Work Text:
EXT. METRO VANCOUVER - NIGHT
Seen from above, the city is mysterious with only small pools of light fighting against the dark.
A SIREN WAILS.
DROP TO:
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND WAREHOUSE CLUB – NIGHT
The SIREN is distant. MUSIC from the club is muffled.
A SMALL GOBLIN snacks from a dumpster, eyes luminous orange. A DOG approaches. The goblin HISSES a warning, showing lots of pointy teeth. The dog retreats.
The music gets louder and clearer as the club’s back door opens. The goblin hides in the garbage.
A COUPLE, high school age, stagger out, temporarily backlit. MERISSA (MERRI) TOMILSEN is dressed to party. TED HARKER’s a nerd trying to be cool. She’s a little wasted. He’s not.
MERRI
Thank you so much for this.
TED
No prob-
She talks over him, not interested, as she totters up the alley in her heels.
MERRI
I can’t believe Emma bailed on me. That
guy was just so... creepy.
TED
I know -
MERRI
I don’t think he was really human.
TED
Mayb-
She stops. Puts her hand on his chest. He stops and looks at it nervous, eager, hopeful.
MERRI
You know I’d never have sex with a
non-human, right?
TED
Oh, yeah. No. Sure. ... Even vampires?
MERRI
(fake laughs)
Vampires don't really exist. We all
know that.
It’s hard to tell if he’s disappointed or something else. Merri concentrates on walking up the alley. He hovers in case she trips.
TED
If you say so.
MERRI
You’re really sweet, Fred.
TED
Ted. It’s Ted.
She waves a hand dismissively.
MERRI
Your car’s up here, right?
They approach a barely-lit T-intersection. A large engine GROWLS from it, echoing and hollow.
MERRI (CONT’D)
Do you even know where I live?
TED
Yeah. Of cour-
MERRI
Because I’ve never invited you
over, have I?
The engine GROWL breaks loose from...
ALLEY – T-INTERSECTION
A dark SUV turns the corner and races away from them. No headlights. The back door is open. It slows to roll a BODY out. It races away, tires SQUEALING.
The body rolls until it hits a concrete pillar.
ALLEY BEHIND WAREHOUSE CLUB
Merri clutches Ted. They both look scared.
MERRI
Oh my god!
Slowly they creep closer to the body. Ted leads because Merri keeps him in front of her.
ALLEY – T-INTERSECTION
She peers down...
CLOSE ON:
The body isn’t human. The top half looks like a very young girl (14-ish). A once-bright sundress is dirty and torn. She’s covered in scratches. There’s a large circle of blood in the middle of her chest — a bullet hole.
The bottom half is that of a dog: short, light-coloured fur with dark spots. One leg is half-severed by another gunshot wound. She was an ADLET.
MERRI (O.C.)
What is that?
BACK TO:
Merri stares down in fascinated horror. Ted drags her away. He takes quick steps and looks around worriedly.
TED
I don’t know. But we don’t want
to be here.
MERRI
Should we call the cops?
TED
Hell no. Do you want to spend hours
being interrogated by the weirds in SRT?
Very obviously Merri does not want this.
MERRI
You are so right. Thank you, Fred!
Thank you so much!
TED
It’s Ted.
MERRI
Ted. Thank you. You’re taking care
of me so good.
They reach the corner and turn down the street.
TED (O.S.)
Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure
you stay safe.
Behind them, the goblin creeps from the garbage. It blinks glowing eyes and absently eats a banana peel.
(TITLE CARD)
EXT. SUBURBS – EARLY MORNING
The sun’s barely over the horizon. It’s quiet in the solidly working class neighbourhood of small houses and low apartments.
DROP TO:
EXT. DETACHED GARAGE – EARLY MORNING
A COCKATRICE (rooster head and wings/lizard feet and tail) clambers up a garage wall. It races to the roof peak, wings flapping. It fills air sacs, and BELLOWS, loud as a fog horn.
Birds TAKE FLIGHT. Dogs HOWL. Car alarms BEEP and WHISTLE.
INT. BRIE’S BEDROOM – EARLY MORNING
The windows RATTLE in the frame. The outside noise is easily heard. Brie jolts awake, instantly alert.
The cockatrice BELLOWS again.
Brie rolls over, groaning.
BRIE
(whining)
Why can’t we kill it?
The noise continues. She gives up on sleep. She...
SERIES OF SHOTS (CREDITS)
- ...staggers out of bed in PJs.
- In her living room she stretches in expensive work-out clothes.
- Later she exercises hard – everything’s sweaty.
- Clean but still damp, she eats a yoghurt breakfast standing up in the kitchen.
- From on top of her fridge, she takes down a locked box. Inside is a HANDGUN with ETCHED PROTECTION SIGILS that she snaps into a belt holster.
INT. APARTMENT ENTRANCE - MORNING
From the top-shelf of a cabinet near the front door, Brie takes out her police badge and clips it to her belt. Beside the badge holder, there are TWO PICTURES in solid frames.
INSERT: A candid shot of Brie’s BIRTH MOTHER who looks like her. She wears a waitress uniform and holds BABY BRIE up close. She looks happy, but afraid.
Brie kisses her fingers then presses them to the photo.
BRIE
Thank you...
Next photo...
INSERT: SERGEANT CONSTANZA MATTIELLO, Brie’s adoptive mother, stands proudly in her uniform between her husband, PAUL MATTIELLO and Brie. The sergeant strips are shiny and new.
BRIE
I’m gonna be a good cop today, Mom.
Brie gives the second photo a finger kiss as well.
She leaves the apartment. The door...
EXT. BRIE’S APARTMENT – MORNING
...SHUTS.
Brie walks out of a low-rise apartment. THREE GARDEN GNOMES are landscaping. They stop work to watch her.
LEAD GNOME
(carefully)
God Morgen, missus.
She stops, startled and uncomfortable. Finally, she nods carefully back. Gnomes 2 and 3 nod in return. Lead Gnome watches gravely.
She resumes her path to her sensible, dull-coloured, unremarkable car. The gnomes watch her.
AT BRIE’S SENSIBLE CAR
Brie opens the door, looks over the roof. The gnomes watch her. Gnomes 2 and 3 look away hastily. Gnome 1 nods gravely before returning to work.
INT. BRIE’S CAR - MORNING
Brie retreats into her car, confused. A last look at the respectful gnomes before she starts her car. The RADIO comes on.
EXT. BRIE’S STREET
She drives away. The view lifts to...
BRIE’S STREET - OVERHANGING TREE
The cockatrice scampers out on a branch. It fills its air sacs. Its BELLOW turns into...
EXT. LARGE CITY – ARTERIAL STREET – RUSH HOUR
...the HORNS of impatient drivers stuck in traffic. It’s three lanes of going nowhere.
EXT. ARTERIAL STREET - BRIE’S CAR
Next to her, an OFFICE WORKER takes his hand off his horn. Shakes a fist and swears. She just shakes her head.
INT. BRIE’S CAR - ARTERIAL STREET
Brie’s resigned to the traffic. She listens to the RADIO.
EXT. ARTERIAL STREET - BRIE’S CAR
The outside lane is blocked by a CSI van and police barriers. Traffic is merging left.
INT. BRIE’S CAR - ARTERIAL STREET
She looks down the alley as she passes it and sees...
EXT. ALLEY – ADLET CRIME SCENE
... the CSI Techs swarming the murder scene.
DETECTIVE JOSIANNA WHITECLIFF, (30s) a large Native American woman, crouches near the concrete pillar. She touches the asphalt near a blood-stain.
INSERT: Her hand CHANGES TO ASPHALT.
She looks up. Shakes her head.
INT. BRIE’S CAR - ARTERIAL STREET
... Brie’s view is blocked as she passes the alley entrance.
EXT. ARTERIAL STREET - east DIVISION - MORNING
Brie’s car passes the EAST DIVISION POLICE STATION’s main entrance with its brightly lit sign. Her turn signal flashing, she waits to turn onto a smaller side street.
Over the entrance to underground parking, a sign reads “AUTHORIZED PARKING ONLY”. A SQUAD CAR emerges from it as...
...Brie’s car turns onto the side street. They pass each other as she turns into the parking entrance.
EAST DIVISION - SECURE PARKING ENTRANCE – MORNING
Painted on the rolling gate: “PLEASE HAVE I.D. READY”
Brie pulls up to the SECURE READER. She inserts her ID CARD, and presses her thumb to a READER PAD.
INSERT: Reader display: “MATTIELLO, B” “ACCESS GRANTED”
The gate lifts. Brie drives through.
INT. EAST DIVISION – WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM - MORNING
Busy place. SHOWERS and CHATTER in the background.
INSERT: Locker door tag reads: MATTIELLO, B. The door is open as...
Brie, now in uniform, takes out a HEAVY METAL BOX.
INSERT: Inside, her SERVICE WEAPON and an INSCRIBED RING.
She swaps weapons. Slips the ring onto the INDEX FINGER OF HER NON-SHOOTING HAND. She puts the box back in her locker. Filling the screen is the police SHOULDER BADGE: A DISTINCTIVE INSIGNIA with PROTECTIVE SYMBOLS.
CUT TO:
INT. EAST DIVISION – THE PIT - MORNING
A FLOOR MOSAIC of the Distinctive Insignia. Brie walks over it heading for the staff room. Other UNIFORMED OFFICERS work or hang out. Some nod hello. Brie nods back.
Half-way there, MIKE MAGARRITY intercepts her. Hands her a coffee.
MIKE
Hey, kid.
BRIE
Not a kid.
She smells the coffee. Makes a face. Puts it down on the next desk.
MIKE
Close enough. ... You hear about
the murder?
BRIE
Which one? The shooting on Main,
or the-
MIKE
No. The dog-girl thing.
EAST DIVISION – STAFF ROOM
Brie grabs a juice box from the fridge. Mike checks the remnant of a box of donuts - nothing good left.
BRIE
An Adlet?
MIKE
(snickers)
“Adlet”. Sounds like a really short
commercial.
They walk under a CLOCK (showing 6:55) as they leave the staff room.
BRIE
Wasn’t that in Kensington?
EAST DIVISION – THE PIT
They cross the pit, heading for the briefing room. Mike grabs a jelly donut off a desk as they pass. He smiles at the dirty look he gets.
MIKE
Yeah. What do you think of it?
BRIE
I think it happened in Kensington, and
is, therefore, not my problem.
MIKE
(laughing)
Oh, that’s cold. If you’re not careful, you’ll
be the next one taking sensitivity training.
BRIE
Not a chance. Unlike some people, I know
when to keep my mouth shut.
MIKE
That just makes you a hypocrite.
Brie smiles conspiratorially. She opens the briefing room door. Walks through...
SERGEANT (O.C.)
... Settle everyone! Let’s start with a recap...
The door shuts.
INT. EAST DIVISION – THE PIT - MORNING
Brie shoves open the briefing room door. Mike follows. As do other UNIFORMED OFFICERS.
BRIE
...middle of the briefing! You are such an idiot.
MIKE
Political correctness is a pain in the ass.
It was a good joke! And I refuse to compromise
who I am.
BRIE
What about me? ...
EAST DIVISION - STAIRWELL
Brie and Mike clatter down the stairs.
BRIE (CON'T)
... I’m your partner. You don’t seem to have
any problem compromising me.
MIKE
You had no problem leaving me hanging!
Brie waves her ID over the SECURITY READER. The door opens.
INT. EAST DIVISION - SECURE PARKING GARAGE
UNIFORMED OFFICERS come out of the elevator lobby, head to the SQUAD CARS in pairs.
BRIE
Like I said: I know when to keep my
mouth shut. ... When I’m on the job?
That’s when I keep my mouth shut.
MIKE
Hypocrite.
BRIE
(impatient)
Whatever I may think personally, when
I put on the uniform I’m a cop.
And non-humans-
Mike SNORTS contemptuously.
BRIE (CONT'D)
Non-humans have legal rights, same
as the rest of us.
Brie unlocks their squad car and gets in. Mike follows.
INT. SQUAD CAR – PARKING GARAGE
They sit and a TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER on the dash lights up. Flashing...
CLOSE ON:
The touch screen reads: “POLICE ACTIVITY TRACKING SYSTEM – PLEASE LOG IN”. They both press their thumbs to the reader.
The display changes to “LOGIN ACCEPTED. VEHICLE UNLOCKED.”
BACK TO:
Brie starts the car...
MIKE
Ninety percent of them can snap us
like dry spaghetti. And ninety-percent
of those want to.
EAST DIVISION - PARKING GARAGE - EXIT
The squad car drives through the gate.
BRIE (O.S)
Innocent until proven guilty, Mike.
That’s the law.
EXT. CITY STREET – MORNING
An older mixed commercial-light industrial area that is struggling to become “hip”. Boarded up buildings and thrift stores mix with coffee shops and art galleries.
NON-HUMANS mix with the other people on the sidewalk. Everyone ignores the panhandlers.
MIKE (O.S.)
Give me a break. I’ve spent most my
life without the Weird Law.
The squad car passes ...
INT. SQUAD CAR – CITY STREET
Brie gives Mike a disgusted look.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Oh, I’m sorry! “The Non-Human Emancipation
Act”. It was stupid ten years ago.
It’s stupid now.
BRIE
You sound like a teenager! It doesn’t matter
if it’s stupid. It’s the law. We’re cops. We
enforce the law.
Mike points out the window at...
EXT. CITY STREET – EMPTY LOT
THREE YOUNG GUYS toking in an empty lot. They look at the squad car but don’t care.
MIKE (O.C.)
So we gonna bust those guys?
INT. SQUAD CAR – CITY STREET
BRIE
Top brass says leave ‘em alone unless we
see them dealing.
EXT. URBAN RESIDENTIAL STREET – MORNING
MIKE (O.S.)
All that means is that they’re hypocrites, too.
A HANDSOME MAN, early 30s in a suit, business-hair, presses a hand to a WOUND IN HIS THROAT as he staggers out from behind a tree. Blood covers his hand, his shirt, the side of his face. He is terrified.
INT. SQUAD CAR – CITY STREET
Brie smiles, unruffled.
BRIE
That makes them our bosses and me a
detective in two more years. Detective
Sergeant five years after that.
EXT. SQUAD CAR – CITY STREET
MIKE (O.C.)
Just as long as nobody finds out what
you really think of the weirds.
They turn right onto a commercial street – slightly more successful than the other one.
EXT. COMMERCIAL ALLEY
Handsome Man staggers into the alley. RESTAURANT WORKERS on break stare at him.
HANDSOME MAN
(raggedly)
Help! Help me.
RESTAURANT WORKERS do nothing or back away. Handsome Man staggers on.
INT. SQUAD CAR – COMMERCIAL STREET
BRIE
Unlike some people, it doesn’t
affect my ability to do the job.
Therefore it’s not a factor.
EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET – ALLEY ENTRANCE
Close to a COFFEE SHOP with patio. Only humans sit there. Other people pass by.
MIKE (O.S.)
Nahhh. It’s because you’re trying to
outdo your momma! ...
Handsome Man blunders out of the alley. Leaves a BLOODY HANDPRINT on the brick wall.
INT. SQUAD CAR – COMMERCIAL STREET
MIKE (CONT'D)
(mocking)
... Gonna be a detective Or even Chief!
Much better than sergeant.
BRIE
(calm and smug)
I'm gonna make my mama proud.
EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET – COFFEE SHOP patio
Handsome man collapses into the patio, scattering tables, chairs and people. A bystander SCREAMS.
INT. SQUAD CAR – COMMERCIAL STREET
Mike sees Handsome Man fall to his knees. Hears the SCREAMS.
MIKE
Pull over!
INSERT: Brie jerks the wheel.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(into car radio)
This is One-Zero-Roger-Thomas.
We have a civilian injured. ...
EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET – ALLEY ENTRANCE
The squad car turns into the sidewalk, stops with a SQUEAL of brakes. Cars HONK as they swerve around the squad car. Bystander still SCREAMS.
INT. SQUAD CAR – COMMERCIAL STREET
MIKE (CONT'D)
(into car radio)
... Send ambulance: East Fourteen and
Columbia.
Mike’s climbing out of the car almost before he’s finished speaking. ...
EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET – ALLEY ENTRANCE
He pulls latex gloves from a pouch on his belt as bystanders retreat or take out their CELL PHONES.
Behind him, Brie pulls the first-aid kit from the trunk. She scans for danger.
COFFEE SHOP PATIO
Mike crouches next to Handsome Man. He checks under Handsome Man’s hand.
MIKE
Hey buddy. We’re gonna take care
of you.
INSERT: There is TORN FLESH but no exposed bone. Blood PULSES THICKLY.
Mike presses his hand on top of Handsome Man’s. Brie opens the first-aid kit, pulls out gauze bandages. Hands them to Mike.
BRIE
Sir. Who did this to you?
Handsome Man tries to speak, only gurgles. Mike shakes his head.
BRIE (CONT'D)
(to the crowd)
Where did he come from?
A Coffee Shop Patron points towards the alley. Brie looks. Spots a BLOOD TRAIL. DISTANT SIRENS draw closer.
BRIE (CONT’D)
(to Mike)
You got this?
MIKE
Go.
Brie jogs away, pulling her weapon.
MIKE (O.C.)
Hang on, man. Help’s coming.
BRIE
(into shoulder mic)
Officer Six One Three Four, heading
into alley.
EXT. COMMERCIAL ALLEY - MORNING
She sees the bloody handprint. More blood. External sounds fade. There’s only Brie’s HEARTBEAT. Her BREATHING.
She scans the alley, behind BINS, into doorways.
NOISE from the far end. Brie whirls to face it.
A ONCE-PRETTY GIRL (teenaged, trendy and tiny) stumbles into the alley, dressy-school clothes covered with old and fresh blood. She looks straight ahead, dazed and sad.
ONCE-PRETTY
So pretty. All mine. All mine...
Brie’s hand goes to her WEAPON. She advances cautiously.
BRIE
Ma’am! Are you hurt?
Once-Pretty sways, steps forward. Doesn’t look at Brie.
BRIE (CONT'D)
Are you injured?
Brie keeps her eyes on Once-Pretty as she sways closer.
ONCE-PRETTY
Mine now. I get to keep him. Forever.
BRIE
(into shoulder mic)
Six One Three Four. Found suspect.
Requesting back-up in alley.
ONCE-PRETTY
We’ll be together forever. Always pretty.
BRIE
Ma’am. I need you to stop! ... Stop!
Once-Pretty pauses, blank-faced. TWO UNIFORMED OFFICERS, both hefty and competent-looking, edge into the alley behind her.
Once-Pretty smiles. Sways a half step closer to Brie.
ONCE-PRETTY
He’s mine. I want him. I’ll have him.
Forever. And ever.
Brie lifts her weapon. She exchanges looks with the Two Uniformed Officers. Gets nods.
BRIE
Ma’am. Stop or I’ll shoot.
Once-Pretty walks forward, still smiling. The Two Uniformed Officers tackle her to the ground. Brie lowers her weapon. Reaches for her restraints.
Once-Pretty rises, TOSSING one officer into the alley wall. He drops. Lies unmoving. Brie stares, shocked but only for a moment. She raises her gun one-handed.
BRIE
(into shoulder mic)
Six One Three Four. Suspect is non-human.
Get the SRT.
The other officer grabs Once-Pretty’s legs. She FALLS. Kicks him in the face. CRUNCH!
INSERT: The officer holds his BROKEN NOSE.
Once-Pretty crawls, gets to her feet. She looks past Brie.
ONCE-PRETTY
He’s mine. So pretty. I want him.
BRIE
Last warning: stop or I will shoot.
Once-Pretty doesn’t stop. Brie SHOOTS: one in the thigh. Perfect shot.
Once-Pretty stumbles, doesn’t fall. Looks down at the hole. Finally looks at Brie.
ONCE-PRETTY
Silly. Bullets don’t hurt vampires.
BRIE
(mutters)
Vampires? Seriously?
Brie SHOOTS Once-Pretty in the chest. Once-Pretty staggers, but limps forward.
The Bloody-Nose Officer shoots Once-Pretty in the back. She doesn’t stop.
ONCE-PRETTY
I just want him. He’s mine.
Brie rolls her eyes.
BRIE
Right. Enough of this.
Brie steps forward, dodges Once-Pretty’s clumsy punch. Brie reaches out with her non-gun hand...
INSERT: Brie presses her INSCRIBED RING to the nerve cluster in Once-Pretty’s shoulder.
BRIE
Conquiesco.
The ring FLARES. Once-Pretty folds.
Brie kneels, checks for pulse on neck: nothing. Checks for breathing: nothing.
BRIE
(mutters)
No way you’re a vampire. Because
vampires don’t exist!
She pulls out ZIP-TIES, puts several around Once-Pretty wrists.
EXT. COMMERICIAL STREET – ALLEY ENTRANCE - LATER
Barriers are placed. BYSTANDERS peer down the alley.
An AMBULANCE waits, doors open. Tossed Officer and Broken-nose Officer get treated by an EMT while Handsome Man is loaded.
SIDEWALK - COMMERCIAL STREET
Brie and Mike interview the crowd.
The ambulance drives away with lights and SIRENS.
Brie puts away her NOTEBOOK, hands her CARD to a WOMAN WITH CELLPHONE.
She heads towards Mike, closer to the coffee shop patio. She hears TWO TEENAGERS talking excitedly.
GOTH TEENAGER (O.C.)
Vanessa Lobello as a throat-ripping
monster? Of course I’m uploading it.
Brie walks up behind them.
GRUNGE TEENAGER
There goes her chance to be voted
“Most Likely to Succeed”.
They giggle.
BRIE
Morning, girls.
They freeze.
BRIE (CONT’D)
I couldn’t help but overhear. You
knew the girl?
GOTH TEENAGER
We didn’t “know” her. We knew “of” her.
GRUNGE TEENAGER
We didn’t exactly hang out with the
same crowd.
Brie pulls out her notebook.
BRIE
Well. Tell me what you know.
The two teenagers exchange looks.
GRUNGE TEENAGER
You know that student that is so
perfect and popular and nice that
you just have to hate her?
All three nod.
COMMERCIAL ALLEY – VANESSA’S BODY
GRUNGE TEENAGER (CONT’D) (O.C.)
That was Vanessa Lobello.
Vanessa lies on the ground, eyes open and unblinking. ZIP-TIES cover her lower arms and ankles. A CHARMED ROPE - crackling with power - lies in a circle around her.
GOTH TEENAGER (O.C.)
Half the student run committees are
going to grind to a halt without her.
A half-dozen UNIFORMED OFFICERS surround Vanessa, hands near weapons.
SIDEWALK – COMMERCIAL STREET
GRUNGE TEENAGER
(to friend)
No more vampire dance!
They both look happy.
Detective-Constables HARRY PALMER (mid-30s, smoothly British) and ALERIC WEBER (20s and geeky), both in plainclothes, enter the alley. Aleric carries a FAT MESSENGER BAG like Indiana Jones’s. They approach a Uniformed Officer.
COMMERCIAL STREET – NEAR COFFEE SHOP
Mike sees Palmer and Weber arrive. Wraps up with his witness, and heads over to Brie and the Two Teenagers.
MIKE
Freak squad’s here.
They all look at Palmer and Weber. Grunge looks interested.
COMMERCIAL ALLEY - ENTRANCE
The Uniformed Officer is pointing at Brie and Mike. Palmer and Weber look at them. The four walk towards each other.
Palmer and Aleric show their POLICE ID: “SRT” printed large over the distinctive insignia.
Palmer is charming. Aleric is nervously excited. Brie is distant but professional. Mike keeps Brie between him and the SRT officers.
PALMER
‘allo! I’m Palmer, shifter. This is Weber,
witch. Heard you got one for us.
BRIE
She said she was a vampire.
ALERIC
A vampire?
PALMER
That’s psychosis. Not supernatural.
BRIE
We shot her three times. She didn’t
go down.
PALMER
Drugs. Excited delirium? You see
those all the time, right.
BRIE
She didn’t bleed and she hasn’t got
a pulse.
MIKE
She tossed Tony Reyes six metres
into a wall.
They look at tiny Vanessa in her ruined school clothes.
PALMER
That doesn’t make her a vampire.
BRIE
It makes her something.
Aleric stares at Brie’s edges, looking at her aura.
ALERIC
How’d you stop her?
Brie lifts the hand with the INSCRIBED RING. Aleric’s gaze drops. He steps back in sharp fear. Palmer looks, too. Doesn’t like it.
PALMER
That’s a Noli Movere paralyzer. I
haven’t seen one of those since
the riots of ninety-seven.
ALERIC
(truly nervous)
I thought they were banned. Gathered
up and destroyed.
BRIE
It was my mother’s.
PALMER
So, it was grandfathered in. Still,
you’re only allowed to use it under
threat of imminent harm. ... Did you
feel threatened, Officer...
(looks at her name tag)
Mattielo?
Brie smiles, doesn’t answer.
BRIE
She should’ve woken up. If, you
know, she wasn’t already dead.
ALERIC
So, um, do you mind if I...
He waves at the body.
BRIE
It’s not up to me.
ALERIC
Um, yeah. Right
Palmer nods permission at him. They watch Aleric approach Once-Pretty Girl, AKA Vanessa, opening his bag.
PALMER
You don’t like us much.
Mike opens his mouth. Brie elbows him.
BRIE
She's something new.
(nods at Vanessa)
I'm allowed to be tense.
Palmer lets the lie stand.
EXT. COMMERCIAL ALLEY - MERRI’S BODY
Aleric holds a HEX BAG in one hand, places the other on Merri’s forehead.
ALERIC
Renovabis seruantissimum spiritus
qui defendit nos ab inimicis nostris.
[Renew the observant spirit that cannot be deceived.]
LINES OF LIGHT RIPPLE over Vanessa.
She opens her eyes.
She pops the zip-ties around her arms. Sits up and grabs Aleric by the throat.
VANESSA
He’s mine.
Everyone jumps. All Uniformed Officers, including Brie and Mike, draw their weapons.
PALMER
(deadpan)
Definitely one of ours.
Palmer walks up to Vanessa. He grabs her wrists.
INSERT: His hand TURNS TO STONE (exactly like at the adlet crime scene)
He tightens his grip. Her wrist CRACKS. Aleric is released. He gasps for breath.
Palmer smiles at Brie. Rests his STONE HAND on Vanessa’s chest so she can’t get up.
PALMER
A trick I picked up from my sergeant.
Brie isn’t impressed.
Vanessa struggles to rise. She mutters continuously:
VANESSA
He’s mine. I found him. He’s so
pretty. He’s perfect for me. I
deserve him. I do. He promised.
Aleric brings out a VIAL OF OIL. He daubs it on her forehead, chest, wrists and ankles as he chants:
ALERIC.
Saepimur. Protegimur. Vales.
[Faith surrounds us. We are protected. You are well.]
Vanessa stills, falling back to the ground.
INSERT: Aleric shuts her eyes. He and Palmer stand.
PALMER
Well?
ALERIC
Reanimated corpse.
PALMER
Almost like a vampire, then.
Aleric rolls his eyes.
ALERIC
Not funny.
Palmer grins - he thinks he’s adorable.
PALMER
Right. Let’s get her back to HQ.
(to Brie and Mike)
Officers. Thank you for finding
her for us. We’ll take it from here.
BRIE
You’re going to steal our case?
PALMER
It’s not your case. Not anymore.
BRIE
I know SRT takes lead on any case
with supranatural elements. But
we can help.
BEHIND THEM, Aleric helps Vanessa to her feet. The CHARMED ROPE is tied around her waist. He tugs. She follows.
Palmer smiles condescendingly.
PALMER
Go back to your tickets and corner
shake downs, Constable. Leave
the investigation to us.
Palmer joins Aleric and Vanessa at the alley entrance. UNIFORMED OFFICERS part the CROWD to let them through.
MIKE
Good riddance!
(spits)
So... Back to patrol?
BRIE
I have a name, and a school.
MIKE
You should’ve told them.
BRIE
(smiles triumphantly)
They should've asked.
She heads towards their PATROL CAR. Mike follows.
MIKE
It’s not our case.
BRIE
It’s high profile. It’ll look good in our
files if we bring key evidence to light.
MIKE
(disgusted)
Promotion.
BRIE
This is a career-maker, Mike. I can feel it.
Mike gives up.
MIKE
Fine. Great. Tell me what you got.
They get in the patrol car and drive away.
EXT. URBAN AND SUBURBAN STREETS - ESTABLISHING - DAY
The patrol car moves from urban area into the suburbs.
BRIE (O.S.)
Her name is Vanessa Lobello. High
School Senior. Council member,
cheerleader, drama club, peer tutor
and supporter of the GSA.
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
The squad car drives past the front. A LARGE BANNER proclaims “NORTH POINT HIGH – HOME OF THE HAWKS”.
MIKE
(dryly)
Wow. A paragon.
NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT
The squad car pulls into visitor parking close to the main doors. There are STUDENTS outside, finishing lunch.
BRIE (O.S.)
I asked about drugs or unusual
behaviour but the witnesses both
said no: totally unlike her.
INT. SQUAD CAR – PARKING LOT
Brie turns off the engine. Mike logs their position in the COMPUTER.
BRIE (CONT'D)
Their theory is that all the “excessive
perfection finally exploded her brain”.
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL – MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY
Brie and Mike get out and walk towards the entrance. STUDENTS – some NON-HUMAN - watch them. On the doors are FALL DANCE POSTERS with GLITTERY BATS and a SEXY VAMPIRE.
MIKE
Anything else?
BRIE
(taps poster)
Vanessa was on the Fall Dance Committee.
MIKE
(disgusted)
Vampires.
BRIE
(smiles)
Quite the theme isn’t it.
INT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL – MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY
Brie and Mike enter. NOISY STUDENTS, human and NON-HUMAN, crowd the halls between classes. On the walls are POSTERS for the dance and the Hawks.
INSERT: A SMALL SIGN points to the office.
The BELL RINGS. Noisy Students head to class. Brie and Mike push through the masses to reach the office.
MIKE
So what are you thinking?
BRIE
She kept saying “He promised”. Who promised
and what? If it was to turn her into a vampire,
why would she believe him?
MIKE
Because she knew him.
BRIE
(smiling triumphantly)
Because she knew him.
She pushes open the door.
INT. SCHOOL OFFICE - DAY
A DELINQUENT waits in a CHAIR by the door. JENELLE (pretty, pretty, princess) talks over a COUNTER with a TEACHER. She looks worried.
Brie and Mike approach the RECEPTIONIST (30s and efficient). Receptionist looks up.
RECEPTIONIST
We didn’t call for police officers.
BRIE
No, ma’am. We’re here about one of
your students.
RECEPTIONIST
I am not allowed to discuss any of our
students without a warrant or permission
from the parents. Do you have either
of those?
MIKE
All we’re looking to do is confirm that
Vanessa Lobello is a student here.
RECEPTIONIST
Vanessa?
She looks embarrassed. Then collects herself.
RECEPTIONIST
I can't confirm the name of any of our
students. Not without a warrant or -
RECEPTIONIST, MIKE
- permission from the parents.
Brie and Mike exchange looks. They pull out NOTEBOOKS and PENS.
BRIE
Did she show up at school today?
RECEPTIONIST
No, she didn’t. ... And I shouldn’t
have told you that.
BRIE
Would any of her friends know
where she is?
RECEPTIONIST
Do I look like her social secretary?
MIKE
Well, maybe we could get her
home address?
RECEPTIONIST
Do you have a warrant?
Brie and Mike exchange looks.
RECEPTIONIST (CONT’D)
Didn’t think so.
INT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL – HALLWAY - AFTERNOON
Mike slams open the office door, marches out into empty hallway. Brie follows.
MIKE
Waste of time!
They pass Jenelle, waiting in the hall. She scurries to catch them.
JENELLE
Hey!
Brie and Mike stop.
JENELLE (CONT'D)
I heard you asking about Vanessa.
BRIE
You know her?
JENELLE
Yeah. We’re on the Dance Committee
together. She didn’t show up for
our meeting today at lunch.
Brie pulls out her notebook.
BRIE
And that’s unusual?
JENELLE
Totally. And she’s not the only
one to have missed it.
Both cops’ straighten in interest.
BRIE
Oh?
JENELLE
Merri Tomilsen didn’t show either.
BRIE
When do you last see Merri?
JENELLE
Day before yesterday. I helped her
get ready to go clubbing.
MIKE
Clubbing?
JENELLE
Relax, Hot Fuzz. It was all-ages.
Mike is going to pursue it. Brie interrupts.
BRIE
Did you go with her?
JENELLE
Her boyfriend did. But he bailed
early because of practice....
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL – MAIN ENTRANCE - AFTERNOON
JENELLE (CONT’D) (V.O.)
... She texted me at nine-fifty, about
some faun or other making passes at
her. Then nothing.
Brie pushes open the door. Mike follows. They take a few steps in silence.
MIKE
Are you going to tell the SRT freaks
about the second missing girl?
BRIE
Tell them what?
Behind them, on the other side of the parking lot, the FOOTBALL TEAM practices on the field. Faint shouts are heard.
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL FIELD
BRIE (CONT'D) (V.O.)
That she didn’t come to school?
In the foreground, the Hawks practice.
Merri Tomilson wanders from trees onto the field. She wears her party clothes, now bedraggled. She stumbles but keeps moving towards the team.
PARKING LOT
BRIE (CONT’D)
Just because she’s missing doesn’t mean
she’s like Vanessa.
FOOTBALL FIELD
The football team practices.
Merri nears the field.
A RECEIVER spots Merri. He fumbles the ball, is tackled. COACH runs toward him along the sideline.
COACH
Henderson! What was that?
COULSON, the quarterback, spots her. Play stops. COULSON steps forward.
COULSON
Merri?
Coulson strides closer. Tearing off his helmet.
COULSON (CONT'D)
Merri. Where the hell you been?
INSERT: Merri’s blank expression as she stumbles closer. Her face is scratched. There is blood.
Coulson starts to run to her. His teammates follow.
COULSON (CONTD)
Crap! Somebody call 911!
He reaches her, grabs her. She stares at him silently.
COULSON (CONT'D)
Merri! What the hell?. What happened?
Merri’s eyes drift over him. Then tighten.
MERRI
You’re mine... For always.
She attacks with her teeth, aiming for his throat. He defends himself. The team pulls her off. She screams.
PARKING LOT
Merri’s scream carries to Brie and Mike. They draw their guns and run to the field.
FOOTBALL FIELD
Coulson is bleeding.
The team holds Merri back. She fights them to reach Coulson.
MERRI
No! He’s mine! I want him!
The team dog-piles her. They barely keep her down. There are knees near her head and neck. A loud CRACK.
Teammates jump off her with cries of horror.
COULSON
Oh my god! Merri!
She heaves. They fly. Her head hangs oddly.
MERRI
You’re mine!
Coulson recoils.
Brie and Mike arrive.
MIKE
Everybody move!
BRIE
I got the girl. You get the guy.
Mike grabs Coulson, tries dragging him away.
Brie jumps in, presses her NOLI MOVERI RING to Merri.
BRIE
Conquiesco.
The ring FLARES. Merri drops to the ground. Her head lies at an odd angle.
Coulson struggles against Mike.
COULSON
Merri! What’s wrong with her?
Brie looks at Merri, at her broken neck.
BRIE
(resigned)
Time to call in the SRT.
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH – FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTERNOON
Aleric daubs OIL on Merri, already bound with a CHARMED ROPE. She struggles to talk but can only make garbled noises. Her eyes stay locked on Coulson.
ALERIC
Saepimur. Protegimur. Vales.
Students (some with cell phones) and the Football Team watch as Palmer chats to a couple football players. Aleric slips a CHARMED ROPE around Merri’s wrist.
Aleric helps Merri to her feet. She tries to go to Coulson, but has to follow Aleric to the SRT squad car.
EXT. PARKING LOT – SRT SQUAD CAR
Aleric tucks Merri into the backseat, he looks over at Palmer...
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH – FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTERNOON
... Who nods in return. Aleric give him a thumbs-up. Gets in the squad car, drives away.
Palmer turns back to the Students.
PALMER
Right. You said you saw her last night...
From the sidelines, Mike and Brie watch everything. Brie talks to their sergeant on her cell. Mike scowls the whole time.
BRIE
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. He will. He does.
BRIE (CON'D)
Yes, sir. I realize that. ... Absolutely.
Full cooperation. ... Yes, sir. Thank
you, sir. Goodb-
Brie puts the phone away.
BRIE
We’ve got the warrants. They should
be faxed to the office in the next half hour.
MIKE
Did he say we could leave?
BRIE
(happily)
Nope. Official liaisons.
Mike turns away in disgust.
Palmer shows up beside her.
PALMER
So does that mean you’ll stop keeping
things from us?
Brie’s surprised, but Mike jumps. His hand goes to his weapon.
MIKE
Mother of God!
Palmer smiles at him, unrepentant.
PALMER
Sorry.
(to Brie)
Now where was I? Ah yes. Keeping
things from us. Like names.
Brie stands her ground.
BRIE
The sources were shaky. We had
the time to confirm the ident, so...
Palmer looks at her, assessing.
PALMER
You want in.
Brie smiles.
BRIE
We can be of assistance, Detective
Sergeant.
Palmer gives Mike a dubious look. Mike returns it in spades.
BRIE (CONT'D)
I’ve already talked my sergeant into
getting warrants to access the girls’
school records.
PALMER
Huh. Somebody wants promotion.
MIKE
(quietly)
You have no idea.
Brie ignores them both.
BRIE
They’ll be at the office by the time
you’ve finished interviewing the
witnesses.
Palmer waits a moment. Then he smiles his most charming smile.
PALMER
I believe I’ll take you up on your offer,
then. Since my sidekick’s gone back
to the office anyway.
Brie smiles, takes out her notebook.
BRIE
You won’t regret it.
Mike rolls his eyes, takes out his notebook.
PALMER
Can I say ‘this is the start of a
beautiful friendship?
MIKE
I’d rather you didn’t.
They head back to the crowd.
INT. SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM - AFTERNOON
Brie, Mike and Palmer sit at a SMALL TABLE. Brie and Palmer sit upright. Mike slouches.
The Receptionist drops TWO THICK FILE FOLDERS on it. She glares and leaves.
Palmer reaches for one. Grins at Brie.
PALMER
Well. Let’s see what we can find
out, shall we?
Brie smiles back, eagerly grabs the second file.
Mike gets up and goes for coffee.
INT. SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER
There are now ELEVEN FILE FOLDERS on the table. COFFEE CUPS for Mike and Brie. TEA for Palmer. Mike is on his CELL PHONE. Brie is reading a FILE.
Palmer slams his folder shut. Mike looks up. Brie reads on.
PALMER
(mutters angrily)
Inane. Vacuous. Cookie-cutter. ... They
were in the same groups. They had the
same friends. They did the same things.
... Maybe they were a coven, and this
was a ‘last rites’ spell.
MIKE
So what? They went to the club, got
killed, and came back as zombies?
Is that likely?
PALMER
Not really. It takes a big coven
with a lot of experience to cast a
spell like that.
Mike holds out his phone. A GROUP PHOTO on a CLOSED GROUP NOTICE on a social media site.
Brie glances at it.
MIKE
Who knows what they get up to
behind closed doors?
BRIE
It’s a high school click, Mike.
Not a coven.
PALMER
‘Click’? It’s more like a ruddy cult.
MIKE
Except anybody can join a cult.
Brie stops reading. Sits back. Palmer looks at her.
BRIE
What if somebody wanted to join,
but was rejected?
MIKE
And that ‘somebody’ killed them,
and turned them into zombies in
revenge?
He snickers, dismissive.
BRIE
Not zombies: Vampires.
PALMER
Except they were turned into zombies.
BRIE
But what if he promised them vampires?
MIKE
They’re all vampire mad.
BRIE
They’d be more likely to go with an
unpopular kid who promised to
turn them into vampires.
PALMER
Especially if they’d been drinking
at the club.
MIKE
So why’d he turn them into zombies?
PALMER
Because that’s all he could do. If vampires
do exist, they’re more reclusive than the fae.
BRIE
So the chances of a suburban teenager
knowing one or being one are... nil?
PALMER
Exactly.
BRIE
So what can make a zombie?
PALMER
Well, a large coven, like I said. Vaudon
priests, necromancers, dark sorcerers –
MIKE
(mutters)
Sith lords.
Brie and Palmer look at him. Mike stands up. He’s had enough of this discussion.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Who wants another refill?
PALMER
What’s the matter, mate?
MIKE
I am not your ‘mate’, and, no offense? But
all this talk of supernatural evil-doers just
gives me the creeps. So I’m going over there –
(points to the side)
And getting myself another coffee.
Mike stalks off. Palmer watches him.
PALMER
Well that was refreshingly honest.
(turning back to Brie)
Considering how you accepting you are of
us ‘non-humans’, I’m surprised you two
are partners. ... Unless, of course, you
actually agree with him, but cover it better.
Hard to get promoted if you’re a racist, after
all. ... Is that how it is, Officer Mattiello?
BRIE
(intensely)
I’m a cop. I enforce the laws. My personal
feelings have nothing to do with that.
PALMER
(smiles triumphantly)
Much easier to get promoted. ... Now
back to what can create zombies -
Mike stalks back, thumps his fist on the table.
MIKE
We don’t need to know what makes zombies.
PALMER
We don’t?
MIKE
We just need to find out which uncool
loser was at the club last night lusting
after Ariana Grande.
PALMER
Huh. Good point.
MIKE
Opportunity and motive. We can figure
out the ‘means’ later.
PALMER
One problem, how do we find out who
was there eye-ing the pretty birdy?
Brie holds up a folder with Coulson’s picture on it.
BRIE
Ask the boyfriend.
INT. HISTORY CLASSROOM – AFTERNOON – HALLWAY
Moving towards the door, a quickly printed sign taped onto the window reads “GROUP COUNSELLING AT 3:30”.
The clock on the wall reads 3:10.
Through the window and into...
INT. HISTORY CLASSROOM
TIMELINE on the wall lists freedom movements: Chartism, Emancipation, Suffragettes, Unionization, Civil Rights, Women’s Liberation, and finally, Gay Marriage and Non-Human Equality.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT written on WHITEBOARD: “10-PAGE ESSAY ON CIVIL RIGHTS’ IMPACT ON YOU”
Coulson sits at one desk. Brie faces him from another. Palmer sits on a desk, feet on the seat. Mike stands to the side, arms crossed. Coulson has been crying, but doesn’t want to admit it.
BRIE
You’re not in trouble, Evan.
PALMER
We don’t care that you were all drinking
last night.
BRIE
We just want to know who was at the
club with you.
Coulson looks between Palmer and Brie.
COULSON
Just me and MERRI. Vanessa was
supposed to come, but she’s sick or
something, so Derek bailed. Jenelle swims.
BRIE
Merri, Vanessa and Jenelle. They run
the dance committee.
COULSON
Most of it, yeah. But I’m getting the
band and stuff.
Brie and Palmer exchange looks.
PALMER
Who else wanted to be on the dance
committee with you?
COULSON
Lots of kids. And we tried to include
them. I mean. It’s a big job. We always
need grunts.
BRIE
Were any of them there last night?
COULSON
Well, yeah. We invited them. It keeps
the morale up. Makes them work
harder. That’s what Merri –
(swallows his emotions)
That’s what Merri said. Is she going
to be alright?
BRIE
Of the grunts who showed up last
night, did any of them have an extra
special crush on Vanessa Lobello or Merri?
COULSON
(snickering)
Just about all of them. I mean, Merri and
Van are hot. But if you want a super-creep...
INT. BIOLOGY LAB - AFTERNOON
The class is full. TEACHER (50s, lab coat) looks on. STUDENTS prepare to dissect FOETAL PIGS.
COULSON (V.O.)
... Then Ted’s your guy.
TED’S LAB TABLE
Ted, looking very “day after”, wears a T-shirt with the slogan “Artificial Intelligence is No Match for Natural Stupidity”. He looks down at the dead fetal pig in front of him.
INSERT: It BLINKS and SQUEALS.
Ted looks at his oblivious acne-riddled LAB PARTNER.
LAB PARTNER
(sneering)
What?
INSERT: The fetal pig lies unmoving once more.
Ted lifts his scalpel. He swallows.
BIOLOGY LAB
A KNOCK on the door. Palmer, Brie and Mike enter.
Ted watches nervously as Brie stays at the door and Mike goes to the second entrance.
Palmer continues to the BIO TEACHER, holding out his badge. Bio Teacher meets him halfway.
BIO TEACHER
Officer?
PALMER
We’re looking for Ted Harker. I
understand his in this class.
BIO TEACHER
Yes.
(turning to Ted)
Ted. Please come here.
The class turns to look at Ted as he slowly stands.
He looks at Palmer. Palmer’s face reveals nothing.
He looks at Brie and Mike. They are solid barriers.
He looks at his class. There is no support.
LAB PARTNER
(laughing)
Did someone finally catch you stalking,
super-freak?
It’s too much. Ted panics.
All the fetal pigs come to life. The class panics, screaming and running.
Ted runs to the backroom door marked “TEACHERS ONLY”. It opens. Palmer, Brie and Mike push through the kids to follow.
PALMER
(to Mike)
Block the hall! In case he gets out!
Mike wants to refuse, but it’s logical. Hand on his weapon, he goes into the hall.
SUPPLY ROOM
The walls of the T-shaped room are lined with PRESERVED ANIMALS – PIGS, FROGS, WORMS. They move in their jars.
As Ted runs past, he pulls jars off the shelves. They fall and break.
INSERT: The contents WIGGLE and MOVE, SQUEAL and CROAK.
Ted runs for the hall door. It’s locked. He unlocks it. Opens it. Sees Mike. Retreats.
Palmer enters the supply room. Nearly slips on the reanimated specimens.
PALMER
Bloody hell!
Ted runs for the far door. Through the window, CHEM CLASS can be seen. The students face the supply room and some looking towards the noise.
Brie enters the supply room, momentarily distracted by the movement on the floor.
Ted has his hand on the door handle.
Brie looks up in time to see...
... Palmer leaping towards Ted. In mid-air he CHANGES into a GERMAN SHEPHERD. He lands on Ted’s back.
Brie freezes, stunned.
Ted hits the door, closing it.
They fall to the floor. They separate, Ted twists to face Palmer who BARKS loud and threatening.
Mike enters from the hallway door. Sees the reanimated specimens and freezes.
Ted looks at some PRESERVED FROGS. Twitches.
Palmer is attacked by PRESERVED FROGS. Dozens of them. He’s distracted.
Ted gets a hand up on Palmer’s head.
TED
Die!
Palmer falls off, YELPING.
Ted scrambles out from under him. Opens the door
Mike grabs for Ted. Trips over Palmer. Misses.
Palmer’s legs twitch. He reverts to human.
Ted scrambles into the...
INT. CHEMISTRY CLASS
Students and Chem Teacher scramble out of the way. Some stay and stare, others run out the doors.
SUPPLY ROOM
Brie goes through the door. Hand on WEAPON.
CHEMISTRY CLASS
Ted grabs WENDY (near-clone of Merri and Vanessa) as shield. She looks pissed.
Mike enters. Moves to the side.
TED
Stay away from me! Stay away!
BRIE
Ted, let her go. Nobody needs to
get hurt here.
Ted creeps to the forward door.
TED
You say that, but you don’t mean it.
Mike checks his line of sight. Not clear - Ted holds the taller-Wendy in front of him. Mike grinds his teeth, frustrated.
BRIE
I do mean it.
Palmer opens the forward door. Half the students run out. The rest are stuck in the corner behind Chem Teacher.
BRIE (CONT'D)
I don’t want anyone to get hurt.
TED
Well, you’re too late! I’ve been
hurting for years.
He squeezes Wendy, who CHOKES. Now she looks worried.
Chem Teacher jerks forward, ready to protest.
Palmer shakes his head at Chem Teacher. Chem Teacher retreats, but barely.
TED (CONT'D)
There’s nothing wrong with me!
BRIE
No, there’s -
TED
I’m not ugly. I’m not a spaz! I
dress okay.
Palmer looks at Ted’s outfit. Raises a mocking eyebrow.
TED (CONT'D)
Why doesn’t anybody like me!
MIKE
(very low voiced)
Being crazy doesn’t help.
Brie hears and wants to growl. She doesn’t shift her gaze from Ted.
BRIE
I can’t answer that, Ted. It’s
high school.
TED
And then I turned out to be a
necromancer!
Now Wendy’s really scared. The Chem Teacher’s horrified.
TED
Nobody’s going to date a
necromancer.
Chem Teacher steps forward.
Palmer glares fiercely. Chem Teacher stops, but is angry, frustrated.
BRIE
So you said you were a vampire?
Is that it, Ted? Is that what you
told Vanessa and Merri?
Ted shrugs.
TED
They finally noticed me. And
vampires are a type of undead,
right? It should’ve worked!
BRIE
It was an accident. Right, Ted?
Ted hesitates.
Chem Teacher lunges at Ted, reaching for Wendy.
BRIE, PALMER
No!
Simultaneously with Mike:
MIKE
Goddamn it!
They stretch to stop Chem Teacher. Too late.
Ted places his hand on Chem Teacher.
TED
DIE!
Chem Teacher seizes. Crumples to the ground and writhes. Students in the room SCREAM and panic.
Wendy struggles to get away.
Ted gives Brie a despairing look. He puts his hand on Wendy’s face.
BRIE
Ted! Don’t do it...
TED
Die.
Wendy’s eyes roll up. She falls to the ground. Writhing.
Mike SHOOTS Ted. One, two in the chest.
Ted twitches. Doesn’t fall. Looks at Mike in disappointment.
TED
Do you think I didn’t try that?
Palmer charges Ted.
Ted grabs RANDOM STUDENT, whispers “DIE” and throws the body at Palmer. Palmer stumbles.
BRIE
Ted, stop this. It doesn’t have
to get any worse than this.
Ted shakes his head at Brie.
TED
Of course it does.
Ted holds his hands over his victims who are blank-faced and limp.
TED (CONT'D)
Kill them. Kill them all.
Ted dives into the remaining students who SCREAM LOUDER and try to get away. Ted runs for the supply room door.
Brie moves to guard it.
BRIE
Ted! I still want to help you.
Mike and Palmer move towards Ted. Chem Teacher, Wendy and Random Student rise.
Chem Teacher and Random Student take on Palmer. Chem teacher tosses him easily against the wall.
Mike SHOOTS Wendy. One, two. ...
... One, two, three. Nothing.
Brie spots Ted. Blocks him as students stream out.
BRIE
This isn’t the way.
Palmer STARTS TO TRANSFORM into something hideous and massive.
Wendy chokes Mike. He fights, breaks her arm. She keeps squeezing.
Chem Teacher PUNCHES HAND THROUGH Palmer, stopping his transformation. Random Student grabs an arm and starts pulling it off.
Ted stalks Brie, hand out, threatening. Brie backs away.
TED
Yes, it is. I did my research. Seventy-
eight percent of necromancers turn
into mass murderers. Why should
I be any different.
Mike’s face is turning red. Palmer is in agony.
TED (CONT'D)
You know it’s a rush? Controlling the
dead. It’s like orgasms, but better.
Brie stumbles into a DESK. Ted gets closer.
TED (CONT'D)
When I get out of here, I’m going to a
cemetery. And then I’m really going to
have fun. ... I bet I’ll be real popular
when I’m the only one preventing you
from being zombie chow.
Ted is inches away. He smiles. It pisses Brie off.
Brie SHOUTS in angry determination. Her EYES FLASH to SOLID SHINING-PEARL.
She raises her hands and PUSHES THE AIR at Ted.
With a WHOOSH, Ted FLIES across the room, THROUGH THE WINDOW.
EXT. CHEMISTRY CLASS – OVER PARKING LOT
Glass explodes outwards. Showering students on the ground who duck and run, landing on students’ cars making ALARMS sound.
Ted HANGS SUSPENDED. Arms up to protect his face. One beat...
Two...
INT. CHEMISTRY CLASS
Brie’s SHINING-PEARL eyes narrow. She pulls her hands back.
EXT. CHEMISTRY CLASS – OVER PARKING LOT
Ted, bleeding from multiple cuts, flies back towards the shattered window.
INT. CHEMISTRY CLASS
Glass shards blow into the room. Brie raises a hand. They stop. Ted doesn’t. He slams into Wendy. She releases her grip on Mike. They all fall to the ground.
Wendy goes back after Mike. Mike tries to escape.
Ted slowly rises.
TED
(laughing)
Wow. That was unexpected. And kind of
fun. ... But it’s not enough to stop me.
Slowly, Brie closes her hand into a fist, COMPRESSING THE AIR AROUND HIM. Ted CHOKES. He steps sideways, searching for air. Brie’s eyes follow him.
Ted STRUGGLES for breath. SPUTTERS. Wendy, the Chem Teacher and Random student all collapse.
Mike and Palmer stare at Brie. At her SHINY-PEARL EYES.
Ted’s chest collapses inwards. He drops. It’s still...
... Palmer gives himself a shake, REPAIRS THE HOLE IN HIS CHEST. Runs over to Brie. Mike stays on the floor. Stares horrified at Brie.
PALMER
Officer Mattiello, it’s okay now. You can
stand down.
No response. Her eyes are still SHINING-PEARL.
PALMER
Come on, love. It’s over. Good guys won,
and all that.
He puts his hand over her fist.
INSERT: IRON RIPPLES over Palmer’s skin until the metal touches Brie’s hand.
Brie jerks. Her eyes RETURN TO NORMAL. She blinks.
PALMER
That’s right. That’s right. Easy, love.
Brie looks around the classroom. The dead zombies. Ted.
She looks sick.
BRIE
Did I...? No. I couldn’t...
PALMER
Shh, it’s okay. Nobody expects you to
have any control when you first come
into your power. ...
Brie looks at him in shock. Mike looks disgusted. Then angry.
PALMER (CONT'D)
I’ve always been partial to dogs, and
our neighbourhood had lots of them.
I think I turned into all of them.
Brie’s legs fail her. Palmer catches her. Eases her to the ground.
BRIE
I don’t have any power.
PALMER
Sorry, love. You certainly do.
Mike drags himself off the ground. He’s furious.
BRIE
(sounding lost)
No. I can’t become Chief if I’m not human.
Palmer laughs.
PALMER
No, you can’t. But you are, however, an
instant detective. If that helps.
BRIE
(glaring)
It really doesn’t.
Mike marches over to them.
MIKE
(to Brie)
You’re not human. All these years
you’ve been lying!
She stares at him, broken.
BRIE
I didn’t know. ... I didn’t know.
Mom never said -
MIKE
(snorts)
Right. You were “adopted”.
Palmer looks at her. She’s nodding at Mike.
BRIE
I was. You know I was.
MIKE
Yeah. But from what?
Brie stares at him. She has no answer.
EXT. NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL – PARKING LOT - EVENING
There are POLICE CARS, CORONER and CSI VANS in the lot. STUDENTS and STAFF stand watching. NEWS VANS line the street. It is BUSY and but not noisy.
A Medical Examiner Technician rolls out a STRETCHER. The body inside the BAG is UNNATURALLY THIN.
Palmer talks to a HUMAN STAFF SERGEANT. They look over to:
EXT. SQUAD CAR
Brie sits sideways in front seat. SHOCK BLANKET around her shoulders. CELL PHONE in her hand. She looks devastated. Palmer and a Regular Forces staff sergeant talk nearby.
On the other side of the lot, Mike stands with a GROUP OF UNIFORMED OFFICERS. He looks over at Brie. He turns away.
Palmer and the staff sergeant shake hands.
PALMER
I’ll have the transfer papers over to
you first thing tomorrow.
STAFF SERGEANT
She was a damn good officer. We’ll
sorry to lose her.
Palmer smiles. It hides his anger.
PALMER
She’ll still be a good officer.
SQUAD CAR
PALMER (V.O.)
She’ll just do it with us.
Brie stares at her CELL PHONE. At a candid photo of Connie Mattiello. It’s labelled “MOM”.
She stares at it. External sounds fade.
She stares at it. Only her BREATHING and her HEARTBEAT. Her thumb hovers over the call button.
BRIE
(to herself)
Hey, Mom. So...Some stuff happened, and
... Hey, Mom. I need to know... Hey, Mom.
What am I?
END.