THRESHOLD | Part 5 "The Spirit of Hollow Hyde"

PART FIVE: THE SPIRIT OF HOLLOW HYDE

Transcripts made and edited by keyraven, Oro, Snake, jack

CWs: possession, taxidermy, sounds of injury/gore/blood, beetles, eating noises, animal death, hitting animals, animal corpses, decomposition, asphyxiation

 

(BEGIN Part 5.)

LEONARD GILBERT (theatric): There is a presence here. One that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Nor heard by the human ear. It is a presence that lingers, that hangs, that haunts this place. It stalks you, Mr. Hyde, watching unabashedly from the shadows. It taunts you in each waking moment, causing confusion and doubt, and feasts greedily on that doubt during the dead of night. Make no mistake, my dear friends, this being: It is evil incarnate. It is vile, it is malicious, and it is… malevolent. And it fears nothing, for it has nothing to fear… save me.

 

Please, join me at the table. Sit, sit, yes. (Chairs moving against the floor.) What I am about to perform may startle you, but it is a mere shadow compared to the fright this ungodly creature has brought down upon you over these last three weeks.

 

MISTER HYDE: Two weeks.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Uh—two weeks. (Whispers.) Two deadly, horrific—

 

MISTER HYDE: Oh, right. Three weeks, I suppose.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Three? Three, yes.

 

MISTER HYDE: Do you count weeks starting on Sundays?

 

LEONARD GILBERT (conversational): Uh, I do. (Theatric.) I do. I urge you, no matter what happens, no matter what sounds you hear or shadows you may see move, do as I say, and follow my instructions to the word. I cannot guarantee success today. We may hear no answer to our call as we reach out beyond the vale and disturb what ought not to be disturbed. But in some way, should that happen, unlikely as it may be, we may just be the lucky ones.

 

I will now remove the clear red glass chimney that has shielded my flame away from any stray breath we may have exerted. (A pop sound. An object is placed on the table.) Listen for any subtle sounds, creaks, or perhaps even a knock. Regard this candle in the centre of the table carefully, for any flicker of its flame may indicate a presence. And, of course, watch the shadowy corners of this basement for movement.

 

I will open the way through an incantation. And when we are done, we must remember to say goodbye. For if we do not, the door will remain open and whatever we have invited here may just linger.

 

Let us begin. (Throat-clearing.) I open the veil to the other side to invite a presence that's chosen to hide. I speak to the dead, who offer to show the doorway now opened as I speak hello.

 

(A pause.) The spirit of Hollow Hyde, I call to you. The ghostly apparition of he who haunts this place, we welcome you into this basement. There are plenty of shadows in which to hide. Join us so we may speak. (Chairs creaking.) These long weeks, the Hydes have sensed your presence. You have not remained undetected, if that was your wish.

 

(Aside.) There is always a chance that a spirit has a noble goal. It is wise to ensure that before we manifest or banish the spirit, but—

 

Make your presence known. Ah, yes. Do you sense that? A cold. No? No— It's a mild cold, but it is there. I-I think— yes. I think the presence must be here, though I doubt it wishes to make—

 

(A door suddenly slams open, loudly. Gilbert startles.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT (nervous): Is that a door?

 

MISTER HYDE: Sounds like it.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Is there a door down here?

 

MISTER HYDE: To the outside.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Where?

 

MISTER HYDE: Behind those racks over there.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Does that door normally open like that?

 

MISTER HYDE: No.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No?

 

MISTER HYDE: Is it here?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, yes, yes, yes. (Nervously.) I… The outside door, you sure it never just— maybe the latch doesn't quite stick.

 

MISTER HYDE: No, no.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Right, right. Yes. (Theatric, but shaken.) Yes, the door. You've opened it, spirit. Are you telling us that you've, um, left this place? Yes, perhaps you were here, and decide—  (A horror sting. Gilbert sputters in fright.)

 

MISTER HYDE: The candle!

 

LEONARD GILBERT (shaken): Yes, yes, well, it's awfully windy outside. I suppose the breeze must have shut the door, and—

 

MISTER HYDE: Should you ask it a question?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: What? Why?

 

MISTER HYDE: What?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Right! Right, right. Are you the spirit that haunts this house? Uh, knock once for yes and twice for n-no—

 

(Two knocks.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: O-okay. Right. Let us join hands, w-w-we have spirit in the room with us. Keep a close eye on the-the shadowy corners. (Quick.) And tell me if anything moves.

 

(A pause.)

 

MISTER HYDE: Well?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, yes, I'm thinking. Are you the spirit of someone who died here?

 

(Two knocks.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No? No, right, you aren't. Um… Are you the spirit of someone haunting this family, then?

 

(Two knocks.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No, no no. Well then, you're um… you're uh… something… else?

 

(One loud knock. Objects clatter.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Right. Well. Well, I suppose we've learned all we can from this spirit. 

 

MISTER HYDE (nervous): Tell it to leave me alone! Banish it, or—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I-I don't think that-that's — (A ghostly hiss. Gilbert squeals.) (Firmly.) All right, spirit! I think that's enough of you.

 

MISTER HYDE: Ask it why it's trying to kill me.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No, no, no, no, no. I think— I think that's good. I said enough. There is— There isn’t quite the right— (Another ghostly hiss, then an otherworldly zap.) Egads! (Gilbert squeals and sputters.)

 

JOHN (grand): Leonard Gilbert! The mystic huckster!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Khh, what? No, no, no, no. I-I am not. I am not! Leave this place.

 

JOHN: I will devour your soul!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Leave this place at once! I command you!

 

JOHN: You will never escape.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I command you! Leave this place at once and never return!

 

(John groans dramatically. An otherworldly zap. Gilbert and Hyde gasp. After a moment, glass shatters.)

 

MISTER HYDE: Is that it, then?

 

LEONARD GILBERT (surprised): Y-yes. Yes, I should say— I should say that it is. I think I— I think I did it. I think I really, really did it.

 

MISTER HDE: Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You're— You're welcome. (Gilbert gasps, catching his breath.)

 

MISTER HYDE: Rose, go get a dustbin from upstairs for the glass, will you? And ring Bruce for the elk piece. I feel like I'm fit to see visitors again. And thank you for coming, Vernon. Appreciate you.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I'll— I'll ensure the back door is latched firmly again, yes? (A chair is moved, Leonard grunts.) Right. Do turn on the lights, Vernon, please. It's still quite dim back here. (Footsteps. A doorknob is jiggled.) (Muttering.) Seems to be…

 

ARTHUR: Morning, Lennie.  (Gilbert screams and sputters.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT (startled): Egads! What on earth are you— Lester?! Is that you?

 

ARTHUR: In the flesh.  (A soft whooshing sound, cutting off suddenly.)

 

JOHN (laughing): Leonard Gilbert looks as though he's about to have a heart attack. He's clutching his heart as if to stop it from jumping out of his chest.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You nearly scared me half to death there.

 

ARTHUR: Oh, really.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Do you have any idea what I've just been through? A real spectre just apparated in this very…

 

JOHN: It's starting to dawn on him.

 

ARTHUR: Oh, I know, Lennie. I know very well.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No, you didn't.

 

JOHN: There it is.

 

LEONARD GILBERT (indignant): You—you brute!  You no-goodnik!

 

ARTHUR: Me? Leonard Gilbert, if you were any dimmer, you'd be a blackout. Taking these people's hard-earned money and for what?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: For what? For what I thought I just did. Oh god!

 

ARTHUR: But you did!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Here I am riding high. This is a swell time to get a kick in the pants like that.

 

ARTHUR: You said a few magic words and you lit a candle!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I am trying to offer solutions.

 

ARTHUR (exasperated): To what problems?!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: A host of them, if you cared to know. They are terrified for their lives. They can barely sleep, they're so terrified.

 

ARTHUR: Of what?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: A presence! 

 

ARTHUR (exasperated): My god, Leonard.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Hush, hush, hush. They are so drained they are making mistakes, causing accidents. Hurting people and themselves.

 

JOHN: Accidents?

 

ARTHUR: You parade around town exploiting people, claiming to have talents you do not possess—

 

LEONARD GILBERT (offended): Oh, how dare you!

 

ARTHUR: All the while taking their money!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I help them the only way I can! How is it any different than what you do?

 

ARTHUR: Because I actually believe!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: As do I! (Arthur huffs.) You may not see the good in what I am attempting to do, but by gosh, others do! And if I need to make a living doing it, I do not see why it is any of your business.

 

ARTHUR: Because you're dragging my name through the mud as well.

 

LEONARD GILBERT (incredulous): When?!

 

MISTER HYDE: Mister Gilbert!

 

LEONARD GILBERT (loudly): One moment, please! (Quieter.) What are you on about?

 

ARTHUR: Puckett. You gave him my number.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, yes. And?

 

ARTHUR: Why?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: He needed help. Booked a house call, used a fake name too. Probably knew I wouldn't show up to that crook's house otherwise.

 

ARTHUR: You knew he was a crook?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well, I don't live under a rock, Lester.

 

JOHN: Hm…

 

ARTHUR: What was the fake name he gave?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Sinclair. Mister Sinclair.

 

ARTHUR: What did you do for him, exactly?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I-I—

 

MISTER HYDE: Mister Gilbert?

 

LEONARD GILBERT (loudly): Coming! (Quieter.) Look. We can talk after. I am still working here.

 

ARTHUR: Fine.

 

JOHN: The basement of this shop is unassuming and clearly used for storage. These large racks hide the back door from view of the round table set up in the center. A single solitary light hangs in the center of the room, and the light from outside is obfuscated by bushes, bringing in only a small bit of light from the window we first looked in through.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And now I need to come clean. Huh!

 

ARTHUR: What do you mean?

 

JOHN: Come clean?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well I cannot in good conscience take their money, if… if it was you putting it on.

 

JOHN: Oh.

 

ARTHUR (taken aback): Well, I wasn't—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You did open the door, yes?

 

ARTHUR: Yes.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And slam it. And blow out the candle I brought? 

 

ARTHUR: Yes, yes.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And that voice, that projection. And the glass break—

 

ARTHUR: Yes, yes, it was all me. (Gilbert scoffs.)

 

JOHN: Glass?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Uh! Very well. Best fess up. I'd rather not be called a charlatan. By my clients at least.

 

ARTHUR (sincere): I'm… I'm sorry, Leonard. Well, I'll come with you. It was my fault. I'll— I'll fess up as well.

 

JOHN: A-Arthur, wait. Ask him about… what glass?

 

ARTHUR: What glass broke?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: The red chimney on the candle I brought. The one on the table.

 

JOHN: He brought it with him.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Now, are you here as a friend or simply an associate? I'll introduce you as such, and frankly, would rather know myself.

 

ARTHUR: What the hell, Lennie, yeah, sure. We're friends. (Footsteps.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT (sighing): Mr. Hyde, Mrs. Hyde, a-a-and… Vernon. Please have a seat. I'm afraid there's been a slight mix-up. (Chairs moving against the floor.)

 

MISTER HYDE: Who is that?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: This is a-a-a…

 

JOHN: He looks at us with a pained reluctance of sorts.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: A friend.

 

JOHN: Like introducing a younger brother.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Who seems to have… inadvertently skewed the results of today's… encounter.

 

MISTER HYDE: What do you mean? We all saw it.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well…

 

JOHN: Arthur…

 

ARTHUR: It was my fault. I'm sorry. I was here to deliver a message to Lennie— uh, Leonard, and I… inadvertently altered the ritual.

 

JOHN: Arthur, the red glass that shielded the candle, the one Leonard removed. We didn't break that.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, yes.

 

ARTHUR (whisper): What?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: So, you see… (unintelligible.)

 

JOHN (talking over Gilbert): There's a large piece of the glass on the floor. By your feet. Grab it, will you? (Arthur grunts.) There, there! The large piece. The woman was cleaning it up but missed a shard.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: …at no extra cost. But as I do have other appointments today, I do think we need to wind down for the morning, if that's all right with you.

 

MISTER HYDE: But I don't understand. What about all that we saw and heard?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: The spirit world is a strange and unusual place.

 

JOHN: Hold it up to your eye.

 

(Leonard and Hyde continue talking in the background, unintelligible.)

 

ARTHUR: What are you—?

 

JOHN: Would you trust me? Start with the woman. (A faint otherworldly ringing.) Leonard mentioned accidents, and clearly these people do feel a presence. Some apparitions can be seen by the naked eye, like the wraith in the mansion, while others can only be seen through glass.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: …he is an accomplished spiritualist in his own right.

 

ARTHUR: Private detective, please.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, specializing in supernatural—

 

ARTHUR (annoyed): Not specializing. Occasionally handling.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Right, right. The important thing here is that while our problem may persist… (Unintelligible.)

 

JOHN (talking over Gilbert): Nothing on or around the woman. Try the guest, Vernon. There, there. For example, looking through a mirror — silvered glass — can reveal a great number of entities, but mirrors are very common nowadays. But red glass, especially brought in from outside… Nothing on Vernon. Try Mr. Hyde, a little to the right.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: …we really just begun.

 

MISTER HYDE: Oh, is that why?

 

JOHN: Red glass can reveal…

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Why what, my good man?

 

MISTER HYDE: Why you didn't say goodbye.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I… I didn't. Oh.

 

JOHN (cautious): Arthur. There is a ravener attached to Mr. Hyde.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Lester?

 

ARTHUR: Hmm?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Lester, dear. Are you quite all right?

 

ARTHUR: Yes, yes, yes. Just-just… one second.

 

JOHN: Through the red glass, I can see it. The ravener stands behind Mr. Hyde, whose blank expression reveals that he is unaware of the creature that is bound to him. It stands nearly 8 feet tall, covered in pale skin, stretched so tightly over its bony limbs that it is tearing at the seams. Its fingertips disappear into the forearms of Mr. Hyde, as if the flesh connects seamlessly, becoming one. As if puppeting him, the creature's arms jut out at a sharp angle.

 

It stares down at its captive, Arthur, looking at the top of his head with an open, slavering maw. The pink flesh of its gums revealing only a handful of translucent, needle-like teeth. (Arthur breathes heavily.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Lester, you're making us all a bit worried, I'm afraid.

 

JOHN: Go back behind the bookcase. Bring Leonard.

 

ARTHUR (nervous): Leonard, can I— can I speak with you in private again, please? By the back door. Leonard.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Sure, though I don't think there's much else—

 

ARTHUR (commanding): Leonard. (Gibert scoffs.) Now!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Very well. Please excuse me. I did not intend to imply that you are anything less than a fully—

 

ARTHUR (serious): Leonard, that man is in trouble.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Who? Mister Hyde? Well, of course.

 

JOHN: He has a grippling, a ravener.

 

ARTHUR: A what?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: A what?

 

JOHN: An entity— like the wraith. Possibly hollowborn.

 

ARTHUR: Slow down.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Slow down? I'm barely speaking.

 

ARTHUR: Shut up. What are you talking about?

 

LEONARD GILBERT (exasperated): What are you talking about?

 

JOHN: Give him the glass. Take a look.

 

ARTHUR: Right fine. Here.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Ow!

 

ARTHUR: Put that up to your eye and look at Mr. Hyde.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I don't see—

 

ARTHUR: Just do it. And then come back here, quickly.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Fine. Shows up at my seance and causes a ruckus… (Gibert continues muttering, unintelligible.)

 

JOHN: If the ravener finds out we've spotted it, it's going to hide.

 

ARTHUR: Talk.

 

JOHN: The wraith. Spirits that visit this place.

 

ARTHUR: Yes, yes. What do you mean hollowborn?

 

JOHN: The in-between realm that Yorick spoke of. For those who have cheated the Dark World, where Malam wandered as a revenant. I think… I think maybe they come from that.

 

ARTHUR: No, no, the wraith was a spirit. A human who died and-and was trapped here—

 

JOHN: I don't believe things get trapped here, the way you all speak of ghosts. And moreover, I think the Hollow is… specific to this existence, to Earth, to humanity. Since returning from the Dark World, we learned that all things, from all worlds, end up there. But I think the Hollow is in between this world and the Dark World.

 

ARTHUR: That is an awful lot of assumptions—

 

JOHN: I don't believe so. I cannot remember nor place where this specific knowledge comes from. But I have the haziest of recollections from an ancient time, perhaps my first arrival here when I uncovered these truths.

 

ARTHUR: So you learnt about this demon, this entity, this ravener. You know about it.

 

JOHN: Similarly to my knowledge of the wraith. Eons on Earth trying to make sense of your myths and stories. I can almost recall studying these things. My own attempts at cataloguing and quantifying this young race's tapestry of existence, I suppose.

 

ARTHUR (dry): So you're an anthropologist?

 

JOHN: In my youth, yes. Leonard's coming back. (Footsteps.)

 

ARTHUR: Well?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well, what?

 

ARTHUR: Well, did you look at Mr. Hyde through the glass?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, and he looks perfectly fine.

 

ARTHUR: What?

 

JOHN: That— That's not possible.

 

ARTHUR: Give me that back.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Here.

 

JOHN: Go back. (Footsteps.) There, there. He's straight ahead. Look through it again.

 

ARTHUR: Well?

 

JOHN: He's right. It's gone.

 

ARTHUR (quiet): Could it have been a mistake? Maybe you—

 

JOHN: No. No, Arthur. We're in grave danger. (Glass shatters in the distance. Arthur and John startle.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Lester?

 

ARTHUR: What was that?

 

JOHN: The lights are off!

 

ARTHUR: Everyone stay calm.

 

(Gilbert continues to talk in the background. Chairs moving, noises of concern.)

 

JOHN: It is no longer bound to Mr. Hyde, Arthur.

 

ARTHUR: What does that mean?

 

(Ghostly sounds emanate.)

 

JOHN: Raveners attach themselves to a host, like a parasite, waiting for them to die. Unseen, unscathed.

 

ARTHUR: Until?

 

JOHN: So long as the body remains intact, they inhabit it. When the soul is dead.  (Objects crash in the background.)

 

ARTHUR: Is Mr. Hyde down here?

 

JOHN: No, no! We discovered it. Revealed it. And it realized that. So now…

 

ARTHUR: So it's looking for a new place to hide. (A woman’s scream.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Lester, what in heaven's name?!

 

ARTHUR: This place is no longer safe, Leonard. There is something here, Leonard. Something sinister.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I knew it. I knew it! I had left the door open. (Gilbert squeals.)

 

JOHN: No. This thing was here long before that.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I am too powerful!

 

ARTHUR: Where is everyone?

 

JOHN: Mr. Hyde is gone.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I think Mr. Hyde went upstairs.

 

JOHN: I don't see it down here. It could be seeking him out once again.

 

ARTHUR: I will go after him. You keep others safe.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: How? Should we leave, or?

 

ARTHUR: Find a way to turn the lights back on.

 

JOHN: We can't let that thing out. No one leaves.

 

ARTHUR: No, no. Just keep them here and safe.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Rose? Mr. Vernon?

 

ARTHUR: And take this.

 

JOHN: The red glass!

 

ARTHUR: Look through it. (John grunts.) And if anything looks strange or dangerous, get as far away from it as possible.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: All-all-all right.

 

ARTHUR: Stay safe.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You too. We're in it again, eh? Just like the stained livery.

 

(Arthur groans.)

 

JOHN: Move.

 

ARTHUR: Why the hell did Hyde head upstairs?

 

JOHN: Why on earth did you give away the glass? How do you intend to find it now?

 

ARTHUR: I overheard Rose tidying it up. She swept it into a dustbin and brought it back upstairs. We just need to find a big enough piece from the garbage.

 

JOHN: All right… All right, fair enough.

 

ARTHUR: Give me a little credit.

 

JOHN: Assuming both Mr. Hyde and the ravener are up here: Should we look for the creature, or stick to finding Hyde and getting him back to the basement where he's safe?

 

ARTHUR: Let's just get Hyde back downstairs with the others. Then we can hunt for this thing. (Footsteps.)

 

JOHN: Alright.

 

ARTHUR (grunting): So this thing, this ravener… who was attached to Hyde for how long?

 

JOHN: No idea. Years, possibly his entire life.

 

ARTHUR (amazed): Really?

 

JOHN: They aren't active threats. They lay in wait, hoping to wear the skin of their chosen victim one day. They find ways to isolate their quarry, kill off others, force them into a life of recluse. All so that when they die, they can slip in, unassuming and unnoticed.

 

ARTHUR: Damn!

 

JOHN: We're at the top step, and in the hallway of the main shop. (Wooden floorboards creaking.) To the left is the front door of the shop. The door looks to be locked tightly, and lets in only a small amount of faded yellow light. To the right and left of it are the showrooms, cramped little chambers to examine and view the pieces Mr. Hyde has made.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, the bear and the wolf.

 

JOHN: Exactly. Directly across from where we are now is a small office. There's no door. It looks as though the bookkeeping is done here. And to our right is a large kitchen.

 

ARTHUR: The kitchen first, let's see if we can find the glass. (Footsteps.)

 

JOHN: The kitchen features painted blue cabinetry and white countertops. With a wall dedicated to showcasing a retinue of smaller mounted… heads. Ferrets, foxes, and a raccoon are amongst the smaller pieces here. Their glassy black eyes catching only the smallest bit of light from the front hall. I don't see a light switch.

 

ARTHUR: Is there a lamp or-or…

 

JOHN: Oh-oh yeah! To the left! (A lamp is switched on.) This small green glass table lamp sits on a sideboard in the kitchen. The light from below the mounted heads seems to cast very large shadows on the ceiling.

 

ARTHUR: Would I… feel it? If it chose us? If it should slide its fingers into our flesh? Like it did Hyde's?

 

JOHN: I don't know. Let's not linger and find out. The dustbin is to the right. (Footsteps, the dustbin is moved.) Though…

 

ARTHUR: Empty?

 

JOHN: What did she do with the glass? (The dustbin is placed down.)

 

ARTHUR: Maybe she put it in another bin, or… (A distant clatter. Arthur and John gasp.)

 

JOHN: Did someone else get to it first? During Leonard's seance, the thing broke the red glass. I wonder if it knew it could be detected.

 

ARTHUR: Clearly this thing can affect the waking world.

 

JOHN: Yes, though in what way and how much I'm uncertain. Much like the wraith, this creature is… an archetype. But what it wants may be less predictable, more individualized.

 

ARTHUR: Right, right, right. (Footsteps.) Terrifying to think how many of these things are out there.

 

JOHN: There's no way to know really. Many just want life, no matter the cost. Living quiet, albeit stolen lives.

 

ARTHUR: Surely there's a way to tell if a person has been taken over or…

 

JOHN: Yes. I would imagine the same red glass, which makes sense why the ravener would be keen to hide any more.

 

ARTHUR: You don't think Hyde has… already been taken, do you? (A distant clatter, closer now. Arthur gasps.)

 

JOHN: The front room.

 

ARTHUR (whispering): Quietly. 

 

JOHN: To the left of us, at the end of the hallway by the front door is a set of stairs leading up.

 

ARTHUR: But the sound came from one of these two front rooms.

 

JOHN: Pick your poison.

 

ARTHUR: Let's start with the wolf.

 

JOHN: The right then. (Footsteps.) The gauzy curtains hide the wolf in the front window and serve to diffuse the light, causing this room to glow in a dim yellow. It looks as though there's a bar of sorts to the right, following the open passage into this room. Deer heads seem to be the primary attraction here, along with another howling white wolf and a lounging bobcat. I can make out some shapes, but many are hidden by shadow. A torch would be appreciated.

 

ARTHUR (shaky): I'll remember that for next time.

 

JOHN: Move slowly toward the back.

 

ARTHUR: You know it's… You know it's only in moments like this that I… I tend to truly appreciate how lucky we've been.

 

JOHN: Yeah.

 

ARTHUR: To go through what we've gone through. It puts moments like this into perspective. How quickly it can all be snatched away.  (A clock ticking.)

 

JOHN (nervous): Stop!  (A pause.) Okay, okay. 

 

ARTHUR: You don't… You don't think with all this… dead flesh around…

 

JOHN: I'm sure if it could it would have taken over one of these long ago.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, that's fair.

 

JOHN: Although the irony isn't lost on me. (An otherworldly hiss.) (Startled.) Arthur!

 

ARTHUR: What? What?

 

JOHN: Something… A shadow just passed by. I swear… It— It moved past the window. The room was…

 

ARTHUR: I believe you.

 

JOHN: I don't see anything now. The showroom is empty. No dustbin either on the off chance that…

 

ARTHUR: Right. Let's try the other side. The black bear.

 

JOHN: Stop here. At the foot of the stairs.  (A distant clatter.)

 

ARTHUR: The other side first. (Footsteps.)

 

JOHN: Yeah. Same layout on this side, only this looks to be… the workshop.

 

ARTHUR: Brilliant.

 

JOHN: Animal skins laid out in piles are haphazardly stacked here and… a dividing wall leads to the back section.

 

ARTHUR: Okay.

 

JOHN: Here. Beyond the wall is a large wooden table. The desk lamp is switched off, hiding the piece he was last working on in shadow. Here. (A lamp is switched on. John grunts.) Yeah. Yeah, thick black stitching holds together the inner seams… of a lion's face. It's reversed, contorted inside out and stretched over a metal cage to keep the skin taut as he sets the eyes.

 

ARTHUR (matter-of-fact): Horrific.

 

JOHN (alarmed): Oh, Jesus! (Arthur startles audibly.) Directly behind us, hidden by the darkness. Now, revealed by the light is a life-sized grizzly he's been working on. The thing must be eight feet tall. Its midsection is missing though, only the wooden chest remains.

 

ARTHUR: Give me a heart attack, why don't you?

 

JOHN: You and me both.

 

ARTHUR: Still, no sign?

 

JOHN: Nothing. I suppose the top floor is all that remains.

 

ARTHUR: Yes, let's go. (Footsteps.) Wait, so even if we find this thing… How are we to stop it?

 

JOHN: I'm not sure entirely. Similarly to the wraith. Binding it to an object and then destroying it, or releasing the creature is most likely.

 

ARTHUR: But given that this creature wishes to be bound to a living person…

 

JOHN: Well, not quite. It inhabits the body once the soul dies.

 

ARTHUR: So we just need a dead body?

 

JOHN: There are worse places to be if we're looking for a dead body.

 

ARTHUR: Well, it's as you said. It would have taken over one of these long ago had it been able to.

 

JOHN: Yes, but these are sawdust and thread. The ravener needs flesh. It inhabits the body, taking over all. And it can't do that if the body is destroyed. That's why they don't walk their chosen victims into traffic.

 

ARTHUR: Right, right, so maybe Mr. Hyde has something newly deceased that we can use. Something fresh.

 

JOHN: Stairs. (Arthur grunts.) The old wood banister feels well-worn and smooth beneath our hand. The top floor is warmer, and the morning sun beams through a stained glass window up here, unobstructed by a curtain.

 

ARTHUR: Wait, wait, stained glass?

 

JOHN (excited): With red at the center, Arthur!

 

ARTHUR: Brilliant! Where?

 

JOHN: The back of the stairs, essentially behind us at the front of the house. (Arthur grunts.) Here, here! (John grunts.) Wait! It's out of reach. We need a stool or…

 

ARTHUR: A ladder? Or- or- or- maybe there's one in the basement.

 

JOHN: Or… The attic.

 

ARTHUR: The attic?

 

JOHN: It's a pull-down attic. With a hanging cord right here by the window. It's swinging slowly.

 

ARTHUR (nervous): As if someone has just used it?

 

JOHN (dry): As if our running over here stirred the air.

 

ARTHUR: Still.

 

JOHN: There may not even be a ladder in the basement, and time is not on our side. (Arthur sighs.) Let's just use the attic ladder. We can break the window, get the glass, and find a way to end this.

 

ARTHUR: Yes, you're right.

 

JOHN: Just… be careful. Obviously.

 

ARTHUR (sighing): Yeah.  (Arthur grunts. The attic door creaks open, and the stairs extend.)

 

JOHN: The darkened attic above us offers no answers as to whether or not Hyde is up there. But the stairs land perfectly in line with the window just out of reach.

 

ARTHUR (cringing): Oh, fuck! That smell!

 

JOHN: Like… decay or rot.

 

ARTHUR: Earthy, almost. I've never smelled anything like that before.

 

JOHN: You'll have to lean out from the ladder a bit, but…

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, yeah.  (Arthur grunts, stairs creak.)

 

JOHN: One more step. Yeah.

 

ARTHUR: Where is…

 

JOHN: You'll need to lean a bit. Hold on to the ladder.

 

ARTHUR (straining): The ladder's bending. Can't…

 

JOHN: Yeah, yeah, there's a hinge. Yeah, alright. Uh…

 

ARTHUR: What about up? Yeah, if I reach around and just grip the floor above.

 

JOHN: Yes. Hold on to the attic floor above, sure.

 

ARTHUR: Then I can lean over.  (Arthur grunts.)

 

JOHN: Yeah. Yeah, that should work.

 

ARTHUR: Okay, now what?

 

JOHN: Now… oh, uh. Right. Well, the stained glass is rimmed by a black metal of some sort. You'll need something to knock it out…

 

ARTHUR: Right.

 

JOHN: Without damaging it.

 

ARTHUR: Yes.

 

JOHN: Or pushing it out into the street.

 

ARTHUR: Right, well, I need something to do that with.

 

JOHN: Um… Below us, there's a small side table. And there's a heavy-looking clock about the size of your fist sitting upon it. That should do.  (Metal clanging. Arthur picks up the clock.)

 

ARTHUR: Sure.

 

JOHN: Look, the stained glass, it's… depicting a flower.

 

ARTHUR: Okay, where is the, uh…

 

JOHN: Here, here. Here, there.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah… yeah, this'll do.

 

JOHN: Yes, but listen. Only the center is red.

 

ARTHUR: Only?

 

JOHN: Yes. And it's about… Maybe a palm-sized piece. (Arthur exhales.) If we miss this…

 

ARTHUR: Well, let's not.

 

JOHN: I— I think the top is narrower. It's almost teardrop-shaped.

 

ARTHUR (straining): Yeah, yeah, okay.

 

JOHN: So if you break the tip, put your finger through and pull towards us, it should come out.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah.

 

JOHN: Alright. Let's lean out and we can— (A click, like pull cord switch. Arthur gasps quickly.) (Trepidatious.) There is a light on… in the attic.

 

ARTHUR (whispering): What do we do? (A pause.) John!

 

JOHN: I don't see anything. Let's just— (Something shifting, distant.) We get the glass.

 

ARTHUR: Tell me where. (Stairs creaking.)

 

JOHN: There, there! Use the corner to break a small hole. Right… there.

 

ARTHUR: Okay.

 

(Arthur hits the glass with the clock, repeatedly.)

 

JOHN: More! You're cracking it but not breaking it. (Clock hitting glass.) Almost. (Clock hitting glass, glass breaking.)

 

ARTHUR (under his breath): Come on.

 

JOHN: A little more. (Arthur hits the glass again, glass breaking.) There! There! There's a hole! Reach up from the ladder and pry the piece out! (Arthur winces, broken glass shifting.) Almost… Almost… Yes. (John gasps.) (Startled.) Hyde!

 

ARTHUR: Where? (A crunch. Arthur screams in pain.)

 

JOHN: Your fingers! Don't fall on the— (Arthur falls, glass breaks.) No! (John growls.)

 

ARTHUR (in pain): Ah, fuck! My fucking hand! Ah, he crushed it!

 

JOHN (frustrated): Arthur, you fell onto the window!

 

ARTHUR: He crushed it!

 

JOHN: Knocking the piece to the ground outside! It's lost!

 

ARTHUR: I think it may be broken. (Arthur gasps in pain.)

 

JOHN: It's fine. He just stomped on it. Arthur! We have no time. We need to help him.

 

ARTHUR: Help him!? He's already lost. He stomped my hand. He's no longer Hyde, clearly the ravener is—

 

JOHN: That may only be the creature's influence. The ravener can and clearly has been influencing him and this household for a while now. Like killing the lights.

 

ARTHUR: So you think the ravener is only… reattached itself to him.

 

JOHN: I don't know. If Hyde has died… then it's taken him over completely.

 

ARTHUR: Without the glass, how are we supposed to know which it is?

 

JOHN: I don't know. (Arthur sighs.) But raveners are not apex predators. They're scavengers, hiding in the shadows like leeches, hoping to never be spotted. (Arthur winces in pain.) If it didn't try to leave the house, then its instinct would have been to disappear and be forgotten.

 

ARTHUR: Why not leave the house? Why not guide Hyde out into the open, and get away from us forever?

 

JOHN: I suppose… to what end? The ravener doesn't just want Hyde's body, it wants his life! It wants to inhabit Hyde and all that comes with it. Leaving all this would be like a fly laying eggs in a desiccated carcass.

 

ARTHUR: Well, if it didn't leave, then it's clearly not hiding.

 

JOHN: It must think it can stop us.

 

ARTHUR: What kind of threat is a ravener that's fully taken over mortal flesh?

 

JOHN: I have no idea. But you have your gun.

 

ARTHUR (incredulous): I'm not using my fucking gun, are you insane?

 

JOHN: Why not?

 

ARTHUR: Two shootings in two days?

 

JOHN: Fine, fine.

 

ARTHUR: And who's the victim here? God… Imagine trying to explain everything that went down. Look, the most I could argue is self-defense given the erratic behavior and my hand but—

 

JOHN: Well then, bring the clock. It's heavy and a decent weapon.

 

ARTHUR: Fine. (Arthur grunts. Stairs creak, Arthur winces.) The smell up here is getting stronger. Ugh.

 

JOHN: The attic is a plain A-framed room. Warm and humid. A large wall and a curtain divide this small lit area with a pull string light from a larger back section. I see no sign of Hyde.

 

ARTHUR: Does this area look well used?

 

JOHN: Very much so. As if it's a common workspace. There are large wooden barrels here, tubs, old gear, and some crates that… wait.

 

ARTHUR: What?

 

JOHN: This crate… It's on top of a pile of old business documents, but… there's a brand on it. D.B. Imports. Why does that name sound familiar?

 

ARTHUR: I don't know. Why does it?

 

JOHN: D.B… That was the importer in New York that Noel put us in touch with. The one connected to…

 

ARTHUR: Charon.

 

JOHN: Yes.

 

ARTHUR: Aldrich Ward. What the hell is his company doing delivering something to a taxidermist in Arkham?

 

JOHN: I have no idea.

 

ARTHUR: What was in the crate?

 

JOHN: Hard to tell, but… (Arthur and John wince.) The smell from it is…

 

ARTHUR: Potent, yes. It's that same chemical-like smell that permeates the air up here.

 

JOHN: The next room, Arthur. (Footsteps.) There's a large piece of off-white cloth separating us from the back room. It's the only place Hyde could be. Be careful.

 

ARTHUR (whispering): What is that sound?

 

JOHN (whispering): The curtain's here. Draw it. (The curtain is drawn back.) (Normal volume.) Hyde stands in the center of this attic room, holding a large knife from the kitchen, his forearms covered in blood. His back is to us. He faces the sunlight that pours in through a small round attic window. Outside, the sky is blue, and the rooftops of Arkham that surround us are weathered and tired-looking.

 

Hyde stands before… a large wooden tub on the floor that's filled with… filled with scurrying black beetles. (Beetles skittering, distant.) They scurry and crawl around an object laying in the basin, covering it like a writhing black moss that pulses. The sunlight catches their reflective black shells as they move, causing waves like tall grass catching the wind. I can't see what it is, but it's clear that they are… eating something. Something small and flesh covered. Perhaps a cat. (Arthur gasps, softly.)

 

ARTHUR (careful): Hyde?

 

MISTER HYDE: There are cobwebs in the corner of my eyes. Ghosts that don't go away. Like a speck of dust that I can't rub out. Bit of dirt that won't leave me alone.

 

ARTHUR: Mr. Hyde, are you still there? (Footsteps.)

 

JOHN (alarmed): Arthur, keep your distance! (Concerned.) If the ravener has already taken him, his only recourse would be to kill us.

 

MISTER HYDE: Mrs. Hyde makes a wonderful dinner, will you stay?

 

ARTHUR: I…

 

MISTER HYDE: Proper Sunday dinner, of course. Roast beef, gravy, Yorkshire. All the trimmings. Couldn't ask for more.

 

ARTHUR: I can imagine.

 

MISTER HYDE: Can you hear that voice that isn't a voice? It speaks words that aren't words. I'm haunted, Mister…

 

ARTHUR: Lester.

 

MISTER HYDE (desolate): My dreams, I am standing on a bridge with no end. It leads in the fog. The kind that hangs low sometimes. The kind that… cuts the heads off people so you can only sees their bodies. Watching a buncha headless people wander the streets. I'll reach the end of that bridge, which is no longer a bridge but a tunnel. And the voice, that isn't a voice, at the end of the tunnel, speaks to me. Do you know what he says?

 

ARTHUR: Tell me.

 

MISTER HYDE: It says… It says… Hurry up.

 

JOHN: I can see the beetles clearly now. They are flesh-eating insects, taking pieces from the freshly killed cat.

 

MISTER HYDE: Are you staying for dinner?

 

JOHN: Hy-Hyde still doesn't turn to us.

 

MISTER HYDE: I know it'll spoil my appetite.

 

JOHN: He reaches down into the wooden tub.        

 

MISTER HYDE: I just can't stop having a snack.

 

JOHN: Picks up a large beetle and… (A wet crunch.) Ugh…

 

ARTHUR (under his breath): Jesus Christ, fuck. (Arthur groans.)

 

JOHN: Arthur, I have an idea. About how to find out if the ravener has taken over or if this is still just Hyde. We can touch him. If he's dead, I should be able to see how he died. Otherwise nothing will happen. And we can try to help him. At least take the knife. Otherwise, we have this opportunity now to try to knock him out with the clock. But that may kill him. Given he's clearly killed the cat and covered in blood, I think self-defense is a reasonable route, but…

 

ARTHUR: No, no, you're still there, Hyde. Aren't you?

 

JOHN: Just be careful.

 

ARTHUR: I'm going to approach, Hyde. I don't want to startle you. Okay? (Soft footsteps.)

 

MISTER HYDE (flat): Alright.

 

ARTHUR: I wanna… I wanna come over. You're still here with me, I… I think I know what's happening. You're the victim here, alright?

 

JOHN: He's tightening his grip on the knife.

 

ARTHUR: We don't want to use that knife anymore. There is something here, Hyde. Something sinister. And it's been trying to take over. It's been puppeting… you. Moving your arms, forcing you to…

 

JOHN: His eyes flick down to the cat, covered in beetles.

 

ARTHUR: It's the reason you've felt watched. It-It's the reason your eyes feel gauzy.

 

JOHN: He twitches his head to the side. We're only a few steps away.

 

ARTHUR: The reason you've been having nightmares. It's the reason you felt so alone and… it's the reason we're all here. To help you. To stop it.

 

MISTER HYDE: To help me?

 

ARTHUR: It's not too late. It's not. Whatever influence this thing has on you, it is only influence, alright? You can fight it. You can resist.

 

JOHN: You're reaching for the hand with the knife, Arthur. Do you know what you're d—

 

ARTHUR (softly): You don't… need this anymore. Do you?

 

JOHN: Arthur, you've almost…

 

ARTHUR: There. There, let me have this.

 

MISTER HYDE: Okay.

 

ARTHUR (very softly): There.

 

JOHN: You're touching his hand. His skin. He's not dead. I don't see anything. He isn't the ravener. He's only Hyde.

 

ARTHUR: There. (The knife clatters on the ground.) There. You're no one's puppet.

 

JOHN: His eyes are watery and distant. But as he blinks and shakes his head, they seem to snap back to reality.

 

MISTER HYDE: What's happened?

 

ARTHUR: Mr. Hyde?

 

MISTER HYDE: Where am I?

 

JOHN: He's looking at his blood-stained hands in fright.

 

ARTHUR (whispering): It's okay.

 

MISTER HYDE (shaky): Daisy? What's happened? What have I done?

 

ARTHUR: It's okay. It's okay.

 

MISTER HYDE: I felt it. Hovering above me. So loud… guiding my hands… forcing them to…

 

JOHN: He's panicky!  (Arthur laughs softly, reassuring.)

 

ARTHUR: It's fine, it's gone now. It's gone.

 

MISTER HYDE: Gone?

 

JOHN: His eyes meet ours in fear.

 

MISTER HYDE (terrified): No, no.

 

ARTHUR: No?

 

MISTER HYDE: It's louder than ever.

 

ARTHUR: Hyde? (Hyde grunts.)

 

JOHN: His pupils! They've rolled back into his head! And—

 

ARTHUR: Hyde! (Several thuds. Arthur grunts.)

 

JOHN: He's grabbed us! His hands moving as if pulled by invisible strings latched onto our shoulders!  (A distorted growl. Sounds of a fight.)

 

ARTHUR: Fight it, Hyde!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER (heavily distorted): This body… is mine!  (Arthur shouts.)

 

JOHN: He's forcing us into the beetles, Arthur! (Beetles skittering. Arthur audibly strains.) Grab the edges of the tub, Arthur!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: All will die!

 

ARTHUR (strained): Hyde, stop!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: I will live!

 

JOHN: Fight it!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: Hyde is mine!

 

ARTHUR: I can't, he's too strong.

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: None shall escape!  

 

JOHN: The beetles, Arthur! They're right next to our face! (Beetle skittering intensifies. John shouts.) Arthur! (Arthur whimpers, panicked.) Hyde is holding your face down in the tub of insects, as if attempting to drown us! (Arthur screams, muffled.) You need to stop him!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: This flesh… is mine!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No!

 

JOHN: Leonard!

 

LEONARD GILBERT (confident): I am afraid you've overstayed your welcome.  (Arthur spits and pants.)

 

ARTHUR (incredulous): Lennie?!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: The mystic! 

 

JOHN: Leonard has thrown back the curtain and stands holding the red glass over his eye!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I see you now, Spirit of Hollow Hyde! (Hyde/Ravener howl.) You have nowhere left… to… hide! (Mister Hyde/Ravener howl, again.)

 

ARTHUR (muffled): Lennie, I'm drowning here!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Let. Him. Go!  (Two wet crunchy ripping sounds. Arthur grunts, then falls on the ground. Objects clatter.)

 

JOHN: We've tumbled back to the floor. (Arthur grunts and breathes heavily.) Leonard stands, facing Hyde, who's turned away from us to face him. He's going to get himself killed!

 

ARTHUR: Leonard, don't! 

 

LEONARD GILBERT (theatric): I open the veil to the other side. To invite a presence that has chosen to hide. I speak to the dead who offered to show, a doorway now opens as I speak… Hello! (An otherworldly woosh. Hyde/Ravener groans and growls.) You are a parasite! A demon passenger who has no power here! Begone, foul demon!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER:  I will kill this man!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You will leave… and never return!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: No!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Leave this place at once! I command you!

 

MISTER HYDE/RAVENER: No!

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I command you! Leave this place and never return!

 

(Hyde/Ravener howl. A thud.)

 

JOHN: What? He, he, he…

 

ARTHUR: Leonard… Leonard, what the hell?

 

JOHN: I think he…

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well!

 

JOHN: He did it! Arthur…

 

ARTHUR: What?

 

JOHN: I—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: There we go.

 

ARTHUR: He didn't…

 

JOHN: I saw it! I saw the ravener for a moment. It…

 

LEONARD GILBERT (quietly): That's all it needed!

 

JOHN: It appeared as if being cast out. I saw the elongated bones being pulled from Hyde's forearms. I saw the ravener's face as it faded into nothingness. He did it. I don't know how, but he did it.

 

LEONARD GILBERT (smug): Need a hand, old boy?

 

ARTHUR: What the hell did you do? (Arthur takes Gilbert's hand and stands.) What on earth was—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well, I… sent it away. You know, banished it.

 

ARTHUR (in disbelief): How? How did you—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I tried to tell you, Lester.

 

ARTHUR: You… But—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I believe. And perhaps you should start believing too.

 

JOHN: He smirks.

 

ARTHUR (sighing): Is Hyde okay?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh, he’ll be fine. I watched the creature leave his body.

 

JOHN: Yeah.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, as did I. (Arthur sighs, astonished.) Where did it go?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Where? Ha! Well… (Closer.) No doubt back to hell. Through the foul and un-mistakable— (A feline screech.) Egads! (Arthur shouts.)

 

JOHN: The cat has—!

 

(Gilbert hits the cat, repeatedly.)

 

ARTHUR: Oh! Oh…

 

(Gillbert continues to beat the cat. Arthur and John gasp. The thuds get wetter, then stop.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh.

 

ARTHUR: Was that the—?

 

JOHN: Yup.

 

ARTHUR: Is it—?

 

JOHN: Yeah.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh dearie. (Arthur makes a noise of disappointment.)

 

JOHN: Yeah, well.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: So I suppose it jumped into Daisy there?

 

ARTHUR: Right…

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yeah, well.

 

JOHN: Ravener is dead now at least.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Daisy was an old cat, really.  (John grunts.)

 

ARTHUR: Right, well, now you can keep their money.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, I suppose so.

 

ARTHUR: Alright, well. Sorry for, uh… interrupting. And, uh… Thanks. (Arthur clears his throat.) You know, for, uh… stopping the cat.

 

LEONARD GILBERT (simultaneously): Saving your life…? 

 

ARTHUR: Oh.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, that too.

 

JOHN: Let's get the hell out of here.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, I'm gonna leave, Lennie. (Footsteps.)

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Understandable. Wait, wait! Wasn't there something you wanted to speak with me about?

 

JOHN: Right!

 

ARTHUR: Right! Yeah, uh… uh, the Puckett case. You said he called you. Used the name Sinclair. What did he want?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh, he… Well, he hired me to help him. He felt like he was being followed.

 

ARTHUR: Followed?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: By a… shadow… from his past. Something… from beyond the grave. His words. He seemed to think he knew who it was. And he wanted my help to stop him.

 

ARTHUR: Did he share the name of who this shadow was?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: No. But I'm sure he will share if he so chooses. I'd rather not betray the confidence—

 

ARTHUR: He's dead, Lennie. He died last night.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh dear.

 

ARTHUR: Papers are calling in a robbery, but… I think… I think whatever this shadow from the past was… Well, it found him.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I see.

 

ARTHUR: So anything you have to share with me, Lennie, and I mean anything, now is the time. I was hired by… someone else looking into this. And given you know who Puckett was, you can imagine what kinds of people are looking for answers.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Look, I don't want to be involved in this. This is a very—

 

ARTHUR: And you won't be. So long as you tell me everything you know. Then I can cut you out of the entire picture, you know?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: H-He… He told me that he spilled his guts to a head shrinker. I don't know the rules on doctor-patient privilege, but if he is deceased, the doctor may share what he knows about this shadow from his past.

 

JOHN: That's the second time we've heard mention of a doctor. Jack also mentioned Puckett was seeing one. If we can find out which psychiatrist Puckett was seeing, then—

 

LEONARD GILBERT: I told him I didn't know if I could help. But I offered to hypnotize him. Help him remember. I thought maybe this shadow from the past was something haunting him mentally.

 

ARTHUR: And?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And in a hypnotic state, he said… Well, he said there were… four… of them.

 

JOHN: Four?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And then he said something about burying.

 

(Rising mysterious music.)

 

ARTHUR: Yeah?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And he said a name. Quietly at first.

 

ARTHUR: What name?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Moe.

 

(The music stops.)

 

ARTHUR: Moe?

 

JOHN: Moe.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Moe.

 

ARTHUR (disbelieving): You're sure?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Well, admittedly, he could have just said no. (John groans.) But it did sound like Moe.

 

ARTHUR: Alright, and that was it?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: And that was it. It did seem like my hypnosis helped. He said he remembered something and he brushed me off out the door. That's when I recommended, uh, you for further help.

 

ARTHUR: Great.

 

JOHN: The doctor, ask about the doctor.

 

ARTHUR: Did you get the doctor's name?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Sadly, no. I'm sure one of his men would know. The one in the fashionable red scarf who paid me. Johnny, he may know.

 

ARTHUR: Wait, huh, what?

 

LEONARD GILBERT (irritated): Yes, I got paid, Lester. I know you have this issue with me working for—

 

ARTHUR: No, no, no, no, you said— you said scarf.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes.

 

ARTHUR: A red scarf.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes. A dark red scarf.

 

JOHN (excited): The man in the greenhouse! The one that took Puckett's key after he died.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: You look concerned.

 

ARTHUR: No. No, if anything, I'm starting to put the pieces together.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh, very good.

 

ARTHUR: Look, you have this here, right? You'll sort this all out?

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Oh, of course. Leave this all in the capable magical hands… of Gilbert the Grape! Uh, great. Did I say grape? Damn. Gilbert the Great. I keep doing that grape thing…

 

ARTHUR: Hey, and when he wakes up… ask him about D.B. Imports.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Sure!

 

ARTHUR: Give me a call, leave a message. I just want to know what he knows.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Yes, I can ask him about that.

 

JOHN: Good thinking. It may not yield any answers, but it's a thread worth pulling on.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: Is there a reason? Ac— Actually, I would rather not know.

 

ARTHUR: Uh, I need to leave.

 

LEONARD GILBERT: So long, Lester. See you soon.

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, bye, Leonard. And, uh… good job. (Footsteps.)

 

JOHN: If Johnny was the one we tussled with in the greenhouse… (The curtain is pulled aside.) The ladder down here. (Arthur descends the ladder.) What does it mean?

 

ARTHUR: I don't know. Was it an inside job? Or was Johnny just there protecting his boss's investments?

 

JOHN: Explain.

 

ARTHUR: We know what killed Puckett. It was something supernatural. But Johnny was the one who came back in and took the key and the piece of paper Puckett wrote on before his death. Perhaps this was to keep whatever the key opens and the note away from…

 

JOHN: Edwin?

 

ARTHUR: Yeah.

 

JOHN: The stairs are here. Let's just leave through the front door.

 

ARTHUR: Oh. (Stairs creaking.) Yes, Edwin. Or whomever else is behind this.

 

JOHN: It could also be Johnny himself, who organized the hit… somehow.

 

ARTHUR: All I know is Johnny has become our number one priority right now with the Puckett case.

 

JOHN: Which means we head to the boxing gym.

 

ARTHUR: Exactly. (Arthur opens a door.)

 

JOHN: I'm glad because— Oh! Arthur, by your feet. The glass.

 

ARTHUR: The glass? Oh! Oh, the one that fell from the strained glass window above.

 

JOHN: Might as well pick it up. It may come in handy

 

ARTHUR: Right! Um, yeah. Yeah— wait, hold on, why are you glad to be heading to the gym?

 

JOHN: Oh, well, to be honest, uh, those beetles… Arthur, you reek.

 

ARTHUR: Oh. Alright.

 

JOHN: And what better way to poke around than to enter under the pretense of needing a shower?

 

ARTHUR: Yeah, fair, fair.

 

JOHN: And maybe a shave.

 

ARTHUR: Fair enough. What was the name of the gym anyway?

 

JOHN: Marco's Gym.

 

ARTHUR: Alright then. Lead the way. (Footsteps.)

 

(A lighter flicks.)

 

(END Part 5.)