Imported Poems

This one is sort of dorky, but then so am I. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you guys/gal by the way. Two of my closest friends (online) have dropped off the face of the earth for two months now, and my parents and son are leaving tomorrow for a month. Needless to say, all of it is killing me inside, so I'm really grateful to Mtspur, Andave, Kathy esp and to anyone else who decides to listen to my heartache.

Okay - so here's the next chapter. The one after this is the ending:

SETTING:
A spaceship. An officer dressed in a futuristic black military uniform approaches a door guarded by a sentry.

DOORGUARD
He’s in a meeting.

OFFICER
I know I’m late for the intelligence briefing, but I just received the information he requested.

The door guard steps aside. The officer enters the room, where there are 12 people seated at a long table. A youthful 30ish man with long dark hair, a neatly trimmed mustache and beard, sits at the head.

OFFICER
Gentlemen, I apologize for my tardiness. (To 30ish man) Here is the data you wanted, sir.

The officer reaches in his pocket, pulls out a small device and inserts it into the corresponding hole in the conference table. A 3D photo of earth appears above them.

OFFICER
Earth, sir.

30ISH MAN
Yes I know. But why would they target it? Certainly a hobby of mine doesn’t warrant the massive invasion of a primitive species.

The officer presses a button on the table. A 3D image of a woman with short blonde hair appears. The youthful man’s mouth falls open. He rises from his seat.

30ish MAN
Regina…

OFFICER
No. Prince Dorian, I’d like to introduce you to Tamma.

PRINCE DORIAN (Drew Finlay)
How can this be?

OFFICER
Apparently it’s a redundancy. It’s not an uncommon occurrence, sir, though it’s strange that they should stumble upon her considering the number of known universes.

Prince Dorian sits and stares at the image.

PRINCE DORIAN
How long till they reach earth?

OFFICER
A matter of days.

PRINCE DORIAN
We’re too far away. Set a course for earth and route all available power to the thrusters. I’ll contact Prince Tristan. While we might not be able to beat them, we can certainly meet them.

The meeting dismisses. Prince Dorian rises and returns to his quarters. He walks to a far wall, closes his eyes and concentrates. A door opens to a long hallway of indeterminable length. He enters the room, which is filled with his sculptures, photographs, images and paintings of Tamma with dark hair. He sits down in a chair and looks around him.

EXEUNT

SETTING: Two warships approach earth, where three enemy ships engage in battle. Several fighters launch from these ships and head towards the planet.

Prince Dorian stands at the helm of the first approaching ship. Suddenly a 3D image of another man appears. This one is a few years younger with blonde hair and blue yes.

PRINCE DORIAN
Tristan, I’ve missed you.

PRINCE TRISTAN
How many vampire war-bats?

PRINCE DORIAN
Three, but the good news is they don’t know we’re here. Eventually they’ll triangulate but right now one flies in the East and two in the West. Their point of entry is the United States, Washington. If they can secure the White House they effective control the planet, understand? I’ll take care of the bat in the East; I want you to head West and stay out of sight.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Yes, your majesty.

Tristan disappears from the helm. Dorian approaches South of the Eastern war-bat and attacks the underbelly, which is minimally guarded, destroying the first ship. He then flies West, where Tristan’s ship is hiding, out of range of enemy detectors. Dorian draws their attention by flying low, intercepting and destroying their air forces. The war-bats turn and attack Dorian’s ship. Tristan’s ship appears on the far side of the war-bats and attacks. Dorian and Tristan squeeze the war-bats between them, rotating South/North until they are destroyed.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to officer on helm)
Deploy our forces to earth.

OFFICER
Yes Sir.

DEFENSE OFFICER
Sir, we have two nuclear warheads within range.

PRINCE DORIAN
Idiots. Who launched?

DEFENSE OFFICER
It appears to be the area called North Korea.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to communications officer)
Can we tap into their communications systems?

COMM OFFICER
Yes, your majesty.

DEFENSE OFFICER
Shall we fly out-of-range?

PRINCE DORIAN
No. I want my fighters on the ground. Destroy the missiles when they come within striking distance (to Communications Officer) and open up a channel internationally. Use their satellite systems.

COMM OFFICER
Yes sir.

Communications Officer flips some switches.

COMM OFFICER
Prince Dorian, you’re live.

PRINCE DORIAN
(into visual/audio device) I am Prince Dorian from the planet Noctura. I have destroyed the your enemy’s ships and come in peace. Please stand your weapons down.

Prince Dorian waits several moments.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to Defense Officer)
Status?

DEFENSE OFFICER
The United States and Great Britain have disengaged.

Prince Dorian nods to Communications Officer.

PRINCE DORIAN
(into visual/audio device) This is Prince Dorian from the planet Noctura. I have destroyed the your enemy’s ships and come in peace. Please stand your weapons down. You have five minutes. Consider this a warning.

Prince Dorian and crew wait.

DEFENSE OFFICER
North Korea and Russia are disengaging sir. India. Pakistan. France and Iran are still armed.

PRINCE DORIAN
It’s been five minutes, hasn’t it?

DEEFENSE OFFICER
Five minutes, 30 seconds, sir.

Prince Dorian pauses. Suddenly Tristan’s image appears before him.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Do I detect some reticence on your part to strike? Since, when did you take up charity as a practice?

PRINCE DORIAN
I haven’t. (To Defense Officer). Isolate France. Destroy it.

DEFENSE OFFICER
Yes sir.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to self)
I never did like France, the cowards.

Dorian’s war bird sends down a wave signal that decimates the borders of France and all within it.

DEFENSE OFFICER
Annihilation is complete. Iran is standing down.

PRINCE DORIAN
(To another officer)
Ready my fighter. I’m leading the ground strike.

Prince Dorian and officer depart helm.

EXEUNT

SETTING: Outside White House. Vampire and human armies skirmish for control. Dorian and a force of elite troops, shirtless with swords strapped to their backs, approach from the side. They roar loudly as they run. The vampire army turns to address the onslaught. When they do, numerous Noctor legions, led by Tristan, pour out from behind the White House and attack the enemy’s center line, dividing them. Dorian’s division surrounds the first force while Tristan’s surround the second. The vampire army shatters(not one survives).

After the battle, Dorian enters the White House, where he is met by several armed men guarding a door. They recognize him but do not put down their weapons.

PRINCE DORIAN
Gentlemen, I could kill you all before you blink, so why do you hold me hostage?

The men drop their weapons, and part to make room for Dorian. He opens the door and enters the room, where several men crouch in hiding. An older gentleman approximately 50 years old rises to greet him.

PRINCE DORIAN
President Parker.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Prince Dorian, on behalf of the United Nations, welcome to Earth.

PRINCE DORIAN
Thank-you.

PRESIDENT PARKER
As a sign of our gratitude, we would like to extend to you…

PRINCE DORIAN
…an invitation to stay at the White House and an opportunity to meet with your advisors, including the Defense Secretary, so that you can learn everything about us while you procure our advanced technology, especially our weaponry, in which you are especially interested. Yes, Yes. I know the drill. We Noctors are a warrior race and I would request the same if I were in your shoes. Well there will be plenty of time to discuss allegiances and alliances, joint military efforts and universal friendships, but now I am on a mission of utmost importance. I need you to help me locate one of your people whose life might be in grave danger.

Prince Dorian reaches into a satchel and produces a picture. He hands it to the president.

PRINCE DORIAN
Her name is Tamma.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Tamma what?

PRINCE DORIAN
I don’t know. We intercepted vampire intelligence that indicated earth was targeted for the purposes of capturing her.

PRESIDENT PARKER
I don’t recognize her. Why are they interested in one of our citizens?

Prince Dorian hesitates.

PRINCE DORIAN
I can’t tell you that right now. Will you help me find her?

President Parker hands the photo to one of the men.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Run this through the DMV systems.

The man nods then leaves. The President leads The Prince into an adjacent room, followed by the remaining men. They sit at a table.

PRESIDENT PARKER
So, tell me about these creatures that attacked us. You say they’re vampires?

PRINCE DORIAN
Yes.

The president and his men smile.

PRINCE DORIAN
Do you find me amusing, President Parker?
(calls outside room)
Myers, bring in one of our feisty friends.

A Noctor guard appears with an injured vampire. Dorian rises, grabs the creature and drags it over to the President. The creature lungs towards Parker, baring it’s long fangs. The President jerks away in fear.

PRINCE DORIAN
Do you still think I’m being funny?

PRESIDENT PARKER
No.

Prince Dorian pulls the vampire back, rips its head off and licks its neck. The men watch in horror.

PRINCE DORIAN
Don’t look so surprised gentlemen. Surely you expected some reason for our enmity. Well, here is your answer.

PRESIDENT PARKER
You prey on them.

PRINCE DORIAN.
Yes. I know in your world hostility isn’t a necessary element of your food chain. The shark, for instance, bears no ill will towards the fish it eats, it’s simply hungry. But, we live outside of your universe, in a system with its own set of principles and what you call natural laws. Don’t worry; we have no taste for human blood. It neither nourishes nor satisfies.

PRESIDENT PARKER
That’s reassuring.

A man enters and hands the President a piece of paper, then leaves.

PRESIDENT PARKER
We have found your woman, Prince Dorian. Her name is Tamma Anderson and she lives in Virginia.

Prince Tristan appears at the door.

PRINCE TRISTAN
(To Prince Dorian)
I need a word with you.

PRINCE DORIAN
Excuse me.

Prince Dorian rises and meets Tristan outside the door.

PRINCE TRISTAN
I thought you’d be interest to learn we found your duplicate.

PRINCE DORIAN
Me?

PRINCE TRISTAN
Yes, a performer by the name of Drew Finlay. We ran a scan on his websites and came up with a hit for Tamma.

Tristan holds out his hand. A miniature 3D animation of Drew appears.

PRINCE DORIAN
That’s him? Why, he’s only a boy.

PRINCE TRISTAN
30 years old to be exact.

Prince Dorian rubs his chin with his hand.

PRINCE DORIAN
And he hasn’t much facial hair; only a goatee and a thin mustache.

Dorian runs his hand through his hair.

PRINCE DORIAN
With his hair pulled away, he almost looks…pretty. You say she likes him?

PRINCE TRISTAN
Oh yes. She loves him, if one can love a stranger.

Prince Dorian studies the image further.

PRINCE DORIAN
My soldiers will laugh at me if I look this way.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Yes they will, your majesty.

PRINCE DORIAN
Hmm. But you say she likes him….

PRINCE TRISTAN
…loves.

PRINCE DORIAN
Loves. So be it. Uh, tell my forces I will decapitate any soldier who so much as conceives a humorous thought in his imagination, let alone utters it from his lips.

Prince Tristan grins wickedly.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Yes, Dorian.

Prince Dorian turns and re-enters the room.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to president)
I believe you’re planning a banquet in my honor tonight, President Parker. I insist you invite Tamma to the event.

PRESIDENT PARKER
But how did you…?

PRINCE DORIAN
Know? Human minds aren’t so complex that I can’t grasp them, Mr. President. Just invite the young lady, please.

The president appears nonplussed but shakes his head in agreement.

EXAUNT

Setting: Night. Outside the White House. A newly shaven Dorian walks towards the door. His hair is pulled back in a pony-tail. Bushes off to his right and left rustle as he passes, followed by stifled laughter, whispers and finally a whistle. Prince Dorian stops.

PRINCE DORIAN
(shouts)
Which of you wishes to lose his head first?

The bushes grow silent. He proceeds through the entrance and into the banquet. Once inside, various political figures approach and attempt to make conversation with him but he pays no attention. He has spotted Tamma and is staring at her with a smile on his face.

President Parker appears and shakes Prince Dorian’s hand.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Would you like to meet your guest of honor now?

PRINCE DORIAN
I thought you would never ask.

President Parker leads Prince Dorian over to where Tamma standing.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Prince Dorian. This is Tamma Anderson. Tamma, Prince Dorian, head of the Noctor Empire.

Prince Dorian bows.

PRINCE DORIAN
My lady, I am at your service.

Tamma giggles then curtseys.

TAMMA
And what service is that, your majesty?

PRINCE DORIAN
To fulfill your every wish and whim. Your caprice is my command.

Tamma giggles again.

TAMMA
President Parker told me you’ve studied Earth culture, but I think you’ve been reading too many of our romance novels.

PRINCE DORIAN
I disdain those paltry volumes but am fond of your medieval knights, especially Arthur.

TAMMA
Ah, so you’re being chivalric.

PRINCE DORIAN
I am.

TAMMA
So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance? Of all the women on the planet, why did the President call me at home and invite me to the White House to meet you?

PRINCE DORIAN
You resemble someone I once knew.

TAMMA
But how did you know I even existed?

Dorian ceases smiling.

PRINCE DORIAN
I was studying some new information on Earth and stumbled across an image of you.

TAMMA
How unusual.

PRINCE DORIAN
A demonstration of synchronicity at its finest. Would you care to dance?

TAMMA
I don’t know the first thing about waltzing.

PRINCE DORIAN
Look into my eyes and follow my lead. I’ll teach you.

Prince Dorian leads Tamma onto the marbled floor. They dance slowly at first.

TAMMA
So Prince Dorian, why did you really come to earth? I can’t imagine you traveled this far just to save us.

PRINCE DORIAN
No, I didn’t. What would you say if I told you I simply wanted to meet you?

TAMMA
An entire world rescued just to encounter a woman who resembles another you used to know? I hardly warrant the effort.

PRINCE DORIAN
I am a high romantic Ms. Anderson, and since meeting you, I have yet to regret my decision.

As they dance Prince Dorian stares at her until her eyes gloss over. Suddenly he directs her in an elaborate waltz across the floor. Observers gasp and sigh as they ascend to perform in the air. When the song ends, the two glide back down to the ground. The banqueters applaud.

PRINCE DORIAN
How was it?

TAMMA
That was amazing. I almost felt like you were dancing through me.

PRINCE DORIAN
I’m glad it pleased you.

TAMMA
You know, Prince, you resemble someone I know as well.

PRINCE DORIAN
Yes, I’ve heard. Drew Finlay, correct?

TAMMA
Yes. He’s a very handsome man, extraordinarily beautiful, in fact.

PRINCE DORIAN
Perhaps, but he pales in comparison to my Regina, whose fairness outshone your sun.

TAMMA
Regina is the woman you used to know, I take it? What happened to her?

PRINCE DORIAN
She passed away long ago.

TAMMA
Oh, I’m terribly sorry for your loss.

President Parker approaches the couple.

PRES PARKER
So, Prince, we are ready for your presentation, if you are.

PRINCE DORIAN
Absolutely. Gather everyone out onto the balcony, would you?
(Offering Tamma his arm)
My lady…

Tamma wraps her arm around the Prince’s and he escorts her outside, where everyone is assembled.

PRINCE DORIAN
As a token of our goodwill, I, Prince of Noctora and Commander of the Coalition, offer you, the people of Earth, these gifts.”

The Prince gazes into the sky and fixates on a point. Closing his eyes, he extends his left arm. As he does so, a star shoots across the sky, much to the amazement of onlookers, who applaud. As the star grows closer, however, it becomes evident it is headed right for earth. The crowd gasps with fear.

Just as collision seems imminent, the Prince lowers his hand and the planet stays. Two full moons now hang in the sky.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to Tamma)
I know you love the moon.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to crowd)
Behold your new moon. Now, for your second gift.

Prince Dorian closes his eyes and extends his left arm towards the East. A faint glow appears on the horizon and the Earth trembles slightly. The prince knits his brows together as red perspiration trickles from his pores.

(Cut to Tristan shutting his eyes.)
(Cut to various other Noctors shutting their eyes.)

The glow brightens until the sun peeks over the edge of the Earth. It rises higher and higher until - parallel with the new moon - it forms an eclipse. The Earth shakes from violation of its natural laws, but it is a controlled quake, as if something greater than itself were holding it back.
The eclipse remains for approximately 5-10 seconds, then (with additional effort and shaking) the sun descends back into the East and disappears. Dorian opens his eyes. The crowd has long since fallen silent.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to Tamma)
Tonight I have moved the heavens and the Earth for you.

Amid whispering, the assembly makes its way indoors, leaving only Prince Dorian, Tamma, the President, and a few scattered others.

One of the remaining men falls at Dorian’s feet and covers his face with his hands.

PRINCE DORIAN
What are you doing? Rise man; I am no god. It is you who are too easily impressed. I move two worlds and you think me divine, but I did not create your universe or dictate its laws. I can manipulate matter in your cosmos because of its simplicity, nothing more.


TAMMA
So, if not a god, are you the devil?

PRINCE DORIAN
Can the devil love?

TAMMA
Only himself.

PRINCE DORIAN
That should answer your question.

TAMMA
But you have defied the laws of physics and introduced a foreign element into our solar system. How can you be so sure there won’t be repercussions?

PRINCE DORIAN
Because I have studied the properties of your universe and tested my theories in comparable systems. But, if it displeases you, I will remove it immediately.

TAMMA
No - I…like the new moon. It’s lovely.

PRINCE DORIAN
Good. Then let’s be done with this topic. Would you join me inside?

The Prince again offers Tamma his arm. She takes it hesitantly and they return inside, followed by President Parker and the other men.

Dorian and Tamma talk and then Dorian asks Tamma to dance. On the second/third song, Tamma almost faints, but Dorian catches her before she falls. Several guests gasp with alarm.

TAMMA
I’m sorry; I guess I’m a little tired.

The president and his wife stride over to her.

PRESIDENT PARKER
Are you alright? Do you want me to call a doctor?

TAMMA
No, I’m fine. Just tired is all.

Mrs. Parker feels her forehead.


MRS. PARKER
You’re burning up, my dear. Let’s get you upstairs. Dorian, would you carry her, please?

Dorian nods, picks up Tamma and carries her upstairs, followed by the President, the White House doctor and Mrs. Parker. Once upstairs, the doctor takes her temperature, gives her medication and tells her to get some rest. Tamma closes her eyes and falls asleep. President Parker, Mrs. Parker, the doctor and Dorian depart.

Prince Dorian leaves the White House and roams the sordid streets. On a corner, he spies a vampire prostitute.

EXEUNT ALL

Setting: Inside White House. Tristan is standing in the foyer when Dorian returns.

PRINCE DORIAN
Don’t you chastise me.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Tamma is in the hospital.

PRINCE DORIAN
What?

PRINCE TRISTAN
Her body systems are shutting down. She’s dying, Dorian.

EXEUNT ALL

Setting: Inside Tamma’s hospital room. Family members and the President are gathered round the bed. When Dorian enters followed by Tristan, they part to make way for Dorian.
The Prince studies the doctor for the moment, then looks down at Tamma.

PRINCE DORIAN
(to Tamma)
How are you feeling?

TAMMA
Not so good.

Dorian attempts to smile.

PRINCE DORIAN
You’re going to be fine.

TAMMA
Don’t lie to me. You and I both know better.

Prince Dorian eyes cloud with tears. He wipes them away.

PRINCE DORIAN
Reg - Tamma, do you want to live?

TAMMA
Why do you ask?

PRINCE DORIAN
I can save you, but there is a price you must pay for it.

When Tamma doesn’t reply, the Prince continues.

PRINCE DORIAN
Your humanity.

TAMMA
To become like you? No, Dorian. I’ll take my chances with death. It would be unnatural to extend my life beyond its set limits.

PRINCE DORIAN
Please…

TAMMA
No.

Tamma’s eyes flitter and then she falls back to sleep. The doctor and Dorian step into the hallway.

DOCTOR
I’ve never seen anything like this before. We’ve considered the possibility that your species introduced a foreign biological strain, but we haven’t made that determination yet.

PRINCE DORIAN
Of course. That makes sense.
(calls)
Tristan!

Tristan steps out of the room.

PRINCE DORIAN
Evacuate the planet and set-up a sky-lab to work on a decontamination program in concert with the humans. Also I want two war-birds circumnavigating the earth at all times.

PRINCE TRISTAN
Yes your majesty. Are we leaving, then?

PRINCE DORIAN
Until we establish a safety zone - yes.

An alarm sounds and the doctor abruptly rushes back into Tamma’s room. Nurses and other doctors shove their way through to administer life-saving techniques, but it is too late. Tamma dies.

EXEUNT

Setting: The hospital morgue. A freshly deceased victim is wheeled into the room, then left alone. Dorian suddenly appears, and moves towards the body. He opens the chest cavity, slices his wrist and allows his blood to stream down onto the heart. His wound soon heals and he leaves.

EXEUNT

Setting: The graveyard beneath the earth. Tamma wakes up, screams, then claws her way out of the casket and up through the earth. Once on solid ground, she yells “Dorian” into the sky, but no one is around to hear her. Dorian is gone.

EXEUNT ALL - END