~*~ Practical Magic ~*~

Transcript by Lisa Johnstone

Directed by Griffen Dunne
Writing credits: Alice Hoffman (novel)
Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, Adam Brooks

We open on a cliffside at sunset. As the Aunts and young Sally speak in voiceover [VO], we see a small group of men and women (later identified as the ‘hanging committee’) in colonial dress bearing witness to an execution. The pretty young woman in the noose - Maria - is standing on the gallows platform, looking (understandably) desperate. The camera pans around the scene as the voiceover continues.

Aunt Frances (VO): For more than two hundred years we Owens women have been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong in this town.

Young Sally (VO): Is that why people hate us so much, Aunt Frances?

Aunt Jet (VO): They don't hate us, sweetheart. We just - we make them a little nervous.

Aunt Frances (VO): Let's face it, Jet, we Owens women have always created a stir. It all began with your ancestor, Maria. She was a witch - the first in our family. And you, my darlings, are the most recent in a long and distinguished line.

Young Sally (VO): Is that why they wanted to hang her? Because she was a witch?

Aunt Frances (VO): Well, the fact that our Aunt Maria was a bit of a heartbreaker didn't help. (We see one of the men from the group blow Maria a kiss) Nor did it help that most of her lovers had wives on the hanging committee. But no, I didn't think it was either of those reasons. They feared her because she had a gift, a power that has been passed on to you children. She had the gift of magic. (Maria closes her eyes to concentrate, then takes a tentative step forward, off the front of the gallows platform. As she falls, the surrounding group gasps ... but the rope around Maria’s neck snaps, and she lands safely on her feet. The crowd panics and runs away, Maria glaring triumphantly after them) And it was this very gift that saved her life. She was banished to this very island, with her unborn child growing inside her belly. She waited for her lover to rescue her, but he never came. No one came. (Shot of Maria standing at the seafront in front of an unfinished colonial house, one hand on her swollen stomach) In a moment of despair, she cast a spell upon herself that she would never again feel the agony of love. (Maria sobbing) But as her bitterness grew, the spell turned into a curse. A curse on any man who dared love an Owens woman.

In a scene from the past, young Sally and Gillian run around on the beach, where a family picnic is set out, play-wrestling with their father. Sally has long auburn hair, and Gillian has bright red, also long.

Young Sally (VO) So, is that why Daddy died? From the curse?

Aunt Frances (VO): Yes, my darling. Your mother knew. She heard the beetle ticking for your father's death all day long. (On the beach, Sally and Gillian’s mother looks up, startled, searching for the source the chirrup produced by the deathwatch beetle.) She knew that when you hear the sound of the deathwatch beetle ... the man you love is doomed to die. (It crawls, unseen, across the beach towel upon which she is sitting. She stares off in the distance, her face distraught)

Aunt Jet (VO): But that's how you came to live with us. We tucked you into our lives then. We've raised you the best way we know how.

Another scene from the past. The Aunts walk down the steps of the house to greet young Sally and Gillian, who are moving up the front path, dressed in sombre black funeral outfits.

Aunt Frances: (Ominously) In this house ... (lightheartedly puts her arms around the two girls as Jet takes Sally’s bag to carry) we have chocolate cake for breakfast. And we never bother with silly little things like bedtimes or brushing our teeth.

Aunt Jet (VO): But with the sweets, comes the sour.

We see young Sally and Gillian, in play clothes, run through the yard towards the short picket fence that separates them from the street.

Aunt Frances (VO): So when you find yourself the center of attention ...

Young Gillian: (to a group of children who run up on the other side of the fence) Hi! You want to play?

Aunt Jet (VO): It's not that they hate you. It's that ... well ... we're different.

One of the children (Young Sara): You witch!

The rest take up the chant: Witch, witch! You're a bitch! (The children begin throw small objects at the two girls, chanting all the while. Gillian is struck on the forehead and falls to the ground. Sally kneels beside her and strokes her hair while the chanting continues)

Back to the present. The Aunts and the girls are seated at a table in the garden. Both Sally and Gillian look grim. Magpie, the family kitten - all black, of course - is eating scraps from the table.

Aunt Jet: Gillian, Sally. (to lighten the mood) You know the only curse in this family? She's sitting right down there at the end of the table. Your Aunt Franny. (The girls giggle)

Aunt Jet: (Unamused) Oh come on, Jetty, even you have to admit that any man who gets involved with an Owens woman is bound to end up 6 feet under.

Aunt Jet: Spare me.

Aunt Frances: What about my poor Ethan?

Aunt Jet: (Reassuringly, to Sally and Gillian) It was an accident.

Aunt Frances: It was fate.

Aunt Jet: (Exasperated - it’s obvious she’s heard this many times before) It was an accident.

Aunt Frances: (Stubbornly) No, no, no. It was fate.

Aunt Jet: Accident.

Aunt Frances: (Almost hissing) It was fate.

Young Sally: (Has been watching this exchange with a smile on her face. Now it fades as she turns solemn again) Mommy died of a broken heart, didn't she?

Aunt Frances: (Sadly) Yes, my darling girl, she did.

Aunt Jet: (After a brief pause) Hey. My little witch. Let's go inside and do some spells.

Young Sally: (Smiling despite herself) What about my homework?

Aunt Jet: (Getting up from the table) Oh, pish! Tosh! You're both going to learn things in this house that you will never learn in school. Let's go. (The other three rise too)

Young Sally: (Running ahead) Come on, Gilly!

Young Gillian: I'm coming, Sally!

Same day, but night has now fallen. In the dining room, the four witches have been practicing their spells. With the Aunts Book of Shadows open on the table before her, Sally concentrates, blowing on an unlit candle, and a flame promptly flares on the wick. Sally grins.

Aunt Jet: Very good, Sally. You know, you've been blessed with a gift.

Young Gillian: (Crouching barefoot on the table beside Jet, wearing fairy wings) What about me?

Aunt Frances: Oh. we don't worry about you, Gillybean. Your talents will emerge in time.

A knock sounds from the back door. Jet and Frances look first startled, then worried. They both stand and make for the door.

Aunt Jet: Sally, you just stay right there. Keep working on your spells. Just keep working on your spells.

At the door, a harried-looking woman is pressed against the glass, scratching at it urgently with her fingernails. Jet and Frances look at one another.

Aunt Jet: Get the bird.

Aunt Frances: Get the book.

A short time later. The harried woman is seated in the kitchen, and speaks erratically while Frances removes a mourning dove from it’s cage and Jet flips through the Book of Shadows. Young Sally and Gillian creep to the landing at the top of the back stairs, eavesdropping. They both sit, watching intently.

Lovelorn Woman: I want him so, so much - I can't think about anything else. I don't sleep, I - (Changes tack) He has to leave his wife. He has to leave her now.

Aunt Jet: (Sorting ingredients out on a wooden chopping board, speaks as if she knows it’s pointless) Perhaps you might find one better suited.

Lovelorn Woman: No, I don't want anyone else. He's all I think about. I can’t - (With sudden anger, looking up at both of them) Why the hell else would I come here?

Aunt Frances: Take the money, Jet. (Petulantly, the woman throws a roll of bills onto the table)

Holding a long thin needle while Frances grasps the fidgeting dove, the woman narrows her eyes.

Lovelorn Woman: I want him to want me so much that he can't stand it. (She stabs the dove in the heart with the needle - thankfully, we don’t actually see it going in. Neither does Sally, who flinches, burying her face in Gillian’s shoulder. Gillian blandly continues to watch the scene below. Frances looks up, meeting her eyes for a moment. Sally straightens up again)

Aunt Jet: (Solemnly holding the needle up in front of her) Be careful what you wish for.

The woman looks bemused but satisfied. She looks down into her lap, raises a photograph of the man and kisses it.

Young Sally: (Pained and speaking quickly, almost chanting) I hope I never fall in love. I hope I never fall in love. I hope I never fall in love. (She leans her head onto Gillian’s lap, still muttering)

Young Gillian: (Eyes glittering) I can't wait to fall in love.

Sometime later, Sally is gathering ingredients from the conservatory, a room containing many apothecary jars, cartons, herbs and plants. As she speaks, she consults a handwritten spell in her open diary. A dried flower has been pressed between the pages.

Young Sally: (Reciting) "He will hear my call a mile away. He will whistle my favorite song. He can ride a pony backwards."

Young Gillian: (Entering and standing in the doorway) What are you doing?

Young Sally: Summoning up a true love spell, called Amas Veritas. (She plucks a petal from a vase of pink roses) "He can flip pancakes in the air. He'll be marvelously kind. His favorite shape will be a star. (Picking more petals from a star-shaped white flower) And he'll have ... one green eye and one blue." (She picks more leaves and petals from another plant along on the shelf. Gillian follows her and peers at the plant.)

Young Gillian: (Turning from the shelf to face Sally) Thought you never wanted to fall in love.

Young Sally: (Pensively) That's the point. The guy I dreamed of doesn't exist. And if he doesn't exist, I'll never die of a broken heart.

Sally and Gillian stand out on the balcony, Sally holding the bowl containing her spell out in front of her. She stares at the petals in the bowl, and as she concentrates, they all rise out of the bowl into the air. They form a beautiful helix of petals, and, with increasing speed, flutter up towards the full moon above. Sally watches them go, as her thoughts repeat:

Young Sally: And if he doesn’t exist ... I’ll never die of a broken heart.

We fade to a much taller Sally standing on the same porch many years later, with her back to us. It’s night. Behind her come giggling sounds of excitement, and she turns. We see her hair in loose double plaits - like the plaits of her childhood - and she is wearing black thick-framed glasses: this is Sally as a teenager. She smiles and pushes the frames up the bridge of her nose as Gillian staggers past her, hefting a heavy gray bag over her shoulder.

Gillian : Sally - get the door. Get the door!

Gilly stops at the balcony and throws it over, her face flushed but happy. Sally closes the balcony door as requested, and leans forward to look over the balcony. Below, a teenage guy catches the bag, staggering slightly under the weight. He still manages to look manly enough to impress even Sally, though:

Sally: Wow.

Gillian: Sal, you have no idea.

Sally: Do you really love him? I mean enough to marry him?

Gillian: (Throws one leg over the balcony railing) Oh, come on, Sal, what's enough? I hate it here. I want to go where - where no one's even heard of us. (Puts the other leg over and stands on the ledge, facing Sally)

Sally: I feel like I'm never going to see you again.

Gillian: (Reassuring) Of course you're gonna see me again! We're gonna grow old together. It's gonna be you and me living in a big house, these two old biddies with all these cats. (Sally laughs despite herself) I mean, I bet we even die on the same day.

Sally: You swear?

Gillian: (to her boyfriend below) Honey! I need your pocketknife. (He tosses the knife up to her and she catches it. To Sally) Here. (She opens the knife and runs the blade across her right palm, wincing. A thin line of blood wells from the cut. Sally looks dubious) My blood. (She runs the blade along Sally’s left palm. Sally flinches) Your blood.

Both: (They place their hands together, palm to palm) Our blood. (They hug, the railing between them)

Sally: I love you, Gillybean.

Gillian: (Fondly) Yeah, I love you too.

Gillian jumps down from the balcony, and disappears from sight. She reappears sitting on the boyfriend’s shoulders, piggyback style. She giggles and waves to Sally as they vanish down the pathway into the night. Sally waves them off, smiling sadly.

Time has passed, possibly months, maybe even years. The Aunts and Sally are out in town, Frances sporting a sun umbrella as they make their way out of the post office and across the street in the sunshine. Sally’s hair is long and loose, and she’s lost her huge glasses - she’s pretty. The townspeople avoid them when they see the three witches coming, but Frances is determined to show that she’s unperturbed. She merrily greets everyone that walks past, ignoring the way they react - as if they’ve just come into contact with the plague.

Aunt Frances: (To a group of boys outside the post office) Good morning. Hello, boys. (An elderly man, absorbed in shuffling through his letters, almost walks into the trio) Oh Charlie! Looking good! (The man abruptly changes direction) God, what was I thinking?

Aunt Jet: (Examining a letter open in her hand) Oh, Franny, let it go. (Off the letter) Oh, my goodness, Gillian's in Orlando! (to Sally, as if she might not have heard) She's in Orlando!

Aunt Frances: (Unsurprised) I guess that Roto-Rooter man is history.

Aunt Jet: Well, according to that (Gillian’s letter) he is.

Sally: This is insane. She keeps going through all these guys.

Aunt Frances: Hopefully, someday she'll find a guy who'll go through her.

Aunt Jet: (To a mother and her small child passing them on the street) Hello. Hello, darling, how are you? (The mother turns the daughter’s face away and shields her protectively as they move past)

Aunt Frances: Oh, Jet, just give it up.

Aunt Jet: (Mischievously) Never.

Sally: (Stopping under a healthy blossoming tree overhanging from someone’s yard) God, I miss her.

Aunt Jet: (Consolingly) Oh, sweetie. (As they stand there, a storm of leaves fall off the tree and spiral to the ground, in response to Sally’s unhappiness. Sally continues walking while Jet sadly watches the leaves falling) Oh, dear.

Aunt Frances: (The Aunts cross the street, where a horse and cart are walking. The horse rears up slightly, shying away from the witches) Oh, Samson! Now, just knock it off.

Sally: All I want is a normal life. (Jet puts her arm around Sally)

Aunt Frances: My darling girl, when are you going to understand that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.

Sally: Well, it's what I want.

Aunt Jet: (Pointing at a passing 20-something couple, who look nervous and pick up their pace) You see this couple here? He's having an affair with the babysitter. And she can eat a poundcake in under a minute. (Smiles)

From behind the couple, a young man emerges pushing a wooden trolley loaded with fruit and / or veg of some kind - he seems to work on the nearby market. He passes between Frances and Jet, who still has her arm around Sally. As he walks, his gazes follows Sally. She does the same. The two slow, and unashamedly stare at each other in the middle of the street. Sally then stumbles, and faces forward again, calling Sorry! to whoever she bumped into. Frances puts her arm around her to steady her.

Frances: Come along. Come along!

Jet stops and studies the young man thoughtfully. The young man continues on his way, smiling. Jet sunnily calls out, Hi! to his departing back, then she turns and follows Frances and Sally.

Change of scene - an unknown time later. Sally is in the garden, digging with a handtrowel. The Aunts sit at the patio table nearby.

Aunt Jet: (Impatiently) What time is it?

Aunt Frances: (Equally impatient) Any moment now. (A gong strikes - town clock? - signaling three in the afternoon . Sally stands up, slowly, listening. She drops the trowel and walks out of the garden, almost in a trance. Frances calls to Sally, knowingly) Where are you going, dear?

Aunt Jet: (Turning to watch Sally’s progress) Most excellent.

Sally begins to run, picking up speed. The shot changes to the market, where the young man we saw earlier is loading veg onto a weighing scale. Then he stops, and turns, distracted. Also in a daze, he walks out onto the middle of the street. Sally is jogging down the middle of it, being followed by half-a-dozen of the town’s dogs. She slows to a walk, and the young man also walks towards her. They both smile. She jumps on him, wraps her arms around his neck, and they kiss passionately. Aw - could this be love?

As the two kiss, the camera circles them, quickly fading to another time and place - a few years later, when Sally and the young man are in a garden, still a-kissin’. The man, now her husband, now sporting a beard, releases her, and they run off towards two young children, both girls, one (Kylie) with red hair, and one (Antonia) with auburn.

Sally (VO): Dear Gillian, Today is our third anniversary and all I have to show for it are two beautiful little girls and a husband I just can't stop kissing. I don't even mind the beard. But I wish you could see us. No more stones being thrown, no taunts cried out. (The scene changes to the town centre. Kylie rides a tricycle, supervised by her father, and Antonia rides in a wagon, which Sally is pulling. No-one shies away from them as they make their way across the street) Everything is just so blissfully normal. Life is perfect. (Shot of Sally’s husband and daughters dancing in a funky conga line round a table in their parlour. Got to Give it Up by Marvyn Gaye plays in the background. The husband leads the line, with Antonia holding his waist, Kylie gripping Antonia’s pigtails and Sally gripping Kylie’s pigtails.)

The scene changes to a sunny poolside in a fancy resort, with Gillian, now a young woman, grooving in amongst a collection of gorgeous men. Guess we know what her talent is, right? From across the pool, a brooding young man smoking a cigarette watches her. He seems unaffected by the men around Gillian, as if he knows she's his.

Gillian (VO) Dear Sal: I'm lying in the sun. I'm hanging by the pool. I've got a million friends. You might say that life is perfect. But I don't care about any of it. In fact, I only have two words to say to you: Jimmy Angelov. Jimmy Angelov. (The camera pans up the ruggedly handsome face of Jimmy himself, from the cigarette hanging out of his mouth to the dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.)

Gillian makes her way through a darkened corridor, and stops at the entrance to her room. Behind her slinks the shadow of someone - Jimmy Angelov. He caresses her cheek, and slips a blindfold over her eyes. Gillian smiles.

Gillian (VO): (In a low whisper, almost chanting) Angelov Angelov Angelov Angelov Angelov ...

It’s late at night. Sally, Antonia and Sally’s husband (Michael) lie asleep in the master bed. From somewhere in the room comes the familiar chirrup of the deathwatch beetle. It moves under the bed, still chirruping. To escape the sound, Sally pulls the pillow out from underneath her head and slams it down over her ears.

Morning. The deathwatch beetle crawls along the bare floorboards in Sally and Michael’s bedroom. Outside, Michael is at work, pushing a trolley piled with boxes of veg. A black dog (a bad omen, in some opinions) follows him, barking. Back to Sally. The beetle crawls across the floor, and tips itself into a gap between the floorboards - a bare millisecond before Sally’s hand slaps down on the space the beetle just occupied.

Sally: Where are you - where are you? Don’t do this to me! (She grabs a screwdriver from an open toolbox beside her and begins to pry at the gap between the floorboards.) Come on. Come on!

Back to Michael outside, pushing the trolley. He chats with co-workers as he passes.

Michael: Hey, boys, catch anything today?

Friend: Not much.

Michael: All right. See you in a bit.

Back in the bedroom, Sally tips over a table to gain access to the boards beneath. She sweeps debris from the table out of the way and puts her ear to the floor, listening. Nothing. She moves right a bit and listens again. The beetle chirrups.

Michael strolls down the street, greeting a friend.

Michael: Hey, Jimmy.

Jimmy: Hey.

Michael: What’s goin’ on?

Sally sweeps more clutter out of the way and bangs on the floorboard to draw a response from the beetle. It squeaks.

Sally: I hear you. I hear you. Don't. No. (She scrabbles at the board with her fingernails, grabs the screwdriver, puts it down again, and resumes prying at it with her nails)

Michael: (Outside) How's Mary doing?

Jimmy: Okay.

Michael: She good?

Jimmy: Yeah.

Sally has succeeded in pulling one floorboard up. She peers in. The beetle’s not there.

Sally: No.

Outside, the black dog that had followed Michael sits on the kerb, watching a group of over a dozen bicyclists sweep around the corner of the street, moving quickly.

Sally: (She pulls up another floorboard with the screwdriver. The beetle isn’t there either.) That can't be. No. No!

Outside, the bikes continue down the street. Michael, in the middle of the road, turns back to his friend on the sidewalk, as if he can't hear him properly.

Michael: What’s that? I can’t -

Sally yanks up another board and grunts with the effort.

Sally: I know you're in there. (We see Sally seated in a big hole in the bedroom floor, with loose boards lying all around her.)

On the street, the bikes approach.

Woman: (Outside) Michael, look out!

As if hearing this, Sally looks up, afraid.

Man: Look out behind you! (Michael stops, startled, in the road, hugging close to the vegetable trolley. The bikes rush past him, all around him.) On your right!

Michael stands still, eyes closed, relieved. The bicycles continue moving past him. Inside the house, Sally sits frozen, listening with her mind. Is he okay?

The bikes leave Michael behind, and he turns after them, raising his hand in a wave. He breathes a sigh of relief, and turns back the way he was going. We hear, but cannot see, the sound of an approaching motor. Overlaying this is the sound of Sally sobbing Nh- Nh- Nh- We see the grill of the truck from Michael’s point of view, then Sally gasps, jolted, as if she were the one hit. Outside, the crates of vegetables and the trolley have been hurled into the air, and are slowly falling, smashed to pieces.

It’s night. Sally is at the Aunt’s door, scratching at the pane of glass and fumbling desperately with the door knob. She throws the door open and steps into the kitchen. She looks around, but the Aunts are nowhere to be seen. In despair, she stops at the foot of the stairs, where it’s dark above, and turns her face up, crying.

Sally: It was the curse, wasn't it? He died because I loved him so much!

Aunt Frances: (from the conservatory, behind Sally) Oh, my poor little girl. (Sally turns to face her. Jet emerges from the dining room, at Sally’s left) We had no idea when we cast the spell.

Sally: What spell? What are you talking about? (Sally, getting no response from Frances, looks at Jet. Jet looks uncomfortable) Oh ... Oh, you didn't. You didn't. (Getting more upset) Please tell me that my own flesh and blood -

Aunt Jet: (Contrite) It was just a little push. You wanted so much to be happy.

Aunt Frances: (Regretfully) We never expected that you would truly love him.

Sally: Well, I did. And I want him back. (She storms past Jet into the conservatory and snatches up the Book of Shadows. She moves back into the kitchen, knocking things over on her way and ignoring them) You brought him into my life. Now I want you to bring him back. Bring him back! (She slams the book on the table and starts paging through it as she speaks.) I have never asked you for anything! I have never asked you for spells, but do this! I know - I know you can bring him back.

Aunt Jet: (Sorrowfully) No, dear. We won't do that.

Aunt Frances: We don't do that.

Sally: But you can. You can do this. I know you can. I remember. I found here when mommy and daddy died. (She continues searching)

Aunt Frances: Even if we did bring him back, it wouldn't be Michael. It would be something else. Something ... dark ... and unnatural. (The camera swoops in ominously on macabre-looking pictures within the Book of Shadows)

Sally: I don't care what he comes back as, as long as he comes back. (Bursting into tears again) Please do this for me. Please. Please! Please! Please? (She sinks to her knees, and covers her mouth with her hands as she sobs. The Aunts watch her, heartbroken, but knowing that they cannot do what she asks.)

Another day. Kylie and Antonia, in black funeral dress, walk up the path of the Aunts house, carrying a small bag each. The scene is not all that dissimilar from the shot of Gillian and Sally at the beginning of the film. Sally follows behind them, also dressed in black.

Sally (VO): This is only temporary, so don't get too comfortable. There'll be no chocolate for breakfast. Homework will be done after dinner, teeth and hair brushed before bed. (The Aunts, smiling sadly, move down the front steps to meet the girls. Sally looks them both firmly in the eye.) And as for you two, my children will never do magic. Ever. (They continue up the path)

The morning of yet another day. Sally lies in bed, her head under the covers. She hears the bedroom door opening and opens her eyes, but makes no move to see who it is. Kylie enters, dressed smartly for school.

Kylie: Mom? It's time for us to go to school. (No response) Mommy? (She moves around the bed, still talking blithely.) It's the same time as yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that. Out of bed, sleepyhead! (She kneels at the foot of the bed and lifts the covers to peek at her mother’s feet. We see Sally, unsmiling.) Kylie climbs onto the bed and makes her way up to the head) Mom, I'm worried about Antonia. Do you know she puts on her mouse ears, she drives around town all liquored up? Naked! (Sally laughs quietly, but still doesn’t move from under the sheets) All right. (Resigned) I'll see you around.

Kylie hops off the bed and starts towards the door. Sally throws off the bedsheet, reaches out, and grabs a handful of Kylie’s jacket.

Sally: Come here, you! (She yanks her onto the bed and throws the sheet over both of them. They huddle together, smiling) I'm sorry, baby. I'm just so tired.

Kylie: It's okay, mommy.

Sometime later. Sally throws the sheet off her head, and we see that Kylie has gone - presumably to school. Sally lays there for a moment, then holds up her left hand in front of her face. We see the scar from when Gillian cut their palms as teenagers.

Sally: (Wistfully) Gilly.

Fade to Gillian, miles away, also lying down, studying the scar on her right hand.

Gillian: Sally.

She sits up, and gets off the bed, crossing the room to grab and light a cigarette.

Jimmy Angelov: (Lying in the bed Gillian just vacated, holding a half-empty bottle of alcohol) I was just thinking about you.

Gillian: (Speaking around the cigarette) You're always thinking about me.

Jimmy takes a swig of the alcohol and watches her. Gillian crawls onto the bed and kisses him, removing the bottle from his grip. He stands up and starts kissing her on the neck. She looks less than thrilled.

Gillian: Honey, I just have to go to the bathroom. (She moves away from him and starts towards the bathroom. He follows her and grabs her arm, nuzzling her neck)

Jimmy: Let's go together.

Gillian: (Unhappily) Jimmy, come on.

Jimmy: (Embarrassed, but trying to hide it, he steps back and releases his grip.) I'm just kidding, eh? Go.

She smiles at him as he watches her exit. In the bathroom, Gillian rummages in her bag, pulling out a small bottle containing granules of something. She tips a small dose out into her palm, and sprinkles them into Jimmy’s bottle of alcohol. She shakes the bottle to mixx it, and catches sight of her reflection in a compact mirror. She closes her eyes tiredly. Next thing we know, Gillian is on the road in her car, singing along to Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You on the radio. Night turns to day turns to night as she makes her way home. She smiles to herself.

Still night. In Sally’s bedroom, Sally sleeps. A slender finger brushes the skin on Sally’s forehead. She shakes her head to get away from it, but when it doesn’t stop, she opens her eyes.

Gillian: (Lying on the bed facing Sally) Hey.

Sally: (softly) Hey. (Pauses) I was really, really happy. (Starts to cry. Gillian comforts her)

A few hours later. Gillian is sitting up, leaning against the headboard. Sally’s head is on her lap as she holds a picture of her and Michael with their arms around one another.

Sally: We were going to open up a botanical shop, where Mike would get all the ingredients and I would make the stuff. He really loved my, uh, mint-oatmeal shaving cream. He couldn't stop eating it. (Pause) I'm sure all this is really boring to you, but he really made me laugh.

Again, sometime later. The conversation has moved on - now Sally gets to hear all about Gilly’s adventures. Gillian sits in front of the roaring fireplace, while Sally lies on her stomach at the foot of the bed.

Sally: Angelov? What kind of name is that?

Gillian: Bulgarian.

Sally: Bulgarian?

Gillian: Mm-hm. Yeah, he's from somewhere near Transylvania. (Laughs) He has this whole, uh, Dracula-cowboy thing about him. He's just so intense. I mean, he talks about our relationship in terms of centuries. Sometimes we just stay up all night worshipping each other ... like bats. Thank God for Jet's belladonna, or I'd never get any sleep.

Sally: Why are you taking that stuff?

Gillian: I'm not using it. I'm just giving it to him every now and then, that's all.

Sally: So you're drugging your boyfriend to get a little shut-eye? (Smiling incredulously) Doesn't that seem a little strange to you?

Gillian: Maybe. But he's strong. So much stronger than me. He can survive the curse.

Sally: (Unreadable) Yeah.

Later still, towards dawn. Both Gillian and Sally are now in the bed, with the sheets pulled over their heads.

Gillian: (Fidgeting to get comfortable) Do you forgive our mother?

Sally: (Hesitates) Sometimes.

Gillian: (Nods understandingly, then pauses) Well, you'll never forgive yourself ... unless you get up and you get dressed ... and you brush your goddamn teeth, because your breath stinks ... (Sally laughs, pretending outrage, and slaps at Gillian twice) and you take care of those little girls.

Sally: Yeah. You're right.

They reflect a moment, then start a slapping match under the covers, giggling wildly.

Sometime later, the covers are off their heads, and they lie facing each other. Sally’s eyes are closed, and she appears to be asleep. Gillian is wide-awake, and watches her sister warmly.

Gillian: (Mouthing the words, but not actually putting any volume into them) I love you.

Sally: (Sally smiles sleepily, her eyes still shut) I love you too, Gillybean. (Gillian smiles back)

The morning has finally arrived, but Gillian is gone. Sally stretches out for her on the bed, but when she doesn’t feel anyone, she opens her eyes. Gillian’s pillow is there, still dented with the impression of her head. Sally leans over and buries her face in the pillow, breathing in the familiar perfume of her sister. She rolls over, facing towards the window, where the sun is shining brightly. And smiles.

Daytime, the middle of the small-town busy street. Sally walks along the sidewalk, nodding to people she knows as they move past. She stops at the window of a half-vacant shop, hesitates a moment, then puts the key in the lock. On the door, a sign reads "Opening Soon". Inside the shop, she looks around at the half-empty shelves, considering.

Days / weeks later. Herself and two other women are removing botanical supplies from boxes and placing them on the shelves. Kylie and Antonia stop outside the shop, Antonia sporting a pair of mouse ears. Both girls bob up and down, pretending to be engaged in an emphatic conversation with each other. The three women in the shop laugh at the girls’ antics as they make kissy-faces at the glass. Then a small crowd of horrible little children cross the street, and stop in front of the botanical store.

Horrible Little Boy: How's the witches' mommy doing?

Children: (Chanting) Witch! Witch! You're a bitch!

Inside the shop, Sally hears this.

Sally: (To the other women) You'd think after three hundred years they would come up with a better rhyme.

Sally dashes outside and pries Kylie away from the group. She steps in front of her. One of the parents intervenes, pulling her own child back.

Horrible Little Boy’s Mother (Sara): Really, your troublemakers started this.

Kylie: (to the boy) I hate you! (Holds out her arm, pointing at the boy, about to ‘cast’)

Sally: Put your finger down, Kylie! (Tries to restrain her)

Kylie: (Pointing at the boy) I hope you get (dramatic pause) chickenpox!

Sally: (Admonishing) Kylie! (Steps in front of her again. The crowd gasps and takes several steps back. HLB’s Mother covers his mouth with her hands, as if to protect him. Sally speaks to the crowd in general) She was just kidding.

Antonia: No, she wasn't, mom. She was not kidding.

Horrible Little Boy: Mom, run! They're witches! (Crowd disperses)

Sally: (Looking Kylie in the eye) What's the matter with you? We do not cast, and we do not toy with people's lives. Do you understand? This is not a game.

Kylie: (Tearful) No, you don't cast, and you probably couldn't even if you tried! (Grabs Antonia’s arm and drags her off down the street on their way to school)

Kylie: (Angry, to Antonia) She has all this power and doesn't even use it!

Antonia: I think you really hurt mom's feelings.

The girls continue down the street. Sally watches them go.

Night. At the Aunt’s house, Antonia and Kylie are talking to Aunt Frances. Sally enters through the front door, in time to catch the gist of their conversation.

Antonia : Kylie thinks that any man who marries us is going to croak.

Aunt Jet : Oh, that's such hogwash.

Aunt Frances: What about your grandparents, Jack and Regina?

Kylie: Grandma Regina died of broken heart, didn't she? How could she do that? Leave Mom and Aunt Gilly behind when they were just little girls?

Antonia: Why won't she ever talk about it?

Kylie: (Without giving Frances time to reply to Antonia’s question) Was mama good at spells when she was just a little girl? How come mama doesn't do spells now?

Sally: (Standing in the kitchen doorway) What's going on in here?

Aunt Jet: (Calmly) Nothing. Just making toast, is all. (She looks pointedly at the toaster, and two nicely done witchcraft-induced slices pop up on cue. Sally’s not fooled in the slightest.)

Sally: Mm-hm. (to her daughters) Did you guys finish your homework? (They don’t reply, just look slightly bemused) There's a storm coming and I want you guys to go check all the windows for me, okay?

Antonia and Kylie: Okay.

They get up to leave the kitchen. Frances kisses them both. When they’re gone, Sally addresses the Aunts.

Sally: Making toast? (They don’t say a word) I want you both to watch what you say to those girls. I don't want you filling their heads with any of your nonsense, okay?

Aunt Jet: (Patiently) We'd never tell them nonsense, dear. (Frances looks at her warningly. Sally turns and walks up the stairs, lifting her hand in a half-wave as she goes) Good night, sweetie.

Aunt Frances: (to Sally also) Good night.

Nighttime. Sally sits at a desk in her room, stirring a cup of something. She lets go of the spoon to start writing, and the spoon carries on stirring by itself. She starts the letter.

Sally (VO): Dearest Gilly, Sometimes I feel there is a hole inside of me. An emptiness that, at times, seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean. (A brief flashback - Sally leans against the frame of the balcony doors, looking up to the full moon in the night sky.) And the moon tonight, there's a circle around it, a sign of trouble not far behind. (We see Sally back at the desk, writing again.) I have this dream of being whole - of not going to sleep each night wanting. (Sally gazing pensively out at the moon again) But still, sometimes when the wind is warm or the crickets sing, I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for. (Sally seated at the desk again, blowing on an unlit candle. As when she was a child, the candle lights.) I just want someone to love me. I want to be seen. (Sally holds a stick of wax in the flame, and uses it to seal the envelope.) I don't know - maybe I've had my happiness. (Sally walking out into the yard, puts the letter in the mailbox) I don't want to believe it ... but there is no man, Gilly. Only that moon. (She stands by the front gate, watching the moon.)

As she begins her walk back to the house, the phone inside rings. Sally looks stricken, and starts to run.

Sally: Gillian.

As she reaches it, Jet is on her way down the stairs.

Aunt Jet: It's Gillian.

Sally: (to Jet) I know. (She yanks the handset off the wall and speaks into it) What's wrong?

Gillian: (Tearful) I'm scared. Can you come and get me?

Sally: (Frantic) Where - Where are you?

Sally, changed, packed, and ready to go. She throws on a cardigan as she hurries down the stairs.

Sally: I'm taking the first flight out of Logan. I'll need for you to watch the kids for me.

Aunt Jet: Yes, of course, dear. Just go to Gillian. The children'll be fine. We'll take them to the solstice celebration with us.

Sally: No, no, no. Why can't - Why can’t you two (kissing Jet goodbye on the cheek) just stay here? (kisses Frances)

Aunt Frances: No, dear, we can't back out at the last minute. We're on the committee.

Aunt Jet: Yes.

Aunt Frances: We're presenting.

Aunt Jet: Yes.

Sally: Fine. But I do not want them dancing naked under the full moon.

Aunt Jet : No, of course not, dear. The nudity is entirely optional, as you well remember! (Sally slams the door behind her as she rushes out.)

Night. A taxi pulls up in a parking lot, and Sally gets out. She runs across to the motel office and bangs on the glass.

Sally: Hello? Hello!

Man: Okay, just a minute!

Sally finally gets into the building, and runs up the stairs, searching for Gillian’s room. She finds it, unlocks the door and pushes it open, peering inside gingerly. A light is glowing behind the door opposite - the bathroom. Sally starts slowly towards it, but then she hears:

Gillian: Sally? (Sally scans the room suspiciously, then spots her) Hey.

Gillian is crouched - hiding - on the floor, on the other side of the bed. Her mascara has run and it’s obvious she’s been crying. Sally goes to her.

Sally: Hey. (She kneels in front of Gillian and takes her hand) Gillian ...

Gillian: (Crying) Hey, Sal. (Hesitates and smiles tearfully) Wow. The room service here sucks.

Sally: Let's get you out of here.

Gillian: I'm okay, I'm fine. (Sally helps her to her feet. They start packing quickly)

Carrying a bag each, the sisters emerge from the motel into the parking lot, heading for Gillian’s car.

Gillian: He's been really crazy, you know? We've been driving for two weeks, two weeks straight. I mean, not even straight. In these zigzags, back and forth. (They jog a little to move faster - the parking lot is way creepy at night - and Gilly’s high-heel shoe comes off) Damn these shoes! (Sally picks it up and helps Gillian put it back on.) Then today he says he wants a jelly doughnut, right? And he says to the kid, "Jelly doughnut, with cream." And the kid, the kid looked confused. And I said, "Jimmy, jelly's not a cream." And then the kid laughed, and then I laughed - and then he punched me. He punched me real hard, the bastard.

Gillian and Sally reach the car. They’re about to get in when Gillian looks up and notices the moon. There is a red ring around it - a natural phenomenon, but one which is often taken as a bad omen. Gillian panics.

Gillian: Blood on the moon.

Sally: I know.

Gillian: Blood on the moon! Uh ...

Sally: I know. Get in the car.

Gillian: Uh ... uh ... Where's my tiger's eye? No, no, I need my tiger's eye. It brings me luck. No, no. I left it. I’ve got to get my tiger's eye! (She runs off towards Jimmy’s car and opens the door.)

Sally: It's probably in the bag, Gilly! (She holds up the bag in one hand, but Gilly doesn’t stop.)

Inside the car, the tiger’s eye is hanging over the rearview mirror. She takes it off the mirror, as a hand reaches at her from the backseat and snags in her hair. Gillian gives a muffled scream as she’s dragged into the backseat.

Sally: Gillian, come on! Gilly, honey, just forget the damn -

Sally stops and peers inside the car. Gillian’s in the back, held captive by Jimmy Angelov.

Jimmy: You’ll drive.

It’s still night as Sally drives the car down the highway. Jimmy sits in back with one hand clutching a bottle of ‘Diablo’ tequila, the other clutching Gillian. He takes a swig from bottle, then offers it to Sally.

Jimmy: You want some? (She doesn’t reply.) Nope. (He lights a cigarette) Hey. Sally. You ever read any books by Louis L'Amour? Mm? (Again, she doesn’t reply) Okay. Louis L'Amour was a foreigner and he loved all things cowboy. Just like me, Jimmy-boy. (Sally watches him in the rear-view mirror. As she does, she catches Gilly’s eye) So Louis would write stories about the rustlers. Rustlers were really bad guys. (In the rear-view mirror, Sally sees Gillian lean forward. This is obviously a witch thing - Jimmy carries on talking: He can’t see what Sally sees, and in reality, Gillian hasn’t moved.)

Gillian: (to Sally) The belladonna is in my bag. (Sally smiles and nods, ever so slightly)

Jimmy: They would try to steal the cattle. (Sally secretly tries to extract the belladonna from Gillian’s bag.) But before they could sell them they would try to take away the brand of the owner with an acid, or by scrubbing them. (He scrubs his knuckles against the car back beside Sally, making her jump) Unfortunately, they could never get rid of it. So they would be caught and get hanged. (During this conversation, Jimmy has kept his cigarette lighter lit. He’s been holding it up to a silver ring on his little finger, heating it. Sally glances at him warily.)

Sally: What are you doing?

Jimmy: Come on! (He grabs hold of Gillian’s foot, about to stamp the ‘brand’ from his ring on Gillian’s ankle.) You can't hide the brand. It's just you and me. (Sally realises what he’s about to do and starts hitting him.)

Sally: Hey! Hey! Hey! (She loses control of the wheel and the car swerves dangerously. Jimmy clicks the lighter off and reaches for Sally.)

Jimmy: (To Sally) Watch the road!

Sally: (Furious) Shut up! Shut up! (Imitating) Rustlers and branding! Louis L'Amour! Who, by the way, is not a foreigner! He's from North Dakota, you asshole!

Jimmy: Just watch the road. Just watch the road!

Sally: (Still frantic) You're freaking me out, Dracula freak! Give me the bottle. Give me the bottle before I plow you into a truck just to get you to shut up! (Jimmy holds out the bottle. She snatches it off him and takes a gulp.)

Jimmy: Calm down! Calm down.

(Sally breathes out, still upset. Panic over, Jimmy leans back with his arm around Gillian, and grins.)

Jimmy: Whoo! You know, girls ... (Sleazy) I'm feeling very into sisters right now. (In a low whisper) Yeee-haw!

As Jimmy speaks, Sally pours the grains of belladonna into the tequila bottle, emptying the vial. In a close-up of the bottle, we can see the grains of belladonna forming a very ominous mini-whirlpool, which shortly evaporates.

A short time later. Jimmy stands at the ditch of a side road, cheerfully swinging the car keys in one hand. He’s stopped to take a whiz, and is merrily singing Always On My Mind, by Elvis, a song which had been playing on the car radio. The two sisters remain in the car, looking anxious.

Gillian: He should've passed out by now. You didn't give him enough.

Sally: I gave him plenty.

Jimmy zips up and gradually stops singing, looking subdued. This doesn’t look good. He starts back to the car.

Gillian: (Worried) What's he going to do?

Sally: Just stay calm.

Jimmy circles the car and gets into the back seat. He starts singing again, menacingly low and off-key.

Jimmy: (Singing) If I made you feel second best, I'm so sorry - I was blind. You were always on my mind ... (He sits eye-to-eye with Gillian, holding her cheek.)

Gillian: (Pleading with him, aware that trouble is brewing) Jimmy, please, baby, please, come on. Come on, baby, I love you. (She cups his face in both her hands.)

Jimmy: I'm sorry, my love.

Gillian: (Still pleading) I want to be with you forever. You know that, I love you. Jimmy, please -

The rest of that sentence becomes garbled as Jimmy places his hands around her neck and starts to squeeze, lowering her to the car seat. Gilly starts to choke. Sally reaches through to the back and grabs him, trying to get him off her. She ends up on top of his back, still inside the car, hitting him and attempting to pry him off Gillian. Jimmy gasps, and his hands go limp. Sally, who has yet to notice this, hits him vigorously on the shoulder several times. Gillian calls her name to get her to stop.

Gillian: Sal! Sally! Sal! He's out. He's passed out.

Sally: (Relieved) Oh, God! (She sits up and pulls his shoulder, attempting to shift his weight off Gillian. As she does, Gillian sees his face - his eyes are wide open. This guy ain’t sleepun’. This guy's dead.)

Gillian: Oh, My God! (Gillian starts giving him mouth-to-mouth) How much did you give him, Sally?

Sally: I don't know, Gillian, I wasn't using a measuring cup! He was trying to kill you!

Gillian: Come on!

Outside the car, both girls are striding up and down, not sure what to do next. The moon is bloodier than ever in the sky above them. Gillian stops and clasps both hands together in prayer.

Gillian: Please, God, if you get us out of this, I'll be good. I'll be normal, I'll have babies, I'll go the to PTA -

Sally: I have babies, Gillian. I had normal. And I worked really really hard to get that normal. (Gillian turns and makes placating motions at Sally) But from this moment on, I will never have the normal again -

Gillian: It's all my fault, Sally. I didn't mean to ruin your life. I just had no one else to turn to.

Sally: (Irritated) Get in the car. (When Gilly doesn’t move) Get in the car. (They do, and drive off.) We have to go to the police. It was self-defense.

Gillian: The old slowly-poison-him-to-death self-defense? Come on, Sally, they're never gonna believe us. (She takes out a cigarette, puts it in her mouth and leans over. Slumped in the back seat, still very dead, is Jimmy. She reaches into his shirt pocket and digs out a lighter. She flips it open and puts the flame to the cigarette)

Sally: You really should stop smoking so much, Gilly.

Gillian: Why? I'm probably gonna get life. I should smoke two at once - it'll shorten the sentence.

Sally: (Worried) I really don't want to lose my children.

Gillian: I know. I don't want you to either. (She’s silent for a moment, then glances at Jimmy. Back to the front. Back to Jimmy. Back to the front.)

Sally: What - what are you thinking?

Gillian: When Michael died, you went to the Aunts, and you asked them to bring him back, right?

Sally: No, but they wouldn't.

Gillian: Wouldn't. But not couldn't.

Sally: No, they were right. He'd come back as something dark and unnatural.

Gillian: Jimmy already is dark and unnatural! And I don't care what he comes back as, as long as he comes back with a pulse.

Sally: No, no, no, that is not an option, Gilly. That is not a choice.

Gillian: We don't have a choice, Sally! This is our choice!

Still night. Back at the Aunts house, the girls drag Jimmy by his feet across the lawn. Sally’s out of breath from the effort.

Sally: You ... owe me ... big-time.

Inside the house, they drag him inside through the swinging door, which hits him hard on the head. Magpie, now a full-grown cat, hisses at Jimmy.

Gillian: He’s gonna be so pissed. Okay, here we go. (On the count of three, they lift him onto the kitchen table) (to Sally) Watch his balls.

Sally: You watch ‘em.

Sally leaves to collect ingredients from the pantry. Gillian is left alone with Jimmy. She cuts his shirt open with a pair of scissors as she speaks.

Gillian: Okay, Jimmy, I will get you out of this but when I do, we are definitely breaking up. It is over. (With an angry grunt she slaps him on the cheek. Sally has entered the room behind her, holding the Book of Shadows.)

Sally: What are you doing?

Gillian: Nothing.

Sally: (Puts the supplies down on the table) Gilly, are you sure you want to do this?

Gillian: Absolutely.

Jimmy is motionless on the table. Gillian burns two small bundles of ingredients over a lit red candle. That done, they stand on opposite sides of Jimmy’s body, running their hands back and forth across the air above him. Sally reads the ‘instructions’ from the Book of Shadows.

Sally: "Lips pursed, emit wind over tongue in motion, teeth on edge." (Gillian attempts it, but doesn’t do it right.) No, no, no. (She demonstrates. Gillian copies her, to the best of her ability) Good enough, good enough.

Sally: "Touch bounded smudge of blue sage with braided wheat straw. Insert needles through eyes of corpse."

Gillian: (Doubtful) Through the eye?

Sally: In the eye.

The sisters both grab a needle and take an eye each. As they close in, thunder sounds and lightning flashes. Sally jumps and makes horrified noises, dancing away from the corpse, still holding the needle in her hand. Gillian also withdraws, and watches Sally.

Gillian: No way. Uhn-uh. I - I think we should wait for the Aunts.

Sally: (Still dancing about in disgust) It's not like he's gonna stay fresh, Gillian! It's now or never. (Attempts to compose herself.) Okay! I need for you to get me something white to write on top of the star. Chop-chop!

Gillian roots around the cupboards and comes up with cream whip in a spraycan. She presents it to Sally, who is holding her hands up like a surgeon about to operate.

Gillian: This is all I could find.

Sally: That’s actually brilliant. (Takes it and shakes it.) No, this is good. This is good.

She uncaps it and sprays a pentagram upon Jimmy’s chest, while speaking.

Sally: Now, I’m supposed to say ... Black as night, erase death from our sight. White as light, Mighty Hectate make it right. (Gillian repeats each line as Sally speaks it. They both repeat the phrase, attempting to commit it to memory. Sally sticks her finger into the cream whip on Jimmy’s chest and tastes it while mumbling the spell to herself. They both look at each other, ready to do the spell proper.)

Both: Black as night, erase death from our sight. White as light, Mighty Hectate make it right.

They repeat the chant, looking nervously at Jimmy and each other. They continue chanting until they fall out of rhythm with one another, and we can no longer pick their voices out of the ominous whispering. They both stand poised to push a needle into Jimmy’s eyes. Just before they do, his eyes open. Gillian notices this first and gasps. The sisters drop the needles and take a half-step back. Jimmy’s eyes, filled with a strange blue-black sheen, focus on Gillian.

Gillian: Jimmy? (pause) Hi.

Jimmy shoots up from the table and grabs his beloved Gillian around her neck.

Gillian: No! (Starts to choke. She beats at him uselessly with her fists, but he’s not letting go.)

Jimmy: I want you to be my wife! Can you promise me that? I want you to be my wife! (Repeats this ad nauseam until Sally brains him with a large frying pan. After three hits, he’s out for the count)

Outside, it’s raining heavily. We see it pelting down into the open palm of a very dead Jimmy Angelov. Sally and Gillian are digging a huge hole in the ground beside the corpse. When they feel it’s big enough, they drop the spades and kneel beside Jimmy. Gillian puts her ear to his chest - to ensure he’s completely dead - while Sally knee-walks over his legs.

Sally: You have ... the worst taste ... in men.

They both push him towards the hole. He rolls over and lands in the grave. Cut to a short time later, when the rain has finally stopped. Sally and Gillian are patting down the muddy soil with their feet, attempting to give the appearance that the ground was never disturbed.

Gillian: Sally?

Sally: Yeah?

Gillian: I know this sounds really stupid, and everything, right now, but I just, I just really wanted to say, um ... Thank you. (They hug.) Thanks for being my sister.

Sally: (Wet and miserable, but complaisant for Gilly’s sake) It’s alright. Let’s just ... Let’s just put this all behind us now, okay?

Gillian: Yeah. (pause) What are we gonna tell the Aunts?

Sally: Nothing.

Gillian: (Nods) Okay.

They turn and go back inside the house.

It’s the next morning, and a car pulls up outside the house. The Aunts get out, followed by Sally’s two daughters. Gillian watches, smiling but anxious, from inside the house. As Antonia and Kylie tumble out of the car, giggling, Gillian runs to the hallway.

Gillian: They’re here! (slight pause) What if they don’t like me?

Sally, tying her hair back in a ponytail, rushes down the stairs. She flaps her hand to dismiss Gilly’s worries. As she reaches the hall, her daughters fly at her for a hug, chattering excitedly.

Both: Mom! Mom! We danced naked! Under the full moon! Oh, my god, it was so fun! We did!

Sally: (Not sure how to react to this news) Well, that’s just ...

The girls notice Gillian for the first time. Gillian smiles and shrugs self-consciously. The girls start to shriek, bouncing up and down. They run at Gillian, calling her name.

Both: Oh, my god! Aunt Gillian! Aunt Gillian! (All three hug)

Gillian: You guys! You guys’re so big! I can’t believe this! What -

Gillian stops and looks at the doorway. The Aunts have come in, Frances first, Jet trailing behind. Gillian stands up, abashed, and smiles shyly.

Gillian: Hi, Aunt Frances.

Aunt Frances (holding out her arms) My darling little girl. (Kisses her, and notices a bruise on her left cheek) Oh, dear. Hmm. Well - a little mugwort’ll fix that right up. (Turning back to the others) Kylie. Now, why don’t you and I go to the greenhouse ... (she trails off as she and Kylie exit)

Gillian: (As Jet steps forward) Aunt Jet! (They hug)

Aunt Jet: Oh, I’m so happy to see you, sweetie! (She pulls away, looking serious.) Don’t you worry, dear. Whoever he was, he’ll get what he deserves. (She heads into the parlour, leaving Sally and Gillian to exchange a sober look. Then she turns back and takes Gillian’s arm.) I think a brownie for breakfast would fix you right up.

Gillian: (Delighted) A brownie?

Aunt Jet: A brownie.

Gillian: You’re still doing that?

Aunt Jet: (Exasperated) Well, of course we’re still doing th -! What do you mean are we still -? (Scoffs) You’ve been away too long. (She leads her towards the kitchen. Sally follows)

Gillian: Some things never change in this house!

Aunt Jet: How long have you been away?!

Gillian: (Re: the brownies) Where are they?

Kylie stays at the kitchen window, staring out into the garden, looking sombrely at something no-one else can see.

Another day. In town, Sally’s at work in her herbal store, unpacking supplies. Two other employees help her, as does Gillian. Sort of.

Gillian: Oh, Sally, I love this stuff! It’s great! You’ve done a great job! (She sits at the window, rubbing some kind of lotion into her arms and hands. A cigarette dangles from the corner of her mouth.)

Sally: (irritated) Gillian, if you’re going to work here, maybe you could ... I dunno ... Work?

Gillian: (smiling patiently) I am. I’m testing the merchandise.

Everyone but Sally laughs. She slams her notebook shut and starts for the door.

Sally: You guys know where you can reach me? (Several answering mumbles in the affirmative) I’ll be back ... if anyone cares. (She leaves, slamming the door.)

Gillian: (looking chagrined at the other two) Did I do something wrong?

Linda (Employee): Phone-Tree Day.

Carla (Employee): (Enunciating carefully) Phone-Tree Day.

Gillian looks between the two, confused.

Linda: Parent’s hotline. If there’s an emergency, like a snow day, they decide who’s the most responsible -

Carla: You mean, the most popular.

Linda: - responsible mother to sound the alarm. Each mom calls the next one down on the list - it’s a big deal to get chosen.

Carla: But Sally never gets picked ‘cause everybody knows she’s a wi- (pause) different.

Gillian: (meditatively sucking on her cigarette) Hmm.

Cut to classroom. Sally sits at the back, alone, while all the other mothers chat loudly to each other. One of the mothers, standing behind a podium at the front of the classroom, calls for order.

Front mother: Ah, quiet! Quiet, quiet! (Everyone turns the noise down a notch) Third name from the top of the phone-tree is ... (picks up a cardboard leaf with the lucky winner’s name written on) Dory Catcher! (All the other mothers turn to Dory and make admiring noises. Sally looks crestfallen, but unsurprised.)

All conversation suddenly grinds to a halt as the door opens and in walks ... Gillian.

Gillian: Hey. Sorry to interrupt.

Front mother: (frostily) Can I help you?

Gillian: I was ... (Notices Sally at the back) Oh. My sister. Just ... wanted to see my sister.

The Front Mother straightens up slightly, smoothing down her stomach, a mostly unconscious reaction to being in the presence of a woman younger and prettier. As Gillian slowly walks across the room toward Sally, whispers start in the flock.

Mother 1 (Patty): Is that a snake tattoo?

Mother 2 (Debbie): Yeah. And there’s one on her boob too.

Gillian: (Grins and turns to face the group.) Yup, that’s right. I’m back. Whoo! (Raises her arms above her head and wiggles her hips seductively) Hang onto your husbands, girls ... (claps her hands on her waist and thrusts her pelvis forward. Some of the assembled group laugh, others look disgusted. She sits down at the empty desk beside Sally)

Sally: (Looking embarrassed but smiling despite herself) All that’s missing now is me naked without my homework .

Front mother: (Looks disconcerted but starts up her little speech again.) Ladies, the second from the top of the phone-tree will be ... Abigail Little. (Again, appreciative noises from some of the group.)

Gillian: (to Sally) This is for real? (Covers her mouth with her hand and giggles.)

One of the mothers sitting in front of Gillian and Sally whispers loudly to a neighbour.

Mother (Nan [?] ): You know, she screwed Coach Havacre. (Gillian whips her gaze forward to stare at the back of the mothers head. On the desk in front of the mom is a ringbinder, the rings themselves standing open. They promptly snap shut of their accord, catching the mom’s thumb.) Ow! (Shoves her pinched finger into her mouth)

Sally: (in a low voice, to Gillian) Don’t do that!

Gillian: (Looks almost insulted) It wasn’t me.

Sally: Well, I certainly didn’t ...

Gillian: It was you. (The two sisters giggle together)

Front mother: Finally - oh, I’m so pleased to report this! - the top of the phone-tree list is ... (Starts flipping through pages of little tree diagrams in her ringbinder. At the top of every list is Sally's name.) One moment. It’s, um ... (pauses, then gives in) It’s Sally Owens. (Noises of confusion from the surrounding moms. Gillian claps loudly.)

Gillian: Woo! Go, Sal! (in a lower voice, to Sally) Now, that was me.

The Aunt’s house at night. A lot of lights are on. In the back yard, in the mud where Jimmy was buried, something moves in the soil, squirming. A toad crawls up close to watch.

Inside, Frances and Jet sit together in the kitchen dropping things into something we can’t see. As they do so, they call out their list of ‘ingredients’.

Aunt Frances: Eye of newt, toe of frog. Wing of bat, tongue of dog.

Aunt Jet: Adder’s fork and blind worm’s sting ...

Aunt Frances: Barbados Lime is just the thing.

Aunt Jet: Fragias Salt, like a sailor’s stubble ...

Aunt Frances: Flip the switch, and let the cauldron bubble! (We pull back to reveal a blender full of liquid. They turn it on. It whirrs loudly.)

The sound travels upstairs to Sally’s room. Gillian is already awake, and is lying on Sally’s bed. She tickles Sally’s nose.

Gillian: Wakey-wakey!

Sally, unhappy at being disturbed, slaps Gillian away. Gillian stills her, and they listen. Sally, too, hears the sound of the blender.

Both: (High-pitched and excited) Midnight margaritas!

Gillian: Come on! (They tumble out of bed and bop down the stairs to the tune of Harry Nilsson’s Coconut.)

As the sisters reach the bottom of the stairs, the Aunts hand them each a margarita. They dance around the kitchen, singing loudly and sipping the margaritas as the music plays. The music eventually fades out, and we fade into the four women sitting around the table, telling fortunes. Gillian is reading Sally’s palm, while the Aunts drink out of a tequila bottle, passing it back and forth between them. They’re all laughing like loons - we can see they’ve obviously had ti many martoonies.

Gillian: (Off Sally’s palm) No, no, no, this is serious! I see a man ... I see a man in your future and he is, whoa, he is gorgeous. (They all go ‘awwww!’ and Gillian pauses) Oh, and ... ooh la la! He is big! (Grinning madly) But you're scared to death! And you wind up like a frigid old hag, with your two frigid old hag aunts! (Sally’s smile is beginning to look forced and she looks at Gillian incredulously. The Aunts also exchange looks of surprise at Gilly’s meanness. Gillian stops and looks about her, confused. But she’s still giggling) I don't know where that came from. That was weird.

Aunt Jet: She's never been interested in her gifts. She just made that all up.

Aunt Frances: Don't lie. Gillian has her own magic - and we all know what it is! (The last six words almost become lost as Frances dissolves into hysterical giggles. Frances stops and looks surprised at herself. Gillian doesn’t look too pleased, but tries to smile as she pours herself more drink from the tequila bottle.)

Sally: Oh, please. Since when is being a slut a crime in this family? (Sally looks shocked at herself and covers her mouth with her hand. But soon more laughter emerges and they all go off.)

Aunt Jet: (Still laughing, to Sally) Oh, honey, what would you know about it?

Aunt Frances: When we put that spell on you for Michael, we had to bind it with molasses just to get your legs to open up! (Screams with laughter.)

Sally: Nooo! That’s so wrong! (She fills her glass up with tequila again.)

Gillian: (to Jet) You self-centered shrew!

Aunt Jet: (to Gillian) Ingrate!

Aunt Frances: (to Sally) Scabby [something insulting, no doubt]

Sally : (to Frances) Witch!

They all cackle like their namesakes for a moment, then abruptly, they all sober up. The giggles die down. They empty the bottle of tequila into one last glass. Then Jet starts singing. Frances leans on her shoulder and joins in.

Jet: Little things, I should have said, and done ...

Both: I just never found the tiiiiiime ... You were always on my miiiiind ... You were always on my miiiiind

Throughout this, Gillian and Sally have been looking at each other in alarm. Gillian turns the bottle around. The faded brown label reads ‘Diablo’. It’s now half-full. It’s also the same bottle that Jimmy was drinking when he kidnapped Gillian and Sally. Sally picks it up and examines it.

Sally: Where did this bottle come from? (The Aunts smile drunkenly and don’t reply.) Where did this bottle come from?

Aunt Frances and Aunt Jet: (to the tune of ‘You Are Always On My Mind’) Someone left it on the poooooorch ... Someone left it on the pooooor-

Sally looks, wide-eyed, at Gillian. Gillian shoots to her feet, holding the bottle by the neck. Before the Aunts can finish singing, she smashes it in the sink. The Aunts stop singing immediately, sobering up at once. Aunt Jet gets up and approaches Gillian, who is staring at the smashed bottle in mute horror.

Aunt Jet: What’s going on here? (Gillian looks at her but doesn’t answer. Frances stands nearby with her arms crossed) What’s going on in here? (She turns around, speaking to Sally) Sally, what’s going on in this house? (Sally makes vague ‘I dunno’ gestures with her hands, but also doesn’t speak. Jet paces up and down.) Something’s going on, I can smell it.

Aunt Frances: Yes, it’s a very distinct smell - it’s a smell of bullsh*t.

Sally: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

There’s a sharp sound like a slap. Gillian gasps. Everyone looks around. The broom has fallen over, the wooden handle hitting the floor loudly.

Aunt Jet: Broom fell - company’s coming.

Sally: (By way of clarification) We had a problem, we handled it.

Aunt Frances: We deserve an explanation. (Neither of the girls speak.) Right. Come on, Jet. Let’s go. (The Aunts file out of the kitchen. The younger Owens sisters are left looking at each other)

Gillian: (Off Sally’s angry look) No. No. No, it’s just not possible. Don’t even think it.

Sally: Tell me how that got here, Gillian. (Strides over to the sink and points at the glass shards in the sink.) Tell me how did this bottle get here?

Gillian: That’s not ... possible.

Out in the yard, a sinister red-rose bush has sprung up over the spot where Jimmy was buried. The roses dip and sway in the night breeze, the occasional petal falling like drops of blood.

Inside the house, the Aunts are packing. We never see their faces, just their hands.

Aunt Jet: Leaving like this is a harsh lesson.

Aunt Frances: A lesson they must learn on their own.

Aunt Jet: What about the little ones?

Aunt Frances: Not to worry, Jetty. A good piece of Maria's hanging rope will protect them. (Frances fetches some)

The Aunts stand over Kylie and Antonia’s bed. They girls listen to them sleepily.

Aunt Jet: You must promise us you won't take them off. Not until we come home.

Aunt Frances: We'll only be gone a short while.

Aunt Jet: Do you hear us? Promise?

They girls make soft noises of agreement.

Antonia: Love you.

Aunt Frances: Love you too, sweetheart.

The next morning, Antonia’s in the kitchen, tooting out part of ‘Coconut’ on a kazoo. Gillian comes into the kitchen. Sally follows.

Gillian: (to Sally, about Antonia) Make her stop, I’ll pay whatever it takes.

Sally: (to Antonia) Honey, can I see that for a second? (meaning the kazoo)

Antonia: Yeah, sure. (Hands it over)

Sally: Yeah? Thanks. (Throws the kazoo across the room.)

Antonia: (Not really mad) Hey!

Sally: Where did you get that ugly thing around your neck? (Maria's hanging rope)

Antonia: The Aunts gave it to us.

Kylie: They said it would protect us.

Sally: (Not really listening) Kylie, could you please go get that mint from the garden before your bus gets here? Thank you. (Looking through the cupboards, crossly) Where is the aspirin? (to Kylie, who hasn't moved) Honey, please do as I say.

Kylie: (Standing at the glass and looking out into the yard) Not while he’s out there. (We can see what Kylie sees - a faint blurred image of Jimmy Angelov standing out in the garden, by the roses.)

Sally: (Poking her head round the doorway) Not while who is out where?

Kylie: The man under the roses.

Sally: What?

Gillian and Sally both follow Kylie and stand beside her, looking into the garden.

Sally: I don’t see him, sweetie. Are you looking at him now?

Kylie: He’s right there.

Gillian: (Getting flustered) Where?

Kylie: By the roses. They grew overnight.

Gillian: (Looking at Sally in realisation, whispers to no-one in particular) Oh, sh*t.

Sally: (to Kylie) Okay, sweetie. We’ll get rid of it. (to Gillian) You better call the Aunts now.

Kylie: But they left.

Gillian and Sally: What? What do you mean they left? Where did they go?

Antonia: They said we should give you a message. (Pauses) Clean up your own mess.

In the garden, Gillian approaches the menacing tangle of roses, muttering in fear and anger. She suddenly loses it and attacks them with her bare hands, ripping at the vines making their way up the trellis nearby.

Gillian: You stop it! You stop it! (Sally runs up behind her and tries to pull her away.) He’s making them grow, Sally! He’s trying to get to us by making them grow! You leave us alone, leave us alone! (Sally finally succeeds in pulling Gillian away. She stands in front of her, trying to make her see sense.)

Sally: Stop it, Gilly! Stop it!

Gillian suddenly gasps and points behind Sally.

Sally: (Impatient) What?

Gillian: His boots! (Sally turns. The toes of Jimmy’s boots are sticking up out of the petal-strewn soil a good three inches, á la the Wicked Witch of the West. As the sisters watch, they sink back out of sight.)

Gillian: Oh, god. Oh, my god. Is he - is he rising? Or is the - is the ground sinking? Sal? Is he? (Almost sobbing) Oh, god. What is he doing to us? He’s trying to get to us ...

Sally: Okay. Go inside. Go inside. Go inside, take care of the kids.

A short time later, Sally’s in the garden, hacking away the rose bush with shears. As she works, a young man in a jacket, shirt and jeans approaches from the path. He’s lean and handsome. This is Gary Hallet. He watches her a moment, then walks towards her.

Gary: Kinda early for roses, isn’t it?

Sally: (turns, startled) Can I help you with something?

Gary: I sure hope so. My name’s Gary Hallet. I’m a special investigator for the State Prosecutors office in Tucson. (He shows her his badge - a star. It' s so shiny that Sally can clearly see her reflection in it)

Sally: Well, you’re, uh, you sure are a long way from home, officer. (Stands up)

Gary: Yes, ma’am. (pause) I was kinda hoping to talk to your sister, Gillian, if she’s around. She might have some information on a case I’m working on.

Sally: Oh, right. I’ll get her. (She starts towards the house, then stops and turns back to Hallet, who is kneeling down, inspecting the roses.) Uh, how did you know that I was her sister?

Gary: Oh, lucky guess, I - I guess. (He smells one of the decapitated roses)

Sally: Hmm. (Hesitates) Um, what don’t you come inside?

Cut to the inside. Gillian is in her attic bedroom, sitting in the lotus position, wearing headphones and humming. Sally runs in.

Sally: Gilly! Gilly!

Gillian can’t hear her. Sally yanks the headphones off her head, and Gillian shrieks in surprise.

Sally: (Breathless) Gilly! There’s a cop downstairs and he’s looking for Jimmy and he wants to talk to you, and ... I think I’m having a heartattack. (She claps a hand over her chest and starts pacing nervously)

Gillian: Okay, just calm down. Caaaaaalm down.

Sally: What is the question? [Odd thing to say]

Gillian: The question is, how much can he know?

Sally: Oh, gosh. Well, he seems to know an awful lot, because he came all the way form Arizona. And I know this sounds really strange, but - I don’t think I can lie to him.

Gillian: (Standing up quickly) Oh, my god, of course you can lie to him! Wait, wait. Here’s the story. Here’s the story. I left him. I left him because he hit me and we haven’t seen him since. (Sally nods vigorously) And it’s as simple as that. And you just let me handle the rest.

Sally: Okay, good. (Turns to leave the attic, muttering the 'story' to herself)

Gillian: Alright. (pauses) Is he cute?

Sally: Yeah, he’s ... nice ... in a very penal code sort of way, yeah.

(Sally returns downstairs. Gary is inspecting the greenery in the conservatory. She slowly and guardedly eases around the doorframe, her arms crossed defensively. Gary has picked up a jar full of plant-life and is rotating it reflectively)

Sally: Just herbs. (He looks at her, startled.) You know, from the garden.

Gary. Oh. Uh ...

Sally: So, what brings you to the island?

Gary: (slight pause) This. (He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out the letter Sally sent to Gillian)

Sally: (Annoyed) You read my letter.

Gary: Yes, ma’am, I did.

Sally: It was a very personal letter.

Gary: Yes, ma'am, it was. Um -

Sally: I - (She stops)

Gary: What?

Sally: I’m sorry, you seem very -

(Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Gillian, who is slinking down the stairs, having changed into an equally slinky dress.)

Gillian: Hello, there.

Gary: Morning, Miss - (Sally turns quickly and hits her head on the wall. He stops, looks at her, then continues) Morning, Miss Owens.

Gillian: (In an over-the-top sexy purr) Good morning, Mister ...?

Gary: Mister Hallet.

Gillian: (purring) Hallet.

Gary: (Looking slightly uncomfortable at this blatant display of sexuality) I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I need to find your boyfriend, James Angelov.

Gillian: I don't know where he is. I wouldn't exactly call him my boyfriend. (Looking Hallet up and down coyly) He's more, uh ... He’s more like a big mistake.

Gary: (Noticing the bruise on her face) Is that his handiwork there?

Gillian: Uh-huh. If a man hits me, he only does it once. Can I, uh, take a peek at your ...

(Sally turns away from the sink, where she’s been standing, to watch this exchange. Gillian peeks at his palm, reading it. She flirtatiously runs her fingers over the lines. Sally can’t stand to watch anymore and leaves the room)

Gillian: Wow! Now, um, I can tell that you’ve never touched a woman in anger all your life.

Gary: (Unimpressed by Gillian’s come-on) May I have my hand back, please?

Gillian: (A little stunned) Oh. Sure. (He removes his hand from her grip and gets out a small notepad and pen)

Gary: So what you’re trying to tell me is you have no idea where he is?

Gillian: I told you. He hit me, and ... and I haven’t seen him since. (Sally re-enters the kitchen)

Gary: And when was that?

Gillian: Three days ago. (Over her shoulder) Right, Sal? Yeah, three ... three days.

Gary: Three days. (to Gillian) Excuse me. Um, Sally?

Sally: (She turns.) Mm?

Gary: Whose car is that in the driveway? The one with the Arizona plates?

Gillian: Uh, it’s my car. (Sally nods enthusiastically)

Gary: (Knows she fibbing) Oh, that’s your car? Plate number 229 MOB? Uh-huh. That’s James L. Angelov’s car. (Both girls look at the floor) Come on, now.

Sally: (Thinking fast, speaking even faster) We - we stole it, and it’s a crime, I know this, but - but he basically kidnapped her, and it -

Gary: (Interrupting, to Gillian) Whoa, whoa, whoa. He kidnapped you?

Sally: (Stammering) Well, he didn’t really kidnap her, he just, he sort of - it was just a little nap - (to emphasise this holds her thumb and forefinger an inch apart, in an ‘It was this tiny’ gesture) No, she was - there was a car - and he w - and you know - then she - what - what happened was, she - she just - (Giving up) oh, you should know she has the worst taste in men.

Gary, who has been staring at Sally throughout this fantastic display of blathering nonsense, turns to Gillian, who is also staring.

Sally: (Off Gillian’s look) Well, you do. So - so, anyway, I, I picked her up, and I drove her right back here, and - and, we would be so happy to give him back his car, because it is a crime, and, as you say, you - you just don’t know where he is - (Here, Gary reaches forward to wipe blood gently off her collarbone, oozing from a scratch caused by the rosebush)

Gary: You’ve just got a little something -

Sally: Oh. - to give him back that car.

Gary: So basically, nobody knows where he is.

Sally: (Out of breath from her speech and not listening) I’m sorry, what?

Gary: So you don’t have any idea where he is.

Sally makes noises to imply that no, she has no idea where he is.

Gary: Do you mind if I just took a look around?

Sally makes more noises that Gary takes to mean, ‘okay’. He walks past her and out of the room. Gillian and Sally look at each other.

Gillian: (Silently mouthing, fierce) What is wrong with you?

Sally: (Also silent and vehement) I don’t know!

A short time later, Gary and the sisters sit at a table in the house. Gary is holding several photographs. The top one is of a young woman, about the sisters’ age, above the name Phoebe Stone. Gary passes the photo to Gillian.

Gary: This young lady’s name was Phoebe Stone. Two years ago, she was found strangled, lying on the side of the highway. Her body had been marked with a kind of a brand, burned right into the flesh. Any help you ladies can give me in locating this ex-friend of yours would sure be appreciated.

Gillian and Sally avoid his eyes.

Again, not long later. Gary has left the house, and is inspecting Angelov’s car. The sisters aren’t present. He scrapes a sample of something from the driver’s seat - a few stray granules of belladonna. As the camera pulls back, we see the car is attached to a tow-truck.

Gary: (to the tow-truck driver) It’s all yours. (The truck drives off. Gary returns to his car.)

Later, in town. Gary proceeds to interview several townsfolk about the Owens sisters - and they’ve got plenty to say.

Old Woman Wilkes: Go arrest her! Their niece owns a shop where they cook up a special placenta. And that’s why the Aunts don’t age! I tell you, they just don’t age! (Sally walks by, looking curiously at Gary and the woman)

Gary: (Doubtful) She’s selling placentas?

Old Woman Wilkes: (With gleeful conviction) A placenta bar!

Little boy (Ice Cream Boy): On Hallowe’en they all jump off the roof and fly!

Horrible Little Boy (Sara’s Boy): (His face covered in chicken-pox spots) When they get mad at you, they hex you!

Sara: I don’t know about the Bulgarian, but I would not be surprised if he turned up in a ditch somewhere.

Patty: Sara, that is not true! She’s not saying they murdered him, just that maybe they shook his hand, and then ... he died. It’s very mysterious.

Pharmacist: If any man dared take on an Owens woman, he’d live briefly in the euphoria of her love ... until meeting an untimely death.

Gary: (Dubious) The curse?

Carla: (in Sally’s store) Witch, yeah. Evil, no. I mean, you get your psychos now and then - you now, animal slaughter, ritual human disembowelment, but that’s really not her. You see, it’s a Pagan label, but Sally - (speak of the devil, Sally walks in, carrying a cup of coffee. Unfazed, Carla carries on talking to Gary) - she’s definitely not into that stuff.

Gary: She’s not, huh?

Sally walks behind the counter as a customer, Dwight, comes in.

Dwight: Miss Owens, I have a bone to pick with you.

Sally: (Sighing) What can I do for you, Dwight?

Dwight: I could have gone to a qualified doctor to tend to this ... health condition of mine. (Holding up a crumpled paper bag with the ‘product’ inside) Now, the more I use, the less it works. (In measured tones as if speaking to an idiot) The product doesn’t work!

Sally: Well, that’s because it doesn’t go on your head. (The spoon in Sally’s coffee is stirring by itself. Gary notices this. Sally notices him noticing and claps her hand over the top of the cup)

Dwight: (Loudly) Well, if I don’t put it on my head, where the hell else would it go?

Sally: (Looks down. Looks up at him again.) Try ... to remember. (Looks down again. Up again. Ding! He finally gets it.)

Dwight: My mistake. (Grabs his bag and hurries out of the store, embarrassed.)

Gary smiles. One of the employees hands him a bag. He thanks her and starts to walk out.

Gary: Strange town. I’ve never spent this much on shampoo before. In my life!

Sally follows him out of the store, and stops behind him. He turns.

Sally: Am I under some kind of surveillance?

Gary: Should you be?

Sally: Well, if there’s something you wanna know, ask me.

Gary: (Laughs humourlessly) I already did. And alls I can tell you is, there appears to be something missing from your stories. Now listen, I wanna talk to you some more, but I, uh, got to finish up some homework here. How’s about I come by your house tomorrow morning?

Sally: Fine.

Gary: Okay. 10 a.m.?

Sally: Fine.

Gary: Okay. It’s a date.

Sally looks sort of stupefied at that. Gary turns and walks away.

Night. Gillian is asleep in the attic bedroom. She’s not sleeping calmly - she tosses and turns, moaning quietly. Awake now, she goes to the balcony and throws open the doors. Surveys the empty night uneasily.

Gillian: (Whispering) Jimmy, is that you? (Eerie silence) Jimmy? (Still nothing but the wind) Go away. (She backs up, shutting the balcony doors, and returns to bed.)

The next day. Kylie, Antonia and Gillian are in the pantry, consulting the Book of Shadows. Sally is elsewhere. Antonia’s on guard duty at the kitchen door, as lookout.

Kylie: (Reading from the Book) Okay. To banish unwanted persons, it says you need blessing seeds.

Gillian: Alright. Uh, blessing seeds ... (roots around in the herbal supply, but can’t find any) What about nigellus? (‘Nigellus’ being Nigella damascena, or ‘Love-in-a-mist’, decorative flowers and seed heads)

Kylie: (Nodding) It’s the same thing.

Gillian: (Transferring the nigellus to the work table) Oh. Okay. Wow. Good. Good. (to Kylie) You’re good at this.

Antonia: (Retreating from the kitchen doorway) Why can’t we tell mommy we’re gonna send the policeman away?

Gillian: (Crushing the nigellus in a bowl) Because your mommy likes to pretend that she doesn’t do magic, and we have to banish this man for your mommy’s own good. (Back on track) Blessing seeds. (she drops the crushed seeds into the ingredients bowl and turns back to the cupboards) Right, right. What else do we need? (she stops and makes ‘shoo’ gestures at Antonia) Antonia, I told you to listen out the door for Mr Hallet! (Antonia returns to the door. Gillian turns back to the cupboards and rummages around) Uh, blessing seeds, blessing seeds ... Right. Uhhhh. Oh, yeah - milk thistle ...

Kylie pulls an old diary from her pocket, opens it, and holds it out to Gillian.

Kylie: Was this mommy’s?

Gillian: Huh? (Turns to look at Kylie.) Oh, wow. Where did you get that?

She takes it from Kylie and looks at the open page, where a dried flower is pressed between two written pages. Gillian reads the writing, mumbling some of it aloud.

Gillian: ... He can flip pancakes in the air ... He’ll have one green eye and old blue ... He’ll hear my call a mile away ... (laughs happily, remembering)

Kylie: Was it about daddy?

Gillian: (Hesitates) Uh ... Yeah. Yeah.

Kylie: But daddy had brown eyes.

Gillian: (Caught, looks from Kylie to Antonia and back again. Pauses.) You know, um ... the truth is, this wasn’t about your daddy. This was when your mommy was little and she was ... she was trying to invent a guy that didn’t exist. To protect herself. (laughs) It’s crazy. But ... ohhh, you know she loved your Daddy. Oh, she loved him very very much.

Kylie: (smiling wistfully) I can’t wait to fall in love.

Gillian freezes ... slowly turns to look at her niece.

Gillian: Mmm. Kylie. Kylie, listen to me. (Pulls her shades down her nose so that she and Kylie are making eye contact.) Do you, um ... Do you ever put your arms out, and spin and spin and spin really really fast?

Antonia: (from the doorway) She does it all the time.

Gillian: She does? (to Kylie) Well, that’s what love is like. Makes your heart race, it turns the world upside down. But if you’re not careful, if you don’t keep your eyes on something still ... (shakes her head) you can lose your balance. You know, you can’t see what’s happening to the people around you. You, uh ...You can’t see that you’re about to fall.

Kylie: Don’t be sad, Aunt Gillian ... (reaches out to touch her aunt’s hair, the same colour and length as her own) I won’t let you fall down.

The doorbell rings.

Antonia: (Bouncing away from the door into the pantry proper) He’s here! He’s here! He’s here!

Kylie: Shhh!

Gillian: Shh! (she puts her hands on Antonia’s shoulders, spins her around and gives her a gentle push in the direction of the hall) Go!

Antonia runs to the front door and opens it. Gary Hallet is leaning against the doorframe.

Antonia: (Without a greeting of any sort) You came for breakfast! We’re having pancakes!

Gary: (Laughs) No, actually, I just came here to talk to your mom.

Antonia: Great! She's having pancakes, too. Come in, come in! (Grabs him by the hand and drags him into the house) Do you have a gun?

Gary: Mm-hm.

Antonia: Can I see it?

Gary hesitates. He looks up to see Sally descending the stairs. Looks back down at Antonia.

Gary: Mm-mm. (meaning no)

Antonia: (to Sally) He's here for breakfast. (she runs off to the kitchen)

Gary: (facing Sally) I have a question or two.

Antonia: (In the pantry, to Gillian) He's gonna stay! He’s gonna stay!

Gillian: Oh! Oh, good! Shhh! Good work. Now go back out there and keep them away from here. (shoos her out)

Antonia runs out of the kitchen.

In the conservatory, Gary once again inspects some herb jars. Sally is behind him.

Sally: (Referring to the jar he’s holding) Belladonna. It's a sedative. People put it in their tea to relax, calm their nerves.

Gary: (putting the jar down on the table) Some people also use it as a poison.

Sally: Which people?

Gary: (Raising his eyebrows) Witch people.

Sally: Ah-ha.

Gary: Witches.

Sally: Witches. (Bares her teeth in something that's not quite a smile) I guess you found me out, huh? Yeah.

Gary: Yes, I did.

Sally: (Moving tow