Cover art for podcast 19 Nocturne Boulevard

19 Nocturne Boulevard

782 EpisodesProduced by Julie Hoverson / guestsWebsite

Wheeality Productions features 19 Nocturne Boulevard, Bingo the Birthday Clown, The Deadeye Kid, The Tone Didactic (blogs on audio drama), and guest starring Warp'd Space! Whew!

35:45

19 Nocturne Boulevard - MAKING BOOK - Reissue

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 [host, intro]
  • Fay James (F/26), reformed safecracker and strip club dancer
  • Rusty James (M/23), unreformed gambler
  • Simeon Broadstreet (M/40s), spooky client
  • Jimmy (M/40s), sleazy bartender/boss
  • Jordan (M/30s), mysterious stranger
  • Gertie (F/40), another dancer
  • John (M/any)
  • Bank Phone voice (any)
  • Teacher (any)

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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