Title: The Other Side
Author: magic-400
Disclaimers: I don't own Charmed or any of it's characters, terms, spells, etc. I only own my original characters.
A/N: My first story here! Semi-script style. Episode 1, Part 1 of Season 1! The episodes are pretty lengthy (I tried to make them feel like a real episode of Charmed) so I'm probably going to be splitting each full epiosde into two parts.
Episode 1x01: Hour of Magic
FADE INTO:
EXT. WOODS HOME – DRIVEWAY – DUSK
A warm fading day. The sun is just beginning to sink below the horizon, beckoning night. Various shades of orange, yellow and red streak across the sky paving the way for twilight.
A Jeep Grand Cherokee pulls into the driveway of a fairly large suburban home and squeaks to a stop. A young man in a suit of about twenty seven years old steps out as the engine settles. He loosens his tie with one hand and runs the other across his short, cropped light brown hair with a content sigh. Finally home from work. He grabs his briefcase from the passenger seat and shuts the car door. He moves to the end of the driveway.
Brian Woods reaches into the mailbox and pulls out a stack of letters. He notices his elderly neighbor sweeping some leaves into the grass at the base of his own driveway.
BRIAN WOODS: Evening, Mr. Brown. How are you these days?
VERNON BROWN: I'm alright, boy. It's lonely in this big house. None of the grandkids stop by anymore. All have families of their own it would seem.
BRIAN: I'm sorry to hear that.
VERNON: You and that girl of yours should come by for dinner sometime. I'd be glad to host.
BRIAN: We'd be happy to come over. Have a good night, Mr. Brown!
Brian starts up the driveway, flicking through the mail.
VERNON: (calling) Oh and tell that brother of yours not to run on that goddamn treadmill in the middle of the night! Keeps me up!
BRIAN: (chuckling) I'll let him know.
Brian locks his car by remote and heads up the few steps to the porch of the house.
INT. WOODS HOME – FOYER – SAME
Brian hangs up his suit jacket and sets his briefcase down.
BRIAN: Anyone home?
WOMAN'S VOICE: (O.S.) In here!
Brian follows the voice to the kitchen as he un-tucks his shirt and undoes the first few buttons.
INT. KITCHEN
Brian rounds the corner to find his girlfriend preparing dinner at the stovetop. She looks over her shoulder and trains her sea green eyes on Brian. He looks back with sparkling blue eyes. Brian moves behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist and kissing her on the cheek.
BRIAN: Smells good in here. What's for dinner?
SAM LAWSON: Pasta and meatballs.
BRIAN: Sounds great.
Brian nuzzles his face in the back of Sam's flowing blonde hair. He plays with the end of one strand. She smells like fresh strawberries.
SAM: How was work?
BRIAN: Eh, fine, I guess. Same old.
Sam turns around to face Brian. He kisses her quickly on the lips, coaxing out a brilliant pearly smile.
SAM: Finally getting tired of the 9 to 5 cubicle work?
BRIAN: Nah, it's not that. I'm just not feeling the whole law firm thing. But that's a discussion for another day.
Sam touches him gently on the chest as he breaks from the half-hug.
BRIAN: Is Jake home?
SAM: I think so.
She pauses to listen intently.
SAM: Yup. On the treadmill like usual. What's with him and that thing lately?
BRIAN: No clue. He's keeping the neighbors up though.
Sam laughs as she turns back to the pot and stirs it. Brian heads for the door but notices a small pile of things by the kitchen table. He picks up a tiny, plain notebook off the top of the pile.
BRIAN: (examining it) What's this stuff?
SAM: I was doing a little bit of cleaning today. I think those are some things Dan left behind.
Brian flips through the thin leaflet pages.
BRIAN: Looks like Dan's. I'll give him a call later and let him know we have some of his stuff.
Brian shrugs and drops the item back onto the pile.
BRIAN: (muttering as he exits) I wonder how he's doing in the city…
CUT TO:
INT. SECOND FLOOR – JAKE'S ROOM
A younger man about twenty four, resembling Brian, sprints hard on the treadmill. Every foot pounding step against the band makes the whole room shake and vibrate. Out the window, we can see Mr. Brown's room is very close. Jacob Woods' crystal blue eyes focus on nothing in particular on the wall but burn with determination and motivation. His eyes are just like his older brothers with hints of grey.
After another moment, he kills the power on the treadmill with the touch of a button. The band slows to a stop. Jake grabs a towel and exits the room.
INT. HALLWAY
He towels his face as beads of sweat drip down. He runs it briefly over his medium-length brown hair, ruffling it up. Jake jogs down the stairs, the wafting aroma of dinner and the growl in his stomach leading him.
INT. FIRST FLOOR – FOYER
Jake runs into his brother coming up the stairs in the foyer.
JAKE WOODS: Hey bro.
BRIAN: Hey, Jake. I was just coming to see how you were doing. Finishing a workout, I see.
JAKE: You know me.
Just then, the doorbell rings. Brian and Jake look over.
BRIAN: I got it.
Brian jogs down the steps as Jake moves down a few more steps and leans against the bannister. The older brother reaches the door and opens it. An older woman, probably in her 40's, stands at the door with short, slightly spiky, black hair. Her face lights up at the sight of Brian. Her beaming is more obvious as she spots Jake standing on the stairs and Sam further in the background, leaning against the kitchen doorframe. Her eyes continue to search for someone else.
BRIAN: Hi, can I help you?
KAYLA BARROS: (whispering) Only three…
BRIAN: Excuse me, what?
KAYLA: If I may.
Without another word from Brian, Kayla edges past him into the house. Brian, confused, spins around on his heels. Sam meets him with a look saying "What are you doing?" Flustered, Brian shrugs and cuts Kayla off just in front of the living room, leaving the front door wide open.
BRIAN: I'm sorry, who are you? And why are you barging into our home?
Jake moves to the base of the steps, intrigued.
KAYLA: My name is Kayla. I've been sent to do something very important.
BRIAN: You can't just come into someone's house like this!
KAYLA: You aren't just anyone. None of you are. You're special!
SAM: (cautious) Brian…
Brian forcefully puts a hand on the wall, keeping Kayla at bay. It's clear he's not too great at being strict or stern.
BRIAN: (awkwardly) I'm going to have to ask you…to leave.
KAYLA: If we can all have a seat, I can explain everything to you.
BRIAN: Explain what?
KAYLA: Your destiny.
Her eyes swivel the room to look at Jake and Sam as well.
JAKE: (advancing) Lady, there's a homeless shelter not too far from here. We can drive you there.
KAYLA: I know I probably sound beyond crazy. You have to trust me. I can tell you're all feeling skeptical, confused and on guard. But you know you're all curious too.
Brian, Jake and Sam share a few fleeting glances. At that moment, Kayla slips under Brian's arm and scurries into the living room. Brian's face lights up with surprise. The three race into the room after her.
INT. LIVING ROOM
Kayla plops down on the couch and starts to rifle through her bag.
SAM: Let's just call the cops. She's clearly off her rocker.
KAYLA: Don't write me off just let. Your emotions are all over the place but just listen.
She starts positioning candles on the coffee table in front of her.
JAKE: Candles. She's got candles.
BRIAN: I see that. Maybe we should…
SAM: Cops? Yeah. Probably a good idea. Let's go.
Sam and Brian hastily head for the kitchen.
JAKE: (sarcastically) Right, leave me alone with her.
Cautiously, Jake sits on the opposite couch and faces Kayla. He watches her carefully as she meticulously places and adjusts the eight candles.
JAKE: So…can I ask what you're doing?
KAYLA: (without looking at him) Awakening the prophecy.
JAKE: Awakening the…heh…and what does that mean exactly?
Kayla finally looks up at him.
KAYLA: You're the most curious of the three.
JAKE: Not every day some random woman comes barging into your house and starts setting up ritual candles, blabbering about some prophecy.
Kayla pulls out a long lighter and starts to light all the candles.
KAYLA: Just watch. All will become clear to you soon enough.
JAKE: Uhh…
Dumbfounded, Jake continues to watch. For some reason, he doesn't feel any danger from this woman. Kayla unfolds a piece of small parchment from her pocket. She starts to chant the words in a different language. This starts to alarm Jake.
JAKE: (calling out) Brian! Sam! Guys, she's chanting in here! Chanting!
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN
Brian and Sam are talking heatedly, hushed. They both look up at the sound of Jake's voice.
BRIAN: Chanting?
SAM: Convinced yet?
BRIAN: Ok, call.
Brian backs off. Sam looks to the house phone and starts to dial.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM
Kayla finishes chanting the spell and places the paper in the center of the circle formed by the candles. She sits back. Suddenly, the candle flames begin to glow brighter and brighter. They form eight balls of energy. Four, white and ethereal and the other four, dark purple and hazy. Jake jumps up in shock.
JAKE: (stammering) Nice trick…how are you doing it?
Kayla says nothing, raising her hands. The eight small orbs of energy begin to float up and swirl around one another.
JAKE: Guys!
Suddenly, one white ball flies into Jake and disappears into his chest, filling him with light for a split second. It knocks Jake back onto the couch.
Two more white orbs zoom into the kitchen. One hits Sam in the back, causing her to stumble against the kitchen table. She drops the phone. The other sinks into Brian's chest, flooring him.
Jake breathes a little heavier than normal. He stares at Kayla as the last white orb and the four dark ones fly out the wide-open front door. It slams closed behind them.
JAKE: What in the world…
KAYLA: You feel enlightened. More relaxed, at ease and no longer alarmed. Your doubts and fears are leaving.
JAKE: How do you know that?
Kayla leans in.
KAYLA: (with a tiny smirk) I'm an empath.
JAKE: No you're a freak. What's an empath? Like you can feel what other people are feeling?
Kayla nods.
JAKE: Right. I doubt that. But if you are…tell me. What am I feeling right now?
Without missing a beat…
KAYLA: Skepticism.
JAKE: That's a given. How about—
Jake is cut off as Sam and Brian storm back into the room.
SAM: (pointedly) Who are you and what did you do to us?
BRIAN: What she said!
KAYLA: I can tell, deep down somewhere in you, you all feel that you can trust me, no?
Sam and Brian look at each other. Jake glances at them too. No one contests. Kayla stands slowly.
KAYLA: Then…my name is Kayla Barros. I've been sent by a higher power to make sure the four of you from the prophecy came into your own powers. Magical powers.
JAKE: Powers?
SAM: Prophecy?
BRIAN: First off, you're wrong already because there are only three of us here. Not four.
KAYLA: I'm not exactly sure who the fourth of the prophecy is but I'm hoping the blessing of power brings him or her to us.
Sam huffs and crosses arms.
SAM: I'm not believing a word she says. You guys?
BRIAN: No. Not at all.
Kayla looks directly at Brian. She raises an eyebrow.
KAYLA: You know that's not true.
Brian sputters. He doesn't know what to say.
JAKE: Dude, don't even try. She's an empath.
BRIAN: Empathy? What are we getting into here, witchcraft?
Kayla smiles.
KAYLA: Precisely.
SAM: (chuckling) So we're all witches. And you gave us powers. So where are the pointy hats, the broomsticks and the cauldrons?
KAYLA: (defensively) Not that kind of witch. Good witches. Protectors of good magic. Your destiny is to preserve magic and keep the world safe.
Utter silence in the room. Jake tries to speak after a few beats.
JAKE: So we are…I'm not sure I…
KAYLA: We can talk further in the morning. That power awakening spell took a lot out of me. I'm hoping our fourth will find their way to us by then.
Kayla starts to gather her things and pack them away.
KAYLA: Is it alright if I stay in the guest bedroom tonight?
BRIAN: How did you know we have a guest room?
KAYLA: (smiling) I felt it.
SAM: Absolutely n—!
JAKE: (interrupting) Of course!
Brian and Sam shoot him evil looks.
JAKE: What? Aren't you guys even the least bit intrigued? I feel like we can trust her. If she wanted to hurt us, she could have already.
BRIAN: Are you insane? We're going to wake up in the middle of the night to her hovering over us with a knife!
JAKE: I don't know…I think she's telling the truth. Can't you feel it? Something flowing through us. Something good. Strong.
SAM: (sideways) Probably poison.
Kayla looks from one person to another as they debate.
KAYLA: It is up to you. If you want me gone then I'll go.
Brian scratches his chin. Sam doesn't appear to be relenting.
JAKE: Come on guys!
SAM: I don't know…
BRIAN: (sighing) Maybe Jake is right.
Sam looks crossly at him. Kayla smiles and moves toward the stairs.
BRIAN: Uhh…the bed is already made up. Our older brother used to live in there but he's moved out now. Make yourself at home I guess.
His voice trails out. Kayla pauses halfway up.
KAYLA: Remember, you must keep your everyday lives separate from the other side. The gift you've been blessed with is a secret that must be preserved if you are to do all the good you're destined to do. Exposure only stands to hinder you.
And with that, Kayla disappears upstairs. The three stand in silence. Sam runs a hand through her blonde hair and plops down onto the couch. She allows herself to sink further into the material.
BRIAN: (hesitantly) I'm…going to go call Dan.
Brian exits the room. Jake sits down opposite Sam on the other couch. After a few moments of silence…
SAM: Despite the strange woman now sleeping upstairs, we should talk about what she was saying.
Jake nods.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – MORNING
The next day. Sam is alone in the house. She sets up five decorative plates on the dining room table. She flattens out the table cloth and puts her hands on her hips. Dan was coming over for dinner tonight. It seems he would be meeting their new "house guest" also.
SAM: Looks good. Now…fancy silverware? Where is the fancy silverware?
Sam looks around the room. She notices a drawer.
SAM: Aha!
She moves to the drawer and tries to open it. It doesn't budge.
SAM: Hmmm…
She tries again but nothing. Must be jammed. Sam huffs and keeps pulling, getting frustrated.
SAM: Come on, stupid thing!
She gives it one more final tug. Wood splinters and breaks and the drawer comes ripping out of its place. Sam's strength pulls it clean out and sends it flying across the room. Silverware scatters everywhere. The drawer hits the opposite wall, putting a hole in it, and falls to the floor.
Sam stares, her hand frozen in place.
SAM: Well, that's certainly new.
She continues to just stare in bewilderment.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE – SAME
The usual clatter of a busy office. Brian sits in his chair in his cubicle in front of a computer. He types away furiously while talking to a client on the phone.
BRIAN: (flustered) No sir, I understand. (beat) It's just with these legal proceedings, it's not easy to…(beat) I know. Let me finish, please. (long beat) Sir…
The client begins yelling. Brian sighs angrily. Just then, his cell phone starts ringing. His eyes flick over to his phone at the edge of the desk. Sam's caller ID flashes on the screen. Sam never calls him at work. Has something happened?
The client continues to yell. Brian continues to type with lightning fingers, in fear of losing his train of thought, messing up or missing his deadline. But his attention is focused solely on the phone. All he wants to do is answer. Emotions swell in Brian. Anger. Annoyance. Frustration. Worry.
Suddenly, the cell phone slides across the table by itself and collides with Brian's keyboard. His eyes go wide.
BRIAN: Excuse me sir, something has come up.
He hangs up without letting the client answer. He stops typing. Skeptically, he looks around the cubicle. No one is really around. Brian picks his phone up and looks it over. No strings or wires. He sets it back down unsurely. He focuses on the phone, concentrating. So caught up, he forgets to answer. It beeps with a missed call.
BRIAN: I know you just moved by yourself. I saw it.
Brian remembers wanting the phone near him to answer. And it moved.
BRIAN: I want you to move back to where you were.
Brian concentrates while squinting his eyes. He gives a little wave of his hand but nothing happens. He continues flicking his hand back and forth, frustrated as nothing happens.
VOICE: (O.S.) That doesn't look very productive. Don't you have a deadline?
Brian whips around in his chair. He accidentally knocks his phone to the floor. His co-worker in the next cubicle over is leaning over the edge, looking down at him.
BRIAN: (nervous) Yeah. I was just, well, yeah…you know.
CO-WORKER: Actually, I don't know. Looked like you were fanning your phone but I'm not going to ask. Boss is coming by. Best get back to that work.
BRIAN: Right.
The co-worker disappears back into his cubicle. Brian spins back around and reaches for his phone. Suddenly, it moves by itself and flies up into his hand. Brian's eyes go even wider than the first time.
BRIAN: Uhh…
Brian pockets his phone, grabs his jacket and rushes out of the frame.
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE – BREAK ROOM
Jake is sipping on a cup of water, leaning against a water cooler. He faces his fellow co-worker and good friend, Gary Moretti, a tall, muscular man with dark hair, dark eyes and a very Italian complexion.
GARY MORETTI: Have you heard?
JAKE: Hmm?
GARY: They're cutting back on everyone's hours. Budget stuff.
JAKE: (getting heated) What? They can't do that! Not now! My brother and I are tight for cash with the house.
Jake's hands start flailing as he talks animatedly.
GARY: I feel you. I'm glad my small apartment doesn't cost too much.
JAKE: Everything they've been doing lately is just pissing me off to no end. The cut-backs, the firings, that promotion they gave to that girl who probably slept with all the managers!
Jake throws his hands up. Just then, the water in the cooler starts sloshing and churning violently. It rocks back and forth, shaking the whole plastic cooler container like a storm inside the bottle. The water cooler tips off the stand and falls to the ground with a loud bang. Jake and Gary stare at it.
GARY: (slowly) What did you just do?
JAKE: (quickly) I didn't do anything! (under his breathe) I hope I didn't do that…
GARY: Well, either way, help me get it back up.
JAKE: Right.
Jake and Gary both pick the water cooler back up and position it back in place. All Jake can think about is Kayla and her mention of powers.
JAKE: Uhh…I have to go. Cover for me.
GARY: What? Wait, what? Where are you going? Our shift doesn't end for another hour!
JAKE: I know, I'm sorry. Emergency. See you tomorrow!
Jake bolts out of the break room. Gary watches the empty space in the doorway, puzzled. Then, he slowly turns back to the water cooler. Observing the now still water.
GARY: Weird…
CUT TO:
INT. WOODS HOME – FOYER – AFTERNOON
Jake and Sam are talking intensely. Brian comes bursting through the front door, rushed and flustered.
SAM: Brian, finally! I've been calling and calling…
BRIAN: Weird stuff has been happening all day. I mean, really weird. Stuff has been moving because I wanted it to. I thought it and it moved. Like, I moved things with my mind. Or something. I don't know. I'm very lost.
SAM: You should check out the dining room. I was trying to un-jam a drawer and I had some Hulk adrenaline burst and it came ripping right out and flew across the room. I didn't even think I was pulling that hard. Left a nice knick in the wall too.
JAKE: And today at work I basically conjured a storm inside a water cooler and knocked it off the stand. Don't try and tell me these things and Kayla aren't connected. Where is she anyway?
BRIAN: (softly) What did she turn us into…?
SAM: (to Jake) They have to be. I mean—
The doorbell rings, interrupting Sam. All three look at the door.
BRIAN: It better not be another lunatic proclaiming powers and prophecies.
Brian goes to the door and opens it up to find a familiar face.
BRIAN: Cordelia? Cordelia Garner?
A young woman about Jake's age smiles at them. Slim and fit, brown hair just past her shoulders, deep brown eyes. They hug tightly.
CORDELIA GARNER: (smiling) Brian Woods. You haven't aged a day.
BRIAN: I haven't seen you since, god, it's been like six or seven years hasn't it?
CORDELIA: Just about six, yeah.
BRIAN: Come in, come in. What have you been up to? What brings you here?
Cordelia comes in and smiles at Jake and Sam.
CORDELIA: You know, the usual. Living life, working, dating, having random glimpses of the future ever since last night…
To Be Continued