The Call of The VoidEp 1 - The Tourist Trap on Bourbon Street

byMichael Herman &Josie Lapczynski

mherman.writer@gmail.com(269) 944-7473

EPISODE ONE - THE TOURIST TRAP ON BOURBON STREET

SCENE ONEEXT. SWAMP - NIGHT

WIND. Then, crunching FOOTSTEPS.

VICTORIt is... (check watch) roughly four thirty-seven and.... I am approximately two miles west of Crofton. 38.86 degrees North, -83.81 degrees West.

Tape CUTS

VICTORTemperature is 63 degrees. It’s quiet. Very... (Beat) Looking into the area, this seems... to be normal for this time of year...

Tape CUTS

VICTOR is suddenly breathing very quickly as he runs

Tape CUTS

Victor catches his breath

TAPE CUTS

VICTORI think it saw...

TAPE CUTS

We hear the VOID coming.

VICTOR(Very scared) My name is Victor Sommers... I am a professor at NOLA University in New Orleans. My address is... 411 Coliseum. I’m...

Tape CUTS.

We hear a CACOPHONY OF SOUND. A SCREAM.

THE SOUND OF AN EMPTY TAPE

SILENCE.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Phone RINGS.

VICTORYou’ve reached Victor Sommers, please leave your name and message after the beep.

SIMONE(On phone) Hey dad, it’s Simone. I’ve sent you a few texts but you obviously don’t look at your phone. My thesis is that you should learn how to text. Anyway, Mae is over. Let me know when you’re close.

Phone RINGS.

SIMONE(On phone) Hey dad, it’s me again. Mae and I are just going to grab an Uber, so I won’t need the car for the rest of the night. (Beat) We’ll be back in a few hours. Text me when you get in.

Phone RINGS

SIMONE(On phone) Dad. Hey. Um. I’m getting a little worried. Call me back when you can.

PAUSE

SCENE TWOINT. PHARMACY MUSEUM - DAY

TOPHERDoctors in the 19th century had little to no understanding of a little thing called bacteria. So when they injected their patients with medicine, they didn’t clean the syringe after the previous injection. Or probably ever. Not to mention, the syringes were typically made of....anyone got a guess?

GUESTLead?

2.

TOPHERLEAD! That is right. These syringes were made with quality....all toxic, lead. But those were the simple operations. If you were hoping to have your arm or leg removed...you would be looking at something like this.

GASPS from the crowd.

TOPHERTypically, the bone was broken, by whatever means possible. Then a serrated saw like this would be used to cut into the flesh. Once the flesh was broken, these larger pinchers, would be used to pull the flesh back to expose the area. Fun times for everyone involved. Then the bone was detached and removed.

GROANS from the crowd.

TOPHERWhich is why I have no sympathy for people that entertain time traveling fantasies. It’s a miracle that any of us are a live today. So, thank you folks. That fortunately for many of you, ends our tour for today. But you can stick around and ask any questions you want. I know too much about all of this stuff. My name is Topher Sommers, thank you.

The crowd APPLAUDS.

We hear a CELLPHONE ring.

TOPHER(On phone) Simone. Hey. What’s up?

SIMONE(On phone) Hey, are you at work?

TOPHER(On phone) Yeah.

SIMONE(On phone) Have you seen dad?

TOPHER(On phone) Not at work.

SIMONE(On phone) He was supposed to be home last night. He wasn’t going anywhere was he? Like on a trip.

3.

TOPHER(On phone) I don’t think so.

SIMONE(On phone) Mae and I were going to borrow the car, but he never came home.

TOPHER(Oh phone) That’s weird.

SIMONE(On phone) Yeah. I know.

TOPHER(On phone) You called him, right?

SIMONE(On phone) (Obviously) Yes.

TOPHER(On phone) Did he leave a note or anything?

SIMONE(On phone) Not that I saw, I’ve been looking through the house.

TOPHER(On phone) You looked on the counter and everything.

SIMONE(On phone) It’s been 38 hours, Topher. He hasn’t responded to my texts in 38 hours.

TOPHER(On phone) Okay....Uh. Okay, I’m on my way.

PAUSE

SCENE THREEINT. VICTOR’S HOUSE - LATER

RUSTLING of paper.

SIMONEI’m been going through his things.

4.

TOPHERIt looks like it.

SIMONEHe’s not even halfway through grading these midterms. Marcie Evans. That’s an E. They’re in alphabetical order. (Beat) If he was going on a trip, he would have taken these with him.

Simone begins to lose her breath and PANTS for air.

TOPHERLet’s just... Let’s just breathe. Do you need your inhaler?

SIMONEI think there’s one over here.

INHALER SOUND

TOPHERWhen was the last time you saw him? Talk me through this.

SIMONEWednesday. We had dinner together.

TOPHERTwo days ago.

SIMONEOne and a half, but yeah.

TOPHERAnd he seemed normal?

SIMONEHe seemed fine. He cooked. I did the dishes. He watched two episodes of Fraser on Netflix.

TOPHEROkay.

SIMONEJacob called so I didn’t really talk to him for the rest of the night.

5.

TOPHERHe wasn’t, like unusually quiet or anything?

SIMONEI mean...it’s dad.

TOPHERRight.

SIMONEWhen I woke up for school he was already gone. He has the early classes on Tuesday/Thursdays.

TOPHERAnd the house looked fine? There wasn’t like...a break-in or anything?

SIMONENo, there wasn’t... It looked like it does right now.

TOPHEROkay.

SIMONE(Beat) I already called him.

TOPHERI’m trying again.

Phone DIALS. Phone RINGS.

VICTORYou’ve reached Victor Sommers, please leave your name and message after the beep.

AUTOMATIC VOICEWe’re sorry, this mailbox is full and cannot accept messages at this time. Goodbye.

SIMONEI filled up the voice mail.

TOPHERAt least he knows we’re worried.

SIMONEAt least he knows...

6.

TOPHERWe should go to the police.

SIMONEWe should.

PAUSE

SCENE FOURINT. POLICE STATION - LATER

RINGING of phones, people TALKING

OFFICER MASONThank you for your patience. It’s been a day.

TOPHERI’m sure.

OFFICER MASONSo. Missing person’s report.

TOPHERThat’s what we’re here for.

OFFICER MASONYou said your father has been missing for 38 hours.

SIMONE40. We brought a picture. He has new glasses, but that’s what his beard looks like.

OFFICER MASONThat’s very helpful. The first thing to remember is not to panic. He might have just lost his phone. You’ll need to reach out to friends and family to see if anyone knows about his location.

TOPHERWe can do that.

OFFICER MASONOfficially, I have to begin this conversation by saying that it’s not illegal for an adult to voluntarily go missing. Meaning...if your dad wanted to go missing, he has the right to do so.

7.

TOPHEROkay.

OFFICER MASONGreat. What was the last thing you remember him wearing?

SIMONEA sweater vest. He wears them a lot. I think it was maroon, but it might have been brown. He usually wears a tie, but sometimes he takes it off.

OFFICER MASONDo you know what color the tie was?

SIMONEBlue?

OFFICER MASONAny distinct physical traits you want us to know about?

SIMONEUm, he has a space in one of his eyebrows. Like a really small gap.

OFFICER MASON(Beat) Great.

TOPHERHe’s also thin for his age.

OFFICER MASONAnd where is Mrs. Sommers? (Beat) I’m sorry is that conversation difficult?

TOPHERShe died when we were kids.

OFFICER MASONI see. Lived in New Orleans his whole life? Or does he have relatives elsewhere?

SIMONEWe’re originally from Ohio, but we’ve been here for the last ten years. He doesn’t have any other family out that way anymore.

OFFICER MASONI see. Well, you guys are doing all the right things. (Beat) We’ve got a couple more questions for you, so I’m going to turn you over to Agnes up front.

8.

TOPHERSure.

OFFICER MASONWe’ll be in touch.

PAUSE

SCENE FIVEINT. CAR - LATER

RUSH of cars

SIMONEThey said they’d be in touch?

TOPHERI’m sure they are working as fast as they can.

SIMONE(Beat) It’s been 41 hours. The odds of finding someone after the first 48 hours are basically zero.

TOPHERI don’t know about that...

SIMONEIt’s true, Topher.

TOPHERIs there any reasons why dad would be going out of town?

SIMONEWell, there’s essentially 18 different reasons a person goes missing.

TOPHERUh-huh.

9.

SIMONEA lot of them don’t really apply to dad, so I’ve narrowed it down to 4: seizure by government officials, being kidnapped, leaving home to live somewhere else under a new identity, or being murdered.

TOPHEROkay. We can start by contacting his friends. (Beat) The last place he would have been was the school, right?

SIMONEI think so.

TOPHERWe don’t know anything bad has happened yet.

SIMONEWe kind of do. (Beat) Something is wrong about this, Topher. I just think something is really wrong about this.

TOPHERI’ll check with the school. And maybe you should stay off Wikipedia.

PAUSE

SCENE SIXINT. NOLA UNIVERSITY - LATER

Sounds of a STUDENTS talking in the background.

Someone TYPING.

KNOCK on the door.

TOPHERProfessor Navarro?

PROFESSOR NAVARROTopher.

TOPHERHi. Sorry. Thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice.

10.

PROFESSOR NAVARRONot at all. I’m just trying to... We get a new administration system every couple years. It’s maddening. Sorry.

CHAIR spins.

PROFESSOR NAVARROWhat can I do for you?

TOPHERDid my dad come into work yesterday?

PROFESSOR NAVARROAs far as I know.

TOPHERAre you absolutely sure?

PROFESSOR NAVARROYou could check with administration, they should have a record of his hours. How come?

TOPHERWe haven’t seen him in a couple days. My sister and I.

PROFESSOR NAVARROOh. I don’t think he had anything planned.

TOPHERWe don’t either.

PROFESSOR NAVARROThat’s odd. (Beat) We could go to his office, adjuncts share a common space.

TOPHERThat would be great.

CHAIR spins back

FOOTSTEPS

STUDENTS in the halls

TOPHERAre you two still doing lunches on Tuesdays?

11.

PROFESSOR NAVARRONot this semester. He’s been doing more research.

TOPHERWhat kind?

PROFESSOR NAVARROI don’t really know. I assume something to do with physics, haha. That was a joke. He’s a physics professor.

TOPHERHe is.

PROFESSOR NAVARRO(Beat) Maybe he just misplaced his phone.

TOPHERHe color coordinates his lecture notes.

PROFESSOR NAVARROSometimes people forget things.

TOPHERNot Victor Sommers.

Another DOOR OPENS and CLOSES.

PROFESSOR NAVARROHe’s the space on the left there.

TOPHERDoes it always look this clean?

PROFESSOR NAVARROI think so. I don’t come back here very often. The Wifi’s better on the other side of the building.

FLIPPING through papers.

TOPHERCan I look through this?

PROFESSOR NAVARROI don’t see why not.

12.

TOPHERHe had a eye doctor appointment on Monday morning.

PROFESSOR NAVARROIt looks like it.

FLIPPING through a calendar.

TOPHERWhen was the last time you remember talking with him?

PROFESSOR NAVARROUh, let’s see. We were in a division meeting this Monday.

TOPHERA normal meeting?

PROFESSOR NAVARROYeah, we have them every Monday. It’s just sort of a check-in.

TOPHERAnd he seemed...

PROFESSOR NAVARROFine. He seemed happy.

TOPHERUnusually happy?

PROFESSOR NAVARRONot unusually happy. Just... I don’t know, he seemed pretty normal. Have you talked to the police about this at all?

TOPHERWe have.

PROFESSOR NAVARROThey’re the professionals.

TOPHERI just want to get them the best information I can. Not unusually happy?

PROFESSOR NAVARRONot that I could tell. We gossiped about the students and then we all went back to work. It was quick.

13.

TOPHEROkay. Well...if you hear anything else about...anything, let me know.

PAUSE

SCENE SEVENINT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - LATER

MUMMER of a doctor’s office.

DOORBELL.

TOPHERDoctor Wilkhart?

DOCTOR WILKHARTHi there! You’re my 5:20?

TOPHERI’m not. My name’s Topher Sommers. My father comes here for appointments.

DOCTOR WILKHARTOh. Alright.

TOPHERHe was here a few days ago. Monday. How was that appointment?

DOCTOR WILKHARTUm. It was...I think it was fine.

TOPHERHe’s missing now. You’re just one of the last people that saw him, so...

DOCTOR WILKHARTOh. Are you...you’re not a cop, are you?

TOPHERI’m not.

14.

DOCTOR WILKHARTOh good, haha. (BEAT) I mean, it would have been fine if you were, just....

TOPHER(BEAT) I’m his son.

DOCTOR WILKHARTGreat.

TOPHERI just want to know if anything unusual happened while he was here.

DOCTOR WILKHARTHm. Victor Sommers?

TOPHERThat’s right. About my size. Hair is a little lighter.

DOCTOR WILKHARTAnd he was in on Monday?

Papers SHUFFLING.

TOPHERI think so. He has thin-rimmed glasses.

DOCTOR WILKHARTOh. Thin-rims. Victor. Yes, the NOLA professor!

TOPHERHe was here?

DOCTOR WILKHARTYes. He’s a good guy. I only see him once a year, but... You know, it’s funny, the nice thing about it is when you get patients you hate, you only have to see them every six months. Sometimes I try to extend that, haha. ‘You’re eyes are doing great! Come back in twelve years!’ But your dad is one of the good ones.

TOPHER(Beat) He is. Do you know why he came in for an appointment?

DOCTOR WILKHARTI’m an optometrist.

TOPHERRight.

15.

DOCTOR WILKHARTJust a usual check-up. His eyes were getting a little worse, but that happens with 94% of patients at his age. Gotta eat your carrots when you’re young, haha. I made a little adjustment to his prescription. -3.25 to -3.50. Oh. Which reminds me, the new lenses should be in. Did you want to pick them up for him now? It says he’s already paid.

TOPHERSure. I can do that.

DOCTOR WILKHARTIf your dad wants to keep his other appointment in November, just have him give me a ring. It’s still on my calendar, but I wasn’t sure if he was keeping it.

TOPHERHe scheduled another appointment in November?

DOCTOR WILKHARTHm? Oh! Sorry, no, I meant his original appointment. This was a special appointment he came in for.

TOPHER(Beat) Do you know why?

DOCTOR WILKHARTI don’t know. He actually seemed more interested in other people’s persecutions ratherthan his own.

TOPHERMeaning?

DOCTOR WILKHARTHe kept asking if I had any patients that recently went blind. Or whose eyes were rapidlydeteriorating.

TOPHERDo you have any patients like that?

DOCTOR WILKHARTI don’t. I told him the same thing.

TOPHERAny idea why he would ask that?

DOCTOR WILKHARTI think he just wanted to know what was normal for his age group.

16.

TOPHERSure.

DOCTOR WILKHARTSometimes people get obsessed with 20/20 vision. But there was nothing wrong on this chart. His eyes were healthy.

TOPHEROkay. Well. I can take his glasses at least. Thank you.

PAUSE.

SCENE EIGHTEXT. STREETS OF NOLA - LATER

Distant JAZZ music

Crowd of PEOPLE

Phone RINGS.

TOPHER(On phone) Hey.

SIMONE(On phone) Anything?

TOPHER(On phone) Not yet. How are you doing?

SIMONE(On phone) Fine. (Beat) I found an appointment dad had down in the French Quarter.

TOPHER(On phone) The eye doctor. Yeah, I was just there...

SIMONE(On phone) No. It was at a Voodoo shop. Zola’s on Bourbon Street.

TOPHER(On phone) Bourbon.

17.

SIMONE(On phone) Yeah. It was scheduled for this afternoon.

TOPHER(On phone) Wait. A Voodoo shop?

SIMONE(On phone) Yeah.

TOPHER(On phone) ....That’s... Dad at a Voodoo shop? That’s kind of weird.

SIMONE(On phone) I have the note right here.

TOPHER(On phone) What does it say?

SIMONE(On phone) Literally just, “Zola’s House of Voodoo. Bourbon Street. Meeting Friday, 8:15.” . (BEAT) Do you think it’s something?

TOPHER(On phone) I think it’s weird.

SIMONEAdd it to the list.

TOPHERYeah. (Beat) I’ll check it out.

PAUSE

SCENE NINEINT. VOODOO SHOP - DAY

ROMANIAN MUSIC

Wooden charms CLINK and CLUNK

18.

TOPHERHi. Um. I’m here for the 8:15... meeting.

ETSYOkay.

A PAGE FLIP from a binder.

ETSYVictor?

TOPHERUh, yes.

ETSYPalm? (Beat) You’re getting your palm read?

TOPHERI am, yes. That’s what I scheduled it for?

ETSY(BEAT) Yes.

TOPHEROkay. Cool. I can’t remember, was there anyone specific that I asked for, or...?

ETSYNo. But I’m the only one who reads palms here. (BEAT) Were you looking for someone else?

TOPHERI don’t... think so.

ETSYOkay. So do you still want your palm read?

TOPHERUh, yeah.... yes.

ETSYOkay. So, we go in the back room.

FOOTSTEPS, BEADS are pushed aside, charms CLINK and CLUNK

19.

TOPHERDid I happen to tell you why I wanted this palm reading?

ETSYI don’t think so. Is there a specific reason?

TOPHERNot really.

ETSYOkay. (Beat) The money goes in the box over there.

TOPHERHow much did we agree on?

ETSY65...

TOPHER(Pained) Great.

We hear BILLS being fanned out

TOPHERI sit?

ETSYIf you want. (Beat) Do you have a preference? Incense?

TOPHERI don’t, really. Thanks.

ETSYCardamon it is.

PAUSE. Etsy BREATHES. PAUSE

TOPHERYou’re looking at me.

ETSYYup.

20.

TOPHER(BEAT) Did it start, or...?

ETSYI’m getting something... There’s a stage. Mostly empty. A boy standing alone. A crowd of people in front of him. They’re young. High school, probably. There’s something.... There’s a song. It’s a terrible song. Wonderwall. Then there’s... hm. That’s odd.

TOPHERWonderwall.

ETSYThere’s a girl. Red-hair. Actually, more like strawberry blond. You’re pulling her onto the stage. But I can’t... Krysta... Don’t say... Etterson. Krysta Etterson.

TOPHERThat’s... Yeah.

ETSYYou asked her out to prom. She rejected you. So, to drown yourself in misery, you joined your school’s theatre club.

TOPHERHow do you know that?

ETSYI’m psychic.

TOPHER(Beat) Wait. Do I...

ETSYStarts with an E.

TOPHERWow. Wait. Eeee....laine? Ethel?

ETSYWow. Ethel?

TOPHERNo...it’s...

ETSYEthel is like the name of my great-grandmother’s...governess.

21.

TOPHERWe had...Creative Writing together.

ETSYWe had six classes together. And did two shows.

TOPHERYou were on costume crew.

ETSYProps.

TOPHERRight. Eee...

ETSYEtsy.

TOPHEREtsy!

ETSYDelmen.

TOPHERRight! I was close.

ETSYMm.

TOPHERWow. You were at that talent show?

ETSYI was. Also, your name isn’t Victor.

TOPHERTopher.

ETSYYeah, I know.

TOPHERYou remembered it?

22.

ETSYNah, I’m just psychic.

TOPHERWow. (Laughs) Well, you... work here now.

ETSYYup. It’s the worst.

TOPHERI mean, if it pays the bills, right?

ETSYEh. How about you?

TOPHEROh, went on to study history. I work over at the Victorian Apothecary shop. But this place makes sense for you...

ETSYWhat?

TOPHERI mean, if there was anyone from high school I’d guess would be... (Beat) Would go into...you know...

ETSYOh, not go to college and become a cheap tourist trap on Bourbon street?

TOPHERNo, no, I mean.... it’s very cool. Like, you always had sort of a... vibe of...

ETSYWeirdness?

TOPHER(BEAT) No.

ETSYNah, it’s fine, man, I get it.

TOPHERIt’s very cool.

23.

ETSYSo you want your palm read or what?

TOPHEROh. Sure. Which hand do you...

ETSYGenerally the right.

TOPHERGreat.

ETSYGreat. So, I’m going to feel your hand first...

We hears: Rusted SWING, GIGGLES, CARS, AMBULANCE, CRYING,VICTORS VOICE...all very fast

SILENCE

VICTORHey. Are you okay?

TOPHER(Beat) (Echoing back in) Are you okay? Etsy?

ETSYHi. Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just... Sorry. I couldn’t see anything.

TOPHER(Beat) Do you need some water or something?

ETSYYou can take your money back.

TOPHEROkay.

ETSYHonestly, this stuff is mostly for tourists, anyway. Don’t want to rip you off.

TOPHER(Beat) Okay. No, you’re totally fine. Um. Good catching up.

24.

ETSYYeah.

TOPHER(Beat) See you around.

PAUSE

SCENE TENINT. VICTOR’S HOUSE - LATER

KEYS drop on a table

TOPHERI met with the Voodoo girl.

A FRIDGE opens.

TOPHERIt was Etsy Delmen, do you remember her? I think you were a freshmen when we were seniors. Kind of a weirdo. (Beat) Simone. What’s going on? Are you okay?

SUSPENSEFUL RISE

TOPHERHey, hey, hey. Simone, breathe. You okay? What’s wrong?

INHALER sound

SIMONEI’m okay. We just got a call.

TOPHEROkay.

SIMONEFrom the station.

TOPHERWhat’s going on?

25.

SIMONEThey found dad. He’s in Kentucky at a hospital.

TOPHERWhy is he at a hospital?

SIMONEHe’s hurt, they found him, I don’t know. They said a lot of stuff.

TOPHERKentucky?

SIMONEYeah.

TOPHERDo you have an address?

SIMONEI have an address.

TOPHERWe’re driving.

SIMONEOkay.

Car STARTS.

PAUSE.

SCENE ELEVENINT. KENTUCKY HOSPITAL - LATER

PHONES ringing, quick FOOTSTEPS. MURMURMS

NURSE ABIGAILTopher and Simone Sommers.

26.

TOPHERThat’s us.

NURSE ABIGAILIt’s good to meet you both.

SIMONEHow is he?

NURSE ABIGAILYour father has had a bit of an accident. He’s experienced some sort of trauma.

SIMONEWhat kind of trauma?

NURSE ABIGAILWe’re not sure yet. He’s very...disorientated right now. It’s classic signs of shock. Clammy skin, enlarged pupils, anxiety. But his pulse is perfectly normal, it’s actually a little low. That’s very unusual for a patient in this state.

SIMONEDo you know why this is happening?

NURSE ABIGAILAt the moment, we don’t. But we’ll be working as fast as we can. I just wanted to warn you before you step in there.

TOPHERSure.

NURSE ABIGAILHas he always been visually handicapped?

SIMONEVisually handicapped?

NURSE ABIGAILYes. He was blind when we found him.

TOPHERHe was never blind.

NURSE ABIGAILThat’s strange. Um. He’s this way.

27.

Heart monitor BEEPS.

NURSE ABIGAILHi, Victor. You’re children are here.

SIMONEHey, dad.

VICTORIn state...ment.

TOPHERHow you doing?

VICTORIt’s temperature it’s quiet.

TOPHERWhat?

VICTORVery quiet, forty-seven Victor.

SIMONEDad?

VICTORIt’s temperature. Forty-seven Victor. 83-81.

Heart monitor BEEPS irregularly.

NURSE ABIGAILTry to focus on breathing normal, Mr. Sommers.

TOPHERHow long as he been like this?

NURSE ABIGAILSince we found him. A few hours ago.

TOPHERWhere did you find him?

NURSE ABIGAILIn a forest outside of Crofton.

28.

Victor GAGS and RASPS, fighting to SPEAK.

VICTOR83.8. 83.8. 83.8. It’s...temperature

SIMONEWhy does he keep saying that?

NURSE ABIGAILI’m not sure. Does any of this make sense to you?

TOPHERNo.

Victor PANICS. BREATHING heavy, SHAKING his restraints. The heart monitor BEEPS faster, stranger

VICTOR83! 83! 83!!

NURSE ABIGAILHe’s going into shock. We’re going to have to ask you both to step out. I need back-up here!

Quick FOOTSTEPS, WHEELS.

NURSE ABIGAILHold his head. I’m going to restrain him.

The heart monitor FADES away as Victor is wheeled away.

TOPHERAre you okay?

SIMONENo.

SHUFFLING through a bag. An INHALER NOISE in as Simone catches her breath.

TOPHERWe’re going to figure this out.

SIMONEWe don’t even know what that was.

29.

TOPHERWe’re going to figure it out. And he’s going to get better. We’re going to make him better.

SILENCE

MUSIC SWELLS

CREDIT SEQUENCE

30.