libris episode 3

Episode open

scene open

the librarian is shutting down the library. She shoes a few people out, shuts down the computer banks, places the shelving cart next to the circulation desk, and chains the front door. When she turns around from the door, and tristan is there. The wound in his palm drips blood and ink down his hand, and onto the carpet. (shoot this like a shoot-out in a western.) he surges forward, places his hand on her forhead and speaks a word. We do not hear this word, when he opens his mouth all audio is replaced by a sound like ears ringing. The librarians face goes slack, and her body loosens. She drops the keys.

The audio starts to fade in, the ringing starts to fade out.

Tristan: so, i wasn't the only one to read the fragment. I thought not. Pick those up, and come with me.

Familliar route to the rare books section.

Tristan: the fragment was only the clue and the key, mournstien left his true work in there, years ago. He made considerable progress translating the al azif. I'm still not sure where he got such an old copy, but it will be useful. Now, please, if you would.

The librarian opens the lock, and tristan enters.

Fade out as he walks in.

Scene close

Scene open

One week later

Johnson is typing at the keyboard, her tension is obvious. Prof. Derlith approaches from behind her. Johnson continues typing throughout the conversation.

Derlith: Are you working on the dissaperances?

Johnson: yeah, i just need another interview to round out the article. Something to illustrate that it isn't all just dropping out. You think you can help me out?

Derlith: Just who are you needing to talk to?

Johnson: I was wanting to talk to the adviser of the guy who stole the book right before he dissapeared.

Derlith: any idea who it is?

Johnson: yeah, his boyfriend told me that it is a DR. Chioldi

Derlith: keep your afternoon open, and i'll see what i can do.

Johnson: thanks, you're a lifesaver.

Derlith walks off, Johnson continues typing for a bit, then packs her papers, gets up, and leaves.

End scene

Open scene

CA: closeup of a door as johnson knocks knocks on it. The door opens and we see inside for a moment before switching to dialogue angles.

Johnson: Dr. Chioldi?

Chioldi: yes, miss?

Johnson: if you have the time to talk, i believe that my editor set up an interview between us.

Chioldi: yes, come in. I was in the middle of grading papers.

They sit down, Chioldi nonchalantly puts a tumbler with about half an inch of whiskey in a desk drawer goes back to reading a paper.

Chioldi: nothing inspires more panic in my students than the first comparative religion paper, and it shows.

Johnson: do you mind if i record this.

Chioldi sets the paper aside.

Chioldi: go ahead. what was it you were wanting to talk to me about?

Johnson: i was wanting to talk to you about the disapperance of one of your students.

Chioldi: Tristan Mathews, i presume?

Johnson: right in one.

Chioldi: what was it you were wanting to know?

Johnson: I was wanting to know if you had noticed anything out of the ordinary with him. As his advisor, i am guessing that you would have been in a better position to notice this than most.

Chioldi: yes, he was worrying over his paper undully. Brilliant mind for religion and philosophy.

Johnson: what paper was this?

Chioldi: a paper on isolated cults that he needed to make up for from last semester.

Johnson: and this is right before he dissapeared?

Chioldi: yes

Johnson: and also before anyone noticed that the book he was reading in the library turned up missing?

Chioldi: as far as i know, yes. however, all i know about that are the roumors i have heard.

Johnson: that is about all anyone has heard.

Chioldi: I imagine it has gotten even more muddled since the librarian for the rare books section dissapeared.

Johnson: I think that is about it. Thank you for your time, sir.

Chioldi:i wish i knew something that was actually helpful.

They shake hands (close up on this)

Johnson: i wouldn't call what you gave us useless. Maybe i can put a warning out about this, and people can start being more careful out there.

Chioldi: i have a favor i would like to ask of you. (he pulls out a business card) i want you to call me if you come across tristan. He is brilliant, but he always did seem to be a bit unstable.

Johnson: alright, (johnson writes her number down on a piece of paper, and tears off the scrap it is on) i will if i can. call me if you come across any rumors, i need to know as much as possible. My readers deserve to know this.

Johnson leaves, closing the door quietly after herself. Chioldi takes the tumbler of whiskey out of his desk, rolls it around in the glass momentarilly, and downs it

end scene

open scene

night time in the city.

cayce is walking down a street, posting missing flyers, and asking people if they have seen him.

After a while of this a man (aaron) approaches with one of the flyers in hand.

Aaron: hey, is there a reward?

Cayce examines the man for a moment.

Cayce: could be, if what you tells me turns out to be legit.

Aaron: get ready to put your money where your mouth is, becuse i am going to lead you to where your little lost puppy is staying.

They walk off into the night.

End scene

open scene

tristan is sitting at his desk, with various pages, and scrolls neatly orginized across the desk. tristan is etching signs from the scrolls onto his arms. Initially in ink, then scariffying with the scalpel.

Run through various camera angles, closeups on the incisions, shots of blood dripping onto the floor, tristan reacting to the accumulated pain, and eventually dropping the scalpel. Quick cuts,

The librarian approaches tristan with a blanket, a bowl of steaming water, and a rag. She places the blanket across his shoulders, and cleans up his wounds.

Sequence of lingering shots as she cleans up the blood on his arm, and rubs more ink into the wounds. Close the scene on a close-up of tristan enjoying his pain.

End scene

end episode