Richard tries yelling out the window again, but his voice is lost in the loud music and cheering below. The school bus is racing towards the crowd at full speed.

Richard pulls away and speeds down the hall.

REPORTER LADY

Mr. Beltran?!

Richard ignores her as he runs down the hall. He raises the thin wooden wand, tapping his head with it.

RICHARD

ABRAHCADABRA, SHALAMAR!

He zaps himself several feet forward. He looks back, sighs sadly, spins back around, and keeps running.

RICHARD

What? I need to get downstairs, NOW!

He swings the wand around again.

RICHARD

ABRAHCADABRAH, SHALLAMAR!!!!

He taps his head with the wand again, but this time, he unexpectedly finds himself embedded in the wall.

The Reporter lady unleashes a scream as she looks down the hall and sees Richard. The cameraman has the camera trained right on him.

The reporter carefully walks up to Richard, looking at him with a mix of terror and fascination.

REPORTER LADY

What-in-the-hell?

A hard crashing sound comes from outside. The crash sends a shock wave through the building, making it quiver.

Another scream from the reporter, and she falls backwards. She trembles as she makes it back to her feet, still looking at Richard, half-fused into the wall.

She stands and grabs the cameraman's arm.

REPORTER LADY

Let's get out of here!

RICHARD

WAIT!

The reporter and the cameraman stop in their tracks and look back at Richard.

RICHARD

(Cries)

Please...send someone to help me!

REPORTER LADY

(Yells)

What happened to you?

Richard hangs his head and starts to cry.

RICHARD

(Cries)

I botched the spell! I tried to get downstairs with a spell, but...

The cameraman grabs the reporter's shoulder.

CAMERA MAN

We gotta cover that school bus! The way it was racing towards the school, I know that's what made that crashing sound!

REPORTER LADY

(Nods and turns to Richard)

I'll send someb-

She turns back to Richard and sees he's hanging there, limp, passed out.

She and the cameraman hurry through the door that leads to the staircase.

They quickly dash downstairs.

EXT. FRONT YARD OF THE SCHOOL HOUSE – DAY

Richard lies on the grass, bound in rope, as if discarded, the soft glow of a nearby fire casting light over him. He stirs awake, and as the scene widens, Portia comes into view—also tied up, lying on the ground facing him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Richard watches her for a moment, bewildered, before sitting up in alarm. On his other side sits Eddie, also bound, his back to the group, the fire’s warmth illuminating his face and body.

As Richard regains his bearings, Chris’s voice reaches him—muffled at first—slowly growing clearer as he steadies himself.

CHRIS

--you idiot!

SETH

You're blaming me for this?

CHRIS

It's Eddie's fault too!

CHRIS

(Cries)

I told you we should have crucified the little "Teen Jesus" dip shit! I told you! The Christians woulda loved it!

EDDIE

Shut up, Chris!

Circe, bound in rope, still manages to kick her foot out to hit Chris's knee.

CIRCE

You are such a dork! I swear!

RICHARD

(Breathing hard, eyes opened)

The people...on the school bus?

CHRIS

They're fine! No thanks to you!

EDDIE

(Mutters)

It's ok, no one got hurt in the accident, thank God. But a huge chunk of the school got destroyed.

Richard struggles in his binds to turn around and face the school. Smoke billowed from the beautiful school building. A school bus jutted out from the lower right side, while flames erupted from inside.

Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances surrounded the scene. A big crowd stands by, watching the chaos. There were other news reporters and news vans now.

Richard looks down at Portia. Although she'd quieted down, she was looking past him to the schoolhouse with tears in her eyes.

It was like she refused to make eye contact with him. Richard often got shy around her and rarely could say much to her, but she never seemed to have a problem meeting his eyes before.

Was she disappointed in him? Was everyone disappointed in him?

RICHARD

What's going on? Why are we tied up?

He looks at Seth and Chris crying.

RICHARD

Where's Professor Diaz?

Eddie doesn't answer the last question. Instead, he raises his chin to the bonfire. His serious look remains as he watches what's burning.

Richard follows Eddie's eyes and let's loose a scream as he finds Professor Diaz tied to a stake, being burned alive.

Seth lets loose a trembling wail as tears slide down his face.

Chris's face was red and shiny with shame, turning away from his professor, who was about to be executed.

Circe's eyes were wet with tears, but somehow, she still managed to be chewing on something even though she was bound in rope.

EDDIE

...They tied us up because they didn't want us to try to save our teacher.

Richard gawks up at Diaz in disbelief.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Terrified but fighting it)

D-don't cry, children. Everything will continue to go a-as scheduled. As your teacher, I will g-g-grade you boys on your performances today!

In spite of the horror and drama, everyone looks up at Diaz, confused.

CHRIS

What?

EDDIE

You're about to die, though.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Duty calls, and I will perform my duties till the very end!

His glasses are falling down his nose. He tries to wiggle them in place. He's sweating profusely. The glasses fall off, and he realizes he has bigger worries.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Eddie, the idea for the illusion was beautiful and brilliant! For thoughtfulness, you get an "A." Seth, you're amazing. I have never seen so much power coming from a s-sound mage, you also get an "A". And Chris, ahhh, my Christopher Robyn!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Cries)

You didn't kill anyone or make things worse. So, A+ for you!

Chris turns to Seth and whispers.

CHRIS

You heard that? The teacher is on my BALLS and said I'm better than you! Haha!

\

PROFESSOR DIAZ

And Richard...

Richard looks up at his professor with his face wet with tears, still trying to get out of the rope.

Professor Diaz's face strains as he looks at this beautiful, precious young man, trying to find something uplifting to say to him.

But he finally gives up.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

F@#! YOU, VEGAS!!

Then he screams out and flails his head back and forth frantically as the fire starts burning his feet. His screams sound like mad laughter.

Richard gawks up at him, heartbroken and confused.

The other children look away, unable to take the horrible screams of their master. Well, except Circe, who seemed to have dissociated and was blowing bubbles with her bubble gum.

As the camera continues to pan out, some older Christians dance in celebration as a hippie-looking guy plays a guitar.

Adam unzips his tracksuit jacket and uses it as a blanket as he lies down on his mech, getting ready to take a nap on it, warmed by the bonfire's heat and Diaz's witch roasting, mocking the magic school students.

And the scene closes with a shot of the magic school kids, still bound and defeated.

Music and merry carry all around them, as Circe, still completely lost in a daydream or something, blows a big pink bubble that pops, and the scene fades to black again.

INT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY – DIAZ'S OFFICE - DAY

RAHBEEM ROTH, now 37 and thinner, sits in front of the principal's desk in stunned silence.

In response, Professor Diaz smiles and relaxes into his plush office chair, somehow very satisfied by the disturbed look on Rahbeem's face.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

–And THAT'S why it took me so long to call you back after your job interview.

Rahbeem tilts his head to the side as he tries to work this equation out in his mind.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

The school had to be shut down for an extra year for repairs and a few adjustments.

RAHBEEM

So...

His eyes shift to the left, contemplating, then shift forward to give Diaz another funny look.

RAHBEEM

–How is it that you are alive now?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Simple. I'm Immortal, Professor Roth.

RAHBEEM

Immortal?

RAHBEEM

(Amazed)

You mean you can't die...EVER?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Well, certain things in this world can kill me.

He shrugs and smiles.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Fire doesn't happen to be one of them.

RAHBEEM

Ok...but, what are you going to do if those protestors come back and try to burn down the school AGAIN?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I'm not too worried. To appease our Christian friends, I added the Demon Hunter's School.

Diaz points to a poster on the wall behind him advertising it.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

The Golden Redemption School for Spiritual Warfare. That's part of the reason why it took so long for us to rebuild.

Rahbeem admires the poster, but still looks a bit...confused.

RAHBEEM

Wow...a...Demon Hunters school?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Yes, it was a last-minute decision, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of "diversifying–"

He makes air quotes.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

–the supernatural curriculum. So...

He stands up and walks over to the other side of his office, where there are many other posters.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I then added the "Tora Myst School for Superhuman Sciences."

He taps a poster showing people dressed as superheroes in tight spandex and capes.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

These are for superpowers that involve science more so than witchcraft. Radioactive insect bites, chemical spills, getting hit by space debris, genetic anomalies.

He exhales and admires the poster with a sense of pride.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

You can say the Tora Myst School is more for mutants than magicians.

RAHBEEM

(Nods impressed)

I can dig it!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Then I created the "Shinewell School for Paranormal Technology".

He taps yet another poster showing a cartoon of children performing experiments in a lab, with what looks like smiling ghosts assisting them.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Affectionately referred to on campus as the "Ghostbusters." They are the science component of the Demon Hunters' school.

Diaz saunters back over to his desk.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

You see, on one side, we had the religious groups burning us with fire, and on the other, we had the science community flaming us online. So, to make everyone happy, we have two kinds of "spirit schools," and each spirit school has a "science school" doppelganger.

Diaz gets comfortable in his seat.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

And it's good this way. We have balance. Humans like you need to learn all facets of the supernatural world quickly. And since humans are familiar with science, let's use that as a tool to explain the supernatural to them.

RAHBEEM

No more burning down the school? Everybody's happy now?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

More or less...

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(a beat)

But just in case there's any more insurrection, we have plenty of security in place...

RAHBEEM

...In-sur-rection?

Professor Diaz purposely ignores the alarmed look on Rahbeem's face.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Remember those gigantic machines you saw today when entering the main building? The Tommy Walkers? Yes, they are equipped with firefighting and bomb-disarming capabilities.

Rahbeem's face scrunches in slow, comical horror as he remembers "The Tommy Walkers"...

RAHBEEM

Yes...I remember...

INT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY FRONT CAMPUS – FLASHBACK

A gigantic frog-shaped death machine is stomping around the front of the school as screaming staff and teenagers try to escape it. The Monster Machine demands to see "I.D." and starts shooting lasers at random when it is not fed the "I.D."

A police car rolls up, and some cops hop out and start shooting at Tommy Walker, but he shoots a laser at a cop car, causing it to explode as the police duck for cover.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

We just gotta work out a few kinks.

He smiles as if those demented androids were not a bigger threat to the school than any angry protestors.

The disjointed look doesn't leave Rahbeem's face. Diaz suspected this look would be a permanent fixture on Rahbeem, so long as he worked in this magic school.

This idea delighted Diaz. It's like Rahbeem would be artwork, walking around the school, decorating each part of it with that delightful look of pure amazement...

808

RAHBEEM

Look, you want me to be a guidance counselor for a supernatural sciences school, right? Why me? Yes, I have about ten years’ experience dealing with normal mortal children, but I don’t know nothing about ghostbusting or wizardry.

RAHBEEM

(Sighs)

I appreciate the job offer. But I think I’m out of my league here.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Well, permit me to ask what might sound facetious, but if you didn’t want the job as a guidance counselor for a magic school, why did you apply for one?

RAHBEEM

Truth is, I got in a little trouble some years back when both my hair and my waistline were THICK. I had an affair with my brother's wife and got her pregnant.

RAHBEEM

My brother ended up suing me for "alienation of affection" and won a $1.5 million settlement, claiming I stole his wife and humiliated him by having the whole ordeal aired on The Gregory Show.

RAHBEEM

So now, I owe this sum-mum-ma-bitch 1.5 million dollars for my overweight baby mama and my beautiful baby girl. Do I look like I got 1.5 million dollars to you? I'm sure I don't. But I better look like I'm searching for a job, or I might be doing prison time.

RAHBEEM

So, I applied for ANY job I was qualified for. I didn’t think you weirdos would actually call me.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I see..

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(nods)

And when I called you for a job interview, you came because...?

Rahbeem uses his pinky to clean his ear.

RAHBEEM

I was hoping to catch a Quidditch game.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

That’s not a real thing.

RAHBEEM

How the hell you got burnt at the stake and you tryna tell me what is and is not real? Your burnt stake ass is not real!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

You have a temper, and you’re quick to anger! Will you attack and injure these children?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Rubs his chin in thought)

Would you expect extra pay for that?

RAHBEEM

Look, I'm sorry, but thinking about my financial situation gets me angry.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Well, Professor Roth, if you accept the job at this academy, I can promise I will pay you handsomely. You will be able to pay off that 1.5 million dollar debt within 5 years with the salary I'll pay you!

RAHBEEM

What? That's impossible. No one is paying a high school guidance counselor that much money!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I will, Professor Roth. Money is no object!

Rahbeem looks at Diaz suspiciously. Diaz keeps smiling, but his eyes shift to the left, avoiding Rahbeem's gaze.

RAHBEEM

(In a comedic African accent)

You are LITERALLY a DEVIL from HELL. What do you want from me?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Nothing, Professor Roth! I want you to be a human. I need you to relate to these human children as only a human can.

RAHBEEM

Be human? You're going to help me pay off 1.5 million in debt to be Human?

Diaz sheepishly shrugs.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Well, there is a little bit more to it than that...but I have to make sure you qualify for the job first, and then I'll explain everything. For now, I just want you to learn and relate to our students.

RAHBEEM

Professor Diaz, I would love to help you there, but I can’t relate to anything anymore. Every time I turn on the TV, the news shows me a world that’s getting weirder and weirder at breakneck speed.

RAHBEEM

I can’t help you with nothing here, my dude! Nothing!

RAHBEEM

(Claps at every word)

Ya’ll-don’t-even-play-QUIDDITCH!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

There is no such thing!

Rahbeem stands up, frustrated, and goes over to Professor Diaz's window.

He shakes his head as if saying no to the thoughts coming to mind.

RAHBEEM

So this stuff is serious now, man? You telling me I gotta learn magic and demonology? I haven’t even memorized all the gender pronouns yet!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I know it’s a lot, Professor Roth. But the truth is, the supernatural has been with you! We’ve been here the entire time. It’s just that humans are now being forced to accept this reality. You cannot avoid it any longer.

Professor Roth cringes and shakes his head at that. It’s too much, too fast. Diaz raises his hand, and a file sitting on top of a file cabinet magically flies into his palm.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Be not selfish, Professor Roth. If you think this new world is difficult for you, imagine how it is for the children. Let’s talk about them, shall we?

He opens the file.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Let’s start with Eddie Bon Moon. He, in particular, could use your help.

RAHBEEM ROTH

(Turns to face Diaz)

Eddie? That was one of the four boys, right? The students of Kaye Beltran?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Yes! And this young man is incredibly bright. He’s tested at a genius level...

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Unfortunately, his sister was killed in a car accident over the summer, and he took the death very hard. He actually had to be hospitalized for about a month after a mental breakdown.

Rahbeem looks saddened by hearing that.

Walks back to take his seat in front of Diaz’s desk.

RAHBEEM

Is he back in school yet?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Yes...

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Exhales hard)

But we are having... uh... disciplinary problems with him now. And we’re not sure what to make of it, Professor Roth.

Rahbeem hands Diaz another puzzled look as they fizzle into another flashback.