Chapter Text
Scene 1
A dilapidated old manor house stands in the countryside, mountains rising up behind it. The gates are large and iron, boasting the name ‘Fey Manor’, but it doesn’t look like Feys have lived here for a very long time. The impressive oak front doors have rusty hinges and the fountain out front has long since dried up. A man, possibly police, steps out of a car parked nearby and forces open the ancient doors, the camera follows him inside.
The floor creaks in protest as he treads the ancient corridors, every corner is littered with spider webs, the rugs dusty and rotting and the furnishings in a similar state. As the man brushes past the current shot, another man appears behind him to no acknowledgement. This man is dressed in the uniform of a revolutionary soldier. Unnoticed by the living man, the ghost follows him through the halls until he can peer at the clipboard in the light. The soldier rolls his eyes.
Apollo: It’s just the police man again!
As he yells, from almost every possible corner and alcove, other ghosts appear. Two dressed in somewhat modern suits -one with an obvious bullet wound in his head. Another wears a typical scout leader uniform and has an arrow in his neck about as spiky as his hair. Another is dressed like a 1940s army captain, a few ladies wear dresses from a variety of eras, one looks burned and scorched, one looks to be a puritan, another looks like a flapper girl and two samurai even crawl out of a cupboard under the stairs.
Captain Edgeworth: (Grumbling) Thank goodness, it’s been all too busy here lately.
The scout master looks at him, one eyebrow raised.
Phoenix: We’ve had three visitors in eight years?
Captain Edgeworth: That’s three too many…
The gaggle of ghosts trail after the police man as he pokes his way around the property. Maya, the 1920s flapper girl, joins the two men discussing at the front of the group.
Maya: I wonder what he’s here for now…
Apollo: Finally closing the crime scene, one can only hope.
Maya turns to face the two disgruntled men in suits, Gregory and Manfred.
Maya: It truly was really rude of you guys to die on my property.
Gregory: (Glares at Manfred) I didn’t have much choice in the matter.
Manfred, the man in a suit with the bullet wound in the side of his head, opens his mouth to retort but can’t manage it before the puritan has made her way to the front now.
Franziska: Shh, he’s talking into the magic box!
Phoenix: It’s a tape recorder.
The tape recorder hisses, the police officer smacks it.
Franziska: Silence, heretic!
Phoenix raises his hands as the police officer talks into his recorder.
Police officer: State of the house is rather poor, makes sense considering the abandoned nature of the property but as the release from state custody means it’s out of our hair, this doesn’t much matter.
He tests the staircase.
Police officer: Fixtures are mostly stable.
A well-dressed 18th century lady appears beside him.
Morgan: Wouldn’t bet on it.
Maya: Oh don’t jinx it, I don’t want this guy stayin’ here.
The scorched and sooty ghost inspects the police officer.
Trucy: He doesn’t seem the type to stay.
Phoenix: You never know, you said the same thing about me and… ( He gestures to the arrow in his neck )
The ghosts all grumble in affirmation, they follow the police officer as he walks past the staircase and into a room marked with yellow crime scene tape. A blonde-haired head, a large scratch on one side, peaks through a door next to him.
Klavier: Oh, you’re not allowed in there.
One of the samurai lingers by him, this samurai has a rather prominent sword sticking out of his stomach.
Ryunosuke: I think he’s the one that makes the rules actually.
Klavier: I thought that was the guy with the gun?
Ryunosuke shrugs. The police officer mumbles into his recorder as he steps through the door.
Police officer: Crime scene has been thoroughly cleaned up, access can now be given freely to the inheriting family members.
A woman dressed in a 19th century dress adorned with roses appears beside him, hair done up in a fancy hairdo. She claps her hands together.
Pearl: Oh goodie! I can finally sit at my sighing spot again!
The second samurai, no visible sword hanging out of him but a wound in his shoulder forever bleeding red, places a hand on her own shoulder.
Kazuma: (Calmly) Nobody was stopping you.
Pearl: Oh I know, but you’ve got to look forward to something!
The ghosts mumble their agreement.
Police Officer: No further visits required.
The ghosts all celebrate the good news and the police officer leaves. In his absence, Captain Edgeworth steps into the centre of the room.
Captain Edgeworth: Well, now that that pallava is all over, I would just like to say a couple of words.
Phoenix: (Gestures to him) Floor is all yours man.
Captain Edgeworth: Indeed. (He clears his throat) Bagsy the room!
All hell breaks loose, the ghosts start arguing like their undead lives depend on it. In the midst of the chaos, Pearl steps out and over to the window, sighing as she looks out upon the grounds.
Pearl: The birdcage unlocks, but the birds are long gone. With the last Fey falling many a year ago, a home becomes a house and a house becomes a ruin. A murder scene lies cold without a clue in, so now, I wonder, who will move in?
Trucy appears by her side, shaking off some ash as she does.
Trucy: That was pretty good!
Scene 2
Mia and Diego stand in a tiny apartment in an even tinier kitchen, a real estate agent hovers awkwardly in a corner with a clipboard, it is the only place he will fit. Both are looking around with the air of people who have been doing this a very long time, both are dressed in casual clothes and look like a young couple who haven’t found their feet yet, but Mia does wear a small magatama necklace. There are rings on their left hands.
Diego: (Trying to find a high point) It’s… It’s bigger than the place we’re renting now?
Mia: Mhmm.
The real estate agent’s phone rings.
Real estate agent: (Answering and shimmying out of the kitchen) Sorry, I gotta-
Mia: It’s okay.
The two of them walk towards a window that looks down onto the street below, it’s not a nice area. Opposite the flat is a pizza place that Mia and Diego both squint at.
Mia and Diego: Buddy’s Fish ‘N’ Pizza…
Diego: (Tentatively) We like… Both of those things.
Mia: (Grimacing) Together?
Diego: Mmm…
They’re quiet for a second, a police siren kicks in down the road.
Mia: (Sighs) It sucks, doesn’t it?
Diego: Yeah.
Mia: It’s so bad.
The estate agent comes back in.
Diego: It’s awful and I hate it.
Mia: (Turns to the estate agent) No offense.
Real estate agent: None taken.
Diego: We’ll uh…
Mia: We’ll think about it.
Her phone rings.
Mia: Sorry, hello?
Solicitor: (Over the phone) Hello, is this Mia Fey?
Mia: Speaking.
In the background, Diego knocks something over and apologises. Mia does not react.
Solicitor: I’m calling about a house.
Mia: (Annoyed) We’re only looking at apartments, we can’t afford a house.
Solicitor: I don’t think you-
Mia: Bye.
She ends the call and rolls her eyes.
Mia: God I hate estate agents. (She makes eye contact with the estate agent) Except the… The good ones. Like you.
He doesn’t react, the phone rings again. Mia looks at the caller ID and huffs, answering.
Mia: I thought I told you-
Solicitor: I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’m calling to say you’ve inherited a house.
Mia raises her eyebrows and turns slowly to face Diego.
Scene 3
Mia and Diego sit in the solicitor’s office. It’s furnished in an old fashioned way and they are positioned on the other side of an ostentatious desk, both are dressed slightly nicer than the last time we saw them. The solicitor is showing off a large and complicated family tree opposite them.
Solicitor: So that’s you in the corner… There. (He points to Mia’s name at the end of it)
Mia: Huh… I had no idea it went this far back. And the owner was… My great, step… grand aunt?
Solicitor: Well there’s no real term for what you are really. Just that she had no children, died, then, of course, there was the murder-
Diego: (Perks up) The murder?
Solicitor: Yes. It would have gone to you earlier if it wasn’t for the unfortunate murder-suicide business.
Mia blinks.
Mia: Oh.
The solicitor fiddles with some papers, the silence is awkward as Mia stares at her lap. Diego feels the need to start talking.
Diego: I feel like I’m in the principal’s office.
The solicitor raises an eyebrow and looks up from his papers briefly.
Diego: I, uh, I stuck a stick in a kid’s ear once, er, got sent in… He’s fine now though… (Trailing off slightly) He’s a… Pastry chef…
Mia places a hand on his leg and he shuts up. He reaches for the bowl on the table.
Diego: These look nice. (He grabs a handful of… the stuff in the bowl and puts it in his mouth)
Solicitor: It’s potpourri.
Diego crunches. Mia winces.
Mia: So this murder-suicide-
Diego spits out the potpourri in the background .
Solicitor: Ah, you don’t need to worry about that, the blood stains have all been cleaned up.
Mia: …That’s nice.
The solicitor hands them a collection of photos, Mia looks at them eagerly.
Solicitor: It’s been in the Fey family for generations, just somewhere along the line you… Missed out.
Mia: (Thumbing through the photos thoughtfully) I think my grandma used to talk about ‘leaving the village’ when she was very young but she didn’t like going into it…
Mia hovers over a picture of a 1920s flapper girl, thoughtfully running a finger over the girl’s magatama.
Solicitor: She was the last of your direct line, although her name has been lost to history.
Mia nods and flicks to a picture of the house, her eyes immediately widen at just how huge it is.
Diego: It’s not this house, is it? (He leans over her shoulder)
The two chuckle at how ludicrous that would be, the solicitor doesn’t laugh with them.
Solicitor: Actually, as a matter of fact, it is.
Mia and Diego look up in shock. The solicitor hands them the property folder and both Diego and Mia start flicking through it with growing curiosity and excitement.
Mia: No way…
Solicitor: Fey Manor. Now obviously, it can take several years to find a buyer and close the sale, your likely investors are going to be luxury hotel chains, that sort of thing.
Mia and Diego are hardly listening, his voice fades into the background as they both seem to have the same idea at the same time. Mia briefly looks to Diego for reassurance and he gives the slightest nod, returning her eager grin.
Mia: What if we keep it?! (She cuts off the solicitor mid-sentence)
Diego: Yes, that’s a great idea!
The solicitor pulls a face.
Solicitor: The house is in a state of disrepair…
Diego: I mean… W-we were looking for a project anyway and I re-tiled that bit behind the sink in the old apartment so…
Solicitor: The splash-back?
Diego: Is it?
Solicitor: (He sighs) This would go a bit beyond the limits of DIY, you should at least get a survey done-
Mia: (Interrupting him again) I just feel like it would be best to keep it in the family! I think that’s what they would have wanted- ( She holds up the photo of the flapper girl )
Diego: (Excited) Exactly! And if it could work for some hotel chain-
Mia: (Also excited, turning to Diego) Why not make it work for us?!
Diego: We could give up our jobs-
Mia: We could do this full time!
Mia turns towards the solicitor again who has been watching this whole time in a state of mild horror.
Mia: (Very eager) Can we keep it?! If we want to?!
Solicitor: Well… I mean, it is your house.
Mia and Diego high-five.
Scene 4
Back in the house, the ghosts are all amusing themselves in the main living area, or what used to be the main living area. Two columns are the centre point of the room along with a beautiful fireplace, these features are all looking worse for wear though and all the furniture is either covered with a dust sheet or just such a thick layer of dust it looks like a dust sheet. There’s a piano in one corner. By the pillars, the two men in suits with a confusing relationship play chess at an abandoned set missing half of the pieces. One hovers his fingers over a pawn.
Gregory: So the pawn goes… tch- tch- tch. ( He mimes moving the pawn )
Manfred: (Aghast) But that’s-
Gregory: (Blissfully) Mm, checkmate.
Manfred grumbles and goes to get up before remembering there is quite literally nothing else to do.
Manfred: (Sighs) Best of 12?
Gregory: My pleasure.
The camera moves to a group at the back, listening to some sort of presentation and looking bored out of their minds. Captain Edgeworth sits ramrod straight on the couch alongside Morgan -equally stiff- and Apollo. Klavier leans on the back, whilst Trucy and Phoenix sit on the arms of the couch. Franziska is at the front, lecturing very sternly on how to make a basket.
Franziska: Your frame should be precisely five potatoes high! No more, no less, do you understand?
They murmur their assent. The only one trying to feign interest is Phoenix, the rest visibly look like they have heard this many times before.
Franziska: Then you take your wicker and weave between the fronds thusly. ( She mimes the basket, demonstrating ) Then, should thy Lord be gracious and thy flesh be willing, you shall have a basket by sun down.
She bows at the end of the talk, the ghosts on the couch give a round of polite applause. Phoenix gets up from the couch.
Phoenix: Excellent talk of the day Franziska!
She nods, as if yes, it was.
Phoenix: I think it’s safe to say that if we had any wicker or, indeed, we could touch anything, we could all weave a pretty rad-looking basket!
Trucy whoops.
Phoenix: Next time, I’m sure we’d all be interested to hear about the trial- the blasphemy-
Franziska: No.
She stalks off and hovers by the couch, intimidating Apollo into giving up his seat. The young soldier sits defeatedly on the ground.
Phoenix: Alrighty then! (He claps his hands together as if he’s leading a scout talk) So tomorrow is food club!
Captain Edgeworth groans.
Phoenix: Where Trucy will be telling us about the very first time she ate an egg!
Trucy: I actually didn’t like it!
Phoenix: Oop, save it for tomorrow please! (Desperate) Give us something to look forward to! And then on Wednesday… (Looks like he’s trying to recall) Oh yes! Klavier will be performing for us.
Klavier leans forward between Morgan and Captain Edgeworth on the couch.
Klavier: Ja, one of my old concert set lists! Very long, very loud, filled to the brim with psychedelic chords and lyrics to melt your tiny little minds!
Apollo tilts his head back against the couch. He falls through.
Apollo: (Muffled) Ugh, God spare me.
Captain Edgeworth: Right!
He slaps his knees and gets up in front of them like Phoenix.
Captain Edgeworth: Phoenix stand down. A-O-B, any other business-
Several ghosts raise their hands, including Maya and Pearl at the piano in the corner and Ryunosuke sitting with Kazuma by the fireplace. Captain Edgeworth ignores them all.
Captain Edgeworth: Well, I have something actually. Ever since I moved rooms I have been woken up by you, Morgan, screaming like a madwoman!
Morgan: Well, I don’t think I do!
Captain Edgeworth: No, you very much do! Every night, bang on three in the morning, she throws herself from her window and lands -thud- right by mine! Screaming too, might I add!
Franziska: You did say that already.
Klavier: (Thoughtfully) I always thought that was an owl.
Apollo leans out of the couch so he can look at Klavier.
Apollo: Do you know what an owl sounds like?
Klavier: Well now I don’t think so…
Captain Edgeworth: Regardless, it is simply uncouth and very detrimental to my quality of life!
Morgan: Well you don’t have to have that room, do you?
Captain Edgeworth: I bagsied it! And I shouldn’t have to give up my room because of- of- of whatever you’re getting up to!
Trucy: There are literally so many rooms in this house!
Captain Edgeworth: But none of the rest of them have the garden view!
Apollo: (Gesturing at Morgan) The garden view comes with the screaming woman!
The ghosts all begin trying to talk over each other, even the ones that weren’t involved in this conversation.
Morgan: (Over the rabble) Look, this is my house-
Maya: (From the piano) Not anymore it ain’t!
Manfred scoffs.
Manfred: I don’t know why you’re chiming in, it’s not like it’s yours either.
Gregory: ( Musing ) If we go back far enough, none of us even have any right to the land.
This causes the argument to erupt into voices all overlapping and overwhelming, Captain Edgeworth still tries desperately to assert his complaints whilst everyone calls him an idiot in varying levels of modernity. The two samurai in the corner look at one another.
Ryunosuke: (Yelling) DAMARE!
The ghosts all shut up.
Ryunosuke: (Slightly bashful at the attention) Oh, thank you. (He then gestures for Kazuma to speak)
Kazuma: Why don’t you two just swap rooms? Therefore, Morgan throws herself from the ground floor window and Captain Edgeworth can get some sleep? You keep your view and you keep your… Nightly activities.
Captain Edgeworth and Morgan stop and contemplate this for a second.
Captain Edgeworth: (Overlapping) Yes, that makes sense.
Morgan: (Overlapping) Didn’t think of that.
Kazuma smiles and sits back against the fireplace.
Kazuma: Not just a pretty face.
Scene 5
A darkened bedroom, abandoned and dusty still. Family portraits hang on the walls and moth-eaten curtains frame a window with a lovely garden view. This is Morgan’s old bedroom, now Captain Edgeworth’s after the argument earlier today.
Captain Edgeworth phases through the door, smoothes down his uniform and lays down on top of the sheets of the old bed. He closes his eyes, falling asleep.
He doesn’t get to stay asleep. The clock strikes three and Morgan enters the room. She’s lost in some kind of trance, floating and moving along like she’s on a conveyer belt. Captain Edgeworth bolts upright.
Captain Edgeworth: (Sleepily) Morgan?
Morgan: (Spacily) Who’s there?
She gets to the window and suddenly, as if she was pushed, she falls right through it and onto the ground outside with a shrill, haunting scream. The camera watches her fall and hit the ground, but she gets up, dusts off her dress and looks mildly inconvenienced at best.
Captain Edgeworth: (Shouting from inside) Throw yourself out of your own damn window!
Scene 6
Mia and Diego drive a horribly overpacked car down country lanes, listening to the radio on full blast and singing along wildly. Diego makes a wrong turn and looks at his map without dropping the song, Mia turns his phone upside down and recalibrates it, Diego only stops singing to thank her and they continue driving.
Scene 7
A different room, once a ballroom but now dusty and bare. Pearl sits by the window as Captain Edgeworth storms over to Morgan. Gregory loiters nearby, along with Phoenix, Manfred and Trucy. Others are dotted about but not in shot.
Captain Edgeworth: This is really beyond the pail!
Morgan: (Rolls her eyes) Oh, has it happened again?
Captain Edgeworth: Yes! You drifted into my room, asked me who’s there and then threw yourself out of the damn window!
Morgan: Well, I’m sorry but I don’t even realise I’m doing it!
Phoenix approaches in mediator mode.
Phoenix: Well, perhaps there’s some deep rooted reason as to why you’re doing it, like you feel you have to re-enact-
Gregory: Maybe try jumping out of the window before bed to get it over with?
Captain Edgeworth: (Huffs) It’s not so much the jumping, it’s the screaming that’s annoying!
Ryunosuke chimes in from the corner.
Ryunosuke: Yes, there’s an idea! Just jump and don’t scream.
Trucy: Staying quiet whilst falling from that great of a height? I don’t even think that’s possible…
Franziska calls over her shoulder from the bookcase.
Franziska: Anything is possible if you try hard enough.
Morgan: Are you saying I’m not trying hard enough to stop myself from doing something I have no idea I’m doing ?
Franziska: Yes. Do better.
Morgan: (Deeply sarcastic) Oh I’m so sorry that I re-enact my very traumatic de-
Captain Edgeworth: (Loudly) Look! I don’t care! Just make it stop!
Morgan goes to open her mouth when Pearl suddenly starts making excited noises at the window.
Pearl: Oh, oh! It’s, uh, the box- no! The horseless carriage!
Captain Edgeworth, Gregory, Phoenix and Morgan all crowd around her at the window.
Phoenix: You mean a car-
Captain Edgeworth: Motorcar-
Gregory: It’s a car.
Phoenix observes the car properly.
Phoenix: Wow, it’s like a spaceship!
Gregory: Poor kids probably got lost.
Manfred: Not everyone has your poor sense of direction.
Gregory: Oh hush.
Outside, the camera focuses on Mia and Diego getting out of the car, the radio somehow still on and playing ‘Kids in America’ by Kim Wilde. As they shut the car doors, the camera pans back to the ghosts.
Phoenix: (Perking up when he recognises the song) Oh, it’s Kim Wilde!
Pearl: (Giggling) Ohhh!! It’s a couple! We’re getting a couple!! Oh, aren’t they beautiful?!
Miles: (Mumbles agreement, looking only at Diego) Yes… He’d make a very fine soldier.
Only Manfred seems to clock this, looking surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye at him as Miles clears his throat.
Scene 8
Camera focuses properly on Mia and Diego as they stand outside the house, surveying it. They both stare up at the majesty of the house, mouths hanging open.
Mia: Wow…
Diego offers her his arm.
Diego: Shall we, Lady Mia?
Mia giggles and takes his arm. They push open the old doors and begin to look around in wonder. Diego takes notice of an old suit of armor in the hallway as soon as they enter and points to it. Mia gasps and the couple continue walking. They enter into the old living area, marvelling at the possibly marble columns.
Diego: (In awe) This is 100% the most incredible moment of my life. ( Walking backwards and taking Mia’s hands ) Apart from our wedding. ( He kisses her knuckles )
Mia: And it’s all ours…
The camera spins around them, revealing all thirteen ghosts, watching unseen by the living couple. Morgan looks furious.
Morgan: What did that girl just say?!
Maya: She must be related to us!
Pearl: Like a niece… A great… great niece.
Morgan shakes her head and the group of ghosts begin to trail after Mia and Diego.
Morgan: No, no, no. She’s no relation of mine! For one, her knees are on show and she’s got a tattoo!
Kazuma: (Sagely) Always trouble.
Scene 9
Mia leads Diego and the group of ghosts into the next room, briefly consulting her folder.
Mia: This must be the library…
Diego: That’s a lotta books, does that mean we have to start reading?
Mia rolls her eyes affectionately. Captain Edgeworth frowns at him.
Captain Edgeworth: Philistine.
Phoenix: (Claps his hands and stands by the couple) Well, look on the bright side! At least there’s some new faces around here!
He is met with stony looks.
Manfred: There’s enough faces around here already!
Phoenix holds up a hand.
Phoenix: Ha, well, you died 15 years ago so you have no right to complain. I’m taking complaints from anyone past 1984?
Captain Edgeworth goes to speak and then stops. Morgan rolls her eyes at his cowardice and goes to talk instead.
Morgan: Well, I for one, think even two more people is too many! Someone is going to have to give up their room-
Unbeknownst to her, Mia interrupts Morgan’s complaint, turning to Diego with wonder on her face.
Mia: This is… It’s wonderful. It feels like I have a connection to this place, like I belong here.
A tiny smile twitches at the corner of Morgan’s lips, but she squashes it.
Morgan: Well then.
Diego hugs Mia.
Diego: Then it’s a good thing we’re staying.
He looks over her shoulder and squints at a corner of the room.
Diego: Oh we’re gonna have to resurface that patch of drywall.
Mia: (Turns in his arms) Oh yeah…
Ryunosuke turns to the ghosts.
Ryunosuke: Haven’t I been telling you all that for years?
They all mumble their yeah yeahs and follow the couple through the rest of their exploration. Quick cut to Mia and Diego walking down a hall.
Mia: We could do every room in a different style!
Morgan: Over my dead body!
Maya: Erm-
Morgan: (Holds up a hand) I know!
Diego: Like that place we stayed at in Florida?
Mia: Exactly!
She excitedly climbs the stairs, the ghosts follow. The stairs creak ominously under her steps.
Ghosts and Diego: Careful!
The camera cuts to inside a room, Mia opens the door to it and looks around.
Mia: Oldey-worldy?
Diego: (Hums in agreement)
The ghosts groan their distaste. The shot moves onto a different room, Diego opens the door this time.
Diego: Western?
Mia: Ooo, yeah coz of the wallpaper!
The ghosts groan again, all bar Phoenix who nods along but changes his tune when he notices the others’ protests. The shot moves onto another room.
Mia: Club tropicana?
Diego: Oh totally.
The ghosts consider this and all agree that this one is good.
Gregory: That’s fun!
The ghosts follow Mia and Diego out into the garden, where Mia stops and stares at the extensive grounds framed by mountains. A shot shows the view, the camera positioned behind the couple and not showing any ghosts. It truly is beautiful.
Mia: Wow…
Diego: It’s fantastic…
Mia: (Lost in thought) Yeah…
The camera shot suddenly changes so that the ghosts are in view, the general consensus appears to be suspicion, but Phoenix is as chirpy as always.
Phoenix: Well gang, I think we should give them a chance!
Trucy nods, circling the couple as they take in the view.
Trucy: They seem really nice!
Phoenix: (Places his hands on his hips and stands directly in front of Mia) Exactly!
Mia raises a hand to point that goes straight through Phoenix’s head. He suddenly looks very ill.
Mia: Look! Is that a lake?!
Phoenix groans in pain, Mia lowers her hand, instead placing it on her own head to block out the sun.
Trucy: Oooh, I hate it when that happens. (She pats his shoulder)
Phoenix: (With difficulty) They’re still nice!
He retreats, holding his head.
Diego: It is a lake!
Mia: I thought I read that in the paperwork but I didn’t think it would actually be a lake!
Manfred walks to the front of the group and circles the couple, like he’s surveying them.
Manfred: Well, at least there’s only two of them.
Kazuma nods his agreement.
Kazuma: Exactly, still plenty of room for us!
Diego turns to Mia with a grin on his face.
Diego: This is gonna make one incredible hotel!
The ghosts all gasp, except Franziska who looks a little confused.
Franziska: What is a hotel?
Phoenix: Well, Franziska, it’s-
Scene 10
Franziska: Kill them.
The ghosts all stand in the couple’s bedroom. The sun has set and a majority of them are furious. Phoenix clasps his hands together and addresses Franziska.
Phoenix: I feel like that may be a little of an over-reaction but I’m loving the enthusiasm to get involved in house activities!
Manfred: Well, it depends, democratically. Raise hands all in favour of using force to enable them to, er, not live anymore?
Everyone raises their hands apart from Gregory, Phoenix, Pearl and Kazuma. These four awkwardly look at one another. Klavier also doesn’t raise his hand but he doesn’t look entirely like he’s paying attention.
Gregory: This is out of the question, it’s completely immoral!
Pearl: (Sagely) And it’s wrong!
Captain Edgeworth hums and lowers his hand.
Captain Edgeworth: Then again, if we succeed, we may be stuck with them forever.
Those with their hands up still lower them, mumbling that he’s actually right and they really don’t want that.
Phoenix: I mean, that wouldn’t be that bad, but still!
Kazuma: We could always move to the gatehouse.
Apollo: (Disgusted) No, that’s where we put the red coats.
Klavier suddenly starts paying attention again.
Klavier: Oh yeah I forgot about them.
Trucy shrugs.
Trucy: I’d rather kill them.
Klavier: (Spacy) Who?
Franziska huffily approaches the bed and points at the sleeping couple.
Franziska: Kill them!
Klavier: And who are they again?
Franziska: (Tuts) I don’t know why I bother.
Maya: How should we do it? Poison? Concrete on their legs and throw ‘em in the lake?
Pearl looks distraught.
Pearl: We can’t kill them! That’s a crime! We’ll hang!
Franziska subtly touches the throat of her high-collared dress, but before anyone can point this out, the nightly sound of Morgan throwing herself from the top storey window can be heard. Mia stirs in her sleep.
Captain Edgeworth: Morgan’s at it again.
Mia grumbles awake and taps Diego.
Mia: (Rubbing her eyes) Did you hear something?
Diego: (Sleepily) ‘S prob’ly a fox or a deer or som’thin’. Go back to sleep, mi vida .
Mia does so. In the land of the dead, everyone seems to be onto something, Phoenix is the one to verbalise.
Phoenix: We could always try… Haunting?
The ghosts hum their agreement, the energy in the room shifting.
Scene 11
It’s morning now, Diego walks into the room holding two cups of coffee. Mia grins when she sees him.
Now that the sun is up, more of the room they have chosen is visible. It has light, airy wallpaper, a bed with new linen on and some old dusty bedding has been stripped from it and now sits in the corner of the room, the abandoned blanket is the same colour as the canopy which still stands over the bed. Under the window is a large radiator, a door by it leads to presumably a bathroom. The ceiling is high and supported by an old oak beam, surprisingly solid considering the state of the rest of the house. They have hung fairy lights across the headboard of the bed and their much more modern items lay scattered across their two bedside tables. Their suitcases are half-packed by the dressers opposite the bed .
Diego perches on the side of the bed, handing Mia a cup of coffee.
Diego: (Over the top) Your beverage, my lady.
Mia: (Equally ridiculous) Thank you, my liege.
Mia sips it, Diego watches.
Diego: (Suspiciously) Taste alright?
Mia: Yeeees?
Diego: Oh good. (Takes a sip)
Mia is worried now, she looks at him weird.
Mia: Whyyy?
Diego: Oh!
He puts his cup down on the bedside table and lays down, putting his head on Mia’s chest. Her hand -the one not holding the cup- immediately finds his hair and plays with it absent-mindedly, though she is clearly still waiting for an answer.
Diego: So… I think we have a water issue. I couldn’t get any from the faucet in the kitchen and then I couldn’t find the other kitchen so I ended up using the one out in the garden.
He takes a breath and keeps going.
Diego: Then I realised there wasn’t any power in the kitchen so I took the machine into the library and found an outlet that worked there. No idea if the water’s drinkable but I filtered it twice.
Mia slowly places her cup down on the bedside table. She’s not gonna drink any of that. Diego closes his eyes and listens to the birdsong.
Diego: I love the sound of the country…
Mia focuses on something out of shot.
Mia: It’s in the room.
Diego sits up, noticing the bird currently perched on top of their dresser.
Diego: Oh yeah. Must be nesting somewhere.
He seems unbothered, taking a large gulp of his coffee and getting out of the bed.
Diego: Right, so what’s the first job? Pipes? Electric?
Mia blinks, still looking at the bird.
Mia: Probably get the bird out of the room.
Diego: Yeah.
Diego walks over to the dresser and herds the bird out of the open window, making little cooing noises at it. Mia chuckles affectionately at him and risks taking another sip of the coffee.
Cut to (some of) the ghosts. Captain Edgeworth stands addressing the group in the ballroom, the others lined up like they’re part of his own little army. Phoenix stands nearby, one eyebrow raised and refusing to adhere to this song and dance. Gregory, Trucy and Ryunosuke stand properly. Morgan, Maya and Apollo hover nearby.
Captain Edgeworth: Right, let’s have a look at some of the skills at our disposal, shall we? Now, we all know that Gregory can do that thing with the lights…
All faces turn to Gregory, he looks sheepish.
Captain Edgeworth: If you please.
Gregory turns his attention to a table lamp and focuses. With some effort, he makes the lamp flicker. The ghosts applaud politely.
Gregory: I really don’t think-
Trucy: (Jumping up and down, holding her hand up) Oh, oh!
Phoenix: Yes Trucy?
She claps her hands together and rocks on her feet. Captain Edgeworth glares at Phoenix for taking over, he smiles good-naturedly.
Trucy: When I pass through the livings, they smell burning!
As if to punctuate this, a puff of smoke wafts off of her outfit.
Captain Edgeworth: Excellent-
Trucy: It smells really bad!
From the corner, Maya raises her hand, making similar noises to Trucy.
Captain Edgeworth: (Beating Phoenix to it) Yes Maya?
Maya: Sooo back when I was alive and runnin’ this place as a… Fine establishment-
Morgan visibly rolls her eyes.
Maya: Patrons used to come up to me aaaaall the time sayin’ they could see these red eyes in the dark. Really gave ‘em the heebie-jeebies.
From the corner, Apollo sighs and gets up.
Apollo: Yes, that was me.
He heads over to the darkened corridor, disappearing into the shadows and showing off his glowing red eyes. The image is quite creepy and several of the ghosts look visibly unsettled.
Apollo: People find it scary, apparently.
Captain Edgeworth: W-well, that’s exactly what we’re looking for.
He clears his throat and turns to face Ryunosuke.
Captain Edgeworth: And, of course, we are all aware of Ryunosuke’s extraordinary powers.
The samurai chuckles and acts bashful as the ghosts ooo and ah, encouraging him to demonstrate. He steps up to a table where a mug sits and focuses very hard.
Ryunosuke: Alright, alright, watch this.
He sticks his tongue out and pushes his finger towards the cup, it goes straight through.
Ryunosuke: Hold on, hold on, I’ve got it!
He tries again, this time clenching his jaw and making noises. With great difficulty, he manages to poke the tea cup off of the table and onto the floor. He sighs with the effort and grins as the others applaud him. He bows.
Ryunosuke: I’ve, er, only tried it on cups and it- it comes and goes, but, yeah.
Captain Edgeworth: Fantastic. Well, with all your skills and my fantastic leadership-
Captain Edgeworth startles as Apollo appears beside him.
Captain Edgeworth: I believe we have everything we need to scare them out of their wits.
Scene 12
Camera is positioned outside of the house, Mia screams. The shot then shows a bathroom door.
Mia: Shower’s gone cold! It’s really cold! Diego!
Outside of the bathroom, Klavier stands staring very interestedly at a patch of wallpaper. Phoenix jogs up to him. Klavier does not register him, Phoenix taps him on the shoulder.
Klavier: (Startles) Was? I’m paying attention, I promise!
Phoenix: (Sarcastic) I believe you. Is she coming out?
Klavier blinks, then shoves his head through the wall. He returns quickly.
Klavier: Ja, I think so.
Phoenix: Fab!
Phoenix beams and turns to the rest of the group, all ready and waiting in the corridor.
Phoenix: She’s coming out!
Captain Edgeworth adopts a stance.
Captain Edgeworth: Alright, places everyone!
Gregory readies himself outside of the bathroom door by a solitary light bulb. Trucy positions herself in the corridor, Apollo in a dark alcove and Ryunosuke is hyping himself up by a vase positioned on top of a table. Pearl hovers next to Captain Edgeworth, excitedly rocking her feet.
Pearl: Good luck everyone and remember, as long as you do your best….!
Everyone pauses.
Captain Edgeworth: Finished?
Pearl: Yes!
Mia emerges from the bathroom, everyone tenses up.
Mia: Hot water’s gone again!
Captain Edgeworth: Cue Gregory!
Gregory focuses on the lightbulb, the light flickering in turn. Mia looks up at the bulb and simply turns it on and off at the switch until the power surge shocks Gregory and makes him fall to the floor. To top it all off, Mia walks through him.
Gregory: (Sickly) Oh my God.
Captain Edgeworth: Ah. Man down. Apollo?
Apollo opens his eyes in the alcove. Mia almost walks past before she stops and stares. She’s not scared, just confused. She turns on the light in the alcove, Apollo dodging to the side to avoid her arm, and his glowing eyes disappear. Mia shrugs it off and keeps walking.
Apollo: (Calling after her) Hey! Come back! I'm scary!
Captain Edgeworth: Ah, ok... Cue Trucy?
Trucy steals herself before jumping straight into Mia’s path. She walks through her, pauses and sniffs whilst Trucy drops to her knees on the other side, retching.
Mia: (Calling out to Diego) Are you burning the toast?!
Diego: (From somewhere downstairs) Nah I’m hooking up the speakers!
Mia: (To herself) Yeah, makes sense.
All of the ghosts turn to Ryunosuke who is shaking his right hand and focusing on the vase.
Captain Edgeworth: All on you now Ryunosuke!
Ryunosuke: (Mumbles) No pressure Captain.
Ryunosuke starts trying to push the vase, the ghosts all cheer and encourage him whilst he makes noises of effort.
The shot cuts to the juxtapositionally quiet corridor as the vase shakes minutely.
Captain Edgeworth: Come on, come on! Push it!
Ryunosuke grits his teeth and yells as he scoots the vase microscopically forward. Mia walks straight past it. He slumps with the effort onto the floor and all of the ghosts look awkwardly between each other as they realise the failure of their haunting.
Captain Edgeworth: Curses!
Ryunosuke: You know, i-it’s much bigger than a cup and- and you were all, you know, yelling at me and- and…
Phoenix: (Claps his hands) Well, what have we learnt today? I, personally, learnt that haunting is actually quite hard!
Captain Edgeworth: (Embarrassed) Oh leave off, Wright.
The ghosts disperse.
Scene 13
Mia and Diego are intending to explore the basement to find the boiler. They currently stand in the doorway, looking down into a stark, black pit.
Mia: And there’s no light switch?
Diego: Not one I can see.
Pause.
Mia: And there’s really no light switch?
Diego: (Sighs) There is no light switch. I’ll use my phone torch but it’s not very bright.
He turns his torch on, takes a deep breath, grabs Mia’s hand and walks down into the dark basement.
Mia: The boiler is definitely down here.
Diego: Joy.
The two press onwards. Diego sweeps the phone torch across the corridor in front of them, this shot reveals Klavier, Pearl and Kazuma watching them work. All three look like they’re not expecting much.
Mia: Sing something, make this less scary?
Diego: (Awkward and stilted) Don’t be scared, don’t be scared .
Klavier gets into the groove.
Klavier: Ooh yeah go for it!
Diego: (Key change) I’m not scared-
Klavier: (Finishing the line for him) I’m not scared!
The two living people react as if they have just heard this. They share a look, but seem to non-verbally decide it was an echo.
Mia: Stop, you’re making it worse.
Diego nods and keeps walking, he spots something out of the corner of his eye.
Diego: Ah, here we go!
He presses the something and light floods into the basement revealing an old-looking boiler. Kazuma, Klavier and Pearl hover by the two living people.
Pearl: Oh, much better!
Diego: I can so fix this!
Mia: (Uncertain) Are you sure? It’s got valves and- and- knobbly bits.
Diego smirks and opens his mouth like he’s about to make a dirty joke. Mia rolls her eyes affectionately.
Mia: Don’t.
Diego: (Chuckles) I’ll look it up on Youtube.
Mia: Not everything can be learnt on Youtube.
Diego: You’d be surprised, Simon learnt to tame his hawk off of Youtube.
Diego kneels down to peer at the boiler.
Mia: Yeah but- (Amazed) did he really?
Diego: Yup.
The ghosts make little oos.
Klavier: That’s cool, wish I could have done that with the bear. (He touches the scratch on his face)
Pearl: Well, we did try and stop you.
Kazuma: Not very hard.
Diego turns a valve, Mia reaches out to stop him.
Mia: Hey, hey, maybe don’t? Do you even know what that is?
Diego: Uh, yeah. It’s the… Thing for the thingy.
Kazuma: (Sighs) It’s the valve for the filling loop.
Diego flicks a switch and suddenly it appears the boiler has come to life, Klavier, Pearl and Mia all cheer.
Diego: Fixed it.
Kazuma: No you haven’t, it’s just the pilot light.
Mia: Do you think we need a new one? (She tilts her head to the side where Kazuma stands)
Kazuma: You needed a new one in 1987.
Diego: Probably. We’ll see what the surveyor says next week.
Diego gets to his feet and hovers by the light switch.
Diego: Ready?
Pearl: What for?
Klavier: I’m always ready.
Mia: Ready.
Diego turns off the light and both he and Mia sprint back to where they came from. Pearl and Klavier run with them like it’s some kind of game. Kazuma eyes the boiler wearily and follows at a much slower pace.
Scene 14
Back in the bedroom, Mia walks over to the radiator by the window and kneels down. She twists the knob and listens to see if she can hear it filling. In the world of the dead, Ryunosuke is currently justifying his poor performance with Manfred, who does not seem to care.
Ryunosuke: It’s like, I dunno, they were all there. And they were waiting. And I couldn’t do it!
Manfred: Performance anxiety, it happens. (He raises an eyebrow) Not to me, but to others.
Ryunosuke: But I can do it! I promise I can do it! It just sort of… Well, whatever spirits compel us to stay pick and choose!
Manfred: (Unimpressed) Of course they do.
Mia grumbles.
Diego: (Downstairs) Nothing yet, anything coming to yours?!
Mia: (Yells back) Give me a sec!
Suddenly, Mia hears bird song from outside the window. She stands up and opens the window, pushing her torso through so she can look around at the guttering. She spots the bird’s nest.
Mia: Ah, there you are!
She leans forward. Right behind her, Ryunosuke is still monologuing at Manfred.
Ryunosuke: I don’t choose when it works, I just move my hand and-
Ryunosuke goes to mime pushing something, his face pales as his hand makes contact with Mia’s back. As a result, Mia over-balences.
She screams, falling from the window and down two storeys onto the ground outside with a sickening crunch. In the room, Ryunosuke and Manfred look at each other, suddenly terrified.
Ryunosuke: (Yelling) TASUKETE!
Manfred: (At the same time) HELP!
The ghosts, headed by Kazuma who is midway through drawing his sword, all rush to the bedroom.
On the floor outside, Mia lays, having hit her head very hard. Diego rushes to her side, his voice muffled.
Diego: Mia?! MIA?!
Mia, dazed and about to pass out, looks over Diego’s shoulder at the window she just fell out of. Seeing through her eyes, the faces of Ryunosuke, Manfred, Kazuma and Morgan are all looking at the scene below. Mia’s eyes widen, but then she falls unconscious.
Cut to some time later, the ambulance pulls out of the property and the camera focuses on the ghosts in the bedroom. Ryunosuke is at the front, facing a group of shocked -and some angry- ghosts. Manfred stands by his side along with Kazuma, whilst Morgan is looking out of the window in thinly veiled hysteria.
Ryunosuke: I- Look- I- it was an accident! I promise! I didn’t even- It shouldn’t have-
Ryunosuke runs a hand through his hair, Kazuma places a hand on his shoulder.
Pearl: (Angry) Well, did you push her?!
Ryunosuke: Well- I- I mean d-d-define push?!
Phoenix: (Hands on hips, his anger isn’t very threatening) I’m sorry, but it’s rather a yes or no type of question.
Ryunosuke: Well- yes- but not on purpose!
Manfred: And think of it this way, what was the context?
Gregory: Oh shut up!
Captain Edgeworth sidles forward.
Captain Edgeworth: To be faaaair… We did want her out of the house…
Apollo: Not like this...
Franziska: It’s either killed her or scared her off. Both satisfactory outcomes. Isn’t it time for food club?
Morgan: (Sudden, from the window) You don’t just do that to someone!
Everyone turns to face her.
Kazuma: Steady on, Morgan.
Morgan: No, I won’t. Because I was pushed! You hear me? I was pushed!
The ghosts all awkwardly look at one another, Ryunosuke has his head in his hands.
Morgan: It was my husband. I caught him… Having relations with another woman and so he, obviously too cowardly to do anything else, pushed me out of my window! And I have never told a soul! I kept his stupid, sleazy little secret all these years!
She pauses.
Morgan: Until now.
Ryunosuke makes a noise similar to a boiling kettle.
Trucy: (Awkwardly) I mean, I did know that. I did watch it happen.
Apollo, Franziska and Kazuma all nod and mumble variations of so did I. Phoenix looks at them sharply and steps forward to place a hand on Morgan’s shoulder.
Phoenix: Well Morgan, thank you for telling us. It must have been a hard burden to hold all these years.
Morgan: Thank you.
Ryunosuke looks up.
Ryunosuke: And I promise you, it really was an accident. I’m not a killer- ( He gestures to the sword in his stomach and hopes they understand )
Morgan nods.
Pearl: I still think you should say sorry…
Ryunosuke: (Miserable) She can’t hear me…
Phoenix: Hey, on the bright side-
The ghosts grumble.
Phoenix: (Insistent) On the bright side! Perhaps Morgan’s nightly activities may stop!
Morgan: Do you suppose so?
Phoenix: I’m sure of it!
Scene 15
Outside shot. The clock strikes three, Morgan throws herself from her window, screams and lands on the ground. She picks herself up and dusts herself off and heads back inside. In the hallway, Captain Edgeworth and Phoenix stand by the front door.
Captain Edgeworth: See Phoenix? It’s just as I told you. That’s where talking gets you, nowhere!
Phoenix glances at him but drops it.
Phoenix: Yeah I guess. Lesson learnt. What should we do?
Captain Edgeworth: I don’t know, but I’m not listening to that racket at the same time every night for all eternity!
Phoenix hums and the two wander off down the corridor. They catch sight of the clock, look at each other, look back at the clock.
Phoenix: Worth a try!
Captain Edgeworth: (At the top of his lungs) RYUNOSUKE!
From God knows where, Ryunosuke comes running, eager to help and atone. He sees the two men, bows and looks expectantly.
Captain Edgeworth: Can you change this clock so that it strikes three am at seven in the morning?
Phoenix: Eight.
Captain Edgeworth: (Rolls his eyes) Eight.
Ryunosuke: Yes! Give me five minutes… Maybe more!
He gets ready to move the clock hands.
Sharp cut to eight o’clock the next morning, but the clock chimes three. Morgan throws herself from her window and across the whole house, ghosts can be heard saying good morning to each other. Morgan looks slightly confused, dusts off her dress and shrugs.
Captain Edgeworth: (Somewhere in the house) Finally things can get back to normal around here.
Scene 16
In a hospital room, Diego sits on a bed, no Mia to be found. He is frowning at some paperwork, the results of the survey on the house. A toilet flushes and Diego immediately jolts upright, shoving the paperwork in his backpack. As Mia emerges from the bathroom, complete with headbrace, she smiles at Diego. He lays down on the bed and opens his arms for her.
Mia: Shift finished?
Diego: Yeah, come have a lie down with me, I’m so tired…
Mia: Poor you.
Despite her sarcasm, she lays down in the bed beside Diego and cuddles into his arms, hissing in pain. He makes sure she’s comfortable before talking.
Diego: Hey, you were sleeping for two whole weeks!
Mia: It’s called a coma!
Diego: Induced coma-
Mia: And you shouldn’t be so mean to me, I literally died.
Diego: Only for a little bit!
They both pause, the reality of it all crashing down on them. Diego blinks very quickly, his eyes looking suspiciously wet.
Diego: I’m glad you didn’t die. Like… Really die.
Mia sighs and squeezes his hand.
Mia: Did I dream that house?
Diego hums.
Mia: I feel like I dreamt it all… (She perks up) Oh, did you get the survey results back?
Diego: (Pauses briefly) Er, nope… Not yet.
The camera lingers on the survey results peaking out of Diego’s backpack, the top of the page boasts the Fey Manor as being Level Three… something, which cannot possibly be good for them financially. Diego kicks the backpack off of the bed.
Scene 17
Back at the house, Franziska is once again giving a talk to Captain Edgeworth, Morgan, Klavier, Apollo, Trucy and Phoenix. They are all in the same positions on the couch as last time, it is as if Mia and Diego never came to the house. Pearl sits by the window, Manfred and Gregory playing chess, Kazuma and Ryunosuke by the fireplace, the only difference here being that Ryunosuke is laying face down on the floor whilst Kazuma mumbles to him in 13th century Japanese.
Franziska: Now, you must have the cow facing the right way, kneel down, then gently-but-quickly…
She mimes milking a cow. Apollo pinches the bridge of his nose and looks like he would rather be anywhere else, both Phoenix and Miles are trying to school their expressions into neutrality. Phoenix because he is about to start laughing and Miles because this seems vaguely improper. Klavier is openly grinning.
Franziska: And that will release a steady stream into the pail. Now- (Shouting) Apollo Justice are you listening?!
Apollo: (Looks up) Yes Franziska!
Franziska: (Satisfied) Good, because this is very important! You must then check that the milk is smooth and white and not beige and lumpy!
Those present nod, Franziska bows. Mia and Diego’s car pulls into the driveway and Pearl perks up.
Pearl: Oh, oh- uhhhh Kim Wilde? No! Horseless carriage- car?
Kazuma walks calmly to the window.
Kazuma: Ah, it’s the couple. Clearly Ryunosuke has not killed her.
Apollo: (Mildly) Huzzah.
The others all cheer similarly. Then, they clock it.
Ghosts: THEY CAME BACK?!
The shot changes to Mia and Diego inside the car. Diego parks it and turns to look at Mia, expression resembling that of a little boy in the principal’s office.
Diego: Sooo… I have good news and bad news.
Mia: Okay, okay… Can you give me the good-
Diego: The bad news is the solicitor was not kidding about this place. The repairs are… Major. Expensive. Structural stuff… Electrics, plumbing. Can’t even begin to renovate this place without a huge amount of money.
Mia: (Sighs sadly) Ok…
Diego: (Happily) So the good news is I took out a loan! Few loans…
Mia: What?!
Diego nods and tries not to look too terrified.
Diego: Yup, couple of loans, paid a few deposits… But, I mean, it’s worth it right?
Mia: …Why didn’t you tell me?
Diego: You were in a coma Mia.
Mia: (Crosses her arms petulantly) Yeah but still…
Diego: It is worth it. This place is like a dream come true Mia, you said it yourself… I… can try and cancel?
Mia: No, no… (More insistent) No! This place is… Perfect. No matter what, we can do this. Together.
Diego: Together.
Diego pecks her on the cheek.
Mia: Ask me next time though.
Diego: Of course, mi vida.
A bunch of vans pull into the driveway.
Diego: Oh, they’re already here…
Mia: Construction workers?
Diego: Yeah!
Mia looks excited and gets out of the car. Diego smiles and gets out too, the both of them greeting the main construction worker -Terry.
Scene 18
Just inside the corridor, Mia and Diego stand by Terry, listening as he talks.
Terry: So, while we’re on the site, everyone has to wear one of these. (He hands both Diego and Mia a hard-hat) Mostly for insurance reasons but… Well, you just should.
Diego: Gotcha.
Both put on their hard-hats.
Terry: Right so… We’ll get working?
Diego: Yeah, uh, lemme show you to…
Diego wanders off, Terry following. Mia lets out a slightly scared but slightly excited huff of breath. Gregory wanders into shot, peering at Mia to check she’s alright… Mia makes direct eye contact.
Mia: (Unmistakably addressing Gregory) You should be wearing a hard-hat!
Mia walks off to find her husband. Gregory’s mouth drops open and he immediately runs off in the opposite direction.
Scene 19
The ghosts are all crowded around the window, bar Gregory. Morgan shakes her head and addresses Maya.
Morgan: It was bad enough when you turned this place into a speak-easy, but a boarding house?!
Maya: Too real, at least my patrons didn’t stay .
Phoenix: Come on team, keep your spirits up! At least it’s… Interesting!
Gregory comes pelting through the wall, looking terrified. Ryunosuke is the first to run up to him.
Ryunosuke: How is she?!
Gregory: (Panicked and gradually rising in volume) Uhhh she spoke to me, she spoke to me, she saw me, she spoke to me!
Pearl: Huh?!
Captain Edgeworth: What the devil are you talking about…
Gregory: Come on, see for yourself!
Scene 20
Mia watches the construction workers out of the ballroom window, cradling her chin in her hands. She looks a strange mix between scared and excited. Diego wanders in.
Diego: Hey, there you are!
Mia: Heya…
Diego: Thought you were getting some rest…
Diego joins her at the window.
Diego: No turning back now, huh.
Mia: Hmm…
She turns around to face him and the rest of the room.
Mia: What if we made a mistake? What if this was a bad idea and we just should have sold it?
Diego: Nah, don’t go down that road. This was a great idea! It’s gonna take a lotta work but we can do it!
Behind him, Morgan phases through the wall. Mia catches sight of her immediately and her eyes widen in fear, mouth dropping open.
Mia: (Terrified) D-Diego…
Diego: Hey, you’re terrified, I get it…
Mia watches as Pearl, Trucy, Franziska and Kazuma also appear through the wall.
Mia: Diego…
Diego: I get it… I’m scared too.
Apollo, Klavier and Maya phase through the wall. Mia cannot say a word.
Diego: This house and what we’re doing is a massive challenge, but we can do this!
Captain Edgeworth, Phoenix (waving), Gregory and Manfred come in. Mia’s eyes dart from wound to wound to clothes to-
Diego: Who knows what we’re gonna face, but we have each other! Just us and this big old house, there’s nothing to be scared of, is there?
It is definitely not just them. The ghosts have approached. From Mia’s right hand side, Ryunosuke suddenly appears, bloody sword very prominent, and bows deeply.
Ryunosuke: Owabi moushi agemasu! I’m so sorry!
Mia screams.