Vapors: The Essential G. Wayne Miller Fiction Vol. 2
Page 21
the U.S. Army for years has conducted meticulous studies of the human anatomy. This is their determination of the shape that a normal woman of her height and weight should possess.
Bergman holds a photograph of Serena standing next to the image on the monitor.
BERGMAN (CONT’D)
Before coming on land, of course, they shed their fins. There. Notice any difference?
BEN
The Army figure has broader hips.
BERGMAN
Significantly so. Unlike the human female, the mermaid cannot reproduce — a fact that drives them to jealous rage. Notice anything else?
BEN
Her shoulders are narrower.
BERGMAN
And her legs are longer. Have you ever seen her swim?
BEN
She could be in the Olympics.
BERGMAN
Look at this.
Bergman calls up a photograph of a dolphin. The broad outline is roughly similar to Serena: long, lean.
BEN
That’s spooky.
BERGMAN
But by itself, proof of nothing. The human form can vary greatly from the norm, which is why even the Army relies only to a certain degree on its studies. I suppose you have never seen her bleed.
BEN
No.
BERGMAN
Her blood is black.
BEN
Like an octopus.
BERGMAN
Yes. Has she ever invited you to the place where she purports to live?
BEN
No. She gave me the name of a hotel, but they’d never heard of her.
BERGMAN
That’s because mermaids are not comfortable for extended periods out of the sea. Nor need they be. They can capture a man in an instant.
BEN
I fell for her the second I saw her.
BERGMAN
Who would not?
BEN
With all due respect, professor, I still think this
is crazy, just a bunch of bizarre coincidences. If she was so intent on me—
BERGMAN
Not you, Ben. Your soul.
BEN
OK, my soul. Why did she leave? I would have done anything for her that summer. Why leave and let 17 years pass before coming back?
BERGMAN
This, I do not know. Norwegian legend tells
of a man who was finally destroyed after more
than a half century. But the truth is, I have no clue. Evil has never obeyed the laws of reason.
Bergman works his computer again, calling up a map of New England. From Maine to Connecticut, numerous coastal sites have been red-flagged and dated.
BERGMAN (CONT’D)
What I have flagged are locations of unexplained drownings, bodies of young men found washed ashore, so-called accidents involving no witnesses. Not all, to be sure, are her handiwork. But I would wager that the majority are.
With this program, Bergman is also able to call up photos of many of the deceased. All are male — young, and handsome.
BERGMAN (CONT’D)
I started in the 1960s. If ever I find the time to go back earlier, I imagine I will find more of the same.
(a beat)
But I hardly need such documentation. You see, I knew her, too, Ben. Before you were born. She called herself Siri then — a diminutive of Sigrid, the Old Norse variant of Serena. I was in grad school. I met her while walking the Maine beach, where we summered. Like you, I was instantly smitten.
Bergman opens the top drawer of his desk and hands Ben a small box.
BERGMAN (CONT’D)
Open it.
Ben does, revealing a ring identical to the one that Serena gave him.
BEN
Jesus.
BERGMAN
Now do you believe?
(a beat)
It was the kind of summer that you get once in a lifetime — if you’re lucky. And then, one night, as September neared, she brought me out on the water. A storm swept in out of nowhere. You know how that can happen. The waves swamped us and the boat began to sink. We started to swim for the shore — it wasn’t far — and then she pulled me under. Her hand on my ankle... an iron grip... tried to drown me... with a kiss.
(another beat)
But here I am. Obviously, I was one of the fortunate few.
BEN
She never ages.
BERGMAN
No.
BEN
She’s immortal.
BERGMAN
Until she is killed, which is exceedingly difficult, from what I can conclude.
(a beat)
In my dream, Ben, you were underwater. Your eyes were empty sockets and your head swayed lifelessly in the current. You were what I almost was. You are in grave danger now.
Bergman shuts down his computer.
BERGMAN (CONT’D)
She must be destroyed. But this cannot be accomplished just anywhere. It must be on the sea. It must involve bleeding. And it must be by the hand of the one she covets.
BEN
Me.
BERGMAN
Of course, I will do all that I can to help. Regrettably, I must be personal for a moment. Have you had sexual relations?
BEN
Yes.
BERGMAN
Intercourse?
BEN
Yes.
BERGMAN
That complicates things.
BEN
No shit.
BERGMAN
Does Stephanie know?
BEN
She doesn’t have a clue.
BERGMAN
Don’t tell her — now is not the time for true confessions. Rather, you must feel the strength of your love. In return, she must know of the depth of your love for her — you do love her, do you not?
BEN
I do.
BERGMAN
Your love will not save you, Ben, but it will make the siren’s job more difficult. It will buy us time. Now you must go. See Stephanie, reaffirm your love for each other, and then return to the island and wait for me. There is a book I must consult. What time is the last ferry tonight?
BEN
Ten o’clock.
BERGMAN
I shall be on it.
BEN
I’ll meet you at the landing.
BERGMAN
She is so close now, Ben. She has your soul in her grip. Be strong. May God be with you.
Ben walks out the door, leaving Bergman alone.
EXT. COURTHOUSE - AFTERNOON
Ben walks into the courthouse where Stephanie’s office and the trial are — a large, grand, red-brick building.
On his way toward the door, Ben passes a fountain, around which several people are taking their afternoon coffee breaks. One of them is A WOMAN who bears a resemblance to Serena.
Ben does a frightened double-take. But it’s not Serena.
INT. COURTHOUSE - LOBBY - AFTERNOON
On his way through the metal detector, Ben encounters a SHERIFF.
BEN
I’m looking for the Granatino trial.
SHERIFF
Courtroom C, twelfth floor. But you won’t find anyone there. Case went to jury half an hour ago.
BEN
Thank you.
At the elevators, Ben pauses by the directory.
INSERT - DIRECTORY
ATTORNEY GENERAL, Ninth Floor.
INT. COURTHOUSE - NINTH FLOOR - AFTERNOON
The elevator doors open and Ben steps out. A RECEPTIONIST is behind a desk.
BEN
I’m looking for Stephanie Houghton. I’m Ben Houghton. Her husband.
RECEPTIONIST
The proud father-to-be! Kelly Bettencourt. Pleased to finally meet you. Funny you should drop by — I was going to call you. I’m planning a shower for Stephanie and I wanted to talk about the guest list.
BEN
I can’t right now.
RECEPTIONI
ST
Sure. I’ll call you when you’re not so busy.
Stephanie’s office is the second door on the left.
INT. STEPHANIE’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Stephanie is seated behind her desk when Ben comes in. She looks weary — and, seeing Ben, is suddenly angry.
STEPHANIE
Close the door. I’ll say this: Your timing is exquisite.
BEN
Timing?
STEPHANIE
Not only am I in the middle of the biggest trial of my career, but I’m pregnant. With your child. Or perhaps that little development has slipped your mind lately.
Ben is genuinely perplexed.
BEN
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Steffie.
STEPHANIE
Really? Allow me to refresh your memory.
These arrived by e-mail this morning.
Stephanie opens a file folder on her computer to reveal a shot of Serena, fully clothed, from the Block Island shoot.
STEPHANIE (CONT’D)
Anyone you recognize?
BEN
I—
Stephanie opens a shot of Serena, topless.
STEPHANIE
Surely you’ve not forgotten those.
Stephanie opens a third photo: Serena kissing Ben.
STEPHANIE (CONT’D)
I almost puked. She’s young enough to be your daughter.
BEN
It’s not what you think.
STEPHANIE
So what is it, Mr. Island Studio — just another day on the job?
BEN
I’m in trouble, Steffie. Serena —
Serena Fisher, that’s her name — she’s a mermaid.
STEPHANIE
A... mermaid.
Stephanie reopens the topless shot.
STEPHANIE (CONT’D)
Looks more like a hooker to me. Can you expense-account her? Or will you just take it out of your father’s estate?
BEN
Don’t you see? She wants you to hate me. That’s why she sent these. If she can break us up, nothing will be left in her way.
(a beat)
She’s trying to destroy me. She wants my soul.
STEPHANIE
I can’t believe I’m hearing this.
BEN
I can’t believe I’m saying it. But it’s true. I met her the year I graduated from college. We went out that summer and then she disappeared. Broke things off with a letter. Left no address. I tried to find her, but no one had ever heard of her. It was as if she’d never existed. Three weeks ago, she reappeared.
STEPHANIE
Was she in diapers when you met?
BEN
I know how it looks. But the fact is she’s ancient. She never ages. Never dies.
Stephanie is incredulous — and getting angrier.
STEPHANIE
Did you fuck her?
BEN
That wasn’t me with her. It was... a man under a spell.
STEPHANIE
You fucked her, didn’t you.
BEN
That’s how she works. Seduction.They say no man can resist her.
STEPHANIE
Say it. Say ‘I fucked her.’
BEN
It wasn’t what I wanted.
STEPHANIE
Say it!
BEN
OK, I fucked her — but it wasn’t me, Steffie. I was powerless. You could call Professor Bergman. She almost got him, too, when he was a young man. Go on, call him. He has nothing to gain by lying.
Stephanie doesn’t move.
BEN (CONT’D)
Let me call, then.
Ben flips through a phone book until he finds the number. He dials. The phone rings and rings, but there is no answer.
BEN (CONT’D)
He must be at the library.
STEPHANIE
How could you, Ben? It would be bad enough anytime, but how could you now? How could you be fucking some college kid when I’m pregnant?
BEN
You have to believe me, Steph. She’s not human.
STEPHANIE
You have to go.
BEN
Just let me hold you.
Ben moves toward his wife.
STEPHANIE
Get out.
BEN
Please. I need you now.
STEPHANIE
Get out.
BEN
You’re playing into her hands. This is what she wants.
Ben moves closer.
STEPHANIE
Don’t force me to call the sheriff. Get out!
Ben leaves. Only after he’s gone and the door’s closed does
Stephanie allow herself to cry.
EXT. COURTHOUSE - AFTERNOON
Ben emerges, and as he passes the fountain, he again sees the woman who looks something like Serena. The woman smiles.
A WOMAN
You look like you’ve seen a ghost, mister. Cheer up. Tomorrow’s the Fourth of July.
FLASHBACK
EXT. SUMMER HOUSE - NIGHT
It’s the summer Ben met Serena. Fireworks burst over the ocean as the crowd at Ben’s father’s annual Fourth of July clambake reacts appreciatively.
A man costumed as BEN FRANKLIN walks among the partygoers, using a bullhorn to recite passages from the Declaration of Independence. Cannon fire can be heard.
BEN FRANKLIN
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them one with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and nature’s God entitle them...
INT. SUMMER HOUSE - BEN’S ROOM - NIGHT
The fireworks cast Ben’s room in a colorful glow. Ben is in bed with Serena. They have just made love. We hear the STEREO, low-volume at first. The song is The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody.
SERENA
Do you suppose there are stars somewhere with our names on them?
BEN
There must be whole galaxies. I’ve never been this crazy for anyone before.
SERENA
Neither have I.
BEN
No one ever understood me the way you do.
SERENA
No one else ever will. You only find a soul mate once in a lifetime
— if you’re lucky.
BEN
Do you think we could make time stop?
SERENA
It already has.
BEN
We’ll be in love forever?
SERENA
Forever and ever. I’ll never let you go, Ben. Never.
CLOSE ON SERENA’S LEFT HAND