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 This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens).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.
THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE
EPISODE #4 – BLOODLINE
by Philip Craig Robotham
Cover Illustration by Miyukiko
Unedited Draft
Copyright 2016 Philip Craig Robotham
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.
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 Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 1 – Death at Seareach
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 2 – The Road To Amnesia
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 3 – The Werewolf and the Sidhe
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 4 – Bloodline
