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i-am-trying-my-best-okay · 2 years

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An Attempt At Writing A First Episode For An Adaption Of The Mortal Instrument Series

The screen is black, the only noise heard is the muted sound of trance music. The muted begins to sound progressively ominous, giving a general feeling of unease.

SIMON (V.O.)

I feel, that this evening DJ Bat is doing a singularly exceptional job. Don’t you agree?

INT. A CLUB – NIGHT

Cut to SIMON and CLARY hiding under the bar of a club, sharing a bottle of alcohol between them. The music immediately turns back to normal. Just above the bar there’s a view of the what’s going on in the club, the changing of the lights from one neon color to the next, people dancing. But the focus is on CLARY, currently downing the bottle, and SIMON, trying to pry the bottle back for a drink. They’re in their own world; and very drunk, their words slurred and clumsy.

CLARY

Why don’t you call up your band? You could all jump up there and save music or whatever.

SIMON

Maybe I should.

CLARY

Sure; and when you’re done, and the crowd would obviously take a pause from what they’re doing to give you a standing ovation, when they ask the name of your band to better scream your praises, what will you tell them?

SIMON

Why are you saying this like it’s an unreasonable scenario?

CLARY

‘Sea Vegetable Conspiracy’.

SIMON

We’re also considering ‘Rock Solid Panda’.

CLARY

It just doesn’t roll off the tongue.

SIMON

Only untalented tongues.

CLARY

Fine. It was a nice way to tell you it sucks.

SIMON

Eric suggested Lawn Chair Crisis.

CLARY

Maybe Eric should stick to gaming.

SIMON

But then we’d have to find a new drummer.

CLARY

Oh, is that what Eric does? I thought he just mooched money off you and went around telling girls at school that he was in a band in order to impress them.

SIMON

Hey, Eric has turned over a new leaf. He has a girlfriend. They’ve been going out for three months.

CLARY

Practically married.

SIMON

Well-

He’s cut off by the heavy steps of the BARTENDER, who finally notices them.

BARTENDER

Hey! You kids can’t be back here.

CLARY and SIMON take off running, taking the bottle with them. The BARTENDER attempts to go after them at first but they get lost in the crowd, laughing all the while. They to the other end of the dancing crowd, coming across a DRUNK GIRL who was attempting to tattoo herself, but her hands weren’t steady and she kept missing her skin. CLARY, again, very drunk, stumbles her way over with SIMON following.

CLARY

Do you want me to do it?

DRUNK GIRL

‘You a tattoo artist?

CLARY

Are you?

The DRUNK GIRL considered that and gives the stick and poke to CLARY. The three of them are now all sat together.

CLARY

What do you want?

DRUNK GIRL

Financial stability I guess.

CLARY

For a tattoo?

DRUNK GIRL

No…you know what? Fuck it, yes, tattoo some money on to me. Maybe it’ll manifest it or something.

CLARY gets to work and SIMON and the DRUNK GIRL get to talking. But it becomes more background noise as CLARY notices out of the corner of her eye a BLUE HAIRED BOY and ISABELLE going through a door marked NO ADMITTANCE. Following them were two men, ALEC and JACE, and JACE took out a knife and twirled it in his hand while ALEC continued to scowl. They both entered the same place the BLUE HAIRED BOY and ISABELLE went into. CLARY shoved the stick and poke at SIMON, clearly panicked through her intoxication. Although, she was done with the tattoo.

DRUNK GIRL

That was fast. Looks good, which is weird because you weren’t looking at it like at all.

CLARY

Did you see those guys?

SIMON

What guys?

CLARY

They followed this couple behind that door. One of them had a knife.

DRUNK GIRL

I’m out. Thanks for the tattoo.

DRUNK GIRL stands up and walks out of the club, leaving the stick and poke behind her with SIMON, who tries to give it back but she’s obviously more concerned about leaving before getting involved with a man with a knife.

SIMON

Are you sure?

CLARY

I’m sure.

SIMON

I’ll get one of the security guards. You stay here.

SIMON puts down the stick and poke and walks away quickly, although he’s struggling with getting passed the crowd. CLARY looks back and forth between him and the door, moving around with obvious anxiety. She makes a frustrated noise and grabs the stick and poke and hold it like a weapon and make her way quickly towards the door. She flings open the door.

INT. STORAGE CLOSET OF NIGHT CLUB

Nobody was there. The windows were up high, and the trance music became more background as the sound of cars was clearer. She stepped into the room and her foot got tangled in some wires. She bent down to free herself, then there is the sound of a girl’s laugh. She looked up. There appeared ISABELLE, JACE, ALEC, and the BLUE HAIRED BOY. The BLUE HAIRED BOY is tied to a pillar with piano wire. CLARY hides behind a pillar of her own and listens. JACE is pacing, has a general look of someone who can’t keep still. ALEC is still, arms crossed, and ISABELLE looks impatient.

JACE

So; you still haven’t told me if there are any other of your kind with you.

BLUE HAIRED BOY

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

JACE stills momentarily and begins giving a mock lesson, taking the role of a sarcastic professor.

JACE

Demons. Religiously defined as hell’s denizens, the servants of Satan, but understood for the purposes of the Clave, to be any malevolent sprit whose origin is outside our own home dimension-

ISABELLE

That’s enough Jace.

ALEC

Isabelle’s right. Nobody here needs a lesson in semantics – or demonology.

JACE

Isabelle and Alec think I talk to much. Do you think I talk too much?

BLUE HAIRED BOY

I could give you information; I know where Valentine is.

JACE

Valentine’s in the ground. The thing’s just toying with us.

ISABELLE

Kill it Jace, it’s not going to tell us anything.

JACE raises the knife to do so. The knife is oddly translucent, with the hilt set with red stones. The BLUE HAIRED BOY begins struggling hard against the binds.

BLUE HAIRED BOY

Valentine is back! All the Infernal Worlds know it – I know it – I can tell you where he is-

JACE

By the Angel, every time we capture one of you bastards, you claim you know where Valentine is. Well, we know where he is too. He’s in hell. And you, you can join him there.

Cut back to CLARY, grasping hard at the stick and poke. She sees that ISABELLE and Alec were standing to the side, now talking to each other about the annoyance of JACE’s theatrics, making an opening to JACE. She jumps out from the pillars and tries to stab at JACE from behind. JACE, senses this turns with his own knife in hand. They are know positioned in a way that their weapons are at each other’s necks, involving them to stand very close. ISABELLE and ALEC step in as well, standing on either side of CLARY, ISABELLE with her whip and ALEC with his bow and arrow. CLARY now has weapons pointed at her from all sides. But the other three don’t look hostile, they mainly look confused.

ALEC

What’s this?

JACE

It’s a girl. Surely you’ve seen girls before Alec. Your sister Isabelle is one. A mundie girl; and she...what kind of mundie weapon is that?

CLARY

Stick and poke.

JACE

I thought mundie’s had better weapons then that at least. I must have a terrible habit of overestimating others.

CLARY

It’s at your neck, isn’t it?

JACE

You’re out numbered, aren’t you?

ISABELLE looks back and forth, slightly more bewildered, then whispered to ALEC, not turning her gaze or focus from CLARY and JACE.

ISABELLE

Are they flirting right now? Please tell me they’re not flirting right now.

ALEC

I think you have an odd definition of flirting.

Back to CLARY and JACE

JACE

You can see us, can’t you?

CLARY

Of course I can see you. I’m not blind you know.

JACE

Oh, but you are. You just don’t know it. You’d better get out of here, if you know what’s good for you.

CLARY

I’m not going anywhere.

JACE

Okay, you might want to rethink your whole ‘I’m not blind’ thing. Do you not see the situation you’re in? Do you need a minute to take in the scenery?

CLARY

If I leave, you’ll kill him.

JACE

That’s true. What do you care if I kill him or not?

CLARY

You can’t go around killing people.

JACE

You’re right. You can’t go around killing people. That’s not a person Munchkin; it may look like a person and talk like a person and maybe even bleed like a person. But it’s a monster.

CLARY

I’m actually average height. Just not in America.

JACE

I feel like you focus on the wrong details a lot, don’t you?

ISABELLE

Jace, that’s enough.

CLARY

You’re all crazy; I’ve called the police you know. They’ll be here any second, so you better leave now while you can.

ALEC

She’s lying. Jace, do you-

The BLUE HAIRED BOY, of who there were shots of him progressing his freedom throughout that entire interaction, breaks free of his bindings with a demonic yell, flinging himself towards JACE. They fall to the ground together, the BLUE HAIRED BOY’s hands now glittering claws that tore at JACE. ISABELLE and ALEC run into action while CLARY stands there shocked at what she’s seeing. JACE is getting torn into, bleeding as he tries to fight against the BLUE HAIRED BOY. ISABELLE whips him and he falls to the side. JACE swiftly stabs the BLUE HAIRED BOY in the chest, causing black liquid to come out. The BLUE HAIRED BOY withers on the ground, desperately trying to cling to life. JACE pulls out the knife, snarling at the demon.

BLUE HAIRED BOY

So be it. The Forsaken will take you all.

The BLUE HAIRED BOY jerks one last time and begins to fold in on himself until he vanishes entirely. CLARY is still staring at this scene in horror, backing away slightly. ALEC takes JACE’s arm and examines the wound. CLARY, who is going through the process of being in denial of what she just saw, turns to make a run for it, only to be stopped by ISABELLE suddenly in her path, looking furious. ISABELLE flicked her whip towards CLARY, grabbing hold of her wrist.

ISABELLE

Stupid little mundie, you could have gotten Jace killed.”

CLARY

He’s crazy, you’re all crazy. What do you think you are, vigilante killers? The police-

JACE

The police aren’t usually interested unless you can produce a body.

JACE walks over, cradling his injured arm, Alec following, scowl in place. CLARY looks to the spot the boy was, a bit dazed, and not just from previously drinking.

JACE

They return to their home dimensions when they die, in case you were wondering.

ALEC

Jace, be careful.

JACE

She can see us Alec, she already knows too much.

ISABELLE

So what do you want me to do with her?

JACE

Let her go.

ISABELLE, after much hesitation, glaring at a slightly traumatized CLARY, does snap her whip back.

ALEC

Maybe we should bring her back with us. I bet Hodge would like to talk to her.

ISABELLE

No way are we bringing her to the Institute; she’s a mundie.

JACE

Or is she? Have you had dealing with demons Munchkin? Walked with warlocks, talked with the Night Children? Have you-

CLARY

My name is not ‘Munchkin’, and I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t believe in – in demons, or whatever you-

SIMON

Clary?

CLARY turns to the sound of the voice. There stands SIMON and a BOUNCER, both of them alert and looking around the place for signs of danger.

SIMON

Are you okay? Why are you here by yourself? What happened to the guys, you know, the ones with the knives?

CLARY looked back to the other three, who were unsurprised at not being seen. JACE gives a little wave of his fingers, smiling, covered in both his own and demon blood. CLARY turned back to SIMON and the BOUNCER, clearly a bit distressed.

CLARY

I thought they went in here. But I guess they didn’t. I’m sorry, it was a mistake.

ISABELLE giggled. SIMON looked unconvinced, but the BOUNCER seemed annoyed.

BOUNCER

Get out. Now.

SIMON took CLARY by the hand, taking her away, and CLARY looked back to the other three one last time.

INT. CLARY’S BEDROOM – AFTERNOON

CLARY sits on her bed, drawing in a well-kept sketchpad, wearing headphones, listening to heavy metal with screams coming from said headphones, while there’s the ringing of a phone from somewhere in the apartment. Her bedroom walls were completely covered in drawings she did. She’s drawing what she saw that night, looking focused and worried. She becomes frustrated and tears her headphones off, now hearing the phone. She goes to answer it.

INT. CLARY’S LIVING ROOM

The living room is also covered in art, although it her mom’s, JOCELYN, the styles of art obviously different. On the mantel over the fireplace is a picture of a man in military uniform, on the frame reads ‘Jonathan Clark, loving husband, a would-be loving father, gone too soon’. She picks up a red phone that sat on a table near the front door.

SIMON

Is this Clarissa Fray?

SIMON is deepening his voice. CLARY looks a bit worried.

CLARY

Yes?

SIMON

Hi, I’m one of the knife carrying hooligans you met last night in Pandemonium? I’m afraid I made a bad impression and was hoping you’d give me a chance to make it up to-

CLARY

Simon! That is so not funny!

It cuts to SIMON, and throughout the phone conversation it cuts from CLARY to SIMON depending on whose talking.

SIMON

Sure it is. You just don’t see the humor.

CLARY

You’re a bitch. You wouldn’t be laughing if you’ve come with me into the apartment last night.

SIMON

Why not?

CLARY

My mom. She wasn’t happy that we were late. She freaked out. It was messy.

SIMON

What? It’s not our fault there was traffic!

CLARY

Yeah, well, she doesn’t see it that way. I disappointed her, I let her down, I made her worry, I’m the bane of her existence, so on and so on.

SIMON

Could she tell you were drunk?

CLARY

No, after all that happened, I was feeling pretty sober.

There’s a silence between them for a bit.

SIMON

So, are you grounded?

From where SIMON is there’s commotion going on in the background, his bandmates, ERIC, KIRK, and MATT yelling at each other, although the focus is on SIMON.

CLARY

I don’t know yet. My mom went out this morning with Luke, and they’re not back yet. Where are you anyway? Eric’s?

SIMON

Yeah. We just finished up practice. Eric’s doing a poetry reading over at Java Jones tonight. The whole band’s going to go to show their support. Wanna come?

CLARY

Yeah, alright…wait, no.

SIMON

Was that a yes or a no?

CLARY

I don’t know. My mom’s still mad at me about last night. I’m not sure I want to piss her off by asking for any favors. If I’m going to get in trouble, I don’t want it to be on account of Eric’s lousy poetry.

SIMON

Come on, it’s not so bad. Besides, it’s not a favor; it’s a poetry slam around the block from your house. It’s not like I’m inviting you to some orgy in Hoboken. Your mom can come along if she wants.

ERIC

‘Orgy In Hoboken’! Now that’s a band name.

The other bandmates give their insight.

SIMON

Are you pro or anti ‘Orgy In Hoboken’? I’m on the fence about it.

CLARY

I’m not even going to answer that. Look, I don’t know. If all of you show up here, I think she’ll freak out.

SIMON

Then I’ll come alone. I’ll pick you up and we can walk over there together, meet the rest of them there. Your mom won’t mind. She loves me.

CLARY, who had been looking a bit worn down throughout the conversation, laughs.

CLARY

A sign of her questionable taste, if you ask me.

SIMON

Nobody did.

SIMON hangs up and so does CLARY. There’s sound of keys turning the front door and CLARY lunges for the couch, picking up a random book from the coffee table, trying to look casual. LUKE enters, arms full of cardboard boxes folded flat. He notices CLARY and smiles. CLARY, who had clearly been expecting JOCELYN, looks taken aback but also smiles.

CLARY

Oh. Hey Luke. Where’s Mom?

LUKE

Parking the truck. Remind me why this building has no service elevator?

CLARY

Because it’s old, and has character. What are the boxes for?

LUKE stops smiling and looks down at said boxes. CLARY picks up on this and stands, book forgotten.

LUKE

Your mother wanted to pack up some things.

CLARY

What things?

LUKE

Extra stuff lying around the house. Getting in the way. You know she never throws anything out. So what are you up to? Studying?

LUKE rummages through his tool kit. CLARY shifts side to side, looking hesitant.

CLARY

Luke?

LUKE

Uh huh?

CLARY

What would you do if you saw something nobody else could see?

LUKE drops the tape gun he had gotten, but doesn’t turn towards CLARY. He calmly picks it up.

LUKE

You mean if I were the only witness to a crime, that sort of thing?

CLARY

No. I mean, if there were other people around, but you were the only one who could see something. As if it were invisible to everyone but you…I know it sounds crazy, but…

LUKE

Clary, you’re an artist, like your mother. That means you see the world in ways that other people don’t. It’s your gift, to see the beauty and the horror in ordinary things. It doesn’t make you crazy, just different. There’s nothing wrong with being different.

CLARY

If my dad had lived, do you think he’d have been an artist too?

LUKE looked taken back, but while he struggled to answer, the door swung open and JOCELYN walked in, looking at the two of them before settling on LUKE, smiling, but he didn’t smile back.

JOCELYN

Thanks for bringing the boxes up. Sorry it took me so long to find a space. There must be a million people at the park today-

CLARY

Mom? What are the boxes for.

JOCELYN and LUKE look at each other, LUKE gesturing towards CLARY as if to urge her to go on. JOCELYN went to the couch, gesturing for CLARY to sit next to her, and she does.

CLARY

Is this about last night?

JOCELYN

No…maybe a little. You shouldn’t have done what you did last night. You know better.

CLARY

And I already apologized. What is this about? If you’re grounding me, get it over with.

JOCELYN

I’m not grounding you.

JOCELYN looks to LUKE, who shakes his head.

LUKE

Just tell her Jocelyn.

CLARY

Um, hi, right here? Right here and kind of getting nervous? Tell me what?

JOCELYN

We’re going on vacation.

LUKE rubs his face, turns away towards the window, obviously upset. CLARY doesn’t notice.

CLARY

That’s what this is about? You’re going on vacation? I don’t’ get it. Why the big production?

JOCELYN

I meant we’re all going on vacation. The three of us. We’re going to the farmhouse.

CLARY

Oh. For how long?

JOCELYN

For the rest of the summer. I brought the boxes in case you want to pack up any books, painting supplies-

CLARY

Wait, rest of the summer? Mom, I can’t, I have all these art classes at Tisch, remember? I’ll stay behind, you and Luke-

JOCELYN

No, your coming with us.

CLARY

Mom, I can’t. The classes are already paid for. I saved up all year to be able to go.

JOCELYN

I’m sorry, I’ll pay you back for the art classes but-

CLARY

I didn’t want the money I wanted the classes! Mom, I’m not doing this for fun, I’m doing this to improve, to be able to do art for a job in the future, you know this. Why would you plan a vacation right now?

JOCELYN

I have to get away Clary. I need the peace, the quiet, to pain. And money is tight right now-

CLARY

So sell some more of Dad’s stocks. That’s what you usually do, isn’t it?

JOCELYN

That’s hardly fair.

CLARY

You’re not exactly being fair either. Luke, is this fair?

LUKE

She’s your mother. It’s her decision to make.

CLARY

Fine. Okay, I get it, you need to paint. But I need to work on my art too. Just leave me here. I won’t be alone; Simon and his mom are here too, so I can reach them whenever I need to. I-

JOCELYN

No! You are coming with us. It isn’t optional. You’re too young to stay here on your own.

CLARY

I’m fifteen mom, not five.

JOCELYN

Something could happen.

CLARY

That’s why I mentioned Simon’s mom, an adult, who could help me as an adult.

JOCELYN

She can’t help.

CLARY

Fine. Maybe Luke can stay behind; he’d distract you from painting anyway. Luke, do you-

JOCELYN

No, Luke needs to come.

At this point, the rage CLARY was trying to keep down boiled up.

CLARY

My God mom, why are you like this?! You have absolutely no reason for not leaving me here other than your paranoia! You always do this, worried I’ll die if I so much as go outside, but it has nothing to do with me and has everything to do with you! You don’t even care about how important these classes are to me, you just care about yourself, about easing your own delusions!

JOCELYN

You don’t understand!

CLARY

Don’t understand what?!

LUKE knocks over one of the framed pictures leaning against the wall, causing the other two to look towards the sound.

LUKE

I’m leaving.

JOCELYN

Wait…Bane. I’ve been calling him and calling him for the past three weeks. His voice mail says he’s in Tanzania. What am I supposed to do?

LUKE

Jocelyn, you can’t keep going to him forever.

JOCELYN

But Clary-

LUKE

Isn’t Jonathan. You’ve never been the same since it happened, but Clary isn’t Jonathan.

A knowing silence falls between the two, JOCELYN looking like she been slapped, and CLARY looks between the two, trying to figure out what’s going on.

JOCELYN

I can’t just keep her at home, not let her go out. She won’t put up with it.

LUKE

Of course she won’t! She’s not a pet, she’s a teenager. Almost an adult.

JOCELYN

IF we were out of the city…

LUKE

Talk to her Jocelyn. I mean it.

LUKE makes his way toward the door, about to turn the handle, when the door flew open. They all jumped.

LUKE

Jesus!

SIMON

Actually, it’s just me. Although, I’ve been told the resemblance is startling.

SIMON walks into the apartment, looking at the three of them, seeing the tension in their faces.

SIMON

Uh, Clary, you ready? Or is this a bad time?

JOCELYN

Simon, were you eavesdropping?

SIMON

What? No? I just got here?

CLARY

Really mom? Now your paranoid about Simon? Do you really want to go to the farmhouse to paint, or are you just scared of everything in the city now?

SIMON.

Um. Should I go?

LUKE

Don’t bother, I think we’re done here.

LUKE leaves, slamming the door behind him. There’s a silence over those that remain, until SIMON says.

SIMON

I can come back later.

JOCELYN

That might be-

CLARY

Forget it Simon. We’re leaving.

CLARY grabs her messenger bag and makes her way towards the door.

JOCELYN

Clary, I don’t think you should-

CLARY

Oh, right, I forgot you think Simon is dangerous now too. Don’t worry, if I die you at least know who to tell the cops about.

CLARY drags SIMON out the door.

SIMON

Bye Mrs. Fray! Have a nice evening!

CLARY

Oh shut up.

CLARY slams the door behind them, cutting off JOCELYNN from responding. She keeps dragging SIMON along down the stairs.

SIMON

Jesus woman, don’t rip my arm off.

CLARY

Sorry.

CLARY lets go and they walk together, out of the apartment and towards the coffee shop.

EXT. STREETS OF NEW YORK

SIMON

So…what was that about?

CLARY

We’re going on vacation. To the farmhouse.

SIMON

How…tragic?

CLARY

For the rest of the summer.

SIMON

Oh…oh shit, Tisch!

CLARY

Yeah. Tisch. But not just Tisch, it’s like, I don’t know, it’s like she doesn’t tell me anything, you know? Like she doesn’t trust me or she doesn’t think I’d understand or whatever. She never talks about herself, I don’t’ know anything about her early life, her family, my dad, nothing. Whenever I ask she just says, ‘my life started when I had you’, but I know that’s not true, that’s just what she wants to be true. And maybe she does have reasons to be scared, but maybe she doesn’t, I don’t know because she doesn’t tell me, so maybe she’s just crazy and she passed down all that crazy to me-

CLARY cuts herself off, pointedly looking straight ahead. SIMON looks at her for a moment.

SIMON

Is this about last night?

CLARY

No, it’s nothing. Forget it.

SIMON

No, not nothing. I saw your face when I came into that storage room. You looked seriously freaked out, like you’d seen a ghost.

CLARY

It was just a mistake. I-

CLARY looks over to a couple pushing a toddler in a stroller. The little girl was holding a pixie doll with gold-streaked sapphire wings. For a moment, it looked like the wings fluttered. When CLARY sees this she crouches to the ground, looking down, hair covering her face. SIMON gets down to the ground with her.

SIMON

You okay?

CLARY begins crying, and SIMON hears.

CLARY

I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m sorry.

SIMON puts a hand to CLARY’s back.

SIMON

That’s okay. It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me anything till you know what to say, really, I’ve very used to people never telling me things. It’s part of my charm.

CLARY give a choked laugh.

SIMON

I’ll buy you that terrible coffee you like while we listen to equally terrible poetry-

CLARY

Equal?

SIMON

Okay, that’s to be determined, but really, Clary, I’m here. You know that. It takes a lot to scare me away.

CLARY

Last week a car splashed water on you and you screamed.

SIMON

Okay, God, it takes a lot to scare me away from you. You’re so picky today.

CLARY lifted her head, her eyes watered but she smiled at him.

CLARY

Thanks Simon…really.

SIMON

Oh thank God, I thought after that pause you were going to say ‘just kidding please get out of my life you pathetic bitch boy’.

CLARY playfully slapped him on the arm and SIMON helped pull her up and they began walking again. Her phone rings and she ignores it.

INT. JAVA JONES - EVENING

CLARY and SIMON are in the coffee shop waiting for their coffee’s to be done. It’s crowded, filled with threadbare looking couches and armchairs, the sound of making coffee. They’re looking up to the stage, where ERIC is getting ready, swaying back and forth with closed eyes, and MATT was to the side of him beating irregularly on a djembe. They both were obviously high.

CLARY

This is going to suck so hard. If we make a run for it we can still get away.

SIMON

I’m nothing if not a man of my word. And Kirk took one look at this and already bailed; it’d break Eric’s ego forever if we leave too.

CLARY

You say this like it’s a bad thing.

SIMON

Besides, we already ordered our coffees and we have to drink them here or they’re going to think we’re stealing their mugs.

CLARY

Okay; for the coffee.

As if on que their coffee’s appeared; SIMON drinks with more milk than coffee and CLARY drinks without anything added at all.

CLARY

Can I have some of the coffee beans to eat too please?

BARISTA

Uh, I don’t think that’s healthy?

CLARY

Please? It’s been a hard day.

SIMON takes that a bit too seriously and slips the BARISTA ten dollars. The Barista gives CLARY a bag of coffee beans much to her delight. The walk over to a love seat and CLARY begins eating the coffee beans.

SIMON

How? Just…how?

CLARY

Why don’t you just buy regular milk at this point?

SIMON

I don’t need to take this; I’m broke because of you.

CLARY

Shush; let your soul be cleansed with poetry.

SIMON

I don’t think you’ve properly looked at the stage yet.

ERIC began struggling with the microphone, causing a burst of feedback, making everyone in the coffee shop cover their ears. ERIC properly situated the microphone and the noise subsided.

ERIC

Sorry about that guys! Alright. I’m Eric, and this is my homeboy Matt on the drums. My first poem is called ‘Untitled’.

ERIC cleared his throat to a dramatic degree.

CLARY

What am I looking at?

SIMON

Shush, what happened to being cleansed?

CLARY

You shush.

ERIC

‘Come, my faux juggernaut, my nefarious loins! Slather every protuberance with arid zeal!’

SIMON

Please don’t tell anyone I know him.

CLARY

Who uses the word ‘loins’?

SIMON

Eric; all his poems have loins in them.

CLARY

And you didn’t warn me about this why?

ERIC

‘Turgid is my torment! Agony swells within!’

There came a cough almost as dramatic as ERIC had been, and yet nobody turned. CLARY, curious, did turn. Behind her, sitting on a faded green sofa was JACE. She startled, getting SIMON’s attention, and he turned to look at what she was looking at, but it was clear he didn’t see JACE.

SIMON

What is it?

JACE raised his previously injured hand to wave his fingers at her, a remembrance of the other night. He then stood up and walked out the door. CLARY sprung up, as did SIMON, but she shook her head.

CLARY

No, stay here. I need…I need a minute alone, to get some air.

Before SIMON could say anything, she took off after JACE.

EXT. OUTSIDE JAVE JONES

He stood just outside, leaning against the wall. He looked surprised to see that she had chased after him.

JACE

Your friend’s poetry is terrible.

CLARY

What?

JACE

I said his poetry was terrible. It sounds like he ate a dictionary and started vomiting up words at random.

CLARY

I don’t care about Eric’s poetry; I want to know why you’re following me.

JACE

Who said I was following you?

CLARY

Nice try. And you were eavesdropping too. Do you want to tell me what this is about, or should I just call the police?

JACE

And tell them what? That invisible people are bothering you? Trust me Munchkin, the police aren’t going to arrest someone they can’t see.

CLARY

Are you real? Or am I-

CLARY paused, hand over mouth, obviously regretting having asked a vulnerable question. JACE watches her carefully, sees as she collects herself and tries again.

CLARY

I told you before, my name is not Munchkin, it’s Clary.

JACE

I know. Pretty name. Like a herb, clary sage. In the old days people thought eating the seeds would let you see the Fair Folk. Did you know that?

CLARY

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

JACE

You don’t know much do you? You seem to be a mundane like any other mundane, yet you can see me. It’s a conundrum.

CLARY

What’s a mundane?

JACE

Someone of the human world. Someone like you.

CLARY

But you’re human.

JACE

I am. But I’m not like you.

There was a laugh behind his words that made CLARY angry.

CLARY

You’re laughing. You think you’re better than me? Then all people.

JACE

I wouldn’t say all, just most. And anyway, that wasn’t why I was laughing. I’m laughing because Hodge thought you might be dangerous, but if you are, you certainly don’t know it. Not without a stick and poke in hand anyway.

CLARY

I’m dangerous? I saw you kill someone last night. I saw you drive a knife up under his ribs and-

CLARY cuts herself off, looking to the side pointedly.

JACE

I may be a killer, but I know what I am. Can you say the same?

CLARY hesitates.

CLARY

I’m an ordinary human being, just like you said. Who’s Hodge?

JACE

My tutor. And I wouldn’t be so quick to brand myself as ordinary if I were you. Let me see your right hand.

CLARY

My right hand? If I show you my hand will you leave me alone?

JACE

Certainly.

Begrudgingly CLARY holds out her right hand. JACE took it and turned it over gently, although he looked disappointed.

JACE

Nothing. You’re not left handed are you?

CLARY

No. Why?

JACE

Most Shadowhunter children get Marked on their right hands, or left if they’re left handed like I am, when they’re still young. It’s a permanent rune that lends an extra skill with weapons.

JACE released her hand and showed her his own. It was bare.

CLARY

I don’t see anything.

JACE

Let your mind relax. Wait for it to come to you, like waiting for something to rise to the surface of water.

CLARY

You’re crazy.

CLARY continued to look at his hand though, the sounds of the city fading away as she concentrated. And then it appeared, a black tattoo appearing on his skin, surprising her.

CLARY

A tattoo?

JACE

I thought you could do it. And it’s not a tattoo, it’s a Mark. They’re runes, burned into our skin.

CLARY

They make you handle weapons better?

JACE

Different Marks do different things. Some are permanent but the majority vanish when they’ve been used.

CLARY

That’s why your arms aren’t all inked up today? Even when I concentrate?

JACE

That’s exactly why. I knew you had the Sight at least. It’s nearly full dark. We should go.

CLARY

We? I thought you were going to leave me alone.

JACE

I lied. Hodge said I have to bring you to the Institute with me. He wants to talk to you.

CLARY begins to back up a bit.

CLARY

Why would he want to talk to me?

JACE

Because you know the truth now. There hasn’t been a mundane who knew about us for at least hundred years.

CLARY

About us? You mean people like you. People who believe in demons.

JACE

People who kill them. We’re called Shadowhunters. At least, that’s what we call ourselves. The Downworlders have less complimentary names for us.

CLARY

Downworlders?

JACE

The Night Children. Warlocks. The fey. The magical folk of this dimension.

CLARY

Don’t stop there. I suppose there are also, what, vampires and werewolves and zombies?

JACE

Of course there are. Although you mostly find zombies farther south, where the voudun priests are.

CLARY

What about mummies? Do they only hang around Egypt?

JACE

Don’t be ridiculous. No one Believes in mummies.

CLARY

They don’t?

JACE

Of course not. Look, Hodge will explain all this to you when you see him.

CLARY

What if I don’t want to see him?

JACE

That’s your problem. You can come either willingly or unwillingly.

CLARY

Are you threatening to kidnap me?

JACE

If you want to look at it that way, yes. After all, no stick and poke in sight. Unless you hid it in your jacket. Please tell me you didn’t hide it in your jacket.

Before CLARY could argue, her phone rang once again.

JACE

Go ahead and answer that if you like.

The phone stopped ringing and started up again. CLARY pulled her phone out and turned from JACE. She answered it.

CLARY

Mom?

JOCELYN

Oh, Clary. Oh thank God. Listen to me.

CLARY

It’s all right mom, I’m fine. I’m on my way home-

JOCELYN

No! Don’t come home! Do you understand me, Clary? Don’t you dare come home. Go to Simon’s. Go straight to Simon’s house and stay there until I can-

There was commotion in the background of the call, something shattering. CLARY is getting visibly worried.

CLARY

Mom! Mom, are you alright?

JOCELYN

Just promise me you won’t come home. GO to Simon’s and call Luke – tell him that he’s found me-

CLARY

Who’s found you? Mom, did you call the police? Did you-

There was a sharp, slithering noise, followed by a thump. It’s dead quiet.

JOCELYN

I love you Clary.

The phone went dead.

CLARY

Mom! Mom, are you there?

JACE

Clary, what’s going on?

CLARY redialed but her hands were shaking, causing the phone to slip. She picked it up again but it was dead, a long crack along it. She threw it to the ground hard, shattering it.

CLARY

Damnit!

JACE took hold of her wrist.

JACE

Stop that. What happened?

CLARY took a black metal oblong out of JACE’s shirt pocket while speaking.

CLARY

Give me your phone. I have to-

JACE

It’s not a phone. It’s a Sensor. You won’t be able to use it.

CLARY

But I need to call the police!

JACE

Tell me what happened first. I can help you.

CLARY tried to break free of his grip but to no avail. She punched JACE in the face, him jerked back out of surprise. Now free, CLARY ran off, racing through the darkened streets to her apartment.

INT. JAVA JONES - NIGHT

SIMON shakes his leg up and down looking to the door, the sound of ERIC’s terrible poetry barely registering. Finally he stands, going outside.

EXT. OUTSIDE JAVA JONES

SIMON looks back and forth, expecting to see CLARY. But he doesn’t see anyone.

INT. CLARY’S APARTMENT BUILDING

CLARY comes to the door of her apartment in a hurry, and stops in horror to see it unlocked, hanging slightly open. She pushed the door carefully going in. She saw that all the lights were on, making it unusually bright.

INT. CLARY’S LIVING ROOM

She looks around. She saw how the windows where open, how the cushions on the couch had been scattered across the room and torn. The bookshelves had been tipped over, the piano bench lay to it’s side, the place is just a mess. All the paintings were cut from it’s frame, ripped to shreds. That was purposeful, and CLARY began calling for JOCELYN, softly at first.

CLARY

Mom? Mom, where are you?

At no response she began to be frantic.

CLARY

Mom! Mommy where are you?!

She began tearing through things, searching for any sign of her, running out of the room.

INT. CLARY’S KITCHEN

The kitchen was equally a mess, smashed bottles and all the cabinet doors open and left bare. CLARY rummaged throughout the mess for JOCELYN but still nothing. CLARY’s knees gave out, but she grabbed the table and forced herself up.

INT. JOCELYN’S ROOM

She runs through the door, but everything looks normal. The bed had been neatly made, and a picture of CLARY when she was younger sat on a bed side table. CLARY let out a sob when she looked at it. She looked under the bed, looked through the closet, desperate. But she stilled at the sound of something being knocked over. Then there was a dragging, slithering noise, the same one she heard over the phone, coming to the bedroom. CLARY looked around the room, settling her eyes on a scalpel JOCELYN used for pottery and grabbed it. The noise stopped. She relaxed and then looked down. There was a long, scaled creature with a cluster of flat black eyes on the front of its skull, a RAVENER DEMON. CLARY screamed as the creature lunged at her, rolling to the side, plunging the scalpel into the creature’s side but the scalpel broke. CLARY leapt to her feet and tried to run from the room and into the hallway, but the creature followed after her and blocked the way to the door.

RAVENER DEMON

Girl. Flesh. Blood. To eat, oh, to eat.

The creature began crawling towards her, and CLARY had to back up, not looking away but hands searching frantically for something to defend herself. The creature broke things in it’s path, the sound of broken glass filling the air as it approached.

RAVENER DEMON

Bones, to crunch to suck out the marrow, to drink the veins.

CLARY’s back hit the wall, and her hands finally found something; the plastic thing she’d taken from JACE. The Sensor was shuddering, and she nearly dropped it because of the heat radiating off of it. She glared at the monster and griped the Sensor hard, holding it threateningly.

CLARY

Where’s my mother?

RAVENER DEMON

To eat, to eat, but it is not allowed, to swallow, to savor.

The creature pounced on her, catching her off guard and knocking her to the floor, trapping her arm and the Sensor.

RAVENER DEMON

Valentine will never know. He said nothing about a girl. Valentine will not be angry.

It’s mouth opened wide and layers of teeth upon teeth were approaching CLARY. She finally got her hand free and she stabbed the creature with the Sensor into its teeth. The creature jerked back, giving a demonic howl as it swallowed the Sensor. Black liquid poured from it’s mouth, and CLARY scrambled to her feet. She approached the dying demon and asked again.

CLARY

Where. Is. My. Mother?

Before she could get any answers, an something was slammed into the back of her skull and she blacked out.

EXT. OUTSIDE APARTMENT

CLARY woke up. She was lying on a patch of grass behind JOCELYN’s rosebushes. A police car was parked on the street, neighbors standing as they watched two cops emerge. She went to sit up when JACE, knelt beside her, put a hand to her shoulder. The siren from the car and the sound of the neighbors worried chatter filled the night air.

JACE

Don’t move.

CLARY continued to try and sit up, but she gagged and fell back down.

JACE

I told you not to move. That Ravener demon go you in the back of the neck. It was half dead, so it wasn’t much of a sting, but we have to get you to the Institute. Hold still.

CLARY

That thing – that monster- it talked.

JACE

You’ve heard a demon talk before.

JACE gently slipped a strip of knotted cloth under her neck and tied it.

CLARY

The demon in Pandemonium – it looked like a person.

JACE

It was an Eidolon demon. A shape changer. Raveners look like they look. Not very attractive, but they’re too stupid to care.

CLARY

I need to go back. I need to ask what it did to my mom.

JACE

It can’t tell you anything; dead, remember?

Once the knot was finished and JACE sat back, CLARY found that she could sit up just fine now.

CLARY

The police are here. We should-

JACE

There’s nothing they can do. Somebody probably heard you screaming and reported it. Ten to one those aren’t real police officers. Demons have a way of hiding their tracks.

CLARY

My mom.

JACE

There’s Ravener poison coursing through your veins right now. You’ll be dead in an hour if you don’t come with me.

JACE held his hand out and CLARY stared at it for a while. She closed her eyes, looking pained.

CLARY

I hope I’m going insane. I hope I’ve completely lost touch with reality and my mom is actually safe at home and I’m hallucinating through the streets, about to be sent to an institute-

CLARY opened her eyes in a sort of realization.

CLARY

Oh my God, all you’ve been talking about since I saw you was about taking me to an institute-

JACE

Not an institute, the Institute.

CLARY sighed, holding her head in her hands for a moment. Then she took JACE’s offering hand and he pulled her up. He put a hand across her back.

JACE

Can you walk?

CLARY

I think so.

JACE helps CLARY make her way around the apartment building. As they walk, CLARY notices that one of the police officers had the hands of a skeleton. They come up to a bricked up wall.

CLARY

Um, I don’t think.

She began coughing up blood, leaning more heavily onto JACE. JACE grabbed her tighter and took her arm and turned it over. He pulled out a stele and began drawing a black symbol onto her wrist. When he was done he pulled it away and back into his belt.

CLARY

What’s that supposed to do?

JACE

It’s my stele. It’ll hide you. Temporarily.

CLARY

Jace-

CLARY blacked out once again, and JACE caught her.

INT. INSTITUTE SICKROOM - AFTERNOON

CLARY becomes barely conscious, the world blurry and only able to really see blurry colors. There was a faint ringing sound.

ISABELLE

Do you think she’ll ever wake up? It’s been three days already.

HODGE

You have to give her time. Demon poison is strong stuff, and she’s a mundane. She hasn’t go runes to keep her strong like we do.

ISABELLE

Mundies die awfully easily, don’t they?

HODGE

Isabelle, you know it’s bad luck to talk about death in a sickroom.

CLARY loses consciousness again and it goes black. She awakens once more, her vision seemingly stronger. Above her was a celling painted as a bright blue sky with angles. There was a row of beds, one CLARY was occupying. Beside her was a night stand with a pitcher of water along with a cup, laced curtains, and to the side where ISABELLE and ALEC, talking to each other.

ISABELLE

I told you it was the same girl.

ALEC

I know. Little thing, isn’t she? Jace said she killed a Ravener.

ISABELLE

Yeah. I thought she was a pixie the first time we saw her. She’s not pretty enough to be a pixie though.

ALEC

Well, nobody looks their best with demon poison in their veins. Is Hodge going to call on the Brothers?

ISABELLE

I hope not. They give me the creeps. Anyone who mutilates themselves like that-

ALEC

We mutilate ourselves.

ISABELLE

I know, Alec, but when we do it, it isn’t permanent. And it doesn’t always hurt…

ALEC

If you’re old enough. Speaking of which, where is Jace? He saved her, didn’t he? I would have thought he’d take some interest in her recovery.

ISABELLE

Hodge said he hasn’t been to see her since he brought her here. I guess he doesn’t care.

ALEC

Sometimes I wonder if he – look! She moved! I guess she’s alive after all. I’ll tell Hodge.

CLARY managed to sit up with some difficulty as ALEC made his way out of the room. ISABELLE came closer to CLARY, perching next to her bed. She looked at CLARY with disdain.

ISABELLE

So, you’re finally awake. Hodge will be pleased. We all thought you’d probably die in your sleep.

CLARY

Sorry to disappoint you. Is this the Institute?

ISABELLE

Is there anything Jace didn’t tell you? Yes. You’re in the infirmary, not that you haven’t figured that out already.

CLARY suddenly clutched at her stomach, gasping in pain, and ISABELLE became concerned.

ISABELLE

Are you okay?

CLARY

My stomach.

ISABELLE

Oh, right. I almost forgot. Hodge said to give you this when you woke up. You haven’t eaten anything in three days; that’s probably why you feel sick.

ISABELLE grabbed the pitched and handed it to clary, who took a sip. CLARY’s pained look faded and she took another sip.

CLARY

What is this?

ISABELLE

One of Hodge’s tisanes. They always work. I’m Isabelle Lightwood, by the way. I live here.

CLARY

I know your name. I’m Clary. Clary Fray. Did Jace bring me here?

ISABELLE

Yeah; Hodge was furious. You got ichor and blood all over the carpet in the entryway. If he’d done it while my parents were here, he’d have gotten grounded for sure. Jace said you killed that Ravener demon all by yourself.

CLARY

I guess I did.

ISABELLE

But you’re a mundie.

CLARY

Apparently. Wait, so Hodge is Jace’s tutor, right?

ISABELLE

Hodge tutors us all.

CLARY

And your whole thing is like, learning about demons, right?

ISABELLE

I mean, I’d say I’m more three dimensional then that; I’d say my taste in clothing is pretty up there. But yeah, we learn about demons and killing them and such.

CLARY

Good. I need to talk to him then, right not.

CLARY gets out of bed too fast, sheets wrapped around her, and ends up nearly collapsing, ISABELLE going to her to support her up.

ISABELLE

He’s coming, calm down, will you?

CLARY

He knows about demons. He’ll know how to get my mom back from them. And I need to call Simon, tell him I’m okay. And I need to call Luke, God, what do I say to him-

ISABELLE

You are terrible at calming down. Okay, look, before anything, maybe put on some clothes. I hung some of my old ones in the bathroom over there.

CLARY

What happened to my clothes?

ISABELLE

They were covered in blood and poison. Jace burned them.

CLARY

Did he? Tell me, is he always really rude, or does he save that for mundanes?

ISABELLE

Oh, he’s rude to everyone. It’s what makes him so damn sexy. That, and he’s killed more demons than anyone else his age. Look, I’d better let everyone know you’ve woken up. They’ve been waiting for you to open your eyes for three days. Oh, and there’s soap in the bathroom. You might want to clean up a little. You smell.

CLARY

Tell Hodge to hurry.

ISABELLE

By the Angel are all mundanes this bossy?

CLARY

Only the ones whose mom’s were taken by demons-

ISABELLE

And touchy too, fine, I’ll go get them.

ISABELLE let go of her, making sure she looked steady and let go to leave the room. She shut the door behind her, leaving CLARY alone. Cuts to her having gotten cleaned and changed into ISABELLE’s oversized clothes. She’s pacing back and forth, glancing at the door, much like that night at the club. Once again, she got impatient and left the room.

INT. INSTITUTE HALLWAY

She looked back and forth, seeing nobody. It was a hallway that appeared shadowy and infinite. There was Victorian looking wall paper that was faded. There is the sound of a piano. CLARY followed the sound, coming across another door that was swung open.

INT. INSTITUTE MUSTC ROOM

The room was darkened, and there were rows of chairs that were arranged against the far wall. A piano stood on one corner and a covered harp was in the middle of the room. At the piano was JACE, playing it. CLARY, despite her hurry, watched for a moment as he played, his hands moving quickly. The playing began to slow, and JACE barely tilted his head in her direction.

JACE

Alec? Is that you?

CLARY

It’s not Alec. It’s me.

JACE stopped playing immediately and stood, facing her, a bit shocked but his face went back to normal quickly.

JACE

Our own Sleeping Beauty. Who-

CLARY

I guess you’ll do.

JACE

You’re welcome for saving your life. No, don’t thank me, really, I’m blushing-

CLARY

I need to find Hodge. He knows demons. Demons took my mom. You were there, you remember?

JACE sighed and gestured for her to follow as he left the room, and she did.

INT. INSTITUTE HALLWAYS

As they walked, they passed by several paths and several open doors. Most had identical small rooms with a bed, a night stand, and a wooden wardrobe. Pale arches intricately caved with angles, swords, suns, and roses held up high ceilings. CLARY was practically at JACE’s heals, as if urging him on faster.

JACE

Do you mudanes have no sense of personal space?

CLARY

Why does this place have so many bedrooms? I thought it was a research institute.

JACE

This is the residential wing. We’re pledged to offer safety and lodging to any Shadowhunter who requests it. We can house up to two hundred people here. People come and go. Nobody stays for lone. Usually it’s just us; Alec, Isabelle, their little brother Max, their parents, and me and Hodge. Their parents and Max are overseas at the moment. Their foreign diplomates of sorts; right now they’re in Idris, the Shadowhunter home country.

CLARY

Interesting. Are you actually bringing me to Hodge, or are you planning on killing me in this infinite hallway?

JACE

You were the one that asked.

CLARY

No, I was complaining.

JACE

You need to work on tone Munchkin.

They come to an arch shaped set of doors, with a blue Persian cat with yellow eyes curled in front of them. He raised his head to meow. JACE paused to stoke the cat’s back with his bare foot.

JACE

Hey Church.

He pushes the doors open to a library.

INT. INSTITUTE LIBRARY

The library was circular, with walls lined with books that went all the way up to the celling. The floor was polished wood, inlaid with chips of glass and marble and bits of semiprecious stone. In the middle of the room was a grand desk. ALEC is seen sprawled out in an overstuffed red armchair by a fireplace.

CLARY

He’s here?

JACE

Yeah but-

CLARY

Hodge!

CLARY stomped into the library, on the search for HODGE, causing ALEC to glare over at her and JACE to just shrug at him. HODGE springs up from behind his desk, smiling upon seeing CLARY. He had a raven, HUGO, perched on his shoulder.

HODGE

I’m glad to see you’re awake.

CLARY

So you know about demons.

HODGE

Quite a bit, yes, and I’m honored to make your acquaintance, as is Hugo, of anyone who could kill a Ravener with her bare hands.

CLARY

I mean, it wasn’t my bare hands, it was like this vibrator thing that Jace had-

JACE

Sensor, she means Sensor. Please know that it was a Sensor. Also, she chocked it down that demon’s throat so I need a new one…shit, I’m never going to look at Sensor’s the same way again.

CLARY

Right, so anyway-

ALEC

I can’t believe you buy that story Hodge.

HODGE

I’m not quite sure what you mean Alec; are you suggesting that she didn’t kill that demon after all?

ALEC

Of course she didn’t. Look at her – she’s a mundie, and a little kid at that. There’s no way she took on a Ravener.

CLARY

Think what you want. I don’t suppose you know more about demons then your tutor? If not, could you shut up?

HODGE

She’s the same age as Isabelle. Would you call her a child?

ALEC

Isabelle hails from one of the greatest Shadowhunter dynasties in history. This girl, on the other hand, hails from New Jersey.

CLARY

I’m from Brooklyn, and again, I don’t care.

JACE

You care more about not being from New Jersey then him insulting you?

ALEC

Mundies aren’t allowed in the Institute, and there are good reasons for that. If anyone knew about his, we could be reported to the Clave.

HODGE

That’s not entirely true. The Law does allow us to offer sanctuary to mundanes in certain circumstances. A Ravener has already attacked Clary’s mother – she could well have been next.

ALEC

Raveners are search and destroy machines-

CLARY

My mom isn’t ‘destroyed’; the thing said it needed to take her alive.

ALEC

That’s not exactly better.

CLARY

What did you say?!

ALEC

They act under orders from warlocks or powerful demon lords. Now, what interest would a warlock or demon lord have in an ordinary mundane household? Any thoughts?

CLARY

It must have been a mistake.

ALEC

Demons don’t make those kinds of mistakes. If they went after your mother, there must have been a reason. If she were innocent-

CLARY

What do you mean, ‘innocent’?

ALEC becomes less hostile, looking a bit taken aback.

HODGE

What he means, is that it is extremely unusual for a powerful demon to interest himself in the affairs of human beings. No mundane may summon a demon – they lack that power – but there have been some, desperate and foolish, who have found a witch or warlock to do it for them.

CLARY

My mother doesn’t know any warlocks. She doesn’t believe in magic…Madame Dorothea, she lives downstairs, she’s a witch. Maybe the demons were after her and got my mom by mistake?

HODGE

A witch lives downstairs from you?

JACE

She’s a hedge witch; a fake. I already looked into it. There’s no reasons for any warlock to be interested in her unless he’s in the market for nonfunctional crystal balls.

HODGE

And we’re back where we began. It seems the time has come to notify the Clave.

JACE

No! We can’t-

HODGE

It makes sense to keep Clary’s presence here a secret while we were not sure she would recover, but now she has, and she is the first mundane to pass through the doors of the Institute in over a hundred years. You know the rules about mundane knowledge of Shadowhunters Jace; the Clave must be informed.

ALEC

Absolutely. I could get a message to my father-

JACE

She’s not a mundane. That night, there were Du’sien demons, dressed like police officers. We had to get past them. Clary was too weak to run, and there wasn’t time to hide, she could have died. So I used my stele, put a mendelin rune on the inside of her arm. I thought-

HODGE

Are you out of your mind? You know what the Law says about placing Marks on mundanes! You, you of all people ought to know better!

JACE

But it worked; Clary, show them your arm.

CLARY holds out her arm, sort of impatiently. It’s shown that the mark was now faded.

JACE

See, it’s almost gone. I didn’t hurt her at all. She must have Clave blood, maybe from her father.

ALEC

I can’t believe you Jace. Only Shadowhunters can receive Covenant Marks; they kill mundanes-

CLARY

Oh my God can we move past the whole me almost dying thing? I could’ve, I didn’t, I might have Shadowhunter blood, you think I’m lying about killing the demon to boost my ego, whatever. Hodge, I want my fucking mom back. I want her to be okay. Help me, right now. What do I need to do?

A silence came over the room.

HODGE

You’re right, I’m sorry Clary. You said the Ravener spoke? Did it say who it’s master was?

CLARY

Yeah, some guy named Valentine-

HODGE, ALEC, and JACE all jerked at that, looking at her wildly, talking over each other.

HODGE

Valentine?

ALEC

You must be mistaken.

JACE

Okay, are all these demons on something, or is Valentine actually back?

CLARY, despite their panic, looked hopeful, and talked over them, causing them to quiet down.

CLARY

You know him? Do you know where he could be, where he’s keeping my mom?

JACE

We know where he should be, but I guess not anymore.

CLARY

What?

HODGE

Valentine is, was, a Shadowhunter. But he’s dead. Has been dead for fifteen years.

CLARY

Could it be someone else, someone with the same name.

ALEC

No. But it could have been someone using his name to send a message. And this would be the time to do it.

CLARY

Why now?

HODGE

Because of the Accords; the peace negotiations with Downworlders

CLARY

With what?

ALEC

Can we really trust the word of someone who knows nothing of our world?

JACE

Can you shut up for five seconds?

ALEC

I don’t want to hear that coming from you.

HODGE

Okay, let’s just take a breath, drink some tea, we’ll explain.

CLARY

I don’t want tea, I want to find my mother.

HODGE

Unfortunately, we’re all out of bitter revenge at the moment, so it’s either tea or nothing.

ALEC

I want tea.

Cut to them all having tea, sitting on the ground in a circle.

JACE

Really? Peppermint tea?

ALEC

What’s wrong with peppermint tea?

CLARY

A lot.

JACE

See? She gets me. You’re my parabatai, isn’t it your whole thing to get me? What happened to us Alec? Where did we go wrong?

ALEC

You also said you saw her eating coffee beans; I don’t exactly trust her tastes, nor yours.

CLARY

Wow. Way to be a bad parabatai.

ALEC

You don’t even know what that is.

HODGE sets down his cup. As he speaks there are drawn visuals of what transpired all those years ago.

HODGE

Okay, so Downworlders are those who share the Shadow World with us. We have always lived in an uneasy peace with them. Vampires, werewolves, the Fair Folk, faeries, and Lilith’s children, being half demon, are warlocks. Us, Shadowhunters, sometimes called Nephilim, were created more than a thousand years ago, when humans were being overrun by demon invasions from other worlds. A warlock summoned the Angle Raziel, who mixed some of his own blood with the blood of men in a cup, and gave it to those men to drink. Those who drank the Angel’s blood became Shadowhunters, as did their children and their children’s children. The cup thereafter was known as the Mortal Cup. Though the legend may not be fact, what is true is that through the years, when Shadowhunter ranks were depleted, it was always possible to create more Shadowhunters using the Cup, or, at least it was. Valentine, not long ago, formed a group called the Circle. They believed that Downworlders deserved to be slaughtered to keep the world pure for human beings, even though that is not the Shadowhunters job, it is just to destroy demons. The Clave did not agree, they felt the assistance of the Downworlders was necessary. But his group grew in power, and as did the deaths of the Downworlders. The Clave stepped in, and Valentine’s group was defeated, and Valentine died in that fight. But not before he destroyed the Cup. He set a great fire and burned himself to death along with his family, his wife, and his child. Scorched the land black. No one will build there still. They say the land is cursed. When the Downworlders saw the Clave turn on Valentine and his Circle in their defense, they realized Shadowhunters were not their enemies, and the Accords were formed. And now, it with the Accords, others with a similar mindset to Valentine are unhappy about it.

Cut back to the group.

CLARY

So your say, what, my mom was kidnapped as some sort of political play?

HODGE

It’s possible, I suppose.

ALEC

Okay, but why kidnap a mundane?

The others talk about potential theories, but it’s background noise as CLARY notices a black, oddly shaped phone sitting on HODGE’s desk, and points to it, springing up from the floor nearly knocking over her tea.

CLARY

Can I borrow that? I need to call some people, let them know I’m okay.

HODGE

Of course, but, you can’t tell them about any of this. Just say you’re in the city with some friends, and that your mom is safe as well.

CLARY

I know, I was going to…but Luke, a family friend, was talking to my mom, and it kind of sounded like the two of them were in on some sort of secret? Maybe it has something to do with why my mom was taken.

HODGE

No, I’m sorry, you can’t risk it. Don’t mention anything about the Institute or our world.

CLARY

Fine. But I do need to call them. Alone.

JACE

I’ll come with you.

ALEC

Not everyone wants you all the time Jace.

JACE

Don’t be ridiculous. Clary-

CLARY was no longer there, and neither was the phone

INT. BEDROOM OF INSTITUTE

CLARY, now alone in one of the identical rooms, dialed on the phone. It’s completely silent except for the sound of the ringing. She placed it to her ear, and it’s picked up after barely the first ring.

SIMON

Hello? Who’s this? Do you have any information on them?

CLARY

Simon?

SIMON

Wha- Clary? Is, is that really you?

CLARY

Really.

SIMON

Okay, if this is another prank call pretending to be her, I will track down you IP address and attempt to murder you with possible success. This is what I get for putting my phone number out in the streets of New York.

CLARY

When we were in middle school your older sister gaslight you into thinking you were invisible except to your family and me and my mom for two days and I couldn’t convince you otherwise because nobody else talked to you. You snapped out of it when a teacher asked you to sit down.

SIMON

Oh thank God, it’s you. Where’ve you been? It’s been days. The police were at your apartment. It’s completely trashed, I would know, I broke in.

CLARY

Yeah, I’m fine, I just…My mom went to the farmhouse early is all, and we were robbed. But she wasn’t in the house when it happened so it’s okay.

SIMON

Okay…what about you? Your phone is weird, it’s not giving me anything about where you are. The phone at the farmhouse doesn’t do that. Where are you?

CLARY

I’m in the city. With some friends. I just…I need time to work things out with myself, with my mom, that’s all.

SIMON

Okay…what friends?

CLARY

You don’t know them.

SIMON

You could tell me about them; that’s typically how people get to know things.

CLARY

Look, I called to let you know I’m okay.

SIMON

I don’t think you are. This is all too weird. You’re not kidnapped, are you? Is this some sort of kidnapped supervised phone call to get me to stop looking for you?

CLARY

No. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you where I am. I can’t tell you anything.

SIMON

You really aren’t selling this whole ‘not being kidnapped’ thing very well.

CLARY

I’m sorry. But you can’t help me with this Simon. You just can’t. And you knowing will make everything worse.

There’s a very long pause between the two of them.

SIMON

Fine. Okay. But please, just tell me where you are. I need to know where you are. I’ll come right now, I don’t care if you ended up in some fucking underground base in the ocean or the moon or whatever; just tell me, and I’ll come. You can blindfold me there, put earplugs in my ears when needed so I don’t know anything. I just need to know you’re okay.

CLARY

I’m sorry.

SIMON

Clary please-

CLARY hangs up, puts her face in her hands. She stays like that for a while. CLARY collects her self with some effort, and dials the phone once again. It’s picked up after the third ring.

LUKE

Who is this?

CLARY

It’s me, Clary.

LUKE

Clary. You’re alright?

CLARY

I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call you before, my mom-

LUKE

I know. The police were here.

CLARY

Then you haven’t heard from her. What did the police say?

LUKE

Just that she was missing. Where are you?

CLARY

I’m in the city. I don’t know where exactly. With some friends. My wallet’s gone though. Luke…what did you know about my mom? About her past-

LUKE

I don’t. I don’t know anything about your mother’s past.

CLARY

When you two were talking, it sounded like-

LUKE

It didn’t sound like anything. Look, Clary, whatever your mother’s gotten herself mixed up in, it’s nothing to do with me, and the same goes for you. Let your mom sort herself out, you just stay there.

CLARY

Luke, please, I need you-

LUKE

I’m not your father Clary, I’ve told you that before.

CLARY

I’m sorry. It’s just-

LUKE

Don’t call me for favors again. I’ve got my own problems; I don’t need to be bothered with yours.

A click is heard, showing that LUKE hung up. CLARY is still, not moving. She drops the phone and curls up in a ball, beginning to cry. And she does for a while. After, she stands, straightens up, takes a few breaths. Her face is tear stricken, but she looks determined. She picks up the phone and leaves the room.

INT. INSTITUTE LIBRARY

CLARY bursts through the door. HODGE is standing by the bookshelf, looking up to her due to the loud noise. She slams the phone back on his desk.

HODGE

Must you always enter my library like that-

CLARY

Do you have a training room for killing demons?

HODGE sighed and closed his book dramatically.

HODGE

We have a weapons room. I believe Jace is there now-

CLARY

Where?

HODGE

Church will take you.

CHRUCH, on cue, rose from his perch at the door and began walking. CLARY went after him without so much as a backwards glance. HODGE smiled at that, but it quickly faded. He placed the book he was reading back and went over to his desk. He sat at it, leaning back in the chair. He stared up at the celling for a while before closing his eyes.

INT. THE ALICANTE SCHOOL LIBRARY - EVENING

A teenage HODGE sits alone at a desk with books on all sides of him. He’s completely lost in it, cross referencing from several different books and writing things down. So much so he doesn’t notice VALENTINE walking over to stand right next to him. VALENTINE doesn’t say anything at first, just watched HODGE, studying him, assessing him. Then he spoke

VALENTINE

Hodge Starkweather?

HODGE startled and stood quickly, grabbing hold of his books and holding them protectively. He and VALENTINE looked at each other for a moment.

HODGE

Uh, sorry, did you want this seat? I can go-

VALENTINE

No, please, stay. I was looking for you actually.

HODGE

Oh. Well. For papers I charge ten dollars per page, and for-

VALENTINE

I don’t need you to do my homework, I can do my own…do you know who I am?

HODGE squinted at VALENTINE, now his turn to study him but in a much less clinical way then VALENTINE did.

HODGE

Um. Are you…new?

VALENTINE looked at him in a sort of awe disbelief, then laughed suddenly, throwing his head back, and HODGE startled at that.

VALENTINE

Sure, I’m plenty new. I’m part of the new generation that will lead Shadowhunters to a new age.

HODGE

I’m, uh, happy for you?

VALENTINE takes a seat and gestures for HODGE to sit back down as well. HODGE was hesitant, but he complied. HODGE sat stiff, leaning away from VALENTINE, obviously at a loss of how to go on from here.

VALENTINE

So, what were you doing before I interrupted?

HODGE

Nothing.

VALENTINE

Nothing?

HODGE

It’s not that interesting.

VALENTINE

You seemed plenty engrossed. Try me.

HODGE

It’s, um, it’s about the biology of Warlocks and how demon DNA mixes with human, and how it’s even possible for a human to carry a child of a demon and not die and everything.

VALENTINE

A defect.

HODGE

I mean, no, not really. Actually, it’s the opposite; it’s theorized that demons are actually normally infertile with humans, but if the human themselves is infertile or have a hard time reproducing then they’re the ones that can carry a Warlock.

VALENTINE

Like I said; a defect.

HODGE

A miracle.

HODGE and VALENTINE continue on debating, their words faded. It’s shown that time is passing, the light from the windows now darkened. HODGE is now relaxed, enjoying the conversation. When he turns to look at a book again, going on a rant, VALENTINE looks at him differently then before. It’s no longer clinical; it’s more surprised, like he didn’t expect to actually enjoy himself. But he sets his shoulders, determining himself to do what he had set there to do.

VALENTINE

I’d like to be your friend.

HODGE stops, nearly chocking on his own words. He’s staring at VALENTINE in disbelief.

VALENTINE

Sorry to just spring that on you. It’s just, I’d been wanting to be your friend for a while now; I’ve actually approached you before but you were in your own world and walked right past me as I spoke to you.

HODGE

Oh. Sorry.

VALENTINE

Don’t be. I’m glad we got to meet properly like this instead. But like I was saying, I’d really enjoy your company. In fact, I have this little group, well, more like a circle of free thinkers, and I think we’d really like to have you join. With your intelligence I’d say you’d fit right in.

HODGE

A…group? I don’t know, I’m not much of a group person.

VALENTINE

I noticed. But I think you’d like them, and I think they’d like you. They are…outcasts of sorts, like you.

HODGE

Thanks.

VALENTINE

I don’t mean that as an insult. I’m quite found of outcasts; they’re just so interesting that people just don’t know what to do with them.

HODGE

I don’t think that’s how it works.

VALENTINE

In any case, we’d find equal benefits in our friendship. Maybe you won’t be quite as lonely.

HODGE

I’m not lonely.

VALENTINE

I approached you and you automatically thought I wanted you to do my homework.

HODGE

Exactly. I’m very popular in that regard.

VALENTINE

I think you are worth talking to in any regard.

HODGE looked down, obviously not used to people saying that. He played with his hands, considering, before looking up at VALENTINE again.

HODGE

I’ll…try.

VALENTINE

You won’t regret this, I assure you.

END OF EPISODE ONE

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