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The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 4 – Bloodline

Philip Robotham — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 03:52:39 +0000

Below we present the complete text of “Bloodline”, episode 4 of our new Fantasy Noir; The Girl in the Ivy Gate. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles. Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.

Fantasy Noir – FN005 – The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

EPISODE #4 – BLOODLINE

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Unedited Draft

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0

This play is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) International license. This play may not be commercially reproduced, performed, or sold. Non-commercial production, performance, and reproduction are allowed under this license so long as attribution is maintained. No derivative content or use is allowed. It can be freely shared in its current form (without change) under this license. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this work (for your own personal non-commercial use, or to help financially support the author) then please return to https://www.weirdworlstudios.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other works by this author can be found at the author’s website: https://weirdworldstudios.com or through select, online book retailers.

Serial #5: The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Jess is an ordinary girl at the very exclusive Seareach Boarding School. Most days all she has to contend with are the sneers of the trust-fund girls who want to look down on her for being a scholarship student. But when her best friend is killed in a dog attack at the full moon, just in time to make way for a new and unsettling female student to become enrolled, she finds herself teaming up with the nosiest girl in school to investigate a deepening mystery with some decidedly weird complications. Mysterious books, howls in the night, strangers meeting in the nearby woods, and a misdirected attempt at blackmail leads her through an adventure that could very well cost her more than her O-levels. Will she be able to uncover the secrets hiding within Seareach before the body count rises to include her own? Tune in to “The Girl in the Ivy Gate” and thrill as the investigation progresses towards its startling conclusion.

Episodes in the Host Your Own “Old Time Radio Drama” series are designed to provide a fun dinner party experience for 6–8 participants. Read along, taking on the role of one or more of the characters in the story, and listen as the exciting drama unfolds. This is the theater of the mind, where the special effects are only limited by your imagination, and your participation will build a memory that you’ll treasure for years to come.

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

JESS ALLPORT: Scholarship student

CASSIE TORRENS: General Busybody

MISS TIZDALE: School Principal

MR NORRIS: Guardian

HANNAH TRANSOME: New Student

SFX: SFX operator (1 required)

SCENE 14: INT – BACK IN FRONT OF THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE (CASSIE, JESS, TIZDALE)

630. MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.

631. NARRATOR: Finally the truth behind the strange goings-on at the Seareach School are known. Jess’s best friend was killed by the principal, a self-governing werewolf who has gone rogue. The mysterious new student at the school, Hannah, turns out to be a 600 year old Sidhe (SHE) tasked with uncovering the truth and putting an end to the beast. Unfortunately, Jess, and her friend Cassie, suspected Hannah of being the source of the animal attacks and warned the Principal. Now Hannah is trapped in a silver cage and Jess and Cassie are on a mission to steal Hannah’s book (the source of Hannah’s power) back from the principal.

632. JESS: Here we are, back in front of Tizdale’s office.

633. CASSIE: I’m not so sure about this…

634. JESS: Oh no you don’t… You’re not backing out on me now. Tizdale doesn’t know you’re part of this. If she sees me she’ll get suspicious. Now go up there and just take a quick glance in through the window.

635. CASSIE: Alright, but if I get eaten I’m going to haunt you for the rest of your life.

636. JESS: Its daytime and inside the school so if she changes here and eats you then the window for your haunting is going to be pretty short.

637. CASSIE: What do you mean?

638. JESS: Oh, for crying out… I mean that if she eats you she’ll be chomping on me only a very few moments later.

639. CASSIE: Well, that’s alright then. But…

640. JESS: Quit stalling and get over there.

641. CASSIE: Alright. Alright.

642. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS CREEPING AWAY AND THEN QUICKLY BACK.

643. CASSIE: She’s in there.

644. JESS: And?

645. CASSIE: She’s got the book. It looks like she’s trying to read it.

646. JESS: Damn it. Why couldn’t she just have left it in the classroom?

647. CASSIE: You know why. She had to come back and collect Hannah’s stuff after she told everyone Hannah was leaving the school.

648. JESS: Thanks Cassie, the question was rhetorical. I was just venting my frustration.

649. CASSIE: Hey if you want to come out about being rhetorical to me that’s cool. Actually, I’m kind of honoured. But is this the right time?

650. JESS: What?

651. CASSIE: Look, it’s your business. I’m not going to judge.

652. JESS: Oh, for Pete’s sake! (BEAT) We need a plan, something to distract Tizdale and get her out of the office without the book.

653. CASSIE: I could go and hit the fire alarm. That would cause an evacuation.

654. JESS: Cassie, that’s brilliant!

655. CASSIE: Okay, just don’t get all rhetorical on me. I don’t swing that way, right?

656. JESS: Um… just go and hit the alarm, alright?

657. CASSIE: Alright.

658. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – FADE.

659. SOUND: ALARM – FADE UP AND UNDER.

660. JESS: (TO SELF) That’s it, she’s coming out of the office.

661. SOUND: TIZDALE’S FOOTSTEPS HURRIEDLY DEPARTING – FADE

662. TIZDALE: What is it this time? If this is some kind of prank… (FADE OUT).

663. JESS: Okay, here goes.

664. SOUND: ATTEMPT TO OPEN LOCKED DOOR – LET IT FINISH.

665. SOUND: RATTLE OF DOOR AGAIN – LET IT FINISH.

666. JESS: Damn it, it’s locked. I’ve got to get in.

667. SOUND: SMASHING GLASS – LET IT FINISH.

668. JESS: There. Now for the door handle.

669. SOUND: DOOR OPENS – LET IT FINISH.

670. JESS: Okay, now for the book. There it is. She’s put it on the shelf.

671. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – LET IT FINISH.

672. JESS: Got it.

673. TIZDALE: That’s far enough.

674. JESS: Oh! You scared me.

675. TIZDALE: Enough with the charade. Give me the book.

676. JESS: No.

677. TIZDALE: You can’t get out without going through me… I told you I’d take care of Julie’s killer. You have to trust me.

678. JESS: What? No! Who’s carrying out a charade now?

679. TIZDALE: You’ve spoken with Hannah, haven’t you. That’s how you’ve slipped out of my control.

680. JESS: No, I’ve…

681. SOUND: RINGING NOISE – FADE UP AND UNDER.

682. SOUND: ALARM STOPS – LET IT FINISH.

683. TIZDALE: They’ll be doing a roll call shortly, but I’m afraid you’re going to miss it.

684. JESS: (DREAMILY) Miss it.

685. TIZDALE: That’s right. Now give me the book.

686. JESS: (DREAMILY) Give you the book.

687. TIZDALE: That’s it. Now, we’re going to take a walk. I’m going to take you into the forest. I’d rather not have had to kill you, Jess. You were much more use to me as a witness to Hannah’s… abnormality. But beggars can’t be choosers.

688. JESS: (DREAMILY) No… I don’t want to…

689. TIZDALE: You’ll come quietly Jess, or I’ll have to kill your friends as well. You don’t want me to do that do you?

690. JESS: (DREAMILY) No. No, I’ll come quietly.

691. TIZDALE: Alright, let’s go.

692. SOUND: FADE RINGING

693. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 15: EXT – THE WOODS (JESS, TIZDALE, CASSIE, NORRIS)

694. SOUND: LIGHT BREEZE, OWL, CRICKETS – ESTABLISH AND UNDER

695. TIZDALE: Alright, get up. The moon will be coming up soon.

696. JESS: What are you going to do?

697. TIZDALE: Nothing. Yet. Right now we’re going to walk deeper into the forest.

698. JESS: Please. I won’t tell anyone. Just let me go.

699. TIZDALE: I think we’re past that now, don’t you Jess?

700. JESS: No, really. I don’t… I don’t want to die.

701. SOUND: RINGING SOUND – UP AND UNDER.

702. TIZDALE: Get up and start walking.

703. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes Miss.

704. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS THROUGH GRASS – CONTINUE UNDER

705. TIZDALE: When the moon gets up over those trees I’m going to start to change.

706. JESS: (DREAMILY) Start to change…

707. TIZDALE: And when I change… that’s when you’re going to die.

708. JESS: (DREAMILY THROUGH TEARS) Die…

709. TIZDALE: You don’t know what it’s like Jess. The craving. The raw need. I can’t resist it anymore.

710. JESS: (DREAMILY) Need…

711. TIZDALE: It’s the beast, Jess. When the moon is up, it takes control. It’s nothing personal. It’s just hungry.

712. JESS: (DREAMILY) Hungry…

713. TIZDALE: This spell will only last until it rises. Soon, Jess. And when it rises, you’ll regain your senses. You’ll run. And I’ll follow. It loves to hunt, Jess. It loves the smell of fear, the sound of its prey gasping out its terror. It will run you down and its heart… my heart… will nearly burst with the joy of the chase.

714. JESS: (DREAMILY) It loves to hunt…

715. TIZDALE: That’s right Jess, you can see why it has to be this way can’t you? You can see how… wait, it’s happening. The moon is rising…

716. CASSIE: (SHOUTING AS SHE RUNS IN) Leave her alone you filthy old cow! Take that!

717. SOUND: STABBING SOUND OF KNIFE GOING INTO BACK – LET IT FINISH.

718. TIZDALE: (HOWLING CRY OF RAGE) Aaaah! You’ve stabbed me. With silver. Aaaah! It hurts!

719. CASSIE: Jess. Jess. It’s time to run.

720. JESS: What? Where? What did you do?

721. CASSIE: I stabbed her with that silver letter opener. Now come on.

722. TIZDALE: (ROAR OF PAIN) No! No! I’ll kill you.

723. CASSIE: She can’t reach it, can’t get it out… and it seems to have stopped her change.

724. JESS: But it hasn’t finished her off.

725. TIZDALE: You thought this would stop me? I may not be fully changed, but I can still kill. I will kill you yet. Aaargh!

726. CASSIE: Time to go.

727. JESS: But the book…

728. CASSIE: No time. Now run.

729. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING AWAY – FADE

730. TIZDALE: Yes. That’s it run. Prey runs. Food runs. And tonight you are food!

731. SOUND: TIZDALE PURSUES – FADE

732. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 16: EXT – ELSEWHERE IN THE FOREST (JESS, TIZDALE, CASSIE, NORRIS, HANNAH)

733. SOUND: RUNNING FEET – COME TO A STOP

734. CASSIE: (PANTING) I’ve got to… (GASP) rest a moment.

735. JESS: (TRYING TO CATCH BREATH) We can’t stop. She’s still out there.

736. CASSIE: I think she’s slowing down.

737. JESS: So are we. I think she’s just playing with us.

738. CASSIE: Where are we anyway?

739. JESS: Lost. Still in the forest. I’ve no idea where. We’ve been running blind.

740. CASSIE: If it weren’t for the moon we’d have fallen in a ditch somewhere.

741. JESS: If it weren’t for the moon we wouldn’t be in this situation. (BEAT) Hey.

742. CASSIE: What?

743. JESS: I know where we are.

744. CASSIE: Huh?

745. JESS: We’re back where we started. That’s the book over there on the ground.

746. CASSIE: Grab it.

747. SOUND: LOW GROWL – LET IT FINISH.

748. TIZDALE: (VOICE TWISTED WITH MALICE AND PAIN) I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

749. CASSIE: Her face! What’s happened to her?

750. TIZDALE: (WHEEZING, FIGHTING FOR BREATH) You’ve killed me, you little cow. The knife has poisoned me. But I’m not done yet. I can still…

751. JESS: No. No, you can’t.

752. TIZDALE: (BITTER LAUGH) Ha. You think that holding the book up will act like some kind of talisman? You think it will protect you? Like a cross before a vampire? I’ll rip through it and you like tissue paper.

753. JESS: I don’t think you will. I think you’re weak. I think that if you weren’t almost dead, you’d have caught us long ago.

754. TIZDALE: Don’t mock me, fool! I’m going to rip you… going to chew on your entrails… I’m going to…

755. SOUND: BODY DROP – LET IT FINISH.

756. CASSIE: Is she? Is she dead? Or just exhausted?

757. JESS: Why don’t you go over there and push her with your foot. If she jumps up and eats you I’ll know she’s only faking.

758. CASSIE: Uh-uh. Perhaps not. But if she is dead, I so claim the credit.

759. JESS: What?

760. CASSIE: Like, I’m the one that totally stabbed her with the silver knife. I figure that makes me kind of a butt kicker.

761. JESS: Uh-huh?

762. CASSIE: Yeah, like from now on people should call me Cassie the Werewolf hunter or something.

763. JESS: Um, Cassie?

764. CASSIE: Yeah?

765. JESS: If you’re such a butt kicker?

766. CASSIE: Yeah?

767. JESS: Would you mind going over and searching her for the keys to Hannah’s cage?

768. CASSIE: Maybe we could wait just a little bit longer.

769. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 17: INT – SCHOOL (HANNAH, NORRIS, JESS, CASSIE)

770. HANNAH: I suppose you think I should thank you.

771. JESS: It would be traditional. We did get you out of that cage.

772. HANNAH: Only after you were responsible for putting me in it.

773. JESS: Well, stuff you then.

774. HANNAH: (AMUSED) You aren’t afraid of me at all are you?

775. JESS: Not even a little.

776. HANNAH: That’s rather a new experience for me, isn’t it Norris?

777. NORRIS: Yes, ma’am. I don’t believe it has happened very often.

778. HANNAH: I think it must be this child-body that I’m using. I suspect it makes me look “cute”. Perhaps you won’t feel quite so contemptuous towards my next one.

779. CASSIE: Could you be any weirder?

780. HANNAH: Do you invite yourself into every private conversation?

781. CASSIE: Pretty much.

782. JESS: Back up a minute. Did you just say “my next one”? D’you mean your next body?

783. HANNAH: Don’t look so surprised. I’m six hundred years old. Do you think I look like this all the time?

784. JESS: I hadn’t thought about it.

785. HANNAH: I won’t be able to use this form when I come back as your new principal.

786. JESS AND CASSIE: What????

787. HANNAH: Well, someone has to see to your education… and help cover up your current principal’s disappearance.

788. JESS: But how? Why?

789. HANNAH: You don’t remember your father do you?

790. JESS: Uh, no. He left us when I was still a baby.

791. HANNAH: What does your mother say about him?

792. JESS: Only that he was drop-dead gorgeous… and totally unreliable.

793. HANNAH: (LAUGHS) That sounds an apt description.

794. JESS: What are you talking about?

795. HANNAH: My father is Finbarra, a prince of the Fae from the realm of darkness. Like many of his kind, he has visited the mortal realm often, and in doing so he has had… dalliances… with mortal women.

796. CASSIE: Wait, are you saying… Jess’s dad is a Faery Prince? But that would make you…

797. HANNAH: Sisters… of a sort. I’m afraid our father has taken something of an interest in you, Jess. And he has assigned me to… (BITTERLY) look after you… until you come of age.

798. JESS: Come of age?

799. HANNAH: Yes. You are a changeling. On your 21st birthday you will be faced with a choice. Whether to remain a mortal or join the ranks of the fae.

800. JESS: This is nuts. How does anyone make such a choice?

801. HANNAH: Your father is concerned that, because of his position, there may be some outside interest in the outcome of your choice and that attempts may be made to unduly influence it. I was a changeling once myself, long ago.

802. JESS: And why did you become an… immortal?

803. HANNAH: As good a word as any. Though in reality we can be killed, just not very easily. As to the answer to your question. I was tricked. Very few would choose the immortal life if they knew the cost.

804. JESS: What cost?

805. HANNAH: Fae are bound to their sires almost as slaves. I can no more defy Finbarra’s will than you can defy the so-called laws of physics.

806. JESS: What are the fae like?

807. HANNAH: Oh they are either noble and cruel, or they are corrupt and cruel, or wild and untamed and cruel.

808. CASSIE: I think I’m beginning to detect a theme here.

809. HANNAH: And I think I need to return through the Ivy gate to report to our father that the covenant violation has been neutralised.

810. JESS: Are you going to explain any of that?

811. HANNAH: To you? No.

812. JESS: Wait. What about the Ivy gate?

813. HANNAH: That? Well, I guess that won’t do any harm. That bronze gate is very ancient. It serves as a portal of sorts, between this realm and the fae realm of darkness. There are others of course… and strictly speaking I don’t need to use a gate at all… but it does make it easier.

814. JESS: Can I meet him? Our father, I mean?

815. HANNAH: No, I don’t think so. I doubt you’d enjoy the experience. He’s not human, you know? I doubt you’d find anything to love in him.

816. JESS: But?

817. NORRIS: Truly, Miss Allport. My mother is correct. It is for the best that you don’t see him. I know the immortal realms well… and I chose not to become a part of them when I was given the chance. They are alien in ways you cannot yet fathom. (TO HANNAH) It is time we went.

818. HANNAH: I’d like you to keep the book for me, Jess. I’ll be back in a day or two, as Miss… Transome, your new principal.

819. JESS: (CONFUSED) Um alright.

820. HANNAH: Goodbye.

821. NORRIS: Goodbye, Miss Allport. I may still call you Miss Allport I suppose.

822. JESS: Yes. I’d feel odd if you started calling me auntie. Well, Uh, goodbye.

823. SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME – LET IT FINISH.

824. CASSIE: Yep. See ya. Don’t mind me. I’m just the one who, you know, took care of the werewolf for you. Don’t bother saying thanks or anything.

825. JESS: Come on.

826. CASSIE: Yeah, it’s alright for you. Turns out, you’re some kind of faery princess with a magical book. What am I?

827. JESS: Well, you’re a butt kicking Werewolf hunter, so I wouldn’t complain.

828. CASSIE: Hey, yeah. I am, aren’t I?

829. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit our fictional world. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.

JESS ALLPORT: Hi, I’m Jess. I’m snarky and smart, but not mean. I’ve got a thick skin and a determined nature. It’s how I survive in this school full of snobs. I know my own mind and don’t give in to pressure from others. I also mind my own business… but when my curiosity is aroused I’m like a dog worrying at a bone. I’m not going to stop until I get to the bottom of it.

CASSIE TORRENS: A busybody. That’s me. And totally unsubtle. I mean, I’m totally not a gossip. I’ve still got friends and all, it’s just that, well, I’m curious about everything… and that puts some people off. If I want to know something I’ll usually just ask. Bluntly.

MISS TIZDALE: I am the headmistress of this school. It is my job to maintain the school’s reputation, keep the school running, bring in appropriate enrollments, do the hiring and firing. It’s the job I was born for and I’m very good at it. I can even fake a little concern for my students’ well-being when called upon to do so. Just don’t interrupt me right now. Can’t you see that what I’m doing is far too important for me to waste any real time on you?

MR NORRIS: My name is Norris. Just Norris. I am Miss Transome’s guardian. I may look and stand and sound like a butler, but I’m not. I’m polite, but firm, and I have powerful friends. It would be a mistake to cross me. I never say things twice.

HANNAH TRANSOME: I’m a complete cow to everyone. I don’t want to be at this school. I don’t want to make friends. I don’t want to take part in class or extracurriculars. I didn’t ask for this and I’m not happy that this is where I’ve ended up. I just want to be left alone to do what I’ve got to do until I can get out of here. And no, it’s none of your business what I’ve got going on.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Philip Craig Robotham grew up in a house full of books and has held numerous jobs as a teacher, computer programmer, graphic and web designer, an e-learning consultant and, most recently, writer. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and two sons. When he was younger and fitter he enjoyed martial arts, but in recent years his hobbies have tended towards more sedate fare (board games, movies, books, and role-playing games).

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.

Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.

This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivates (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author. The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate

The post The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 4 – Bloodline appeared first on Host Your Own Old Time Radio Drama.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Epsiode 3 – The Werewolf and the Sidhe

Philip Robotham — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 00:55:24 +0000

Below we present the complete text of “The Werewolf and the Sidhe”, episode 3 of our new Fantasy Noir; The Girl in the Ivy Gate. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles. Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.

Fantasy Noir – FN005 – The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

EPISODE #3 – THE WEREWOLF AND THE SIDHE

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Unedited Draft

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0

Other works by this author can be found at the author’s website: https://weirdworldstudios.com or through select, online book retailers.

Serial #5: The Girl in the Ivy Gate

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

JESS ALLPORT: Scholarship student

CASSIE TORRENS: General Busybody

MISS CARTWRIGHT: Vice Principal

MISS TIZDALE: School Principal

HANNAH TRANSOME: New Student

SFX: SFX operator (1 required)

SCENE 11: INT – CLASSROOM (JESS, CASSIE, MISS CARTWRIGHT, MISS TIZDALE, HANNAH)

492. MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.

493. NARRATOR: Strange things are happening at the Seareach School. When Jess’ best friend is killed by a wild dog she sets out to uncover the truth. Following a suspicious new student, Hannah, into the woods, she and her friend, Cassie, encounter a huge and vicious dog only to be rescued by Norris, Hannah’s guardian. When she confronts Hannah she is violently knocked aside and decides to inform the school principal… but suddenly, she is unable to remember the details clearly and returns to her classroom.

494. SOUND: CLASSROOM MURMUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER

495. MISS CARTWRIGHT: (TO BE READ UNDER THE DIALOG UNTIL INTERRUPTED BY THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR – THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS THE BACKGROUND NOISE OF A LESSON TO BE READ – BORINGLY – UNDER THE MAIN SCENE) In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and *disciplined valor. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding lessons, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth.

The principal conquests of the Romans were achieved under the republic; and the emperors, for the most part, were satisfied with preserving those dominions which had been acquired by the policy of the Senate, the active emulations of the consuls, and the martial enthusiasm of the people. The seven first centuries were filled with a rapid succession of triumphs, but it was reserved for Augustus to relinquish the ambitious design of subduing the whole earth, and to introduce a spirit of moderation into the public councils. Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for him to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event more doubtful, and the possession more precarious, and less beneficial. The experience of Augustus added weight to these salutary reflections and effectually convinced him that, by the prudent vigor of his counsels, it would be easy to secure every concession which the safety or the dignity of Rome might require from the most formidable barbarians. Instead of exposing his person and his legions to the arrows of the Parthians, he obtained, by an honorable treaty, the restitution of the standards and prisoners which had been taken in the defeat of Crassus.

496. CASSIE: (FROM “*DISCIPLINED VALOR” – STAGE WHISPERING) Jess? Jess? How did it go?

497. JESS: What?

498. CASSIE: Your visit to Tizzy, how’d it go?

499. JESS: Oh, it was fine. Just a silly misunderstanding.

500. CASSIE: What?

501. JESS: You heard me. It was just a misunderstanding.

502. CASSIE: And your eye?

503. JESS: I fell down the stairs.

504. CASSIE: What are you talking about? Hannah punched you. I was there.

505. JESS: What?

506. CASSIE: Are you serious that you don’t remember?

507. JESS: Don’t remember what?

508. CASSIE: What about last night? In the forest.

509. JESS: How’d you know about my dream?

510. CASSIE: Jess, it wasn’t a dream. I was there.

511. JESS: (CONFUSED) No… what?

512. CASSIE: That wolf thing, and Hannah, and the man. It all happened.

513. JESS: But, it can’t have…

514. SOUND: BRIEF SHOOP SOUND TO INDICATE SPELL BREAKING – LET IT FINISH.

515. JESS: Good grief. I forgot… but how?

516. CASSIE: Tell me what happened?

517. JESS: It was Tizdale. She told me she’d take care of it and that, for my own sake, I should forget about it… and I did!

518. SOUND: KNOCKING ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS – INTERRUPTS MISS CARTWRIGHT – LET IT FINISH.

519. CARTWRIGHT: Oh, Miss Tizdale. Welcome. Girls, stand up please, we are being visited by our principal.

520. SOUND: CHAIRS PULLING OUT OF SEATS – LET IT FINISH.

521. TIZDALE: Thank you, Miss Cartwright. I’d like to speak to Miss Transome, please?

522. CARTWRIGHT: Oh, yes, of course. Hannah, would you please go with Miss Tizdale.

523. TIZDALE: You may leave your books behind. I shan’t keep you long. Your guardian is here to see you.

524. HANNAH: Yes, Miss.

525. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS. DOOR CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

526. SOUND: GIRLS RESUME THEIR SEATS – UNDER

527. JESS: That’s strange. Miss Tizdale ordered Hannah’s guardian off the property.

528. CASSIE: Really? I don’t want to miss this. (BEAT) Miss Cartwright?

529. CARTWRIGHT: Er… Yes, Miss Torrens?

530. CASSIE: (HURRIEDLY) I need to visit the bathroom.

531. CARTWRIGHT: Can’t it wait?

532. CASSIE: No Miss. My period’s come early and I wasn’t prepared.

533. GIRLS: GIGGLES.

534. CARTWRIGHT: Oh dear! Yes, you’d better go then.

535. CASSIE: Can Jess come and help me out?

536. JESS: I know where her sanitary supplies are.

537. CARTWRIGHT: Er.. Yes. Yes. But hurry, please… and take your books.

538. SOUND: CHAIRS SCRAPE AND FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR WHICH OPENS AND CLOSES – UNDER.

539. GIRLS: GIGGLES.

540. CARTWRIGHT: Settle down girls. Let’s return to our lesson… (PICKS UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF AND FADE OUT).

541. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 12: INT – CORRIDOR (JESS, CASSIE, TIZDALE, HANNAH)

542. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN CORRIDOR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.

543. JESS: You’ve got no shame at all. Couldn’t you think of a better story?

544. CASSIE: It got us out of there didn’t it? And you want to know what’s going on as much as I do.

545. JESS: I thought you were a coward. How is it you’re willing to do this anyway?

546. CASSIE: I am a coward… but I’m also really curious. I sort of can’t help myself.

547. JESS: You might just end up wishing you could. (BEAT) Hey, Tizdale’s office is open and empty and… are those drag marks?

548. CASSIE: Do you think Hannah overpowered her?

549. JESS: Looks like. The marks are leading towards the basement. Hang on a second.

550. CASSIE: What are you doing?

551. JESS: Just throwing away this letter opener.

552. CASSIE: What? Now?

553. JESS: Um, yes. Miss Tizdale told me to…

554. CASSIE: If she wanted you to throw it away, then I want to see it. Hang on. There. Got it. Wow, this thing’s made of solid silver. I wonder why she wanted you to throw it away?

555. JESS: Oh, come on. We don’t have time right now.

556. CASSIE: Well, I’m keeping it.

557. SOUND: LIGHTLY RUNNING FEET – FADE OUT

558. SOUND: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 13: INT – BASEMENT (JESS, CASSIE, TIZDALE, HANNAH)

559. SOUND: CREAKING STAIR – FADE IN, ESTABLISH AND STOP.

560. HANNAH: Quiet, Cassie, I think they’re not far away.

561. TIZDALE: (QUIETLY, TO HERSELF, ALMOST WHIMPERING) Don’t change… Don’t change…

562. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) Is that Miss Tizdale’s voice?

563. JESS: I think so. Quick get behind those barrels.

564. CASSIE: Where is she?

565. JESS: Over there, in the corner. She’s got… She’s got Hannah in some kind of cage.

566. TIZDALE: (TO SELF) Calm down… Calm down… You don’t want to change before tonight. Changing now would ruin everything. Just breathe.

567. HANNAH: (MOANS) What? Where?

568. TIZDALE: Welcome back.

569. SOUND: BARS BEING RATTLED – LET IT FINISH.

570. TIZDALE: No, don’t bother. Those are iron bars. Be grateful I haven’t put you in iron chains. You’re just weakened rather than poisoned.

571. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) What have you done? You don’t think you can get away with this do you?

572. TIZDALE: Actually, I think I can. In fact, you’ve been incredibly careless.

573. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) What do you mean?

574. TIZDALE: Not attending meals, going off by yourself. You’ve blown your cover.

575. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) And you’ve revealed your hand. You’re the rogue werewolf.

576. TIZDALE: And you’re a fae investigator. We’ve both known that from the beginning. You were sent here by Finbarra as his emissary to look into whether a werewolf had gone off the reservation…

577. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) And you had! Why was that, by the way? Couldn’t resist trying human, just once?

578. TIZDALE: Nothing like that. One of the students found me in my cage one night. She threatened to expose me. Her family couldn’t meet the fees and she thought she could blackmail me into staying.

579. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) You could have altered her memories.

580. TIZDALE: I could have and did… but Julie was smart, she’d taken photographs of me changed and made recordings telling herself the truth. She snapped herself out of the glamor, by accident the first time, but she took precautions after that.

581. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) Hmpf. So you ate her. Don’t make excuses. You’re just weak.

582. TIZDALE: There’s a whole community of werewolves in this area. What made you so sure it was me?

583. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) I wasn’t sure. I just don’t like you. Not only are you impulsive, you’re also stupid. There’s no way you can get away with killing me without implicating yourself.

584. TIZDALE: Is that why you sent me the letter opener? That was stupid. It put me on my guard. Your carelessness has made it easy for me. That girl, Jess, gave me the key to it. She’s been following you. She saw you go into the woods and saw you turn. She doesn’t know you take on the form of a hound in order to scent out trouble. She thinks you’re the werewolf, and that’s the way she’ll tell it to the next investigator your masters send. So long as you’re dead before that happens, I don’t think it will be hard to convince them that you are the one who has “gone off the reservation”. You’ve been sent here as a representative of the realm of darkness. It wouldn’t be the first time that one of your kind violated the covenant. I’ll explain that you’ve been using your position as an investigator as cover for your own hunting of mortals. With Jess’ testimony, I think they’ll believe it. She thinks you hunger is due to bloodlust and not your inability to eat mortal food.

585. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) And what will you do when the next full moon rises? Do you honestly think, now that you’ve tasted human flesh, you’ll have the strength of will to resist?

586. TIZDALE: That’s my problem, but yes, I think I can.

587. HANNAH: (SNORTS DERISIVELY).

588. TIZDALE: Now, I’m going to go and get your book. That’s where most of your power is hidden isn’t it? (BEAT) What? No smart answers? Enjoy your last hours. You need to live long enough to commit one more killing this evening. Then I’m coming to finish you off.

589. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) One more killing? You disgust me. You’re an addict. Now that you’ve started, you won’t be able to stop.

590. TIZDALE: We’ll see… after tonight.

591. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS DEPART – LET THEM FINISH.

592. CASSIE: Cor, did you get that?

593. JESS: Shhh. Wait here.

594. CASSIE: What are you going to do?

595. JESS: No-one knows you’re a part of this. I want to talk to Hannah, but I want you to be able to snap me out of it afterwards if she uses that mind bending thing on me.

596. CASSIE: Okay.

597. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – LET IT FINISH.

598. JESS: Hannah? Are you okay?

599. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) Where did you come from? No, scratch that. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. How much of that did you hear?

600. JESS: All of it.

601. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) And…?

602. JESS: You’re not human

603. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) That’s right. I’m a member of the Fae.

604. JESS: Like a faery?

605. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) (THROUGH GRITTED TEETH) Yes. But most of us don’t like that term.

606. JESS: Sorry. Can I get you out of there?

607. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) I don’t know, can you?

608. SOUND: CLANK OF BARS – LET IT FINISH.

609. JESS: It’s locked and I don’t have a key.

610. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) So that would be a “no” then.

611. JESS: You don’t have to be such a cow.

612. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) As far as I can work out, I’m only in here because you provided Tizdale with a plausible way to get rid of me, right?

613. JESS: Uh… yeah, I guess so.

614. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) Then I’ll be however I want. You need to get me my book.

615. JESS: What?

616. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) Come on, try to keep up. In order to blend in here I had to cloak most of my power. It’s been hidden inside my book.

617. JESS: The book that old man used to drive off the werewolf the other night?

618. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) That old man is my son, and probably wouldn’t appreciate you calling him that.

619. JESS: Just how old are you?

620. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) About six hundred and rapidly running out of patience.

621. JESS: If I bring you the book, does that mean you’ll try to mess with my memory?

622. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) If I could mess with your memory I wouldn’t have punched you in the face. Actually, you’re pretty annoying so I really might have, but then I’d have made you forget how it happened. Unfortunately, that isn’t one of my abilities. It is Tizdale’s though.

623. JESS: Alright, I’ll try to get the book… and some bolt cutters. We need to get you out of this cage as well.

624. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) You think?

625. JESS: Will you be alright while I’m gone?

626. HANNAH: (LABOURED BREATHING) Until tonight, I’ll be fine. The cage only weakens me. I’m not in any real danger.

627. JESS: Okay, I’ll try and get the book.

628. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

629. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit our fictional world. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forwards. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.

MISS CARTWRIGHT: I’m the deputy-head. What do you mean, you think I’m a strange choice? Well, yes, the Head Mistress, does like to do things herself. And no she’s never satisfied. But that doesn’t make me a doormat. We compliment each other. She runs things and I… well I… I teach. And I talk to the girls. And I’m steady and dependable. True, it has been suggested that my classes are a bit dull… but one always knows what one is going to get when one enters my classroom. My methods are tried and true. (BEAT) What? Yes, I do think reading from my notes is an effective way to teach. I have prepared very thorough – VERY thorough – notes. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a school like Seareach, would you?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.

Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate

The post The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Epsiode 3 – The Werewolf and the Sidhe appeared first on Host Your Own Old Time Radio Drama.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 2 – The Road to Amnesia

Philip Robotham — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 21:48:54 +0000

Below we present the complete text of “The Road to Amnesia”, episode 2 of our new Fantasy Noir; The Girl in the Ivy Gate. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles. Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.

Fantasy Noir – FN005 – The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

EPISODE #2 – THE ROAD TO AMNESIA

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Unedited Draft

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0

Other works by this author can be found at the author’s website: https://weirdworldstudios.com or through select, online book retailers.

Serial #5: The Girl in the Ivy Gate

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

JESS ALLPORT: Scholarship student

CASSIE TORRENS: General Busybody

MISS TIZDALE: School Principal

BERTHA: Principal’s secretary

MR NORRIS: Guardian

HANNAH TRANSOME: New Student

WOLF: Wolf

ANNA LEA: Student

JEN FISHER: Student

SCENE 6: INT – SCHOOL HALLWAYS (JESS, CASSIE, BERTHA, TIZDALE, HANNAH)

217: MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.

218. NARRATOR: A student has died under mysterious circumstances and a new student, Hannah, has been accepted into the prestigious Seareach School in her place. Cassie is suspicious of the new student and convinces Jess to follow her during the lunch break…

219. SOUND: ECHOING FOOTFALLS – UNDER

220. JESS: (LOW VOICE) Where’s she going? I thought she’d probably head into the grounds not make her way into the corridors.

221. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) I told you.

222. JESS: (LOW VOICE) It doesn’t mean I think she’s up to something, just that…

223. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) Shhh. She’s stopping.

224. JESS: What’s she… That’s the principal’s office she’s going into.

225. SOUND: (DISTANT) DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

226. CASSIE: Come on, I want to see.

227. JESS: Wait… No…

228. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – COME TO STOP.

229. CASSIE: What’s that in her hand?

230. JESS: An envelope. Fairly bulky. She’s adding it to the top of the mail tray… Quick, get back behind this statue. She’s coming out.

231. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

232. SOUND: QUICK FOOTSTEPS – FADE INTO DISTANCE

233. CASSIE: Come on. We don’t want to lose her.

234. JESS: No wait. Someone’s coming.

235. SOUND: TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING – UNDER.

236. TIZDALE: I don’t care how long we’ve had this meeting booked, Bertha. I’m not going and that’s final. Reschedule it for some time the following week.

237. BERTHA: But…

238. TIZDALE: No, there’s simply too much happening at the moment and I am not going to spend an evening away from the school right now.

239. BERTHA: Yes, ma’am.

240. TIZDALE: Now, go take a break. I’ve got some correspondence to take care of.

241. BERTHA: Yes, ma’am.

242. SOUND: BERTHA WALKS AWAY – FADE

243. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

244. CASSIE: (THREE LONG BEATS) Okay, let’s get out of here.

245. JESS: No. I want to see this.

246. CASSIE: What? But you were the one who was…

247. JESS: I know. I know. So just shut up a second. If I lean out I can see through her window and…

248. TIZDALE: What’s this? Hmmm. Heavy. No sender.

249. SOUND: PAPER RIPPING – LET IT FINISH.

250. SOUND: HEAVY CLUNK (PAPER OPENER DROPPING ON DESK) – LET IT FINISH.

251. TIZDALE: What the…? (BEAT) (DISPROPORTIONATELY ANGRY, ALMOST TEARFUL) Who did this? Who knows? Who..? Who is responsible?

252. JESS: (WHISPERING) Quick. Let’s go.

253. SOUND: HURRIED FOOTSTEPS AS THE GIRLS RETREAT – ESTABLISH AND HURRIED STOP.

254. HANNAH: Going somewhere?

255. CASSIE: (SHORT SCREAM) Eek! You scared us!

256. HANNAH: Did I? Well the two of you could do with a good scare.

257. JESS: (DEFIANT) What do you mean?

258. HANNAH: I think you know exactly what I mean. You two need to keep your noses out of business that doesn’t concern you.

259. JESS: But…

260. HANNAH: You’ve had your warning… and you only get one. Stay out of my way or next time I won’t be so polite.

261. SOUND: HANNAH WALKS OFF – FADE

262. CASSIE: Did she just threaten us?

263. JESS: Yes, I think that’s exactly what she just did.

264. CASSIE: Well! Are we going to put up with that from the likes of her?

265. JESS: (THOUGHTFUL) Perhaps. This bears some thinking about…

266. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 7: INT – DORMITORY – NIGHT (CASSIE, JESS)

267. CLAPHAM: It is officially lights out girls.

268. SOUND: SWITCH BEING THROWN – POWERING DOWN OF ELECTRICS – UNDER.

269. CLAPHAM: Sleep well.

270. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – DOOR CLOSING – FOOTSTEPS FADE OUT.

271. CASSIE: (THREE LONG BEATS) Jess? Are you awake?

272. JESS: (RECOVERING FROM FRIGHT) Damnit Cassie. Yes, I’m awake. The lights have only just gone out. And you scared me half to death.

273. CASSIE: Sorry.

274. JESS: Well? What do you want?

275. CASSIE: Hannah’s on the move.

276. JESS: For crying out loud! This isn’t a spy movie you know?

277. CASSIE: She’s out of bed.

278. JESS: So are you!

279. CASSIE: Yes, but I’m still here. She’s left the dormitories. (BEAT) Oh, come on. Come over to the window and take a look.

280. JESS: Oh, alright.

281. SOUND: BEDGEAR THROWN OFF AND PADDING FOOTSTEPS TO WINDOW – LET IT FINISH.

282. JESS: It’s dark. There’s nothing to see.

283. CASSIE: No, look. Down there, in the grounds. See her?

284. JESS: Where? Oh, there. What’s she doing?

285. CASSIE: I think she’s heading into the forest. And she’s got that book with her.

286. JESS: What?

287. CASSIE: You remember. I told you I’ve seen her sneaking out of the grounds.

288. JESS: But the forest? That’s totally dangerous.

289. CASSIE: Wait, what are you doing?

290. JESS: I’m going after her.

291. CASSIE: At least get dressed first.

292. JESS: No time. My robe will have to do. You stay here… in case anything happens.

293. SOUND: QUICK PADDING FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR (BEAT) DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

294. CASSIE: But…

295. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 8: EXT – GROUNDS – NIGHT (JESS, CASSIE, NORRIS, HANNAH)

296. SOUND: MILD WIND, CRICKETS, OCCASIONAL OWL HOOT – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.

297. SOUND: WALKING THROUGH GRASS – UNDER.

298. JESS: What on earth am I doing out here? It’s freezing (BEAT) (WRILY) Oh yeah, I’m trying to make sure Hannah stays safe.

299. CASSIE: And just why exactly are you doing that? She was a total cow to us yesterday.

300. JESS: (JUMPING WITH FRIGHT). Oh! Stop creeping up on people like that! I thought I told you to stay inside!

301. CASSIE: You did. I didn’t. So why are we out here?

302. JESS: You know why. I might think Hannah is pretty weird, but… but…

303. CASSIE: (SOFTLY) But you don’t want what happened to Julie to happen to her?

304. JESS: Right.

305. CASSIE: Alright, but you’re not going out in the dark on your own. Here. I brought you a jumper.

306. JESS: Thanks. I owe you.

307. CASSIE: Yeah, you do. Now, which way did she go?

308. JESS: Through the fence over there and along the path in under the trees.

309. CASSIE: Come on then, we’d better hurry or we’ll miss her

310. SOUND: TRUDGING FEET IN GRASS – UNDER

311. NORRIS: (FADE UP AT A DISTANCE)… we don’t have a lot of time. Is this far enough to be out of sight?

312. HANNAH: Yes. We need to get this over with quickly. I’m getting weaker… and more hungry.

313. NORRIS: I know. The moon is only going to last for another day or two before it starts to wane.

314. HANNAH: Here, put the book down.

315. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) What the hell? Who’s she meeting? He looks too old to be her boyfriend.

316. JESS: I think his name is Norris. He was with her when she was enrolled at the school. I think he’s kind of like her guardian or something.

317. CASSIE: Or something? Hey look, she’s getting down on her hands and knees. What is she…?

318. JESS: I think she’s… pretending to be a dog. She’s sniffing the ground and… holy smokes, did you see that?

319. CASSIE: She just ran into the woods. What the hell is going on?

320. JESS: I don’t know.

321. CASSIE: (PLEADING) Come on. Let’s go back to the school. This is just too weird.

322. JESS: Wait! What’s he doing now?

323. CASSIE: He’s just watching the spot where she left.

324. JESS: No, he’s got the book open. It’s… it’s glowing.

325. CASSIE: What? But… that’s nuts. We can’t be seeing this.

326. WOLF: GROWL – UNDER.

327. JESS: Cassie. Cassie, behind you.

328. CASSIE: Oh no. What? What is it?

329. JESS: It’s a dog. A really big, really angry dog. No! Don’t run.

330. WOLF: MENACING GROWLS – UNDER.

331. CASSIE: Jess? Jess, I’m really scared.

332. JESS: I know. I know. I’m trying to think of something.

333. CASSIE: Well think faster or I’m going to, you know, pass out.

334. JESS: Easy there, doggy. Nice doggy.

335. WOLF: GROWLS – CONTINUE UNDER.

336. NORRIS: I suggest, if you wish to live through this, that you do exactly what I say.

337. JESS: What the hell is going on?

338. NORRIS: That’s actually none of your concern. Right now the only thing you should be thinking about is survival.

339. CASSIE: Hell, he’s got my vote. Cassie, please..?

340. JESS: Alright, what do we have to do?

341. NORRIS: Come this way… slowly.

342. JESS: Okay, here we come. Cassie, just walk forward.

343. NORRIS: Now get behind me and shade your eyes…

344. JESS: What are you going to…?

345. SOUND: PULSING NOISE

346. WOLF: YIP AND WHINE OF PAIN – LET IT FINISH.

347. SOUND: WOLF RETREATING INTO THE DISTANCE – FADE

348. NORRIS: (SIGHING WITH RELIEF) It’s gone. (SOBERING SUDDENLY) Damnit! It’s heading towards the village.

349. JESS: What’s going on. That light, it came from the book and chased it away. I don’t understand.

350. NORRIS: (ANGRY) You! Damn you for meddling with things that are beyond you.

351. JESS: But…

352. NORRIS: Get out of here. Now!

353. JESS: Yes. Yes, alright. C’mon Cassie. We need to get back to the school.

354. CASSIE: (WHIMPERS) Yes, lets go home.

355. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE

356. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE UP

357. CASSIE: Oh No. No No No. I did not just see that. That was impossible.

358. JESS: What was impossible?

359. CASSIE: Monsters. Magic. I didn’t just imagine it, did I?

360. JESS: No you didn’t. And I’ll tell you something else, too.

361. CASSIE: What?

362. JESS: The book he was carrying, the one that he got from Hannah, the one with the big dog on the cover.

363. CASSIE: Yeah?

364. JESS: When that dog thing was threatening us…

365. CASSIE: Yeah?

366. JESS: The picture on the cover was gone.

367. CASSIE: What? But it was stamped into the cover.

368. JESS: It was gone. (BEAT) I think… I think that, whoever they are, they might be responsible for the dog attacks… for the death of… of Julie.

369. FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE.

370. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 9: INT – BETWEEN CLASSES (ANNA, JEN, JESS, HANNAH, CASSIE)

371. SOUND: SCHOOL BELL – CORRIDOR MOVEMENT – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.

372. ANNA: Did you hear? There was another dog attack in the village last night.

373. JEN: Yeah, it was in the morning paper. Apparently, they’re putting out poisoned baits to try and catch it.

374. ANNA: There’s some concern it might actually be rabid. You know, on account of how it’s been attacking people so boldly and all.

375. JESS: That’s it. Where’s Hannah?

376. JEN: What? I think I saw her in the Science wing.

377. JESS: Thanks, I’ll catch up with you in a minute.

378. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – FADE OUT

379. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – FADE UP.

380. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

381. JESS: You’re not going to get away with this, you know?

382. HANNAH: What did you just say?

383. JESS: (ANGRY) I said, “You’re not going to get away with it.”

384. HANNAH: What are you talking about?

385. JESS: I’m talking about you. (BEAT) Did you really think no-one would notice? Never eating with the rest of us? Disappearing from class? Meeting up with, well, whoever he is in the woods?

386. HANNAH: I don’t have time for this kind of rubbish.

387. JESS: Oh, no you don’t. I’m not letting you out of this room until we’ve had this out.

388. HANNAH: Are you mental? Just what do you think is going on here?

389. JESS: I know, Hannah. I know your secret. I know you’re not even human, that you killed Julie to get into this school. I know why you’re hungry and what you’ve been doing at night. You’re not going to get away with it. I know what you are.

390. HANNAH: Is that so? And just what do you think I am?

391. JESS: I heard you last night, before you turned, talking to that man about the full moon. I know you’re a werewolf.

392. HANNAH: (DERISIVE) Can you hear yourself? You sound deranged.

393. JESS: I’m going to stop you. You’re not going to hurt anyone else.

394. HANNAH: (ANGRY) Is that what you think, is it? Then you listen to me, you little idiot. I warned you once before to stay out of my business. I told you, you’d only one chance to mind your own and leave well enough alone. I’m going to…

395. JESS: What? Eat me? Kill me like Julie? Is that it?

396. HANNAH: You stupid twit. Get out of my way.

397. JESS: No.

398. HANNAH: Then don’t say I didn’t warn you.

399. SOUND: SMACK OF FIST ON FACE – LET IT FINISH.

400. SOUND: BODY COLLAPSING INTO CHAIRS – LET IT FINISH.

401. JESS: (PAINED) Ugh. You cow. You knocked me halfway across the room.

402. HANNAH: Don’t try to get up. Or I’ll give you another to match. You stay out of my business, got it? I don’t have time for the stupidity of some little school girl.

403. JESS: Some little school girl? Look who’s talking!

404. HANNAH: Listen to me. Listen! If you don’t stop meddling you’ll be in for a lot more than bruises. Do you understand? I could snap you like a twig if I had half a mind. You need to stop this.

405. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

406. JESS: (GROANS) That could have gone better.

407. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

408. CASSIE: You can say that again.

409. JESS: Where the hell did you come from?

410. CASSIE: I admit it. I was nosy and I eavesdropped from the hall.

411. JESS: You could have backed me up.

412. CASSIE: What? And ended up on my duff like you?

413. JESS: Help me up.

414. CASSIE: Here.

415. GIRLS: GRUNTS OF EXERTION AS THEY GET UP.

416. CASSIE: What are you going to do now?

417. JESS: You heard her threaten me. You can be my witness. She all but admitted she killed Julie. We’ve got to tell someone.

418. CASSIE: Who?

419. JESS: Let’s talk to the principal.

420. CASSIE: Tizdale? You can’t be serious.

421. JESS: Why not? She hates Hannah. You should have seen them the first day Hannah arrived.

422. CASSIE: It’s one thing for a teacher to dislike a student. It’s another to believe something like this. What are you going to tell her?

423. JESS: I’ll think of something. We’ve done all we can on our own. Come on.

424. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 10: INT – PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE (CASSIE, JESS, NORRIS, TIZDALE)

425. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN THE CORRIDOR (CASSIE AND JESS) – ESTABLISH AND CONCLUDE

426. CASSIE: Well, is she there?

427. JESS: Looks like.

428. CASSIE: I don’t know, Jess. I’m not sure this is such a good idea.

429. JESS: Are you a man or a mouse?

430. CASSIE: Actually, I’m a teenage girl… (SQUEAKING) and squeaking (AHEM) squeaking doesn’t seem like such a bad idea right now.

431. JESS: Cassie!

432. CASSIE: Jess, I haven’t gotten through life as the least noticed person in school by sticking my neck out. It’s who I am.

433. JESS: Seriously? (ANGRY) Alright, if you won’t come with me, I’ll go alone.

434. CASSIE: Maybe that’s for the best.

435. JESS: Oh, shut up. (BEAT) (DEEP BREATH).

436. SOUND: TWO STEPS AND KNOCK ON DOOR – LET IT FINISH.

437. TIZDALE: Come in.

438. SOUND: DOOR OPENS – LET IT FINISH.

439. JESS: Miss Tizdale, I need to speak to you urgently about Hannah. I…

440. NORRIS: You need to speak to the Principal about my ward?

441. JESS: Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had someone with you.

442. TIZDALE: Miss Allport, this is Mr. Norris, Hannah’s guardian. He was just leaving.

443. NORRIS: Actually, Miss Tizdale, I don’t believe our business was concluded… and if this… young person… has something to say regarding Hannah, I’d like to hear it.

444. TIZDALE: Mr. Norris, the running of this school is in my care, not yours. I will interview Miss Allport in a moment. You have informed me that your ward will be withdrawing from the school in a few days and I can only say that I am relieved. I will tell you frankly, sir, that she does not seem to fit in with the culture of the school and, by and large, has been a disruptive influence and a difficult student.

445. NORRIS: (COLDLY) I see.

446. TIZDALE: Yes. And to that, I would add that this school is private property and I would like you to cease entering the grounds without an appointment.

447. NORRIS: I see. Notwithstanding the fact that all my attempts to make an appointment have been met with refusal.

448. TIZDALE: I am, as you can see, very busy, and it is not possible for me to grant you an audience at your whim.

449. NORRIS: And if I wish to speak to you again before Hannah withdraws?

450. TIZDALE: I’m afraid that simply won’t be possible. I’ve given you all the time I can spare. Now, if you do not mind, I have work to do.

451. NORRIS: Have it your own way. Good day.

452. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

453. TIZDALE: Now, dear, come and sit down… and tell me what has happened to your face. Should I call the nurse?

454. JESS: No. No, I need to tell you this urgently.

455. TIZDALE: Alright. What has happened to you? Does this have something to do with Hannah?

456. JESS: Yes. Hannah attacked me in the science wing and… and I believe she attacked me last night as well.

457. TIZDALE: This sounds serious…

458. SOUND: FAINT RINGING TONE – CONTINUES UNDER

459. TIZDALE: Tell me what happened?

460. JESS: I, uh, I… I feel strange…

461. TIZDALE: It’s all right, Jess, just take a breath and tell me what happened?

462. JESS: (DEEP BREATH) Alright. I think… I think Hannah killed Julie. I think she did it to create a vacancy at the school. I think… I think she’s a werewolf.

463. TIZDALE: (GENTLY) That’s a very strange thing to think, Jess. Why do you think she’s a werewolf?

464. JESS: I followed her last night… into the forest. She was talking to Mr Norris. He pretended he didn’t know me just now but last night he saw me and saved me from her after she changed.

465. TIZDALE: I see. Is there anything else I should know?

466. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes. There’s a book she carries. It’s blue, with a dog on the cover. I think it gives her power of some kind.

467. TIZDALE: I see. That’s very good Jess.

468. SOUND: RINGING INTENSIFIES – CONTINUE UNDER.

469. TIZDALE: And I’ll take care of it. All of it. But this is important, Jess, are you listening?

470. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, Miss Tizdale.

471. TIZDALE: For you, Jess, none of this happened. Alright. The bruise on your face is from falling on the stairs. Hannah never hit you.

472. JESS: (DREAMILY) But…

473. TIZDALE: It’s Okay Jess. I will take care of it. She won’t get away with it, but for your own good, you can’t remember it the way it happened. She didn’t attack you, Jess. There are no such things as werewolves. You didn’t go out into the forest. That was just a dream.

474. JESS: A dream…

475. TIZDALE: Yes, that’s right. Just a silly dream. You believe me, don’t you Jess?

476. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, miss Tizdale.

477. SOUND: RING ENDS – LET IT FINISH.

478. TIZDALE: (ALL BUSINESS) That’s good Miss Allport. Thank you for coming to see me and clearing up this little misunderstanding. I’m sorry about your fall. Perhaps you should go see the nurse now.

479. JESS: Er… yes Miss Tizdale. Perhaps I should…

480. TIZDALE: Excellent, off you go.

481. JESS: Um… Miss Tizdale, is that yours?

482. TIZDALE: What dear?

483. JESS: That letter opener. It’s on the floor. Here.

484. SOUND: RINGING RETURNS – UNDER

485. TIZDALE: (SCARED) Uh, no. No dear, don’t give it to me. Why don’t you take it with you. Throw it away perhaps, hmmm?

486. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, alright…

487. SOUND: RINGING ENDS – LET IT FINISH.

488. TIZDALE: Very good. I’ll see you later.

489. JESS: Yes, Miss. Goodbye.

490. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.

491. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH

492. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit the lonely city. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.

BERTHA: Oh, uh, can I help you? Yes, I’m the secretary to the Head Mistress. Do you want to see Miss Tizdale? Um, do you have an appointment? She really doesn’t like to be interrupted. Oh, yes? I… I guess I can make you one. Would Monday be alright? At three? And what was your name? I know I had a pen around here somewhere. There’s always so much to do, don’t you know. And never enough time. Now, what was it I was doing?

CASTING SHEETS – MINOR CHARACTERS

STUDENTS (ANY): What’s that? Yeah, it’s pretty keen up at the school. I mean, we can be cows to each other too, but most of the time we have loads of fun. Joking, talking about boys, and, you know, studying (when we have to).

WOLF: I’m not the quiet skulking kind of wolf that avoids human contact. I’m huge and slavering and always hungry. And if I meet you in the wood, you’re going to either die or be really badly injured. I am all instinct and hate and hunger. It would be best to avoid me altogether.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.

Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.

This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author. The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate

The post The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 2 – The Road to Amnesia appeared first on Host Your Own Old Time Radio Drama.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 1 – Death at Seareach

Philip Robotham — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 22:56:03 +0000

Below we present the complete text of “Death at Seareach”, episode 1 of our new Fantasy Noir; The Girl in the Ivy Gate. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles. Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.

Fantasy Noir – FN005 – The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

EPISODE #1 – DEATH AT SEAREACH

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Unedited Draft

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0

Other works by this author can be found at the author’s website: https://weirdworldstudios.com or through select, online book retailers.

Serial #5: The Girl in the Ivy Gate

Jess is an ordinary girl at the very exclusive Seareach boarding school. Most days all she has to contend with are the sneers of the trust-fund girls who want to look down on her for being a scholarship student. But when her best friend is killed in a dog attack at the full moon, just in time to make way for a new and unsettling female student to become enrolled, she finds herself teaming up with the nosiest girl in school to investigate a deepening mystery with some decidedly weird complications. Mysterious books, howls in the night, strangers meeting in the nearby woods, and a misdirected attempt at blackmail leads her through an adventure that could very well cost her more than her O-levels. Will she be able to uncover the secrets hiding within Seareach before the body count rises to include her own? Tune in to “The Girl in the Ivy Gate” and thrill as the investigation progresses towards its startling conclusion.

THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

JESS ALLPORT: Scholarship student

JULIE BELMONT: Murder victim

CASSIE TORRENS: General Busybody

SALLY WOODS: Head Girl

ANNA LEA: Student

JEN FISHER: Student

MISS CLAPHAM: Dorm Teacher

CONSTABLE SMITH: Local Police Officer

MISS TIZDALE: School Principal

THE PORTER: School Porter

MR NORRIS: Guardian

HANNAH TRANSOME: New Student

MRS JARVIS: Classroom teacher

SFX: SFX operator (1 required)

Act 1

SCENE 1: EXT – GROUNDS OF SEAREACH BOARDING SCHOOL (JULIE BELMONT, JESS ALLPORT, CASSIE TORRENS)

1. MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.

2. SOUND: LIGHT BREEZE, DISTANT (FEMALE) CHILDREN PLAYING – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.

3. JESS: Julie, we haven’t got time. When Miss Grovener told us to do a still life in the grounds, I don’t think she quite had this in mind. And art class will be over in a few minutes.

4. JULIE: All I need is a few minutes. I just want to get one sketch of the Ivy gate.

5. JESS: You must have drawn it a thousand times already.

6. JULIE: I don’t care. It’s beautiful, Jess.

7. JESS: It gives me the creeps. Sally was saying it’s older even than the Seareach boarding school. She says it was here long before the school was built. And who makes a gate out of bronze anyway?

8. JULIE: Ancient Britons, apparently. And don’t pay Sally any mind. She’s just having a lend of the scholarship girl.

9. JESS: Why’d you have to go and bring that up again? I keep trying to forget that fact.

10. JULIE: Sorry Jess. It’s easy to forget how sensitive you’ve become.

11. JESS: We’re the only girls in this school whose families don’t come from money.

12. JULIE: (GENTLY) Yeah, I know. They should never have printed that stuff about your mum raising you on her own in the school paper. It was cruel.

13. JESS: They turned my mum into a laughing stock.

14. JULIE: Yeah. They’re a bunch of stupid cows.

15. CASSIE: (CHEERFUL) Not talking about anyone I know are you?

16. JESS: Sheesh. Cassie, you gave us a fright. What are you doing out here?

17. CASSIE: Sorry, I thought you and Julie looked like you needed some company.

18. JULIE: You mean you just got nosy, don’t you?

19. CASSIE: (CHEERFULLY AND WITHOUT A TRACE OF EMBARASSMENT) Well yes, that too. So, what are you doing?

20. JESS: Julie wants to do a sketch of the gate.

21. CASSIE: I don’t think you’ll have the time.

22. JESS: I just got through saying that.

23. SOUND: DISTANT SCHOOL BELL – LET IT FINISH.

24. JESS: See. Come on we’ve got to get to our next class.

25. JULIE: Oh, well. There’s always tomorrow.

26. JESS: I wish you didn’t have to leave at the end of the term. I’d give you my scholarship if it meant you could stay and finish the year.

27. JULIE: It’s alright, Jess. I think I’ve found a way to stay after all.

28. JESS: Really? Did your dad find the money in the end?

29. JULIE: No, but… well, I don’t want to jinx it. I’ll tell you soon though.

30. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 2: INT – MORNING IN THE DORMITORY (SALLY WATTS, ANNA WOODS, JEN FISHER, JESS ALLPORT, MISS CLAPHAM)

31. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH

32. SALLY WATTS (HEAD GIRL): Rise and shine everyone. Get yourselves up and about. The beaks are in an uproar and ol’ Claptrap will be here shortly.

33. ANNA LEA: Ugh. Leave off, Sally. It’s barely light.

34. JEN FISHER : You always say that, Anna.

35. ANNA : That’s only because it’s always true.

36. JESS ALLPORT: I need some breakfast. I’ve been awake half the night. Did you hear the howls? We must have had every dog in a ten-mile radius barking.

37. SALLY: You get used to it Jess. That’s just life in Seareach when the moon is up. I don’t even hear them anymore.

38. JESS: Good for you. I’m going to have shadows under my eyes all day. (BEAT) Out of the way, Jen – I want to look at the fog before it’s burned off.

39. JEN: You and your fog. Makes me cold just looking at it.

40. JESS: Oh, don’t be like that. It’s beautiful. I love seeing it at the start of the day.

41. JEN: I guess everyone has their little rituals. Anna moans about how dark it is… You stare into the fog…

42. SALLY: And you moan about them both.

43. JESS: Hey, look out the window. I think something’s up.

44. JEN: Are those police lights?

45. ANNA: Did someone try to break into the pantry again? Or the groundskeeper’s cottage?

46. JESS: I don’t know. (BEAT) Hey look, can you see? I think someone’s standing in the shadow of the Ivy gate.

47. JEN: Don’t be silly. Who’d be hanging around down there? That gate’s been rusted shut for more than a century.

48. JESS: It’s open now. Who do you think she is? A new student?

49. SALLY: Nah. Tizzy was telling the Carthorse…

50. JEN: Do you have to call them that? They’re teachers. It’s so disrespectful.

51. SALLY: Ugh, alright. But only to protect your sensitive ears. (BEAT) (ARCHLY) Miss Tizdale, our dear principal, was boasting to Miss Cartwright at the high table that the school is full – no places.

52. JEN: And how did you hear that?

53. SALLY: I was on table serving duty.

54. ANNA: One of the perks of being a head girl?

55. SALLY: Along with the privilege of waking you lot up each morning so you’re ready for inspection. Here… where’s Julie? And Cassie?

56. MILLIE: Cassie got hungry and went down early. I said I’d cover for her.

57. JESS: It’s strange that Julie’s not here.

58. SALLY: Doesn’t look like her bed’s been slept in. Do you know where she is, Jess?

59. JESS: Why are you asking me?

60. SALLY: Because you’re her best friend.

61. JESS: Sorry. I’ve no idea. She was working in the library when I came to bed. Could she have fallen asleep in there?

62. SALLY: If the place wasn’t in such an uproar I’d send you to find out. As it is she’ll just have to take her chances. There’ll be hell to pay if she doesn’t get back here before ol’ Claptrap arrives to…

63. SOUND: KNOCKING AND DOOR OPENS – LET IT FINISH.

64. SALLY: Girls be upstanding for Miss Clapham.

65. CLAPHAM: Thankyou Miss Woods. We will be forgoing the visual inspection of your dormitory this morning. Miss Allport, you will come with me please?

66. GIRLS: (UPROAR) But? What? Has something happened? etc.

67. CLAPHAM: (FIRMLY) Enough! You are confined to your dormitory along with all other members of the school community until further notice. Breakfast will be brought to you.

68. SALLY: Miss Clapham, we need to report that Julie was not here when we rose this morning.

69. CLAPHAM: (SOFTENING AND WITH A CATCH IN HER THROAT) Yes, we are aware of her… absence. We will need to speak with each of you regarding where and when you last saw her. (TO JESS) Are you ready Jess? This is… important.

70. JESS: Yes Miss. Can I ask…?

71. CLAPHAM: When we are downstairs.

72. SOUND: DOOR OPENS – FEET WALK OUT – LET IT FINISH.

73. MUSIC: URGENT SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 3: INT – SEAREACH SCHOOL FOYER (CONSTABLE SMITH, JESS ALLPORT, MISS TIZDALE, MISS CLAPHAM, THE PORTER)

74. SOUND: (WALLA) BACKGROUND MURMUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.

75. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ON TILE ENTER – LET IT FINISH.

76. CONSTABLE SMITH: Miss Allport, I presume. I’m Constable Smith. I’m afraid I have some bad news.

77. JESS: What? What’s going on?

78. SMITH: Er… Well…

79. MISS TIZDALE: We’ve received some very bad news this morning.

80. CLAPHAM: Miss Tizdale? I didn’t see you there.

81. TIZDALE: It’s quite alright Miss Clapham. I’ll take it from here.

82. CLAPHAM: Yes Ma’am.

83. SMITH: There was another dog attack in the night. It seems that one of your classmates was outside the grounds.

84. JESS: (DAWNING COMPREHENSION) No…

85. SMITH: It’s very important you tell us anything you know.

86. JESS: No.. Julie! Has she been hurt?

87. TIZDALE: I’m sorry, Jess, Julie… she didn’t survive the attack.

88. JESS: What? No! This can’t be happening. This… oh.

89. TIZDALE: Catch her, constable.

90. SMITH: Hang on. I’ve got you, lass. Come and sit here. That’s the way.

91. TIZDALE: Here, drink this,

92. JESS: (SWALLOW) Thank you.

93. SMITH: I know this is hard. But I have to ask you some questions.

94. TIZDALE: Please, Jess, anything you can tell us would be a big help.

95. JESS: Yes, of course.

96. SMITH: When did you last see Julie?

97. JESS: (DISTRACTED) Er… last night. I left her in the library around nine o’clock. She was working on her literature essay. It was Romeo and Juliet. She was so excited. Books did that to her. She loved the tragedy of… (LAMELY) it.

98. SMITH: It’s alright. Do you have any idea why she would have left the school?

99. PORTER: Excuse me Miss Tizdale, I have a young woman here with her father. They have an appointment to speak with you about a place in the school.

100. TIZDALE: (IMPATIENT) I’ll be with them in just a moment. Go on, Jess, answer the question.

101. SOUND: FAINT RINGING TONE – CONTINUE UNDER.

102. JESS: I… uh… who is that girl? I…

103. SMITH: Miss Allport. I need you to focus.

104. JESS: Yes… of course… Julie, well she’d take walks… alone… whenever she had anything to think over… but…

105. SMITH: I see. And you think she may have gone for a walk last night.

106. JESS: Maybe, but…

107. TIZDALE: You can see that the girl is distraught. Perhaps we could…

108. SOUND: RINGING INCREASES IN VOLUME – CONTINUE UNDER.

109. SMITH: Yes, it’s alright. I believe we have enough to be going on with. I’ll let you rest now miss. (FADING OUT AS HE MOVES AWAY) Excuse me, Parker. Yes, I wanted to ask you…

110. JESS: Thank you… I think… but…

111. TIZDALE: It’s alright, Jess. You’ve had quite a shock.

112. JESS: That girl… she keeps staring at me.

113. SOUND : FADE OUT RINGING.

114. TIZDALE: (SNIFFS AND SEEMS HOSTILE). Ah, yes. A prospective new student. Don’t let it bother you. She’s arrived in the middle of great sadness and is probably struggling to keep her curiosity within proper bounds.

115. JESS: Ah, my head’s clearing. It was such a shock.

116. TIZDALE: Of course, dear…

117. JESS: Miss Tizdale! (SHOCKED) I told the policeman that Julie went walking alone.

118. TIZDALE: Yes, dear.

119. JESS: But she doesn’t! I mean she didn’t. Not ever. I don’t know why I…

120. SOUND: RINGING BEGINS AGAIN – CONTINUE UNDER

121. JESS: She’s looking at me again… she’s…

122. TIZDALE: Easy Jess. I think you should visit the Nurse. It’s not so strange is it? Lots of girls like to take a walk alone to think things through. Are you sure she didn’t as well?

123. SOUND: RINGING INCREASES IN VOLUME – CONTINUE UNDER

124. JESS: No, you’re right. I just… I feel so strange.

125. TIZDALE: It’s alright, Jess. Now I have to go. But if you need to talk to someone I’ll be there for you.

126. JESS: Yes… thanks Miss Tizdale. I think I’ll… just go and lie down now. She’s still staring you know.

127. SOUND: RINGING FADES.

128. TIZDALE: Is she?

129. JESS: (CONFUSED) No, not anymore.

130. TIZDALE: Then I’ll leave you alone.

131. SMITH: (BEAT) (RETURNING) Miss Allport? What will you do now, Miss?

132. JESS: I don’t feel like breakfast anymore. I don’t feel like I’ll ever be hungry again. Julie’s mum needs to be contacted…

133. SMITH: That’s all in hand. You needn’t worry.

134. JESS: It kind of feels wrong to go on with things, attend classes etc.

135. SMITH: You needn’t worry. They’ve been cancelled while we conduct our enquiry.

136. JESS: Then I guess I’ll take Miss Tizdale’s advice and visit the nurse.

137. SMITH: You do that Miss. It’s a terrible tragedy. We’ll track the dogs down and see that they’re destroyed. We’ll make sure it never happens again.

138. JESS: Thank you. I’ll be okay now.

139. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS DEPART – LET IT FINISH.

140. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 4: INT – THE HALLWAY (JESS, LIZ, MISS TIZDALE, NORRIS, CASSIE TORRENS)

141. SOUND: LOW MURMUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER

142. SOUND: ECHOING FOOTSTEPS – LET IT FINISH

143. CASSIE TORRENS: Psssst. Hey, Jess.

144. JESS: Cassie? What are you doing here?

145. CASSIE: I was raiding the kitchen when the police arrived. Can you help me get back to the dorm?

146. JESS: I’m surprised they’re not turning the place upside down looking for you… If you missed inspection…

147. CASSIE: Nah, it’s fine. Milly will have covered for me. She’ll have told miss Spotts I’ve got duty or something. I just need to get back.

148. JESS: So how am I supposed to help?

149. CASSIE: Well, you’ve got permission to be let out here, right?

150. JESS: Yes?

151. CASSIE: So, you can go ahead and tell me if it’s all clear.

152. JESS: Seriously? Do you even know what’s going on?

153. CASSIE: Not a thing. Why, do you?

154. JESS: As a matter of fact. Julie is dead.

155. CASSIE: What? Oh, Jess, I’m so sorry… When? How?

156. JESS: Some kind of animal attack, apparently. Last night.

157. CASSIE: (INCREDULOUS) In the school?

158. JESS: No, outside. She must have gone for a walk.

159. CASSIE: That doesn’t seem like her. Why would she do something like that?

160. JESS: I don’t know. It’s strange, isn’t it?

161. CASSIE: You should know. She was your friend.

162. JESS: What are you saying?

163. CASSIE: Nothing. Just that you knew her best.

164. JESS: Yeah, well… (AWKWARD PAUSE)

165. CASSIE: Look, are you going to help me or not.

166. JESS: Yeah, I guess. Stay behind me and I’ll let you know if the way is clear.

167. SOUND: GIRLS’ FOOTSTEPS – LET IT FINISH.

168. TIZDALE: (FADE IN) I do not know how you wrangled this, but I will not have it in my school.

169. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – OVER AND STOP.

170. JESS: Wait, Cassie, I think the Principal is in the next room… and the strange girl.

171. CASSIE: What strange…

172. JESS: Shhhh!

173. NORRIS: A possible vacancy has opened up. We’re ready to pay. What is the problem?

174. TIZDALE: Is that even a question? That you would bring this… this… girl here, today of all days.

175. NORRIS: What are you suggesting? The paperwork is all in order.

176. TIZDALE: Mr. Norris, I don’t know where to begin. This is very unorthodox, not to mention suspicious.

177. NORRIS: If there is a problem I would be happy to take it up with the board.

178. TIZDALE: That won’t be necessary, Mr Norris… but I’m warning you, Miss Transome, if you give me one excuse I’ll have you out of this school so fast, you’ll think you’ve been fired from a cannon.

179. HANNAH: (INSOLENTLY) We’ll see. And it’s Hannah… not Miss Transome.

180. TIZDALE: (SHARPLY) What was that?

181. NORRIS: (QUICKLY INTERRUPTING) Then if everything is in order, I’ll depart.

182. JESS: Lean back or they’ll see us when they come out.

183. SOUND: WOBBLE OF VASE – LET IT FINISH.

184. JESS: Oh no! The Vase!

185. SOUND: VASE SMASHES – LET IT FINISH.

186. JESS: Run!

187. SOUND: GIRLS’ FOOTSTEPS RUNNING – UNDER.

188. TIZDALE: What was that?

189. MUSIC: TIME PASSING – SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 5: INT – CLASSROOM (CLOSE OF LESSON) (CASSIE, JESS, MRS JARVIS)

190. SOUND: CLASSROOM MURMUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER

191. SOUND: SCHOOL BELL – LET IT FINISH.

192. SOUND: CHAIRS AND PACKUP – UNDER AND FADE

193. MRS JARVIS: (LOUDLY) Girls, be sure to read pages 76 to 104 of the Great Gatsby for our next lesson…

194. GIRLS: (GROANS)

195. JARVIS: …and don’t forget your essay will be due in two weeks. All of you need to have made a start on the first draft by now.

196. GIRLS: (MORE GROANS)

197. CASSIE: (TO JESS) Have you noticed how strange that Hannah is? She’s been here a week but she hardly talks to anyone.

198. JESS: Could you be any more of a gossip? We’ve got lunch now, then maths.

199. CASSIE: No really. She’s got no friends…

200. JESS: She’s new.

201. CASSIE: And she’s always carrying that book with her.

202. JESS: So, she likes to read.

203. CASSIE: Have you seen it?

204. JESS: Not my business.

205. CASSIE: It’s as big as an old family Bible, covered in some kind of blue leather, and there’s a stamp on the cover.

206. JESS: Cassie, let it go, will you?

207. CASSIE: I’m just saying. It’s weird is all.

208. JESS: And I’m just saying “I don’t care” is all.

209. CASSIE: Alright, but (CONSPIRATORIALLY) do you know where she goes at night?

210. JESS: (DISTRACTED) What?

211. CASSIE: I’ve seen her, after dark, sneaking across the grounds. She’s up to something I tell you. (BEAT) Look, where’s she going now?

212. JESS: (EXASPERATED) Cassie! Perhaps she wants to go for a walk during lunch. Leave her alone.

213. CASSIE: Oh, come on. Let’s go see.

214. JESS: No.

215. CASSIE: Please! Don’t you want to know what she’s doing?

216. JESS: Alright, but only to show you there’s nothing going on.

217. CASSIE: Great! Let’s go.

218. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

219. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

JULIE BELMONT: I love it at Seareach. Sure, some of the girls can be cows. But here’s where my friends are. I love the school. I love the classes. I love my teachers. I just want to stay here… but my parents can’t afford it any longer and I have to leave. But I’ve got a plan. If things work out, I just might be able to stay after all. I’m not going to jinx it by telling you what it is though.

CASTING SHEETS — MINOR CHARACTERS

MISS CLAPHAM: I’m in charge of the dorms. I take the role, provide a shoulder to cry on, decide whether the girls need to visit the infirmary, enforce the rules, and generally make sure the girls don’t get themselves into trouble. Yes, we don’t want a scandal, and our Head Mistress would throw each and every one of these girls under the bus if she thought a scandal was in the wind, but I’m much more concerned that the girls are safe and well and achieving their best. I’m strict but fair, and I’ve cared for girls in the school consistently for the last twenty years.

CONSTABLE SMITH: How’d I get the job of coming out to a girl’s school with this news. It’s a nasty business, death. But all those teenage hormones… and tears. I never know what to say in the face of tears. But I’ve got a job to do. I have to ask my questions and fill out my reports. I’ll just have to grit my teeth and get it done.

THE PORTER: I’m the school porter, that’s right. All tugging of forelocks and yes ma’am, and no ma’am, and as you please, ma’am. I even have to call these girls ma’am. Most of the time they don’t even know I exist. Doesn’t stop ‘em ordering me around if they want something though. Ungrateful too. Never a please or a thank you. Still, it’s a living.

MRS JARVIS: Just your generic teacher, that’s me. I’m competent and concerned. I make my expectations clear and I expect my students to meet them. I’m comfortable whether I’m dealing with a parent, conducting a consultation in my office, or standing at the chalkboard. I give off an air of authority without seeming arrogant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.

Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.

The Girl in the Ivy Gate

The post The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 1 – Death at Seareach appeared first on Host Your Own Old Time Radio Drama.