19 Nocturne Boulevard - QUESTIONS IN A DARK ROOM - Reissue
QUESTIONS IN A DARK ROOM
Written and produced by Julie Hoverson
Carol wakes in a strange dark room, with a man she's never seen before - and when the questions start to fly, there's lives at stake.
CAST
Carol - Beverly Poole
Thaddeus - Cole Hornaday
Madame Foulet - Julie Hoverson
Tour Guide - Julie Hoverson
Music:\xa0 Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com)
Editing and Sound: \xa0 Julie Hoverson
Sound effects found on Soundsnap.com
Cover Photos:\xa0 Front - Nazareth Maceda\xa0 (courtesy of Stock Xchange.com)
"What kind of a place is it?\xa0 Why, it's a residential hotel,
sometime between the two World Wars, can't you tell?"
******************************************
QUESTIONS IN A DARK ROOM
\xa0
Cast:
[Olivia, host]
Carol (20F), urban songbird
Thaddeus (20-30M), deep south
Madame Foulet (50-60F), calm older lady
Crowd Noise (any)
Tour Guide (any)
OLIVIA \xa0\xa0\xa0Did you have any trouble finding it?\xa0 What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?\xa0 Why, it's a residential hotel, can't you tell?
MUSIC CREEPS IN
NOTE:\xa0 there are no definite "scene changes" in this episode - characters slide in and out of scenes without any break until the very end.\xa0 Scene changes are marked only when Foulet enters and leaves
\xa0
SCENE 1.\xa0\xa0 DARK ROOM, SLIGHTLY ECHOEY, NO SPECIFIC ERA.\xa0 CAROL SPEAKS LIKE SOMEONE FROM THE 1920s, THADDEUS IS FROM THE 1860S DEEP SOUTH
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [waking up noises]\xa0 Mmm.\xa0 Oh.\xa0 [suddenly sitting up]\xa0 What!\xa0 [panicking]\xa0 Where--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Don' you worry none.\xa0 You safe now.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Safe?\xa0 Why--?\xa0 Who are you?\xa0 I-I don't know you.\xa0 [rising hysteria]\xa0 Is this... your room?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Calm yourself, now, miss.\xa0 I be all the way over here.\xa0 No threat to you, I promise.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But I -- how did I get here?\xa0 What's going on?\xa0 [whimper of pain]\xa0 Ahh!\xa0 My side.\xa0 What.. happened?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Probly a bruise.\xa0 You was attacked, miss.\xa0 In the stairs.\xa0 I spect he hit you some.\xa0 I got you outta there and din't have no other place to put you.\xa0 You been out cold.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [calming a bit, but still in pain]\xa0 You rescued me?\xa0 [deep breath]\xa0 Oh, goodness that hurts.\xa0 Well, thank y--\xa0 [sharp]\xa0 In the stairs, you said?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes miss.\xa0 I heared you start--\xa0 Well, I heared it when you screamed.\xa0 The stairwell, it echoes somethin fierce.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I guess I'm lucky you were there.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Well, I was kind of listenin fer you, miss.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Listening?
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0[aw shucks]\xa0 I got a lot of time on my hands during days, and one time a while back I heared you singin in there, so sometimes I jest ... wait.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [pleased and embarrassed]\xa0 Oh.\xa0 Thank you.\xa0 But-- \xa0But, do you think -- the creep who attacked me... was...?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I don' see the papers much, miss, but even I heared about that there Stairway Stabber.\xa0 I'm pretty sure that was the fella, all right.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 They say he's already killed at least eight girls!
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 That they do.\xa0 At least.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh!\xa0 Oh, goodness.\xa0 I - I could have been murdered!\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [quiet]\xa0 Yes'm.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 You saved me?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I did what I could, miss.\xa0 You was right out before I done got there.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I -- I don't remember ... well, anything, really.\xa0 Um, what should I call you? \xa0Your name. \xa0I mean.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I understand, miss.\xa0 You can call me Thaddeus.\xa0 Tha's my name.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 And you live in my building?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 More years'n I care to count.\xa0 I mostly jest keep an eye on things.\xa0 Don' you worry now, I don' take up much space.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I didn't mean to imply--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 It's understandable, miss.\xa0 I don' much look like I belong here.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Please.\xa0 I don't want to sound like a snob.\xa0 I'm really just overwhelmed.\xa0 And you can call me Carol, if you'd like.\xa0 I mean, you don't have to call me "miss" all the time.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I'd be right pleased to, Miss Carol.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [forced laugh]\xa0 Just Carol, Thaddeus.\xa0 No miss.\xa0 Please.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Don' seem quite respectful, miss Carol.
\xa0
SCENE 2.\xa0\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [filter]\xa0 Is there anyone here?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 By golly, she early.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What was that?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 This lady wanna ask about what happened.\xa0 She with the police.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But I don't remember--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 And I din't see much, but we gots to talk to her.\xa0 You gon' be all right?\xa0 I can hep you.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [standing]\xa0 Well, I'm a little wobbly, but I'm game, I guess.\xa0
SOUND:\xa0\xa0 SLOW FOOTSTEPS\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But, my head -- it's amnesia.\xa0 I'm sure of it.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 You might be surprised what all come back to you if a body ask the right questions.\xa0 Come on now.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Door opens.\xa0 Footsteps continue.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Why is the room so dark?\xa0 I can barely see her.
NOTE:\xa0 \xa0\xa0\xa0[unless otherwise mentioned, Madame sounds very calm and speaks almost in a sing song voice.]
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Ah.\xa0 [deep breath]\xa0 I mean you no harm.\xa0 Please come and speak with me.\xa0 Am I addressing Carol Bournemouth?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Why yes.\xa0 [to Thaddeus]\xa0 Did you--\xa0 [puzzled]\xa0 Oh... no, I only just told you my name.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I said she with the police.\xa0 She know a lot.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Carol, I want to hear what happened to you yesterday.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Yesterday?\xa0 I was knocked out for a whole day?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Shh now, and answer, miss Carol.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh.\xa0 I really don't....\xa0 I don't remember a darn thing.\xa0 He -- Thaddeus -- said I was attacked in the stairwell.\xa0 I think I was hit on the head.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Very distant sound of someone knocking on a door.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Amnesia.\xa0 I don't remember a thing!\xa0 Really!
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Calm down, Carol.\xa0 There is no need to--\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I'm...sorry.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Ah, good.\xa0 Everything is all right now.\xa0 You are safe.\xa0 It is safe to remember.\xa0 Think of it like a movie, and you are the projector.\xa0 The projector can stop a movie, Carol.\xa0 The projector can simply freeze on a single frame, and the movie never has to reach its end.\xa0 Have you ever seen that happen, Carol?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Why is she talking like that?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Can they really just up and stop a movin' picture?\xa0 That would be somethin' to see.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Not very exciting, really.\xa0 It's -- well, it's just a slide, then.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [sharp]\xa0 Carol!\xa0 [calm again]\xa0 I need you to concentrate.\xa0 What is the last thing you remember?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [pain]\xa0 Oh!\xa0 [deep breaths]
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Knocking on door again.
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0Just a minute, ma'am.\xa0 She got a stitch.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Relax Carol.\xa0 Relax.\xa0 Remember, you are the projector, and the movie can stop long before anything unpleasant happens.\xa0 Just take it one frame at a time, Carol.\xa0 Do you remember going into the stairwell?\xa0 Picture the door for me.\xa0 You push open the door and step in.\xa0 There are five flights of stairs below you, but you walk them every day, don't you?\xa0 You walk them--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 It's slimming.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 You begin to walk down the stairs, just as usual.\xa0 One step, then another.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 The way she talks--
MADAME\xa0\xa0 You pass the fourth floor door.\xa0 Nothing there for you.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 She just tryin to help.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 One brisk step in front of another--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [getting agitated]\xa0 But it's like-- it's like she's trying to hypnotize me!
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Knocking on door, slightly louder.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Passing the baby carriage the Joneses leave tucked into the corner of the third floor landing--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Don' know nothin 'bout that, but I spect she think it'a help you 'member what happened.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 All the way around to the next set of stairs--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 STOP IT.\xa0 I don't want to be hypnotized!\xa0 I don't want to--\xa0 [pain] Aaagh!\xa0 Whatever happened, I don't want to remember it, you hear?\xa0 Do you HEAR me?
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Muffled and distant:\xa0 Strange thumping and crashing noises.\xa0 Particularly, a noise like someone pounding on a door, and a crash of a broken glass.
\xa0
SCENE 3.\xa0\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Shh, listen, miss Carol.\xa0 Shh.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What was that?\xa0 Something broke?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Don't pay it no mind.\xa0 They's some noisy neighbors in this building.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But-- It's-- it's gone now.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes'm.\xa0 Never lasts.\xa0 Just so long as someone done got a mad on.\xa0 Then it blow over.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 You gon' try and answer the lady, now?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 No, no Thaddeus, I can't.\xa0 I don't remember anything, and when I try, oh, it hurts!\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Look around.\xa0 Ain't no one here gon' hurt you, and that there pain in your side - well, a bruise is jest a bruise, ain't it?\xa0 Whatever caused it, that's all over now, and you safe.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Safe?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I swear'n I won't let no one touch you.\xa0 The lady, she jest tryin to find out what you know so's the police can stop this fella.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh.\xa0 Yes, you said she's with the police.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Since I never saw none of his face, you the only one who can help.\xa0 You got to help stop this fella.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 She looks -- awfully tired.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [gently]\xa0 You been wearin her out a bit with your temper.
\xa0
SCENE 4.\xa0\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh.\xa0 I'll try and do better.\xa0 You're-- sure it's safe?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 She said you the projector, miss Carol, you can--
MADAME \xa0\xa0\xa0[a bit gravelly]\xa0 Shall we continue?\xa0 Ahem.\xa0 [normal, not sing song] Carol.\xa0 If you will not help, please let me know.\xa0 I want to work you through this, but your resistance--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I just don't know what I can do!\xa0 I'm frustrated too, you know.\xa0 I can't remember a thing about--\xa0 [realizing]\xa0 Oh.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Yes?\xa0 Continue.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I was in a hurry.\xa0 On my way to a job interview.\xa0 Or was that Tuesday?
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Yesterday was Tuesday, yes.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh!\xa0 So I was dashing down the stairs, quick as I could -- I'm faster than the elevator, you see.\xa0 That old thing.\xa0 [chuckles]\xa0 I swear it's pulled by mice.
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0[chuckles]
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Can you remember how far you got?\xa0 Did you reach the second floor landing?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Second floor.\xa0 Hmm.\xa0 I -- yes!\xa0 Little Billy from 203 keeps dropping gum wrappers in there, and I was thinking--\xa0 [gasp of pain]
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [gasp of pain]
SOUND\xa0\xa0 distant, barrage of knocks on a door.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Miss Carol?\xa0 Miss Carol, come on -- you tough.\xa0 You can do this.\xa0 No old stitch gon' slow you down.\xa0 Here, take my hand.\xa0 Right there, now you squeeze.\xa0 Squeeze out all that bad old pain.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No!\xa0 No, I--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [hiss intake of breath]\xa0 Good.\xa0 You keep on squeezin long as you need.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [several quick breaths, then one deep one]\xa0 I think \xa0--\xa0 Thaddeus, I think that's when he hit me.\xa0 He must have hit me real hard.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [deep breath]\xa0 Carol.\xa0 I need to stop for now.\xa0 I will return soon.\xa0 While I'm gone, can you try and remember?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I'll try...
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Goodbye.\xa0 [NO footsteps or door]
SOUND\xa0\xa0 brief, vague rumble of voices, nothing clear.
\xa0
SCENE 5.\xa0\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Are they having a party?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Who?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Your neighbors.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Might could be.\xa0 You doin' all right?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Sorry to be such a baby about all this.\xa0 When it hurts - well it really hurts.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I know.\xa0 Get myself the same thing in my neck sometimes.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh?\xa0 [beat, changing subject]\xa0 So, do you know her?\xa0 The woman asking the questions?
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0A bit.\xa0 She Madame Foulet and work for police, I do know that.\xa0 Some years back, she asked me a coupla questions.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 About what?
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0Somethin I seen ... way back when.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 She seems kind of old to be a police matron or whatever she is.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 She one of a kind, I guess.\xa0 they cain't afford to retire her.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Is she a hypnotist?\xa0 Was I right?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I don' know nothin about that, miss.\xa0 I spect you probly mostly right.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [decisive]\xa0 Well.\xa0 If I want this guy caught - and boy do I want him caught, especially if he's the one who killed all those girls - I better get cracking and remember something.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 pacing footsteps
CAROL\xa0\xa0 In the movies, if you hit your head and get amnesia, you can hit your head again to get your memory back.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I don' guess it work that way in real life, miss.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I have got to stop being a whiny baby about this - after all, I survived, didn't I?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [dubious]\xa0 Well--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 So, it's all in the past and I shouldn't be frightened.\xa0 Oh.\xa0
SOUND:\xa0 \xa0\xa0\xa0PACING STOPS
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Unless he decides to come back -- to make sure I can't identify him.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 He won't never find you now.\xa0 I promise you that.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Really?\xa0 You didn't...\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Din't what, miss?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No, no.\xa0 You said you never even--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [amused] \xa0You thinkin I mighta kilt him?\xa0 I know I'm a big fella, but I cain't--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I meant it as a compliment.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I guess so.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Did you have to ... fight him off?\xa0 I mean, to save me?
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0[distinctly uncomfortable]\xa0 Nah.\xa0 When he caught sight a me, he jest run.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [smiling] \xa0You do look pretty intimidating.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Nah.\xa0 Look, you should be tryin' t'member--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [sigh]\xa0 I know, but this takes my mind off it.\xa0 I figure, it's like a word at the tip of your tongue.\xa0 When you THINK about it SO HARD that you feel like your brain may be squeezed out your ears, it never comes.\xa0 Then, the minute your mind is off it, voila!\xa0 The word tumbles right out.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 That sounds 'bout right.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I need to get into the stairwell.\xa0 That'll really jog my memory.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Rapid footsteps.\xa0 Doorknob turns, but doesn't open.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 Why is the door locked?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I reckon it's jest stuck, miss.\xa0 [worried] But you really don' wanna go into the stairwell.\xa0 I- I promise you that.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Open this door!\xa0 I don't like being locked in here--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 With me?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 No, no.\xa0 No-- It's got nothing to do with you, Thaddeus.\xa0 I like you.\xa0 I just [SOUND: pounds once on door] don't [pound] like [pound, weakening] being [more of a smack] locked [tap] in [tap].
\xa0
SCENE 6.\xa0\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [slightly off mike] Good.\xa0 We can begin again.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 Where'd she...?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Madame said she jest needed a lil break.\xa0 She didn't say she was goin' off no place.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But she was gone.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 It's real dark in here.\xa0 I never heared her go.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Then she must have listened to everything we said.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I spect she jest shut up her eyes and her ears and took a lil nap, miss.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 May we proceed?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [sigh] Yes.\xa0 [fierce] Yeah, I want this fiend drawn and quartered!
SOUND\xa0\xa0 distant brief chuckle, like several people in another room.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Now, Carol.\xa0 We'll start with something easy.\xa0 I want you to be comfortable.\xa0 I want you to remember something very pleasant.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Pleasant?
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Think back to a time when you were happy.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [thinking]\xa0 Oh! No, no - that's too silly.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 The first thing that comes to mind, Carol.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Well, I was very sick once, when I was little - measles, I think, but I don't remember too well - Just the itching.\xa0 Oh, how it itched!\xa0 Mama gave me sweet tea each night she came home and didn't see any scratches on me.\xa0 If I could just control myself, I could have sweet tea.\xa0 [pause] Of course, I fooled her - I learned to scratch around.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Scratch around?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Yes.\xa0 Maybe it was chicken pox.\xa0 But anyway, if you scratch around the spots, it stops some of the itch, but doesn't look like you've been scratching.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Your best memory is of feelin poorly?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No, don't be silly.\xa0 She just asked me for a memory of a happy time, and it was... oddly enough.\xa0 I got sweet tea, AND I fooled my mother.\xa0 [giggle]
SOUND\xa0\xa0 distant chuckles
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Sounds like they're having a whale of a time over there.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Very good Carol.\xa0 You sound like you feel better now.\xa0 I need you to keep this feeling of well-being with you while we try again.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I still don't think it will work.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Try.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 All right.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Ignore any pain.\xa0 Ignore any fear.\xa0 Ignore any interruptions.\xa0 Ignore any distractions.\xa0 We must find this man.\xa0 We must find him and stop him.\xa0 [beat] \xa0You have just reached the second floor landing.\xa0 What do you see, Carol?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [breathing rapidly]\xa0 I see the gum wrappers.\xa0 Little brat.\xa0 Then a shadow.\xa0 I hardly ever see people - oh! - on the stairs.\xa0 [groans]\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Continue, please.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Take my hand, Carol, jest like before.\xa0 Thass a girl.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 very distant knocking and shuffling noises.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [whining gasp, obviously in pain]\xa0 I turn around, and there's a flash - like sunlight on water.\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Ignore the flash.\xa0 Look only at the face.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0 knocking and shuffling noises get louder, nearer.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No!\xa0 No I can't\xa0 - it hurts too much!
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes you can.\xa0 You gots to.\xa0 You the only one left behind - none of them other girls can say nothin, but you - you got yourself a chance to be a hero, now.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Are you sure he can't come back and get me?
SOUND\xa0\xa0 glass breaks
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Sure as I'm sittin here wit you, miss.\xa0 He cain't never even touch you - no way, no how.
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Carol!\xa0 Stop the movie!\xa0 You need to stop it and look!\xa0 Break the film in your mind, so there IS NO END.\xa0 Nothing but the face.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No, I can't!
SOUND\xa0\xa0 heavy pounding, neighbors getting upset.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Shh.\xa0 Shh.\xa0 You takin my hand right off, miss Carol.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 ALL sounds stop abruptly.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 It's a knife, isn't it?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes.
CAROL \xa0\xa0\xa0He's holding a knife, but it's on my right - my right...\xa0 Oh No!\xa0 Oh, Thaddeus, I'm--
SOUND\xa0\xa0 distant knocking begins again.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 That ain't nothing, miss Carol.\xa0 You gots to see it's just hysteria.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Knocking gets louder
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [in tears]\xa0 But I'm bleeding!\xa0 I have to get to a doctor!
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 They ain't no blood, miss.\xa0 Not a chance of it.\xa0 It's all in ya' head, see?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No, look, my side, it hurts--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Shh.\xa0 I don' see no blood.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 knocking begins to recede
CAROL \xa0\xa0\xa0No blood?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Not a bit of it.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [deep breath]\xa0 All right.\xa0 [realization]\xa0 Oh!\xa0 But if I saw a knife in his hand, on my right, then he must be left-handed!\xa0 That's important, isn't it?
MADAME\xa0\xa0 [very tired]\xa0 Very ...good.\xa0 I must have another rest.\xa0 We shall speak again.\xa0 Goodbye.
\xa0
SCENE 7. \xa0\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 How does she do that?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 What?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 She just -- it was like she just wrapped some of the darkness around her and vanished.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 She probly jest turned off a light.\xa0 You doin all right?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 No.\xa0 My side hurts.\xa0 I want to go home.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Got to finish first.\xa0 This GOT to be done.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I know, but-- [begins to weep]
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I shore do like that song Poor Papa you sing sometimes.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [surprised]\xa0 What?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I heared you sing it over and over one day, so I got it near enough memorized myself.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [sniffs, but no longer crying]\xa0 I was getting ready for an audition.\xa0 No one can hear me in the stairwell, so it doesn't bother anyone if I practice there.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 And that song -- that song is jest plain funny.\xa0 When mama gets to ride in the car--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [cheering up] Oh, yes, when "papa bought a limousine, the most expensive kind, now he wears a chauffeur's suit, and mama rides behind!"
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [laughing]\xa0 Thassa one, thassa one gets me every time.\xa0 One tough female, mama is.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 You really listen to me?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Whenever I hears you in the stair, I'm there quick as all get out, tucked up high so's not to bother you or, well, make you afeared.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh, I'm not afraid of you.
THADDEUS \xa0\xa0\xa0You probly would be if'n we hadn't talked first.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [beat] I wish I could say you were wrong.\xa0 [deep breath]\xa0 Thank you.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Fer what?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 For the distraction.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [teasing]\xa0 Is that what I's doin?\xa0 I thought I was complimentin you on your singin, thass all.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Don't act dopey.\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 You up to tryin again?\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Maybe...\xa0 Should we see if she'll come back?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Nah.\xa0 Jest try right here.\xa0 Maybe SHE the one makin it hard fer you to think.\xa0 You come up with somethin now, you can always tell her when she come back.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 PACING
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [beat]\xa0 This is futile.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Nah--
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [revving up]\xa0 Futile.\xa0 Pointless!\xa0 Hopeless!\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 You know what you needs?\xa0 You needs to scratch around.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 What?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 You cain't scratch the spot what itches, cause that jest get you into trouble.\xa0 Scratch around.\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [realizing]\xa0 Thaddeus, you're brilliant!\xa0 [beat]\xa0 But, how CAN I think around--?\xa0
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Mebbe... you ever see them funny pictures with an artist, and he holdin up his thumb?\xa0 How bout if you hold up ya' thumb - block out the part you gots to scratch around.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I think I see -- Just look at the edges, because the middle is too scary.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes'm.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 I see the door to the second floor hallway.\xa0 It's off to my left.\xa0 I see the light fixture on the wall.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Don' worry about no lights.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Right.\xa0 I see a [deep breath] a hat - no a cap, like a deliveryman would wear.\xa0 It's [breathes quickly for a moment]\xa0 blue- I think it's blue--
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Thud, like a body drop.
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Calm now, Miss Carol.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 --and hair, blonde?\xa0 Or maybe light brown.\xa0
\xa0
SCENE 8.\xa0\xa0
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Be calm, Carol.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Yes, a deliveryman.\xa0 I remember!\xa0 I was thinking it must have been a small package, since he was coming up the stairs instead of the elevator, when-- [hollow, pained] oh!
SOUND\xa0\xa0 LOUDEST thumpings and rattlings yet.\xa0 they CONTINUE until noted.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh!
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 S'all right.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Oh!\xa0 No, but Thaddeus--
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I understand.\xa0 I promise you, I do.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But--
SOUND\xa0\xa0 CRASH OF GLASS.
CROWD\xa0\xa0 [reactions - gasps, a scream.]
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But, he ... he killed me, didn't he?\xa0 [beat] Didn't he Thaddeus?
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Deep creaking & cracking noises.
CROWD\xa0\xa0 [reacts again]
MADAME\xa0\xa0 Carol.\xa0 I need to end this now.\xa0 Goodbye.
SOUND\xa0\xa0 Sudden silence.
\xa0
SCENE 9.\xa0\xa0
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Thaddeus?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 Yes, miss Carol?
CAROL\xa0\xa0 [calm] I'm right, aren't I?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I spect you'd rather not be, but -- yes.\xa0 You dead, too.
CAROL\xa0\xa0 Too?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 I wished I coulda stopped him, I truly do - but they ain't nothin much a ghost can do!\xa0 Jest makin him see me was hard enough, and I was ... too late...
CAROL\xa0\xa0 But, what do I do now?\xa0 Do I go somewhere?
THADDEUS\xa0\xa0 [rueful laugh] If'n I had an answer fer that, miss Carol, I spect I wouldn't be here talkin wit' you.
MUSIC
\xa0
SCENE 10.\xa0\xa0
TOUR GUIDE\xa0\xa0 [clearly reading]\xa0 And here we are at stop number 12 on the haunted hotel tour, the Garibaldi Residential Suites -- rumored to be home to a plethora of ghosts, including a baby in the basement, a chain rattling spook in suite 405, a runaway slave, and the poor girl who was the final victim of the stairway stabber - and can sometimes be heard singing in the stairwells.
MUSIC
OLIVIA\xa0\xa0 Now that you know how to find us, you'll have to come back.\xa0 Maybe next week?\xa0 Don't be a stranger - we have enough of those already...
\xa0
"Poor Papa" lyrics by Billy Rose, 1926.
\xa0
\xa0
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