The Reluctant Vampire


The Reluctant Vampire
The Morning After Marie Laveau's Death

By Rosary Hartel O'Neill

 

Characters

Marie Laveau –Créole Voodoo Priestess. Intense but sensitive, she seems in her 20s but is much older.

Christian –Creole Vampire, elegant but anxious, dressed in full evening attire, scarf, cape.

Fantôme – mature Créole Vampire, exquisite but vicious.

Time

June 15, 1881, four a.m., full moon.

Setting

The action takes place in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans and the astral plane between life and death.

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CHRISTIAN
(Horrified, angry) I just got another summons. (Violent cramping) How many times do I have to say I won’t bite a human? (Neurotic) I’m not sure I’m still a vampire.

FANTÔME
(Defensive, malicious) Look in the mirror. (Pulls out pocket mirror) Do you see an image?

CHRISTIAN
Nothing.

FANTÔME
You’ve no soul. And you’re starving. It’s been a year since I bit you.

CHRISTIAN
(Terrified) I’m not going to drain someone and have them die or turn into a vampire. (Gagging, pounds chest) I won’t be responsible for murder.

FANTÔME
You can’t keep draining animals. Rats, pigeons, snakes. Such blood doesn’t synthesize. And you drink too much. You’re rigidifying, becoming paranoid.

CHRISTIAN (Violent cramping, angry)
Then stay away. Go back to Paris.

FANTÔME
Most vampires drain humans within 24 hours of transformation.

CHRISTIAN
Dead blood doesn’t last. I need to relax away from you.

FANTÔME
But we’re compatible and we need to continue our love, in all its fecundity.

CHRISTIAN
You women vampires don’t let up.

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END OF EXCERPT. Order this play and others from the anthology The Vampire Trilogy and the Celebrity PLays from Amazon:

the Vampire Trilogy and the Celebrity Plays