13 Reflections

Reflection 1: The Vanishing

Craig Lew Season 1 Episode 1

13 REFLECTIONS  is a new horror fiction serial podcast.
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A young woman confesses her past in a hospital room.
Ten-year-old Polly vanishes from her bedroom, Mina Wen, a freshman in college enters a dance club but never comes out, and the Sheriff arrests a terrified Billy Hazlebob for breaking windows and mirrors in Hyde Park.  These events bring FBI Special Agent Kelly Lee  to the small town of Brimstone. Ashley Harker is left struggling to solve the mystery of her her daughter vanished from her bedroom. 

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CAST

  • Sheila Ann as Ashley Harker
  • Suggie Oh as Polly / Waipoh / D. Slaughter / Kate / Mina 
  • Kayla Gaffney as Paula
  • Minerva Jayne as Sheriff Georgie Gordon
  • Mark Woolley as Agent Lee
  • Glenn Oakley as Ray
  • Collin McCoy as Billy
  • Rachel Terhune as Lucy / Freya
  • Patt Duynslager as Barney
  • Gabrielle McCoy as Christie 
  • Jared Hallock as James
  • Lauren Christensen as McKenna
  • Kris Duynslager as Heather
  • Jonathan L. Chu as Dr. Chu
  • Craig Lew as Deputy Green / Johnathan Harker / Cabbie
  • Tina Barnett as Narrator 


an Audiotonomy Production


Craig Lew

writer/director/producer


Tina Barnett

producer


Mark Woolley

Composer


Rachel Banta

Graphic Artist




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MUSIC CUE HOSPITAL AMBIENCE

HEART RATE MONITOR BEEPS

WOMAN

I need to tell you something, something about your family, your history, your heritage. I did something that kicked this off. It was innocent at least my part, in the beginning. I didn’t seek this out and I would never wish this on anyone but as of this point I am so grateful for you and for your life. What I’m about to do, I do knowing the price. I know you won’t remember anything from before but perchance something resurfaces upon reflection, I need you to know what to do...and more importantly what not to do.

THEME MUSIC

ANNOUNCER
This is 13 Reflections
Reflection 1: The Vanishing

BREAKING GLASS. HEAVY BREATHS. FOOTSTEPS RUN UP.

CUT TO:

BILLY

Not gonna get me. Not gonna get me.

BAT WHIPPING THROUGH THE AIR. GLASS BREAKS.

SNEAKER COVERED FOOTSTEPS RUN. A CAR ALARM BLARES.

A DOG BARKS.


BILLY

Not gonna get me.

RUNNING. HEAVY BREATHING. WALKING. STOPS.


BILLY

I’m not going with you. No.

BAT SWINGS. GLASS BREAKS.

FOOT STEPS ON BROKEN GLASS. 

A POLICE SIREN APPROACHES. TIRES SKID.

A CAR DOOR OPENS. POLICE RADIO NOISE.

BOOTS ON ASPHALT APPROACHING.

  NARRATOR
Sheriff Georgie Gordon the mother hen of Brimstone steps out of her cruiser.

SHERIFF

Hey Kid!

BILLY

Not gonna get me.

SHERIFF

Put the bat down and come out of there!


BILLY

No. No. Not gonna get me.

PISTOL CLEARS LEATHER. POP.

ELECTRICITY SPARKS. BODY THUD.

BILLY SHUDDERS. UNINTELLIGIBLE BABBLING.

MUSIC CUE ASHLEY’S HOUSE 
SMALL WORKBOOTS ON STAIRS 
A WOMAN SIGHS

INTERIOR WOOD DOOR OPENS

ASHLEY

Sorry I’m late.

A BOOK CLOSES

LUCY

It’s cool Mrs. Harker. Gives me time to do some homework.


TEN YEAR OLD MIND DUMP RAPID SPEAK

POLLY

Lucy is taking a creative writing class and we’re doing a comic book. It’s so cool. I was helping her with the story. It’s scary and romantic, but SOOO scary you’ll scream.


ASHLEY

Slow down. Take a breath. Hello Polly.


POLLY

Oh yeah. Hi mom.

KISS ON FOREHEAD


ASHLEY

Lucy, I’m a little light on cash.

LUCY

No worries this’ll do Mrs. Harker.

BACKPACK ZIPS UP

FOOTSTEPS

LUCY

Just gonna use the bathroom before I go.


WOOD DOOR OPENS CELL PHONE RINGS

POLLY

Maaawwwwwm.

ASHLEY

I know. No work at home.

CELL PHONE RING STOPS TOILET FLUSHES

WATER RUNS ON THEN OFF

ASHLEY

Lucy? You want a ride? It’s really cold out.


NO ANSWER

ASHLEY
Lucy?

SOFT KNOCK ON WOOD DOOR KNOB TURNS

DOOR OPENS


ASHLEY

You want a ride? Huh? Where’d she go?


ASHLEY CLOSES CABINET DOOR

ASHLEY

Why is this thing open?

MEDICINE CABINET DOOR CLOSES


ASHLEY

Polly? Did you see Lucy leave?

POLLY

Nope.

ASHLEY

She’s awfully quick.

POLLY

Totally ninja.


ASHLEY

She sure is. I guess it’s just you and me Polly girl.


POLLY

Yay. Sit down and let me read you the story we were working on.

Lucy’s story.

ASHLEY

Lucy’s story?

POLLY

Yeah. Here.

PAPER RUSTLES


ASHLEY

The tale of two mirrors.


MUSIC CUE

METAL EXTERIOR DOOR OPENS POLICE RADIO NOISE PERSON YELLING

WOMAN CRYING BOOTS WALK

DEPUTY

What you got Sheriff?

SHERIFF

Responded to a 10 63 at Hyde Park Bridal. He broke the window and one of those full length mirrors with this.


BASEBALL BAT BOUNCES ON COUNTER

SHERIFF (CONT'D)

Had to taze him.

DEPUTY

Did he crap himself? Jeeezzuss.


SHERIFF

Nah. He just stinks.

BILLY

Uuugggg.

DEPUTY

Does Stinky got a name?

SHERIFF

Billy Hazelbob according to his student ID.


COMPUTER KEYBOARD


DEPUTY

Billy. Wakey. Wakey.

BILLY

Argh. Not gonna get me! Aaaawww.

HANDCUFFS RATTLE BILLY STRUGGLES

DEPUTY

What’s his fucking deal?

SHERIFF

I dunno. On something strong. He broke windows and mirrors up and down 13th street so keep him away from glass or mirrors.


BILLY SCREAMS


DEPUTY

I don’t like your face either kid but knock it off or I’ll taze you all over again.


BILLY CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE

SHERIFF

Toss him in cell 3 by himself. Let him untweak a bit. Maybe he’ll talk when the withdrawal terrors come.


CELL DOOR OPENS THEN SLAMS SHUT

CUT


MUSIC CUE FOR ASHLEY’S HOUSE PAGE TURNS

POLLY CLEARS HER THROAT THEN IN RAPID PRETEEN SPEAK.

POLLY

Many years ago. In a time long forgotten, there lived a Chinese princess, Mai Mai in a huge castle behind a tall stone wall.


PAGE TURNS



POLLY (CONT'D)

In the corner of her room sat a tall red lacquered cabinet that held inside it a large mirror framed by a silver dragon holding its tail in his fanged mouth.


ASHLEY

Hold on. Polly girl. Wait. Wait. Why don’t you just tell what it about.




PAGE TURNS BOOK CLOSES





POLLY

Oh Okay. A Mongolian Prince is in love with a Chinese Princess but she’s being kept in a castle. The Prince orders a Shaman to create a magic portal so he can visit the Princess.







PAGE TURNS

ASHLEY

A magic portal?

POLLY

Through two mirrors.



POLLY (CONT'D)

The myth goes like this. Face two mirrors to create endless reflections.

(MORE)






PAGE TURNS

POLLY (CONT'D)

Look to the smallest reflection to make your deepest wish come true, touch the 13th reflection to open the gate.





PAGE TURNS

POLLY (CONT'D)

See. He’s stepping into the mirror.



POLLY (CONT'D)

Now he’s in her room.


PHONE RINGS

ASHLEY

You ready to snooze?

POLLY

Yeah. I guess you can’t keep them waiting all night.


ASHLEY

Did you brush your teeth?

POLLY

Yeah.

ASHLEY





KISSES.

Breathe. Let me smell.

POLLY

Oh gawd. Okay, okay.



ASHLEY

I love you Polly girl.

POLLY

I love you more.


FOOTSTEPS ON CARPET. DOOR CLOSES.





ASHLEY

Harker construction, how can I help you?


RAY

Hey. We’ve got a problem.


ASHLEY

I just left the site an hour ago. What can’t wait until the morning?


RAY

Einhorn texted me just now. He wants to move the open date up two weeks. He got a photo shoot for business weekly.


ASHLEY

What? No can do Ray. The windows are special order. And there’s no budget for staging his office.


RAY

He also told me if you say “no.” I should find someone else.


ASHLEY

That fuck wad.

ASHLEY’S VOICE FADES MUFFLED BY THE CLOSED DOOR. POLLY SIGHS

PAPER RUSTLES


POLLY

What compels someone to smell their kid’s breath?


BLANKETS PULL BACK

SOFT THUD OF SMALL FEET ON CARPET INTERIOR WOOD DOOR OPENS

LIGHT SWITCHES ON

AMBIENCE CHANGES TO BATHROOM REVERB MEDICINE CABINET DOOR CREAKS OPEN WATER RUNS

TEETH BRUSHING


NARRATOR

As Polly brushes her teeth she glances over at the large bathroom mirror over the sink.

(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

For a brief moment she sees a little boy just behind her in the reflection. She snaps around but no one is there.


POLLY SPITS WATER OFF












MOVEMENT

POLLY

Hmmm I wonder?

NARRATOR

Polly adjusts the mirrored medicine cabinet door to create endless reflections in the large bathroom mirror over the counter. She leans in and studies all of the reflections then she reaches out and walks her fingers across the hard mirrored surface.



POLLY

One, two, three...


MUTED ASHLEY LAUGHING.

POLLY (CONT'D)

Nine, ten, eleven...thirteen.

NARRATOR

Polly waits but nothing appears to change, then just as disappointment seeps into Polly’s expresion a wave washes across the mirror.


EERIE WHOOSH

EERIE PLOP OF A PEBBLE IN A STILL POND

POLLY

Woah. This is real!

NARRATOR

Polly pokes her finger at the large mirror. It jiggles with her touch.


POLLY

Wow. The mirror...it’s like jello.

POLLY GIGGLES


NARRATOR

Polly pokes her finger deeper. To her surprise a ripple starts at the top of the mirror. A dark point emerges like the fin of a small fish. It moves closer to her and she yanks her finger out. The fin receeds back under.


POLLY

Hey. Wait. Don’t go.

NARRATOR

The fin swims away slowly. Po lly plunges her entire hand into the jell-o like mirror and wiggles her fingers.





SPLASHING

POLLY

It tickles.



NARRATOR

Then suddenly something grabs at her wrist.


POLLY

Hey. Let go... wait.



ASHLEY

If Einhoirn wants those mirrored windows sooner, I’ll have to source them from Acme.


RAY

Acme pricing will put us over budget.




CUT


ASHLEY

That’s Einhorn’s problem.

RAY

He won’t see it that way.

ASHLEY

Because his head is up his ass.

RAY

Ha. True that. But still.


ASHLEY

But still nothing.

RAY

Okay. I’ll try and squeeze wine...

ASHLEY

From an asshole. Shit. Now I need a drink.


RAY

You sound upset. Should I come over?



For what?

ASHLEY


RAY

Well, I’d start by rubbing your neck, then work my way down to your lower back and from there I’d move to your lower front.


ASHLEY

It’d be a hate fuck, Ray.

RAY

Best kind.

POLLY SCREAMS


Polly? RUNNING UPSTAIRS




ASHLEY

INTERIOR WOOD DOOR BANGS OPEN

ASHLEY (CONT'D)

Polly? Where are you?

MUFFLED VOICE


POLLY

Mom!


BATHROOM AMBIENCE REVERB

ASHLEY

Polly!

GASP


NARRATOR

As brief as a lightening strike, Ashley glimpses Polly in the mirror then she is gone. Ashley rushes to the mirror as she leans in her shoulder brushes against the mirrored medicine cabinet door and it slowly closes ending the reflections.



EERIE JELLO SPLASHING CREAK OF CABINET DOOR DOOR CLOSES


MUSIC CUE DARK MAGIC ALL EERIE SOUNDS CUT OFF

ASHLEY’S VOICE FADES TO MUFFLED ANGUISH VACCUM OF AMBIENCE

SOFT EERIE BREEZE







CUT TO:


POLLY

Mom. I’m here. In here.

EERIE GROWL.

CLAWS OF SMALL ANIMAL ON CONCRETE SCUTTLE CLOSER.

POLLY (CONT'D)

Who’s there?

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH.


FREDDIE

Shhhh. He’ll hear you.

POLLY

Who will hear me?

FREDDIE

Take my hand.

POLLY

Wait. Why?


FREDDIE

If you want to live, you’ll come with me.


POLLY

But my mom...

FREDDIE

No time. He’s coming.

FOOTSTEPS RUN OFF.

HEAVY WET FOOTFALLS APPROACH. MONSTER GROWLING.

CUT TO:



COMMERICAL JET FLIES OVERHEAD DAY TIME AMBIENCE

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT “THE WHITE ZONE IS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING OF PASSENGERS ONLY, NO PARKING.”


CARS PASS BY


CABBIE

Taxi Mister?

LEE

Yes. Thank you.

CAR DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES. INTERIOR OF TAXI.

OUTSIDE SOUNDS MUFFLED. DOOR CLOSES.


Where to?

CABBIE


LEE

7200 Barrister Drive.

CABBIE

Woah. Ok. TURN SIGNAL CLICKS. TAXI SPEEDS UP.


CABBIE (CONT'D)

Um. I take it you’re not from around here.


LEE

What gave me away my accent or the fact that I just came off an airplane?


CABBIE

Hahaha. Neither one. I’m a psychic.

LEE

Is that so? And what does your 6th sense tell you?


CABBIE

That something dark brought you here.


LEE

I am impressed. My destination didn’t give you a hint?


CABBIE

No. Although I must admit, you are wearing all black.


LEE

Quite the tip off.

CABBIE FICKS ON TURN SIGNAL. TAXI SLOWS THEN SPEEDS UP.

CABBIE

Wouldn’t have tagged you as law enforcement though.


LEE

What tag would give me?

CABBIE

Mortician?

LEE

Haha. Now that is precious.

CABBIE

Here we are. Brimstone County Sheriff’s station.


LEE

What do I owe?


CABBIE

Seventeen fifty.

CASH EXCHANGES.


LEE

Keep the change.

CABBIE

No no. Just tell me what you do.

LEE

I’m with the FBI.

CAR DOOR OPENS

CUT TO:



ASHLEY’S HOUSE MUSIC CUE ASHLEY WEEPS

SHERIFF

Mrs. Harker? You said you were on a call?


ASHLEY

Yes, my office called about a problem at work.


SHERIFF

What sort of problem?

ASHLEY

Just a scheduling issue. What does that have to do with anything?


SHERIFF

I don’t know. Could the call have been a ploy to distract you?


ASHLEY

You mean like from the kidnapper? No. No. It wasn’t. The call was from my co worker Ray.


DOOR OPENS. FOOTSTEPS APPROACH.

DEPUTY

Wait here a sec.


FOOTSTEPS.



DEPUTY (CONT'D)

Excuse me, Sheriff?

SHERIFF

Who’s that?

DEPUTY

He just showed up at the station. Says he’s from the FBI.


SHERIFF

Well, is he?

DEPUTY

His credentials check out.

SHERIFF

Why’s he here?


FOOTSTEPS APPROACH.

DEPUTY

He asked...

LEE

I demanded to be brought to you. Special Agent Lee, hostage recovery, kidnapping that sort of thing.


SHERIFF

Now hold on a minute. We don’t know this is a kidnapping.


LEE

And yet a child is missing and there’s no forced entry or exit. Yes?


SHERIFF

How’d you know that?

LEE

I’m a psychic.

SHERIFF

You kidding me?

LEE

Yes. That’s a joke. Sorry, you had to be there.


SHERIFF

We’re just starting to investigate this. How are you here so quickly?


LEE

I monitor APBs for missing persons, kidnappings, alleged suicides, serial killings, unexplained phenomena.


DEPUTY

So like the X-files?

SHERIFF

Deputy? What’re you still doing here? Get back to the station. But first shut the fuck up. Now, get back to the station.


LEE

Sheriff Gordon is it?

SHERIFF

Yeah.

LEE

I don’t believe this is a kidnapping either, but to be thorough, you should have your men dust the entire house.


SHERIFF

Yeah. Okay. Hey guys, dust all the windows, the sills inside and out.


THE SHERIFF’S HEAVY FOOTSTEPS STOMP OFF.

LEE

Mrs. Harker, may we talk?

ASHLEY

Yes of course. I’m relieved you’re here.


LEE

I assure you I’ll use all my resources to locate your child.


ASHLEY

Don’t need your assurances, just make it happen.


LEE

Indeed. I will. I can’t help notice all of the moving boxes, did you just move in?


ASHLEY

Couple of months ago, but I haven’t had time to unpack.


LEE

Anyone here with you last night?

ASHLEY

The babysitter but she left right after I came home.


LEE

Anyone else drop by? Your ex maybe?

ASHLEY

I’m a widow.

LEE

Boyfriend?

ZIPPO LIGHTER FLIPS OPEN. A THUMB STRIKES A FLAME.

THEN THE LIGHTER’S CAP CLOSES. THIS REPEATS A FEW TIMES.

ASHLEY

Um, no boyfriend.

LEE

Girlfriend?

ASHLEY

No.

LEE

Tinder date?

ASHLEY

No. Between my daughter and work, I’m too busy for anything like that.


LEE

What time did the babysitter leave?


ASHLEY

Just after ten.

LEE

What time did your daughter go missing?


ASHLEY

Last night about ten thirty.

LEE

I see.

ASHLEY

Lucy didn’t kidnap Polly.

LEE

So you say. I’ll still need to talk to her.


ASHLEY

Yeah. Sure.

FIDGETING WITH ZIPPO LIGHTER.

LEE

I don’t mean to shock you but seventy five percent of abducted children are killed within the first three to twenty four hours.


ASHLEY

Oh my god.

LEE

So, Mrs. Harker, with no time to waste, either someone else was here or...








MAIN THEME

ASHLEY

You can’t think that I did it?

LEE

Until I find your daughter... everyone did it.



ANNOUNCER

13 Reflections.