A murdered woman haunts her husband, unaware he is her killer.

SYNOPSIS:

ACT 1

SABRINA WALKER (40s), History Professor, sits by the riverbank that flows by the end of her garden. Trails her hand in the water, which gives an ethereal glow. A champagne cork pops, brings her back to domesticity. Today is the Walkers’ 20th wedding anniversary, although Sabrina thinks it’s 25. At first glance, they seem a middle class couple of childless over achievers. A nosey neighbour watches Sabrina trudge back to the house – named ‘Riverview’. In their bedroom, Sabrina’s husband, WALKER (40s), ex-wine columnist, offers champagne and sex. She accepts the champagne. Also – a phone call from GUY (20s), her Personal Assistant and lover. Sabrina really wants him to attend the anniversary fancy dress party that evening. He agrees, for her. Sabrina derides Walker’s new venture: a Magic themed tourist shop with his ex-junkie sister, JAY. Frustrated, Sabrina has no confidence in him, no trust in Jay who seems to have swapped heroin for an obsession with the Dark Arts. Sabrina catches Jay blessing/cleansing Riverview and is furious. Her own parents (REAL witches) were persecuted and outlawed by a fearful elite. These days, the hysteria has subsided, but Sabrina’s heritage could see the same thing happen to her. Jay protests she already ‘blessed’ the salt for the spell. Sabrina insists – no more magic. Jay finds her old heroin works locked in a drawer in the Walker’s house. She resists, gives the drawer key to Walker to keep. She tells him he should do something to fix his marriage – he can only wish that Sabrina still liked him. Jay declines Walker’s invitation to the party, but casts blessed salt at the house as she leaves. He goes to buy wine and, as a surprise, a Sabrage sword for lopping tops from champagne bottles.

ACT 2

Party Guests arrive, including Guy. Sabrina knocks back a couple of tequilas by herself, using the salt blessed by Jay. Walker realises Guy knows more about the Walkers than he should. Sabrina and Guy steal moments, longing for their new life together. Walker’s Sabrage trick is a disaster as he contacts a Guest with the blade. Sabrina has Guy step in, who performs brilliantly. Walker is humiliated. Post party, guests are gone – all but Guy. Walker wakes on the couch in the early hours, to discover Sabrina and Guy having sex in their bed. Stunned, he tries to tidy party debris. His gaze falls on the sword. He returns to the bedroom, allows Guy to leave. Murders Sabrina. Jay’s influence is felt as he brings the blade down. Guy, car keys lost, returns to Riverview. Walker attacks him with the sword, too. In the morning, Walker tries to hide evidence. Throws the sword in the river. Burns his fancy dress costume. These attempts are witnessed by the neighbour, who calls the police. Inside the house, Walker encounters Sabrina and Guy, spotless and injury free. Annoyed, he chastises them as they chat happily of going to breakfast. Police arrive. Sabrina and Guy vanish – Guy, young and strong, is brought back to life. Walker is caught. At the police station, Detectives BROWN and GREY find Walker seemingly bewildered by the news that Sabrina is dead and, in the end, Guy also perished . Their questions are interrupted by Duty Solicitor MAC. She saves Walker with a Section 37, sending him to Riverside Psychiatric Hospital. Orderly ANDY settles Walker in. That night, he is briefly visited by Sabrina and Guy who emerge from the river that joins the locations. They aren’t sure where they are, why or how, but they do know they’re dead. Sabrina can also still taste the blessed tequila salt. The next night is a full visit. They enter Walker’s cell. Happy to be a couple at last, they’re actually quite polite. Initially freaked out, Walker works out they don’t know that he killed them. Monday morning, Hospital Director, Dr Simon Khee (60s) arrives at work. His first session with Walker reveals little. Walker still seems confused. Jay visits Walker. Sabrina is also there (undetected by Jay), her memory full of holes, but she does know Jay is not to be trusted. As Walker interacts with Sabrina, Jay, oblivious at first, realises her spell has worked and Sabrina’s spirit is with them. Walker confirms he hears and sees Sabrina. In the hospital garden, Sabrina explains it’s Walker’s love that keeps her with him. Guy, however, will gradually disappear. Walker realises he could be haunted forever. Sabrina fears she’ll end up like Guy and makes Walker promise he won’t let that happen. Walker’s next session with Dr Khee reveals his fragile mind and true misogyny. Khee’s concern grows. Guy disappears into the void. Sabrina, heartbroken, visits the Walker’s old house, still a crime scene. Memory still sketchy, she further puts her trust in Walker to protect her. He agrees. Walker and Jay plot to get rid of Sabrina. Khee extracts the Sabrina situation from Walker and attempts to disprove her existence. Sabrina almost gives herself away but recovers. Jay uncovers Sabrina’s true supernature – a Water Nymph: vengeful, tough and wild. Fortunately for them, Sabrina’s unaware of the truth behind her death – for now. Khee approaches Jay. He is aware she knows of Walker’s visits from Sabrina and convinces her he has only Walker’s health in mind. Jay buys it. Jay researches, plots. Sabrina’s funeral is attended by Walker (with Andy on guard), Jay, and Sabrina’s friends. This serves as a reminder that Sabrina is no longer alive, despite any supernatural presence. Back at the hospital, Jay further explains her plans to Walker, giving him a contraband mobile phone. Sabrina’s reliance on Walker increases. He gives her scant cause to suspect him, but is wary she could. Walker gives a full, shocking confession to Dr Khee who explains his conversation with Jay – what is Walker planning?

ACT 3

Jay prepares to exorcise Sabrina. In the Walker’s house, she casts her spell: salt pentagram, Sabrina’s lipstick, blood spilt with a sacred knife. Sabrina, tricked by Walker, shows up. She confronts Jay. The exorcism begins to take effect. They struggle. Sabrina battles to break the spell. Jay counters, tidbits of Witchcraft gleaned along the way. In the end, Sabrina overcomes ex-junkie Jay with a simple fix – heroin. Jay disposed of, Sabrina returns to the hospital. A final session between Khee and Walker. Also present are Mac with Detectives Brown and Grey. And, concealed, Sabrina. She witnesses Walker confess. Still seen as insane, he must remain in hospital. Mac is pleased, the police furious. Back in his cell, Walker’s minds unravels as Sabrina joins him and finds her own voice at last. She screams at him, forever. She does not stop, forever and ever and ever...

SABRINA WALKER