Reissue of one of 19 Nocturne's earliest episodes (from October 2008). Includes notes from Julie about the history and making of 19 Nocturne Boulevard.
MAKING BOOK
[warning - mature language and violence]
Retired safecracker Fay James has to do one last job, to save her brother Rusty from leg-breakers - but what they steal turns out to be dynamite!
Cast List
Fay James - Julie Hoverson
Rusty James - Reynaud LeBoeuf
Mr. Broadstreet - Cole Hornaday
Jimmy - Jake Stratton
Jordan - Greg Porter
Gertie - Jody Montague
Bank phone voice - Beverly Poole
Music: Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com)
Recorded with the assistance of Ryan Hirst of Neohoodoo Studio
Editing and Sound: Julie Hoverson
Cover Photo: Konrado Fedorczyko
(courtesy of Stock Xchange.com)
"What kind of a place is it?
Why it's a rich man's study - where else would you find...burglars?"
TRANSCRIPTS
Intro material then the full script
MAKING BOOK with intro
This was one of the first ten episodes of 19 Nocturne Boulevard that I made and put out, back in late 2008. I can't recall, specifically, what order I made them in, which may seem odd, but I was determined to have a bunch ready to go when I debuted the series - in October, naturally - to make sure they would come out on time, which would help me establish the series and its credibility. Even back then, shows came and went with the wind.
By the time I was prepping to start, the wonderful and always missed Bill Hollweg of Brokensea audio announced that Brokensea was going to put out or host a new episode every day in October for a big spooky month event, so I volunteered 4 episodes to debut there (I think I actually ended up sharing 6 with them, but again - it was a while ago). BrokenSea was a big part of most audio drama fandom at the time, and it was a great way to quickly get 19 Nocturne Boulevard out to the audience they already reached.
So these episodes first debuted in Brokensea's feed, then when I put them up myself, I was still piggybacking on the feed of The Unspeakable and Inhuman, which I will talk about in another intro. That's why my own libsyn listing doesn't have a full list, in order, for me to consult to recall precise dates.
I warn that Making Book has "foul language", but the language in this episode is incredibly tame, compared to several other of my stories. This is because when I wrote it, I was still working with an old time radio mentality, and the language in this would be considered unbroadcastable, for the 1940s.
While we recorded this - we were still working in Ryan's basement studio, with his excellent help, back in those early days - and the hardest thing to record was the screaming.
Screaming is one way to quickly overpower a microphone, so it has to be carefully placed, gained, and modulated. I amazed everyone with the length and breadth of the screams I was able to produce.
The main monster fx were mainly me making mouth noises, then playing with various ways to tweak the sound. I'm quite pleased with what I came up with in all that. This was very early days in my learning how to sound edit, and yet I managed some really good stuff. The hardest sound to find was the sound of the lights turning off in the bar. Go figure.
The music in this episode is all from the amazing Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com, including "Netherworld Shanty", the piece I adopted as the 19 Nocturne Boulevard theme song.
Mike Flowers helped me with doing a bit of sound tuning and will be helping me with episodes for as long as he can put up with me!
If you want to listen to this story without all this intro jibjab, the original is still available through the episodes page on my website at 19nocturneboulevard.com, or do a quick search on our libsyn page at nineteennocturne.libsyn.com
The script of the episode follows.
MAKING BOOK
"This episode has some foul language and excessive violence and may not be suitable for all listeners. Please listen responsibly."
Cast:
OLIVIA Did you have any trouble finding it? What do you mean, what kind of a place is it? Why, it's a rich man's study, can't you tell? Where else would you find... a safecracker?
SCENE 1. THE HEIST
MUSIC MISSION IMPOSSIBLE STYLE CAPER MUSIC
SOUND SILENCE. A COUPLE OF QUIET CLICKS
[NOTE THEY WHISPER THROUGHOUT THIS SCENE.]
RUSTY Fay!
FAY [startled] Huh? Crap! Rusty, shut your pie-hole! You'll make me lose the damn--
RUSTY Don't swear, Fay.
[note: while Fay is relatively foul-mouthed, I kept it low-key in this because I set the story in the 1940s, as a classic-style radio story.]
FAY Rusty...!
RUSTY A car just turned in!
FAY Then cork it and let me finish this damn thing, or we can get the hell out right now.
RUSTY [annoyed and disappointed] Fay!
FAY Watch the damn window and freaking shut up!
RUSTY Ok.
SOUND CLICKS
MUSIC
SCENE 2. THE GETAWAY
SOUND IN A CAR, DRIVING
RUSTY [annoyed sigh]
FAY [breaking an uncomfortable silence] Sorry. I get so tense when I'm working.
RUSTY [sullen] I know.
FAY I said I'm sorry. I should ... I should be more careful what I say.
RUSTY You're never gonna do anything with your life if you don't start talking more nicer.
[note: they both speak with the poor grammar of the "stereotypical gangster" and thus this is ironic]
FAY [chuckles] Hey, who's the older sister here?
RUSTY Not me - I don't got the parts. But seriously, sis - You always looked out for me, I'm just trying to return some. Besides, I get all clenched up inside when you start spouting off like that.
FAY I'll work on it. Speaking of who's looking out for who - if this all comes off, you're clear, right?
RUSTY [sheepish] Yeah.
FAY You know I don't wanna do this again - I've mended my ways and all that bullsh-- all that ... bull.
RUSTY Mr. Broadstreet's paying ten Gs. That should get me clear.
FAY And then you stop.
RUSTY Stop?
FAY You know.
RUSTY It's usually not that big a--
FAY Rusty. You need to stop. Just cut it out. Cold turkey. Don't you watch Dr. Phil? Gambling is an addiction - there are support groups and everything.
RUSTY I guess.
FAY Tell you what, maybe we both see if we can quit - me with the bad words, you with the bets. Just for a month. Whatya say?
RUSTY [long sigh] Let me deal with this first, OK?
FAY [sigh] Yeah.
SOUND RATTLE OF PAPER WRAPPED PARCEL BEING TURNED OVER IN RUSTY'S HANDS
RUSTY What do you think it is?
SOUND SHAKES IT [no rattle]
FAY Ten thousand dollars.
RUSTY Really?
SOUND TAPPING ON THE PARCEL - sounds like a book
RUSTY Maybe we should open it?
FAY Jeez, Rusty, sometimes I really think you're too stupid to live.
RUSTY Fay!
FAY I meant I think it's worth the ten thousand your wack job employer is going to pay for it. Undamaged. He said that. Undamaged.
RUSTY But it won't hurt if I unwrap it, will it?
SOUND PAPER TEARING
FAY Do I haveta pull this car over?
RUSTY A book?
FAY What?
RUSTY It's just a big old book. [sniffs, coughs] Gah, even smells old. Look, it's got a lock, like a diary.
FAY What is it?
RUSTY [slowly, "duh"] A book.
FAY I mean the title.
RUSTY Um... It's ain't in English. If that's even writing....
SOUND SCRATCHING ON BOOK LEATHER
FAY So don't--
SOUND CREAK OF LEATHER
FAY OK, that's it!
SOUND JAMMING ON THE BRAKES
RUSTY Gahh...
FAY Give me that!
RUSTY I was just seeing if it was really locked.
FAY Did you not get the part about he wants it undamaged? You think prying open the lock or trying to snap the leather somehow don't count?
RUSTY I was, I was just thinking, Fay, that why would someone pay a bunch of dough for a book? Maybe it just looks like a book, and it's really a box full of jewels or something.
FAY You're willing to throw away a sure thing--
RUSTY You could probably pick that lock in a heartbeat, couldn't you, Fay?
FAY Look, Rusty-- [softening, worried] This ain't the double down, li'l bear [little bear and sissy/sister bear are their childhood nicknames for each other] - the odds are - oh, I dunno, but it's pointless. This book, as is, will get you out of hock to the bad men. This time. You were damned lucky to find someone with that kind of dough to sling around - why screw it up?
RUSTY But if there's any chance--
FAY No goddam way. This is the end. I'll drop you off on my way to Jimmy's, but I'm keeping this bad boy with me.
RUSTY It'll get stolen!
FAY By who? Crackheads don't read.
RUSTY But, 10 grand'll just get me out, what'll I do for a stake?
SOUND CAR GETS MOVING AGAIN
FAY [said a million times] You could get a job.
RUSTY You know I ain't no good at anything. Not like you. You just touch a lock and it--
FAY There are zillions of jobs that don't need you to be any good. You just gotta do what people tell you.
RUSTY How can I go work for peanuts when I know I can win a fortune?
FAY But you don't win, Rusty. Peanuts is better than a hole in the head.
RUSTY [sullen] Is that what you tell yourself when you're dancing for sweaty old men?
FAY [warning] Rusty. [deep breath, calms] So I'm doing whatever the hell it takes to get MY stake - to get some school and maybe a business of my own. I'm 100 percent legit. Finally. That's what counts.
RUSTY But you could get what you need real easy-like. Just pull another job or two ... then go legit.
FAY ...and just one more and just one more and just one more, right? No, Rusty. Cuz then I'd be you.
SOUND CAR STOPS
FAY [tight control] I'll call your guy and make all the arrangements for us to meet tomorrow.
sound car door opens, shuts
RUSTY Fay, I--
FAY Rusty. Next time you dig yourself in deep, you know what I'm gonna do?
RUSTY What?
FAY I'm gonna buy you some goddamn crutches.
[because the guys he owes money to would break his legs]
SOUND Car slams into gear, roars off.
FAY "Just this one more time, Fay." "It's gonna change, Fay." Jeez, I'm such a shit-fer-brains.
MUSIC FOR FLASHBACK
SCENE 3. HOME, COOKING
SOUND COOKING NOISES. Mixing, rinsing dishes, sizzling
RUSTY Just this one more time, Fay.
FAY No.
RUSTY It'll be easy.
FAY I'm done, Rusty.
RUSTY But, but they'll-- [teary sniff]
SOUND pause in the movement
FAY [long beat, long sigh, then quietly] They'll what.
RUSTY Nothing. [making a big deal out of sniffing] That sure smells good. I love your cooking, sissy bear.
FAY [under her breath] ...bastard.
RUSTY Hmm?
FAY What will they do, Rusty?
RUSTY Oh. Well, this is Mr. Capelli, and his guys - well, they don't kid around.
FAY [tight] --and?
RUSTY They'll hurt me real bad.
FAY How much do you need?
RUSTY Nothing!
FAY Nothing?
RUSTY That's the best part - I found this guy who is willing to cover everything--
FAY How much?
RUSTY Ten large.
FAY Ten?
SOUND CLATTER LIKE DROPPED LID
FAY How did you get in that far?
RUSTY But this guy, see, he just wants us to get something, and I told him I might, you know, know someone.
FAY Get something?
RUSTY A package.
MUSIC ends flashback.
SCENE 4. IN CAR, STILL DRIVING
FAY Yep. Shit. Fer. Brains.
music transition fades into pounding hard rock, vastly distorted, then fades into background
SCENE 5. STRIP CLUB
sound on filter, phone rings
FAY [to self] Come on, come on.
sound on filter, phone picks up
FAY [jumping in] Mr. Broadstreet?
BROADSTREET Hello? What? Yes, this is--
FAY We got your package. I mean Rusty and me - I helped him. We've got it.
BROADSTREET Unopened?
FAY [gasp] Oh, yeah. It's fine. Look, we need to get the cash soonest. When can we meet?
BROADSTREET It is vital that the ...package... remain closed. Can you guarantee that?
FAY Yeah. I got it all safe and sound. You got the cash or not?
BROADSTREET I have the cash. Come to my house---
FAY I'd really rather we do this somewhere a bit more neutral. You know.
BROADSTREET [thinks a moment] There's a courtyard at the library downtown. You have to go through the rare books section to get there, so it's usually quite deserted. Can you find it?
FAY Sure.
BROADSTREET I expect to see you - both of you - with the package, tomorrow at noon.
sound on filter, phone hangs up
FAY Hey!!
sound fay slams down receiver
FAY You arrogant sonofab--
JIMMY [coming on] Fay! I don't pay you to gab on the phone all night!
FAY [through gritted teeth] I'm on my break.
JIMMY Well, I hope you made it to the can, too, since that was your last break before closing - now get out there and shake it. There's an old fart at table 5 who still got some green left.
FAY Right, Jimmy.
MUSIC rock music, for time PASSES, THEN cutS off or winds down - SOUND system IS SHUT OFF.
SCENE 6. STRIP CLUB, CLOSING TIME
sound light SWITCHES being thrown.
GERTIE Hey, Fay, coming out for some grub?
JOHN [in background] Hey babe, come on.
FAY Nah, you go on - I'm waiting on a call.
GERTIE Your brother.
FAY Yeah.
sound quick steps, jingle of bell on door.
GERTIE [off] That deadbeat. [beat, remembering] Oh, crap!
JOHN [still off] What's the deal, sweetheart?
SOUND STEPS RETURN
GERTIE Here's that catalog.
FAY [down] Thanks. I don't think I --
GERTIE Take it. Read it. It's not too late.
FAY I'm kinda in the middle of something.
GERTIE You got a week to register for Fall. [waits, then] Winter, maybe?
FAY Maybe.
SOUND FOOTSTEPS RETREAT AGAIN
GERTIE [moving away] You really don't want--
JOHN [off] Let's skip the food, babe and get right to the motel.
GERTIE [off] --to end up like me.
sound door closes behind gertie
sound FAY's footsteps echo slightly, empty room.
sound phone rings
FAY Huh?
sound walks quickly over, phone picked up
FAY You're early.
JORDAN [on filter, ominous voice] You have the book.
FAY Broadstreet? Wait, no--
JORDAN Broadstreet must not get the book.
FAY How'd you get this--?
JORDAN Bring the book to me tomorrow at 2 pm. At the corner of central and 12th.
FAY What the hell--?
sound dial tone.
FAY Great.
sound hangs up phone
sound fay's footsteps as she walks into changing room
no music for scene
SCENE 7. CHANGING ROOM
sound door opens.
sound serrated knife cutting leather - continues until noted
FAY Jimmy! You bastard! What the-- No!
JIMMY Back off babe. I'm just seeing what you got in your little diary, here--
sound knife ends, finishes the cut
FAY You scumbag!!!
sound book creaks open, pages flip.
sound tentacles pop out of the book and grab jimmy
JIMMY [screaming in fear and agony]
FAY [screaming at the top of her lungs in terror]
sound horrid ripping noise as Jimmy is torn asunder
JIMMY [stops screaming suddenly]
sound slurping noise as tentacles go back into the book. book slams shut.
sound trickles of blood running down the walls.
FAY [screaming winds down to gasps and sobs]
sound phone rings and keep ringing
FAY [shrieks once, then starts to almost laugh]
sound hesitating footsteps. One slightly wet sounding one.
FAY Ew!
sound rubbing foot on floor, then running for phone
sound phone picks up
RUSTY [on filter] Hey. Sorry about earlier.
FAY [laughs almost soundlessly, almost hysterical]
RUSTY Fay? Wait, is this Fay?
FAY Yeah, Rusty, it's -- it's me. [breathing, trying to calm down]
RUSTY What's so funny?
FAY Nothing. Oh, shit. L'il bear, I need your help with something.
RUSTY Anything, sissy bear. You know it.
FAY Come down to the club, and bring me some old clothes. Bring some for you too.
music
SCENE 8. CHANGING ROOM, LATER
SOUND FAY SCRUBBING
SOUND RUSTY ENTERS
RUSTY Yikes! Was it a holdup?
FAY Sure. A holdup. A really, really messy holdup. Go in the back there and fill this bucket - really hot water - about halfway.
RUSTY Good thing the book didn't get all bloody. Then Broadstreet would never pay for it.
FAY [almost a sob] Yeah.
sound scrubbing fades into
music
SCENE 9. CHANGING ROOM, EVEN LATER
RUSTY Fay! The book
sound her reaction is very frightened, until she turns and sees nothing
FAY What? What!!
RUSTY The strap's been cut!
FAY Yeah. Uh, I'm gonna see if I can fix that-- Don't touch it!!!
RUSTY Why not?
FAY Here, I'll... [gulps] move it.
sound a couple of wet slappy steps.
FAY [deep breath, then an effort] There!
sound Book dropped quickly onto table
RUSTY Fay, you gotta tell me what's up - you're totally acting nutso.
FAY You gotta trust me l'il bear, don't touch it.
RUSTY I hate it when you treat me like a kid, Fay! I can take it! [sudden idea] Did you kill Jimmy?
FAY [hollow] What makes you so sure this was Jimmy? It's just ... chunks.
RUSTY Who else would it be? Level with me Fay, or... or--
FAY or what?
RUSTY [sharp breath]
sound quick squishy steps
RUSTY Or I'll... I'll open it!
FAY No! No! Don't screw around, Rusty! This is way more serious than you know!
RUSTY Tell me, Fay.
FAY Not here. I'll tell you when we're done and home. Please, it's - it's just too much.
MUSIC
SCENE 10. IN THE CAR
FAY [begging] Give me the book, please?
RUSTY No, Fay. I gotta know what went down.
FAY [still breathing hard, almost sobbing, subdued, reliving the event] Jimmy, being the nosy bast-- busybody that he is, got into my locker. He saw the book looked like something, and he ... cut through ... the ...strap... [sobs]
RUSTY [not willing to budge] --And then?
FAY It killed him. Rusty, the book did it. Don't open it, it was horrible.
RUSTY [ghoulishly interested] Tell me! Sissy bear, tell me!
FAY You don't need to know!
RUSTY [wheedling] Sissy bear!
FAY [beat] Things came out, like squids--
RUSTY Tentacles?
FAY [breaking] Yeah. Yeah. They grabbed him and just pulled him into pieces, then pulled the pieces ... most of them ... in and shut the book behind it.
RUSTY [excited] It must be some kind of a door to another reality. I read about those things all the time.
FAY A door to h-e-- double hockey-sticks!
music
music
SCENE 11. PHONE BANK
sound BEEPS, MECHANICAL VOICE
AUTOTELLER --[a balance of] two thousand, one hundred thirty two dollars and seventy four cents. To repeat this, press 6--
SOUND RECEIVER HANGS UP
SOUND RECEIVER PICKED UP, PHONE DIALS
FAY Hey Beans, Wally around? No! What's he in for? Again? Shoot, I was hoping he could use-- oh, never mind.
SOUND DOOR OPENS, RUSTY ENTERS
RUSTY You up already?
FAY Like I could sleep.
RUSTY You doing ok?
FAY Yeah. Ain't no goddamn love lost between me and Jimmy. But I gotta feeling this means I'm out of a job.
RUSTY But, seeing all that blood and stuff--?
FAY [muttered] Why you think I ain't sleeping? [louder] But there ain't jack shi--
RUSTY [warning noise]
FAY There ain't nothing I can do about it now. I just ain't got time for a freakout.
RUSTY Should I rustle us up some breakfast?
FAY [slightly teasing] Sure. You get started, I'll unplug the smoke detector.
RUSTY [mock annoyed] Hey! Besides, even I can't mess up corn flakes.
FAY I'll get something started in a minute, l'il bear. [a moment] Thanks for staying. I really didn’t wanna--
RUSTY Are you kidding? And miss out on my chance to do something for you? [pause] Some day Fay, I'm gonna - I dunno, strike it rich, and then we'll see who's taking care of who.
FAY [rueful] Yeah.
RUSTY I was thinking. Maybe we shouldn't give this guy the book.
FAY Huh? Why not?
RUSTY He's not gonna want to pay for it, damaged and all, and, well, if it's all you say, sounds like it's pretty dangerous.
FAY Yeah, like I wanna keep it around!
RUSTY We could sink it in the river. Maybe seal it in a block of concrete. We don't know this guy. Who knows what he plans to do - or who he plans to do, with it? [sure] I'll handle it.
FAY I-I don't really care what this guy has up his sleeve. I'm just hoping he'll pay something, damaged or not, and that maybe Mr. Capelli will take half down. Pass me that, wouldya?
SOUND WRAPPING PAPER
RUSTY Isn't this--?
FAY I want to get this thing re-wrapped.
RUSTY You think maybe it'll fool him?
FAY [snort] Nah. I'm just hoping it will give us time to be out of reach when he opens it.
MUSIC
SCENE 11. LIBRARY RENDEZVOUS
sound daytime noises, footsteps echo slightly on stone
FAY I'm glad you were willing to see reason. I don't know who your buyer is, but he must have some tough mojo to think he can control something awful like this.
RUSTY Yeah.
BROADSTREET [coming on] Ah, good to see you. You have my package?
FAY Right here. There was a ---
RUSTY It's just fine. You got the money?
BROADSTREET Here. Shall we trade?
RUSTY How 'bout you put down the briefcase, and I bring you the book? Then, when you're happy, I'll take the money.
FAY [surprised, side of mouth] Good going, L.B. [lil bear]
BROADSTREET An eminently sensible plan. I'll have to check and make sure the book has not been tampered with.
RUSTY Be my guest, here, I'll get it out for you.
sound rustle of paper being unwrapped
BROADSTREET Just hand it over-- aaaugh!
[note rusty opens the book, facing toward Broadstreet]
Sound Same sounds as before slurp, squish, crunch
BROADSTREET [screams]
FAY [screaming]
BROADSTREET [stops in mid-scream]
sound all sounds end with a slurp and the book slamming shut.
FAY [screaming, ending with] Rusty! Ohmigod, Rusty what the hell do you think you're doing?
SOUND DRIPPING NOISES
RUSTY I was right!! For once, I GOT it!
FAY Rusty, what the hell--
RUSTY Look, Fay. Don't you see, this is our ticket? My ticket, anyway, if you're too chicken. We may have a mess, but we also have ten thousand dollars AND the book.
FAY And what pray tell do you plan to do with the sonofabitch goddamn book?
RUSTY [dark, serious] Don't swear, Fay. [almost chuckling] It's so perfect - no way to trace it, so there's no way to catch me! All I gotta do is walk up to someone, open the book at 'em, just like now, and whammo!
FAY You're gonna go around killing people? Once they're eaten, it's not like you can take their wallets!
RUSTY I thought of that. I'm not gonna ROB no one. Just hire myself out.
FAY How could you? Mom would never have--
RUSTY [bitter, accusing] Yeah, well, I never knew mom, sissy bear. Any problems with my upbringing? They're all on you!
FAY But--
RUSTY I knew it. You just want me to be a wimp, so you can push me around. Just your little bear. You never want me to win big, because if I was ever a success, you wouldn't have anyone to gloat over and preach to! Well, it's too late - it's my turn, Fay. This is my chance to be the man!
FAY Rusty, you stop this. Right now.
RUSTY What're you gonna do, put me over your knee? I got the book, and while I'd hate to have to use it again right away...
FAY You wouldn't!
RUSTY [steely] Try me. [beat, hollow] Just let me go, Fay.
music
SCENE 12. LEAVING THE LIBRARY
sound busy street noises
JORDAN [startlingly close] You didn't bring it.
FAY [jumps] Oh! You're‑‑
JORDAN I'm Jordan.
FAY Jordan something or something Jordan?
JORDAN [almost a chuckle] Something. Where's the book?
FAY Tell me what it is first. I can't just hand it over without knowing more about it.
JORDAN We can't talk here.
FAY Oh sure we can - a busy street is as anonymous as you can get. Spill.
JORDAN [beat] It is... a gateway.
FAY Hah. We figured that.
JORDAN [upset] You opened it? How many? How many has it devoured?
FAY Keep your voice down. We may be anonymous, here, but there is a limit. Why's it matter who got et?
JORDAN The book is a Demonilatrium Triskadecorum, one of thirteen gates disguised as ancient grimoires. They were put into this world to trap those who seek the deepest levels of occult knowledge.
[note: totally made up name. Triskedec is a root meaning "13", and demon is self-explanatory]
JORDAN Each book will take thirteen souls and then - pfft! Go back from whence it came. This one has already eaten 7 that I've been able to verify.
FAY [hopeful] But then it'll just go away?
JORDAN Taking the last wielder with it.
FAY [weakly, hopeful] Wielder, like the one facing the book?
JORDAN The one holding it.
SOUND ODD BIRD CALL
FAY Oh, shi--
JORDAN Did you hear that?
FAY What? The car horn?
SOUND ODD BIRD CALL
JORDAN That. Damn, they found us. We need to find some place less public - now!
FAY Why? Aren't we sort of safe out here on the street?
JORDAN Doubtful. They're after the book.
FAY But Rusty has-- I mean-- Shit!
JORDAN They're tracking me, not the book. We need to get away from them.
SOUND RAPID FOOTSTEPS
FAY Not part of your club, eh?
JORDAN There are many factions seeking to control the Triskadecora. This way...!
SOUND STREET NOISES RECEDE
FAY Being alone with a bunch of freaks sounds like a dumbass plan, Jordan Something.
JORDAN I can't cloak us if there are any observers.
FAY Like being able to be invisible, but only if there's no one watching you?
JORDAN Shh. In here.
SOUND SLIGHT SCUFFLE, FOOTSTEPS STOP
AMB IN A TUNNEL OR UNDER A BRIDGE
SOUND WEIRD LOW BUZZING NOISE
JORDAN [whispered] Now stay quiet.
FAY [whispered] You have to grope me like this?
JORDAN [whispered] The range is limited, we have to stay very close.
FAY [whispered] I'm not bitching, I just wanted to know.
JORDAN Shh!
SOUND WEIRD BIRD CALL, STRANGE NOISES MOVE SLOWLY PAST.
SILENCE FOR A MOMENT
FAY [whispered] Are they gone?
JORDAN [whispered] Just another moment. [slightly husky] For safety.
FAY [whispered] Oh... [beat, chuckle] Well, what do you do when you're not hiding from demons and chasing old carnivorous books, Mr. Jordan?
music
SCENE 13. VISITING THE VICTIMS
sound night ambiance. nightclub noises in the near distance
FAY I just hope we got here first. Last I checked, nobody'd seen him yet - they're kind of used to me calling around looking for him.
JORDAN And you're quite sure--
FAY Oh, yeah - first people he'd go after are his bookies. Lucky thing they weren't in town this afternoon or they'd be squid bait long since.
JORDAN Squid?
FAY You know-- [making a squooshing tentacle noise] They come out of the book.
JORDAN I've never actually seen one opened. We're working to get them all into safekeeping. It sounds like your brother is a prime example why.
FAY He's weak. It's all my fault. Our mom died when he was born, then dad went a dozen years later. After that, it was just me and him. I guess I ... I didn't do it right.
JORDAN [matter of fact] Probably not.
FAY Hey! Not helping!
sound [over at the building] knock on door, door squeaks open.
FAY Oh, crap. That ain't good.
JORDAN Stay behind me.
FAY As if.
sound running footsteps
FAY Rusty? Rusty? Rusty?
sound footsteps slow, then stop
FAY Aw, jeez, Rusty.
RUSTY Stay out of it, Fay.
FAY That's a lot of blood, Rusty. How... how many were there?
RUSTY Just Mr. Capelli and his bodyguard. I'm still waiting for the other guys to get back. You gonna help or just mess me up - like always?
FAY Like always? Who's the one always comes when you start screaming about guys being after you? This whole goddamn thing started because you can't keep your hands off an inside flush. [a bad gamble in poker].
RUSTY Fay, you better leave.
FAY Look Rusty... there's this guy and he - he knows about the book. I mean he can tell you, he - you gotta listen to him, Rusty - this isn't a joke, l'il bear! He really - It's worse than you think!
RUSTY Fay, you better leave. It's gonna get messy real soon. I don't wanna haveta kill you.
FAY Oh, li'l b--.
JORDAN Ah-hah! [attack noise, not so silly]
SOUND BEGIN STRUGGLE
RUSTY Hey, what? [grunting with exertion]
SOUND FABRIC RIPS, BODY SLAMS INTO SOMETHING HARD.
JORDAN [grunting with exertion] Give me the--
SOUND FINGERS SKID ACROSS LEATHER. BOOK DROPS TO THE FLOOR.
FAY No!
SOUND SCRAMBLING, SLAPPING AS THE MEN FIGHT FOR THE BOOK
FAY No! Get back!
SOUND PAGES FLIP
FAY [Screams in anguish]
JORDAN [screams in agony, but not too clear which man this is]
sound blahlalalalalalalala monster eats Jordan
moment of silence
FAY I can't believe you did that. My own brother. What kind of a goddam monster are you?
RUSTY [breathing hard, triumphant] I'm alive Fay. That's what counts. I'm the one holding the book.
FAY Rusty, that was the one guy who knew what this stupid freaking thing really is. And your dumbass book just ate him!
RUSTY STOP SWEARING! You know I hate it when you do that!
FAY Rusty - I think this has gone waaay beyond my potty mouth. Give me the book now, or put your goddamned money where your mouth is and feed me to it.
RUSTY [snapped back to reality] What? Sissy--?
FAY [under her breath] Seven... eight nine...
RUSTY I don't wanna haveta kill you, Fay.
FAY [under her breath] Ten and eleven, oh shit, twelve.
RUSTY Talk to me sissy bear - why can't you see this is good for me? You got locks, I finally got something!
FAY [under her breath] Oh, hell. [loud] Bite me you whining little piece of shit. I am so sick of your weakling ass dragging around behind me.
RUSTY [shocked] Fay!
FAY Yeah, if it weren't for you and the gigantic hole in your stupid ass pocket, I woulda been free and clear years ago. Do you know how much goddamn sonofabitch money I have pissed down the freaking drain for you?
RUSTY [getting angry] Fay, stop it!
FAY I am so goddamn sick to the teeth of feeling guilty over you, you puling little ass-wipe, worrying over you and having to run around changing your dirty diapers every time you freaking crap yourself!
RUSTY [almost crying] If -- if I'm all -- all you say, it's your fault, you made me this way!
FAY [hissing] I might have made you weak, but I never made you a murderer - there, you're self-made.
RUSTY I'll make you stop!
SOUND PAGES FLIP
FAY [Gasps, braced]
sound again. monster.
RUSTY Hey, what? No! Noooo! I'm the master! I'm the master---[trails into agonized screams]
SOUND Rusty dies in screaming agony.
moment of silence
FAY [sobbing] Goodnight, ...l'il bear.
SOUND SHE WALKS AWAY
music
SCENE 14. college classroom.
sound people shuffle into seats. papers move.
TEACHER [utterly bored] Jackson? good. Fay James?
FAY Here.
TEACHER Good.
MUSIC STING
end
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