The Water's Edge - Chapter Four

Steve's life begins to unravel, as possessing the contents of Herbert Hill's safe puts a target on his head -- and Hill will stop at nothing to get back what rightfully belongs to him.

Transcripts - https://www.NocturnumCollective.com/watersedgebonus

*Headphones are strongly suggested for the best audio experience.

Transcript

NOCTURNUM COLLECTIVE – SEASON THREE

The Water’s Edge – Chapter Four

Written by Karl White

NARRATOR (OPEN): There are constants that endure in the known world. Space, time, energy, matter. Physical and scientific laws constraining us to this existence. But there's a current below the surface. Contrary to the explainable, it's where the unknown resides, where meaning and form collide with the abstract, where shadows hold dominion…Enter the Nocturnum Collective.

(MUSIC – opening sequence)

NARRATOR: And now, The Water's Edge, Chapter Four. Written by Karl White.

(MUSIC – Spanish Guitar)

NARRATOR: Tireless searching. Aimless wandering. Juan, the aging adventurer, with his men in tow, would strike out for a land not on any map. Pointed northward by the “Good Men” of Guanahani. Anchors down, heading inland, through green, lush landscapes, with bright blooming flowers everywhere. Interactions with the Calusa tribe and a prisoner of theirs, Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda. He’d tell stories of Aguas Curativas...Juan knew he was on the right track. He could feel it. But the quest would not bear the fruit he desired. Becoming more of a wild-goose chase through the humid, marshland…Juan’s life would end years later, still grieving the futile search for the magic to undo the curse of aging…He would die, a regretful man.

(MUSIC – ethereal)

NARRATOR: It’s morning, in Enzo’s apartment. Fragments of light peek through the curtains, cutting through the otherwise pitch-dark space. Steve asleep on the couch is jarred awake by the sound of someone leaving.

(SFX – front door open/close)

NARRATOR: He sits up, looks around. The darkness obscures a lot. He can make out Enzo is still passed out in his recliner. Then, Steve puts his hand on his chest, remembering his pain from last night…He gets up and shuffles in the dark, down the hall, past the spare room. He glances in, the bed is made, Jane is gone. It was her leaving…In the bathroom, the bright sun blazes through the window, in the only room in the house without a curtain. 

(SFX – sink)

NARRATOR: Groggy, Steve splashes some water on his face from the sink, then looks at himself in the mirror.

(SFX – sting)

NARRATOR: Shock smacks him upside the head when he sees his reflection. Steve’s staring at someone he hasn’t seen in a very, very long time... The wrinkles on his face are gone, his skin is firm and tight. His gray hairs are dark –- he’s looking at his younger self, a lot younger, 35 YEARS YOUNGER.

(SFX – curtains opening)

NARRATOR: Back in the living room, Steve throws open the curtains, letting bright light spill in.  

STEVE: Enzo, wake up!

NARRATOR: Still feeling the effects of the heroin, Enzo forces his eyes open. Steve kneels next to the recliner.

STEVE: Look at me.

NARRATOR: Enzo feels around for his glasses, slipping them on. As his eyes focus, he catches his first glimpse of Steve’s face, nearly jumping out of his chair.

(SFX – sting)

ENZO: Whoa, what the fuck?

(MUSIC – tense drone)

NARRATOR: Sobered up a bit, Enzo can’t take his eyes off Steve. They’re in the kitchen, sitting at the table, the mason jar in front of them.

STEVE: It’s gotta be what Herbert Hill’s after.

ENZO: So, it’s some miracle cure that makes you look younger?

STEVE: I think I am younger. And I feel amazing. 

NARRATOR: Steve stands, pulling his shirt off. His chest and stomach are chiseled. His skin is radiant.

STEVE: Is this the body of an old man?

NARRATOR: Enzo grabs the water, unscrewing the cap.

STEVE: What are you doing?

ENZO: Applying a little scientific method. 

NARRATOR: Using the dropper, Enzo extracts a little bit of the water. 

ENZO: If you think the water did this. We can’t be sure since you’re the only one who tried it.

NARRATOR: He empties the water in his mouth. Both men are quiet, unsure what to expect.

STEVE: It might take a while to kick in--

(Steve coughs)

NARRATOR: Interrupted by a sudden cough Steve’s eyes widen. He forces himself to cough again. 

(Steve coughs)

NARRATOR: He takes a big breath, feeling his chest.

ENZO: What is it?

NARRATOR: Steve puts his shirt back on and carefully packs the mason jar up.

ENZO: You going somewhere?

STEVE: I gotta go check something. You, stay put. 

NARRATOR: Steve slips his jacket on, stuffs the box into his backpack, and heads out the door.

(SFX – front door open/close)

NARRATOR: Steve sits in the office of Doctor Feldman, as the physician studies a pair of x-rays, side-by-side, in one there are a large cluster of masses present in the lungs. On the other film, there are none, appearing completely healthy.

STEVE: They’re gone?

NARRATOR: Doctor Feldman is flabbergasted, looking back and forth at the x-rays, and then curiously studying Steve’s much younger appearance.

STEVE: I mean even I can tell a difference with those x-rays.

DR. FELDMAN: We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. So, I can’t say for certain, not without more blood work, more scans...but a change has somehow occurred.

NARRATOR: He can’t take his eyes off of Steve’s face. His mind cycling through the extraordinary. 

DR. FELDMAN: A month ago, I could for sure say 100%, that you had stage four lung cancer. But as you sit in front of me you…defy medicine...and science... and basic logic…Tell me how this happened? Tell me your secret?

NARRATOR: Steve guardingly grips his backpack, not liking the doctor’s look.

DR. FELDMAN: You took something. Tell me what it is.

NARRATOR: Feeling uncomfortable saying any more, Steve quickly gets up, exiting.

(SFX – city sounds)

NARRATOR: Heading for the nearest subway station, Steve walks along, his mind reeling. The effects of the water, the visit to his doctor, what it all could mean...puts a bounce in his step. But the danger that’s come with it brings him back to reality. He needs to lay low, until he figures out what to do next…It makes him think about Jane. He pulls out his phone calling her.

(SFX – line trills)

JANE: (voicemail) Hi, it’s Jane, leave a message...

(SFX – voicemail beep)

STEVE: (into phone) I know my voice sounds a little different, but It’s me. I need to talk to you. I just got some promising news...

NARRATOR: While Steve leaves his message, a dark sedan cruises alongside him.

STEVE: (into phone) I know you’re angry, but please, call me back.

NARRATOR: As Steve hangs up, the feeling comes over him, he’s being followed. A quick glance back and he spots the vehicle in question…When he increases his speed, the car does the same. 

STEVE: Fuck.

NARRATOR: Pushing his way through a sea of people on the sidewalk, Steve inconspicuously tries to get a look at who is in the car -- but the windows are heavily tinted…Suddenly Steve turns into an alley, too narrow for the car…On the street, the sedan slams on the brakes, and two large thugs wearing suits get out. 

(SFX – car breaks/doors open)

NARRATOR: In a sprint, Steve takes off down the alley. One of the thugs pursues, while the other heads up the block…Steve has a healthy head-start, and the effects of the water, adding years back to his life, seems to help. His body is acting and reacting in a way it hasn’t in decades.

(SFX – running)

NARRATOR: On an adjacent street, Steve’s a block ahead. He looks back, the thug following him is lagging behind…In front of him, the other thug turns the corner, attempting to cut him off. But Steve darts out into the street, dodging oncoming traffic.

(SFX – traffic sounds)

NARRATOR: Steve reaches the sidewalk, running up the block. On the opposite side of the street, the thugs converge, running parallel. Both struggling to catch up.

(SFX – running)

NARRATOR: A block up and around a corner, Steve makes it across another busy intersection by the skin of his teeth. But he’s back on track, heading towards the subway. Looking back, he’s shaken his tail and ahead of him are the stairs to the station, Steve is almost home free.

(SFX – car tires squeal/brakes)

NARRATOR: Suddenly, the dark sedan barrels around the corner. It jumps the sidewalk and cuts off Steve’s escape. The driver gets out, coming at Steve. As he turns to flee, the thugs in pursuit, though out of breath, are closing in. He has nowhere to go. The driver opens up the back door.

DRIVER: Boss wants to talk to you.

STEVE: I think you have the wrong guy.

NARRATOR: But the thugs roughly grab him, forcing him in the back of the sedan.

(SFX – sting)

NARRATOR: In the back of the vehicle are two sets of seats facing each other. Steve tumbles in, expecting to finally come face to face with Herbert Hill...

STEVE: Look, I can explain about the water.

NARRATOR: The thugs climb in on either side, flanking Steve. As he rights himself, he realizes he sees he’s sitting across from an amped-up Hayk Balian.

HAYK: My brother is dead because of you?

NARRATOR: But looking at Steve, Hayk’s brow furrows.

HAYK: Wait a damn minute...who the fuck are you? 

NARRATOR: Hayk snaps his finger and motions to his thugs. They wrestle with Steve. One holds him, while the other grabs his wallet, throwing it to their boss…Hayk pulls out Steve’s ID. The photo is the older version of himself. Hayk glares at Steve and reaches in his coat for his gun.

HAYK: Who are you and what are you trying to pull?

STEVE: It is me. I’m Steve, I swear. 

HAYK: Bullshit.

NARRATOR: He looks to his men...

HAYK: Let’s take this asshole to the docks, and work him over ‘til he talks.

STEVE: I met with you and your brother. You told me about your dad. He taught you how to look in a man’s eyes to know if he’s telling the truth.

NARRATOR: Steve leans forward, looking Hayk in the eyes.

STEVE: I’m the guy. I’m Steve Engler. I promise.

HAYK: Why do you look different?

NARRATOR: Steve hesitates, choosing his answer wisely.

STEVE: I’m in hiding. Herbert Hill’s trying to kill me. So, I’m in disguise...you know makeup and stuff.

HAYK: You’re not in cahoots? 

STEVE: The robbery went bad. I barely got away.

HAYK: Do you have the dagger?

STEVE: Yes.

HAYK: Then fucking give it to me.

STEVE: I don’t have it on me. 

HAYK: Someone’s making calls, trying to sell it.

STEVE: That’s my associate. 

HAYK: What associate?

STEVE: Look, I thought you were dead. I didn’t know what to do. I just wanted money to get out of the city.

HAYK: I want that dagger, now!

STEVE: Yes, of course. I’ll take you to it. All I ask for in return is protection.

HAYK: We’ll see. 

(SFX – car pulls to stop)

 NARRATOR: Hayk’s sedan pulls to a stop in front of Enzo’s building. The back door swings open, the thugs push Steve out onto the sidewalk...As Hayk and his men pile out, Steve picks himself up and brushes himself off. Hayk grabs him by the collar with one hand, poking a gun in his side with the other.

HAYK: No funny business.

STEVE: I wouldn’t dream of it.

NARRATOR: Flanked by the thugs, Hayk escorts Steve inside.

(SFX – building atmosphere)

NARRATOR: As the group reaches the top of the stairs, Steve leads them to Enzo’s apartment…But as lifts his hand to knock, Steve stops...the door is ajar.  Something’s wrong. Steve turns to Hayk, quietly pointing it out.

HAYK: You setting us up?

NARRATOR: Steve shakes his head “NO”.

HAYK: It’s Hill! That rat bastard.

NARRATOR: Hayk pushes Steve aside and motions to his men. They kick the door open...

(SFX – kick door in)

NARRATOR: ...And rush in. Hayk remains in the hallway with Steve. Moments later...

(SFX – muffled gunshots)

NARRATOR: Steve ducks for cover. Hayk steps into the doorway, gun raised, but—

(SFX – gunshot)

NARRATOR: Hayk falls to the ground, dead...That’s all the motivation Steve needs to get the hell out of there. 

(SFX – descending stairs)

NARRATOR: Hurrying down the stairs, Steve hears sounds of others, a few floors up, following. 

(MUSIC – tense chase)

NARRATOR: Out the front door, Steve nearly runs into Hayk’s sedan, sitting in the street. Hayk’s driver steps out, seeing Steve’s fear.

DRIVER: Where’s Mister Balian?

NARRATOR: Without answering, Steve sprints up the block, away from the car. Just then, Hill’s men, Perry and Charlie exit the building, guns drawn, on the lookout for Steve…Hayk’s driver reaches for his weapon, but it’s too late -- Perry shoots him in the street.

(SFX – gunshot)

NARRATOR: Up the block the rapid SOUND of Steve’s own feet hitting pavement. Hill’s men in pursuit behind him. City noises filling his ears -- it’s all a blur as Steve runs for his life…But the faint cry of his own name being yelled across the street gets his attention.

ENZO: Steve! 

NARRATOR: Glancing over, Enzo, looking YOUNGER than before, is on the other side of the road, waving his arms…Steve crosses over and the friends retreat.

(SFX – subway station)

NARRATOR: Making it to the nearby subway station, Steve and Enzo rocket down the steps jumping the turnstile, drawing the ire of a token booth clerk…They make a beeline for the platform, jumping onto a train as the doors slide closed.

(SFX – subway door closes)

NARRATOR: As the train speeds off to the next destination, Steve and Enzo sit together, catching their breath.

ENZO: Someone kicked my door in. I was able to slip out. I waited, hoping I’d grab you before you came back. But I saw you with those guys, I thought you were done for...

NARRATOR: Steve nods, knowing it was a close call.

ENZO: Still got the water?

NARRATOR: Steve pats his backpack, it’s there.

ENZO: I might have a way to get us out of this. 

STEVE: And how’s that?

ENZO: I got us a meeting with a contact of mine from the drug company. But there’s a stop I wanna make first.

(MUSIC – quiet drone)

NARRATOR: If ever there were ever two people more out of their element in a particular environment, it would be Steve and Enzo at the New York Public library. Enzo is in line at the Help Desk…While Steve is on in the corner, on his phone.

JANE: (voicemail) Hi, it’s Jane, leave a message...

(SFX – voicemail beep)

STEVE: (into phone) Hey Jane, I don’t mean to keep bugging you, I just want to know you’re okay. Call me back, please.

NARRATOR: Impatiently waiting his turn, though next in line, Enzo discreetly dumps a small bit of cocaine on his hand and does a bump…Steve, done with his call, joins him in line.

STEVE: She’s not answering her phone.

ENZO: Give her a break Romeo, she needs to cool off.

NARRATOR: It’s their turn, the librarian waves them over.

LIBRARIAN: How can I help you, gentlemen?

ENZO: So, we’re not library people per se, but can you point us to the Dewey Decimal thing.

LIBRARIAN: What is it you’re looking for?

ENZO: Books on…the...

NARRATOR: Enzo leans in as if what he has to say is top secret.

ENZO: ...The Fountain of Youth.

(SFX – library atmosphere)

NARRATOR: In a busy reading room, with a stack of books on the subject, Enzo sits at a small cubical, flipping through one of the volumes. Steve’s over his shoulder.

ENZO: I looked up this Herbert Hill guy on my phone.

NARRATOR: Several nearby library patrons give Enzo disagreeable looks, unable to escape his not-so-quiet volume. 

ENZO: There was nothing except a mention of a Herbert Hill in some society news clipping from like 1930.

STEVE: A relative, maybe?

ENZO: Or just maybe he’s had access to something that’s kept him young.

NARRATOR: Enzo points to the book he has opened in front of him, and an illustrated page of the Fountain of Youth. Steve tilts his head, considering it, as nothing that’s happened in the last day is outside of the realm of explanation…Enzo turns the page, scanning with his finger.

(SFX – page turn)

ENZO: (reading) “...Many have searched for the curative waters, including Juan Ponce de Leone”...blah, blah, blah. “...It sparked his interest because other versions of the legend had been popularized in numerous works of literature throughout Europe.”

NARRATOR: He skips ahead...

ENZO: “He traveled to Florida in search of the Fountain but never found it.”  

NARRATOR: A college student in the next cubical SHUSHES Enzo.

COLLEGE STUDENT: Shhhhh!

ENZO: Fuck off, brah.

COLLEGE STUDENT: Come on man, I’m trying to study.

ENZO: You wanting to get stabbed? Eyes forward.

NARRATOR: The kid shrinks back into his cubical…Steve picks up one of the books and flips through it. As he scans, something grabs his attention. He reads it to himself.

STEVE: “...The Fountain was often referred to as Jordan by the Spaniards...”

 NARRATOR: The word Jordan sticks in Steve’s mind. Concentrating on the last four letters R-D-A-N...just like on the map piece he found in the box with the water.

(SFX – phone alarm)

NARRATOR: Enzo’s phone RINGS goes off with an alarm. Others around look over, irritated with him. But oblivious, Enzo springs up...

ENZO: Shit, we gotta go.

NARRATOR: Steve marks the page and rips the sensor tag from the book, stuffing it in his backpack.

(SFX – diner atmosphere)

NARRATOR: A cozy diner in the East Bronx. Steve and Enzo are squeezed into one side of a booth, across from Orrie Price. He’s a Pharmaceutical Scientist, 47, overweight, glasses, untidy...Orrie glances at Enzo with a hint of animosity, his lip curls taking in Enzo’s youthful appearance and baggy clothes.

ORRIE: So, what gives Enzo? Midlife crisis? 

NARRATOR: Enzo gives a bit of a scowl. It’s apparent these two don’t like each other much.

ORRIE: Taking a semaglutide, coloring your hair. What are you trying to hold onto?

ENZO: You’ll be eating those words, asshole.

ORRIE: You’ve got some top-secret medical breakthrough I just had to hear...so what is it?

NARRATOR: But it’s not so easy to explain, Enzo turns to Steve, who himself has no idea where to start. 

ORRIE: Don’t be bashful, guys. I’ve heard it all. Miracle plants in the garden. Potions mixed in grandpa’s bathtub. 

NARRATOR: Steve finally spills. Doing his best not to sound crazy.

STEVE: It’s a liquid, essentially water. We both drank some and...

ENZO: We think we have water from the Fountain of Youth.

NARRATOR: Orrie cracks a big smile. 

ORRIE: I’m all for a good prank, but, come on. 

ENZO: Look at me, Orrie. You know me. Is this what I looked like last time you saw me. 

NARRATOR: Orrie takes a moment, adjusts his glasses, further scrutinizing Enzo’s appearance. 

ORRIE: No, you looked like a bloated slob, a few years away from death.

ENZO: Says you, fatass.

NARRATOR: Steve silently protests, wanting the table to refocus on the subject at hand.

STEVE: Mister Price...Orrie, we’re for real.

NARRATOR: And somewhere between Steve’s eagerness and Enzo’s fresh-face, Orrie bites.

ORRIE:  I have a feeling I’m gonna hate myself for this, but...

NARRATOR: He pulls a notepad from a briefcase that sits next to him in the booth.

ORRIE: Say I take a chance and believe you. I need specifics. Where’d you get it?

NARRATOR: Another look between Steve and Enzo.

ORRIE: Okay, so you somehow stumbled onto mythical waters that restores your youth. That’s the story you’re sticking with?

NARRATOR: Steve and Enzo both eagerly nod. So, Orrie begins to write, taking notes as he talks.

ORRIE: How quickly were results seen after ingestion?

STEVE: A few hours.

ORRIE: On what dosage?

STEVE: Couple of drops.

ORRIE: And what was the outcome?

ENZO: Thirty plus years erased from our lives.

NARRATOR: Steve nods in agreement. Orrie shakes his head, still having a hard time believing them…But he continues on with his questions. 

ORRIE: Any significant side effects?

ENZO: Other than making my willy stiff without having to smack it around? No.

STEVE: I experienced a side effect...it may have cured my cancer.

NARRATOR: Orrie throws his hands up in defeat. 

ORRIE: Jesus, guys--

STEVE: I’m dead serious, call Doctor James Feldman, on one-hundred-eighty-first. He has x-rays, blood samples. Call him. 

ORRIE: I will. What would really help your case is some of this so-called miracle liquid to test.

NARRATOR: Steve shoots Enzo a look.

STEVE: We don’t have a lot left.

ORRIE: I don’t need much. Just a few drops for the lab to analyze. 

NARRATOR: Orrie reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a small specimen collection kit with a dropper and vial.

STEVE: Do I have to do it here?

NARRATOR: Orrie shakes his head “NO”. Steve grabs the kit, his backpack and excuses himself.

(SFX – bathroom stall door)

NARRATOR: In the diner bathroom, inside of a narrow stall, Steve carefully pulls the mason jar from his bag, untwisting the lid. 

(SFX – mason jar lid)

NARRATOR: He holds the jar in one hand and peels the specimen collection kit open with his teeth. Doing his best to extract only a few drops for the sample…Finished Steve stares at the water. Captivated by the liquid. There’s something about it. An allure he can’t deny.

(SFX – diner atmosphere)

NARRATOR: Back at the table, as they wait, Orrie notices Enzo is jittery, unable to sit still.

ORRIE: Are you doing okay?

ENZO: This being younger shit is throwing off my high. I feel like my tolerance is all fucked up.

ORRIE: That’s your problem, Enzo, sampling your own stuff. That’s no bueno for business.

NARRATOR: But Enzo doesn’t want to hear it, changing the subject.

ENZO: So, what we have could be worth big money?

ORRIE: Part of my job is identifying new plants, roots, chemicals, compounds, or whatever, that help treat diseases. The next new wave of medicines. 99.9% of the time, it’s taking what we already have, drugs that exist and testing ‘em in new ways. Repurposing, reconstituting, repackaging. Breakthroughs are few and far between. But finding something new, a diamond in the rough...that’s a whole other ballgame…In the off chance what you guys are telling me is true. A shot of instant youth. Now that’s a fucking gold mine waiting to be hoarded.

ENZO: Let’s talk numbers.

ORRIE: Not so fast, buddy boy. It’s hard to say what you actually have. Harder yet to put a dollar amount without tests, trials.

ENZO: Come on, man. Give me something to look forward to.

ORRIE: If it’s what you say it is, and not some hair dye and make-up...then the sky’s the limit.

NARRATOR: You can almost see the dollar signs in Enzo’s wide eyes…At that moment, Steve comes back to the table, sample in hand. He conceals the pass off to Orrie like they’re completing some illegal drug transaction. But Orrie could care less about who’s watching. He slides out of the booth, handing Steve one of his cards.

ORRIE: I’ll be in touch.

NARRATOR: As Orrie walks off, Steve sits across from Enzo.

STEVE: I’m feeling pretty uncomfortable about all this.

ENZO: Relax.

STEVE: I think it’s a bad idea to be broadcasting what we got. Our lives are already in danger. 

ENZO: You don’t understand. This is El Dorado.

NARRATOR: But shaking his head, Steve’s struggling with it all. 

STEVE: I’m happy to have some years back on my life. But I’d rather spend them with purpose, than looking over my shoulder.

ENZO: Cut it with that shit. This goes back to the old days. It’s what we always wanted.

STEVE: Chasing the dream of money’s been the root of every problem in my life...

(SFX – phone buzz)

NARRATOR: Steve is interrupted by his phone. A call from Jane. 

STEVE: I gotta take this.

NARRATOR: Steve grabs his backpack and hurries out to take the call. Enzo watches Steve walk off...more specifically, Enzo is watching the backpack, thinking about the jar of water.

(SFX – city sounds)

NARRATOR: Outside, Steve answers the call just in time.

STEVE: (into phone) Jane, thanks for calling back.

HILL: (over phone) Where’s my fucking water?

NARRATOR: The expression leaves Steve’s face. Panicked, he knocks on the window, waving to Enzo. 

STEVE: (into phone) Where’s Jane?

HILL: (over phone) You know who this is?

STEVE: (into phone) I do, Mister Hill.

HILL: (over phone) Your woman is with me and what happens next is entirely up to you.

NARRATOR: Enzo exits the restaurant and hurries to Steve, unsure what the problem is...Steve mouths the word “HILL”, prompting Enzo to lean in and eavesdrop on the conversation.

HILL: (over phone) Return what you stole from me at once, and I’ll let her go. Maybe I can even forgive what’s happened so far. If not, I’ll kill her and continue to hunt you and anyone else helping you…You have until sundown, no excuses, no tricks, no extensions. Bring me my water, or you all die. 

(SFX – call ends)

NARRATOR: Steve looks to Enzo...

STEVE: Let’s go.

NARRATOR: As he starts to walk off. Enzo gets in his way.

ENZO: Wait, that’s it. This guy demands the water back, and you fold?

STEVE: He has Jane.

ENZO: So what? Let her fend for herself.

NARRATOR: Steve forcefully pushes Enzo out of the way and storms off. Enzo reaches behind him pulling a gun from his waistband. Coming up behind Steve…

(SFX – sting)

NARRATOR: To be continued…

(MUSIC – Outro)

NARRATOR: For more killer content, subscribe or go to https: www.NocturnumCollective.com