96
MARISSA (V.O)
Once more "shine or die." The first time I saw it, it got me through that night at the Runway. Then I saw it on Mother's wrist. I felt it was an important message.
Marissa puts dress to her body, trying to see how it fits. At that momen Sue, Theo and several HELPERS walk in, bringing with them mirror, chairs, make-up table, etc.
SUE
(looking at purple dress) Oh, how wonderful! Your color!
MARISSA
You think?
SUE
Oh, yes, you will look so great on the altar. I knew it the first time I saw you, sister.
Marissa shows Sue label of dress with three triangles.
MARISSA
And this? Does it mean something?
SUE
It's the symbol of a transition from the Land of Shadows into the Land of Prophets. Sacred geometry revealed.
MARISSA
And all of this you learned from Mother?
SUE
Mother was the first to discover it. She holds the truth in th Book of Orders. It came to her in a vision, page by page wihile she was oppressed by corrupt monsters from the Land of Shadows.
Marissa's voice overlaps Sue's last words.
MARISSA(V.O)
"It came to her in a vision." She had used her vision, and I was using mine. That's all I had. I'd trust my paintings, put on the dress, dance in the light.
Marissa hands Sue dress, seats herself at dressing table.
CUT TO:
97
INT. MOTHERS ROOM -- DAY
Gertrude stands next to Mother who stares intently at wall in front of her.
HUGE VIDEO SCREEN takes up most of wall. On it are latest figures of currrency transactions around the world. Information on values of yen, dollar, deutsch mark, etc...flash on and off.
MOTHER
The money?
Gertrude presses button on keyboard built into wall. Latest trades of Swiss franc and other financial information appear.
GERTRUDE
Safe in Zurich.
MOTHER
Good job. The Russians?
GERTRUDE
They seem very interested in the transaction.
MOTHER
Excellent. Soon we'll buy them out completely. Then the Ultimate Light will shine from East to West and fix this sick planet.
Gertrude kneels in front of Mother who continues to stare at screens. She looks up into Mother's eyes. Her hands slowly reach towards Mother's knees. Mother breifly glances at her.
GERTRUDE
What about our sweetie?
MOTHER
She's different. The holy Book of Orders says that prophets like her are to be sacrificed with utmost care and attention. They must enjoy themselves during the ceremony.
GERTRUDE
She has to like it?
MOTHER
She has to want to give us her soul.
98
GERTRUDE
But, Adele, she seems so stubborn.
MOTHER
We will make her feel very good by fulfilling her wishes. It works.
GERTRUDE
What if she still protests?
MOTHER
You'd like that, wouldn't you? But the more she participates in the ritual, the more her death will empower us. Her radiant energy will merge with the Ultimate Light.
GERTRUDE
Hopefully soon?
She shoves Gertrude.
MOTHER
Get going.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION -- DAY
Bullpen area. Four or five detectives working at separate desks. Rik and Robbie have just finished giving statement to DETECTIVE GARCIA who's entered it all on computer. Printer near desk spits out report. Carcia tears along perforated line, hands it to Rik.
GARCIA
All right. Sign this.
RIK
What is it? A missing persons report? And what then, what are you going to do with this?
GARCIA
We've done it. That's it.
RIK
But we have to find her, not just fill up a report.
GARCIA
Given the evidence you presented, we don't even have enough to start looking
(MORE)
99
GARCIA(cont'd)
for her. But if in about a week she's still missing, we'll look into it, O.K.?
RIK
It's not O.K.! It's not O.K.!
Rik and Robbie head for the door.
RIK
(to Robbie)
It was your fucking idea about the fucking police...shit!
They leave. Garcia and other detectives burst out laughing. Nervous long-hair in jeans, denim shirt enters room. It's Skip. He's a cop.
SKIP
Sounds like you've been having a good laugh. What's the joke?
He saunters over to Garcia's desk, picks up report.
GARCIA
You should hear their story. These two musicians guys are looking for their stripper girlfriend...
SKIP
(holding up report) Is this her? Marissa Sutton? She's involved in a murder. Remember the computer guy who got whacked downtown? The snitch? Get those two back here right away.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION PARKING LOT -- DAY
Rik and Robbie are exiting to street in Robbie's jeep. Black and white police car pulls out in front of them, blocking their way. Robbie jams on brakes.
RIK
What the fuck!
Two UNIFORMED COPS get out of black and white.
STATION COP #1
Det. Garcia wants to ask you a few more questions.
CUT TO:
100
INT. BRIGHT ROOM -- DAY
Marissa, surrounded by helpers, sits by mirror. In front of her is table full of make-up, creams, cosmetics. Female helper, Nanci, reaches for beautiful jar.
NANCI
This is a special balm. Your skin will feel soft and tender.
Nanci is about to rub balm into Marissa's skin when Marissa picks up another jar from table, opens it, smells contents.
MARISSA
I prefer this. The smell is more invigorating.
Sue, busy unpacking more make-up boxes, overhears conversation.
SUE
Oh, yes. I know. Isn't that smell wonderful? Mother was teaching us how to use these during the class on ritual elements. They work!
MARISSA (V.O)
I was learning my new role fast, hoping playing it well would get me out of there. In the meantime, I was becoming more and more involved.
Sue approaches and begins to apply make-up to Marissa's face.
MARISSA
Extend this line (demonstrating) Yes, like this, but you should use dark purple.
Sue obediently complies. Nanci reaches for Marissa's right hand, places two enormous rings on her fingers. Marissa moves her hand.
MARISSA
No, not this hand. It feels uncomfortable. It stops my energy flow. Here.
Marissa offers her left hand and lets Nanci put
rings on it.