(In library: All vampires are sitting at tables. Marty makes paper airplane and throws it)

Dr. Murdoch – History has givin’ us many spectacular failures.

Karl –(laughs) Nice.

Dr. Murdoch – (Handing out papers) Your assignment is to choose a relationship from the list in front of you, analyze what went wrong, then try to suggest how that failure might have been averted.

Merrill –(drawing picture) I can’t stay here! Anymore.

(In Office: Writing in book at desk)

Dr. Murdoch - Has been made between Vampires. The Mansbridge experiment affords ideal conditions to observe whether or not they can experience in time emotion…and more importantly, can they share those emotions with each other?

(Merrill looking at herself in the mirror.)

Merrill – It’s not enough that you look like this. You have to rip your heart out and bleed all over him. (Essie enters)

Essie – Ah! Finally!

Merrill – What?

Essie – You’re paying attention to how you look. (Pulls Merrills hair back) Now I’d start with that hair. (Puts Merrill’s hair up) Something like that…

Merrill – (takes her hair down) What’s the point? No one cares what I look like anyway.

Essie – Like no one who? Like Drew no one? (Merrill walks to chairs) It’s because you’re total opposites, right? I mean (sits) he’s Mr. Tortured soul, and you’re Ms. Know-it-all, with the page number to prove it.

Merrill – You got it all figured out, huh?

Essie – You’re just feeling the effects of out limited jean pool. Look, I even have moments where Karl even looks hot. But it passes. First there’s the flame, then there’s just smoke.

(Sherry’s room: Sherry on bed listening to music on headphones and writing in book. Nick opens door)

Nick – Hey! (Looks behind him and enters) Sherry!

Sherry – (gets up mad) What are you doing here?

Nick – I got brownie bombs…(hold them up)

Sherry – What is this? Another peace offering?

Nick – Hey…I come bearing Brownie Bombs and you gonna tell me you don’t love ‘em?

Sherry – That depends on how many you’re offering.

Nick – Well, we can do a saturation bombing if you want. Cause… I found a whole case downstairs in the pantry.

Sherry – We’re not supposed to go downstairs after curfew. What, you’re telling me is that you’d risk being expelled from the last school that will accept you for some Brownie bombs? (He takes one out and eats it)

Nick – Bombs away.

Sherry – (laughs) Okay…gimme some. (He holds bag away from her)

Nick – You gotta say please.

Sherry – Please.

Nick – Say pretty please, master Nick.

Sherry – Nick. (Grabs bag and takes a bite) Mmm.

Nick – It’s good, huh?

Sherry – We may have to get som’ more.

(In Library: Karl Essie and Merrill at table)

Karl – No way the last Czar and Czarina were vampires.

Essie – Well they were. Let’s not forget I spent time at the winter palace. And Rusputin? Wooo! A country Vamp who smelled like a stable.

Karl – What happened to them?

Essie – Executed.

Karl – Why?

Merrill – They abandoned their people.

Karl – How so?

Essie – Oh they just let a few go…war, starvation, the usual. (Merrill gets a chill) What is wrong, somebody walk on your grave? (Merrill gets the chills again)

Merrill – She’s here. (Patsy in doorway)

Patsy – I’ve found you! Ooh!

(In office: Patsy and Merrill sitting at Murdoch’s desk)

Dr. Murdoch – I don’t understand Miss LaRue. You don’t belong here.

Patsy – What’s the big snit about a maker dropping by to see her child?

Dr. Murdoch – Well I understand that you and Merrill were estranged.

Patsy – We had a misunderstanding, she clearly got past it. She did after all send out a becking for me. And…She wants out of here.

Dr. Murdoch – Is that true?

Patsy – I got her distress signal loud and clear all the way from Atlantic City. When you call, honeykins, I’m there for you. Plus it was a good time to move on, personally speaking.

Dr. Murdoch – And that wouldn’t have anything to do with the serial murders there, I suppose.

Patsy – Someone had to thin out the conventioneer herd. Nice meeting you, Dr. Murdoch. (Gets up) Now go get your things, sweetie pie.

Dr. Murdoch – It’s not that simple, I’m afraid.

Patsy – You aren’t trying to interfere between a maker and her child, are you?

Dr. Murdoch – Not at all. But since a withdrawal is unprecedental, I must insist that you remain at Mansbridge until I confer with the Elders.

Patsy – What do they have to say about it? The clan bond between a maker and a child is sacred.

Dr. Murdoch – This is the 21^st century, you don’t own Merrill because you made her. (Gets up) Now we will both defer to the wisdom of the Elders. In the meantime, you will remain here.

Patsy – Fine. Can I at least spend time ALONE with my child. Maybe have her show me around? Is that within my rights?

Dr. Murdoch – Yes, of course. But as our guest, you will follow our rules and confine yourself to the designated boundaries.

Patsy – This better not take too long. (Starts to walk the wrong way)

Dr. Murdoch – Oh, Miss LaRue, that way. (Points to Cellar)

(In Cellar: The vampires sitting on coaches. Merrill and Patsy walking around)

Merrill – I didn’t think you’d actually come.

Patsy – Why, Honey child, of course I’d come. You ran off, I knew you’d come to your senses. (Looks at boys) Now I see that you spent time finding some cute new friends. Didn’t I teach you any manners before you ran off? Introduce us…

Merrill – This is uh…

Patsy – Patsy LaRue. Merrill’s maker. (Holds out her coat and Marty hits Karl to go get it)

Karl – Hey!

Patsy – Why thank you! (Marty gets up)

Marty – I’m Marty Strickland.

Patsy – Oh. (Marty kiss’ her hand)

Marty – Merrill’s never told us about her clearly interesting past.

Patsy – Oh…you don’t know the half of it.

Marty – So tell me more.

Patsy – Hmmmm!

Essie – I’d keep a maker like that secret too.

Patsy – And you are?

Essie – Essie Rachimova.

Merrill – Of the royals.

Patsy – A Rachimova brat.

Essie – And you would be what? A bloodsucker in cha-cha pumps? (Drew and Essie laugh)

Patsy – All mouth and nothing between the ears, that’s the trouble with that regal inbreeding.  How did you all find each other? Hmm?  Good hunting around here, or what?

Merrill – It’s a school.

Patsy – For vampires? There’s something about feeding on others (Karl comes back) you need schooling for? (Laughs)

Merrill – Let me show you around.

Marty – I’ll tag along if that’s okay.

Merrill – No! We need some time alone to catch up.

Patsy – Oh! Sweetie pie. You did miss me! Oh! (They leave)

Marty – Well, well, well. Meek Merrill be a runaway. Brings her up a whole new level in my books.

Drew – No one’s supposed to know we’re here.

Karl – How did Patsy know where to find her anyways?

Essie – Because Merrill let her know. Imagine how wretched she must feel to send out that call.

(In lobby: Merrill and Patsy walk towards stairs)

Patsy – Pretty fancy, for a school. What’s up there?

Merrill – Uh, we can’t go up there.

Patsy – Because?

Merrill – It’s just some rooms and stuff.

Patsy – Then who cares?

Merrill – Its one of Murdoch’s boundaries.

Patsy – Him. I don’t take orders from anyone who wears tweed. (Starts to go up stairs)

Merrill – Don’t! (Sherry and nick shut door)

Nick – Careful.

Merrill – We gotta get out of sight. Please. Please…

(Upstairs in Hallway: Sherry and Nick stop)

Nick – Its okay come on. You want more Brownie bombs, or what?

Sherry – I’ve changed my mind.

Nick – Then uh, let’s, lets, lets just sit in the moonlight.

Sherry – No. (Nick goes in for a kiss) Nick no!

(Downstairs: Patsy and Merrill by piano)

Patsy – Well, well, well, what have we here? You have humans here?

Merrill – It’s a regular boarding school during the day.

Patsy – How sweet! You get to hang out with a band of vamps and right upstairs is the walk-in buffet.

Merrill – We don’t feed on them. It’s forbidden.

Patsy – Oh…is this another of this Murdoch’s rules?

Merrill – Yes.

Patsy – But you want to.

Merrill – No.

Patsy – Yes. You do. Remember. I’m the one who taught you how to read minds. You want to make a kill and it’s that girl. That Sherry.

Merrill – We’re being trained to control our predatory instincts.

Patsy – Good for you, nut I’m not that good. (Merrill shrugs her off) Listen, missy, you gave the beckoning for me to come to you. I came. Now it is our way that you will provide for me.

Merrill – It’s not that simple here.

Patsy – Yes. It is. Now…show me where I sleep. (They leave for Cellar)

(In cellar: Merrill show’s Patsy her coffin. Essie dusting her coffin)

Patsy – You expect me to crawl into that? I want that one.

Essie – Yeah. Right. (Patsy over to Essie)

Patsy – Listen, miss hospitality, we’re gonna give it up… or I’m gonna remove one of your pretty, little limbs.

Essie – Merrill, your trailer park maker needs to find a corner to sleep in. Preferably one that catches some sun.

Patsy – I’m staying whether you like it or not. And I know you don’t like it. Because, honey, I read minds. Oh! Now you’re considering some clawed revenge. That won’t be happening. (Essie walks away and Patsy sits down)

Merrill – Why do you insist on destroying my life again?

Patsy – The sooner I get you away from here, the better.

Merrill – I’m not sure that I still want to.

Patsy – Oh not now, child. We’ll catch up on the last 50 years in the evening. Go on…

(Lies down and Merrill leaves. The other vampires are sitting at table playing cards)

Karl – I don’t much like her.

Essie – Or what’s not to like…her “hey sailor” wardrobe or her industrial strength make up?

Karl – And she’s really gonna take Merrill out of Mansbridge?

Essie – Yeah that’s the “ugly” rumor. But then again what else could we expect from Miss Patsy?

Karl – And Dr. Murdoch agreed to it?

Marty – Me and my maker, one makes one…the vampire code.

Karl – So what does this do to the experiment?

Marty – I don’t know. She really stirred things up though.

Essie – Poor Merrill. No wonder she’s always been so repressed…

Drew – (standing) Yeah, well it’s not her fault Patsy’s her maker

Essie – Ah…the black knight finally rises to his lady’s defense.

Drew – What is it you’re trying to say to me, Essie?

Essie – I said it. Get a clear channel, Drew. Maybe, just maybe, patsy’s here because of you.

Marty – I’m worried about you, Drew.

Drew – Thanks for your concern.

Marty – Now all this getting in touch with your feelings. First Sherry, now Merrill. Ain’t exactly top dog behavior, rover.

Karl – (laughs and gives Marty a high five)

Drew – (looks at Marty’s card) It’s a full house guys. (Leaves)

Karl – I’m out.

Essie – (sighs)

(In Murdoch’s Office: Murdoch looks at watch and Merrill comes in)

Merrill – You wanted to tell me something?

Dr. Murdoch – No. I just wanted to see you.

Merrill – Well take a look.

Dr. Murdoch – You have to tell me why. As clearly and simply as you can state it. (She sits) Why did you do this?

Merrill – I’m not ready for here. I don’t belong.

Dr. Murdoch – Look me in the eye and tell me that.

Merrill – I-Don’t-Belong-Here.

Dr. Murdoch – Meaning you belong with patsy?

Merrill – Yes.

Dr. Murdoch – All right. But in doing this, you’ve created a grave security risk for all of us.

Merrill – I’m sorry for that. I really am. I just didn’t have a choice anymore.

Dr. Murdoch – Merrill, in matter of your well being, you always have a choice.

Merrill – May I go now?

Dr. Murdoch – For now, yes. (Leaves)

(In cellar: Merrill in coffin. Patsy over her)

Patsy – Wake up, sleepy head. Everyone else is up! Do you remember when we used to stake out those truck stops? You wore that school uniform, and I was the frazzled mom whose car wouldn’t start? Worked every time. Fresh blood. They didn’t give you a little school uniform here, did they?

Merrill – Look. I appreciate you coming for me and all, but when I leave Mansbridge, I don’t intend to serve as your decoy anymore.

Patsy – Lost your nerve?

Merrill – No. That’s not it.

Patsy – You’ll do what I tell you to do. You’ve had your little carefree time away form momsy. And now that you’ve humiliated yourself with that James Dean wanna be, it’s time to get back to job-one. By the way, that would never have happened if you’d been with me.

Merrill – You don’t know what you’re talking about.

Patsy – I know I can teach you how to get any man. I’ve had vamps and I’ve had mortals. Three centuries worth. So I can clue you in on a whole lot more useful techniques then anything Murdoch’s preaching to you. By the way, what’s his story? For some reason I couldn’t get a clear reading off him.

Merrill – Maybe he’s smarter then you think.

Patsy – Or just more thickheaded. (Merrill sits up) Same was true of Sigmund Freud. I admit I was flattered when he begged to analyze me, even though he was short and ugly and had that drug problem.

Merrill – Patsy, I’ve changed my mind. (Lies back down) I really don’t think I can live with you.

Patsy – Tell you what. Let’s find Drew. I’ll ask him a few questions. We’ll read his mind. Maybe that will help you decide.

Merrill – No!

Patsy – Oh, so now you don’t want to know. Ah, it’s settled then. Off we go. (Merrill sits up)

Merrill – We have to wait until we get permission from the Elders. We have to.

Patsy – They won’t mind. Tradition states: The child stays with her maker. Tell you what. We slip away now, and I won’t breath a word of any of this. Deal? Grab my bags. (Gets up and walks away. Merrill looking around) Hurry up I’m starving!

Merrill – Just one last look.

Drew – Hey…you have no right to break the rules here, and you have no right to take Merrill away unless she wants to go.

Patsy – How dare you challenge me? (Changes) HOW DARE YOU?! (Uses power)

Drew – Huh! (Drew goes flying back. Merrill rushes to him)

Patsy – I’ve had it up to here with stupid rules and mouthy kids! I’m the adult, you’re children, and I’ll do what ever I please. You got it? (Uses power)

Karl/Essie – Huh! (Those two go down)

Marty – I just wanna say…

Patsy – Silence! (Marty goes down) You will not move until I release you. (Murdoch shows up) Step away. Her professor. Or I’ll give you a lesson you won’t forget.

Dr. Murdoch – Why don’t you try reading my mind instead?

Patsy – He’s not here. You’re lying. (Vakaal show up)

Vakaal – Stop this foolishness. I made the rules here and they must be obeyed now release them!

Patsy – (back to normal) Yes, yes, my lord. (Releases them) I didn’t know, I, I…what ever you say. I, I only came because of the child. To be…helpful.

Vakaal – Merrill. (Merrill goes to him) Are you still determined to leave the experiment?

Merrill – I’d like to stay, my lord. If you’ll still have me after all the trouble I caused.

Vakaal – You child will remain at Mansbridge.

Patsy – But…

Vakaal – I bind you to forget her where abouts, and everything about the experiment. Now go. Go! (She leaves) As for the rest of you… Continue. (Leaves)

Dr. Murdoch – You heard the man.

Marty – They call us children and they act like that. (Walks away)

Essie – Ok come on, Karl, I’ll beat you at chess.

Karl – Nah! I think I’ll…

Essie – Come on, Karl! (They leave)

Drew – You don’t have to read my mind…I’m glad you’re staying. (Merrill walks off)

Merrill – I’m glad that you’re glad.

(In office: Murdoch writing in book)

Dr. Murdoch – Vampires are obsessive, compulsive. They form trusting relationships begrudgingly. Some never form them. It is my hope that here at Mansbridge, such relationships will be forged. This hope is complicated by the fact that the offspring of vampires are deeply molded by their makers into their own dark image.

At Truck stop: Patsy beside her car)

Patsy – Hey soldier, need a ride?

(In Office: Writing in book)

Dr. Murdoch – And I am regretfully convinced that Patsy LaRue is not the only maker we shall encounter. (Closes Book)