GENESIS AND REVELATION

BY

RICHARD ASHCRAFT

Ides315R@aol.com

1INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

It is an eerie realm made up of pure whiteness.

SUPER: THE BIBLIO DIMENSION

CHRONICLES is a middle-aged man wearing a gray outfit. On his lapel is his personal logo, which is a scroll being unraveled.Like everyone in the Biblio Dimension, he is named after a book in the Bible, and he has an insignia and a color assigned to him.

CHRONICLESExodus. Attend me.

EXODUS materializes next Chronicles. She is a middle-aged woman of African descent. She wears a green outfit, and her personal insignia is a stylized arrow.

EXODUSYes, Chronicles?

CHRONICLESI sense that both Genesis and

Revelation have finished theirfinal lessons in self-defense.

Please bring them to me now.

EXODUSYes, Chronicles.

Exodus disappears. Chronicles sighs and stretches for a moment.Then Exodus reappears with GENESIS. She is a blond woman who isthe same age as the others. Genesis wears a red outfit with anatom symbol for her insignia.

GENESISGreetings, Chronicles.

CHRONICLESGreetings, Genesis.

Exodus lets go of Genesis’s hand and disappears. Moments later, she reappears with REVELATION. He is a dark-haired man wearing a blue outfit with an eye symbol as his insignia. Exodus lets go of his hand.

2

REVELATIONGreetings, Chronicles. Greetings,Genesis.

CHRONICLESGreetings, Revelation.

GENESISGreetings, Revelation.

EXODUSDo you require my services again,Chronicles?

CHRONICLESNo, Exodus. You may leave.

Revelation closes his eyes and puts his fingers to his temples.

EXODUSGod be with you.

CHRONICLES AND REVELATIONGod be--

Revelation opens his eyes and interrupts them.

REVELATIONExodus, hold. I sense that you willbe fated to deliver Lamentations toKings very shortly. You may wish to

be by her side until she needs tospeak with him.

EXODUSGotcha, Rev. God be with you.

Exodus disappears. Genesis and Revelation turn to Chronicles.

GENESISGotcha?

REVELATIONRev? What did she mean by that?

Chronicles sighs. 3

CHRONICLESShe was speaking in American slang.And she called Revelation Rev as a

nickname. I believe Exodus has beenspending far too much time on theearthly realm.

GENESISAre we to learn this American slang?

CHRONICLES(offended)

Certainly not. I will be teaching youboth proper English. Which is the

official language of the United Statesof America.

(to Revelation)You are certain that is where you both

will be needed?

REVELATIONI understand why you must ask me that

question, Chronicles. The lastRevelation failed us. He was not

prepared for the gift of clairvoyance.But I am most skilled in the use of mypowers. I am most certain that Plano,Texas will be our future destination.

CHRONICLESAll right then. Grasp my hands,students. I will begin transferring

all the recorded information aboutPlano’s history into your minds.

Chronicles reaches his hands out to them. They each take one of his hands.

CHRONICLES (CONT’D)Are you both ready?

GENESISI am ready.

Revelation smirks.

4

REVELATION (V.O.)As am I.

The others frown at him.

CHRONICLESDo save your telepathy for when

you arrive on the earthly realm,Revelation.

REVELATIONI do apologize for using my power

unnecessarily.

GENESIS (V.O.)Ha!

Revelation mentally hears that and glares at the smirking Genesis. Apparently they both know each other all too well.

CHRONICLESI accept your apology. Now let us

begin our task.

The three close their eyes and hold hands. They all stiffen as Chronicles transfers the magical knowledge from his mind into theirs. These memories are represented by

STOCK FOOTAGE

Of a Texas town’s early days to its modern times. The Dallas skyline is seen far off in the background in several of the shots.

RESUME GENESIS, REVELATION, AND CHRONICLES.

They open their eyes and release hands. They smile at each other.

GENESISMost fascinating.

CHRONICLESYes. Texas has a history that is

uniquely its own.

5REVELATION

It is too bad that its economicstatus has crumbled so.

CHRONICLESSome might call that divineretribution to the Texans,Revelation. For many of them

gave into the sin of hubris.

GENESISHubris. That is the reason why I

ended up in Purgatory.

An off-camera FEMALE VOICE lets out a very loud shriek of terror. The three look at one another in trepidation.

GENESIS (CONT’D)Lamentations!

(to Revelation)Just like you had predicted.

REVELATIONShe will reveal the reason for our

mission to Kings. Once he haslearned it from her, he will summon

us to his side.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION/KINGS’S REALM – DAY

KINGS is of Asian descent. His outfit is royal purple, and his insignia is a crown. He sits on a simple throne.

KINGSExodus, I summon you.

Exodus materializes in front of Kings.

EXODUSYes, Kings?

KINGSWhen Lamentations has composed

herself once more, I wish you todeliver her to me immediately.

6EXODUS

So it shall occur, Kings.

Exodus disappears again. Kings sighs in dreadful anticipation.

KINGS (V.O.)Lamentations has never wailed

with such loudness and emotionbefore. Is Biblio in danger of

being ambushed? No. The dangermust be coming from the earthly

dimension. Revelation told usthat he and Genesis will have

a mission to perform there. Butwhat if he is wrong? Our lastRevelation was. And only my

power prevented the destruction of everything. Lamentations, please ease my fears.

Exodus reappears with LAMENTATIONS, who is of Hebrew descent. Her outfit is black, and her insignia is a teardrop outlined in a white pattern. Kings cautiously gives a smile to the still-traumatized Lamentations. Exodus lets go of her hand.

LAMENTATIONSGr-Greetings, Kings.

KINGSGreetings, Lamentations. How are

you feeling?

LAMENTATIONSI-I am all-all right

Behind her, Exodus shakes her head to communicate to Kings how Lamentations is really feeling. Kings directs his next line more to Exodus than to Lamentations.

KINGSI believe you. Now what is

troubling you so?

LAMENTATIONSThe mortals in Plano, Texas now

face an invisible threat to their 7

LAMENTATIONS (CONT’D)very lives. The first to fall to

this unknown menace has beenmurdered just a few earthly minutes

ago. Her death was horrible. Itwas nearly bloodless, but it was soslow and agonizing that I felt likeI was dying with her. I-I never

felt--It was so--

Lamentations starts to cry and covers her face. Exodus reachesout to her.

EXODUSOh, Lammy.

KINGS(with great authority)

Lamentations!

Lamentations stiffens and removes her hands. His mighty voice has influenced her actions.

KINGS (CONT’D)Look at me!

Lamentations turns to face Kings. Exodus does, too, but she is disapproving of his actions.

EXODUS (V.O.)There was no need for you to use

your mind-control power on her!

KINGSNow compose yourself!

Lamentations sighs both in relief and resignation to his order.

KINGS (CONT’D)(calmer now)

Please tell me all you can aboutthis mortal woman’s murder.

LAMENTATIONS

It is hard to express the feelingsof her murder into words, Kings.

8Lamentations wipes away her tears.

LAMENTATIONS (CONT’D)She was cut--barely--by what shefelt was a knife. But she saw no

blade cut her arm. All she sawwas the small drop of blood coming

out of her skin. Then she . . .she began to die. In terrible

agony. I do not know the specific reasons for her death.

KINGSRevelation will know. Exodus,

deliver him and Genesis to me.

EXODUSSo it shall occur, Kings.

Exodus disappears. Moments later, she reappears while holding the hands of Genesis and Revelation. She releases their hands. Revelation is about to speak when he suddenly hears:

GENESIS (V.O.)No. Do not reveal whatever you

know. Let Kings describe thesituation to us.

GENESISGreetings, Kings.

REVELATIONGreetings, Kings.

KINGSGreetings, Genesis and Revelation.

LAMENTATIONSGreetings, Genesis and Revelation.

Exodus rolls her eyes.

EXODUS

We have a magical emergency on earth, you idiots! Stop greeting

each other, and get on with it! 9

REVELATION (V.O.)Patience, Exodus.

EXODUS (V.O.)And respect the private thoughts

of others, Revelation!

She glares at him. The others take no notice.

KINGSRevelation, use your psychometry

power on Lamentations. I wantyou to discover the reasons why

she felt her last trauma.

REVELATIONSo it shall occur, Kings.

Revelation takes Lamentations’s hand. She looks at him with an expression of dread.

LAMENTATIONS (V.O.)Be aware! It was very intense!

REVELATION (V.O.)I do thank you for the advance

warning.

REVELATIONI want you close your eyes and

concentrate on recreating thepain that your body felt recently.

LAMENTATIONSYes, Revelation.

They both close their eyes. Then a MONTAGE OF SOUNDS is heard. First there is a muffled scream made by a FEMALE VOICE. That is followed with the sound of a BODY FALLING DOWN, hard, upon a floor. Then there are GASPS FOR BREATH. The first ones are loud and labored. Then they become more like whispers.

GENESIS (V.O.)

That poor woman. Why she chose tobecome Lamentations instead of

remaining in Purgatory, I will 10

GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)never understand.

EXODUS (V.O.)How can they withstand the pain

of a magical murder? Watching amortal die is hard enough. But

to actually feel that person’slast moments of agony? Oh!

KINGS (V.O.)Look at their faces! The pain

must be beyond comparison!

Both Lamentations and Revelation are about to cry out in pain.

KINGSYou both must withstand the pain!In order for us to avenge that

mortal’s murder! We will notallow her death to be in vain!

Lamentations and Revelation moan in resolve as they suppress the pain. Genesis and Exodus look at Kings and scowl at him. He does not notice because he focuses his attention on Revelationand Lamentations.

GENESIS (V.O.)“In order for us to avenge that

mortal’s murder!”

EXODUS (V.O.)“We will not allow her death to

be in vain!”

GENESIS (V.O.)That Kings! Always including

himself in every mission! Theglory seeker!

EXODUS (V.O.)

What does he mean by we? OnlyGenesis and Revelation have to

resolve this situation!

Kings smiles with much pride. 11

KINGSPraise the Almighty for granting

me the power of Kings! I haveaided them in retaining focus!

Now we will get to the bottom ofthis mystery!

The montage of sounds stops. Lamentations and Revelation open their eyes and release hands. They turn to Kings.

REVELATIONA most brutal murder that was

ever committed by the magicalpowers of evil. The woman was

cut by an athame--a ceremonialdagger used in the arcane arts.The slight cut was enough for

the athame to slowly deactivateher entire musculature.

GENESISAll of her muscles eventually

became paralyzed?

REVELATIONYes. She tried to scream out for

help, but the muscles in her jawlocked up. Then she collapsed as

she tried to run out of her . . .Well, either from her home or her

place of employment. Then herlungs and heart muscle began

to slow down. She suffocated todeath without being

smothered.

LAMENTATIONSShe had air all around her, but

she could not inhale any of it!

EXODUS

An evil miracle, to be sure!

GENESISMurder caused by instantaneous

and rapidly advancing musculardystrophy! How horrible!

12LAMENTATIONS

But whoever . . . or whatever itwas that used the athame, he, she,

or it was not seen by the woman!Her last thoughts were, “Who did

this to me? I don’t see anybody!”But she felt certain that some. . . unseen force was near

her! It was watching her perish little by little until . . .

KINGSSo the athame’s magic rendered

the murderer invisible to thevictim’s eyes?

LAMENTATIONSI suppose so!

REVELATIONI believe it did more than that,

Kings.

KINGSWhat do you mean, Revelation?

REVELATIONI think the athame has the power

to make its owner undetectable tohis . . . or her . . . murder

victims. At least until they begin dying. Not only is the

murderer invisible, but any other signs of the killer’s presence--

footsteps, other motions, personalscent if one exists--the athame

rendered the woman’s five sensesunable to take notice of them.

GENESISSo she had no chance whatsoever

to defend herself! Meaning thatshe was murdered by a coward!

REVELATIONYes, Genesis. And I will reveal

13REVELATION (CONT’D)

who that coward is once Exodusdelivers us to Plano.

GENESISAnd then I will use my power to

destroy the owner of that damnedknife!

REVELATIONI sense that it will not be as

simple as that, Genesis. At leastnot for the time being.

KINGSAnd it may not be simple for you to

discover the murderer’s identity,Revelation. After all, if the

athame’s magic can prevent mortalsfrom sensing its owner’s presence,

it may do the same to your powers.

Have you thought about thatpossibility?

REVELATIONYes, I have. That is why I need

Genesis for this mission. Whilethe murderer may use the athame to

nullify my powers, she should beable to use her magic against him.

GENESISShould? You do not know?

REVELATIONMy powers work best when I am

in areas of magical residue. Iwill know for certain once we

are in Plano.

GENESISOf course, you do have another

strategy. Just in case.

REVELATIONI have several in mind.

14Revelation smiles at her.

REVELATION (CONT’D)But if you wish to use one that

you have created in your mind,well . . . creation is officially

your department, my dear Genesis.

KINGSPerhaps if I were to go to this

Plano in your place and use mypower on this unknown killer . . .

The other four all make expressions that correspond to their following voice-over thoughts.

EXODUS (V.O.)There he goes again! Butting in

on our missions!

GENESIS (V.O.)I’m surprised he hasn’t used his

power on us! So he can go onthis mission instead!

LAMENTATIONS (V.O.)Revelation, let Kings perform the

this mission! If he should fail,he would go back into Purgatory!

And what a blessing that would befor the rest of us!

REVELATION (V.O.)Don’t think that thought hasn’t crossed my mind. But we are the

ones fated for this mission.

REVELATIONKings, with all due respect, we

are destined to perform thismission. If we should fail,

then you, or another team of theBiblios, may succeed. And

besides, should the murdererrender you unable to speak, then

you would not give any orders to 15

REVELATION (CONT’D)him or her. And if the murderer

isn’t a human being, then youwould be all the more vulnerable.

KINGSBecause my power only affects the

minds of mere mortals. All right.I shall remain here.

Revelation and Genesis smile at this statement. The others do not share their enthusiasm. Revelation distracts Kings with his next line before the latter notices their expressions.

REVELATIONExcellent idea, Kings. But now

Genesis and I must depart Biblio.Before another magical murder is

committed.

KINGSOf course. Exodus, take Genesis

and Revelation to Plano.

EXODUSSo it shall occur, Kings.

As Exodus takes the hands of Genesis and Revelation, she thinks of her next line.

EXODUS (V.O.)Leaving you for even one minute

will be a pleasure.

REVELATION (V.O.)

You will be gone much longer thana minute, Exodus.

EXODUS (V.O.)I will? You’re not playing with my

mind now, Rev? You know what I willdo if you’re giving me false hope!

Revelation turns to Kings.

16REVELATION

Kings, do not expect Exodus toreturn to Biblio right away. I

sense that she will have a fastmission to perform on the earthly

realm.

KINGSWhat kind of mission?

REVELATIONBringing another murderer tojustice. A mortal one, thistime.

EXODUSOhhhh. I like that mission.

KINGSAll right. I shall be withChronicles while you three are

on the earthly realm. I need toconsult with him on how the

replacement Genesis and Revelationare doing in their studies.

The others glare at Kings. He is immune to their looks of disapproval.

KINGS (CONT’D)Just in case you two might fail

and have to return to Purgatory.I must enforce the rules of the

Biblio Realm.(a beat, smirks)

Even the ones that I did notcreate.

Revelation forces himself to smile at Kings.

REVELATIONWe realize the situation, Kings.Now Genesis and I must depart for

the earthly realm.

Exodus takes their hands. 17

GENESISGod be with you, Kings. God be

with you, Lamentations.

LAMENTATIONSGod be with you, Genesis. God

be with you, Revelation. God bewith you, Exodus.

Exodus rolls her eyes and explodes.

EXODUSGod be with you all, whether you

still be in Biblio or on theearthly realm! We have murderers

to capture on earth! They couldbe breaking the sixth commandment

while we’re repeating ourselves!

Exodus pulls on the hands of Genesis and Revelation, who both grimace in pain. Then they disappear. Lamentations and Kings look at one another while Kings stands up.

LAMENTATIONSPlease do forgive Exodus for her

outburst. She is just so eagerto--

KINGSGet away from me?

He grins at the stunned Lamentations and slowly approaches her.

KINGS (CONT’D)

Yes, I know that she dislikes me.Just like everyone else here in

the Biblio Dimension.

LAMENTATIONSKings, that is not true.

KINGSLamentations, do you know who

I was before I wound up in Purgatory?

18LAMENTATIONS

No, Kings. I just recently cameout of Purgatory myself.

KINGSI was a soldier. A warrior. My

past military experience made mequalified for the position of

Kings. Only a leader of an armymay become Kings of the Biblios.

That is because a leader mustrule wisely over his recruits.

I was the first chosen Biblio.Everyone else became my

recruits. And recruits rarelylike their overseers. That issimply the law of nature.

Even among the supernaturals.

He comes closer to her until they are face to face.

KINGS (CONT’D)I did not come here to be liked.

I asked the Almighty to bring mehere. Because my suffering in

Purgatory was legendary. I waslegendary. In times past on the

earthly realm, my title wasGenghis Khan.

Lamentations gasps. He laughs slightly, but with a menacing tone.

KINGS (CONT’D)

I converted in my beliefs justjust before I died. It was enough to

save my soul from hell, but not fromthe worst torments within Purgatory.

Still, the Almighty took notice ofmy skills. So I was made Kings here

in the Biblio Dimension. I wantedthe earthly realm, but I only

conquered half of it. Now I rulethis entire dimension and an army

of supernatural soldiers.

19LAMENTATIONS

But for how long, Kings? Everyonein the Biblio Dimension eventually

returns to Purgatory or gainsaccess to Heaven for services

rendered. If you are the firstBiblio, then why haven’t youascended into Heaven? Surely youmust have succeeded in all of yourmissions.

KINGSI did, Lamentations. I asked not

to be taken into Heaven.

LAMENTATIONSYou refused Paradise? But why?

KINGSThere was only room for one king in

Heaven, my dear. And if I could notbe king there, then I would remain

Kings here.

He smirks to the gaping Lamentations

LAMENTATIONSIt is no wonder I never sensed any distress in your mind. You have

been granted your heart’s desirein the afterlife.

KINGS

For now and forever. So what ifI am not liked by my inferiors?

They eventually leave the BiblioDimension and are replaced with

new recruits.(a beat, menacingly)

One way or another. I wonder,Lamentations, just which exit you

will be taking out of here.

Lamentations flinches at the veiled threat of her return to Purgatory.

20LAMENTATIONS (V.O.)

Damn you!

KINGSAnd speaking of exits, please takeyour leave of me. Consider that

to be my royal command.

LAMENTATIONSSo it shall occur, Kings.

(a beat, louder)Gladly!

She storms off in a huff. Kings laughs as he sits back on his throne. He feels the sides of it and moans in ecstasy.

INT. THE MOVING FOG BETWEEN DIMENSIONS – DAY

Exodus holds onto Genesis and Revelation’s hands as they travel through the dimensional barriers.

GENESISExodus, do you think it was wise

to . . . have caused a scene likethat in front of Kings?

EXODUSIt wouldn’t have been the firsttime. Personally I think he likesconfrontation.

REVELATIONYou’re absolutely right about that.

EXODUSYou know something about Kings that

we don’t?

REVELATIONLet’s just say that he was a

warrior in his previous life onthe earthly realm and leave it

at that.

EXODUSLord, I hate telepaths.

21REVELATION

Especially those who don’t gossip.

Revelation smirks. Exodus frowns. Genesis sighs.

INT. A TENEMENT APARTMENT – EARLY EVENING

It is shabby and run-down. LEONA DOWNES, an elderly woman, lies dead on the floor. Then Exodus, Revelation, and Genesis appear next to the body. Exodus and Genesis gasp at the corpse while Revelation forces his hand away from the former’s grip.

EXODUSOhhhhh, goodness.

REVELATIONHer murder is our problem. You

have another killer to locate.Genesis, create handcuffs and

knockout gas pellets for her touse against her quarry.

The women release hands and face each other.

GENESISHold out your hands, please.

Exodus obeys. Genesis points at her hands. Handcuffs appear in Exodus’s left hand. Then gas pellets materialize in her right hand. Exodus looks at the items.

EXODUS(sarcastically)

Oh, they’re such lovely presents.

GENESIS(not getting the joke)

Why, thank you, Exodus.

EXODUS(to Revelation)

So who is destined to be my prey?

REVELATIONPriscilla Corvia.

22GENESIS

A female killer?

EXODUSWhat’s her story, Rev?

REVELATIONA nasty case of ailurophobia.

EXODUSA lurid what?

REVELATIONAilurophobia.

GENESISThe fear of cats.

EXODUSOh. Why didn’t you just say so?

REVELATIONI sense that she saw a talking

black cat on some televisionprogram about a teenaged witch.

Miss Corvia saw the cat talking,and the poor dear went insane.

Now she is on a cat-killing spree.

GENESISThat poor woman.

EXODUS

Those poor cats!

REVELATIONYou will find Miss Corvia in her

little cottage on the outskirtsof London. Now focus on the

image that I will project intoyour mind. I don’t want to use

much of my power before weinvestigate this woman’s

murder.

Revelation touches Exodus’s forehead.

23CLOSE SHOT – EXODUS

She closes her eyes. A moment later, the SUPERIMPOSED IMAGE of a small cottage appears in the scene.

REVELATION (V.O.)She kept a diary of her exploits.It is hidden underneath her bed.

EXODUSHow convenient for me.

REVELATION (V.O.)Yes. When the police find her

with her diary, it will be over.

PRISCILLA CORVIA, an elderly woman, enters the cottage. Exodus materializes behind her. Exodus throws the smoke pellets at her. Exodus disappears while Priscilla faints.

EXODUSI just wait a few minutes before

I reappear again.

Exodus reappears. She handcuffs Priscilla’s wrists behind her back.

EXODUS (CONT’D)And slap the cuffs on her.

Exodus heads for the phone and dials a number.

REVELATION (V.O.)Then you call the authorities and

wait for them to arrive.

RESUME EXODUS, GENESIS, AND REVELATION

Revelation pulls his fingers away from Exodus.

REVELATIONWith her own diary out in the open

for them to see.

EXODUSI do have a question for you, Rev.

24REVELATION

Yes . . . Ex?

EXODUSYou were on earth for only a few

moments. Even you could not havelocated her that quickly. So how

do you know that Priscilla Corviais a cat killer?

REVELATIONI had a vision that you were

destined to find the cat killerin London. So I asked Chronicles

to relay in my mind all of therecorded information about the

cat killer. His informationhelped me to locate the

killer’s identity all the more quicker. That is, once I had appeared on earth.

EXODUSFor some reason, I don’t think

you’re telling me the whole story.

REVELATION(sighs, then grins)

Also, her history of hating catsmade her the prime suspect in the

police investigation. All I didwas read her mind, and it confirmed

my suspicions. She’s headed homeright now.

He shrugs. Exodus glares at him. Genesis folds her arms.

EXODUSSo why the big pretence, Rev?

GENESISI can tell you. Revelation needs

to become more skilled as a liar.Most people can tell when he is

lying.

25REVELATION

It’s true. Even before I becameRevelation, I never could tell a

convincing lie. It’s even worsenow that I have the ability to

uncover the truth.

EXODUSSo I was your test subject, so to

speak?

REVELATIONWith your power of teleportation,

you have had the most experiencewith all kinds of people. You were

the best judge of character amongthe Biblios. If I could fool you,

then I had a chance of foolingothers. And for all I know, I

may need to tell convincing lies during this mission.

EXODUSFor all you know? Our resident

prophet doesn’t know what is aboutto happen in the future?

REVELATIONThis will be my first mission

against a supernatural being. Orforce. Our opponent’s magic may

nullify mine to some extent.

GENESISSpeaking of missions, we need to

begin ours. So . . .

EXODUSI know. God be with you two.

REVELATIONGoodbye, Exodus.

GENESISFarewell.

26Exodus disappears. Revelation and Genesis look at each other.

REVELATIONIt is most interesting that she

doesn’t cut short a conversationin which she has much to say.

GENESISI wish she was able to tell us

what had happened to her.

Genesis points to the corpse. Revelation looks downward as well.

LEONA DOWNES

Her hand is near her face. A very small drop of blood is on her hand. Her skin has turned red due to her suffocation.

REVELATIONI can find out what happened to

her.

The scene starts to glow in bright blue, the color of truth. The blue light becomes so brilliant that the scene eventually fades to black.

INT. LEONA’S APARTMENT – EARLIER THAT DAY

Leona is alive in this scene. She sits at her kitchen table and reads a library book.

REVELATION (V.O.)

She was Leona Downes. She has beenliving in this run-down tenement

for the last ten years.

GENESIS (V.O.)How old is she?

REVELATION (V.O.)She was eighty-three. And what

a remarkable life she has lived.She was several feet away whenJohn F. Kennedy was assassinated.She was hit by his blood.

27GENESIS (V.O.)

Oh, how gruesome.

REVELATION (V.O.)Another time, she saved a small

child from a kidnapper. She hitthe abductor with her handbag.

GENESIS (V.O.)It must have been some handbag.

REVELATION (V.O.)She had two bricks in it.

GENESIS (V.O.)Ah. A homemade weapon for self-defense.

REVELATION (V.O.)No. Actually, she used the bricks

to weight down her handbag. So ifa thief tried to take off with it,

its weight would slow him downlong enough for her to catch him.

GENESIS (V.O.)How did she wind up in this awful

place?

REVELATION (V.O.)She and her late husband were

entrepreneurs in the temporary help

business. She became clerical helpin the business offices. And he

was a mechanical engineer. Theirhard work and pleasant personalities

led to their finding full-time work.(sighs)

Unfortunately, Mr. Downes waselectrocuted while trying to repair

a faulty laundry machine. He had agreat amount of life insurance, so

Leona could retire in comfort. Buther luxurious home reminded her of

her late husband.

28REVELATION (V.O. CONT’D)

So she sold it and most of herexpensive possessions. She donated

most of the money to her favoritecharity. She moved here to this

building so she could baby-sit forthe single mothers while they

went to work.

GENESIS (V.O.)For free, I assume.

REVELATION (V.O.)For the most part, yes. It was

her way to help get impoverishedfamilies off of welfare.

RESUME GENESIS AND REVELATION

GENESISSo that’s why you were confused

whether this was her home or herplace of business. It was both.

REVELATIONBut now I’m more attuned to--

(a beat, now puzzled)Hmmm. That’s odd.

GENESISWhat?

REVELATIONBefore she died, she wished that

she would . . . become deceased.

GENESISWhy? Did she develop a terminal

disease?

REVELATIONNo. She missed her husband. She

wanted to be reunited with him.But the only way that could ever

happen was if . . .

29GENESIS

She were to die as well.

REVELATION Exactly.

GENESISSo whoever possesses the magical

athame also has the power tolocate people who have a death

wish?

REVELATIONIt would appear so. I’ve never

heard of a demon having thatability, though.

GENESISNeither have I.

RESUME THE LIVING LEONA DOWNES

She puts down her book. Then she looks at her wedding ring and sighs.

REVELATION (V.O.)This is where Leona wished that

she could see her husband again.

She gets up from her chair and walks over to a bookcase. The picture of her LATE HUSBAND is there. She holds the picture up to her face, and she looks at it with a sense of longing.

REVELATION (V.O. CONT’D)Her desire to be reunited with him

is . . . was the most intense atthis point. That was when it all

started.

KNOCKING is heard at the door. She turns to the door.

LEONAYes? Who is it?

More KNOCKING is heard at the door. Leona becomes annoyed.

30LEONA (CONT’D)

Who is it?

The KNOCKING continues. Then Leona realizes something.

LEONA (CONT’D)Oh, it must be that new tenant

who’s deaf. Goodness. I hopethere isn’t an emergency. I

don’t know sign language.

Leona approaches the door. The KNOCKING stops as she grabs the doorknob. She unlocks and opens the door, but no one is in the hall. She steps out and looks both ways.

LEONA (CONT’D)Well, that’s the strangest thing.Maybe it was a child playing a

prank.

She closes the door and locks it. Then she stops and ponders.

LEONA (CONT’D)But even if it was a child, he

couldn’t have ran all the waydown the corridor before I had

a chance to see him.

She then lets out a small cry of pain. She looks at her hand. It is bleeding from a very small prick.

LEONA (CONT’D)

What in the . . . worrrrr . . .

Leona stiffens. Then she falls down. She gasps for air.

GENESIS (V.O.)I can’t watch her die! Stop this,Revelation!

REVELATION (V.O.)No! It is imperative that we both

see how she dies! Two differentpoints of view can see more clues

than just one!

31LEONA (V.O.)

What’s happening to me? I can’tbreathe! I can’t take in any

air! Dear God! I’m dying!

GENESIS, REVELATION, AND LEONA

The heroes look down at the dying woman. Genesis forces herself to do so. Revelation does it with a minimum of emotion.

LEONA (V.O.)Who did this to me? I don’t see

anybody? But I . . . I feel likesomeone is watching me! Someone

I can’t see! But he’s here! He’shere, and he’s watching me die!

Genesis looks at Revelation. He doesn’t look back at her.

REVELATIONRemain focused! Do you want her

killer to go unpunished?

Genesis forces herself to look at Leona again.

LEONA (V.O.)My hand! Why does it hurt the

most of all?

Leona’s voice-over now literally screams in agony.

LEONA (CONT’D)

Why? Why can’t I breathe?(a pause, gasping)

Whyyyyyyyyyyy?

Leona dies. The heroes look at each other.

GENESISThat was horrible!

REVELATIONI know! I felt her death earlier!

GENESISOh, right! What did she mean by

32GENESIS (CONT’D)

her hand hurting the most?

REVELATIONThe cut on her hand was where her

life force had been drawn out ofher body. The more life force

that went through the cut, the more intense pain that she felt.

GENESISThe poor soul. Was there someone

else in here? Someone invisibleto her?

REVELATIONThat’s what I’m going to find out.

Now that I’m more attuned to thepsychic vibrations existing in

this dimension. Now please besilent while I concentrate.

Revelation closes his eyes and puts his fingers to his temples. He inhales very deeply. Then he opens his eyes very wide.

REVELATION (CONT’D)Over there!

He points to the side. Genesis looks in that direction. She gasps at

THE CAPED SILHOUETTE

It is the BLACK OUTLINE of a MAN wearing a cloak. He stands over Leona’s corpse. The heroes approach him.

GENESISI can’t make it out! But it

looks like a man with a cape!

REVELATIONSomething’s interfering with my

powers! I can’t make him comeinto focus! Wait! Something’s

happening!

33The silhouette slowly loses its black outline. It is replaced with the image of the CLOAKED DAGGER. Dagger holds an athame, which has a small spot of blood on its blade. Dagger has the facial expression of a madman.

GENESISBy the Almighty! He’s totally

insane!

REVELATIONMore like criminally insane! I

sense that he is . . . the CloakedDagger! Yes, that is his name!

GENESISWho is he? How did he get that

magical knife? Where is he now?

Revelation struggles to remain in control.

REVELATIONDon’t distract me! The image!I’m having a hard time maintainingit! It’s disappearing!

Dagger becomes transparent.

REVELATIONAfter he killed Leona, he became

visible again! But then hevanished!

Dagger completely vanishes. Revelation sighs in exhaustion.

REVELATION (CONT’D)But I sense that he didn’t want to

disappear. He wanted to admirehis . . . handiwork. So to speak.

GENESISHe was fascinated with Leona’s

corpse?

REVELATIONYes.

34GENESIS

(grimacing)Because he was a necrophiliac?

REVELATIONNo!

(a beat, calmer)Because she was his first victim.In fact, killing her was the first

thing that he has ever done.

GENESISWhat? That doesn’t make sense.He is an adult men. How could

killing her be the first thingthat he has ever done?

REVELATIONI sense that he never existed

before today. In fact, I don’tthink he exists now. When he

disappeared, his existence cameto an end.

GENESISRevelation! Are you saying that

this . . . Cloaked Dagger isn’treally a human being?

REVELATIONThat’s exactly what I’m saying.

He was only a manifestation ofsome unknown killing force. I-I

don’t know who or what createdhim, but I’m positive that he

was only a creation.

He takes her hand and pulls her toward the door.

REVELATION (CONT’D)I’ll show you. He first cameinto existence on the other side

of this door.

He opens the door, and they go into the corridor.

35INT. THE CORRIDOR

Revelation closes the door. Then he turns to Genesis.

REVELATIONNow I’ll--

He stops talking. He raises his finger to his mouth.

REVELATION (V.O.)Someone’s coming.

GENESIS (V.O.)Quick! Get back inside!

REVELATION (V.O.)No. I’ll solve this problem with

another image from the past.

Revelation waves his hand. He and Genesis quickly disappear. An ELDERLY TENANT walks down the corridor. Once he exits the scene, Revelation and Genesis reappear. He smirks. She gapes.

GENESISHe didn’t see us! How did you

do that?

REVELATIONI revealed to him the image of

this empty corridor that existeda few minutes ago.

GENESISYou created an illusion?

REVELATIONAn illusion of the past. Those

are the only kinds that I canproject.

GENESISBut Acts is the only Biblio who

can create illusions! That powerbelongs only to him!

Revelation chuckles. 36

REVELATIONThe power of Acts, officially, is

the ability to create any kind ofillusion. He taught me how to use

my psychometry in a different way.Now I can use it to create limited

illusions using images from the recent past. I can also use past sounds and smells as well.

GENESISThat was your final lesson inself-defense! Acts was your lastinstructor!

REVELATIONCorrect.

(now somber)But we’ve digressed too much. You

must see how the Cloaked Daggerfirst came into being.

Revelation gestures. Next to them, the Cloaked Dagger appears. Genesis backs away from him. The Cloaked Dagger grins with an evil expression as he slowly becomes transparent.

REVELATION (CONT’D)Now he has become invisible. I’m

using my power to keep his powerfrom totally affecting us.

A FEMALE TENANT walks down the corridor. She doesn’t notice the Dagger or the heroes as she walks past them.

GENESISHe became invisible so that

woman wouldn’t stop him.

REVELATIONCorrect. I sense that his athame

is rendering him invisible. Itcuts the light waves that would

project his image to other people.In fact, it disintegrates those

light waves completely.

37GENESIS

But it doesn’t disintegrate thelight waves that reach his eyes.

Otherwise, he would become blind.

REVELATIONCorrect.

The Dagger uses the athame to KNOCK on the door several times. Revelation gestures, and the Dagger disappears.

GENESISWhat are you doing? We need to

see how he kills her!

REVELATIONWe already know how he did that.

GENESISNot necessarily! Leona only felt

that she had been stabbed! Butwe don’t know if that really had

happened to her!

REVELATIONGenesis--

GENESISWe never actually witnessed her

being cut by the athame! We mustnot overlook anything!

(a beat, meaner tone)Like your predecessor did!

He glares at her. She holds her ground. He gestures.

REVELATION(through his teeth)

All right!

The transparent Dagger returns. He KNOCKS on the door with the athame. Then Leona opens the door. She takes no notice of the three figures in the hallway. She comes into the corridor and looks both ways.

38LEONA

Well, that’s the strangest thing.Maybe it was a child playing a

prank.

The Dagger goes through the open door into Leona’s apartment. She returns to the apartment and closes the door behind her. Genesis opens the door and gestures for Revelation to enter. He does, and she follows him and closes the door.

GENESIS AND REVELATION IN THE APARTMENT

He gestures.

REVELATIONBack in time we go. Again.

It is no longer evening but in the afternoon. Leona and the transparent Dagger materialize. She is locking the door. He is next to her. She stops and ponders.

LEONABut even if it was a child, he

couldn’t have ran all the waydown the corridor before I had

a chance to see him.

The Dagger jabs Leona’s hand, but not with his athame. He uses his sharp fingernail.

GENESIS

Stop the image!

Revelation gestures. The Dagger and Leona become immobile.

GENESIS (CONT’D)He didn’t stab her with the knife!He used his fingernail to pierce

her flesh!

REVELATIONBy the Almighty!

The heroes approach the immobile characters. They look closely at where the Dagger had touched her hand.

39REVELATION (CONT’D)

You’re right! She wasn’t cut bythe athame!

Revelation is in shock. Genesis leads him away from the other two.

REVELATION (CONT’D)But I felt her pain! I felt her

death! It was caused by thatknife! It had her blood on it!

She didn’t die from . . . that!

GENESISRevelation, you were still in theBiblio Dimension when you receivedthat information from Lamentations.

You were not fully attuned to thesupernatural event that occurred

here.

REVELATIONBut the athame--The blood!

GENESISYou foresaw its appearance in this

situation. You made the connectionthat it was responsible for Leona’s

death. You were right to a degree.It rendered her murderer invisible

to her.

REVELATIONBut it didn’t kill her!

GENESISNo directly, no. But its magical

powers must be coursing throughthe Cloaked Dagger’s body. It

allowed him to murder her.

REVELATIONYou’re right! But I was wrong!I hadn’t processed the information

correctly!

40He gestures. The immobile characters disappear, and the time becomes evening again. Leona’s corpse reappears on the floor.

REVELATION (CONT’D)I failed! I failed the mission!I failed our mission! I failed

you!

GENESISNo, you didn’t. You simply made a

mistake in using your powers. Andthey are psychic powers. All of

these mental images are bound tomerge together now and then.

REVELATIONBut I’m supposed to sort them out!I need to make sure that the

information is accurate before Ican make any conclusions! I didn’t

do that this time!

GENESISThen just be sure not to make the

same mistake next time.

REVELATIONI . . . I’ll try to be completely

accurate in the future. Genesis,if I should cause us both to be

returned to Purgatory, I must tellyou that I--

GENESISWe will not be returning to that

place. I will make sure of that.

Genesis glares at the unnerved Revelation. He gulps and nods his head in agreement.

REVELATIONOf course. Now what should we do?

GENESISWell, I guess you will use your

powers to review the history of 41

GENESIS (CONT’D)this building. There must be some

reason why the Cloaked Dagger madehis first appearance here.

REVELATIONPerhaps I can locate any magical

residue still existing in thisbuilding. Let me concentrate.

Revelation closes his eyes and puts his fingers to his temples.

REVELATION (CONT’D)Hmm. I sense a magical ritual

being performed in one of theapartments. Correction. It

was almost performed there.

GENESISAn evil magical ritual.

REVELATIONYes. No. Someone is reading

about such a ritual. I see twoteenagers. They’re fascinated

about the occult.

GENESISA dangerous occupation.

REVELATION(gasps in horror)

By the Almighty! They’re readinga magical text written by the

Great Beast!

GENESISThe Great Beast?

(a beat, realizes)That was the informal title of

Aleister Crowley!

REVELATIONThe madman who brought evil magic

into the Twentieth Century! The London Antichrist!

42GENESIS

How did they get their hands onthat lunatic’s books?

REVELATIONI sense that they bought it on

Ebay. But the two teens are onlythinking about doing one of the

rituals. They never performed it.

GENESISThank goodness for that.

REVELATION The teens were more interested

in Crowley’s bizarre sex lifethan in his so-called magic.

They stopped reading the bookafter it didn’t tell them how

to make aphrodisiacs.

GENESISWhat happened to the book?

REVELATIONIt was found by another tenant

who was very religious. As soonas she saw what kind of book it

was, she promptly burned it.

GENESISBless that intelligent woman’s

soul.

REVELATIONThat’s about the only direct link

to magic that I could find in thisbuilding.

GENESISExcept for the Cloaked Dagger.

REVELATIONYes. I wonder if he is going to

strike again. Maybe I should lookinto the near future just in case.

43GENESIS

Look for anyone who may have a death wish.

REVELATIONGood idea.

He closes his eyes and puts his fingers to his temples. He then moans in growing astonishment.

REVELATION (CONT’D)That’s bizarre.

GENESISWhat is it?

REVELATION I’m sensing someone wishing that

he were alive again.

GENESISA dead man wants to be brought

back to life?

Revelation opens his eyes and stares at Genesis.

REVELATIONNo! A dead woman!

Revelation turns and points at Leona. She moves and groans as if she were waking up from a nap. The heroes gape at her. Genesis is about to say something when she hears:

REVELATION (V.O.)Silence! Use my telepathy to

communicate with me!

GENESIS (V.O.)How is this possible?

REVELATION (V.O.)I do not know! I’ve rendered us

invisible to her with an illusion!

Leona sits up and stretches. She shakes her head like she were clearing her mind.

44LEONA

Heavens. It’s already nighttime.I’ve slept through the afternoon.

Leona stands up very slowly due to her advanced age. Genesislooks at Revelation.

GENESIS (V.O.)She thinks she only took a nap?

REVELATION (V.O.)And in her bed, no less! Whatever

force supposedly terminated hermust be planting thoughts into

her head!

GENESIS (V.O.)But why kill her, resurrect her,

and then control her mind? Itdoesn’t make any sense!

Leona walks toward her kitchen that is off-camera. Revelation and Genesis get out of her way. Leona exits as she says her next line.

LEONANow what do I want to eat?

REVELATION (V.O.)

Control her mind? Oh, wait amoment. What if this mission is

not really a mission? What if itis really our final lesson?

GENESIS (V.O.)Are you telling me that we were

set up by one of our own?

REVELATION (V.O.)Kings has the power to control

the minds of mortals and Biblios.Acts can create the realistic

illusions in any being. MaybeChronicles is making us relive a magical mystery. I think oneof them is behind this.

45GENESIS (V.O.)

How are we going to prove that?I doubt very strongly that any

of them is going to confess.

LEONA (V.O.)(in a sinister tone)

Are you wishing that someonewould confess to this charade?

The heroes turn to where the off-camera kitchen is located. Leona comes out with an apron wrapped around her shoulders and a butcher knife in her hand. Her expression, like her clothes and weapon, matches that of the Cloaked Dagger. She grins with vicious delight. She caresses the apron on her shoulders.

LEONADo you like my cloak and dagger?

They are brand new. And yet theylook so old, too. They are very

contradictory. Just like so manyother things in this old building.

She starts to throw the knife at Genesis. Genesis gestures, and a shield materializes in her hand. She uses the shield to deflect the knife. Revelation runs for the knife. Genesis gestures at Leona, who then has thick, heavy chains materialize around her wrists. The chains go from her wrists to her legs.

Leona can barely stand, much less move. Genesis gestures again, and her shield disappears. Revelation picks up the knife.

LEONA (CONT’D)Go ahead, Revelation! Use your

psychometric powers on me and thatknife! You won’t receive even one

psychic impression from either ofus!

REVELATIONHow do you know my name?

LEONAI know who you both are! Genesis

and Revelation of Biblio! She ofthe spontaneous creation! And he

of the various psionic abilities! 46

Leona laughs.

LEONA (CONT’D)The newest agents to bear those

titles and supernatural powers!And how I know these facts about

shall remain my little secret!At least until I decide to tell

you what it is!

GENESISWho are you?

LEONAWhat’s the matter, Genesis? Your

little psychic friend can’t handlehis powers? Just like his weak

and scared predecessor?

REVELATIONShe knows all of our history!

GENESISWho are you? And don’t tell me

the Cloaked Dagger! I know thatidentity was only a ruse!

LEONA

But I am a cloaked dagger! I amthe dagger that eclipsed the

light! The ultimate light in allof Christianity! I am the dagger

that remained hidden in the handsof history! I am the power ofevil conquering over good!

REVELATIONI sense . . . what she just said

is true! Even though I don’t knowexactly what it means!

LEONAToo bad you do not possess all the

knowledge of Chronicles! With hisvast memory, he easily could solve

my riddle! 47

GENESIS (V.O.)Revelation, perhaps we should contactChronicles! Or Kings! Even if it

may mean us failing in our mission!

REVELATION (V.O.)It means our return to Purgatory!

GENESIS (V.O.)I know, but . . .

LEONAThe Cloaked Dagger’s magic is so

very powerful, we can’t possiblydefeat it! Is that what you were

going to say, Genesis?

REVELATIONIt appears that I’m not the only

psychic in this room.

LEONAOh, I am not psychic, Revelation!I just know a way of using your

psionic powers against you! Infact, allow me to demonstrate!

Try to use your powers to contactExodus! Ask her to teleport you

both out of here! Do it, or Ishall make Leona stop

breathing for real!

REVELATIONShe means it! All right! I’ll

summon Exodus!(closes his eyes)

Exodus! Appear before me!

Nothing happens. Revelation opens his eyes and looks at the grinning Leona.

REVELATION (CONT’D)Exodus! Exodus, attend me!

(a beat, to Genesis)Exodus! Lamentations! Kings!

Chronicles! No! 48

LEONAYes, Rev! I made it impossible

for you to summon your comradesin the Biblio dimension! You and

Genesis are truly alone againstme! The other Biblios will come

to us only when I command it!

Genesis smiles with a knowing expression.

GENESISTell me, Cloaked Dagger. Who

are all the Biblios?

LEONAWhy, they’re . . .

(a beat, realizes)You know that I do not know that

answer!

GENESISBecause we have not given it to

you in our conversations. Wespoke their names when we were

talking to each other and toExodus. And you were listening

in on us while you were

invisible. Cloaked in stealth, as it were.

REVELATIONOf course! You only know about a

select few of the Biblios!

LEONAExodus, Lamentations, Chronicles,

and Kings were all mentioned inthis apartment! And I heard about

Acts in the hallway! You are amost clever lady, my dear Genesis!

GENESISI suppose I should accept your

compliment graciously.

Leona laughs. She points at Revelation. Suddenly she is free, and he is bound with the heavy chains. The heroes react.

49LEONA

Actually, now you must accept mychallenge! Let us see just how

creative you are while in battleagainst . . . Oh, I know! The

ultimate urban legend in London’shistory! Spring-Heeled Jack!

You’ll find him in Mister Eric Waggoner’s apartment! Which is right above Leona’s ceiling!

Leona points to the ceiling. Then she looks at Genesis.

LEONA (CONT’D)You had better hurry! Spring-

Heeled Jack is about to attackhim! Don’t count on getting any

help from Revelation! With hismental powers restrained along

with his physical abilities!Now run along, pet! Your solo

heroics await!

REVELATION

Go! I’ll be all right! If shewanted to harm me, she would have

done it by now!

Genesis runs to the door, opens it, and leaves it open as she exits the apartment. Leona casually walks over to the door, and she closes it. She turns to face Revelation.

LEONADon’t you wish you knew what

is happening in Eric Waggoner’sapartment right now?

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Lamentations sits in the lotus position with her eyes closed. She is meditating. Then the sound of a MAN’S SCREAM is heard. She opens her eyes and screams very loudly in agony. Exodusmaterializes next to her.

EXODUSLammy! What is it?

50LAMENTATIONS

Another magical murder is beingcommitted!

EXODUSOh, no! Another mortal is dying

like before?

LAMENTATIONSNo! This one’s different! The

air all around him has burned up!But he isn’t burned by the fire!

He barely feels the heat, but hecan’t take in any oxygen!

EXODUSIs this happening in the same

place where Gen and Rev are now?

LAMENTATIONSYes!

(screams again in pain)Kings! I need . . . him to make

this pain go away!

EXODUSI’ll get him!

Exodus disappears. Lamentations lies down on the floor. She sobs and shakes.

LAMENTATIONSGenesis! Revelation! Hurry up

and end this! I can’t take itanymore!

INT. THE UPPER FLOOR’S CORRIDOR - EVENING

It is the same design as the lower floor’s corridor. (Actually,it is the same set with minor details changed.) Genesis runsdown the corridor to Eric Waggoner’s door. While she is doingthis, she thinks her next line.

GENESIS (V.O.)Spring-Heeled Jack was some kindof unknown demon that terrified

51GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)

London in the Nineteenth Century!Chronicles told us that he could

leap great distances, which ishow he got his name!

She stops in front of the door. She gestures. A key instantly appears within the lock. Genesis turns the key. Then she feels the doorknob.

GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)The door’s hot! That confirms

Jack’s other power! Creatingfiery breath!

She gestures again. A large shield materializes in her hands.

GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)A fireproof and bulletproof shield

should deflect his flames! And his claws! At least I hope so!

Genesis quickly opens the door and enters the apartment. She leaves the door open.

INT. ERIC WAGGONER’S APARTMENT – EVENING

ERIC is a man in his late twenties. He lies on the floor and gasps for breath. Standing over him SPRING-HEELED JACK, a horned demon with claws. Jack wears a skintight costume with matching cape and helmet. Genesis enters with the shield. The other two look at her.

GENESIS (V.O.)By the Almighty! There’s no air

in here!

Jack shoots his fiery breath at Genesis. It hits her shield. Genesis screams as she is forced back from the jet blast.

GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)Ohhh! It’s like fighting the jet

blast of a rocket ship! I mustconcentrate! Eric and I both need

oxygen pumping in our blood!

52Genesis gestures with her free hand. Eric stops gasping for air and has a confused look on his face.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Kings stands over the sitting Lamentations and Exodus. Exodus holds Lamentations’s hand. Lamentations tries to be stoic. Kings is very much aloof. Lamentations stops crying.

LAMENTATIONSIncredible!

EXODUSLammy! You stopped crying!

LAMENTATIONSHe’s not in pain anymore! But

he isn’t inhaling oxygen! Andyet, I feel the oxygen going

into his bloodstream!

KINGSYou mean being created into his

bloodstream.

LAMENTATIONSYes, Kings! Genesis is saving

the mortal’s life!(a beat, now somber)

But now his lament has changed!He’s puzzled by the battle that

is taking place between Genesisand . . . some kind of demon with

horns and claws! And the demonis breathing fire at her!

EXODUSBy the Almighty!

LAMENTATIONSGenesis has a fireproof shield

protecting her!(a beat, worried)

But the sheer force of his fierybreath is wearing her down! Isense that is her lament!

53KINGS

An intriguing battle. I wonderhow she will defeat the demon.

JACK AND GENESIS

He forces her back with his fiery breath. He then bends down like he is about to leap at her.

GENESIS (V.O.)The fire blast is coming from

below! He’s about to attack me!

Jack starts to leap at her, but instead he falls on his face. A loud THUD is heard. Genesis moves her shield and looks down at the floor. She smiles.

GENESIS (V.O. CONT’D)It worked!

Bluish-white, metallic blocks cover his feet.

GENESIS

Osmium is the heaviest and mostdense metal on earth! Even in the

smallest amounts! You can’t leapwith osmium blocks on your feet!

Then osmium blocks materialize around his clawed hands.

GENESIS (CONT’D)Or use your claws if they bind

your hands!

Jack is about to blow more of his fiery breath at Genesis. Then water comes out of his mouth.

GENESIS (CONT’D)A few gallons of water in yourmouth, throat, and lungs should

put out your fiery breath! Andjust to make sure that you can’t

spit all of it out . . .

An osmium block materializes around his head. The block quickly plummets to the floor. Genesis sighs and smiles.

54GENESIS (CONT’D)

Praise the Almighty!

Jack cannot lift his head, hands, and feet. He violently tries to get up, but all he can do is make GRUTNING NOISES. At first, these noises are very loud, but soon they become softer. The lack of oxygen plays havoc with Jack’s body. Eventually he dies.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Lamentations now smiles. Exodus smiles with her. Kings look at them with a blasé expression.

KINGSI take it by your expression that

Genesis has defeated the demon.

LAMENTATIONSShe killed him!

EXODUSOh, that’s wonderful!

LAMENTATIONS(again somber)

But the mortal man that Genesissaved! Now he’s afraid of her!(perplexed)

And yet . . .

KINGSWhat is it about him that is so

confusing to you?

LAMENTATIONSNo. He isn’t afraid of her.

(gasps, realizes)I don’t sense his fears anymore!

I have been cut off from them!Because he has severed his mental

link to me! By the Almighty! Wehave been played for fools, Kings!

EXODUSLammy, what do you mean?

55KINGS

This mortal man has been the onecreating the evil magic in Plano.

EXODUSWhat?

LAMENTATIONSIt’s true, Exodus! He must have

used his evil magic on my powers!When I sensed that woman’s death

and just now! He was using me tosummon the forces of good to his

home in Plano!

EXODUSSo he could ambush them?

LAMENTATIONSYes! Every sensation I felt was

an illusion! I see that now!And he created similar illusions

in the minds of our friends!

KINGSSo, Lamentations, you have failed

in your mission.

EXODUSWhat? No!

LAMENTATIONSI did not!

KINGSYour power is to feel the over-

whelming lament of the mortals.Since you were tricked by this

illusionist, you have been foundnegligent of your duties.

LAMENTATIONSRevelation foretold that I would

direct him and Genesis to theirmission in Plano! I have not

failed in my duties! I did feel 56

LAMENTATIONS (CONT’D)the old woman’s lament! Because

she believed that she was dying!She was under the illusionist’s

spell, not me!

KINGSOh, yes, you were! Through her

feelings!

EXODUSKings, you said so yourself! Her

power is to feel the overwhelminglament of the mortals! Whether

the lament is real or an illusiondoes not matter! All that matters

is the raw emotion of the mortals!

Kings looks at the defiant women. He smirks.

KINGSAll right. Since Revelation did

foretell your role in this . . .

situation, you have been nothingmore than an unwitting pawn of

destiny.

The women glower at him. He ignores their rage.

KINGS (CONT’D)Still, we do have a most unusual

problem on our hands. What are wegoing to do about it?

LAMENTATIONSNothing.

KINGSWhat?

LAMENTATIONSRevelation knew that he and Genesis

would be fated to handle this . . . development. There is nothing that

we can do. Because it has neverbeen our problem.

57Exodus turns and glares at Lamentations with much astonishment.Kings also looks at Lamentations in the same way.

INT. ERIC’S APARTMENT – EVENING

He smiles knowingly at Genesis. She looks at him and realizes the truth. She puts the shield between herself and him.

GENESISI take it by your smile that you

are the true villain in thisdrama.

ERICThe true deceiver, anyway. Jack

and your shield never existed.

He gestures, and her shield disappears. Then he points to Jack. Jack and the blocks disappear.

ERIC (CONT’D)And neither did your osmium

blocks. I only made you think

that you were using them againsthim.

She gestures at him, but nothing happens. He laughs.

ERIC (CONT’D)Let me guess. You were going to

create some kind of knockout gasin my lungs. Chloroform, perhaps.

Only you couldn’t do it.

GENESISBecause you had already cast a

spell on my mind! So that Icould not attack you!

ERICVery perceptive of you, Genesis.

I think you should have been made Revelation instead of your

partner. Of course, with hispsychic powers, he had more of

my magic---my mind control forced 58

ERIC (CONT’D)into his head. But now I have

tired of hiding in the background.So now let everything be revealed

to everyone.

Suddenly, Eric and Genesis reappear in Leona’s apartment. Leona and Revelation stand to the side in rigid poses. He is no longer bound. Genesis gapes at her new surroundings.

GENESISLeona’s apartment! We never left

it!

ERICNo, Gen. You only thought that

you had. Because I made you thinkthat you were coming to my rescue

upstairs. Actually, you ran incircles around Revelation and

Leona. Until I could create the right kind of demon for you to

confront. And until I was

able to project my thoughts of terror to your fellow Biblio. I think it was Lamentations who felt my . . . “fright.”

Eric turns and faces Leona.

ERIC (CONT’D)Of course, Lamentations now knows

that I fooled her and all of you.My magic has been projected into

another dimension. Where thesupernatural beings will become

my slaves. And I have Mrs.Downes to thank for that.

Eric approaches Leona and smiles viciously at her.

ERIC (CONT’D)You were my link to that other

dimension. Through your devoutfaith in Christianity. I knew

that they would respond to your

59ERIC (CONT’D)

being . . . “murdered by magic.”You always said that you had the

angels on your side, Leona. Nowthey are . . . literally.

Eric looks at the heroes.

ERIC (CONT’D)And they are now on my side. Now

they will become my army. BecauseI own the one possession that has

eclipsed the light. The ultimatelight in all Christianity.

Eric pulls a spearhead out of his pants pocket. He shows it to the others.

ERIC (CONT’D)Revelation, please do use your

psychometric powers on this spear-

head. And reveal to the ladies ofits evil place in history.

Revelation stares intensely at the spearhead. Then he gasps in shock and horror.

REVELATIONBy the Almighty! That is the

legendary Spear of Destiny! Itis the same spear that Longinus

used to pierce the side of JesusChrist at His Crucifixion! The

same one that Hitler and otherdictators used to conquer manynations throughout history!

The women gape and stare at the spearhead.

ERICCorrect, Revelation. This spear-

head was soaked in the blood andwater coming out of His holy body.

But Jesus was already dead whenLonginus pierced His flesh. So

the magic in His corpse started

60ERIC (CONT’D)

to decay. It began to turn evil.This spearhead purged Christ of

His corrupted magic. And itabsorbed those mystical forces.

REVELATIONBy doing that, the spear purified

Christ’s body. It renewed all ofthe good magic in our Savior.

And that’s how Jesus came to beresurrected from the dead.

ERICExactly, Revelation. The Spear

of Destiny was prophesied in thebible. In the Book of John, if

I’m not mistaken.

REVELATION

John 19. Lines 33 and 34.

ERICWhatever. All that matters is

how the Spear of Destiny nowcontrols the lives of Christians

everywhere. On earth and . . .beyond.

Revelation and Genesis look at each other.

ERIC (CONT’D)Blood and water spilled out of

Christ’s body and onto this spear-head. Blood is the symbol of

death, and water is the symbol oflife. Thus, this spearhead has

the power over both life anddeath. And since it was

Christ who supplied the blood and water, this spearhead can control those of the many Christian faiths. It has the power of life and death over them.

Eric pauses and smiles viciously at the others. 61

ERIC (CONT’D)It has the power to control you.

Its deadly power destroys anyresistance in your minds. And

its lively power can make mythoughts appear in your heads and

put you under my spell. And that is exactly what I have done to

you three.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Lamentations looks solemnly at Kings and Exodus.

LAMENTATIONSEric is allowing me to sense the

old woman’s lament. He told herthat he has the cursed lance.

(sheds a tear)And it is in fact the cursed lance

of Longinus.

KINGSBy the Almighty!

EXODUSWhoever wields that spear wields

absolute power over Christians!Including us!

LAMENTATIONSHe just told her that if one of

the other Biblios should come near him, he has . . .

(chokes back tears)Surrounded his entire body with

the spearhead’s magic. Any oneof us would automatically become

his slave should we attempt toattack him.

EXODUSMaybe I can steal the spearhead

from him before its magic canenslave me!

62KINGS

Or I can make him my slave beforehe can react!

Lamentations shakes her head.

LAMENTATIONSThe spearhead would nullify our

powers before we could use themin his presence. That’s what he

just said to Leona.

Kings and Exodus look at one another. Lamentations wipes the tears from her eyes.

INT. LEONA’S APARTMENT – EVENING

Eric paces in front of Genesis, Revelation, and Leona.

ERICNow that Leona has relayed my

warning to the Biblios, I wantto know all about them. How

many are there? And who are theones that I don’t know about?

REVELATIONThere are ten altogether. You

know about me, Genesis, Kings,Lamentations, Chronicles, Acts,

and Exodus.

ERICThat’s seven. Who are the other

three?

GENESISNumbers, Esther, and Corinthians.

ERICWhat are their powers?

GENESISNumbers has the ability to create

multiple duplicates of himself.He taught me my final lessons in

63GENESIS (CONT’D)

self-defense. He pretended to bea gang of outlaws as well as their

victims. I was supposed to defendmyself from “the gang.” But at

the same time I also had to usemy powers to help “the

victims.”

ERICSo that’s how you were able to

oxygenate my blood while doingbattle with “Jack.” You had prior

experience in . . . multitasking.

GENESISI really oxygenated your blood?

ERICOf course not. While you were

battling “Spring-Heeled Jack,” Ionly had you tell me what you

wanted to do. Now tell me aboutEsther and Corinthians.

GENESISEsther is Persian for star. So

she has the powers of a livingstar. She can create light, heat,

sunspots, and nova blasts. Andlike a star, she can exist in the

vacuum of outer space.

ERICFascinating. Now tell me about

Corinthians.

REVELATIONCorinthians can possess the combined

abilities of eleven people who livein Corinth, Greece.

ERICWhy eleven people?

GENESISBecause Corinthians has eleven letters.

64REVELATION

She can gain the combined strength ofthe eleven strongest men in Corinth.

Or she could gain the speed of theeleven fastest people. But sheusually retains the skills of at least

one doctor or policeman while using herpowers. Sometimes she needs the

Greeks’ intellectual talents alongwith their physical ones.

ERICShe is a one-woman army all by herself.I definitely can use her powers to my

advantage. Once I figure out how todo that.

He looks at the spearhead. He contemplates.

ERIC (CONT’D)But first I had better figure out

how not to lose this little pieceof history. According to legends,

both Charlemagne and Barbarossa died after dropping the Spear of

Destiny. I won’t let that happen to me. So I order you, Genesis, to create a medallion for me. One that will keep the spearhead from ever leaving my touch.

GENESIS So it shall occur, Eric.

ERICYou mean, my lord and master.

GENESIS(nods head)

So it shall occur, my lord andmaster. How do you want me to

create the medallion? What shapedo you want it to be? And what

material do you wish for me tocreate?

65ERIC

Revelation, project my idea forthe medallion into Genesis’s head.

REVELATIONSo it shall occur, my lord and

master.

While Revelation closes his eyes and puts his fingertips to his temples, Eric approaches Genesis. He holds the spearhead up to her face.

ERICAre you ready to create my new

medallion?

GENESISYes, my lord and master. I know

what you want me to create.

ERICThen do it.

Genesis gestures. A metallic medallion with a matching chain materializes in her hands. She gives him the medallion.

GENESISOnce you set the spearhead into

the medallion, I will create thebulletproof-glass setting.

Eric puts the medallion around his neck. He then lifts up the medallion and sets the spearhead on top of it. Genesis’s fingers touch the medallion. Then a glass setting appears toencase the spearhead within the medallion.

ERIC Perfect. Now I can’t possibly

drop the Spear of Destiny.

Eric approaches Leona and shows her the medallion.

ERIC (CONT’D)And I can still feel its magical

aura around my body. So all ofyou are still my slaves.

66LEONA

Can’t you two do anything to stophim?

REVELATIONNo. I sense that he controlled

our minds when we first appearedon earth. We didn’t know it at

the time, but he told us that wecouldn’t do harm to him. Nor

were we allowed to destroy thespearhead. He has won.

GENESISRevelation! If he has won, then

we have failed in our mission!

That means we have to return toPurgatory!

REVELATIONYou’re right!

GENESISI don’t want to lose my powers!

REVELATIONI don’t either! But we have no

choice! This is our punishmentfor failure!

Genesis and Revelation slowly become transparent. The others look at them in astonishment. Eric is the most fascinated.

GENESISNo! We’re disappearing!

REVELATIONEric, help us! Use the spear!

ERICNo! I want to watch this!

GENESISIf I disappear, so does my magic!The medallion will vanish, and youwill drop the spearhead!

67Eric clutches his medallion.

ERICNo! I won’t let that happen!

The medallion becomes transparent in his hands. It quickly disappears, leaving only the spearhead in his hands.

ERIC (CONT’D)I still have the spearhead!

Genesis and Revelation disappear. Leona covers her mouth while Eric grins.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

LAMENTATIONSThey’re going back to Purgatory!

They failed in their mission!

EXODUSOh, no! Gen! Rev!

KINGSBy the Almighty!

Lamentations changes her expression. Now she is confused.

LAMENTATIONSWait! I didn’t feel any lament

from Genesis! I only felt thedistress of Revelation and Leona!

But Genesis . . .(a beat, realizes)

Genesis wanted to be sent back toPurgatory!

KINGSWhat? But why?

LAMENTATIONSI don’t know! But now I’m feeling

something else! Coming from . . .

She screams in agony. She is about to fall, but Exodus and Kings catch her. They see the smile on Lamentations’ face.

68EXODUS

Lammy! Why are you smiling?

LAMENTATIONSBecause I’m feeling Eric’s pain

now!

KINGSEric’s pain? But how? Why?

LAMENTATIONSHe’s having several strokes in

many parts of his body! I don’tknow why!

(cries a bit)But the pain is wonderful!

EXODUSHow can you say that?

LAMENTATIONSBecause it is the villain’s pain

that I feel now!

INT. LEONA’S APARTMENT – EVENING

Eric falls to his knees and clutches his chest. Leona stands a few feet away and looks at him. Eric reaches out to her. As he does that, he drops the spearhead. It bounces on the tiled floor. When it stops moving, Eric’s head falls on the floor. He is now dead.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Lamentations stops groaning in pain. Then she smiles with pure glee. Exodus smiles with her. Kings watches with aloofness.

LAMENTATIONSHe’s dead! I don’t feel his pain

anymore!

KINGSExodus, take me to his corpse!

EXODUSSo it shall occur, Kings!

69For once, Exodus is glad to obey his orders. She takes his hand, and they slowly disappear. Lamentations waves to them.

LAMENTATIONSGod be with you both.

KINGSSummon Chronicles, Lamentations.

He must bear witness to our bestaccomplishment. The retrieval

of the Spear of Destiny.

LAMENTATIONSSo it shall occur, Kings.

Exodus and Kings completely disappear. Lamentations then walks to the side.

LAMENTATIONS (CONT’D)Chronicles, attend me!

INT. LEONA’S APARTMENT – EVENING

Exodus and Kings are there. Kings has hypnotized Leona. She stands rigid in front of him. Exodus stares at Eric’s corpse and shakes her head.

KINGSIt’s no use. I cannot figure out

exactly what happened in here.This mortal’s story does not make

any sense.

EXODUSGenesis couldn’t harm Eric while

she was under his spell. And yetshe was happy to be sent back to

Purgatory. Why?(a beat, realizes)

Wait, Kings. What if she knew thatby going back to Purgatory, she had

no choice but to do harm to Eric?

KINGS I do not understand.

70EXODUS

As long as she was here, under hisspell, she was his slave. But if

she returned to Purgatory, thenher magic had to disappear. And

if her magic disappeared, then allof the things on earth that

she had created . . . They would have disappeared as well.

KINGSBut Genesis didn’t create anything

here. It was all an illusion.

EXODUS

Oh, I don’t think so, Kings. IfI know Genesis, she did create

something here. Something thatcaused the death of her worst enemy

when she returned to Purgatory.

KINGSAnd what is that something, pray

tell?

EXODUSDidn’t Leona tell us something

about Genesis oxygenating Eric’sblood?

KINGSShe said that Genesis had notdone that in reality.

EXODUSI believe the opposite is true.

Genesis did oxygenate Eric’s blood.By creating small amounts of it in

his lungs. And when she vanishedfrom earth, then all the magical

oxygen in Eric’s body disappeared with her. Wouldn’t something like that cause Eric’s lethal strokes?

KINGSBy the Almighty!

71EXODUS

So when Eric told her that shehadn’t oxygenated his blood, it

gave her the idea to do it forreal. And she was not doing him

any harm. If Genesis did theoxygenation little by little,then Eric could not have known

what she was doing. And onceGenesis had created the medallion

for Eric, he won. And they failedbecause then there was no way for

them to defeat him.

KINGSBecause he couldn’t have dropped

the spearhead at the time. Andaccording to Leona, Genesis had

alerted Eric about her magicdisappearing. She even tried to

warn him about the problem before she vanished.

EXODUSBut she did it when it was too

late. He got the warning justseconds before she disappeared.

KINGSIncredible. In order for Genesis

to succeed in her mission, they hadto fail. How ironic.

EXODUS(hesitantly)

Um, Kings. Now that we know thetruth, will Genesis and Revelation

have to stay in Purgatory?

KINGSI do not believe that they will

remain there for long. Especiallywhen we present the cursed spear

of Longinus to the angels.

Kings holds up the spearhead. 72

KINGS (CONT’D)They have searched for this damn

thing for millennia. They willgladly return our comrades to us

in exchange for this prize. Butfirst Chronicles must bear witness

to my being the first supernatural agent of heaven to hold the spear and not fall under its spell.

EXODUSOf course. And you will allow me

to tell Chronicles that you made

Leona ask the spear to purge itselfof its evil magic.

Kings glowers at the smirking Exodus.

EXODUS (CONT’D)After all, Chronicles will ask us

how you were able to handle thespear when the other supernatural

agents of heaven could not.

KINGSWell, we must be thorough in our

report. For posterity’s sake.Now, Exodus, please teleport the

corpse of our enemy into his ownapartment.

(to Leona)Where did you say that was?

LEONAEric’s apartment is the one

directly above my ceiling.

KINGSThank you.

(meaner to Exodus)Move it!

EXODUS So it shall occur, Kings.

Exodus touches Eric’s hand. She grimaces. 73

EXODUS (CONT’D)This part of the job, I’ll

never get used to!

She and Eric disappear. Kings looks at Leona.

KINGSYou will remember nothing about

what you saw and heard tonight.In fact, you will go to bed.

And when you wake up in themorning, you will remember being

so tired tonight that you wentto bed before sundown.

Leona yawns and stretches on cue. Kings smiles.

KINGS (CONT’D)Good night, Leona. I wish that I

didn’t have to take away yourmemory of tonight’s events. But

the Almighty doesn’t like it when mortals have real knowledge

of His agents. It takes awaytheir free will in their

worship of Him. He wants to be loved unconditionally.

LEONAGoodness. I really must be

exhausted. It’s not even sundown,and I feel like going to sleep.

Ah, why not? Maybe I’ll have adream about the mister. That

would be nice.

KINGSYes, it would be nice.

(louder, more authority)Leona Downes, I command you to

have the most pleasant dreampossible about your late husband.

Leona smiles as she starts to unbutton her blouse. Kings looks at her with potential disgust. Then Exodus appears between the two.

74EXODUS

I made it appear that Eric wasasleep in his bed when he died.

Is that all right, Kings?

KINGSPerfect. Now take me back to

Biblio. I must seek congresswith the overseers in Purgatory.

EXODUSSo it shall occur, Kings.

Leona is about to take off her blouse when Exodus takes Kings’s hand. She notices Leona’s action and his reaction. He glares at Exodus, who stifles a laugh.

KINGSDo as I say, and do not say a

word about this to anyone!

Exodus lets out a snicker as they start to disappear.

EXODUS (V.O.)I sure hope Rev will be coming

back to Biblio! Wait until heuses his telepathy on what I

know now!

They completely vanish.

INT. THE BIBLIO DIMENSION – DAY

Chronicles holds the hands of Genesis and Revelation. All of them have their eyes closed. Chronicles is absorbing their memories of their mission. Then they open their eyes and let go of one another.

CHRONICLESI commend you, Genesis. That was

a brilliant idea.

GENESISThank you, Chronicles. But for

the record, it was strictly adesperate ploy.

75REVELATION

I had no idea that you had comeup with a plan. Of course, Eric

ordered me to use my telepathyto plant his medallion idea into

your head. So I couldn’t use mypower to receive your

thoughts.

GENESISWhich made my plan all the more

likely to happen. After all, Rev,

you never could tell a convincinglie. I was afraid that you were

going to give my plan away toEric. Unintentionally, of

course.

REVELATIONOf course.

CHRONICLESWell, all that matters now is that

the Spear of Destiny will not becursing Christians anymore. Oh,

if only I knew where Eric hadfound it. And how he knew about

its evil magic.

REVELATIONPerhaps if I concentrate on the

time that I used my psychometryon the spearhead, I might be

able to learn more about itshistory.

GENESISOr you might fall victim to Eric’s

spell again. Let us leave wellenough alone.

REVELATION(sighs)

You may be right. Better safe thansorry.

GENESISEven if you do have God on your side.

76Revelation and Chronicles look at Genesis. She shrugs.

FADE OUT.

THE END