Dr. Murdoch – Vampires have worked hard on their studies and have earned their first night out since the Mansbridge experiment began. (Murdoch at door) Last chance… you sure you don’t wanna join us? (Merrill sitting on back of couch.)

Merrill – No thanks. I need some quiet time to work on my writing.

Dr. Murdoch – Well it’ll be quiet around here, that’s for sure. Always is during spring break you sure you’ll be all right?

Merrill – Just go!

Dr. Murdoch – (laughs) Okay. See you tomorrow. (Walks out door)

Merrill – Bye! (Gets up from couch) Finally the whole night to myself! (She spins around in a circle for a long time. She laughs as she does this. Then she stumbles into Marty’s arms.)

Marty – Heeere’s Marty. (She regains her balance and turns to him)

Merrill – What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with the others!

Marty – Yeahh…

Dr. Murdoch – Solitude is second nature to a vampire. (Marty lying on couch and Merrill standing around) Unlike humans the instinct is not an anti-social response, but self-preservation.

Merrill – What are you doing here?

Marty – I thought you might want some company, so I told Murdoch to go a head. (She walks over to him)

Merrill – This was MY time alone.

Marty – (Stands) Look, Merrill, what, am I that unpleasant to be with?

Merrill – Sometimes.

Marty – Ouch!

Merrill – Well that’s not the point. I just need some space.

Marty – Oh, Okay. (Speeds around the room and stands on a chair) There! Now you got space.

Merrill – Haven’t you ever wanted to be ALONE?

Marty – Hmm… (Jumps down) No! What do you say we talk about this over dinner?

Merrill – I’m not hungry?

Merrill – Well I’m (pats his stomach) starving! I haven’t fed in 18 hours. (Walks to office and Merrill falls far behind) Mmm…ban ban-pa-pa-pam! (Pushes the shield over) What? (He tries it again) The power must be off! You got the key for manual operation?

Merrill – No.

Marty – Wa… (Pushes on the door as Merrill looks around the room)

Merrill – There’s got to be another key somewhere in here. (Looks in the desk.)

Marty – Ah, man! (Marty is still pushing the door. Well see into the cellar and then stops) Uh, you realize what this means, right?

Merrill – No blood…

Marty – For the whole frigging night!

Merrill – We’ll mange some how.

Marty – Dream on. (They leave the room and go into the conservatory) You actually plan to write this entire time?

Merrill – That’s the idea. (They sit on the couch together)

Marty – Well… you mined if I watch?

Merrill – Watching some one write. It’s stupid.

Marty – Mmmm. (Closes her book) A diversion. That’s what we need! (Pulls her up and takes her to the piano)

Merrill – Hey! You agreed to let me write.

Marty – Come on! Let’s have a sing-a-long. (He sits on top of piano)

Merrill – This is silly.

Marty – Loosen up, Merrill! It will do you some good, your all… gnaah. The blues-in B flat. Hit it. (Waits for her to start) HIT IT!! (She starts to play. Marty sings) run and get the doctor cause my baby’s got the blues (we see in the library) Run and get the doctor cause there ain’t no time to loose yeah. (Shows door and library and then outside) Mmm. We gotta find a cure for (Back to Marty) my baby’s love sick blues come on now. Play it, sister. Oupa. (Gets up and dances around as she plays) Her ol’ man’s gone and left her broke her tender heart in two. That’s right! Mmmm… said her ol’ man’s gone and dumped her he ran off with somebody new. Aaaah! That’s right. (Sits on bench with Merrill) So hurry get that doctor and save my baby blue. One more time now… Hurry get that doctor and save my baby bluuuuue. Yeaaaah! (Merrill stops playing and he coughs.)

Merrill – I gotta get back to my writing. (She leaves him sitting there)

Marty – Uhh… uhh…ahhh! (She looks at him) aahhhh! Urgh! Go… (He goes to Merrill)

Merrill – What’s the matter? (He knocks over the chess pieces) Stop it, Marty!

Marty – (struggles to fireplace) If I don’t eat soon (sits in a chair by fireplace) it won’t be pretty. Murdoch has gotta have a stash of blood some place, I mean, for emergencies.

Merrill – He doesn’t.

Marty – (heavy breathing) I’m not gonna make it.

Merrill – It’s just a matter of controlling your cravings.

Marty – You were right. Staying behind was a bad idea.

Merrill – Then why did you? (Gets up walks over to Merrill and falls to floor)

Marty – Ah! Ahhhh… (Heavy breathing) Aaaaah! (Merrill goes over to him) Ah…urgh… urgh… I’m dying!

Merrill – It’ll pass, I’m sure of it!

Marty – Ugh. It’s getting worse… MUCH worse.

Merrill – You can beat it.

Marty – Umf!… (Grabs her hair) No, I can’t! (She pushes him off her) If I don’t feed soon… Rah!… I’m gonna die. And I don’t want to die! (Starts to walk) So, if I can’t get the food to come to me… I go to the food.

Merrill – What are you doing, Marty? (Gets up and walks behind) Whoa. Marty, you can’t go out there!!

Marty – I don’t see anybody telling me otherwise.

Merrill – It’s against the rules.

Marty – Rhaaa! So is locking the secret entrance!

Merrill – That was an accident.

Marty – Mmmmff! Yeah… so, I’ll accidentally find a victim and feast.

Merrill – No… Marty, please.

Marty – Ahrrrrgh!!! (Leans on wall and pushes her hand away) What do you care about saving my skin anyways?

Merrill – The experiment.

Marty – Yeah… That’s what I thought. And if it were Drew… Would you break the rules for him?

(He collapses to the floor and goes unconscious. Merrill is sitting on the floor against the wall. Marty’s head is in the lap. She’s holding his head. Marty then wakes up.)

Marty – What are you doing?

Merrill – Ah… you’re awake.

Marty – Shouldn’t I be dead now?

Merrill – You’re going through the second phase of withdrawal.

Marty – You mean it gets worse?

Merrill – Mmm-hmm.

Marty – Rhaaa!

Merrill – Let me make you more comfortable. (She gets up a little and tries to pick him up but can’t) I’m sorry. (She puts his head down nicely and goes to his feet and grabs his legs and pulls him)

Marty – Well, just a second now. (She drags him across the floor) You know… you wouldn’t give a hoot if I evaporated before your eyes.

Merrill – Not true!

Marty – It is true! For the simple reason no one really matters to you except…

Merrill – Don’t even go there!

Marty – Oh! Aaow… God, Ahh! Merrill! Why do you (She pushes a chair out of the way) stay behind this weekend? To scribble out some tired ideas? (Puts him on couch) Ahrgh…!

Merrill – (crashes on couch) Haa…

Marty – Was there another reason?

Merrill – What are you talking about?

Marty – I may not read minds, but I see plenty. (She gives him this look) Touched a chord, did I?

Merrill – (sits up) Enough!

Marty – Face it, Merrill! I got nothing to lose… but you got nothing to win.

Merrill – What are you talking about?

Marty – I figured you out. You can’t win because… because you can’t feel. (She gets in his face)

Merrill – you’re crazy! (She stands up)

Marty – Mmmm, maybe, but you know I’m right. Owwww!! (In pain. Marty all of a sudden shows his fangs and his eyes are red. He gets up quickly and she turns around really fast.) Ha-haaa! Hello, baby!

Merrill – Don’t do this Marty!

Marty – You know I feel great… and, and something else…

Merrill – Let’s play the piano again.

Marty – What if I don’t want to!

Merrill – Uh, you need to conserve your strength. (He goes fast behind her)

Marty – For more important things. (She backs away from him) Whaa, the smell of a vampire! Irresistible. (Goes fast behind her again) You know, Merrill, I can think of something a lot more fun than writing… (She backs away from him, as he gets closer)

Merrill – You’re scaring me, Marty.

Marty – Ouuu… You were scared the day I arrived.

Merrill – You’re not yourself.

Marty – You never really bothered to look. Rrrr… you think I’m coming on to you.

Merrill – I think you’re trying to seduce me.

Marty – Aw… And why would I do that?

Merrill – Because I’m the only pulsating blood in the room.

Marty – Haaa…and all because of withdrawal, huh?

Merrill – The signs are obvious.

Marty – You don’t think I might actually be…interested in you, do you?

Merrill – Coming from you? Never. You don’t know how to give of yourself, only take. (He goes fast behind her again. She turns around)

Marty – Maybe the program’s changed me.

Merrill – Not a chance. (He goes in for a kiss) Marty, no! (Pushes him away)

Marty – Ah, you know, this withdrawal thing, I mean maybe it a good thing! Maybe it’s getting me in touch with my true feelings! Whooo… (Lunges at her. She moves away) You know, you need me, Merrill. More than you know. You feed me! Did I just say, “You feed me”? Did I just make a Freudian slip?

Merrill – Pull your self together Marty, you’re talking nonsense.

Marty – I just said, “Do you feed me?” (Laughs)

Merrill – It isn’t funny, Marty.

Marty – Who’s laughing? I’m STARVING!! (Lunges at her again and she speeds away to the stairs. He goes after her but she speeds up the stairs) Playing hard to get… (He speeds after her but she speeds away just as fast to the top of stairs)

Merrill – Marty, stop!

Marty – C’mon, just one little bite… to easy my pain! (Goes after her again but she speeds back to the ground leaving Marty on the stairs) Come on, Merrill, what’s a little taste between friends?

Merrill – Marty, please don’t do this.

Marty – No feasting on mortals, (walking down stairs) isn’t that what we’ve always been taught? So, I’m keeping my bargain… (Jumps last steps) and I’m feeding on you!! (Sits on piano)

Merrill – You’re psycho!!!

Marty – No, just hungry. (Kicks the stool away and snaps his fingers) Come here… mmhh. (She’s in a trance and goes to him) Come on! Come on…! Oooh…Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yeahhh! Mmm… mmm, mmm, mmm! (Once she’s close to him he snaps fingers and jumps down to her) Sorry honey… but you’re just too good to resist.

(They kiss. She pushes him away and grabs a vase and hits him over the head with it. He goes down. Now Merrill has tied him up and she is sitting against a wall near him. She has her head down. Marty then wakes up)

Marty – What the…? (Looks over at Merrill) Oh, man… (Struggles to get free) Get me out of these Merrill! (She looks at him) I’m warning you, untie me! Merrill! I’m warning you! Untie me! Alright, I’m sorry, okay? I lost my head, alright? But I’m stable now, okay?

Merrill – Right. (Gets up and walks passed him)

Marty – Where you going? Merrill! You can’t leave me here like this, Okay, I’m in pain!

Merrill – Watch me. (She gets the pains by the fireplace) Oh no!!!… Oh, please…no! Ah…aaah…

Marty – Hey! Hey, Merrill! Well I’m feeling better now. Oh!!! Really I feel great!

Merrill – Ahhh, it’s false euphoria…

Marty – No, this is real! Ha-ha! Man, everything is under control now… and it’s… it’s wonderful!

Merrill – (still in pain) Shut up, Marty!

Marty – What’s wrong?

Merrill – Don’t let this happen… Ahhh!

Marty – Merrill! Merrill…? (She shows her fangs and her eyes are red) Oh no…

Merrill – I need to feed. (She walks over to him and he kind of struggles)

Marty – Ahhhh c’mon, Merrill! Okay, get a grip, right? Get a grip… I mean, I’m not even your type! (She snaps out of it)

Merrill – What am I doing? What’s happening to me?

Marty – Merrill. It’s withdrawal right, remember, that’s all.

Merrill – I’m not gonna make it.

Marty – Yes, you are. You are, you can do it.

Merrill – I’m losing control, Marty! I’m losing it.

Marty – Merrill, don’t do this… Merrill, Don’t do this! (A door opens and they look) Quick, untie me!

(Merrill goes really fast and unties him and then they clean up the vase really fast. And in strolls Mimi)

Mimi – Hello!! Anyone back? Yeah, right!

(Marty does something to Mimi knocking her unconscious. They tie her up in a chair and put they put her jacket over her head. They do this very fast)

Merrill – She’s out for a while.

Marty – So what do we do now? (Merrill goes in to suck Mimi’s neck) No! (He stops her)

Merrill – When did you suddenly get a conscience? (Pulls away from him)

Marty – (grabs her again) You’re gonna regret this.

Merrill – I need it so badly…

Marty – Yeah, I know, I do too. Let me help you.

Merrill – What can you do?

Marty – I’m going to help you whether you like it or not.

Merrill – I need blood! (She collapses into Marty’s arms)

Marty – Hold onto me.

Merrill – (Struggles away) I need to be strong. (Stands with her back to him)

Marty – Why?

Merrill – Because I’m all alone. (He goes to her)

Marty – (Touches her hair) You don’t have to be… (Gets the pains and goes down) Ohhhh!

Merrill – Awww, aww! (She falls down too)

Marty – What happens next?

Merrill – We slip into a coma. (Shows her teeth) It’s her or us. (Goes over to Mimi)

Marty – We can’t…

Merrill – Then we die. (Pushes back the jacket over Mimi) And I don’t want to die!

Marty – We can’t… (Merrill goes in to suck Mimi’s neck) No!!! (Holds Merrill in his arms and speeds away from Mimi. The jacket goes back over her face)

Merrill – I’ll make it painless for her.

Marty – No! It can’t go down this way. For once you’ll take someone else’s advice and stay put.

Merrill – Please don’t hold me. (He puts her down)

Marty – I’m not him, Merrill. I’ll never will be… but Drew didn’t do anything for you except cause you pain.

Merrill – What are you talking about?

Marty – The wall. The one you put up when he broke your heart.

Merrill – That is none of your business.

Marty – I want it to be.

Merrill – I could never want you…

Marty – Yeah… you could never want anybody. That’s why you’re alone. (Touches her face) Please… let me help you.

Merrill – There’s nothing you can do now.

Marty – Yes, there is. (Gives her his neck) Drink. (She cries) Drink… or you’ll die.

Merrill – (crying) I could kill you.

Marty – I need to do this, Merrill… so do you. (Cries more and bites into his neck)

(Marty in pain and they go down to the ground. Later we see the Manor and a car drives up and turns out its lights. Murdoch enters the building. The other vampires are not actually with him, but makes believe that they are. We don’t see the others)

Dr. Murdoch – Gather up the luggage and take it in the back way. (He sees Mimi in a chair and goes to her and lifts up the jacket)

Mimi – (sobbing)

Dr. Murdoch – (he unties her) Mimi… Mimi, what happened?

Mimi – I don’t know what happened… (He holds her)

Dr. Murdoch – Shh…

Mimi – Someone jumped me from behind… I was so scared.

Dr. Murdoch – Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh. (Looks around and see’s Merrill with Marty. Marty is unconscious) Oh my God.

(In Murdoch Office: Murdoch writing in his book)

Dr. Murdoch – While both remained silent on the point, I can only assume Marty and Merrill were forced to confront the very worst in themselves. (Looks over to Marty and Merrill) An opportunity few mortals ever experience in their lifetime.

(Marty is lying on couch and Merrill is sitting beside him feed him his plasma bag with a straw)

Merrill – You made it.

Marty – I had a reason to live. (Chuckles)

Merrill – Why didn’t you go out with the others last night, really?

Marty – Really?… I wanted to hit on you. (They chuckle) Why d’ you stay behind?

Merrill – I need sometime to get over him.

Marty – And did you?

(She feeds him some more. Murdoch still watching them from afar and smiles)

Dr. Murdoch – A vampire acts on instincts and only for self-preservation. (Writes in book) How then are we to explain an act of pure self-sacrifice? (Stops writing and looks to Merrill and Marty)