Scene 4
(Lights up on GREG and ALICE’s bedroom, which is in shambles. Her open suitcase lies on the bed, with clothing and toiletries strewn everywhere. A lamp is upended. Drawers are thrown open in the dresser, and the bedroom window is broken. GREG’s laptop sits on the bed, too. He paces as he talks on the phone.)
GREG: I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you. I did everything right. I did everything you asked. I blew my fucking life up. You told me she’d be safe. You promised me— (The BOXER, on the other end of the line, cuts him off.) Yes, of course I do. More than anything. And if you hurt her, you sick son of a bitch, I swear, I’ll— (More words from the BOXER. GREG freezes.) What? Why? I still have my laptop. I can pull it up right now, but… just tell me what you want, please. Tell me where to find her. (The BOXER is quiet, and GREG looks at the phone in disbelief before going over to his laptop and booting it up.) I’m doing it, okay? Just give me a minute. Please don’t hang up. Please oh please. (Per the BOXER’s instructions, GREG pulls up his livestream video, one that has been uploaded on his behalf. He frowns at the screen.) I thought all these got taken down. Serves me right, I guess. And you just want me to play it? The whole thing, I mean? (On the other end of the phone, the BOXER says something else. GREG nods. He clicks play. The audio from the livestream starts, and once again, we hear GREG going into his spiel, before ROCCO starts barking, ALICE comes downstairs, and GREG and ALICE get into an argument. GREG winces as he listens to himself calling ALICE a bitch once again. He closes the laptop.) I can’t watch any more. Please. I wish I’d never made this. I treated her like shit. Please tell me I can stop. (The BOXER says more on the other end of the line. GREG reluctantly opens the laptop and finishes watching the video. He pauses for a long time after it ends.) Yeah, I exceeded my goal. One-point-two million subscribers. And no, I don’t feel smug. I don’t feel anything. (Beat. The lights in the bedroom flicker. GREG drags a hand down his face.) Can you please call your ghost off or whatever? Please. I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to so far. (Another pause. The BOXER asks to be put on speaker phone.) Yeah, okay. Hold on a second. (GREG puts him on speaker phone. The BOXER’s voice is distorted, as though conveyed through a voice disguiser, but it should still be easy for the audience to determine what is being said.)
BOXER (V.O): Make sure the volume is turned up all the way, otherwise it won’t work, Zipper.
GREG: Yeah, okay, I got it.
BOXER (V.O.): Hold the phone up.
GREG: Done.
BOXER (V.O.): Also, you’ll want something sharp to cut your hand.
GREG: (Scowling at the phone.) Wait a minute, are you serious?
BOXER (V.O.): Blood to summon, blood to banish.
GREG: Jesus Christ. Okay. (He opens his nightstand drawer and takes out something sharp. He presses the point against the palm of his hand that was injured before, applies pressure, and winces as he opens the cut back up. Blood drips off his palm and onto the floor.)
BOXER (V.O.): Did you do it?
GREG: So, you really don’t have cameras in here anymore.
BOXER (V.O.): Watch the attitude. I’ll take that as a yes, though. Now then, let’s get started. (The BOXER clears his throat. With a great deal of ceremony, he recites the following incantation, with a similar rhyme scheme as before, meant to banish the ENTITY once and for all.) Your mission has ended, you’ve witnessed the fool. Objective completed, submit to my rule. Now that it’s over, the Entity leaves. Zipper, I have no more tricks up my sleeves. (The lights in the house flicker violently, there is a demonic shriek, and another sonic boom. GREG fumbles the phone and drops it. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the house is back to normal. For the first time in a long time, GREG lets himself relax. He stoops to pick up the phone, still on speaker.)
GREG: So, it’s over then. The ghost is gone.
BOXER (V.O.): Gone, but far from forgotten, I hope.
GREG: I’ve learned my lesson, okay? I want Alice back now.
BOXER (V.O.): You think you deserve her?
GREG: No, I don’t. I never have. But somehow, she still chose me. She chooses me every day, even when it’s not easy. Even when I fuck it up. And I could spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of her love and never make it. When I get her back… well, I want to try. I want to make it up to her in any way I can. Whatever she wants, I’ll give her. I’m hers.
BOXER (V.O.): You know what she wants, more than anything in the world—your full, undivided attention. Are you prepared to give it to her, give up everything you hold so dear?
GREG: All of it and more.
BOXER (V.O.): Sounds like Greg is all grown up. But, I wonder… are you prepared to fight to save the one you love?
GREG: I’ll do anything to get her back.
BOXER (V.O.): Including risking your own life? (He lets the words hang in the air between them for a moment. GREG nods, then realizes that the BOXER can’t see him.)
GREG: Whatever it takes.
BOXER (V.O.): I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear it. Meet me in Dover Park tonight, two o’clock in the morning. Come alone. You’ll want to bring the gun as well. I detest an unfair fight. And… Greg.
GREG: Yes?
BOXER (V.O.): Record a video before. You know, just in case. (The line goes dead with a click as he hangs up. GREG just stares at the phone for a moment before hanging up and setting up the video camera function on the phone. He points it at himself and begins to narrate.)
GREG: Hey there, ghosts and ghouls. It’s Greg. If you’re watching this, it means I fucked up. Like, big time. And I failed to save the person I love most in this world. Don’t wish me well, or hope I rest in peace. I won’t. Now, I have to go put a few rounds in this fucker so he doesn’t get the satisfaction of seeing this go live. (GREG stops recording. He tucks the phone into his pocket, checks the clock that reads one a.m., and opens the nightstand drawer. Once again, he takes out the pistol, chambers a cartridge, and turns the safety off. He shoves the pistol into the waistband and heads out of the bedroom as the lights fade.)