(In Cellar: Karl and Essie are at the table doing their essay together. Drew is sitting behind them in another room.)

Essie – Okay, it’s clear to me what Shakespeare’s saying here is that love (Karl kissing Essie’s shoulder) does not last. Okay? Listen. (Still kissing her) “What… What is love? Tis’ not hereafter. Present mirth hath present laughter what’s to come is still insure…”

Karl – Fine. So we’ll argue that Shakespeare distrusted love. (Kiss’ her again)

Essie – That’s not what he’s saying at all, Karl…

Karl – Fine, we’ll argue that he believed in love. (Kiss’ her again)

Essie – That’s not what he’s saying either…

Karl – Well why doesn’t he say what he means? I hate Shakespeare. I hate poetry.

Essie – Yeah, well, I like it. And besides we have a report due, remember?

Karl – Fine. (Looks at her and then takes his hand and tickles her)

Essie – (laughs) Okay, that tickles, stop. Karl!! Stop!! Karl… (Drew looks at them)

Karl – Oh, look, here’s something. “Nothing in the world is single all things by law divine in one another’s being mingled. Why not I why thy? Do you want to mingle?

Essie – First of all, that’s Shelley, not Shakespeare.

Karl – So who cares?

Essie – Well, I do! Karl. You know what? Forget it! You’re making me crazy! Do it by yourself!

Karl – Essie, I’m just playing!

Essie – Okay, but not with me.

Marty – Uh… just pretend I’m not here.

Karl – Essie! Now what the…?

(Karl in Cellar walking around. Drew is sitting on a chair)

Dr. Murdoch – Vampires are solitary characters. Declaring love is not in their nature… until they find the one.

Karl – I mean, (Stops walking) why did she get so huffy with me?

Drew – Maybe she’s playing hard to get.

Karl – No, I mean Essie’s (sits) nothing if not upfront! I mean, whenever we start to get close, she pulls away! She’s a complete mystery to me.

Drew – The feminine mystique!

Karl – Mean, (stands) Essie knows I’m crazy about her!

Drew – Yeah, but she’s also pretty closed. Well you know… self-protection kinda thing.

Karl – What? From me?

Drew – Yeah. She needs to feel safe. She needs to know you’re rock-solid.

Karl – Alright. (Sits) How?

Drew – (thinking) Oh. Mmm… You don’t wanna go there.

Karl – What?

Drew – The Declaration. It’s… a formal ceremony where you pledge your love for each other forever.

Karl – Whoa, that can be, like… centuries.

Drew – Yeah, no kidding. So you better make sure that she’s the one.

(In Office: Marty with camera trying to focus it on Merrill)

Merrill – Better?

Marty – it’s still out of focus. Ooh! Ooh! I got it! Man, 2 days and I’m a pro! We gotta ask questions that’ll make them sweat!

Merrill – We’re doing a video-essay. (Stands)

Marty – Yeah, to show our viewpoint of the experiment. (Essie walks in) And here comes our first interviewee. (Essie sits) So, Essie Rachamovia, is it? Tell us. What’s with you and Karl?

Merrill – Where is this coming from?

Essie – See, Marty doesn’t have a life of his own.

Marty – And… macho man Karl does?

Merrill – (Goes over to Marty) Marty!

Essie – Actually, Karl happens to be a very gentle and caring guy.

Marty – And uh… this turns you on?

Essie – Wouldn’t you be the last the last to know that!

Marty – So, how’s the sex?

Merrill – (Puts hand over camera lens) Hey! What are you doing? (Marty stands)

Marty – This is cinema verite. And Essie happens to be the verite.

Karl – (enters with roses) There you are! For you!

Essie – Wow. Red roses!

Karl – It’s just a little something to say, you make me crazy and I love it!

Marty – Just a little to the left, buddy.

Karl – Marty, (pushes him off) this is personal, come on. (Merrill pulls Marty away.)

Essie – Wow. So many…

Karl – You don’t like them?

Essie – No. No, I do!. (Kiss him) Thank you.

Karl – Maybe I should have got carnations or something?

Essie – No! Roses are fine, Karl.

Karl – So, how about dinner tonight in the solarium? Just the 2 of us.

Essie – Okay. That’s sweat.

(Night in the Solarium: Karl is lighting candles. Essie enters and Karl turns to see her walking in.)

Essie – Hi.

Karl – Hi… here! (He sits her on the piano bench)

Essie – Thanks. Wow, Karl. This is really nice.

Karl – Thanks. (She goes for napkin) oooh! No, no, no, no, no. (Takes napkin and unfolds it)

Essie – What? I can do that.

Karl – Let me, let me. (Places it on her lap)

Essie – Thank you, Karl… but I’m not a princess.

Karl – Well, you are to me. (Pores drinks) Seems kinda funny having dinner with no food. Maybe I should serenade you.

Essie – Oh… maybe not. (He holds up glass)

Karl – (laughs) To the woman who taught me to be a man, after I was dead. (About to clash glasses)

Essie – Wai-wai-wait. My turn. To the man who finds the chink in my armour, every time. (Clinks glasses together)

Karl – You know, I don’t always say things the right way, so I thought I’d borrow somebody else’s words… “It’s all I have to bring today, this and my heart besides, this, and my heart are all the fields, and all the meadows wide.”

Essie – Emily Dickinson.

Karl – For you. (Hands her a coffin box. She takes it and opens it reviling a ring)

Essie – Oh, my, Karl!

Karl – I want us to make the Declaration.

Essie – Us?

Karl – We’re meant to be together, forever. (He takes the ring) I promise you, Essie. I will love you with all my heart… (Puts the ring on her finger) Forever. (She looks at her hand and sees blisters and hides it from Karl and they smile at each other)

(In Cellar: Essie looking at her hand. Merrill comes in)

Merrill – Karl just told me. (Sits) It’s wonderful! Can I see it?

Essie – Yeah… (Gives Merrill the ring)

Merrill – Oh, wow! It’s beautiful!

Essie – Merrill, I have this weird rash on my hand. (Merrill looks at it)

Merrill – Pre-Declaration jitters. When’s the ceremony?

Essie – I don’t know. I guess we have to speak to Murdoch.

Merrill – You’re so lucky to have found the one.

Essie – Tell me, how do you know for sure?

Merrill – Everything beautiful that you see or hear, you want to share with him. When he walks into the room, nobody else exists. And when he’s gone, it’s like a part of you is missing. I don’t know. You just know.

Essie – Yeah.

(Marty at table looking at his movie he is making)

Karl – Maybe I should serenade you.

Essie – Oh…maybe not.

Marty – Ah, nice shot Marty-boy! (Looking behind him) Merrill! Merrill, come look at this! You gotta, you gotta see. (She walks over to him) You’re gonna love this… (Merrill looks at movie)

Essie – To the man who finds the chink in my armour, every time.

Merrill – You had no right to do this!

Marty – What we’re showing the real progress of the experiment.

Merrill – You grab anything and call it truth.

Marty – The truth shall set us free.

Merrill – Well, the truth just set you free to work on this assignment by yourself. (She leaves)

Marty – I was just kidding about the truth thing. Ghaaa, temperamental! Whoh!

Karl – We’re meant to be together, forever.

(In Office: Murdoch by window. Essie and Karl sitting together)

Dr. Murdoch – The Declaration is a big step.

Karl – We know.

Dr. Murdoch – You’re both still in school…

Essie – Oh please, you’re not gonna insult us by saying we’re to young… I mean, I am older then you by 50 years.

Dr. Murdoch – Essie, age isn’t the issue. (Walks over to desk) I feel that you’re both still working out who you are. (Sits)

Essie – No. I know who I am!

Karl – And I know that I’ve found the one.

Dr. Murdoch – Well, that being the case, (Essie scratching her arm and he sees it) I guess all that’s left is to set the date.

Karl – As soon as possible.

Essie – Well… wait, Karl. There’s no hurry.

Karl – Well why wait? Am I gonna love you any less in a week… a month… a year…? (Kiss’s her hand)

Essie – Fine then.

(In Cellar: Essie in her room looking for stuff. Merrill with her jotting down stuff)

Merrill – Black Orchids are the tradition. But we don’t have to go with tradition.

Essie – Black orchids are fine.

Merrill – Great. Music: pipe organ or contemporary?

Essie – I don’t know! Whatever.

Merrill – Essie… come on!

Essie – Pipe organ, pipe organ.

Merrill – D’you wanna feed before or after the ceremony?

Essie – Why do I have to answer all these questions right now? Why? (Marty enters with camera)

Marty – So, Essie. Any second thoughts?

Essie – Okay, guys, can I just have one minute alone please? Just one! (Marty looks at Merrill) Beat it! (They both back away) TURN IT OFF, MARTY! (He puts it down)

Marty – OK… geez! (They leave and Essie sits down and looks at arm)

(Karl on camera)

Karl – Marty!

Marty – Karl relax, you know, take it easy! It’s just a camera. I got a few questions to ask you. You know what I’m sayin’, (Drew comes in with drinks) it’s gonna be…

Drew – Karl, I’m afraid you’re (puts down tray and sits) gonna have to pretend it’s beer.

Karl/Marty – (Chuckles)

Karl – Excellent!

Marty – So Karl, tell us about all the women you’ll never have.

Karl – What, after Essie?

Marty – Ah, very nice… and did you ask Essie perhaps if she’s ready to spend the rest of eternity with you?

Karl – Well, I don’t have to.

Both – Awwwwwwoh!

Drew – A toast, to Karl!

Marty – To Karl! Wooo-hooo! (Clashes glasses together) Good luck! You’re gonna need it!

(In Essie’s room: Essie in front of mirror. Merrill behind her)

Essie – I do publicly and honestly what? I do publicly and honestly what?! I can’t remember the words!

Merrill – You have to. It’s your declaration.

Essie – Okay, well, it won’t stick in my head, Merrill…

Merrill – Don’t worry I’ll prompt you. Hurry up.

Essie – Okay… Just give me a minute.

Merrill – Okay. (She leaves Essie)

Essie – Oh, My God. Aaah… what am I gonna do? Aaahh!! (Turns around and takes hands away from face) What the? (She wipes the blood away from nose) Oh my God!

(Night down in the Cellar: Essie comes through Curtin all in Red. As she walks down the aisle fire comes up from these poles)

Both – By the blood of all (puts hands on alter) those before us, we pledge faithfulness, honesty and respect, (Murdoch picks up chains and puts them on them.) now and in the perpetual darkness as our love will shine as an eternal flame.

Dr. Murdoch – With full awareness, you, Essie and you Karl have, within this circle of kin, and (Pulls out sword) with the blessing of the Elders… (Holds up sword) publicly declared your union. (Passes sword in-between their arms and touches the chains) You are bound together for eternity. (He takes sword away and they look at each other. Murdoch takes the chain that is one now away) Okay, Karl. (Essie and Karl kiss and Karl gets all funny)

Essie – Karl? (She looks at Murdoch) Karl, what’s wrong?

Karl - … I can’t feel my legs.

Essie – What!? Doc…!, Karl!!! (Karl falls to ground) Karl! Karl!!! Say something!

Merrill – Turn that stupid thing off, now!

Karl – I can’t feel my legs!!

(In Cellar: Karl in wheelchair. Essie is pushing him in it. Karl looks very upset. They stop and Essie goes to cabinet with the blood in it and takes plasma bag and opens it up for Karl and Karl refuses it)

Essie – Come on, Karl, have some. (He takes it) You’ll feel better.

Karl – (drinks and spills) Oooh…

Essie – It’s okay… (Gets out napkin)

Karl – I can’t stand this!

Essie – We’re gonna find an answer Karl, okay? I’m so sorry.

Karl – It’s not your fault.

(In Office: Murdoch and Essie sitting together)

Dr. Murdoch – His paralysis could last a few days or… years. I’m sorry.

Essie – And my blood tests?

Dr. Murdoch – Some how, your whole system has become toxic. That explains your physical symptoms. When you kissed Karl, you transmitted the poison to him, which cause his paralysis.

Essie – Well there must be an answer!

Dr. Murdoch – Maybe you’re not looking in the right place.

Essie – What do you mean?

Dr. Murdoch – Try looking in your heart, Essie.

(In Cellar: Essie squeezes out water into a bowl and dabs her sores. Merrill is with her)

Essie – I just don’t know what I’m not looking at! (Merrill goes to touch her arm) No! Don’t touch me. I’m poison.

Merrill – When did you first see signs!

Essie – I don’t know… wait, I think it’s when Karl gave me the ring.

Merrill – The female Vampire’s metabolism is very sensitive. It reacts to our emotions.

Essie – What are you saying? (Gets up and goes to Essie)

Merrill – What Murdoch was getting at. What’s your heart telling you? (She sits)

Essie – That I’m allergic to Karl? Ah, Merrill, I have known lots of men. And I’ve loved a lot of men. But Karl’s different, you know, he’s genuine. Like everything he does is to tell me how much he loves me.

Merrill – Do you love him?

Essie – I do. But he’s… he’s not the one.

Merrill – Karl deserves to know the truth.

Essie – Oh, no! No, I can’t! Merrill, I’m all he has. (Merrill comforts Essie)

(Karl playing video games on computer. Marty walks in with Video’s in his hands.)

Marty – Hey, Karl! (Sits) How are you doing?

Karl – Ah, nothing like computer games to pass the centuries…

Marty – Yeah… well, (hands him movies) here’s some movies for you. (Karl looks throw them)

Karl – What’s this?

Marty – Oh, (gets up) that’s just some “off the record” stuff I won’t be needing anymore. Enjoy… (He leaves and Karl pops in the CD and it’s Essie on the screen.)

Marty – Any second thoughts?

Essie – Okay, guys, can I just have one minute alone please? Just one! Turn it off!!!

Dr. Murdoch – You are bound together for eternity… (Pass sword between them. Karl rewinds it) …for eternity.

(Essie walks in and sees him watching the tape.)

Essie – Karl…

Karl – You don’t look very happy here. (Pauses it)

Essie – Karl it’s just a…

Karl – Funny you know, you never said, “I love you”… (Puts stuff down and leaves)

Essie – Karl! (Karl crashes into table. Essie goes to help him)

Karl – GO AWAY!

Essie – Karl, wait! Stop! (Holds the chair until he stops)

Karl – Essie, I don’t need your help, alright?

Essie – Karl, I’m not leaving you! Okay? Karl, (turns his face) look at me. You are a kind and wonderful guy. And I’ve never met anyone who treats me the way you do.

Karl – Are you so afraid to love that all you can do is run? You will never meet anyone who’ll love you more then I do.

Essie – I know and I love you too Karl… but you’re not the one. I’m sorry. (Karl is crying and she kiss’ him.)

Karl – What did you do?

Essie – I don’t know… (His legs start shaking) What’s wrong!?

(In Office: Essie sitting in front of Murdoch’s desk and Murdoch is sitting at desk. Karl’s walking around)

Dr. Murdoch – With the change of heart Essie’s poison became the antidote. But it couldn’t heal everything. (Karl is passing back and forth) The Elders were sympathetic, given the circumstances. I’ll need both your signatures. (Karl stops passing and Essie takes the pen and paper and signs it.)

Karl – So the declarations been annulled?

Dr. Murdoch – Yes. (Essie done. Murdoch pass’ paper to Karl. Karl looks at Essie and she looks at him. He signs it)

Karl – So that’s all finished. (Walks away)

Essie – Karl… Karl, wait! (He stops and Essie goes to him) Your ring.

Karl – Uh… Keep it. (Goes down to cellar)

(In Cellar: Karl in work out gear. He stretches. Essie walks in room and Karl looks her way as he picks up weight. Essie sits down with a magazine as Karl pumps iron. She looks at him as he switches sides. He looks at her for a moment)

Dr. Murdoch – The vampire’ body is profoundly connected to their emotions. Emotional dishonesty creates illness. Emotional truth creates wholeness. (Karl takes both weights in hands and pumps iron) But as with humans, finding true love for a vampire carries it’s own risk. It can set you free… or alone.