Lew Ayres: Jason Burke

Salem's Lot

Jason Burke

Jason Berk: [holding crucifix in front of vampire Mike] I revoke my invitation. Get out.
Mike Ryerson: [raises hands in defence] You'll sleep with the dead, teacher.

Jason Berk: [at a restaurant, asking Ben about his new novel] Marsten House still the centre of the story?
Ben Mears: Yep.
Jason Berk: How about the Glick boys? You connect them with the house?
Ben Mears: Everything in Salem's Lot is connected to that house. You can see it from every part of the town. It's like a beacon throwing off an energy force.
[Mike Ryerson stumbles against the table]
Jason Berk: Mike!
Mike Ryerson: [weakly] Hello, Mister Burke.
Jason Berk: Mike... are you on something?
Mike Ryerson: No.
Jason Berk: Drugs?
Mike Ryerson: Sick. I feel sick.
Jason Berk: Since when?
Mike Ryerson: First... I found my dog dead. Then there was the funeral yesterday. I fell asleep on Harmony Hill. Didn't wake up until morning.
Ben Mears: This was after Danny Glick's funeral?
Mike Ryerson: Ayuh.
Mike Ryerson: I went back to finish... Royal wasn't there. Started to feel... sick.
[looks around for a waitress revealing bite marks on his neck as he turns his head]
Mike Ryerson: Can I have a drink?
Ben Mears: [to waitress] Miss? Whiskey?
Jason Berk: What *do* you remember, Mike?
Mike Ryerson: Singing.
Jason Berk: Singing?
Mike Ryerson: Sweetest singing I ever heard. And a feeling like drowning. And eyes... eyes.
Jason Berk: Whose eyes?
Mike Ryerson: Bright... scary.
Ben Mears: Whose?
Mike Ryerson: Don't remember.

Mike Ryerson: [Mike is describing his nightmarish dreams after falling asleep at Harmony Hill Cemetery] I dreamed...
Ben Mears: You slept there all night?
Mike Ryerson: Yeah... All night.
Jason Berk: What about last night?
Mike Ryerson: I remember... a dream.
[gestures with his hand]
Mike Ryerson: Somebody... out there. And I... let him in.
Ben Mears: [engrossed] Who?
Mike Ryerson: [weakly] I don't know.
Jason Berk: Listen to me, Mike. Mike?
[Mike focuses and listens]
Jason Berk: Mike, I want you to stay at my house tonight. Will you do that for me? We'll arrange to see Doctor Norton tomorrow.
Mike Ryerson: [weakly] All right. I don't care.

Jason Berk: [brings some pajamas in for Mike] I hope these will be all right.
[notices Mike's neck]
Jason Berk: Mike, turn your head... this way
[Mike complies]
Jason Berk: Where did you get these marks?
Mike Ryerson: Hmmm. I don't know.
Jason Berk: [goes and shuts window, locking it] Now, call me in the night if you want anything. *Anything*. Even if you have a bad dream. Will you be sure to do that?
Mike Ryerson: [whispers] Yes.
Jason Berk: Now anything... I mean it!
[concerned]
Jason Berk: I'll be right down the hall.
Mike Ryerson: [absently] I will.