Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

19 Nocturne Boulevard


19 Nocturne Boulevard is an award-winning anthology audio drama series that ran from 2008 through 2013, and then went into deep hibernation.

STILL working on that Comeback!!

Also the creator of Fatal Girl, Bingo the Birthday Clown, The Deadeye Kid, The Lovecraft 5, The Prisoner of Hancock House, The Decadence of Borrowed Silk, Eternal Dusk Roulette, and Atomic Julie's Galactic Bedtime Stories.                                                        Join our awesome Patreon supporters!

Mar 25, 2022

Our Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/19Nocturne?fan_landing=true

What do you do when you walk into your living room and find a demon?  And he claims his name is Bob? "What kind of a place is it?
Why it's an apartment hallway, can't you tell?"

Cast List
Sherry - Angela Kirby
Bob Johnson - Gene Thorkildsen
Bob Johnston - Henry Mark
Carmelita - Kristina Yuen
Goat - himself

Music by Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) and Zlata Dzardanova
Editing and Sound:   Julie Hoverson
Cover Design:  Brett Coulstock

************************************************

THE WRONG BOB

 

Cast:

Olivia

Bob Johnson, neatnik unlucky accountant

Bob Johnston, womanizing creep

Sherry Miller, nice girl, also an accountant

Carmelita, fortuneteller / sorceress

OLIVIA           Did you have any trouble finding it?  What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?  Why, it's an apartment house hallway, can't you tell? 

MUSIC            SCHMALTZY, INDETERMINATE TIME PERIOD

FADES INTO

SHERRY           [Whistling, continues until noted]

SOUND            RATTLE OF KEYS, KEY INTO LOCK, KEY TURNS

SOUND            DOOR OPENS.  A COUPLE FOOTSTEPS. RATTLE OF PAPER GROCERY BAG.

SHERRY           [Whistle ends, grunt of effort]

SOUND            DOOR SHUTS, LOCK CLICKS.  FOOTSTEPS TURN--

BOB              [Deep, scary demon voice]  SHERRY!

SHERRY           [Screams!]

SOUND            PAPER GROCERY BAG FALLS TO FLOOR.  SOMETHING GLASS SMASHES

BOB              [Deep, scary demon voice, but worried tone] Shh!  [then, commanding] BE QUIET!

SHERRY           [Muffles herself, still squeaking, dissolves into sobs]

BOB              [Worried tone] It's not what you think.

SHERRY           I-- What?

BOB              It's not what you think.

SHERRY           I walk in to find a demon on my couch, and it's not what I think? 

BOB              I'm not a demon.  I ...think.

SHERRY           [starting to get feisty]  Well, the red skin, wings, and-- and hooves!  [gasp, then upset]  My hardwood!  [angry] Huh!  Sure woulda fooled me!

BOB              It's me.  Bob.

SHERRY           [puzzled] Bob... who?  A demon named Bob?

BOB              No.  Bob Johnson?  Next desk over?

SHERRY           Anal Bob?  I mean..... um....

BOB              [sighs heavily]  Yes.  Bob Johnson.

SHERRY           How can I be sure?  You don't look anything like--

BOB              I cleaned your kitchen while I was waiting for you to get home.

SHERRY           Okay.  You're Bob.  How did you get in here?

BOB              [abashed] Your landlord was... surprisingly cooperative.

SHERRY           [working herself up] Now, two questions before I have to start screaming again--

BOB              Oh, please don't--!

SHERRY           How did this happen?

BOB              I don't know.

SHERRY           [Screaming] And why are you in my living room?

BOB              [cowed]  I-- I-- I thought you might be able to help.  You're the only person I know who, seems to know about witchcraft and things.

SHERRY           Witchcraft?  Me?

BOB              Well, you have a tarot card calendar at your desk.

SHERRY           [sigh] 

MUSIC

SOUND            RATTLE OF TEACUPS 

SHERRY           So you just woke up this way?

BOB              [really down]  Yes.

SHERRY           And you haven't done anything truly terrible, like murder or blasphemy or anything?

BOB              I...wouldn't...know?  I'm not even Catholic!

SHERRY           But you'd remember if you murdered anyone?

BOB              [duh] Well, yes.  It would probably be in my day planner.

SHERRY           I really hope you're kidding.

SOUND            TEA CUP SHATTERS

BOB              Darn!  Stupid claws.

SHERRY           Don't worry about it.  Look, Bob, this is serious.  You have to think!

BOB              I'm baffled.  You know me.  I don't do -- anything.  I read trade journals for accounting, and watch movies about private eyes. 

SHERRY           You use the word "baffled" in conversation.

BOB              I clean my house.  I sometimes build models out of matchsticks.  Once - once! - I got drunk and sang Louie, Louie at karaoke.  That's-- that's about it. 

SHERRY           Ok, we've got to do something.  I'll go to your house--

BOB              345 Canterbury Drive--

SHERRY           --and look around, see if there's a gateway to the underworld, or some kind of evil fetish doll or something.  Give me your keys.

BOB              [apologetic] I-- don't have pockets.

SHERRY           [sigh]

BOB              But I do have a key hidden in a crack under the windowsill of the third window on the left hand side of the--[fades out]

MUSIC

SOUND            DOOR OPENS, STEPS

SHERRY           Bob?

BOB              [muffled] Over here.

SHERRY           Oh.  Why are you trying to hide?

BOB              In case anyone came in.

SHERRY           I'm the only one with a key.

BOB              I didn’t know if you might have a ... guy ... or something.  [quickly] Or a girl.  [shrug] You know.  I don't - just don't know.  Sorry

SHERRY           Bob.  I'm not a lesbian, no matter what Fritz in acquisitions says - I just didn't want to go out with him.  Way too full of himself.  And I don't have a boyfriend. 

BOB              Oh.  Sorry.

SHERRY           Stop apologizing! 

BOB              Did you find anything that might--?

SHERRY           Nope.  But I did pick up your mail. 

SOUND            SLAPS MAIL ON TABLE

BOB              Um...  Could you open it for me?

SHERRY           What? 

BOB              I can't just leave it sitting there.

SHERRY           Do what you gotta do.  [moving off] I need to eat something, anyway.

BOB              I took all the expired food out of your fridge and threw it away.

SHERRY           [from off] [sigh] Thanks.

BOB              [calling] But I can't open my mail.

SHERRY           [calling] What?

BOB              [calling] The claws.  That's why I gave up on washing your dishes.

SHERRY           [off] Aw, jeez.  [sigh]  Okay, give me time for a sandwich.

MUSIC

SOUND            TEARING SOUND

SHERRY           [shocked] Bob!

BOB              MM?  What?  [gasping, turning redder] Oh, goodness-- that's not mine!

SHERRY           [half teasing] Like hell it isn't, you perv.

BOB              It's not - look at the address.  [begging] Seriously. 

SHERRY           Bob Johnston, 345 Canterbury Court.  Sounds right, though they misspelled--

BOB              I'm at Canterbury drive.  Not court.  And I don't have a T in my name.  [agonized] I get this guy's mail all the time.  [pause]  I should have checked before asking you to open stuff.  Sorry.

SOUND            PAGES TURNING

SHERRY           Hmm.  Always wondered what that was for--  [snapped back to conversation] What was that? 

BOB              This guy.  He gets my mail, I get his.  I started having anything identity theft-ish sent to a p.o. box, just so it couldn't end up in this joker's hands.

SHERRY           Does he get a lot of these catalogs?

BOB              That one's pretty tame.  They were amusing at first, but now it's like - it's like I have no spam filter.  [breaks down in tears]

SHERRY           Hey, Bob.  C'mon, it isn't that bad. 

BOB              Yes it is.

SHERRY           That you get the occasional catalog from a sex shop?

BOB              And packages.  There's a whole stack of them in the front hall closet that he hasn't come and picked up yet this month.

SHERRY           Is that what those were?  Packages...  Are you sure they're all ... naughty stuff?

BOB              No, I guess not, but what else would they be?  Encyclopedias?  I just see his name and toss them into the closet - plus I don't ever order anything. 

SHERRY           Hmm.  [musing]  Maybe I'll return them to him.  A chance to see this creep.

BOB              [down] Yeah.

SHERRY           What?

BOB              Apparently, despite his ... hobbies ... women seem to, well... like him.  You'll probably end up liking him too.

SHERRY           I'm not that easy.  Just ask Fritz.

MUSIC

AMBIANCE         LIGHT MUSIC IN BACKGROUND

SHERRY           [giggles, sounds slightly drunk] and then I fell off the stage!

JOHNSTON         [soooo smooth]  Really?  I can't imagine you being so - uncoordinated.  You have such grace.

SHERRY           Me?  Ohh! [oh, you!]

JOHNSTON         I like grace - it's so rare.  And grace lasts.  Like personality. 

SHERRY           [a little cautious]  Oh?

JOHNSTON         I can't help it - I take the long view on things.  Think about what it might be like - you know - if we were still together years from now.

SHERRY           And what do you see?

JOHNSTON         Long walks on the beach.  Candlelit dinners.  Wow - I can - you know, you're just someone I can really talk to.  [rueful chuckle] Usually I don't admit how much I like simple things...

SOUND            PHONE RINGS, KEEPS RINGING UNTIL PICKED UP

SHERRY           Go ahead.

JOHNSTON         It can go to voice.

SHERRY           Nah.  I need a moment, anyway.  Down the hall?

JOHNSTON         On the left.

SOUND            HER FOOTSTEPS GO, THEN SLOW AND STOP

SOUND            HE PICKS UP PHONE

SHERRY           Hmm? [stopping to listen]

JOHNSTON         [slightly off, bright] You got Bob!  [exasperated sigh, then angry]  Look, you--  [beat] No!  I don't care--  [beat] Call them.  See if I care!

SOUND            SLAMS DOWN PHONE

SHERRY           Hmm! 

SOUND            SHE TIPTOES AWAY

SHERRY           [going off] Four one hundred, five one hundred, six--

SOUND            [beat, then] FLUSH

JOHNSTON         [muttered, like a curse]  Women.

SOUND            SHERRIE'S FEET, COMING BACK ON

SHERRY           Wow - I just realized the time!

JOHNSTON         What, but--

SHERRY           Thank you so much for your ... hospitality.

JOHNSTON         [cajoling] Come on, sweet thing - the night is young!

SHERRY           But my mother isn't - and she expects me to bring her her medicine.  Can't disappoint mom.

JOHNSTON         No.  Of course.  Can I - see you again?

SHERRY           Hmm.  I think that can be arranged. 

SOUND            QUICK MWA GOODNIGHT KISS, THEN DOOR OPENS

MUSIC

SOUND            PHONE RINGS

BOB              Oh, crap.

SOUND            PHONE RINGS SEVERAL MORE TIMES

BOB              [undecided]  Uhh...  Stop!  Go away!  She's not home!

SOUND            PHONE STOPS, CLICK

BOB              [sigh of relief]

SOUND            MESSAGE COMES ON

BOB              [gasp of surprise]

SHERRY           Hi!  This is Sherry.  Leave a message.

BOB              [sigh of relief]

SOUND            BEEP

SHERRY           [on the phone] Bob!  Don't break my phone, just listen.

BOB              Ok.

SHERRY           [on the phone] Jeez, I hope you're there.  [chuckle] Where else would he be?  Right.  I'm going to consult an expert.  I'm just leaving Bob's place - the other Bob's place - and there's this fortuneteller shop.  It's probably all a crock, but it's a place to start.  So don't be surprised if I'm not home any time soon.  [beat]  Oh, and you're gonna owe me whatever I have to pay this fortuneteller chick.

BOB              I don't have any pockets.

SHERRY           [on the phone] When you're back.  Normal, I mean.  Bye!

SOUND            PHONE HANGS UP, DIAL TONE, THEN OUT

BOB              [musing] I guess in the long run, any cost benefit analysis would lean in favor of paying whatever it costs to return to normal, since I couldn't really function in my job as I am now...  Oh no!  Work!

SOUND            FUMBLES WITH PHONE

SOUND            BREAKING NOISE

BOB              Oh-- drat!

MUSIC

AMB              MID-EASTERN MUSIC

SOUND            DOOR OPENS, JINGLE OF BELL

SHERRY           Hello?

SOUND            DOOR SWINGS SHUT HARD, NO BELL

CARMELITA        One minute.  Remain where you are.  I must finish my communion with the spirits.

SHERRY           [muttered] I'll wait for the flush. 

SOUND            SLOW PACING

SHERRY           [listing things] Palmistry.  Hmm.  [puzzled] I don't even have that line.  Ah well.  Maybe--

SOUND            A COUPLE MORE STEPS

SHERRY           Tarot cards.  [sigh, muttered] Jeez, Bob.  You’re such a dork.  [quoting jokingly] "The lovers- you will soon fall madly in love"

SOUND            BEADED CURTAIN SWEPT ASIDE

CARMELITA        [angry]  Nonsense!  The lovers is a card of choice!  You want love, look to cups!

SHERRY           [very nervous and startled] I-I was just quoting....  An old commercial.  Look, I don't mean to be... snippy or anything, I'm just...  I've never done this before.

CARMELITA        I accept your apology.  [slight warning breath, then satisfied sigh]  The spirits accept as well.

SHERRY           [skeptical] Right. 

CARMELITA        Come.  Sit.  Are you looking for your future or your past?

SOUND            FEET MOVE TO TABLE

SHERRY           I'm actually here for a friend...

CARMELITA        Ah, yes.  "Your friend" - is she in some kind of trouble?

SHERRY           No, no, it's a he--

CARMELITA        A lover?

SHERRY           Oh god no!

CARMELITA        Hmm.  Hold on.  Give me your hand.

SHERRY           Look, why don't I just tell you what's going on--?

CARMELITA        Shh!

SHERRY           Fine.  Here.

CARMELITA        Hmm.  I see.  Hmm.  Who does your nails?  These are very nice.

SHERRY           Why are you looking at my manicure rather than my palm?

CARMELITA        [shrug]  It is one way to tell how much help you can afford.  See?  I am being blunt for you, since you are a non-nonsense woman, I can see that.

SHERRY           Look, this is silly.  I-I'm gonna leave.  How much do I owe you?

CARMELITA        Stop!  One card.  I will show you one card, and if it does not resonate for you, then you may leave and owe me nothing. 

SHERRY           Fine.  Go ahead.

CARMELITA        Cut the deck.

SOUND            LARGE CARD DECK, CUT

SHERRY           There.

CARMELITA        Again.

SOUND            LARGE CARD DECK, CUT

SHERRY           [sigh] Good enough?

CARMELITA        I have not touched the cards, you see?  Turn over that top card.  The auger there will stun you.

SOUND            [beat, then] CARD QUICKLY FLIPPED OVER

SHERRY           [gasp!]

MUSIC

SOUND            DOOR OPENS

SHERRY           What the hell?

BOB              Sorry.

SHERRY           You trashed my living room!

BOB              [apologetic] Apparently demons have anger management issues.  I'll pay you back!  An Ikea gift card should cover most of it--

SHERRY           What the hell got into you?

BOB              [more and more miserable] I tried to call in sick, and ...broke the phone.  That was sort of the last straw.

SHERRY           [exasperated sigh, then cold] Did you at least get my message?

BOB              [subdued] Yes.

SHERRY           [beat]  Aren't you curious?

BOB              I'm... waiting for you to yell at me.

SHERRY           I'm... I'm done.

BOB              [worried] Are you sure?

SHERRY           Let me guess - your mom was pretty - um - rowdy when you screwed up.

BOB              Um...yes.

SHERRY           That explains a lot.  Look, I went to the fortuneteller--

BOB              Can you-- I'm sorry, but, um - can you check in with the office first?  [really anxious] Please?  I haven’t missed a day of work in six and a half years - not since I got bronchial pneumonia that one winter.

SHERRY           Fine. 

SOUND            CELLPHONE FLIPS OPEN

MUSIC

AMB              MID-EASTERN MUSIC

CARMELITA        Come to me!  Come to me!  I need the power!  [moans and noises, but no words]  I feel it!  Yes!

SOUND            MICROWAVE BEEPS

CARMELITA        Aha!

MUSIC

SHERRY           Done.

BOB              Did they say anything?

SHERRY           Not really.  You got plenty of time banked.  I told them you were delirious today and that's why you didn't call in.

BOB              Oh, that's a good one.

SHERRY           Sit, will you?

SOUND            HEAVY BODY SITS, FURNITURE CREAKS

SHERRY           [sigh]  This chick, Carmelita - well, I didn't tell her everything.  I didn't tell her much, at all, I just couldn't see how!  It was ... well--

BOB              Too weird?

SHERRY           Kinda.  The weirdest part was she had me pick a card, and it was--

BOB              The Devil?

SHERRY           I thought you didn't know about any of this stuff.

BOB              It’s ... October on your calander.

SHERRY           [sigh, then matter of fact] Anyway, I said I had a friend who was cursed, and asked about how to break curses.  She said I needed to bring her something that belongs to the friend, and she could sort of diagnose the problem.  Do you have anything that doesn't look all ... um... demony?

BOB              Uh...  what sort of things?

SHERRY           Something from your body - hair, something.

BOB              [worried] You want to pull some hair? 

SHERRY           She said it had to come straight from the source and be fresh.

BOB              All right.  I'll turn my back and you pull.  Make it quick.

SHERRY           Are you really such a total wuss?

BOB              Well - um - uh - [small] I have a very low pain threshold.

SHERRY           [sigh] All right.  Bend down.

SOUND            HEAVY NOISES AS HE MOVES

BOB              OK, go.

SHERRY           [exasperated sigh]  All right.  Brace yourself.

BOB              Wait!

SHERRY           No - just "man up", Bob.

BOB              Wait!  Something's happening!

SHERRY           I haven't even started yet!

BOB              [scream, which turns odd] Ahh!

SOUND            SCUFFLE, BODY FLUNG, DROP, CREAKY NOISES, SCUTTLE OF HOOVES

SHERRY           Oh crap.

SOUND            GOAT "MAAAAA"

MUSIC

AMB              mid-eastern MUSIC

SOUND            DOOR FLUNG OPEN, BELL PINGS

SOUND            FEET STORM IN

SHERRY           [agitated, quick] Hello?  Hello?  Damn it, get out here!

SOUND            BEAD CURTAIN MOVES SLOWLY ASIDE

CARMELITA        [tired or hung over]  Shush.  I am not open for business.

SHERRY           Your door was unlocked.

CARMELITA        A mistake.  Go away.

SHERRY           No!  Help me and I'll leave.  I don't know another damn fortuneteller  or witch or anything in the entire city.  I have a goddam goat in my bathroom, and I need help.

CARMELITA        A... goat?

SHERRY           Yes.  [deep breath, trying to calm down, talks quieter]  Look, can we please talk? 

CARMELITA        [long beat, then a sigh] Sit.  I will make tea.

MUSIC

SOUND            SIPPING TEA

SHERRY           Is your head any better?

CARMELITA        A bit.  As long as you talk quietly, it will not explode.  I had a bit of a long night.

SHERRY           Problems?

CARMELITA        Oh, don't even get me started.

SHERRY           Hey, I can listen, if it'll help at all.  I'm not in such a rush.

CARMELITA        Really?

SHERRY           Sure.  [coaxing]  Come on. 

CARMELITA        It's a man.

SHERRY           [sympathetic] Isn't it always?

CARMELITA        He's a bastard.  An evil bastard.

SHERRY           There's plenty of 'em out there.

CARMELITA        [breaking] I loved him.

SHERRY           Tell me about it.

CARMELITA        [teary] He is so charming.  Good teeth.  Good hair.  Good job.  [sips, then] Good catch.

SHERRY           And I'll bet he knows it, too.

CARMELITA        Of course.  But he comes in here, saying he has a dream he wants interpreted.  Says he has dreamed of me - that I, Carmelita, have haunted his dreams. 

SHERRY           Smooth bastard.

CARMELITA        So smooth you could buff him and see your face in him.

SHERRY           [a bit puzzled]  Right.  Smooth like glass.

CARMELITA        Just like glass.

SHERRY           Shiny and flat and totally transparent once you look at them the right way.

CARMELITA        [laughing a bit] Yes!  Just like that!

SHERRY           I know just the type.  So he--

CARMELITA        He took advantage of my girlish heart. 

SHERRY           Full advantage?

CARMELITA        Yes. 

SHERRY           [tsks] 

CARMELITA        And then, once he had his wicked way - as the old movies say - poof!  He was gone.

SHERRY           Screening his calls?

CARMELITA        Worse.  He changed his number.

SHERRY           [ouch noise] ooh!

CARMELITA        So I got his new address.  [shrug]  Spirits are good for many things.

SHERRY           Yeah, but can they find you a good man?

CARMELITA        [disgusted noise]  They can find me a unicorn first.  Good men are more scarce.

SHERRY           Amen to that.

CARMELITA        The charming ones are all scum. [spits]

SHERRY           And the boring ones--

CARMELITA        Oh, I would take boring in a heartbeat, if I could only trust him.

SHERRY           Yeah, that's the trick.

CARMELITA        Well.  I feel a little better now.  Tell me about your goat.

MUSIC

SOUND            APARTMENT DOOR OPENS

SHERRY           Hello?

BOB              [off, muffled] Maaa!

SOUND            SHE WALKS DOWN THE HALL

SHERRY           We might have the answer, Bob. 

SOUND            BATHROOM DOOR OPENS

BOB              [sad] Maa.

SHERRY           Oh, goodness, Bob.  That's what the paper was for.  [sigh]  Come on.

SOUND            HOOVES

MUSIC

AMB              MUSIC

SOUND            DOOR OPENS, BELL

SOUND            HOOVES ENTER

CARMELITA        This is the goat?

SHERRY           Ya think?

CARMELITA        Of course.  Be quiet while I channel the spirits.  [hums, changing keys] 

BOB              Maa?

SHERRY           Shh!

CARMELITA        [humming ends]  You're right - it is your goat.  The agreement stands, then.  Take this.

SHERRY           OK.  Now, Bob.  You be a good goat and stay with Carmelita here.  I have an errand to run.

BOB              [a bit panicky] Maa?

CARMELITA        Don't worry, bubula, I'm rather fond of goats.

MUSIC

SOUND            DOORBELL

JOHNSTON         Just a minute!

SHERRY           [through the door] Bob?  I hope this isn't a bad time?

SOUND            DOOR OPENS

JOHNSTON         Oh, no!  I was - this is just crazy, but I was just thinking of you!  Cosmic, isn’t it?

SHERRY           Wow!

JOHNSTON         What's all that?

SHERRY           Turns out there were some packages for you along with the mail today.  Figured I'd ...um... [coquettish]... have another excuse to drop in.

JOHNSTON         Mmm!

SHERRY           There's a few more, but I figure that'll keep.

JOHNSTON         Here, let me get those.

SOUND            WALKS, PICKS UP BOXES

JOHNSTON         [grunt]  Wow!  How'd you get this all up here?

SHERRY           I guess my mind was ....on other things.

JOHNSTON         [interested, sexy] Oh?

SOUND            HE GETS THE BOXES IN, THEY COLLAPSE ALL OVER THE FLOOR

SOUND            SOMETHING GETS LOOSE AND ROLLS ACROSS THE FLOOR, BUZZING

SHERRY           [embarrassed laugh]  Oh-ho!

JOHNSTON         Oh.  That.  That's, um, for a friend.

SHERRY           I'll bet.  [really laughing now]  Look out!  It's making a run for it!

JOHNSTON         Here.

SOUND            SCOOPS UP THE TOY, TURNS IT OFF, DROPS IT INTO BOX

SHERRY           You're a man of ...interesting... tastes.

JOHNSTON         I won't apologize.  I like to make my woman feel ...very ...good.

SHERRY           A guy like you must already have a woman.  Or a bunch of them.

JOHNSTON         [sigh, rueful]  I've been looking for so long for the right woman.  The woman who can make me really want to settle down.  You know?  A woman who makes me want to stay home and eat the same thing every night?

SHERRY           But in the meantime--?

JOHNSTON         Well, nothing wrong with exercising my god-given talents.  Just means that once I find this ...special... woman, I'll be an expert.  Able to fulfill her every need.

SHERRY           [chuckle, then quiet] Paint my house.

JOHNSTON         What?

SHERRY           Sorry.  Quoting.  I don't suppose you have something to ...drink ... around here?

JOHNSTON         Of course. 

SOUND            TAKES A COUPLE OF STEPS

JOHNSTON         Your mother?

SHERRY           Huh?

JOHNSTON         Are you going to have to run off again?

SHERRY           [muttered] You're good. [up] Bingo night.

JOHNSTON         Ahhhh.

MUSIC

AMB              MUSIC

SOUND            CARDS BEING TURNED OVER

CARMELITA        The Lovers.  [chuckles]  Strange card for a goat.  What sort of choice have you made recently, do you think? 

SOUND            TURNS ANOTHER CARD

BOB              [worried] Maa!

CARMELITA        No, no, darling.  [mwa!]  Death is not so bad as you think.  It means change - for you this is a good card in your near future.  I think your friend is actually going to pull this off!

BOB              [like a sigh] Maa.

CARMELITA        keep your chin up.  You can always stay here and be [cutesy] my little goat.

MUSIC

AMB              LOW SEXY MUSIC PLAYS

SOUND            DRINKS POUR SENSUOUSLY

SHERRY           [sigh]

JOHNSTON         Hmm?

SHERRY           Just thinking back on the silly coincidence that got me here.

JOHNSTON         Pure karma, baby.

SHERRY           Could I have a bit of ice?

JOHNSTON         [chuckle] You don't ice this stuff, babe.  It's the heat that makes it go down so nicely.

SHERRY           [suggestive]  It's not for the drink.

JOHNSTON         Oh-ho!

SOUND            HE GETS UP, WALKS OFF

SOUND            UP CLOSE, SHE OPENS A TINY LITTLE BOTTLE, POURS SOMETHING INTO THE DRINK

SHERRY           [calling, over the sounds] You might bring a whole bowl of them!

SOUND            [OFF] HE OPENS THE FRIDGE, POPS OUT SOME ICE FROM A TRAY

JOHNSTON         [off] You got it!

SHERRY           [sigh of relief]

SOUND            HE COMES BACK

JOHNSTON         What happened?

SHERRY           Happened?

JOHNSTON         Did you put something in my drink?

SHERRY           [trying to play it cutesy]  Just a widdle wuv potion.

JOHNSTON         [angry, totally breaking the mood] A what?  What is it with you spooky chicks?

SHERRY           Huh?

JOHNSTON         Damn love potions and crap, seriously, what the hell is it?

SHERRY           Jeez, Bob.  I was joking.  What crawled up your ass?

JOHNSTON         Then, what?  Huh?  What did you put in there?

SHERRY           It was just a little bubbly stuff.  Here, I'll drink it.  [exasperated sigh] It's just a game.

JOHNSTON         You ruined perfectly good--

SHERRY           It's just - I've always-- [tsk, breaks off]

JOHNSTON         What?

SHERRY           I've always had this fantasy of being a femme fatale.  A bond girl.  Something really naughty.

JOHNSTON         [getting into it - a little] Really?

SHERRY           Yeah.  I was just playing.

JOHNSTON         Hmm. 

SHERRY           I didn’t think you would freak.

JOHNSTON         Let's just put it down to bad experiences, 'kay?  Everyone's had 'em.

SHERRY           [still miffed] Right.

JOHNSTON         Oh, come on - we can still share the other glass.  I'll sip-- [sips] Now you.

SHERRY           [giving in]  All right.

JOHNSTON         There.

SOUND            A BIT OF MASHING, MUSIC UP

MUSIC

BOB              Maa?

CARMELITA        She has been gone a long time.  I hope it all is all right-- oh!

SOUND            WEIRD STRETCHY NOISES

BOB              [moaning in agony, etc. kinda goofy]

CARMELITA        Now that is fascinating.  I've never actually had a chance to watch this end of a curse.

BOB              [still gasping and ouchy] Oh!  Goodness...  Um, [gasps in shock] Don't just stare at me!

CARMELITA        Why not?  You're human again.

SOUND            PULLING THE TABLECLOTH, DISHES RATTLE

CARMELITA        Stop that!

BOB              [panicking] But I'm.... nude.

CARMELITA        As if I have never seen a nude man before.

BOB              Um.... I've never... BEEN nude before.

CARMELITA        [with interest, teasing] Oh?

BOB              You wouldn’t have some pants somewhere?

CARMELITA        I'll go and check.  You might want to close the curtains, beefcakes.

BOB              [panic] Ahh!

SOUND            MORE RATTLE OF DISHES

CARMELITA        [calling back as she leaves the room] Kidding!

SOUND            BEAD CURTAIN PARTS

SOUND            FRONT DOOR OPENS, BELL RINGS

CARMELITA        A-ha!

SOUND            FEET ENTER

SHERRY           Mission accomplished.  More or less.  [grunts with effort]

SOUND            CREAK OF ROPE

JOHNSTON         Maaa!

SHERRY           Don't you even try that again!

SOUND            HOOVES PULLED INTO ROOM

CARMELITA        How did you do it?  He's one tricky bastard.

SHERRY           Oh, I have a few tricks of my own--

SOUND            BEAD CURTAIN MOVES A LITTLE

BOB              Sherry?  I'm... um... [unsure] okay now.

SHERRY           Yeah.  Good.  [snickers]  Nice loincloth.

BOB              [blushing] It was all I could--

CARMELITA        Oh, no you didn't!  Not my mother's good apron!  [commanding]  You get right back in there, mister and I will find you something!

BOB              Okay. Sorry!

SOUND            BEAD CURTAIN SWINGS

CARMELITA        Can you take my guest here through to the yard - that door, there?

SHERRY           With pleasure.  [grunting] Come on!

SOUND            CREAK OF ROPE

JOHNSTON         Maa!!!

MUSIC

CARMELITA        So what did you do?  Put it in his drink?

SHERRY           First, what's going to happen to him?  Jackass he may be, but I can't see leaving him a goat forever.

CARMELITA        I'll give him a couple of weeks.  Then turn him back, let him try and explain what happened.

SHERRY           I can just see the Judge Judy episode where he tries to sue your pants off.

BOB              [muttered] Only if you have pants...

CARMELITA        She would laugh him out of court.  "But really, this bitch turned me into a goat for two weeks..." 

SHERRY           She'd say "turned you?  [slowing losing it to laughter as she goes along] The defense has a laundry list of witnesses ready to swear you already were a goat..."

CARMELITA        [laughing almost hysterically]

BOB              What about me?

SHERRY           [calming down]  Honestly, Bob.  I think you'll be fine. 

BOB              But ...work?

SHERRY           Didn’t even miss you.  [backpedaling] I mean  -- everyone feels you're about due for a mental health day.  Or five.

CARMELITA        But I still don't see how you managed it?

SHERRY           Simple.  You told me all about his moves.  His technique.

BOB              I know.  Do guys really DO all that?  Just to get--

CARMELITA        Shh.  We'll talk later, darling.  [with feeling] Later.

BOB              Ulp!

SHERRY           [chuckling a bit]  So it was easy.  Once I put the fizzy stuff in his drink, he got all huffy and wouldn't drink it, even though I offered to take it myself.

BOB              I wouldn't either. [shuts himself up suddenly]

CARMELITA        And so?

SHERRY           You said he was big nibbler.  I put the real potion all over my neck and shoulders.  Didn’t take long before - poof!

BOB              I know you've done me a huge favor here, Sherry, and I owe you plenty, but could you do one last teensy thing?

SHERRY           [sigh] What’s that?

BOB              Pants? 

SHERRY           Pants?

BOB              Bring me some?  This blanket won't get me home - at least not without being arrested.

SHERRY           [sigh] Pants it is. 

CARMELITA        Not too quickly.

BOB              [panicky] Huh?

CARMELITA        There's something very... attractive about a man who already knows [intense] not to cross a witch.

BOB              [gulp]

CARMELITA        And you’re awfully cute.  At least without the hooves.

BOB              Um, thanks?  [up] Sherry?

SOUND            DOOR SHUTS, BELL DINGS

JOHNSTON         [almost a laugh] maa-aa-aa-aa!

CLOSER