Darkstead

1. Welcome to Darkstead

October 15, 2021 Gibb Smith Productions Season 1 Episode 1
Darkstead
1. Welcome to Darkstead
Show Notes Transcript

When spiteful local, Eleanor Willard, disappears under mysterious circumstances in the eerie and isolated town of Darkstead, it’s up to a jaded vampire, Detective Nathaniel Silver and his over-eager new human partner, Officer Ray Marshall, to find her.

Starring:
Shondar McKinney as The Narrator
Marc Rico Ludwig as Detective Nathaniel Silver
Gianni Sallese as Officer Ray Marshall & Radio Host 1
Keisha Wong as Bernice
Aiden Cumming-Teicher as Sheriff Ike
Micah Heemstra as Kirk Willard
Jackie Jorgenson as Dana the Troll & Radio Host 2
Christopher Van as Ang the Werewolf
Lucy Gibb-Smith as Reverend Odessa

Sound effects from freesound.org
Written & Directed by Lucy Gibb-Smith
Music & Audio Engineering by Percival The Organist
Produced by Gibb Smith Productions

Support the podcast:
Help us get the rest of season one made at https://bit.ly/3lHOuKR

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Twitter: @darksteadpod
www.darkstead.com
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/darkstead-19... 


INT. NARRATOR'S WELCOME - WELCOME TO DARKSTEAD

Footsteps walk slowly across floorboards. The wind whistles. A match is struck. The creak of a rocking chair. The tinkle of a teacup on a saucer. An exhale. The Narrator's excitement is palpable, yet with a certain restraint.   

NARRATOR

Have you ever heard a story so surreal it made you question your sanity? Of a place that doesn't show up on a map, yet it is there? Situated in a location so remote that no-one can ever find it? 

(pause)

Deep in the heart of British Columbia lies a town buried away in dense forest. Surrounded by tallest trees with the blackest bark. Mountains high. Light low. Amongst the mossy green hues, long shadows and sharp rocks, you wouldn’t know that a town existed. But it does. It sits hidden away. 

This is Darkstead.

Intro theme music plays. 

NARRATOR

It's a small town but has everything one would need to survive: a grocery store, hospital, a police station, firehouse, morgue, a church, and the holiest of all places: a diner.

Sounds of wood sawing. Voices chatter. A church bell rings.

NARRATOR

Wooden houses stand firm, darkened with age. When it comes to technology, folk have the pleasure of communicating via radio and walkie talkie. Nothing fancier has been invented and, even if it had, no-one would want it. 

Static from walkie talkies. Music from the radio.

NARRATOR

Six hundred people call Darkstead home and very few have a car. There's no-where to go so why travel? Then there are the bones that appear regularly at the town's perimeter. It's uncertain who they belong to. People don't seem too worried about it. Now, what else? Ah yes the most important thing of all...
 
no-one is permitted to enter the forest. Ever. Dark shadows and far-reaching branches lean out trying to tempt the locals. But most resist. Townsfolk stay in the town. Always. 

The rustling of tree leaves. The crack of a branch.

NARRATOR

But who would live in a place like this?  Just regular Canadians trying to get by? Sort of. It's not an exclusively 'human' affair...  

Our story follows Detective Nathaniel Silver and his newest recruit, Officer Ray Marshall. It's safe to say that Darkstead is unusual. As we're about to find out... 

INT. POLICE STATION - LOCKUP

Sounds of a struggle. Chains heaving. Three sets of footsteps slap against the floor. The clang of metal bars.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Turn the key in the lock, Nathaniel! 

A click followed by a crash of flesh against metal. 

ANG

(animal-like roar)

Bloodsucker! 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

That's enough, Ang. We'll let you out when you fully transform back.

ANG

Release me from this cell.

Rattling of bars. Ang snarls.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Should we watch him? It looks like he's only half-way there?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Ang knows not to be outside on a full moon, Ray.

ANG

I'll go where I want when I want.

Ang lets out a howl of rage.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

How many werewolves is that now?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Same guy. Different night.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

This place is something else. You're lucky I don't scare easily.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

(disappointed)

Yeah. Real lucky. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Arresting humans. Apprehending werewolves. So much more of this great town still to see. What a great first week! Beats traffic duty in the city. I feel like I'm a real cop doing this.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Really.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Heck yeah! The fact that you're not human either makes it even better!

Silver lets out an exasperated exhale.INT. POLICE STATION - OFFICE

A door opens and closes. Two sets of footsteps enter. A high pitched whistle from a kettle screams for attention.  

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Bernice! 

An office chair wheels across a hard floor.

BERNICE 

On the line, honey. Busy day on dispatch. Usual fear and loathing.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Updates?

Sounds of rustling from paperwork.

BERNICE

Ms Abbot is complaining about the elves protesting in her yard again. Also, the 'Darkstead Christians for Humans Alliance' are unhappy with us.
 
They claim we're harbouring magical fugitives and putting the town at risk.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Half the town's made up of magical folk. They can leave if they don't like it. 

Bernice turns her attention to their newest recruit.

BERNICE

How 'bout you, Ray. You have a good day?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

The best. We just locked up a werewolf. 

BERNICE

That so. Maybe having you around will cheer up sweet Detective Nathaniel Silver here.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

I don't need cheering up. I'm happiest when I can do my job... By myself.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

That's no way to think! Every cop needs a partner.

BERNICE

That's the spirit, honey.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

This one doesn't.

A heavy tread approaches. The Sheriff wheezes. Coughs. The plunging crack of an asthma inhaler. 

SHERIFF IKE

(out of breath)

Boys. It's darker than coal out there. Sooty skies. Thin air. No foolin.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

You alright, Sheriff?

SHERIFF IKE

Fine, fine. If the Doc says lose the pounds gotta do it. That an' the allergies got me spent. You take care of the business near the graveyard?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Ang's in lockup now.

SHERIFF IKE

Good cos we got another problem. Kirk Willard. He's jus' radio'd in. His wife Eleanor's gone missing. Door left open. Stove on. Pot roast dried to hell.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

We'd better get over there. 

SHERIFF IKE

I'll say. It's a serious crime. How's a man gonna survive without a good meal to come home to?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Learn to cook?

SHERIFF IKE

(chuckles)

You city boys. 

INT. POLICE CAR

Car doors slam. The engine starts.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Wow. Sheriff was right. It is dark out.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Get used to it.  

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

(penny dropping)

I guess its all the trees.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

(unconvincing)

Sure, that's the reason.

Hum of interior car noise followed by the click of a stereo dial being turned.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Would you leave that alone?

The intruding buzz of a radio station.

RADIO HOST #1

(fuzzy vox)

Evenin' folks. Hope you're keeping safe out there.
 
The weather's a cool fifty-five fahrenheit with more rain expected. News report is in at eleven but before that, a reminder to our residents to report any bones along the town's perimeter to our local dispatcher, Miss Bernice --

RADIO HOST #2

(fuzzy vox)

That's right. And don't make no bones about it! We don't want you getting too close to the forest's edge! Remember what happened to Timmy Falecki and you kids don't want to end up like him --

Abrupt cut of the stereo.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

What happened to Timmy?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

A story for another time.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

C'mon. How am I gonna learn about Darkstead if you don't tell me.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

He was a little boy who went missing.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Did you find him?

A pause. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

That's terrible. I can't imagine how sad that was for everybody. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Folk made their feelings known.

A thud hits the car. A yell of 'Bloodsucker' is heard from outside. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

They still are.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

So. Do you have any family in the area?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

I'm over two hundred years old. Any relatives I have are dead. I am alone.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

You sure don't look two hundred. And so fresh too.

Silver's silence speaks louder than words. Ray changes tack.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I'm so jazzed to be in Darkstead. I thank the heavens I met my wife, Cass. She changed my life. Never thought I'd leave the city, but when her tarot card business folded. 

(snorts at own pun)

She wanted to move back home. Have some belonging. You know?

The engine goes dead.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

No, I don't. We're here. 

A buzzing of static from the walkie talkie. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Silver, come in. 

BERNICE

(distorted)

Hey honey, it's me. Sheriff forgot to tell you. Be careful of Willard. He's on the offensive if you catch my drift... 

EXT. WILLARD'S FARMHOUSE ENTRANCE - EVENING

Crickets chirp. The wind blows. Two sets of footsteps crunch across gravel. A fist bangs on a door.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Mr Willard. It's the police.

KIRK WILLARD

(muffled)

Get off my property!

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

(low voice)

But he called us.

The sound of a gun being loaded. Frantic shuffling behind the door.

KIRK WILLARD

(muffled)

Get back!

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

We've been through this before, Kirk. I have no intention of harming you.

KIRK WILLARD

(muffled)

I won't have a demon near this house! I wanted the Sheriff not one of Satan's own!

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Oh I see. Mr Willard, you're mistaken. Detective Silver's not a demon, just a vampire. Easy mistake to make.

The crunch of a lock. A heavy door creaks open slowly. 

KIRK WILLARD

(normal volume/disbelief)

Are you new here?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Give him a break, he's only human.

KIRK WILLARD

You stay back. I got silver bullets this time.

Kirk loads up the firearms. Preparing to let rip.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Sir, we're here about Eleanor. Why don't you let us in and we can start our investigation?

KIRK WILLARD

Alright. You can come in. The vampire stays outside with the rest of the sin. Let them in once. They can come back any time they like to feast on us all!

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

As nice as that sounds, I'm pickier with my company. Go on in, Ray. 

INT. WILLARD'S FARMHOUSE

The outside sound of wind drops. House noises. A sense of calm.

KIRK WILLARD

Wipe your shoes.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Yes, sir. 

Scuffing of shoes on a mat.

KIRK WILLARD

Eleanor wouldn't want... No, she likes a clean house. Good cook. Good wife. Always dinner on the table. No complaints. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

When did you last see your wife, Mr Willard?

KIRK WILLARD

Yesterday lunchtime.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

What time was she expected home?

KIRK WILLARD

She's in by six thirty. Dinner's at seven fifteen. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

And where were you all day?

KIRK WILLARD

Same places I always am. During the day, I work the farm. In the evening, praying with Reverend Odessa for this town and our souls. We're traditional folk around here. I waited up late. Missed my dinner...but no sign of her. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

You search the farm?

KIRK WILLARD

Course I did! Woke up this morning expecting breakfast. Thought she was out in the chicken coop getting eggs but no. Not a peep. Not only is my wife missing but I'm starving too.

The scratch of a pen on paper as Ray takes notes. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Did you notice anything out of the ordinary when you got home last night?

KIRK WILLARD

No. Only the parlour looked a little messy. Not like her. Eleanor hates mess. Thought she was napping on the couch back there like usual.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Then the parlour's where I'll start searching first. 

KIRK WILLARD

Go on through. She takes a nap every day. Says it keeps her fresh. One of the things I love about her. Took pride in herself, our God and her cooking.

Kirk lets out a sob.

EXT. WILLARD'S FARM

The soothing sounds of nature. Rustling of trees sway against the wind. Silver paces. The creak of a window slides open.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

(from a distance)

Psst! Psst! Over here.

The pacing stops. Ray's voice is distant and comes from above.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Hang too low out of that window and  you'll fall.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I'm searching the Willards' parlour. Looks like a disturbance.  

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

What do we have?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I'm looking around. Heck, not much. Except for... hang on!

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Take your time. Remember. It's an old farmhouse. Check between the floorboards, loose wall tiles, any nooks and crannies. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I've got a necklace! Looks a little bloody. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Does it have a crucifix? 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Go figure! How'd you guess?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Intuition. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

No obvious signs of a struggle but I've found something else too. I'll come out with it. You won't see from down there. 

The window slides shut with a squeak.

EXT. WILLARD'S FARMHOUSE ENTRANCE

Two sets of footsteps approach from within the house. Coming closer to the outside. The front door opens.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

We'll be in touch, Mr Willard.

KIRK WILLARD

You'd better. I don't want no vampire taking my wife and getting away with it.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

What makes you think it's a vampire, sir?   

KIRK WILLARD

Who else would take Eleanor on? The magical filth that live in this town that's who. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Once again, Kirk, just a reminder that I have no interest in drinking your blood nor that of your wife's. 

KIRK WILLARD

Bring her back safe, you hear!

He slams the door shut. Tentative travel back across the gravel to the car. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Call me crazy but I think he has a problem with you.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

He's not the only one. 

Footsteps halt. Rustling.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Here's the necklace --

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

I can't touch that. There's not much blood on the chain. I can smell it.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Really! You can be so sure? 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

I've been doing this job a long time so yes, I'm sure. What's in the evidence bag.

Jingle from the jewellery. Crackling from the plastic evidence bag.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Strands of pure white hair. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Interesting. The hair won't be theirs. Eleanor's a brunette and Kirk's as bald as a cue ball. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Who could it belong to? I've got Eleanor's planner too. Kirk handed it over.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Let's read it in the car.INT. POLICE CAR

Car doors slam shut. The soft patter of rain hits the hood. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were the only vampire hanging around here.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

For the record, bats hang around. Vampires do not. And no, there are no vampires other than myself living in Darkstead.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Why not?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Jeez Ray. Do you ever take a breath?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

If I want to be the best cop I can be then I need to ask questions. Get a feel for the real Darkstead.

Silver fires up the engine. Ray has a sudden idea. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I know. Why don't we look for her in the forest?

The atmosphere in the car drops several degrees.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

We have one non-negotiable rule in this town. A rule that every human and non-human follows. It was the first thing I said to you when we met. A condition of the job. Do you remember?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

"Don't ever go in the forest"

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Don't ever go in the forest.

The car seat squeaks from Ray's weight. He thumbs through a notebook.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Let's see... aha. Eleanor's planner said she had a meeting pencilled in for six pm: 'tea/bridge'.

The car screeches to a halt. Ray bounces off the dashboard.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

(urgent)

You're sure about that? The exact wording is 'tea/bridge'?

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

You think Eleanor is into playing card games? And drinking tea?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Eleanor only plays mind games... You want to see the real Darkstead? I'll take you to it now. 

14.EXT. DARKSTEAD RIVER

Rustling from tree leaves. The sounds of water running downstream. We hear the wind pick up. Two people stomping through grass. A gentle growl of thunder in the distance.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Where are you taking me?

Four seconds pass as Ray and Silver huff and puff across terrain. They stop.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

To meet Dana.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

(a little breathless)

Who's she? And why are we down by the riverbank? Someone lives here?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Correction. We're by Darkstead bridge. And someone lives under it. 

EXT. UNDER DARKSTEAD BRIDGE

The sound changes to dripping. Echoes. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Dana? Dana are you there? It's Detective Silver. I need to speak to you.

Quiet punctured by drips.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Eleanor Willard's gone missing. Maybe you could help us out.

No response.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Shame you're not feeling talkative. It might be important enough to exchange information and I know how much you love information.

DANA 

Boo!

Ray lets out a shriek. Dana laughs.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Sheesh, you scared me. 

DANA

Did I? That's kind of my thing.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Relax, she's just a troll.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I'm not bothered about that. Although, she's a lot greener than I imagined. 

And bald! Funny. I always thought trolls living under bridges was a myth.

DANA

How kind of you to say. I wasn't expecting visitors but come on in.

Feet move across wet stone. The sound changes as they go inside.

INT. UNDER THE BRIDGE - DANA'S ENCLAVE

Moving stone. The echo dulls as the group move farther into the chamber.  

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Like what you've done with the place. Paid for it with the usual blackmail?

Dana cackles.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Meeting a real life troll. What an honour. This may even top the werewolf.

DANA

I should think so. For starters, I don't drool. So. You said you had information for me?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Not exactly. We know Eleanor Willard dropped by yesterday. She a friend of yours? 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Her husband said she was very pious. Enjoyed cooking, cleaning --

DANA

Smoking, lying. Blah, blah, blah. Kirk doesn't know much. Simpleton. He ate whatever hooey Eleanor cooked up. Eleanor and I spoke occasionally. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Do you know if she wanted to leave Darkstead?

DANA

Why would she do that? She lords it up over everyone. Rich, considering...

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Considering what?

DANA

How much is it worth to you?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Let's say I won't tell the neighbouring farmer what happened to his goats if you cooperate.  

DANA

They wandered over to me! Besides, how do you know it wasn't a werewolf?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Ang's in lock up.

DANA

You assume he's the one I'm referring to.   

(huff)

Eleanor was nervous. An old friend was back in town. Before she got her claws into Kirk, she lived a different life.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Not a Christian?

DANA

Ha ha! This guy! Hilarious. Eleanor was a con artist. She was a sucker for anything involving money.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

And how do you know this?

DANA

I have my sources. Like you have yours. I'm surprised you're investigating Eleanor's disappearance after the way she treated you, Silver.

The sound of crackling of plastic from the evidence bag.

DANA

Good to see you're still avoiding direct questions. That's white hair. Mythical. Might belong to our friend, Sue.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Didn't think Sue was was back in town. What time did Eleanor leave you?

DANA

Six-thirty pm. Why keep doing this, Silver? Why bother with the humans? These people will never respect you.

Silver ignores the remark.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Can anyone corroborate your whereabouts at this time?

DANA

A business associate of mine. Gnome Tony. We met at six-forty-five. Address is on the paper. 

A rip of paper as a note is passed to Silver.

DANA

Maybe once this is settled, you can focus on more important things.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Like what?

DANA

Like what's really going on in Darkstead.

INT. POLICE CAR

Car doors slam. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

That was illuminating.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

It was?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Dana's a master manipulator. Told us a lot but nothing of real value.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

She gave us Eleanor's history.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Yes, but very little about what happened between them last night. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

You think Dana is involved in her disappearance?

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

My gut says no but let's follow up on her alibi. 

Static abruptly comes through on the walkie talkie. Ray takes it off the hook.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Hello. This is Ray. Over.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

You don't have to say 'over'.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Yes, I do. It's a walkie talkie.

SHERIFF IKE

(distorted)

Boys. Get back here quick. Got Reverend Odessa at the station. Wants to talk about our missing lady.

INT. POLICE STATION

Sounds of typing. Music plays on low volume. Chairs scrape against a wooden floor as two sets of footsteps approach. Office noise reverberates throughout.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Reverend Odessa. This is my new coworker --

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Partner!--

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Officer, Ray Marshall. He's investigating Eleanor Willard's disappearance with me.

REVEREND ODESSA

Detectives! Good to see you both. 

Silver and Ray lower themselves into seats. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

What can you tell us about Mrs Willard?

REVEREND ODESSA

I wouldn't usually volunteer information but Eleanor was having an unusual problem. 

The Reverend takes a moment. She breathes deeply. 

REVEREND ODESSA

She'd received threats from someone. They'd made vague references to 'disappearing'. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Whoa. If that's not foreshadowing, I don't know what is. 

Odessa continues. 

REVEREND ODESSA

What was so unusual is Eleanor's very... vocal in her views. When I asked who was responsible, she refused to answer. 

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Out of character for her.

REVEREND ODESSA

It is. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Was there anything else?

REVEREND ODESSA

That's all I can say for now. 

(pause)

I must say, it's so nice to see a new face. Darkstead is a remarkable place. I remember my first day here...

The Reverend trails off. A moment of peaceful contemplation. 

REVEREND ODESSA

I do a lot of outreach with our magical community. Have you been to a service yet, Officer Marshall? 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I've not. My wife can't go. Says holy water burns her.

A thoughtful pause as the group digests this revelation. A chair moves back. The Reverend stands up.

REVEREND ODESSA

My thanks to you both. I hope you find Eleanor soon. She's a delightful woman.  

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Really?

REVEREND ODESSA

Good bye and remember! The church is never closed to you. Even the most energetic of sinners repent eventually. 

Footsteps fade. A door closes.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

What a nice lady. Doesn't sound like she's from around here either.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

She's not. It's late. Go home.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

But we have so much left to do.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

Listen Ray. You're new here. You don't know Darkstead like I do. This is just a job. No one will thank us if we solve it or if we don't. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

It is not just a job! This is an investigation. We need to find Eleanor... and you know what... I don't like your attitude.

DETECTIVE NATHANIEL SILVER

That so. 

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

I'm gonna do two things while I'm here. The first: find Eleanor and the second...

A pause.

OFFICER RAY MARSHALL

Turn that frown upside down!

Silver lets out a exasperated exhale. 

21.INT. NARRATOR'S FINAL WORD

A book slams shut. The briefest pause. Crackling of a fire. A sigh.

NARRATOR

What an unusual town and one that seems a little divided. So many questions. Where is Eleanor? Who would want to harm her? Does the answer lie in the forest? How long will Kirk last without a meal? Although we've just met, I feel like you’re a good omen. Maybe if we're lucky Eleanor might just reappear. I dread to think what might happen if they don't find her at all... Maybe come back next time and find out?