EPISODE 4: That Same Old Magic (part 1)
EXT Treetops in swampland, Evening. Close on HANK as he hangs, upside down from a rope around his ankle. The rope is a part of a trap, tied to tree branches fairly high up (shouting distance from the swamp below.) His trap is bobbing him up and down quite vigorously, since he has only just been caught, but over the next few seconds of dialogue becomes much stiller. HANK is, understandably, Royally Pissed Off.
HANK:
Not. A fucking. Word.
ERIC:
(Angry, heavily muffled curses)
Confused, HANK twists himself around in his trap. PAN OUT to see that ERIC is in a similar predicament, but has had his arms tied and is gagged. On seeing this, HANK laughs.
HANK:
Well now I know we've been here
before. They met us and learned
from experience. Item one, set
trap in godforsaken marsh no
ordinary traveller would set
foot in. Item two, use one of
the kids as bait. Item three,
make the shiny guy shut the
Hell up.
ERIC:
(barely discernible)
It isn't fucking funny!
HANK:
Look, I'm embarrassed too. But
the others shouldn't be long.
Everybody's been looking for
you.
ERIC:
(badly muffled, sarcastic)
Aah. That's nice.
Both boys swing for a beat in silence.
ERIC:
(badly muffled)
Take this gag off?
HANK:
Hell no.
HANK spots something below. He grins.
HANK:
Hey, there's Bob.
Longer shot as BOBBY approaches the trap. HANK waves at BOBBY.
HANK:
Bob! Bob!
BOBBY regards the pair with amusement.
BOBBY:
There you are! Honestly, Hank,
falling for the old "bound and
gagged up a tree" routine?
HANK:
Yeah. I know. Could you get us
down please?
BOBBY waves his club.
BOBBY:
Can't do that without bringing
the tree down with you. It's a
long way to fall.
HANK extends a hand.
HANK:
I dropped my bow. Toss it to me
and I can shoot a line we can
swing down on.
ERIC:
(muffled)
No!
BOBBY:
'Kay.
BOBBY takes a step towards Hank's stricken bow.
ERIC:
(muffled, shaking head wildly)
No, Bob...
BOBBY sets off another trap which catapults him upwards.
BOBBY:
(yelp)
Closer on the three as BOBBY bounces gently from his ankle in-between the others.
BOBBY:
Aah crap.
ERIC:
(further muffled rantings)
BOBBY pulls the gag out of ERIC's mouth.
BOBBY:
Say what?
ERIC:
I said, this whole place is
booby trapped, ya big lug.
Anyone stepping within ten feet
of us is gonna end up hanging
by the ankles.
HANK:
Who's done this, anyway?
ERIC:
Pass. I went for a leak, I got
cracked on the back of the
head, I came to like this.
Nothing appears to have been
hacked off or gouged out
though, so I doubt it was Orcs.
DIANA:
(o/s, distant)
What the...
The boys all look down at DIANA.
On DIANA, approaching the trap. She carries Eric's shield and sword over her shoulder.
DIANA:
What're you doing up there?
Longer shot of DIANA and the trapped boys.
ERIC:
Rehearsing for my new
production of "Waiting For
Godot". It's an unconventional
move to set it upside down in
mid air, I know, but...
HANK:
It's a trap.
ERIC:
Of course it's a fucking trap!
On DIANA. She extends her staff.
DIANA:
I know. I'll get you down. Hang
in there.
On the boys.
BOBBY:
(chuckles to self)
"Hang in there..."
HANK:
No, Diana. Get help.
ERIC:
Fetch Presto!
Close on DIANA, backing away for a run-up.
DIANA:
I know you guys don't like the
idea of being rescued by a
girl, but...
On the boys, reacting as DIANA (o/s) runs into the trap.
HANK, BOBBY, ERIC:
(over each other)
No... get Presto... Stop...
DIANA:
(o/s scream, growing)
The boys all sigh despondently as DIANA screams. Her ankle caught, she flies up past them, then bounces upside down amongst them.
ERIC:
Could someone please re-gag
me, since nobody's listening
to me in the first place?
DIANA:
You guys found him gagged and
didn't leave him like that?
BOBBY spots something below and waves.
BOBBY:
Hey!
The others follow his eyeline.
On UNI, SHEILA and PRESTO, running towards the trap. They have spotted the others. They look flushed and worried.
SHEILA:
Hank? Bobby? What happened?
Longer shot on the whole group.
HANK:
It's a trap, Sheila. Don't come
any closer. We're gonna have to
think of another way of getting
us down.
PRESTO and SHEILA stop just shy of the traps.
SHEILA:
But there's no time.
BOBBY:
No time?
PRESTO:
There's a mob. They're making a
beeline for these traps,
they'll be on us any minute...
DIANA:
Orcs?
On SHEILA as she circles the trap thoughtfully, gazing up at the others.
PRESTO:
(o/s)
Humans. But they've got pikes
and pitchforks. Real Old School
Angry Villagers.
The sound of the approaching mob can be faintly heard. SHEILA draws her knife and gauges its weight.
SHEILA:
Presto, if I cut them down, can
you catch them?
Longer shot of the whole group. They look at SHEILA in suprise.
PRESTO:
Well sure, but...
SFX:
The approaching mob get louder.
Closer on SHEILA. She steps back, eyes still on the kids dangling from the traps, and makes a few practice moves with her knife, as if she were about to throw a Frisbee.
SHEILA:
I'd better do them one at a
time. There'll be less chance
of... uh... accidents.
Longer shot.
ERIC:
"Accidents"? What are you
planning on doing with that
knife, Sheila?
SHEILA:
Get ready, Presto...
PRESTO, also watching the dangling kids, flexes his fingers. Sparks crackle over them.
PRESTO:
OK... who first?
MOB LEADER:
(o/s)
There they are!
SFX:
Off, a roar goes up in the mob.
PRESTO looks over his shoulder. The others follow his gaze and react as they see the mob begin to charge into view. UNI whinnies, distressed, backing away. PRESTO shoots a worried glance at SHEILA.
PRESTO:
Do 'em all.
SHEILA hesitates.
SHEILA:
Uh...
PRESTO:
Do it now. I can catch them.
SHEILA:
What if I...
PRESTO:
You won't.
HANK:
Won't what?
The mob is gaining on them.
SHEILA looks from the mob to PRESTO to HANK. With a flick of her wrist she sends her knife spinning up towards cords holding the trapped kids up by the ankles. In one fluid movement, the knife cuts all four ropes sending the kids hurtling to the ground. Before they can draw breath to scream, HANK, ERIC, DIANA and BOBBY are caught in a bubble of magic being held a foot or so from the ground by PRESTO, where they float as though in a thick liquid. Sheila's knife spins around in an arc and returns to her hand.
BOBBY & DIANA:
Woah!
ERIC:
(over them)
Nice move.
HANK:
(over all of them, proud)
My girlfriend, everybody...
SHEILA smiles a little, but doesn't sheath her knife. The mob is almost on them.
PRESTO:
(still holding the kids)
You ready to fight?
Inside the bubble, BOBBY grabs his club. DIANA draws Eric's sword.
DIANA:
Hold on.
DIANA begins cutting the rope around ERIC's wrists with his sword. HANK pushes an arm out of the bubble and gropes in vain for his bow.
The mob, right on top of them, ready their weapons.
PRESTO:
Hurry.
HANK:
Hold on!
SHEILA begins to run towards PRESTO, dragging UNI with her.
SHEILA:
Hank...
HANK gets a hold his bow.
HANK:
Got it!
ERIC wrenches his hands free of his cut bonds and grabs his weapons.
ERIC:
Go!
With a grunt of effort, PRESTO hauls the bubble containing the kids over his head and straight into the mob. The force of the bubble sends several mob members flying. PRESTO releases the energy and the bubble begins to disperse. More mob members pile onto the kids. SHEILA, now next to PRESTO, hesitates a little in joining the fray. Her knife is still in her hand. UNI is also very reluctant.
SHEILA:
I don't wanna do this...
PRESTO:
It'll be OK...
PRESTO takes SHEILA's hand and begins to lead her towards the fight.
PRESTO:
I got a weird feeling.
SHEILA:
Hank said he felt we've been
here before.
A mob member tries to attack SHEILA with a gardening fork. SHEILA barely notes him, but grabs his head, brings it down to meet her raised knee, then throws him over her shoulder in one fast movement.
PRESTO:
Yeah...
Another mob member comes screaming at PRESTO, a butcher's knife raised. Without breaking his stride, PRESTO flicks a small burst of magic at him. The mob member stiffens, crackling with the magic, then crumples over in pain.
PRESTO:
...me too.
On DIANA and ERIC. Each naturally picks out enemies with weapons more suited to their own. ERIC blocks a couple of blows from an axe with his shield while parrying with a persistent swordsman. DIANA ducks the axe as it rebounds off the shield, rolls to her feet, extends her staff and uses it to fight back a makeshift pike and a pitchfork.
PRIEST:
(o/s)
Stop...
On BOBBY. Three mob members surround him. He threatens the mob with his club.
BOBBY:
Don't make me use this...
One mob member tries to jump him. BOBBY capably lands a right hook on the attacker, who falls back, stunned.
PRIEST:
(o/s)
Stop...
On HANK. He tries to draw his bow but has no room. Two mob members pile into him. HANK brings his bow horizontal and uses it as a staff, bringing one end up against one mobster's chin and the other against the second's face.
PRIEST:
(o/s, yells)
Stop!
HANK and a third mob member stop fighting and look in the direction of the PRIEST's voice.
On BOBBY, DIANA and ERIC, who also stop, along with the mobsters, and look around.
Longer shot as the gaggle all turn to the cloaked PRIEST, who approaches the group, his hand extended, as a signal to stop as well as one of peace.
PRIEST:
What is the meaning of this?
Now not under immediate attack, the kids automatically begin to drift towards each other. The MOB LEADER steps toward the PRIEST.
MOB LEADER:
These intruders were caught in
our traps, Sir...
ERIC:
(under him)
Intruders? Caught? You bastards
strung me up!
MOB LEADER:
They only escaped through...
He shoots PRESTO a filthy look.
MOB LEADER:
...some sort of Witchery.
PRESTO looks apologetically at the PRIEST, who gives him a strange smile.
PRIEST:
"Witchery"?
MOB LEADER:
Your Sorceress has abolished
all magic but hers, Sir.
Closer on HANK, ERIC and DIANA. HANK sighs. ERIC squeezes the bridge of his nose. DIANA looks thoughtful.
HANK:
(under his breath)
There had to be a Sorceress.
ERIC:
Aw, fuck.
DIANA:
Hey...
DIANA looks about herself, suddenly seeing something recognisable about the surroundings.
On MOB LEADER, PRIEST and PRESTO.
PRIEST:
I believe that she will make an
exception in this case.
MOB LEADER:
What?!?
PRESTO stares at the PRIEST.
PRESTO:
Really?
Beat.
PRESTO:
Do I know you?
PRIEST:
It is doubtful. But I remember
you. And so does my mistress.
(calls out to mob)
You peasants do not recognise
The Mighty Seven? They saved
this world! They saved this
land, and they saved your Witch
Queen, when she was but a
gifted child.
PRIEST takes PRESTO's arm and leans in to him.
PRIEST:
She has been waiting for you.
Close on HANK, ERIC and DIANA again, as before.
ERIC:
I hate Sorceress Queens!
They're all "Ooh, look how
pretty I am" and dazzling you
with Shiny Things and then Bam!
She's an evil mutant, you're
running scared with your first
failed marriage under your belt
before you've hit sixteen...
DIANA:
I don't think we're gonna have
that sort of problem with this
Sorceress, Eric.
ERIC:
(cntd)
...they're all the same...
HANK:
Why not, Diana?
DIANA:
(more to ERIC than HANK)
Because I just worked out where
we are.
CUT TO:
INT Great Hall, Night.
Very long shot, of the great hall. The SORCERESS sits in a throne at the far end of the hall, flanked by more Priests. She is distant and thus difficult to make out, but she is young, pale and beautiful. She wears her long, red hair down. At the other end of the hall, the KIDS are shown in by the PRIEST. They begin to slowly walk towards the SORCERESS, PRESTO trailing, nervous.
SORCERESS:
Sorry about the traps. Ogres
sometimes misuse them to catch
food. The villagers are simple
folk, they wouldn't have known.
Closer on the approaching KIDS.
BOBBY:
Accidents'll happen.
HANK:
What made you want to set the
traps up?
SORCERESS:
(o/s)
As you can see, we have a lot
to protect. And I'm sure by now
you're aware what evils we must
protect against. Many things
have changed since I met you
last.
ERIC:
Yeah. I like what you've done
with this place. I think it's
the first actual improvement on
the old days I've seen since we
came back.
Medium shot on the KIDS approaching the SORCERESS.
SORCERESS:
And you... you've all changed
as well.
On the KIDS, PRESTO obscured.
SORCERESS:
(o/s)
There's more power... and a...
C/U on the SORCERESS' lips as she speaks.
SORCERESS:
...darkness.
On HANK and ERIC. They share the briefest glance. On SHEILA and BOBBY, who avoid each others' gaze.
SORCERESS:
(o/s)
Forgive me. I may be misled. My
powers of divination are weak.
I am not a true witch. I throw
shadows on the wall. That's
all.
PRESTO, still hiding, looks behind himself. Their shadows on the wall behind them dance. He smiles to himself.
DIANA:
But they made you Queen.
The SORCERESS, still fairly distant, shrugs.
SORCERESS:
Then I throw good shadows. I
keep the people safe and help
them prosper, they do the same
for me. It is not real magic.
The SORCERESS stands.
SORCERESS:
I am sure your Wizard would
agree.
On PRESTO, still watching the shadows. The shadows stop dancing suddenly and appear to look at him expectantly. He turns. On doing so, he sees that the KIDS to whom the shadows belong have also turned to watch him. They part automatically, creating a corridor between PRESTO and the SORCERESS, who still stands, eyes fixed on him.
PRESTO:
How should I know? I'm still
stuck in the same job I was
doing when I was 13.
Close on VARLA, the SORCERESS. In her very early 20's, she has continued to develop into an exquisitely beautiful and ethereal young woman. She has - literally - a Porcelain complexion. Not only fair and delicate but there is a certain brittle fragility and coldness to her look. She smiles and extends her arms.
On PRESTO. He stands, rooted to the spot, gazing at VARLA in wonder. BOBBY leans into him.
BOBBY:
(through corner of his mouth)
Never been reunited with an old
flame before? Here's a hint.
This is the bit where you run
up and kiss her...
PRESTO makes a sudden dash towards VARLA.
PRESTO:
Varla... Thank God...
Leaping up the steps to her throne two at a time, he hurls himself into her waiting arms. They embrace tightly.
PRESTO:
Things went right for you.
Finally, things went right for
somebody!
On the kids, watching. BOBBY smiles sadly at the scene, an arm around UNI's neck. SHEILA raises her eyebrows at HANK, who smiles. DIANA is making an "ain't that cute?" face. ERIC leans in to her and parodies her, clasping his hands to his heart and fluttering his eyelashes. DIANA hits him, but both laugh quietly to themselves.
VARLA:
(o/s)
I never stopped thinking about
you, Presto!
On PRESTO and VARLA, still embracing. Their faces pressed close together, PRESTO kisses VARLA's cheek.
PRESTO:
Me neither.
Beat. They still hug.
VARLA:
(tentatively)
Presto?
PRESTO pulls out of the hug, worried at her tone.
PRESTO:
What? What's wrong?
VARLA:
Listen. I'm only going to say
this because I feel I can tell
you anything...
On the kids, watching.
ERIC:
Oh shit. Next comes "you're so
nice", then it's "we're such
good friends", then I have to
spend two weeks trying to get
him to come out of his room...
On PRESTO and VARLA. VARLA holds PRESTO's hands.
VARLA:
It's just... you could really
do with a shower.
PRESTO laughs, gladly.
CUT TO
INT Shower room, Night
It is a large, Spartan communal shower room with many shower heads coming off the wall, like you'd see in a gym or swimming pool. Most of the showers are already going so it's full of steam. C/U on PRESTO, without glasses, as he steps under a steaming shower head. He reacts almost orgasmicly as the hot water streams onto him.
PRESTO:
Ohhhh My Gooood!
HANK steps behind him, as yet unwashed, under an off shower head.
HANK:
Dude. It's a hot shower, not a
blowj...
HANK's shower starts up.
HANK:
...oh Sweet Mary and Joseph,
that's good!
Open up shot. BOBBY and ERIC become visible amongst the steam. Both have finished washing and are just standing under the hot showers, unwilling to get out.
BOBBY:
Isn't it the best? And there's
decent soap and dry towels...
Hell, they're even cleaning our
clothes for us! Can we stay
here? We'll never go hungry or
dirty again.
PRESTO grins and puts far too much shampoo on his hair.
ERIC:
(o/s, strangely sober)
Yeah. God knows hot showers and
laundrettes are hard to come by
these parts.
PRESTO looks over at ERIC.
PRESTO:
Eric?
ERIC:
Have you ever met anyone here
with hot running water before?
HANK:
She's a magician. We can get
ours to conjure up anything
short of an Olympic sized
swimming pool!
ERIC:
Earth calling Hank: She's an
illusionist. And this is real.
Heated indoor plumbing costs a
Hell of a lot in this world,
you know. And she's got big
communal showers for any
subject or weary traveller
who's worried about their
personal hygiene.
BOBBY:
She's a Queen.
ERIC:
Of a swamp. Seven years ago
they had nothing to eat. Now
they're standing alone at the
brink of the Renaissance. Don't
you wonder how she did it?
PRESTO:
"She" has a name, guys.
Wiping shampoo from his eyes, HANK turns to ERIC.
HANK:
How do you know how expensive
hot water on tap is?
ERIC doesn't answer.
HANK:
Did Zinn have it?
ERIC turns his shower off.
ERIC:
Well, I ain't getting any
cleaner.
PRESTO:
I knew this would come back to
her.
ERIC wraps a large towel around himself.
ERIC:
I just don't trust Sorceress
Queens, that's all.
PRESTO:
Varla is an Illusionist! Jesus,
d'ya think I don't know magic?
ERIC wraps a second towel around his shoulders.
ERIC:
Do you think I don't know
money? What Filthy Rich smells
like?
ERIC opens the door to leave.
ERIC:
Trust me, Presto. It fucking
stinks.
ERIC slams the door behind him, leaving PRESTO hurt and HANK and BOBBY taken aback.
BOBBY:
There's always one. And it's
usually Eric.
HANK:
At least he's back to his old
glee filled self, huh, Presto?
PRESTO looks at the closed door for a moment, then turns back to the shower and starts washing again, wordlessly.
CUT TO
INT Corridor in palace, Night.
In the torch lit corridor, ERIC, still in towels, turns a corner and comes to a dead end.
ERIC:
Dammit!
He turns and hurries back along the corridor, lost, pulling the towels around himself.
ERIC:
...clothes would be nice...
SFX:
Distant whispering, too faint
for the words to be made out.
ERIC stops in his tracks and turns. Firelight is coming from beneath a large, red door. He creeps closer to it.
FEMALE WHISPER:
(o/s)
Give me time. He would be a...
Holding his breath, ERIC gently puts his ear against the door.
FEMALE WHISPER:
(o/s)
Hush!
VARLA's head appears suddenly behind ERIC's.
VARLA:
Are you lost?
ERIC jumps and spins around to face her.
ERIC:
Augh! Er... yeah. This place
is, uh...
ERIC notes that firelight is no longer visible beneath the red door.
ERIC:
(cntd)
...pretty huge.
Frowning, ERIC pushes past VARLA to walk away, the towel tightly wrapped around his shoulders. VARLA watches him.
VARLA:
There's something on you. A
curse.
ERIC stops in his tracks and turns to face her.
VARLA:
What are you hiding?
ERIC:
I could ask you the same thing.
VARLA:
Eric. Please trust me. For
Presto's sake.
ERIC begins to back away.
ERIC:
Don't give me that. You barely
know the guy.
VARLA:
Yet I love him!
ERIC:
Join the club.
VARLA:
Then think what he'd want.
ERIC looks at VARLA and sighs.
CUT TO
INT Small, cozy room in the Palace, Night.
Close on PRESTO, curled foetally in a large, comfortable armchair, asleep. He snores gently. His glasses rest on one of the chair's arms. He is in a long black robe and his face is dimly lit, like everything else in the room, by the large fire which roars in the grate.
Longer shot. The room is small. There are a few other armchairs around the fire, but they are all empty. VARLA quietly lets herself into the room, carrying Presto's green robes and hat and also a plate of food. She now wears her hair up.
VARLA:
Presto? You missed dinner. I
brought you something to eat.
And your clothes are dry.
VARLA puts the food and clothes down on a table and squats down by PRESTO. She puts a hand on his face.
VARLA:
Presto?
PRESTO opens his eyes groggily and blinks.
PRESTO:
Mmmpf?
VARLA smiles gently at him, running her fingers through the hair behind his ear and down his jaw.
VARLA:
The others have all fallen
asleep too.
PRESTO, still groggy, squinting through the gloom and his bad eyesight, smiles back at her. He extends a hand and strokes it over VARLA's cheek, pushing through her hair.
VARLA:
Presto.
VARLA pulls PRESTO's jaw in line with hers.
PRESTO pulls VARLA's head closer to his.
VARLA slides herself onto the chair with PRESTO, facing him, one leg over his lap.
Close on the two of them, their faces practically touching, still gradually pulling each other closer. Their parted lips brush together gently. Slowly, VARLA opens her mouth and pushes into him harder, her hands running over his hair and neck. She swings herself over so that she straddles him. Their long kiss grows harder and more intense, their caresses more desperate until eventually VARLA reaches down to the robe material around PRESTO's thighs and begins to tug it off him. PRESTO pulls out of the kiss, troubled, and stops VARLA's hands.
PRESTO:
No...
VARLA sits back, upset.
VARLA:
What?
PRESTO:
This isn't right. I'm... I'm
confused...
PRESTO gropes for his glasses.
VARLA:
"Confused"?
PRESTO puts his glasses on and looks at VARLA. He sighs, relieved.
PRESTO:
It is you. That's something at
least...
VARLA:
Why, who else would it be?
PRESTO doesn't answer. VARLA touches her hair. Up, it looks much shorter. The realisation dawns. She takes her hair down.
VARLA:
(bitterly)
The Thief.
PRESTO:
Nothing's ever happened.
Nothing ever will. She's in
love with one of my best
friends.
VARLA:
But you love her.
PRESTO:
I love them all. But Sheila...
Sheila's special. You have to
understand. I didn't want to
get this way about her. It's
that sadness she got in her
eyes the last few years. It
reminded me of you. And I
thought I'd never meet you
again.
VARLA:
And now that you have?
PRESTO:
I don't know.
Beat. PRESTO toys with VARLA's long hair.
PRESTO:
Funny. All the times I dreamt
about you, you were growing up
too. Growing into this same
incredible woman that I've got
in my arms. You had those lips,
and those breasts and... and...
VARLA:
I know. We've already made love
so many times with our minds.
PRESTO:
I do love you. It's... just so
complicated.
VARLA thinks for a moment, then kisses him again.
VARLA:
We love each other. Nothing
else is that important.
They kiss each other.
PRESTO:
Could we take our time? With
the sex?
VARLA:
Just tell me when to stop.
They kiss again.
CUT TO
INT Dorm in the palace, Morning.
SHEILA, also in a long black robe, sits up in her bed. In the dorm, HANK, DIANA, ERIC and BOBBY are all still asleep in similar small beds nearby. Rubbing her eyes, SHEILA rises, picks her folded dress and cape up from the foot of the bed and begins tiptoeing out of the room.
DIANA:
(without opening her eyes)
Surely you're not going for
another bath?
SHEILA:
I'm gonna get while the
getting's good.
ERIC:
(muffled, under blankets)
Shush...
BOBBY raises his head and squints at the sixth unslept in bed.
BOBBY:
Presto didn't make it in.
HANK:
I wouldn't say that, Bob...
ERIC:
I can't help but notice that
people are still talking after
I expressly said "shush".
DIANA extends a long leg from under her blankets and reaches over to kick ERIC in his bed.
ERIC:
Ow!
DIANA:
Sssh. I'm trying to sleep...
SHEILA leaves the Dorm, smiling.
CUT TO
INT Bathroom in the palace, Morning.
In a small room with one bath, SHEILA turns the taps on, hangs her dress and cape on a rail then turns to close and bolt the door behind her. A human sized shape passes the doorframe swiftly. SHEILA jumps. She hesitates for a second, then grabs her cape and peers out of the doorway.
SHEILA:
Hello?
On the corridor outside the bathroom. It is empty.
SHEILA:
Who's there?
SHEILA steps out into the corridor, pulling her cloak over her and disappearing as she does. Before she becomes invisible, the glint of her knife rolling from a fold in the cape into her hand briefly shines.
CUT TO
INT Corridor outside the Red Door, Day.
PRESTO stands outside the red door that Eric had seen the night before. He looks strange - serious and drained.
SHEILA:
(invisible)
Presto?
PRESTO looks off in the direction of the voice where SHEILA uncloaks.
SHEILA:
Are you OK, Presto? You didn't
come in last night.
PRESTO:
Do you love me, Sheila?
SHEILA:
What...? After all we've been
through together? Of course I
do!
PRESTO opens the red door.
PRESTO:
Then you'd better come in here.
SHEILA approaches the door, cautiously.
SHEILA:
Why? What is it? Is everything
OK?
At the door, SHEILA eyes PRESTO, concerned. He ushers her in first, holding open the door. Close on SHEILA as she looks into the room. Her eyes and mouth open in fear. Firelight roars in her face. She turns around to PRESTO.
SHEILA:
Oh God!
The figure blocking the doorway is not Presto, but the PRIEST. He claps a hand against her mouth and aggressively pushes her backwards into the room.