MYSTERY OF THE GANGSTER GHOST
PART 4
FLO
What about Sadie?
(JAQUE looks at MAYA who shakes her head no)
JAQUE
It’s hard to say. I’m still getting
some readings.
MAYA
She must still have unfinished
business... it’s with some other
man. Al or Cal or Hal, I’m not sure.
FLO
We know an Al and a Cal.
REMMY
You don’t think one of them had
anything to do with their deaths?
FLO
I sure hope not.
REMMY
Is there anything we can do to help
Sadie... uh... move along?
MAYA
Just speak to her when you sense
her presence. Tell her you
understand, let her know you’re
here for her. And maybe your
kindness and understanding will
help her move along too.
JAQUE
But I don’t think you’ll experience
anything like that night again now
that John has moved on.
FLO
Thank goodness.
REMMY
It would be wonderful if we could
help Sadie and John move on
together. They shouldn’t be apart
any longer.
(REMMY goes to MAYA)
REMMY (CONT.)
Are you sure you’re okay?
MAYA
I could use something to drink.
FLO
She said the magic words.
REMMY
I think we might have a little
something special in the car that
will fix you right up.
(FLO and REMMY exit. JAQUE and MAYA drop their wacky
accents)
JAQUE
We really shouldn’t hang around any
longer than we need to. The first
rule of exorcism is get out fast
before they ask too many questions.
Now we’re staying for drinks.
MAYA
I have a feeling they have some
other spirits, if you know what I
mean. That’s a real treat.
JAQUE
Just a quick sip and then we’re
leaving, got it?
MAYA
Fine... fine... I’m just not in a
hurry. Something really happened
here tonight.
JAQUE
What? Some of that was real?
MAYA
Very.
JAQUE
You haven’t tapped in to anything
in years.
MAYA
I did this time. That was very
strong. Sadie really wanted to be heard.
(PETE claps his hands in the darkness. JAQUE and MAYA are
startled)
PETE
Brilliant performance. Must say I
was convinced. You are as great as
I remember, Maya.
MAYA
Where did you come from?
PETE
I didn’t mean to startle you. You
look like you just saw a ghost?
(PETE laughs at his joke)
JAQUE
How long have you been in here...
watching us?
PETE
The whole time. That was quite a show.
MAYA
That was no show. We do legitimate work.
JAQUE
Yes, we are professionals.
PETE
Professional con artists is what I’d say.
MAYA
How dare you. This was quite real
tonight.
PETE
Now don’t go get your knickers in a
bunch. Your act is very convincing.
JAQUE
This is no act.
PETE
Yes, yes, so you claim. Between
your little gadgets and the lady’s
performance, you have quite a thing going.
JAQUE
I’ll have you know that I have put
years of research and study into
what we do!
PETE
Sure, sure. Can I see your gadget there?
JAQUE
What?
PETE
Can I see it?
JAQUE
This is very sensitive equipment. I
don’t allow anyone to play with it.
(PETE is trying to get a look at it)
PETE
Let me guess. When you say there’s
a ghost, you turn the flashing
lights on and when the ghost starts
to come or go you change how often
it flashes I’d guess.
(JAQUE gets angry and clenches his fists)
JAQUE
Now look here, buddy...
PETE
Don’t get violent. Remember, I’d
admire your abilities to do this.
Not anyone can do what you do.
JAQUE
If you think we’re frauds, then how
did we know that stuff about the
chair and ceiling?
PETE
I’d guess that someone came in here
and spied around. One of you
interviewed people who come here a
lot. I’m sure the owners have told
the story a million times to a
million people.
MAYA
Why are we even talking to you?
JAQUE
Maybe he was sent by you were sent
by Ghosts and Spirits, Inc. to
discredit us.
PETE
GAS? No, I checked them out and
they’re not nearly the pros you
guys are.
JAQUE
First right thing you’ve said all night.
PETE
Let’s cut to the chase. I want to
hire you. I am willing to believe
some it was real. Maya used to be
the best before you stooped to your
whole "ghost buster for hire"
routine. And right now, I need the
best... you think you can be the
best again?
MAYA
You think we’re frauds and you want
to hire us?
JAQUE
Sorry, we don’t work for people who
doubt our abilities.
PETE
I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.
MAYA
Five thousand?
PETE
Each.
JAQUE
Each?
MAYA
How soon do you need us?
(She pulls out a small calendar and pencil)
PETE
I’ll expect you on Friday night at
10 pm. We’ll meet right here in
this very building. I’ll speak to
the owners about it.
JAQUE
Wait. We don’t do return visits.
(MAYA grabs JAQUE roughly)
MAYA
We will make an exception.
JAQUE
So are you going to supply the ghost?
PETE
She’s already here. It’s Sadie I’m
interested in.
JAQUE
Why her?
PETE
She is connected to a murder and I
want the killer brought to justice.
MAYA
What can you tell us about this killer?
PETE
That’s why I need you, Maya.
JAQUE
But with nothing to go on?
MAYA
We can do it.
PETE
That’s what I thought. You were
once the best. If anyone can handle
this, you can.
MAYA
We aim to please.
(JAQUE pulls MAYA aside)
JAQUE
I have a bad feeling about this.
Something tells me there’s more
here than meets the eye.
MAYA
Hey, I’m the one who’s supposed to
have the funny feelings.
JAQUE
So do you have any?
MAYA
No, I don’t. And even if I did, it
wouldn’t matter. He’s offering us
five thousand dollar each. We
really need the money.
JAQUE
But why is he offering so much?
MAYA
There’s probably a reward for
catching the killer and he is going
to split it with it. Maybe we can
hold out for more money even. And
besides... I feel a connection with
Sadie. I want to help her. And
we’ve done this sort of thing
before and we can do it again.
JAQUE
Or maybe this can be our last
hurrah. Final proof that we’re
washed up. If we blow this one,
that will be a sign to retire.
Maybe I’m getting a little tired of
playing ghost buster.
MAYA
Retirement? Really?
JAQUE
Look, tell the guy we’ll do it. But
keep in mind, if this goes sour on
us, I’m done.
(MAYA goes to PETE)
MAYA
We’ll be here.
PETE
Nifty. We’ll be doing it as a
little show. That’s the
cover. You’ll be a performing
psychic... we’ll call the show...
Seeing Beyond with Maya
Fantasma. And we need an
audience. Jaque... you’ll be a
plant in case Maya needs help...
bring a friend too... you have a girlfriend?
JAQUE
Yeah.
PETE
Bring her.
JAQUE
I don’t know. She doesn’t know
anything about me and this ghost
busting stuff.
PETE
Please... we need as many people as
we can get. I’ll buy you dinner or
something... at the Bee’s Knees.
MAYA
That’s the hottest club in town.
JAQUE
Fine, I’ll bring her.
PETE
Attaboy. I’ll be looking forward to it.
MAYA
As will we...
(They exit. Lights fade to black. Curtain closes.)
