Lost Production (sort of): Ghost Hunter

This is the second version of the Curse sequel that was eventually titled Eidolon.  Before Eidolon as we know it was written, there were two different versions of the story, and they were VERY different in many ways.  

I couldn't finish the first episode of either one, so I keep trying a different plot.  I got farther with this one then with How to Save the World, but I still didn't make it through the whole episode - not even close.  If you're curious about what Eidolon could have been like, feel free to read what I have of the first episode for Ghost Hunter.

GHOST HUNTER

"Life Goes On"

Written and Directed

by Eleanore Stasheff

CAST

Maria Sanchez/Marion Smith -- Morgan Thomas

Mordecai --

Cory -- Michelle Chapman

Zandra/bride --

Groom --

Foster --

and

Brittany Whalen as Zelda Casteel

Previously:

OPENING CREDITS

Scene 1

         Setting:  In front of a Church

         Fade up from black.  The Church doors open and several people emerge.  They line up on the steps.  Cory and Maria emerge in matching dresses.  A moment later a bride (Zandra) and groom emerge.  Everyone throws rice? at them as they walk down the steps to a waiting car.  The car drives off and the people start to disperse.  Cory and Maria are talking.

CORY:  I still can't believe it. 

MARIA:  Whoever thought Zandra would get married?

CORY:  You need a ride to the reception?

         (Maria glances across the street and sees a man in a black suit looming in the shadow of a tree.  She smiles as she turns back to Cory)

MARIA:  No, I have a car.  I'll meet you there.

CORY:  Okay, but I'm gonna spike the punch so don't be late!

         (Cory walks off, heading for a car.  After she's gone Maria walks across the street to the man.  He turns to look at her -- it's Mordecai (duh).  She looks at him and smiles saddly.)

MARIA:  What are you doing here?

MORDECAI:  Torturing myself.  (pause)  I guess I was still hoping she and I would get together someday.  I was shocked when I heard about the wedding.

MARIA:  I take it you didn't get an invitation.

MORDECAI:  I didn't expect one.  I promised to stay away from her forever, remember?  I'm keeping that promise. 

MARIA:  Then why come?

MORDECAI:  I had to see it to believe it.  (sighs and looks away)  Oh well.

MARIA:  You should be relieved.  Now you can date whoever you want.  And with your money and power women must be falling at your feet.

MORDECAI:  (pause)  They won't for long.

MARIA:  Why?

MORDECAI:  I'm being relegated to the Middle Class.  The MaGi are taking half my powers away.

MARIA:  When?

MORDECAI:  At midnight.  Don't ask why.  I don't want to get into it.

        

         (long silence.  Maria looks away, then looks back at him)

MORDECAI:  Shouldn't you get going? 

MARIA:  I have time.  I don't like parties away. 

MORDECAI:  You'll miss Cory spiking the punch bowl. 

MARIA:  (grins)  It's not like I haven't seen it before. 

         (silence)

MARIA:  Look, I--

         (he silences her with a wave of his hand)

MORDECAI:  I don't want pity.  I just want to forget.  (gestures to her car)  You better go.

MARIA:  Keep in touch. 

MORDECAI:  We'll see.

MARIA:  Promise.

         (he smiles and touches her cheek, then disappears.  She frowns)

MARIA:  I can't belive Zandra gave up a magical millionare for a mortician!

         (she walks off)

*********************************

TITLE:  Twenty year later

*********************************

        

Scene 2

         Setting:  School Office

         Maria walks out of her office ad closes the door.  Suddenly the phone rings.  She frowns and looks at the door.  The phone keeps ringing.  She sighs and unlocks the door, opening it and stepping inside.  She walks over to her desk and answers the phone.

MARIA:  Hello?  (pause)  Yes, this is Maria Sanchez, can I help you? 

         (there is a long pause and Maria slowly sinks into the desk chair, a shocked look on her face.)

MARIA:  Oh my God.  (pause)  I see.  (pause)  Yes, I understand. (pause)  When is the funneral?  (pause)  Where?  (pause)  All right.   (pause)  Yes, I'll be expecting him (pause)  her.  Thank you.

         (she hangs up and sits in the chair for several minutes, staring off into space.  She sighs and shakes her head, then stares at the desk.  After several moments there is a knock at the door.  She looks up and sees a woman in a business suit standing in the doorway holding a briefcase.)

MARIA:  Can I help you?

FOSTER:  Maria Sanchez? 

MARIA:  Sanchez-Carlisle.

FOSTER:  I'm Ms. Caroline Foster, from Smith, Anderson, and Associates.  I believe you were expecting me?

         (Maria frowns and looks at the phone, then looks at Foster.)        

MARIA:  Yes, but I just got the call a minute ago.  (pause)  You people work fast. 

FOSTER:  I appologize for the abruptness of my arrival.  You should have received the call earlier today. 

MARIA:  Well, I didn't.  (pause)  Oh, come in, have a seat.

FOSTER:  Thank you. 

         (she sits down and sets the briefcase on the desk)

FOSTER:  Ms. Anderson's death was very sudden, but she did leave specific instructions as to the disposal of her will.

MARIA:  How did she die?

FOSTER:  You weren't informed?

MARIA:  No.

FOSTER:  In a car accident.

MARIA:  Holy shit. . .

         (long pause, Maria stares at the floor.  She looks up at Foster)

MARIA:  Why are you here?   Shouldn't this wait until after the funneral?

FOSTER:  Ms. Anderson required us to contact you immediately after her death, and before the funneral. 

MARIA:  Why? 

FOSTER:  Are you aware that Ms. Anderson declared you to be the legal gaurdian of her daughter in the event of her death?

         (Maria sighs and sits back)

MARIA:  I completely forgot about that.  (pause)  Shit.  (pause, looks at Foster)  How old is her daughter now?

FOSTER:  Sixteen.

MARIA:  What about her father?  I know he and Zandra got divorced, but shouldn't Jeremey get custody?

FOSTER:  Jeremey Casteel is not Chrizelda's father.  That was the reason for the divorce. 

MARIA:  Oh.  Well, shouldn't her father have custody?

FOSTER:  Ms. Anderson never disclosed the identity of the father.  She specifically requested you be legal gaurdian of her daughter in the event of her death.  Are you willing to assume that responsibility?

MARIA:  I'll have to talk to my husband, but I guess so.  I mean, I did agree origionally. 

FOSTER:  You don't have to sign anything until after the funneral.  Meet her first.  She's a wonderful child.

MARIA:  At sixteen she's hardly a child.

FOSTER:  According to the law she is. 

         (Foster stands up)

FOSTER:  Thank you for your time, Ms. Sanchez.  The funneral is in two days. (she hands her an envelope)  Ms. Anderson's estate has provided an airline ticket.  That and all additional information in regards to the funneral is in there. 

MARIA:  Thank you. 

FOSTER:  Thank you for your time.  I'll see you on Sunday.

         (she leaves.  Maria looks at the envelope, then tosses it on her desk and puts her head in her hands.)

Scene 3

         Setting:  Maria's house

         Maria walks in and closes the door, setting her briefcase down.  She takes off her jacket and hangs it up, then takes the envelope out of her pocket and looks at it as she walks into the dining room.  She sets it on the table and looks at it.  From the kitchen the sound of dishes can be heard.

MORDECAI:  (from in the kitchen)  You're late.

MARIA:  Something came up. 

MORDECAI:  Well, tell me about it over dinner.  The reservations in a half hour, so hurry up and change. 

         (Maria just stands there, looking at the envelope.)

MARIA:  Shit.

MORDECAI:  What? 

MARIA:  I just had a meeting with a lawyer.

         (long pause, all sound from the kitchen stops)

MORDECAI:  You want a divorce?

MARIA:  (smiles)  No.

MORDECAI:  (sounds resume)  Thank God.  So what did the lawyer want?

         (long pause)

MARIA:  How do you feel about having a daughter? 

         (crash.  the sound of dishes breaking in the kitchen as they hit the floor)

MARIA:  (smiles)  Note to self:  buy more dishes.

         (Mordecai quickly walks into the dining room, staring at Maria in shock.)

MORDECAI:  You're pregnant?!?  (pause pause)  Wiat, did you say doctor or lawyer?

MARIA:  Lawyer, and no I'm not pregant.

MORDECAI:  You're not?

MARIA:  No, I'm not.

MORDECAI:  (clearly disappointed)  Damn it.

MARIA:  (flattered, grins)  Well, if you're that upset then we can talk about it later tonight.

         (he grins and walks over to her, pulling her into his arms.  They kiss.  He pulls back and looks at her)

MORDECAI:  So, what does a lawyer have to do with a daughter? 

MARIA:  It's hard to explain.

MORDECAI:  (grins)  Have you been shoplifting children, again? 

MARIA:  (angrily)  Can you be serious for a minute?!?

         (Mordecai stares at her, angry and annoyed at her outburst.  After a minute he sighs and looks at her, still slightly irritated)

MORDECAI:  Okay, you're obviously upset about something.  What is it?

         (Maria sits down at the table and stares at the envelope.)

MARIA:  Zandra's dead.

MORDECAI:  (pause pause)  What?

MARIA:  Zandra Anderson is dead.  She died in a car accident two days ago.

         (Mordecai sits down next to her, staring off int space)

MORDECAI:  My God. . .

MARIA:  I know, it's unreal.  First Cory, now Zandra.  I guess we're next.

MORDECAI:  (flashes her a glare)  Now who can't be serious?

MARIA:  Shut up. 

MORDECAI:  You started it.

         (she looks at him and smiles slightly.)

MARIA:  I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just--

MORDECAI:  I know.

         (they hug and finally Maria pulls back.)

MARIA:  That's not all.  After Cory died Zandra asked me if I would be willing to be her daughter's legal gaurdian if she died.

MORDECAI:  (pause pause)  Oh.  I see the daughter connection.

MARIA:  Right.  Chrizelda's sixteen, so she would only be living with us for two years, and then college and after that she'd be her own legal gaurdian. 

MORDECAI:  So we're supposed to raise Zandra's daughter?

MARIA:  She's sixteen, Mordi, she's already raised.  We'd just take care of her for a couple of years.  Maybe it would be a trial run to having our own kids.

MORDECAI:  I don't know.  Raising Zandra's daughter?  I used to think about it, but I always assumed I'd be the father.

MARIA:  You're not?

MORDECAI:  (angry)  What is that supposed to mean?!?

MARIA:  Nothing.  Joke.

MORDECAI:  Well, it wasn't funny.  (pause)  I don't know, Maria, it would be way too weird and. . .yeah, it would just be weird.

MARIA:  I agreed to it.

MORDECAI:  And you didn't consult me?

MARIA:  It was before I married you!  It was before we even hooked up! 

(pause)  Look, just come to the funneral with me.  We'll meet her and we'll take it from there.

MORDECAI:  You haven't even met her?!?

MARIA:  I saw her briefly after Cory's funneral. She was still a little girl.  I'm sure she's changed. 

         (long pause)

MARIA:  I know it'll be a big change -- and it'll be weird for awhile, but maybe this is supposed to happen, and if so then it's not our place to ignore fate. 

         (he sighs and looks at the table, then looks at her)

MORDECAI:  Can we still go to dinner? Cause I really need a drink.

        

         (Maria smiles and kisses him lightly, then stands up)

MARIA:  I'll go change.

Scene 4

         Setting:  Funneral

         Four or five people in black stand gathered around a priest or minister who holds a vase in his hands.  He takes a handful of ashes and scatters them to the wind, reciting a prayer.  Among the people are Maria and Mordecai, standing together, hand in hand.  Ms. Foster is there as well, standing next to a young woman who is mostly hidden behind a large black umbrella.  Yeah, cause it's raining.  The priest finishes and all but Maria, Mordecai, and Zelda leave.

MS. FOSTER:  (to Maria, with a glance at Zelda) I'll let you two get to know each other.  We can take care of the paperwork later.  Can you give her a ride back to the hotel?

MARIA:  Of course.

MS. FOSTER:  Thanks.  I'll see you later.         

        

         (she leaves.  Maria and Mordecai exchange glances, then look at Zelda who is standing at the edge of the forest/cliff/place staring off into space.  Maria lets go of Mordecai's hand and walks over to her)

MARIA:  Zelda?  Do you remember me?

         (Zelda looks at her.  She looks just like Zoey Zurrell.  Maria is stunned, shocked, and silent.)

ZELDA:  No, but I know who you are.

         (Maria's very shaken and doesn't speak.  mordecai notices and walks over to them.  He looks at Maria, then at Zelda reluctantly) 

MORDECAI:  I'm Michael Carlisle, Maria's--

ZELDA:  (condecending)  I know who are too, and Carlisle is a stupid name for a sorcerer.

         (Mordecai is taken aback, then frowns)

MORDECAI:  How did you--

ZELDA:  I'm not stupid.  Mom used to tell me stories about you two when I was younger.  Like I was interested in her stupid curse. . .

         (they stare at her)

MORDECAI:  Are you sure you're sixteen?

ZELDA:  (sarcastic) Ask my mom. . .oh wait, you can't.

MORDECAI: (puase pause)  I'm sorry about your loss.

ZELDA:  (shrugs)  Why?  I'm not.

         (he just stares at her.  She smiles and steps close to him)

ZELDA:  Mom always said you had a thing for her.  I don't know why she didn't go for you.  I would never turn you down.

         (she gives him a coy, sultry look, then walks out.  Mordecai is both shocked and uncomfortable, then looks at Maria who is still stunned.)

MORDECAI:  We're not adopting her. 

MARIA:  (wondering what the hell is going on) We don't have a choice.

MORDECAI:  She just hit on me!

MARIA:  You're not flattered?

MORDECAI:  That's not the point!

MARIA:  (watching Zelda, but talking to Mordecai)  Can you go get the car?  I need to talk to her alone for a moment.

MORDECAI:  Fine, tell her she's on her own.

MARIA:  I can't.

MORDECAI:  Maria, she's not our problem!

MARIA:  (sighs)  She is my problem, and I'm going to make it right.

MORDECAI:  What are you talking about?

MARIA:  Don't ask questions unless you want to be more confused.

         (He looks at her, then sighs and walks away.  Maria goes after Zelda)

Scene 5

         Setting:  Graveyard. 

         Zelda is walking through the grave yard, pretending to shoot tombstones.  Maria walks up behind her. 

MARIA:  Are you sure you don't remember me?

ZELDA:  (looks at her, looks bored)  No.  Should I?  I was what, six?, the last time we met.

MARIA:  Something like that.

ZELDA:  I don't need a mother, okay?  If you don't want to take care of me, fine.  I'm used to be on my own.

MARIA:  No, I made your mother a promise and I'll stick to it.

ZELDA:  Don't give me pity. I'm not a charity case and I don't give a damn what my mother wanted.

MARIA:  I take it you didn't like her.

ZELDA:  No one liked her, not even her husband liked her, or didn't you notice the lack of attendance at her funneral?

         (Maria looks her up and down)

MARIA:  Your mother and I weren't really good friends, so if you're worried I'll be like her, I won't be.  I know you don't need another mother, or even a family if you don't want one, so don't think of me as a parent, think of me as a new friend.

ZELDA:  Why would you give a damn what happens to me?

MARIA:  Because I do.  Don't ask why, I just do.  I wanna help -- not out of pity or anything like that.  I just know what it's like to be all alone.  I won't give you rules or curfews or anything like that, so what do you say? (she holds out her hand)  You want to come with me?

         (Zelda looks at her hand, then back at her.  She ignores the offered hand.  Maria lowers it)

ZELDA:  Okay, but if I don't like you, I'm not staying.  Deal?

MARIA:  Deal.

         (they walk out.)

And that's where I stopped writing.  Never made it past

Scene 5.  Dang.  Here's the convoluted plot presmise/feeble outline if you want to know what else would have happened:

Zelda is actually the reincarnated soul of Zoey who had been promised a second chance by Namtaru if she helps him destory Maria/Marion.  In return she gets to live again and gets Mordecai if she wants him.  Zelda is Namtaru's daughter.  The first time Zelda and Maria shake hands it wakes up Maria inside Marion and the two become seperate personalities, able to talk to each other in the mirror -- Marion no longer has her reflection, she has Maria's.  They call on Morpheus to help them figure out what's going on.  Zelda keeps hitting on Mordecai and tries to put him under a spell.  it doesn't work.  Namtaru tries to threaten him.  it doesn't work.  he goes to Maria to find out what's going on, sees her other reflection, freaks, she tells him what's happening.

All hell is about to break loose as Zelda reveals she is Zoey and wants revenge, and Marion/Maria finds out she is pregant.  Mordecai is thrilled, but everyone is confused because the pregancy is now split and both Maria and Marion are pregant -- twins.  The council wants to protect them until they find out what the GO has planned and sends Atropos with Clothos and Lucretia to protect them.

The pregnancy puts a crimp in Namtaru's plans because Zelda won't get Mordecai now and Maria/Marion are well protected so Zelda can't kill them.  Namtaru wants to seperate them so that he can kill Marion personally, but the pregancy makes it nearly impossible to do that without killing both of them.

 where to go from here? 

Good question, Yibble. No where, obviously!