unexplained phenomena
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Scene 2
I forgot how the editing processing can be grueling and requires time. I wanted to have scene two posted sooner, but as I mentioned it requires time to revise.
In this scene, Jordan reveals to his two best friends, Clinton and Raeann why he has come back home. Jordan wants to write his Dissertation on the supernatural, and interview former classmates on unexplained phenomena they may have experienced. Clinton and Raeann being skeptical themselves, believes Jordan is just reaching out for a reason to hang on to his diseased parents.
Once again, if you enjoyed this scene please comment and share. I would love to hear from you.
Scene 2
Jordan, Clinton and Raeann are sitting around the table reminiscing about old times. Raeann is in the kitchen making coffee and breakfast.
JORDAN enters.
RAEANN & CLINTON: Good morning!
RAEANN: Would you like some coffee?
JORDAN: Yes please. Thank you.
CLINTON: How did you sleep? I heard sounds coming from your room, sounded like you were thrashing around and talking to someone.
JORDAN: It’s possible I was talking in my sleep. I noticed my bed was a little sordid when I woke up, but I felt like I slept like a baby. I don’t know what to tell you, but thank you both again for letting me stay with you.
RAEANN: No problem, Jordan, anytime.
CLINTON: Well, then, since you had a good night’s rest, and you are settled in, no point in prolonging the topic. Why are you here?
RAEANN: Clinton, don’t be rude. He doesn’t have to tell us if he doesn’t want to. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you Jordan that we have been friends since 6th grade and we’re letting you stay here, free of charge, and…
JORDAN: Okay, okay, you two don’t give up do you? I do owe you for taking me in, and for not making it to the wedding. So, let me take you out tonight to our favorite hang out place; Ricky’s Bar and Grill.
CLINTON: Oh no you don’t, I see what you’re doing. You’re trying to bribe us so you won’t have to tell us the real reason why you are here.
RAEANN: Speak for yourself. I love that place, I miss the times when the three of us would just hang out there.
JORDAN: (Giving a sheepish grin) Alright, I give up, I’ll tell you. I know you both were worried about me going over to the cemetery last night. It was written all over your faces. I came back to work on my Dissertation.
RAEANN: Well that’s great Jordan! You know you have our support right, so why the big secret?
CLINTON: Of course we will, but why now and what are you writing about that would bring you back here?
JORDAN: Yes, of course I know you two will be here to support me, but I also know, you both will worry yourselves sick if you knew part of my inspiration for my paper has to deal with my parents.
CLINTON: So what is your dissertation going to be on? Your parents’ death?
RAEANN: Clinton!
CLINTON: Sorry, that was out of line.
JORDAN: It’s okay. You are sort of right. I want to solve the mysteries behind some strange occurrences that keep happening.
Clinton and Raeann look at each other and laugh.
CLINTON: Dude that’s lame. What are you Sherlock or something?
RAEANN: Jordan, you really aren’t doing your Dissertation on unsolved mysteries…are you?
JORDAN: Well not exactly.
CLINTON: Not exactly? Now you’re scaring me.
JORDAN: You both have to promise me you won’t think I’m crazy, and don’t tell me I need to have my head examined.
RAEANN: Just tell us what’s going on.
JORDAN: I’m writing my paper on the supernatural. (Awkward pause as Clinton and Raeann give Jordan a blank stare) Okay, guys please don’t just stare at me, say something.
CLINTON: What do you want me to say? You already told me what you didn’t want me to say.
RAEANN: Jordan, we’re just trying to understand. Are you sure you’re not just trying to hold onto your parents? When it comes to life after death, what happens to us when we die are all common questions. If you’re trying to hold onto them, that’s completely natural, but to consider writing your paper about ghosts, really Jordan?
JORDAN: I’m not writing about ghosts. But I’m a journalist or at least I’m trying to be and I’d really like to try and uncover the truth about why the three of us experience unexplained phenomena. Why things go missing from my apartment, or why doors open on their own? The list goes on, and I know there are many people who have had things happen beyond their comprehension. I know there are people who share similar experiences, but are afraid to share them because of what others may think.
CLINTON: What are you talking about? Everything you’re talking about can be explained, it all has a rational explanation.
JORDAN: Clint, you’re talking as if you haven’t experienced some of the same stuff with me.
CLINTON: Oh come on Jordan, you can’t take anything we experienced as children as reality. We were young with impressionable minds. It’s crazy how your mind can play tricks on you when you are young and scared.
RAEANN: Jordan, does this have to do with what happened in the hospital that night? Don’t get me wrong, it was a little strange that we all had similar experiences, but to claim it as more than a coincidence is silly. Your parents had just died and not an expected one. All of our emotions were high, and I know the chemicals in our brain can cause us to see, believe and even wish something badly enough that we can sense a presence.
JORDAN: Yes, I want to figure out what happened that night, but it’s so much more. Clint, please tell me you remember the time we thought we heard little footsteps running across the floor when you and I were the only ones in the house?
CLINTON: I don’t remember that, but what kid doesn’t like to get their adrenaline pumping a little. Isn’t that the reason why we go on roller coasters, or play those ridiculous scary games? How about those nights we would stay up late watching scary movies and then swear we heard or saw something before we pass out. It’s the “high” from the scare.
JORDAN: So you are telling me that we both heard the exact same thing and we both said it sounded like little feet running through the hall? So that was just a coincidence? I know you both are just being good friends and looking out for me, but I didn’t choose this topic for my paper off a whim. A journalist is inquisitive, skeptical, determined and motivated, all qualities that make me, me. These are the same qualities that you love about me. I know this may not make sense to you right now, but that’s my job to take something that is nonsensical and make of it. If all my hunches and rabbit trails, are just that, then I will back out of this and find a new topic.
RAEANN: Clinton and I will be here to support you and we both, will try and keep an open mind. Right Clinton?
CLINTON: Sure sweetheart, of course man, like she said…we are here for you.
JORDAN: Well if you really want to help, you wouldn’t happen to have any of your high school yearbooks on hand would you?
RAEANN: I’m sure I can find the box they’re in, in the garage. What do you need old yearbooks for?
JORDAN: There are a couple of people I’d like to interview. I remember hearing some stories from some of our classmates. Since I’m here it would be nice to catch up with some old acquaintances.
CLINTON: Speaking of old acquaintances, do you remember that crazy girl, oh what’s her name, she was into all that weird stuff…she had long hair, sort of kept to herself?
RAEANN: Mavis, Mavis Dellinger. I don’t think it’s very nice though to call her crazy. Yes, she was a little different from the rest of us and I personally thought her thinking was a little radical, but that doesn’t mean you should call her crazy.
CLINTON: You’re right, I shouldn’t call her crazy. She sort of gave me the chills though. Wasn’t she into all that voodoo, turning-people-into-rodents’ kind of thing?
JORDAN: I don’t know man, the only thing I remember about her is that night I went into her tent at after-prom. Besides, what does that have to do with the supernatural?
CLINTON: I don’t know, it’s just that maybe you two have something in common. And wait…what…you went into her tent, at after- prom. Where was I?
JORDAN: So because I want to explore the supernatural you are putting me in the same category as her, and need I remind you what you were doing…or whom you were with?
CLINTON: What? Oh…yeah, I remember…Sophie.
RAEANN: I’d rather not remember Sophie.
CLINTON: Sweetheart, that was in high school. I love you and I married you.
RAEANN: Oh I’m not jealous of her; she just rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t think she liked me very well either. Okay, can we get back to the point, boys?
JORDAN: Right, well she was working the fortuneteller’s booth. Get your head out of the gutter Clint; I thought you knew me better than that. Just for kicks I thought I would go in and see if she could really tell my fortune, not hook up with her. Honestly, I didn’t think I believed in that stuff, but after what she told me I haven’t been able to let it go.
RAEANN: What did she tell you?
JORDAN: She first asked if there was something I was seeking an answer for. She specifically told me not to tell her any details regarding what I was seeking an answer for, just to answer the question with a “yes” or “no.” She then shuffled the tarot cards, and when she turned the first card over it was the hanged man card. She told me that I was at a cross roads in my life and that I needed to make a decision, and based on that decision would lead to very different outcomes.
CLINTON: That is so general man, how could that have left an impression on you.
JORDAN: Because, I was at an impasse. I didn’t know which college I wanted to go to. The “big” deal was, no one knew I was struggling with which college I should go to. You all assumed I would stay in North Kingstown and write for our local paper. What would you guys have done if I told you I was thinking about going to school on the west coast and get my degree in criminal investigation? I know you two; you would have never let me go anywhere close to the west coast. It made an impression because no one knew I had applied to San Jose University in California and received a partial scholarship when I also received the same offer to Boston Massachusetts. I was at an impasse, and she was the only one who knew about it.
RAEANN: Wow, Jordan, I had no idea. I’m glad you decided to go to BWU. Journalism suits you, but you should have told us. We would have been here for you in the decision making process. Of course we wouldn’t have wanted you to leave but we are friends.
CLINTON: Dude, that’s messed up man. We’re supposed to be best friends, how could you leave me out of the loop.
Clinton exits.
RAEANN: Just let him go. He needs to cool off. You know Clinton, he’s sort of thick headed and…
JORDAN … And he has a short fuse…I know.
RAEANN: He just missed you, that’s all. He’ll be okay after he walks it off.
JORDAN: Thanks Raeann, you were always the level headed one. Hey, you wouldn’t happen to know if Mavis still lives here.
RAEANN: As a matter of fact, she owns an occult shop downtown. Why, are you thinking of talking to her?
JORDAN: Yeah, I think I would just like to ask her why she chose this path.
RAEANN: Just be careful please. I have heard some not so nice stories involving her and the things she believes in.
JORDAN: Of course Raeann.
BLACKOUT
Dreaming on stage 