THE STAGE 32 LOGLINES

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THE DEMON HUNTERS: JACK THE RIPPER

THE DEMON HUNTERS: JACK THE RIPPER
By Simon Hartwell

GENRE: Historical, Thriller
LOGLINE:

Father Shaun and Sister Adriana travel back in time to Whitechapel 1888 to banish the Demon possessed Jack the Ripper and put an end to the murders before they happen. 

SYNOPSIS:

London, England - January 1888. Father Shaun and Sister Adriana are on the banks of a frozen Canal. A cry for help has them racing across the ice to rescue the postman, who has fallen through the ice. They are too late, much to Shaun's chagrin.

Whitechapel - Present Day.Shaun and Adriana are in their office, reading up on London, England 1888 and Jack the Ripper. Sensing a Time Gate, Shaun and Adriana are pulled back in time.

Whitechapel - 1888. They meet Father Barnet, who brings them up to date about the troubles with the Hip Rip Gangs formerly of Liverpool and the Vigilants, guards employed by shop keepers to keep the peace.

Emma Smith -3rd April 1888. Pulled by another time gate, Adriana and Shaun find themselves in an Alley. Shaun remembers his research and breaks into a run, Adriana follows. They find Emma, within her room, seriously assaulted. Though they carry her to the nearest hospital, she dies of her injuries. Adriana remarks that despite being covered in blood and carrying a seriously hurt women through the streets, they were not stopped or seen for that matter, by anyone. Shaun spies a boy of 19 watching them, but he bolts.

Martha Tabram - 7th August 1888. Another jump finds Adriana and Shaun at George's Yard. The sight of the first Ripper Murder - Martha Tabram. There is a crowd and police are taking statements. Shaun and Adriana listen in, gathering information. They learn that Mary Anne Connolly is often seen with Martha Tabram and that last seen they were talking with a couple of gaurdsman.

Whitechapel - Present Day. Without warning Adriana and Shaun find themselves back in the London Office. They make notes all they have heard.

Cut To - Whitechapel 31st August 1888. Mary Nichols is refused lodging as she doesn't have the 4pence for a bed. She is killed on Bucks Row by the Ripper. The Ripper is disturbed by a Charles Cross as he walks to work. The Ripper hides in the darkness.

Whitechapel Bucks Row - Present Day. Shaun and Adriana view the scene. The old boarding school, now flats is still there.

Whitechapel. Bucks Row 31st August 1888. They are pulled through a time gate to the murder just as Charles Cross and Robert Paul leave the body. They spy the Ripper stepping into the street and walking unhurriedly away. They follow but lose her round a corner. They see light coming from a yard and enter to discover it is a horse slaughter yard. The three men with are covered in blood. Shaun questions them but they have not seen anything. A horse and cart moving away catches Shaun's attention but he dismisses it. Further along the street they talk to a night watchman who saw nothing.

Returning to the scene, they meet Dr Llewellyn and get invited to join him at the mortuary.

The Mortuary 31st August 1888 - They discuss the murder with Dr Llewellyn and learn more of Mary Nichols movements. Inspector Spratling enters annoyed that despite instruction someone had not only cleaned the scene but also the body. They see the boy again but once again he bolts.

Anne Chapmen - 8th September 1888. Whilst staying at the local Rectory, Adriana and Shaun learn of another murder. That of Anne Chapman. Yet again the body was washed despite instruction to the contrary. Theories and Suspects mount.

The Rectory - 29th September 1888. Adriana is awoken and discovers a gathering beneath the Rectory of women presided over by the Maid JANE, her eyes a demonic red. In ritual he burns the womb of Anne Chapman, siting the whores of London are the Devil incarnate. An orgy follows. Adriana makes a rapid exit, returning to the main house and to Shaun where she shares her findings.

Elisabeth Stride and Jane Eddows - 1st October 1888. Another two murder, frustrating Adriana and Shaun as they have watched Jane carefully, day and night. They learn of the details and Adriana suggests the Ripper might be a woman.

Incident Room 1st October 1888. Shaun and Adriana join the senior team on the Ripper case to discuss the murders and possible suspects.

Later Adriana and Shaun confront Jane, forcing the Demon within to show itself and leave the girl's body.

3rd October 1888 - another body is discovered, only predating the other murders. Possible links to the Ripper are discussed.

Mary Kelly - 9th November 1888. Hoping they had put an end to the Ripper, Adriana and Shaun are dismayed when they learn of another killing. Shaun puts together a theory of their being two murderers, one motivated by revenge, seeking out Mary Kelly, killing the other Mary's in error as she searched the streets for the whore. They see the boy again and this time learn he had worked for Mrs Canonical and how she had changed after the death of her husband and son. Both to syphilis.

Cut to

Mrs Jacqueline Canonical's Home -1st October 1888. The Vicar visits and we learn that Mary Kelly had come seeking money, having become pregnant but sent packing by the maid. Mrs Canonical cannot allow the Vicar to leave as he sees a rain coat in the hall, dripping blood.

Cut to

Mrs Jacqueline Canonical's Home -9th November 1888 Shaun and Adriana confront the Demon within Mrs Canonical, the same one that had been in Jane, the maid. The Demon is sucked back into Hell. Mrs Canonical, rather than be horrified is quite calm, the Demon having only allowed her to act upon the murderous thoughts she had towards Mary.

Leaving to tell the police they had found the Ripper, Adriana and Shaun are pulled back to the Present day. Frustrated, they see the case is still unsolved, but despite more killings being attributed to the Ripper, they know they had stopped the real killer.

Phil Clarke

Simple and easy to follow and will undoubtedly have a following, but what I am not gleaning from this logline is what's at stake. So they find out he was possessed? Okay, fine. So what? Where's the drama? I think if you can shine a light on why it matters, what your heroes (and perhaps the world) stand to lose, then this logline will be far stronger.

Tasha Lewis

Rated this logline

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