612


ACT IV
SCENEIV613

(Mortus got close to the Magician, staring deeply into his eyes with a crazy, blank stare. Mortus's eyes sparkled like jewels. His pupils were nonexsistent. Soon, the Magician was like a rat under the gaze of a Snake. Mortus smiled cruely.)614

Mortus
Just what I thought...615

(Mortus touches the center of the Magician's forehead and draines every last bit of life from him. the magician lies dead on the floor. He turns quickly into decaying matter.)616

Gerard
Wow...617

(Mortus laughs a little under his breath.)618

Mortus
What? You didn't think I had it in me? Don't make me laugh!619

Gerard
hmmm... (laughs) guess not.620

(Mortus smiles once more)621

Mortus
Well... he got what he deserved...622

Lybia
No arguements there.623


ACT IV
SCENE V624

Mortus
So Gerard... When you go back to YOUR world, I suppose you'll forget all about this, won't you?625

Gerard
That's got to be the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. How can I?626

(Mortus giggles a bit)627

Mortus
It's a habbit amoung most.628

Gerard
Well I never will.629

Lybia
Gerard... In order for you to have your life again... You MUST forget.630

Gerard and Mortus
What?631

(Mortus turns quietly away, then once again faces Lybia. Gerard looks angry and confused at her)632

Gerard
Why?633

Lybia
This is not for a human soul to know.634

Gerard
I don't get it... I just... That's not -635

Mortus
She's right, Gerard. It's not safe. 636

(depression crosses his face and Gerards)637

Gerard
but what if... 638

(Gerard looks at them, now smiling)639

Gerard
What if I just happened to...640

Lybia
Yes?641


ACT V
SCENE I642

Gerard
...be turned into a vampire?!643

(Lybia looks surprised and Mortus looks flattered)644

Mortus
Nah man, you don't want that...645

Gerard
But I do! Being here for a short time has only made me see how much of a living horror my life was to begin with.646

Lybia
You realise that once this is done, it cannot be taken back... don't you Gerard?647

Gerard
Yeah... I do. but anything has to be better than my life was before...648

Lybia
I guess... that would be fine.649

(Lybia gives one last look to them both)650

Lybia
Now I must say goodbye. My soul is now at rest. Thank you both.651

(Lybia steps into a ray of light that seems to appear from nowhere, and suddenly her beauty is restored. There are no wounds anywhere on her body - including her face, as she evaporates like mist into the ray, dissapearing with it into the beyond. Gerard and Mortus stare as this beautiful process takes place, then look at eachother.)652

ACT V
SCENE I I653

Mortus
Did you mean what you said to Lybia? Do you want to be a vampire?654

Gerard
Yes. Make me a vampire, Mortus.655

(Mortus at first pauses. Then he leans in to bite the exposed area of Gerard's neck)656


ACT V
SCENE I I I657

(Morus then stops, sighs, and steps away from Gerard)658

Mortus
I can't do it man, I can't do it... I'm sorry, It's not gonna happen...659

(He says as he turns away from his friend, brushing his hari from his face with his hand briefly, seeming almost panicky)660

Gerard
Mortus, what the hell are you talking about? You drink blood all the time!661

(Gerard says as he places a hand on Mortus's shoulder, turning him around. Mortus looks angry)662

Mortus
I SAID NO, okay?663

Gerard
NO it's not OKAY! If you don't do this , I'll have NOTHING, do you realise that? At least if I was a Vampire I would -664

Mortus
You would What? Gerard, you do not realise what you have... Your blood is precious... your pure, untainted, uncursed blood... but when you change... You REALLY change... No more light, no more friends, No warmth, no one to console you... Just dark and bitter cold. That's all you have to look forward to. That's ALL you would have.665

Gerard
I was going to say... I would be accepted... by someone. Even if they were dark and cold like you said they were... and I don't care if I'm cursed... I'll stay with you and your kind... and you'll have a friend now, so you won't be alone if you don't want to be. Please. This is the only option I have left.666

(Mortus pauses for a second)667

Mortus
Okay... After I bite you, you're going to be pretty weak... After I give you my blood, you may fall asleep for a bit during your transformation and growing of your fangs... If this happens, I'll teleport you to your home... You know how to find me - the magician is gone now, so it shouldn't be too hard to find me.668

Gerard
Thanks Mortus.669

(Mortus bites Gerards neck once, and begins to drink his blood. When done, Gerard is quite anemic. Mortus slices his own wrist with his claw-like nails, and pours the gooey red fluid into his friend's mouth. Gerard's Vision gets blurry, and he passes out)670


ACT V
SCENE IV671

(When Gerard awakens, he is in his bed.)672

Gerard
Was that all just a dream? It MUST have been.673

(He gets up to go to the bathroom and brush his hair. He glances at the clock.)674

Gerard
9:00 PM? No way, I never wake up this late!675

(Gerard applies toothpaste to his toothbrush... returning the paste to the mirror-cabinet. When he smiles to brush, his eyes widen, for in his mouth, he finds two, long, sharp, Vampire fangs.)676

ACT V
SCENE V677

(Gerard simply returns to the world of Vampires, where he is much happier than he could ever be in our world. Mortus finally has befriended someone, the evil magician is dead, Lybia has found peace and beauty, and Gerard has finally put an end to the chaos in his life)678


THE END679