La Llorona (Fictional audio drama script)

LA LLORONA

A One-Act Play for the audio drama

"Twelve Chimes, It's Midnight"

Aimee Pavy

CHARACTERS

VIOLET HENDERSON Woman, age 25-35. Writer and expat living in a popular expat town, San Miguel de Allende, northwest of Mexico City. She and her husband have made a decent living and some fame as mystery-writers, but are trying out living in Mexico to save money and take a break from the San Francisco. She is a down-to-earth young woman, who loves her husband, being a mother, and writing.

SEÑORA DAVILA Woman, 25-35. Runs a restaurant near the Hendersons’ hotel. She is a social butterfly and a big part of the local community. If you know Rosa Davila, you know everyone. She is married to the Chief of Police, Roberto Davila.

BILLY HENDERSON A boy of 6 years. He is the son of Violet and Joe. He is a typical boy with strong empathetic feelings and therefore very sweet to others. He has been excited about learning Spanish to speak with his new Mexican friend Carlito.

JOE HENDERSON Man, age 25-35. Like his wife, a writer and ex-pat from California. He is a great guy and quite a guys’-guy, but not at the expense of his relationship with his wife. They are a team, but Joe is emotional despite his friendly bro exterior, which under stress overrides his intelligence.

CHIEF OF POLICE DAVILA Man, 30-50. Roberto polices his town with a firm, but loving force. He is great role-model who works closely with the community and thereby has a town with a very low crime rate. He is a sharp guy, and his wife worries sometimes that he is bored and would be more challenged in a bigger city, but loves her town.

CARLITO DAVILA Like Billy, a boy of 6 years. Son of Rosa and Roberto. He is a sweet kid, eager to learn English now that he has a new American friend Billy.

OPENING

SOUND: CLOCK TICKING, THEN THREE CHIMES THAT FADE

ANNOUNCER: Twelve chimes, it’s midnight. At midnight, anything can happen.

SOUND: FADE IN THEME MUSIC, MUSIC FADES, LAST NINE CHIMES

ANNOUNCER cont: There are many things to watch out for when visiting a foreign country, but sometimes what gets you is the thing least expected.

Join us now for a cautionary tale about discounting local traditions in the play “La Llorona.”

SOUND: THREE CHIMES MARK THE BEGINNING OF SCENE 1

SCENE 1

SOUND: MUSIC PLAYS (MEXICAN GUITAR TUNE), SOUNDS OF A CAFÉ WITH SPANISH VOICES MIXED WITH ENGLISH

VIOLET: Beunas tardes Señora Davila!

SEÑORA: (GRACIOUS, WELCOMING) Good evening Mrs. Henderson. Where is your husband and boy?

VIOLET: They should be along soon. Señora, you should hear Billy, he’s trying to learn the words for everything, and asking everyone “Que es eso?”

SEÑORA: (HAPPY/BUBBLY) That’s wonderful. Young children learn so fast! (ENCOURAGING) He has ambition to live in Mexico?

VIOLET: We all do. (WHISTFULLY) It’s very beautiful here. (EXCITED) And we’ve been so productive! My husband and I’ve almost completed our latest novel, the first draft anyway. And Billy is excited to learn Spanish so he can talk to your boy, Carlito.

SEÑORA: (CHUCKLING) Carlito now asks to learn English words. They’ll learn from each other, no?

VIOLET: Yes, I hope so.

SEÑORA: Ah here they are. Good evening Mr. Henderson. Cómo estás esta tarde, Billy?

BILLY: Bueno!

JOE: Billy, please greet Señora Davila.

BILLY: (SLOWLY, CAREFULLY) Señora Davila, estas hermosa esta noche.

SEÑORA: Muy bien Billy! Muy bien! (PAUSE, NOTICES HIS SKINNED KNEE) Oh Billy, did you hurt yourself?

JOE: He slipped just now and skinned his knee a little. You okay buddy?

BILLY: Hugs make it all better, right Mommy?

VIOLET: (HUGGING BILLY) Ummmm. There now. Better?

JOE: And your husband, cualquier emocion para la policía hoy?

VIOLET: What’s that?

JOE: I said, any excitement for the police today?

SEÑORA: (CHUCKLES) No Señor, it has been very quiet. (JOKING) We might have to move to Mexico City so my husband doesn’t die of...(PAUSE, LOOKING FOR THE ENGLISH WORD, GIVES UP)...aburrimiento..ah, ah, (FINDS THE WORD) boredom.

JOE: Good thing we’re not looking to San Miguel for ideas for our latest mystery novel.

SEÑORA: (CHUCKLES) That’s true Señor. You are in the wrong place for that kind of inspiration. (DOWN TO BUSINESS) NOW! Would you like to see the menu?

VIOLET: Your suggestions so far Señora Davila have been absolutely delicious. We leave our fate in your hands, what would you suggest this evening?

SEÑORA: (CHUCKLING) So much responsibility! (DRAMTICALLY) You wait and I will bring you something wonderful.

JOE: Oh Señora Davila, I wanted to ask, is it safe to walk at night along the water, along the river?

VIOLET: (EXCITED) Oh right...with the full moon tonight, we were thinking the water and the view of the town would be lovely.

SEÑORA: (ALARMED) Oh you musn’t! (CATCHING HERSELF) Not at night.

JOE: I’m surprised to hear that, this town is so safe.

SEÑORA: (CALM AGAIN, BUT WORRIED ABOUT TALKING A GHOST) There are no criminals to fear, Señor Henderson, but...

VIOLET: (CONCERNED) What is it Señora Davila?

SEÑORA: (SHEEPISH) I don’t want to seem superstitious, but...

VIOLET: (REASSURING) Please, I hope I’m not being too forward to say, you can tell us anything.

SEÑORA: You will think I am an old fashion and silly-headed woman.

VIOLET: Of course not.

SEÑORA: Well...there is a tale told of a woman...La Llorona.

VIOLET: La Llorona, what does it mean?

SEÑORA: It means “the crying woman.” La Llorona haunts the lake crying out for her husband and her lost children.

VIOLET: Lost children?

SEÑORA: (STORYTELLING MODE) Many many years ago, La Llorona was abandoned by her husband, el amor de su vida, because he did not want children. She was devastated, as she loved him very much.

JOE: What happened to her...and los niños, the children?

SEÑORA: (STILL IN STORYTELLING MODE) The story goes that in a fit of grief, she drowned her children and herself in the lake.

VIOLET: How awful!

JOE: (REALISING, A TINY BIT PATRONIZING) Ooooh, I see...she’s a ghost.

SEÑORA: (SERIOUS) Yes, Señor.

BILLY: Why does she cry?

SEÑORA: (TONING DOWN FOR THE CHILD) She cries Billy because she is very sad and she misses her family.

BILLY: Oh no, she’s sad.

JOE: Don’t worry Billy, it’s just a story, a fascinating local legend.

SEÑORA: (SERIOUS) I’m afraid it is no legend Señor.

JOE: (INCREDULOUS) You can’t be serious. Surely it’s a story to convince the children to stay close to home.

VIOLET: (WORRIED) Maybe we shouldn’t take our walk along the river tonight. Joe, let’s stay in town.

JOE: (BIT OF BRAVADO) Nonsense. Living criminals are the danger. If they exist in this sleepy town. And as as to the supernatural, I think we can handle a sad ghost or two. Isn’t that right Billy?

BILLY: Sure!

SEÑORA: (SHEEPISH) You’re probably right Señor. Ghosts in this modern age?

(SPOOKY STORYTELLING VOICE) But beware of the sounds indicating her presence.

JOE: (CHUCKLING) Señora, with all due respect, you’re sounding like a spooky radio play.

VIOLET: (NERVOUS) Shhh, Joe. What kind of sounds?

SEÑORA: The sound of dripping water or, of course, the sound of a woman weeping.

VIOLET: I understand Señora.

SEÑORA: (SERIOUS, ANXIOUS) Please come straight back to town if you hear anything unusual. Promise me, please. Prométeme por favor.

VIOLET: We promise.

SOUND: THREE CHIMES MARK THE END OF SCENE 1

SCENE 2

SOUND: CRICKETS, EVENING BIRDS, LIGHT BREEZE, FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVELY PATH

VIOLET: (SIGH) It’s so peaceful. I honestly can’t imagine any evil lurking around here.

JOE: You hear that bird Billy? That’s the call of a mockingbird. He’s calling out to his mate.

SOUND: BILLY LAUGHS

BILLY: Does La...La Llorona call, like the mockingbird, to find her husband?

JOE: Who?

VIOLET: The ghosty-woman, remember?

JOE: Oh right. No, not like the mockingbird, Billy. Poor La Llorona. I’m afraid the ship has sailed on her romance.

BILLY: What ship?

SOUND: VIOLET AND JOE CHUCKLE

VIOLET: (STILL LAUGHING A BIT) We shouldn’t joke, Joe. It feels disrespectful.

JOE: The ghost must hate loving families trespassing on her haunt.

VIOLET: (SCOLDING) Joe.

JOE: (DRAMATICALLY) I love you my darling and your little boy too! Please don’t go drowning yourself on my account.

VIOLET: Joe! (ANNOYED, BUT STAYING POSITIVE FOR BILLY) Really. You are a good catch, Joe Henderson, but don’t push it.

JOE: (SILLY) I love you my darling, I can’t live without you...

SOUND: KISSING SOUND AND QUIET LAUGHTER

BILLY: (LAUGHING JOYFULLY, JOINING IN THE FUN) Yuk!

SOUND: LAUGHTER

JOE: (SPOOKY, LIKE A RADIO NARRATOR) Ah, THIS is the part of the story when the ghost makes her appearance.

SOUND: A DISTANCE WAIL RINGS OUT ACROSS THE WATER

JOE cont: (PLEASED WITH HIMESELF) And there she is!

VIOLET: (STILL LAUGHING A LITTLE) Right on schedule.

SOUND: ANOTHER DISTANCE WAIL RINGS OUT ACROSS THE WATER; LAUGHTER DIES QUICKLY

VIOLET cont: (NERVOUS) All kidding aside Joe, what was that?

JOE: (SPOOKY VOICE) La Llorona of course.

VIOLET: (ANNOYED, NERVOUS) Please Joe, that’s really not funny. You’re gunna scare Billy.

JOE: Nah, you’re my tough guy, my hardboiled junior detective, right Billy?

BILLY: Right!

SOUND: ANOTHER DISTANCE WAIL RINGS OUT ACROSS THE WATER

VIOLET: (NERVIOUS) Oh my god Joe, that really sounds eerie.

SOUND: CLOSER NOW, ANOTHER WAIL RINGS OUT

JOE: (SPOOKED) Jesus. Whatever that is, it’s movin’ fast.

BILLY: (CALM, FACTUAL) No more mockingbirds.

JOE: (SUPER CREEPED OUT) Yeah you’re right buddy. (PAUSE) No more mockingbirds.

VIOLET: Joe, where did all the birds go?

SOUND: ANOTHER WAIL RINGS OUT

BILLY: (GETTING EMOTIONAL, NOT FEAR, BUT CONCERN) The lady, she’s crying.

JOE: I don’t know what that is Billy, but let’s head back to town.

VIOLET: Agreed. Billy come here and hold Mommy’s hand. (MORE INSISTENT) Billy.

BILLY: (DISTRACTED) I want to tell the lady.

JOE: Tell her what Billy?

BILLY: Hugs make it all better.

VIOLET: Hold my hand Billy.

BILLY: (UPSET, A LITTLE DESPERATE) Mommy, maybe she doesn’t know...about hugs.

SOUND: WATER POURING OFF SOMETHING, LIKE THE FIRST RUSH OF WATER OFF THE BODY WHEN YOU EXIT A SWIMMING POOL

JOE: What’s that noise?

VIOLET: Billy, come here!

SOUND: A WAIL RINGS OUT, VERY CLOSE! VIOLET SCREAMS, SOUND OF STUMBLING, JOE YELLS

JOE: (ANGRY, ON EDGE OF HYSTERIA) What the hell was that? Something attacked me!

VIOLET: Joe, you’re bleeding.

JOE: What? Where’s Billy?

VIOLET: (HYSTERICAL) Billy! He’s gone. Joe! Oh my god Joe, where’s BILLY!!

JOE: (UPSET, IN SHOCK) What? He was just here. (YELLS, CALLING) Billy! BILLY!

VIOLET: (SHOCKED) He’s gone Joe.

JOE: (YELLING) Billy god dammit, where are you?!

VIOLET: (JUMPING INTO ACTION) We have to get help. Joe, we have to go back to town. The Davilas will know what to do.

JOE: (IN SHOCK) Billy wanted to help.

VIOLET: (FRANTIC) What are you talking about?

JOE: (IN SHOCK) He wanted to comfort the crying woman, La Llorona.

SOUND: THREE CHIMES MARK THE END OF SCENE 2

SCENE 3

SOUND: RUNNING FOOTSTEPS, STOPPING

VIOLET: (OUT OF BREATH) Police Chief Davila!

DAVILA: What is going on? Señor Henderson you’re hurt!

JOE: (OUT OF BREATH) Billy! He’s missing.

DAVILA: We must get you to a doctor.

JOE: Forget that now, we need your help to find Billy.

DAVILA: Tell me what happened.

VIOLET: There was a woman...

JOE: We don’t know what it was.

VIOLET: (FRANTIC) Your wife warned us!

DAVILA: I don’t understand.

VIOLET: La Llorona.

DAVILA What?! (AMAZED) You tell me you’ve seen her?

JOE: (FRANTIC) Someone took Billy!

DAVILA: (VERY SERIOUS) I see.

SOUND: RUNNING, STOPPING

DAVILA: Rosa, Carlito.

SEÑORA: (BREATHING HEAVY) We saw you from the restaurant and came running. What is wrong?

DAVILA: La Llorona.

SEÑORA: (SHOCKED) No... you’ve seen her! And Billy...where is Billy? (PAUSE) Oh no. Billy!

JOE: (IN SHOCK, HALF TO HIMSELF) Ghosts kidnapping children. This can’t be happening.

DAVILA: (TAKING CHARGE) Focus Señor. Okay, Rosa, what do we know about La Llorona?

SEÑORA: (BRAINSTORMING) She wears a white dress, she searches for her children, she...she haunts the lake, is soaking wet, dripping water...

VIOLET: (FRANTIC) We heard water.

DAVILA: (IDEA DAWNS ON HIM) Oh no...agua. She haunts the water.

VIOLET: (FRANTIC) What about water?!

SEÑORA: (WITH DREAD) She’ll eventually return to the water and take Billy with her.

SOUND: VIOLET GASPS

JOE: What?!

VIOLET: (RENEWED PANIC) Oh my god, we have to find them!

DAVILA: Rosa, I’m going back for my gun.

VIOLET: What good will that do against a ghost?

DAVILA: In case she is not a ghost Señora, just in case. Rosa, you run back and grab a flashlight from the restaurant. Leave Carlito with Señora Henderson and run!

SEÑORA: Si si!

SOUND: TWO PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY

JOE: We can’t just stand here.

VIOLET: Just a few minutes.

CARLITO: Mamá?

VIOLET: (GENTLY TO CARLITO) Don’t worry honey, they’ll be right back. Un minuto.

JOE: (LIGHT BULB!) Carlito. He could draw her out...and then we could grab Billy.

VIOLET: Carlito? You’re mad.

JOE: It could work.

VIOLET: (INSISTENT) We can’t put Carlito in danger.

JOE: (CONFIDENTLY) He wouldn’t be, I’ll be ready this time.

VIOLET: The Davilas wouldn’t allow it.

JOE: I’ll have to take that risk. Carlito, want to go see Billy? Encontramos Billy?

CARLITO: Si señor!

JOE: (EXCITED, HOPEFUL) Okay, vamonos!

VIOLET: Wait, Joe. They’ll have a plan.

JOE: (IMPATIENT) They have no plan, at least not as good as this one. Venga, Carlito.

VIOLET: No, Joe, no! I won’t let you!

JOE: Get away from me Violet, so help me!

SOUND: STRUGGLING, STUMBLING, FALL, RUNNING AWAY

VIOLET: (YELPS, GASPS) Oh god, my ankle.

SOUND: STRUGGLING

VIOLET cont: (UPSET/ANGRY/FRUSTRATED) No no no NO!!

SOUND: FIST HITTING THE GROUND IN FRUSTRATION

VIOLET cont: Oh Joe how could you? (YELLING) Come back!

SOUND: SLOW DRAGGING FOOTSTEPS LAST FOR A WHILE [GIVING TIME FOR JOE AND CARLITO TO GET A GOOD DISTANCE AWAY INTO THE DARK]

SOUND: RUNNING STEPS FROM DISTANCE

VIOLET cont: Help!

SOUND: RUNNING STEPS APPROACH

DAVILA: (BREATHING HEAVY) Mrs. Henderson!

SEÑORA: (BREATHING HEAVY) Where is your husband?!

VIOLET: I don’t know what came over him...

DAVILA: (BELLOWS) Where is Carlito?!

SEÑORA: (ANGUISHED) CARLITO!

VIOLET: (STARTLED, ASHAMED) He...

SEÑORA: (IN NEAR DISBELIEF) He’s hoping La Llorona will come to Carlito. We must find them!

VIOLET: Yes! But I can’t walk.

DAVILA: (BARKING ORDERS) Rosa, give me the flashlight. Take Mrs. Henderson back to the hotel and I’ll go after the boys. Go go!

SEÑORA: (FIRMLY) No. Lo siento, I’m sorry Mrs. Henderson. You must go back on your own. I’m going to find my son.

DAVILA: (QUICKLY ACCEPTS NEW PLAN) Ok Rosa. We have to go, now!

VIOLET: Please find Billy...and Carlito.

DAVILA: (ANNOYED) Los encontraremos!

SEÑORA: Por favor, no te preocupes. We will find them.

DAVILA: Ahora!

VIOLET: Please be careful.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUN OFF

SOUND: THREE CHIMES MARK THE END OF SCENE 3

SCENE 4

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS OF MAN AND BOY

JOE: Carlito, hold onto my hand. Ah...toma mi mano, Carlito.

JOE cont: (IN ENGLISH) I’m keeping a strong grip on you.

JOE cont: I’m pretty sure this is where we saw her. It’s hard to tell.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE

JOE cont: Carlito, call out to him. Grito, “Billy!” Debemos obtener su atención.

CARLITO: (LOUDLY) Billy, donde estas Billy?!

JOE: (TO HIMSELF) Nothing.

JOE cont: Try again. De nuevo, Carlito. Grito, grito!

CARLITO: (LOUDLY) Billy, donde estas Billy?!

SOUND: PAUSE AND THEN LA LLORONA’S WAILING CRY

JOE: (IN AWE, SURPRISED, TERRIFIED) She’s here.

SOUND: DRIPPING WATER, PAUSE

CARLITO: (PLEASED) Hola Billy. (IN AWE) La Llorona.

SOUND: LOW WEEPING SLOWLY STOPS

CARLITO: (EMOTIONAL) No estés triste, señora... podemos ser amigos. (PAUSE) Si. (PAUSE) Si, voy a sostener tu mano.

JOE: No! Carlito! Come back!

SOUND: DRIPPING WATER CONTINUES, THEN PERIOD OF SILENCE

BILLY: She hardly cries at all now, Daddy.

JOE: (VOICE CRACKS, EMOTIONAL) You have them both now. (PAUSE) Can’t you speak! Let them go. They belong with me. They are not your children! (DESPERATE) Ellos no son tus niños! Déjalos ir!

SOUND: LA LLORONA BEINGS WEEPING AGAIN, LOW AND MOURNFULLY

JOE: (CAREFULLY) Come to me boys. Ven a mi. (PAUSE, DESPERATE, FRUSTRATED) Won’t you let them go? Déjalos ir. Déjalos ir!! Maldita sea! (PAUSE, PANICKED) No, no! Don’t leave, not with the children! For god sakes! No! Ah...no te vayas! No te vayas!!!! (PAUSE, FORMING AN IDEA, LOVINGLY) Mi amor. (SWEETLY) My darling. Mi amor, no te vayas. Soy tu esposo, te he regresado. Déjar a los niños y ven a mi. (KEEPING COOL, VERY CAREFUL) Yes, that’s right. That’s my girl. Tu esposo esta aqui. Déjalos ir. Te quiero, mi amor. Te quiero. Ven a mi.

JOE cont: (SHORT PAUSE) RUN! BOYS RUN! CORRER!!

SOUND: SMALL FEET RUNNING FAST! ROAR OF THE GHOST, FURIOUS! WIND WHIPS, JOE YELLS, THEN SOUNDS OF HEAVIER STEPS RUNNING; A WAIL OF THE GHOST FAR AWAY; ANOTHER FARTHER AWAY

DAVILA: (AT A DISTANCE) Boys! Chicos!!

SEÑORA: (RELIEVED) Oh thank god...gracias a Dios que estás a salvo.

DAVILA: (FURIOUS) Mr. Henderson, (SLOWLY, TONS OF CONTROLLED ANGER) you are very lucky.

JOE: (RELIEVED, OUT OF BREATH) Yes.

SEÑORA: (FURIOUS, EMOTIONAL) If anything had happened to Carlito!

JOE: I did what I felt I had do. But I’m...I’m glad they’re safe.

SEÑORA: (ANGRY) Your wife is not.

JOE: Where is she?

SEÑORA: She had to make her way back to town with an injured ankle, thanks to you!

DAVILA: I suggest you go back to your hotel and find your wife and we’ll take Billy with Carlito to the doctor who lives next door to the restaurant, to make sure they’re okay.

JOE: Yes, of course. (GENTLY) Billy, are you okay?

BILLY: (SHAKEN) Yeah. Mommy?

JOE: Okay then. I’ll meet you back at the restaurant in an hour, yes?

DAVILA: (FIRMLY) We will talk more later Señor.

SEÑORA: (STILL FURIOUS) Damn you...maldito, Señor Henderson.

SOUND: THREE CHIMES MARK THE END OF SCENE 4

SCENE 5

SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS, CLICK OF LIGHT SWITCH

JOE: Violet? (TALKING TO HIMESELF, SHAKEN) Not here.

SOUND: BED SPRINGS SQUEEK AS HE SITS ON BED

JOE cont: What happened tonight? I must be losing my mind. I guess we all are. (TAKES DEEP BREATH) I’ve got to find Violet.

SOUND: BED SPRINGS AS JOE STANDS; LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS

JOE cont: Light’s out.

SOUND: LAMP SWITCH CLICKING BACK AND FORTH

JOE cont: Hey, what happened to the light? (PAUSE) Violet?

SOUND: WATER POURING OFF SOMETHING AND DRIPPING

JOE: (HORRIFIED) No, no, no. Señora...La Llorona.

LA LLORONA: (CROAKY VOICE) Mi amor...te he echado de menos...ven a mi, ven a mi...mi amor...

SOUND: THREE CHIMES

ANNOUNCER: Please join us next time for a new play of horror and suspense. We hope you’ll come back each month for more stories in season two of “Twelve Chimes, It’s Midnight.” See you again...at midnight.

SOUND: THEME MUSIC FADES IN, PLAYS, AND FADES OUT

END