THE TEACHER
by
Lanny Maude
FADE IN:
Arkham, Massachusetts. It's a pleasant autumn day. It's cool,
but the sun is shining.
A big car sporting out-of-state license plates moves down the
street. It comes to a stop next to a park.
A beat.
The car continues on into the park. It cruises from parking lot
to parking lot, stopping briefly at each one. The car
eventually parks in one of the lots.
A BIKER on late-model Harley RUMBLES into the parking lot. He
parks on the other side of the lot, away from the car, then
climbs off of the bike. He's wearing a full-length leather
duster.
He turns and looks at the car, his eyes unreadable behind
sunglasses. The car glides back out of the parking lot. It
cruises around and locates another empty parking lot. The car
parks again.
A man climbs out from behind the steering wheel. He is TRAVIS
MELVILLE. He's in his mid-twenties, clean-shaven, neat. He's
wearing slacks, a button-down long-sleeve shirt, and a tie.
He closes his door, then opens the rear door.
ERIC DRAEGER gets out of the car. He's an older gentleman. He
doesn't move very quickly, but he's not shaky at all. He's
wearing a suit, complete with a hat and sunglasses.
He uses a walking stick, but doesn't put his weight on it as he
walks to one of the park benches where he sits. He looks
around, surveying his surroundings.
The words "Arkham City Park" FILTER INTO VIEW.
A beat.
The words "Adjacent to Miskatonic University, Massachusetts"
FILTER INTO VIEW.
A beat.
The words FADE AWAY.
Eric's attention centers on a young woman who is studying
underneath a tree. She is VICTORIA HULL, a student at
Miskatonic University. She's wearing jeans, an M.U. sweatshirt,
and comfortable shoes.
He focuses all of his attention on her.
ERIC (V.O.)
(hypnotically)
Follow me... Follow me... Follow me...
Victoria looks up from her studies. She sees Eric looking at
her. He doesn't look away. She looks back down to her book and
subconsciously rubs one of her temples.
ERIC (V.O.)
Follow me... Follow me... Follow me...
Victoria looks up again. She sees Eric walking back to his car.
She gathers up her books and slowly follows him.
By the time Eric reaches the car, Travis is standing there
holding the door open. Eric climbs in the back seat and Travis
remains at the door.
Victoria reaches the car. She doesn't acknowledge Travis as she
climbs in the back seat. Travis closes the door, opens his
door, and sits behind the steering wheel. He closes his door
before he starts the car and drives away.
INT. CAR - DAY
Eric turns to face Victoria. She's still in a psychic daze. He
puts the fingers of his left hand on her face.
ERIC
(whispers)
Sleep for now, my child.
Her eyes close slowly. She sleeps.
EXT. CAR - DAY
The car leaves the city streets to merge onto the expressway.
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
A cookie-cutter house in a quiet neighborhood on the other side
of the country. It's morning.
Eric exits his back door carrying a bowl. Since he's home, he's
not wearing a suit. But his is wearing slacks, a long sleeve
button-down shirt, and a tie.
He walks to a small garden in his back yard where he picks some
of the plants and places them in the bowl. He returns to the
house with his cuttings.
INT. HOUSE, KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Eric enters the house and closes the back door. Travis is
standing at the counter cutting fruit. Eric puts the bowl of
garden cuttings in the refrigerator then moves to see how Travis
is doing with the preparations.
TRAVIS
Five minutes...
Eric nods. He heads over to a full-length cupboard. He opens
the door to reveal shallow shelves holding all kinds of kitchen
odds and ends. He pushes on the shelves and they swing back,
exposing a secret passage.
He climbs into the passage and closes the cupboard door behind
himself.
IN THE SECRET PASSAGE - CONTINUOUS
The passage is short, narrow, and dimly lit. Eric reaches the
door at the other end. He opens it and walks through.
IN THE SECRET ROOM - CONTINUOUS
It's a small, windowless room. There's a bed, a night stand, an
armoire, a couple of chairs, and a bookcase filled with books.
As far as prisons go, it looks pretty comfortable. There's a
door ajar on the other side of the room. Victoria is lying
asleep on the bed.
Eric closes the door through which he entered. He sits on the
edge of the bed and puts a hand on Victoria's shoulder. She
stirs, opens her eyes. She sees Eric and realizes that she's
not at home.
She jumps off of the bed, away from Eric. She's panicked.
VICTORIA
Where am I? Who are you?
Eric tries to calm her down. He uses his most soothing voice.
ERIC
Don't worry, my child. You're okay here.
VICTORIA
Why am I here? What is this place?
ERIC
You've been chosen, my child.
VICTORIA
Chosen? For what?
ERIC
Don't worry yourself. You'll learn soon.
VICTORIA
I want to call my parents.
ERIC
I can't let you do that. Not now.
VICTORIA
Why not now?
ERIC
In a few days, you'll be free to leave. At
that point, you may do what you wish.
VICTORIA
Why am I here?
ERIC
You'll learn soon, my child. You must trust
me. No harm will come to you.
VICTORIA
You kidnap me...and I'm supposed to trust
you?
ERIC
All will become clear in time. For now, you
have everything you need right here.
As he moves to the armoire, she moves around, keeping her
distance. He opens the armoire which is full of clothes.
ERIC
These should all fit you. Wear what you
like. They're yours now.
He moves to the other door and opens it.
ERIC
Here is your private bathroom. It's small,
but functional. I should tell you there's
no lock on the door, but you won't be
disturbed.
VICTORIA
(sarcastically)
That's comforting...
He moves to the bookcase.
ERIC
There's plenty to read.
VICTORIA
What if I don't like to read.
ERIC
Then you're going to get bored.
The door through which Eric entered opens and in comes Travis
carrying a breakfast tray. Victoria moves to stay away from
both Eric and Travis.
ERIC
My Dear, this is Travis. Travis...
(beat)
Oh, no. I'm afraid I haven't done very well
with the introductions. I'm Eric Draeger.
What's your name, my child?
She hesitates a moment. The whole situation is so strange.
VICTORIA
Vicky. Vicky Hull.
ERIC
Is Vicky short for Victoria?
VICTORIA
Uh huh. But nobody calls me Victoria--
Eric ignores her comment.
ERIC
Then you shall be Victoria. It's more
appropriate.
He signals to Travis who sets the tray on the bed then leaves.
ERIC
Your training will begin soon. You need to
get used to your surroundings first. You'll
learn better once you're calmer.
VICTORIA
Learn what?
He picks up the tray and advances toward her.
ERIC
Have some fruit. It's fresh.
She waits until he's close enough, then explodes into action.
She grabs his face with her fingernails. He's startled and
drops the tray. She tears the skin on his face and jabs her
knee into his groin.
She jumps back, expecting him to crumple onto the floor, but he
just stands there with a slightly pained look on his face. He
pulls out a handkerchief and dabs at the blood on his face.
ERIC (V.O.)
Bring the restraints, Travis.
He puts away the handkerchief.
ERIC
I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary, but
I'm glad to see you have some spirit.
Travis enters the room carrying restraints. Victoria cowers
away, but Travis grabs her and throws her onto the bed. She
struggles, but he's much stronger and straps her down so she's
spread-eagled on her back on the bed.
ERIC
I'll come back to speak with you some more
once you've calmed a bit.
He turns to Travis, indicates the overturned tray.
ERIC
You better clean this mess. I'm tired. I'm
going to lie down.
TRAVIS
Yes, Mr. Draeger.
Eric leaves. Travis commences cleaning. While cleaning, he
keeps casting glances at Victoria. He gets all of the breakfast
bits on the tray and leaves.
IN THE KITCHEN - DAY
Travis dumps the breakfast bits into the sink. He sighs and
looks out of the window over the sink. He moves to the cabinet
next to the secret one and opens it. There's a video monitor
inside. He flips the power switch.
The monitor slowly comes to life, displaying the secret room.
Victoria is spread-eagled on the bed, crying to herself. He
watches for a few seconds before he turns off the monitor and
closes the door.
He walks back to the sink, but he turns and looks at the cabinet
door that leads to the secret room.
He makes up his mind. He leaves the kitchen.
IN ERIC'S ROOM - DAY
Eric's room is sparsely furnished. The most obvious feature is
the heavy drapes that cut out most of the light from outside.
The door quietly opens a little. Travis peeks in to see Eric
sleeping on top of the covers. The door quietly closes.
IN THE SECRET ROOM - DAY
Victoria sobs softly. Her eyes are closed. She feels a
presence in the room so she opens he eyes to see Travis standing
beside the bed. She freezes.
TRAVIS
You need to be taught a lesson. And I'm the
one that's going to teach it.
He grabs the end of her sweatshirt at her waist and pulls it up
high enough to reveal her bra. She starts to SCREAM, but he
stuffs a wad of sweatshirt into her mouth. He holds a fist in
front of her terrified eyes.
TRAVIS
If you make one more sound, so help me, I'll
pound you beyond all recognition. Do you
understand me.
All she can do is nod slightly.
He runs a finger between her breasts and down her belly. She
closes her eyes and WHIMPERS.
VICTORIA (V.O.)
Somebody help me... Somebody please help
me...
He unfastens her jeans so that just the top of her panties is
visible. He moves his hand gently back and forth across her
exposed skin.
He moves down to the top of her panties and traces a line up to
where the sweatshirt is bunched on her chest. He uses both
hands now to touch the swells of her breasts just above her bra
cups.
She's suddenly QUIET. She's stopped whimpering. He looks at
her face which is looking past his. He turns to see Eric
standing there, furious.
Eric grabs Travis by the throat and pulls him off of Victoria.
ERIC
This is how you repay me?
Travis may be strong, but Eric is stronger...by far. He crushes
Travis' throat with one hand. Travis is using one hand to try
to pull Eric's hand away and the other hand to attack Eric.
Eric easily fends off the attack.
He digs his fingers in until he draws blood. Then he keeps
digging. Victoria watches in fascinated horror. He releases
Travis when Travis stops struggling. He turns to her and pulls
her sweatshirt back down.
Victoria is on the edge of tears.
VICTORIA
I think I'm going to be sick...
Eric releases her restraints and she rushes into the bathroom.
He goes to the door where he can hear her RETCHING.
ERIC
Take a warm shower and put on some clean
clothes. You'll feel better.
IN THE BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Victoria is hugging the porcelain, waiting for the next wave of
nausea to pass.
IN THE SECRET ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Eric surveys the damage. He walks to the exit and opens the
door. He returns to Travis' body. He lifts the body with a
little effort and carries it out of the room.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
The secret room has been tidied up. The restraints are gone,
the bed is made. A new outfit is laid out on the bed.
Victoria comes out of the bathroom. She has a towel wrapped
around her body and her hair is still wet. She looks around the
room, seeing that Eric was busy while she was in the shower.
She sits on the edge of the bed and CRIES softly.
IN THE KITCHEN - NIGHT
Eric is preparing dinner for Victoria. He takes the bowl of
garden clippings out of the refrigerator and sets it on the
counter. He puts some of the clippings onto a cutting board
where he chops them finely.
He sprinkles the clippings over some steamed vegetables that
have been arranged on a plate with a piece of meat. He turns
his attention to a saucepan on the stove. He stirs the dark,
gravy sauce.
He stops stirring to pick up a knife from the counter. He cuts
his left wrist and allows a little bit of blood to flow into the
sauce. He stirs the sauce to thoroughly mix in the blood.
Once he's satisfied with the sauce, he licks the wound on his
wrist and clamps his right hand over it. He meanwhile uses his
left hand to pour some wine from an already opened bottle into a
wine glass.
He sets down the bottle and inspects the wound on his wrist.
It's no longer bleeding. He returns to his preparations. He
uses a spoon to dribble the sauce over the meat on the plate.
He puts the plate, the glass of wine, and a glass crystal
container of clear oil on a serving tray.
IN THE SECRET ROOM - NIGHT
Victoria is sitting in one of the chairs, reading a book. Eric
enters the room carrying the tray. She looks up at him.
ERIC
If you don't mind, there's a TV tray in the
armoire.
She gets the TV tray and sets it up. He sets the serving tray
on the TV tray. He picks up the crystal oil bottle to show her.
ERIC
You must bathe once a day. When you do, add
a few drops of this to the water. It's
extracted from very rare herbs that I grow
in my back yard.
He goes into the bathroom. When he returns, he's no longer
carrying the oil.
VICTORIA
Why am I here?
Very calm. No more panic.
ERIC
You're here to learn, my child.
VICTORIA
Learn what?
ERIC
You'll learn that as well.
She's not satisfied with that answer.
VICTORIA
You're determined not to give me any
information, aren't you?
ERIC
I've already told you. In a few days,
you'll be free to leave.
VICTORIA
How many more rape attempts will I have to
endure?
ERIC
I'm sorry for that unfortunate incident with
Travis. Nothing like that will happen
again, I assure you.
He decides to change the subject.
ERIC
What are you reading?
She holds up the book that she's been absent-mindedly holding.
VICTORIA
Dracula. I though it was appropriate
considering part of the story concerns
someone who is kept a prisoner in a strange
place.
ERIC
I must say, you are an intelligent young
lady.
VICTORIA
Yeah, just not intelligent enough to keep
from being kidnapped.
She turns her attention to the bookcase.
VICTORIA
You appear to have a weak spot for vampires.
ERIC
I enjoy reading what people write about
them.
VICTORIA
You talk about them as if they were real.
ERIC
Well, that's because they are, my child.
She looks at him in disbelief.
ERIC
That's what you'll be learning: the
difference between myth and reality.
VICTORIA
It sound like you may need a little help
there, yourself.
ERIC
I'm entirely serious.
VICTORIA
This isn't one of those Buffy things, is it?
Am I supposed to become some kind of vampire
hunter?
ERIC
Hardly. That's myth as well. You eat your
dinner before it gets cold. We'll continue
this discussion in the morning.
He leaves without waiting for a reply.
She decides she might as well eat some dinner. She sits. She
spears a steamed carrot and eats it. She discovers just how
hungry she is. She cuts a piece of meat and eats that. She
tastes the wine. All delicious.
SERIES OF SHOTS
A) IN THE SECRET ROOM, Eric teaches Victoria about vampires and
sunshine.
ERIC
Vampires can stand sunshine. It's just
uncomfortable. If a vampire goes out during
the day, he'll wear clothing that covers
most of his skin.
She looks bored...like she couldn't care less about what he's
telling her.
ERIC
He'll also wear dark glasses.
B) IN THE SECRET ROOM, he teaches her about vampires and holy
relics. She's wearing different clothes.
ERIC
Vampires are undaunted by crucifixes and
holy water. They are only objects.
Vampires aren't inherently evil. Some
vampires are very religious. Some are good,
some are bad like anyone else.
This time, at least she's paying attention.
C) IN THE SECRET ROOM, he teaches her about vampires and wooden
stakes. Again, she's wearing different clothes.
ERIC
Vampires can be killed by a wooden stake...
or any other kind of stake, for that matter.
Anything that causes extensive damage can
kill a vampire, but minor wounds will heal
very quickly.
VICTORIA
What about silver bullets?
ERIC
You're confusing vampires with werewolves,
but yes, silver bullets will kill a vampire,
as long as it's a critical hit. If it's not
critical, it just hurts.
She shows genuine curiosity.
VICTORIA
How do you know?
ERIC
Trust me. It hurts.
D) IN THE SECRET ROOM, he teaches her about vampires and blood.
She's wearing yet another outfit.
ERIC
Vampires drink blood, but from willing
participants. The whole Goth thing has made
it a lot easier with all of the wanna-be
vampires running around.
VICTORIA
What about food? Do they eat?
ERIC
Fresh fruit is nice. Red meat is tasty, but
it's hard to digest. To put it simply, they
eat whatever they like.
E) IN THE SECRET ROOM, he teaches her about vampires and
mirrors. She's still managing to find new clothes.
ERIC
Vampires have reflections, just like anyone
else. They also breathe. They have to
breathe...they're not dead.
VICTORIA
What about undead?
ERIC
No. When a vampire dies, he's dead, just
like anyone else.
F) IN THE SECRET ROOM, he teaches her about vampires and
coffins. Another day, another outfit.
ERIC
Vampires do not sleep in coffins. They
sleep in beds. Like I said before, this
whole business about vampires being undead
is wrong. Vampires aren't undead, they just
live longer than other people.
VICTORIA
How long?
ERIC
Generally between 200 and 400 years.
VICTORIA
How old are you?
A beat.
ERIC
I became a vampire in 1614.
VICTORIA
What do you mean by "became" a vampire?
A beat.
ERIC
You'll learn about that later.
INT. HOUSE, SECRET ROOM - NIGHT
Victoria is sleeping. Eric quietly enters the room. He walks
to the side of the bed and looks down at Victoria. He touches
her hair then lightly strokes her cheek. He reaches down and
gently raises her upper lip.
Her canine teeth are slightly elongated into fangs. He slips
back out of the room.
IN THE KITCHEN - NIGHT
Eric is sitting at the kitchen table. He has a stack of papers
and a lock-box sitting on the table. There's an assortment of
papers in the box. He writes on a sheet of paper with a
fountain pen.
He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a ring with a few keys on
it, and drops the ring into the box. He sets the note which
he's finished writing on top of the other papers in the box and
closes the box lid.
IN THE SECRET ROOM - DAY
Victoria is up. Eric enters the room. He leaves the door open.
VICTORIA
What, no breakfast today?
ERIC
No. Today, you get something special.
He removes his tie and unbuttons a few buttons of his shirt.
Victoria thinks this is going to be another rape attempt. She
starts to shrink away from him.
VICTORIA
No...
He pulls his collar to the side and quickly cuts his throat with
his fingernail.
Victoria GASPS, but then she sees the blood. Her new instincts
take over. She grabs Eric and starts feeding on him. She
follows him down as he sinks to the floor.
He doesn't fight back as she continues to feed. She eventually
rocks back with her eyes shut and her head back. She revels in
the feeling...until she finally realizes what she's just done.
She looks down at Eric. He looks back at her.
VICTORIA
What have I done?
ERIC
(softly)
The box, my child...
VICTORIA
Box?
ERIC
In the kitchen,...
VICTORIA
What's happ--
ERIC
...my child...
He closes his eyes and dies. She lightly touches his face. She
then looks at the wound on his throat.
She stands suddenly, touches a hand to the blood on her lips.
She looks at the blood on her fingers and realizes what she's
just done.
She runs into the bathroom.
IN THE KITCHEN - DAY
Victoria enters the kitchen through the open door to the secret
passage. She has cleaned the blood from her face and hands.
She sees the box and a bowl on the kitchen table and sits down.
She opens the box, looks in a moment before pulling out the top
sheet of paper, Eric's hand-written note. She reads the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
Victoria. I hope this explains a few things
for you. You still have a lot to learn, but
you'll have to learn most of it on your own.
Some of these documents will help you.
She looks into the box briefly then returns to the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
To put it simply, you are now a vampire.
You may take my place, if you like. What
you do now is up to you. There is a
certified check in the envelope made out to
you.
She pulls an envelope out of the box and pulls the check out to
look at it. Her eyes grow wide. She reads more of the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
It's what is left of my local bank account.
In the box, you'll also find the numbers for
some Swiss accounts. It's all yours. I've
also signed my house and car over to you.
She looks in the box and pulls out a key ring. She goes back to
the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
When we grow bored, tired of living, we look
for a successor...a child. You have been
reborn a vampire. In that, I am your
father. Regrettably, the parent must die in
order for the child to live. The biggest
problem is that I don't get to see you "grow
up." In the bowl, you'll find some herbs.
She pulls the bowl closer so that she can look inside. It
contains chopped herbs like what Eric prepared the other
morning. She reads some more of the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
You'll find more of these herbs in what is
now your garden. They will help you to live
a long, healthy life. Sprinkle it on your
food and bathe in the oil. Be sure to read
all of what I have left for you. There's a
locked cabinet on my dresser in my bedroom.
She looks at the key ring again. On it, there's a small brass
key. She reads the last part of the note.
ERIC (V.O.)
In it there's a journal. It will help you
to learn. Unfortunately, I couldn't teach
you everything in person, but at least now
you will understand why I called you "my
child."
FADE OUT.
The End
The Teacher is © 2000 Lanny Maude