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TRANSCRIPT:
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Act One

This episode starts out in Vicki’s office, where she is furiously working on a case as Coreen brings her a cup of coffee. Coreen sets the coffee down and waits expectantly until Vicki notices. She then gives her boss a winning smile and turns away. Vicki calls her back.

Vicki: Beware assistants bearing un-requested coffee.

Coreen turns back, shocked at the accusation.

Coreen: I try to do something nice and you assume it’s because I want something.

Coreen turns away again, but very quickly turns back.

Coreen: I need a small advance.

Vicki: Is that a new outfit?

Coreen: A couple of hundred against next month’s salary.

Vicki: Hmm. Then I would suggest you return that outfit.

Coreen: Come on Vicki, just this month, I swear I won’t ask again.

Vicki: Nope, can’t do it.

Coreen: But it’s an advance against my salary.

Vicki: Yes, for work you haven’t done yet. Could you please bring me the Harvey file?

Coreen: Are you going to give me the advance or not?

Vicki: Not.

Exasperated, Coreen turns away but turns back again as a new thought occurs to her.

Coreen: Can I have a raise?

Vicki’s turns and stares at Coreen’s suggestion, narrowing her eyes in frustration.

Away from the office, the camera focuses on a woman in a hot tub having her shoulder’s rubbed by a male companion kneeling outside the tub. She has her eyes closed and appears to be in some sort of deep meditation.

Rachel: I’m ready to be a mother, to open my spirit and my body to new life.

Hobman: Good… good. Now maintain your visualization, Rachel.

Rachel: I’m ready to be a mother, to open my body and my spirit to new life.

As Rachel continues her ‘visualization’ the man gets up and strokes a hand over the hot tub as he walks away from it.

Rachel: I’m ready to be a mother, to open my spirit and my body to new life.

A pair of hands appears again at Rachel’s shoulders and begins to stroke down her arms, entering the water.

Rachel: I’m ready to be a mother, to open my spirit and my body to new life.

As the hands continue down Rachel’s arms and fully enter the water we can see some kind of black substance leave the hands and mix with the water in the tub, turning the water black.

Rachel: I’m ready to be a mother. I’m ready to open my spirit and body to new life.

 

Act Two

Mitch Lafoy has come to see Vicki for help with his wife. He recounts his story as he looks out the window of her office.

Mitch: Dr. Hobman told us to talk to the fetus. Said it was good for prenatal development.  After a few weeks Marlisse stopped talking to the baby and started talking with it.

As he recounts the tale he turns back and begins pacing Vicki’s office.

Vicki: What were they talking about?

Mitch: Begging him to be a good boy. Asking him not to hurt anybody. And then she started hearing things. It was really quite creepy.

Coreen throws a file on Vicki’s desk and gives a mock smile as she turns away and leaves the room. Vicki looks after her for a moment as she continues her conversation with her client.

Vicki: Have you talked to your Dr. about this?

Mitch: Yeah, that’s when he asked Marlisse to check into the clinic full time. That was almost a month ago. Now, when I try to visit or even to call her, she refuses. Apparently my ‘negativity aura’ is making her anxious and high strung. I think there’s something wrong with my baby. And nobody will tell me anything.

Vicki: But she is at the clinic of her own free will, is she not?

Mitch: Now you sound like the police! Don’t you see? It’s a cult. They re-repeat mantras; they follow him around like puppies. He’s some sort of guru to them.

Vicki: It sounds like you need a deprogrammer, not a PI.

Mitch: You’re not the first PI that I’ve seen, but you are the first one who hasn’t laughed at me. Miss Nelson, I want my wife back, and I want to know that our baby is gonna be all right. They won’t even let me talk to my wife, don’t you understand?

Vicki: (sighs) I’ll see what I can do.

That evening Coreen comes back with Chinese. She makes a big production of setting the food on the table and counting out the remaining money for the boss.

Coreen: Here’s your change. $5.00, $5.25, $5.35, $5.45.

Vicki: Coreen?

Coreen: Just trying to earn my salary.

Vicki: (sighs) This poor woman. She’s been through the mill. I mean she’s had everything, in-vitro-fertilization, artificial insemination, donor eggs, ho-hormone treatments. I can’t imagine wanting a baby that badly.

Coreen: I’d do it, wouldn’t you?

Vicki: Yeah, I don’t think the world is ready for a mini me.

Henry: Besides, artificial insemination is no way to make a baby.

Vicki starts as she hears Henry’s voice and turns to find him standing in a corner of the room.

Vicki: How long have you been standing there?

Henry just flashes a winning smile in response.

Vicki: (To Coreen) Okay, you want to earn your salary, I need you to do some sleuthing for me.

Henry: What’s the case?

Coreen: Vicki’s got a client whose pregnant wife is being held captive by a mysterious baby making cult.

Vicki: MmHmm. And if it’s a cult, we need to move quickly. So there is a couple I want you to interview. The Deskins. They had treatment at the clinic and have a testimonial up on the doctor’s website. So I want you to meet with them as soon as you can and get back to me.

Vicki grabs her coat and begins to walk out of the room but is stopped by a curious Henry.

Henry: Where are you going?

Vicki: Husband hunting

Henry: Husband material.

Vicki: You’re sweet, but you’re just not a morning person.

Vicki and Coreen both leave the room and Henry turns away from them and considers Vicki’s words.

Henry: (speaking to the empty office) No, I’m not.

Vicki enters the station and approaches Mike as Kate looks on warily, lifting a cup of coffee to her mouth.

Vicki: Mike, I want you to be my baby daddy.

Kate, having overheard, spits her coffee all over the reports she’s working on, drawing Mike and Vicki’s attention. She holds up a hand in their direction.

Kate: I’m good.

Mike: I’m… flattered?

Vicki: Come on, I want to show you something.

Vicki and Mike watch a promotional Video of the Hobman Clinic. Dr. Richard Hobman is highlighting what his program can do for women wanting to become mothers.

Hobman: You’ve tried everything to have a baby but you’re hopes have not been realized. Don’t give up! At the Hobman clinic, we can make your dreams come true.

Mike: Well, we can’t arrest him for being irritating, yet.

Vicki: Wait, it gets better.

Hobman: Traditional therapies offer traditional results. We combine cutting edge technology with a holistic approach. As a result our success rate is double that of any other clinic.

As Hobman talks Vicki and Mike share a sardonic look and mouth the word “holistic” at each other.

Hobman: Verifiable results that mean your search could be over.

Vicki: Hmm, thing is, if I want to get myself an invite to Hobman’s country estate, I need to look depressed and hopeless, you know, exhausted.

Mike: Yeah, and don’t forget desperate.

Vicki: And have my supportive husband right there by my side.

Mike: As long as you stop doing that, yeah.

Vicki: Okay, Ricky, whatever you say.

Mike: Who’s Ricky?

Vicki: You’re Ricky, I’m Lucy.

Mike: (laughs) I’m so not gonna be Ricky. I knew a Ricky… once.

Vicki: Okay, how about, umm, Ike and Tina? Greg and Marsha? Moose and Squirrel?

Mike: Hey, how about Mike and Vicki.

Vicki: You’re such a party pooper. All right, sweetie. I’ve got to go. Those records aren’t gonna forge themselves.

Mike: No, they’re not.

Over at the Hobman clinic, Mike and Vicki wait to put on their best show for Dr. Hobman. Vicki uses the time to test Mike on their story.

Vicki: How many years have we been married?

Mike: (sighs) Five, you can stop quizzing me now.

Later, they do their little dance for Dr. Hobman’s benefit.

Vicki: Trying since our wedding night to have a baby.

Mike: Two miscarriages, three different fertility doctors.

Vicki: Two naturopaths, an acupuncturist, even a psychic healer. It’s all there in my medical records. I know it’s hard for Mike to understand, h-he wants to adopt.

Mike: (sighs) I just hate seeing Vicki get her hopes up only to have them dashed again and again.

Vicki: I mean it’s put a huge strain on our relationship.

Mike: Well, I wouldn’t say huge.

Vicki: It feels like we argue all the time.

Mike: Not all the time.

Vicki: (To Dr. Hobman) You see?

Hobman: I know how difficult this can be for you both. And… I believe this treatment can work for you. But… it’s not right for everyone. (To Vicki) You would have to spend at least a month here and that can be very difficult for your partner.

Mike: Well, doctor, nothing is worse than seeing Vicki suffer. (taking Vicki’s hand) I just want to give her everything and I can’t give her the one thing that she wants most.

Hobman: I can. Let’s have a baby.

They all chuckle together. Later on, Hobman gives Vicki some forms to fill out as Mike returns from somewhere else in the clinic.

Hobman: Here you go. I’ll see you soon.

Vicki: Okay.

Hobman: Okay

Mike comes into the room as Hobman leaves

Mike: Doctor. (Approaching Vicki) Where did you get those records?

Vicki: Gotta love the internet.

A man approaches them.

Jonah: Mike?

Mike: Uh, yeah, that’s me. Yes?

Jonah: Got a little chore for you as well.

Mike: (To Vicki) What?

Vicki: Oh, he… needs your swimmers.

Mike: Right. Um… so, like, here, now?

Jonah: (laughs) We have a room for you right down the hallway. (To Vicki) And Vicki, I’m going to be taking you over to the dorm so if you’d like to say goodbye to your husband.

Vicki: Okay.

Mike: Yeah. (whispers to Jonah) Just… a little privacy.

Jonah high-tails it out of the room so Mike and Vicki can say their goodbyes.

Mike: Well.

Vicki: Well.

Mike: Honey.

Vicki: Um.

Mike: Mmhmm.

They share a short kiss and a hug.

Mike: This … feels weird.

Vicki: He took us way too easily.

Mike: Yeah

Vicki: Can you do me a favor?

Mike: Mmhmm.

They share another kiss

Mike: Besides filling that cup?

Vicki: I need you to run the doctor again. I don’t know. Maybe I missed something?

Mike: Yeah, yeah okay. Yup.

They kiss again and again as Jonah watches. Vicki pulls away reluctantly.

Vicki: Um… we can stop kissing now.

They kiss again.

Mike: Are you sure?

Another kiss, deeper this time. Jonah finally interrupts them and they pull back guiltily, both very affected by the show they’ve just put on.

Jonah: Uh… it’ll be over before you know it.

Mike: What?

Jonah: Your time here, the-the separation.

Mike: Right, right.

Vicki: Right.

Mike: Um… well… bye honey.

Vicki: Bye.

Jonah: Mr. Wheeler.

Mike: Yes. Yes.

Jonah gives Mike the cup and he shows it to Vicki as he leaves.

Jonah: Right this way.

Mike leaves and Vicki ponders the situation.

That evening, Henry and Coreen are sleuthing together while Coreen tries to make some extra cash.

Henry: I don’t buy blood.

Coreen: But it’s good blood. Great blood, actually. Plenty of anti-oxidants. Rich in iron and 22 other essential vitamins.

Henry: No.

Coreen: I deliver.

Henry stops, having scented something as Mr. Deskin calls out to Coreen.

Coreen: (To Henry) What is it?

Deskin: Ms. Fennel?

Coreen: Mr. Deskin. Thank you for meeting with us.

Deskin: Hi, come on in.

Henry approaches the house cautiously, still suspicious of what he’s smelled. Inside the house Deskin talks to Coreen and Henry about the Hobman Clinic.

Deskin: I’m a little surprised our testimonial is still up on the website. Yeah, we did the treatment so long ago.

Coreen: But you were pleased?

Deskin: Of course. We… I wouldn’t have had Travis without Dr. Hobman.

Coreen: He’s very sweet.

Deskin: Yeah, great little guy. He’s my life.

Henry: Where’s Mrs. Deskin?

Deskin: Gail passed away a couple of years ago. Now it’s just us men.

Coreen: I’m so sorry for your loss.

Henry: How did she die?

Coreen slaps Henry’s arm, shocked at his rudeness.

Deskin: No, no, it’s fine. It was an accident. One of those, those stupid ones you always hear used, uh, as a statistic. You know, more people die falling off a ladder than they do in a crashing airplane.

Henry: She fell off a ladder?

Deskin nods. Coreen approaches the Hobman topic gently.

Coreen: Could you tell us about your experience at the Hobman Center?

Deskin: It was simple. I mean, my part, was pretty simple. You… you fill a cup. Come back in a month. Gail had the worst of it. Cooped up in that place for so long.

Coreen: We hear they isolated the women.

Deskin: They keep them together for-for most of the time. I think they separate them near the end. Something about keeping the mothers calm and, and relaxed.

As Deskin is talking Henry keeps looking over at the picture of Travis on a nearby bookshelf.

Henry: But no husbands. If you don’t mind me being so direct, our client felt it was a little cult-ish.

Deskin: It’s just Hobman’s process. He calls it ‘Total Body’. Complete focus on the mother and baby. You know, it feels kind of strange when you’re going through it. But you can’t argue with the results.

They are interrupted by Travis entering the house. He is very sober looking as he walks towards the staircase.

Deskin: Travis, did Tom’s dad walk you home?

Travis doesn’t reply and Henry sniffs again, suspicious of the new arrival. He and Travis exchange a wary look as Coreen watches, picking up on the sudden tension. Without a word, he turns and runs up the stairs. Deskin turns back to Henry and Coreen.

Deskin: I think he hit puberty early.

Deskin shows Henry and Coreen out, watching after them as the leave. Henry turns to look back at the house as Coreen questions him.

Coreen: What is your problem? You couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Henry: There was blood on the boy.  And the blood wasn’t his.

As Henry looks up he sees Travis staring down at them from his window. He stares at the child as Travis stares back and then he and Coreen walk away.

 

Act Three

Jonah is showing Vicki around the dorm, which looks more like a hospital ward than anything else.

Jonah: So your bags are in your room, just relax tonight and we’ll get started in the morning.

Vicki: Great, thanks.

A woman approaches from some sort of lounge, jumping up from a table and jogging towards Vicki as Jonah leaves.

Rachel: Welcome! Rachel Teerstra.

Vicki: Hi, I’m Vicki Wheeler. Nice to meet you.

Rachel: The first few days are tough. You’re ready to rip someone’s throat out for a latte. But once you settle in, it-it’s pretty great.

Vicki: Great.

Rachel takes Vicki toward the lounge.

Rachel: We’ve got, uh, organic food and uh lots of rest and herbal treatments, hydrotherapy and an attitude adjustment.

Vicki: Ah.

Rachel: It’s like a spa. Oh, isn’t doctor Hobman the greatest?

Vicki: He’s amazing.

Rachel: Oh.

Vicki sees that Rachel is hanging on her every word, clearly waiting for a glowing appraisal.

Vicki: I mean he’s so compassionate

Rachel: Yes.

Vicki: And I really feel like this time, it’s gonna work.

Rachel: Yeah.

Vicki: Yeah. So, is this… everyone?

Rachel: Oh, the alpha mommies, all high-risk, they’re in another wing. More alone time for bonding with the baby.

Vicki: Oh. No visitors?

Rachel: Oh, well, we can visit sometimes, but only if we bring loving energy.

Vicki: Well that is all I have.

A little while later Vicki is on the phone as Jonah prepares drinks for the ladies and distributes them.

Vicki: Yeah, it’s, uh, it’s lovely here. The other women are really welcoming.

Coreen’s Voice: Oh my god, is it horrible?

Vicki: (voice lowered) I feel like we’re going to break into a round of kumbaya any minute.

Coreen: Hang in there. So listen, we went to visit Mr. Deskin last night? He was fine, but the kid was not.

Vicki: You don’t say.

Coreen: Creepy eyes, all twitchy and weird. And, Henry smelled blood on him.

Vicki: What kind of blood?

Vicki’s words draw Jonah’s attention and she quickly looks away.

Coreen: Dead pets, there’s all kinds of animals missing from the neighborhood.

Vicki: (Falsely bright) Oh my gosh, you’re kidding?

Coreen’s Voice: No, there really are dead pets. Oh right, this cheerful double speak is hard to decipher sometimes.

Vicki: (Laughing loudly) Yeah, you should try it from my side. Hey, uh, you know what? Could you do a favor for me? (Lowering voice again) Try and track down some of the other families that came through the clinic. See if there’s anything odd about the kids. Bring Henry, see if he notices anything. Okay? ‘Cause I want to know what to expect, you know, with the results and everything. ‘Cause I’m telling you I’m willing to do anything for this baby.

Jonah comes over and interrupts.

Jonah: Vicki, it’s time for your physical.

Vicki: (To Jonah) Okay. (To Coreen) All right, well I gotta go. Thanks for calling.

Coreen: You’re freaking me out!

Vicki: me too. Bye!

Jonah: (after Vicki’s hung up the phone) All right.

Jonah leads Vicki away. Meanwhile, Mike is questioning Hobman’s associates.

Mike: I understand you had a practice with Dr. Hobman?

Doctor: Richard is a fine doctor. Dedicated. Always studying. But when he took time off to study new IVF techniques in Austria about ten, eleven years ago, his practice changed… a lot.

Mike: How so?

Doctor: He turned into a true believer. All that 'heal yourself with the power of the mind' nonsense.

Mike: Does that translate into ‘get pregnant with the power of your mind’?

Doctor: Mm, his success rate is pretty good, about double the average actually.

Mike: So chalk one up to airy-fairy?

Doctor: Any physician knows the mind can definitely affect health. In that respect a holistic practice seems reasonable. But holistic can be a euphemism for un-tested.  There could be health concerns for these children down the line.

Mike: And what about the mothers?

Doctor: They’re the real guinea pigs.

Back at the clinic Jonah prepares a special purple drink for Vicki, who looks at it with barely disguised disgust. It’s the same drink he prepared for the other mothers to be earlier.

Vicki: What is that?

Jonah: Many of these herbs have been used for centuries in the treatment of infertility. Black cohosh, red clover blossom, dong quai, chastetree berry. It’s all part of Dr. Hobman’s patented treatment.

Vicki: (sniffing the drink) I haven’t seen Dr. Hobman around much.

Jonah: Well he’s usually pretty busy in the lab, cooking up baby cocktails, but this is all based on his research and you can’t argue with results.

Vicki: All right. Hey, have any of the other mothers had, you know, problems with their babies?

Jonah: All you new moms, you’re always so nervous. Relax. That increases the uterine lining and moistens the mucous membrane.

Vicki: Mmm. Well, bottoms up. So, this is it? This is the treatment?

Jonah: Well, this is part of the preparation. Everyone gets this and lots of rest and relaxation.  But the actual fertilization procedure, well that depends on the individual.

Vicki: Hmm. And Dr. Hobman makes that assessment.

Jonah: That’s right. Keep drinking.

Vicki drinks down the special brew as Jonah watches closely.

Vicki: Chunky.

In another part of the clinic Dr. Hobman is checking a very pregnant Marlisse’s progress.

Hobman: Any day now Marlisse. Looking good.

Marlisse: (chuckling) Thank you.

They both look up as there’s a knock on the door.

Vicki: Mind if I visit?

Hobman: Come in. Of course. Vicki Wheeler, Marlisse Lafoy.

Marlisse: Hi.

Vicki: Nice to meet you.

Hobman: Don’t forget your drink, Marlisse.

Hobman leaves the women alone to chat as Marlisse obediently picks up her drink.

Vicki: Wow.

Marlisse: I know. Thirty six weeks, almost a full term. And I’ve never felt better in my life.

Marlisse sips her drink through a straw as Vicki looks on.

Vicki: Oh, is that one of Dr. Hobman’s disgusting shakes?

Marlisse: Trust me, you get used to them, except for the nightmares.

Vicki: Well maybe if they give you nightmares, you shouldn’t be drinking them.

Marlisse: Well, they’re not really nightmares. More like weird dreams. And Dr. Hobman says it’s a standard side effect. Anyway, you tell me everything about the outside world. World events, local news, celebrity scandals. Start with the celebrity scandals.

Vicki: (laughing) Is it really that bad in here?

Marlisse: Resting and relaxation is part of the program, but how many sudoko’s can I do in a day.

Vicki: Hmm, what about your husband?

Marlisse: Mitch has issues with the pregnancy. I’ve worked far too hard for this to let his negative energy interfere with my positive aura. He just… he doesn’t understand how important this is to us. What’s your story?

Vicki: What?

Marlisse indicates Vicki’s stomach which Vicki immediately pats.

Vicki: Oh, oh, umm… I don’t know. Everybody said ahh wait, you know, enjoy your youth, have a baby later. No one mentioned to me that the longer I waited my chances of conceiving reduced exponentially. Woke up one day, realizing it might be getting too late. And now, I’ll just take all the help I can get. I mean this is why I wanted to talk to you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted to be here. But no one seems to be able to tell me what the treatment is and I wonder, is the baby going to be healthy?

Marlisse nods understandingly and takes hold of Vicki’s hand, placing it on her stomach.

Marlisse: Here. Feel that. That’s healthy.

Marlisse grins and closes her eyes as Vicki looks at her stomach, feeling the baby push at her hand. She recoils, pulling her hand away and backing away from Marlisse’s bed as the baby pushes out. Vicki can clearly see the baby’s face outlined as it pushes up, right against Marlisse’s skin.

Vicki: Uh, oh.

 

Act Four

Vicki goes to check the hallway as she recovers and continues her questioning of a very groggy Marlisse.

Vicki: Marlisse?

Marlisse: Hmm?

Vicki: Does Dr. Hobman think everything’s okay with the baby?

Marlisse: Absolutely! He said we couldn’t be healthier.

Vicki: Yeah? Then why are you here?

Marlisse: Safety first. And this is where I got pregnant. It feels like a second home.

Vicki turns back toward Marlisse.

Vicki: Speaking of which, how exactly did you get pregnant?

Marlisse: Well if you don’t know that Vicki, your problem might not be infertility.

Vicki: (laughs) Yeah, I think I’ve got that part figured out. I-I’m talking about the treatment.

Marlisse: I was not optimistic because I’d had half a dozen IVF sessions before, but there’s something magic about this place.

Vicki: Listen, Marlisse, my name is Vicki Nelson. I’m a private detective. Your husband, Mitch, hired me to check in on you.

Marlisse: Mitch hired you?

Vicki: Yes, he’s very worried about you and the baby.

Marlisse: Aww, that’s sweet. But he’s got to relax.

Vicki: I kind of think relaxing might be the problem.

Vicki’s interrupted from talking to Marlisse any more by Dr. Hobman.

Hobman: Visiting hours are over.

Vicki gives him a smile and turns back to Marlisse.

Vicki: Marlisse, I’m sure you’re gonna be fine. Yeah, but be careful, all right?

Marlisse: Okay.

Hobman: Time to go.

Hobman and Vicki walk towards the door and Vicki turns back for one last look at the now sleeping Marlisse.

Vicki: Marlisse is such a great role model. What an inspiration.

Hobman: You’re very eager aren’t you?

Vicki: Yes.

Hobman: Good to know.

At the office Coreen is working the phones, looking for more of Dr. Hobman’s former clients.

Coreen: I’m sorry to bother you. Is this the Beth and Steven Young who went to the Hobman clinic?

All Coreen gets as an answer is a dial tone.

Coreen: Hello?

Confused, Coreen hangs up the phone and looks again at the phone book. Later, we see her walking around a neighborhood which, coincidentally, has more than a few lost pet stickers on poles and newspaper machines. She checks the address in her book against a house number and then crosses the street. As she gets ready to go up the steps a young boy runs past her in a grey overcoat.

Coreen: Hey!

The boy turns around to look at her and Coreen’s smile falls, a shocked expression crossing her face as she sees that he looks exactly like Travis Deskin.

Back at the clinic, the women are getting more of their special brew, Vicki included. She pours hers in a nearby tree as Jonah keeps handing out the glasses. As he passes, he does not give a glass to Rachel, instead he whispers something in her ear that causes her to jump up in happiness.

Rachel: I’m pregnant!

All the girls follow Rachel over to Vicki’s table where she has excitedly gone to convey her good news.

Rachel: Dr. Hobman did my serum test. My HCG is doubled.

Vicki: Great.

Rachel: That means I’m pregnant.

Vicki: Oh! Oh, hey! Congratulations!

Rachel: Oh, you’re next, I can tell. Jonah likes you.

Vicki: Oh, I think he likes everyone.

Rachel: Oh, no, Vicki. You don’t understand. Jonah’s a lucky charm. He has an instinct for who gets pregnant.

Rachel runs off to celebrate with the other girls as Vicki looks off confused. Jonah passes by the door and gives Vicki a knowing smile as he does so.

Back at the Deskins, Coreen and Henry are looking for Travis.

Deskin: I don’t understand. What’s so worrying that it couldn’t wait til the morning?

Henry: Where is your son?

Deskin: He’s upstairs, homework.

Coreen: Mr. Deskin, have you ever talked to the other parents that have used the clinic? Has there been any suggestion of similarities between children born there?

As Coreen questions Deskin, Henry looks up at the ceiling suspiciously and then back out the window, just in time to spot Travis in a children’s suit and a riding helmet, wheeling his bike down the driveway.

Deskin: You hear stories, you know?

As Henry watches Travis looks back, spotting him as well.

Henry: Excuse me.

Henry exits the house as Coreen continues to question Deskin.

Coreen: Stories?

Deskin: About fertility clinics and babies that aren’t really yours.  You try to put it out of your mind. Tell yourself it couldn’t happen to you.

As he talks Deskin takes something out of a nearby drawer.

Deskin: About a year after Travis was born, we got this from one of the families at the clinic around the same time.

He gives Coreen a baby picture of another child that bears a striking resemblance to another picture in a frame on a bookshelf not far away.

Back at the clinic, Mike’s come for a visit… and a case pow-wow.

Vicki: Its face was pressed up right against Marlisse’s skin, okay? Babies don’t do that. At least I really hope they don’t. Marlisse’s husband was right; Hobman’s doing something to these women, to their babies.

Mike: All right. Well I checked the doctor out. He’s had no complaints, he’s got no lawsuits. He’s completely clean. Apparently this clinic has twice the success rate of other clinics.

Vicki: Okay, that’s suspicious right there, especially with these women. I mean, most of them have undergone a barrage of treatments at other clinics that have all failed.

Mike: So why is this one working?

Vicki: Hey, sweetie, could you wash this for me?

Vicki hands over a garbage bag to Mike who looks into it and leans in closer.

Mike: You want me to wash your trash?

Vicki: Hobman’s making us all drink these herbal remedies, all right? Mine’s mixed in with the soil and in the cup is something he’s giving the expectant mothers. Okay, just get Mohadevan to analyze it and tell me what the hell is in it?

Mike: Wait a second, have you been drinking these?

Vicki: I’ve had to chug a couple.

Mike: Vicki, maybe it’s time to get out, huh?

Vicki: I can’t Mike. Okay? He is preying on these women. On their partners and on their futures. Okay, so I’m not going anywhere until I find out what’s going on here.

Mike: All right. Okay, I’ll have Mohadevan look into this ASAP.

Vicki grabs his hands.

Vicki: Miss you sweetie.

Mike: Miss you tons.

Mike and Vicki get up, Mike taking his bag of trash with him.

Mike: Okay?

Vicki: Yeah.

They share a kiss.

Mike: Okay.

Vicki: Okay.

Vicki watches Mike leave. Meanwhile, Coreen is still questioning Deskin.

Deskin: Even as a baby, there was something in the way his eyes would follow me. That feeling never went away. After his mother’s… accident, he got cold. So cold.

Coreen: Not quite human?

Deskin: How can I even think that? But I do.

Deskin turns to look out the window, crying as he does so.

In the woods, Travis is rolling his bike and finally stops near some trees. He takes out a scarf and calls out.

Travis: Gabriel!

Henry watches as Travis moves through the woods continuing to call out.

Travis: Gabriel! Where are you? Gabriel! I’ve got some food.

Another boy comes into view behind Travis.

Gabriel: I changed my mind. I want to go home.

Travis: (still turned away from Gabriel) Come on. We’re supposed to be adventurers.

Gabriel: I don’t want to. I wanna go home.

Travis: Okay, but you can only go home if you do as I say. First thing is you’ve got to put on this blindfold.

Travis approaches Gabriel and puts the scarf over his eyes and around his head, then he turns and walks a little ways away. Then he turns back.

Travis: Okay, now you gotta wait a minute and then we’re gonna go.

Travis walks further away as Gabriel stands there, blindfolded.

Gabriel: I’m scared. Travis!

Travis has walked over to a wooden sign and has picked up a knife. Holding it up over his head he approaches Gabriel from behind.

Travis: It’s okay. Just a minute.

Henry interrupts at high speed, his vampire nature in full effect.

Henry: Stop!

Gabriel takes off the blindfold and turns, seeing Henry, his hand over Travis’ on the knife. Gabriel looks at him, his eyes wide and frightened.

Henry: Quiet. You played with Travis but he wasn’t very nice. You’ll never play with him again. Now go… home.

Henry takes the knife from Travis as Gabriel runs away. Henry turns his controlling attention on Travis.

Henry: You will not harm this boy.

Travis: He wants me to. He tells me to.

Henry turns Travis to face him.

Henry: Who? Who tells you? You will not harm another human being.

Travis: I will not harm another human being.

Henry takes Travis’ face in his hands and leans a little bit closer.

Henry: You will not harm people or animals.

Travis: I won’t harm them.

Henry lets Travis go and he turns and walks away, seemingly in a daze.

Coreen exits the Deskin house to find Henry waiting for her.

Coreen: Henry, I think Travis may have killed his mother.

Henry: He was about to add to his accomplishments.

Coreen: Oh my god!

Henry: He’s under control… for now, but I don’t know how long it’ll last. He’s not completely human Coreen. There’s a blackness there, pure evil and something else is controlling it.

Coreen: He’s only ten.

Henry: But the darkness in him is ancient.

Back at the clinic another mother to be is in the hot tub and the hands with the blackness are in the water with her, letting the blackness seep into the water as she continues her ‘visualization’.

Woman: I’m ready to be a mother. I’m ready to open my spirit and my body to new life. I’m ready to be a mother. I’m ready to open my spirit and my body to new life. I’m ready to be a mother.

Vicki appears in the doorway.

Vicki: Hi.

Jonah looks up, surprised to see Vicki standing there as the woman, who appears to take no notice of the interruption, continues her chanting.

Woman: I’m ready to be a mother.

 

Act Five

As the woman continues her chanting, Vicki continues to watch Jonah and he watches her until they’re interrupted.

Woman: I’m ready to be a mother. (muted) I’m ready to be a mother.

Hobman: What are you doing here?

Vicki: Oh, I’m so sorry, I-I couldn’t sleep.

Hobman leads Vicki away and escorts her back to her room.

Hobman: Each patient’s treatment is private and confidential.

Vicki: I’m sorry, it’s just… if I’m gonna do this to myself I want to know what’s what.

Hobman: Well, then, ask. But don’t go around spying on other women and their procedures.

Vicki: A bath is a procedure?

Hobman: It’s the three ‘R’s, rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s all part of the plan and it only works if you let it.

Vicki: Well, it is my money, Dr. Hobman.

Hobman: And you’re free to have it back. This isn’t a prison, Mrs. Wheeler and you’re free to leave at any time. In fact, I think that might be best.

Vicki: What?

Hobman: You’re resisting the program. You refuse to follow the simplest rules. Now we can’t facilitate your dream if you don’t let us.

Vicki: Please, I want this baby. Look, I really do. Please don’t make me leave.

Hobman: Vicki, I understand this is a trying time for you. Clearly you’re a take-charge woman who is used to charting her own course. But, in this case, if you want to achieve your heart’s desire, if you want to beat your own biology, you have to let someone else steer this particular ship. You have to trust us.

Vicki: All right.

Hobman: Good night.

Vicki: Good night.

Hobman: Okay.

Hobman closes Vicki’s door and sees Jonah staring at him from down the hallway. Hobman hurries away from Vicki’s room.

Back at the office Coreen and Henry investigate what might be in Travis Deskin.

Coreen: The changeling.

Henry: The Deskin boy?

Coreen: (reading from an internet page titled Swartalfen) Elves, dwarves, trolls and even fairies have all been known to secretly trade their own twisted, unwanted offspring for a more desirable human child.  These legendary creatures want the human infant for various reasons: companionship, servitude, spite and in some cases consumption.

Henry: Does Vicki ever talk about having kids?

Coreen: Where did that come from?

Henry: I don’t know, just curious.

Coreen: I don’t know, she hasn’t said anything. But then again older women are always talking about how their biological clocks are ticking.

Henry: Older women.

Coreen: You know what I mean. What about you? Can vampires even have kids?

Henry: When you turn someone, they can feel like your child. But there’s that vampire territorial instinct. It’s not long before you want to kill them.

Coreen: Oh, so like other real kids and their parents.

Henry: Pretty much. But I feel as though I miss it. (Reading from a book) The good elves, blah, blah, blah, blah… the evil dark elves find solace in the dark spaces and delight in the torment of man.

Coreen: The dark elves.

Henry: (Continues reading) A Swartalfen is an evil elf from proto-Germanic myth who impregnates women with his demon seed. As the children of these dark elves grow older, they begin to spread death and destruction wherever they go. They are the Alfenkindren.

Coreen: That boy tonight.

Henry: And Vicki’s in their den.

Vicki is investigating over at the clinic, having snuck into what appears to be Hobman’s office. She begins going through his files, noticing blue stickers with dates on Marlisse’s and Rachel’s files.

Vicki: Nine months ago. And yesterday.

She pulls out another file and reads from the treatment page.

Vicki: Hydrotherapy.

She looks through Marlisse’s and Rachel’s files again.

Vicki: Hmm, hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy. Yes, yes, yes. Jonah.

She puts the files away and goes to close the door but she thinks better of it and goes back into the file, looking at the chart on Vicki Wheeler and noticing a blue sticker with no date in it.

Vicki: You are not my type.

Pulling out a page from one of the files she quickly faxes it over to the station and then just as quickly leaves the office once again.

Over at the lab, Mohadevan has analyzed the mixtures Hobman feeds to his patients.

Mike: Doc, you’re killing me, its way too early in the morning for statistics.

Mohadevan: Those are the test results from your samples.

Mike: Yeah, you care to translate?

Mohadevan: Well the soil sample produced a concoction of herbs, cohosh, red clover blossom, dong quai, chastetree berry. Care to guess what they all have in common?

Mike: They all taste disgusting?

Mohadevan: And all are believed to facilitate conception.

Mike: Really? How about the other sample?

Mohadevan: Well, neither sample would harm someone, but the second one could make them quite happy, sleepy and compliant.

Mike: You’re saying it’s a compliancy cocktail?

Mohadevan: Precisely.

Mike gets out his phone and hits a speed dial number to the Hobman Clinic.

Mike: Yeah, this is Mike Wheeler. I’d like to talk with my wife, Vicki.

Vicki comes into Marlisse’s room the next morning.

Vicki: Marlisse, Hi!

Marlisse: Hi.

Vicki: How ya doing?

Vicki takes the special drink away from Marlisse and tosses it.

Marlisse: What are you doing?

Vicki: Okay, listen to me. You have to stop drinking that stuff. It’s dangerous for the baby.

Marlisse: What are you talking about? Dr. Hobman would never do anything to risk the health of the baby.

Vicki: My friend is a doctor. She says that that mixture of herbs is dangerous for you and the baby.

Marlisse: The baby.

Vicki: Yes, all right? Listen to me. Just do what I say, okay? Promise me you won’t drink anymore.

Marlisse: I promise.

Vicki: All right, I’ll be back.

Kate comes up as Mike is walking through the squad room.

Mike: Oh, hey, Kate.

Kate: Fax from Vicki.

Mike: Oh, yeah? Good.

Kate: “Miss you baby. Don’t forget to check out the foreman’s crew…”

Mike: (reaching out for the fax, which Kate yanks away) Thank you.

Kate: “… before we commit to the Renos. XOXO Vicki.”

Mike: (grabs the paper and sits at his desk) Thank you.

Kate: Something you’re not telling me?

Mike: It would take days.

Kate walks away as Mike reads the message again and then pulls up the Hobman website.

Mike: Foreman’s crew.

At the clinic, Marlisse is in pain.

Marlisse: Ow! Hey, enough of that baby. (She pulls up her shirt and sees the baby pressing out against her stomach, frightening her) Oh!

In the lounge, Vicki is questioning one of the other mothers to be as Marlisse pulls up in a wheelchair.

Vicki: How did you meet Dr. Hobman?

Marlisse: What do you know about my baby?

Vicki: What happened?

Marlisse: I did what you said. I stopped drinking that green goop this morning and I saw something that wasn’t right! You saw it the other day.

Vicki gets up and begins to push Marlisse away from the other girl and into her own room, where Vicki grabs her purse.

Vicki: Okay, tell me about the hydrotherapy.

Marlisse: You… you go into a tub, it’s like a sensory deprivation tank. You repeat a mantra. It’s just a guided relaxation.

Vicki: No, you see, everyone that’s gotten pregnant here has one thing in common. Hydrotherapy.

Marlisse: It doesn’t make any sense. It’s just a bath.

Vicki: Look, something happens in that bath, okay, and I have reason to believe that you and your baby are at risk. All right? Just let me get you out of here. All you need to do is say yes.

Marlisse: Yes.

Vicki: Okay, we’re going to tell them we’re gonna get some air.

They are stopped at the door of Vicki’s room by Jonah.

Jonah: No one goes outside Vicki, rules are rules.

Vicki: We’re just gonna get some air.

Jonah pulls Marlisse out of the room and continues to block Vicki’s exit as Marlisse rolls herself away.

Vicki: What are you doing to these women?

Jonah: I’m helping them. Just like I’ll be helping you later tonight. Don’t make a fuss, Vicki. You’ll upset the pregnant ladies… and me.

Vicki tries to get by him but Jonah throws her back into the room with one hand and then closes and locks the door on her. Vicki gets up and tries to get out but it’s no use. She’s trapped.

 

Act Six

Mike’s on the phone at the station.

Mike: You found him? That’s great! Um… when was that? 1942 to 1960? Uh, what was he doing back then? A GP? You’ve got to be kidding me. Uh, listen; do you have a photo of him from back then? Yeah.

Kate: (Approaching his desk) You and the ladies today.

Mike: (Into the phone) Uh, just a minute. (Looks up at Kate) A friend of yours got stopped at the door. Pushed the metal detector into the red zone. We thought we were under siege but she seems to be some kind of attack gardener.

Kate steps aside to reveal Coreen standing a few feet away. Kate walks away and Coreen hefts up a heavy bag onto her shoulder and gives Mike a grin.

Mike: (Into the phone) Can you fax me that photo right away?

Mike shows Coreen into the conference room where she dumps her army bag of metal on the table.

Mike: Okay, what’s in the bag?

Coreen: Henry and I think it’s a Swartalfen. An evil elf from Norse myth.

Mike: (Leaning over the bag in defeat) I though elves were supposed to be good.

Coreen: Light elves are. But the Swartalfen, a dark elf, is pure evil, grotesque. They used to switch their babies for ours. The changelings are supposed to grow up and kill their parents. But most people notice the difference.

Mike: Yeah.

Coreen: They’re breeding with us to spread death and despair. Their spawn, the Alfenkindren are sociopaths, fledgling serial killers.

Mike: Okay, wonderful news. I guess that lets a lot of distraught parents off the hook.

Mike pulls out some sort of sword from the bag and holds it up.

Coreen: Henry caught one about to kill another child. He’s only ten years old. He’s already a killer.

Mike: And what’s all this?

Coreen: According to legend, the Swartalfen worked the forges for the gods. They have a pathological hatred for iron. I’m hoping this will kill it.

Mike: What? You’re hoping?

Coreen: The only other information I have on killing evil elves involves rolling a twenty sided dice. We’ve gotta stop that doctor before it’s too late.

Mike: Well, it’s not the doctor.

Mike and Coreen go back over to his desk and he shows her a picture of Jonah from the 40s and 50s. 

Mike: It’s him.

Coreen: I’ll call Henry.

Over at the clinic, Vicki is still trying to find her way out of the room she’s been trapped in but having no success. Suddenly Henry appears behind her.

Henry: Miss me?

Vicki: Oh, more than you know.

Henry: We’ve got to go. Mike’s outside. It’s too dangerous for you here.

Vicki: Tell me about it.

They hear the door lock click open.

Vicki: Hide. Okay, wait for my signal.

Vicki approaches the door as Jonah opens it.

Jonah: Marlisse has gone into labor. Our encounter will have to wait a while.

Vicki: Go to hell.

Jonah: You’re upset now. Once you feel that new life growing inside you, you’ll change your mind.

As Jonah talks Vicki looks upward, where Henry has braced himself on the ceiling. Jonah leaves her alone again, closing the door behind him. Henry drops back to his feet to stand in front of Vicki.

Henry: Was any of that a signal because if it was I completely missed it.

Vicki: No, you did fine.

Henry: That’s Jonah.

Vicki: The nurse. He gives all the women a therapeutic bath and they come out pregnant.

Henry: With his evil spawn. He’s a Swartalfen.

Vicki: He’s a what? Uh, just get to the good part.

Henry: Anything that’s iron should kill it. I’m supposed to get you out of here.  Rendezvous with Mike.

They hear a woman’s screams.

Vicki: I think we’re going to plan B.

Henry knocks the door down as Jonah and the doc wheel Marlisse down the hall on a gurney. They see Henry and Vicki and hurry up, going into a room and closing the door behind them. Henry and Vicki follow.

Henry: She’s in labor. There’s nothing we can do for her now and the children aren’t in any danger.

Vicki: She’s scared to death.

Henry: We return when we’re better prepared.

Vicki: No, we are ending this now.

They are interrupted by a whoosh and low rumble. White smoke comes at them from across the corridor and engulfs them. Vicki coughs as they get separated.

Henry: Vicki!

Vicki: Henry!

In another room Dr. Hobman hands Marlisse her baby.

Hobman: A beautiful baby boy Marlisse.

Marlisse: Mitch, Mitch should be here.

Hobman: I’ll make sure he’s called.

Marlisse: (To the baby) Hi

Hobman leaves as Marlisse looks at her baby. She smiles at it but then her face falls.

Outside in the hallway, Vicki and Henry are still trying to find their way in the smoke.

Vicki: Henry.

Henry: Vicki.

Vicki: Henry.

Vicki feels her way through the smoke and comes up against the Swartalfen.

Vicki: Oh crap.

The Swartalfen pushes her aside as Henry approaches and he and Henry fight for a few moments until all of the sudden a crowbar to the back of the head knocks down the Swartalfen. Mike holds up the crowbar as he stands.

Mike: I guess iron really does work.

Vicki and Henry get up, Henry still in full vampire face.

Vicki: What?

Henry: (vampire voice) Compliments of Coreen.

Vicki: It’s gone.

Mike: So does that mean we’re gonna kill this thing?

Vicki: Damn straight it does.

They all move down the corridor and we move back to Marlisse’s room where Hobman is standing over his patient as Jonah returns, rubbing the back of his head.

Hobman: Jonah, are you all right?

Jonah: I’m fine. The baby?

Hobman: Hale and hearty. Another boy. It must be the water.

Jonah: May I?

Jonah moves forward and takes the baby out of Marlisse’s hands. When he turns around we see the Swartalfen is back and Mike, Henry and Vicki find him as he runs a finger down the baby’s cheek.

Swartalfen: So beautiful.

Vicki: Henry, the baby!

Henry moves forward at speed and takes the baby away from the Swartalfen as he begins his chant.

Swartalfen: Feierlich menschen!

Vicki runs at the Swartalfen as soon as the baby is safe but he knocks the iron out of her hand and knocks her backward into Mike. Mike steps forward with the crowbar.

Mike: Come on! COME ON!

The Swartalfen hesitates and all of the sudden Marlisse rams the iron that Vicki dropped into his back, killing him.

Marlisse: Give me back my baby!

Henry immediately hands the now crying baby over to his mom and she cradles him as everyone else watches the Swartalfen dissolve into a puddle of black goo.

Mike takes the now arrested Dr. Hobman out of the clinic a little while later as Henry approaches Vicki.

Henry: So? Still want a baby?

Vicki says nothing, just grimaces a little as Marlisse is wheeled out of the clinic. Mitch runs up to her the minute he sees her and they’re reunited as Mike approaches Vicki and Henry.

Mitch: Marlisse!

Vicki, Henry and Mike look on as the Lafoys are reunited and behind them Rachel is wheeled out in another wheelchair, crying.

Mike: Rachel lost the baby.

Vicki: The Swartalfen’s last act of violence.

Mike: Is Marlisse’s baby one of them?

Henry: The connection to the Swartalfen was broken when it died, but I can still sense darkness within it.

Vicki: Well, let’s just hope it takes after its mother’s side of the family.

The next day we see two young kids walking a dog on a neighborhood street as Travis Deskin (or possibly another Alfenkindren) watches them.

End Post Partum

== BLOOD TIES ==
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