Unspeakable Horror!

To celebrate and promote the first anthology of Vincent Price Presents horror comics, Unspeakable Horror is presenting the original comic book script for "Rue Morgue High," one of the four horror comics in the anthology--it also includes my story Canus and two stories by the Davis brothers. 

Rue Morgue High is a nightmarish re-imagining of the murderous ape in Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue," one of my all-time favorite Poe stories.

Read the script below, and purchase a signed copy to enjoy the gorgeous art and see the final result!

Rue Morgue High
by Chad Helder

Page One

The balding, middle-aged English teacher stands at the front of the classroom, lecturing to a classroom of disaffected youth.  Behind him, the chalkboard reads: The Murders in the Rue Morgue & Tales of Ratiocination by Edgar Allan Poe.

Mr. Gray: Poe originated the term "Tales of Ratiocination" himself, and these stories, beginning with "Murders in the Rue Morgue" are widely regarded as the very first mystery stories.  Poe is frequently credited as originating the mystery genre.

In the second row of the classroom, Edwin, skinny and nerdy, but with an eerie intensity, watches the teacher through the gigantic lenses of his classes.

Back in the corner, Fred, handsome, muscular, wearing his letter jacket, stares out the windows where sunshine comes through the vibrant green bushes.

The English teacher continues his lecture on Poe, very excited about the subject matter.

Mr. Gray: Poe's detective, Dupin, later becomes the prototype for many other detectives like Sherlock Holmes...detectives who use deductive logic in order to solve the crime.  In fact, that's what ratiocination means, to form a conclusion based on a chain of logic and reasoning.

Edwin's hand is raised.

Mr. Gray: Yes, Edwin.

Edwin: But how could Dupin possible deduce that an orangutan killed those women in the Rue Morgue?  I mean, seriously Mr. Gray...You gotta be kidding me, an orangutan with a straight razor wandering the streets of Paris.  That's just absurd.

Mr. Gray: Well, I think that's the point Poe is trying to make...no matter how unlikely the conclusion, you can find the truth with a series of logic.

Page Two

Edwin's face is animated and intense.

Edwin: But I completely disagree, Mr. Gray...Obviously Poe is laughing at the the whole concept of ratiocination.

Mr. Gray (trying to look patient): Go on, Edwin.

Edwin: He's mocking the very idea that any truth can be determined through logic or reason.  In fact, he is only emphasizing the stark and utter madness of the universe.

Fred is now turned away from the window, staring at Edwin with an annoyed weariness.

Fred: Save it for the midterm, Edwin.

Mr. Gray (stern):  Fred, here in this classroom we show respect for everyone's ideas.

Fred throws up his hands.

Mr. Gray: Go on Edwin

We see the monstrous orangutan in a shadowy Parisian alleyway, wielding the straight razor.  This is not an ordinary orangutan, but an exaggerated version of an orangutan bordering on the demonic.

Edwin (voiceover): Why did Poe choose an orangutan anyway?  They're like these peaceful, docile herbivores that live in the forest, not at all likely to go on a razor-blade killing spree.

Mr. Gray now stands over Edwin's desk.

Mr. Gray: Poe probably based the orangutan on the exaggerated stories of sailors.  He probably knew very little about real orangutans.  He used it for exotic shock value.

Page Three

A close-up of Edwin's face, animated and determined to prove his point.

Edwin: But my point, Mr. Gray, is that this story is in fact mocking logic itself.  It is about madness, and Poe is laughing at you and every stupid English teacher who ever misread it and taught it to a bunch of morons...

Fred (stands up): Hey, show a little respect, you creep.

Mr. Gray: Sit down Fred.  I know Edwin is your step-brother, but I can handle the discipline in this classroom.

Mr. Gray turns to Edwin, who is now slumped in his desk, arms crossed and sulking.

Mr. Gray: I respect your participation in the classroom, but I hope you can show me the same consideration...

Edwin turns back to glare at Fred.

Edwin: Why do you think the orangutan stuffed the mademoiselle up the chimney?  Huh?  Or did you even read it?

From the Poe story, we see the orangutan's hands around the woman's throat, strangling her.  We see the orangutan stuff the woman (wearing a 19th century nightgown) up the fireplace chimney feet first.

A close-up on Fred who looks a little embarrassed, but trying to hide it.

Page Four

This page is a rapid-fire, surreal collage of events happening all at once.

Edwin's eyes, magnified, distorted.  His lips in a smug smirk.

Edwin: You're just a big dumb ape, aren't you, Fred.  You probably didn't even read it.

Fred has the deer-in-the-headlights look, being mesmerized by his step-brother.

Edwin: Just a big dumb ape yourself.

Mr. Gray: That's enough of that kind of derogatory language, Edwin.

A girl with her hand raised.

Girl: Why are we reading about people getting slashed by apes with razor blades anyway?  Couldn't we read something with a happy ending?

Fred is standing on the desk in a monkey posture, squatting down, scratching his armpit, making chimpanzee lips.

SFX Fred:  Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh

From Fred's POV: the whole class is laughing at him.  Edwin is pointing and laughing.

Page Five

Fred snaps out of it--he's standing on the desk, looking dumbfounded and humiliated.

In the hallway after class, Edwin stands at his locker.  Inside Edwin's locker door, we see a picture of Vincent Price.  Fred approaches on the opposite side of the locker door so Edwin doesn't see him.  There is a huge contrast between the large muscular frame of Fred and the short skinny body of Edwin.

Fred pushes Edwin up against the row of lockers.  Fred is furious.  Edwin manages to smirk despite the intimidating presence of Fred.

Fred: Just stay out of my mind you little Hitler.  I don't know how you do it, but just stay out.  Just because you're my step-brother doesn't mean I won't strangle you.

Page Six

An image of Fred and Edwin's suburban home.

Fred is in the shower.  It is now morning.  There is lots of steam.  He is washing his hair or lathering his armpits.

The alarm clock reads: 7:15 a.m.

He is drying off.  He might be whistling.  In the background, we can see Edwin is peering through the door, the intense hypnotic gaze in his eyes.

Fred wipes the steam from the mirror.  A horrific, smiling orangutan is staring back at him.

Edwin is laughing from the doorway.

Fred looks back at Edwin.

Fred (angry): Get out of my mind, Edwin.

Page Seven

A birthday cake with eighteen candles and "Happy 18th Birthday, Fred" in bright colors.

Standing around the table are a bunch of popular kids.  A couple of boys have letter jackets on.  The girls are gorgeous.  One of the girls, Quenby, watches Fred with adoration across the table as Fred blows out the candles.

Everyone together (with musical notes): Happy Birthday to you!

A close-up on Quenby as she holds out a present toward Fred.

Quenby: Happy Birthday, Fred.

We see Edwin in the background, leaning against the refrigerator or against the wall, looking annoyed and disgusted.  He clearly does not belong to the circle of friends.

Fred removes the beautiful, masculine bracelet from the package.

Fred: That's really something, Quenby...Thank you.

Page Eight

Edwin, interposes himself between Fred and Quenby.  He also has a birthday package.

Edwin: I have something for you too, dear brother. 

Fred looks suspiciously at Edwin while he unwraps it.

Fred: For your sake, this better not be another one of your mind games, Edwin.

Inside the unwrapped box, we see the surgical steel straight razor, shining.

Quenby looks annoyed while Fred wears a deadpan, resolute look on his face.  Edwin is smiling gleefully.

Fred: That stupid Poe story again.  When are you going to grow up?

Edwin: Oh, I'm sorry.  Did you already have one?

Quenby (sarcastic): That's hilarious, Edwin.

Page Nine

A row of cars parked at lover's lane.

Fred has his arm around Quenby in the front seat while the convertible top is down.  The moon above is gorgeous with lots of stars in the sky.

Quenby: The view up here really is as beautiful as they say.  I’ve heard other girls talk about “Lover’s Lane” before, but I always thought it was just an excuse to…you know…I never thought the view of the city would be this beautiful. 

Fred: Oh yeah.  The view is awesome, all right.  I’m really impressed too, I mean, I’ve never been up here before either. 

Fred kisses Quenby on the ear.

Quenby (amused and coy): Why are you kissing my ear.

 Fred (shy and abashed): Oh, sorry, I thought maybe you would like it.

Page Ten

Quenby looks down as Fred leans his head on her shoulder.

Quenby: You know, Fred, ever since the first time I saw you...when you were under the bleachers with Peggy at the pep rally.

Fred: And you accidentally spilled your soda pop on us.

Quenby:  It wasn't an accident, Fred.

Fred (genuinely surprised): It wasn't?

Quenby: I knew you were too good for her, and I hated to see you wasting your time.

 Fred: I'm glad you spilled that soda pop!

They kiss

Edwin's face peers out from the bushes, leering at them, his eyeglasses reflecting the moon. 

A close-up on Edwin's intense Svengali eyes.

Fred has pulled away from kissing Quenby.  She looks concerned.  He looks disoriented.

Quenby:  What is it?

Fred:  There's something wrong.  It's him!

Quenby:  Who?

Fred: It's Edwin, he's out there.

Fred falls out of the car, writhing on the ground.

He runs away from the car.  Quenby runs after him.

Page Eleven

Fred is now in the shadowy trees, away from the other cars at Lover's Lane.

Fred transmogrifies into the horrific orangutan.

Fred: ERRRRRAAWWWW

Quenby sees him, and she screams like an actress in an old horror film.  She runs away. 

Quenby SFX:  AAAAAAAA

Edwin steps out of the trees, holding out the straight razor for Fred to take.

Edwin: Now you’ll take my birthday present…just like the story. 

Page Twelve

The horrific orangutan, wielding the razor blade, stands on top of a convertible's hood while the couple in the front seat scream in terror.

Woman: Oh my God!

Man: What is that thing?

Quenby is running down the road past the parked cars.  The organgutan follows in pursuit, but he runs along on the tops of the cars' hoods.

Quenby: Help me!  Somebody help me!

Ape SFX:  OOH! OOH!  AAAAWWW!  AAAAWWW!

Quenby has fallen on the ground.  She looks up, shielding her face.  The furious orangutan stands above her, about to swing the blade.

Ape SFX:  AAAAAWWWW

Page Thirteen

There are police cars all over lover's lane.  An officer interviews the kids in the convertible.

Officer:  Tell me again what you saw?

Boy: It was like a demon gorilla.

Girl: Don't be stupid, Larry.  It was an orangutan.  Gee whiz.

Fred is walking along by the side of the road.  He doesn't have any clothes.  He tries to cover himself with clumps of bushes.  He tries to stop a passing car.  It turns out to be Edwin in the convertible.

Fred: You!

Edwin (feigning concern): What happened to your clothes, Fred?

Fred:  What did you do, Edwin?  Last I remember, I was blowing out the candles on my birthday cake!

Edwin: You better get in the car, Fred.  You don't want anyone to see you in your birthday suit.

Fred gets in the car.

Edwin: Is that blood, Fred?  What happened back there?

Fred: Don't pretend like you don't know.  I'm going to turn you into the police, you little freak.

Edwin:  And tell them what, Fred?  That I get into your mind, control you like a puppet, turn you into the ape from an Edgar Allan Poe story.  Cops follow the rules of ratiocination, dumbass.  All I can see is you have someone's blood all over your hands.  Gee, I sure hope that isn't Quenby's blood.

Fred stares at his step-brother with a look of despair.  He knows that Edwin is right.

The car continues through the forest.

Page Fourteen

Fred waits in an interrogation room, looking sadly at the floor.

Two detectives with cups of coffee enter the room.

The first detective sits at the table, while the second detective paces behind.  Lots of facial close-ups here.

Detective #1:  Where did you get the ape suit, kid?

Fred: I don't have one.  I told you already, I don't remember anything past blowing out the candles.

Detective #2: We have witnesses, Fred.  We know about the straight razor.  Just what every kid wants for their birthday.

Fred: I didn't ask for a razor.  That was my brother's idea of a sick joke.

Detective #1: Yeah, yeah, we know...Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Detective #2: We're not stupid, you know.

Detective #1: You think we haven't read Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Detective #2: It's the first tale of ratiocination.

Fred: I've never read it.

Detective #1: Come again?

Fred (despairing): I never even read it. 

Page Fifteen

After school, Mr. Gray erases the chalkboard.

Fred stands behind him.  The rest of the classroom is empty.

Fred: Mr. Gray?

Mr. Gray: Oh, you scared me Fred.

Fred: I need to talk to you...I have to tell somebody.

Mr. Gray: Maybe you should tell the police, Fred.  The rumor is you were the last person to see Quenby alive.

Fred (desperate): They've been questioning me all day.  They just let me go, but it won't be long before they arrest me again...and I rushed over here so I could ask you something.

Mr. Gray: OK...ask.

Fred: What is it that Edwin sees in that story?  You've read his papers.  All that talk about madness and ratiocination...I just don't get it.  Can you explain it to me?  Why does Edwin love that story so much?

Mr. Gray: The rumor is that when they found Quenby's body...her head was barely attached.

Fred: I need you to help me, Mr. Gray...

Fred grabs Mr. Gray, who looks alarmed.  In the background, we can see Edwin peering in through the windows.

Fred: Help me Mr. Gray...Why did you assign that story?  Why does he love it?

Mr. Gray: He's insane...It's not my fault.  I should have assigned Walden.

Page Sixteen

Fred is strangling Mr. Gray.  He is halfway between human and orangutan.  Mr. Gray's feet are off the ground.  There is orange orangutan hair sticking out of Fred's jacket sleeves.  In the background, we see Edwin watching and grinning through the window.

Ape: OOH!  OOH!  OOH!

Edwin's hand reaches through the open window and into the classroom.  He holds out the straight razor.

Edwin (off-frame): You’ll need this. 

An orangutan hand grabs the razor.

The mad orangutan runs down the school hallway.

Ape SFX:  OOH!  OOH!  AAAAAAWWWWWW!

The janitor runs an industrial floor polisher. 

The ape chases the terrified janitor down the hallway.

Page Seventeen-Eighteen

In the locker room, the football players are getting dressed for the upcoming game. Some are fully dressed in their uniforms while others only have their shoulder pads and jockstraps on.

The orangutan bursts in through the doors.

Ape SFX:  AAAAAWWWWW

Doors SFX: CRRRACK

The shocked and horrified football players try to exit the locker room, but there are too many, and they get clogged in the doorway.

Naked Player: Dear God!

A montage of the ape attacking the players.

A player dodges a slash.

SFX: SLASH!

The ape slashes a throat.  Blood spatters the wall in a long stream.

A large frame of the ape beating its chest with dead and wounded football players all around.  Some are still alive and cowering in the corner.

APE SFX:  AAAAWWW!  AAAAWWW!

The orangutan runs through the neighborhood.

Page Nineteen

An image of Edwin and Fred's house.

The orangutan kneels before Edwin.

Edwin (ranting): Now you will serve me, you brute.  I control you with my gaze.  I have always been the true son.  I am the one.  I am your keeper.

The orangutan punches Edwin in the face.

SFX: SMMACK

Edwin's glasses go flying through the air.

Edwin: I can't see without the glasses.

Edwin is on his hands and knees, looking for the glasses while the horrific orangutan towers above him, looking mildly amused.

The orangutan picks up Edwin.

Edwin:  NO!  NO!

He begins to stuff Edwin up through the fireplace into the chimney (just like in the original Murders in the Rue Morgue).

Page Twenty

Edwin, stuffed up inside the chimney reaches down toward the fireplace.

Edwin: Fred, I can't move...I can't get out.  Don't leave me here Fred!  Don't leave me here.

There is a pre-packaged starter log in the fireplace.  It reads "Ready-Light" in bright flame colors on the packaging.

Edwin:  At least orangutans can't light matches.

The orangutan stands in front of the fireplace with a zippo lighter.

A flame rises from the zippo.

The orangutan applies the lighter to the starter log.

Edwin, his face illuminated by firelight, screaming.

Edwin: NOOOOOOO

Page Twenty-One

The cops have gathered outside of the house.

SWAT teams runs along the neighboring roofs.

Police chief with bullhorn: Come out, Fred!  We want to hear your side of the story.  Take off the gorilla costume and come out with your hands up.

Cop #2: That's an orangutan, chief.

Chief: What's the difference?

Cop #2: Maybe it's not just an orangutan suit?

Chief: We have to stay within the realm of possibility here.  We can't just throw out logic and reason altogether!

Fred crashes through the front windows, wielding the razor blade.

SFX:  CRRRASH

Chief: Good Lord.

The orangutan scales the side of the house.

Ape SFX:  OOH OOH OOH

Page Twenty-Two

The orangutan stands on the roof of the house, swinging the straight razor against the backdrop of the sunset.

Below, the police officers fire their guns.

SFX: BAM!  BAM!  BAM!

Ape SFX:  AWWW!  AWWW!

Hit by the bullets, the ape plummets to the ground.

Fred, now human again, naked and clutching the razor blade, lies dead in the front grass.

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