Chereads / RJMH: Ryan James, Monster Hunter / Chapter 7 - New Toys, New Problems

Chapter 7 - New Toys, New Problems

FADE IN

INT. THE HANGOUT

RYAN JAMES stares blankly forward, staring off into space as strange visions begin flashing through is mind, RYAN'S eyes rolling in the back of his head as the INTENSE VISIONS seem to increase as we hear THE SHADE'S LAUGHTER in the background...

RYAN snaps awake as his PHONE rings, RYAN quickly answering it as he waits a moment, grabbing his forehead before speaking. 

RYAN

Hello? 

VOICE

(O.S.)

RYAN, it's JOSE...I got some stuff you're definitely going to want to come check out...hurry over, now!

RYAN

I'll hurry when I want motherfucker!...Be there in twenty. 

RYAN hangs up as he rubs his head and looks disoriented. 

RYAN

Damn...

THE SHADE 

(O.S.)

What's wrong? See something that didn't quite sit well with you, boy? 

RYAN

You're starting to get on my last goddamn nerve...

THE SHADE

(O.S.)

Think it's wise to take your only savior's name in vain? 

RYAN

Shut up...

RYAN grabs his vile as he takes a bump, RYAN closes his eyes as he then opens them and looks around, RYAN taking a breath before grabbing his coat and heads out the door. 

EXT. WAREHOUSE

JOSE SALEMON, RYAN'S private ARMS DEALER and WEAPONS MANUFACTURE, stands outside his WAREHOUSE as RYAN pulls up in the STING. JOSE smiling as he shakes RYAN'S hand. 

RYAN

JOSE. 

JOSE

RYAN, been a while. 

RYAN

Yeah, thanks for the upgrades on THE STING, I haven't quite been able to use them yet, but I'll get around to it. What's you got? 

JOSE

Oh what I got is gonna make you shit gold my friend, follow me. 

RYAN

Shit gold? 

JOSE

It's an expression. 

RYAN

I don't think so...

JOSE

Well...Just come on. 

JOSE leads as RYAN follows close behind. 

INT. WAREHOUSE

JOSE leads RYAN over to the area spray painted in large leaders as THE GOODS, RYAN looking to see a MILITARY VEHICLE with a CRATE ATTACHMENT was parked in the LARGE GARAGE, the back end of the CRATE blown open. 

JOSE unlocks the SLIDING DOOR and steps in front of it, JOSE sliding it to the far right as AUTOMATIC LIGHTS begin to turn on, revealing a cavalcade of GUNS, KNIVES, EXPLOSIVES, and other bizarre weapon creations. 

RYAN smirks as JOSE turns and throws his arms up. 

JOSE

Welcome to the GUN SHOW. 

RYAN

Always cum a little in my pants when I see this. 

JOSE

Don't we all. Shall I show you my first newest creation in your fight against the constant hordes of things that go bump in the night?

RYAN

Lay it on me. 

JOSE smiles and pulls up a LARGE MINI GUN with a STRAP attachment and THREE BARRELS WELDED TO BODY KIT WITH THREE LARGE CHAMBERS. 

RYAN

A goddamn minigun?!

JOSE

Not just any minigun my friend, a SHOTGUN MINIGUN. 

RYAN

Get the fuck out of here. 

JOSE

No joke, this is a .50 cal military issue heavy assault rifle welded to about three other barrels with three different extended mag chambers, with these custom bad boys...

JOSE hands RYAN a LARGE MACHINE GUN like BANANA CLIP that was loaded with SHOTGUN SHELLS. 

JOSE

These clips hold about 25 rounds apiece and the SHOTGUN SHELLS are my homemade recipe, filled with ROCK SALT, SCATTERSHOT, IRON PELTS, SULFUR, SILVER, and of course, GARLIC POWDER. 

RYAN

You beautiful fat Mexican bastard. 

JOSE smiles and loads THREE of the CLIPS into the THREE CHAMBERS. 

JOSE

You just load them like you would three machine guns, aim from the waist, and let loose the dogs of war my friend. 

RYAN

Sickness. 

JOSE sets it down, RYAN gently rubbing his fingers over it as JOSE sets down a regular looking .45

RYAN

...What's this?

JOSE

My .45

RYAN

What's so special about it? 

JOSE

Aim at that dummy. 

JOSE points at the SHOOTING DUMMY about a meter away, RYAN picking up the .45 and aiming it, firing a shot that hits the DUMMY in the chest. 

RYAN

Okay...? Round going to explode or something? 

JOSE

No. Now on the side by your trigger finger, tap the red button. 

RYAN raises an eyebrow and looking at the gun he sees the small red button and touches it in. 

RYAN

Alright...

JOSE

Now aim at the target for three seconds and then fire a shot at the ceiling. 

RYAN aims at the DUMMY for three seconds and then aims up and fires a round into the ceiling, only to watch as the BULLET went up and then veered down, hitting the DUMMY center mass in the chest again, RYAN looking at the .45 in astonishment. 

RYAN

What the fuck!

JOSE

It's a micro sensitive homing device that is engraved into the gun, when you press that red button it engraves the next round in the chamber with the tech and allows you to pinpoint any shot whether you're aiming at them or not. 

RYAN

How in the hell did you get this technology? 

JOSE

You know I have my ways, RYAN. 

RYAN

Hijacked another military concave? 

JOSE

Absolutely. 

RYAN

You beautiful son of a bitch, what else you got for me? 

JOSE

I also have...ah, this should come in handy...

JOSE sets down a pair of GLOVES. 

RYAN picks them up as JOSE instructs him. 

JOSE

Put them on...now let them graft to your skin...

RYAN winces as the GLOVES seemingly tighten, JOSE smiling as he then slides over a pair of SUNGLASSES. 

RYAN 

What the hell? 

JOSE

Just put them on. 

RYAN shrugs and puts them on, JOSE smirking as RYAN looks around in shock. 

RYAN

Whoa...

INT. RYAN'S POV

Through RYAN'S eyes we see analytical data being fed into the glasses, from JOSE'S body temperature, weight, height, to what pheromones and smells where lingering, to readings on any supernatural presences or activity in the area. 

JOSE

Government's had these for a while, it's called the ATLAS, only the FBI and the MONSTER HUNTING GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE has these...I'm sure SAMANTHA does as well...

RYAN

Let's leave her out of this...

JOSE

Right...Anyways, the ATLAS is like a road map through the SUPERNATURAL WORLD, it picks up traces of GHOSTS, when the last time a VAMPIRE fed, how far away certain activity is, though the range isn't that great. It can pick up all sorts of DNA, and can cross reference it through a nano-like computer base built into the gloves, meaning you can learn whether the blood splatter is male, female, monster, or how long ago it happened. Everything. 

RYAN

You've really outdone yourself. 

JOSE

There's one drawback, it's battery life...

INT. RYAN'S POV

RYAN is still analyzing everything but suddenly everything returns to normal. 

INT. WAREHOUSE

RYAN takes the GLASSES off as JOSE scowls a bit. 

JOSE

Yeah, you're limited to about three minutes of use, after that you have to let it recharge. 

RYAN

How long's the recharge? 

JOSE

Depends, I've heard an hour, I've heard 3 days. It just varies. 

RYAN

Well that's unfortunate, but nonetheless, fuckin' awesome. 

JOSE

You know it. And now...my favorite creation, and the one I'm sure you're going to love. 

JOSE pulls up a SHOTGUN, RYAN eying it before noticing it's immediate details. 

THE SHOTGUN was FOUR BARRELED, wit the TWO INNER BARRELS welded together to form ONE solid BARREL with the TWO OUTSIDE BARRELS branding off but still connecting to create a larger radius, RYAN looking at the handle and the STOCK HANDLE that was directly under it as JOSE cocks it open revealing the FOUR CHAMBERS to load the INDIVIDUAL SHELLS. 

JOSE

Ever seen PHANTASM II?

RYAN

I don't know what that is...

JOSE

Not a lot of people do...pity, it's quite awesome...anyways, this my friend, is your very own FOUR BARRELED SHOTGUN, with extended hand grip stocked under the barrels for steady aiming and a devastating barrage of shotgun fire...but that's not what makes this thing so special...

RYAN

What more could there be? 

JOSE

It's a TRIFECTA. 

JOSE closes it the CHAMBER and presses a GREEN BUTTON on the right, JOSE turning to his left as he suddenly begins shooting out jets of FIRE. RYAN screaming in joy and shock as JOSE just smiles. 

JOSE

With the green button pressed on the side this my friend begins a handheld FLAMETHROWER. Now if you press the BLUE BUTTON on the LEFT...

JOSE presses it and pops the chamber open, RYAN watching as the SHOTGUN CHAMBER shifted and flipped inside out, revealing NINE CHAMBER SLITS. JOSE loading MACHINE GUN MAGAZINES into it as RYAN just shakes his head, JOSE smiles as he cocks it. 

JOSE

Nine magazine clip cartridges built into the system, each clip holds 30 rounds, giving you 270 death dealing rounds per 15 seconds, and the beauty of it...

JOSE presses both buttons and RYAN watches the SLOT reverse back over to the SHOTGUN SHELL CHAMBERS. 

JOSE

You keep them both loaded at the same time. 

RYAN

You outdid yourself this time, JOSE...

JOSE

Of course I did.

RYAN pats JOSE as JOSE just smiles as he holds his FOUR BARRELED SHOTGUN up, RYAN smirking to himself as he looks at his new toys. 

INT. THE HANGOUT 

SOME time LATER

RYAN shifts through some PHOTOS of mutilated bodies as A MAN is shaking. 

RYAN

You cold or something man? 

MAN

No, I...Just a little nervous. 

RYAN

Why? You're safe here. 

MAN

Yeah, It's just...you snap these pictures of you friends...your wife...You just...you  just get the shakes sometimes...

RYAN

I wouldn't know...

RYAN slides them over as the MAN slowly gathers them together and puts them away. 

RYAN

So..what exactly did you say this thing was? I couldn't quite understand it you were sorta stark raving it you know...

MAN 

Yeah...I'm sorry just..initial shock of what I saw still...

RYAN

Yeah yea, what was it man? 

MAN 

It was translucent, almost like a ghost you know? But it could touch you, it knocked me down when it went for my WIFE, and it was strong...not really fast but strong...

RYAN

(O.S.)

Classic class b SLASHER...

MAN 

It was....hungry...it didn't seem to want to do anything but...but

RYAN

But? 

MAN 

It only went after people's heads...and it..sucked...their brains out...

RYAN

(O.S.)

Oh shit...shit shit shit...

RYAN

You think it was a GHOUL? 

RYAN

(O.S.)

you know it's not a goddamn GHOUL you fucking idiot!

MAN 

No this thing looked HUMAN, looked normal for glimpses, until...you know, it started sucking down on my wife's brain...

RYAN

I see...Well...I can't guarantee anything, but I'll take care of your monster. 

MAN 

Thank you! Oh thank you so much...I know... I know it won't bring my wife back...but at least...

RYAN rolls his eyes as the MAN begins to sob. 

 MAN 

At least I know she's in a better place...

RYAN

Yeah man, I know she is...a bright star shining down on us all...now I need some time to prepare...think you can...you know...leave? 

MAN 

Oh...yeah...thank you Mr. JAMES, thank you so much!

RYAN

Drop the check in the mail before you leave town, thank you. I prefer YEN! But AMERICAN is fine too...

MAN 

Uh...alright...

The MAN looks at RYAN puzzled but hurries out as RYAN smiles warmly before scowling and cursing over and over before running into the bathroom, RYAN screaming as he begins to shit loudly. 

INT. BATHROOM

RYAN winces and drops a large load into the toilet, RYAN screaming in agony as he pulls his phone out and dials a number, RYAN sweating heavily as he hears the other end pick up. 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

I understand that I probably am the only person who will answer the phone for you, but this is beginning to become a nuisance. 

RYAN

I know...(farting loudly)

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Are you taking a shit? 

RYAN

Yes...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Hmm, that bad? 

RYAN

Yeah, little bit...what do you know about WRAITHS? 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

WRAITHS...well, they're Greek, or Scottish...some form of early European being that was a transcendental supernatural force, towering above your normal GHOSTS, SPIRITS, BANSHEES, what have you. Retain all human intelligence, far more cunning than anything out there aside the higher beings. They mostly work alone, but if bound, a NECROMANCER can have dozens under his control...

RYAN

For reasons that include not giving me a heart attack, let's just stick with it's just one...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

…Main thing about WRAITH'S is that they're prideful, they like worthy opponents, anyone who gives them a fight they most usually take a higher road and well accept one request permitted by that person. But so far no account of that has ever been documented. 

RYAN

Why's that? 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Because most WRAITH'S either kill the person afterwards or turn that person into a WRAITH as well. 

RYAN

Balls...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Yeah, sucks for you I think. 

RYAN

You think? 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Only gets worse.

RYAN

Goddamnit of course it does. 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

The things are like SPIRIT PLAGUES, they can posses people they've targeted with less resolve and also they can jump from UNDEAD to UNDEAD, so if there's anything supernatural in the area even if you think you've killed the damn thing it could of just jumped into another host. 

RYAN

Fuck...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

They're easy to spot though, they won't have any legs, usually have like a floating cloak that will cover the fact that they don't, and they're usually bound by a chain or so.

RYAN

All good, but how do I kill the damn things? 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

IRON usually works from what I remember, or you can bind it to you and dissolve it using Spell 45 in the handbook...

RYAN

(O.S.)

The HUNTER'S HANDBOOK, a SPELL BOOK with incantations and methods on how to defend yourself and send certain things back to hell. Most novice hunters use it...I'm not a novice hunter.

RYAN

Ha, I won't need the book...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Got the spell memorized? 

RYAN

Fuck no, I'm just going to load that bitch up with IRON till it croaks. 

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Yeah...good luck with that, look man, the bad thing about WRAITH'S is that even if you do that, even if you bind the spell and dissolve it, there's not guarantee that the damn thing still isn't around, and you don't want to be on a WRAITH'S shit list. 

RYAN

Yeah...CHARLES...thanks...

CHARLES

(O.S.)

Yeah...don't call me again, okay? Just for like...a month. 

RYAN

We'll see. 

RYAN hangs up as he grabs the FRAGRANCE SPRAY and sprays about for a solid minute before flushing the TOILET. 

KELLER, TEXAS. 

EXT. DINER

RYAN parks the STING outside the local DINER in KELLER, TEXAS, RYAN looking at the NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS of the KILLINGS that the MAN had come to him about earlier, RYAN stuffing them away in his coat as he heads inside. 

INT. DINER

RYAN takes a seat and the WAITRESS comes over as RYAN doesn't even glance at the menu. 

RYAN

I would like half an egg with a sausage cut in four squares. 

WAITRESS

Umm...I don't think we do that. 

RYAN

I want a quarter of a MANGO. 

WAITRESS

We don't have that either...

RYAN

I want a small glass of carrot juice. 

WAITRESS

Sir, we don't have that either...

RYAN

Then I will have nothing. 

The WAITRESS rolls her eyes and heads off as RYAN turns and quickly hollers out. 

RYAN

Be sure my Eggs are Benedict!

The WAITRESS just looks confused as she just heads to the back, RYAN looking about as he notices a few TEENAGE GIRLS looking at him and giggling as RYAN just smirks and poses a bit for them, the GIRLS giggling as RYAN just smirks and doesn't notice a MAN sitting across from him. 

MAN 

Hello. 

RYAN jumps a bit, his knees hitting the table as he looks around to see if anyone saw him jump, the MAN just smiles as RYAN eyes him up down. 

RYAN

Can I help you? 

MAN 

Perhaps you can...My name is KRIS SCRUGGS...And I'm the thing you're seeking. 

RYAN

Come again? 

KRIS

I'm the WRAITH...

RYAN freezes as he goes stiff, KRIS smirking as he blows on his knuckles and rubs them against his chest. 

KRIS

Don't believe me...scan me over with your little...thingy. 

RYAN doesn't budge as KRIS eyes him. 

KRIS

I wasn't asking you too...I was telling. 

RYAN gulps and pulls up the COMEBACK METER, RYAN watching as the COLOR comes up BLUE. 

KRIS

Do I check out?

RYAN

Yeah...

KRIS

Now I know you're wondering, how did the WRAITH make me out the second I arrived in town...and why am I still breathing right now? Am I off? 

RYAN

Not at all man...

KRIS

Good. 

KRIS goes quiet as he smiles at the WAITRESS who sets down RYAN'S eggs and a glass of WATER. 

WAITRESS

Are you getting anything today, KRIS? 

KRIS

Nothing for me today, KATHY, thanks. 

The WAITRESS smiles and KRIS eyes her backside as she walks off. 

KRIS

Troubling how I horny I still can be sometimes. 

RYAN just stares at him, not moving, his eyes just bulged. 

KRIS

Don't just stare at me like a retard, eat your eggs, you can eat and carry on a conversation without sounding or looking like a buffoon correct? 

RYAN

At this time...I'm pretty sure I just shit myself...so I say...fifty fifty shot. 

KRIS

Eat your eggs please. 

RYAN slowly reaches for his knife and fork as KRIS smiles and looks around the DINER. 

KRIS

I wasn't KRIS SCRUGGS until about three days ago. You see the pesky thing about my...make up if you say, is that once you wear out a host, you have to find another one. Of course I could just float around like what most people see when I'm feeding, but there's no fun in that...

RYAN slowly eats his eggs but never takes his eyes off of KRIS, KRIS pulling out a pack of cigarettes as he lights one. 

KRIS

Take this (holding up the cigarette) I never touched them, but this body's urge to have it is quite fierce, so I indulge it every few hours or so. 

RYAN

You gonna kill me...or? 

KRIS

Keep eating you little monkey. 

RYAN shuts up and continues slowly putting the eggs into his mouth. 

KRIS

Do not think you coming here was a random act of heroism on your part MONSTER HUNTER, this was planned out for you to come, and come you did. 

RYAN

What are you talking about? 

KRIS

There are...things I work for...powerful things. Creatures so powerful and so ferocious that your blood will boil just being in their very presence...and they've been keeping tabs on you hunters...oh yes. We know about you, RYAN JAMES, we know about AUSTIN BLACK, about SAMANTHA CRANE and her little two man crew. We know of who is a threat, and who is not. 

RYAN

...So...

RYAN leans back as he stretches. 

RYAN

...Am I threat? 

KRIS

Of course not...even now you're trying to draw your pistol and can't even do that without looking like a complete idiot...

RYAN freezes in an awkward stance where it was clearly obvious he was trying to get something from behind his back. 

RYAN stops and leaves the .45 in place as KRIS just stares at him. 

KRIS

..However...others seem to think you're of more use to us as a threat, so for this conversation, let's say you are. 

RYAN

I don't understand...

KRIS

I'm getting to it, you little cretin.

RYAN

You don't have to be a dick. 

KRIS

Look here, flesh-ling. You are about to stumble upon something big, some real heavy pushers in the SLASHER world. They haven't revealed themselves yet, but they will. It is in my bosses interests, and more and likely, your best interests, that you stop them. 

RYAN

You want me to take orders from monsters? To hunt...other monsters...?

KRIS

Of course not, we're just throwing you some scraps of information in regards to a common enemy that will spell trouble for both parties. 

RYAN

What should stop me from taking you out right now? 

KRIS

You couldn't if you tried, I have the upper hand, and your brains would be sucked clean out of your skull before you could even blink. Take it upon good faith that I am not doing so. 

RYAN

So what happens now? 

KRIS

You go hunt, do what you do, but remember what I've said...these SLASHERS...they're not small time...they think bigger, and they'll be letting your hunters know it too...Do not let them succeed. 

KRIS stands up as RYAN just looks at him. 

KRIS

Don't worry, I'll be clearing out, my job is done...but do take this into account...we will be seeing each other again I am sure...and if you think you can kill me...take your best shot. Till then, you have all I am allowed to disclose. Till we meet again...MONSTER HUNTER...

RYAN doesn't move as KRIS suddenly disappears, nobody seems to notice it as RYAN just sits there, not moving his head spinning as he closes his eyes. 

THE SHADE

(O.S.)

That...was too close for comfort even for me...

RYAN

Tell me about it...

RYAN

(O.S.)

I don't know whether it was the eggs, or the shit covered underwear I was sitting in, but something unnerved me deeply about what had just happened...Why did a WRAITH just spare me...who or what was he working for...and why...did they want me to stop whatever they were having a beef with...I didn't understand...but I know that when something like this happens...good things aren't on the horizon...I knew...things were about to get bad real quick...

SOMEWHERE FAR FAR AWAY...

KRIS appears on a LEDGE, KRIS looking out at the BLACK VOID of the NIGHT SKY and reaching into a BAG he throws up a STRANGE DARK POWDER, KRIS watching as the POWDER illuminates the sky and then begins forming into a FACE. 

KRIS

It is done, the MONSTER HUNTER with the SHADE has been told all that you have asked me to share...it is only a matter of time before he stumbles upon the YATES...but I must ask...why are we helping the hunters? 

The FACE is smiling as KRIS just stares at it. 

THE FACE

Because my dear boy, I too am a HUNTER...and I want all healthy competition taken care of. 

KRIS

As you wish. 

THE FACE

I am sending you more of your brethren, I think it is time you gave them a crash course of who's the boss around here. 

KRIS

Of course. 

The FACE and KRIS turn to see DOZENS of WRAITH'S hovering about as KRIS throws his arms to the side. 

KRIS

Brothers! Sisters! Pledge your love to your master, our lord, our protector...the NECROMANCER, NICK GARCIA...

The WRAITHS screech as KRIS smirks, THE FACE of NECROMANCER NICK GARCIA only able to laugh as his forces pledge their loyalties to their new master. 

FADE OUT