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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!

Oct 28, 2021

HALLOW'S EVE

Good intentions may pave the way to ruin, but when Fran - a precocious 11-year old - sets out to rescue what she fervently hopes is a kidnapped child, Halloween may never be the same!

Written and produced by Julie Hoverson

Cast List

  • Fran - E. Vickery
  • Bobbie - M. Lane
  • Officer Hooper - S. Connor
  • Grigg - C. Hornaday
  • Bool - B. Poole
  • Kidnappers - J. Harvey & Mr.  Synyster
  • Timmy & Billy - B. Lomatewama & R. LeBoeuf
  • Mrs. Hooper - A. Kirby
  • Thompson - S. Hoverson
  • Ari & News Report - J. Hoverson

Music:  Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com)

Recorded with the assistance of Ryan Hirst of Neohoodoo Studio

Editing and Sound:   Julie Hoverson

Cover Photo: Jeff Mackay (courtesy of Stock Xchange.com)

 

"What kind of a place is it?
Why it's a suburban street, where else would you find...goblins?"

 

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

This was one of the original episodes I had ready for the 2008 Halloween season.  It's set in a sort of 1950s era of classic monster movies.  I never actually specify that, but references to bobby socks and Corliss Archer (an old time radio show) should be a bit of a clue.

One silly thing I should note in here is Fred and Bob (and in other episodes June and Kathy as well) - these are my generic names for extra characters who speak but don't really have personalities, and show up in surprising numbers if you look over the cast lists for a lot of my shows.  I found that I would waste time trying to come up with interesting names for all these background characters, and lose my train of thought and it would stall my writing, so I just dub the first such characters Bob and Fred for males and June and Kathy for females, and move on.  Later, they may become more specific and get real names, but often enough they just remain half generic.  I also find it makes them slightly easier to keep track of than "man1" or "woman B"

Naming characters is often half the fun.  You see me play with names in many of my shows - D. Meeks in "A Stitch in Time", where Dougie jokes about "D. Meeks inheriting de Earth," or the way so many people in the vampire world of "The Big Dark" took new "vampire names" that are some variation on the characters from Stoker's Dracula.

The names of episodes are often some kind of pun or inference, as well.  Not so much Hallow's Eve, but The Big Dark is a riff on The Big Sleep (which was a euphemism for death, in the Chandler novel), and the most difficult title to explain "Crumping The Devil" - crumping being a sort of hip hop adjacent challenge dance, conflated with my vague memory of story about an old woman Mrs. Crump who was so awful the devil wouldn’t even take her.

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

ALL HALLOW'S EVE

Cast:

  • Olivia, host
  • Barbara "BOBBIE" Chandler [16], babysitter
  • TIMMY Martin, child [9]
  • FRAN Hooper, child [10]
  • BILLY Jones, child [8]
  • OFFICER HOOPER [30s]
  • HOOPER [30s]
  • GRIGG [alien] [adult]
  • BOOL [alien child]
  • FRED [30s], a thug
  • BOB [30s], a thug
  • ARI [8], kidnapped child
  • THOMPSON [50s]
  • RADIO VOICE

MUSIC

OLIVIA     Did you have any trouble finding it?  What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?  Why, it's a suburban street, can't you tell?  Where else would you find "goblins"? 

MUSIC     SOMETHING CHILDLIKE

 

SCENE 1.    OUTSIDE, STREET

SOUND    FOOTSTEPS, COSTUMES

BOBBIE    There you go, that one's got a light, now shh!

SOUND    CRUNCHING OF LEAVES, THEN FOOTSTEPS ON WOOD.

BILLY    [giggles]

TIMMY    Shh!

SOUND    DOORBELL RINGS.  DOOR CREAKS OPEN.

  1. THOMPSON [deep spooky voice] Yeeees?

CHILDREN    Trick or Treat!!!

  1. THOMPSON [regular voice, pleased] Well, you kids!  Hey Martha, come and look, we've got a ghost and a clown and -- and what are you, little boy?

FRAN    I'm a girl.  And I'm a Martian.

  1. THOMPSON [amused] Well, fancy that! An invasion right here on our street!  Martha...?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 2.    INSIDE, HOUSE

MRS. HOOPER    Looks like we've got more goblins coming, dear!

SOUND    FOOTSTEPS

RADIO VOICE    --in the five county manhunt for--

OFFICER HOOPER    Just a minute, hun.  Gotta see what they're saying--

RADIO VOICE    --involved in the Stanopopolus kidnapping-- [continues under]

MRS. HOOPER    It's not your case.  And it's Halloween.  Just because Bobbie was kind enough to take Fran with her doesn't let you off for holiday spirit.  At least until you go on shift.

SOUND    SNAP.  RADIO OFF.

SOUND    DOORBELL.

MRS. HOOPER    Well?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 3.    OUTSIDE, STREET

BOBBIE    Come on punkins, you must be getting tired by now!

BILLY    [very tired] I'm not!

TIMMY    I slept all day.

FRAN    [raring to go] I only have half a bag.  We can't stop yet!

BOBBIE    It's almost 9 o'clock!  No one will be up much longer. 

CHILDREN    Please!

BOBBIE    All right.  Three more houses.  That's all.

FRAN    Big houses always have the best treats.  We should go to the Palmer's, the Winchell's and that big one on the corner.

BILLY    On the corner?  But, that's ... that's the haunted house!

TIMMY    Scaredy cat. 

FRAN    Phooey!  It was just empty.  I saw someone moving in yesterday. 

BOBBIE    If they just moved in, they're probably not--

TIMMY    Let's make Billy go into the haunted house!

BOBBIE    No!  Timothy--

BILLY    No!  I don't wanna--

FRAN    Shut up!  It's not haunted.  Boys are dumb.

BILLY    Not haunted?

BOBBIE    Look, it's getting cold out here, so let's get a move on, whichever houses you plan to go to.  OK?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 4.    ON PORCH

SOUND    TENTATIVE KNOCK ON THE DOOR

BILLY    [scared, but hiding it - relieved] No one home!

FRAN    I hear something!

SOUND    DOOR OPENS SLOWLY

CHILDREN    [Gasp]

BOBBI    Well, he looks normal enough.

GRIGG    [weird foreignish accent] Help you may I?

TIM    [giggles] He's funny.

FRAN    We're here for candy.  Trick or treat.

GRIGG    Please?

BOBBIE    Oh, gosh, you're foreign aren't you?  They might not even DO trick or treat where he comes from.

FRAN    You have to give us candy or we have to play a trick on you!

BOBBIE    That's hardly fair if he doesn't know the rules.  Plus, you said it yourself, they just moved in.

GRIGG    Candy?  Schweets?  I have--

BOOL    [child's voice, off mike, accented]  I want to go home!  I hate it here!  Take me home!  [Tails off into gibberish with lots of Ls and Ss]

GRIGG    [agitated] My child.  He wants to go back to our old home.  He is not used to this one.  I should go to him.

SOUND    DOOR SHUTS

TIMMY    [beat] I don't want any foreign candy anyway.

FRAN    Bobbie?

BOBBIE    No arguments.  Time to go home.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 5.    BOBBIE'S ROOM 

SOUND    TAP ON WINDOW

BOBBIE    Hank?

SOUND    FOOTSTEPS

BOBBIE    Hank, this is hardly--

SOUND    WINDOW OPENS

BOBBIE    Who's that?  You're too short for Hank.

FRAN    [whispered] It's me.

BOBBIE    [sarcastic] So it's The Whisperer?

FRAN    Me!  Fran!

BOBBIE    Fran?  By Crosby, this is way too late for you to be out playing Halloween jokes, even on a Saturday night.  You need to get home - your parents will be worried sick.

FRAN    Dad's on patrol.

BOBBIE    Oh, great, then he'll be the one to arrest you for something.

FRAN    Did you listen to the radio at all tonight?

BOBBIE    Only Corliss Archer.  Gee, she has some trouble with--

FRAN    Argh!  The news?

BOBBIE    Why?

FRAN    The kidnapping news!

BOBBIE    Look, let me get my penny loafers on and I'll walk you home.

FRAN    The son of a Greek raccoon was kidnapped today.  No, that's not right.  Raccoon, typhoon--

BOBBIE    Tycoon?

FRAN    A rich guy.  He was kidnapped from their hotel room.

BOBBIE    Was he a tycoon, or just a millionaire?

FRAN    [whispered with emphasis]  IT DOESN'T MATTER.  We heard him, and we need to go rescue him.

BOBBIE    We did what?

FRAN    The kid at the haunted house.  Screaming "I want to go home"?  Does that maybe put some thought into that teased-up skull of yours?

BOBBIE    They did sound awfully foreign, but I'm not sure if it's Greek.

FRAN    Well it ain't Spanish or Chinese.  Or French.  What else is there?

BOBBIE    Don't say "ain't" - it ain't in the dictionary.

FRAN    Are you coming, or am I going by myself?

BOBBIE    Why me?

FRAN    Who else?  Timmy?  [dismissive noise]  Besides, you're the only one tall enough to see in the windows. 

MUSIC

 

SCENE 6.    OUTSIDE, YARD

SOUND    CREEPING THROUGH BUSHES

BOBBIE    OK, this is silly.  And dirty.  I'm walking‑‑

FRAN    No, we have to crawl!  They'll see us!

BOBBIE    No one's looking!

FRAN    But the window's open, they'll hear us.  [panic] Shh!  Did you hear that?

BOBBIE    [beat, listening, then dismissively] No.

FRAN    [grumpy] Ok.  Walk to the window.  Get spotted.  See if I care.

SOUND    WALKING CAREFULLY ON GRAVEL.  BUSHES RUSTLE

BOBBIE    Fran?

FRAN    [off, loud whisper] I'm coming.  Keep your hair on.

BOBBIE    Don't worry-- Shh!

SOUND    LOUD RUSTLE

SOUND    [FROM INSIDE] CLICK, FOOTSTEPS

NOTE:  BOOL AND GRIG ARE INSIDE, HEARD THROUGH A WINDOW, WHILE BOBBIE AND FRAN ARE OUTSIDE. EAVESDROPPING

BOOL    I down wanna be here.  Go home.

GRIGG    "don't", not "down", child.  You need talk some good words, living here.

BOOL    No talk.  No stay.  Home!

GRIGG    Home is soon enough.  Soon as requirement is received.

FRAN    [coming on, loud whisper] What are they saying?

BOBBIE    Shh!

BOOL    [speaks foreign]

BOBBIE    Is that Greek?

FRAN    Oh, sure, I'm the expert.

GRIGG    [angry] English.  Need to hear normal!

BOBBIE    [muttered] Like your English is so good, mister.

GRIGG    People must not apprehend you are strange.

FRAN    Shh.

GRIGG    Sleep, child.  Dream of home.

BOBBIE    Now that's just mean.

SOUND    DOOR CLOSES

FRAN    See?  We've got to rescue him!

BOBBIE    But what if--?

FRAN    What if he turns up dead like little Charlie Lindburgh?  How you gonna feel then?

BOBBIE    You need to stop reading those crime books.

FRAN    Argh!  Fine.  Boost me up, and you can go.  I'll figure something out!

BOBBIE    No.  I-- I'll help, but only if the kid wants to come.  That's where I draw the line - if he wants to stay, then we'll just...  let your dad know and leave it at that.

FRAN    Fine, but who's gonna ask him?  Better do it now, or he might fall asleep.

BOBBIE    [sigh, then voice raised a bit, calling quietly] Little boy? 

BOOL    [off, gasp]

BOBBIE    We're here to --

FRAN    [prompting, whisper] --to take you home.

BOBBIE    We're here to take you home!

BOOL    [off] Home?

SOUND    SCUFFLE AS HE ROLLS OUT OF BED AND RUNS TO THE WINDOW

FRAN    Yes, home!  Don't you wanna go home?

BOBBIE    Your parents must be worried sick about you.

BOOL    What is *lala* parents?  Want home!

FRAN    Come on then, we'll get you out of there.  Bobbie, give him a boost.

BOBBIE    [sigh]

MUSIC

 

SCENE 7.    OUTSIDE

SOUND    NIGHT NOISES, WALKING ON SIDEWALK

BOOL    [squeak]

SOUND    MILD SCUFFLE

FRAN    Put it on!  They won't look twice at us if we got masks on!

BOBBIE    It is a little late for--

FRAN    So they'll worry, but they won't--

GRIGG    [way off, unearthly shriek]

FRAN    Eep!  That sounds like--

BOOL    [squeak]

BOBBIE    What if he has a car?

FRAN    Then we duck into the bushes - honestly, does every girl lose her brains when she grows into angora?

BOBBIE    It's Acrilon.

GRIGG    [slightly closer, shriek]

FRAN    Run!

BOOL    [squeak, ends in gasp]

SOUND    RUNNING FOOTSTEPS

MUSIC

 

SCENE 8.    OUTSIDE, A LITTLE LATER

BOBBIE    [whispered] Do you hear anything?

FRAN    [listens, then whispered]  Nope.

BOOL    [whispered squeak]

BOBBIE    [comforting whispers]  Shh. It'll be o-k, kid.  All we have to do is get you safe and then--  [sudden thought]  Say, Fran, what is the plan?  Where are we taking this poor kid?

FRAN    [whispered, sarcastic] I thought we'd just lie here under this bush until morning and hope it doesn't rain.

BOOL    [a bit too loud] What is *lala* rain?

BOBBIE    Rain makes-- [whispered] Rain makes you wet.  We should take him to your father.  He'll know what to do to get him home.

BOOL    [plaintive wail, way too loud] Home! 

FRAN    [whispered] Great.  Now you've set him off again.  We can't go to pop, cause - being a cop and all - he might just deduce I sneaked out.  

BOOL    Holme! Home!

BOBBIE    [whispered] Well, you did.

FRAN    [exasperated noise, then] Ssh!

BOOL    Home-- [cut off in mid-word as a hand is clapped over his mouth, then a squeak]

FRAN    [whispered] His parents must be worried sick about him--  we need to get him h-o-m-e.

BOBBIE    [whispered] To Greece?  [sarcastic]  I'm pretty sure my folks' car doesn't have that much gas. 

FRAN    [whispered] See?  There's still a little smarts under all that fluff!  They're stopping at a hotel downtown.

BOBBIE    [whispered] Which one?

FRAN    [whispered] The news didn't say - there can't be that many, can there?

BOBBIE    [exasperated] Ohhhh!

BOOL    [muffled squeak]

GRIGG    [distant, shriek]

FRAN    [whispered] What is that weird guy doing?  He's not exactly sneaky.

BOBBIE    [whispered] Someone's going to--

SOUND    CAR PULLS UP, SINGLE WHOOP OF SIREN

FRAN    [normal voice, resigned] --Call my dad. 

BOBBIE    It's probably for the best - this bush isn't doing my Acrilon any good.

FRAN    All right, but--

GRIGG    [closer, shriek]

BOOL    [squeak]

BOBBIE    It's all right little boy, we won't let the scary man take you away.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 9.    INSIDE, HOUSE

SOUND    RADIO PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

FRED    No way!  How could they have found us?

BOB    Stay cool.  It's Halloween, it could be anything.

SOUND    WINDOW SASH GOES UP

BOB    [worried] Stop it.

SOUND    REVOLVER HAMMER CLICKS BACK

FRED    But it's parked right outside!  I'm not going down for this!  Go check on the kid.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 10.    OUTSIDE, STREET

GRIGG    [shriek]

OFFICER HOOPER    Ok, that's enough.

GRIGG    [caught in mid-shriek] *Haysa?*  [deep breath]  What?

OFFICER HOOPER    It's much too late, even on Halloween, to be running around screaming.  Time to go home and sleep it off, pal.

GRIGG    Sleep, what?  I am missing child.  Must find.  Child will listen me.  [starts to shriek]

OFFICER HOOPER    [cutting off the shriek] Hey!  I'm figuring you're new around here, so you may not understand how we do things in the U-S of A, but if your kid's gone missing, you need to let the authorities - that's me - know about it, so we - I - can help you.

GRIGG    Help?  Too many wordsssss.  [wail] Bool!

BOOL    [slightly off, squeak]

OFFICER HOOPER    Eh?

FRAN    [slightly off] SHH!

OFFICER HOOPER    What the--?

GRIGG    Bool!

OFFICER HOOPER     Fran?

SOUND    GUNSHOT

BOBBIE    [Scream]

BOOL    [squeak, quickly muffled]

GRIGG    Bool!

OFFICER HOOPER    Get down!

FRAN    Bobbie, get the kid out of here!

OFFICER HOOPER    That you, Barbara Chandler?  Don't you move a muscle!

SOUND    GUNSHOT

GRIGG    [voice no longer sounds remotely human] WHAT IS THAT NOISE?

OFFICER HOOPER    Stay down, sir, and let me handle this.

SOUND    QUICK GRAPPLE

GRIGG    [intense] YOU ME TELL - IS WEAPON?  HURT MY CHILD?

BOBBIE    Heavens to Bette Davis, Fran, it's the kid's real dad!

FRAN    Phooey.

BOOL    [long squeak]

OFFICER HOOPER    [forced calm, but furious underneath] As long as they stay behind my car there, they will be fine, now let go of me and let me stop the idiot who's been shooting up my town.

GRIGG    SHOOT ARE GUN ARE DANGER? 

OFFICER HOOPER    That's my job.  You stay here, and when it's clear, you can go to your kid.  [raising his voice] Bobbie!  You get those children down behind the car, you hear? 

BOBBIE    Yes, sir, Officer Hooper!

OFFICER HOOPER    [calling] You're still in trouble.  [to Grigg] You. Stay.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 11.    INSIDE, HOUSE

SOUND    RADIO PLAYS UNDER

BOB    You idiot!  They weren't here for us!

FRED    They won't take me alive!  Federal pen? 
Uh-uh!

BOB    Fine.  You play at O-K Corral.  I'll be out of the line of fire.

FRED    [cold, commanding] Don't.

BOB    What?  You gonna shoot me, now?

FRED    Bring the kid out here.  We can still do this.

BOB    Yeah, we give him back, and they take us alive.  I like that - the being alive part.

FRED    Get him!

MUSIC

 

SCENE 12.    OUTSIDE HOUSE

OFFICER HOOPER    Throw out your guns and come out with your hands up!

FRED    [calling from inside] We've got the kid.  Walk away or we kill him.

OFFICER HOOPER     [calling to off]  That's not going to happen.  Let the kid go and I'll put in a good word for you.

FRED     [from inside] I've got all the words I need, copper!

ARI    [from inside] ow!

FRAN    That must be the real Greek tyfoon's son,

OFFICE HOOPER    [warning] Fran!?  I told you to--

FRAN    Pop!  I'm going to be a policeman when I grow up, so I figure I should start learning.

OFFICER HOOPER    No, you're not, and you shouldn't.  This isn't a game.  Get back over there--

SOUND    GUNSHOT

BOTH    [react]

FRAN    He hasta run out of bullets ... eventually.

OFFICER HOOPER    And how many guns does he have?

FRAN    Huh?  [shrug] I dunno. [realizing] Oh.

OFFICER HOOPER    See?  Now, get back--

SOUND     GUNSHOT

OFFICER HOOPER    [fading out] Oh, heck.  Stay right here.  On this spot, young lady.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 13.    INSIDE, HOUSE, BUT HEARD FROM OUTSIDE

SOUND    RADIO PLAYS UNDER

BOB    [fading in] You've got the kid, you've got the gun.  Let me go.

FRED    Like you say, I've got the kid and the gun - what do I need you around for, ya bum?

BOB    Good.  [raising his voice] I'm coming out coppers!  I'm giving myself up! 

SOUND     FOOTSTEPS, DOOR OPENS

 

SCENE 14.    OUTSIDE, SHIFT OF PERSPECTIVE, BUT NO ACTUAL SCENE BREAK

BOB    Don't shoot!

SOUND     BOB TAKES THREE MORE STEPS, THEN--

SOUND    GUNSHOT

BOB    Argh!

SOUND    BODY FALLS

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS

MOMENT OF SILENCE

 

FRAN    Is that guy ... dead?

OFFICER HOOPER    Dammit, I can't even go check. 

GRIGG    [incoherent, alien tongue]

OFFICER HOOPER    Oh, jeez, not you too?  [speaking slow]  Go back.  Your child is safe.  Bobbie has him, over there.

GRIGG    [deep breath, then equally slowly]  This you child?

FRAN    I'm Fran.  I'm really really sorry about--

OFFICER HOOPER    Yes.  Much as I may want to deny it, she has my nose.

FRAN    [not getting it]  Huh?

GRIGG    Much words.  You child?

FRAN    He don't speak much English, do he? 

OFFICER HOOPER    [sigh] Yes.  Mine.

BOOL    [squeak]

SOUND    SKITTERING FOOTSTEPS

SOUND    GUNSHOT

BOOL    [Screamy squeak]

SOUND    BODY DROP

FRAN    [running off] Hey! Kid!

OFFICER HOOPER    Fran!  No!

SOUND    [after a moment]  SCUTTLING COMING CLOSER

FRAN    [breathing hard] Here.  I think he's OK.

BOOL    [whimpering]

GRIGG    My child!

OFFICER HOOPER    Fran, dammit!

FRAN    What?  He coulda got shot!

MUSIC

 

SCENE 15.    INSIDE, HOUSE

SOUND    RADIO ON IN BACKGROUND

FRED    Kid, you speak English?

ARI    A little.

FRED    You know I'm gonna shoot you if you don't do everything I say?

ARI    Yes.

FRED    Good. 

MUSIC

 

SCENE 16.    OUTSIDE

GRIGG    Your child is brave heart. 

OFFICER HOOPER    That's one word for it.

GRIGG    She bring safe my Bool.

OFFICER HOOPER    Um, yeah.  Dammit.  I can't tell where that guy is.

GRIGG    Some child is hurted there?

FRAN    Stolen.  Like we did, except we were only trying to help.

GRIGG    [decisive] I help bring child to home.

OFFICER HOOPER    At least you're an adult, even if you can't understand English.  [talking loud again] We go in.  You go left - that way - I go right.  Get to wall, up against it, then to door.

GRIGG    Ahhhh.

OFFICER HOOPER    Does he understand?

FRAN    I guess.  He's nodding.

OFFICER HOOPER    You don't come with us.

FRAN    But I--

OFFICER HOOPER    Give me your hand.

FRAN    Are you giving me a gun?

OFFICER HOOPER    [heavy sigh]

SOUND    HANDCUFFS SLAP ON WRIST, THEN ON DOOR HANDLE

FRAN    Hey!

OFFICER HOOPER    Now you'll stay put.  [sigh] I'm leaving the key here, in case.

SOUND    KEY PUT DOWN ON CAR

OFFICER HOOPER    Out of reach.  [loud, to Grigg] We go.

SOUND    RUNNING FEET, OFF IN TWO DIRECTIONS

SOUND    AFTER THEY LEAVE, JINGLE OF STRUGGLING WITH HANDCUFFS

FRAN    [grunting]  Uun uun.  Darn it. 

SOUND    SCRABBLING ON THE CAR HOOD, TRYING TO STRETCH

FRAN    Hey, Bool?

BOOL    Bool!

FRAN    Yeah, [talking slow] I'm Fran. 

BOOL    Flan?

FRAN    Good enough.  Can you hand me that? 

BOOL    [Hmm noise]

FRAN    [slowly again] Give to me?

BOBBIE    [coming on]  You're still here!  Let's get going.

SOUND    REACTION INCLUDING RATTLE OF THE HANDCUFFS

FRAN     How'd you--?

BOBBIE    I went around the block.  I'm no dummy.

FRAN    Brilliant!  We should--

BOBBIE    You are not talking me into any more shenanigans.

FRAN    [whispered] Bool, get the key!  [Up]  Huh?  No, of course not... I --

BOBBIE    Are you -- chained to the car?

BOOL    Kaaaay?

FRAN    [too bright] No!  Whatever gave you that idea?  [whispered]  Bool!

BOBBIE    Oh--

SOUND    SMALL METAL SCRAPE

BOBBIE    --so this isn't the key?

FRAN    Oh -- Drat! 

BOOL    [squeak]

FRAN    Boo-ul!

MUSIC

 

SCENE 17.    OUTSIDE, AROUND HOUSE

SOUND    RUSTLE IN A BUSH

OFFICER HOOPER    [muttered]  Ok, mister rat bastard kidnapper, let me get a look atcha.

GRIGG    [off]  Go?

OFFICER HOOPER    [muttered] Oh, good, you know one word. [up, calling very quietly]  Make a noise!

GRIGG    [shriek]

SOUND    [OFF] CLATTER INSIDE

FRED    [from inside] What the hell--? 

OFFICER HOOPER    Come out of there with your hands up!

FRED    [from inside] What's that noise?

GRIGG    [shriek]

OFFICER HOOPER    [sudden idea] Uh, what noise?  I don't hear anything.

FRED    [from inside] What do you mean--?  You didn't hear that--

GRIGG    [shriek]

FRED    [from inside] --that "THAT"?

OFFICER HOOPER    [very pleased] Nope.  Don't hear anything. They say some people are bothered more than others by [slight chuckle] haunted houses.

FRED    [a bit disturbed] Haunted--?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 18.    OUTSIDE AT CAR

BOBBIE    If I unlock it, you have to come home.

FRAN    [sounding almost teary]  But- but our dads are in there.

BOBBIE    That's what your dad does.  It's his job.

FRAN    But it's not Bool's dad's job.

BOBBIE    Bool?  Is that your name?

BOOL    [sounding mournful] Chob. 

FRAN    See? He's upset too.

BOBBIE    Is he?  Tell you what, I'll get you home and then we'll call for more police.

FRAN    [sniffing]  But I was thinking... tsch.  ohhhh.

SOUND    THREE METAL TAPS - key on car

BOBBIE    [thinking...]  What?

FRAN    [sounding really down] Nothing.  Unlock me and we'll go home - [offhanded] even if we maybe COULD help.

BOBBIE    Right.

FRAN    Even if maybe our dads end up shot.  [long sniff]

BOOL    [squeaky sniff]

SOUND    UNLOCKING HANDCUFF

BOBBIE    Come on.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 19.    INSIDE, HOUSE

SOUND    SHUFFLING FEET AS FRED PACES NERVOUSLY, DRAGGING ARI BACK AND FORTH WITH HIM

SOUND    RADIO IN BACKGROUND

FRED    [to self] Haunted?  Of course.  That explains so much.

ARI    Maybe there is ghosts?

FRED    That's what haunted means, ain't it?  And it's Halloween.

OFFICER HOOPER    [from outside]  It's late, pal.  Almost the witching hour.  Let's get this sorted out.

FRED    Witching--? 

OFFICER HOOPER    [from outside]  You know, midnight.  Let's settle this and get that kid home safe and sound.

FRED    You're going to tell me I can still get out of this, huh?  What about Bob out there?

OFFICER HOOPER    Oh, your friend here?

FRED    Friend.  [snort]  yeah.

OFFICER HOOPER    Hmm.  Killing him on the doorway of house like that might a been a bad move.

FRED    Whadda you mean?  Oh!

GRIGG    [long, drawn-out shriek]

FRED    Oh!!

SOUND    RUSTY CREAK OF DISTANT DOOR, INSIDE

FRED    What the heck?

ARI    [scared]  Oh no!

FRED    Shut up, kid.  I'm trying to listen, you hear me?

ARI    [gasp and sniff- trying to stay quiet]

FRED    [trying to convince himself] It's those cops.  They're doing this - [up, calling] You're doing this, aintcha, copper?

OFFICER HOOPER    Doing what?

FRED    [clinging to control] Making the damn noises!

OFFICER HOOPER    [pleased with himself] What noises?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 20.    INSIDE, HOUSE, UPSTAIRS

[NOTE, THEY WHISPER THROUGHOUT SCENE]

SOUND    CREAKING MOVEMENT

BOBBIE    [whispered] Frannie, if any of us end up dead, it is entirely your fault.  That door was so loud.

FRAN    On purpose.  C'mon, the stairs are over here.

BOBBIE    How do you know?  This house--

FRAN    Sleepover two years ago, when Jennie and Sam lived here.

BOBBIE    Your father is going to kill me.

FRAN    We'll be upstairs - well out of the line of fire.  Now c'mon.

BOOL    'mon.

FRAN    See, Bool agrees with me.

BOBBIE    Yeah.  Like a parrot.  [sigh]

SOUND    TIPTOEING FOOTSTEPS

MUSIC

 

SCENE 21.    INSIDE, HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

SOUND    RADIO MUTTERS IN BACKGROUND

FRED    [muttering]  They've probably got the back door covered...

ARI    [small voice] You should let me go. 

FRED    [about to hit him] Ahh! 

SOUND    CREAKING FOOTSTEPS SOUND IN WALL AND CEILING

FRED    Shh!  Hell!  What's that?

ARI    [scary whisper] Evil spirits. 

FRED    [gulp] Really?

ARI    Maybe it is your dead friend.  He is very angry, I think.

FRED    [weak] Shut up.

SOUND    THEIR SCUFFLING FOOTSTEPS

FRED    We'll just - Let's go check it out, eh?  I bet even ghosts don't like getting shot.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 22.    INSIDE, HOUSE, UPSTAIRS

[NOTE:  STILL WHISPERING]

FRAN    OK, Bool, you see this vent?

BOOL    See.

BOBBIE    Great, now he's Spanish. 

FRAN    Sh.  Bool, lean in and make a scary noise, like this...  [she does, and the noise echoes through the vents]

BOOL    [like a laugh] Ah!  [leans in, mimics her noise, but it ends in his standard squeak - all echoey]

BOBBIE    Did we ever figure out where Bool and his dad come from?

FRAN    This isn't the time.  C'mon.  Now, Bobbie,  you creak this door - not too often, just from time to time.  Got it?

MUSIC

 

SCENE 23.    OUTSIDE NEAR FRONT DOOR

OFFICER HOOPER    OK, fella, time to come out.  [a beat]  Are  you in there?  [beat]  Oh, darn it all to--, they're gone.  Come on - [slow] help me break in the door.

GRIGG    [yes] *Heh*.

MUSIC

 

SCENE 24.    INSIDE, HOUSE, UPSTAIRS

FRAN    I'll be right across the hall - now start.

SOUND    DOOR OPENS

FRAN    Eep!

BOBBIE     Oh, no!

BOOL     [squeak, which echoes]

FRED    Ghosts, eh.  Looks like I got me a bunch more bargaining chips.  All of you move out here in the hall, real slow.  [snarls] Get over there--

ARI    [gasp]

SOUND    THUD AS HE HITS THE WALL

FRED    Keep your hands where I can see 'em!

FRAN    [sarcastic] Of course, I might just have a gun.

SOUND    SMACK

FRED    Keep your mouth shut!

FRAN    [gasps in real pain]

BOOL    [mimics her gasp]

FRED    You, too!

BOOL    Flan! [squeaky growl]  Lalalala!

FRED    What the hell's wrong with that kid?

BOOL    [growl builds]

FRED    [starting to get freaked out] Stop it.  What the hell?

BOBBIE    Fran, is Bool glowing?

FRAN    [sniff, then uncertain] Um, I think so.

BOOL    [shriek which is a childish echo of Grigg's]

FRED    [scream of terror]

SOUND    GUNSHOT

BOBBIE, BOOL, FRAN, ARI - scream, gasp, etc.

SOUND    POUNDING FEET COMING UP THE STAIRS

GRIGG    [full-on shriek, deeper and very alien]

OFFICER HOOPER    Holy cow!  What the--?

FRED    The light!   No!  [drawn out scream, which fades into a weird little popping noise]

BOBBIE    I guess we--[gasp] might know--[gasp] where they came from, now.

OFFICER HOOPER    [suspicious] Where'd he go?

GRIGG    I made him nothing.  He try my child hurt.  Your child also.

OFFICER HOOPER    Yeah, I, uh, noticed-- 

FRAN    [excited] Are you guys Martians?

OFFICER HOOPER    [exasperated] --but she's clearly fine.

GRIGG    I know not Marchan.

BOOL    [Part muffled, satisfied] Flan!

FRAN    [just as pleased]  Bool!

BOBBIE    I don't know what to tell you, Mister - officer, I mean - Hooper. 

OFFICER HOOPER    Don't worry, I blame my daughter.  [Back to Grigg]  So we don't have to worry about him coming back?

GRIGG    Nothing.  No colme back.

OFFICER HOOPER    And what exactly - well - are you?

ARI    They saved us, is that not enough?

FRAN    Yeah.  They're "good people," as mom would say.

GRIGG    No concern, Hooper man.  We no stay now, you see us be do that.  We find more - uh - new home.

BOOL    Home?  No!  [plaintive] Flan!

GRIGG    [softly] No, Bool.  Go.

OFFICER HOOPER    Tell me one thing, Grigg.  You planning to invade?

GRIGG    *Haysa*?

FRAN    He means are you gonna bring a bunch of people here and try and take over the planet - like in the movies?

GRIGG    We hide - no one come with.  Bad place come away.  Alone.

FRAN    There!

BOBBIE    Are you thinking--?

OFFICER HOOPER    [considering] I'm thinking I don't want to try writing this up.  Much easier if we just didn't see anything.  The one guy shot the other, then when he saw it was hopeless, he skedaddled.

BOBBIE    But--  what--?

FRAN    I didn't see anything.  You, Ari?

ARI    No.  I was much too frightened.  He threw me against a wall and then ran off before my head cleared.

FRAN    See, Bobbie?

BOOL    Bah-bee?

BOBBIE    That's kinda cute.  Good thing I-- I didn't see anything else.  Besides, anyone who would do whatever it takes to protect their kid - well, they can't be too bad.

OFFICER HOOPER    You're still not babysitting for Fran ever again.

BOBBIE    [truly relieved] Oh!  Thank you!

FRAN    Hey!

MUSIC, CLOSING

OLIVIA    Now that you know how to find us, don't be a stranger - we have enough of those already...