Page 8
We've played charades before. Isn't there any way for you to communicate what happened
that night?
The creature rolls playfully onto its back with all four legs in the air and swishes its tail. It appears to be playing dead. Reggie groans lowly.
REGGIE
You're absolutely not help, Dylan.
The creature turns its head to look at her and playfully snarls with its teeth bared. Reggie frowns and shakes her head. She straightens her legs and kicks something just beneath the bed. Reggie pulls her legs back and peers beneath the bed. She reaches under the bed and removes an old, leather bound book. The creature suddenly springs to its feet, wails, and whips the book from her hands with its tail. The book flies across the room and strikes the opposing wall near the closet. Reggie appears surprised and looks at the creature.
REGGIE
That certainly struck a nerve.
Reggie stands and heads across the room. The creature leaps from the bed, scurries past her, and picks the book up in its mouth. He attempts to crawl up the wall to escape with it. Reggie grabs the edge of the book and attempts to pull it from him. The creature snarls and pulls on the book with its teeth while hanging from the wall. Reggie pulls back with all of her weight. The creature slashes with its tail and knocks her feet out from under her. Reggie falls to her backside. The creature scurries along the ceiling with the book in its mouth.
REGGIE
Dylan, come back here with that!
The creature scurries for the open bedroom door. Reggie leaps across the floor and kicks the door shut with her foot. The creature strikes the shut door, appears dazed, and falls from the ceiling with a thud. Reggie grabs the book, stands, and backs away from the creature.
REGGIE
I'm trying to help you. What's the matter with you?
(hesitates)
Well, besides the obvious.
The creature flips over and onto its feet, stares at her, and snarls. Its tail pivots over its body in what appears to be an attack stance. It slashes its tail for the book. Reggie cries out with surprise and leaps out of tail's path.
REGGIE
Stop this!
Reggie opens the book. A brilliant flash of light flies out of the book. Reggie cries out and drops the book. The creature wails and darts under the bed. Reggie appears slightly stunned, hesitates, then looks across the room. We see a well-dressed, fairly handsome man standing only a few feet from the book. His attire suggests great wealth, possible royalty, and nothing from this world. He's Koon. Reggie stares at Koon with surprise. Koon stares back at Reggie with some surprise as well then smiles.
KOON
Well now, this is a pleasant surprise.
Reggie maintains her distance and continues to stare at him.
REGGIE
Who are you? Where did you come from, and how did you get in here?
Koon maintains his pleasant smile and casually paces the room.
KOON
The name is Koon, and I'm a Rottiwelt.
REGGIE
A what?
KOON
(chuckles)
A sorcerer--of sorts.
Reggie continues to stare at him and remains uncertain.
REGGIE
A sorcerer?
(pause)
Why are you here?
KOON
You invited me.
Reggie appears surprised and shakes her head.
REGGIE
I don't think so. I just opened that book.
KOON
Same difference.
