Victoria's Ghost Story

8/14/2019 Victoria's Ghost Story

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3/24

-3-

Jose sighs and throws up his hands.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN (CONTD)

Besides, if you were really concerned about being

a conscientious citizen you would remain alert as

to where you are going at all times. That is the

lesson I hope that you take with you today.

A beat. Jose ponders the statement and then looks around

dumbfounded.


Are you all right?

JOSE

Theres still some good ones leftones

that didnt get all squashed.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Yes, that is truly a positive attitude.

They locate and retrieve undamaged tomatoes.


(wiping tomatoes on dress)

Still intact. Perfect.

JOSEHey, if you dont mind me asking. Whatta

you doing with so many of them anyway?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Well, I dont know if I should tell you.

JOSE

(tossing tomato in bag)

Oh come on? Whatta you making? Some kind of

foreign stew that calls for fifty tomatoes?

The middle-age woman stops and looks him firmly in the eyes.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

I use them as a moisturizer for the skin.

I bathe with them and rub the juices all over

my naked body.


4/24

-4-

JOSE

Thats wild stuff. Youre kidding right?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

I most certainly am not. Go ahead and touch my

cheek. Its as smooth as a babys bottom.

Jose is hesitant at first but then tentatively runs his

fingers along her cheek.

JOSE

Wow, nice. Right on. Tomato juice. Mi madre would

love it. I gotta tell her. Bueno.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Actually, dear boy, I would prefer you didnt.

I hate to sound vain but its a personal

technique that I do not wish to share with

the rest of the world. It makes me unique.

She adjusts the belt string around her summer dress and

fans out the wrinkles. Intermittently she catches him

admiring her figure. He looks away every time she looks up.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN (CONT'D)

Exactly how old are you?

JOSESeventeen and a half.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Really, what half is that?

He smiles awkwardly, takes a few steps backwards and squashes a

tomato under his sneakers in the process.

JOSE

Sorry.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

They cant all be saved.

JOSE

(wiping nose nervously and toe tapping)

Uhm, how old . . .how old are you?


5/24

-5-

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Interesting. The display of histrionics is very

amusing.

JOSE

Huh?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Histrionicsthe toe tapping, the wiping of the

nose and hand movementall affectations of your

nervousness regarding asking my age.

JOSE

Well, girls dont usually like

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN(interrupting)

We have already established that I am not a dude.

Lets further establish I am not a girl. I am

a lady, okay? A remarkable lady of substance.

How old do I look?

She bends down at his feet to pick up a tomato that has

rolled in the path along the sidewalk between his legs. Her

face is lined up against his crotch in the process.


Please, spread your legs a little. Theres

something I need.

JOSE

(spreading legs)

Oh, another good one. How many does that

make?

The middle-age woman picks up the tomato between his legs

and tosses it into the grocery bag, which she gathers in

her arms.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

(scouring contents of bag)

Nearly a dozen. Ill have to make do, I suppose.

Perhaps not a full bath. By the way Im forty-

five years of age and I feel as fit as I did at

the tender age of twenty-three.


6/24

-6-

JOSE

. . . Something very weird about you . . .

In a good way . . .Everything seems so perfect.

Youre like the perfect lady.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Wrinkle free.

He is unsure of what to do or say next. She grabs him and

kisses him lightly on the side of his face.

JOSE

Far out.

INT. HOUSE NIGHT

Exotic home with antique furniture and a Mediterranean feel.

JOSE (CONTD)

This place is so . . .

The middle-age woman returns with a tray of miniature

sandwiches and a glass of milk.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

I think the word youre looking for is

extravagant.

JOSE

Actually, I was gonna say dope but extravagant

is good.

He takes a couple of sandwiches from the tray and sits on

the couch. She stands and watches him eat.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Have you ever thought about expanding your

vocabulary? A young man should be well readand well versed.

JOSE

Uh, can you teach me?


7/24

-7-

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Not can, can means to be able to. I have the

facilities and presence of mind to do so. You

mean will I teach you.

JOSE

Oh, yeah.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

(smiling)

Consider that your first lesson.

She places the tray down and takes a seat next to him on

the couch. She places her hand on his knee.


As your mentor I naturally expect for you

to be arduous in your training. I value hard

work and slackers dont appeal to me.

JOSE

(stuffing sandwiches in mouth)

Oh yeah, sure. Ill work hard.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Very hard.

JOSEYeah, right. Oh, I got a summer gig at a

local video store so I can pay you a little

something for your services. You see, I kinda

wanna go to college. My grades arent that bad. I

got a respectable C average and all. And I

guess I could use some social graces. Not too

much though. I dont wanna start sipping tea with

my pinky finger or nothing like that. You could be

like, my tutor or something?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMANWell, money is the last thing on my mind. Money

bores me. Theres a charming story Id like to

tell you one day. It happened when I was twenty-

three but Ill save that for later.


8/24

-8-

She squeezes his leg hard and he flinches. She holds the

glass of milk to his mouth and pours it down his throat.


Thats a good boy. It really does do the

body good.

Some milk drips down his chin and she licks it off with her

tongue.


Dont be alarmed. I have everything under control.

JOSE

(pulling away)

This is a little, uhm . . . Maybe I should go.

He puts down the glass of milk and gets up to leave put she

pushes him back on the couch.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

You should definitely stay.

She moves her hand further towards his crotch.

ON HIM

as sweat forms on his forehead and he starts to breathe alittle heavier.

HER HAND

explores his genital area and at the moment she begins to

stroke his crotch he closes his eyes and relaxes.


Please forgive me if I appear abrasive or abrupt.

You must think me ridiculously foolish but this

is what excites me not money. The hard nubilebody of the male of the species has always been

fascinating. Most people think the male body is

mainly utilitarian, not given to true beauty or

form and purely functional but I disagree.


9/24

-9-

Her strokes become more fierce and rapid. His breathing

escalates and he moans gently under her attack.


Every day for the next two weeks, immediately

after you leave your job at the video store, you

are to report to me. Of course you are not

allowed to tell anyone of this. Society has all

these conventions and well, we simply dont need

the scrutiny. Youre seventeen and a half after

all. Youre a man not a boy. You must think like

a man and put away childish things. If you do as

I say I will let you into my world. Im well

traveled and well versed. And in my many years on

this planet I have encountered many thrills. I

want to bring them to you. Enliven you with them.

I want to make your heart race with the

anticipation of language and story. Now tell me,

do we have a deal?

JOSE

Yeah. Deal. Uh-huh.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Thats exactly what I want to hear.

HER HANDS

unzip his pants.


I learned an old trick pertaining to this

delectable task in Thailand. There are Thai

women who could suck a bowling ball through

a straw and I was eager to learn the gift.

She bends down to take him in her mouth.

INT. VIDEO VOYEUR DAY

At the cash register Jose scans two videos from LOLA, a teenage gir

JOSE

Hey, thats a cool movie you got.

I mean, crazy cool.


10/24

-10-

LOLA

Which one?

JOSE

Zombie Lords From Outer Space. Its like a

death race through time that pits the zombie

lords against rival bandits. Its awesome.

Nervously, she blushes and puts twenty-dollars on the counter.

JOSE (CONTD)

(picking up second movie)

Victorias Ghost. It just came in last week.

(reads back cover synopsis)

Looks a little fancy, like in ancient times

when the women dressed in like four layers

of clothes and shit. You know. . .

LOLA

The Victorian period.

JOSE

Yeah, thats right. Anyway, thatll be five

dollars and theyre due back on Thursday at noon.

He gives her the remaining balance of fifteen dollars. When he puts

the money in her hands he holds on longingly with a sly grin.

LOLA

What are you doing?

JOSE

Oh sorry, I guess I was daydreaming. Got caught

up in your pretty face. Muy bonita, senorita.

She blushes and takes the money.

JOSE (CONTD)

Red heads drive me crazy. . .

An IRATE CUSTOMER interrupts.

IRATE CUSTOMER

Excuse me? I didnt know this place doubled

as a dating service.


11/24

-11-

Embarrassed, Lola steps to the side.

JOSE

Mr. this is an attitude free zone so chill

the fuck out. Now what can I do you for?

IRATE CUSTOMER

Jeez, you make no sense. Anyway, Ive been

looking all over the shelves for Summer at

Gloucestershire. It is part Welsh and part

Finnish.

JOSE

Sorry, we dont keep that Eurotrash here.

IRATE CUSTOMER

But you didnt even look it up on the computer.

JOSE

I dont have to. I keep everything in stock

right here(pointing to head). Its all indexed in

the lockbox of my cranium.

IRATE CUSTOMER

Wheres the manager? I dont have to take

ridicule from a juvenile delinquent.

Lola, steps forward.

IRATE CUSTOMER (CONTD)

Oh so you want to defend him now, right?

LOLA

Dont call the manager. Its a big hassle

anyway. You can get Summer at Gloucestershire

five blocks down at Rainbow Video. They carry

more artsy type films. Why waste your time

complaining when you could be on your way to the

get the video?

Jose gives her a glowing look of approval. The irate

customer turns away and is about to leave when something

comes over him and he turns around briefly.


12/24

-12-

IRATE CUSTOMER

I dont like it here anymore. In fact

He rips membership card as he leaves and scatters the pieces.

JOSE

Jerk-off. Some people really piss me off.

(to girl)

Hey, thanks for saving my ass. The last

thing I need is a bad report. How did you

know his movie was at Rainbow Video?

LOLA

I work there. We have all the Eurotrash

anyone could ever want. Whats your name?

JOSE

Jose. Whats yours?

LOLA

If I tell you do you promise not to sing

that song? My name reminds people of a song

so if I tell you just dont sing it.

JOSE

I promise.

LOLAIts Lola, all right.

JOSE

Right on, Lo-la-. La-la-la-la Lola. Just like

cherry Co-la. Ah man, I love the Kinks.

LOLA

But you promised?

JOSE

Sorry. How about I close up here in fifteenand we go for an ice cream sundae?

EXT. VIDEO VOYEUR DAY

Jose locks the doors and puts his arm around Lola. As they

walk away, from


13/24

-13-

ACROSS THE STREET

MIDDE-AGE WOMAN POV JOSE & LOLA

She becomes furious. Her eyes turn a blaring red and

STRANGE SOUNDS filter through her mind. From nowhere A GUST

OF WIND encircles her.

INT. ICE CREAM PARLOR - DAY

Jose and Lola enjoy super-duper ice cream sundaes with trimmings.

LOLA

This is nice.

She picks up the cherry on top and sticks it in his mouth.

JOSE

Cherry any one . . .

He swallows and leans across the table to kiss her. When

their lips meet unbeknownst to him the middle-age woman

appears in front of the entrance and he hears her voice.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN (V.O.)

Darling . . . Darling its me. Stop it now

or she's a dead little girl.

All of a sudden he pulls away, in despair and grabs his

head. He rushes to the door but she is not there.

LOLA

What is it? Did I do something wrong?

He looks down at his watch and then in her direction.

JOSE

Im sorry. I gotta go. I got a headache.

He leaves her there alone.

INT. OPERA NIGHT

The middle-age woman is dressed in a beautiful evening gown.


14/24

-14-

Jose has on a tuxedo. They peer out from the

UPPER BOX

onto the stage where Don Giovanni is being performed.

JOSE (CONTD)

What is this opera about again?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Mozarts Don Giovanni is a great classic

dear boy. Its the Spanish legend of the rogue

playboy Don Juan. He is the subject

of operas and plays by Moliere and George

Bernard Shaw. Even Lord Byron wrote an

epic poem about him.

JOSE

Oh yeah Don Juan. He was supposed to be some kind

of great lover. I think we have a flick with

Johnny Depp about him at the store. He was like

that White guy Rudolph Valentino in those old

movies. A real Romeo, right?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Don Juan was a seducer of many women. He

used his charm to lull and manipulate them.

They were simply putty in his hands and hismachinations of evil knew no bound.

She reaches over and places her hand on his inner thigh.

CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM LATER

Jose sits on the commode with his tuxedo pants around his

knees while the middle-age woman straddles him. Her

evening gown is like a shroud over him.


Did you like the opera? I was so proud

of you being so extremely attentive.

I wanted to reward you immediately.

You deserve something nice.


15/24

-15-

JOSE

It was a little boring and my ass was

kinda tired just sitting there but I

guess it was all right. I dont like

all that singing though. People just

going around bursting out into song.

Seems silly.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

How is your ass now?

JOSE

Oh it feels real g-o-o-d.

The middle-age woman rams her tongue in his mouth and

smears lipstick everywhere as she rides him faster.

JOSE (CONTD)

But what if we get caught?

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Dont worry, I have wonderful powers of

persuasion, just like Don Giovanni.

INT. HOUSE NIGHT

The middle-age woman pours Jose a cup of tea.

JOSE

I cant wait to get out of this monkey

suit. I feel like an idiot.

He undoes his tie and takes off his suit jacket.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Nonsense. You look adorable. All boys of

culture need to feel comfortable in a

tuxedo. That is why youre here. You want

to learn, correct?

JOSE

(drinking)

Yeah, well I dont think shed be proud

about the other thing.


16/24

-16-

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Now we mustnt talk about that. Would

you like to stay the night?

Tentatively, he grabs his suit jacket and heads for the

door.

JOSE

Uhm, I better go. I dont want mi madre to

flip out or nothing. Thanks for the

opera and the, well, you know.

He is out the door when he pauses and turns back to her.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Change your mind?

JOSE

I heard crazy voices today. I thought I

was going to go nuts. It was this pounding in my

head. It hurt sooo bad.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

Oh dear boy, maybe you should see a doctor.

After all, strange auditory signs in your head are

the first indication of senility.

She shuts the door in his face.

INT. VIDEO VOYEUR DAY

A CROWD OF CUSTOMERS

peruse the bins for bargain videos. A MOTHER drags her SON

through the melee and to the counter.

MOTHER

(holds up video)

How much is this?

JOSE

Theyre all $5.00. Its a red dot

sale like the sign says. Up there . . .

INSERT SIGN


17/24

-17-

hanging from the rafters: ALL RED DOT VIDEO SALES $5.00

BACK TO SCENE

SON

$14.95 divided by two equals 7.475.

The mother slaps the boy on the back of the head.

MOTHER

Didnt I tell you about doing math in public?

She takes out a ten and gives it to Jose. After the transaction

they leave and the next customer in line is Lola.

JOSE

Hey, Lola. I didnt notice youd come in.

LOLA

Just like you didnt notice how upset I was

when you walked out on me over ice cream.

Was I that bad a kisser?

JOSE

No, it was me. Something was banging

away at my head and I didnt feel so good.

LOLAOh. You know my sister gets terrible migraines.

Shes on all kinds of medication. Im the lucky

one in the family. I never get sick. Look, I only

came here to see you . . . and to bring back my

rentals. Im having a come-as-you-are party at my

house Saturday night. Id love to see you there.

JOSE

Right on. Its a date. Thanks for giving

me a second chance.

LOLA

Everyone deserves a second chance.

The night of the party I'll swing by

and pick you up after work. My father's

giving me the keys to the family station

(MORE)


18/24

-18-

LOLA (CONT'D)

wagon, oh boy. I shouldn't complain though,

it's better than nothing. Next year for

my eighteenth birthday I'm getting a car

of my own. I'm psyched.

JOSE

Hey, did you like the Zombie Lords movie?

LOLA

Of course.

JOSE

It was gross right? But really cool though,

right? Definitely far out.

LOLA

It was like those monster movies the

studios used to make back in the Fifties.

Like The Blob. I couldnt eat watching it.

Yeah, it was fun fantasy entertainment but that

other movie, that Victorias Ghost, it

was even creepier because it seemed so real.

It was this Gothic tale about a woman who

comes back from the grave to find a mate.

JOSE

A ghost story, cool.

LOLA

This woman, she was an heiress when she

was murdered at twenty three on her way

to see her lover. But it turns out her lover

was really her

JOSE

Her what?

LOLAYou gotta see it for yourselfbut leave

the lights on. Its a great big chill.

INT. APARTMENT NIGHT

Jose slips the VIDEOTAPE into the VCR and plops down on the


19/24

-19-

couch with a bowl of popcorn.

EXTREME CLOSE-UP ON SCREEN - A YOUNG HEIRESSS FACE

JOSE

Crazy ass camera work.

He stuffs his mouth full of popcorn.

YOUNG HEIRESS

(on TV)

The tale you are about to see is very

much real . . . I was an heiress . . . am

an heiress. I am the illegitimate daughter

of Grigory Yefimovich Novykh, known to most

of the world as Rasputin, the mad monk.

JOSE

Oh shit, I gotta have a history lesson too?

Just bring on the blood and guts already.

YOUNG HEIRESS

(on TV)

My mother was a duchess of Lithuania and she and

my father met one night at a Black Sabbath. I was

the product of that torrid affair . . .

JOSE

I hate history!

YOUNG HEIRESS

(on TV)

. . . Those who view my story will never

be able to forget it as long as they live.

If they live . . .

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO CAPTURE EXTENDED BODY OF YOUNG HEIRESS

YOUNG HEIRESS (CONTD)

(on TV)

Especially you Jose . . .

HE DROPS THE BOWL OF POPCORN, PAUSES THE TAPE AND MOVES

CLOSER TO THE TV


20/24

-20-

JOSE

What the fuck?! Thats some crazy shit!

He sits back on the couch, un-pauses the tape and watches

nervously.

YOUNG HEIRESS

(on TV)

. . . Did you just see a ghost, lover?

With mouth agape, he shakes his head yes.

INT. APARTMENT NIGHT

ON JOSE

naked and asleep in the bed.

AN APPARITION OF THE YOUNG HEIRESS ON THE VIDEO floats

toward him and smothers him. His body begins to heave as

his breath is slowly sucked away.

He awakes and GASPS for breath.

JOSE

Who's there?! Show yourself!

DISEMBODIED LAUGHTER permeates the air and the middle-agewoman appears.

JOSE (CONTD)

Ay Dios Mio. Its true? What I saw on the

video is true.

He coils in fear as she nears.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

I have many transfigurations dear boy.

She morphs into the young woman from the video.


(as young heiress)

This is me as Victoria, just twenty-three.

(MORE)


21/24

-21-


No man could resist me. You saw my story.

Ive come from the other side for you.

My duke. I must take you back with me, to

return to the fires of Hell. We will rule

together and bear multitudes of fruit from

your loins.

JOSE

You succubus, get away from me!

He covers his crotch.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

(as young heiress)

I love you. I was unjustly taken from this

world in 1875 by a spell cast by fathers

mistress. She was jealous of my wares.

JOSE

The boy in the video was yourson?!

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

(as young heiress)

And my lover. Times were different then.

My father planted him in my belly with his

magic. The magic of Rasputin. And now Ive

found a new lover on Earth. Surely Hell wont beso bad when were married in blood. You like

your stories with blood and guts, remember?

JOSE

This cant be real. I must be dreaming . . .

. . . having a freaking nightmare! Please, por

favor? Go away! Demonio!

She flies forth and then transmogrifies into a HAG.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN(as Hag)

Its the witching hour. Tonight is the

night we shall bring forth child.

(whispers)

Time to give up your goods my love.


22/24

-22-

He screams and covers his eyes as she attacks him.

INT. VIDEO VOYEUR - DAY

Lola enters. The MANAGER closes out the cash register for the day.

MANAGER

Sorry honey. Come back tomorrow.

LOLA

Is Jose around?

MANAGER

That louse. He didnt show up for work

today. I called his house and his

mother says hes missing since last

night. I didn't get any of the

storeroom boxes unloaded because I was

chained to the cash register all

freakin' day. To top it off one of my

videos just disappeared into thin

air. No record of it anymore in the

system or inventory. And shit, that

ain't all. All the freakin' copies

have disappeared from the freakin'

shelves. A customer called and

asked for it and I practically tore

the place up looking.

LOLA

Which one?! What was the name of the video?!

MANAGER

Calm down, you dont have to yell!

Anyway, it's some kind of crazy

supernatural tale. Victorias Ghost.

Supposed be a high brow fright fest.

INT. COLLEGE POST OFFICE A YEAR LATER - DAY

Lola opens her mailbox and pulls out a brown paper parcel

addressed to her from an unknown sender. She unwraps the

brown paper parcel to reveal the VIDEOTAPE with the title

VICTORIAS GHOST. She stares blankly at it.


23/24

-23-

INT. COLLEGE DORM NIGHT

Lola shoves the VIDEOTAPE into the VCR.

ON THE TV SCREEN

An image of the middle-aged woman appears, then MORPHS into

an image of the young girl heiress. She is pregnant, again.

Surrounding her are two little toddlers that are BEASTLIKE

MINIONS, clamoring for attention as she speaks.

YOUNG HEIRESS

(on TV)

Hello, Lola is it? You needn't worry

about Jose. I take good care of him.

He's mine for all eternity.

CAMERA PANS ROOM TO A BRIDAL BED ADORN WITH DEAD FLOWERS

ON NAKED JOSE

HIS FACE is a bone ghostly white. His eyes are encased in

dark circles.

YOUNG HEIRESS (CONT'D, O.S.)

(on TV)

Man and wife. Mother and son.

A complete coupling.

HIS EYES

open slowly and begin to bleed.

YOUNG HEIRESS (O.S.)

(on TV)

See how he longs for me?

ZOOM IN ON HIS MOUTH

as it opens to emit SILENT SCREAMS.

Lola is paralyzed with fear. Her body quakes underneath the

RESOUNDING LAUGHTER that fills the TV SCREEN before the


24/24

-24-

tape automatically shades to gray and shuts off.

FADE OUT.

THE END

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Victoria's Ghost Story

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Transcript of Victoria's Ghost Story