(In Cellar: Vampires walking around.)

Karl – Urgh! (Hits wall)

Dr. Murdoch – Each day, my students and I take small steps. But to succeed, I must wean them off what they crave.

Essie – What’s taking so long?

(Murdoch shows up with blood. The vampires rush to him)

Marty – Out of the way.

Karl – Marty! Marty!

Dr. Murdoch – For as long as their addiction stands and their ravenous nature continues to boil, they will be a threat not only to others, but to themselves.

(Enters code in twice but it doesn’t open. Then he enters it in again and it opens. They grab for their blood and sit down)

Dr. Murdoch - these rations will hold you until your regular shipment arrives. Has this experiment taught you nothing?

Karl – I’m still starving.

Essie – Chill out, Nosferatu. You could stand to lose a few pounds.

Karl – Did you hear my stomach roar? Did you?

Essie – Not something I really care to think about now.

Merrill – What was your last meal before you “turned”?

Essie – Mmmm. Belgium chocolates and Beluga caviar.

Karl – Ooh, let’s not talk about food!

Merrill – Mine was overcooked pot roast and cold mashed potatoes.

Marty – Mutton chops, peas, brown gravy and a glass of warm goat’s milk.

Drew – French fries and an egg cream.

Karl – Slice of pizza so big that you had to fold it over four times. I couldn’t wait; (Murdoch enters) I burned the roof of my mouth.

Dr. Murdoch – Okay everyone. I have some good news.

Marty – The day schoolers have volunteered to be blood donors?

Vampires – (Laugh)

Dr. Murdoch – Your progress recently merits a change in our routine. And I have decided to let 2 of you go into town…

Essie – Why just two of us?

Dr. Murdoch – So one can keep an eye on the other. If this trial run goes well, we’ll loosen up the rules for everyone.

Merrill – Who gets to go?

Dr. Murdoch – That decision, I’m leaving up to (puts names in vase) …fate!

Drew – An old fashioned lottery.

Marty – Wo! You gotta shake ‘em up. (Murdoch shakes them up)

Dr. Murdoch – And, our good will ambassadors will be…Essie and…Marty.

Marty – Yes! Destiny calls for a Marty party!

Drew – Great.

Dr. Murdoch – The goal here is to think of yourselves as observers. Learn from the experience. See how you can fit in.

Essie – Oh no, I have nothing to wear.

Marty – Oh come on, the locals will love this Alibaba thing you’re got going on.

Dr. Murdoch – And remember: you are the test case.

Karl – Yeah. Don’t screw it up.

Marty – Well, got all the road rules, now it’s time to get on down on the road! They get up and leave)

(In lobby: Drew sitting on couch. Merrill goes over to him)

Merrill – I guess fate passed you by, Huh?

Drew – All he had to do was pick my name and I’d be on my way.

Merrill – So you didn’t win the love lottery. It’s obviously not meant to be.

Drew – You just don’t get it.

Merrill – I got that you’re obsessed with this mortal, Sherry, and that you don’t get anything else. (Leaves)

Drew – There is nothing else.

(In Office: Merrill storms in and heads for the cellar)

Dr. Murdoch – Merrill? (She stops) Everything ok? Do you wanna sit down? All right we’ll both stand then. Did I ever show you this? (Takes knife out of cupboard) It’s a gift from an old friend.

Merrill – It’s beautiful.

Dr. Murdoch – I paid exactly one penny for it.

Merrill – I thought you said it was a gift.

Dr. Murdoch – Tradition doesn’t permit the giving of knives as gifts. It signifies the severing of the friendship. And she was…too important to risk.

Merrill – Was she your “girlfriend?”

Dr. Murdoch – She was…my friend. And that was a long time ago. (Puts knife back)

Merrill – What happened to her?

Dr. Murdoch – We went our separate ways.

Merrill – Then it wasn’t meant to be.

Dr. Murdoch – Finding someone to love is a difficult quest, Merrill.

Merrill – Is it worth the pain?

Dr. Murdoch – Is that what you’re feeling?

Merrill – Surprised? For someone of my species? Or is it sub-species?

Dr. Murdoch – Merrill…

Merrill – It’s like I don’t even exist. Still he’s all I can think about. I don’t know what to do.

Dr. Murdoch – The way to cure an obsession, is to confront it.

Merrill – How?

Dr. Murdoch – By giving, not by wanting. But be delicate.

Merrill – With him?

Dr. Murdoch – No. With you. It is your heart, after all. (Merrill leaves office)

(Roadhouse: Dotty handing out orders. Essie and Marty walk in. At counter Essie nudges Marty to pull out her chair and he does. Nick over by the stairs)

Nick – There’s some fresh meat.

(Dotty goes over to Essie and Marty)

Dotty – What can I getcha?

Essie – Tomato juice in a clean glass.

Dotty – Gotcha. You?

Marty – Burger. Medium rare.

Dotty – Fries?

Marty – No. Oh, make that a double burger rare. Oh, actually, can, can you make that a, uh hold-the-bun, double burger, rare.

Dotty – A double burger, rare.

Marty – Yeah, oh actually, just pass it through a warm room. Thanks “Dotty.” (Dotty leaves)

Essie – Could you not act like an idiot. (Looks over at Nick) Even if you are one.

(Lobby: Merrill goes back over to Drew and sits in front of him)

Merrill – What if I told you I could hook you up with Sherry.

Drew – What?

Merrill – You heard me.

Drew – No, I’m not going back into her dreams. (Flashback to where Drew went into Sherry’s dreams)

Merrill – No, no, no, no! This time you’ll meet her in person.

Drew – How?

Merrill – Just leave it to me.

Drew – Merrill, why this sudden urge to help?

Merrill – Maybe I understand loneliness too.

Drew – But when? When can this happen? Merrill – Tonight. Now. (She gets up)

Drew – (laughs) Ok!!! (He gets up)

(Roadhouse: Nick calling over Essie with his head)

Essie – Look at that preening twit.

Nick – Huston, we have a problem. Tall blond will not leave the dork.

(Nick keeps on calling Essie over. Essie finally gets up)

Nick – Oh, we got lift off.

(Nick stands up and starts to dance as Essie walks passed him. Nick stops and Essie goes to juke box. Office: Merrill goes to phone and looks up sherry’s room number and calls her.)

Merrill – (Murdoch’s voice) Sherry?

Sherry – (pushes button) Yes, Dr. Murdoch?

Merrill – Would you kindly meet me in the library? I’d like to discuss your latest essay.

Sherry – It’s kind of late.

Merrill – It won’t take long.

Sherry – Okay.

Merrill – Just wait for me there, all right?

Sherry – Okay, I’m on my way. (Gets up and leaves)

Merrill – (puts phone down) Too easy.

(Roadhouse: Essie dancing. Marty gets his burger patties.)

Marty – Ohhhh! Look at that.

Dotty – Just through a warm room, right? (She leaves)

Marty – I’m so happy to see you. Do you want some salt? Naahh. (Essie Jesters to nick to dance with her. He goes)

(Office: Karl rushes in and stands at Murdoch’s desk)

Dr. Murdoch – What’s up, Karl?

Karl – I’m starving. Dr. Murdoch, can I have another blood portion? Uh-just one.

Dr. Murdoch – You know the drill. Everyone gets the same allotment.

Karl – Yeah but I’m bigger then everyone else, you know. I need more.

Dr. Murdoch – I’m sorry Karl. That’s not the way we…

Karl – I gotta have it.

Dr. Murdoch – Just relax (gets up) okay, just try and take a deep breath.

Karl – Oh, I got this burning inside of my chest.

Dr. Murdoch – Sit down over there.

Karl – Ooh!

Dr. Murdoch – Karl sit down.

Karl – Grrrrr! (He sits)

Dr. Murdoch – I want you describe everything that’s happening to you. We’re gonna figure what’s going on here, okay?

(Library: Drew and Merrill in between bookshelves)

Drew – You did it?

Merrill – Your destiny awaits, provided you can make it happen in 15 minutes. I’ll be your look out.

Drew – Merrill, I owe you.

Merrill – Yeah. (She leaves)

(Sherry comes in and puts her stuff down on table)

Sherry – Hello?

(Outside of Library: Merrill is listening at door. Malcolm shows up)

Malcolm – (clear his throat)

Merrill – You can’t go in there.

Malcolm – My notebooks inside. Who are you?

Merrill – Security.

Malcolm – You’re not security, Dwight’s our security.

Merrill – Shhh! I’m under cover.

Malcolm – For what agency?

Merrill – A few of the parents hired me.

Malcolm – Whose parents?

Merrill – You gotta promise me not to breath a word of this, Malcolm.

Malcolm – How do you know my name?

Merrill – It’s my job to know. Can I trust you?

(In library: Drew comes out)

Sherry – Who are you?

Drew – Name’s Drew.

Sherry – (gets excited) Have we met?

Drew – Hey, are you using a line on me?

Sherry – No! You seem really familiar.

Drew – Um you did it again…

Sherry – Thank y’a!

Drew – Right, yeah.

Sherry – So, what are you doing here?

Drew – I’m just lookin’ into the school.

Sherry – At this time at night?

Drew – Yeah. Well it’s the best time to see things as they really are.

Sherry – So…where are you from?

Drew – Does it matter?

Sherry – Are you always this mysterious?

Drew – It’s in my blood.

(Office: Murdoch over Karl shinning light into Karl’s eyes)

Karl – Just give me some blood!

Dr. Murdoch – You gotta hold on Karl, while I figure this out.

Karl – NO! (Grabs Murdoch’s arm) I am gonna loose it if you don’t give me some blood.

Dr. Murdoch – Karl hold on… (Outside library: Malcolm and Merrill)

Malcolm – So you’re saying that there is some kids that are potential targets for kidnappers?

Merrill – Think about it. These kids could be ransomed for millions.

Malcolm – Oooh, so…that’s why you’re investigating to see if there’s anything suspicious uh?

Merrill – Anything and everything.

Malcolm – I have some sort of thing.

Merrill – You do?

Malcolm – Yeah. I was once on a federal case.

(Office: Karl going crazy. Murdoch across room)

Karl – Oh! (Growling)

Dr. Murdoch – Take it easy Karl. (Karl pushes Murdoch back and goes vamp. Murdoch gets Karl around the neck) Go to sleep now Karl. (Karl falls) Good. It’s best for you to be unconscious.

(Roadhouse: Essie and Nick dancing)

Nick – (laughs)

Marty – Come…Come here. (Picks plate up) Oh yeah. You are so beautiful. Look how. Okay. Oh. Just a little          Just a…(bites into patty and then shows fangs)

Everyone – (Screams)

Nick – Where you going?

Essie – S’cuse me! (Leaves Nick) Great. Aren’t you fitting in nicely?

Marty – Yeah. Well I’m thinking of turning to some more satisfying entrees.

Essie – Will you just get a grip? Whoa! (Goes vamp) Boy do I need to feed.

(Office: Murdoch on phone. Karl on floor)

Dr. Murdoch – How can you make that kind of mistake? I’ve been receiving your plasma shipments for…look never mind, just get the new batch ready. Karl…I’m really sorry but I gotta go. Those are Chinese knots. Don’t strange yourself needlessly.

Malcolm – And that’s why I’m consecrating on a career in espionage. (Merrill leaves)

Dr. Murdoch – Malcolm…I want you in your room.

Malcolm – Well, I was just talking to…

Dr. Murdoch – Now Malcolm! (Leaves)

(Library: Sherry and Drew talking)

Sherry – This is so wild. You look so familiar. Are you sure we haven’t met?

Drew – Well, uhm…

Sherry – Do you believe in fate?

Drew – Uh! (Vampire pain)

Sherry – I can’t believe I just said that. I’m sorry, I…I get this way sometimes. I’m too romantic; my mother says I wear my heart on my sleeve.

Drew – No! No. I believe in fate. (Puts book back and goes vamp)

(Roadhouse: Dotty, Nick and Nick’s friend still there)

Essie – Mealtime. (Laughs. Marty shoots plates at the three) Oh you bad boy.

Nick – Well I ain’t runnin’!

Marty – Hungry Essie?!

Essie – Yeah Let’s go have the blond special! (Walks over to Nick)

Nick – Bring it on! I’m right here! (Backs up) What is it with you two? Okay, Okay let’s, let’s, let’s just talk about this. Hey let’s…

Marty – Eat! (Murdoch shows up)

Dr. Murdoch – Back away from them Nick, Now!

Nick – Mr. Murdoch,

Dr. Murdoch – The plasma you received tonight was spun blood. It’s devoid of all nurturance and that’s why this is happening to you.

Nick – You know these freaks!

Dr. Murdoch – Shut up!  This is the real thing, take it! You are not slaves to this disease! Take it!

(Marty takes it and brinks then Essie drinks it from Marty’s hands and they return back to normal)

Essie – So I guess I gotta give him a quick erase.

Dr. Murdoch – Do it quickly please Essie.

Nick – The what? (Essie grabs Nick)

Essie – Look at me! What happened, what you heard, what you saw. You never heard, you never saw. (Whispers in Nicks ear) Too bad you wont remember tonight. Remember what it felt like to be the real “fresh meat” on the menu. I guess we didn’t really fit in did we? How are the others?

Dr. Murdoch – Let’s go!

(Library: Drew up against bookshelves. Sherry walking around.)

Sherry – I was out of control and I was just lost. Then my father, he sent me here. (Puts book back) I see you!             Drew…What’s wrong? (Drew leaves) Drew?

(Lobby: Merrill on ground in pain. Drew shows up and picks her up)

Merrill – Something’s wrong.

Drew – We can’t be here with them.

Merrill – Then please…let’s go.

Drew – Okay.

(Cellar: Everyone at table. Murdoch standing)

Dr. Murdoch – Feeling better Karl?

Karl – Much. You put me down hard, man. How’d you do that?

Dr. Murdoch – I read.

Karl – You can read about that?

Dr. Murdoch – The Zen of self-defence. (Gives book to Karl)

Karl – I gotta look into this…

Dr. Mudroch – And I promise all of you that a mistake like this will never happen again.

Drew – What about another lottery?

Dr. Murdoch – We’ll see. And I’ll see you all again tomorrow night. Sleep well. (Leaves)

Merrill – How is “Essie and Marty go to town?”

Marty – I met someone name “Dotty”. How good could it have been?

Essie – I danced a little, fanged out a little, just like old times.

Marty – Danced a little? Please you were like a…Swan in heat. Tryin’ to seduce that (gets up) box-head Nick. You know. Should of seen her, she’s up against that little jukebox…

Essie – Oh you’re just jealous because you had a date with a beef patty instead!

Marty – It was disgusting she was, she was lovey dovey. Oh Nicky, Nicky, you want some of this combo. Mama. Come over here.

Essie – Please who was making love to this hamburger patty? You know, he takes this plate like this, oh baby, oh I love you so much, oh you find me attractive, do you?

(Office: Writing in book)

Dr. Murdoch – The taming of the ancient urges is a constant struggle for my vampire students. However, underneath their ravenous nature, lies the simple needs of all teenagers: to be needed, to be loved. But this boning, that could mean so much, is still far off. The blood lust, that controls the wheel of their lives, continues to hold its grip.