(In the Cellar: Marty and Karl are punching each other and Essie walks in between them. Murdoch walking down the steps. Drew and Merrill are standing together.)

Dr. Murdoch – Pay attention everyone. The day schoolers and the Mansbridge staff (walking around) have gone for the long weekend. Meaning we have the run of the academy. We’re gonna take full advantage of that opportunity. (Stops walking) The Elders, have arrange a… ceremony. An exercise (walks some more) in selective memory.

Essie – Hah, remembrance of… things past? (Walks forward) How quaint. (Stops)

Dr. Murdoch – Each of you will re-encounter, the victim you most regret having slain. (Stops)

Drew – So we can say we’re sorry? A lot of good that’ll do.

Merrill – What’s to be gained?

Dr. Murdoch – I’ll let you be the judge of that. Please stand in the convocation circle. (Holds out his arms for them to join. They go to their places) Although you’ll not be present, all of you will share in each other’s memory.

Marty – Oh goody! A trip down memory lane.

Dr. Murdoch – Close your eyes.

Essie – Are there any dangers?

Dr. Murdoch – Only if you resist the encounter. (Drew sighs) As the Elders have granted… (Closes eyes and raises his arms) Let us now begin “the summoning.”

(Moon roof opens up. There is a spinning symbol rotating were Murdoch once stood. And now we see a big bowl in the middle of the vampires. We see purple water and flashes of all the vampire encounters)

Derek – Beg for your life!

Essie – I’m not ready for this.

Merrill – Nobody is.

Dr. Murdoch – Remember during the summoning don’t resist the encounter! (Night in the Cellar: Vampires are standing around big bowl. Merrill looking into the water)

Christine  – Merrill…Shh

(We start the encounters with Merrill in the library)

Dr. Murdoch – In the long life of a vampire, memory becomes a house with many rooms. (A voice calls Merrill) Some rooms remain open, while others are forever closed. (Merrill walks into room) Behind the doors lie dark secrets piece of a past still hidden away… with good reason.

(Christine in the library sitting at a table with a book in hands. Merrill comes walking in)

Merrill – It’s you.

Christine  – Grown-ups think they know everything.

Merrill – (walks forward) I never meant for - -

Christine  – Horror… all I ever read. Horror. You must like that too, huh? (She puts down book, gets up and walks) There’s something you gotta explain to me. This world is filled with people who have no hope. Some even wanna die. (Stops) But I was full of life… why did you do this to me?

Merrill – (walks ahead some more) I didn’t –

Christine  – No? Then… how do you explain (shows neck) this?

Merrill – That was someone else. Her name was Patsy. It was her that –

Christine  – I was in the library. Looking for a book. Minding my own business… just looking for a book!

Merrill – Don’t you remember… it was her that attacked you. Not me… her!

Christine  – I remember you! The hunger in your eyes, your teeth!

Merrill – I thought she had killed you. It was only after she was finished that –

Christine  – So what you’re saying is I was just sloppy seconds.

Merrill – No, it wasn’t that it was - - (Girl disappears)

Christine  – Ssh… (Appears on the armour. Merrill turns around) My mother always said I was an exceptional child. You took me away from her. You did that!

Merrill – Patsy was my maker. She wouldn’t let me go. I was forced to help her, to lure her victims.

Christine  – You came into the library. My mother had left me alone ‘cause I promised only to read. Not to talk to anyone. But you… started talking to me!

Merrill – I never meant to –

Christine  – Yes, you did. (Disappears again) Sssh… (Over on top floor looking down on Merrill, through the bars) You did. (Merrill turns around) You took my heartbeat away. Remember? I heard it stop. Right here in my chest… (Beats on chest) Thump-thump, thump-thump… thump.

Merrill – I didn’t know you were still alive. I didn’t know! But when you stirred, when you tried to say something I almost ran but –

Christine  – You didn’t.

Merrill – I never wanted to harm you.

Christine  – But you did. (Over on staircase. Merrill looks around for her. Girl turns around and Merrill is beside her)

Merrill – You wouldn’t have survived. You had lost too much blood.

Christine  – You should’ve screamed for help.

Merrill – There was no one to hear!

Christine  – Then why did you tell me, “Ssshhh”? (In Cellar: Looking in bowl. We see Merrill and girl fade away. Merrill crying. Karl turns and looks into bowl)

Carmen – Kaaaarl… (In lobby: Karl enters from the top of the stairs and beings to walk)

Karl – High school prom. Should’ve been my prom too.

(We hear voices talking as he looks down off the stairs. Karl walks down steps and hits a balloon. Once at bottom, Carmen rushes in and goes down steps)

Carmen – Karl… how dare you! (He turns around)

Karl – Carmen…

Carmen – (goes down steps) You broke my heel! An… (Stops) how could you kill me in my prom dress?

Karl – Uh, C-Carmen, I-uh…

Carmen – Don’t you Carmen-I me, don’t you dare!

Karl – Look I can explain if you just –

Carmen – Yes, explain?! I can’t wait!

Karl – I wasn’t my self anymore.

Carmen – No. You died. Everyone said so. I wore black for nearly an entire week! Then, with out so much as a phone call, you’re back! An you give me this! (Shows her neck) Blood on my taffa?! Karl. Blood!!

Karl – Well, you were going to the prom with my best friend –

Carmen – Oo-ohh… (Walks back up steps) I thought you were dead.

Karl – Oh, (goes after her) so you had to go with my best friend instead.

Carmen – And you had to get so (goes back to Karl) jealous you had to kill him, and then me? Don’t you think you’re over-reacting just a little bit?!

Karl – Oh, will you just –

Carmen – You showed up looking like death warmed over! That alone nearly stopped my heart.

Karl – I was wearing his tux… (Sighs) I-I- didn’t mean to scare you.

Carmen – Only kill me, huh…!? (Walks past him)

Karl – No!!

Carmen – Ohh! I had… a life… Karl. A life! (At the mirror)

Karl – And I didn’t. (Goes to her) I tried to forget about you. But I-I couldn’t. I couldn’t resist you.

Carmen – I was up for prom queen, did you know that?

Karl – Well, you were always my queen.

Carmen – No… (Turns to him) I will not forgive you, Karl. I will not. You hurt me.

Karl – I wasn’t myself back then.

Carmen – Who were you?

Karl – (sighs) I’d become this terrible frightening thing. I couldn’t show my self to anyone. I’m still not used to it. But you… I just couldn’t lose you… I wanted one last time for us. But then… then I lost control and I…

Carmen – (turns back to mirror) Bite me. On the neck. Hard… for old times sake.

Karl – Oh, no I can’t.

Carmen – Yes, you can. (In Cellar. Karl’s eyes close and is getting into it.)

Karl – Carmen! (Back in vision. He bites Carmen’s neck and the image fades) Carmen! Carmen!! (the others look at him) Whooh. Wow!

Dr. Murdoch – The summoning will continue with Marty

(Marty looks into bowl. Doors open up, Marty enters room)

Marty – What?! This is my trip down memory lane? Real anticlimactic. (Explosion outside of window) Oh, yes… France… 1918. The year of easy Pickens. (In runs Dalton with rifle. He dives behind chair)

Dalton – Who goes there?

Marty – Your savoir.

Dalton – Are you one of us?

Marty – One of you what?

Dalton – An ally?

Marty – I tend to work alone mostly. You? (Dalton stands up)

Dalton – Privet first class Dalton Nemmers. 30-callber, browning machine gunner!

Marty – Marty Strickland, (salutes) Assassin-at-large.

Dalton – They got my gun mate, killed him outright with a headshot. My horse got nailed next… mortar round nearly blew him clear in half. (Dalton runs past Marty and stops)

Marty – So you ran.

Dalton – I’m looking for friendlies!

Marty – I’m Friendly.

Dalton – Any idea, what the average life extensity of a frontline gunner is?! (Explosion) 27 minutes. 27 minutes!! I been gunn’ for 33 days.

Marty – Well you’re definitely on borrowed time. (A very near bomb hits. Dalton gets down)

Dalton – Can I be honest with you? (Marty sits down)

Marty – Honesty’s always the best police.

Dalton – Last thing I wanna do… very last thing… you know what that is?

Marty – I think you’re gonna tell me, Dalton.

Dalton – Go back out there… (Explosion. Marty gets up and walks over to him)

Marty – Then stay. (Dalton stands)

Dalton – Why aren’t you afraid? Why?

Marty – Because… (Takes the gun that has a knife on it and jams it into his own stomach) I’m the angel of death. (Smiles)

Dalton – You’ve come for me haven’t you? And I don’t have to go back out there? I got blood on my hands, and I don’t know where it’s from.

Marty – Blood, can be a good thing, (pulls out gun) you can stay right here, Dalton… (Walks behind him) with me (growls and bits deep into Dalton’s neck. Image fades) Alright!

It’s been a blast. Can we stop this now? What? He got what he asked for. Where’s the regret in that?

Dr. Murdoch – It’s your turn Essie. (Essie looks in bowl)

Madame Sophie – Essssie! (Essie and Sophie enter room) Do you know why you’re here? Essie. You spoke out of turn at the table… again!

Essie – Yes, madame, I was bad. I didn’t mean –

Madame Sophie – You laughed! Sixteen years old and still acting disgracefully.

Essie – It was only because –

Madame Sophie – Do you know (walks a little) what happens to young girls who displease their parents?

Essie – Yes, Madame.

Madame Sophie – Did they not bring me all the (walks some more) way from Paris to instruct you?

Essie – Yes, Madame.

Madame Sophie – And have I not cared for you? Have I not taken (Essie sits) you to bed…? Read to you? Every night? Have I not always been there for you? Have I not? (Crouches down to Essie) I left… my own daughters… to care for you. All I do is for you.

Essie – And I love you for that. But I’m older now…

(Madame Sophie stands up and she goes to table and gets a cane or stick and turns back to Essie. She walks over to her)

Maid – Hold out your hand. (Essie stands up and gets a little away from her)

Essie – No it isn’t fair. Moma started it when she slapped the cook. I –

Madame Sophie – What an Embarrassment you are! Now can someone as impertinent as you possibly be a child of aristocracy?!? Have you no respect for your true bloodline? Hold out your hand. Hold out your hand!!

Essie – No.

Madame Sophie – What did you say?

Essie – It was this… (Walks to table) Family… my own uncle Dimitri that made me what I am.

Madame Sophie – You blame your uncle for your behaviour?! How sad you’ve become.

Essie – No. Not sad. (Walks to face her) Just part of the royal bloodline that my uncle chose to share with me.

Madame Sophie – What are you talking about? There is no finer man then your uncle. None.

Essie – You should have protected me. You should have. He made me one of them.

Madame Sophie – One of what? Must I punish you (walks over to Essie and goes behind her) for your lying as well?

Essie – No. Not ever again.

Madame Sophie – Turn towards me, and hold out your hand!

(She turns around all vamped out and bits her in the neck. Image fades)

Essie – She gave me no choice. None.

Drew – This needs to be over.

Marty – Afraid of what you may find?

Drew – I’ve got nothing to fear. I’m already dead.

Dr. Murdoch – Drew… It’s your turn. (Drew looks into bowl)

Drew – Derek…?

Derek – Dre-eww!!! (We see a coffin and a chair in the room) Buddy!

Drew – Derek…

Derek – Oh, Dre-eew! (Drew walks so he’s between the coffin and the chair. The coffin lid opens up and Derek pops up) Aa-ah!

Drew – Derek?

Derek – Yup. Here in the dead flesh. Sit down… I want to talk to you. (Calls over chair with his power and once Drew is sitting, he jumps down from coffin) So, how’s life been treating you, buddy?

Drew – I never had a chance to explain.

Derek – Explain!? You really think an explanation was necessary? We got a score to settle me and you. And now I’m here to settle it.

Drew – We were once friends.

Derek – Yeah, until I found out you were a vampire! Kinda hard to pal around after that.

Drew – And I trusted you with that secret.

Derek – Who asked you to, huh? What makes you think you even had the right to let me in on that little secret?! Gah!!! (Pushes chair to the fireplace. Derek goes behind Drew) Are vampires flammable? So it wasn’t enough you had to tell me. You had to infect me with your blood!

Drew – I intended to make you one of us. I was going to give you eternal life.

Derek – But you didn’t! You took my blood, you put me in a trance and then you just… left me. I woke up in my grave!

Drew – Because I –

Derek – Because you what?! You forgot about me?!

Drew – No… because I decided I didn’t want you cursed with the same life as mine.

Derek – Oh, you decided! Well, good for you.

Drew – This is not a life you’d want.

Derek – Well, now I’m here to return the favour. (Walks around chair) you see being dead also has its powers. (Uses powers to turn the chair Drew is sitting in. It goes around really fast and then Derek flips Drew into coffin)

Drew – Derek. You gotta listen to me.

Derek – No! This time it’s me who needs to make a point. (Answers Drew in coffin)

Drew – Derek, I’m sorry.

Derek – You’re sorry… too little, too late. You think I’m just a memory, don’t you. Part of your little vampire ritual. Well, the vengeful dead… we have our own code of justice. (A steak flies into his hands) Now beg, beg for your life.

Drew – (Shakes head) Derek that’s one thing I won’t do.

Derek – I said beg! Now do it! I did! I still do!

(Puts steak in coffin beside Drew and walks towards the fire place and disappears. Coffin closes on Drew. Images fade in bowl. And then the big bowl turns from a bowl to Murdoch again.)

Dr. Murdoch – Life is precious. Know this first and last… of all. The summoning is over.

(Murdoch leaves first up the steps and the others criss-cross one another and go to do their own thing)

Dr. Murdoch – (Karl just standing) Opening the doors to memories of long forgotten, brings pain. (Flash of Karl and Carmen) For it forces vampire and mortal a like to confront the deepest parts of our being. (Essie in coffin turning) To try and understand who we wish to be and who we really are. (Closes her coffin lid. Merrill sitting in front of her coffin) We learn that life can be precious. But it can also be exercise in fear and boniness. (Marty on top level just sitting there) Is it worth knowing such truth lies behind these doors? Are they better left closed? (Drew opens coffin lid) Or by knowing the truth, can it give us new hope, where there was no hope before?