Lesson 23

[Pat GALBRAITH Galbraith]

ASSIGNMENT

Subject line: Pat’s Act 4 Resolution

What I learned doing this assignment is better understanding.

Outline Key Scene 4.

Resolution

Hank gets home from the hospital. Carrot Top is there to welcome him home.

She can’t stay long because she has plans with her husband Sam. Elaine calls

Hank that she’s coming over to take care of him. When Elaine gets there they apologize

To each other and vow to be good to each other, because they do love each other.

2. Write Key Scene 4: Resolution – Wrap it up and show us the “new normal.”

INT. HANK’S HOUSE – DAY

Hank is home from hospital. Carrot Top is there.

Carrot Top

You going to be all right Hank?

Hank

Sure, I’m fine. You don’t need to hover like a drone. I’m fine.

The phone rings.

Hank

You’re coming over?

Elaine

Yes, I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Carrot Top

Guess that knocks me off my rock.

Elaine arrives soon and she and Hank fall into each other’s arms.

EXT. OUTDOOR EVENT – DAY

Hank and Elaine visit an outdoor event. Talking, smiling, and having the time of their life.

EXT. OUTDOOR RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Hank and Elaine find a seat in an outdoor restaurant area. After the waiter leaves

He takes her hands and they each vow to be a better understanding person and to live their

Best life.

[Tasha Espinoza]

Tasha’s Act 4 Resolution

Doing this assignment, I learned: It’s fun to resolve things.

1. Outline Key Scene 4.

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Beginning: At a restaurant, Bethany approaches a guy spazzing out during a date.

Middle: She tells him his mother evoked a demon to stop him from finding a partner and leaving her. She whispers the demon’s name to the guy and the demon visibly rises out of him and shrinks into another dimension. The guy thanks her as his date arrives.

End: She walks to her table where she takes a seat opposite her date. Koju asks where she learned how to deal with demons. And she says some guy helped her figure it out. Koju said, it wasn’t that guy, it was all her. She tells him she was once possessed and does it make him want to run. And he says no and that he also was possessed. She asks how that went and he said he and his demon got along. He doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. Bethany fein insult – well I guess we all handle our demons differently. Koju says now that she’s handled hers, is she ready to fall in love?

2. Write Key Scene 4: Resolution – Wrap it up and show us the “new normal.”

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

Bethany wakes up. She is tied to a self-standing rack that is set up in front of the altar.

Koju moans next to her. He is unconscious and tied another self-standing rack.

She only has a moment to cast a wild glance around the packed church and take in the bishop sitting in the front pew before the lights are lowered. A screen descends in front of the sculpture of Jesus on the Cross and a video begins to play on it.

The crowd gasps in shock as Bethany’s exorcism unfolds onscreen in an edited version.

The lights come back on and Deacon Anders, holding a mic, walks over to Bethany.

DEACON ANDERS

Now, dear audience, and the participants from the Vatican that are watching the live stream of tonight’s event have just witnessed an exorcism that I was a part of several years ago. I believe that the young girl in that video attracted her demon to her due to a low character and a low standing with God. Her father attested to that fact. And I have it on good authority that she is still plagued by evil. For this is Bethany Sawyer.

(He gestures to Bethany)

She is the young girl in the video.

Gasps come from the crowd.

DEACON ANDERS

For her safety and for yours, she has agreed to be restrained before you today.

Bethany tries to speak to say he’s lying, but she’s still paralyzed.

Seated in one of the pews, MICKEY, 68 y.o., aggressively short hairdo, with earrings and a cat on her sweatshirt, leans over to her friend TILLY, 67, curly hair, make-up, purple quilted vest and dark purple slacks.

MICKEY

If she’s so evil, why did she agree to restrain herself?

TILLY

It’s probably a trick to lull us into a sense of safety before whamo! She possesses us all.

Mickey narrows her eyes to see if what Tilly is saying rings true.

MICKEY

I do feel safe with her tied up.

DEACON ANDERS

Bethany is still plagued by the demon that Father Ptolemy neglected to remove that day. I was a young clergyman unexperienced in the realm of exorcism, so I couldn’t recognize the signs of one that was ineffectively performed. I couldn’t understand what happened at the time, but I knew I had to keep an eye on Bethany. I had to be vigilant should the evil return and use Bethany as a tool of corruption once again. And I’m sorry to say, ladies and gentleman, it did returned and it has used her, slowly, insidiously, since that botched exorcism so long ago. And the result? She has brought her demon this poor young man and it has possessed him.

As if on cue, Koju’s eyes fly open and he begins to writhe and thrash and gnash his teeth in an animalistic way.

The crowd collectively reacts in horror.

DEACON ANDERS

But have no fear! Truly. Since my days under Father Ptolemy, I have trained and studied. And I have been given a divine gift! I have been given the gift of letting God act through me to command the unholy demons that plague his innocent flock. I have been given the ability to hold dominion over any and all of the devil’s soldier that seek to steal the souls of the meek like this young man here. And so bear witness to God’s power as I free this man from the evil clutches of Satan and exorcise him of Bethany’s demon!

Deacon Anders places his hand on Koju’s head and recites an incantation he has remembered from his Spell Book.

DEACON ANDERS

[Insert Summoning Spell]

Koju’s boy contorts violently and unnaturally as a demonic scream emits from his mouth. Demon 23 in black cloud form rises up out of Koju through his mouth and hovers over Koju per the spells instruction.

Koju can barely lift his head, he is so weak.

KOJU

What happened?

Koju’s head flops back on the rack as he passes out.

DEACON ANDERS

And now, in a demonstration of true divine power and a complete command of the duality of possession and exorcism, I will return the demon to his original host in an attempt to banish it once and for all and free this wretched soul.

BETHANY

What?

Deacon Anders smiles at Bethany and then faces the crowd with a more solemn look.

DEACON ANDERS

Don’t fear. This will only go wrong if her soul has already been lost to the devil, but either way, the demon will be expelled back to Hell.

Bethany tries to struggle but to no avail.

DEACON ANDERS

[Insert Spell]

Bethany’s body goes rigid against the rack. Her mouth is forced open by the spell and the dark cloud of Demon 23 enters her.

Bethany’s eyes roll back in her head and she passes out against the rack.

INT. BETHANY’S SOUL – DAY

Bethany walks around a space that looks like the coffee shop only it’s really bright, clean and empty. She takes a seat at one of the tables.

BETHANY

Where am I?

Koju enters the space and sits at the table.

KOJU

Your soul.

BETHANY

Why does my soul look like the coffee shop?

KOJU

If I had to guess, it’s because it’s your happy place?

BETHANY

That checks out. Why are you here?

KOJU

He brought me.

Demon 23 enters the space.

Bethany jumps out of her seat.

BETHANY

What the fuck!

KOJU

Bethany!

BETHANY

(to Demon 23)

Get the fuck out!

KOJU

Bethany, you brought him here.

Bethany looks at Koju accusingly.

BETHANY

What?

KOJU

You invited him here.

DEMON 23

You brought us into your soul, which is something I always tried to get ahold of. But now I’m a guest because everything is on your terms. Something like me can only be here if you want me here. All that spiritual work you’ve been doing on yourself.

BETHANY

I don’t understand.

KOJU

Apparently when Deacon Anders tried to possess you by sending Demon 23 into you, your spiritual strength took away the power of the spell and placed us here, in this very controlled environment.

BETHANY

I’m sorry. Why are you here again?

DEMON 23

When I was sent into his body, we got to talking and he made me see some things about myself that I hadn’t understood or realized before. And he’s such a nice guy.

BETHANY

So?

KOJU

So, he understood that he needed to tell you a few things and he thought that maybe I could mediate.

Bethany’s face drops

BETHANY

Like couple’s therapy?

KOJU

Well, sort of.

BETHANY

We’re not a couple.

KOJU

You’ve been together for several months now. And you have history.

Bethany’s eyes widen in disbelief at what Koju is saying.

KOJU

What would it cost you to hear him out?

BETHANY

Um, he’s a demon. Manipulative, evil, wants my soul.

DEMON 23

I don’t want that anymore. Can I please sit?

BETHANY

No.

KOJU

Bethany.

BETHANY

No, Koju.

KOJU

(to Demon 23)

Sit.

Demon 23 sits down.

BETHANY

My terms, my ass.

DEMON 23

Look, Bethany. I will tell you my name right now and you can cast me out of here and away from you forever, but I need to tell you a few things first.

Bethany sits back in her chair and crosses her arms.

BETHANY

Whatever.

DEMON 23

First of all, I’m sorry. For everything. For possessing you when you were a kid. For messing up your dates with Brad and that Ben guy. For breaking your shelf. All of it.

Bethany rolls her eyes.

DEMON 23

And I’ve come to realize that I was acting out of jealousy. I didn’t want anyone but me to have you. And through talking to Koju, I realized that it wasn’t really about possessing your soul, but more about maybe possessing your heart.

BETHANY

What?

DEMON 23

I know, I know. It sounds crazy and at first I was just as shocked by it as you are. But it makes sense. The attachment, that was something I wanted. The guys I chased away. Getting physical with you in the bathroom. I’m ashamed and I would take it back if I could.

BETHANY

So what am I supposed to do? Forgive you?

DEMON 23

No. I’m not asking you to. But you should use me?

Bethany’s brow furrows in confusion.

DEMON 23

Deacon Anders lied. Father Ptolemy successfully exorcised me that day.

BETHANY

Then how did you come back?

DEMON 23

Deacon Anders summoned me and created the attachment using a curse. He wants me to destroy not just your dating life, but you. And he wants to destroy you as his final gambit for the papacy.

BETHANY

I thought he just wanted to be Bishop.

DEMON 23

No, he wants power. The top brass. He figured if he could master the dark arts and create a narrative that you needed corrective exorcising, then he could lure the bishop here and it would be a big thing when he…

BETHANY

When he…

DEMON 23

Possessed the Bishop with the demon that kills you, kinda like supernatural leverage to get the Vatican to play ball with him. I mean, if he can send demons into people, what will make him stop at the Pope.

BETHANY

I’m sorry, go back to the part about the demon that kills me.

DEMON 23

He plans to mark you for death and he’s going to finish you off with a spell and say that I killed you because your soul wasn’t pure or some shit. And then he’s going to make me hop out of you and jump into the bishop.

BETHANY

If he thinks he’s going to kill me, he has another thing coming.

DEMON 23

Bethany, he’s deadly with that Spellbook. And he has control over me when I’m not in here.

BETHANY

So we’re doomed.

DEMON 23

There might be a way to defeat him. But you’ll have to trust me.

BETHANY

Tell me your name and we have a deal.

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

Bethany lies against the stand. Her eyes closed, her body tensed. She isn’t doing much, and with Koju still unconscious, Deacon Anders becomes more theatrical to make up for his lackluster hostages.

DEACON ANDERS

She and the demon are now one! See how seamlessly she has accepted the grasp of evil? It is all too natural a fit, she’s almost comatose. But don’t be fooled! The demon duo are like a viper, ready to strike!

Suddenly Bethany opens her eyes.

The crowd startles as she stares at them wildly from eyes that now seemed rimmed with a red glow.

She tears both of her arms free from the rack, raises them in front of her and frames the crowd, like Bob taught her. She lets out a labored scream, the force of which rolls over the congregation like a sonic wave pushing people against their seats.

Bethany falls against the rack weakened from the exertion.

Deacon Anders grabs his bible and the book of dark arts and starts dousing her with holy water.

Bethany’s eyes shoot open again and she cranes her neck at an unnatural angle to look at him.

DEACON ANDERS

[Insert Summoning Spell].

Suddenly dark mass after dark mass fly into the chapel.

DEACON ANDERS

It is what I feared! She is a conduit for all manner of demon.

The crowd screams as the demons swish around them.

DEACON ANDERS

Quick drop to your knees and prayer.

Some people fall to their knees to pray. Others cower in the pews. There lots of screaming and mayhem.

The Bishop jumps over the front of his pew and runs to Deacon Anders.

He grabs his hands.

BISHOP

Please, please protect me!

DEACON ANDERS

Of course, I will.

BISHOP

Then what are you waiting for?

DEACON ANDERS

Nothing. It’s just you want me to save you from a demon.

BISHOP

That’s right.

DEACON ANDERS

What better way to do that than with an exorcism.

BISHOP

What? I’m not possessed.

DEACON ANDERS

So you see my problem.

Deacon Anders looks past the Bishop and sees the dark shadow of a spirit come up behind the Bishop. It jumps on him and forces him to the ground as it enters him.

DEACON ANDERS

That’s much better. Now if you don’t mind.

Deacon Anders grabs the Bishop by the leg and drags him to the center of the altar. He drops his leg and walks past him to get closer to the mayhem.

DEACON ANDERS

Our beloved Bishop has fallen prey to the evil that Bethany Sawyer has brought to our little church.

But I can still triumph! I will exorcise all of you poor souls!

BISHOP

But you can’t.

The Bishop walks up to Deacon Anders. He is demon free.

BISHOP

You don’t know how to expel Demons back Hell. You only know how to send them in and out of body’s, but the attachment remains.

DEACON ANDERS

How do you know that?

BISHOP

She showed me.

The Bishop gestures to Bethany on the altar. She is unbound and stands her ground.

BISHOP

That wave of energy that rolled over us was a projection spell. She was projecting a wall of protection around our souls. So none of these swirly cues are a danger to us. But just the same, she and her demon are going to send them all back to whence they came. And I’ll make sure you answer to the Pope after all this is over. Now Bethany!

Bethany closes her eyes and focuses. Then she opens her eyes and stares directly at Deacon Anders.

BETHANY

Demon 23! Rise!

The dark mass of Demon 23 rises from Bethany as she recites the Revealing spell from memory.

BETHANY

[Insert Revealing Spell]

Bethany raises her hands above her head and frames Demon 23.

BETHANY

Demon 23! Reveal that which is hidden!

Demon 23 manifests before the crowd into his demon form. The light from Bethany’s mental projection emanates through him. Suddenly, all of the dark shadows manifest into demons.

Deacon Anders looks around the room wildly and is both shocked and terrified to be able to see them, too.

Everyone in the chapel can see the demons now.

The spell wakes up Koju, so he can see them, too.

And everyone can see the numbers that float above the demons and in front of them.

BETHANY

(to the entire chapel)

Keep an eye on those numbers.

Bethany concentrates.

The numbers turn to names.

BETHANY

Say your demons’ names! Now!

There’s a flurry of chatter as the different members of the crowd say the name of the demon’s closest to them.

DEACON ANDERS

Stop!

He runs up to Bethany and grabs her by the neck.

Demon 23 is so distracted with sustaining Bethany’s projection of the Revealing Spell that he doesn’t see Deacon Anders wrestling Bethany over to where his Spellbook lies on the ground.

DEACON ANDERS

This evil must be stopped. She is doing the Devil’s bidding! Can’t you see? No mind! I planned for this.

With a firm grip on Bethany’s shoulder, he thrusts her forward revealing the back on her neck to the crowd.

He takes out a knife and quickly carves a pentagram into it. The blood drips down her neck from the carving.

KOJU

Stop!

Koju tries to get out of his bindings but he can’t do it fast enough.

Continuing to hold her tightly, Deacon Anders flips to the page with the Death Curse.

The crowd is distracted with the act of saying demon names and kicking ass that no one tries to stop him.

KOJU

Somebody stop him!

Deacon Anders takes his knife and raises it above Bethany’s body.

DEACON ANDERS

[Insert Death Curse]

Deacon Anders cuts himself off. He arches his body as if he’s been poked in the back really hard.

Deacon Anders slowly turns. Demon 23 stands before him.

DEACON ANDERS

Oh shit.

Deacon Anders tosses the knife.

Demon 23 violently dives onto Deacon Anders, forcing him to the ground. Then Demon 23 enters Deacon Anders through every orifice of his body.

Deacon Anders writhes around on the ground. A mixture of his screaming voice and the mocking voice of Demon 23 come out of him as Demon 23 ravages Deacon Anders.

Deacon Anders’s body knocks violently around, crashing into things, levitating and dropping suddenly.

His skin splits and lesions form all over him. Finally, Deacon Anders is forced to retrieve the knife from the ground. He struggles as he raises it up and holds it above him in the air.

DEACON ANDERS

I bind you to me Demon in the name of Christ! If I die, I take you with me.

DEMON 23

(talking through Deacon Anders)

Then so be it.

Deacon Anders brings the knife down.

BETHANY

Stop!

Bethany catches Deacon Anders knife-hand. She glows with a glorious energy.

The crowd stops, arrested by Bethany’s radiance.

Koju is in awe.

KOJU

Inner God power.

Bethany cups Deacon Anders’s chin gently in her hand and raises his face to hers. She looks deeply into his eyes.

BETHANY

Demon 23. You will not kill Priest Anders.

DEMON 23

(through Deacon Anders)

His soul is darker and more twisted than you know. He deserves to die.

BETHANY

No. I invited you into my soul, now I invite you into my heart. Feel the divinity of love through me.

Demon 23 lowers the knife.

BETHANY

And now through me you are protected and no longer bound to the Deacon Anders or to me. Please reveal yourself.

Demon 23 removes himself from Deacon Anders.

Bethany walks up to Demon 23 and smiles.

BETHANY

Thank you, Xavier.

Demon 23 disappears.

The congregation surrounds her in silent reverence.

She takes the knife and uses it to free Koju from his ropes.

She scoops up Deacon Anders’s Spell-book.

Koju hands her the bible and she places it on top of the Spell-book.

They leave the chapel.

INT. Room – Pope HQ – DAY

Deacon Anders sits in a small chair before a tribunal of seven Bishops. The Bishops are seated at a long table which towers over Deacon Anders.

The Pope sits to the side of the tribunal.

Cardinal Camerlengo, 78 y.o., jolly faced, black robes with red skull cap, addresses Deacon Anders.

CARDINAL CAMERLENGO

After having reviewed the evidence and testimony of Bishop [insert name] and after reviewing the livestream footage once again, we have a final ruling. In the name of Pope [insert name] you have been found guilty of practicing black magic and committing a grave sin against the Catholic Church. For the safety of the Catholic faith, Priest Deacon Anders is hereby defrocked. You are no longer a member of the Catholic Church and have no rights or privileges therein. We leave you in peace and may God have mercy on your soul.

The members of the tribunal get up and exit the room. The Pope is already gone. Deacon Anders looks around confused.

The room empties out completely leaving Deacon Anders by himself.

DEACON ANDERS

That’s it?

He gets up from his seat.

DEACON ANDERS

Hello?

His voice echoes in the empty room.

DEACON ANDERS

Hey! Someone has my passport.

He exits the room.

INT. CAFE – DAY

Bethany sheepishly walks up to the counter where Amy experiments with adding different syrups to an espresso like she’s making a potion.

BETHANY

Hi.

AMY

(without looking up from her experiment)

You owe me a book.

BETHANY

I know. I’m so sorry.

AMY

I guess I should have warned you not to let a demon rip it up. My bad.

BETHANY

How did you know?

AMY

Koju was here earlier. You know how rare some of those spells were? I mean the book actually tells you.

BETHANY

Right. I memorized the Revealing Spell because of what the book said.

Bethany places a very nice piece of paper with the spell typed on it. She even printed skulls and bats on it.

AMY

Skulls and bats?

BETHANY

I wanted to make it festive.

AMY

Alright. I’ll take it. But you still owe me a book.

BETHANY

I swear I won’t rest until I hunt it down.

Amy sighs her approval.

AMY

So Demon 23 is gone for good, huh?

BETHANY

Yeah.

AMY

So now you’re free and clear to date.

BETHANY

I don’t know. I don’t think my heart’s in it anymore.

AMY

You went through all that stuff and you’re heart’s not in it anymore. What about Koju?

BETHANY

What do you mean?

AMY

Get off it. You know what I mean. The boy got knocked out, tied up, possessed, all to help you.

BETHANY

I know, but–

AMY

But what? Don’t you find him cute?

BETHANY

I do–

AMY

Then what?

The door of the cafe opens and Brad walks in. Amy spots him.

AMY

Oh, that’s what.

Bethany turns around.

BRAD

Hi Bethany.

BETHANY

Brad?

BRAD

Can we talk?

EXT. PARK – DAY

Brad and Bethany walk in silence along a tree-lined path. The park is active but not too full and the occasional jogger passes by them.

BETHANY

So, how have you been?

Brad stops walking. Bethany follows suit.

BRAD

I know this might sound weird, but…maybe not, uh, did you telepathically send me a message of peace, love and happiness?

Bethany’s breath catches in her throat from a modicum of embarrassment.

BETHANY

Yes. I did do that. Sorry?

BRAD

No, you don’t have to…I didn’t mean to like accuse you. What I should say, what I want to say is thank you.

BETHANY

Huh?

BRAD

That was very nice. To know you felt that for me. Still. After I acted like such a coward.

BETHANY

You didn’t act like a coward.

BRAD

No, I did. I’ve thought about it so much since our date and since receiving that video. I was scared, but what about you? You must have been so lonely for so long.

This surprises Bethany and she has to fight back tears.

BETHANY

It’s fine.

BRAD

No it isn’t. If I had just thought about that. I would have fought my fears to be there for you.

Bethany can no longer prevent the well from overflowing and a tear from each eye slides down her cheeks.

Brad reaches out and gently wipes one tear away with his thumb. He watches her eyes and switches his thumb to the other cheek to wipe the second tear.

BETHANY

You’re here now keeping me company.

BRAD

And I’m going to be there to keep you company in the future…

Bethany smiles.

BRAD

…as a friend.

BETHANY

[still smiling]

Oh.

BRAD

I met somebody.

BETHANY

Oh, Brad, that’s great. Really great.

BRAD

I’m sorry if that disappoints you.

BETHANY

No.

(laughing)

I mean yeah it does a little bit. But no, I’m really happy for you. And thanks for asking me on a walk. It means a lot to me.

Brad shakes his head sadly.

BRAD

You are extraordinary.

BETHANY

Well, thanks.

BRAD

Please promise me you won’t stop looking for love.

BETHANY

I don’t know, it’s so much more complicated now.

BRAD

Any complication or any demon is worth it, if it means somebody can be with you. I just wish I had seen it sooner.

Brad hugs Bethany. They smile at each other and resume their walk.

BETHANY

So how did you meet your girlfriend?

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Bethany enters the chichi restaurant in very fetching date attire. There is a new confidence about her. She still wears a side pony, glasses and a sweater, but she has more style and swagger now.

ROBBY, 24 y.o., timid, skinny with big hair, squirms spastically in his chair at a table. He seems very on edge with twitchy energy. He is alone.

Bethany spots him and walks over, taking the empty seat.

Robby is surprised to see her and looks around.

BETHANY

I take it you don’t date much.

ROBBY

What makes you say that?

BETHANY

You seem very uncomfortable and kinda spastic.

ROBBY

No, I don’t date a lot, but I’m also not normally so, so what? This is not me. I just can’t seem to calm down.

BETHANY

I think I can help.

BETHANY

[Insert Demon Tinder Spell]

Demon 45 reveals itself. [Insert Description of Demon 45]. He has a firm grip around Rob’s shoulders.

BETHANY

(to Robby)

I see the problem.

(to Demon 45)

Why are you here?

Robby is confused.

ROBBY

Are you talking to me?

BETHANY

(responding to Demon 45)

Oh, really? That’s a touchy subject.

Robby waves his hand at Bethany.

ROBBY

Excuse me.

BETHANY

(responding to Demon 45)

No, I’m not going to tell him. I think it should come from you. He might not believe it otherwise.

ROBBY

Hey!

Bethany looks at Robby.

BETHANY

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget you.

She stares deeply into his eyes, focusing her energy on his. She raises her hands so they frame either side of his head. Then she widens them to include Demon 45 in the frame.

Robby looks next to him and jumps. He can now see Demon 45.

BETHANY

(to Demon 45)

Wanna tell him what you told me?

DEMON 45

Hi there Robby.

Robby shrinks in terror and looks for an escape.

BETHANY

Stay put, Robby. You’re gonna want to hear this.

DEMON 45

Your mom summoned me and attached me to you using a curse because she doesn’t want you to meet anyone and leave her. I’m here to create all of your weird energy to turn people off.

ROBBY

What?

BETHANY

[Insert Reveal Spell]

Demon 45’s name is revealed to be [Insert demon name].

BETHANY

See that name hanging over his head?

Robby looks up.

ROBBY

Yes?

BETHANY

Say it and he’ll go back home and stop bothering you.

DEMON 45

That would be nice.

ROBBY

Really?

BETHANY

Won’t know until you try.

ROBBY

Okay. [Insert Demon’s name]

DEMON 45

It was nice doing business with ya.

Demon 45 shrinks until he disappears.

Bethany gets up from the table.

BETHANY

Enjoy your date.

Robby watches after her speechless.

WILL, 24 y.o., matching Robby in build and stature, sits down in the seat Bethany vacated.

WILL

Hi Robby, sorry I’m late.

Robby whips his head back to see Will.

WILL

When I saw you with that girl, I was worried our date was off.

ROBBY

No way. She was just helping me with something. I’m really glad we could meet up.

Will smiles.

IN ANOTHER PART OF THE RESTAURANT

Bethany walks up to another table.

BETHANY

Sorry, I’m late. I had to take care of some business.

KOJU

No need to apologize.

Koju, dressed up in his finest dating outfit, gets out of his seat and gives Bethany a peck on her cheek. He pulls out her chair for her.

Bethany, happily surprised by the gesture, smiles and sits down.

BETHANY

Thank you.

Koju takes his seat.

KOJU

I saw you help that guy. He was pretty jittery.

BETHANY

He had a little something on him, so I expelled it.

Bethany pantomimes flicking something off her shoulder.

KOJU

Impressive. Where did you learn to do that?

BETHANY

Some guy helped me figure out how to do it.

KOJU

I’m sure the guy had nothing to do with it. It was all you. You strike me as a very powerful individual.

BETHANY

Well, I have to be. I was once possessed. Oops!

Bethany slaps a hand over her mouth.

BETHANY

I never usually tell people that. It makes them want to run away from me. Do you want to run?

KOJU

Not at all. Actually, it’s kind of crazy that you were once possessed because I was also possessed.

BETHANY

Fascinating. How did that go?

KOJU

Great. My demon and I got along. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.

Bethany laughs and then feigns insult.

BETHANY

Well, I guess we all handle our demons differently.

KOJU

So tell me, now that you’ve handled your demon, are you ready to fall in love?

Bethany watches Koju with a playful smile on her face as she considers his question. She leans forward and they kiss.

FADE TO BLACK.