The performers for this story are four women. There are no specific requirements as to appearance or age, although an age range of roughly 27 to 40 would probably be the best fit the nature of the story. The character called Ann should be the oldest, as she is the cult leader. The screentests, if any, should focus on the ability of the actress playing Susie to do a complete submergence while showing pleasure, but as though covering over a substantial degree of anxiety.. The others need to portray fear.

Scene 1

    A wide shot of Amy walking slowly down a rainy, city street. She looks lonely and a bit lost psychologically. The camera follows from behind and gradually zooms in as she approaches Susie and Kim, both standing casually in a doorway. Susie and Kim are strangers to Amy, but greet her in an overly friendly manner as she passes.

    Susie: "Hi there....Isn't it a wonderful night" (Susie shows an almost angelic smile.)

    Amy: (wistfully)  "Hi....I hadn't noticed....Its kinda cold."

    Kim: (with a smile similar to Susie's) "Yes it is just a little bit cool I suppose....(she turns to Susie)....She doesn't know what we know Susie....That's why she's so unhappy."

    Amy: "How did you know that?"

    Susie and Kim now begin a rapid-fire dialogue, not giving Amy any chance to think.

    Susie: "Oh its quite obvious....we've had special training of course, so we know what to look for."

    Kim: "We were unhappy too,....a while back."

    Susie: "Until we found Mistress Ann."

    Kim: "Or, she found us, really."

    Susie: "She rescued us."

    Kim: "She is still rescueing us."

    Susie: "Soon, everyh=thing will be much better."

    Kim: Much better....perfect....wonderful."

    Susie: "Hey, why don't you come with us....you can meet Mistress Ann....She can help you too."

    Kim: "Yeah, come on."

Fade to black

Fade in to

Scene 2

    Kim, Susie, and Amy walk up to the door of a non-descript-looking building. They open the door, revealing a dark hallway illuminated by numerous candles, and they enter. The rapid-fire dialogue by Susie and Kim continues until the scene ends.

    Kim: "The key is really in our fears."

    Susie: "Fear is a force that keeps us from going where we need to go."

    Kim: "Fear is an evil force."

    Susie: "It prevents pleasure and happiness."

    Kim: "Its all very complicated."

    Susie: "We don't fully understand it ourselves....but Mistress Ann is teaching us."

    Kim: "She's going to help us all get through the fear barriers."

Fade to black

Fade in to

Scene 3

    We are in a small, interior room, lit by numerous candles. Kim, Susie, Amy, and a few others sit on the floor, all facing in one direction, waiting for Mistress Ann to speak to them. The title screen now displays the title followed by general credits, showing each major character. Background music is quiet by slightly sinister in tone.

Cut to

Scene 4

    The video in this scene is mostly a close-up of Ann (slightly too close) as she speaks. brief shots of Amy, Susie,Kim, and the others in rapt attention are cut in from time to time.

    Ann: "Fear,....intense, all-consuming, blinding fear is the key. Fear is an evil force keeping us from a life of ecstacy. Think of fear as a force field....a force field surrounding a gateway or portal....a gateway to places of bliss.... Fear is a force field put around such portals to keep us out....As we approach a portal to bliss we encounter the force field....Consciously we notice some little detail; something trivial probably, but it makes us fearful. The closer we come to the portal, the moer intense the fear becomes. Contemplating actually enteringp the portal is terrifying. Entering it in reality drives us nearly mad with panic."

    (a long pause for effect)

    "So we can never enter our place of paradise....and that makes us sad....terribly, profoundly sad....paradise is beyond reach...

    (another long pause for effect)

    "Or maybe not...." (loud, for effect) "Paradise is not beyond reach....not if we understand the fear that keeps us away....If we understan that fear then we can overcome it....we can learn to block out our fears....to conquer them....to embrace them....to eagerly seek them out."

Fade to black

Fade in to

Scene 5

    Inside another room. Kim and Susie are listening to Ann. (Amy is not present, not are any others).

    Ann: "When you think you are ready, Kim, you must tell me. Then we will conduct a test. You will have to willingly face something fearful to you. If you can face it, then you can pass through to a much better place."

    Kim: "Ann, I think I am ready."

   (Susie does not speak, but her expression shows surprise and delight.)

    Ann: "I must warn you....Sometimes a test can be built around one fear and then lead to encountering a portal surrounded by a very different one."

    Kim: "I understand."

    Ann: "Tomorrow night, then....And I must say I envy you."

Fade to black

Fade in to Scene 6

    An outdoor, twilight scene at the edge of a thick woods. Ann, Susie, and Kim are the only ones present.

    Ann:(to both) "No matter what happens here, neither of you must ever talk about it to any of the others. Susie, I'm letting you come tonight because I know I can trust you and I think you will be ready very soon; as I will be." (to Kim) "Now Kim, you know the reputation of this place....Are you afraid to be out here alone at night?"

    Kim: "Yes, I am afraid....I know there could be wild animals."

    Susie: "Or snakes?"

    Kim: "You had to say that, didn't you....Yes, I'm scared."

    Ann: "Okay, the test is this....You are to stay out here all night, crossing over to the far side with a little direction from us, but no help....And you must do so blindfolded....and with your hands tied" (Kim now looks quite alarmed) "Are you willing?"

    Kim: (gulps) "Yes"

Fade to black as Susie ties Kim's hands.

Fade in to

Scene 7

    Shots from various angles showing Kim, blindfolded and hands tied, slowly moving through the woods. Occasional shots of Ann and Kim are cut in as they speak. There are lengthy sequences without dialogue.

    Ann: "Keep going Kim; you're doing very well."

    Susie: "Just try to keep moving Kim."

    Kim: "I'm trying....the ground is kind of mucky....I'm afraid I might trip or step on something sharp."

    Ann: (Her expression reveals she is quite turned on by what is going on) "Excellent, Kim! When you feel that you should go faster."

    ....

    Ann: "Move over towrd me a bit more, Kim....Come to my voice." (Kim moves in that direction and steps straight into calf-deep mud....she hesitates and retreats)

    Kim: "Oh, its muddy and wet."

    Ann: "What are you scared of, Kim?"

    Kim: "I don't know....sorry....I guess I though it might be deeper."

    Ann: "Then you should just keep going....but even faster."

    Susie: "Remember, the more fear you feel, the closer you are to the portal."

    Kim: "I'm trying."

    Kim takes a few steps, then steps into more calf-deep mud. This time she plunges forward; taking half a dozen steps through similar mud, but emerging onto solid ground on the far side. There should be a few shots of her feet and of the rippling mud.

    Ann: "Yes, much better....That's the way Kim."

    Susie: "Excellent!"

    (Kim continues for another half minute or so.)

    Kim: "This blindfold is falling off; I can see with one eye now."

    Ann: "Okay,....well I think you've passed the test now....Go ahead and take it off."

    (Kim tosses her head and the blindfold flies off.)

    Susie: "Great jon, Kim,....I envy you."

    Ann: (Pointing to some spot off camera) "Kim, we'll meet you at that big tree over there....go around on your side of the marsh here....We'll go around this side."

Cut to

Scene 8

    Alternating shots of Kim with shots of Ann and Susie walking carefully around the edges of the marsh.

Cut to

Scene 9

    Thgroughout scene 9, all face shots should consistenly show expressions consistent with the idea that Susie really believes that Kim is passing through a portal to a better place, but Ann knows it is all a sham and that Kim is sinking to her death.

    Ann and Susie are in front of a big tree. Kim is still coming (her tied hands slow her down). Kim starts to cross a low, open area just a few yards away from the other two. The ground yields under her feet. She staggers forward a step and her foot plunges calf-deep into soft mud. She staggers further forward; her next step going knee deep and the next halfway up her thigh.

    Kim: "Oh, what?....what's this?"

    Susie: "Kim! (looking startled)

    Kim: "Oh my God, what's this? (looking terrified)

    Ann: (looking delighted) "Oh, yes, Kim....Go for it....Do it Kim....yes....you've found your portal"

    Kim: "What? What are you talking about?....Help me!"

    Susie: (falling back under Ann's spell) "Yes!....Kim!....Its a portal....

    Kim: "What?"

    Susie: "You're in quicksand, Kim"

    Ann: "Kim....Go for it....Its quicksand....embrace it....don't be afraid."

    Kim: (now waist deep) "You said the test was over."

    Susie: "Sink deeper, Kim!"

    Ann: "That's it, Kim....Go deeper....Go deeper."

    Susie: "Go deeper."

    Ann: "Kim, this is it....Go for it Kim....Go all the way under."

    Susie: "Go under, Kim!"

    Ann: "Let it take you....This is your chance."

    Kim (now shoulder deep) "No!....This is too much....Ann, I'm scared, help me.".

    Ann: "I am helping you....You want this Kim....You want to go through the portal....You want to go under in the quicksand."

    Susie: "Go under Kim....You want this."

    Kim: "No....Help me."

    Ann: "Kim, this is going to be really good for you.... (to Susie) Her fear is so intense.... the other side of the portal must be absolutely wonderful for the force to be so strong."

    Kim: (now chin deep) "Susie....Ann....Help me....Help!"

    (Susie and Ann are now both quite excited and turned on.)

    Kim (as she goes under) "No....Don't do this....help me....Ann....Susie....Help me....Noooo!"

    Susie: "She did it....Yes!"

    (Cut in a shot of Kim's arms still struggling but going down.)

    Ann: "Yes....I knew she could do it. (thenvery softly, under her breath) "Stupid girl."

Fade very slowly to black

Fade in very slowly to

Scene 10

    Ann, Susie, and Amy are in the woods, apparently to test Amy's courage. This time, however, there are no tied hands or blindfolds.

    Ann: "What you must learn to do, Amy, is to willingly face fear....now tell me, are you afraid of snakes?"

    Amy: "A little."

    Susie: (Opening a basket and pulling out a large but harmless snake) "Look!....here is a snake" (extending it for Amy to take) "Hold it."

    Amy: (hesitates slightly, but takes the snake). "Its not poisonous, is it?"

    Ann: "No,....but if it was you should still take it....even more willingly."

    Susie: "Cleopatra knew that."

    Ann: "Let's see if we can find a scorpion for you."

    Amy: (with some alarm) "A scorpion?"

    Ann: "Ah, you are afraid....That is good.... This will be a better test."

    Susie and Ann look for a while.

    Susie: "Here's one." (She covers it with a cup and scoops it up, then offers the cup to Amy) "Here."

    (Amy hesitates. Susie then inverts the cup and drops the scorpion onto her own hand.)

    Susie: "See....I'm not afraid."

    Amy: "Doesn't it have a nasty sting?"

    Susie: "Very nasty....And yes I do feel anxious, but I just fight through the fear....Come on, take it."

    (Amy holds out her hand and nervously takes the scorpion)

    Ann: "That's the way, Amy."

    Amy smiles)

    Ann: "Someday soon, Amy, you will be ready....you might not even know it but you will be. Then you might suddenly encounter a true portal. When that happens you will probably be very frightened but you must go through....For your own happiness you must force yourself....Just remember, the more desirable the other side is, the more intense will be the fear."

    Susie: I hope you will be ready very soon Amy....I really do."

    Ann: "Come on, that's enough for tonight."

    (The three start to walk, led by Ann.)

Fade to black

Fade in to

Scene 11

    We see the three still walking through the woods. Ann stops and turns back.

    Ann: "Go on ahead, I've got a rock in my shoe....I'll catch up in a minute."

    Susie and Amy continue, now with Amy leading. the camera follows for ten or fifteen seconds.

Cut to

Scene 12

    The main camera now looks back as Amy and Susie approach. Ann can be seen still a few yards behind but catching up. Between Amy and the camera is a large expanse of flat ground, which, of course, is hidden quicksand. Amy stumbles into the quicksand, pretty much in the same manner as Kim in scene 9.

    Amy (calf deep): "Oh yuck, what's this?" (Suddenly, she drops to past her knees).

    Susie: "Amy....Its your portal....Go for it Amy."

    Amy: "What? What is this mud?"

    Ann: "Its quicksand Amy....You're sinking in quicksand."

    Amy: "Oh no....Quicksand!....It can't be....Oh, get me out" (she reaches toward Susie as she sinks to her waist)

    Susie: "No Amy....You don't want to get out....You want to go all the way under."

    Ann: "Yes Amy, you want to go under....completely under in the quicksand."

    Amy: "No!....I don't....Susie help me.....Please....I'm not ready."

    Ann: "Yes you are ready....the portal drew you in....you're ready."

    Amy: (chest deep) "No!"

    Ann: "You want this Amy."

    Amy: ?No, please....Susie."

    Susie: "You do want this Amy....we all do....Ann wants it....I want it....but you're in it, its your time."

    Amy: "Susie!....Ann!"

    Ann: "Go ahead; scream if you need to, but face down your fear."

    Susie: "Let it pull you down."

    Amy: (shoulder deep) "No, Susie, no....Help me....This is too much"

    Ann: "Enjoy it Amy....embrace it."

    Susie: "Go for it Amy....Yes....Keep sinking....do it Amy"

    Ann: "Go under Amy."

    Amy: (neck deep) "Please....no....not quicksand....Susie!"

    Ann: "Oh Amy, I'm so happy for you....You're going under in quicksand."

    Susie: (a look of ecstacy in her face) "Yes Amy....Do it....Oh how I envy you."

    Ann: (looks at Susie in real surprise at her last remark) "Its taking yu under Amy....Yes....Let it take you."

    Amy (chin deep) This should be a fairly lengthy continuous shot of Amy's face as she slowly sinks deeper and deeper and finally goes under. "Please....Ann please....help me....Ann....Susie....NO!....help me....help....help....no....help....he...."

    Susie: (beaming) "Oh Ann, she was ready so quickly....how could she be so lucky."

    Ann: "Yes, she was a very fast learner.

    Susie: "I envy her."

    Ann: "I think you will be ready very soon. You wil find a portal very soon....You're probably ready now....Come on, let's go."

    (The camera follows for fifteen seconds as Ann and Susie walk away from the quicksand. With Ann leading, they walk along the top edge of a low embankment covered with thick brush. Suddenly the edge gives way and Ann falls or stumbles down the embankment and plunges past her knees into another quicksand pit. We see a look of disgust on her face.)

    Ann: "Oh shit..".(to herself) "I fogot about this one" (Ann turns back toward Susie, fully expecting her follower to pull her out.) "Susie, give me a hand here."

    Susie just stands and looks at Ann; a look of delight on her face.

    Ann: "Susie! I need a hand here....reach out to me.....Susie!"

    Susie: "No Ann....I'm not going to help you out of there."

    Ann: (waist deep) "Susie, snap out of it....I'm stuck in this stuff....I need some help."

    Susie: "Ann, its your portal....Its time for you to go through."

    Ann: "Don't be stupid Susie....I don't want to go down in this shit."

    Susie: "Yes you do....yes you do Ann!" (Susie moves along the embankment to a lower point at the far end of the pit).

    Ann: (chest deep) "Susie, stop joking around....get me out  of here....This isn't funny Susie."

    Susie: "Ann, you're going under; you're going under in the quicksand Ann....Oh yes."

    Ann: (shoulder deep) "Susie....help me....please....this isn't what I want Susie....Susie listen to me....I'm your teacher....do as i say....help me....Susie!"

    The camera shows Susie stepping carefully into the mire at the far edge and wading forward.

    Ann (neck deep) "Susie, what are you doing....you can't help me from there, not like that....Susie....How are you going to help me from there?"

    Susie: (now up to her thighs herself) "I'm not helping you....yu're going under."

    Ann: "Go back Susie....Go over there and help me."

    Susie: "You're going under Ann....enjoy it....I'm not helping you....I'm joining you....I'm going to go under too."

    Ann (now chin deep) "Oh you stupid girl....Oh....Oh no!....Oh not this....no....eeeeiiiik!.....help....somebody.....somebody help me....oh....oh....(she goes under)

    (The camera now focuses primarily on Susie, with some cut in shots of Ann's arms and hands as they sink.)

    Susie: (chest deep by the time Ann's arms have gone under) "Now its my turn....Yes!"

    (Susie now slowly but steadily sinks all the way under. To the end she displays great pleasure, tinged with a hint of anxiety, at what is happening. Her pleasure is not directly sexual, however. It is derived not from the sensuousness of the mud but on the total belief in the stories told to her by Ann. As the mud covers her face she struggles a bit, lifting her mouth back above the surface once or twice and gasping for air. The scene continues until her arms disappear completely. Any dialogue is ad-libbed and minimal, with expresions of eager anticipation, moans (not overtly sexual) and some self-talk such as , "Yes....I'm not afrain....I want this....take me down....take me all the way under."

END