Mémoires meurtrières: The Return Of Mary Bell
Summary: Child murderer Mary Bell turns up to haunt
Pleasantville-she doesn't have her sights set on
Tommy, but rather any able bodied human... who happens
to be an unsuspecting Goth named Merton Dingle.
Disclaimer: I realize that Mary Bell is probably still
alive, but rather than rag on me for that, just
pretend she's dead. Thanks.
Note: Sorry about all this, but I am rewriting this.
Everything started to get a little confusing, and it
was really rushed... and out of character.
Scene: Pleasantville High, History Classroom.
{A rather tall man dressed in khakis and a blue shirt
stands in front of the class. The board behind him
reads Mr. Cochran. As he tries to explain the
directions for a report, a few students in the back of
the room continue to talk. Suddenly, a spitball flies
across the room hitting Merton square in the back of
the head. He whirs around to face the sharpshooter. A
burst of laughter fills the room as another spitball
is blown just past Merton's face, and splats against
the blackboard. The teacher stops talking, staring
straight at Merton.}
Mr. Cochran: Merton, please face forward in your seat.
I believe I am at the front of the class.
Merton: Huh? Oh... sorry.
Mr. Cochran: Ok, this report must be at least two
pages long, and on someone from the past that had a
rather big impact.
{Merton raises his hand, yet the teacher ignores him.
He raises his hand higher, waving it in front of the
teacher's face.}
Mr. Cochran: Yes, Merton?
Merton: So... I guess the vampire Lestat would be out
of the question?
Mr. Cochran: *sigh* Yes, Merton. I'm referring to
someone who actually existed... not some figure of
your studies in the Gothic Fantasy club.
{Merton furrows his brows, leaning back in his seat.}
Merton: *mumbling* Well that's a good few years of
research down the drain... and to think I thought I'd
actually be able to use that knowledge...
{The bell rings cutting the teacher off in
mid-sentence. The students pour out of the room before
the teacher can stop them to explain anymore.}
Tommy: So, buddy... what are you doing your report on?
Merton: I don't know. I had my sights set on Lestat,
but that's obviously not an option anymore.
Lori: Was it ever an option?
Tommy: Hey, why don't we just meet at the lair later,
and... I'm sure we'll find something.
{The three walk off in different directions, heading
for their next class.}
Scene: Lair
{Tommy is at the computer, staring blankly at the
screen. Lori and Merton aren't far away, reading
rather large, ancient looking books.}
Lori: There's nothing in these books.
Merton: *leaning over* Sure there is, look. *points to
the words*
Lori: *pushes Merton away* Ugh, Merton!
Tommy: *to self* Mary Bell? *clicks* Hey, Merton, doyou know anything about Mary Bell?
Merton: *thinks* Depends. Which Mary Bell?
Tommy: It says she was a murderer when she was like...
eleven.
Merton: Ooh, that Mary Bell, sure.
Tommy: Well, what did she do?
Lori: Tommy, you have a computer right in front of
you.
Tommy: Oh, yeah.
{Merton throws a book to the ground, picking up
another one.}
Merton: There's nothing in these books!
Lori: *mocking Merton from earlier* Sure there is,
look.
Tommy: *to self* Wow...
Lori: What?
Tommy: She was one heck of a weirdo
Lori: Well, what did she do?
Tommy: She killed... two kids That's just...
Merton: Disturbing? Disgusting? Wrong?
Tommy: Heh, it says she ran down the street screaming
she was a murderer, but no one ever took her
seriously. Ugh, and her mom was a prostitute. *clicks*
Hm, ok.
{Merton gets up and heads over to the computer.}
Merton: What? *looks at picture on screen* Can we say
evil?
Tommy: I don't know, she doesn't look like she would
do anything like that...
Lori: *looking at her watch*Tommy, we oughta go... its getting late.
Tommy: Naw, Im gonna stay and keep looking.
Lori: Ok, well I'm gonna go.
Tommy: See you later, then.
{Lori leaves, closing the door behind her}
Tommy: Ooh I know! What about... Adam Sandler?
Merton: Tommy, didn't you try to do that last time? If I recall, you couldn't even get close to the tv...
Tommy:*frustrated* Well, what am I gonna do?
Merton: Why don't you just do Mary.... although she didn't do anything that made any
huge impact...
Tommy: I guess, she'll do, but I'd rather do Adam.
Scene: Alleyway
{A little girl wearing a tattered white dress makes
her way up a dark alley. She stops at a shop and peers
into the window. She places her hands on the glass,
admiring the dolls within. She runs her fingers over
the smooth surface as she continues toward the main
road. When she gets to it, she crosses the street,
disappearing into the woods on the other side.}
Scene: The Factory, Next day.
{Tommy, Merton, and Lori are sitting around a table. A waitress walks over, holding a clipboard in her hands.}
Waitress: Hello, what may I get you?
Tommy: Three Cherry Supper slurps....
Merton: Yeah, you know, the ones with the huge straws.
Waitress:*laughs* Alright, I'll be right back.
Lori: I still haven't found anything worth 'reporting
on'. *to Merton* And your books weren't of any help.
Merton: That's because you didn't read BETWEEN the
lines.
Lori: *nods sarcastically* Right. *pause* *to Tommy*
At least you found something.
Tommy: Yeah... I'm having second thoughts about doing
Mary Bell...
Merton: Tommy, you can't do John Ellway every time we
have to do a report. A person like you needs a change
of scenery once and a wile.
Tommy: No, Merton. She was a murderer... and how many
people do you know talk about her?
Merton: None. *pause* But that shouldn't tarnish your
hours of research...
Tommy: I haven't done any 'research'.
Merton: I'm glad to see your putting in your time.
Lori: Hey, Merton? Aren't you missing Buffy?
Merton: No, I've still got a...*pause* *looks at
watch* Ah man, and tonight was a continuation of last
weeks episode. *runs off*
{Tommy and Lori shake their heads and laugh}
Scene: Lair
{Merton's sitting on the couch with a bag of popcorn
in his hand. He pops a few kernels in his mouth,
ignoring the few that roll down the front of his shirt
to the floor.}
Merton: Oh, c'mon, Shannon! Can't you tell he's evil?
*winces* Guess not.
{There's a knock on the door. Merton shakes his head
and turns toward it.}
Merton: It's open!
{He watches as a young girl opens the door slowly,
peering through the opening. The girl pushes the door
further open and walks in.}
Girl: *English accent* Excuse me, sir... but I've lost
my way. Do you think you could help me home?
Merton: *sigh* Sure.
{He gets up from the couch, looking back to the TV.
He shakes his head and pulls on his waistcoat. They
get to the Hearse, and the girl hesitates.}
Merton: *opens passenger door* Climb in.
Girl: I... I would much rather walk.
Merton: *closes door* Ok... So, what's your name?
Girl: Mary.
Merton: Where do you live?
Mary: That way. *points in a random direction.*
{As Merton walks ahead of her, she smiles. She
continues to walk behind Merton, and then jumps on his
back, seemingly seeping into him. He tumbles forward,
falling to the ground.}
Merton: Hey, that was MEAN!
*looks around* Mary?... Ok...*gets to feet* Lovely
day. I must be losing my mind. *shakes head*
{Merton walks off toward his house. As he does so,
child's laughter fills the air.}
Mary: *voice over* Here we go...
TBC
A/N: Well, there's the rewritten version, I don't know
if it's any better... but it's worth a try.
Summary: Child murderer Mary Bell turns up to haunt
Pleasantville-she doesn't have her sights set on
Tommy, but rather any able bodied human... who happens
to be an unsuspecting Goth named Merton Dingle.
Disclaimer: I realize that Mary Bell is probably still
alive, but rather than rag on me for that, just
pretend she's dead. Thanks.
Note: Sorry about all this, but I am rewriting this.
Everything started to get a little confusing, and it
was really rushed... and out of character.
Scene: Pleasantville High, History Classroom.
{A rather tall man dressed in khakis and a blue shirt
stands in front of the class. The board behind him
reads Mr. Cochran. As he tries to explain the
directions for a report, a few students in the back of
the room continue to talk. Suddenly, a spitball flies
across the room hitting Merton square in the back of
the head. He whirs around to face the sharpshooter. A
burst of laughter fills the room as another spitball
is blown just past Merton's face, and splats against
the blackboard. The teacher stops talking, staring
straight at Merton.}
Mr. Cochran: Merton, please face forward in your seat.
I believe I am at the front of the class.
Merton: Huh? Oh... sorry.
Mr. Cochran: Ok, this report must be at least two
pages long, and on someone from the past that had a
rather big impact.
{Merton raises his hand, yet the teacher ignores him.
He raises his hand higher, waving it in front of the
teacher's face.}
Mr. Cochran: Yes, Merton?
Merton: So... I guess the vampire Lestat would be out
of the question?
Mr. Cochran: *sigh* Yes, Merton. I'm referring to
someone who actually existed... not some figure of
your studies in the Gothic Fantasy club.
{Merton furrows his brows, leaning back in his seat.}
Merton: *mumbling* Well that's a good few years of
research down the drain... and to think I thought I'd
actually be able to use that knowledge...
{The bell rings cutting the teacher off in
mid-sentence. The students pour out of the room before
the teacher can stop them to explain anymore.}
Tommy: So, buddy... what are you doing your report on?
Merton: I don't know. I had my sights set on Lestat,
but that's obviously not an option anymore.
Lori: Was it ever an option?
Tommy: Hey, why don't we just meet at the lair later,
and... I'm sure we'll find something.
{The three walk off in different directions, heading
for their next class.}
Scene: Lair
{Tommy is at the computer, staring blankly at the
screen. Lori and Merton aren't far away, reading
rather large, ancient looking books.}
Lori: There's nothing in these books.
Merton: *leaning over* Sure there is, look. *points to
the words*
Lori: *pushes Merton away* Ugh, Merton!
Tommy: *to self* Mary Bell? *clicks* Hey, Merton, doyou know anything about Mary Bell?
Merton: *thinks* Depends. Which Mary Bell?
Tommy: It says she was a murderer when she was like...
eleven.
Merton: Ooh, that Mary Bell, sure.
Tommy: Well, what did she do?
Lori: Tommy, you have a computer right in front of
you.
Tommy: Oh, yeah.
{Merton throws a book to the ground, picking up
another one.}
Merton: There's nothing in these books!
Lori: *mocking Merton from earlier* Sure there is,
look.
Tommy: *to self* Wow...
Lori: What?
Tommy: She was one heck of a weirdo
Lori: Well, what did she do?
Tommy: She killed... two kids That's just...
Merton: Disturbing? Disgusting? Wrong?
Tommy: Heh, it says she ran down the street screaming
she was a murderer, but no one ever took her
seriously. Ugh, and her mom was a prostitute. *clicks*
Hm, ok.
{Merton gets up and heads over to the computer.}
Merton: What? *looks at picture on screen* Can we say
evil?
Tommy: I don't know, she doesn't look like she would
do anything like that...
Lori: *looking at her watch*Tommy, we oughta go... its getting late.
Tommy: Naw, Im gonna stay and keep looking.
Lori: Ok, well I'm gonna go.
Tommy: See you later, then.
{Lori leaves, closing the door behind her}
Tommy: Ooh I know! What about... Adam Sandler?
Merton: Tommy, didn't you try to do that last time? If I recall, you couldn't even get close to the tv...
Tommy:*frustrated* Well, what am I gonna do?
Merton: Why don't you just do Mary.... although she didn't do anything that made any
huge impact...
Tommy: I guess, she'll do, but I'd rather do Adam.
Scene: Alleyway
{A little girl wearing a tattered white dress makes
her way up a dark alley. She stops at a shop and peers
into the window. She places her hands on the glass,
admiring the dolls within. She runs her fingers over
the smooth surface as she continues toward the main
road. When she gets to it, she crosses the street,
disappearing into the woods on the other side.}
Scene: The Factory, Next day.
{Tommy, Merton, and Lori are sitting around a table. A waitress walks over, holding a clipboard in her hands.}
Waitress: Hello, what may I get you?
Tommy: Three Cherry Supper slurps....
Merton: Yeah, you know, the ones with the huge straws.
Waitress:*laughs* Alright, I'll be right back.
Lori: I still haven't found anything worth 'reporting
on'. *to Merton* And your books weren't of any help.
Merton: That's because you didn't read BETWEEN the
lines.
Lori: *nods sarcastically* Right. *pause* *to Tommy*
At least you found something.
Tommy: Yeah... I'm having second thoughts about doing
Mary Bell...
Merton: Tommy, you can't do John Ellway every time we
have to do a report. A person like you needs a change
of scenery once and a wile.
Tommy: No, Merton. She was a murderer... and how many
people do you know talk about her?
Merton: None. *pause* But that shouldn't tarnish your
hours of research...
Tommy: I haven't done any 'research'.
Merton: I'm glad to see your putting in your time.
Lori: Hey, Merton? Aren't you missing Buffy?
Merton: No, I've still got a...*pause* *looks at
watch* Ah man, and tonight was a continuation of last
weeks episode. *runs off*
{Tommy and Lori shake their heads and laugh}
Scene: Lair
{Merton's sitting on the couch with a bag of popcorn
in his hand. He pops a few kernels in his mouth,
ignoring the few that roll down the front of his shirt
to the floor.}
Merton: Oh, c'mon, Shannon! Can't you tell he's evil?
*winces* Guess not.
{There's a knock on the door. Merton shakes his head
and turns toward it.}
Merton: It's open!
{He watches as a young girl opens the door slowly,
peering through the opening. The girl pushes the door
further open and walks in.}
Girl: *English accent* Excuse me, sir... but I've lost
my way. Do you think you could help me home?
Merton: *sigh* Sure.
{He gets up from the couch, looking back to the TV.
He shakes his head and pulls on his waistcoat. They
get to the Hearse, and the girl hesitates.}
Merton: *opens passenger door* Climb in.
Girl: I... I would much rather walk.
Merton: *closes door* Ok... So, what's your name?
Girl: Mary.
Merton: Where do you live?
Mary: That way. *points in a random direction.*
{As Merton walks ahead of her, she smiles. She
continues to walk behind Merton, and then jumps on his
back, seemingly seeping into him. He tumbles forward,
falling to the ground.}
Merton: Hey, that was MEAN!
*looks around* Mary?... Ok...*gets to feet* Lovely
day. I must be losing my mind. *shakes head*
{Merton walks off toward his house. As he does so,
child's laughter fills the air.}
Mary: *voice over* Here we go...
TBC
A/N: Well, there's the rewritten version, I don't know
if it's any better... but it's worth a try.