"We will take away the source of your misfortune!"—one of the slogans from "Phantom Quest Corps", a horror/comedy that is one of my favorite Japanese animated series.

CAST:

Eduardo Rivera
Kylie Rivera
Joaquin Rivera (Kylie and Eduardo's 9 year old son)
Roland Jackson
Tiara Jackson (Roland's wife, just mentioned in the script)
Samantha Jackson (Tiara and Roland's 4 year old daughter, also mentioned in the script)
Garrett Miller
Rachel (Gar's girlfriend, mentioned in script)
Egon Spengler
Janine Spengler
Noel Spengler (now 13 years old)
Juan Himenez
Rita Himenez
Juanita Himinez (Juan's daughter, about 6 years old)
Slimer
(The inevitable) Narrator

Outside the house of Eduardo, Kylie and Joaquin Rivera. The camera slowly pans to the entrance of the house. Suddenly, we see Joaquin run to his parent's master bedroom, which is upstairs.

Scene 1. Eduardo and Kylie's master bedroom.

Joaquin: Dad… (pokes him in the side)

Eddie: (groans) What? (turns over, goes back to sleep)

Joaquin: (pokes his mother in the ribcage, gently) Mom…

Kylie: (looks at alarm clock) Joaquin, it's midnight ! Go back to bed.

Joaquin: Can't.

Eddie: (half-asleep) Why?

Joaquin: I saw… Our guardian angel. Her name is Elisa.

Eddie: (totally awake; in shock, to himself) That was… my mother's name!

Kylie: I'm sure it was a dream. (pause) Now, please go back to sleep.

Joaquin: This is serious! Elisa said that "The Possessor" is coming. She told me herself.

Kylie: Who is this... "Possessor"?

Eddie: What does he want?

Joaquin: I'm sure Elisa's here somewhere… She'd be glad to explain because, frankly, I don't understand it… The world of the unknown is beyond me.

Kylie: Hop in bed with your mother… I'll take care of you.

Joaquin: (gets into the bed and hugs Kylie) Mom, I'm a little scared.

Kylie: Your mom's here. I'm right here…You can go to sleep anytime you want because I am watching over you.

Joaquin: (becoming sleepy)

Eddie: I don't see Elisa anywhere…

Joaquin: (yawning) Keep looking. You'll see her.

(Elisa appears; Eddie's eyes begin to tear)

Eddie: Madre?

Elisa: Yes, it's me.

Eddie: (he slowly walks to his mother and embraces her, tears running down his cheeks) Madre, te amo!

Elisa: (embracing Eduardo compassionately) Yo tambien!

Eddie: Mother… (dries eyes) Why are you here?

Elisa: (hands at her sides) I wanted to warn you about the demon known as the "Possessor".

Kylie: (becoming frightened) Joaquin said something about him earlier. (Joaquin is now asleep)

Elisa: This demon has been dormant for many years. As a person, he was a warlock named Rah. He was very antisocial and enjoyed tormenting people by using black magic. Rah moved from one place to another, and finally met his doom when burned at the steak, in the year 1469. Children brought him and his black magic to justice. (pause) With all the cults resurfacing in your era, there is a great possibility that he could be resurrected…

Eddie: (doubtful) No way.

Kylie: (looking at Eddie intently) When the supernatural is involved, Eduardo, anything is possible.

Elisa: Kylie is correct. (pause) The Possessor, if reawakened, will possess the children's bodies. Unless the child wears a cross, a cross of any kind, he will be vulnerable to the Possessor's clutches. Take heed… I know the future, and I know that it is grim.

(Elisa's wings are outstretched)

Elisa: It's time for me to go back…

Eddie: (eyes watering) Mother…

Elisa: Eduardo, my son… I am very proud of you. I love you and I am watching over you. Vaya Con Dios. (she flies away)

Eddie: (wiping eyes) She's still beautiful, just like I remember her.

Kylie: Eduardo, look at Joaquin. He doesn't seem worried.

Eddie: (playfully) Why should he be ? He wears a Catholic cross at all times… Nothing to worry about. (yawns) Let's get back to sleep. We've got a long week ahead of us. (gets back into bed, closes eyes)

Kylie: (yawns, closes eyes)

(Kylie and Eddie go back to sleep with Joaquin sandwiched in between them)

Breathtaking view of New York City from above ground. The buildings haven't changed much, but technology has. Hover-cars that drive themselves can be seen, and many things are used at the push of a button ( i.e. telephone.). Juan, Rita and Juanita are walking about, arm in arm. It is beautiful summer weather, but a slight chill can be felt through the city, and the buildings seem to creak and moan.

Scene 2…The City.

Juanita: Mommy! (hugs her mother, in fear)

Juan: That's odd. I felt a wind pass by, didn't you?

Rita: (nods) Yes, it's odd. The forecast didn't say anything about wind.

Juan: I don't like what's happening, Rita…I have a bad feeling about this…

Juanita: (shivers) Cold chill!

(They walk on. Soon, they bump into a mysterious cloaked figure with slim, artistic hands, and green glowing eyes. He frightens them all… Juan can see his aura, and knows he is evil)

Juan: (to Rita) Rita, let's get out of here. This man means trouble.

Mysterious man: I'll let you on your way, but I'll have you know that child of yours is in danger! (laughs evilly and disappears)

Rita: Good heavens! He…vanished!

Juan: This is… inconceivable!

Juanita: Mommy, what did the strange one mean?

Rita: (to Juanita) I don't know, dear. I just don't know.

Juan: I think we'd better hurry home and call the experts about this paranormal activity.

Rita: (agreeing) Good idea.

(They go home, and Juan calls Eduardo over his video phone. The screen is split, showing the two in deep conversation)

Eddie: You saw a mysterious man?

Juan: That's correct. He said that our daughter is in danger.

Eddie: Ay, carumba ! That's…"The Possessor".

Juan: (confused) Who?

Eddie: I don't have enough time to explain. Listen, I'm your amigo. Make sure that she wears a cross at all times, and she'll be fine.

Juan: (nods) I'll take your word for it. (pause) What are you going to do now?

Eddie: I'm going to round up the old gang together… And check it out, of course.

Juan: (sighs) Thank God. (pause) Until then, I'm staying inside with Rita and Juanita… Just for good measures.

Eddie: Good. That's all you can do now. God bless.

Juan: God bless. (They hang up their phones. Kylie is standing next to Eduardo)

Kylie: So, we're heading out to Egon's place I presume?

Eddie: Bingo! But, I'm calling the others…

Kylie: (looking down the hall, sees Joaquin watching cartoons) Will Joaquin be alright?

Eddie: Sure, sure. He'll be fine. (pause) Come on, we're running out of time.

After Eddie has called the rest of the guys, they run to Eddie's classic '64, black Mustang. He thinks to himself about how lucky they both are, having this sort of thing happen in the summertime when they are both enjoying vacation, and not touring the U.S. in Eddie's band "Maulers". Kylie helps him write and sing the songs... her second job is fortunetelling and book writing. He forgets all about *life* in general and tells Egon about what's been going on.

Scene 3. Egon's house.

Noel: Welcome! Long time no see, guys!

Garrett: Noel certainly has grown, hasn't she?

Egon: She takes after me.

Janine: She's been a great Ghostbuster in the past.

Noel: (blushes) Really, I haven't gotten to bust ghosts that much, mother. Remember, I just had to watch and help when necessary. I've never gotten to trap my own ghost. (pause) I long for the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline pumping... coursing through my veins as I feel the triumph that is ghostbusting ! (looks like she is in a warrior stance)

(They all look at her with much concern)

Noel: (nervous laugh, hand behind head. Pushes up glasses) Became a little carried away. (hands at side, demurely)

Roland: (a slight chuckle) Obviously.

Janine: What is this all about?

Eddie: Recently, my guardian angel... (pause) my mother, Elisa, told me about "The Possessor".

Egon: I know that name.

Kylie: What do you know about this spirit?

Egon: I'll show you.

Roland: (almost like Jim Carrey) Alright-y then!

(They follow him into his lab. Noel quietly watches, still in awe and amazement.)

Scene 4. The Lab.

Egon: (sitting at computer, typing in information) Hmmm…Fascinating. Just fascinating. (pause) This is the spirit's picture…Not a very sociable looking type is he? (short laugh)

Eddie: Woah… That's Rah, alright.

Kylie: Rah, that name. Isn't 'Ra' the Egyptian Sun God?

Noel: That's correct.

Garrett: So, what do you know about him from the information, Egon?

Egon: Born in Egypt... Warlock named Rah. Had a tendency to terrorize anyone by poisoning crops and causing the heavens to rain snakes. Used black magic. But soon black magic controlled him instead of him controlling black magic. He could easily travel from one place to another and terrorize others. Children brought him to justice, ending his reign of terror in 1469 when he was finally killed at 89 years of age. How they caught him was said in legend to be asking him to play a form of chess. He moved the chess pieces with his mind…

All the others: Psychokenisis!

Egon: Exactly… He used pyschokenisis, or PK to move the chess pieces. Once the children discovered this, they called for help and he was brought to justice. He met his death being burned at the steak, for an offering to the gods. Years later, his spirit returned, as The Possessor, seeking children to possess for vengeance, but was supposedly exorcised. Any cult could resurrect him and he would be free to roam wherever he wished…

Noel: (shudders) A little cold in here, isn't it?

Garrett: This is not good.

Roland: (adjusting PKE meter) My PKE meter is going haywire!

Janine: Something's not quite right…

(Slimer shudders a little, and flies back upstairs, hiding under the bed)

Noel: I wonder what's wrong with Slimer? He has never hidden under the bed for no reason before.

(A low groan is heard)

Roland: Was that your stomach, Garrett?

Garrett: I'm afraid it wasn't.

Eddie: Man, this is freaking me out!

Kylie: Stay calm!

Egon: (hits button on computer. A secret compartment in the bookshelf opens, revealing an arsenal of ghostbusting equipment. He throws them all proton packs) HERE!

Eddie: Ooo, that's handy!

Noel: Whoo! (warrior stance, again) I'm ready to bust some ghosts!

Egon: Remind me to suggest therapy when you're older, Noel.

Noel: (mean look to her father) Father, that is not amusing.

Janine: This is it… He's here. I feel him.

Egon: Go upstairs and keep Slimer company… We'll hold off "The Possessor" here.

Janine: (calmly, nodding head) Alright. (rushes upstairs, and says to herself) Like the murmur of the dove's song, like the challenge of her flight, like the vigor of the wind's rush, like the new flames eager might… Come, Holy Spirit come.

(A low groan is heard, and Rah appears)

Rah: (ominously) I wanted to get rid of you first before I possessed the children. (laughs) You're no threat!

Kylie: Sounds like he's got a bigger ego than you, Eduardo.

Eddie: (sarcastically) Ha, ha. Very funny, dearest. (they aim at him, but can't catch him because he moves very quickly)

Rah: (raises hand, fires at them, and laughs)

Garrett: (energy rushes past his face, leaving a small scar) Hey ! (touching the scar on his face, looking a little terrified) Watch it!

Roland: (looks at his arm) That's gonna leave a mark. (clenches teeth)

(Rah doesn't seem affected by anything at the moment)

Eddie: Man, this is one tough bugger!

Egon: Keep firing, we'll catch him… Don't give up, we'll beat him!

Rah: (laughing) Pathetic mortals. You do not know who you are dealing with. (Blasts Egon, and Egon falls backward to the ground, in slow motion)

Noel: Father! (looks at Rah angrily, rushes to her father's side)

Egon: (struggling to get up) I-I'm unharmed… Don't worry about me, Noel. I'll be fine.

Noel: You're hurt ! (kneeling to her father's side, worried) You'll be endangering yourself if you fight… Get out of here, I'll do my best to catch Rah, ok?

Egon: B-but…

Noel: Please, father, trust me. I know what I am doing.

Egon: (smiles) Of course you do, you're my daughter. (crawls out of harm's way)

Eddie: (a little worried) Uh, we're running out of power, what do we do?

Roland: Don't panic?

Eddie: I was asking Noel! (notices Noel is face to face with Rah) Uh, Noel…

Noel: (running up to Rah, face to face with him) Alright, buster… You've pushed my buttons.

Rah: Hmmm? (intrigued) What's this?

Garrett: What are you doing?

Kylie: She has gone nuts!

Noel: (to Rah, holding her pentacle pendant) I have the knowledge of white magic, and the Holy Spirit… You cannot beat that.

Rah: (sarcastically) Try it. Let's just see if that puny pendant works. (laughs)

Roland: It's the only hope we have left… Everything else is out of power.

Garrett: Noel, you can do it. We all believe in you.

Noel: (sweetly) Thank you. Now, Rah… Prepare yourself for divine retribution… (chants in Latin, the pendant rotates 360 degrees, and a white light shines on Rah)

Rah: What?! No…NOOOO! It can't be! AAAAAAAAHHHH! (melts out of existence)

Kylie: Incredible!

All: (except Egon, who is still injured) Hurrah!

Noel: We still have my father to worry about. I'll go check on him. (dusts off hands) Our work is done here.

Eddie: (bewildered) I had no idea she knew white magic…

Kylie: At least we won't have to worry about Rah, alias "The Possessor" anymore. Our children are safe.

Roland: I can't wait to tell Tiara and Samantha about this. They won't believe me.

Garrett: I wouldn't be surprised. Rachel hardly believes anything unless she sees it for herself. (laughs)

(The others leave the house, and Noel checks on her father)

Scene 5. In the back of the lab.

Noel: How did you manage to crawl all the way back here?

Egon: (cringes in pain) I have no idea… But (moves leg and a snap is heard) OW! I'm still in pain…

Noel: I'll have mother help.

(A few hours pass by and Egon is placed in his and Janine's bed, Egon is exhausted)

Scene 6. The master bedroom. Slimer has finally come out of hiding, keeping a watchful eye on Egon.

Janine: I can't believe our daughter busted her first ghost!

Noel: (smiles proudly) Neither can I! I'm still amazed by it! (pause) It's all thanks to my pendant (holds pendant) and my knowledge of the ancient arts.

Egon: I'm glad you defeated him. It shows maturity. You're mature beyond your years, Noel. We're very proud of you. (Noel bends down to kiss him on the cheek, Janine gives her daughter a loving hug)

Noel: (bashfully) Thanks ! (pause) I'm glad I was of assistance.

(They all smile)

Narrator: Don't fret about Egon, he'll be fine. He only has minor fractures and bruises… He'll be working in the lab, as usual, in a few days. As for "The Possessor", he's getting what he deserves, forever trapped in the fiery dungeon. So is the fate of all who decide to go astray and never walk the path of good and righteousness… But, thank heavens there are still those few brave ones who rid the evil spirits of the Earth. (pause) A Ghostbuster's work is never done.

A view of New York City can be seen from aerial view. The city looks like a sea of diamonds. In the distance we see the Statue of Liberty. She seems to wink at us from a distance. As the sea is panned by the cameras, we are taken away from New York and screen fades to black.

THE END

By: Elizabeth Berndt
July 23, 1999