Not A Hero Part One

©Carlin Salisbury 9/05/06

Not A Hero Part One

1.INT. RIVERS RESIDENCE

Sean knocks on the door and Mike answers, looks at him, and closes the door again. Sean knocks again and Mike opens it, looking annoyed.

MIKE

What do you want, Baxter?

SEAN

I want to see my best friend.

MIKE

He’s busy.

SEAN

With what?

MIKE

With Lisa. Training.

Sean pushes his way through the door.

SEAN

Tell me what’s going on.

MIKE

Baxter, I don’t think...

SEAN

I have spent the past week kicking demon ass without your help. But do you know who’s a good little ninja? Ally. Yeah, that’s right, you left an incompetent writer and a minor to do your dirty work while you guys barricaded yourselves in this house to “train.” I think, having almost been killed by an Scrimer Demon– yeah, that’s right, we got one of those nasty dripping sewage dwelling bastards– and having to be saved from a Truotop Demon by a Kreech who, up until now, I was sure wanted us dead, and keeping Ally safe from any and all monsters and bounty hunters, I deserve to know what the hell is going on.

MIKE (with a sigh)

Alright, kid. Tyler is working on tuning his mind, learning Mental Magic. It will help him access parts of himself he never knew he had before, inner strengths and the like. It will help him in his fight with Abby and Marian.

SEAN

So, what does this entail, like... telekinesis? Like Lisa?

MIKE

Not exactly. More of a way to use the mind as a mental attack arena. In the event of fighting a true demon enemy, it can cause severe mental damage by battling with mental selves, or the way you appear in your head. Invade the mind, scour it, bring up bad memories... In the event of fighting a Kreech, it will help him decipher Kreech from human, if the human is still there. It will also help him defend from these kind of attacks.

SEAN

... So... Can I see him?

MIKE

He’s training now. But Lisa’s in there with him. I don’t think–

SEAN (towards Lisa’s bedroom)

Thanks. I don’t care what you think.

2.INT. LISA’S BEDROOM

Lisa is sitting in a chair reading as Tyler meditates on her bed. Enter Sean, who sees Tyler, but not Lisa (or if he does see her, ignores her)

LISA (not looking away from her book)

I knew you’d end up here sooner or later.

SEAN (not looking away from Tyler)

Is all this really helping him?

LISA (looking up, with a sigh)

It should.

SEAN

He looks... quiet...

LISA

Well I haven’t heard a peep out of him for four hours now.

SEAN

What’s he doing?

LISA

Exactly? At this moment? Hard to tell. He’s moving faster than we can follow. Sifting through his memories, honing his skills, taking a tour of his own head, figuring out what’s there, what he can use, what his assets are... All simultaneously. It’s a complicated process.

SEAN

I bet.

There is a brief silence.

SEAN

Lisa, why don’t you look as calm as he does?

LISA (flatly, closing her book and looking at Tyler)

Like I said, it’s a complicated process. But no matter how Dad tries, or how often he preps Tyler, I see the same look in his eye that I often saw when he looked at me, growing up. My Dad knows that he can try all he wants, but even the best trained soldier in the world can trip over a knot in the ground and crack his skull open.

SEAN (bursting out suddenly)

But he’s just a kid, Lisa! Surely this much playing with Mental Magic will screw with his brain?

LISA

It’s not playing. It’s a dignified practice and exercise at toning one’s mental abilities

SEAN

You sound like a text book.

LISA

Funny, I’ve never read one in my life.

SEAN

Then you sound like your father. What do you know about it, really, eh Lisa?

LISA (glaring at him)

It’s a grueling task, and it takes a long time to master, but by the end of it, Tyler will be skilled in the art of not only Mental Combat, but other things as well. His senses will be magnified, his mind will be more aware, telepathy will become like second nature–

SEAN

Telepathy?! Hell, I don’t want Tyler in my head! (Sean turns to Tyler, who is oblivious) I mean, no offense man, I trust you and all, but I mean honestly! The mind is nothing to be messed with!

LISA

Maybe your mind. But I think it will be quite useful to him. Besides, it’s just surface telepathy, he can only tell what the thoughts are on the top of your conscious mind, so chill out.

SEAN

Oh yeah? Well, I think he’s wasting his time, frankly. I think he should get his head out of the past and into the present! If he thinks that doing this will bring Abby back, then–”

LISA

How dare you so insensitively even think to say such cold things about Tyler! He killed himself over what happened to Abby, do you know that?

SEAN

I didn’t say anything offensive towards anyone. I’m just stating facts! Abby is dead, and Tyler knows that. Keeping his head in the clouds and not in this room will not do him any good. You say this will help him be more aware of his surroundings, and yet he has no clue you and I are even talking about him even though he’s sitting right next to us! You say he’ll be prepared, but you’ve even admitted to me that even Mike knows he’s not totally safe!

LISA

Nothing will help him be totally safe, Dad and I understand that! But this will help Tyler, it will help him be ready for Marian and her next attack, which will be directed towards Tyler’s mind as Kreeches tend to do that!

SEAN

But what if he attacks tomorrow, huh Lisa? What if Marian just suddenly broke into this house and killed Tyler when he was in one of these clueless trances? What if, Lisa!

LISA (standing up)

We’re not that stupid Sean! I can’t believe you even suggested that Marian would just barge in here and try to kill–

SEAN

Well it’s a possibility isn’t it??? It’s not my fault she hasn’t thought of it yet, I mean she knows exactly where we are!

LISA

Because she’s smarter than that. She walks in here, my dad would slice her head off with a butcher’s knife. She wants us on her grounds, her turf.

SEAN

And if she gets impatient? Lisa, there’s too much at stake, there’s so much else going on outside. He is wasting his time. He should be out there, fighting demons, like I’ve been, not in here fighting imaginary ones in his head! Seattle’s overrun with crazy underground monsters that have a primal urge to just destroy everything they can! He has a duty to–

LISA

He doesn’t have a duty to anyone, Sean! He has a duty to the stones, and the stones alone!

SEAN

But he’s a Guardian, isn’t he? “Guard.” Protect. There are people out there who need his help.

LISA

HE IS NOT A HERO!

SEAN

AND HE NEVER WILL BE!!! (Calming down, glancing at Tyler). At least, not while you guys lock him up like this. He will never get anywhere. Not wasting his time on this.

LISA

... I’m sorry you feel that way.

SEAN

Sorry I feel that way? Abby is dead, Marian isn’t, and Tyler will die if he doesn’t come back down to earth! Look, I bet he still doesn’t know we’re talking about him. Hello, Tyler! (Sean hysterically waves in front of Tyler’s face) Wake up, Tyler! You there, Tyler? You just won the Super bowl, Tyler, what are you gonna do now? (Turns back to Lisa who is looking at him with pitiful disgust. He ignores it.) You see? Deaf as a post and blind as a bat. And if he doesn’t snap out of it, he’ll be dead as a doornail!

LISA

You’re wrong, Sean. You’re naive and twisted and wrong. And that’s all you’ll ever be. Wrong.

There’s silence a moment as Sean stares at her. His words pierce him, but he refuses to show it. He smiles and attempts to laugh it off, but stops. All of a sudden, as if feeling his gaze, Sean and Lisa both turn to see Tyler staring at them. He looks blankly from Lisa to Sean. His gaze lingers on Sean. And Sean, as if entranced, does not look away from Tyler’s eyes. Slowly, Tyler’s eyes narrow and his lips are closed and set in a straight line. Wordlessly, Sean spins around and walks out the door and slams it. Lisa looks at Tyler.

LISA

What?

3.EXT. REED RESIDENCE

Sean angrily marches from the steps, clearly unsatisfied with what he saw. He walks to his car and climbs in and proceeds down the street. For a while, he drives down the street, closes his eyes momentarily, and glances out the rear window, visibly contemplating whether or not he should double back. He rolls his eyes and attempts to pull over. He’s confused a moment, looks at the pedals, then out the window, fiddles around with the car and tries to break. But his car won’t slow. Panicking, he takes his foot off the gas and looks for a long stretch of road where he can ride it out. He’s on a hill (as hills are prominent in Seattle). Still panicking, he turns the wheel sharply where he veers off into a tree where he falls unconscious.

OPENING CREDITS

4.INT. THE OLD WINDWARD HOUSE

Pan across the room. It is dark and windowless except for one in the high ceiling, making it appear dungeon like. Sunlight from the window casts a sinister light on a surgeon’s tray table with crude instruments strewn across it. Sean is in the center of the room. He wakes up and looks around. He is tied to a wrought iron chair, obviously uncomfortable. He struggles a moment. Abby steps out of the shadows behind him. A Cat O’ Nine Tails drags at her feet as she walks. She smiles at Sean and leans in close to his face.

ABBY

Boo!

SEAN

Oh please.

ABBY (smiling)

You do not fear me. It is no matter. You will.

SEAN (looking at his binds)

Kinky. But I’m not into S&M.

ABBY (looking momentarily confused as she stares at him. She shakes it off.)

Such foolish words for a prisoner. You will do well to obey me.

SEAN

Look, I don’t know a thing about Tyler or the stones, so I’m completely useless to you.

ABBY

On the contrary. Out of all my enemies, you seem to be the one of the most use to me.

SEAN (rolling his eyes)

Right. So this is one of those hold-him-ransom schemes where Tyler’s gonna kick down the door and save me, right? I hate to burst your hideously cliche bubble, but there’s no way. Tyler’s far from me now. And besides, I’m no longer there to interrupt his precious meditation. They should be glad to be rid of me. Don’t expect any heroic missions.

ABBY (Mixing something in a bowl with rubber gloves at the table)

Good. Then there will be no one to interrupt us.

SEAN (cocking his eyebrows)

Listen, lady, I don’t know the guys you’re used to, but there’s no way I’m putting out for a kreech.

ABBY (turning to Sean)

The name, you insolent human, is Cha’arindar, and you would do well to remember it.

SEAN

Can’t I just call you Chuck?

ABBY

SILENCE!

She reaches into the bowl and rubs the mixture onto Sean’s bare shoulders as she leans on them, hissing in his face as his body spasms and he screams.

ABBY

Do you feel that? That is undiluted lye, you cretin. It burns you faster than fire. As for the millions of tiny daggers that tear into your fresh burns, that’s my own personal touch. Grind silica into the mixture to add a thousand tiny little pieces of hard glass slicing at your aching flesh.

Sean tosses his head back and lets out a heart wrenching scream of anguish.

SEAN

Water...

ABBY (shaking her head and making a clicking noise with her tongue)

No, no, no, little boy, that’ll do you no good.

SEAN

Please...

ABBY

Let’s see.

Presses down on his shoulders. Sean screams again.

SEAN

You bitch!

ABBY

Are you afraid?

SEAN

Oh God...

ABBY

He has nothing to do with this.

SEAN (screwing his eyes shut tight)

Oh my God! (He sobs the last word.)

ABBY

Are you afraid!!!

SEAN

IF I SAID YES WOULD YOU– OH GOD!

Abby straightens up, walks calmly to the table, and grabs a bottle of vinegar. She walks back to Sean and hesitates. Taking a deep breath, she pours vinegar on the wounds. As Sean calms down, taking slow and shuttering breaths, we see his shoulders clearly, raw and bleeding.

ABBY

There will be an infection. The glass will see to that. I will tend to that when it calls for my attention.

SEAN (glaring at her with gritted teeth)

I am not afraid.

ABBY

That will change in time. You need to learn.

SEAN

I’m not afraid of dying.

ABBY

Believe it or not, my dear boy, there are worse things I can do to you than kill you. In time, you will be begging me to end your life. This was just the first day.

SEAN (screaming)

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME???

ABBY

Now there is no need for that in here. I can hear you just fine, and Windward here has made sure to it that no one else will. Regardless of how loud you shriek.

SEAN

... Windward? The house???

ABBY

You underestimate him, poor fellow. Not that you would know. Do not assume all stationary objects are inanimate. (Then, almost sarcastically) Why, just look at trees! This house has a consciousness and a personality, and he would appreciate you to acknowledge this.

SEAN

It’s a he.

ABBY

Of course it’s a he. Do you think I would choose a female? Those bitches are so moody, I would never be sure if she was with me or against me.

SEAN (eyebrows raised and humor returned, still panting.)

... Female houses on PMS... Now I’ve heard it all.

ABBY

I will return. In the meantime, Windward will keep you company. Enjoy.

As she leaves, the singular window in the ceiling dissolves, and Sean is left alone in the dark. Before we change scenes, we hear him sigh.

SEAN

I hate this house.

5.INT. RIVERS RESIDENCE

Tyler looks at Lisa, his meditation broken.

TYLER

What was that? What were you two fighting about?

LISA

Well good afternoon to you too, Tyler!

TYLER (calmly)

Don’t give me that. I could feel your negative energy from a mile away. What happened?

LISA (less calm)

Nothing. It was nothing. Oh, you’re friend’s a jackass.

TYLER

He’s your friend, too.

LISA

Not with that attitude he’s not.

TYLER (trying to reason with her)

Lisa... (all of a sudden, he sees her eyes)... Wait. It was about me, wasn’t it?

LISA (trying to casually blow it off)

You’re name might have come up, sure.

TYLER

That’s a lie and you know it. I don’t need mental powers to see through that.

LISA

Argh, are you boys always this frustrating! Yes! YES! If you must know, Master Kenobi, yes it was about you! I mean, come on, what the hell else would it have been about? He came here to pull you away from your training, I wouldn’t let him. Started asking questions, demanding to know why you aren’t out on the streets, protecting the city from demons. He doesn’t realize you are not a hero, you are a Guardian and they are not the same thing! You have no business saving the city, you have to focus on the stones and Marian has one already. You have one task and one task only and that is to protect the stones! You get that, don’t you? Explain it to him!

TYLER

Sean has always been an idealist, Lisa. The idea that I was out there, helping people... It made him feel like he was part of something bigger. And he enjoyed that. I think... I think he feels we’ve abandoned him.

LISA

He should never have been around to be abandoned! Look, Tyler, I’m sorry your friend is disillusioned, but you do not help the helpless, you do not save damsels in distress and you will never get a medal of honor for saving the world. Your work is a thankless work, and it’s a specific work. You keep the stones safe. They are your soul and primary concern. Not random demons, not this city, and certainly not Sean.

TYLER

Maybe Sean’s right, though. Maybe they should be.

LISA

I can’t believe I’m hearing this– Tyler! Don’t be as naive as that brainless boy chasing after dragons and princesses. The world is dark and the world is ugly and the world, for the most part, can take care of itself. Guardians have been single-minded for centuries and they have kept the world spinning, haven’t they? Leave the hero work to the optimists and the fools. There are plenty of demon hunters, religious fanatics and crazy militia groups out there to fight that fight anyway. And they’re crazy enough to get it done more effectively than you ever could.

TYLER

That’s it, Lisa, maybe I’m too sane. Those crazy groups you mentioned? They’re as bad as the demons they kill. Lisa, you know demon hunters poach demons for their hides like an endangered species. They treat the whole thing like it’s a damn safari! And religious fanatics? Didn’t you say they eradicated an entire tribe of peace-loving demons who happened to just look a little different from humans? As for crazy militia groups, well, they destroy whatever they see, humans and demons alike, just for the sake of blowing something up. They are no more heroes than I am.

LISA

All I meant was that they keep the demon population in check.

TYLER

You’re half-demon! How can you be so speciesist???

LISA

It’s a proven fact that over 80% of all modern day demons are messed up in the head. They have no morals! They will stoop to any level to get what they want! They are animals with a little more brains and a little more brawn, but they’re conscience is nonexistent.

TYLER

Look. I don’t want to fight with you. I just want to make sure Sean’s not too mad.

LISA

My guess is he’s pretty pissed. Maybe you should let him cool off a bit before…

TYLER

Before?

LISA

Sean’s gone.

TYLER

Yeah, Lise, that’s what we’re talking about. I gotta go—

LISA (looking at him directly)

No. I mean he’s really gone.

6.EXT. STREET NEAR RIVERS RESIDENCE

There is a swarm of police officers across the scene. We focus on Mike, talking to Leo Carroway about what happened.

CARROWAY

Mike, I can’t just turn a blind eye this time! The Marlow murder was one thing, but this—That boy’s the son of one of the wealthiest lawyers in Seattle!

MIKE

Aw, come on, he can’t be that high profile.

CARROWAY

Ever heard of Baxter and Jefferson?

MIKE
Yeah, they covered a case of mine twenty years back…

CARROWAY

Guess whose father is a senior partner in that firm.

MIKE (unimpressed)

That would explain the Baxter part of Sean’s name…

CARROWAY

There is no way a disappearance like this is going to go unnoticed by the press. And if I say “it’s no big deal” again, my career is over!

MIKE

Then I know what you can say to ease their worries.

CARROWAY

Mike…

MIKE

Sean’s not missing.

CARROWAY

Mike! We have a hysterical mother and a father trying to use all the press he can to advertise his firm! You can say that to the press, but what about the parents?

MIKE

He’s with Tyler.

CARROWAY

The guy who killed James Marlow?

MIKE

I told you, Leo, that boy was a demon.

CARROWAY

The kind Danny killed.

MIKE

The same. Tell the Baxters that Sean had a little alcohol trouble and that he’s sleeping it off at Tyler’s. That’ll get the lawyer to stop milking press time; he won’t want the world to know his son was drinking and driving. Tell them the best we could do was get Sean out of the car and away from the scene before the press came and he’ll be keeping a low profile for a while.

CARROWAY

I don’t like this, Mike.

MIKE

I never asked you to like it. Now go.

CARROWAY

Just tell me this doesn’t have anything to do with what killed Danny.

MIKE

Actually, it has everything to do with that.

Carroway walks away towards the cameras and Mike walks over to Lisa and Tyler. Lisa looks worried, but Tyler is stoic.

TYLER

So what’s going on with the cops?

MIKE

I had Carroway take care of it.

LISA

You think Abby’s responsible for this?

MIKE

Marian has no use for Sean. And Abby’s been showing signs of crazy.

LISA

Plus, the spell.

MIKE (hearing this for the first time)

Spell, what spell???

LISA

Wha- oh, um, just a little thing I did a while back… after the accident…

MIKE

What?

LISA

It’s nothing, I just… I was worried, Sean was really badly hurt and so I did a healing spell, only Abby walked in and something funky went on with the mojo and messed with our awareness of each other… That’s when I started getting vibes about Abby… and about Sean.

MIKE (angry)

Why didn’t you tell me about this?

LISA

I don’t know, I figured it wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t know if it affected Abby and Sean like it did me, hell, Dad, how could I have known? It was a complicated spell, any number of things could have happened to the other two when she walked in.

MIKE

But logically, that would explain why she’s been so obsessed with Sean, wouldn’t it?

LISA

I guess.

MIKE

Of course. She didn’t abduct Sean to lure you out, Tyler. She did it purely for the hell of it.

TYLER

Just because she wanted to.

LISA

That’s not good.

MIKE

No. It’s not. It means we won’t get any clues as to where she took him. Because we were never meant to find out.

Silence a moment.

TYLER

Oh God…

LISA

What?

TYLER

What am I going to tell Audra?

7.INT. AUDRA’S BEDROOM

Audra is doing homework at her desk near the phone. As she twirls her fluffy pink pen she keeps glancing over at the phone. She bites her lip and resolves to keep doing her homework and ignore the phone. She can’t concentrate. She sighs and throws the pen down. She looks at the phone. She rolls her eyes and gets up to leave the room. The phone rings. Audra dives for the receiver.

AUDRA

Hello???

JORDAN (voice)

Audra? You sure sound desperate for a phone call.

Audra is visibly crestfallen. She sighs.

AUDRA

Hello, Jordan.

JORDAN
Well don’t be too excited, I just called because I was bored.

AUDRA

Yeah, me too. I’m getting nowhere with this homework. Who cares about Thomas Hamilton and the Federalists.

JORDAN

Audra, it’s Alex— Nevermind. You wanna do something?

AUDRA (looks at the clock)

… Yeah. So long as I’m near my phone.

JORDAN

You and Sean have a fight again?

AUDRA

The worst.

JORDAN

He’ll call. I promise.

8.INT. THE OLD WINDWARD HOUSE

Black. We hear Sean struggling in the dark and then a crash as his chair falls over.

SEAN

Dammit.

We hear footsteps as Abby enters. There’s a dim glow as she lights a match and lights a cigarette. The match falls to the floor in front of the camera (worms eye view) and in front of Sean’s nose, whose face is a few inches away from the camera. He looks at the match, then up at Abby, whose high healed boots we can clearly see in the shot.

SEAN
Cancer kills.

ABBY (O.S)

This shell means less to me than the flesh on your bones.

SEAN
And crack is whack. Pass on grass.

ABBY (O.S)

What are you doing on the floor, human?

SEAN

Um… Oh wait, I still got one: Hugs not drugs!

ABBY (leaning down into the shot and grabbing his collar)

You pathetic worm, do you think you’re funny spitting out these colloquial phrases about human drugs? You’re poor humor will do you no good in the long run.

SEAN

Well, then we agree to disagree.

Angle change out. Abby pulls him up by his collar and puts the chair back on its feet.

ABBY

You are a fool. And you will always be a fool. Windward! Lights!

As she asks, a window appears in the ceiling again, allowing moonlight to spill into Sean’s dungeon.

SEAN
Wow, night already? This vacation’s sliding by so fast and I haven’t even seen what the Jacuzzi’s like yet!

Abby slaps him.

ABBY

You will learn to hold your tongue. And you will learn that escape is only painful.

Abby pulls the Cat O’ Nine Tails from her belt.

ABBY

Do you know what this is?

SEAN

A kinky sex toy? A jump rope? The newest fashion in belts?

ABBY

No. (looks at the whip). Perhaps the latter. Irrelevant. This is what they called a Cat O’ Nine Tails, can you guess why?

SEAN (eyes wide)

No way, I would have thought cat tails were furrier than that!

Abby strikes him across his chest and he cries out.

ABBY

You insolent maggot. (She walks around behind Sean as he recovers from the surprise blow. He looks down at his chest, which has nine welts crossing it diagonally). In my day, we destroyed jesters like you. First we cut off their fingers… (She whips him across the back). And then their toes… (whips him again). And lastly their tongues… (she whips him again). So they could not dance, they could not juggle, and they could not tell jokes. Their foolery sickened us. Then we would slaughter them in the square, using an Iron Maiden or something equally as bloody. (She leans in close to whisper in Sean’s ear.) Does that fate sound appealing to you, Jester?

SEAN (breathing hard)

You can’t be that old.

ABBY (laughing)

No. But there was a cult in the 1960s that did partake in this as a sort of educational project to experience the Dark Ages. Guess who led them?

Abby pushes his head forward, forcing his whole body forward. She admires the wounds on his back.

ABBY (satisfied)

There. You found your living conditions uncomfortable before? Try leaning back in your chair. I was generous up until now. (She walks over to her table as Sean leans forward, sweat glistening in the moonlight. She picks up a syringe and turns around.) To finish off this lesson. (She squirts something out the end.) A pyrogen. I can’t quite recall its origins. Marian was kind enough to lend it to me when she wanted me to get information out of her victims. Regardless, I have seen its effect, and it will have you writhing in delirium in no time.

Abby injects the serum into Sean’s veins. He grits his teeth a moment, then starts to sweat profusely. He throws his head back then screams as he slammed his back into the back of the chair. He leans forward and tries to shake the nightmares.

ABBY

There. Doesn’t that feel better?

9.INT. AUDRA’S BEDROOM

Audra is still at her desk when Jordan knocks on her door. She waves him in.

JORDAN

Aw, Audra, you look beat. You need to get out of this house.

AUDRA

Can’t. (Points at history book). Hamilton is holding me hostage. And Sean.

JORDAN

Why can’t you just divert all calls from your home line to your cell phone?

AUDRA (rolls her eyes)

Because that would be the smart thing to do. (She falls on top of her paper). I hate homework.

JORDAN (pulling the book out from under her and closing it)

Why don’t you leave Alexander Hamilton be a while and go to a movie with me?

AUDRA (looking worried)

His name is Alexander???

JORDAN (pulling her to her feet)

Come on.

AUDRA

This is due on Monday.

JORDAN

That means you still have Sunday to finish it.

AUDRA

Technically, but I’m going to a farm tomorrow on the outskirts of the city.

JORDAN

Do I dare ask why?

AUDRA

I bought my mom a cow. And named it after her.

JORDAN

How many different kinds of livestock have you had in your home now?

AUDRA

Eleven, counting the cow tomorrow.

JORDAN

Don’t you feel it gets a little cliché?

AUDRA

No.

JORDAN

OK then… What movie do you want to see?

10.INT. RIVERS LIVING ROOM

Mike is sitting calmly on the couch while Lisa paces restlessly around the living room.

LISA

What are we going to do, Dad, what are we going to do?

MIKE (jaded, rubbing his eyes)

It will work itself out in the end, kid, it always does.

LISA

I mean, where do we even start? She could have taken him anywhere, be doing anything to him! (Pause. She stops walking.) I’ve got it. I just have to make a mental sweep of the city searching for his mind signature! (Starts towards her bedroom) It shouldn’t be that hard, I have meditation crystals in my room, I could—

MIKE (catching her arm as she walks by the couch)

Lisa… Don’t.

LISA

… Why not?

MIKE

Tyler is not a hero.

LISA

What?

Tyler enters the room from the kitchen with a glass of milk.

TYLER

What’d I miss?

Lisa and Mike turn to look at him.

MIKE

Tyler, there is no better time than now to launch a full attack on Marian.

LISA

What???

MIKE

Abby is distracted. Marian isn’t expecting it now. Your mind is well-practiced by now, Tyler, and I’ve never seen you more focused in your physical training.

LISA

He only started his Mental Magic a few weeks ago, Dad, he can’t possibly be anywhere near—

TYLER (flatly, as if Mike and Lisa had said nothing.)

What do we do about Sean?

Silence.

MIKE

Sean’s dead, Tyler.

TYLER (again, flatly)

You saw his body?

MIKE

He’s dead to us, Tyler. It will be damn near impossible to find him in this city, and if Abby has her way, he’s probably dead already.

TYLER

You mean you don’t think we should go after him at all.

MIKE

Exactly.

TYLER

You just want to pretend that he never existed. Forget about his girlfriend, his parents, his brother. Act like the editorials he would write in the school newspaper, the demons he’s helped us kill, the support he’s shown us all was all just fiction.

MIKE

Tyler…

TYLER

OK. We can do that. We can do that. I mean, I did that with Abby. She’s dead too, right? Even though I just saw her two weeks ago, trying to kill my sister. She never existed either. And neither did Sean. And what about Allyson? Will there be a day in which I’ll wake up and realize she was just a dream? Who next, Lisa? You?

MIKE

Tyler, you’re being melodramatic.

TYLER

I’m not being melodramatic. I’m agreeing with you.

MIKE

Tyler, all I’m saying is, Sean was a distraction for us. We’ve bailed him out on countless occasions and that’s not your job, Tyler. Now, at least he’s Abby’s distraction. He’s the hero, Tyler. Sean is.

TYLER (after a moment)

Sean was a distraction.

MIKE

I didn’t mean it like that.

TYLER

There’s no other way to mean it.

LISA

Dad, you’re being a little too callous—

TYLER

I’m surprised you even know what that word means, Lisa. Wasn’t it you telling me just a few hours ago that I wasn’t a hero?

LISA

Tyler!

MIKE

Then she was right.

LISA

Dad! (Takes a moment, sighs) Tyler, you’re not a hero. But you do have a duty to your friends. Dad, Sean was more than a distraction. He was part of this team.

TYLER (Simultaneously) MIKE

Oh you are such a hypocrite— Lisa, there’s nothing we can do—

LISA (shouting)

QUIET! (Silence) Just… Quiet. Ugh, I am sick of you men and your emotional issues! Do me a favor and sort them out without me! I have no idea where either of you stand, but here’s my position. I loved Sean—Yes, Tyler, I did—and I am not a hypocrite. I… I didn’t want him involved specifically because I loved him. And I stand by what I said before. This world is cold and cruel and nothing you do will change that. But it’s people like Sean who make it a little more bearable. And to sit here and pretend he doesn’t matter, another victim in the war to protect the stones, that’s an insult to him.

MIKE

Lisa, we can’t have double standards like that. Sean was just another civilian—

TYLER

Is.

MIKE

What?

TYLER

All this talking in the past tense is making me nauseous. (to Lisa) You love Sean. (to Mike) Sean is a civilian. None of this “Sean was” stuff. I’m not ready to make Sean “Sean-ed.”

LISA

“Sean-ed?”

TYLER

“ED”. A suffix for most verbs to make them past tense.

LISA

I hate educated people.

TYLER

At least you didn’t say “hated.”

Silence.

TYLER

I’m going home.

MIKE

Tyler, we should talk about Marian—

TYLER

She’ll still be in the same position tomorrow. And so will we.

Tyler exits. There’s silence as Lisa stares at Mike.

LISA

I’m going to my room to do a mental sweep of the city. Don’t tell me not to.

Lisa exits. Mike sighs and hides his face in his hands.

11.EXT. NORTHGATE MALL

Audra and Jordan walk out of the theater, laughing.

AUDRA

I love Jim Carrey.

JORDAN

Aw, yeah…

AUDRA

Thanks Jordan, I haven’t laughed like that since Sean and I had that fight.

JORDAN

Well I’m glad I could help. (Checks watch.) Ooh, I should get home, do you want me to drop you—

AUDRA (grabbing his arm)

No! I mean… Stay. With me. Just a little longer. We can talk. About… Sean.

JORDAN

As riveting as that conversation sounds, I should—

AUDRA (quickly)

Then we’ll talk about whatever you want to talk about! Please, Jordan, don’t leave me alone.

Jordan pauses a moment, then smiles at her.

JORDAN

Alright, Princess, whatever you say.

He walks towards his car, expecting Audra to follow, but she stares after him a moment.

AUDRA

Sean used to call me that…

12.INT. RICHARD’S KITCHEN (Next Morning)

Allyson is sitting at the kitchen table playing with stale cornflakes when Tyler walks in.

ALLYSON (looking up at him)

Oh thank God! You have to get me out of here, Tyler, Uncle Richard is driving me insane! Oh, first, make me breakfast, this stuff is gross.

Tyler doesn’t reply. He opens the fridge, takes out a carton of milk, and drinks out of it.

TYLER

I don’t think so, Allyson. Not today.

ALLYSON

Tyler, I have fought demons, summoned ghosts, turned the world upside down and back again, and you still don’t—

TYLER

Sean’s missing.

Silence.

ALLYSON

Oh.

TYLER

We found his car wrecked yesterday, the breaks cut. We think Abby took him.

Silence.

ALLYSON

Well… What’s the team gonna do about it?

Tyler walks to the window by the sink and looks out at the garden. Angle: View from outside looking in at Tyler, who looks defeated, Allyson eagerly awaiting an answer behind him. Tyler sighs and turns around, his face inscrutable again.

TYLER

Nothing.

ALLYSON

I’m sorry, my ears are tired from listening to Richard complain all night, I could have sworn you said—

TYLER

They say he’s dead.

ALLYSON (after a moment)

… Is he?

TYLER

No.

ALLYSON

Then what’s keeping you from finding him?

Tyler doesn’t answer. Instead, he grabs his coat and walks out. Allyson runs after him.

ALLYSON (calling after him on the porch)

Hey! Come on, Tyler, I fought with that guy! Don’t leave me out of the loop! Tyler? TYLER!!!

13.EXT. THE PIER

Music: “Am I Wrong” by Brand New. Tyler is looking out at the water, at his usual spot. He looks up at the sky, then looks away. Angle change to behind him, approaching him. All of a sudden, he spins around… to see no one there. He shakes it off, feeling stupid and climbs in his car. Pan right and cut to Lisa’s bedroom, still panning right to show her meditating on her bed and getting nowhere. Continue to pan right until we reach her wall and see the living room where Mike had fallen asleep on the couch over his books. He stirs, as if suddenly awakened from a nightmare and looks around desperately. Realizing it’s nothing, he leans back and rubs his eyes again. Cut to Sean, drenched in sweat. A light appears above him, bathing him in morning. He looks up at it a moment in wonder, then squints and tries to shy away from it. Cut to a shot of Jordan’s radio as he turns down the music. Fade song but still playing under dialogue.

14.INT. JORDAN’S CAR

Jordan and Audra are muddy and laughing, driving on a country road, surrounded by golden wheat fields. We can see an animal trailer through his back window.

JORDAN

I can not believe we just did that!

AUDRA

It’s not my fault he backed out on the deal! I paid for that cow!

JORDAN

Just goes to show you can’t trust a farmer from Pullman.

AUDRA

I can’t believe you pushed me in the mud!

JORDAN

The guy was coming around the corner, I had to get you out of sight!

AUDRA (arrogantly)

You just wanted to see me all muddy! What a guy.

JORDAN (agape)

If I recall, you pulled me down with you!

AUDRA

You were the nearest thing next to the cow, and do you think I’d grab that to keep from falling?

JORDAN

I can’t believe we just stole a cow.

AUDRA

It’ll be worth it to see my mom trying to explain how a stolen cow with her name on it got in the middle of her country club golf course!

JORDAN
With the extra bonus of seeing her face when she sees what you’ve done to her car, right?

AUDRA

Oh, you catch on quick.

15.INT. RIVERS RESIDENCE

Music is still playing under dialogue. Mike lets Tyler in. Mike looks tired too, as though his sleep had been restless. Tyler watches him a moment. Fade music out.

MIKE

You’ll want to help Lisa. She’s in her room.

He starts to walk back towards the couch.

TYLER

Actually, I wanted to talk to you.

Mike stops, his back to him. Angle: We see Mike’s face, looking worn. He rubs the sleep from his eyes.

MIKE

What is it, now, 4:00? (He sighs). And I still can’t shake the nightmares. (He walks to the couch. Tyler follows.) Twenty-two years ago, my brother Danny and I were kings of chaos. And then, we both met a girl.

TYLER

Lisa never said anything about an uncle.

MIKE (quietly)

She doesn’t know. (Silence. He looks up at Tyler, coming to his senses.) Danny was the Guardian in my day. And I was his best friend. He told me everything… I thought it was much more interesting than racing dirt bikes. We killed demons like it was just another thing to do on a Friday night. We were young. Idealistic. We thought we could save the world… We saved her. From a Kreech. Danny said she had a Stone… But then we made a mistake. We both loved her a little too much. And when she was taken from us, we became angry. We made brash decisions. By the time we got there, she was dead. (Pause. Looks up at Tyler.) Do you see, now, why I tell you to let it be? I learned the hard way to be cautious, Tyler. You can’t save Sean.

TYLER

That’s what you think.

16.INT. LISA’S BEDROOM

Transition scene: We see the city from a bird’s eye view fly by beneath us. All of a sudden, we hear Tyler’s voice.

TYLER

Lise?

Zoom in on Lisa’s eyes as they snap open. Zoom out to see her on her bed. She looks over at Tyler.

TYLER

Any luck?

LISA

It’s no use, I can’t find him anywhere.

TYLER

How long have you been looking?

LISA

Since last night.

TYLER

Lie down, get some sleep.

He tries to walk over and encourage her to sleep, but she refuses.

LISA

No… No. I have to keep looking. He’s out there somewhere. He has to be. I mean, if he’s not… Oh God, Tyler, what if he’s not out there?

TYLER

He is there. We’ll find him.

LISA (quietly)

I just don’t know, Tyler. It’s almost like he was never here in the first place. I can’t… There’s no trace of him, not anywhere in the city.

TYLER

Then we’ll have to expand our parameters.

LISA

Tyler, it will take me weeks to even work up the strength to search outside the city, and even then, I’ll need a few more days to explore it. I can’t do this, Tyler, not on my own.

TYLER

I’ll help you.

LISA

We’ve barely touched mental probing.

TYLER

I don’t care. We can—

LISA

Tyler! Maybe we just need to accept the fact that Sean could be—

TYLER

Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.

LISA
Well why not? We’re all thinking it!

TYLER

Sean is not dead. Abby wouldn’t do that.

LISA

“Abby” was ready to throw your baby sister into the Puget Sound! Tyler, that’s not Abby! You know that, now use it! It is a Kreech. Why do we keep calling it by a name we used to call a friend?

TYLER

Because there’s nothing else to call it! Lisa, I don’t care what its name is, I don’t care about its agenda or the fact that its gone bonkers, I just care about seeing it dead!

There is silence a moment.

TYLER

You just called Abby your friend.

LISA

… A friend. But yeah, she wasn’t so bad.

TYLER

Do you always connect with people after they die?

LISA

Well, I do happen to have a close, personal relationship with my mother.

Tyler raises an eyebrow.

17.EXT. RICHARD’S PORCH

We see Tyler get out of his car. Allyson is swinging on the broken porch swing as Tyler runs up the steps.

ALLYSON

Where’d you go?

TYLER (looking tired, runs a hand through his hair)

The Pier. She… No one was there.

ALLYSON (missing his meaning)

Yeah, it’s not so crowded on Sundays…

TYLER

Right… Right.

ALLYSON

So tell me about Sean. (Tyler begins to protest, Allyson interjects.) No, don’t you dare. You need to talk to someone. Honestly.

Tyler smiles sadly, sits down, and begins. As he speaks, we do not hear his words, as “Be Like That” by 3 doors down starts. Zoom out on Richard’s porch. Fade onto Mike, looking at an old photo album. He stops on a picture of him and a man we haven’t seen before, a boy with lighter hair, his brother Danny, who has him in a head lock as they stand next to a Harley Davidson. He puts his fingers on Danny’s face. Fade on photo to Lisa in her room, getting fed up with meditation and throwing down her crystals until they shatter. She looks at them a moment, taking deep breaths. She bursts in to tears. Pan left to the wall, which turns into the dividing ‘wall’ between Lisa’s bedroom and Audra’s classroom as she daydreams out the window. Focus on her paper, a letter, addressed “Dear Sean,” in fancy calligraphy with only three words, in large letters on the page: “WHERE ARE YOU?” Cut to Tyler flipping pancakes for his sister, who catches them on a plate. On the table is a book of spells and papers, along with a map which Tyler and Allyson quickly turn back to as they eat their pancakes. Close on the book. Fade to an image of a similar book on Lisa’s bed, which she picks up and puts on her shelf, hesitating. She looks over at her bedside table, where a picture of herself, Sean and Tyler is. Walking over, she turns it around. Fade to Mike, making notes from books, a big picture of Marian sprawled across the table. Fade to Audra, playing with her pink fluffy pen, and staring at the phone. Looking at her watch, she notices it’s turned midnight, and puts another tally mark in a column “days since Sean called.” Fade music to silence. Audra sighs.

18.INT. OLD WINDWARD HOUSE

Set same as before. Light is shining through the window in the ceiling. Sean is in his chair, trying to look up at the light, sweat soaking his greasy hair, the wounds on his shoulders turning purple and unpleasant. The wounds on his back have scabbed and the dry blood from before flakes off his back. He has various other bruises on his chest and arms, from blunt force traumas. His lip is cut and swollen. It appears as though he’s been here for days. Abby enters. Sean does not move.

SEAN

You’re back.

ABBY (in mock disappointment)

What, no clever quip for me? Come on, jester, say something amusing.

Sean remains silent. She walks over and cracks her whip, making him jump, but he doesn’t look up.

ABBY

When I demand it, you obey, slave!

SEAN

I… I can’t think of anything.

Abby looks up at the blue sky, then back at Sean.

ABBY

It is noon again. What about a joke about the sunlight that burns your skin? Are you warm?

SEAN

Please just stop.

ABBY

No? Then a remark on how the hours you have lost have seemed like a party.

SEAN

Is it… I mean… How long?

ABBY

Need you really bother yourself with this trivial information?

SEAN

It feels like I’ve been in this sun for…

ABBY

Windward has this interesting mirror trick, it’s astounding! The window moves according to the sun, and the mirror just beneath it directs it to shine on you. Although now, it happens to be noon, and little maneuvering is necessary…

SEAN (uninterested in reality)

… Perpetual noon… the window constantly right above me… A moving house, a melting time frame… some perverse Salvador Dali painting.

ABBY

Now you speak my language. I was focusing more on a “Pit and the Pendulum” feel. But perhaps I need a pendulum to complete the effect.

Abby walks over to her table and sets a metronome. Its ticks echo in the house.

ABBY

Mm, yes, a rhythm to work by.

She walks to a space by the table where there is a pail. She moves it to Sean and sets it by his feet. He makes a half-hearted attempt to look inside.

SEAN

I have a feeling this won’t be fun.

ABBY

Ah, your humor has returned, good. It means there is still life I have to take from you… (She stops and looks at his face, almost sympathizing. She looks as though she is about to hug him, but then her demeanor changes and she becomes angry.) Now don’t give me that! I have been treating you quite well here. This is the only way… The only way to get you and your pathetic friends off my mind!

She turns away and pulls at her hair.

ABBY

What madness still lives inside my skull??? It was better for a while, hurting you seemed to hurt it, but it returns! I must kill it! Make it suffer! Make you suffer!

She turns around and grabs Sean’s bare feet and shoves them in the water. She leans on his knees as he squirms to take his feet out. He struggles a moment, trying to bear the pain, and then screams.

ABBY

I bet you’ve been aching for ice for days now! And now that you have it, it burns! Irony is such a fun tool… (As she watches him struggle, a look of concern crosses her features. She touches his cheek as a tear streams down it and licks the saline from her finger. He struggles a little longer, splashing ice and water all over. She rises and Sean kicks the bucket over, letting white ice, slush and water pour out, his feet bright red.) This is strange… Your pain bothers me… Why? Your pain should sooth the madness, not encourage it! No! Make a joke, jester, I command you now!

SEAN (shaking)

Two men walk into a bar. They each order the exact same drink, no differences. Scotch on the rocks. One man drinks it fast. The other, slow. The latter dies… Why?

ABBY
This is no joke, it is a riddle, like the madness! Tell another!

SEAN

Poison in the ice seeped into his drink, slowly twisting his body until he died.

ABBY

This does not amuse me.

SEAN

Don’t you get it, Chuck? You ordered a scotch on the rocks. You just took too long to drink it.

Abby knees him in the ribs.

ABBY

I tire of this. I will return later. Windward! Lights out!

As the window disappears, we hear Sean’s heavy breathing and the slow tick of the metronome…

19.INT. CLASSROOM

Audra is daydreaming in English. She looks over at Sean and Tyler’s seats, both of which are empty. She sighs. All of a sudden, she raises her hand.

TEACHER

Yes, Ms Ellis?

AUDRA

How many classes has Sean Baxter missed this week?

TEACHER

Audra, please ask a question related to Jane Eyre.

AUDRA

OK. Is it true she was a lesbian?

20.INT. AUDRA’S BEDROOM

JORDAN

So you asked if she was a lesbian?

AUDRA

What? She told me to ask something relevant, how did I know it was a book???

JORDAN

Audra, if you just paid attention in class, you wouldn’t have these problems.

AUDRA

I’ve always been bad at names. My forte is in other things. Like sabotage and shopping!

JORDAN

And we admire you for it. Maybe you could use all this extra time to help boost your grades.

AUDRA
Why? Daddy has a whole dorm named after him over at the University, it’ll be no problem getting in there.

JORDAN

You’ve never really been pushed to get good grades, have you?

AUDRA

My parents figured it was just a formality. A tradition that had to be observed.

JORDAN
Well… Maybe you could get something out of this formality. So let’s start with the basic question. Have you read Jane Eyre?

AUDRA

If I had, do you think I’d have asked if she was a lesbian?

JORDAN

So lets start there. Read Jane Eyre. I don’t know, I think you’d like it.

AUDRA

Jane Austin doesn’t interest me.

JORDAN
Audra, it’s written by Charlotte Bronte.

AUDRA

Oh.

JORDAN (to encourage her)

But you’re doing better! Jane Austin was a writer from the same period—people often get her and the Bronte sisters confused.

AUDRA

How can you know so much about this stuff and not be a fruit?

JORDAN (glaring)

Just read the book, would you? It’ll take your mind off… other things…

AUDRA

Ten bucks says those other things is one thing: Sean.

JORDAN

Twenty says my solution will work.

AUDRA

I don’t know, Jordan… I mean, he hasn’t been in school… he hasn’t called… It’s like he’s avoiding me! And I don’t take to people avoiding me! That’s not something I just forget.

JORDAN

Tyler says he’s gone back to Switzerland for a while.

AUDRA

When did you talk to Tyler?

JORDAN

OK, Tyler’s sister says he’s gone to Switzerland. I called the Reeds yesterday. But she heard it from Tyler.

AUDRA

Let me get this straight… I heard from you, who heard over the phone from Tyler’s sister, who heard from Tyler, who heard from Sean that Sean has gone to Switzerland… Why the heck didn’t he tell me, the slimeball!

JORDAN

This doesn’t mean—

AUDRA

Oh it is so over!

Silence a moment.

JORDAN

So now what do you want to—

AUDRA
Wanna talk about Sean some more?

JORDAN

OK.

21.INT. RIVERS LIVINGROOM

Mike is on the phone.

MIKE

Yeah, Simon, a Kreech… Simon, what, you know I don’t speak—Hey! I don’t know what you just said, but it better not—What? Yeah, she’s fine… In her room searching for the boy’s mind signature with the Guardian… Nah, she wouldn’t do anything stupid like that… What’s my fault? Hey, it’s not my fault she got her mother’s magic, OK, I can’t help it! You remember her as a kid, had to take her out of school because she was so reckless with her—What? I resent that! Danny and I were never that reckless, she has her own—THERE’S THAT WORD AGAIN WHAT DOES IT MEAN, SIMON????

TYLER (entering, wondering if he should laugh or be worried)

Um, having trouble, Mike?

Mike holds up a finger to shush Tyler.

MIKE

I know, Simon… I know. So is there any other reason you called, aside from to criticize me? Oh… Well now, that is interesting. Who is it?... Really, he’s there with you? Send him down... Yeah... OK, I’ll tell him. Thanks. Bye.

Mike hangs up and looks at Tyler.

MIKE

That was my friend, Simon.

TYLER

The wizard?

MIKE

The same.

TYLER

What’d he say?

MIKE

Remember that spell we set up a while ago? The one to track the stones?

TYLER

Yeah.

MIKE

Well, it has hold of Allyson, Jordan and Marian and where they are, but the Courage Stone, the red one, has been AWOL for a while, like it’s been flying around looking for a host… Like it’s running out.

TYLER

It can do that?

MIKE

We’re not sure. It’s never happened before. But that thing has been the most elusive one, hasn’t it? They all want courage, honor, like that means anything. Personally, I’d rather be like Little Reed and have the Wisdom Stone. Idiots.

TYLER

Mike, the stone—

MIKE

Yeah, right, sorry. The thing is, it’s been slipping in and out of bodies lately like an uncatchable fish. Maybe it’s running out of places to swim. Anyway, Simon’s magic located it. A guy in London.

TYLER

London???

MIKE

The stones are rarely on the same continent, Tyler. I mean, damn, I’d never seen two in the same country without a Guardian to watch over them until I met you. Something’s going down, Tyler, the Stones seem to be gravitating towards each other, towards union… Towards Marian. The Courage Stone seems to be the one that’s rebelling, though, ending up in England… Better to have them all under your watchful eye. Anyway, Simon’s calling this kid, a student of his, oddly enough, and sending him down our way. Now I want you—

TYLER (all of a sudden, realizing what Mike is doing.)

No.

MIKE

Tyler, listen, the stones are your first priority, you can—

TYLER (more adamantly)

No! Mike… I have to find Sean.

MIKE

Sean is dead.

TYLER

Don’t mess with me, Mike, I’m the Guardian.

MIKE
And I’m the guy who taught you all you know! Threats don’t work on me, Tyler.

TYLER

Don’t stand in my way. I’m going to—

MIKE

He’s dead Tyler! It’s nearly been a week and we haven’t found anything on him! Lisa’s been working her ass off, not even coming out to talk to me anymore, you coming here hourly to ask her what she’s found isn’t helping, and our energies really should be focused elsewhere—

TYLER

I DON’T CARE!!! I don’t care about the stupid stones! I don’t care about demons or fighting anymore, Mike! Not without him…

Tyler leaves, angrily.

22.INT. THE OLD WINDWARD HOUSE

Set same as before. Abby stands before a worn Sean, who is still seated, his arms tied to the wrought iron chair. He is leaning forward, held back by his rope binds, his head bent. She is holding a rusty knife and looking fascinated.

ABBY

I am no fool. I know the uses of all the new modern instruments these days. You only need to look at the lye burns on your skin to realize that I am not old fashioned. But I must say, I’ve always had a fondness for blades. Do you like knives?

Sean makes no sound to show he’s heard her as his head lolls. She gets angry and slaps him across the face, drawing blood. He spits it out and glares up at her.

ABBY

Answer me when I talk to you!

SEAN

You’re sick.

Abby smiles and draws back, taking off her sweater to reveal a low cut top beneath, her midriff showing.

ABBY

You sound so angry when you say that... (she looks down at her body, then up at Sean). I’m sorry. Did you like her? Yes, she was a sweet young thing. A bit of a whiney coward, but she did have heart.

Sean turns away, unable to listen.

ABBY

Does it bother you to hear? (She approaches him and puts one foot up between his legs. She leans in to whisper in his ear) Did this thing appeal to you? This body?

SEAN (through gritted teeth, unable to look at her)

She was my friend. And you killed her.

Abby grabs his chin and forces him to look at her. She kisses him fiercely, then throws him away, looking distraught. She backs away, looking at Sean disgusted.

ABBY