Note: To get the whole story, make sure to check out the previous episodes!
Episode 5 - Evening, Oct 30, one day before Halloween.
Most of Wincharm’s residents are settling down to sleep — but little do they know that the night is already full of magic-and rife with mystery - just in time for Halloween tomorrow!
Are you ready to explore this dark October night in Wincharm? Just remember…you’ve got to be ready for the shadows.
Thank you for listening to Save Erce
Brio Integrated Theatre Production
Directed by Margo Attaya | Written by the Brio team
In order of appearance, this episode stars:
Nicolas Stavre as Jeremy Hamilton, host of the Paranormal Radio show
Marc Wilson as Leopold Ramsey, the movie reviewer
Alexandra Sturm as Gabriel Hart, co-host of the Paranormal Radio show
Erin Boyle as Storm, teen witch
Erin MacArthur as Electra, teen witch
Sheila Rudolph-Correia as Lucinda, Storm's mother
Brian Hunt as Duncan , dragon/changeling
Kevin Santos as Nick, teenager
Marc Wilson as Samuel, Electra’s father
Sound design and audio editing by Margo Attaya and Alexandra Sturm
Music: Theme is True Strength by Caleb Etheridge
other music from storyblocks.com and soundstripe.com.
Special shout out to NuPath and Wincam
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Winchester Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Save Erce is produced by Brio Integrated Theatre, an all abilities production
If you’re enjoying the adventure so far, let us know by leaving us a 5 star rating or review! This really helps us find new listeners.
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Episoden 5. Something’s in the Air Tonight
1 Jeremy Creepathon - Monster Movies jeremy, gabby, Leopold
2 Friends & Differences Storm and Electra
3 New Discoveries Electra and Duncan
4 Young Love Storm and NICK
5 Home is where the heart is Electra and her dad
SCENE 1 - Monster Movies
Radio Station Studio for One Step Beyond
==========================================
JEREMY
Good Evening all you Aliens and Spooks. We’re live from Wincharm.
GABRIEL
Jeremy, I haven’t seen the sun in days… Honestly, I feel about as “alive” as a corpse in a crypt!
JEREMY
Love your gallow’s humor, Gab.
To our listeners, I hope you have enjoyed listening to our callers and guests so far as we approach Halloween!
GABRIEL
That’s tomorrow night! …Day four of our Creepathon. Don’t forget about the Halloween Costume Contest - we have great prizes.
JEREMY
Well listeners, you’re in for a treat, our special guest this afternoon just might give you a few ideas for a prize-winning costume.
We didn’t have to go far to find this illustrious guest. He is a movie columnist and reviewer of our own Wincharm Gazette. We invited this film-fanatic to discuss his favorite subject : Classic Monsters films!
Please welcome …Mr. Leopold Ramsay.
LEOPOLD
(40’s, neat, a bit nerdy, starstruck, nervous at first but once he starts talking about films, he gets more confident)
G-greetings.
G-glad to be on the show. (breathes hard to steady himself) I must admit, I sound better on paper than I do speaking into a mic…unlike you, J-jeremy.
JEREMY
Well, it’s great to have you, Leopold. I, for one, happen to be a big fan of your work. Yours is always the first article I read in the ole Gazette!
Now, we have to know - what is your all-time favorite scary monster movie?
LEOPOLD
Well, that’s h-h-hard to say.
JEREMY
You must have a favorite one you watch all the time.
LEOPOLD
I’m a vintage film buff so….so I would have to say… well, James Whale's The Invisible Man.
JEREMY
Tell me more ….
LEOPOLD
It was made in 1933 ….. a-a-a-adapted from a HG Wells novel. The actor was Claude Rains, he played the mad scientist, Dr. Griffin! His great performance - plus the film’s revolutionary use of special effects- makes this movie - truly legendary.
GABRIEL
I saw that one. He was one crazy scientist and a true monster. I like the old fashion monsters - like Dracula.
LEOPOLD
Well G-G-Gabriel, in 1931 the late great Béla Lugosi brought us a charming well-dressed Dracula …with his hypnotic eyes! That film made Universal Studios a lot of money and that’s when they realized audiences wanted a good scare. They started unleashing a wave of monster movies. Leaving the world a shudder-worthy legacy of great classic monster films!
JEREMY
I think The Wolf Man might be my favorite!
Juggling life as human and beast, seems like a real handful-or…pawful?...
LEOPOLD
The Wolf Man is an undeniable masterpiece, with Lon Chaney, jr as our innocent stranger visiting the Old Country, encountering dark misty forests, an old fortune teller, and ominous messages from the townsfolk.
GABRIEL
I think I‘ve heard that story before.
LEOPOLD
That may be true, but this movie shows us more … a werewolf who is very much human. He is bitten by a werewolf while trying to save someone’s life and from this good deed, he is now cursed. Every full moon he transforms into a ‘wolfman’ who can’t control his beastly killing nature. He knows he must die to save those he loves. This story is really a tragedy.
GABRIEL
How does it compare to contemporary movies like American Werewolf in London?
LEOPOLD
The director and screenwriter, John Landis actually pays homage to it by following its basic storyline. Of course the special effects are quite different from the original Wolfman. It was made forty years ago. Landis turns his character David into more of a massive wolfbeast. He also adds humor to counteract all the violence in his film.
JEREMY
Here’s the million dollar question:
Why do we love movies that make us cower and shake in our seats?
What makes them so appealing to millions around the world?
GABRIEL
Probably the same reason those wackos camp out looking for Bigfoot…
LEOPOLD
G-good question. And yes, in a way, I think you’re right, Gabriel!
The horror genre isn’t just about cheap thrills, though. My theory is that scary movies take our fears of the unknown and bring those nightmares to life, and thus makes us feel more empowered!
JEREMY
I know that feeling - the adrenaline rush!
LEOPOLD
Exactly. You see, it’s all about what we do when confronting that fear. It’s the opportunity to understand why it’s so scary. While we sit safe in our seats together in the flickering light of the big screen, it’s a chance of even overcoming it!
GABRIEL
I never thought about it that way.
LEOPOLD
Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, the Mummy, Dracula – all of these prolific monsters of the silver screen are the manifestations of our greatest fears. They have been adapted and re-interpreted throughout film history. You could say, we’ve gotten pretty attached to our monsters.
GABRIEL
Hmmm so you’re saying that as much as they may terrify us, we love these monsters. Because they are - in a way- a reflection of ourselves… and I think they can help us make sense of all the crazy, …..sometimes spooky things in our lives.
And trust me, being on this show, I think I have a little insight on how “crazy”, crazy really can get.
LEOPOLD
That’s the magic of cinema!
JEREMY
Wow, you got me in the mood to watch a Double Creature Feature.
GABRIEL
Anyone for a nice big bucket load of buttery popcorn?
JEREMY
Lucky for us, it’s time for our commercial break!
Thank you so much for coming in, Leopold! It was a pleasure!
LEOPOLD
Glad to be on your show!
JEREMY
Now Gab - let’s get that corn popping! Folks, we’re going to be taking a short break, so in the meantime, here’s a commercial from our sponsor, the Wincharm Titan car dealership. We don’t really support their business model, but we need the money bad.
JEREMY
Anyways, we’ll be back soon.
SCENE 2- Friends & Differences
Early evening- Storm’s house
==================================
Electra and Storm are trying on new looks for the party. Electra’s retro halloween music plays softly in the background.
STORM
“Thanks for helping me try on different looks, Electra!”
ELECTRA
“Of course! I’m almost done with your hair. You’re already looking stunning. There.”
STORM
“This is kinda out of my comfort zone, ….. you don’t think this dress is too short?”
ELECTRA
“Noo, You look great, it shows off your long legs.”
STORM
(to herself)
“I can’t wait for the party! I hope it won’t be too dark in there for Nicky to see me sparkle!”
SILENCE
ELECTRA
“about that…”
STORM
“What is it, Electra?”
ELECTRA
“Do you really think it’s a good idea for an um to come to the party?”
STORM
“Not this again.”
ELECTRA
“Look, I know you like Nick—he seems like a nice guy. But do I really need to remind you for the hundredth time what the ums are capable of?”
STORM
Groans
Don’t call them Umms.
ELECTRA
“We don’t have pitchfork-wielding villagers now, but some things never change.”
(pause)
“You saw that Halloween stuff in the mall. They still stereotype us, they dress up to scare each other….. And make those stupid movies showing how evil we are.”
(pause)
“I’m sorry to say this but—Nick is one of them.
He will never understand us or our world!”
STORM angrily
“I hate when you say stuff like that.”
(pause)
“I thought that when you met him, you’d realize that he’s good - that you don’t have to be afraid of some unmagicals.”
“Why can’t you at least try?
ELECTRA angrily
“Well, don't be mad at me when something bad happens and I have to say I told you so. You know, I think I should go. ”
Sound of footsteps and door closing loudly
Storm sighs loudly
Sound of knocking at the door
LUCINDA (mom)
“Hey honey-is everything alright? Can I come in”
STORM
“Yeah mom “
LUCINDA
“Did you and Electra have a tiff?”
STORM
“Electra and I just don’t see eye to eye sometimes…”.
LUCINDA
“O honey…... Is this about a boy?”
STORM (embarrassed)
“Mom!!
Ok fine! Yes!”
“I introduced Electra to Nick today.
He’s going to perform at this year’s Halloween party.
He’s not a magical. And she doesn't seem to like them very much.”
LUCINDA
“You know, friends won’t always agree.
But friends shouldn’t let differences come between them.
Give her time, she’ll come around.”
STORM
“Maybe. “
LUCINDA
“Did I ever tell you, your father used to be in a band?
That's actually how we met. “
STORM
“What!!! I never knew Dad even liked music! “
LUCINDA
(laughs)
“Well, when he was young, he liked the “experimental” stuff- his band was a little hard to dance to…. They were called ‘Banana Stevens’- he played the electric oboe. “
STORM
“You’re kidding!”
Both Laugh
LUCINDA
“Tomorrow night is your big night! It’s the Blood Moon Conjuring.
Have you discussed the theme for the party with Mildred?”
STORM
“Yes, it will be an Egyptian theme - Mildred is so excited about it.”
LUCINDA
“We will have some fun with that theme.
I have been waiting 16 years for this. My little girl…..now we’ll be making magic side by side and with Yaya, that’s three generations.
Let’s stop at the field before the conjuring, to gather our special herbs.”
SCENE 3- New Discoveries
The Night before Halloween in the Industrial zone
We hear footsteps
ELECTRA
(WALKING DOWN THE DARK ALLEY, talking to herself)
“Open your eyes, Storm! You can’t trust the Ums!”
(mockingly)
“Yeah Storm….even cute shaggy-haired ones.”
“This alley is way too dark. Even for me,
I think it’s time for this witch to fix these lights.
Chanting, as she looks at the lights, she raises her hand.
“Alleys with shadows dark,
Street lights broken and can not spark,
Here me Lights,
I call on you now
Keep my path bright all around town!’
MAGIC SOUND
“That’s much better.
Eight more blocks and I’ll be home.”
Sound of spray paint canister and wings flapping - (sound of painting spray)
Duncan is flying in the air and spray painting on the wall. (flapping sound- moving)
Humming to himself. (humming - celtic or elvis presley - simple minds - song magic!
Electra stops in her tracks
“Oh! What the…? A flying ….?
After a couple beats, the sound of spray painting and wing beating THEN stops.
DUNCAN
Landing next to Electra
“Admiring me work?”
ELECTRA
“Uh…sorry - I didn’t mean to spy.
(breath taken away)
Wow, I’ve never seen anything so …amazing. “
DUNCAN
“Thank ya, lass.”
ELECTRA
“Your wings…..You were flying….. Are you…are you a Magical?”
DUNCAN
(Laughs, shaking his head)
“No. Something better.”
ELECTRA
“Oh, really?”
DUNCAN
“Me, I am an artist.
These … these are my wee wings.
(sounds of wings fluttering)
When I’m painting I can go as high as I want.
And This wall
- well, this is my first piece in this new land. (pause)
To honor Erce.”
ELECTRA
“Erce?”
DUNCAN
“What do you see?
ELECTRA
“Well, when I look at it… I see plants, animals, the world
- they are going from color to grey into smoke.
I guess I feel a sadness - a great loss.
(pause)
Is that lettering?”
DUNCAN
“Aye , in the old script”
ELECTRA
“What does it say?
DUNCAN
“It says ‘Save Erce’”
ELECTRA
“Who is Erce?”
DUNCAN
“Erce is the air you breathe, Lassie,
the ground you walk on,
the water you drink …”
ELECTRA
“You mean the Earth?”
DUNCAN
“Aye, is that what you call her here?”
ELECTRA
“We call Her ….The Earth, Our world, Our Planet,
…home sweet home.
DUNCAN
“Home? in my realm -
we have been watching you humans make a big bloody mess of it all.
Most of you anyway.
Polluting, stripping it fer ya own greed. You build and build to change and change … all for the worst. You have made her sick!
ELECTRA
“I agree the Ums have done all of that. But I’m not one of them.
DUNCAN
“You’re not?!”
ELECTRA
“But wait, let’s get back to you
I’ve never seen someone… someone like you before.”
DUNCAN
“Well Lass, no wonder. I am from another realm,
…far far away from these shores…
I am a changeling, and a errr, (he says quietly) …a dragon.
ELECTRA
“Wait a minute - did you just say… you're a dragon?”
DUNCAN
“Aye - a dragon!
You know…. those big scaly reptiles with big wings that fly in the air. Spewing fire and smoke.
… and maybe… diving down to make a meal out of the local villagers.
(laughs)
ELECTRA
“For real?”
DUNCAN
“Well maybe not so much makin a piece outa the villagers. (snorts)
I’ve never done that.
As you see, I can make myself look human… well, minus these lil wings.
(pause)
Not many of us dragons are changelings.
(proudly)
I get it from my mother’s side of the family. It’s how some of us have survived this long.
ELECTRA
“A Changeling… and a dragon?
DUNCAN
Did you know we have lived amongst you. Some of your famous artists were …. Changelings.”
ELECTRA
“What?…. like who?
DUNCAN
“Goya, Da Vinci, Picasso, Warhol”
ELECTRA
“I didn’t know that. Wow! Historians will freak out about that.
Time to rewrite those textbooks!”
DUNCAN
“What are those? Your scrolls?”
ELECTRA
“Stuff they make us read… for school… ahhh you don’t want to know.”
(pause and says proudly)
“Well, Mr. Dragon, in your realm, do they have witches? Cause that’s what I am.
DUNCAN
“A witch?”
ELECTRA
“Unlike the humans, witches have followed … the ancient path.
Closer with nature…using the old ways.
That’s where we get our magic.
Let me show you what I can do!
(pause)
See those leaves on the ground. Watch me conjure a bird from them. (NEW)
(spell chant)
“Fallen leaves gold and red,
Gather around and be lead,
Feel the moon pull you up in the air,
Become a bird flying without a care. ”
(swirling sounds)
(and then the song of a bird. Fluttering of wings. )
“Now sweet bird fly back down
Become the leaves,
Drop to the ground.”
(a sound, then leaves dropping to the pavement, blowing in the wind)
DUNCAN
“Impressive.”
ELECTRA
(pause)
“Electra is my name.”
DUNCAN
“Well, It is fine to meet you Electra.
Mine‘s Duncan.”
ELECTRA
“Ok … Duncan, Tell me your secret.
DUNCAN
My secret? (confused)
ELECTRA
How did you know I was watching you?
Is that some magical skill dragons have?
DUNCAN
(laughs)
“Well Electra, - no magic used on my part …
you were talking pretty loudly. Anyone could have heard you from a mile away, Lass!“
ELECTRA
(laughs)
“Yeah, I can get into my own head sometimes when walking by myself.”
DUNCAN
“Me too…. Especially when I’m painting.
Now you’re not the first witch I met today”.
ELECTRA
“No?”
DUNCAN
“I met another witch earlier - a lot older than you. Her name’s Mildred-
She’s a friend of Vince’s. Do you know her?”
ELECTRA
“Mildred! She is one of my teachers.
She’s like …. ‘Witch Numero Uno’ in this town.
How do you know Vince?”
DUNCAN
“I met Vince at the mountain last night , he was hanging out… literally.
- well it’s a long story, lass.
I went looking for him today in town - didn’t realize how many magicals there are! Anyway, he brought me to Mildred’s store so she could help me.
ELECTRA
“Help you with what?”
DUNCAN
“To find something my grandfather gave me.
Listen, keep this a secret. OK?
I have been sent here on a mission.
If I don’t find it …. we’re all doomed.”
ELECTRA
“That sounds pretty serious.”
DUNCAN
“I lost this amulet, it has special powers - it keeps me on me path. And these wee creatures I think took it! The clans are counting on me!”
ELECTRA
“How did Mildred help you?”
DUNCAN
“She gave me two magical objects. Let me show you.
(they walk to where he was painting,
he rummages thru his knapsack, he shows Electra the items).
“This one’ll track down my amulet and whoever has it.
And this one helps me speak to them wee devils!’
ELECTRA
“Do you know how to use them?
DUNCAN
“She told me but... it would be better to have some more magic on my side.
ELECTRA
“Are you asking me to help? Cool! Finally, a real adventure!
DUNCAN
“Me grandfather says ‘Sometimes two are better than one - to get things done’.
If I try to do this on my own - I might fail. And I can’t chance that.
(pause)
A dragon and a witch. Now that’s a magical formula.
ELECTRA
“So where and when do we meet for this quest, oh ‘Great Dragon from Afar’?
DUNCAN
“Well me ‘Wee Witchy One”, let’s meet at the Oak grove
on the east side of the Mountain tomorrow. Just before the sun rises.
ELECTRA
“It’s a date!...er, I mean I’ll meet you there.
I gotta head home now or my Dad will be wicked mad.”
DUNCAN
“Ok, I’m just going to finish up my painting - I need to add some final touches”
(he starts spraying and you hear his wings)
See you tomorrow!
Mar sin leat!”
( pronounced as "mar shin lat.")
Scene 4- Young Love
Storm and Nick are hanging out at his garage. We hear drumming in the garage.
========================
STORM
That sounds dope, Sticks! You’re really rockin.
NICK
Hey Cloud, thanks!
Hits the cymbal
Practicing for the big party.
Ya know, I’m pretty stoked about this gig. Finally an audience of more than two!
When we were jamming earlier, we sounded righteous!
And hey…What about you?
Are you and Electra pumped for the festivities tomorrow?
STORM
(Distracted) Oh! Uh - yeah… I guess so.
NICK
Hey, what’s wrong? You guys seemed pretty excited about it earlier.
STORM
(Hesitant) Ahhh….. It’s kind of…complicated.
We got into a bit of a disagreement - that’s all.
NICK
Sorry! I don’t mean to be nosy - uhhh I happened to be outside earlier, grabbing something from my mailbox. And … I heard your front door slam…. and saw Electra leave your house. She seemed a little steamed.
STORM
She definitely was…
NICK
Look, you don’t have to get into it. I understand. I’m sure the Halloween spirit will bring you guys back together. Can’t be mad at each other when there’s a rad party happenin’!
STORM
Yeah, maybe…Who knows what Tomorrow will bring? Right? Like things can change.
Hey - what was in your mailbox anyway? It’s pretty late to get mail.
NICK
Yah, I thought so too! Weird, huh?
I’ve got it right here - addressed to me and everything. Hand-delivered I think.
STORM
What?- huh. it looks like a scroll - is this a wax seal?
NICK
(Laughing nervously)
Spooky right? Just wait ‘til you read what’s inside.
STORM
(Reading)
“Dearest Nicholas,
I hope this correspondence finds you well. I write to you with the intention of bestowing great knowledge upon you. This knowledge, I hope, will allow you to finally harness great power. You will be seeing me on the morrow as we have much to discuss, and so very little time.
Yours in hexing,
(Pause)
M.Cross.”
NICK
Hearing it read out ..it sounds even creepier! (Laughs)
I’ve got to say - like, whoever did this .. is some kind of freaky Halloween prankster!
(Quotes mockingly in a scary voice)
“Yours in hexing”
STORM
Yeah.. (laughs nervously)
Hexing? What a joke….
Scene 5- Home is where the heart is
Electra goes home
======================================
(door creak - sounds of walking)
ELECTRA
“Dad, I’m home!”
SAMUEL
“I was starting to get worried about you.”
ELECTRA
“Dad, stop treating me like a little girl. I will be an official witch tomorrow!”
SAMUEL
“My little girl. (shakes his head)
Have you decided which coven you will join?”
ELECTRA
“No.”
SAMUEL
“At some point, you will need to choose.
Black or White magic.”
ELECTRA
“I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I could do… Grey? ”
(pause)
“When did you choose, Dad?”
SAMUEL
“Well, When the light left my life, …the day she left.”
ELECTRA
“You mean Mom.
SAMUEL
“Yes. Your mother.”
ELECTRA
“Why did she leave us? ”
SAMUEL
“I think it was all too much. Even when you were a baby, you were delightfully powerful. When you’re changing diapers, a hovering baby is a bit disconcerting for anyone.
(He laughs)
She just couldn’t deal with our magic. She felt like an outsider in our world.
(pause)
She did love you very much.”
ELECTRA
“Not enough to stay. ”
SAMUEL
“Don’t be so harsh on her. I didn’t tell her what I was when we met.
Only when you were born did she find out.
At first she thought she was going crazy…. and then when she knew,
…. she tried… she really did.
ELECTRA
Not hard enough.
SAMUEL
It didn’t help that some in the coven weren't very nice to her.
They could have been more supportive.
(pause)
I tried to help out. I guess it wasn’t enough.
I came home one day and found a note on the kitchen table, it was like she disappeared out of thin air.
(pause)
I blame myself.”
ELECTRA
“Do you know where she went?”
SAMUEL
“No, that’s why I got into Black magic - to find her.”
ELECTRA
“What did you ever see in her?”
SAMUEL
“I never thought I would love an Unmagical but she bewitched me.
She was so beautiful and graceful.
You get her looks, Thank Lucifer.
Don’t hate your mother, Electra. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here.
(pause)
Haven’t I done a good job raising you?”
ELECTRA
“Yes, of course, Dad. ”
SAMUEL
“Alright, alright. Let’s not fight.
(pause)
I wanted to show you a spell that wards off Black Magic Energies.
(pause)
You know when witches do Magic, it comes back at us 3 fold in our lifetime.”
ELECTRA
“Yes Dad, I know. Mildred is our teacher.”
SAMUEL
Black magic is dangerous. I would never teach you a spell that would cause you harm. This spell will only protect you. It’ll be safe to learn.
(pause)
Tonight is the perfect time to practice, I can feel the power of the Halloween full moon.
We should try it tonight.”
ELECTRA
“Alright.”
SAMUEL
“Grab your new wand!