History Recap / AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason7TheTaleOfTheStoneMaiden

From her school bag, Megan takes a hefty lump of marble. Who knows what shapes a sculptor might make of it? To any medium, an artist transfers memory and emotion. What if, say, a statue could enact such feelings? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the Stone Maiden”.

In town, they visit a broad, four storey building. Upstairs, a windowed hall is strewn with table-mounted abstract sculptures, drapes, and a gallery of ceiling-hung records. From past a drape approaches Vivian. She explains turning people into stone to be in the statue's lore - it's based on a Greek legend, in which two young lovers, whose parents disapproved, drank a potion to turn themselves to stone. Vivian makes a phone call, and is furious to learn that half of the statue has been sold to a New York park, to balance the budget. However, she's bewildered to learn of the statue's waterworks.

By a second, Megan arrives on time, and evades a month’s firewood duty. From her school bag, she takes a hefty lump of marble. Who knows what shapes a sculptor might make of it? To any medium, an artist transfers memory and emotion. What if, say, a statue could enact such feelings? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of the Stone Maiden”.

In a small clearing of a sunlit forest, a stone plinth holds two statues. One, a young man, kneels before a young woman, who, in turn, stoops in reach for his shoulder.

Two hard hatted workmen prise free the statue of the man, and carry it away…

In a nearby park, Kevin, Julie, Sandra and Donald play volleyball. With Kevin and Julie once more victorious, they adjourn to buy drinks.

By the river, on the tree-shaded green, Kevin comically poses for Julie’s camera. She puts the camera on a picnic table, sets the timer, and runs to pose with Kevin. From behind, between the trees, a watching face briefly appears…

Kevin impudently kisses Julie on the cheek. Disturbed by a sudden rustle, Julie looks bewilderedly behind.

-->'''Julie:''' What was that…?
-->'''Kevin:''' It’s nothing, let’s go!
-->'''Julie:''' ...I wanna talk to you.

She leads him back to the picnic table.

-->'''Julie:''' Are we having dinner with your parents tonight or not?
-->'''Kevin:''' Aw... yeah, I forgot! My dad had to go out of town on business, and my mom’s having friends over, so… another time… ''{touches Julie’s shoulder]'' Hey, what?
-->'''Julie:''' Well, don’t you think it’s kinda weird I haven’t met them yet? I mean, we’ve been together for three months, now.
-->'''Kevin:''' It’s just gotta be the right time.
-->'''Julie:''' Why?
-->'''Kevin:''' Well… they’re not used to people like you.
-->'''Julie:''' What do you mean, ‘like me’?
-->'''Kevin:''' Oh… that came out wrong. It’s just that they’re so straight, you know, they don’t get the arty types.
->'''Julie:''' It’s like you’re ashamed of me, or something.
-->'''Kevin:''' I’m not, but you’re… different.
-->'''Julie:''' And that’s bad?
-->'''Kevin:''' No, but… it makes it hard, Julie.
-->'''Julie:''' Maybe we should take a time out, here. To figure out where we’re going.
-->'''Kevin:''' If that’s the way you feel, fine… this isn’t my choice.

He backs away, and runs into the woods….

A path leads him to a clearing, which bridges another path. Along here, he sits on a solitary bench. On the edge of the trees opposite, he sees the statue of the stooped maiden.

He approaches, peers at its weary expression, and sees the stone maiden to hold a stone urn, from which falls a small stream of water. He rubs some on his neck, cups some in his hands, and drinks. He earnestly spits it out.

From behind, he hears a rustle. Suddenly rather worried about what he’s just drunk, he grips his stomach, and staggers back. Someone approaches.

-->'''Kevin:''' Who are you looking at? Back off, man! Back off!\

Holding his stomach, he stumbles further into the woods.

Meanwhile, back at the park…

-->'''Sandra:''' You broke up? Just now?
-->'''Donald:''' Listen, he’s gotta come back this way; his pack’s still here.
-->'''Sandra:''' You know, I’m gonna go find him. He’s probably at the snack bar.
-->'''Donald:''' What, for a half an hour?
-->'''Julie:''' No… I’ll find him.

Some time later, after an unsuccessful search, the three reunite.

→’’’Donald:’’’ I don’t think he’s here.
→’’’Sandra:’’’ He must have gone home… Maybe you should call him tonight, now that you’re cooled off, and all.

From the woods, a heavily stubbled face watches them leave…

From her bedroom, Julie calls Kevin’s house.

-->'''John:''' Yes?
-->'''Julie:''' Dr Tyler? This is Julie Hart. Kevin’s friend?
-->'''John:''' ...What can I do for you?
-->'''Julie:''' Could I speak to him?
-->'''John:''' Isn’t he with you?
-->'''Julie:''' We were at the park today together, but he left before me.
-->'''John:''' And he didn’t say where he was going?
-->'''Julie:''' Well… no. He’s not home?
-->'''John:''' No. And he’s very late.
-->'''Julie:''' Well, could you ask him to call me when he gets in?
-->'''John:''' He’ll have to speak to you tomorrow. He’s already well past curfew.

In her darkroom, Julie develops today’s photos. In the one of Kevin kissing her, she sees, in the trees behind, the grainy face of a stranger…

Next day, by the school…
-->'''Sandra:''' Any news?
-->'''Julie:''' No. It’s like he dropped off the face of the Earth.
-->'''Donald:''' Hey, heads up - it’s the Tylers.

Julie approaches Kevin’s parents.

-->'''Julie:''' Dr and Mrs Tyler, I’m Julie.
-->'''Diane:''' Where’s my son?
-->'''Julie:''' I don’t know.
-->'''Diane:''' He hasn’t been the same since he met you, young lady. If you had anything to do with this - ------>'''John:''' Honey, honey - this won’t solve anything. Come on…
-->'''Julie:''' I want to find him as much as you do!

They walk on.

From behind a fence watches the stubbled face from yesterday…

Back by the riverside park, Julie looks uncertainly around. Behind her, something stirs between the trees.

From between the leaves, out pops Henry, the watcher.

Julie screams and runs.

Henry yells in startlement.

Julie sprints down a path into the woods. Henry pelts after her.

Henry sneaks ahead, jumps in front of her, and signals desperately for attention.

-->'''Henry:''' I won’t hurt you! It’s okay!
-->'''Julie:''' What do you want?
-->'''Henry:''' Your friend! I know where he is!
-->'''Julie:''' Kevin?
-->'''Henry:''' I’ll take you to him!

Via attached straps, he heaves a bin onto his back, and leads her down another path.

In a clearing, he points to a statue of a hunched young man.

Julie approaches, and sees its features to closely evoke Kevin.

Bewildered, she turns to Henry.

-->'''Julie:''' This is not funny! ...Who are you?
-->'''Henry:''' Well, I’m…. the Protector. I bring the message. ''{lifts cloth banner attached to waist}'' We must follow the four ‘r’s. ‘Reduce,’ ‘reuse,’ ‘recycle,’ and ‘recover’!
-->'''Julie:''' I saw you! In the picture! You were watching us. Where is Kevin?
-->'''Henry:''' There… that’s him. He turned to stone. And… I saw it. Myself.
-->'''Julie:''' Yeah, right.
-->'''Henry:''' No-o, it’s true! He - he drank the water, and, and then, it, well, it just happened.

Julie peers at the stone face.

-->'''Julie:''' You’re crazy.
-->'''Henry:''' Maybe. A little. But I’m telling the truth. And I saw who did it to him.

He leads her to a smaller clearing where stands the Stone Maiden.

-->'''Henry:''' He was right here. He took a drink, and then he looked sick. I tried to help him, but he just got up, and he ran. And then, you saw what happened…

He groans dramatically and mimes convulsions.

Julie looks at the lonely statue.

-->'''Julie:''' Why are you making up this story?
-->'''Henry:''' I’m not! Look, she did this to him, and… it’s her fault. Look, I wish I didn’t see it, but I did!

At the base of the plinth which holds the statue, they see an inscription.

-->'''Julie:''' ‘The Stone Maiden,’ by ‘Vivian White.’\

In town, they visit a broad, four storey building. Inside, at the end of a long, wide hallway, they reach a wall door whose wall is marked, in huge red lettering, with the number 864.

-->'''Julie:''' I don’t know who’s nuttier, me or you.
-->'''Henry:''' Uh… that, that would be me. Ha-ha, ha!

Inside, a windowed hall is strewn with table-mounted abstract sculptures, drapes, and a gallery of ceiling-hung records.

From past a drape approaches a woman in a welder's mask and apron.

-->'''Vivian:''' Can I help you?
-->'''Julie:''' Vivian White? ...My name is Julie, and this is the P - ‘’{in a hush, to Henry}’’’ What’s your real name?
-->'''Henry:''' Oh, I never tell.
-->'''Julie:''' Make an exception.
-->'''Henry:''' ...Henry.
-->'''Julie:''' And this is Henry. Look, I know this is going to sound completely ridiculous, but, you know your statue in the park? The Stone Maiden? Well… Henry says it turned my boyfriend into stone… Look, I’m sorry. We’ll go now.
-->'''Vivien:''' Wait… turning people to stone is exactly what she does.
…

At a table-mounted configuration of taps, Henry peers in fascination.

-->'''Henry:''' Amazing… Recycling as art. This is incredible.
-->'''Vivian:''' ''{chuckles}'' I made the Stone Maiden, years ago, when I was depressed about not having any romance in my life. ‘’{laughs}’’ I’m still looking! ‘’{opens a book}’’ The legend of the Stone Maiden dates back to Ancient Greece. It was a tragic romance about a young couple whose families didn’t approve of their relationship. So, rather than be torn apart, she found a potion that would turn them both into stone. Their love was so strong that they chose to be together forever as statues, rather than spend the rest of their lives apart. Oh, here, here, look! I based the statue on this very sketch!

The book shows a sketch of two figures. Julie is confused.

Vivian makes a phone call, and is furious to learn that half of the statue has been sold to a New York park, to balance the budget.

-->'''Julie:''' At least it still works.
-->'''Vivian:''' What do you mean?
-->'''Julie:''' The water pump, they didn’t break it.
-->'''Vivian:''' There’s no water pump in my statue.
-->'''Julie:''' Yes, there is. Water pumps out of her vase. I saw it.
-->'''Vivian:''' I promise you, Julie, there is no water pump in my statue.
-->'''Henry:''' Uh, excuse me… I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. There is water, and Kevin drank it. That’s when he turned to stone. Isn’t that what happens in the legend?
-->'''Vivian:''' Yes, but it’s just a story.
-->'''Henry:''' Maybe… or maybe the statue doesn’t like to be apart from its mate. If she gets him back, maybe she’ll let Kevin go.

At the council office, Vivian futilely states her case to a maintenance man.

Just then, on the back of a van, the statue is driven away. Desperate, Julie commandeers one of several parked bicycles, and peddles after the van.

As the van stops to let several kids cross the road, Julie rides in front of it. The bemused driver gets out, and his indignant boss catches up.

While Julie pleads with the indignant maintenance man, Henry sneaks into the driver seat, and drives the van back to the yard…

Back in the forest clearing, Julie helps Henry refit the statue. Vivian and the maintenance man arrive.

-->'''Maintenance Man:''' Put it back! Back in the truck!
-->'''Henry:''' Oh, go away.

From the vase, Vivian sees the continuous stream of water.

-->'''Vivian:''' Remarkable!
-->'''Henry:''' Uh, I wouldn’t drink that.

Kevin’s crossly bemused parents arrive.

Just then, Henry eases the statue back into place. The trickle of water promptly recedes.

Followed by the others, Julie runs to the clearing where stands the statue of Kevin.

However, he remains a statue.

Julie addresses the statue.

-->'''Julie:''' Sorry, I was wrong. I don’t care what your parents think about me, or of us. We may be different, but we belong together. I love you. Please, Kevin, come back to me.

She kisses the statue’s stone cheek.

With a rippling, grinding sound, each facet of stonework slides fluidly into the texture of clothes, hair and skin, each of which flood with colour, until Kevin stands restored.

Diane faints. Henry and Vivian hug.

-->'''Julie:''' You’re back!
-->'''Kevin:''' No, we’re back!
-->'''Maintenance Man:''' Well, this is, er, different.

Some time later, Kevin and Julie sit on a bench by the two statues.

Followed closely by Henry, Vivian stops by, and announces a new sculpting project.

...

On closure, Megan hesitantly requests a hand in lugging home her piece of marble. Tucker is late, Vange claims not to be strong enough, and Quinn openly declines. Andy openly offers to help. Megan hands him the marble, and hurries off…