(In Cellar: Essie and Karl tossing the football back and forth)

Karl – (laughing) Ok, nice little pass, good, good, hmm. (Laughing. Essie holds football) Pass it back Essie. Pass it back.

Essie - S’cause me? You don’t really want this back, do you? (Wants Karl to cash her) you didn’t really want it, do you… come on Karl! Come on! What do you want, Karl! (Laughs and he gets her)

Karl – Hmm… (Looks at her and she holds up the football) Okay… (He hears a familiar voice) I know that voice… (Teacher and her students on TV) Miss Armstrong. (Walks over to TV) My grade 11 history teacher.

Essie – What’s she doing here?

Karl – Probably one of her famous field trips. She’s a real history freak.

Essie – Humm. Must be. That hairstyle went out in 1969.

Karl – Not attending her class is one of the few perks of being dead. (Looks Essie up and down)

(Morning in Lobby: Miss Armstrong holding up a vase.)

Miss. Armstrong – This particular vase… is well over 1000 years old.

Dr. Murdoch – And once again (trying to get vase) - - we’re - - looking - - and not touching.

Miss. Armstrong – Oh, but I would never harm this artifact, it’s just… such a… oh, for God sakes (gives it to Murdoch) …Move a side people.

Karl – Oh my God! (Gets remote)

Essie – What? Oh my God?

Karl – Amy.

Essie – Who’s Amy?

Karl – My sister.

(In Cellar: Marty Mixing up a drink)

Dr. Murdoch – When a human becomes a vampire, it is easy for them to forget their past life. Bloodlust and their nocturnal schedule distract them from memories of the people they once knew…

Marty – (drinks) Hah!

Dr. Murdoch - …and loved. (Marty walking out of room) But occasionally, they are reminded…

Marty – You guys already up? You’re cutting into my down time here. You know, the “bloody Mary” minus the Mary time - - alone.

Essie – Sorry to interrupt your cocktail hour, Mr. Hefner, but this is important.

Marty – And my needs aren’t?

Essie – For your information, Karl’s sister is upstairs.

Marty – Oh!

(In lobby: Murdoch ruses over to Miss Armstrong and stops her)

Dr. Murdoch – Miss. Armstrong… Miss. Armstrong, while I’m honoured at your appreciation of Mansbridge Academy’s rich heritage, I would ask that, next time, you phone ahead first.

Miss. Armstrong – Oh - - but I’m sure this one time, you’ll let me get away with it. For the benefit of the children.

Dr. Murdoch – Well… actually, this happens to be the… fifth time.

Miss. Armstrong – Reginald, is that a new haircut?

Dr. Murdoch – Uhh… I-I-It’s a little trim.

Miss. Armstrong – It’s very flattering. (Fixes his tie and then walks to painting) The battle of Gettysburg was fought during what year? Anyone? Well then does anybody know what war we’re talking about here?

In Cellar: Essie, Karl, Marty looking at the TV and the humans)

Marty – Family resemblance is uncanny, Karl. I didn’t know your sister was a teacher.

Karl – Not her. The girl, Amy.

Marty – Oh, the cute one… obviously adopted. (Karl pushes remote buttons)

Karl – These stupid kids keep getting in the way.

Essie – Turn it off, Karl.

Karl – See that knapsack? I bought that for her thirteenth birthday.

Essie – It’s cute.

Karl – She hated it.

Essie – Okay…

Karl – We were like that, you know, always straight with each other. (Amy on the screen) Why is she so sad?

Essie – All right, that’s it. (Takes the remote and turns off TV)

Karl – What are you doing, Essie?!!

Essie – Karl. I know where you’re going with this…

Karl – Give me the remote.

Essie – No.

Karl – Fine. There are better seats in the house. (Leaves)

(Upstairs: Amy walking around room. Other kids around the teacher. Malcolm walks in reading a book and Amy sees him)

Amy – Hey Malcolm!

Malcolm – Hey! (Walks over to her) How’s it going?

Miss. Armstrong – (ruses over to Malcolm) Malcolm Frye! Now here’s a real history buff. The faculty is still a buzz about how you spent your seventh grade summer vacation. Would you share with the class?

Malcolm – Well I built a replica of the Eiffel tower, completely to scale out of Popsicle sticks… (Class laughs at him)

(Malcolm storms off all embarrassed. The teacher is all saddened. Amy walks away biting her nails. In the Office: Karl’s looking at her through the two-way mirror)

Karl – She always bites her nails when she’s upset about something. She hasn’t smiled once. Have you noticed that? She thinks I’m dead.

Essie – You are dead.

Karl – You know I thought she’d be over by that now. That time would have healed her.

Essie – It’s only been a year.

Karl – No, you don’t understand. We were so close. She needs to know I’m alright. She deserves to know the truth.

Essie – What? That you’re a blood-sucking vampire? (Looks at her) Karl, let her go.

Karl – She’s my sister…

(In library: Mimi and Malcolm at table. Mimi writing down notes.)

Malcolm – You try to make an impression, you know, share an important accomplishment. You think people might actually find it interesting, but no. You just end up looking like a stupid dork.

Mimi – Who thinks you’re a dork?

Malcolm – Amy Todman.

Mimi – Who’s she?

Malcolm – I’ve had a crush on her since 5^th grade. We were both on the Wrenfield debate team… but, I made a fool of myself when I talked about my Popsicle sticks.

Mimi – Popsicle sticks?

Malcolm – That’s along story.

Mimi – I’m sure you’re over reacting. Look, if you like her so much, ask her out.

Malcolm – I tried to, once, (Amy walks in) But then her older brother kicked my butt.

Mimi – (looks at Amy) I don’t see her older brother right now. (Malcolm turns around)

Malcolm – Amy?

Amy – I need to talk to you about my brother.

(In Cellar: Karl comes down steps and sits at table. Essie sits down too. Karl picks up remote and turns it on and sees Amy talking to Malcolm.)

Karl – She’s still here.

(Night in the library: Amy and Malcolm at a table talking)

Amy – You reported seeing Karl here at Mansbridge, a year after he died.

Malcolm – Yeah, that’s right. I couldn’t believe it - - I didn’t know what to think.

Amy – But you’re sure it was him?

Malcolm – Yeah. I remember. He was wearing his leather jacket. (Flash back to Karl in hallway and Malcolm seeing him)

Amy – A lot of guys in the team wear that jacket. How can you be sure that it was Karl?

Malcolm – Hey, I’ve seen Karl up close and very personal, when he told me to stop calling your house.

Amy – He never told me you phoned. How many times?

Malcolm – It was just to arrange uh, for the debate team to meet, you know, stuff like that…

Amy – So you knew Karl. That’s why you’re so positive it was him.

Malcolm – It was dark - - I saw him run out into the hallway, he looked right at me. It was like seeing a ghost.

Amy – Was it?

Malcolm – What?

Amy – A ghost? Is that what you saw?

Malcolm – He was so pale. Almost white. As if he was upset.

Amy – Upset?

(In Cellar: Karl standing in front of TV. Essie is sitting at table. Malcolm and Amy get up and leave)

Essie – Is that why she came here? Because of some dweeb’s silly Internet posting.

Karl – (Turns around) It’s obvious Essie. She wants to re-connect with me. (Walks over to Essie) I can’t leave her like this, it’s not fair.

Essie – Trust me Karl, it’s worse revealing what you really are.

Karl – You’re right Essie. I can’t reveal myself as a vampire…

Essie – Finally…

Karl – So I’ll reveal myself as a ghost!

Essie – What?!!!

(In Karl’s room: Karl’s opening a chest. Marty is on couch. Essie walks by room)

Marty – So, What do you want from me?

Karl – You know, slam a door or too, move things around with your telekinesis, just… make things spooky, that’s all.

Marty – If this is some sort of Halloween prank, I can really get into it.

Karl – Look, I have to convince my sister that I’m a ghost. Plain and simple.

Marty – You wanna scare her?

Karl – No! Convince her. If she buys it, then she knows I’m okay, and then she’ll get on with her life. Get it?

Marty – Hmmm. (Karl goes back to look for something) But my talents come with a price. I mean… what’s in it for me?

Karl – How about uh, the satisfaction of knowing you did something good.

Marty – Gawd - - why do I suddenly feel sick.

Karl – All right, 2 rations of blood.

Marty – Three and you got a deal.

Essie – (Essie enters) Hey, looking for this? (Holding out jacket)

Karl – What are you doing with it? (Takes jacket)

Essie – You gave it to me to keep warm one night, remember? Or, do you do that to all the girls?

Karl – Uh, yeah, I do.

Essie – So, have you thought about what you’re gonna say to her?

Marty – How about uh… “boo.”

Karl – Uh, (Essie sits) first I’m going to give her a sign that I’m near - - that’s Marty’s job - - and then as soon as she’s hooked, I’m gonna appear at a distance in a dim light and whisper to her.

Essie – Ah, and say what? “Don’t worry about me sis’, being a ghost ROCKS!”

Karl – Yah, something like that. (Puts on Jacket) And this is the jacket I was wearing, when Malcolm spotted me. (Marty goes over to Karl)

Marty – I don’t know Karl… I was thinking of something more along the lines of this… (Throws a white sheet over Karl) How about that?

Essie – (Laughs)

Marty – Nice and …wooooo!

Karl – Yeah, that’s pretty funny, Marty.

(In Lobby: In front of fireplace. Amy and Malcolm talking)

Malcolm – It’s getting late shouldn’t you be heading back to your dorm at Wrenfield?

Amy – Please, Malcolm, I have to know everything that you saw, everything that you remember about that night with Karl.

Malcolm – There’s nothing more to tell. (Amy rolls eyes) Look, when my mom died, I sat by the living room for hours expecting her to return from work just like she always did.

Amy – (Statue moving) Must have been very hard.

Malcolm – Well little by little, my memory of her started to fade. At first, I felt guilty, like I shouldn’t forget, (Statue moving some more) because it would be shameful. But then in time it got easier.

Amy – Did you ever make contact with her?

Malcolm – You mean, like a ghost? (Amy nods her head) To tell you the truth, I don’t really believe in them. There’s no scientific evidence to support the theory – (Statue fly’s off mantle and hits the ground breaking)

(In Office: Behind mirror. Karl and Marty watching Amy and Malcolm.)

Karl – Nice work.

Marty – Thank you boss.

Karl – But next time, instead of having the statue topple right away, let it roll along the marble first, ups the spook-factor.

Marty – Everybody wants to be a director. (Back to Amy and Malcolm. Malcolm picks up broken statue)

Malcolm – I hope this wasn’t an antique.

Amy – Do you feel something in the room?

Malcolm – I feel, little chilly - - that must be because I’m so tired.

Amy – Maybe it’s Karl. (Karl and Marty watching)

Malcolm – Look, Amy, you’re a reasonable person. (Sits down beside her) And I’m a reasonable person. I can’t explain what I saw. A part of me accepts it… but a bigger part of me, says it was an illusion.

Amy – So you didn’t see Karl?

Malcolm – It was a while ago… it was dark. I don’t know what I saw. (In the fireplace a big flame goes up and scares them. Karl and Marty look at each other)

Amy – He’s here, I know it.

Malcolm – Dry wood, live ember, (Amy rolls eyes) strong gust. Poof! You’ve got fire.

Karl – Ohhh, I could kill that dweeb. He’s ruining everything.

Marty – Then I say, let’s take it up a notch, go straight to the grand finale. (Doors open and Karl and Marty behind a plant speed up close behind couch)

Amy – The one thing I don’t understand – is why would Karl reveal himself to you, and not to me - - his own flesh and blood?

Malcolm – Because spirit entities have lost their connection with the physical world. It’s not uncommon for them to be disoriented.

Amy – You mean, they get lost? (Karl and Marty behind plant)

Karl – You’re ready?

Marty – Just say the word bro’, I’ll cast a soft light on you and levitate you across the room.

Karl – Uhm, what if I’m too heavy for you, you can’t keep me up there?

Marty – Well then you drop!

Malcolm – Amy - - there’s something I should tell you.

Amy – What, Malcolm? (Sits forward on couch and Karl moves to listen in closer)

Malcolm – When I reported my sighting, I was sure it was Karl. But, as time went on, I became less sure… and I didn’t let on because uh…

Amy – Why?

Malcolm – Because… by keeping it alive, I was… in a small way, a very indirect way… keeping my link to you.

Amy – I was almost over Karl, after months of grieving, I was slowly getting back to myself… (Karl listening) And then I got your report on the net… and suddenly there was hope.

Malcolm – I’m sorry, Amy…

Amy – I rushed out and bought every book I could find on ghosts and spirits, I even went to a séance - - (Karl goes back to Marty) but I couldn’t make contact.

Marty – All right, you’re ready? Let’s do it.

Amy – So I came here (looks around) - - as a last resort. (Karl in the air. Marty gives him thumbs up) If Karl came back into my life now, even as a ghost I’d never have to let him go. (Karl shaking head and whispers to Marty)

Karl – Abort… Abort! (Taps Marty on the head with foot) Abort! Hoh! (Karl drops to floor) Haa!

Amy – Ah. (Looks behind her) What was that? (Karl and Marty have gone. Later Amy is walking around room) Please, If you’re here, say something. (Looking around. Stops. Starts to walk again) remember when we used to play hide and go seek? You’d always hide in the most obvious places just so I could find you. (On TV) Karl?

(In cellar: Karl looking at TV walking around the room. Essie’s there too)

Essie – Great. Now you’ve got her believing you could be a ghost. Some closure.

Karl – Here. (Takes off jacket) Put this on. (Goes over to Essie)

Essie – No please, it’s really not my style…

Karl – No, please, put it on. (Puts it on her)

Essie – Wait, I don’t understand.

Karl – Look. The ghost is keeping me alive for her. But I’m not alive, I’m dead.

Essie – Okay, so now what?

Karl – So we have to kill the ghost. (On the TV is Amy walking around in lobby)

Amy – Please if you hear me, say something. (Sees Essie walk by in office) Karl?

(She runs after Essie into office. She turns on the light)

Essie – Oh! Oh, I thought you were Dr. Murdoch!

Amy – Where did you get that jacket?

Essie – Uh, (walks in a little) it was, uh, right after a big Wrenfield game. Yah, I was uh, cold in my cheerleading uniform and this really sweet quarterback loaned it to me.

Amy – Karl Todman? (Goes over to Essie)

Essie – Yeah… you know him?

Amy – He was my brother.

Essie – Oh, sorry. (Karl looking through spy hole) Look. I better be going. If I get busted again for being out past curfew, I’ll get kicked out. (Starts to leave)

Amy – Do you do this often? Like, come in late at night and stuff?

Essie – Yeah, but uh, we’ll just keep it between me and you, okay?

Amy – I knew it couldn’t be true.

Essie – What couldn’t be true?

Amy – Nothing. (Karl still watching)

Essie – Here. (Takes off jacket) Hmm, you should have this.

Amy – But he gave it to you. (Takes it)

Essie – He loaned it to me. Please. It belongs in the family.

Amy – (looking at jacket) He kept meaning to get this fixed. But I happen to know he put it there himself. You know, it’s not “cool” to have a brand new jacket. (Kind of crying) I’ll never forget how funny he looked, jumping up and down on it with his boots, then tying it to the back of the car. He circled the block 3 times with his jacket dragged behind him!

Essie – Yeah, (looks over to were Karl is looking) that’s… so Karl… look, I really should be going.

Amy – Oh, sure. (Essie leaves. Amy smells jacket. She stuffs the jacket in her book bag and leaves. Karl closes peephole. Amy walks out of office.)

Malcolm – I thought I heard your voice… (He goes over to her)

Amy – Thanks Malcolm. (They walk together)

Malcolm – For what?

Amy – For being honest with me, about Karl.

Malcolm – No sweat.

Amy – If only I could have said good-bye to him. (Looks up)

Malcolm – You can.

Amy – How?

Malcolm – With my mom, I… just imagined that, wherever she was, she was listening. (They stop) Then…you just say the words… (Amy looks around)

Amy – Good-bye, Karl. (They walk off together and the camera goes in close to the mirror and we see Karl there)

Karl – Good-bye, Amy. (Leaves)

(In office: Murdoch at desk writing in book)

Dr. Murdoch – For humans… it is memories of the past that keep their loved ones alive. For vampires, memories are equally important.

(In Cellar: Essie and Karl sitting together. Karl tossing football in air. He throws to Essie)

Karl – You know, I have to confess something.

Essie – Yes?

Karl – (puts head back) Hhm, (looks at Essie) I’m really gonna miss that jacket.

Essie – What? (Throws ball hard back at Karl)

Dr. Murdoch – For through memory, they restore their link - - not just to humanity - - but to each other. (Puts quill down and closes book)