Woodbine

Summary

It’s a new day (night, really) and Bea, Grace, and Rhys have a whole new world to face. Bea’s coming to terms with an ability she didn’t expect or want. Grace has to deal with the full-throated return of the one person she’s been trying to keep as far away as possible. Rhys… actually, I’m not sure what Rhys is doing. I’m sure it’s fun though.

And somewhere, Lennox is waiting. He’s waited for so long. What’s a few days, weeks, months more when you know that you can finally, finally get what you want?

It’s time for everyone to come to terms with a few things, although not all of them are bad…

Content Warnings: coercion, mental violence

Transcript

[SFX: Lennox sits in his office. He’s on a conference call]

 

LENNOX: Is this really necessary?

BILL: The notification on the security system that you had someone thrown down a flight of stairs should be brought to the table.

LENNOX: That hasn’t been a problem in the past.

BILL: There are more cameras now. Everyone carries one! And we don’t need another fiasco like when your assistant ate that delivery man in 2015.

LENNOX: These things happen.

BILL: I checked the calendar. You had an appointment with Grace Hawthorne?

LENNOX: There are things being discussed that might have future… ramifications, but I do not need to run all my meetings through the board, thank you.

BILL: This was business-related?

LENNOX: Too early to tell.

BILL: Shocking that she’d speak to you after-

LENNOX: Please move on. What else would you like to discuss?

BILL: We reviewed your report on the… work you were doing on finding ways to continue growth within and outside of the community. It’s disheartening-

LENNOX: There are more options available.

BILL: Are there? It feels that they are growing smaller and smaller with every passing year.

LENNOX: I don’t think this level of concern is necessary just yet. [SFX: sign-on ding]

BALTHAZAR: Sorry, I just got my Zoom working.

BILL: Balthazar, hello.

BALTHAZAR: Salutations! I caught the last couple of minutes while I was getting my microphone set up. So what’s your plan then, Lennox?

LENNOX: I’m getting there. We’ve had… setbacks. [SFX: sign-on ding]

WILHELMINA: We’ve been dealing with your setbacks for months now.

LENNOX: Thank you for joining, Wilhelmina. And as I said before, I have come across some new solutions to the issue of our diminishing population-

BILL: And we need to know what it is!

LENNOX: Bill, shut up! … I apologize, this has just been a very stressful week.

WILHELMINA: Lennox, just tell us. And it better not involve that damn alchemist again.

LENNOX: Per my last email, that unfortunately did not work as planned. I also believe that he has now passed.

WILHELMINA: That is disquieting. [sighs] I’m going to be blunt. We are in freefall right now. There is no new blood to take over anything, no new bodies for us to add to our rosters, and what then? I’ve run my business for 478 years, do you think that I’m just going to hand it over to some… vampire wannabe or… a… werewolf?

LENNOX: It’s not out of the question.

WILHELMINA: It is for me! What kind of scion do I even have access to now? None!

LENNOX: Again, if you just give me more time-

BILL: It’s been years. How much more time do you need?

LENNOX: When has time ever mattered to you?

BILL: It does when we’re a dying breed.

WILHELMINA: I swear to the dark lord, Lennox, if you or anyone else finds another vampire who can sire new life, you lock them down. Literally, if you have to.

LENNOX: Seems like a violent option.

WILHELMINA: Since when do you care about violence? I am not letting this place waste away just because of your incompetence.

LENNOX: That is out of order.

WILHELMINA: There has to be someone out there. There are rumours on the wind. If that person exists, we have to take that blood for ourselves.

LENNOX: I am aware. But in the meantime, I think there’s another option. I just… need to see if it’s viable before I make any sort of call.

BALTHAZAR: And when will you tell us about this “other option”?

LENNOX: When the time is right. When things are confirmed. Why get your hopes up when there’s so much pessimism already inherent in this conversation?

BALTHAZAR: Lennox, I will request that you get your ducks in a row sooner rather than later. Our power wanes. I will not see myself fade into the sunrise like a candle burnt to the base.

LENNOX: Oh, very floral. [SFX: an alert ding] Ah, I apologize, but I have another meeting shortly.

BILL: Is it about this? It damn well better be.

LENNOX: It’s about real estate holdings, I’m speaking to another developer. Funding on the Danforth Estates fell through again-

BALTHAZAR: Those goddamned wizards!

LENNOX: They’re not wizards, they’re druids. It’s very-… this is unimportant.

BILL: Very well. We will see you at the AGM, though?

LENNOX: Yes, yes, I will be gladhanding shareholders.

BILL: Time is running out, Lennox. For all of us.

LENNOX: I am incredibly aware, thank you.

BILL: I only wanted to reiterate.

LENNOX: I shall speak to you all next week. Have a good evening. [SFX: There’s a knock and Hollis enters]

HOLLIS: You should’ve just told them.

LENNOX: How long have you been outside the door?

HOLLIS: Long enough.

LENNOX: If you want to be on these calls, you are welcome to join.

HOLLIS: I have no interest in having to dance around the truth with those bone bags.

LENNOX: Some fealty would take you a long way.

HOLLIS: I doubt it. There are better paths forward. What about the AGM?

LENNOX: The board is going to just have to deal with the fact I have exhausted previous options and now have to test other avenues.

HOLLIS: How long do you think you can hold them off?

LENNOX: Are you going to help at all? Or just sass me?

HOLLIS: What, and protect your precious Grace? You’ve always told me that sentimentality isn’t worth it.

LENNOX: She once meant something to you as well.

HOLLIS: I’ve moved past it. And so should you.

LENNOX: That’s a problem for another day.

HOLLIS: You could fix them both by just handing her over and her little fledgling. Put them somewhere useful. Or just rip their necks out. Make it someone else’s problem.

LENNOX: I could. I would prefer not to at the moment.

HOLLIS: Whatever. I’ll deal with my own work, then.

LENNOX: [SFX: sighs, presses intercom button] Neil, can you-… right.

HOLLIS: He’s dead.

LENNOX: Yeah… What a shame. He was a great assistant.

HOLLIS: A new one isn’t that hard to find.

LENNOX: Yes, but a good one is.

HOLLIS: You are not getting Michael.

LENNOX: I wouldn’t even ask. He’s… excellent at deflecting.

HOLLIS: If you don’t make a move, someone else will.

LENNOX: We’re the only ones who know-

HOLLIS: For now.

LENNOX: For now, yes, but Grace… isn’t going to want to spread this around. And she wouldn’t put Bea at risk.

HOLLIS: Not willing to kick a gift horse in the mouth?

LENNOX: I believe it’s “look” but… I am not ready to move just yet. I think there is still time. Is it really that bad out there?

HOLLIS: Yes. Everything is fading. Lennox, it is getting harder to use our powers. You know that, I know that, even a quick jump for me is… uncomfortable.

LENNOX: You can get around other ways.

HOLLIS: I like my technique.

LENNOX: Then you’ll just have to wait.

HOLLIS: Do you even care what I think?

LENNOX: When I need to.

HOLLIS: Great. Thanks.

LENNOX: Hollis, you’re a wonderful resource. But I’m not here for your revenge plans.

HOLLIS: Who said it was revenge?

LENNOX: Is is something else?

HOLLIS: Sometimes I’m hungry.

LENNOX: Then get a snack.

HOLLIS: Stop protecting her.

LENNOX: You don’t get to make that call! And if you start spreading things around then your position here will evaporate before you know it.

HOLLIS: Glad to know how much I mean to you.

LENNOX: And what do I mean to you, my dear?

HOLLIS: Well, you sign my paycheque, so that’s a loaded question.

LENNOX: [sigh] Hollis, I need you to do me a favour.

HOLLIS: Oh, just one?

LENNOX: Yes, please. I need you to make an order-

HOLLIS: Since when am I your assistant?

LENNOX: Since now! You either help me or you can leave.

HOLLIS: [after a tense moment] And what would you like?

LENNOX: I want an edible arrangement. And a delivery. … Please.

 

[SFX: transition. We’re now at Grace’s, we can hear the sound of Bea’s name being said, blurry in the background]

 

GRACE: Bea? Bea? Are you listening?

BEA_NARRATION: What a night.

GRACE: Bea?

BEA_NARRATION: What a fucking night.

GRACE: Bea?

BEA: Huh?

GRACE: I need you to pay attention.

BEA: Yeah, yeah…

GRACE: I’m sorry, but you have really put us in a bind.

BEA_NARRATION: I can’t believe I did that.

GRACE: I can’t believe you did that.

BEA: You’re telling me.

GRACE: You tell no one, ok? This never leaves this room, you tell NO ONE what you did.

BEA: Ok, ok, alright.

GRACE: No, I need you to understand fully and completely, you have a target on your back now-

BEA: You have one as well!

GRACE: I’ll be fine! If anyone asks, this… this was me. You had no part in this transformation. I’m worried about this coming back to you.

BEA: Grace, we can handle this together, just… come on.

GRACE: I’m… I’m sorry, I’m just at a loss for words. [SFX: sits back down, exhausted] Why did you do it, Bea?

BEA: … because he was dying. And he was scared. And he asked me to.

BEA_NARRATION: Rhys, bleeding out on the floor in front of me. My desire to end his life and feed overridden by fear. Fear of loss, fear of cowardice. Hunger, yes, but never enough to outweigh the crushing weight of fear. What an awful way to go. I couldn’t let his life end right there.

GRACE: I didn’t want this for you.

BEA: I know. I… I didn’t want this for me either. I didn’t even know it was an option. Rhys… he can… I don’t know. He’ll… he’ll be ok. I think. I hope. I don’t know.

GRACE: I just… need you to understand the weight of what you’ve done. What if he’s ravenous? What if he attacks someone? What if he eats a baby, Bea?

BEA: I get it! I get it. I made a very big choice and now here we are. With our brand new… bouncing baby boy who might also eat a baby.

GRACE: Yeah…

BEA: Yeah. [pause] So no other vampires?

GRACE: When we got home I… I started looking around, just… like Lennox had to be lying, right? So I started digging, there has to be something.

BEA: And?

GRACE: There are these message boards-

BEA: There always are. I’m sure there’s a subreddit as well.

GRACE: And there’s no one. No new vampires. A fading world. The magic drains.

BEA: Ok, I understand the issue but… that feels like a very flowery way of describing it.

GRACE: No, Bea, this world, it works in… odd ways. I can’t explain it but… the fewer vampires, the less powerful we all are. The power we hold – hard and soft, tangible and non – it requires… vampires. One is none. Many is one. A constant flow of new blood with the old, something that keeps that fire burning. Like a critical mass, the power of many only makes us stronger, auras intermingling until our powers become… near unstoppable.

BEA: I gotta say, super-charged vampires sounds… terrifying.

GRACE: I hear stories of when we were once at our peak. Rulers of whatever domain we stepped into. Powerful and without peers. If you think that a compel feels strong now, imagine if you couldn’t hear anything through it. The magic drains from the world. Maybe… sometimes I wonder if that’s a good thing. How many of us could this planet sustain? Blood drinkers, rulers all. But then the numbers begin to dwindle far enough that you feel yourself wasting away. Someday, there may be so few of us that we’ll be… mosquitoes. But nonetheless, if you think Lennox is a terror now, you could only imagine what he would’ve been like at the height of our species power. What he was like.

BEA: … yeah.

GRACE: He doesn’t want to lose that, but even more… There are others who are even less willing to lose that. There are a lot of vampires who won’t. They will not accept just fading away. It’s not just him I’m worried about. It’s anyone who wants to maintain power. He… we can distract him, I hope. But that doesn’t mean we’re safe.

BEA: That’s… fuck.

GRACE: Yes. And now… maybe at one point they had accepted that this was their option, that at best they could find some sort of fix outside of the traditional means, but… now Lennox knows that I’m out here, and… he can use that. To hurt me, to hurt you, to… get what he wants.

BEA: So it’s really just…

GRACE: Us.

BEA: Yeah.

GRACE: [she comes close to Bea] All I wanted to do was to keep you safe. And now… I’ve put this on you. And now you have a fledgling. Too young, too fresh.

BEA: [she takes Grace’s hand gently] I’m not alone though, and neither are you. We’ll be ok.

GRACE: You promise?

BEA: I mean, I want to. Don’t know if I can promise anything. Sometimes it still feels so… awkward in this body. [SFX: footsteps, the door bursts open]

RHYS: Whew! Hey guys, how’d you sleep? I slept like a LOG, man, I haven’t been out like that in AGES. [SFX: he stretches] I feel GOOD, you know? Bea, Grace, can I get you anything? Breakfast? [SFX: the sound of blood being drunk through a straw] Seriously, this stuff rules. Like, human me would’ve been grossed out but turns out blood rocks. Oh, and check this out! [SFX: he turns into a bunch of bats, flies around, reforms] Hah! So fucking COOL. [takes the temp of the room] Wait, something’s telling me the rest of last night didn’t go so great after I left.

BEA: And died.

RHYS: I mean, yeah, but like not totally. So it doesn’t count!

BEA: Oh my god.

GRACE: Rhys, can you go grab me a bag of blood from the garage?

RHYS: Sure thing, boss. [SFX: he walks out]

GRACE: Bea, I need you to understand that he’s your responsibility. God, you’re so young…

BEA: This isn’t how I imagined motherhood. I mean I didn’t imagine it at all, but I really didn’t imagine that my son would be a completely unrelated 34 year old vampire with his own apartment.

GRACE: At least you don’t have to put him through college.

RHYS: [SFX: walking back in] I… I may have eaten the last few.

GRACE: [sigh] That’s fine. You’re new. You’re starving. But I won’t let it slide every time. Get it under control.

RHYS: On it. Gotta watch my macros.

BEA: And you’re not feeling… bloodthirsty? Like, in the bad way.

RHYS: Huh? Oh, no. I feel great.

BEA: … really?

RHYS: Do you not? It feels like every knot in my back has been worked out. Also, like, this feels so cool? [SFX: bats! He turns back] Heck yeah! Who needs the TTC when you have BATS.

BEA: I think I need some air.

 

[SFX: transition, they’re at the office] 

 

BEA_NARRATION: I don’t want to work today. I want to lie down on the floor. But the world doesn’t relent when stuff happens, it just keeps going. The cases don’t stop. Did you know that minotaurs are real? I didn’t. Well, I do now.

BEA: They don’t hear you?

MINOTAUR: No, people just think it’s the subway.

BEA: Weird.

MINOTAUR: Anyway, I’ve got a squatter.

BEA: Call the Landlord and Tenant Board.

MINOTAUR: That’s not an option for me!

BEA: Because you’re not human?

MINOTAUR: Because I live in the PATH.

BEA: … I mean-

MINOTAUR: You’re not allowed to make the joke, ok? Everybody does and it’s really annoying.

BEA_NARRATION: Ah, the PATH. Toronto’s underground walkway that’s labyrinthine at the best of times. The signage is terrible. The pathways are confusing. Everything closes at 5. And it’s not open on weekends. Being down there is confusing even when things are good. Right now? Feels like someone’s pushing on my brain.

MINOTAUR: I like it because it’s quiet almost all of the time. Just need to keep my horns down during the day.

GRACE: Alright… and how can we help?

MINOTAUR: You need to find them so I can kick them out.

GRACE: They’re… wait.

BEA: They’re in your place.

MINOTAUR: Yes, and have you ever tried getting around down there?

BEA: Yes. Yeah… I get it.

MINOTAUR: Anyway, it’s not just that they can hide, it’s that they’re… well, we used to be friends.

GRACE: And they are…

MINOTAUR: You know the name Sophia Tremblay?

BEA: No.

GRACE: Yes. She’s still around? I thought she moved?

MINOTAUR: She did, I think she was in LA for a bit, came back a few months ago. We hung out and…

GRACE: Oh, no, she started asking questions?

MINOTAUR: I wasn’t paying attention and… I got something wrong.

GRACE: I’ve heard rumours of her pulling that trick.

BEA: Sorry, how’d she get your place?

MINOTAUR: She… asked me some questions and I got something wrong.

GRACE: Riddles?

MINOTAUR: Sure, let’s go with that. Doesn’t matter. I was preoccupied, I was too full and really exhausted and just not paying attention, and I thought that she wouldn’t ask me anything that I couldn’t answer. Like she’s challenged me before and it’s always been easy stuff, it’s playful, right? Like she’s just doing it to toy with you like…

BEA: A cat?

MINOTAUR: I don’t know, I’m a dog person. Either way, you get a question wrong, you pay the price. She hits me with something tough, and I freeze. I don’t want to answer. But I already made the deal thinking… I’d be fine. Next thing I knew, she was all up in my space.

BEA: And Sophie is a…

GRACE: Sphinx.

BEA: Oh, wild. Oh, that explains the questioning.

MINOTAUR: She’s great if you don’t have something she wants. If you do then she can… well, she asks and then if you get it wrong, you’ve failed. And she gets a token. A prize. Whatever feels right. Whatever she wants.

BEA: That’s massively overpowered.

MINOTAUR: Right? Like you have to agree to the challenge but she’s never been so… shitty and reckless before. And I KNOW her mom hates when she does this, like Sophia, don’t you dare go taking things from others! How dare you act like this!

BEA: Is her mom the human or the lion or the bird?

GRACE: Don’t worry about it. We’ll track her down.

MINOTAUR: How honest of a person are you?

BEA: I don’t think I want to answer that.

MINOTAUR: Then I’d keep you away from her. She’ll get ya. But she’ll be moving around down there.

BEA: Any idea of where she might be hiding out?

MINOTAUR: I’d head towards the Opera Company building. Or maybe the Sheraton. She likes the atrium. Or the mall. She loves Bath and Body Works. Or the food court.

BEA: We’ll sniff her out.

MINOTAUR: She’s hard to find. She hides. She’s silent. Pads around on…

BEA: Can I say it?

GRACE: Don’t say it.

MINOTAUR: She’s got little kitty cat paws.

GRACE: Sorry Bea, I need you to stay professional here.

BEA: Alright, fine. Ok. Where do you think it would be best for us to start?

 

[SFX: Transition. Knocking at a door, from outside. Hollis is standing outside of Grace’s place, holding a large edible arrangement. The mail slot opens and then shuts]

 

HOLLIS: You know there’s a peephole, right? You don’t have to look through the mail slot.

RHYS: [through the mail slot] Why the fuck are you here? To finish the job?

HOLLIS: Honestly, that should not be something I’d even have to consider, but here we are.

RHYS: Ok, now get the hell out of here.

HOLLIS: You don’t even want to open the door? You know raccoons will eat this thing.

RHYS: It’s probably poisoned anyway.

HOLLIS: Alas, no. It’s just got a shocking amount of cantaloupe, the worst fruit.

RHYS: Well, I’ll agree with you on that.

HOLLIS: Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot-

RHYS: You kicked me down multiple flights of stairs.

HOLLIS: Yes, that would be the foot. Would it make a difference if I apologized?

RHYS: Not really.

HOLLIS: Well, can’t say I didn’t try.

RHYS: To kill me.

HOLLIS: You’ll have to move on at some point.

RHYS: The length of time from “when that happened” to now is literally countable in hours.

HOLLIS: It was nothing personal.

RHYS: Sorry if I take it very personally.

HOLLIS: Do whatever. You survived and came out the other side improved, so frankly I think the pro column is slightly longer than the cons. Good luck with vampire life-

RHYS: How do you know?

HOLLIS: … How out of it were you?

RHYS: … ah, shit.

HOLLIS: Yeah, that little visit from Lennox was no dream.

RHYS: … Did he give you the order to kill me?

HOLLIS: He orders me to do lots of stuff. Not that I enjoy that aspect of it. But it pays the bills.

RHYS: Look, just leave whatever you’ve got and go, ok? Unless it’s like… a bomb. Then go take it and have it explode somewhere.

HOLLIS: You know, I’m glad you’re not dead. I didn’t realize how truly feisty you could be.

RHYS: Just go.

HOLLIS: [SFX: they put down the basket] Enjoy the fruit. I’m sure there’s some kiwi or something underneath all the disgusting melon. [SFX: they walk away. There’s a pause and then the door tentatively opens. Rhys picks up the basket]

RHYS: [scoffs] And a card. [reads it] Aw, shit.

[SFX: transition. They are in the PATH, empty]

 

BEA_NARR: There’s a pit in my stomach right now. I can’t shake the feeling of finding Rhys at the bottom of those stairs. Hollis just… watching me. They just stared at me like it was funny. Then they walked away while I kneeled there in an ever-expanding puddle of blood. When Grace found me, was that how she felt? I don’t remember much. Only the room becoming soft and warm. The feel of her hand, of her mouth on my skin.

My dreams haven’t been the same since. I remember them now. They are all… of walking through empty halls. Forests, mountains, the open prairie. The edge of a cliff on the east coast. Always alone. I never know where I am going. I just worry that one day someone else will be there. I guess it would depend on who.

The floors down here echo. White tile, white walls, shuttered stores, empty halls. Paths that lead forever, routes that feel like they lead anywhere other than where you want to go. We’re somewhere under the TD building, I think. Everything smells like floor polish and dry air.

BEA: I can’t imagine living down here.

GRACE: You make do.

BEA: You ever lived anywhere weird?

GRACE: Does Regina count? No, not in the way that you mean. It’s easier when you look human. You can just… get an apartment. No one questions why you don’t come out during the day.

BEA: I think if I resided down here I would sneak stuff out of the Cinnabon every night. … I can’t imagine taking control of this whole space. It’s giant.

GRACE: You need space to get away from humans. It’s not like our minotaur friend is going to blend in super well at peak times.

BEA: No, the bull head doesn’t help. I… can’t imagine what it’s like for those who can’t look…

GRACE: Human?

BEA: Yeah. Like, me and you, Rhys, Lennox, even someone like Aurelius or Alden, whatever, we can all wander around without anyone looking twice. But I guess there’s a lot of other beings who… can’t.

GRACE: You support each other. You build underground communities. You make sure they have ways to live their lives in safety.

BEA: Has it ever backfired? Has anyone ever… found out? Found someone? Panicked?

GRACE: It’s never 100%. It’s easier now that you can get everything delivered. There’s online communities where you can plan, talk, whatever, but there’s always been… incidents. I’ve lost friends. And I’ve killed to protect them as well.

BEA: [pause] That’s…

GRACE: It was never an easy choice. But sometimes they’re made for you.

BEA: … was it recent?

GRACE: Last time it happened for me was… the 90s? Early 2000s? It’s been a while. [SFX: stop, pause] Which way?

BEA: I don’t know.

GRACE: [calling out] Sophia? Sophia? You here?

SOPHIA: [SFX: loudspeaker] Hello, and welcome to Toronto’s Underground! All stores and restaurants are now closed.

BEA: Is that her?

GRACE: Sounds like. Sophia? We’re here to talk.

SOPHIA: [SFX: speaker] If you’d like to speak to management, please know that all operators are currently busy. [SFX: there’s the sound of a fountain going off as the message ends]

BEA: Oh, I think know where she is. Come on. [SFX: they start walking]

GRACE: Where?

BEA: That sound at the end? That’s the fountain at the Eaton Centre going off.

GRACE: You recognized it that fast?

BEA: I like it. Back when I lived in an un-air conditioned apartment, I would go to the mall to cool off, and I’d just sit by the fountain and enjoy the mist. It’s neat. It’s also fun to throw coins into. Get to go and make a wish.

GRACE: What’d you wish for?

BEA: Usual. Riches, love, uh… a nicer ass.

GRACE: I guess some wishes do come true.

BEA: Well, it turns out the answer to that one was “just do squats.” The rest, we’ll see. Unless you want to give me a huge raise?

GRACE: Not right now.

BEA: Damn.

BEA_NARRAATION: She lets me walk a little ahead of her for the moment. I can feel her eyes on me. … Give her a show, I guess.

BEA: [SFX: stops, sniffs] Wait. Do you smell that?

GRACE: [SFX: sniffs] Flowers? But fake ones.

BEA: Cherry blossoms.

GRACE: Oh, I know this one. Used to have a neighbour at my old condo who would constantly burn the candle version.

BEA: He said she liked bath products.

GRACE: There’s a smear of hand cream on the wall.

BEA: And another over here- [SFX: Bea slips] And clearly she’s been moisturizing her feet as well. 

BEA_NARR: As she helps me up, she holds my hand a little longer than needed. I don’t pull back. She smells like orange blossoms.

GRACE: [SFX: she helps Bea up] Heavily scented moisturizer on everything. Guess we’ll follow our nose.

BEA: Yeah, let’s go get our lady.

 

[SFX: transition. Lennox’s office. They drop a receipt on his desk]

  

HOLLIS: Done. Hope there’s enough in the petty cash for this.

LENNOX: Thank you.

HOLLIS: Don’t ask me to do something like that again.

LENNOX: Want to find me a new assistant?

HOLLIS: Nope.

LENNOX: Then it’s your problem for now.

HOLLIS: Don’t push your luck.

LENNOX: And don’t push yours!

HOLLIS: Don’t take your feelings out on me. Leave a note with Michael if you need anything.

LENNOX: Go.

HOLLIS: Gladly. [SFX: they walk out]

 

[SFX: transition. They walk into the area near the fountain at the Eaton Centre]

 

BEA_NARR: In the middle of the empty mall, dark and quiet, there is a fountain. Located on the lowest floor, the small tiles glint in the dimmed lights around it. I’m used to this place being full of life, packed with high school students, tourists, bored locals. Did you know that the fountain can shoot water up to 110 feet in the air? It’s near, a small marvel of engineering. It’s fun to watch. Normally, there’s lots of people around it, waiting, resting, milling about. At the moment, there’s only one person here, aside from us. A woman lies recumbent along the edge of the fountain itself, rubbing moisturizer into the back of a paw. I can’t tell if she’s wearing a shirt or just an incredibly large necklace made of hundreds of little pearls, but the luster reflects back onto her face. Her cheekbones are high and her eyes bright, hair slicked back. Her legs… thick and muscular… and feline, ending in the heavy paws of a lion. Somewhere in the smooth fur, I can see the hint of an anklet.

GRACE: Sophia?

SOPHIA: None shall pass.

BEA: Oh, we’re doing that now?

GRACE: We need to talk.

SOPHIA: None shall pass.

BEA: You gotta let the minotaur come back to the PATH.

SOPHIA: Frank hired you? Hm, he knows the rules. I ask questions, you answer truthfully, and if you don’t, then you lose.

BEA: I mean, he said it was a riddle.

SOPHIA: [scoffs] What am I, my mother? Riddles are for elementary school classes and Jeopardy enthusiasts. I use my powers to get information. Much better. And it allows for blackmail!

BEA: Oh. Oh boy…

GRACE: We’re just here to see what it’ll take to get you to let Frank back in.

BEA: Poor guy’s sleeping on a couch somewhere. Let him come hide in the PATH again. You can take the mall! You can be neighbours! You don’t even have to be… underground hallways mates or something!

SOPHIA: He’s so loud and annoying, though. I prefer a big open space to myself. And besides, [SFX: the fountain rumbles and then shoots water up in the air] who wouldn’t love perusing the mall after hours.

GRACE: Did you plan that or was it just luck?

SOPHIA: Luck mostly, the fountain goes off every 10 minutes. Anyway, I don’t feel like moving.

GRACE: [sighs] What will it take? Can we at least go back with an offer? Anything he might be able to do?

BEA_NARRATION: Grace looks… tired. The last few days have been exhausting for all of us… I mean maybe not Rhys, but she wears that weariness like an undershirt, tight and close to her body, hidden. But I see it poke through. There is a purple line along the edge of her eye that only appears when she’s truly tired. Somewhere in my mind, I didn’t think vampires could feel like that, that you just continued on shining and awake and beautiful, but no, just because it’s harder to get to doesn’t mean you can’t experience those moments of deeply human lassitude.

SOPHIA: I have an idea. An easy one.

GRACE: Go ahead.

SOPHIA: You need to answer some questions for me, truthfully, and if you can I will let Frank return. And if you don’t, if you lie or hide or walk away, you have to leave here and you can never come back and bother me again.

GRACE: I guess?

SOPHIA: And you owe me $50.

BEA: [whisper] Grace, this is silly.

GRACE: [SFX: rubs her face] No, no, let’s just do it. I don’t feel like dealing with more of this. Sophia! Ask away.

SOPHIA: Great! 5 questions. Let’s start easy. [SFX: magic time] Who did you last kill out of anger?

BEA: Oh boy.

GRACE: I don’t know his name. He followed me home. Or tried to. When he got close, I lashed out. Then I fed. I was angry that he would be such an entitled piece of shit.

SOPHIA: Cute. [SFX: magic] What happened to your parents? Did you ever talk to them again? What about the rest of your family, were they into the whole vampire thing? This all counts as one, by the way, it’s a multi-tiered thing.

GRACE: [uncomfortable] My parents… my parents died before I was turned. I’m sure they would’ve hated it, though. But… I stayed in contact with my sister, though. She… Well, eventually I told her. And she didn’t believe me until she grew older and I didn’t. And she was my best friend until the end, and I sat with her when she died, me forever trapped in the past while she aged and aged and weakened and faded away. I never saw my parents again. But my sister stayed by me and I stayed by her.

BEA: Grace…

GRACE: I’m ok… I can do this.

SOPHIA: [SFX: magic] Who tastes the best, you freak?

BEA: Oh, rich coming from you.

GRACE: Shh! [deep breath] Um… who tastes the best… I fed on Lennox only once. But it… stuck with me. Bea, I’m sorry-

SOPHIA: Ah ah ah! No help from the peanut gallery. [SFX: magic] What kind of death do you fear?

GRACE: [uncomfortable] A lonely one.

SOPHIA: Oh! Very good. Alright. You two, you’re… what’s your vibe? What’s your deal? You two together? No? Huh! [SFX: magic] What do you want from her? I see your body language.

BEA_NARRATION: Sophia points to me and a cold sweat starts to build up on my nape. Grace gives me a look, long and searching, followed by… the softest smile, one borne of the kind of peace that only comes with knowing that no matter what you do, no matter what you say, there’s no going back. You only have to do it.

SOPHIA: We’re all friends here! Let’s get things out in the open.

GRACE: I just want her. Only her. I just… haven’t had the courage to say it.

BEA: Grace-

GRACE: Let’s not talk about this right now. [deep breath] Ok, that was 5, and you didn’t call foul on anything. So [little whistle] get up! You’re evicted. Frank gets his space back.

SOPHIA: UGH, FINE. [SFX: gets up, huffy] You know, I thought you’d have more shame than that.

GRACE: [scoffs] You think you make it this long as a vampire without learning to get over yourself? Whatever.

SOPHIA: [SFX: magic] How old are you-

GRACE: Question time is over. Get going.

SOPHIE: I’m just saying maybe you two should talk-

BEA: Out. Out out out out out!

SPHINX: Can I get my stuff?

GRACE: Yes. Quickly, please. I want to go home.

BEA: Wait, hang on, I get to ask a question: Why did you take his place? Why take this place over?

SOPHIA: Rent is awful up there, obviously. And this place is huge. Lots of places to hide in the underground. Gotta stay moving. Thanks for nothing.

BEA: Just… just go. [SFX: she pads off] We… we should we talk.

GRACE: Yes. Please. … if you want. But first… let’s clear this off our plate.

 

[SFX: transition. Grace is on the phone]

 

MINOTAUR: [phone] That was it?

GRACE: Yeah.

MINOTAUR: [phone] Man…

GRACE: It’s alright, it’s… a little invasive. You can come back though, she’s going back to her place.

MINOTAUR: [phone] Wait, she had an apartment this whole time?

GRACE: Yeah, in Leslieville, just across from Queen Books.

MINOTAUR: [phone] [angry bellowing noise]

 

[SFX: transition. Lennox’s office, he hangs up the phone as Hollis walks in]

 

LENNOX: [sigh] Yes?

HOLLIS: Stop calling her. You’re never getting through to Grace, ok? She hates your guts and has for ages.

LENNOX: What do you care what tact I use?

HOLLIS: Because we’re going to need her at some point sooner rather than later, you know this as well as I do. And I don’t feel like nurturing your little hyperfixation on her now that she’s reappeared is going to make this any easier.

LENNOX: Hollis, I’m shocked by your jealousy. I never would’ve taken you for someone so… fragile.

HOLLIS: Both of us have bigger issues at hand than trying to win over whatever scrap of affection Grace would even begin to give you.

LENNOX: This is embarrassing for you.

HOLLIS: This is not about my feelings; this is about this place and the future and so much more-

LENNOX: Then trust me with what I want to do.

HOLLIS: I can’t. Grace returns and that becomes your focus. It was like this last time and it’s going to be the same now.

LENNOX: She is a tool, Hollis.

HOLLIS: She’s a DISTRACTION. She should not MATTER. Get her in here, hang her up to dry, and move on!

LENNOX: Maybe you’re the one who needs to worry about their fixation–

HOLLIS: It’s common sense.

LENNOX: You don’t get to make these calls.

HOLLIS: And you can’t stop me from going to the board.

LENNOX: You wouldn’t dare.

HOLLIS: Why wouldn’t I? Only you are worried about precious Grace.

LENNOX: Like, I said, you wouldn’t dare.

HOLLIS: Watch me. [SFX: turns to leave]

LENNOX: [SFX: compel] STOP. [SFX: Hollis lets out a noise of discomfort] I wouldn’t recommend trying to zap yourself somewhere else. What a shame it would be to see you split yourself in half from the attempt. For both you and the hardwood.

HOLLIS: You can’t do this every time I leave the room.

LENNOX: That’s true. Hollis, you’ve been… so very good to me over the years.

HOLLIS: That’s one way of describing it.

LENNOX: But I know that Grace… she vexes you, as she does me. She’s… magnetic? I don’t know if that’s the word, but she is a weight in my mind that pulls everything towards it. I can’t help myself. And I know we need her help to keep this world running, to keep this status quo, but… I can’t just throw her to the wolves yet. Not so soon.

HOLLIS: I’d rather you tear her apart at this point. Or her damn girlfriend.

LENNOX: Ah, Bea. She’s still so young. Maybe I want Grace’s forgiveness before any move is taken.

HOLLIS: Good luck with that.

LENNOX: Have I ever told you how important you are to me?

HOLLIS: Not the time.

LENNOX: It would break my heart if you took that anger out on Grace, what did she do to deserve it?

HOLLIS: She left me here to deal with you.

LENNOX: Well, then you should be taking your anger out on me.

HOLLIS: Noted. Can I go?

LENNOX: See, here’s the problem: You’ve put me in a tight spot. If I let you walk out this door, you might continue on with your day, seethe a little, and do nothing that will bring me any sort of ire. But… you’ve planted this idea in my head, this… concern that, after all these years, you will turn on me, Hollis. That it won’t just be your usual sass, that you will do something that hurts. And I can’t bear that. I really can’t.

HOLLIS: What, are you going to stick an airtag on me? Chain me up in the basement with the rest of your precious objects?

LENNOX: That’s deeply uncouth. I would never chain you up. I know that wouldn’t hold you anyway. But I can do this. [SFX: magic] My dear, what if an eye was always on you-

HOLLIS: No, NO, you promised!

LENNOX: [SFX: magic] And you overstepped a boundary. [SFX: magic gets heavier] And with a touch I will know wherever you may be, wherever you go. I will find you.

HOLLIS: YOU SWORE!

LENNOX: So did you. [SFX: the magic cuts out]. The bruising on your arm will go down within the next few hours, don’t worry. I’m sorry, but I know you, Hollis. And I trust you, but only as far as I can see you, as far as this situation is concerned.

HOLLIS: You’d do all this for someone who hates you?

LENNOX: I could ask you the same question.

HOLLIS: Next time, just kill me.

LENNOX: I’d never kill you, my dear. But I’ll never let you go, either. Who knows what you’d do out there if you were just left to your own devices?

HOLLIS: I’m sure I’d find a way to have a good time.

LENNOX: I know. And that’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t think I’ll ever get Grace back, Hollis. But I’m not losing you too.

 

[SFX: transition. Bea and Grace enter Grace’s house]

 

BEA_NARRATION: The journey back to her place was a quiet one. We just discussed the case. Everything else was… danced around. But you can’t bash things open and not expect there to be fallout.

GRACE: Rhys? Everything ok?

RHYS: [from another room] Yeah, just catching up on my stories.

BEA: Well, that’s good. [SFX: they walk into the kitchen] Hang on, what is that?

GRACE: An edible arrangement? [SFX: she walks over and plucks the card off] “Congratulations! It’s a boy!”

BEA: You got something you’ve been meaning to tell me?

RHYS: [SFX: entering] Yeah, uh…

GRACE: What is this?

RHYS: There’s… something I forgot to tell you about that night.

GRACE: And that is?

RHYS: Lennox… knows… that I’m a vampire.

GRACE/BEA: What?

RHYS: I mean, I didn’t even know if it was real! He was just… there… in a memory or a dream or something while Bea was… turning me. [pause] I wasn’t sure if it was real! I had other things on my mind!

GRACE: Oh fuck.

BEA: And he sent this?

RHYS: Hollis dropped it off.

GRACE/BEA: WHAT?

RHYS: He’s not backing down, I guess.

GRACE: He never would, fuck, I knew he never would.

BEA: Have you been eating it?

RHYS: Well I’m not letting it go to waste.

BEA: Bat’s out of the bag, then.

GRACE: This is not the time for puns.

BEA: I get one.

GRACE: There’s no hiding. There’s no running.

BEA: … So now what?

GRACE: We don’t stop. We don’t let him intimidate us.

RHYS: Easier said than done when we can’t even escape when sleeping.

GRACE: We push back, ok? I have worked hard to get to this stage, to pull myself away from his tendrils, from the poison he filled my brain with, and I’m not giving that up now!

BEA: I know, but… fuck, oh man, he knows I can create vampires too, fuck. [SFX: sits down] Oh, that feels bad.

GRACE: Rhys, can you… just give us some space? We need to talk.

RHYS: Uh, yeah, I’m just going to… go to the guest room. Maybe… put some headphones on. Listen to music really loudly.

GRACE: That would be great. [SFX: he walks out]

BEA: G’night Rhys. [SFX: he starts blasting music]

BEA_NARR: Oh boy.

BEA: Grace-

GRACE: No.

BEA: This isn’t how I thought things would go.

GRACE: [SFX: sighs, stands up and puts her hands down forcefully on the table] Just what the hell were you thinking? Why did you turn Rhys?

BEA: Uh, ok, while I am aware of the issues with some of the choices I recently made, I don’t think that you are the best person to be holding my feet to the fire with it.

GRACE: Doesn’t matter. Explain. NOW.

BEA_NARRATION: She’s not mad. She’s on edge. And that is worse.

BEA: He was dying, Grace.

GRACE: Lots of people die.

BEA: Who are you, me? Listen to yourself.

GRACE: So what, you do this because of… fear? Love?

BEA: Love? I did it because your friends-

GRACE: Hah!

BEA: -threw him down multiple flights of stairs and then ripped him into bite-sized chunks! Oh, and also, he asked. He knew. At least there was SOME sort of consent happening.

GRACE: … I see.

BEA: Grace, what did he say to you?

BEA_NARRATION: The anger starts to drain. She looks at me with… concern. Fear. She puts her hands on my cheeks and holds my face so, so gently. There is a split second where there is a fear that slices through my brain, what if I see something? What if I find a piece of her past that I never wanted to know? But that moment never comes. All I feel is the same, beautiful warmth I have always felt from her touch. A buzzing softness that turns my mind to liquid. For a moment, I considered grabbing her face and kissing her so hard I could taste blood.

BEA: Rhys!

RHYS: [from the guest room] Sorry! [SFX: he shuts the music off] 

GRACE: I… I need you to be safe, ok? That’s it.

BEA: Oh sure, I’m the bad guy here.

GRACE: You’re being massively insubordinate at the very least.

BEA: You want insubordinate? Great. At least Rhys asked me to turn him, you did this for what reason? Because you felt guilty? Because I look like Vivian?

GRACE: You don’t look like Vivian!

BEA: Lovely, I’m glad one trope didn’t make it through.

GRACE: Let me explain-

BEA: You’ve had plenty of time to explain, Grace! You have hid and hid and hid and now we only have more blood on our hands. So explain to me, right now why you made that call, because I certainly didn’t make any last minute requests.

GRACE: I can’t let you go, Bea. I really can’t. And I need you. I need you so badly.

BEA_NARRATION: The hunger. All of it. All of the time.

GRACE: I need you so badly.

BEA_NARRATION: Her lips are so red and glossy, candy apples and warm fall days, red leaves, warm beds, soft skin on clean sheets.

GRACE: Something inside of me split open that day, a thirst I cannot quench and a feeling that I cannot extinguish and a need I thought I could control but… that’s need, isn’t it? It gnaws, bites and tears and every part of me, that…

BEA: [quietly] Hunger.

GRACE: [quietly] Yeah. [moves in closer] It tore through me.

BEA_NARRATION: The blood in my body pounds as I grow so warm, but all I want now is more, more warmth, more body, more and more and more.

GRACE: I didn’t want to put you into this world unasked, darling. I would never have asked that of you. But I didn’t get to ask. And the fear, that moment… [she gently strokes Bea’s face] it’s all I could do. And I wouldn’t fault you for any animosity, but… I can only hope you don’t.

BEA: Grace…

BEA_NARRATION: Her name tastes so sweet.

BEA: All I want is you.

BEA_NARRATION: I want nothing more than her mouth on mine, to fall deep into her and become lost, then found again. To satiate a hunger she created and that only she can fill. Hunger, all of it, all of the time. For her. For her.

 

[SFX: transition. Hollis is outside the office building smoking]

 

WILHELMINA: I didn’t realize you still smoked.

HOLLIS: Not like it’s going to kill me.

WILHELMINA: I just assumed the kids vaped today, that’s all. Can I use your lighter? Thanks. [SFX: they light up, take a drag] How are things going in the C-Suite?

HOLLIS: The usual. Lennox has returned to focusing on his lost protégé.

WILHELMINA: Dangerous. No one needs a vampire with an obsession. Especially something like that. Has he considered a hobby?

HOLLIS: I tried to talk him down, but he’s going to make it everyone’s problem before it gets any better.

WILHELMINA: It shocks me that she actually came in.

HOLLIS: Yeah, well, those bonds are hard to break.

WILHELMINA: You seem ready to let some things snap.

HOLLIS: Why are you here?

WILHELMINA: What’s your bead on Lennox? Do you think he’s taking this whole issue seriously? Or do you think he’ll give up now that his alchemist gamble didn’t pay off?

HOLLIS: I’ll refrain from offering my exact thoughts, but you’re entitled to yours.

WILHELMINA: What do you want for this company, Hollis?

HOLLIS: [stares off into the distance for a moment] Change, mostly. We’re at a crossroads. As a species we’re… floundering. The business is mostly stable, which isn’t the worst thing to be, but there’s not enough diversity, and while I think that it makes sense that we’re focusing more on property and land investments, will those really help when it comes down to it? If we’re a rare breed left weak and powerless by our own dwindling numbers? I know you feel it as much as I do, Wilhelmina.

WILHELMINA: And you think you have a solution?

HOLLIS: I have ideas. But I can’t say that they are being listened to.

WILHELMINA: Lennox had ideas too. And they failed. At least partially. But… it could be worth making a move.

HOLLIS: And what does that mean, exactly?

WILHELMINA: Have you ever considered your future?

HOLLIS: Are you going to give me a tarot reading or something?

WILHELMINA: You’re right in that this place feels like it is… stagnating. And I’m… unsure if Lennox has its best interests in mind. At least at this moment.

HOLLIS: Well, good luck with the CEO interviews then, I’m sure that he’ll be thrilled to hear about your lack of faith.

WILHELMINA: I want change. I know you do too. Your eyes speak of violence.

HOLLIS: My contacts are dry.

WILHELMINA: Well, you don’t have to resort to the violence if you can think of a way around it. There are other ways to… shake things up. Lennox is… distractible.

HOLLIS: What, and you want to distract him further?

WILHELMINA: He’s speaking to Grace again. That’s questionable.

HOLLIS: Yeah, you’re telling me.

WILHELMINA: Do you think his focus will stay there?

HOLLIS: Not unless he finds a new thing to fixate on.

WILHELMINA: Maybe he will. I saw that she wasn’t the only one who signed in that day. Who’s the other one?

HOLLIS: Her hyperfixation.

WILHELMINA: Oh, that will certainly send him into a tizzy. [pause] I would never suggest pressing on someone-

HOLLIS: And yet here we are.

WILHELMINA: Maybe you should press a little. I think we need new blood in a lot of ways. Including him.

HOLLIS: What are you thinking?

WILHELMINA: What are the real estate holdings like as of late?

HOLLIS: Solid. Fair number of residences. Why?

WILHELMINA: Well, could be a good money maker. Both in rental properties and blood stocks. Especially if we can… build our numbers, personnel-wise.

HOLLIS: This feels like a set up.

WILHELMINA: Maybe. But I don’t want to go to someone like Lennox. I want someone who’s hungry. And mad. I think you’re the only one ruthless enough to get the ball rolling.

HOLLIS: [long pause] What’s the temperature on the board of directors like these days?

WILHELMINA: Tepid.

HOLLIS: Great.

WILHELMINA: But I’m sure someone could scrape enough votes together if you wanted to make a push.

HOLLIS: I’m sure someone could. [long drag] I’d like to be alone.

WILHELMINA: Sorry to bother you, just… wanted to see how you were doing.

HOLLIS: Right. Thanks.

[end]

 

 

 

Credits

Featuring the voices of:

Emily Kellogg as Grace
Alex Nursall as Bea
Ian Boddy as Rhys
Rob Deobald as Lennox
J Strautman as Hollis
Justin Thomas James as Bill
Kat Letwin as Wilhelmina
Zeke Amos as Balthazar
Dain Miller as Frank, the Minotaur
and Lola Landekic as Sophia, the Sphinx

Woodbine is an original podcast created, written, and produced by Alex Nursall and Emily
This episode was written and directed by Alex Nursall
Production and promotion by Emily Kellogg
Engineering and sound design by Ian Boddy
Theme by Phil Wright
Music by Phil Wright and Ian Boddy
Recorded at Pirate Sound
Artwork by Andy Kelly
Distributed by Realm