// MARSCAPONE SCHOOL OF MAGIC //


Cedric has left Kevin behind and fled into the basement sanctum in an effort at solitude. But he has been followed by the house’s Elder.

VINCENT

GET CLEANED UP.

WE’RE GOING OUT.

CEDRIC

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR?

ALL MY CLOTHES –

VINCENT

IT DOESN’T MATTER.

LOOK THROUGH THE DRAWERS, TAKE ANYTHING YOU FIND SUITABLE.

CEDRIC

I DON’T THINK KEVIN’S CLOTHES WILL FIT ME.

VINCENT

DID I SAY THAT THEY WOULD?

CEDRIC

IS THIS HOW YOU USUALLY DO THINGS?


Vincent straightens his back.

VINCENT

IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUNGLINGS TO FEED EARLY AND OFTEN, LEST THE BEAST TAKE HOLD.

WHEN YOU ARE MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU CAN FIND PREY ON YOUR OWN TIME.

BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, I WILL ACCOMPANY YOU AND KEVIN AND SEE THAT THINGS ARE SET UP FOR YOUR SUCCESS.

WE’RE GOING TO THE BOWLING ALLEY.

CEDRIC

THE BOWLING ALLEY?

VINCENT

DID I STUTTER?

CEDRIC

I’M TERRIBLE AT BOWLING.

I HATE IT.

VINCENT

IT DOES NOT MATTER.

THE MORTALS WILL HAVE NO CONCERN FOR YOUR SCORECARD.

CEDRIC

CAN’T WE JUST GO TO A BAR OR SOMETHING?

VINCENT

NOT TONIGHT.


Cedric opens the drawer to find a plethora of tightly rolled shirts in plain, drab colors.

CEDRIC

MAYBE I SHOULD JUST GO IN WHAT I HAVE ON.



The trio collect at the basement door and step out into a cool night. They walk along in silence for quite some time, each dealing with their anxieties in their own way.

Every break in their formation suggests an escape route. The crisp air an invitation to flee. He’d leave this madhouse and look for a cure for this curse on his own.

VINCENT

BARS ARE NOT THE EASIEST PLACES TO HUNT.

A YOUNGLING CAN EASILY FALL TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE – THE FEELING OF DRUNKENNESS CAUGHT FROM THE UNSUSPECTING AMONG YOU.

THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS MINGLE WITH YOURS.

IT CLOUDS YOUR FOCUS.

NOT TO MENTION IT’S A PRIME PLACE TO CATCH OLD MEMORIES GATHERING ON THE WIND.

KEVIN

PLUS I CAN’T GET IN.

VINCENT

PLUS HE CAN’T GET IN.

CEDRIC

YOU DON’T HAVE A FAKE ID?

I CAN –


No. He couldn’t get him anything. He had nothing.

KEVIN

I CERTAINLY LOOK THE PART.

VINCENT

YOU’RE NEARLY READY.

WE HAVE AVENUES.


In the streetlight, the two of them seemed to glow and their skin seemed more alabaster than rose.

Would this befall him, too?

BETHANY

BETHANY.

AMANDA

AMANDA.

TRISHA

TRISHA.

TIFFANY

TIFFANY.


Four young women took the alley next to theirs. Cedric felt little but revulsion choked by the stench of shoes.

TRISHA

IS THAT YOUR DAD?

KEVIN

YEAH.

TRISHA

YOU’RE THE SPITTING IMAGE!

KEVIN

THANK YOU.

AMANDA

TRISH!

IT’S YOUR TURN!


Finally a moment of silence. Cedric turns to Kevin as they take seats next to one another.

He lowers his voice to take advantage of the privacy afforded by the din of the alley.

CEDRIC

WOMEN?

KEVIN

WHY DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

CEDRIC

I DON’T KNOW.

SOME CLAIM OF CHIVALRY.

KEVIN

I’M NOT SEXIST.

CEDRIC

NEITHER AM I…

JUST…

VINCENT

CEDRIC!

YOU’RE UP.


Cedric picks up the bowling ball and rolls it down the lane.

The girls clap for him and allow him to rejoin his conversation with Kevin.

CEDRIC

HE DIDN’T EVEN TELL ME HOW.

KEVIN

IT’S LIKE INSTINCT.

IT’LL COME TO YOU.

CEDRIC

WHAT IF IT DOESN’T?

KEVIN

FOLLOW YOUR FANGS.


Cedric runs his tongue along his teeth. They felt…still…ordinary.

KEVIN

MINE WERE LIKE A KITTEN’S.

UNFORGIVINGLY SHARP.


He turns from Cedric and leaves to talk to the women.

In his absence, Cedric looks at Vincent. He returns the gaze before coming to sit in the abandoned seat.

VINCENT

YOU KNOW, YOU’RE FAIRLY GOOD FOR HATING THE GAME.

CEDRIC

IT REMINDS ME OF THINGS I’D RATHER NOT THINK ABOUT.

VINCENT

YOU HAD BETTER GET USED TO IT.

GROWING UP MEANS YOU’LL HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO THINK.

THANKFULLY YOU ENJOY BOOKS, DON’T YOU?

CEDRIC

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

VINCENT

YOU WERE A PART OF OUR FAMILY.

CEDRIC

THE HEADMISTRESS?

VINCENT

SHE IS A BIT OF A GOSSIP.

CEDRIC

I’M NOT READY FOR THIS.

VINCENT

YOU’LL BE FINE.

JUST TALK ABOUT THAT NEW TOM CRUISE FLICK.

CEDRIC

YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

VINCENT

YOU’LL SOON FIND OUT THAT I DON’T JOKE ABOUT MUCH.

HOW DID YOU DO IT WHEN YOU WERE A BOY OF TALENT?

CEDRIC

I DIDN’T.

VINCENT

YOU CERTAINLY DID KEEP SECRETS.

EVEN NOW YOU PUSH ME OUT YET YOU LONG TO BE FREE.

CEDRIC

I’LL NEVER BE FREE.

VINCENT

IT’S AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT THAT WILL KEEP YOU AN ETERNAL PRISONER.

CEDRIC

THIS IS NOT FREEDOM.

VINCENT

NO, IT’S NOT.

BUT THEY DON’T ENJOY IT EITHER.

DID YOU ENJOY FREEDOM AS A YOUNG MAN?

CEDRIC

I THOUGHT I’D GET THERE SOMEDAY.

VINCENT

AND THAT KEPT YOU GOING THEN.

KEVIN

DAD, YOU’RE UP.



It seemed the quartet of women would stop at nothing to earn their favor. Cedric felt an encroaching dread fill him as the turns dragged on. The flashing lights flooded his vision. The crashing pins were a din he could hardly stand.

Time pulled him forward as an unwilling observer. He yearned to stop it all. He longed to flee back to that forested road. And maybe this time, it all would end.

Bethany reminded him of someone, a face he had left far behind. In this moment, her name was lost to him.

BETHANY

IS THAT YOUR DAD?


He scoffed.

CEDRIC

WHAT, DO WE LOOK ALIKE?

BETHANY

NO, NOT REALLY.

CEDRIC

MY MOTHER REMARRIED.

BETHANY

OH, I SEE.


She lifted her hand to twirl a lock of her hair loose about her crown. Cedric’s steely tone had frozen her into silence.

BETHANY

YOU SEEN ANY GOOD MOVIES LATELY?

CEDRIC

I’M MORE OF A BOOK GUY.

VINCENT

OH THAT’S NOT COMPLETELY TRUE.

YOUR MOTHER HAD US WATCH THAT ATROCIOUS FILM JUST A FEW DAYS AGO.


As if a plea, Cedric searches for the eyes of the boy Kevin. But he’s no where to be found. Nor are two of the women.

CEDRIC

WHERE’S KEVIN?

VINCENT

HIS SHOES WERE BOTHERING HIM AND HE WAS GOING TO TRADE THEM IN FOR ANOTHER PAIR.


Cedric looks over his shoulder toward the desk. But Kevin is nowhere to be seen.

VINCENT

IS IT TRUE THAT THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE VAMPIRE THAT ATTRACTS WOMEN?

BETHANY

I LIKE BUFFY.

VINCENT

THE FABLED KILLER OF THE VAMPIRE.


Cedric hated to be talked over. This man, little more than a legend originating from the Headmistress’ personal effects, strode about as if his sole joy came from laughter he never shared with anyone but himself.

CEDRIC

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT BOTHERED ME ABOUT THE MOVIE.

BESIDE THE FACT THAT THE WHOLE THING SEEMED RUSHED.


Bethany had rich brown eyes like polished mahogany. Her lips were plump, parted slightly, revealing white teeth set slightly askew. She was the picture of vigor.

CEDRIC

HER VAMPIRES SHOULD BLEED BLOOD.


But the meaning wasn’t clear.

CEDRIC

ER. NOT BLEED.

CRY.

THEY SHOULD CRY BLOOD.


Vincent smirked.

CEDRIC

YEAH, THAT’S A DETAIL SHE INCLUDES IN THE BOOKS.

BUT THEY DIDN’T PUT IT IN THE ADAPTATION.

BETHANY

WHAT’S A VAMPIRE GOT TO CRY ABOUT, ANYHOW?

VINCENT

WE CAN’T ALL BE SUPERHUMAN LIKE LESTAT.

OF COURSE THE ENDING IS REALLY TERRIBLE.

CEDRIC

THAT’S MORE OR LESS HOW RICE DID IT.

VINCENT

OF COURSE.

IT WAS A FAIRLY FAITHFUL ADAPTATION –

BUT THAT SONG.

BETHANY

WHAT SONG?

VINCENT

“WON’T YOU GUESS MY NAME”?!


She titters flirtatiously.

CEDRIC

LESTAT BECOMES A ROCK STAR IN THE CHRONICLES.

IT’S ALL A BIT SILLY, REALLY.

BETHANY

DO THAT AGAIN.

VINCENT

“PLEASED TO MEET YA, WON’T YOU GUESS MY NAME?”


Cedric draws his jaw upward into a grimace.

CEDRIC

I’M GOING TO GO FIND KEVIN.


CEDRIC

YOUR FATHER IS INTOLERABLE.

KEVIN

HE’S A LOT TO DEAL WITH AT TIMES.

CEDRIC

HE’S FLIRTING WITH A GIRL HALF HIS AGE.

WELL. HALF AS OLD AS HE LOOKS.

IS IT HIS USUAL TO PLAY WITH HIS FOOD?

KEVIN

HE’S PUTTING ON A SHOW.

HE DOES THAT.

CEDRIC

WHY?

KEVIN

YOU.


The scent of shoes – an amalgamation of horrid sweat – wafts through the air. The pair stand wordlessly as the crowd meanders underneath the high ceiling.

CEDRIC

I DON’T WANT THIS.

KEVIN

THE CHOICE WAS TAKEN FROM YOU, JUST AS IT WAS TAKEN FROM ME.

CEDRIC

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

KEVIN

I DON’T KNOW.

MY BEST GUESS IS THAT MY PARENTS WISHED ME INTO EXISTENCE, UNAWARE THAT I WOULD BEAR MY FATHER’S CURSE.

OR AT LEAST, I HOPE THEY WERE UNAWARE.

CEDRIC

THIS IS ALL PERVERSE.

KEVIN

IT IS.

CEDRIC

THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT GODDAMNED…TELEVISION!

KEVIN

THERE’S NO EASIER WAY TO GET A MAN TO TALK THAN TO ASK HIM TO SPEAK ABOUT HIMSELF.

CEDRIC

DID HE DO THIS TO YOU TOO?

SHOVE YOU INTO A THRONG OF PEOPLE ARMED ONLY WITH A POCKET KNIFE?

KEVIN

I DON’T FOLLOW.

CEDRIC

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

KEVIN

TRY TO PUT YOUR HATRED ASIDE.

THE MORE YOU LOVE THEM, THE HARDER IT IS.

TRY TO FEEL NOTHING.

CEDRIC

I CAN’T DO THAT.

KEVIN

THE THIRST WON’T KILL YOU.

IT NEVER DOES.

IT ONLY MAKES YOU SUFFER.

I’VE TRIED.

CEDRIC

THEN I’LL SUFFER.

KEVIN

YOU’LL GO INSANE.

CEDRIC

NO WORSE THAN THIS.

KEVIN

IT IS WORSE.

A LOT WORSE.

CEDRIC

IF A SCROLL MADE ME INTO THIS THEN I’LL FIND THE ANTIDOTE.

KEVIN

FOR THAT YOU’LL NEED YOUR LUCIDITY.

[pause]

WHO KNOWS, MAYBE YOU CAN CURE ME TOO.



That night, with a brick wall at her back, a young woman looks into the eyes of oblivion.

BETHANY

ARE YOU GOING TO KISS ME, OR WHAT?

CEDRIC

I’M SAYING MY GOODBYES.

I’LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN.

BETHANY

YOU DON’T KNOW THAT.

I’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER.

CEDRIC

IT’S A BURNER.

BETHANY

YOU PARTY?

WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SO?

CEDRIC

YOU WERE ALL OVER MY STEPDAD.

BETHANY

WAS NOT!

CEDRIC

DON’T LIE TO ME.


In the darkness, Cedric envelops the woman and sinks a pair of freshly sprung fangs into her neck. She gasps in surprise but is quickly silenced, her cries collapsing in her throat.

Bright crimson blood flows freely, warm and clean. Gravity draws a line across her collarbones but he laps it up.

BETHANY

WILL…I…DIE?


He stops and looks at her fluttering eyelids.

CEDRIC

NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.