M I L L E N N I U M IT... HAS... BEGUN... NOTHING IS FORSAKEN... Virtual Season Episode #404. "Sala' Del La Morto" written by: Gavin Hunter (August 2002, re-edited version) TEASER FADE IN: CLOSE ON - AN HOURGLASS the sprinkles of sand quickly filling the bottom. PASTOR GERALD TURNER (V.O.) We are all running out of time. HOLD ON hourglass for awhile... CUT TO: INT. BAPTIST CHURCH - DAY A beautiful, ornate church. Attendance is full and attentive. Legend INDICATES: New Hope Baptist Church Millersville Bay, Maryland July 23, 10:43 AM Our attention falls on the pastor. An hourglass can be seen on the pulpit, being used as a prop. TURNER As the time draws nearer to our Lord in Heaven's return so does violence spread the earth. CLOSE ON - TURNER'S FACE TURNER We must ask each other: Are we ready for the Lord's return? Are we willing to sacrifice our wants for His needs? Are we going to not look back when the hour has struck? The congregation are all absorbing what their pastor is saying. TURNER (O.C.) We must not look back when the time comes. Past sins, present regrets must all be forsaken if He is to bless and forgive you. Back to Turner. TURNER Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked cities. So, too, has this once great nation become. God is sick of the wild, wretched ways in which we live. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by putrid sulfur as will our towns and cities. But we must not be like Sarah, Lot's wife, who looked back on her fallen home and was turned to a pillar of salt. CLOSE ON - TURNER'S FACE TURNER (CONT'D) We must never look back when our time is up. When the clock strikes twelve midnight our souls shall be forever saved. Sweat is beading down Turner's plump face. TURNER'S BIBLE opened at The Book of Genesis, Chapter 19... TURNER (O.C.) We must never look back on sin. Amen. CONGREGATION Amen. EXT. GERALD TURNER'S RESIDENCE - NIGHT Lightning FLASHES, wind BELLOWS and rain pours down. Legend INDICATES: 9:15 PM INT. GERALD TURNER'S RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Thunder RUMBLES. We see a pearl, white mug, the hot contents being stirred. We can hear a CLANGING sound as the teaspoon hits every side of the glass as sugar is poured in the drink. CAMERA PULLS BACK and we see it is Turner, in a dark robe and appearing quite tired. He rubs his left eye and sighs, obviously thankful the day is about to come to an end. Turner takes a sip of the drink and after admiring its taste, begins to turn around. Turner makes his way out of the kitchen and into the darkly lit HALLWAY A few pictures hang on the wall. Not much else. Lightning FLASHES once again and the distant SOUND of rain can be heard. A beat. Lightning FLASHES. Then the electricity pops and goes out. Turner looks somewhat scared, shaking his head at the same time. Nothing to be scared of, of course. TURNER Now where are those blasted candles? We follow as Turner turns around. Another beat. CUT TO: INT. GERALD TURNER'S RESIDENCE - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT A huge door, only being illuminated by some unknown Blue-white light outside. A loud THUMP. BACK TO: TURNER as he turns and looks in shock at the strange light. Lightning CRASHES as CAMERA hurriedly PANS AWAY from Turner and focuses on the front door. Another beat. The front door is SMASHED in from the outside! All we can see is a pure, bright white. Turner is trembling. Afraid. He slowly walks backwards. TURNER Who are you? You have no business being here! TOP OF THE DOOR we pan down to the foot of the door, where a pair of darkened legs enter the house. Boots. Another FLASH of bright white. Then darkness. CAMERA PANS to the center of the entrance. The only thing illuminating the entrance now is the repetitive CRASH of lightning. Rainfall can be seen. TURNER now appears to be very frightened. He keeps walking backward, unsure if the being is still there. A FLASH of bright white from behind Turner. Turner turns around, a look of extreme shock on his face. One last beat. TURNER What the? CAMERA PANS to the light. BEING (in Italian, menacing tone) You looked back! Turner SCREAMS loudly into the night. He drops his mug. It CRASHES to the floor. Another FLASH. Another SCREAM. Then darkness. CAMERA PANS full circle around the night-filled room. Lightning periodically FLASHES. As we approaches the area where Turner had screamed, the lightning gets more intense. Finally, during one last flash of lightning we see the body of Turner. Standing. His arms in front of his scared face. Dead. Pure white. A pillar of salt. FADE OUT. ACT ONE BLACK. "If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!" -- Job 15:15-16 FADE IN: EXT. BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY The peaceful, tranquil family home. Legend INDICATES: Black Residence Baltimore, Maryland July 24, 12:40 PM INT. BLACK RESIDENCE - STUDY - DAY The room is lit not only by a couple of lamps, but also by the bright sun shining through a window. A colorful room with many pictures, paintings, and a hunter-green wall. Attention falls on an unopened newspaper. Finally, we see FRANK BLACK studying a certain article. His face grimaces while reading the article. THE NEWSPAPER The headline reads: "House Found A Wreck; Another Minister Goes Missing." FRANK looks deep in thought. JORDAN (O.C.) Dad! Dad! Frank turns his head to see JORDAN BLACK run into the Office. Her hair is a mess and she obviously looks like she has been playing somewhere. Frank smiles and hugs his daughter. Jordan climbs on his lap. FRANK You've been having a good time? JORDAN (chuckling) Yep. Uncle Tom and Aunt Helen took me and Charlie to the park. FRANK I'm glad you've been enjoying yourself, Jordan. A brief pause. JORDAN Do you remember our little talk before? About living here? JORDAN (smiles) Yeah. I think we should. It's fun here. FRANK We'll see. JORDAN (overjoyed) Great! I'll go tell Uncle Tom and Aunt Helen right now! Jordan jumps off Frank's lap and heads for the door, before turning around. JORDAN Dad? Frank is looking oddly at his daughter. FRANK Yes, sweetie? JORDAN There's someone here to see you. He followed us from the park. Frank looks disturbed. INT. BLACK RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - DAY FATHER MATTHEW (40-50's) is standing with his arms behind him and looking down. TOM and HELEN BLACK are standing in the b.g. Tom has his arm around Helen's shoulder. Father Matthew looks up as Frank steps into the room. Frank shakes the Father's hand. FRANK (smiling) It's great to see you again, Father. FATHER MATTHEW (acknowledging) We missed you this past Sunday. FRANK (looks away, embarrassed) Yes, well-- Father Matthew's appearance changes to a somewhat grim tone. FATHER MATTHEW Frank, I'm sorry to say I didn't come here for a social visit. Frank faces him. FATHER MATTHEW (CONT'D) It's silly really. People come to *me* for advice or for a little bit of hope. Now here I am in the same position. Jordan walks into the living room with CHARLIE BLACK. Jordan looks up at Father Matthew and stops, shying away. Frank turns around and notices Jordan. FRANK It's okay, Jordan. You remember Father Matthew don't you? JORDAN He's our Preacher. Tom chuckles to himself. TOM (smiles) Priest, Jordan. Jordan shrugs her shoulders and continues to stare at Father Matthew. JORDAN Why are you afraid? Father Matthew swallows hard. FATHER MATTHEW Frank, c-can we speak alone. Something *is* troubling me. FRANK Of course, uh, let's go outside. Frank and Father Matthew start to head towards the front door. JORDAN (O.C.) You're going away again aren't you, Dad? Frank turns and looks strangely at his intuitive daughter. FRANK I don't know, sweetie. Jordan appears quite forlorn as the SOUND of the front door opening and then closing back. EXT. BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY It's a beautiful, windy day. Flowers in bloom. Frank and Father Matthew turn and face each other. FATHER MATTHEW I trust you've read today's paper? FRANK Twice, actually. FATHER MATTHEW Then I take it you noticed the headline concerning the missing ministers. FRANK (nodding) Quite disturbing. FATHER MATTHEW Yes, quite. There will be more, you know. FRANK I know. The perpetrator isn't finished yet. FATHER MATTHEW What do you think he wants, Frank? FRANK I think he wants what we all want. (a beat) To be heard. FATHER MATTHEW I have to be honest with you, Frank. The church is walking on eggshells around this. They're scared. I'm scared. They - we - feel like I could be next on this kidnapper's list. FRANK (frowning) Why do you think that? FATHER MATTHEWS For each minister there has been a different sect affected. The Catholics haven't been touched yet. (a beat) And there is only one Catholic church in this area. (a beat) I'm not scared of death, don't get me wrong, but I don't feel my work here is done yet. Especially by the hands of some raving lunatic. But there's something else, Frank... Frank appears very stern and attentive. FATHER MATTHEW (CONT'D) The kidnapper has left salt scattered in all the homes he's been to. FRANK I didn't read that in the paper. FATHER MATTHEW From what I've been told by the local PD they don't think it'll add up to anything, but I have my doubts. FRANK You should. The salt means something, at least to the kidnapper. (a beat) Salt pouring into an opened wound symbolizes great pain and the work of a sadist. Maybe the kidnapper's trying to work a reverse effect on men of the cloth. FATHER MATTHEW (nods, agreeing) So you feel he's killed them somehow? FRANK I don't think they are alive, no. A pause. FATHER MATTHEW Frank, I know of your current situation with your family and I wouldn't ask this of you if there was some other way, but do you think you could spare some time and look into this terrible case? I've heard you are one of the best for this sort of thing. FRANK I can only offer my services, nobody's obligated to accept them. FATHER MATTHEW The head of detectives here, Owen Hagerdy, is an avid member of my church and just to settle my poor nerves he'd allow almost anyone to work on the case. Especially someone with a reputation as high as yours. FRANK (barely smiling) What was the detective's name again? EXT. BALTIMORE PD - DAY The building is large and the streets surrounding it are bustling with much activity. Legend INDICATES: 2:30 PM INT. BALTIMORE PD - MAIN LOBBY - DAY Frank enters the building looking quite misplaced, as if he doesn't belong. There are several PEOPLE walking around: OFFICERS, MEN, WOMEN. A DESK SERGEANT sits at her desk towards the entrance of the sepia colored lobby. Frank walks up to her desk. FRANK I'm here to see Detective Hagerdy. DESK SERGEANT (quite bothered) And you are? FRANK Oh, sorry. Frank. Frank Black. The Desk Sergeant looks down at her papers then back up to Frank. DESK SERGEANT He'll be with you in a moment. FRANK Thank you. Frank turns and looks away. OWEN HAGERDY (late 30's-early 40's) walks quickly down a flight of stairs and begins walking towards Frank. OWEN Frank Black? Frank turns and notices Owen approaching. FRANK Yes, that's me. The men shake hands OWEN Detective Hagerdy. Nice to meet you, Frank. FRANK Likewise. OWEN (chuckling) Glad to have you here, we all feel a little embarrassed that Father Matthew doesn't have enough faith in us local boys. FRANK I don't think it's that. He just wants every avenue searched. OWEN And with your help and expertise we'll do just that. Would you like to take a look at the latest crime scene? FRANK (smiles) I thought you'd never ask. INT. OWEN'S CAR - DAY Leather upholstery, the entire inside a light blue. The world outside is traveling past at a fast pace. Owen is driving. OWEN So how long have you been living in Baltimore? FRANK Nearly two months now. OWEN Not to be so bold, but what brings you here? FRANK I have family here. My brother Tom and his wife Helen. My daughter and I are living with them while I sort some things out. OWEN (smiles) Ah. It's always good to stay close to family. FRANK Yes, it is. A brief pause as Owen turns down a street. FRANK (CONT'D) How much have you pieced together on this case? OWEN To tell you the God's honest truth, not much. Not much at all. FRANK What about the salt that was left behind at each of the crime scenes? OWEN (chuckling) Did Father Matthew put you up to ask that? It's nothing, Frank. No hidden message of any sort. No hairs, no fibers, not even fingerprints were lifted off it. No where in each of the houses nor the Presbyterian church in Hereford to be exact. Just smashed windows and doors. FRANK What about Father Matthew's theory on this person tackling each faith? One person for each belief? OWEN We're checking that out as well, but still, no leads. FRANK Tell me about the two other ministers. OWEN The first guy, a Methodist, went missing about a month ago. There was nothing left of his bedroom. His name was Phillip Jenkins and from what I've been told had many friends and no enemies to speak of. (a beat) The second one, James Wright, a Presbyterian, was reported missing just hours after what was to be his final sermon a week and a half ago. The pews were a mess and all the stained-glass windows were broken. Apparently, Mr. Wright was about to retire. And, of course, you know about Reverend Turner. FRANK (nods, unsatisfied) Something just doesn't add up. OWEN Tell me about it. The car turns another corner. OWEN Ah, wouldn't you know it! EXT. GERALD TURNER'S RESIDENCE - DAY A CROWD OF PEOPLE are standing around the front yard, many with painted signs displaying 'end of the world' reasons and similar messages. Owen's car pulls to the side of the lawn and comes to a halt. Frank opens the door and gets out, followed by Owen. People quickly begin SCREAMING their opinions and beliefs. PERSON #1 When our Preachers are taken from the sanctity of their homes and churches the end is near! As Frank and Owen make their way towards the yellow police tape surrounding the area where the front door had been, the mob of people continue their rant. PERSON #2 The Rapture is close at hand! OWEN Okay people, move back. This is official police business. The people do just that. Owen lifts up the yellow tape for Frank, who walks inside. FRANK Thanks. Owen follows. PERSON #3 (O.C.) The millennium spells the end for us all! INT. GERALD TURNER'S RESIDENCE - HALLWAY - DAY Frank SLAPS on a pair of latex gloves and looks around the disassembled room. His face proves he is unsatisfied with his findings. OWEN See? Told ya, Frank. Nothing. Frank looks down at the scattered salt and bends down to further investigate. A lot of salt has been smeared across the floor. Frank's eyes notices something odd. His right hand slowly closes in on the strange pattern. He touches it for just a brief moment-- FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- A FLASH of lightning! -- The lights go out! -- A bright light at the door -- Gerald Turner's face looking in anguish and SCREAMING! -- Turner's hand slowly morphs into pure white then quickly scatters away with the wind! -- Another FLASH of lightning! Frank's hand jerks away as he utters a low grunt. OWEN You okay, Frank? Frank stands up. FRANK There's something here you didn't catch. OWEN What, Frank? FRANK (stretches out his arm) Look closer to the right where I'm pointing. Owen's eyes widen. OWEN Dear God-- A PATTERN OF SALT we can definitely recognize as hand-shaped. OWEN It's an outline of a hand. FRANK Reverend Turner isn't missing, Detective. He was killed right where we're standing. (a beat) Have your people analyze this salt. I believe you'll find small traces of skin tissue. OWEN How do you know this? Frank turns around and begins to walk outside. OWEN (CONT'D) Frank?! How do you know this?! Owen shakes his head, staring at the outline of the hand. EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY 301 - NIGHT A clear, dark night. The road only lit by the bright, full moon. Legend INDICATES: Rural Highway 301 Outside Bristol, Maryland 11:20 PM We can plainly see a pair of headlights looming in the distance. A car becomes visible as it blurs passed us. INT. LEN PARKER'S CAR - NIGHT Local news is softly playing on the radio. LEN PARKER squints his eyes and shakes his head as another vehicle passes him going the opposite direction. Another moment of calm silence. The only thing that can be heard is the newscaster discussing some disaster. PARKER That's enough bad news for one night. He turns the radio off. Dead silence. As he drives, a bright white light quickly fills the entire car, originating from the back seat. Parker looks back in shock while swerving the vehicle to the left and right. He SCREAMS in panic. BEING (in Italian, subtitled) Fornicator of lust, practice what you preach! Parker is clearly blinded by the light as-- EXT. PARKER'S CAR - NIGHT --SCREECHES from one side of the road to the other. The vehicle veers off the highway and into a forest of trees. One final SCREAM from Parker as we catch a brief glimpse of the Being inside the car as the vehicle rolls down a steep hill. Another FLASH of bright light as the car crashes head-on into the closest tree! Metal CRUNCHES and folds away. The vehicle looks as if it has peeled itself like a banana. Steam fills the night air. PARKER'S CRASHED CAR starting from the driver's side door we moves to the left. The vehicle is a total wreck. Once we get a side-angle shot of the front windshield, we slowly move across. As the center of the window becomes more visible, we can see that it hasn't been shattered by the impact. There is no blood stain on the glass. Parker's body is nowhere to be found, but in it's place... pure, white salt. We faintly see an image smeared against the window; darkened shadows for the eyes, an outline of a face and an opened mouth which, just mere seconds ago, had been screaming for dear life. We hold on the frightening image of the salt face as we... FADE OUT. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - DAY CLOSE ON - EMMA'S COMPUTER SCREEN which displays the familiar ouroboros, flashing constantly as "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricki Martin plays LOUDLY. Legend INDICATES: Emma Hollis's Apartment Arlington, Virginia July 25, 8:27 AM EMMA HOLLIS opens her apartment door and walks inside. From her clothing attire and appearance you can tell she has been exercising. A pair of headphones cover each ear. MUSIC continues to play as Emma notices the computer screen. Emma clicks the mouse. The authorization screen pops on. Emma takes off her headphones as the song gradually decreases in volume. She looks around, still obviously embarrassed by what she is about to say. EMMA "We all go a little mad sometimes." After it registers her voice signature, the computer quickly pulls up another ouroboros, and the message inside the snake circle reads: "WELCOME EMMA, THERE ARE 160 DAYS REMAINING" Three enlarged PHOTOS flash onto the screen with a smaller one underneath. The first photograph is of a house. Second of a a church, and the third of another house. The picture underneath portrays a badly damaged vehicle. A message suddenly scrolls across the bottom of the screen: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Find the connection, that you must..." Emma reads the message in disbelief. A cell phone begins to RING loudly. A startled Emma picks the phone up and answers it. EMMA Agent Hollis. FINLEY (V.O.) Have you found the connection yet, Agent Hollis? EMMA What connection is there to make? It's two houses, a church and a car accident. INT. FINLEY'S STUDY - DAY Finley is seated at a small desk. FINLEY Look closer. INTERCUT BETWEEN SCENES: Emma looks closer at the screen. The time, date and place are on each of the photographs. EMMA Well, the pictures were all taken in Maryland, that's for sure. The earliest one about a month ago and the latest early this morning at approximately ten after seven. FINLEY (V.O.) Click the icon on the far right. Emma clicks on a half rooster, half owl icon. The screen goes blank for a second then pops back up with another set of four pictures. Interiors of all the crime scenes. EMMA The houses and the church look like they were burglarized and the car accident could have been caused by the driver falling asleep at the wheel. Not unusual for long highway roads. There is something though. Powder or flour spread across the crime scenes of the houses and the church. FINLEY (V.O.) Salt, Emma. EMMA What? FINLEY Salt was found at each of these crimes scenes. No reason why. The Group feels the same may turn up at the latest one. EMMA (V.O.) How can you be so sure? FINLEY Four well known ministers have gone missing in Maryland. They were all last seen at each of these crime scenes. EMMA How do I fit into all of this? FINLEY (V.O.) Go there, Emma. All is not as it seems. EMMA I don't think the Bureau would appreciate my up and leaving. FINLEY (V.O.) The proper channels have already been notified. Leave within the hour. Finley abruptly hangs up and Emma, looking quite stupefied, promptly turns off her cell phone. She continues to look at the computer screen. CLOSE ON - THE CAR WRECK PHOTO "Livin' La Vida Loca" starts playing LOUDLY again. MATCH CUT TO: EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY 301 - DAY The actual wrecked vehicle. The car seems much worse in the daylight. We see Detective Owen Hagerdy jotting down notes and a few police officers working the area. Legend INDICATES: 9:45 AM FRANK (O.C.) Detective Hagerdy? Frank is walking up to Owen. His red Cherokee in the b.g. OWEN Thanks for coming down again, Frank. Like I told ya on the phone, we've left everything the way we found it. (a beat) Excluding the trunk, of course. Never can be too careful. FRANK No, you can't. Frank heads for the driver's door. OWEN I wouldn't do that if I were you, Frank, 'less you want your feet buried in salt. Frank looks in the car and sees the salt covering every square inch of the interior. OWEN Come round here, Frank. There's something I think you'll appreciate. Frank walks to the front and stares at the windshield. FRANK A face. OWEN Not just any face, Frank. We've already had sketch artists down here drawing composites and people who knew the victim have traveled here to I.D. him. It's *definitely* an impression of Reverend Parker's face. And you were right, Frank. FRANK About what? OWEN We had the salt analyzed from Turner's house and we did find small traces of skin tissue. Not much to go on and it won't hold up in a court of law, but still, it's a start. Hopefully, we'll get a definite match this time. Frank continues to look at the image of the face-- FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- A FLASH of bright light! -- Parker driving his car, turning his head... -- Parker SCREAMING! -- An outline of a mysterious figure -- Approaching trees! -- Parker's face about to hit the windshield, eyes wide! -- Just before impact, the deterioration of skin to granules of salt! -- Another FLASH of light! Frank grunts softly. FRANK The person doing this thinks he's performing a just act. He doesn't feel he's doing anything wrong. (a beat) What faith was Reverend Parker? OWEN Lutheran, I believe. Anything else? FRANK (turns away) Make sure whoever opens the car doors is prepared for an awful stench. Sulfur. Methane. High levels of decomposition have occurred here. OWEN Where are you going now? FRANK (glances back) I don't think Father Matthew has been totally open with us. I think there's something he's not telling. Franks gets inside his Cherokee jeep and drives away from the crime scene. Another car approaches, Emma is inside driving. She stops the car, unaware Frank had even been there. EXT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - DAY A tall, imposing church. An image of the Blessed Mother on a huge stained-glass window. Legend INDICATES: Saint James Cathedral 11:50 AM INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - DAY Father Matthew is kneeling in prayer. Silent. The rest of the pews are all empty. FRANK (O.C.) Father Matthew. Father Matthew, obviously startled, gets up to greet Frank. FATHER MATTHEW How's everything coming along, Frank? FRANK Maybe you should tell me. FATHER MATTHEW I don't think I quite understand. FRANK The salt, Father. You know the significance of it. FATHER MATTHEW I know in the Old Testament, wicked and dastardly evil men were turned to pillars of salt. And Lot's wife also for looking back on Sodom. FRANK According to the Bible, sulfur rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying the two cities. FATHER MATTHEW Yes, Frank. FRANK Reverend Parker was in an automobile accident early this morning. Matthew makes the sign of a cross across is body. FATHER MATTHEW My word. FRANK His body wasn't found. Just salt. (a beat) And traces of sulfur inside the car. A long pause. Matthew begins shaking his head. FATHER MATTHEW I was afraid this day would arrive. FRANK This day? FATHER MATTHEW Lack of faith. That's what happening, Frank. When even the Lord's messengers are turning to vile and corrupt ways. Hypocrisy is a dangerous sin, Frank, particularly to those of the cloth who don't heed what they preach. FRANK Someone is stamping out hypocrisy? FATHER MATTHEW It's a test of faith and righteousness, Frank. FRANK Have you passed? FATHER MATTHEW We shall see. HOLD on Matthew's determined stare. EXT. PARKER RESIDENCE - DAY The stone-built house is quite elegant, with a seashell driveway. Legend INDICATES: 12:20 PM Emma drives up the car path and gets out of her vehicle. She makes her way to the front door and rings the doorbell. A brief pause. ANNE PARKER answers the front door. She appears as if her nerves are shot. ANNE Yes? Can I help you? Emma displays her FBI badge EMMA I'm Agent Hollis, with the FBI. I'm sorry to trouble you, Mrs. Parker, but I'm investigating the disappearance of your husband. ANNE As far as I'm concerned he's no husband of mine. Uncomfortable silence. EMMA May I come in? ANNE Please. Emma walks inside the house and the door closes. INT. PARKER RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - DAY Family pictures adorn the white walls; there's a sofa, a recliner, and several chairs scattered around the neat room. ANNE Please, sit. EMMA (sitting) Thank you. ANNE (sitting also) Do you know who was the first to inform me of my husband's accident? (a beat) The other woman. EMMA Reverend Parker was having an affair? ANNE Oh. Sure. EMMA You sound as if you've known for awhile now. ANNE I've had my suspicions, but we had our reputation to live up to. You know, the devout husband. The loving wife. Guess I don't have to worry about that now, do I? (a beat) The *other* woman said, "Turn on your television, Mrs. Parker. Guess he's not yours or mine anymore." Five minutes later I received another phone call from the police. I told them they didn't need to waste their time informing me. (a beat) He's dead, Ms. Hollis. I know it. EMMA How can you be sure? ANNE Are you married? EMMA (looking away) No. ANNE A wife can feel those things, Ms. Hollis. Trust me. (a beat) The other ministers. They've all done something horrible, too. Just like my husband. Cheating. Embezzling. Adultery. People can't keep secrets for too long. Look into it, Ms. Hollis. Whatever's happening, it's not over yet. Emma looks deep in thought and trying desperately to make some sort of sense to all of this. EXT. DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE - DAY Gray sky with light showery rain. Vehicles travel to and fro. People walking along the sidewalk with umbrellas at a hurried pace. The sound of thunder RUMBLING in the distance. Legend INDICATES: 5:15 PM We notice one person in particular, wearing a heavy trench coat. His face hardly visible, hands in pockets. He's slouched over, showing bad posture, and seems oblivious of everything around him including the rain. He's MUMBLING something incoherent. Until he approaches us we cannot discern what he is saying. FIGURE Never look back... never look back... never look back... they are not the ones. Liars, all of them. The Figure bumps into a couple of passersby. TWO WOMEN. WOMAN #1 Hey, watch it! WOMAN #2 Of all the nerve! Figure doesn't seem to notice the two women. FIGURE Judgment Day has arrived. There's no stopping it. He continues walking. The rain becomes a downpour. He stops at the corner of the sidewalk and faces us. Obviously, something of interest to him has caught his eyes. FIGURE Have the faithful departed, Oh Lord? FIGURE'S POV he's staring up at St. James Cathedral. Lightning FLASHES across the sky, behind the cathedral's main spire. THE FIGURE his face darkened by his headgear. By his mouth expressions and his eyes, we can tell that he is afraid. FIGURE Are they gone, Father? The true messengers for the darkened days ahead? EXT. BALTIMORE PD - DAY Rain continues to pour down outside. Legend INDICATES: 7:02 PM INT. BALTIMORE PD - DAY The room is softly lit by a couple of lamps on either side of a long, rectangular table. CRIME PHOTOS are scattered on the table, which Emma is closely studying. She picks up each photograph of the crime scenes. CLOSE ON - PHOTOGRAPHS The two houses. The church. The car accident. Onlookers. WIDER Everything is quiet. So quiet you could hear a pin drop. The sudden opening of a door startles Emma. Owen Hagerdy enters the room. OWEN I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. EMMA (smiles) That's okay. OWEN Do you have everything you need, Agent Hollis? EMMA Yes, thank you. OWEN I was just about to head home. Found anything interesting? EMMA Maybe. I'll know for sure in an hour or so. OWEN (turns to the door) Well, try and not to work too hard. EMMA (smiles) I won't. Owen turns back to face Emma. OWEN We have a specialist of our own working this case, by the way. Maybe I should have you two meet. You know, so you can work together. EMMA (nods) That'll be fine. Owen opens the door to leave. OWEN Well, good night, Agent Hollis. EMMA Good night. Door closes. Emma turns to the photographs and reports. We notice a CLOCK, bolted to a wall - showing the time as '7:07'. DISSOLVE TO: THE CLOCK now reads '8:07' WIDER Emma is sat reading more papers and looking quite tired. She glances again at the photos, and picks up several pictures that were taken of the onlookers. As Emma looks closer, we see clearer from left to right, what has Emma so wide-eyed. In each of the photos there is a man standing off to himself. Solemn frown. Eyes sunken in. Hands in pockets. Looking quite nervous as if he has something to hide. As if he is guilty. Emma turns around and picks up another photograph, obviously excited of her new find. It's another crime scene photo of the car accident, but this time while looking at it Emma's mouth drops. THE PHOTO shows a familiar red Cherokee in the b.g. of the picture, together with Frank talking to Detective Hagerdy. EMMA (astonished, whispering) Frank? Another moment of silence. Then a faint CREAKING of the door. Emma is unaware. FOOTSTEPS. Still, Emma does not notice. One last second of silence. FRANK (O.C.) Did you find what you were looking for? Emma quickly stands to face Frank. She stares at him in shock and disbelief. We see Frank staring back, but not in shock or disbelief. He stares at Emma with contempt and anger in his eyes. FADE OUT. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT We're outside the screen inside confessional. Through the screen we can see Father Matthew sitting, waiting for any confessors. Legend INDICATES: 8:30 PM Someone enters the other side of the confessional and sits. The Figure is quiet. All we can hear is his heavy BREATHING. FATHER MATTHEW Welcome, my son. FIGURE Thank you, Father. A pause. FATHER MATTHEW Have you come to confess, son? FIGURE No, Father, I haven't. FATHER MATTHEW Why have you come here this night? FIGURE To warn you, Father. Another pause. FATHER MATTHEW Of what, son? FIGURE There shall be a dark period for humanity and when that time has arrived, the Lord's messengers are judged for the final days. (a beat) Those who survive judgment go on to lead the children out of Israel. FATHER MATTHEW (slightly afraid) How do you know this, son? FIGURE It has been written in ancient text since the days of the Inquisition. I'm sure you are familiar with that time period, Father? A beat. FATHER MATTHEW At the beginning of the Inquisition there were two factions primarily. One group calling themselves the Albigenses and the other I believe, Waldenses. (a beat) They didn't appreciate the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. These groups were dangerous, my son, and were abolished quite a long time ago. FIGURE (pleased) Very good, Father, but what you and everyone else don't know is that a few from each of the Albigenses and Waldenses foresaw hypocrisy and corruptness within the two groups. (a beat) These men left to form a secret society. Each of them wrote on secret text. This secret text would one day evolve into a single tome. An ancient book of untold prophecy in which there are no copies to be had and only one bearer for each generation who proves himself worthy. A RUMBLE of thunder outside. FATHER MATTHEW Is that what's happening, son? Untold prophecy being fulfilled? FIGURE "Sala' del la morto," Father. FATHER MATTHEW Pardon? FIGURE "Salt of the dead." (a beat) The time when the Lord's messengers, the faithless ones, are reduced to pillars of white ash. Salt. (a beat) Judgment can only be halted for another millennia if a faithful one still exists. Otherwise, "Sala' del la morto" will continue to spread like a purifying disease. FATHER MATTHEW (a beat) Why here, son? Why here in Maryland? Why not someplace else? FIGURE Because we live here. The Figure quickly gets up and rushes out of the confessional. Father Matthew hears the SLAMMING of the confessional door and hurries from his side also. Father Matthew sees the Figure running out of the church. The SLAMMING of the Church ENTRANCE. FATHER MATTHEW (whispering, silently) What have they done, Lord? Father Matthew begins to kneel... INT. BALTIMORE PD - NIGHT Frank and Emma are together. FRANK Why are you here?! EMMA To solve this case, just like you are apparently! FRANK For the Group, I imagine. EMMA Yes, but I don't see- FRANK (scowls) Has your father thanked you for saving his life from the people you now work for?! EMMA Stop it, Frank! That's unfair! FRANK Is it? EMMA Look Frank, I'm sorry about your feelings of the Group, but I didn't come down here for an argument. I didn't even know you were in Baltimore. FRANK I've been here. (a beat) I'm surprised the Group didn't inform you of that before you left. EMMA (a beat) They're not after you like you want so desperately to believe. I thought you knew that. If they wanted you dead - which they don't - they'd have killed you *months* ago. FRANK Then why were you assigned this case? Why not some other Group member? EMMA Maybe they feel I'm ready, Frank. FRANK For what? (sarcastically) Initiation?! I've seen that before! EMMA Still, they have no idea where you are living now. FRANK Coincidences don't happen when the Group is involved. That's not how they work. EMMA Whatever your feelings of me or the Group is concerned can all wait. Right here, right now, we have four possibly dead ministers and maybe, by some miracle, a suspect. Frank's anger finally lifts. FRANK You have a suspect? EMMA (nods) In the photos. Frank approaches the table and stands next to Emma, who points to the different photos of the strange Figure. EMMA Look, you see this man? Emma places her index finger right above the Figure. FRANK Yeah. EMMA This individual is in all the photos with the onlookers. Once in Hereford. Another time in Millersville Bay. Highway 301, and even here in Baltimore. FRANK There are a lot of people in these photographs. EMMA Yes, but he's the only one that decided to make each crime scene a special event to travel to. FRANK Sick, but not against the law. Still, we can get these photos enlarged and put out an A.P.B. on this man for questioning. EMMA (smiles) Already taken care of. (a beat) I also took the liberty to visit Len Parker's home and talked with his wife. She seems to think each of the dead, um, missing ministers have committed some crime. (a beat) She was right. Phillip Jenkin's church was missing tithes and he was being investigated for embezzlement. Frank looks at Emma with all ears in attendance. EMMA (CONT'D) James Wright was currently under surveillance after his wife quietly went to the authorities and told them how abusive he could be when he was under the influence of alcohol. FRANK (softly) Excuses... EMMA Gerald Turner was accused of sodomy ten years ago, but he was never found guilty. (a beat) And now Reverend Parker with his estrangement from his wife. Emma looks at Frank with concern in her eyes. EMMA (CONT'D) They're hypocrites, Frank. (a beat) All four of them. FRANK I know. Good work, Hollis. EMMA (smiles) Almost felt like old times there, Frank. FRANK (half-smiles) Not that I'd repeat them though. Emma clears her throat. EXT. BORN AGAIN CHURCH OF GOD - NIGHT Rain pours down tapping the roof of the church. The church is quite small, and not elaborate in the least. Legend INDICATES: Born Again Church of God Baltimore, Maryland 9:50 PM A MAN in a yellow parka walks around the corner of the church. The man keeps looking the left and right, paranoid. All is quiet except for the faint BELLOWING of wind. Suddenly a FLASH of bright light blinds the man! The man begins to SCREAM! PASTOR MICHAEL WILLIAMS Don't come near me, demon!! (a beat) The Lord is on my side! BEING (in Italian) Filled with Earth's vile pleasures, filled not in faith! Williams squints his eyes and shakes his head. PASTOR MICHAEL WILLIAMS What? BEING (in Italian) Born Again? Or born to sin? PASTOR MICHAEL WILLIAMS I don't understand what you're-- Before he can finish his sentence, the FLASH of light grows stronger. He SCREAMS loudly into the night. His SHOUTS gradually get softer and FADE away... ACROSS THE STREET A CHURCH WOMAN getting out of her vehicle notices the light. She begins to walk faster. Then starts SCREAMING herself! Then darkness. CHURCH WOMAN (quietly) What in the world? Lightning FLASHES as the Church Woman SCREAMS again. There, as lightning continues to flash, the crystallized body of Pastor Michael Williams stands. His mouth opened as if in shock. "Sala' del la morto" has struck again. The Church Woman continues to SCREAM. INT. BALTIMORE PD - NIGHT Frank and Emma continue to look over photographs and written notes. Legend INDICATES: 10:15 PM EMMA This guy has to live here, Frank. He seems too at ease, too calm in each of these photos. FRANK I-- Before Frank can finish his sentence, the door to the room suddenly flies open, and Owen bursts in - his body language expressing something is definitely wrong. OWEN Ah, I've seen you two have met. Frank and Emma look at each other, knowingly. OWEN (CONT'D) I received a call about ten minutes ago concerning a witness claiming she saw her pastor turn ghost white. Our guy couldn't have had too much time to escape. This could be the break we were waiting for. EMMA Did you hear about the possible description of our suspect? OWEN It's on the wire, Agent Hollis. FRANK Let's go then. All three prepare to leave. EXT. BORN AGAIN CHURCH OF GOD - NIGHT Rain glistens red and blue as police cars hurry onto the once vacant lot. The cars come to a screeching halt, and POLICE OFFICERS jump out of their vehicles. Owen's car pulls up, Frank and Emma get out, Owen following them. The Church Woman rushes up to them all. OWEN Are you the person who called in about Pastor Williams, ma'am? CHURCH WOMAN Yes, Officer. OWEN (clearly agitated) Detective Hagerdy, ma'am. CHURCH WOMAN (looks away) Detective. EMMA I know this is hard, but can you show him to us? CHURCH WOMAN Right this way. She leads Owen, Frank and Emma around a corner of the church. Thunder RUMBLES like a freight train. The Church Woman stands in shock and shakes her head. There is no body to be found. CHURCH WOMAN How? He-he was just here. OWEN Are you absolutely sure? He might be-- The rest of Owen's words fall on deaf ears as Frank and Emma continue to walk passed the Church Woman and the Detective. Frank approaches and kneels next to the supposed crime scene. FRANK Look here. Frank points downward. Emma kneels next to him. Salt is scattered on the ground. EMMA More salt. She was right, Frank. The body must have dissolved in the rain. Frank suddenly looks up-- FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Total whiteness -- A quick image of a cross on top of a steeple -- Michael Williams walking in a hurry -- A look of morbid shock on his face as light overwhelms his face! -- Williams SCREAMING again (someone speaking a foreign language O.C.) -- William's face as it changes from skin tone to colorless white! -- A cross on top a steeple Frank suddenly backs away, then turns back. FRANK Detective Hagerdy! Owen doesn't seem to hear Frank's words, still speaking with the Church Woman. OWEN If we need to, ma'am, we can-- FRANK (O.C.) Detective Hagerdy! Owen turns towards Frank and Emma. OWEN (to Church Woman) Excuse me, ma'am. Owen rushes to Frank and Emma OWEN What'd ya find? Frank doesn't say a word nor does he need to. Owen peers down. Scattered remains of salt spread along the ground. OWEN (a beat, sighs) Dear God, again. And of course the bastard that did this is nowhere to be found. EMMA (excited, to Frank) Frank, what's that next to your feet? Frank looks down. We can see a couple of small HYPODERMIC NEEDLES poking up from the soil. FRANK Gloves. Frank reaches for a pair of latex gloves that Emma takes out of her jacket and SNAPS them on. He picks up the needles. FRANK We may not have our suspect, but we do have another reason why this was done. OWEN Pastor Williams was an addict? Jeez, Frank, are all the churches turning to-- Emma glances up. Her eyes quickly widen. EMMA Frank! There he is! Frank and Owen look in the same direction Emma's staring. A FIGURE is standing far away, his trench coat soaked with rain. Realizing he's been spotted, the Figure turns and runs away - heading into the thick foliage. Frank hands Owen the needles as he and Emma stand up. FRANK Have your men surround the complex. This may be our only chance. Frank and Emma begin running after the Figure. THE FIGURE is running as fast as he possibly can in the forest. He stumbles over a standing root, but does not fall. Breathing in and out at a rapid pace. A look of fear on his face. FRANK and EMMA are pursuing, Emma with a small flashlight and her weapon raised. THE FIGURE is continuing to run, looking extremely tired now. He sees flashlights bobbing to and fro ahead of him. He stops and looks back: two more flashlights. He starts running in another direction, getting out of breath. Unnoticed by the Figure, the two flashlights separate. Frantically, the Figure rushes past trees, his feet breaking fallen limbs. He continues running until he bumps into something solid and falls to the ground. Glaring lights surround the Figure as he covers his eyes with his arm. Frank approaches the Figure, out of breath. He whistles in the darkness with two fingers in his mouth. OFFICERS can be heard in the distance, SHOUTING. OFFICER (O.C.) This way!! The Figure looks more scared than ever as rain drips down on him, as he stares up at Frank. FRANK It's over. Emma approaches Frank and the Figure. The Figure, still out of breath, smiles an evil smile. FIGURE (to Frank) You could never be more wrong. (a beat) It's only the beginning. He collapses from fatigue. Officers arrive on the scene. Frank and Emma exchange a look of concern. EXT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT Full view of cathedral as rain continues to pour on and around it. Legend INDICATES: 11:03 PM Lightning STREAKS across the stormy sky. A shocking BOOM of thunder. A faint hint of light, and a darkened leg appears in the f.g., stood before the mighty building. A beat. Thunder CRASHES! FADE OUT. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. FREDERICKO SUBRIZI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT CLOSE ON - A GOLDEN STATUETTE with two hands in prayer. Legend INDICATES: Fredericko Subrizi's Apartment Baltimore, Maryland July 25, 11:10 PM The room is mildly lit. Besides the statuette, which can be seen in the b.g., there is hardly any furniture. Bookshelves surround the living room. Frank and Emma are the only ones inside the apartment. Investigating. Emma is holding a flashlight close to her neck as she skims through a dusty tome. Frank uses his own flashlight to study several books set on top of a bookshelf he is next to. CLOSE ON - THE BOOKSHELF filled with texts, the spines revealing various titles: "The Dark Ages" "Occult: Harbingers of the Millennium" "New Age Prophecies" Frank gives off a look of concern and COUGHS from the dust of the musky books. EMMA (O.C.) Frank, come take a look at this. Frank walks over to Emma, who seems to be quite interested in a certain page of the tome. EMMA (CONT'D) This is exactly what Mr. Subrizi was saying to us after he was arrested. Frank looks closer at the page Emma has turned to. FRANK (reading) "Form to salt like the pillars of Sodom. The last ones left, left they are. Sala' del la morto." (a beat) "The fall of the churches before the dawn of a new age." EMMA He only started saying this after we got his identification and his address. We thought he was still dazed from the fall he took. Frank looks at the page closer. FRANK He was chanting. EMMA (swallows) What's going on here, Frank? FRANK Prophecies written and taught only to a select few individuals. Handed down from generation to generation. EMMA This book-- FRANK It's a book of unknown prophecies. EMMA According to this page they're coming true. FRANK They believe it is. EMMA You don't? FRANK I don't know *what* I believe anymore. EMMA You think there are others like him still alive? FRANK (nods) Possibly. EMMA Around here, in Baltimore? FRANK More than likely. EMMA Then we need to get in contact with Detective Hagerdy. Mr. Subrizi has to know the whereabouts of the rest of them. FRANK Emma, these people have survived hundreds of years hidden in shadows. We won't be able to find them. EMMA But-- As lightning FLASHES, illuminating the room, Frank's cell phone suddenly RINGS - startling the two of them. Frank quickly answers it. FRANK Frank Black. INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT Father Matthew is talking on the phone. Lightning FLASHES outside. FATHER MATTHEW Frank? Sorry to bother you, but I received some information tonight concerning the uh... the case you're working on. INTERCUT BETWEEN SCENES: FRANK Yes? Frank glances at Emma then down towards the floor. FATHER MATTHEW (V.O.) A man came to me tonight quite troubled. FRANK How do you mean? FATHER MATTHEW We exchanged words about the Inquisition and the two groups that were formed because of it. FRANK (V.O.) The, uh, Albigenses and the Waldenses? FATHER MATTHEW Yes. Another group split from each of those. The man that visited me was a part of *that* group. FRANK (V.O.) Anything else, Father? FATHER MATTHEW Do you know of "Sala' del la morto," Frank? FRANK (V.O.) The suspect we have in custody kept saying those words. FATHER MATTHEW (swallows) It's Italian for "Salt of the dead." (a beat) Do you realize what's happening here? FRANK "The fall of the churches before the dawn of a new age." They're recreating the Inquisition according to their written prophecy. A beat. STATIC and CRACKLING can be heard from Father Matthew's end of the phone. Frank's eyes widen. FRANK Are you there? Hello? Father Matthew is standing in the darkness of the church. FATHER MATTHEW The blasted lights finally decided to go out. A SOUND in the b.g., like something moving or being moved. Father Matthew turns his head. FATHER MATTHEW (softly) What was that? FRANK (shocked) What is it? What's wrong, Father? Emma appears worried as well. FATHER MATTHEW (V.O.) I believe there's someone at the door, Frank. (a beat) Let me-- A CLANGING noise can be heard. Then the sound of something hitting the ground followed by a low GRUNT. Break-up of phone line, followed by STATIC. Suddenly, a CLICK! Frank quickly turns off his cell phone and puts it in his pocket. EMMA Frank? FRANK The line went dead. (a beat) Saint James Cathedral - how far is it from here? EMMA Uh, about ten minutes. Why? FRANK That was Father Matthew. (a beat) And he's not alone. INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT It is dark inside the church. Very dark. Lightning CRASHES a couple of times giving off a brief instant of light. The entrance of the cathedral has been left open. The quietness of the scene is deafening. FATHER MATTHEWS is attempting to stand up. We see a chair fallen sideways on the floor which must have caused Father Matthew's tumble. As he makes it to his feet, he looks toward the entrance. His face shows utter fright as his head turns left and right, obviously realizing he has uninvited company. He begins to walk away. SOMEWHERE IN THE CATHEDRAL a bright light, and a pair of boots, walking somewhere within the cathedral. The CREAKING of floorboards with each footfall. Slowly walking. FATHER MATTHEW Father Matthew trips over something else and lands in the next room. CLOSE ON - MATTHEW'S FACE Sweat beading down his forehead. Eyes wide, lips quivering with fright. Then silence once again. Another beat. The sound of FOOTSTEPS in the distance, so loud that it echoes. The FOOTSTEPS get closer. Closer. WIDER Father Matthew turns his head and notices a faint white LIGHT looming in the distance approaching him at a slow rate. Closer. The light grow brighter. Closer. Father Matthew begins to look up as the light becomes blinding. Suddenly, darkness fills the cathedral once again. A brief pause. Father Matthew realizes he hasn't been scathed. Quickly, he gets back up and heads for a desk situated at the end of the room. Lightning FLASHES a couple of times allowing Father Matthew to see the desk. Tension mounts as Father Matthew goes through each drawer, obviously looking for something. The shifting of materials can be heard. FATHER MATTHEW (softly) Aha! Father Matthew finally locates what he was trying to find. A set of long candles and a lighter. Father Matthew puts all but one candle on top of the desk and begins to light it. Just as Father Matthew accomplishes this task, the bright light suddenly fills the room from behind him. CLOSE ON - MATTHEW'S FACE swallowing his fear, he turns both of his eyes to the right. THE DARK FORM of the Being can clearly be seen in the b.g. Father Matthew appears quite scared once again. FATHER MATTHEW Please, leave this place. I've done nothing wrong! The Being is still not completely shown. BEING (in Italian, subtitled) Turn Father and be judged. HOLD ON Father Matthew, tears rolling down his face. INT. FREDERICKO SUBRIZI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Everything seems to be calm until the front door suddenly BANGS open. A group of Shadowy Figures enter the apartment at a hurried pace quickly ravaging through everything. The books on the bookshelves being tossed on the floor. Papers that had once been neatly piled, now scattering sheet by sheet across the room. Furniture upturned. One of the Shadowy Figures stands over the ancient tome of prophecies, the book still turned to the last page Emma had seen. A beat. Shadowed Figure #1 is carrying a leather satchel. SHADOWED FIGURE #1 It is here. SHADOWED FIGURE '2 (approaching from behind) Let us hurry then. The walls have ears. Shadowed Figure #1 picks up the tome and places it in the leather satchel which he had brought into the apartment with him. As Shadowed Figure #1 begins to leave the apartment, Shadowed Figure #3 dumps liquid across the living room. Once the rest of the Shadowed Figures have exited, Shadowed Figure #3 spill the last bit of liquid by the door and quickly lights a match. In SLOW-MOTION we can see the lit match falling towards the liquid. SHADOWED FIGURE #3 (O.C.) He was not the one. The match falls to the floor and fire rapidly engulfs the apartment. Everything which had taken a lifetime to obtain, was now being destroyed within seconds. Fire-alarms sound as fire completely surrounds us. The flames increase in size and strength. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT The storm continues just as strong as ever, as Frank and Emma pull up in the church parking lot. Both of them quickly get out heading towards the opened entrance EMMA Do you think he's all right? Frank doesn't answer. INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT Father Matthew is knelt, looking quite pale and trembling at the same time. BEING (O.C.) (in Italian, subtitled) Judgment has been passed. We can see an ARM - scorched and blackened - slowly rising above Father Matthew's scared face. A beat. The uncurling of the Being's fingers. FATHER MATTHEW Please, No! PLEASE! Father Matthew's eyes widen and mouth drops! INT. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL - NIGHT Frank and Emma rush into the church both noticing the sudden FLASH of light coming from another room. A SCREAM! Then darkness. FRANK Come on! Both of them head towards the location where the light appeared and the screaming was heard. Frank and Emma come to a halt. Father Matthew is kneeling on the floor, still alive and intact. A beat. Frank crouches down next to Matthew. FRANK Father, are you hurt? Emma crouches down also. EMMA (to Frank) I think he's in shock. FATHER MATTHEW (a beat) No, I'm all right. FRANK What happened in here? FATHER MATTHEW Holy light entered here tonight. (a beat) I don't know how else to explain it, but I think it's gone now. Gone for good. EMMA Just like that? FATHER MATTHEW (smiles) The Lord works in mysterious ways. In the b.g., we notice the storm seems to have calmed. Thunder is but a faint memory now. Frank, Emma and Father Matthew head towards the entrance of the cathedral. EXT. BALTIMORE PD - NIGHT Slight drizzle is all that remains of the downpour. Legend INDICATES: 12:04 AM INT. BALTIMORE PD - INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT Fredericko Subrizi (mid 20's-early 30's) is sitting on one side of a long, metal table. Detective Hagerdy stands on the other side of the table. Fredericko stares at the Detective with anger in his eyes. OWEN So, Mister Fredericko Subrizi, if that is indeed your real name, why were you seen the day after at each of the crime scenes? FREDERICKO (a beat) I was there for the same reason everyone else was. (a beat) Paying respect. Camera PULLS BACK until we can see Frank and looking in through the glass window. OWEN What were you doing out there in the storm tonight? FREDERICKO (grins) Picking flowers. OWEN (angered) All right, I've about had enough of you! You haven't given me a truthful answer since we brought you in here! FREDERICKO Why should I? You're nothing to me. You lack faith, Detective, and soon that is all the world will be governed by. OWEN Okay, last time: who's responsible for destroying your apartment? FREDERICKO (a beat) Must have been something I forgot to turn off. Fredericko can be seen smiling as Detective Hagerdy storms out of the room. Owen, still agitated, notices Frank. OWEN Ah, didn't realize you were here. I can't get him to talk, Frank. FRANK Nor will you, Detective Hagerdy. (a beat) He has no reason to. He knows you have nothing to hold him on. OWEN (depressed sigh) Isn't that the truth. He's the only thing solid we have on this case. The salt, no matter how much of it we have, is going to end up being inadmissible. I don't even know if *I* believe all of this, Frank. A brief pause. FRANK Something will turn up, Detective. Something always does. You just have to keep searching until you find it. (a beat) You'll be glad to know that Father Matthew believes it's over. OWEN The case? Over with? Wished I shared his faith, Frank. FRANK (smiles) Don't we all. Frank holds out his arm to shake Owen's hand. OWEN You leavin' already? FRANK I miss my daughter. Owen shakes Frank's hand. Frank starts to leave. OWEN Don't be a stranger, Frank. We may need you again sometime. Frank turns around. FRANK You've got my number. He continues his walk out of the building. INT. THE ELDER'S OFFICE - DAY THE ELDER is sitting alone at his desk, his face shadowed by the low hue of the light. Legend INDICATES: July 28 The phone next to him RINGS. THE ELDER (answering it) Yes? INTERCUT BETWEEN SCENES: Finley is sitting in her office. FINLEY Did you receive the report I sent you? THE ELDER Yes, I did. Tell Ms. Hollis she did good work. FINLEY She has many questions. THE ELDER Just as any Candidate should. FINLEY The Waldinalbs still have the book. THE ELDER (V.O.) We'll get it back. In time. This is who we are. FINLEY This is who we are. EXT. DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE - DAY The city street is bustling with activity, then we notice a dark alley between two large buildings. A Shadowed Figure walks alone. FRANK (V.O.) We all have choices to make. Good. Bad. Silence. Disclosure. Truth. Lies. CUT TO: EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY Another Shadowed Figure, kneeling, prays in silence. FRANK (V.O., CONT'D) Who are these seers who walk these streets unnoticed, unafraid of the darkness which lies ahead? Have they a long-forgotten faith that we desperately need to remember for the coming days? CUT TO: EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT Another Shadowed Figure walking along a street with a leather satchel in his hand. FRANK (V.O., CONT'D) And do they have the tools to fight the evil approaching? A Mysterious Person comes from behind the Shadowed Figure and points a gun to the Shadowed Figure's head. Camera quickly TILTS UP showing a FLOCK OF BIRDS perched on a rafter. Startled by a GUN SHOT, they fly away. The Mysterious Person bends down, the dead body of the Shadowed Figure in plain view and takes a giant tome out of the satchel. FRANK (V.O., CONT'D) But what if the tools are taken from them? If that is the last instrument of good we have left on this mortal coil and it is gone what hope have we? The Mysterious Person stands back up with the book in his hands, turns and walks O.C. The murdered body of the Shadowed Figure; a tear falling down his pale face. FRANK (V.O., CONT'D) What hope have we all? HOLD ON - Shadowed Figure's silent body for a respectful beat, before we FADE OUT. THE END