THE RUNE-BEARER
ACT SIX
By DragonWriter17
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer/Spoilers/Pairings: Not applicable. This is an all-original piece.
My Website: http://www.dragonwriter17.net/
Feedback: Yes, but only if it’s of the non-flamey variety: DragonWriter17@aol.com
Distribution: Only here. (If you are interested in posting this on your site, please contact me first for permission.)
Author’s Notes: This story is in screenplay format, not in fiction format. NOTE: This screenplay is protected by registration with the Writers Guild of America, East: R14442-00.
Number of Chapters: 7
Complete: Yes
Summary: The Rune-Bearer is a two-hour Movie-of-the-Week that can also serve as the pilot for a one-hour weekly fantasy/drama series. It features a female private detective who is suddenly bestowed with supernatural powers after a chance encounter with the dying victim of a serial killer. She uses her skills and her new powers to fight evil and to solve mysteries in Memphis, Tennessee. It's like Witchblade, only lighter and funnier.
ACT ONE
ACT TWO
ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
ACT SIX
INT. THE MOTEL 6 - LIZ AND CASEY'S ROOM - DAY
Casey scrambles backwards as Frederic stalks into the room. She doesn't get far before Frederic catches up to her.
FREDERIC
You have something I want.
Mitzi comes back in the room directly through the wall just as Frederic grabs Casey by her neck and lifts her to her feet. He is strangling her and enjoying it. Casey claws at his hand and arm to no effect.
MITZI
Casey! Don't let him do that to
you!
Use the Rune! Knock the crap out of him!
At first Casey's face shows panic, but that slowly changes to anger. She breaks Frederic's hold and then lets loose a TK-powered punch that sends Frederic flying across the room into the table by the air conditioning unit.
Pete crawls out from under the door and gets to his feet. He pulls his gun, but he doesn't know where Frederic is.
CASEY
Pete! Behind you!
Pete turns and sees Frederic getting to his feet in the corner. Pete raises his weapon.
Before Pete can fire, Frederic is on him, kicking the gun out of his hand.
The gun flies directly towards Mitzi. She tries to catch it, but it just goes right through her.
MITZI
Damn!
Pete turns back to Frederic in time for his face to meet Frederic's fist. Pete is stunned, but still standing. Frederic grabs Pete and rotates him so that his back is to the broken doorway.
FREDERIC
Time to fly!
Frederic rears back and punches Pete in the gut with such force that Pete is thrust out the door, through the metal railing, and down three flights to the parking lot below.
CASEY
Nooooo!!!
Frederic turns back to Casey. He begins raining blows on her. The first few make contact, one of them splitting open her forehead.
But then Casey gets over her shock, and she begins dodging and blocking them with more and more ease. Then she starts putting in a few of her own, some blocked by Frederic, others not.
MITZI
Come on, Casey! You can do it!
Blast
the son of a --
Casey finally connects with a good one, her blow backing Frederic away from her. Then she blasts him from a distance, sending him right out of the motel room window and to the parking lot below.
MITZI
Yeah!
EXT. THE MOTEL 6 - BACK PARKING LOT - DAY
Casey runs down the stairs to the parking lot. When she arrives, Frederic is getting up. She takes an attack stance in front of him. Mitzi arrives right behind her.
Once standing, Frederic shakes the glass and debris off his body. He touches the side of his head and looks at the blood on his hand.
FREDERIC
You think you have hurt me? This
is nothing.
Frederic maintains eye contact with Casey, but is clearly concentrating on healing himself. A golden energy enfolds him, and his wounds miraculously disappear.
Casey watches in frozen amazement.
Once Frederic has healed himself, he starts moving slowly towards Casey.
FREDERIC
You cannot hope to defeat me.
Frederic comes at Casey hard. They go into a flurry of punches, kicks, and blocks.
That is when Liz drives up in the car. When she sees Casey fighting Frederic, Liz stops the car, jumps out, pulls her gun, and runs toward them.
Frederic gets a really good lick in, and Casey falls back on the pavement. Frederic is immediately on top of her.
MITZI
Casey! No!
Frederic rips Casey's shirt open to expose the Rune, pulls out the dagger, and brings it down hard, trying to stab it directly into Casey's Rune.
Casey catches Frederic's wrist in a repeat of her exercise with Jack. She grimaces as she struggles to hold his arm back.
Liz reaches them, points her weapon at Frederic.
LIZ
Freeze! Police! Drop the knife,
now!
Frederic ignores Liz. Casey's arms begin to shake. Casey looks scared. Frederic smiles. Then Casey's eyes narrow.
CASEY
(with increasing fury)
Get...the hell...off me!
Casey blasts Frederic, sending him up in the air and back down onto the hood of a small car parked near the dumpster. He lands hard, drops the dagger, and doesn't move.
Liz starts to move toward Frederic, but Casey stops her.
CASEY
No! Stay back! Help Pete.
Liz hesitates, then moves to Pete, pulling out her cell phone, but still holding her gun. She dials 911.
LIZ
This is Detective Liz McMahon. I
have an
officer down at the Motel 6 on Spring Ridge...
Casey gets up, moves to the car, and picks up the dagger to stab Frederic in the chest.
Frederic begins to stir on the car's hood. He sees Casey in time and rolls to his right, taking a slice down his side and back. He rolls off the other side of the car. He stands, holding his bleeding side.
Casey moves around the car and goes on the offensive, slicing at Frederic with the dagger. He dodges each slice, then gets in a kick that sends Casey flying back.
Before Casey can get back on her feet, Frederic runs behind the dumpster and pushes it toward her with great force. It hits her hard, knocking her to the pavement.
Frederic grabs his injured side, grimacing in pain. Then he takes off.
Casey stirs slowly. She sits up, groggy and sore. Mitzi is at her side.
CASEY
Where...where is he?
MITZI
He's gone.
Casey tries to rise, but can't seem to get up.
MITZI
Hey, you stay put. You're in no
shape
to face him right now.
CASEY
I have to...
MITZI
(forcefully)
No!
An approaching siren can be heard. Casey sways on her feet. She looks at Mitzi.
MITZI
(gently pleading)
No.
CASEY
(slumping in defeat)
Okay.
Casey turns toward Liz and Pete. She stumbles to join Liz at Pete's side.
Pete is conscious, but crumpled and bleeding, clearly hurt very badly. Casey takes Pete's hand.
CASEY
Pete!
Pete struggles to speak but can't. The ambulance pulls up. Liz gets up.
LIZ
(to ambulance)
Over here!
The paramedics get out, open the back of the ambulance, and get out the gurney and equipment.
CASEY
They're here. You're gonna be
fine.
PETE
Gurk...Casey...
Pete falls unconscious. The paramedics arrive and take over. Casey gets up and out of the way, watching fearfully as the paramedics work on Pete. In the background, backup police arrive, and Liz starts giving orders to the officers.
INT. THE HOSPITAL - THE E.R. - DAY
Casey is sitting on the edge of the bed. She is dressed in a hospital gown and has a bandage on her forehead.
The DOCTOR is standing beside her, holding her chart. Mitzi is standing right beside him. The Doctor shakes the chart at her, chiding. Mitzi mimics his actions, shaking her finger at Casey.
DOCTOR
You're lucky you didn't break
anything.
Next time, let the police handle the
suspect apprehension. Let
them be the
punching bag. Okay?
CASEY
(doing a thumbs-up)
Check. No punching bag.
DOCTOR
The nurse will bring in your
prescriptions,
then you'll be free to go.
CASEY
Thanks, doc.
When the Doctor leaves, Casey sticks her tongue out at Mitzi. Then she gets off the bed and begins putting her own clothes back on.
INT. THE HOSPITAL - THE O.R. WAITING ROOM - DAY
Casey walks stiffly to where Liz is anxiously waiting. Mitzi follows.
CASEY
Hey.
LIZ
Hey. What'd the doctor say?
CASEY
That I should stop moonlighting
as
Mike Tyson's punching bag.
Liz frowns at Casey with concern, but Casey waves her off.
CASEY
No, really, I'm okay. No
concussion, no
broken bones, just lots and lots of bruises.
Any word on
Pete?
LIZ
(exasperated)
No.
CASEY
That's a good sign, though,
right? Means
he's still hanging in there?
LIZ
Yeah, I guess so.
MITZI
You want me to go take a look,
see what
they're up to?
CASEY
Yeah, thanks.
Mitzi materializes through the doorway to the O.R. Liz looks at Casey curiously.
CASEY
Mitzi's gonna go sneak a peak for
us.
LIZ
Oh. Good.
CASEY
Listen, Detective McMahon --
LIZ
Liz.
CASEY
Liz. Pete's gonna be okay. He's
strong.
LIZ
I know, I know. But I can't help
thinking that...any
minute the doctor's gonna come out of there wearing
that
I'm-sorry-he-didn't-make-it face.
CASEY
That's not gonna happen.
Liz nods, trying to reassure herself that what Casey said is true. They sit silently for a moment, both fidgeting, looking at the clock on the wall, watching the door.
Casey finally gets up and starts pacing. As she walks, she stretches, trying to get the stiffness out of her body. Liz watches Casey.
LIZ
He really likes you, you know.
CASEY
What?
LIZ
Pete. He really likes you.
Casey begins to make various sounds and motions of denial, but then she softens and sits back down.
CASEY
I...I like him too.
LIZ
I'm glad.
CASEY
Thanks. I --
Mitzi reappears.
MITZI
The doctor's coming out.
Casey immediately stands up and looks at the door. Liz follows suit.
The SURGEON comes out of the operating room. He pulls his cap off his head and wipes his brow.
Casey and Liz walk towards him.
LIZ
How is he?
SURGEON
There was a lot of internal
damage in his
lower back. He's got a concussion and
some broken bones.
But, given time, he
should heal up just fine.
CASEY
Thank god.
LIZ
When can we see him?
SURGEON
He'll be in recovery for several
hours at
least, then we'll move him to ICU. You
can see him then.
LIZ
Okay. Thank you, Doctor. Thank
you so much.
The Surgeon smiles and then leaves. Liz and Casey hug each other in relief. Mitzi grins happily and claps her hands.
INT. THE HOSPITAL - THE SNACK BAR - DAY
Casey and Liz are sitting at an isolated table. Mitzi is standing nearby. Two drink cups are on the table as well as some file folders and an evidence bag containing the dagger.
LIZ
I still think he's gonna bolt.
He's
been identified, he's injured a police
officer, and he's lost his
weapon. The
smart thing to do would be to disappear.
MITZI
No! No way. Tell her, Casey.
CASEY
No, Mitzi's right. He's not
going anywhere.
He might take a day to lick his wounds, but
he'll be back.
LIZ
How can you be so sure?
Casey picks up the evidence bag containing the dagger and gazes at it thoughtfully.
CASEY
Because I have something he
wants. And he
won't stop till he gets it.
Casey looks intently at Mitzi, then at Liz.
CASEY
I say we find him first.
Liz looks skeptical while Mitzi nods in happy agreement.
EXT. THE HOSPITAL - THE PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT
Casey, Liz, and Mitzi exit the elevator and walk slowly into the parking area.
LIZ
So, you think this vision thing
of
yours is gonna work?
CASEY
I don't know. I haven't tried
using
it intentionally before.
MITZI
It'll work, Casey. I know you
can do it.
CASEY
Mitzi says it'll work. And she
oughta know.
MITZI
(pleased)
Yeah. I oughta know.
EXT. THE BACK OF EMPORIUM ALLEY - NIGHT
Casey, Liz, and Mitzi arrive at the stairwell. Casey and Liz stop a few feet away while Mitzi goes and kneels at the exact spot where she died.
LIZ
Why here?
CASEY
Mitzi says this is where our
power
transfer took place. The vision might
come easier here.
LIZ
(whispering)
Where is she?
Casey turns to where Mitzi is kneeling.
CASEY
(turning to Mitzi)
Where do you think?
Casey leaves Liz and joins Mitzi over by the stairwell. She kneels beside Mitzi.
CASEY
Mitzi? You okay?
Mitzi touches the pavement where she died.
MITZI
Yeah.
Casey starts to touch Mitzi's shoulder but realizes she can't, so she pulls back, frowning.
Mitzi pulls back her hand and then meets Casey's eyes.
MITZI
Yeah. I'm okay.
Casey and Mitzi both stand.
CASEY
What do I do?
EXT. THE BACK OF EMPORIUM ALLEY - NIGHT
Casey is seated, cross-legged, at the spot where Mitzi died. Mitzi sits on one side of her. Liz sits on the other. Casey holds the dagger, minus the evidence bag, in her hands.
MITZI
Just focus on the dagger, and
think
of Johan.
Casey nods, then closes her eyes. She breathes deeply and concentrates. Interminable seconds pass.
CASEY
Mitzi, it's not working.
MITZI
Just give it some time.
Sometimes
it doesn't come right away.
CASEY
(opening her eyes)
I'm telling you, I'm getting noth
--
Casey's words are cut off as the awaited vision hits her.
SERIES OF SHOTS (CASEY'S VISION)
Interspersed between images of the vision-hit Casey are flashes of Frederic Johan:
-- Frederic stabbing Mitzi
--
Frederic healing himself on the roof
-- Frederic screaming at the morgue
--
Frederic busting down the door at the Motel 6
-- Frederic looking at his new
wounds in his hotel suite
-- Frederic attempting to heal himself but failing
-- Frederic raking all items off the bath counter
-- Duck-shaped soap
tumbling in slow motion till it comes
to rest in the corner of the tiled
bathroom floor
EXT. THE BACK OF EMPORIUM ALLEY - NIGHT
Casey comes out of the vision with a huge gasp, as if she's been holding her breath.
MITZI
Didya git it? Didya git it?
LIZ
What did you see?
CASEY
The Peabody. He's at the
Peabody.
LIZ
I'm gonna call this in, get a
team ready.
Then we'll go back to the station. I
want you safe till we
have this guy in
custody.
CASEY
Okay.
While Casey continues to recover from the vision, Liz walks a ways up the alley and pulls out her cell phone. With her back to Casey, she dials a number and waits for an answer.
LIZ
Cap? I got a tip on Pete's
attacker.
He's at the Peabody. I need a team to go
with me for the
take-down.
(listens)
Okay. I'll be there in about
five minutes.
Liz punches the end-call button and puts her cell phone away. Then she turns back to face Casey.
Casey is gone.
Liz hurries to where Casey had been sitting and looks around for her.
LIZ
Damn it!
Liz pulls her cell phone out and dials as she hurries back up the alley to her car.