Sunday, May 9, 2010

UNDEAD, Dreams of Darkness, Act II

ACT II


Scene 14: (On one side of stage: Ward’s office. Neat and tidy. Nothing too personal, just
efficient. On the other side: Laura's room).

(Ward paces pensively. She is alone. Laura lies still. Enter Hesselius).

HESSELIUS
I came as soon as I got your message. What’s happened?

WARD
(Looking at him)
Renfield has escaped.

HESSELIUS
(Shocked)
Really?!
(Beat)
Do you know how he escaped?

WARD
(Frustrated)
No, we don’t. It’s as if he just got up and walked out, and no one saw him.
(Beat)
Of course the police seem to figure that someone on the staff just plain screwed up. Or even helped him.

HESSELIUS
What about the surveillance cameras?

WARD
(Throws up her hands)
He got round them. I can’t figure out how, but none of the tapes show him moving about, let alone leaving.

HESSELIUS
(Considering)
Yes, I see. Very interesting.

WARD
(Turning away)
And that’s not all, either.

HESSELIUS
(Looking up)
What else has happened?

WARD
I just got an e-mail from a doctor in the Czech Republic, who had seen him when he was hospitalized there, to inform me of her imminent arrival. We’re going to look like idiots!

HESSELIUS
(Trying to be comforting)
No you won’t. I am sure she will understand. My friend is an unusual case.

WARD
That he is.

HESSELIUS
When does the Czech doctor arrive?

WARD
Tonight.

HESSELIUS
Kind of sudden, isn’t it?

WARD
Yes, I would say so.

HESSELIUS
Had you heard from her before?

WARD
No. She says she wasn’t intricately involved with his stay there, but his case is apparently similar to others she has worked on.

HESSELIUS
She is a psychiatrist, then?

WARD
Yes.

HESSELIUS
(Musing)
Hmmm. Her visit may prove to be fortuitous.

WARD
How so?

HESSELIUS
Well, if she says she has known similar cases. She may know of some facts peculiar to her country, which might shed some light on it.
(Beat)
By the way, what about Ms. Sheridan? Is there any change?

WARD
She remains comatose. Nothing’s changed since the outburst you witnessed the other night.

HESSELIUS
I would like to see that video again, if I may.

WARD
Of course. But have you seen the latest newscasts?

HESSELIUS
No. Why.

WARD
There’s a new development.
(Takes a moment)
There was a murder, a very brutal murder, at an ATM.

HESSELIUS
Like the one in Czechoslavakia?

WARD
Yes.

HESSELIUS
Were there witnesses? Or video?

WARD
The ATM’S video monitor caught it all.

HESSELIUS
Did it look like Richard?

WARD
(Turns away)
I’m not sure. His face was covered.

HESSELIUS
Really?

WARD
(Turning back to him)
Yes. But it looked like hair.

HESSELIUS
Hair?
(Ponders)
His hair couldn’t have grown out that fast.

WARD
It’s very strange. And yet...

HESSELIUS
(Looking at her)
Yes?

WARD
I had the strongest feeling it was him.

HESSELIUS
(Frowning deeply)
This is bad, very bad.

WARD
Do you think that was Renfield in the ATM?

HESSELIUS
(Looks at her a moment before speaking)
Yes.
(Beat)
I’m certain that it was him.

WARD
(Trying to remain steady)
What do we do now?

HESSELIUS
I don’t know.
(Turns away)
I really don’t know.

(He slowly exits, pensive. Ward follows. Lights shift to evening. Bathory
enters Laura’s room. She smiles seeming benevolence down on her. She passes
her hand over her. Laura rises slowly, trance—like).

BATHORY
I have come to visit you, my child.
(Beat)
Do not be afraid.

LAURA
(Faraway)
You’re her, aren’t you?

BATHORY
(Smiles with a chuckle)
Yes.

LAURA
What have you done with my Richard?

BATHORY
He is no longer yours. He belongs to me now. As will you.

(Laura seems to stuggle against her. Bathory sits beside her).

BATHORY
(Caressing Laura’s hair)
My sweet child. Don’t you remember me from your dreams? How I loved you?

(Laura gasps. Bathory laughs).

LAURA
Was it real? Was it not just a dream?

BATHORY
No, my child.

(Bathory brushes Laura’s hair away from her throat, then leans into it. Laura
gives a small cry. Ward enters, crosses listlessly to her desk. She leans on
it for a moment, deep in thought. Bathory rises and lays Laura back down,
then exits. There is a knock at the door, which startles Ward. She looks up).

WARD
(Forcing her voice to be steady)
Yes? Come in.

(The door opens, enter Bathory — in her guise as Dr. Elisabeth Nadasdy).

WARD
Can I help you?

BATHORY
I am Dr. Nadasdy. You are Dr. Ward?

WARD
(Crossing to her)
Yes, I’m Dr. Ward.
(Stretches out her hand to shake)
Pleased to meet you, doctor.

(They shake hands).

WARD
(Indicating chair in front of desk)
Please have a seat.

(Bathory sits. Ward crosses around her desk, and sits behind it, leaning
forward with her elbows on the desk).

WARD
(A little nervous)
I was surprised to hear from you. Your name wasn’t on any of the reports I’d received along with Mr. Renfield.

BATHORY
As I stated in my electronic-mail, I was not intricately associated with his treatment in Prague. I merely observed.

WARD
(Trying not to offend)
Oh, I understand that. It’s just, well, it was kind of sudden, and, I’m afraid, there has been a recent complication with the patient.

BATHORY
(Raising an eyebrow)
Oh? May I presume to ask what that is?

WARD
(Sheepishly)
I’m afraid I can’t go into it at the moment.
(Searching)
I’m not trying to be evasive, but...

BATHORY
I do appreciate your position. And, as a guest here, I do not wish to impose. I would like to be of assistance, if I may. As I also stated in my electronic—mail, I have worked with some similar cases, and merely wish to compare notes.

WARD
(Relieved)
Yes, of course. I can fill you in on the details of his stay here, since he arrived.
(Beat)
Hopefully, I will be able to fill you in on the rest. Maybe even as soon as tomorrow.
(Beat)
Do you know how long you plan to stay?

BATHORY
I am on a study tour, so I will be not too far for some time.

WARD
Oh, very good.

(Pause. Ward looks uncomfortable, as Bathory watches her. Bathory rises).

BATHORY
Perhaps I should leave for now?

WARD
Oh, yes, of course.
(Leads her to the door)
Get yourself settled, and maybe we can talk tomorrow. Okay?

BATHORY
(A wry smile)
Certainly. Good night.

(She exits. Ward puts her hand to her forehead for a silent moment. Bathory
re-enters Laura’s room and kneels beside her. After a beat Bathory exits.
Ward crosses to door and exits. Lights shift to day. Ward enters and crosses
to her desk, where she looks through some papers, distractedly. There is a
knock at the door).

WARD
(Standing)
Come in.

(Enter police detectives Murnau and Galeen).

MURNAU
Dr. Ward?

WARD
Yes?

(Murnau and Galeen flash their badges).

MURNAU
I’m Detective Murnau, and this is my partner, Detective Galeen.

WARD
(Stepping from around the desk, dreading what’s to come)
How can I help you?

MURNAU
You know why we’re here, doctor?

WARD
(Regaining composure)
Something to do with my escaped patient, I’d guess.

GALEEN
You’ve heard about the murders the press is calling “The Cannibal Killings”?

WARD
(Guarded)
Yes.

MURNAU
We have reason to believe your patient is the perpetrator.

GALEEN
Have you had any thoughts on where he might go? Or hideout?

WARD
(Crossing back to her desk)
No. There’s nothing in his profile to suggest his movements.
(Turning back to them)
At least not to me.

MURNAU
You don’t seemed too surprised by the allegation.

WARD
(Sitting)
I’ve been wracking my mind over the possibility.

GALEEN
Did you see the ATM footage?

WARD
Yes.

GALEEN
Did it look like your patient...
(Looks at notebook)
...Richard Renfield?

WARD
(Sighing)
I couldn’t tell. If it was, something was very different about his face.

MURNAU
It seemed to be covered with hair. The photos you gave us had him clean—cut.

WARD
We kept him shaved, and his hair cut.

MURNAU
(Thinking)
Hmmm. He couldn’t have grown that much hair that fast.
(Starting for the door)
If you think of anything else, please all us.

WARD
I will.

(They exit, closing the door behind them. Ward sighs loudly and lays her head
on the desk. Laura jumps from her bed, crouching down).

LAURA
Richard?
(Looking around)
Richard? Are you there?

(Special upstage into which Renfield pounces, looking wolfish, with viscera
dripping from his mouth. B.O. In the darkness the sounds of sirens and
gunshots. Lights up on Ward facing out window. Laura back in bed. A knock at
the door. She wearily turns to the door).

WARD
Enter.

(Enter FBI agent Dreyer).

DREYER
(Flashing i.d.)
FBI. Agent Dreyer. I’d like to ask a few questions.

WARD
(Stands)
Of course. Come in.

(He crosses to her, she indicates chair, he sits).
[NOTE: in the final draft, now lost, the detectives were excised, and
the FBI agent, now named FONTAINE, was changed to a woman]

WARD
This, I suppose, has to do with the murders, and my escaped patient?

DREYER
Yes, precisely.

WARD
How come the FBI is involved?

DREYER
I’m a profiler. I’m working with local police to help them capture your patient.

WARD
Will they capture him? Or just kill him on sight?

DREYER
If I can successfully get inside his head, we might be able capture him alive.

WARD
I got the impression the police were more interested in killing him, than capture.

DREYER
(Slight smile)
I think the priority for all of us is to stop him before he kills again.

WARD
Yes, of course. I don’t mean to sound unconcerned with the victims. I’m very concerned.
(Puts a hand to her head)
I feel partially responsible.

DREYER
His escape?

WARD
(Sighing)
Yes.

DREYER
I’ve talked with detectives Murnau and Galeen, and seen the observation tapes you gave the police, and am very puzzled by his escape. Strange how the nurse on duty got suddenly ill, and the security guard had to help her, leaving the way clear for him.

WARD
This case gets stranger and stranger.

DREYER
I know you’ve been bombarded with questions, but I’d still like you to go over it with me, if you would.

WARD
I don’t know. Oh...

DREYER
Yes?

WARD
I don’t know if will help, but there was a woman who has just arrived...
(Waving vaguely at the chair)

DREYER
Yes.

WARD
She’s from the Czech Republic, and, although she wasn’t directly involved with Mr. Renfield’s case, she was there at the Czech hospital when he was.

DREYER
Really? What brought her here?

WARD
She’s on a study tour, and wanted to check up on him. Apparently, she’s seen some other cases similar to his.

DREYER
Do you know where I can reach her?

WARD
(Realisation)
Oh. No, I don’t know where she’s staying.
(Looking apologetic as cross behind desk)
I’m sorry, I was trying to avoid coming out and telling our patient escaped, and then, well, I just didn’t get to ask. But she should be getting in touch with me again, probably today.

DREYER
He came out of his stupor kinda suddenly, after all.

WARD
Yes. Very suddenly. I have to admit his is one of the strangest cases I’ve ever even heard of.

DREYER
Unusual?

WARD
Very. When he’s captured...
(Beat)
...assuming he is captured, and not killed, he’ll need to be put under heavy security, and fully observed.

DREYER
We just hope to stop him, before he kills again.

WARD
Yes, of course.
(Beat)
Actually, I think there is someone else who might be able to shed more light on it
than I.

DREYER
Oh?

WARD
Yes. He’s not been officially connected with the case, but, as a friend and colleague of Mr. Renfield, he has been supportive. He was a little reticent to open up to the police, as his and Renfield’s pursuits involve the Occult, but he told me he’d like to find someone to listen to his theory.

DREYER
So he has a theory?

WARD
Yes. He was reluctant to even share it with me, for fear I’d balk. At this stage I’m willing to keep a completely open mind.

DREYER
His theory is not...
(Beat)
...within the traditional acceptance?

WARD
Not in the modern world. Or, at least not in our scientific society.

DREYER
(Thoughtful)
Hmm. I would be interested in speaking to him.

WARD
And you'll keep an open mind?

DREYER
“There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophies, Horatio.”

WARD
I’ve begun to take that quote to heart.
(Beat)
I’ll call Dr. Hesselius.

(She picks up phone, as Dreyer makes a note).

DREYER
Hesselius? How do you spell that?

(Ward hangs up phone. Bathory enters Laura’s room, dressed like a doctor. She
kneels beside Laura’s bed).

BATHORY
(Caressing her hair)
Tonight, my child. Tonight, you leave this life, and join me in mine.
(Beat)
I may even give you your little Richard back.
(Chuckles, then becomes suddenly alert)
But I must leave you for now.

(She kisses Laura’s forehead, and exits. Lights shift to show passage of
time. Ward stands over Dreyer as he looks through [Renfield’s] file. A knock
at the door).

WARD
(Turning)
Come in.

(Hesselius enters. Ward crosses to him, as Dreyer rises and puts the folder
on the desk).

WARD
(Warmly)
I’m glad your here.

HESSELIUS
I told you I’d come whenever you called.

WARD
(Taking his hand)
I know. But this mess...

DREYER
(Crossing to them)
Dr. Hesselius, I’m Agent...
(Shows his credentials)
...Dreyer, of the FBI.
(Puts out his hand to Hesselius)
Dr. Ward told you about me.

HESSELIUS
(Shaking his hand)
Yes, of course.

DREYER
Let’s talk.

(They all cross back to the desk. Dreyer indicates for Hesselius to sit in
the chair he just vacated, and Hesselius sits).

WARD
(To Dreyer)
Why don’t you sit in my chair, Mr. Dreyer.

DREYER
(Smiling)
No thank you, doctor. I prefer to think on my feet.
(Indicates her chair)
Why don’t you have a seat.

(Ward sits in her chair. Dreyer stands a few feet away, up and between them).

DREYER
Now, Dr. Hesselius, why don’t you tell me what your theory is. Please be candid. I won’t scoff.

HESSELIUS
I am glad to hear it.
(Gathering his thoughts)
You see, I, like my friend Richard Renfield, am a student of the Occult. We believe in what is generally known as the Supernatural. How we put it is, simply, that many things thought of as Supernatural in the popular mind, are simply phenomenon at present unexplainable by science. Of course, the Scientific Community derides anything outside their realm of understanding, save for a few free—thinkers, who know better.
(Beat)
I believe that Richard came into contact with some, how shall I put it?...some kind of negative force which did not drive him out of his mind, but altered his conciousness.

DREYER
You mean like what used to be called demonic possession?

HESSELIUS
Very like. You see, just as various chemicals can alter our senses, so too can energy. Take for instance, sun-depravation, or electro-shock therapy.

DREYER
(Very focused)
Yes, I see.

HESSELIUS
I don’t pretend to know the nature of this force, which has altered my friend, but I do know that he is no longer himself. For, despite what the public may think of the
Occult, we’re not all into evil ways. Richard was a pacifist.

DREYER
(Picking up file off desk)
It says in this report that he was in the Czech Republic to study a centuries old serial murder case.

HESSELIUS
Yes. The Countess Erzsebet Bathory was what one today would call a serial murderer. She was responsible for the brutal deaths of some six hundred and fifty young women.

DREYER
(Whistles with amazement).
How did she get away with that?!

HESSELIUS
Her family was one of the most powerful in Hungary. For years she only killed peasant women hired as servants. It was only when she started using girls of the lower aristocracy that she was finally put on trial, albeit in absentia.

DREYER
What happened to her?

HESSELIUS
She and her accomplices were condemned. The accomplices were burnt at the stake, and she was walled up in a room in her castle, with only a very small food hatch and some
ventilation slits left open. She died about four years later.

DREYER
And Renfield was working on a book about her?

HESSELIUS
Yes. He was trying to connect with her spirit, her essence, or something that would lead him to a deeper understanding of her psyche, and what drove her to torture and kill.

DREYER
She also tortured her victims?

HESSELIUS
Yes. She had sessions, which were referred to as “games”, in which she and her accomplices, a small core of loyal servants, would use various means of torture.

DREYER
(Repulsed)
Nice lady.

HESSELIUS
She was known as the Blood Countess. Legend had it that she would bathe in the blood of virgins to maintain her youth,though no evidence of her actually doing so ever came to light. But, who knows. There was a great deal of politics going on. The Crown owed a great deal of money to the Bathory family.

(Bathory appears at the window, unseen by them).

DREYER
But you don’t think being at the scene of these crimes could have affected Renfield to the degree he would kill?

HESSELIUS
Actually, if I recall rightly, she didn’t commit many of her atrocities at the castle, as she preferred to be in one of her townhouses.

DREYER
Is it not possible that your friend became obsessed with his studies, to the point that he began to identify with her?

HESSELIUS
Well, I suppose that’s possible, it’s not really my field...
(Looks to Ward)
...I would not presume to deny such a possibility. Dr. Ward knows more about such things.

WARD
I leaned in that direction at the beginning, but he’s not using her methods. She tortured her victims, he, like a wild animal, is tearing his apart, even devouring parts.

DREYER
(Looking at her)
Yes, your quite right.
(Back to Hesselius)
I’m not discounting your explanation. But I do have to remain skeptical until we have more information to go on.

WARD
I heard they shot at him last night, when he...
(She can’t go on)

DREYER
Yes. The policeman who shot at him also claim to have hit him. Several times.

HESSELIUS
Yet it didn’t stop him.

DREYER
No. And that’s not all.

HESSELIUS
Oh?

DREYER
One of the reasons I’m open to your explanation is that in the ensuing chase, this wasn’t reported on the news to avoid panic, he came up against two officers, whom he ripped apart, despite their firing their guns.

WARD
Oh my god.

HESSELIUS
Somehow, we must stop him.

DREYER
Yes. And immediately.

WARD
We must have a plan.

(Both Hesselius and Dreyer nod agreement. Bathory laughs).

DREYER
(Looking off)
What’s that?

WARD
(Concerned)
Must be one of the patients.

(Hesselius listens acutely. In her room, Laura slowly rises off her bed,
smiling malevolently. F.O.).





END OF ACT II


NOTE: Planned and tried unsuccessfully to write a third act. It refused to be written. For the production, I wrote a monologue by Ward, now lost, who explains that Laura disappeared, and that Hesselius and Dreyer went in pursuit. Ward finishes by saying she has no closure, and feels at a loss.