full moon fever vlkodlak (pilot) written by doug · pdf filefull moon fever "vlkodlak...

FULL MOON FEVER

"Vlkodlak (pilot)"

written by

Doug Molitor

Doug Molitor(626) 840-0153 [email protected] Reg. Apr 04, 2012

FULL MOON FEVER

FADE IN:

INT. TOMB - NIGHT - BEGIN IN PITCH BLACKNESS

NARRATOR (V.O.)1921, the Valley of the Kings. Professor Colin Bramwell located the tomb of the Pharaoh Mentuhotep.

A CRACK OF LIGHT. Crowbars pry open a stone door. BRAMWELL, 55, British, and FLETCHER, 39, American, enter with lanterns.

NARRATOR (V.O.)He was said to be a sorcerer of fearful power, so for four thousand years, his tomb had lain untouched.

The men remove the SARCOPHAGUS LID and set it down. Inside is a perfectly preserved MUMMY, with a gold neckpiece.

FLETCHERSolid gold. It’s magnificent!

Bramwell moves Fletcher’s arm with the lantern higher.

BRAMWELLNot surprising. The scrolls speak of Mentuhotep’s great vanity. And he was a handsome fellow. But look at these hieroglyphics, Fletcher.

(moving his finger along)“My curse...upon the mortal...who dares touch...my royal person.”

(smiles)I daresay the museum will be exceedingly grateful for this find.

FLETCHERTwenty years we’ve slaved for them. What gratitude did they ever show?

BRAMWELLWhat are you saying?

FLETCHERI know a collector who’d pay a million dollars for this piece.

BRAMWELL(pauses, offended)

We will forget that you ever said that. This belongs to posterity.

Bramwell bends over the mummy. Fletcher raises his crowbar and BRAINS Bramwell. Then Fletcher puts his hands on the neckpiece. It won’t come off, so he YANKS IT HARD.

The MUMMY’S HEAD COMES OFF, and rolls to a stop near Bramwell’s body. Fletcher laughs, a bit manic.

FLETCHERDon’t look so handsome now, do you?

Deep within the mummy’s withered eye sockets, a RED GLOW.

Fletcher bends over the headless mummy, looking for more gold. He doesn’t see the millennia-old fingers stir...flex ...the arm move...till it GRABS HIS THROAT in a grip of iron.

His lantern hits the floor and goes out. BLACKNESS. A SCREAM.

NARRATOR (V.O.)The next day, another Egyptologist entered the tomb.

INT. TOMB - A DAY LATER

The EGYPTOLOGIST enters with a torch. He reacts to Bramwell lying dead by the mummy skull. He turns to the sarcophagus. Torchlight reveals the neckpiece back where it belongs, but he gasps at what the torch reveals, atop the mummy’s neck...

NARRATOR (V.O.)He found that the mummy wasn’t the only one who had...lost his head!

Eyes wide, jaw agape, Fletcher’s head, torn from his body.

CHILDREN (O.S.)(gasps and screams)

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY (THE PRESENT)

In a room with paper-pumpkin decor, scared KINDERGARTNERS huddle on a mat, wide-eyed with fear.

Their narrator, DRAKE CALLAHAN, 26, handsome in a brainy-slacker way...can see he went a tad too far.

Full Moon Fever - pilot 2.

DRAKENow, now, come on, kids, it’s just a story. You asked for a scary one.

SCARED KINDERGARTNER Not that scary! I hate story time!

At the door stand DR. BENSON, the hawk-beaked principal, glaring, and NICOLE FINLEY, 23, lovely...and mortified.

DR. BENSONMr. Callahan, may I speak to you?

DRAKEOkay, everyone lie down, naptime.

SCARED KINDERGARTNERI’m never gonna sleep again!

Drake comes over to the doorway.

DR. BENSONAnd you are never going to substitute here again.

DRAKEThey asked for a Halloween story.

DR. BENSONYour job is to teach them to count and to finger paint, not to have nightmares or to wet their pants.

DRAKEYou ever see “The Wizard of Oz”? What is it you remember from that movie? How scary the Witch w...

He trails off, just now noticing Dr. Benson’s strong resemblance to Margaret Hamilton.

NICOLEDrake’s a scholar. He knows so much about ancient religions.

DRAKEThe story was based on historical research. It’s all true. Except for the mummy coming back to life and killing a guy.

DR. BENSONThen write horror stories for adults instead of scaring children!


DRAKEFunny you should say that.

Drake reaches into his briefcase, and offers her a copy of “The Monster Man, by Drake Callahan” with a lurid dustjacket of a zombie silhouette lumbering out of a graveyard.

DRAKE (CONT’D)Because I am a writer. See? My first novel. With my compliments.

(beat)I’d be happy to sign it...

Dr. Benson ignores the gift, doing a slow burn.

INT. CAR/EXT. APARTMENT BLDG (HOLLYWOOD HILLS) - NIGHT

A full moon rising. Drake and Nicole are parked by the sign RIDGEVIEW APARTMENTS. Nicole is upset.

DRAKENicole, I won’t lose my job. I can teach at other schools.

NICOLEIf Dr. Benson makes enough trouble, you won’t teach at reform school.

DRAKEThey still have those?

NICOLEI want to start a family. I can’t support us both.

DRAKEYou won’t have to. I won’t be a sub much longer. I’ll find a real publisher. Have faith in me.

NICOLEDrake, I have so much faith in you.

She looks at him, helpless, loving. He kisses her. She kisses back. He kisses back, back. And so on. They’re going to steam up the windshield. Then she pulls back.

NICOLE (CONT’D)Um, speaking of faith...

DRAKEBabe, we’ll be married in a week. What’s a week one way or the other?


NICOLEI saved myself for you all my life. Can’t you last another week?

DRAKE(with effort)

Yeah. Sure. It’s just a week.

NICOLEI love you.

She puts her hand to his cheek - we see her engagement ring with its blue sapphire. She kisses him. It’s quite a kiss.

DRAKEOkay...c’mon...that’s enough...if you want me to wait a week.

Nicole stops. She opens her door.

NICOLEWalk me to the door?

DRAKE(looks at his lap)

That would be awkward.

NICOLE(chuckles, fondly)

Poor Drake. It’ll be worth it.

Someone...something...watches from the bushes as Nicole gets out of the car and uses her key to open the lobby door.

Once she’s inside, Drake drives off.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT (FIVE MINUTES LATER)

Nicole emerges in running clothes, iPod in her ears. She walks toward a hillside covered with blue wildflowers.

Something is still watching her.

Nicole stops by an old stone lamppost and stretches. Then something steps RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. She gasps, frightened.

NICOLEOh, my God!

(yanks out her earbuds)You scared the life out of me!

OFFICER REYES, 25, points to a newsrack by the lamppost.


OFF. REYESLady, don’t you read the papers? You shouldn’t be out walking alone.

NICOLEThanks. But I’m not alone...

(touches her crucifix)And I’m not walking.

Nicole puts her earbuds in and runs off, up a narrow dirt trail through the BLUE MONKSHOOD FLOWERS.

Officer Reyes watches her go, shaking his head. He turns and heads to his car. He never makes it.

A huge SHAPE leaps on him, jaws agape. We hear his SCREAM, flesh and bones RENDING, as it drags him into the dark brush.

Blood SPLATTERS onto a newsrack with that morning’s Times: “POLICE ON ALERT FOR FULL MOON KILLER/9 Slain in 3 Months.”

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER


ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. DRAKE’S GUEST HOUSE - DAY (NEXT MORNING)

Someone is walking up a driveway, past a fenced, kidney-shaped pool with a diving board, to an old guest cottage...

INT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - DAY

A one-room studio. Every surface is piled or hung with books, maps, posters, artifacts...and an accordion(!) Drake sleepily goes to answer the sharp RAPPING on his door.

LISA (O.S.)LAPD! Open up!

DRAKEIt’s six AM. Go screw yourself.

He opens the door, to reveal DET. LISA CHEN, 26 -- pretty, athletic, real Alpha female, wearing her badge on her belt.

LISAGuess you’d be the expert on that. Cheer up, just six more days till the honeymoon.

Lisa breezes in, hands him a cup of Starbucks.

DRAKEThanks for the coffee and sympathy.

LISAHow’s Nicole holding out?

DRAKEYou mean, holding up?

LISA(dryly)

Sure, that’s what I meant. (as he peels back the lid)

I already put in the milk. No sugar. Right?

(scans the room)Dang, did this place get smaller?

DRAKEI brought in more books. What do you want, Lisa?


LISATo throw some paid work your way. Consulting on a case. If you’re not too busy with your book tour.

DRAKEActually, I have a book signing at six at Broman’s, so...

LISAGood. So you’re free this morning.

DRAKELove to trip me up, don’t you? This is why you can’t keep a partner.

LISAIt’s a homicide. A cop. We found him by Ridgeview Apartments.

DRAKEThat’s Nicole’s building!

Alarmed, Drake grabs a jacket. Lisa hands him an LAPD VISITOR ID TAG.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

Yellow tape, cop cars, attendants carrying a bodybag from the bloodstained spot where the policeman fell. Lisa interviews a shook-up Nicole. Drake stands by, wearing his ID TAG.

LISAAnd you didn’t hear anything?

NICOLEI had my music on, and came back on the other side of the building. I had no idea he was --

She trails off with a shudder. Lisa hands her a card.

LISAIn case you lost my number. If you think of anything, call me.

Nicole looks at a pair of NEIGHBORS ten yards away - big burly RALPH, and meek wife ALICE with her BRUISED CHEEK.

NICOLEI called you guys last week when Ralph hit Alice. No one came.


LISAI said call me, Nicole. I’ll come.

NICOLEOkay. Don’t be too long, honey?

Nicole kisses Drake, and heads back inside.

DRAKEBe with you in a sec.

(to Lisa)I don’t see how I can help you, Lisa. This looks like a wild animal attack. Coyote, maybe.

She points at a BLOODY PAWPRINT on the sidewalk by the trail.

LISAThis is bigger than any coyote. And why do we find only rear pawprints?

DRAKEThat is weird.

LISANicole was closer, and smaller. Easier prey. So why attack Officer Reyes instead of her?

DRAKEI’m no animal expert. What I know is cults and black magic.

LISAThat’s why I asked for you. Listen.

Lisa pulls out her BlackBerry and taps a button.

MALE VOICE (V.O., PHONE CALL)I didn’t want to kill him. But I saw the pentagram in his hand.

CLICK. The line goes dead. Lisa STOPS the playback.

LISAWe get one of these pentagram calls after each Full Moon killing. So this could be...what? Satanists?

DRAKEDoubt it. No sign of a ritual, like a Black Mass. However...


Drake walks a few steps up the trail and picks a blue flower. He hands it to Lisa with a flourish.

LISAWhat’s this? Aren’t you engaged?

DRAKEAconite. Also known as monkshood, or wolfbane. Supposed to ward off wolves. Nicole ran through it. But your killer chose not to.

LISAOkay. And the pentagram?

Drake takes a pen and draws a five-sided star on his palm.

DRAKE “The Wolf Man”, 1941. Lon Chaney Junior would see it in his victim’s palm.

LISAYou’re not suggesting we’re dealing with the Wolf Man?

DRAKEGrow up. This is a lycanthrope. A psychotic serial killer who thinks he’s a wolf. So he avoids wolfbane.

LISAAnd what made the pawprints?

DRAKEThese guys tend to collect wolf pelts and other body parts. They believe it helps them transform.

DRAKE (CONT’D)(looks o.s.)

I should get back to Nicole. But I’ll e-mail you some links.

Lisa nods. Drake heads into Nicole's building.

LISAThanks, Drake. You da monster man.

She sniffs the wolfbane flower, smiles enigmatically.


INT. BROMAN’S BOOK STORE - NIGHT

A card reads “Meet Drake Callahan, ‘The Monster Man’ - Author Signing, 6-8 PM.’

There’s a long, long line of FANS clutching books; the line snakes to the table where Drake sits with books ready to sign and sell...the line PASSES HIM BY...and continues on to...

A SECOND TABLE with another card: “Meet Peter Zaar, the Dean of Horror Novelists, 4-6 PM.”

PETER ZAAR, 41, tall, dark and a handsome devil, signs a copy for GEEKY FAN, 22. Zaar checks the clock - almost six.

As the Geeky Fan moves on, Nicole buttonholes him.

NICOLEHave you read “The Monster Man”?

GEEKY FANNo. I thought I had all of Zaar’s titles. Is that new?

NICOLE(points out Drake)

It’s by Drake Callahan. He’s great.

At the mention of Drake, Zaar’s ears prick up.

GEEKY FANMaybe. But Zaar writes so fast it’s all I can do to keep up with him.

The Geeky Fan turns back to eavesdrop on the master.

ODETTA BROMAN, 55, black, no-nonsense but maternal, comes up to Drake’s table. Drake’s talking to a pretty YOUNG WOMAN.

DRAKEIt’s just across from the elevator.

The Young Woman nods and leaves, without a book.

MRS. BROMANHow many have you sold?

DRAKEWell, if you buy one...one.

MRS. BROMANPeter leaves at six. You can catch the overflow from his signing.

(re Nicole)


(MORE)

That girlfriend of yours...real supportive. You’re a lucky man. You’d best marry her fast.

DRAKEIf I could speed it up, I would.

Nicole comes over.

NICOLEDrake, you met Peter Zaar when you were in college. You should say hi.

DRAKEExcept, Zaar and I did more than just meet.

INT. LECTURE HALL - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

SUPER TITLE: “SEVEN YEARS AGO.” Lit by a SPOTLIGHT in the dark, Zaar (then 34) takes questions from the audience.

ZAARYes?

Drake, then 19 (long hair, braces, nervous) comes to the mic.

DRAKEHuge fan, Mr. Zaar. Um, in your first story, “Death By Silver,” Jack loses his gun, then kills the werewolf with a gun a cop dropped. But since the cop didn’t believe in werewolves, he wouldn’t have had silver bullets in his gun. Right?

Zaar pauses, thinking back. Damn. The kid’s right. LAUGHS and some SARCASTIC SLOW CLAPS from the audience. Zaar fumes.

ZAARWhat’s your name?

DRAKE(voice cracking)

Drake...Drake Callahan.

ZAARAre you a writer, Drake Callahan?

DRAKEYes, sir. I mean...


MRS. BROMAN (CONT'D)

ZAARWell, you ought to know the silver bullet was made up in 1941 for “The Wolf Man” by screenwriter Curt Siodmak. He borrowed it from vampire lore. Legends say a vampire must be destroyed by weapons of wood, or silver. But werewolves? You can kill them just like a real wolf. Tell me, Drake, do you know the two ways to become a vampire?

DRAKEExchange blood with one and...uh ...that’s the only one I know.

ZAARThere’s a second way, but I’ll let you look it up on your own.

(beat)I write horror, but I never condescend to it. For me, it’s real. If your idea of research ever gets past watching old flicks on TV, you might become a writer.

BIG LAUGH from the crowd. Drake blushes, embarrassed.

INT. BROMAN’S BOOK STORE - NIGHT (END FLASHBACK)

DRAKEOkay, so silver bullets aren’t in real werewolf legends. But that’s not how he wrote his story. Rather than admit a mistake, Zaar made me look like a dick.

NICOLEI know, and he fixed that mistake when he reissued the book. Honey, I’m sure he’s forgotten all that.

Zaar strolls by Peter’s table, with Fans trailing.

MRS. BROMANOh, Peter, this is Drake Callahan, a fellow author.

ZAARI’ve had the pleasure.

(shakes Nicole’s hand)But not this pleasure.


NICOLENicole Finley. Drake’s fiancee.

ZAARLucky him. And lucky you.

(picks up Drake’s book)Ah, the Narcissus Press. Very impressive binding. How much are they charging you a copy?

DRAKEI make a profit.

GEEKY FAN(stage whisper to friend)

Oh, Jeez, he’s self-published.

ZAARGood. What was it Mark Twain said about writing for free?

DRAKEIf no one offers you pay in three years, sawing wood is what you were intended for.

Zaar shakes Drake’s hand, feigning a friendly farewell.

ZAARWell, Drake, it’s been too long.

(pointedly)About seven years, right?

DRAKEThey just fly by when you’re not around.

Zaar exits chuckling. All his fans follow. Drake is fuming.

MAN (O.S.)Mr. Callahan? Would you mind signing this?

Drake turns with a relieved grin, vindicated...only to see a Narcissus Press DELIVERYMAN with two cartons of his “Monster Man” books on a handtruck, holding out a clipboard.

DELIVERYMANAnd...you have a check for me?

Drake pulls it out of his wallet, grinding his teeth.

DRAKEShould’ve e-published it.


EXT. BROMAN’S BOOK STORE - NIGHT

Mrs. Broman watches Drake load those same two full cartons into his open trunk. Nicole gets in the passenger side.

NICOLEGood night, Mrs. Broman.

MRS. BROMANGood night, dear. Drake, I’ll keep the rest of the copies. I have a feeling your sales will pick up.

DRAKEYeah, after that rave from the dean of horror novelists.

Drake slams his trunk and gets in the car.

MRS. BROMANDon’t despair, Drake. Every true author goes through this. But may I give you a word of advice?

(before he can say no)You are a better writer than Peter Zaar. You have an ear for how people really speak. So why not leave the horror stuff to him?

DRAKECause I like a good scare.

MRS. BROMANThen write about the scary things that happen to real people.

DRAKEMaybe I will. ‘Night, Mrs. B.

Drake drives off. Mrs. B turns to go - and runs into a HUGE BEAST. Her SHRIEK blends with its WOLF-HOWL as we FREEZE FRAME and

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE


ACT TWO

INT. CHURCH - DAY

A HIGH ORGAN BLAST. Organist MYRNA finishes her practice. Myrna nods to big, burly FATHER KEVIN, 26, as she gets up to go. Kevin’s in the front pew with Drake and Nicole.

MYRNAAll done, Father Kevin.

KEVINThanks, Myrna.

DRAKESo, Kevin...

KEVIN(sotto, as Myrna exits)

I’d prefer you call me Father Kevin in public, Drake.

DRAKEWhat the f--hell? We went all through school together. I’m six months older than you.

KEVINAnd I was still able to kick your --

Nicole clears her throat.

KEVIN (CONT’D)Well, that was a long time ago.

NICOLEWe need you to schedule Drake’s confirmation before the wedding.

KEVINNicole, could we have a minute?

Nicole shoots Drake a worried look. He nods, it’s okay.

NICOLEOkay. You boys play nice.

Nicole rises, crosses herself, and exits the church.

DRAKEI know what you’re going to say. But I want to do this confirmation.


KEVINYou didn’t at thirteen. You purposely skipped it. You were quite the atheist then as I recall.

DRAKEI’m not anymore. I’m more like an agnostic. Maybe even a Deist.

(off Kevin’s disapproval)This is so important to Nicole.

KEVINI want my sister to be happy. But this is about you declaring your faith in the Church. In my church.

DRAKEKevin, how do you keep your faith? Your mom, the sweetest lady anyone ever met, was struck by lightning. How am I supposed to put my faith in a God who does crap like that?

KEVINBy recognizing that you’re not God and you cannot understand His ways.

DRAKEOne thing I have absolute faith in: I love Nicole, and if I am lucky enough to marry her, then there must be a God. Isn’t that enough?

KEVIN(after a long beat)

I’m going to consider you a work in progress. I’ll see you on Sunday.

DRAKESunday. Right. We’ll be here.

To Drake’s embarrassment, his cell RINGS. Kevin frowns.

DRAKE (CONT’D)And this’ll be off.

(answers)What’s up, Lisa?

He listens, and reacts in shock.

EXT. BROMAN’S BOOK STORE - DAY

More cop cars, yellow tape, blood, and another bodybag.


DRAKEGod, I can’t believe it. I just talked to Mrs. B last night.

LISASeems you’re the last one who did.

LT. ED JAMES, 50, lean, a hardass, walks up to them.

LT. JAMESChen, who is this man?

LISALieutenant James, Drake Callahan... our consultant on lycanthropes.

LT. JAMESWell, Callahan, if our killer runs true to form, we have one more night before he vanishes for a month. What do you suggest?

DRAKE(still pretty shaken)

These killings occurred within a couple miles of each other. I’d pour a lot of cops into that area.

LT. JAMESWe did. One was killed before he could fire a shot. Anything else?

DRAKEKeep them in pairs?

LT. JAMESGood to know the department’s money is so well spent.

Lt. James gives Lisa a withering look and walks off.

LISAHe had to okay your fee. I could’ve used another wolfbane moment.

DRAKESorry, Lisa...I...that’s my friend in that bodybag.

He notices something in the planter. He pulls it out.

Odetta Broman’s business card, with a drop of blood on it. On the reverse, in handwriting: 2422 Hillcrest Drive.


DRAKE (CONT’D)Hey, Lisa, look at this.

Lt. James is suddenly at Drake’s side. Wearing a rubber glove. He takes the card from Drake.

LT. JAMESWe have rules about how to handle evidence, Mr. Callahan.

DRAKEI didn’t know it was evidence when I found it. And you’re welcome for the address.

LT. JAMES(reads the address)

Forget it, it’s a dead-end.

DRAKEWhat do you mean?

LT. JAMESI mean we’ll handle this, thanks.

DRAKELike you handled Larry Miles?

LT. JAMES(growing furious)

Get him out of here.

Lisa drags Drake away from Lt. James.

LISA(sotto)

The Miles case is a real sore point with James.

DRAKEIt oughta be! That billionaire bible-thumper stabs his wife, and the DNA evidence just happens to get lost by your lab?

LISAYou are way out of line!

DRAKEAll right, screw James. Aren’t you curious about that address?


LISA(holding her temper)

Drake...go home.

Drake walks off, shaking his head, fuming. He pulls out his pen and notebook and jots down: “2422 Hillcrest.”

EXT. HOUSE (HOLLYWOOD HILLS) - NIGHT

A dark street with few streetlamps. The moon hasn’t risen yet. Drake, dressed all in black like some leather-jacketed burglar, shines a flashlight on the curb. It reads 2422.

Headlights. Drake ducks behind a trash can. It’s a two-man police car. Once it’s gone Drake turns to the dark house. Wind blows. The door creaks open. He screws up his courage.

INT. HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT

Drake silently enters, sweeping the dark hall with his flashlight. He moves further inside. Outside, framed by the doorway, is the full moon, just peeping above the ridgeline.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

Drake’s flashlight beam picks out a bookcase crammed with musty volumes, dating back centuries. Mounted on the wall are antique weapons - a mace, a sword, a crossbow.

Drake hears something...a GROWL? He listens...nothing more.

Drake takes a step and bumps into something heavy. He flicks on a desk lamp to see a pair of tanks: acetylene and oxygen.

On the desk, a JEWELRY TORCH, and a porcelain crucible with a crucifix, half-melted into a now-cold, solid puddle of SILVER. Drake bends the end - it’s soft.

DRAKEPure silver?

Drake now picks up a bullet mold. He opens it -- out plops a silver bullet. Cartridges and a can of gunpowder sit nearby...and a revolver. And a note, with just ten words:

“Please do it for me. I don’t have the guts.”

Drake picks up the revolver, tries to figure out how to open the cylinder. He finds the catch.

A WOLF HOWLS, LOUD! Right outside the goddamn house!


Drake jumps a foot, and the loaded CARTRIDGES spill out onto the glass-topped desk with a LOUD CLATTER. Drake rushes to scoop them up and shove them back in the revolver.

He has only two reloaded when the FRENCH DOORS SHATTER - and the BEAST - a snarling, seven-foot WEREWOLF - leaps into the room, and makes for him!

Drake SNAPS the cylinder closed and holds out the gun but the beast ROARS and SLASHES at him with one taloned claw.

The gun FIRES, missing the WOLF MAN as Drake is THROWN across the room. He CRASHES into a bookcase, which COLLAPSES.

Drake crawls from the WRECKAGE, his leather jacket shredded. He ducks the SNAPPING, slavering jaws of the Werewolf, groping frantically for the pistol. He finds it...

The Werewolf SEIZES Drake by his collar and YANKS him to his feet. Drake brings up the pistol and FIRES point-blank at the monster’s heart. It topples backwards, DEAD.

An urgent POLICE SIREN grows louder...closer.

Drake gapes as the FANGS RETRACT, the FUR SHRINKS back into the skin, leaving a nude male form with only a WOLF PELT as a loincloth, and the lupine head MORPHS BACK into the familiar, devilishly handsome features of...PETER ZAAR.

DRAKE (CONT’D)Oh, shit.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO


ACT THREEFADE IN:

INT. POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

Drake sits at a table, a bandage on his forehead. Beside him, his brother TOM CALLAHAN, 30, a sharp-looking defense lawyer. Across from them sit good cop Lisa and bad cop Lt. James.

LT. JAMESWe have witnesses who saw you two quarrel at the book store.

DRAKEWe did not “quarrel”!

LT. JAMESThen why did you go to his house?

DRAKEI didn’t know it was his house. It was the address on Mrs. B’s card.

LT. JAMESTell us again, what happened after you broke into his house.

TOMDon’t answer that. He didn’t break in, Lieutenant. The door was open.

DRAKEYou want to know what happened?

TOMDrake, shut up.

(to Lt. James)I need a minute with my client.

LT. JAMESYou had a minute.

LISAI think we can give them a bit longer, sir.

James shoots Lisa a look, but then nods. They leave the room.

DRAKEDamn it, Tom, I saw what I saw.


TOMFirst thing I learned in criminal law? How unreliable eyewitnesses are. How traumatic events can erase memories, or make them fill in details that never existed.

(touches Drake’s bandage)Especially after a blow to the head.

DRAKEWhy would Zaar make silver bullets?

TOMMaybe Zaar went psycho writing all that supernatural crap - a word to wise, little bro - and he wanted someone to kill him. You came over to confront him, he came on strong, you feared for your life, you got to the gun first. Self defense.

DRAKEOnly I didn’t know it was his house ...and he was a goddamn werewolf!

TOMStick to that story and you can forget your wedding. You’ll be in a rubber room at Atascadero.

DRAKETom, I swear to God it’s true. Don’t you believe me?

Tom ruffles Drake’s hair, with love and concern.

TOMOf course I don’t. But I’ll get you the best shrink in town.

The door opens and Lt. James returns, alone.

LT. JAMESLet’s go over your whereabouts, starting with July fifteenth.

TOMDon’t answer that.

DRAKEJuly? That was when the Full Moon murders began, right?


LT. JAMESYou tell me.

DRAKEThat was the week Peter Zaar got back from his European book tour.

Lisa enters with a lab report.

LISASir, you should see this. The M.E. found some blood on the pelt Zaar was wearing.

Lt. James turns to stare at her...is she defying him?

LISA (CONT’D)It’s a rare type, AB-negative. Not Zaar’s blood. Or Callahan’s. But it does match Odetta Broman’s. They’re running the DNA now.

TOMOhhh, like maybe Zaar got some of her blood on him? Huh! Know what I think? I think instead of grilling my brother as a suspect, you better get ready to give him a medal for stopping a serial killer.

LT. JAMES(glares at Lisa)

Kick him loose.

TOMAlmost as good. Let’s go, Drake.

Tom and Drake exit. Lisa turns to go, but James stops her.

LT. JAMESDetective Chen...you better think hard about whose side you’re on.

INT. STUDY (ZAAR’S HOUSE) - DAY (AFTERNOON)

Drake, wearing his ID badge, enters the study. LAB TECHS are inspecting the site, carrying out plastic bags of evidence. Lisa sits at Zaar’s computer, scrolling through files.

DRAKEHey. Thanks for getting me sprung.


LISAYou should not be here!

DRAKEI had to see the place in daylight. I need to make sense of what I saw.

LISAYou are still a person of interest. By the way, in case it wasn’t clear ...James fired you. Give me that.

Lisa takes Drake’s ID badge.

DRAKEBut...you still think Zaar was the killer, right?

LISALooks like. But there’s a lot of weird crap we can’t explain.

Another Lab Tech passes by with a SEVERED HUMAN HAND in a bag. Drake gags, manages not to vomit.

DRAKEWeirder than stray human bodyparts?

LISA(re the computer)

Like, what happened to all Zaar’s money? All the bank accounts we find are just about tapped.

DRAKEHe had fifteen bestsellers. They make movies of anything he ever wrote...thank-you notes, grocery lists...how could he not be loaded?

LISAHe owns this house free and clear, that’s it. And his will specifies it can’t be sold...it has to be maintained as a museum. The rest?

DRAKEMaybe it went for silver bullets.

LISANot even. Those bullets you drilled him with? Good old-fashioned lead, with a little silver paint.


Lisa shows him one, scraping away the PAINT with her nail.

DRAKEIf I didn’t shoot him with a silver bullet...then maybe he’s not dead.

LISA(gives him an odd look)

Oh, he’s dead all right. We had to fast-track the autopsy because it’s in his will, he has to be buried within 24 hours. Religious reasons.

DRAKEOnly, Zaar was an outspoken atheist. Lisa, I need to know when and where he’s being buried.

LISAWhereas, I need you out of here, before you get me suspended.

DRAKEHey, who nailed your serial killer?

LISA(sotto, glancing around)

I’ll try to find out. But don’t tell a soul I told you. Now, go.

Drake turns to go, but a book on a shelf titled “Vlkodlak” catches his eye. It’s the one volume that’s not dusty. He pulls it out, looks at the Cyrillic text.

DRAKE“Vlkodlak”? The Slavonic word for vampire. And the last stop on Zaar’s book tour was Belgrade in former Yugoslavia...!

James grabs the book from his hand and chucks it on the desk.

LT. JAMESWhat the hell is he doing here?

LISATurning in his ID, sir.

(to Uniform Cop, sharply)Make sure this man leaves.

The Uniform Cop takes Drake by the arm. Drake gives Lisa a betrayed look as he’s dragged out. But as he passes the desk, he slips the Vlkodlak book into his jacket.


INT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON

The VLKODLAK BOOK is open - to that Cyrillic lettering.

DRAKE’S LAPTOP shows a website: “On the Same Page: A Writers’ BBS.” By Drake’s name and his book-cover avatar is his post: “Anyone know anyone who can translate Slavonic?” No replies.

Frustrated, Drake grabs his remote and clicks on his TV.

EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY (ON DRAKE’S TV SCREEN)

SYDNEY JACKSON, 23, black, does her spiel to the camera.

SYDNEY (TV)The jury has ended its third day of deliberations in the murder trial of televangelist Larry Miles.

INT. TV STUDIO - DAY (FILE TAPE)

LARRY MILES, 46, great suit, bad combover, and his portly wife LOLA on the set of their show “THE LORD’S WORK.”

MILES The Lord’s telling you, send money!

INT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - CONTINUING

The key turns. Nicole enters with an armload of boxes. Drake leaps up and grabs them, stacking them atop bookstacks.

NICOLEDrake, this wedding will be a disaster. The florist called...he can’t get blue flowers.

DRAKEOh, for God’s sake!

Nicole is gratified that Drake is so upset, until she follows his eyeline: He’s reacting to the TV reporter.

SYDNEY (TV)...further fueling rumors that Miles will be acquitted.

DRAKEOpen and shut, you morons! Guilty! What is it with L.A.?


(MORE)

O.J., Bobby Blake, now Larry Miles...if you’re even a bit famous, knock your wife off here and you walk!

NICOLEI can see this touched a nerve.

DRAKECelebrities kill, no big deal. But I plug one famous author and I never hear the end of it.

NICOLEBe glad you didn’t tell them the part about the werewolf.

DRAKEYeah. But you believe me, right?

NICOLE(puts a hand to her mouth)

No!

DRAKENo?

NICOLEYour tux! I left my car unlocked!

DRAKEOh. Relax, I’ll get it.

He kisses her, then heads out the door. Nicole watches him go, then notices something rolled up in NEWSPAPER.

She unwraps a big bouquet of BLUE WILDFLOWERS. She shakes her head, loving -- how did he know? She rolls them back up.

The phone RINGS. Nicole tries to pick her way around boxes and piles of books but the machine picks up before she can get there. A FEMALE VOICE leaves a sotto voce message.

LISA (V.O., MACHINE)It’s Lisa. Mountain View Cemetery, tonight at six. Our little secret.

CLICK. A chill runs down Nicole's spine. She goes outside.

EXT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - DAY

Drake takes his tux from her car. He turns and she’s there.


DRAKE (CONT'D)

NICOLEDrake, tell me the truth. Have I been driving you crazy?

DRAKEYeah. Ever since you were sixteen.

NICOLEI’m serious. If you have any doubts about our getting married...

DRAKEWhat? No! We are getting married.

(re the car)Is there anything else to bring in?

NICOLEYou go on, I’ll get it.

DRAKE‘Kay.

Drake goes back into the house. Nicole watches him go.


Drake sees the light FLASH on his machine. He plays it back.

LISA (V.O., MACHINE)It’s Lisa. Mountain View Cemetery, tonight at six. Our little secret.

Drake checks his watch. Not much time. Nicole enters with another box as Drake ERASES the message.

DRAKEI have to run out, see a...writer I know. Will you lock up?

Nicole just nods. Drake grabs the newspaper with the BLUE FLOWERS and heads out. Nicole watches him go, heartsick.

INT. CHURCH - SUNSET

An antique CANDLESTICK stands on one side of the altar. Its mate is missing. Father Kevin is with Myrna.

KEVINYes, it’s very Les Miz. Except why did they only take one candlestick?


MYRNAThe most expensive things on that altar. Solid silver.

EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT

The missing CANDLESTICK lies at the feet of Drake, along with the bouquet of BLUE WOLFBANE FLOWERS. He has a videocam on a tripod, aimed at a freshly-covered grave whose stone reads: “PETER ZAAR - Author - 1971-2012.”

Drake finishes arraying the FLOWERS in a CIRCLE around the grave. Then he presses ‘REC’ and steps before the camera.

DRAKEOctober fourteenth, seven PM. Maybe the moon isn’t full enough to bring back a werewolf. Or maybe there’s no such thing and I just had a bad crack on the skull. If so, I’ll record over this on our honeymoon. But if Zaar doesn’t rest in peace, I want proof.

Something is creeping up on Drake. Then a twig SNAPS! He whirls with the CANDLESTICK, ready to bash in the brains of --

NICOLE! He drops the candlestick, feels his pounding heart.

NICOLE(on the verge of tears)

Are you cheating on me with Lisa?

DRAKEWhat? No! She’s a pal, like Kevin! I’ve known her since kindergarten.

NICOLEShe tells you to come here, you bring flowers...you have another explanation, right?

DRAKEYe-eah. But you’re probably not going to like it any better.

NICOLE(noticing, spooked)

What are all those blue flowers arranged around the grave?

DRAKEA circle of wolfbane, to trap Zaar.


NICOLEOh, my God, Drake. You need help.

DRAKEI have to know. One way or the other, this will be over tonight. If you trust me, please go home.

NICOLEI do trust you.

She turns to go, then turns back...some sixth sense tells her Drake’s in danger. She hangs her crucifix around his neck.

NICOLE (CONT’D)I also want you to be safe.

Then she kisses Drake, tenderly, and walks back to her car.

Drake watches her drive away. Then he sits down on a headstone and waits. A light breeze kicks up.

EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT (HALF HOUR LATER)

Drake checks his phone - NO BARS. He doesn’t see A GUST OF WIND blows one of the wolfbane flowers AWAY FROM THE CIRCLE. An OWL HOOTS. He gets up, checks the videocam, then notices:

MIST SWIRLING up from the fresh-turned earth on Zaar’s grave.

Too late, Drake sees the GAP in the circle of wolfbane. The MIST DRIFTS A COUPLE YARDS...AND COALESCES INTO Peter Zaar in funeral suit and black overcoat. He smiles...baring FANGS.

DRAKEGet the hell away from me!

Drake SWINGS the candlestick. Zaar jerks back an instant before Drake would have brained him.

ZAARDon’t flatter yourself, newbie. You’re not my type. But, that hot fiancee of yours --

WHOOSH! Drake swings at Zaar but he ducks, causing Drake to KNOCK THE VIDEOCAM flying. Drake winces, then looks back --

Zaar is on the cemetery road, by Drake’s car. He RAMS sharp-nailed fingers into Drake’s tire - it immediately GOES FLAT.

Drake runs to his disabled car, looks around frantically -- Zaar’s GONE. Then Drake sees something in the sky.


Flying rapidly off into the night is a HUGE BAT, headed west.

Drake pulls his cell phone, jabs the speed dial.

DIALING NICOLE. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP! NO SIGNAL. CALL FAILED.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS PUMPS - NIGHT (MINUTES LATER)

Drake dashes out of the dark, winded, and shoves coins into the payphone. He waits anxiously.

NICOLE (V.O., RECORDING)Hi, it’s Nicole. Text me, leave a message, or write me a letter.

(BEEP!)

DRAKENicole, for God’s sake, pick up!

(no answer)I know this sounds crazy, but Zaar is not in his grave. He’s a vampire and he says he’s coming after you! But the legend says he can’t get in if you don’t invite him.

A CUSTOMER pumping gas overhears Drake, with growing alarm.

INT. NICOLE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

A studio apartment. The answering machine is recording Drake’s message. Nicole is in the SHOWER.

DRAKE (V.O., ANSWERING MACHINE)Whatever he says, don’t let him in!

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS PUMPS

SCREECH! A brand new red FERRARI zooms up to the pumps. Drake drops the phone and runs up as a smug AGENT gets out.

DRAKEI need a ride. It’s an emergency!

AGENTDoes this look like a taxi?

Drake throws him into the oil rack and jumps in the car.

DRAKEClose enough.


Drake BURNS RUBBER. The Agent scrambles after him, furious.

AGENTHey! HEY!

INT. STUDY (ZAAR’S HOUSE) - NIGHT

Lisa is alone now, putting crime scene photos into a folder. Her cell RINGS. She checks the display, then answers.

LISAWhat’s up?

DRAKE (V.O., PHONE)You still at Zaar’s?

LISAJust finished. Hey, it sounds like you’re driving. You have any idea what a cell phone ticket costs?

DRAKE (V.O., PHONE)Shut up, this is important!

LISADrake, what are those sirens?

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

Two COP CARS, SIRENS WAILING, pursue Drake in the Ferrari.

DRAKEShut the hell up and listen! You have to get to Nicole’s apartment before he does!

LISAWho?

DRAKEA...guy who’s trying to kill her! This is important: Tell her to put on another cross. She gave me hers!

LISACross? Drake, what the hell -- ?

DRAKEJust do it!

Drake drops his cell to focus on SWERVING through traffic.


INT. ZAAR’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Concerned, Lisa grabs her bag and hurries out the door.

INT. NICOLE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Nicole comes out of the bathroom in her sleep shirt, a towel around her wet hair.

She sees the BLINKING LIGHT on her phone, but before she can answer it, there’s a TAP at her window.

Nicole frowns, puzzled, and goes to the window. TAP! A small pebble hits her window. She peers into the gloom.

ZAAR (V.O.)Nicole. Let me in.

NICOLEWho is that?

ZAAR (V.O.)You know my voice. I’m Peter Zaar.

NICOLERight. Good impression, Drake. But you don’t scare me.

ZAAR (V.O.)Then let me in.

Nicole grins. Humoring him, she undoes the window lock.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - TWILIGHT

Lisa flashes her badge to neighbor RALPH. Ralph unlocks the glass door. Drake SKIDS the Ferrari to a halt - leaps out - shoves past Ralph (who stumbles into Lisa) and runs inside.

LISADrake, wait, what’s -- ?

She whirls as the TWO COP CARS SCREECH TO A HALT, SIRENS DYING. The door CLICKS shut. Lisa SMASHES the DOOR GLASS with her elbow, reaches in and opens the door.

INT. NICOLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Drake kicks the door open. He stops, gaping in horror. Lisa now runs in, gun drawn - and sees the same thing.


MIST eerily blows out the window. Nicole lies on her bed, dead white with what’s left of her blood staining the sheets.

DRAKENicole! Oh, God, no!

HOLD ON Lisa and four ARRIVING COPS, staring in disbelief.

MONTAGE - LEONARD COHEN’S “HALLELUJAH” (ALISON CROWE)

DISSOLVES:

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Kevin presides over Nicole’s open-casket funeral.

On Nicole's finger is her sapphire engagement ring.

In the front pew are her father JACK (drunk, grief-wracked) Lisa, Tom and his WIFE. There’s an empty space - NO DRAKE.


Drake, unshaven, bleary, sips Red Bull as he grimly types at his laptop. The Vlkodlak Book lies open atop a scanner.

INT. CHURCH

A tear runs down Kevin’s cheek as kisses his sister’s hand, then seals her casket.

INT. DRAKE’S GUEST HOUSE - DAY

Drake HIGHLIGHTS a page of CYRILLIC TEXT, drags it to a “Medieval Language Translation” site. Then he reads, amazed.

EXT. CEMETERY - DAY (END SONG/MONTAGE)

Jack, Lisa, Tom and Jo sit in folding chairs at graveside. Now Drake walks up, holding the Vlkodlak book and a sheaf of printouts. Not dressed for a funeral. He sits by Lisa, numb.

LISAAre you okay?

DRAKEZaar said there was a second way, but I didn’t find it till too late.


LISASecond way to do what?

DRAKETurn vampire. It’s a very obscure legend I found in Zaar’s library. ‘Vlkodlak’ means both werewolf and vampire. They’re two stages of the same creature. Kill a werewolf, it becomes a vampire. That’s what Zaar is now.

(choking up)She’s dead because I didn’t know the legend.

TOMBro, I had to do handsprings to get you out of jail. You’re now about to land yourself in the psych ward.

Drake rises, grabs a shovel off the dirt pile and walks off.

LISADrake?

TOMWhere are you going?

DRAKEI’m going to cut off his head and ram this through his goddamn heart!

Drake breaks into a run. Tom and Lisa race after him.

KEVIN(quickly)

The peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, amen.

Kevin crosses himself as he dashes after them, vestments flying. A grubby GRAVEDIGGER watches them go.

ZAAR’S GRAVE

Drake rounds a crypt and comes to a halt beside Peter Zaar’s headstone. He’s stunned to see --

The newly-laid turf has been torn asunder and peeled back, as if from an eruption. The walls of the freshly-excavated grave are visible five feet down into the churned-up dirt.


Drake jumps into the hole and shovels the loose earth madly ...but the grave is empty. He drops the shovel and sinks to his knees, sobbing, exhausted. Tom reaches down his hand.

TOMCome on, Drake. I’ll take you home.

Tom pulls Drake out of the hole, and walks him off.

Lisa and Kevin stare down at the hole. The Gravedigger who was at the funeral now walks up and picks up the shovel.

KEVINWas there an order to exhume Zaar?

LISANo. But this is too neat to have been dug by some graverobber.

GRAVEDIGGERPardon me, Father, but this wasn’t dug up at all. It’s like it was... pushed up from below.

Kevin stares at him, then back at the hole.


Sunlight streams through venetian blinds onto Drake, lying on his bed, staring blankly upward. Someone is POUNDING on his door. Drake wearily gets up. As he approaches the door:

NICOLE (O.S.)Drake, come on, it’s me!

Drake opens the door, to find Nicole in her wedding gown. She looks like an angel. Suddenly, Drake realizes he’s wearing his tux. Tears well up in his eyes.

DRAKENicole!

NICOLECome on, everyone’s waiting for us!

Drake is speechless with joy. More POUNDING.

SMASH CUT TO:


INT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - NIGHT

Drake’s eyes fly open, and in a horrible moment, he knows. Just a dream. He starts to weep. More POUNDING on his door.

DRAKEI’m coming, I’m coming, damn it.

He wipes his eyes, goes to the door. He whips it open to see:

NICOLE. In her burial dress. A bit dirty. She smiles, revealing elongated canine teeth. FANGS.

NICOLEAren’t you going to ask me in?

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT THREE


ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. DRAKE’S GUEST HOUSE - NIGHT

Drake is still staring at the vampirized Nicole on his doorstep. A cup on a shelf has a gulp of water left in it. He throws it in his own face, sputters, looks again. She’s still there.

DRAKENicole?

NICOLEThat name makes me sound so...proper. Why don’t you just call me Nikki?

Drake can’t take his eyes off her. She’s the same, and yet not. Even when the fangs don’t show, there’s the pale skin, contrasting with her wild black hair and those deep red lips.

The burial dress clings to lush curves in a way not apparent at the funeral. She’s not just beautiful, she’s strangely - irresistibly - alluring.

DRAKEO-kay...Nikki. You know you’re a vampire, right?

NIKKII figured, when I had to fog my way out of my coffin.

DRAKEThat bastard. He couldn’t just kill you, he had to make you a vampire. His final revenge on me.

NIKKIHe made me drink his blood. But I never went all the way with him.

(beat)So. How do I look?

DRAKEKinda...wow.

NIKKI(grins)

No, I mean literally how do I look? Cause you know, the mirror thing.


Nikki points at his hall-tree mirror just inside the door -- yep, all Drake can see is himself.

DRAKEOh, right. Well...you don’t have much of a tan.

He plucks a leaf from her hair. She looks down at herself.

NIKKIWhoa, did I always have a rack like this?

DRAKEI’m feeling really uncomfortable.

NIKKIMe, too. Are you going to keep me on your porch all night?

DRAKEIf I ask you in, then you can enter any time you want after that.

NIKKIRight. So? You gave me your key months ago.

DRAKEBut I didn’t think you’d use it to drink my blood.

(beat)I mean, that’s what you want to do, right?

NIKKINo!

(then)Well, actually, yes. Would that be so bad?

DRAKE(rubs eyes, weary)

I don’t know what I have to live for without you anyway. Come in.

He looks up -- she’s gone. She’s behind him in the room. She slips her arms around him.

NIKKIAw, you miss me that much?

DRAKEYou have no idea. Here.


Drake tilts his head back, exposing his jugular.

She throws her hair back and runs her tongue across her lips.

NIKKIWe’ll get to the blood drinking part in a bit. But first, while you’re still warm, we’ll make up for all the horizontal dancing we never got to do when I was alive.

DRAKECome again?

NIKKIAnd again, and again, and --

DRAKENicole...

NIKKINikki.

With that, she kisses him passionately. It’s a steamy first kiss that foretells an epic night. But as she pulls him in close, there is a brief SIZZLE and she jumps back.

NIKKI (CONT’D)OWWWW! What the hell was that?

Nikki looks at her chest, sees a cross-shaped burn. Drake looks down, and realizes he’s wearing her gold crucifix.

NIKKI (CONT’D)You’re still wearing the cross I gave you? That is so sweet!

(beat)Do me a favor and dump it.

Drake lifts it off...then freezes.

DRAKEWait a minute, what am I doing?

Nikki moves in. He puts the cross back on. She stops.

DRAKE (CONT’D)If I let you kill me, then your soul is lost for good.

NIKKII’m dead. It already is.


DRAKENo...no it’s not!

Drake grabs a translation printout off the Vlkodlak book.

DRAKE (CONT’D)This legend says as long as you don’t kill anyone, you can be restored to life. Don’t you see? By making you a vampire, Zaar screwed up! We’ve got a way out!

Nikki comes over, and reads over his shoulder.

NIKKIReally?

DRAKEThis part: “For the Victim of the Vampyre may avoid His Fate if the Original Vampyre be destroyed...

As he runs his finger under the text, she becomes aware of his throat. She licks her lips. She leans in close --

DRAKE (CONT’D)...before his Victim kills another for blood.

(notices she’s real close)Hey!

He holds up the crucifix and Nikki shrinks back, pouting.

NIKKIBut I’m so thirsty!

Drake heads for his fridge.

NIKKI (CONT’D)And not for Evian.

Drake turns around.

DRAKEWell, how long do you think you could go without...drinking?

Nikki moves towards him.

NIKKII need something now.

Drake takes a step back.


DRAKELike, now now?

Nikki moves closer, nodding.

NIKKIIf you dropped that cross, I’d suck you up like a navel orange.

DRAKEOK, get ahold of yourself -- Whoa!

-- as he falls over a chair.

INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Drake staggers in with a red-soaked bandage around his neck.

DRAKESomebody help me! I was attacked by...by some kind of animal!

ORDERLIES and a FEMALE DOCTOR help Drake to the Exam Area.

DOCTORGet him onto a bed!

DRAKEI’m so weak...lost so much blood...

DOCTORWhat’s your blood type?

DRAKEO-positive.

NIKKI (O.S)O-negative.

REVEAL Nikki, leaning against a wall that was empty a second ago. Drake gives her a quizzical look.

NIKKI (CONT’D)Just got a craving.

DRAKEUh, yeah, she’s right, O-negative.

NURSEWe need you to fill this out...

Drake GROANS, starts to slump over.


DOCTORGet two units, O-neg!

INT. EXAM AREA - A MINUTE LATER

The Doctor is trying to get Drake to let go of his bandage.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)Just let me take a look!

The Nurse returns rolling a wheeled table with two BAGS OF BLOOD. Suddenly, SHRIEKS of horror erupt from the waiting area. The Doctor and the Nurse rush out to look.

In the WAITING AREA, patients SCREAM, running this way and that as a BIG BAT FLAPS over their heads. Nikki is gone.

The Nurse and the Doctor step back into the Exam Area. Drake is GONE. So are the bags of blood.

EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT (PRE-DAWN)

Nikki and Drake stroll the cemetery road, laughing merrily.

NIKKIOh, man, the looks on their faces!

Nikki drains the last of the blood from a wine glass.

NIKKI (CONT’D)Ahhh. That really hit the spot.

DRAKE(stifling a shudder)

You know, I was hoping the wine glass would help, but I think it actually made it worse.

NIKKIA girl’s gotta drink.

(noticing)Oh, this is me.

They stop at the headstone of NICOLE FINLEY. Somewhere in the distance a COCK CROWS. Nikki hands him the glass.

NIKKI (CONT’D)Well, back to the old boneyard. You know what the sun would do to this complexion. Oh, almost forgot this.

Nikki takes off her engagement ring, and hands it to Drake.


DRAKEI’ll bring this back. I’ll bring you back. We’ll get Zaar.

NIKKIHow? His coffin’s gone.

DRAKEHe had to hide it somewhere. We just have to figure out where.

Drake looks at Nikki’s grave.

DRAKE (CONT’D)I hate to think of you down there.

NIKKIIt’s funny...it feels like I’ve had a long day, and I’m coming home on a cold night...and now I’ll slip in bed, pull the covers over my head and sleep...warm and snug and safe.

(beat)I had a great time tonight, Drake.

DRAKEMe too. If I’m not here at sundown, you know where to meet me.

Nikki nods, and kisses him, just once...then she DISSOLVES INTO MIST which drifts down into the soil over her grave.

INT. CHURCH - CONFESSIONAL BOOTH - DAY

Father Kevin slides open the window.

MUFFLED VOICE Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

KEVINHow long has it been since your last confession?

MUFFLED VOICEThirteen years.

KEVINWhat is the nature of your sins?

MUFFLED VOICEI took the Lord’s name a lot, and I I blasphemed. But mainly, I kissed a vampire. Who’s my dead fiancee.


KEVINDrake?!

INT. CHURCH (TEN SECONDS LATER)

Outside the booth, Drake is explaining to a steamed Kevin.

DRAKEIt sounds crazy, but I have proof. You know how a vampire doesn’t show up in a mirror or a photograph?

Drake shows Kevin a PICTURE on his cell phone.

KEVINThis is your couch.

DRAKE(dramatically)

She was sitting right on it when I took the picture.

KEVINI am going to punch you.

DRAKEOkay, Doubting Thomas. I didn’t want to do this, but...you helped me pick it out, remember?

Drake hands Kevin the ENGAGEMENT RING with its blue stone.

KEVINIt has the scratch from when she dropped it. She cried about that.

(voice cracks, emotional)This was on her finger when I sealed her casket.

DRAKEDon’t ask me how a solid ring passed through six feet of dirt. It’s just that old vampire magic.

KEVINThis is incredible! We have to tell someone. The police. The CDC. The Vatican.

DRAKEYou can’t do that. You can’t violate the confessional.


KEVIN(realizing)

You son of a bitch! Thirteen years since... You did this on purpose!

DRAKEI have to destroy Zaar. That’s the one thing that can save her. And only you can help me. Kevin...I’m admitting all these years, you were right and I was wrong.

KEVINWhat do you want from me, Drake?

Drake takes a glass cruet of water from the baptismal font.

DRAKEYour blessing.


Tom sits at Drake’s laptop. Drake, Kevin and Lisa stand by.

TOMBefore I do this, I want your word you will see Dr. Gold, every week.

DRAKEI’ll get my head shrunk. I swear on a stack of Bibles.

LISAI can’t believe he dragged you into this, Kevin.

KEVINYeah, well, there’s things about this you don’t know.

(sharp look at Drake)And I can’t talk about.

Tom starts typing. Lisa points at the screen.

LISAOkay, this is as far as I could get with the money trail. Zaar formed this company to collect royalties.

TOMBut it’s owned by a holding company in the Caymans and that’s owned by -


LISA-- another corporation. There has to be a living, breathing human who can legally access the money.

TOMThere is. But this is going to take time.

Drake checks his watch. He pulls Kevin over to the door.

DRAKEOnly five hours till sundown. I’ve got to find his coffin.

KEVINI thought you said if he lined it with dirt from his grave he could hide it anywhere. A warehouse. A vacant lot. It’s still his grave.

DRAKEYeah, but I’m pretty sure I know where he’d feel safest. His house.

Drake heads for the door. Kevin follows. Drake stops him.

DRAKE (CONT’D)No, stay with them. If something happens to me, you have permission to tell them the truth.

KEVINOh, like they’d believe me!

EXT. ZAAR’S HOUSE - DAY

Two COPS pull up to by the house sealed with yellow tape.

Bushes RUSTLE on the hill above the rear RETAINING WALL. Then Drake, wearing a backpack, TUMBLES out of the underbrush and falls six feet onto the back lawn, with a THUD.

The Cops turn at the SOUND, but see nothing. They drive on.

Drake unzips his backpack and checks the contents: The HOLY WATER cruet, a ROSE, sharp wooden STAKES, a MALLET, a folding SHOVEL, CRUCIFIXES, GARLIC GLOVES, a can of LIGHTER FLUID.

Next, Drake scans the manicured yard - sees nothing out of place. Then he tiptoes toward the house.


INT. ZAAR’S STUDY - SUNSET

Drake is on his cell, discouraged. The ROSE is on the desk.

DRAKEThe yard hasn’t been touched, and I’ve been through every room.

KEVIN (V.O., CELL)Then get the hell out of there, it’s sundown!

DRAKEWait.

Drake hangs up. He sees a line in the floor. He shoves the sofa back, to reveal a TRAP DOOR. He uses his folding shovel to PRY UP the door. Beneath it lies a CASKET.

LT. JAMES (O.S.)What are you doing here?

Drake is jolted -- and turns to see Lt. James staring at him.

DRAKEYou’re not even curious why there’s a coffin under a trap door?

LT. JAMESYou’re under arrest.

James reaches for handcuffs. Drake’s cell RINGS. He answers.

DRAKETalk fast.

LISA (V.O., CELL)Tom just found out who controls Zaar’s money. It’s Lt. James.

Her VOICE is loud enough for James to hear -- because James pulls his GUN and aims it between Drake’s eyes.

DRAKEIIII...can’t talk right now.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT FOUR


ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

INT. ZAAR’S STUDY - SUNSET

Lt. James, gun on Drake, takes Drake’s cell phone, checks the display, then clicks it off.

LT. JAMESDetective Chen. And I presume “Tom” is your shyster brother.

DRAKEGive it up, James. They know you’re in on this.

LT. JAMESWell, I’m sure they don’t believe in vampires. But they will, right before Zaar kills them.

Outside the window, a spectacular view to the ocean as the SUN VANISHES below the horizon.

Drake knocks the ROSE off the desk. It lands on the CASKET. The casket starts to SHAKE VIOLENTLY, but the rose stays put.

LT. JAMES (CONT’D)What the hell was that about?

DRAKEYou didn’t do your research, James. A wild rose placed on a coffin will keep the vampire inside.

James edges toward the coffin, keeping his gun on Drake.

LT. JAMESI’ll keep that in mind, when I make the transition. See, even a vampire needs financial security. The days of holing up in a castle are over. For now I’m Zaar’s agent. But once we find a live human we can trust, Zaar will make me immortal.

James doesn’t see, out the window, the BAT flying toward the house at top speed. Drake sees it - he’s stalling.


DRAKEHe’s gonna bite your neck and swap blood with you? I don’t think so. I don’t think Zaar swings that way.

LT. JAMES(aims at Drake’s heart)

Who gives a shit what you think?

Suddenly the BAT flies in James’s face. It MORPHS into NIKKI. She grabs his gun - it goes off - the BULLET rips a HOLE through her CHEST - and SHATTERS a lamp behind her.

Drake grabs James’s wrist, forces the gun up. It FIRES! James drops the gun, falls. BLOOD SPURTS from his neck. He clamps a hand to his wound, desperately trying to staunch the flow.

DRAKEOh, Jesus.

Nikki inspects the hole in her chest.

DRAKE (CONT’D)You all right?

NIKKINo! This is my only dress!

The hole CLOSES UP by itself.

NIKKI (CONT’D)Oh, okay, I’m good.

DRAKEThanks. You were just in time.

They don’t notice James, reaching down through the floor boards to knock the rose off the casket.

The casket lid EXPLODES open and Zaar HOVERS before them. He looks down, and frowns at seeing James, bleeding out.

ZAARYou’re becoming a real pain in the ass, newbie.

DRAKEBlame yourself, you chose me. Mrs. B’s card, those pentagram calls, it was all a set-up to get me to shoot you. With phony silver bullets.


ZAAROf course. You only needed lead to kill me as a werewolf. Genuine silver would’ve prevented me from coming back as a vampire.

DRAKEBut...a vampire. Why?

ZAARAs Woody Allen said, I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve it by not dying. I was getting old. I couldn’t find a vampire. But I did find a werewolf, who bit me.

Drake slowly moves toward Zaar’s left side, and the crossbow.

DRAKEWhy me? Why couldn’t James shoot you and promote you to bloodsucker?

(to Nikki)No offense.

ZAARI had to be killed in my beast form, and werewolves are impulsive. Couldn’t risk James, who controlled my funds. The cops were no use. I needed someone who wouldn’t freak when he saw what he was up against.

DRAKEAnd I was the perfect sucker.

ZAARWannabes always are. By the way, I’m not a sucker, so stop edging toward the crossbow.

Reminded, Drake holds up his cross. Zaar grabs it away.

ZAAR (CONT’D)This won’t work for you. I’ve read your book.

NIKKIReally? Will you help him get it published?

Zaar drops the cross and seizes Drake by the throat.


ZAARNo. I’m going to kill him, and then take you for my mate.

(to Drake)The power of sacred objects lies in belief. From what I read, you don’t believe...and I sure as hell don’t.

NIKKIBut I do!

Nikki grabs the chain and whips the cross into Zaar’s face. The cross lands on his left cheek, where it SIZZLES INTO HIS FLESH LIKE A BRANDING IRON.

Zaar SHRIEKS in agony, as he fumbles for the chain. He peels the cross off his face, leaving a SMOLDERING scar.

Drake leaps for the mounted crossbow - yanks it off the wall - whirls to aim it - Zaar dives out the window, SHATTERING IT.

As he falls, Zaar MORPHS INTO A BAT, which flies off.

James slumps over, dead. BLOOD NOW SPURTS OUT of his wound.

Drake turns to Nikki, grateful, then reacts in dismay.

Nikki has picked up James’s body. She’s sucking up GUSHING BLOOD like he’s the world’s goriest drinking fountain.

NIKKI (CONT’D)(seeing Drake’s look)

What...you want to rob another blood bank? It’s not like I killed him!

DRAKEI know. It’s just that you...

(points to her teeth)...have a little blood clot there.

NIKKI(uses her fingernail)

Oh, thanks.

KEVIN (O.S.)Merciful God.

Kevin has just entered. He stares in horror at his sister.

KEVIN (CONT’D)This is not the Nicole we love, Drake. Destroy this unholy thing.


NIKKIHey! I’m standing right here!

KEVINOr give me the crossbow and I will.

DRAKENo. I can save her, Kevin.

(to Nikki)You better go.

NIKKIYeah. Thanks.

(to Kevin)See what I get you for Christmas.

Nikki drops James’s corpse, TURNS INTO MIST and VANISHES.

Drake finds Nikki’s CRUCIFIX on the floor, and picks it up. Then he brings over the can of LIGHTER FLUID. He dumps it all over the casket.

KEVINYou’re going to set it on fire?

DRAKEWe can’t leave it for Zaar to use again. Relax, I’ll be careful.

Drake strikes a match and drops it in. WHOOMPH! The coffin goes up like chaparral brush. The FIRE spreads to the surrounding floor. They back up from the FAST-GROWING BLAZE.

DRAKE (CONT’D)Uh-oh. I think I’m gonna need to make another confession...

EXT. CEMETERY - DAY (MORNING)

A backhoe IDLES. Lisa and Kevin walk toward Nicole’s grave. Lisa scans a court order.

LISAI know it’s legal. But man, is Drake going to be pissed we didn’t tell him we’re exhuming Nicole.

KEVINIt’s better he doesn’t know, till it’s all over.


LISAI still don’t get it, Kev. Why are you so sure there’s evidence in there of her killer that we missed?

KEVINWell...maybe there isn’t.

LISAExcuse me? I had to go to a judge and swear that you...

KEVIN(to Lisa, intense)

Maybe I just want to have one last look at her...in the light of day.

They stop at Nicole’s grave. It’s been PUSHED OPEN, just like Zaar’s. The Gravedigger is standing there, puzzled.

GRAVEDIGGERIt was like that when I got here, Father.

INT. DRAKE'S GUEST HOUSE - SUNSET

Lisa and Drake are drinking beers.

LISAJames was Zaar’s pal for years. When Zaar died, he must’ve snapped. Stole the casket, took it to the house, burned it and shot himself. In a way, you were right, Drake. There was a monster out there. Just not supernatural.

DRAKEI know, I was talking kinda crazy. Musta been that bump to the head.

(then)So...you think James killed Nikki?

LISA(lifts an eyebrow)

Nikki?

DRAKENicole.


LISAOh. I like James for Nicole. But I can’t hang it on him till I figure out what he did with her casket.

(then, realizing)God, I didn’t mean that to sound so cold. This was a tragedy, I know. Maybe this job is turning me into some kind of emotionless freak.

DRAKEYou’re not emotionless, Leese.

LISAThanks. I think.

(then)You want have dinner?

DRAKEYou mean...tonight?

(off her shrug)Um, I kinda need some time.

LISA‘Course. Well, I’m gonna peace out.

Lisa gets up. Drake walks her to the door.

LISA (CONT’D)I wasn’t just throwing you a bone with this case, you know. I asked for your help cause you really know the cult shit. I’d use you again in a heartbeat if something came up. I mean...if you’d be interested.

DRAKESure. I mean, if I’m not on one of my big book tours.

LISA(chuckles)

Fingers crossed.

Then impulsively, she kisses Drake’s cheek. First time she ever did that. A bit awkward. Then she heads out the door. The sun has just set. Drake shuts the door behind her.

VAPOR RISES between pried-up-and-nailed-back floorboards. Drake wipes Lisa’s lipstick off his cheek. The MIST TURNS INTO NIKKI. She sees tools beside the mangled floorboards.


NIKKIAww, you buried my coffin under your floor!

DRAKEWell, first I tried covering it with a sheet. It didn’t quite pass as coffee table.

NIKKIIt’s like we’re living together! Except only one of us is living.

Drake puts his arms around her.

DRAKEYou’ll be safe here. And I’ll keep you fed. But you have to promise, no killing. And no letting anyone see you transform.

(looks in her eyes)Trust me, Nikki. Help me, so I can bring you back.

NIKKII dunno, Drake. Maybe Kevin’s right, you should just let me go.

DRAKENo! I will find Zaar and I will stake that son of a bitch!

NIKKIOkay...I promise. I love it when you get all Van Helsing.

DRAKE(smiles)

You’re pretty badass yourself. That took guts, branding him with your cross. He’s gotta be furious.

NIKKIEh, what’s he going to do, kill me?

(then, coy)So...what did Lisa want?

DRAKEYou heard her?

NIKKIAs I was waking up. I didn’t quite catch what she said.


DRAKEShe wants my help on cases sometimes. I said, sure.

NIKKI(lifts an eyebrow)

So you’re going to work with Lisa?

DRAKEWell, not “with” her. Under her. For her.

NIKKII see.

DRAKENo, you don’t. Now forget Lisa. I’m taking you out. What do you want to do? Catch a movie?

NIKKI(bedroom eyes)

You know what I want to do.

DRAKEMe too. But we need to take this slow for now, okay?

He touches the cross. Nikki nods, frustrated. Then Drake pulls her engagement ring from his pocket, and slides it on her finger again. It’s a perfect, romantic moment. Then...

NIKKIDrake...I’m thirsty.

Drake’s look says, what - again?

CUT TO BLACK.

NOT THE END


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