Registered  WGA/W
Copyright Arthur A. Roberts

All rights reserved.

EMAIL: AARoberts@genspace.com
(203) 429-7862
9 Lakeside Dr.
Ashford, CT 06278

EXT. BOSTON CITY STREET - EARLY EVENING

The sound of jackhammers emanates from a manhole. Older buildings and tall trees line this otherwise quiet back street.

A bright orange vent tube snakes into the manhole along with black hoses attached to an air compressor.

A MDC (Metropolitan District Commission) foreman descends into the manhole.

INT. THE SEWERS - SAME

The foreman makes his way down the ancient sewer toward the sound of the jackhammers. Harsh electric lights light his way.

Two MDC men are punching a large hole in the side of the sewer pipe. The foreman makes a cut throat gesture and the men cease their hammering.

What the fuck are you clowns doing! You're supposed to fix this place, not make more holes!

We found somethin'!

Somethin' really weird!

Like what?

INT. DARK ROOM - SAME

The foreman steps into the room followed by the two workers.

Flashlights reveal a dusty crypt. In the middle of the room is a marble vase on top of a pedestal. It contains a single, ancient rose.

The foreman strides to the opposite wall. He splashes light on the wall. One headstone is embedded in the wall.

INSERT - THE HEADSTONE, which reads in gothic letters:

CORWIN.

This guy ain't got no last name?

This is fucking wonderful!

What!?

We're already behind schedule and now I gotta report this. The fucking Historical Society is going to be down here, the Archeological Society, the Boston Preservation Society and every other fucking ivory tower schmuck who wants to write a freakin' thesis!

We could cement it back up.

The foreman looks at him like he's an idiot.

I'm not going to get fired over the hole you morons opened up... Let's get out of here. It's quitin' time.

A lone beam of light pierces the hole and illuminates Corwin's name.

EXT. BOSTON CITY STREETS - NIGHT

A well dressed, older woman walks the streets alone. A mist clings to the ground. The street lights seem dim.

She passes an alley. Eyes blink in the darkness. They follow her progress. The woman shivers. She looks around but sees nothing.

She passes another alley.

A shadow grabs her from behind, covers her mouth. She struggles as she is dragged into the darkness of the alley.

The hand that covers her mouth pulls her head to the side to expose her neck.

Under the shadow of a wide brimmed hat an evil smile exposes fanged canines. They plunge.

A psychic, not physical scream, pierces the night.

INT. THE DARKNESS - SAME

Another pair of luminescent eyes open in otherwise absolute darkness.

INT. A BEDROOM - SAME

AGATHA SMYTHE, an elderly woman, starts awake in time to the psychic scream.

INT. AN OFFICE - SAME

DAN SULLIVAN, asleep on his couch at work, starts awake to the psychic scream.

INT. BACK ALLEY - SAME

RICK JARDANE, a homeless man, asleep in a refrigerator box, starts awake to the psychic scream.

INT. A BEDROOM - SAME

GAIL O'HARA starts awake to the psychic scream. Immediately followed by-

INT. A BEDROOM - SAME

Cindy Winchester starts awake to the psychic scream. Immediately followed by-

INT. A BEDROOM - SAME

Carl tempelton starts awake to the psychic scream. Immediately followed by-

INT. A BEDROOM - SAME

JULIA Lavalle starts awake to the psychic scream. She sucks in deep breaths and starts to cry. She buries her head in her hands. She weeps.

INT. CORWIN'S CRYPT

Corwin's headstone is smashed. A black hole lies opens where a corpse should be.

EXT. BOSTON STREET - SAME

A mist clings about the manhole that leads to Corwin's crypt. Silence shrouds this back street.

There is a CRASH. The manhole cover explodes into the air. A CLANG echoes down the street.

CORWIN climbs from the hole.

Corwin is of medium height and build. Shoulder length black hair frames a, pale but handsome, face.

He wears a loose fitting white shirt, black pants and boots. His garb belongs to the turn of this century.

He stretches with a satisfying growl.

He spies a sporty looking automobile at the side of the street.

He moves gracefully beside the machine and gently caresses it.

What manner of carriage is this?

Help!!!!!!

EXT. SIDE STREET - SAME

Three punks are beating an old man. They have already taken his valuables.

Corwin strides into the street light. A punk notices him. He nudges a comrade and points at Corwin.

Check this.

What are you supposed to be? Jack the Ripper?

I knew Jack well. In the end he tasted very sweet.

Punk 3 drops the old man he's been beating on. The three look at each other quizzically.

What's that supposed to mean? Tasted sweet? You some kind of fag?

Am I a cigarette? I don't understand.

This clown is on Mars.

Mars, hell, it's all the same.

The holes seal.

Ow.

Corwin rolls the gun over to examine it quizzically. The punks retreat in horror.

A revolver? No. There is no cylinder.

Fifteen rounds!!! Oh, how man constantly refines his tools of destruction. What other splendid mysteries await me in this new age?

So, Beater of Old Men. Shooter of the Unarmed. Do you know what I call you?

No.

Dinner.

Punk 2 screams as Corwin dives on him.

EXT. BOSTON CITY STREETS - LATER THAT NIGHT

Corwin walks the streets of the Beacon Hill section of Boston. He stops to caress a mailbox. He walks. A car zooms by. He stares after it in awe.

He spies a parked Porsche and glides over to it.

Why do you not move like your brethren? What manner of machine are you?

Corwin pushes it. The car alarm goes off. Corwin leaps back ten feet in fear. He covers his ears.

Silence metal beast! You do my immortal hearing harm!

I said, silence!

The alternative refrains of Soundgarten's, "Spoon Man" pierce the night air. Corwin starts to the sound of this music.

What strange music.

Corwin fills his chest with the night air. The music obviously turns him on.

What beautiful music!

What wonderful, energetic music!!!!!

Dancing like a madman, Corwin runs after the music.

EXT. A SMALL PARK - SAME

SUSIE WILKES sits alone on a park bench. She is snapping her fingers in time to the sounds from her yellow Walkman. She cracks her bubble gum.

She is a pretty girl, dressed down by her grunge attire. She wears a long, thick jean jacket to protect her from the fall cold.

She looks up into the tree in front of her.

Corwin does a triple somersault just over the treetop. He lands gracefully in front of Susie. Susie's eyes go wide. She smiles.

Cool!!! How'd you do that.

You made this music! I heard it through you.

Not me Silly-

She holds the Walkman up to Corwin.

Soundgarten. I must've been listening to it real loud if you could hear it.

It's a Walkman. You've never seen a Walkman? You're not from around here are you?

Not true my lady. I have lived here hundre-, many years.

Then how come you don't know what a Walkman is?

I have been away for a while. Ah, I see. The sound comes out here-

Corwin traces the lines of the Walkman

then travels down here and comes out here. What makes it perform?

Susie gently, coyly, places the headphones on Corwin's head. She pops the play button.

Corwin screams in agony and rips the headphones off. He grabs his ears in pain.

Jeezz, I guess it was too loud. It's got a volume control.

My ears! Arrrggggg!

Oh, don't be such a baby. Here I turned it down.

Susie puts the Walkman back on a reluctant Corwin. She snaps the music back on.

Corwin smiles. He dances again. Susie joins him.

EXT. BOSTON CITY STREETS - LATER

An awed Corwin walks with Susie among the skyscrapers. Susie points out the various sights of interest.

EXT. COPLEY SQUARE - LATER

Corwin and Susie walk hand and hand through a small park. Susie looks up at Corwin.

Aren't you cold with just that shirt on?

Corwin turns suddenly, grabs Susie and pulls her to him.

Corwin!?

Not in the presence of your warmth, my dear.

Susie blushes.

I have decided to make you mine.

What do you mean?

There is too much for me to assimilate by myself. Things have changed faster than I ever thought imaginable. I need your help.

What do you mean changed? I don't know what you're talking about.

I need you to teach me of this time, Susie.

She gives him a funny look.

You been in some kind of coma or something.

Corwin stares at her intently and begins to laugh.

Coma, coma, coma, coma, coma, comaleon.

That's Karma Chameleon.

Ah yes, Karma Chameleon, that's what I plucked from your mind.

Plucked from my mind?

Corwin dances over to her. He holds her face, gently between his hands.

Your mind is open to me, Susie. In that vast wealth of knowledge I also spy the desires of a girl about to become a woman. May I escort you down that path?

You mean you want to hook up?

Corwin smiles.

Yes, I want to hook up.

Corwin slowly bends. They exchange a breathtaking kiss. Susie staggers back. Regains her breath. She smiles, then blushes.

I don't even know you.

But that's the adventure.

Adventure?

Coming to know me.

Susie thinks about this. She smiles.

You like my music.

It fills me with boundless energy.

Want to go to a cool spot?

Spit?

You've been to Spit?

No, but you're going to take me there.

INT. SPIT NIGHTCLUB - LATER

All manner of wild youth cavort in the smoky chamber called Spit.

Susie leads Corwin through a crowd. Grunge music fires the passionate dancers about them. They begin to dance.

INT. SUSIE'S APARTMENT - LATER

Susie leads Corwin, in hand, into her apartment. She flicks on a light.

Corwin soaks in the surroundings of this young girl's decor.

He spins on Susie. He holds a single red rose. He hands it to her.

I would make your dreams come true, Susie. Would you embark with me to sweetest, darkest passion?

Susie just about collapses to the sound of such hypnotic words.

Oh, yes!

They embrace, lips meld, breaths quicken.

INT. SUSIE'S BEDROOM - SAME

Silhouettes reveal the passions exchanged between Susie and her immortal lover.

Susie sits on top of Corwin. She arches her back, reaches to the heavens and moans in ecstasy.

INT. SUSIE'S BEDROOM - NEAR MORNING

Susie sleeps alone. Corwin approaches her from behind. He bends to her ear and whispers.

Susie?

She stirs, smiles. She can barely move from the night's exertions.

Yes, Corwin, mmmmmmmmm.

Does this building have a basement?

Yes, Corwin.

Is it secure from the light?

Huh?

Does it have any windows?

I don't know. Maybe a couple of small ones.

I just know I'm going to get sunburned again.

What?

What may I cover these windows up with?

Susie moans/frowns from the effort of thought.

I don't know. There's some cardboard under the sink and some tape in the drawer next to it.

Tape? Tape? Is this the kind one listens to or wears? How does this help me?

INT. SUSIE'S KITCHEN - SAME

Corwin pulls several sheets of cardboard out of a bin labeled "RECYCLABLE".

He holds it up. Plays with it.

Ah. Card-Board. Amazing.

He looks out a window. Notices the early dawn glow.

Uh-oh.

He quickly opens a drawer. Searches. He comes up with a roll of clear tape. He smiles. Pulls some tape. Reads the label.

Scotch Tape.

Breaks it off, hesitantly. Plays with it. Smiles.

Amazing. Those clever Scots.

INT. THE BASEMENT OF SUSIE'S BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER

Corwin is sealing the last of the tiny basement windows with the cardboard.

A ray of light streams through the window. Corwin looks at it sadly. He holds the back of his hand up to the light. He watches as his hand turns dark, then red. It smokes and finally boils.

He speaks forlornly to himself.

Ah, Ra... Why have you forsaken me? Were my prayers not heartfelt? Were my sacrifices not adequate? Were the battles fought for you not bloody enough? Though you spurn me my dear God, I will always love you.

With this, Corwin seals the window and all goes black.

INT. SUSIE'S APARTMENT - SAME

Susie enters her apartment carrying a bag of groceries.

Corwin sits in a chair opposite the door. He smiles.

Susie spies him. In fury she throws the groceries at him. She slams the door shut. Corwin is shocked.

What!

You split on me!

I-

You split on me and you didn't even say good-bye!

I-

Corwin stands, Susie approaches.

Schmuck! You're just like every other low life that wants a piece.

(mocking)

Oh, sweet passion! Oh, dark romance!

She slaps Corwin hard. She screams in agony and grabs her hand.

Shit! Ow! Owie, ow! Ow!

Susie, my dearest. I was in the building all the time.

You were?

In the basement. Remember, I asked you about the basement?

Yeah... Sort of. Why the basement?

(defiant)

Isn't my bed good enough for you?

There is no other place I would rather sleep, Lover, but there is too much light in your room.

Too much light?

Corwin pulls back a sleeve and reveals a pale arm.

Look at my skin. I am heliophobic. I suffer a rare disease. The slightest kiss by the sun, and I am in agony.

My poor baby. Why didn't you tell me?

It is my deepest regret.

Corwin turns to a window.

I miss his embrace so much.

His?

Ra... The sun.

Oh. Him.

Corwin turns back to Susie.

There is much to do now. I have accounts to reactivate. Homes to furnish. You must assist me in all this.

Accounts? Homes? What are you talking about?

The lubrication of the capitalistic system. The grease which moves this great machine.

Money?

Yes, money.

You have money?

Corwin laughs.

You thought me the vagabond, didn't you?

You didn't buy me a single drink at Spit.

Dearest, when we are done these next few days, you will be bathing in champagne.

You're just teasing me.

Unfortunately, the banks will be closed at this hour.

Not on Friday. Most of them are open until seven thirty.

Banks that are open for the convenience of the customer?

Yeah. I guess so.

Oh, I do like this new age!

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BANK OF BOSTON - LATER

Corwin and Susie stare up at the monolithic building. They enter.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BANK OF BOSTON - LATER

Corwin and Susie exit the building. Susie is jumping for glee to Corwin's amusement.

EXT. CLOTHIER'S OF BOSTON - LATER

Corwin and Susie exit the clothier. Corwin carries an armload of new clothes.

His black pants have been exchanged for designer jeans. His ragged white shirt has been exchanged for a clean, blousey white silk shirt.

EXT. HAIR TODAY - LATER

Corwin and Susie exit the hair salon. Susie's grunge hair style has been replaced with one of elegance.

Corwin has been trimmed and his hair pulled back into a dragons tail (pony tail with an attitude).

EXT. VICTORIA'S SECRET - LATER

The two exit the store. Susie looks like a Goddess. All heads turn when she walks by. Corwin smiles with satisfaction.

EXT. BOSTON JEWELERS - SAME

Corwin and Susie exit. Their attire has some new tasteful, but expensive additions.

Susie holds a bejeweled hand up to a street light. She jumps on Corwin with an impassioned kiss.

EXT. BOSTON STREETS - SAME

Corwin carries their array of packages. Susie now has a full length mink coat to keep her warm.

Where to next? Wanna' buy a car?

A car? Ah yes, these fabulous metal carriages... Yes, but first I hunger.

You want to do Chinese?

If I find the right one.

What?

Corwin hands everything to a surprised Susie.

Take these back to the apartment. I will join you later.

I thought you were hungry?

I am, but due to the nature of the condition I told you about, I require a special diet.

I can wait. I'll go with you.

Go home, Susie. I will take you out for the most elegant dinner of your life... later.

With this Corwin is gone among the crowd. A surprised Susie shrugs.

EXT. SLUMS OF BOSTON - LATER

Several teenagers stand on a city corner, shuckin' and jivin'. Eyes peer from a dark alley across the street.

An '85 Toyota Supra ROARS down the street. The teens scatter too late. The staccato chatter of several Uzis lacerate them.

Smoke from the car's exhaust drifts across pools of blood. Wails for the dead pierce the night. Sirens scream.

EXT. DARK BACK STREET OF BOSTON - SAME

The Supra tears down the street.

INT. THE SUPRA - SAME

Four punks congratulate themselves on the mayhem. The two on the passenger side cradle Uzis.

I told you them chumps would be easy!

Look.

Run the fool down!

EXT. DARK BACK STREET OF BOSTON - SAME

The Supra accelerates. Milliseconds before impact, Corwin leaps. He somersaults over the Supra.

INT. THE SUPRA - SAME

Did you see that!!!! He jumped over the car!

Damn! Who says white men can't jump!

Shit!! Look!!!

Corwin runs after them. He's catching up.

This mother fucker ain't human! Floor it!

The Supra accelerates.

Corwin runs up beside the driver's side window. He looks in and smiles. The driver is in abject terror.

Corwin slams his right fist through the window. The driver's head snaps to the right. His neck breaks.

EXT. DARK BACK STREET OF BOSTON - SAME

The Supra crashes into an apartment building. The three surviving punks disgorge from the vehicle.

The two punks with Uzis bring their weapons to bear on Corwin.

Corwin, surprised, takes a couple of hits. He jumps into a handspring set toward his enemies. He is too fast to be hit.

Corwin is on the punks before they can react. Corwin snatches the weapons away from them. He looks quizzically at them.

And now what manner of weapons are these? They fire like gatling guns, yet they are so small.

They're Uzis.

Uzi?

Corwin unloads the rest of the clips into the two punks. He laughs out loud. Punk 3 runs.

Uzi! I love it! Such exquisite efficiency. Uzi! Uzi! Uzi! Uzi is as Uzi does! Uzi by the dawns early light! I ooze you!

And now for dinner.

Corwin takes off after him. A single, youthful scream pierces the night.

INT. RESTAURANT - SOME DAYS LATER

Corwin and Susie partake of the finest culinary delights.

Corwin languidly holds a cup of blood red wine. He watches an enraptured Susie with amusement.

This is soooooo good.

Nothing is too sweet for my famulus.

Famulus?

It means, amanuensis, keeper of my darkest secrets.

And lover.

Susie smiles and returns to her meal.

You will quit your job. I have a list of things I want you to do for me tomorrow.

Quit my job? Just like that.

Queen or store clerk? Which will it be?

I like that famulus thing.

Good. You must fulfill my requirements quickly. There are things I must do.

What kind of things?

In time, Susie. For now, let's just enjoy ourselves... I can not tell you how much you've meant to me these past few days. I would have been lost without you.

Good thing I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Yes.

Susie sashays down the main drag. In a few short days Corwin has changed her from grunge chick to an object of male desire.

Heads turn to watch her devastating walk as she enters a posh real estate office.

INT. COMPUTER ROOM - LATER

Susie enters the room.

Three walls are stacked with running personal computers.

Susie walks among the monitors. She checks their progress. She reads one that has a single name printed on it.

INSERT - COMPUTER MONITOR, which reads:

Julia Lavalle.

Susie smiles to herself.

Five down, two to go.

INT. JULIA LAVALLE'S OFFICE - EVENING

Julia types away at a computer. She is long, lean and the definition of understated elegance.

She looks at a clock on her desk.

INSERT - THE CLOCK, which reads:

04:30 PM

She looks back over her shoulder and through a window. It is already dark.

I hate daylight savings time.

Her phone chirps. She picks it up.

Hello?

Julia Lavalle?

The voice is dark, thick and unknown.

Speaking.

You had a most disturbing dream last night, did you not?

Who is this?

A concerned party who knows of your telepathy. Yours and several others.

What do you want?

I wish to meet with all of you, three days hence. Would you chance such an encounter?

I don't think so.

You will not be alone.

Precisely why I won't show up.

The voice chuckles.

Afraid of little a mystery then?

I'm not afraid of anything, just smart.

Ah, yes. Very well then.

EXT. BACK ALLEYS OF BOSTON - NIGHT

Rick Jardane picks through the contents of a garbage pail. He comes up with a half eaten banana.

Ah! Gots to have your fruit and fiber.

He chomps down the banana. A telepathic voice issues around him.

Rick. Rick Jardane.

Who's that!?

Your salvation. Your deliverance from this poverty.

How come I hear you in my mind?

We are brothers, you and I. We share this strange power.

Power!? It ain't been nothing but a curse to me all my life.

(screams)

It drives me crazy.

(calms)

I got everybody else's thoughts in my head, except mine.

I can ease the pain. Come to me.

There is a flash of movement. Rick screams as he is bent over backwards and his throat exposed. Fangs sink deep.

INT. JULIA LAVALLE'S BEDROOM - SAME

Julia awakes with a scream that echoes Rick's. She jumps out of bed. She runs to a window and throws it open.

She takes deep breaths of the night air. She breaks down into tears.

INT. JULIA LAVALLE'S OFFICE - EVENING

A messenger places a dozen long stemmed roses in a beautiful porcelain vase in front of Julia. She looks up surprised.

Who are these from?

The messenger replies by handing her an envelope. She opens it. She reads the beautiful calligraphy within.

INSERT - THE LETTER, which reads:

In addition to this letter is a list of your telepathic friends and an address. I have invited you all to a gathering to discuss grave matters. I understand your hesitancy, but these are dire events that only the seven of you can conclude. Please make the dreams cease.

Julia pulls out the list and addresses. She peruses the list. She thinks for a moment and then picks up the phone.

EXT. BOSTON MAIN STREET - NIGHT

Corwin leans against a building wall across the street from a large skyscraper. He goes unnoticed by the crowds.

Julia exits the building opposite Corwin.

Corwin sees her. His expression is shocked recognition.

Julia receives a psychic message.

Julia! It is you My Love!

Julia snaps around to find Corwin staring longingly at her.

A crowd of people passes in front of him. He disappears.

Julia is left looking for him.

INT. CORWIN'S VIDEO ROOM - DAYS LATER

Susie enters Corwin's video room to the sound of maniacal laughter and a screaming guitar.

Stacks of television sets surround Corwin on three walls. Each screen plays a different image. Stacks of VCRs and stereo equipment line another wall.

Corwin plays his guitar and thrashes about in the middle of the room.

The multi-broadcasts of the televisions produce a cacophony of sound. Oddly enough, Corwin's guitar work seems to tie it all together.

Susie covers her ears in pain. She desperately looks for a switch. She finds a circuit breaker labeled main and throws the switch.

Everything shuts down with a blink.

What are you doing!!!!

Well, Pilgrim, I was just getting a little education.

(Speedy Gonzalaz) Everything, she moves so fast in this new time. There is so much to learn. (Louis Armstrong) And the music, Dolly, I love all the different kinds of music!

Corwin, where have you been all of your life! How come you've never seen this stuff before?

In a crypt, baby. You know what our favorite song was down there, don't you?

No.

We did the Mash! We did the monster mash. It was a smash. A graveyard smash!

Susie breaks into laughter.

You're a nut! You know that?

I am flooded with information. Swimming in a sea of light and sound most profound!

I didn't know you could play guitar.

Neither did I! Not like this, anyway. I studied classical for cen-, years, but I never dreamed of these rythms! These wild, unruly, SOULFUL melodies!

Corwin strums out the bass line to the funk tune "Tina Nina Nu". He sings to Susie who begins to dance to Corwin's funky serenade.

Click here for PART II of "Immortal Fool"