A Good Man
By Vanessa Morgan
About the book:
Louis Caron is a good man – he is a vegetarian, feeds homeless people, takes care of animals and is concerned with the ecological well-begin of the planet. But his altruism has a sinister edge – he’s a vampire – and local detective Taglioni becomes increasingly suspicious of him. Louis’ attempt to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears, but where he will also destroy the lives of those he cares about.
Book Excerpt:
EXT – STREET – DAY
Snow-covered streets seen through a floor-to-ceiling
window.
FRED (V.O.)
Would you like to begin, Eric? Your case is
rather peculiar.
ERIC (V.O.)
My name is Eric. I’ve been a vampire since
1973 and I have constant headaches because
of a brain tumor. An eternal headache, if
you get what I mean. I’m also suffering
from depression, but that’s curable, they
say – even for a vampire.
INT. PSYCHOLOGIST’S OFFICE – DAY
LOUIS CARON (55 years old) stares out the window,
lost in thought. Behind him, four people participate
in their weekly group therapy session. Amongst them:
a French lady with crutches (MADAME RENAUD, 50′s), a
depressive cancer patient (ERIC, 40′s) and a black
obese woman with an exuberant personality
(LÉOPOLDINE, 40′s). The moderator, FRED (35), has a
gentle voice. Your typical spiritual guru.
MADAME RENAUD
(with a French accent)
That’s nothing compared to me. I have a
broken hip, too much cholesterol, chronic
sinusitus –
LÉOPOLDINE
(provocatively)
I was wondering, Madame Renaud… Were you
already a hypochondriac when you were
transformed or did that come later?
MADAME RENAUD
(too busy with herself to hear the
remark)
… Lupus, malaria, lack of vitamine C,
Addison’s disease, …
ERIC
What’s bizarre is that every time she comes
here, the list gets longer.
FRED
Let’s listen to what Louis has to say.
(to Louis)
Do you want to come and join us, Louis?
Louis turns. He was obviously not following the
conversation.
LOUIS
Uhm? What?
(notices that the session has begun)
Oh, hi Fred. I didn’t hear you come in.
Louis sits down.
FRED
Go ahead.
Madame Renaud is still enumerating her ailments.
FRED
Miss Renaud!
She stops speaking. Fred gestures that it is Louis’
turn.
LOUIS
My name is Louis. Louis Caron. I’ve been a
vampire since 1750 and as you can see, I’m
old and ugly. For me, that’s the problem
about being a vampire. I was 55 when I was
transformed and I will stay 55 forever. I
will have wrinkles forever. I will have
arthritis forever. Fucking annoying.
FRED
That’s your karma taking revenge on your
body. The more good you do around you, the
more you will be able to lead a happy,
healthy life. But because you are all
vampires, your karma is punishing you. It’s
as simple as that. Now, what I’d like to
hear from you is what you all do to improve
your karma. What do you do to be a good
person, despite your vampire nature?
Disclosure: This book tour is part of the Charisma Media Network.
