"Respite" script

("Kitten on the Keys" song, fire crackling fx)

(ice cubes in glass, sipping fx)

(flipping book pages fx)

(banging on door fx)

(quick footsteps fx)

Alastor through door" H-hello? I-is anyone there? I need help!

(hiding glass liquor bottle fx)

(footsteps returning, opens door fx, bayou sounds)

Forgive my... intrusion at such a late hour, but I... I require urgent assistance.

Oh, this blood? I was attacked not too far from here.

(Alastor's footsteps fx, door shuts fx) I-I saw the light on in your window and practically dragged myself to your front door.

Ooh... I have to sit down!

(sitting in chair fx)
No, no, keep the music on. I like this.

Ah, my shirt was brand new, too. Now it's ruined. Bastard nearly sliced my kidney wide open. Still, he got me pretty good.

No! Don't call the doctor! I- I can treat this here.

Bring me a bowl of hot water and a clean rag so I can clean this off.

(footsteps retreating to kitchen fx)

(whistling kettle fx, pouring hot water fx)

(returning footsteps fx)

T-thank you.

("Rose of Washington Square" song)

(water and rag fx) I've lost a troubling amount of blood, but I... I think I'll live. (wiping wound fx)

Oh, you've a discerning ear. Indeed I'm WWL's radio host, Alastor Bellivue. I would shake your hand, but, under these circumstances, I don't think formalities are needed.

Well of course you know me - I'm famous!

Hold on... oh yes, yes, I do remember you from school! I called you "Vixy". Clever as a fox you were!

I see you've set up a cozy homestead here in the bayou.

Oh, that's wonderful to hear.

Yes, my love of radios transitioned into me becoming the figurehead of WWL.

Uh, do-do you have any medical tape? I've got to bandage this shut.

(footsteps retreating fx)

What was I doing out here so late? I was... I was taking a leisurely stroll!

I find the wilderness very therapeutic.

(footsteps return fx)

Thank you, Vixy.

(tape tearing fx)

I have no idea why he attacked me! I-I reckon he was a common thief who wanted my wallet.

Yes, I... yes, I am aware the New Orleans Mutilator is on the loose.
 Grisly business, that is. Why, just last night, the police chief received a severed hand, bedecked with a bow, from the killer!

No, Dear, I can assure you, that buffoon who mugged me was not the Mutilator.

Simple: the Mutilator would never let a victim escape. Had it been him, I'd be dead.

I think my would has been properly addressed.

Will you fetch me a glass of rye? I need to take the edge off this pain.

("Sweet Georgia Brown" song)

Vixy... I know we're still in the thick of this prudish Prohibition, but do not insult my acuteness. I can smell the alcohol in the room when I entered. So you've either got old stock, or you're bootlegging. Unless, this home is really a front for a speakeasy.

Bootlegging! Naughty, naughty!

That could land you imprisonment and a lofty fine that would surely see your house liquidated.

I don't know if I'll tell the authorities... Let me think it over with that rye....

(footsteps retreating fx, grabbing alcohol bottle fx, returning footsteps fx)

Three finger is good.

(pouring alcohol fx)

Thank you, Dear.

(drinking alcohol fx)

Ah... I love this song. The notes resonate in my core.

So tell me, whatever happened with you? you always wanted to be a chemist, if I recall. I don't reckon many chemists live deep in the sticks like this, though. That is, unless they're doing unscrupulous activities, such as bootlegging.

Ah, I like your usage of the term "improvising", you cheeky thing, you! Ha ha!

I imagine your business is lucrative during these dry times. Living up to your name as always, I see.

Your smarts weren't just in the classroom, they were intrinsic in you in all aspects. I must say, I'm proud of you, cher.

Well, not just for your subversion of the deluded morals of Prohibition, but just you in general. You were the only classmate in school who stood up for me, and I never forgot that.

Those years were some of my darkest.

("Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" song)

It was bad enough that my father was an abusive drunkard, immune to prosecution because of his role in City Hall... but I was also a known bastard child of mixed race.

I'm accepted now  more as an adult because I'm famous, and I'm  a top-tier bull shitter, pardon the language.

But children are just... cruel.

It seemed everyone in New Orleans knew about Henri Bellivue's premarital tryst with the commoner Creole telegraph lady, and school was no exception.

I loved my mother, but I hated my blood.

I hated that my skin would bronze if I got sun exposure.

I'd always sit in the shade during recess, wanting to stay as pale as possible.

Now, the people compliment me and my "Mediterranean complexion"... but back then... so many slurs.

Horrible, hatful things, that somehow stung worse than my father's cane.

And yet...  there you were, a practical guardian angel.

You'd stand against the others and champion for me.

And you weren't afraid!

I remember that one time... who was it? (snapping fingers fx)  William! He was trying to strike you, the chauvinist swine. And he was older than us!

But, instead of running away, and leaving me to his mercy... you threw sand in his eyes!

(chuckles) He had to go to the doctor afterwards, even!

That was when I realized... you were a protector.

I wasn't a curiosity to you to mock and ridicule. You saw me as a person.

I emulated your wily methods for defending myself through those years. Because, as you can see still now, I've always been on the slight side.

I didn't rely on brute strength, but trickery, and manipulation.

You truly inspired me, Vixy. And I never forgot your kindness.

You impacted me greatly.
The last I saw you was right before my mother fled with me back to her family home in Acadiana. My father had had a psychotic break, and nearly killed my mother and I.

("Charleston" song)

She grabbed me in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on our backs, hailed a taxi, and fled with me into the wilds.

We stayed there for two years. And, by the time we returned to New Orleans... you were gone.

You aunt had fallen ill? I see.

To tell you the truth, I had always wondered what happened to you. Whether or not you became a chemist... or got married.

I know, I have the worthy title of "New Orleans' Most Eligible Bachelor"... but... none of those gals can hold a candle to you, Vixy.

You're the only person I feel comfortable being around.

(laughs) G-Goodness, your rye is most potent! It's got me spilling all these gushy sentiments! All my adoring fans would be heartbroken if they heard me now.

But... I do speak my deepest feelings.

I admired you, and I must admit, over the years, my admiration has warmed into something else.

Yes... I did. And I still do.

I'm not expecting a reply, I just wanted to put that out there. Let you know.

Oh yes, you always did say you didn't want to marry. I guess those weren't just hollow words, after all!

Oh, my shirt's ruined, you don't need to treat it.

You know how to remove bloodstain?

("Charleston Charley" song)

Uh, no no, I'm only going to throw it away because of this rip.

Well, if you think you can fix it, by all means, try.

Hold on, let me unbutton it. (cloth sounds fx)

Here you are.

(walking away fx)

Vixy! I'm glad we met again.

(drinking liquor fx)

(walking returns slowly fx)

Hmm?

Yes, my blood certainly dirtied it. I'm telling you, I can just buy another.

What about my face?

Why... is there a fine spray of blood on my cheek and shirt?

Well... I was bleeding, Dear!

How would I get blood spray on my face from being stabbed in my side?

Goodness, you're so inquisitive!

You're right. It's not conducive to my injury... because the blood is not mine.

(standing from chair fx, Alastor walking fx, Vixy backing away fx)

So, that pretty brain of yours figured it out, has it? That man wasn't a robber... he was my victim.

("Snake Rag" song)

Before I silenced him, he pulled out a blade and stuck me. That made me very angry.

I had a most lovely time watching the light drain from his eyes while the blood poured from his neck.

But I couldn't dismember him due to my injury.

I stumbled for quarter before I saw the light in your window, shimmering like a beacon.

(Alastor walking fx, Vixy backing up fx)

And then to reunite with you! What a fated meeting!

(Alastor pulling out blade fx)

Oh, but I must, Vixy! I can't have you telling the police that I'm the Mutilator.

Dear... you're just delaying the inevitable.

Hmm... that is true! Even if you disclose my identity, you're still a bootlegger. They'd throw the book at you!

Striking a deal with me? I'm listening.

So, in exchange for your life, you'll never reveal anything to anyone, even if questioned?

Dear me, are you proposing aiding and abetting a serial killer? I see you haven't lost your nerve!

You know, normally I would laugh at such a proposition... but with you, I'm happy to oblige.

very well, Vixy, you've got yourself a deal.

This is a milestone, indeed! I guess I'm breaking my rules by allowing an  intended victim to live.

But, do be aware: if I ever learn that you've whispered even a breath about me to anyone, I'll know you broke your part of the bargain, And I will hunt you down.

You may be clever, but not nearly as I.

Do you understand, cher?

Very good!

(sits in chair fx)

Now, I'm going to rest a bit. Don't try anything funny, because I'm an extremely light sleeper.

("Black Bottom Foxtrot" song)

Well, that's lovely to hear, because I truly don't want to be forced to hurt you.

I know I can trust you.

And you can be certain, my lips are sealed about your bootlegging.

Seems we both have skeletons in our closets we want buried.

Oh! Going to sit next to me, are you? And in spite of what you learned, you still insist on watching over me. Vixy, you're an enigma.

I guess this close proximity isn't too bad. It's nice, actually.

I guess I should grateful for getting stabbed and finding my way here to you.

(yawn) Fate certainly is a perplexing mistress, isn't she?