»
Main Forums
»
Passions in Prose
»
An Urban Legend
| Passions in Prose |
|
An Urban Legend |
|
Moon Dust
since 1999-06-11
Posts 2177Skelmersdale, UK |
Ok,This the first script I worte. I did it for an assignment for english class a few years ago. It is about a Urban Legend and the next bit is an artical from where the story came from. The place where I got it from gave the impreesion that they belived in it(but, its nothing but a myth to me). You can skip this part if you want. Cursed Mummy 'A beautiful wooden coffin was found in Egypt in 1880. It was found in the heart of a vault in Luxor, just off the Nile. There was an excavation going on at that time, as the story goes.' 'As it happens four young Englishmen were currently visiting the excavations. They wanted to purchase the coffin, along with the remains of Amon-Ra. One of the men had the remains taken to his hotel room. They say he was last seen walking towards the dessert, he never returned. The other of the three remaining men was accidentally shot by his Egyptian servant, his arm had to be amputated. The third man was in for an even bigger suprize. His bank had failed him and his entire savings were lost. Finally the fourth man contacted a serve illness which forced him to quit his job. He was reduced to selling matches on the street.' 'Despite all these odd happenings the coffin reached England, causing other problems on the way. It was brought over by a London businessman. After having 3 family members in a road accident and a house fire, he decided to donate it to the British Museum.' 'When the coffin was being unloaded into the Museum the wagon suddenly went into reverse and trapped a passer-by. Again when two workmen were lifting the coffin up the stairs, one fell and broke his leg. The other died two days later but was in perfect health.' 'Once the princess of Amon-Ra was put in the Egyptian Department things went from bad to worst. As a watchman said he heard frantic hammering and sobbing from inside the coffin. Also artefacts and exhibits were thrown around at night. Another watchman died on duty forcing another to quit. After this the cleaners refused to go her. Also a visitor flicked a dust cloth at the face of the coffin. His child died of measles soon after. The authorities put the coffin in the basement. Thinking it wouldn't do any harm down there. But the lid of the coffin is kept on display and it is still there (Exhibit 2254211). Within a week of being in the basement one of the helpers had fallen seriously ill. Even the supervisor was found dead at his own desk. He was about to be promoted.' 'By now the papers had heard of it. So a photojournalist took a photograph of the coffin lid. When he developed the pictures in place of the painted face was a human face. He was to have said to have gone to his house, locked his bedroom door and shot himself. The museum then sold the mummy to a private collector.' 'After continual misfortune and deaths the owner put it up into the attic. A well-known authority on occult, Madame Helena Blavatsky visited the location. As soon as she stepped in to the house she was seized with a shivering fit. She searched the house for the source of 'an evil influence of an incredible intensity. Eventually she came to the attic and found the mummy case. 'Can you exorcise this spirit?' asked the owner. 'There is no such thing as exorcism, evil remains evil forever. Nothing else can be done about it, I imply you get rid of this evil as soon as possible' Madame Blavatsky.' 'No British would take the mummy, the fact that almost 20 people had met with such misfortune, disaster or death, from just merely handling the casket in a space of ten years By this time it was very well known.' 'Then an American archaeologist, who thought the mummy could cause such disaster was absurd. He arranged the mummy to be transported to America on a ship. On the night of April 14, amid the seances of unpredictable horror, the Princess Amon-Ra accompanied 1,500 people to their deaths. The name of the ship was called Titanic.' Princess Amon-Ra 1. (Excavation site, Banks of the Nile, Luxor. Men are digging and conferring with each other. An archaeologist goes down a small dark passage.) 2. (Inside the vault. We go down a lot of tunnels. Following the archaeologist. Finally we come to a dead end, a wall with picture-graphs and two labourers.) Archaeologist: What does it mean? Labourer: It's some kind of door, sir. Archaeologist: Yes I see it good work boys. Labourer: There are also some picture-graphs we don't know what they mean. Labourer 2: There is a button on one of them sir. Archaeologist: It could be a trap. Stand back boys. (They back off, the archaeologist pushes the button. The three men walk in.) 3. (Secret chamber, vault, picture-graphs on the walls and a ornate coffin in the middle of the room. It has a painted face.) 4. (Focusing on painted face, old-fashioned house. The carpet sets alight and the fire spreads. The eyes glow red on the coffin.) 5. (Still Focusing on painted face, British Museum, panning out on other artefact. Back to the face.) 6. (Piccadilly Train-station, London, A train pulls up outside platform 5. A professor steps out with a couple of tutors and a bunch of students. Then out steps Kate Underhill.) Professor: How are you today Kate? (Walks beside her.) Kate: Same as usual, Bill. Professor: Really I thought you would be a little more enfusiastic. Kate: All museums are the same and I have been to a million of them already. (Kate leaves a tutor enters.) Tutor 1: Is Kate alright? (Professor shakes his head and shrugs) 7. (A street outside the British Museum, London. Kate is walking with Sarah.) Kate: Sarah do I look different to you? Sarah: No you don't look any different. What do you mean anyway? Kate: Then has the world changed around me? Sarah: It's probably you that has changed. Why do you feel different? Kate: No I feel as though something has changed and I don't know what. I don't feel myself that's all. 8. (Outside the British Museum. The tutors are waiting with some students.) Professor: Right now that we are all here, I can remind you all that we have a tour at two. I want us to meet up in the entrance, if you are not there you will miss it. (The professor disappeared though the door with the students) Kate: Why did I ever want to take up history in the first place? Sarah: Because you wanted to make money out of it. 9. (Mayan department, British Museum. Kate and Sarah are talking.) Sarah: I wonder if they have a gift shop here? Kate: I know I wonder if they have any of them fake little pots. Sarah: I'm going to see if I can find one. Are you coming? Kate: Course I am, but lets go and see the Egyptian department first. Sarah: (Moaning) but why? Kate: Because I need some pictures for a project. Sarah: Not that Amon - Ra thing, are you still working on it? Kate: Yes it's scary and it's true. Sarah: You don't believe in it do you? Kate: Yes the lid of the coffin is said to be in this very Museum. Sarah: (Moans) Ok, ok I'll go with you, if you promise to never go on about it again. 10. (Egyptian Department, British Museum, Kate and Sarah are wondering round. Gary is on guard. Kate notices him.) Sarah: Kate, do you want them pictures or not. Kate: Course I do, come on then. (Dragging Sarah) Sarah: Do you think this is it. (Sarah points to an ornate wooden coffin lid with a face.) Kate: This is it. Sarah: You ok? You're beginning to look pale. Kate: (Mechanically) I'll be fine. (Begins to act like a robot.) Sarah: Are you sure? Kate: I'm positive. (Kate takes some photographs and collapses. Gary comes to aid.) Sarah: Help me someone? Gary: What happened? Sarah: I don't know she just fainted. Gary: (Finding a pulse) She's still breathing but her hearts slowing. Sarah: Get her out of here. Gary: What? 11. (Reception, British Museum. Kate is on the floor. Gary is trying to revive her) Guard: The ambulance is on its way. Gary: It's ok, It's going back to normal. (Kate awakes) Kate: What happened? (Kate tries to sit up.) Gary: It's ok. 12. (British Museum, Office. Gary and Kate are talking.) Gary: Strange thing was while you were down there, you were as good as dead. I tried to get your heart started but you were going worst. Sarah was begging me to get you out of there. So I did, you soon recovered after that. The paramedics couldn't find anything wrong with you. Kate: But what happened then, it's got to be something. Gary: I don't know, but I'd like to know what caused it. (Sarah enters.) Sarah: Kate we have to talk. Kate: What's the matter. Are you ok? Gary: Calm down. Sarah: It's to do with a certain person we know. 13. (A street in London, Kate and Sarah are walking down a street.) Kate: Sarah what is the matter with you? Sarah: Look I don't want to scare you, but Amon - Ra is after you. Kate: Sarah it's t he princess of Amon - Ra and it's said she is at the bottom of the Atlantic. Well that's if she did sail out on the Titanic, but I don't believe a word of it. Sarah: Exactly we don't know where she is, who knows if stead didn't leave it buried somewhere. He was as damned as the rest of them. Kate: Sarah you're getting worst than me. Sarah: Listen when you went near the coffin, did you touch the coffin lid? Kate: No I just took photographs of it. Sarah: Then She's after you. Kate: What? Sarah: When that bloke took you to the reception, I stayed behind. Kate: Gary? Sarah: Yeah ok, but while I was down there on my own the face painted on the coffin (Pause) Kate: Yeah. Sarah: The eyes went red. (Kate stopped walking.) 14. (Reception, British Museum, Kate and Sarah are talking.) Kate: Come on we have to go back. Sarah: But why? What do we do when were down there go and get killed? Kate: I don't know we need to stop her Sarah: Maybe we should kidnap the lid and burn it. Kate: Yeah that's a good idea, keep your voice down will you. Sarah: Kate I was joking. We can't go round burning artefacts like this we will get caught. Kate: We have to do something or she'll kill again, other people, us. Remember the stories about anyone who took pictures of it or mealy handled the coffin. Were on the top of it. She has killed more than 1,500 people, What's going to stop her. Sarah: Ok, but how are we ever going to get passed. Kate: I have an idea. 15. (Egyptian Department, Kate and Sarah are talking. Gary is there working.) Sarah: Where did you find out about all this stuff on Amon-Ra Anyway. Kate: I found it on the Internet when I was researching some assignment. It could be just some story that Someone made up, but the coffins here. Sarah: And with all the strange happenings recently. Kate: Exactly, I never really believed it till now. (Gary creeps up behind them.) Gary: Come on you two, it's closing time you wouldn't wanted to get locked up in here. I've heard that Coffin lid is haunted. Kate: Gary don't creep up on me like that. Gary: Sorry, but it was worth it. (Laughing) Sarah: Very funny, anyway Kate needs to talk to you. Gary: Hey it's closing time come back tomorrow. Kate: It's important Gary. Gary: Ok, I'll meet you outside in half an hour when they chuck me out. 16. Outside street, British Museum, Kate and Sarah are waiting for Gary.) Kate: I hope this works Sarah: do you think he will believe us? Kate: I don't know but it's worth a try. (Gary Enters) Gary: Ok you two what do you want? Kate: Look please don't think we're mad, but an ancient mummy is after us. Gary: You two have been drinking right? Sarah: Gary we are being serious, that's why Kate almost died in the museum today. Gary: How can some old coffin lid kill you? Kate: It's cursed. Gary: Is thus some kind of joke? Kate: No, tell him Sarah. Sarah: While you took Kate to the reception, the eyes on the coffin turned red. Kate: We have to burn it or she is only going to kill us. Sarah: Please help us. Gary: (Annoyed) Look I may not know anything about history, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. Now you're just trying to get me into trouble I don't know what kind of sick and twisted people you are. I didn't think you were going to be like this. You can stick your story and leave me alone. Kate: Gary, please. (Gary walks off) 17. (Hotel, London. Kate and Sarah are talking) Sarah: Well there goes that idea. Kate: Do you think we upset him? Sarah: Yeah, but think about it, if someone else told you that kind of story would you believe it? Kate: I'm not sure I believe it anymore. Sarah: what after all those months of believing in it and now your just going to change your mind. Kate: Must be just a story, I mean after what Gary said I realise how stupid I was to believe it. I'm sure I fainted for a good reason. Sarah: Kate the eyes glowed red. Kate: I'm sorry I just can't believe it anymore. 18. (Hotel, Day 2, Kate gets up) Kate: Sarah get up, we have to go back to Uni. (No answer) Kate: Come on we will miss our Train. (Goes and nudges Sarah) Kate: Sarah co… (Kate sees what happened.) 19. (Egyptian Department, Gary is guarding the place. The artefacts get thrown around the room.) Gary: What the… (Coffin does strange things.) Gary: Help someone get me out of here. (Eyes glow red. Then the lid falls to the floor.) 20. (Hotel, London, Kate is being interviewed by the police.) Cop 1: So you found her like this the next day. Kate: Yeah. Cop 2: Hey, they are saying she died in her sleep. Kate: How? Cop 2: They don't know yet. They think it was shock. Cop 1: We should get back, you going to be ok. Kate: Could you give me a lift to the Museum. Cop 1: I don't see why not. 21. (Egyptian Department, British Museum. The place is wreaked. There are guards and staff clearing up.) Guard: You can't go in. Kate: What happened here? Guard: One of our staff was found here innocuous with buries. Along with this sorry mess. Kate: Gary? Guard: Why do you know him? Kate: Yes, is he all right? Guard: Yes he's fine. He's still in shock so we sent him home for a week. Kate: Where does he live? Guard: I can't tell you that. I don't know who you are and there are people after him. Kate: But I need to know it's important. Guard: I am sorry. 22. (Kate is walking down a street, going back to the hotel.) 23. (Hotel, Reception, Gary is talking to the receptionist) Gary: Can I have Kate Underhill's room number please. Receptionist: I'm sorry she's not here at the moment. Gary: Well do you know when she'll be back. Receptionist: I'm sorry she didn't say. (Kate enters.) Kate: Gary? (Walks up to Kate) Kate: Look I'm sorry for yesterday. Gary: Never mind that now we have to talk. 24. (Hotel room, Kate is stood at the window talking to Gary.) Gary: Look I'm sorry about Sarah and that I didn't believe you. Kate: If you had told me like that I wouldn't have believed you anyway. Gary: But why is she after us. When I was in that museum it was the scariest time of my life. Kate: You saw a human face didn't you. Gary: Yes I couldn't believe it when I saw it Kate: Someone had a similar experience. Gary: What? Who? Kate: Back in the late 1800's, there was a photojournalist who worked for the papers. He took pictures of the coffin lid. When he came to develop the pictures the painted face of the coffin lid was human. After that he went to his house, locked the bedroom door and shot himself. Gary: Wow some story and you said there was more. Kate: There is and they are all the same. A person touches, handles or owns the Coffin and they either die, Get injured or one of their family dies. Gary: And this is what you were trying to tell me the other day. Kate: Yes we had a plan and everything. (Kate picks up bag.) Gary: Which was? Kate: I'll tell you when we get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps. 25. (A café, London, Kate and Gary are ordering coffee.) Gary: Oh, so that's what you wanted my help for. Kate: Yeah, but I would have been using you to get rid of her. You might have got caught. Gary: Yes, but more people will only get hurt. We have to try something. So let's do it, now. Kate: And what if she kills us in the process. Gary: Then she'll kill us anyway, we're on her death list remember. Kate: Well how do we do it then, we can't just go in there and take it. Gary: Come on I'll think of something else. Kate: What now? Gary: The sooner the better, you don't know whose going to be next. Sarah's already gone. (Kate begins to cry) Gary: I'm sorry I didn't think. Kate: It's ok it just one thing after another. Everything has happened so quickly. I' m scared what she'll do next. Gary: Hey, it's ok. We can go when you're ready. 26. (Egyptian Department, British Museum.) Guard: Hey Gary can't keep away. Gary: Nope I guess I can't. Guard: And you brought your girl. Gary: Just tell me, has anything else happened here. Guard: Nothing, What happened here in the first place anyway. Gary: I have memory loss I don't know. Guard: Very convntant, your not in any trouble are you? Gary: No, Was there a coffin lid in here? Guard: Yes they moved it to the basement for some reason. Gary: Right thanks. 27. (Basement, British Museum. It is dark then the lights flick on. Kate and Gary walk on.) Kate: What now? Gary: Right it should be in here according to Simon. Cheers mate. Kate: It's not here. I thought he said it was. Gary: I might have an idea where too. 28. (British Museum, Egyptian department. The guard is unconios. The coffin is floating.) Kate: Well I don't think anything natural put that there. Gary: Well it certainly ran rings around us. Kate: Any ideas? (Gary is stuck with pain.) Kate: Hold on. I'll think of something. (Kate is stuck with pain.) Gary: Kate, are you ok? Kate: You haven't got a lighter on you, by any chance? Gary: What she'll set this place alight and disappear. Kate: Just give me something, quick! (Gary throws a box of matches. Kate try's to reach them but gives up. Face on the coffin now glowing.) Gary: Kate her face is glowing. (Try's again reaching the matches and sets it alight and throws it at the coffin lid. The glow fades everyone wakes up and gets out.) Kate: Gary are you still there? Gary: (Weekly) Yes, Save yourself run. (Flames surround the room. Kate walks to Gary.) Kate: Not without you. (Kate picks him up and supports him.) Kate: Try and walk. 29. (Outside, Museum. They are across the street away form the building.) Gary: (weak) Thanks Kate. Kate: You didn't think (coughs) I was going to leave you there did you? Gary: No, I'm just glad it's all over. Kate: Yeah, I feel great, like a dark cloud has been over me for so long, only to have disappeared. Gary: I thought we were gone then. She seemed to stop for a while. Kate: Yeah I worked it out. She's been absorbing energy off me all day, she just ran out. Gary: Like poltergeists. Kate: I guess she is one. Gary: Do you think she's gone. Kate: No, She's out there looking for another energy source. Maybe in another century. She'll come back. Gary: All that's for nothing then. Kate: No, we'd be dead now and so would a lot other people. Gary: What's the point if you can't get rid of her for good? Kate: You can never get rid of true evil. Evil remains evil forever. (Kate turns to us. Her eyes glow red.) When freedom wisphers your name, it's time to fight for it. |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Moon Dust - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Romy Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1170Plantation, Florida |
I remember reading an urban legend something like this once. I think it was a chain letter on the internet. I liked the way you put a modern twist on it but I think it is a little confusing. The conversation between characters is interesting but it seems some of it is repeated. Just my opinion but it seems like a great story if condensed a bit? I loved your ending, it made me want to know what would happen next! I think this is a good story to expand on, just needs a little polishing. Thanks for the interesting read! |
||
|
Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Wow! I always like a good urban legend! Thanks for the read.  "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today" ~Broadway Musical RENT~ *Cassandra Roseen* |
||
|
Moon Dust
since 1999-06-11
Posts 2177Skelmersdale, UK |
Debbie - Thanks for the feedback I guess it was limited cos it had to be short but i'm gona work on it Dawn - Me too thanksWhen freedom wisphers your name, it's time to fight for it. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
