Unravel the mystery of a private detective’s supernatural journey into his own soul, but be warned, some secrets are better left buried.
Watch the original version of Angel Heart
Prologue:
Harry Angel sat in his small office, staring at the wall. He hadn’t had a case in weeks and was starting to feel the pinch. The rent was due, and he had nothing to show for it. Just when he thought he might have to close up shop, he received a call from a mysterious man named Louis Cyphre. Harry had never heard of him before, but he was intrigued by the man’s deep, smooth voice. Louis told Harry that he was in need of a private detective to find a missing person. The man’s name was Johnny Favorite, and he was a former soldier and musician who had disappeared after the war. Louis promised Harry a substantial amount of money, and that was enough to convince him to take the case.
Chapter 1:
Harry stepped off the train and into the sweltering heat of New York City. He had been given an address to start his search for Johnny Favorite. Louis had warned Harry that Johnny was a difficult man to find and that he had a habit of disappearing when things got tough. The address led Harry to a dingy apartment block in the heart of the city. He knocked on the door and was greeted by a man who looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Can I help you?” the man asked, eyeing Harry suspiciously.
“I’m looking for Johnny Favorite,” Harry said, trying to keep his tone friendly.
The man’s face clouded over. “I don’t know no Johnny Favorite. You got the wrong place, buddy.”
Harry was used to people lying to him, and he could tell this man was no exception. “Come on, friend. I’m just trying to find him. I’ve been hired to locate him.”
The man’s expression softened slightly. “Sorry, pal. I can’t help you. Johnny’s old news. Ain’t nobody seen him in years.”
Harry thanked the man and left, knowing that he had hit a dead end. He spent the next several days canvassing the city, talking to anyone who might have known Johnny. But each lead turned up empty. It seemed as though Johnny Favorite had vanished into thin air.
Frustrated, Harry returned to his office and mulled over his options. He knew he couldn’t go back to Louis without any information. He needed a new angle, something to break the case wide open. That angle came in the form of a visit from a man named Herman Winesap.
Herman was a lawyer who had represented Johnny several years ago in a contract dispute. Herman had a lead on a woman who had been close to Johnny at the time of his disappearance. Her name was Margaret Krusemark, and she might be able to shed some light on Johnny’s whereabouts. Harry thanked Herman and went to visit Margaret at her home in Queens.
Margaret was an older woman who lived alone in a small, tidy apartment. She welcomed Harry inside and offered him a cup of tea. Harry accepted, but he was anxious to get down to business.
“Tell me about Johnny,” Harry said, setting his cup down on the table.
Margaret’s face grew sad. “Johnny was a troubled man. He had demons he couldn’t shake. He was involved with some bad people and some bad practices.”
“What kind of practices?” Harry asked, leaning forward.
Margaret hesitated. “I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, Mr. Angel. But let’s just say that Johnny dabbled in things that were… dangerous.”
Harry pressed her for more information, but Margaret wouldn’t budge. She did tell him, however, that Johnny had been involved with a voodoo priestess named Marie LaVeau. Marie had allegedly put a spell on Johnny, and he had never been the same since.
Harry left Margaret’s apartment feeling more confused than ever. Voodoo? Spells? It was all starting to sound like something out of a horror movie. But Harry was determined to get to the bottom of it. He went back to his office and dug deeper into the voodoo connection. He learned that Marie LaVeau was indeed a powerful voodoo priestess who had lived in New Orleans. Harry booked a ticket to Louisiana and hoped that he was getting closer to the truth.
Chapter 2:
Harry Angel drove to the hospital where Johnny Favorite was treated after the war. The hospital was in shambles, and the staff looked overworked and underpaid. Harry’s first task was to find the ward where Johnny was treated. He found a long corridor filled with empty wheelchairs and old medical equipment.
Harry eventually found Johnny’s ward and met with Dr. Fowler, the doctor who treated Johnny. Dr. Fowler’s face was haggard, and his eyes showed signs of sleepless nights. Harry asked Dr. Fowler about Johnny’s condition and treatment, and Dr. Fowler showed him Johnny’s medical records.
The records showed that Johnny underwent extensive brain surgery to repair damage to his frontal lobe. The surgery was successful, but Johnny was discharged with a letter stating that he was not in a condition to remember his past.
Harry was curious about why Johnny had brain surgery and what had caused his memory loss. He asked Dr. Fowler about Johnny’s behavior and any strange occurrences during his stay. Dr. Fowler hesitated at first but eventually told Harry that Johnny had exhibited violent behavior and had hallucinations.
Harry wondered why Johnny would have hallucinations after brain surgery. He knew that brain surgery could cause memory loss and confusion, but hallucinations were not typical. Harry pressed Dr. Fowler for more information about Johnny’s behavior, but Dr. Fowler refused to say anything further.
Harry decided to investigate Johnny’s past further and left the hospital. As he drove back to the city, he thought about Johnny’s condition and what could have caused it. He knew that war trauma could cause severe psychological damage, but he felt that there was more to the story.
When Harry arrived back in the city, he started to investigate Johnny’s war records. He visited the local library and searched for any information about Johnny’s unit and deployment. Harry found that Johnny had served in Europe and had been awarded several medals for valor.
Harry visited Johnny’s former army buddies and asked them about Johnny’s behavior during the war. They told Harry that Johnny had been fearless and had saved many lives during the war. They also mentioned that Johnny had a dark side and had been involved in some shady deals.
Harry wondered what kind of deals Johnny had been involved in and who he had associated with. He realized that he needed to talk to more people who knew Johnny to get a better picture of his past.
Harry’s investigation led him to a seedy bar in the city’s red-light district. He had heard that Johnny used to frequent the bar and that some of his former associates still drank there. Harry walked in and ordered a drink. The bar was dimly lit, and the air was thick with cigarette smoke.
Harry noticed a group of men sitting in the corner of the bar. They looked rough and unapproachable. Harry knew that he needed to talk to them to get any information about Johnny, but he also knew that they wouldn’t be receptive to a stranger asking about their business.
Harry approached the group and introduced himself. They looked at him suspiciously and didn’t say anything. Harry asked if anyone knew Johnny Favorite and if they could tell him about him. The men laughed and told Harry to mind his own business.
Harry persisted and reminded them that he was a private detective hired by a client to find Johnny. The men’s attitude changed, and they became more willing to talk. They told Harry that Johnny was involved in voodoo practices and that he had made a deal with a powerful voodoo priestess to ensure his success.
The men told Harry that Johnny had been ambitious and that he had wanted to be a famous blues singer. By making a deal with the voodoo priestess, Johnny had promised her his soul in exchange for fame and fortune. The men also mentioned that Johnny had been involved in some shady drug deals and that he had many enemies.
Harry wondered how voodoo practices could have caused Johnny’s memory loss and hallucinations. He knew that voodoo was practiced in many parts of the world and that it involved spells and rituals. Harry had never encountered voodoo practices in his investigations before, and he was intrigued.
Harry thanked the men for their information and left the bar. He drove back to his office and started to research voodoo practices further. He found that voodoo involved black magic and that it was often associated with death and the devil.
Harry wondered if Johnny’s involvement in voodoo practices had led to his memory loss and hallucinations. He knew that he needed more information about voodoo practices and their effects on the human mind. Harry also knew that he needed to find Johnny’s former lover, Epiphany Proudfoot, to get any more information about Johnny’s past.
Harry’s investigation was becoming more complex, and he realized that he was in over his head. He wondered if he had taken on more than he could handle and if he was putting himself in danger. Despite his concerns, Harry knew that he had to keep investigating to find the missing Johnny Favorite.
Chapter 3:
Harry couldn’t shake off the encounter with Epiphany Proudfoot. Her revelations about Johnny Favorite’s involvement in voodoo and making a deal with the devil played on his mind like a catchy tune that he couldn’t get rid of. He felt like he was in a maze, and every turn he took led him to a dead end. As he sat in his dingy office, surrounded by cigarette smoke, he knew he needed to find more information about Johnny’s past.
He looked through his notes and found the name of one of Johnny’s former bandmates, Toots Sweet. He hoped Toots could provide him with some answers. He called Toots and arranged to meet him at a bar in Harlem.
As he entered the bar, Harry noticed Toots sitting in a corner booth. Toots was a short, slim man with a wide toothy grin. He wore a hat with a feather stuck in the band, and his shirt had a large collar with a gold necklace dangling over it. Harry recognized him immediately from the photos in Johnny’s file. Harry walked towards him as Toots waved him over.
“Hey there, detective,” Toots said in a deep voice.
“Hey, Toots,” Harry replied, trying to act casual. “I hear you and Johnny played together.”
“We sure did,” Toots grinned. “Man, that boy could play. But he was always unpredictable, ya know. Sometimes he would show up to rehearsals late or not show up at all. And then he started dabbling in voodoo, and everything went downhill from there.”
Harry leaned in closer, intrigued. “What do you know about Johnny’s involvement with voodoo?”
Toots took a sip of his drink and leaned back into his seat. He looked around the bar, making sure no one was listening, then turned back to Harry. “Johnny was always fascinated by the dark arts. He believed that with the right spell, he could make it to the top. And he did, for a while. He had a hit record, and he was on top of the world. But then something happened.”
“What happened?” Harry asked, leaning in even closer to Toots.
Toots took another sip of his drink and continued, “I heard from some folks that Johnny made a deal with the devil to be a famous blues singer. But, when he couldn’t fulfill his end of the bargain, the devil took his soul.”
Harry was taken aback by Toots’ words. “The devil? What do you mean?”
Toots shrugged. “I don’t know, man. I’m just telling you what I heard. But I do know that Johnny’s life was never the same after that. He became paranoid, scared of his own shadow. He started using drugs and drinking heavily. And then he disappeared, like he never existed.”
Harry was stunned. “But, how can someone make a deal with the devil? And how do you know this is true?”
Toots looked at Harry with a serious expression. “I don’t know, man. All I know is that there’s some powerful magic out there, and you don’t want to mess with it. They say there’s a spell that can control someone’s mind, and once you’re under its spell, you’re done for.”
Harry felt like he was in a dream, a nightmare that he couldn’t escape. He finished his drink, thanked Toots for his time, and left the bar. He knew he had to find out more about this “deal with the devil.” But how?
As he walked through the dark streets of Harlem, he suddenly felt like he was being watched. He turned around, but no one was there. He tried to shake off the feeling and sped up his pace. But the unease stayed with him like a shadow.
He arrived at his apartment, exhausted and drained. He sat on his couch, staring into space, trying to make sense of everything. As he closed his eyes, he saw flashes of dark rituals, blood-soaked altars, and a figure looming in the shadows. He didn’t know what it all meant, but he knew he had to keep digging.
He fell asleep on the couch, still fully dressed. When he woke up, he felt like he had been hit by a truck. He rubbed his eyes and saw that it was already noon. He got up and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked haggard, his eyes sunken, his face pale. He knew he needed to get some fresh air and clear his head.
As he walked through the park, he saw a group of people dancing and chanting around a makeshift altar. He recognized some of the symbols from his research on voodoo. He approached them and asked if he could join in. They welcomed him, and he closed his eyes, letting the music and the rhythm wash over him.
Suddenly, he saw an image in his mind that made him gasp. It was a man with red eyes, a goat’s feet, and horns on his head. Harry knew immediately who it was. It was the devil. And he was coming for him.
Chapter 4:
Harry took a deep breath as he stepped off the plane in New Orleans. The air was thick with the smell of French Quarter spices and seafood, and Harry couldn’t help but feel like he had stepped into another world entirely. As he looked around, he noticed that the streets were lined with colorful buildings and storefronts, and the sound of music drifted through the air. It was a beautiful place, but Harry had a job to do.
He had come to New Orleans to learn more about the voodoo practices that Johnny Favorite had been involved with. Harry knew that the strange rituals and spells that were associated with voodoo could be powerful, and he needed to understand them if he was going to find Johnny. His first stop was a small shop called Toots Sweet’s, which he had learned was a place where people came to buy voodoo supplies.
As he entered the shop, Harry was struck by how cluttered and chaotic the space was. Everywhere he looked, there were shelves filled with strange potions, herbs, and candles, and in the back of the room, he could see a woman sitting at a small table. She wore a bright green dress and had her hair tied up in a scarf, and Harry guessed that she must be Toots Sweet.
“Can I help you find something?” Toots asked as Harry approached.
“I’m looking for information about voodoo,” Harry said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Toots gave him a curious look before nodding. “I see. And what kind of information are you hoping to find?”
Harry hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. “I’m trying to track down a man who was involved with voodoo practices. I need to understand more about it if I’m going to find him.”
Toots leaned back in her chair and studied Harry for a moment before speaking. “I can tell you that voodoo is not something to be taken lightly. It is a powerful force, and it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.”
Harry nodded, knowing that Toots was right. He had heard enough stories about voodoo to know that it wasn’t something to mess around with.
“But if you’re serious about this,” Toots continued, “I can tell you that there is a particular spell that might be useful to you. It’s called a mind control spell, and it can be used to make someone do whatever you want them to.”
Harry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “How does it work?”
Toots smiled, revealing a set of bright white teeth. “It’s a complicated ritual that involves a number of different steps. But if you’re interested, I can teach you how to do it.”
Harry hesitated for a moment, knowing that he was getting in over his head. But the thought of being able to control someone’s mind was too appealing, and he found himself agreeing to the lesson.
Over the next several days, Harry spent most of his time with Toots, learning the ins and outs of voodoo magic. He was amazed by the power behind the spells and rituals, and he found himself getting sucked deeper and deeper into this strange and mystical world.
But as he delved deeper, Harry started to notice strange things happening to him. He would wake up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat and shaking. And during the day, he would have strange visions of people he had never met before. It was as if the magic of voodoo was starting to seep into his very being, and he didn’t know how to stop it.
One night, as he was walking back to his hotel room, Harry felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a group of men standing behind him, all wearing dark clothes and serious expressions.
“We need to talk,” one of them said, his voice low and menacing.
Suddenly, Harry felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, and everything went black.
When he woke up, he was lying on the concrete floor of an abandoned warehouse. His head was pounding, and he could feel blood drying on the back of his neck. He tried to sit up, but his hands were tied behind his back.
As he looked around, Harry realized that he was in serious trouble. The men who had taken him were nowhere to be seen, and he had no idea how long he had been unconscious. But as he struggled to free himself, he began to hear a strange chanting coming from somewhere in the distance.
It was the sound of voodoo magic, and Harry knew that he was in the middle of something dangerous. He tried to focus his mind, trying to remember everything he had learned from Toots. But it was hard to concentrate with the sound of the chanting echoing through the empty warehouse.
Suddenly, the chanting stopped, and Harry heard footsteps approaching from somewhere in the darkness. He strained his eyes, trying to see who was coming, but everything was too dark.
“You should never have come here, Mr. Angel,” a familiar voice said, and Harry realized with a start that it was Louis Cyphre.
“What do you want from me?” Harry demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.
Louis chuckled. “Oh, I don’t want anything from you, Mr. Angel. But I do think that it’s time for you to leave New Orleans. Things are getting too dangerous for you here.”
Before Harry could respond, Louis snapped his fingers, and everything went black again. When he woke up, he was in his hotel room, lying on the bed. He sat up, feeling disoriented and confused, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed in him.
As he looked in the mirror, he saw that his eyes were dark and wild, and he realized that he had been changed by the magic of voodoo. He knew then that he was in for a violent and dangerous journey, and that the only way to survive was to embrace the magic that had taken over his soul.
Chapter 5:
Harry Angel’s Investigation takes an unexpected turn when he is ambushed and beaten up by a group of men. As he comes to, he starts having disturbing visions of murders, and the events take a dark and supernatural turn. Harry realizes that he is being manipulated and that someone is trying to control him.
When Harry finally comes to and can see clearly again, he finds himself in an unfamiliar place. He is restrained and surrounded by a group of men who look like they had just beaten him up. His head aches, and he struggles to remember how he ended up in this situation. One of the men approaches him, and Harry recognizes him as a thug named Izzy who he had met during his investigation.
Izzy demands that Harry tells him what he knows about Johnny Favorite, but Harry denies having any information. Izzy doesn’t believe him, and the other men start to get agitated. They are on the verge of attacking Harry again when a car pulls up outside, and Izzy leaves to check it out. Harry takes advantage of the moment to try and free himself from his restraints.
As Harry struggles to break free, he starts to have disturbing visions. He sees a woman being murdered repeatedly, and the visions become more and more vivid. Harry also senses an unseen force trying to take control of his mind.
Izzy returns with a woman, and Harry recognizes her as the voodoo practitioner, Toots Sweet. Toots starts to perform a ritual, and Harry feels himself slipping away into a trance. He tries to resist, but it’s like he is fighting against a powerful force.
In his trance-like state, Harry has more visions of murders. He sees the same woman, and he realizes that she is Johnny Favorite’s lover. Harry starts to piece together the fragments of his memory, and he realizes that he had killed the woman years ago. The realization dawns on him that he had made a deal with the devil to become a famous blues singer.
Toots completes her ritual, and Harry is released from his restraints. But, he is now more confused than ever. He is sure that someone is trying to control him, and he is scared that he may be losing his mind.
Harry goes back to his hotel room, and his visions of the murdered woman persist. He starts to feel like he is being watched, and he begins to suspect that someone is following him. He goes to bed and tries to get some rest, but his sleep is interrupted by more horrifying visions.
Harry wakes up in a sweat, realizing that he may be in grave danger. He makes his way to the bathroom and splashes some water on his face. As he looks up in the mirror, he sees the reflection of the murdered woman standing behind him. Harry screams, and when he turns around, she disappears.
Harry is now convinced that he is being haunted by the ghosts of his past. He goes back to his investigation, but he is now more cautious and wary. He visits Toots again, and she tells him that he has incurred a debt with the devil that he must pay. Harry doesn’t know what to believe anymore.
As the chapter ends, Harry is left to wonder if he is losing his mind or if his investigation has brought him closer to something far more sinister. The lines between reality and the supernatural are becoming blurred, and Harry has no idea what he will face next.
Chapter 6: The Devil’s Revelation
Harry sat in his hotel room, trying to make sense of the visions that had been plaguing him. His memory was a jumbled mess, and he couldn’t figure out what was real and what was a hallucination.
He paced back and forth, fidgeting with the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. He knew he needed answers, and the only person who could give them to him was Louis Cyphre.
He dialed Louis’s number, and after a few rings, he heard his smooth voice on the other end.
“Hello, Harry. I’ve been expecting your call.”
Harry felt a chill run down his spine. How could Louis know that he was going to call?
“I need to see you,” Harry said, trying to mask the fear in his voice.
“I’ll send someone to pick you up,” Louis replied before hanging up.
Harry waited anxiously for the knock on his door. When it finally came, he opened it to find a man in a suit waiting for him.
“Mr. Cyphre sent me to escort you,” the man said, leading Harry outside to a waiting car.
They drove for what felt like hours, the city lights blurring past them. Finally, they arrived at a large mansion on the outskirts of the city. The man led Harry inside, and they walked down a long hallway to a door at the end.
The door opened, and Louis Cyphre was standing there, a sly smile on his face.
“Come in, Harry,” he said, gesturing to the room.
The room was dimly lit, and Harry could barely make out the details. He could see Louis sitting in a large armchair, smoking a cigar.
“Please, have a seat,” Louis said, motioning to a chair opposite him.
Harry sat down, feeling a sense of unease. He knew that Louis was dangerous, but he didn’t know how dangerous.
“I believe you have some questions for me,” Louis said, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.
“What’s going on, Louis? I’ve been having these visions, and I don’t know what’s real and what’s not. I don’t even know if I’m Johnny Favorite or not.”
Louis chuckled, taking another puff of his cigar.
“You are Johnny Favorite, Harry. You made a deal with me, and I delivered on my end. You wanted fame and fortune, and I gave it to you. But you didn’t hold up your end of the bargain, did you?”
Harry felt a sense of dread wash over him. He had made a deal with the devil, and he knew that he had to pay the price.
“What do you want from me, Louis?”
“I want you to remember what you did, Harry. I want you to face your past and accept your fate.”
Harry closed his eyes, trying to remember. Flashes of memories came back to him, images of a woman’s face, a knife in his hand.
“I killed her, didn’t I?” Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, you did. You killed Margaret Krusemark, the woman you loved. And you sold your soul to me to become a famous blues singer. But you couldn’t handle the guilt, could you? You erased your memories and tried to start over, but you can’t escape your past, Harry.”
Harry felt tears stream down his face. He couldn’t believe what he had done, and he knew that he had to face the consequences.
“What happens now, Louis?”
“Now, you face judgment. You’re mine, Harry. Your soul belongs to me.”
Harry tried to stand up, but he found that he couldn’t move. He was rooted to his seat, trapped by Louis’s power.
“You can’t do this to me, Louis. I won’t let you.”
Louis laughed, the sound echoing through the room.
“You don’t have a choice, Harry. You made your bed, now lie in it.”
Harry felt a searing pain in his chest, and he screamed as his soul was ripped from his body.
In that moment, he knew that he was lost forever, condemned to spend eternity in the clutches of the devil.
Chapter 7:
The Devil’s Due
Harry stood in front of Louis Cyphre, his mind reeling with the truth that he was Johnny Favorite all along. Everything started to make sense, the memories that he had tried to bury for so long surged forward, and he finally understood why he was haunted by visions of murder.
Louis Cyphre stood in front of Harry, a sly smile on his face as he said, “You see now, Johnny. You’ve always been mine.”
Harry shook his head in disbelief, “No, that can’t be true. I’m Harry Angel. I’m not a killer. I’m not a lost soul.”
Louis Cyphre chuckled, “Oh, Johnny. You’ve been living a lie for so long. You sold your soul to me to become a famous blues singer. You killed your lover, Margaret Krusemark, and for what? Fame? Wealth? Power?”
Harry sank to the ground, the truth overwhelming him. “What have I done?”
Louis Cyphre knelt down beside him, “You’ve made a deal with the devil, Johnny. The price was your soul. It’s time for me to collect.”
Harry looked up, horrified. “No, please. There has to be another way. I can change. I can make amends for what I’ve done.”
Louis Cyphre shook his head, “It’s too late, Johnny. You made your bed; now you have to lie in it.”
Suddenly, Harry felt a sharp pain in his chest, and he doubled over. He looked up to see Louis Cyphre holding a knife, stained with his blood.
Louis Cyphre smiled, “It’s time for you to pay the devil’s due, Johnny.”
Harry’s vision blurred as darkness closed in. He felt himself slipping away, his soul consumed by the devil.
But just as he was about to succumb completely, a voice called out in the darkness.
“Harry, can you hear me? Harry.”
The voice was familiar, and it gave him a glimmer of hope.
He struggled to open his eyes, and when he did, he saw the face of Epiphany Proudfoot peering down at him.
“Harry, you’re alive. Thank God.”
Harry sat up, confusion and pain etched on his face. “What happened? Where am I?”
Epiphany explained that she had found him in a voodoo temple, bleeding and unconscious. She had taken him to a hospital, and he had been in a coma for several days.
Harry’s memories came back in a rush. He remembered everything, the deal with the devil, the murders, and his past life as Johnny Favorite.
Epiphany looked at him, concern etched on her face. “Harry, what are you going to do?”
Harry took a deep breath, “I have to face my past. I have to make amends for what I’ve done.”
Epiphany nodded, “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Harry made his way back to New York, determined to confront Louis Cyphre and make things right.
He found Louis in his apartment, waiting for him. Louis looked at him, a bemused expression on his face. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Johnny Favorite. I thought I had taken care of you.”
Harry shook his head, “No, Louis. I’m Harry Angel, and I’m here to make things right.”
Louis snickered, “You’re too late, Johnny. Your soul belongs to me.”
Harry looked at him, steely determination etched on his face. “I don’t belong to anyone. I’m my own man, and I’m here to take back what’s mine.”
Louis stood up, a dangerous glint in his eye. “You’re a fool, Johnny. You’re throwing everything away for nothing.”
Harry shook his head, “No, Louis. I’m doing this for myself, for my soul, and for the people I’ve hurt.”
Louis lunged at Harry, but Harry was ready. He dodged and landed a punch that sent Louis to the ground. They fought with brutal intensity, neither willing to back down.
Finally, Harry landed a blow that sent Louis crashing to the ground. He stood over him, panting, and said, “It’s over, Louis. I’ve won.”
Louis looked up at him, a mixture of fear and anger in his eyes. “You’ll never be free, Johnny. I’ll always be with you.”
Harry smiled, “No, Louis. You’ve lost. I’m Harry Angel, and I’m finally free.”
Epiphany appeared in the doorway, a smile on her face. “Harry, it’s over. You’ve won.”
Harry looked at her, relief washing over him. “Yes, it’s finally over.”
Epiphany hugged him, “Come on, Harry. Let’s go home.”
Harry nodded, “Yes, let’s go home.”
As they walked out of the apartment, Harry felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He had faced his past and come out victorious. He was Harry Angel, and he was finally free. The End.
Some scenes from the movie Angel Heart written by A.I.
Scene 1
Genre: Horror/Mystery
Logline: A down-and-out private detective uncovers a supernatural conspiracy while searching for a missing person.
Characters:
– Harry Angel, a jaded private detective with a shady past
– Louis Cyphre, a mysterious client with a sinister aura
– Johnny Favorite, a missing person with a dark secret
– Epiphany Proudfoot, a former lover of Johnny with a connection to voodoo
– Toots Sweet, a voodoo practitioner with a shady reputation
Setting: New York City, late 1950s
Dialogue:
INT. HARRY’S OFFICE – DAY
Harry Angel sits behind his desk, staring at a photograph of a young man. The door opens, and Louis Cyphre enters.
LOUIS CYPHRE:
Mr. Angel, I have a job for you. I need you to find someone for me.
HARRY ANGEL:
(smirking)
What makes you think I’m the right man for the job?
LOUIS CYPHRE:
(studying Harry)
I’ve done my research. You have a knack for finding people who don’t want to be found.
HARRY ANGEL:
(skeptical)
Who am I looking for?
Louis slides a photograph across the desk. It’s the same one Harry was staring at.
LOUIS CYPHRE:
Johnny Favorite. He disappeared years ago, but I have reason to believe he’s still alive.
HARRY ANGEL:
(raising an eyebrow)
Why do you want him found?
LOUIS CYPHRE:
That’s none of your concern. I’ll pay you handsomely for your services.
Harry considers the offer for a moment before nodding.
HARRY ANGEL:
Alright, Mr. Cyphre. You’ve got yourself a detective.
As Louis exits, Harry stares at the photograph, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.
FADE OUT.
End of scene.
Scene 2
FADE IN:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Harry Angel sits beside the bed of Johnny Favorite, a veteran who had just returned from the war. Johnny is lying still, his eyes closed, and his breathing steady. Harry examines Johnny’s medical charts.
HARRY ANGEL
(to himself)
What did they do to you, Johnny?
A nurse walks in.
NURSE
Everything okay?
HARRY ANGEL
Just trying to piece together Johnny’s past.
NURSE
Good luck with that. Johnny’s not in any condition to talk.
Harry nods and leaves the room. He walks down the hallway, deep in thought. Suddenly, a familiar voice calls out to him.
LOUIS CYPHRE (O.S.)
Harry, my boy, how’s the investigation going?
Harry turns to see Louis Cyphre, an impeccably dressed gentleman with a mysterious aura.
HARRY ANGEL
Not much progress yet. The hospital records only show that Johnny underwent brain surgery.
Louis raises an eyebrow.
LOUIS CYPHRE
Brain surgery, you say? That’s interesting.
HARRY ANGEL
Why is that?
LOUIS CYPHRE
Let’s just say that Johnny’s condition may not be the result of the war.
Harry looks at Louis, intrigued.
HARRY ANGEL
What are you suggesting?
Louis leans in close to Harry.
LOUIS CYPHRE
I’m suggesting that there may be darker forces at play than you realize, my boy.
Harry’s eyes widen as Louis turns and walks away.
FADE OUT.
Scene 3
Characters:
1) Harry Angel (Private Detective)
2) Louis Cyphre (Mysterious Client)
3) Epiphany Proudfoot (Johnny’s former lover)
4) Johnny Favorite (Missing Person)
Setting:
New York City
FADE IN:
INT. HARRY ANGEL’S OFFICE – DAY
Harry is sitting at his desk with a pen in his hand, flipping through a file. There is a knock on the door, and Harry puts the file down to answer it.
HARRY
(Answering the door)
Good afternoon, how can I help you?
EPIPHANY
(With a devious smile)
I’m Epiphany. I have some information that might interest you.
HARRY
(Suspicious)
What kind of information?
EPIPHANY
(Sternly)
I can help you find Johnny Favorite.
HARRY
(Surprised)
How do you know about Johnny?
EPIPHANY
(Calmly)
Johnny was my lover. We were together before he went off to war.
HARRY
(Curious)
What happened to him after the war?
EPIPHANY
(Sadly)
He came back changed. He was troubled by the memories of what he had witnessed. One day, he just disappeared.
HARRY
(Concerned)
Do you have any idea where he might be?
EPIPHANY
(Calmly)
I heard that he made a deal with the devil to become a famous blues singer.
HARRY
(Skeptical)
The devil?
EPIPHANY
(Seriously)
Yes. Johnny was desperate to be famous and signed a contract with a record label owner who turned out to be the devil himself.
HARRY
(Unsure)
That sounds like a tall tale.
EPIPHANY
(Calmly)
I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the truth. Johnny told me that the devil took his soul and left him empty.
HARRY
(Confused)
What can I do to help?
EPIPHANY
(Seriously)
Find out what happened to Johnny. He deserves to be at peace.
Harry nods and agrees to take on the case. Epiphany hands him a piece of paper with a name and address.
EPIPHANY
(Calmly)
Start with this man. He was Johnny’s friend and might know something.
HARRY
(Gratefully)
Thank you, Epiphany. You have been a great help.
Epiphany leaves the office, and Harry looks at the piece of paper with the name on it, deep in thought.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
Characters:
– Harry Angel: down-and-out private detective
– Toots Sweet: voodoo practitioner
– Maxine: Toots’ assistant
Setting: Toots Sweet’s voodoo shop in New Orleans
Dialogue:
INT. TOOTS SWEET’S VOODOO SHOP – DAY
Harry enters Toots Sweet’s voodoo shop, a dimly lit room filled with various artifacts and voodoo dolls. Toots Sweet, a tall and intimidating man, stands behind the counter.
TOOTS SWEET:
What brings you to my shop, Mr. Angel?
HARRY ANGEL:
I’m looking for information on a missing person named Johnny Favorite. I heard he was involved with voodoo practices and thought you might be able to help.
TOOTS SWEET:
(studying Harry)
I can help, but it won’t come cheap. And I don’t just hand out information to anyone who walks through that door.
HARRY ANGEL:
I understand. I’ll pay whatever it takes.
Toots nods and motions for Maxine to come over.
TOOTS SWEET:
Maxine, bring out the book.
Maxine hands Toots a large, leather-bound book. Toots opens it up and begins to recite a voodoo chant.
The room starts to shake, and Harry feels a force pulling him towards Toots.
TOOTS SWEET:
The spirits are speaking to me. They say you’re not just looking for information. You’re on a mission to find Johnny Favorite’s soul.
HARRY ANGEL:
(shocked)
How did you know?
TOOTS SWEET:
The spirits don’t lie. But be warned, Mr. Angel, the journey to find a lost soul is a dangerous one.
HARRY ANGEL:
I’ll take my chances.
TOOTS SWEET:
Very well, then. The first step is to find a certain artifact – a ruby necklace. It’s said to have the power to control minds. But beware, those who possess it are often consumed by its power.
HARRY ANGEL:
(taking notes)
Where can I find it?
TOOTS SWEET:
(whispering)
In the hands of a wealthy businessman. But be careful, Mr. Angel. He’s not one to be trifled with.
Harry nods and exits the shop, determined to obtain the ruby necklace and continue his mission.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Harry Angel is sitting in his hotel room, looking at the bruises and cuts on his face from the attack earlier. He’s holding a piece of paper with a phone number written on it. He takes a deep breath and dials the number.
CUT TO:
INT. DARK ROOM – NIGHT
The phone rings, and Louis Cyphre picks it up.
Louis Cyphre: Hello?
Harry Angel: (strained voice) It’s Harry. I need to talk to you.
Louis Cyphre: (amused) My, my. You sound like you’ve had a rough night. Want to tell me about it?
Harry Angel: (frustrated) Someone is trying to control me. I keep having these visions of murders. I think they’re trying to make me do something I don’t want to do.
Louis Cyphre: (calmly) I see. And who do you think is behind this?
Harry Angel: (suspiciously) I don’t know. But I think you might have something to do with it.
Louis Cyphre: (chuckles) Oh, Harry. You always were a paranoid one. But you’re right about one thing. I am behind this.
Harry Angel: (angrily) What the hell do you want from me?
Louis Cyphre: (coldly) I want you to remember who you are, Harry. Who you really are.
Harry Angel: (confused) What are you talking about?
Louis Cyphre: (sighs) You made a deal with me, Harry. A long time ago. You wanted to be a famous blues singer, so you sold your soul to me.
Harry Angel: (in disbelief) That’s crazy.
Louis Cyphre: (mockingly) Is it? You don’t remember killing your lover and selling your soul to me? That’s why you’ve been having these visions. They’re memories that have been kept from you.
Harry Angel: (in shock) No. That can’t be true.
Louis Cyphre: (calmly) Oh, but it is, Harry. And now it’s time for you to face your past.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Harry hangs up the phone, his mind racing with the memories that have been unlocked. He knows he has to face his past if he wants to stop the visions and regain control of his life.
FADE TO BLACK.
