Setting: Louis and Ramona immediately run toward Camille's voice. When they get to the clearing, Camille, who had been running towards them, bumps into Louis, and when she sees its him, clings to him.
Louis: (Worried) What's wrong?
Camille: (Scared) I heard something, Lou, something coming towards the tent.
Setting: Louis automatically look toward Ramona. She nods with a little smile and moves in front of the two of them, holding her hands out protectively in a 'stop' signal while Louis shifts Camille behind him.
Ramona: (Threatening) Who's there?
Setting: There is a terrible silence in the air until it is broken by the rustling of leaves behind the trees. The footsteps are irregular and loud and get louder with each passing second. Camille begins to whimper quietly.
Ramona: (Loud) Who are you?
Setting: They wait until they can see the basic form of a woman coming through the trees. Ramona repeats her last question with more force, and then Louis's mother bursts through the trees. Her eyes are glazed over and she looks half-wild; she is staggering as she walks. She slurs her words when she speaks.
Mrs. Smith: Louis... Camille... you ran away...
Ramona: Are you Mrs. Smith?
Setting: Mrs. Smith turns to Ramona but doesn't seem to be able to see her. Ramona gasps and turns to Louis, her face frightened and sad.
Ramona: (Whisper) Louis, she can't see me. The only people who can't see me at this time of day are those who have just experienced loss of will.
Louis: What do you mean, Ramona?
Mrs. Smith: (High, scared voice) Who's Ramona? Louis, you're seeing things! Calm down! (She begins to laugh hysterically.) Calm down! Calm down!
Camille: Louis, why is Mommy acting so weird?
Louis: I don't know, Cami.
Mrs. Smith: Oh, oh yeah. Oh yeah. Letter... the letter. (She throws a piece of soiled paper on the ground.) Letter. Letter. Bad letter. Bad.
Setting: Louis inches forward and picks up the letter carefully while Mrs. Smith keeps repeating her last four words. His eyes fly across the page quickly and he drops his head to his hands. Camille shivers and tries to read it, but it is too high up. She huffs in irritation.
Ramona: (Panicked) Louis? What's wrong?
Louis: Our dad.
Camille: (Hopefully) Daddy? Is he coming home again for another visit?
Louis: Uh, no, Cami. He's... not coming home at all. Ever.
Camille: (Sad) Daddy's dead?
Setting: At those words, Mrs. Smith starts rushing between the trees, screaming at and kissing and hugging each one. She finally stops and glares at the tree right behind Ramona.
Mrs. Smith: The tree is blurry. The tree is blurry. (Laughs) The tree is blurry! Blurry tree! Silly tree!
Ramona: Louis, I think your mom has lost it.
Louis: I think so too. Um... (Turns to his mother) Mom? Mom, are you okay?
Mrs. Smith: (Happily)Okay! Okay! Okay! Okay! (Confused) No. Okay! Dokay. Donk-ay. Donkey. Donkey. (Sad) You call me donkey? I not donkey! I not donkey!
Setting: Ramona glances at Louis and sighs. She turns to Mrs. Smith, holds out her palms again and closes her eyes. Mrs. Smith crumples to the ground, unconscious.
Louis: (Suspicious and frazzled) What did you do?
Ramona: Relax, Louis. She's sleeping, not harmed or dead. She'll stay asleep until I decide she should wake up.
Louis: (Still frazzled) Oh. okay.
Setting: Camille breaks down crying. The tears run down her face, and in the cold night air of December they freeze halfway down her face. Louis grabs her and hugs her. She hugs him back and cries on his shoulder. After a little bit, Louis's shoulders also begin to shake and the siblings cry together. Ramona walks over to them and places her hand lightly on Louis's back, forcing the vei into action. As the shield once again begins to wrap around Louis, she pulls her hand and the screen back. She looks in wonder at her hand and then Louis; and then she breaks out into a huge grin; but, realizing what a bad time it is, she quickly becomes sober once again and kneels beside them.
YOU ARE READING
The Escort (the Screenplay)
Fantasy"Hello, little one. What is your name?" It is with those seven words the story begins. Ramona Spencer is an escort, a person who has died and chosen to help the reincarnation process. Louis is a normal teenager, living with his mother and sister whi...
