Elio is on a slow path to recovery. Shinji revealed his true name to Asher, and Talia decided to confront Samedi once and for all, summoning him with only a lit cigarette for offering.
You can find more information, including our full cast list and transcripts, at DesperadoRadio.com.
Credits:
Written and produced by Samy Souissi.
- Elio – Samy Souissi
- Shinji – Tibet Boyer
- Talia – Tami Ige
- Samar – Kawtar Morchadi
- Baron Samedi – AJ Bediako
- Joan – Emma Blacklay-Piech
- Asher – Patrick Hutchinson
Transcript
Please be advised the content of this podcast includes driving sound effects, violence, firearms and gunshots, blood, smoking, alcohol, death, and mentions of suicide. We also swear… a whole lot… so… please listen at your own discretion.
Previously on Desperado…
Now rescued from the Vault, Elio was on the slow path to recovery, Shinji revealed his true name to Asher, and Talia decided to confront Samedi once and for all. Summoning him with only a lit cigarette for offering.
This… is Desperado…
SFX: Eerie, almost ethereal transitional music.
SFX: cigarette drags
BARON SAMEDI
It ain’t much indeed… (exhales) But spit on the appetizer, and you won’t get dinner… (chuckle) What else is on the table, Lady Talia?
TALIA
(Interrupting)
These fucking hands if you keep talking!
BARON SAMEDI
…
TALIA
She called you a God! A protector– She prayed to you every day, she trusted you with me!
BARON SAMEDI
Oh no…
TALIA
And look at what you’ve done!
BARON SAMEDI
No, no, no that won’t do at all…
TALIA
Look at me!
BARON SAMEDI
I think you’ll have to kneel.
TALIA
What?
BARON SAMEDI
Kneel, daughter, and we’ll forget about this.
TALIA
You… foolish, arrogant–
BARON SAMEDI
I’ll give you one chance-
TALIA
– forgotten old man–
BARON SAMEDI
– because I can’t expect you to understand-
TALIA
The grand fucking Samedi, held in chains by-
BARON SAMEDI
(voice echoing menacingly)
WHAT RESPECT MEANS! When you were raised in the jungle like a beast! Who kept your heart beating? Who called the air back to your lungs – and WHO brought you back on those two feet that you have the audacity to stand on today – I SAID KNEEL!
SFX: sizzling and burning
TALIA
Samedi writhed in pain as the Henna clawed at his power.
BARON SAMEDI
(pained grunt)
And go… wash that filth off of your skin! How many have died uttering my name, for you to spit on their sacrifice! You heard our people scream, you heard them make call for me AND YOU PUT ME IN SHACKLES!
TALIA
Your people. (A beat.) You’re not the one grandmother prayed to, are you? You dress like him, sound like him… But your heart left the island a long time ago.
BARON SAMEDI
My heart is where my people are.
TALIA
And what do they tell you down in Louisiana? Did the singing get to your head? Is that why you don’t need to hear me? See me? Why you think you can just use me?!
BARON SAMEDI
They pray for their children. The dead and the living, the ones losing blood and the ones loosing faith! While you sell yourself on a stage for the Devil herself!
TALIA
…The devil?
He laughed at my face, and slapped his thighs like I had just told him the funniest, most tragic of thing.
BARON SAMEDI
(The baron laughs.)
Tell me little girl, how much power would we need you and I, to single- handedly protect an entire circus. From gods and spirits, inquisitors, witches -from inspectors and accountants who should have figured out by now that a show like Nova can’t possibly bring a profit! In whose hands did you put your safety, Talia?! Who put you on that stage?
TALIA
They saved my life!
BARON SAMEDI
Then why can’t you TRUST ME?! (A beat.) Did I not do the same?
TALIA
You didn’t do it for me.
BARON SAMEDI
And why did you? You and your grandmother, what did you pray for? A God? Or just a weapon?
(Samedi laughs.)
Here’s the root you keep tripping on, Talia. I know what lies in the jungle back home, I know about the claws and fangs even the Old Man did not challenge. You were raised among spirits- but you’re not in the jungle anymore. I’m not something to be tamed, I’m your legacy.
TALIA
I don’t care for a legacy, if it wants me to kneel.
BARON SAMEDI
Child please, we’ll see where that talk will be next week.
TALIA
There won’t be a next week. I’m not ready Baron. I told you the first time we met. This isn’t me.
He frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t want to hear anything else. The conversation had completely escaped me. I closed my eyes and severed the connection, burying the voice of Samedi under the sound of my heartbeat.
Malik used to tell me one way to anchor your mind to reality was through the body. Focus on a thumping heart, a drop of sweat or an open wound, and you’d always find your way back. So that’s what I did. And when I opened my eyes again… I was all alone in the apartment.
ELIO
(whistles)
You two have… issues.
TALIA
… I get tired just talking about that night.
ELIO
Same, same-same-same.
SHINJI
Honestly, we can’t have anything nice. Like, how does a night out turn into-
ELIO
(interrupting)
Shinji, if you don’t shut the fuck up.
TALIA
Who is we?!
ELIO
(talking over)
Yeah who the fuck is we?
SHINJI
I nearly had a panic attack, broke two of my ribs, got – tranquilized! And-
ELIO
And you woke up in an actual bed, so…?
TALIA
He had weighted blanket, like- I got jack shit. Do you remember the part where I woke up in hospital?
SHINJI
Look, it sucks to suck. Next time don’t get caught.
(Elio burst out laughing)
TALIA
I hate you so fucking much it’s unreal.
ELIO
(laughing, still)
I mean- technically-
TALIA
No no he’s right, he’s fully right. I just hate the bitch.
SHINJI
(with a shrug)
Just don’t.
TALIA
Just- (chuckles) Yeah my bad, we’ll try that next time.
ELIO
Just don’t break your ribs.
TALIA
Hey- just don’t hit on a goddamn Warlock how about that?
SHINJI
Have you seen Asher?
TALIA
Trash, absolute trash…
ELIO
(talking over)
Y’know… Boys will be boys.
TALIA
Boys will be fucking dead if you keep saying that.
SFX: DJ’s airhorn goes off
(the boys continue chuckling)
ELIO
Is that- Where did you get a sound board?!
TALIA
It was just laying around.
TALIA
Okay… Okay…
ELIO
Should we try and reel it back?
TALIA
Gimme a minute- (Talia tries to gather herself.)
ELIO
So Talia was having a go at Samedi, I was with Samar… Shinji, what were you up to?
SHINJI
I spent the night with Asher, then received a call from Marcus early in the morning. He –
TALIA
Hold up-
ELIO
Yeah, wait-wait-wait.
TALIA
It’s all we’re going to get? “Spent the night?”
SHINJI
I’ll get to that, okay… if you’d just let me?
ELIO
Mkay. Sure.
TALIA
Go ahead.
SHINJI
So I receive a call, and I’m told to get to a hideout instead of returning to Nova. Those three days you spent in and out of consciousness with Samar, Talia and I spent them being moved around-
TALIA
Separately.
SHINJI
Yeah, yeah, we weren’t together, I think the initial idea was to get me out of the country but I insisted. I said I needed to find you guys so… three days later they just dropped me off 10 minutes away from your location-
ELIO
My location, right?
SHINJI
Yeah. They gave me a backpack and the address, and that was all.
TALIA
Yeah, same here.
SHINJI
I had to walk the rest of the way- which is always so frustrating-
ELIO
Oh, is it because you can fly?
TALIA
Oh my god Shinji can fly?
ELIO
Yeah, I think he might have wings or something.
TALIA
(Gasp; to shinji)
You do?
SHINJI
(sighs)
Are you done?
ELIO
Yeah.
TALIA
Yeah go ahead.
SHINJI
I knocked on the door and Samar opened. She was quieter than usual, and it felt weird. I expected her to y’know like… make a joke or a dig but… nothing like that.
I don’t know- without her cheery attitude there’s nothing to – sort of downplay, the scars on her body. You know, she’s got tribal tattoos, the controlled breathing- and on some level, you always get creeped out when you realize she doesn’t make a single sound when she walks. It’s like those people with pet lions – Like… maybe you shouldn’t sit so close to a killing machine, y’know? Does that make any sense?
TALIA
Yeah, yeah I feel you.
ELIO
Kinda.
SHINJI
Well… I asked about you Elio, and when she led me to your room. You were so still… I almost went to check your pulse, but Samar said we should leave you alone and let you rest. She sat me down in the kitchen, at a white plastic table, under the cold light bulb hanging from the ceiling. It took her a while to bring me up to speed, but eventually we just kind of sat there in silence taking it all in.
SFX: storm brews away outside the window
SAMAR
Anything to drink?
SHINJI
No, no. I- I’m alright. Thank you.
SAMAR
And you?
SHINJI
What?
SAMAR
How have you been? You look like a raccoon.
SHINJI
Is it the bags under my eyes or just… general racism?
SAMAR
I don’t know but that’s a deflection.
SHINJI
You don’t know if it’s racism or not?
SAMAR
Shinji.
(A beat.)
SHINJI
…I can’t complain. I didn’t really sleep much.
SAMAR
Mh.
SHINJI
Samar… when do you think he’ll wake up?
SAMAR
He did already, couple times. But once he recovers we can’t leave him alone.
SHINJI
What do you mean?
SAMAR
It’s hard to be on your own once you’ve had what he had. Build yourself back up knowing how the world can just… (beat) It’s… it’s hard.
SHINJI
Right, so… he’s essentially just on suicide watch then.
SAMAR
Pretty much, yeah.
SHINJI
… I should’ve been there.
SAMAR
Oh, absolutely not. That would’ve been a disaster.
SHINJI
I looked up. Samar kept her eyes on me, as she tapped the ash off her cigarette. I didn’t have time to reply.
SFX: door knock
Samar checked something on her phone, then got up to open the door.
TALIA
…And she rushed me inside. I fell into her arms without hiding my relief and… That woman is strong. I don’t know why it struck me then, but without Samedi’s powers… Damn.
SAMAR
How’s the henna holding up?
TALIA
Better than expected – Shinji!
SHINJI
Hey-
SFX: they hug
TALIA
I can’t believe I got you into this.
SHINJI
You wish you could get rid of me.
TALIA
Where is he?
SAMAR
Resting. Come, I’ll make some tea.
TALIA
Can I see him?
SAMAR
When he’s recovered.
TALIA
Please, I just want to-
SAMAR
(interrupting)
Sweetie. You’re barely keeping it together and I can’t deal with… any more. He’s not good, but he’s alive. Save yourself the image.
SHINJI
Umm… sorry. Where’s the kettle?
SAMAR
Behind you.
SHINJI
Right. Thank you.
SAMAR
Thank you. Bring yourself a chair Talia.
TALIA
…Okay.
SFX: chair pulls out
SAMAR
We’ll try to locate Catrina. But we’ll have to lay low until Elio recovers.
SHINJI
And… how do we do that?
SAMAR
You. Our descriptions are up everywhere, but they have no idea who you are. I’ll ask Basim to alter the uniform we stole from-
SHINJI
I can’t.
(A beat.)
SAMAR
Are you sure?
SHINJI
Certain.
SAMAR
(swear)… Fine, I forget you’re just a few months old- okay-
TALIA
Why can’t we send him?
And- I’ll never forget this- Shinji was just by the kitchen counter when I said that, back towards us-
SHINJI
Pouring water from the kettle.
TALIA
Yeah… and when I tell you I blinked– and suddenly his wings were all over me.
SFX: Wings deploy, whoosh of air
ELIO
(gasp)
Ah, no!
TALIA
Elio, I blinked- They had torn through his shirt and their fucking razor blades were hovering juust above my skin. I felt one of them right next to my throat, and still without turning around, I hear him say:
SHINJI
Jugular.
TALIA
Then right under my shoulder blades:
SHINJI
Heart.
TALIA
My wrists.
SHINJI
Ulnar, and Radial.
TALIA
Then lower, to my outer thigh.
SHINJI
And if I dig right through that, I’ll find the femoral. You’d bleed out in less than a minute. I can’t tell you how I know that, but I do.
SAMAR
And that’s why we’re not sending death itself down there.
SHINJI
If I start to panic and the spirit takes control… I… can’t fight. I just… kill. That’s… all I know.
TALIA
You could have just said that, you psycho…
SHINJI
Yeah, well. People tend to be skeptical when the skinny guy acts all tough. Would you like a cup of tea?
TALIA
Thanks.
SHINJI
Do you take milk or sugar?
TALIA
Xanax, if you have any.
SHINJI
If I did I wouldn’t share.
TALIA
Damn we have a LOT in common.
SHINJI
Yeah, well, it’s probably the trauma.
(A beat.)
TALIA
… Let me just drink that tea.
SHINJI
Samar? You’ve been quiet.
SAMAR
… We… are gonna stalk a witch.
(A beat.)
TALIA
(done)
Okay.
SAMAR
Get some intel, get the crystal, get out of this country.
TALIA
And just… any witch?
SAMAR
As long as they’re stationed in London, meaning they work for Joan.
SFX: Footsteps, door opens
ELIO
What about the inquisitor?
SHINJI
Elio!
ELIO
Hey. Talia you look like you’ve seen a ghost-
SFX: another hug
Oof!
TALIA
Oh my god you’re okay. Thank you. Thank you. I’m so sorry.
ELIO
Are you okay? Last time I saw you I threw you against a wall.
TALIA
Yeah just a wall, that’s nothing.
SAMAR
Okay. Come sit him down. He’s barely standing.
SHINJI
Do you need anything?
ELIO
I’m alright. Thanks. Samar’s been taking care of me.
SAMAR
You still couldn’t walk yesterday…
ELIO
I didn’t know we’d get my goddess back, yesterday. So what’s the plan? I know, I know, I’m not coming. Just wanna be in the loop.
SAMAR
…We can’t do anything about Zylla for now, we have no proof, nothing-
TALIA
And also, not our problem honestly.
SAMAR
Yeah, the Kalsara is our priority.
SHINJI
The what?
ELIO & SAMAR
(overlapping)
The Kalsara – The crystal.
ELIO
Sorry. Go ahead.
SAMAR
We need a target.
SHINJI
I think… I might be able to help. (A beat.) I met a Warlock on friday night-
TALIA
At the club?
ELIO
Friday?
SHINJI
Yeah.
ELIO
I thought it was on Saturday… I only spent one night in the Vault?
SAMAR
Yeah.
ELIO
Goddess…
TALIA
Okay, you met a warlock…?
SHINJI
I didn’t know he was a warlock! Elio called and he said that you were fine and… I was about to leave when he started chatting me up.
SAMAR
And?
SHINJI
And- He left me his number.
TALIA
How did you figure out he was a Warlock?
SHINJI
He- he flew away, so…
SAMAR
You think you could get his address?
SHINJI
Yeah he sent me his address, he wanted to meet up.
TALIA
Wait… you gave him your number??
ELIO
They probably exchanged it before.
SHINJI
Yeah, yeah. Before I knew he was a warlock.
TALIA
Mkay…
SAMAR
So where is it?
SHINJI
I… I don’t know if I have the exact like numbers-
ELIO
You said he sent it.
SHINJI
Right- let me just get my phone.
SAMAR
It’s in your pocket.
TALIA
(confused)
Dude, what’s…? What’s up? What’s going on here?
(A beat.)
SHINJI
Look- It’s been a lot lately, I’m a bit-
ELIO
Where did you stay? On Friday?
SHINJI
I went to a hostel, why?
ELIO
On the phone you said you’d meet me back at Nova.
TALIA
… Oh you didn’t… You didn’t…
SHINJI
I thought it’d be safer. I mean… I don’t know, I changed my mind?
TALIA
No you DIDN’T!
ELIO
And you didn’t warn anybody?
TALIA
(talking over)
Shinji you did NOT fuck a warlock!
SHINJI
WHAT? NO?!
ELIO
What? No, no…
SHINJI
I didn’t- I didn’t! Guys- I didn’t fuck a warlock!
SAMAR
It’s okay if you did.
ELIO
How is it okay?
TALIA
No it’s not! What the fuck were you thinking!
SAMAR
Does he know what you are?
SHINJI
I didn’t! No! I gave him a fake name, everything-
TALIA
You are so lying! Look at your warlock-fucking face.
ELIO
Do you know how easy it is to NOT fuck an agent of the S.C.U?
TALIA
Seriously!
ELIO
Could you not have picked ANYBODY else in that club? Anybody?!
SAMAR
Well, he’s the only one of us who hasn’t been found out so maybe if we all fucked a warlock, we wouldn’t be in this situation.
(A beat.)
ELIO
… This is a fucking joke…
SAMAR
I’m just saying…
TALIA
…I can’t believe it… Like- Can you confirm? Can you just say it, I just wanna hear it.
SHINJI
…Define fucking.
TALIA
DEFINE-?
SHINJI
It’s not like it was with a goddamn crusader! Their job is to help people!
ELIO
Look at me! What they did to me!
SAMAR
I don’t- guys, I don’t… give a shit. I’m not gonna discuss the morality of fucking a warlock. But now, what we’re gonna do, because this is Shinji, is give him the benefit of the doubt. So we can get the address.
SFX: rain stops
ELIO
(chuckle)
I still can’t believe this happened.
TALIA
Shinji turned so pale.
ELIO
And then red. So, so red. I mean, damn… How long did you stay with Asher in the end?
SHINJI
The night. And most of the next day. But then I did go to thethe hostel. I mean again, I didn’t know what happened to you two! I was completely in the dark!
ELIO
Okay, sOkay, so then what happens? Cuz, I remember Cuz I remember Talia and I stayed behind, and yeah… Shinji, you and Samar went to Asher’s apartment.
TALIA
And what a place, she told us! You really know how to pick them.
ELIO
Oh, if you live on the ground floor, you know Ji-Ji’s not going home with you.
TALIA
He’s got standards.
SHINJI
Okay, okay, fuck off already.
ELIO
And if a man hasn’t committed war- crimes?
TALIA
Baby, he’s not committing either.
SHINJI
He’s literally the reason we’re still alive. So maybe some gratitude.
ELIO
Yeaaaah yeah.
TALIA
And he’s got great hair and a full set of teeth, we know.
SHINJI
So, Samar and I took off in the middle of the night, while we knew Asher was on shift.
ELIO
How did you get there again? I forgot.
SHINJI
Stole a car. Literally the first one we saw. Basim made a key for it.
TALIA
Love that genie.
ELIO
Love him.
SFX: car key goes in, car door slams closed, engine starts
SAMAR
…What?
SHINJI
What what?
SAMAR
You keep fidgeting, what is it?
SHINJI
… Why am I here?
SAMAR
Well, your mommy and daddy loved each other very much, and-
SHINJI
First of all, no they didn’t. And I meant why can’t you just- get there? Teleport.
SAMAR
Too far away, too many people. When I go, there’s no…distance. It’s like the world just become this… web… of energy. And people, their minds, are… lighthouses. You chose one and you anchor yourself to it. So it’s just safer to have someone you know with you.
SHINJI
…And if you chose someone one the other side of the world, could you just…?
SAMAR
Theoretically, yeah, completely. But that’s how most people die. Sensing the minds of everyone between you and your target, millions and billions… And that’s not even counting Gods, spirits,
SAMAR (CONT’D)
demons… You can’t. You lose yourself completely… So to survive, the trick is actually to limit your scope as much as possible.
SHINJI
Yeah might as well take a car.
SAMAR
Yep – Oh hey can you do something for me?
SHINJI
Mhm?
SAMAR
If you can find a tutorial or something, that explains what’s inside a microphone, and how it works, or something-
SHINJI
Why?
SAMAR
Because I’ve been asking Basim to make some, so we can bug Asher’s flat. But he keeps making… plastic shells. Empty inside. He doesn’t get it.
SHINJI
Oh. Yeah sure, gimme a sec.
SAMAR
(In Arabic)
Basim, come have a look! Come watch.
SFX: Smoke and magic as Basim comes out
SHINJI
Okay… yep, I think I found something.
SFX: mist and steam, Basim becomes upset
Uh… Samar?
(Basim slaps and poke at Samar a couple times.)
SAMAR
What- Ow-, aïe,- BASIM?! What? Oh- he doesn’t understand- Yeah, yeah, I’ll translate.
(To Shinji)
Can you not find one in arabic?
SHINJI
I don’t think so…
ELIO
In the meantime, as I said, Talia and I stayed in the hideout, which… was fine.
SFX: Footsteps approach
TALIA
What are you watching?
ELIO
That baking show. I don’t think they should have let Witches participate, honestly. It’s not fair for the others. Like, do a spin-off with witches only or something.
TALIA
Yeah- Hey, wanna play cards?
ELIO
I’d rather jump in a piranha tank-
TALIA
There’s no money this time!
ELIO
I’m not playing with a God of the Party… again!
TALIA
He’s too weak to do anythin-
ELIO
I don’t care! You’re just gonna win!
TALIA
So we’re just gonna sit there and-
ELIO
Yes, please. Please. (A beat.) How are you two by the way?
TALIA
Not great. Thinking of getting rid of him.
ELIO
Mhm…
TALIA
Sorry. Didn’t mean-
ELIO
No, no don’t worry… But, maybe now’s not the best time to try that.
TALIA
There’ll never be a best time. I don’t know how you do it.
ELIO
Well… she was never as bad as Samedi, but… I don’t know, I think if I tried to tell her no, you can’t use my blood, it wouldn’t have ended super well.
TALIA
Different boundaries.
ELIO
Yeah… I’m not saying you should give him a chance, not at all, but… I don’t think either of us knew what we were getting into. They weren’t made for us, but we chose them, still. I think it requires a different way of living.
TALIA
I don’t have to put up with it.
ELIO
No, you don’t.
(A beat.)
…If it was just about you I’d say let him go but… You could do so much good with his powers.
TALIA
You don’t know what you’re asking.
ELIO
It doesn’t matter what I ask, you do what you want. It sucks though, I’m sorry.
TALIA
Yeah. (turns attention to the tv) … Oh what is this icing?
ELIO
Yeah, she’s fucked.
SHINJI
We got into Asher’s flat without trouble. Samar tried to look into his home computer but obviously, password. I thought it’d be safer to leave it after that, but she said:
SAMAR
I got it.
SHINJI
She composed a number on her burner phone, then brought it to her ear. It only rang once.
SAMAR
Hi sweetie, don’t worry about it, but I have a computer password in front of me, can you give me a guess?
SHINJI
(whispering)
Who is it?
SAMAR
(whispering)
Marcus.
SHINJI
Oh.
SAMAR
(Over phone)
Mhm. Spell that?…
SFX: keyboard clacks
Yep, we’re in! Thank you!
SFX: phone hangs up with a click
SHINJI
Seriously? Is that it?
SAMAR
Yep. Passwords, pins, lottery… How do you think he got money for the circus?
SHINJI
And how is he not a billionaire?
SAMAR
He has to save his powers most of the time. If he’s out of luck the next time the S.C.U comes knocking…
SHINJI
You can quantify luck?
SAMAR
Probably, but he’s bad at maths.
SHINJI
In the end we didn’t find anything relevant, Asher had never even accessed his work email from this computer. Nothing. So we made sure we left everything in its place, and right before we left, Samar asked me:
SAMAR
Hey, do you know what you’re doing? With this guy?
SHINJI
It was just one night.
…He’s not a killer.
SAMAR
That’s most people, Shinji. I know there are some things we can’t be for you. But… don’t lose yourself looking for them.
SHINJI
… Thank you.
SAMAR
What for?
SHINJI
Not… shouting, earlier. I don’t want them to… to think any less of me, y’know?
SAMAR
Talia got on stage to convince herself she’s in control. Elio went after her because he wanted to save everybody. You’re all idiots, but you care about each other. That hasn’t changed.
SHINJI
…Thanks…?
SAMAR
Anytime.
SFX: Door closes
TALIA
The following week was just a lot of waiting, honestly.
ELIO
Samar kept us in shape and got me through rehabilitation, which was… a lot more meditating and less excercising than I thought. Because physically it was just three days. I didn’t lose anything. It was just my mind, muscle connection that was completely messed up.
TALIA
We had to re-apply Henna on me daily at that point, but it kept. My mind was all over the place so I wasn’t in the right state to try and talk it out with Samedi.
ELIO
We gathered, through the recordings, that Asher and his team were working on a new spell. The one they had exhumed from me was a pledge to Catrina. If they could somehow find the right words, alter it and infuse it with enough power, they could… bend a goddess’s will. The right spell, and she would protect whoever held her prison.
SHINJI
And on the 8th day, we finally got the tip we needed.
SFX: Door slides open
JOAN
Thompson?
ASHER
Hey, I’m almost done with the new-
JOAN
It worked.
ASHER
… Are you serious?
JOAN
Come.
SFX: Running up stairs, vault door opens, the ambience of various crystals fills the air, accompanied by ominous winds
Step back a little.
SFX: ominous winds continue, whispers seeping in between breezes
(Joan’s voice echoes)
Obey, mother,
To the voice of another.
Widen your embrace,
Or remain in disgrace,
Obey, mother,
To the blood of a stranger.
SFX: blood shield deploys
(Joan giggles)
ASHER
I can’t believe it… Can it be replicated?
JOAN
I think the wording could be improved but it shouldn’t be an issue for most agents. And here’s the best part.
SFX: crystal breaks
It splits. If we grow that crystal, we could provide each agent with their own.
ASHER
Is it safe to feed a Kalsara like that?
JOAN
You’re S.C.U, Thompson-
ASHER
No, I know-
JOAN
If you couldn’t survive the Red Plague, you wouldn’t be here.
ASHER
I’m not worried about the infection. I’m not gonna eat it.
JOAN
I do it.
ASHER
You… infect yourself… with the Red Plague?
JOAN
And then kill the crystal from the inside, yes. It’s good training. If I can’t neutralize a mindless leach –
ASHER
…It’s not the crystal that I’m worried about… it’s the god inside.
JOAN
Her power will be divided amongst our agents, each opposing their own will to her. Draining her. Where’s the risk?
ASHER
…It’s gonna work isn’t it… It’s gonna work! How fast can it grow?
JOAN
Even with the blood and will of the entire ward it would take weeks. But if we bring it to the hanging stones, it might be a matter of hours. I’ve already sent my request to Queen Tempest, if she approves, we’ll be there next week.
SFX: rain gently falls against window, click as recording stops
SHINJI
…The crystal’s… alive?
TALIA
Sort of. They’re… loosely related to coral, apparently. And they’re the only creature known to feed off… Belief, Will, Consciousness- whatever it is, that… energy we produce, they use it to multiply. Grandmother had one.
SHINJI
Why?
TALIA
I mean, they’re basically batteries. Witches use them when they’re running low.
ELIO
Samar tapped her necklace with a smile.
SAMAR
Or if you want to bring a friend on the road.
TALIA
Yep. Samar feeds the crystal, and Basim feeds on it.
SAMAR
He’s not nearly strong enough to possess a body. I don’t think he’d even like that.
TALIA
But in theory, you could host him?
SAMAR
Nooo! You don’t put more than one spirit in the same body. The gods don’t share.
ELIO
…They said they were moving her.
TALIA
I heard hanging stones?
ELIO
Stonehenge. Millenia of rituals have made it extremely sensitive to magic. The air, the earth, you can almost feel them waiting, ready to obey. Witch’s powers have no match in this place. The ancestors knew.
SHINJI
So we have to intercept it.
ELIO
Yeah. Otherwise there’s no chance.
SAMAR
Or someone else will.
TALIA
…Zylla.
SAMAR
And the fate of the country is in our hands. This always fucking happens.
ELIO
So what do we do?
SAMAR
Oh I don’t know what we’ll do, but you stay put.
(A beat.)
ELIO
Samar, there’s nothing in this world that will make me stay put. You can shackle me, I’ll break through. You can drug me, knock me out, I’ll wake up, I swear it. No matter what you do I’ll answer when she calls. You know it.
SAMAR
Then prove it. Prove I won’t have to worry about you.
ELIO
How?
SAMAR
I wanted to wait a little longer but, if you insist… Every few years, urban legends and stupid teenagers bring a powerful demon back to life. And a couple days ago a flat party turned into a blood bath when someone said the wrong name three times.
TALIA
And what is the S.C.U doing?
SAMAR
It hasn’t made it back to them yet because the police thinks it’s a murder case.
ELIO
Does that mean I’m taking care of it?
SAMAR
We’re gonna barricade this house and leave you inside. Call its name, and kill it.
ELIO
And I can come?
SAMAR
And you can come.
ELIO
Deal.
SFX: outro music