Morning Light

Long ago, in the deep south, in a medicine shack outside a shanty town, a young man with a guitar, LUKE MODINE, makes a deal with a frightening Buja woman for guitar skills unlike any other. But at what cost? In a gritty modern-day city, PETER NORRIS, a jaded blues guitarist whose debut album went nowhere, dreams of recognition and success. One night at the local blues club, The Savoy, Peter recognizes something about the unique guitar style of Lucas Modine, the sophisticated black man headlining, but really notices the stunning blonde, KIRSTA ARNAUD, at the band table. JAMES GILLARD, his best friend and police detective, is struggling to get to the bottom of a rash of murders. Peter charms his way into Lucas and Kirsta’s circle, intent on finding out more about both of them while the murder stress continues. By getting closer to Kirsta and joining Lucas on stage, Peter’s life couldn’t get any better. But when Peter’s ex is killed and was last seen with Lucas, Peter lashes out at everyone by becoming obsessed by the strange coincidences between Lucas and an obscure blues legend who disappeared in the 1920s, Luke Modine. TONY, a charming rogue and old friend of Lucas and Kirsta, appears one night at the club, shaking up their dynamic. With the murder spree continuing, Peter, Lucas, and Kirsta get closer. Tony, quite the ladies man, picks up a woman at the club, unaware of the array of drugs she has taken. Tony takes her back to her apartment and kills her - he’s a vampire and responsible for the killings! Out of his mind on the womans drugged blood, Tony climbs to the top of the tower only to die in a fiery blast when the morning sun hits him, leaving James and the police department confused by his ancient ashes. Meanwhile, Peter discovers an old photograph of Luke’ The Saint’ Modine and the white girl he ran off with. They are identical to Lucas and Kirsta. Unable to reconcile what he is seeing, Peter visits an occult shop where he learns of a Priest who might help him with his dilemma. Tormented, Peter tells his confusing story to the rugged 60-year old PRIEST, who promises to look into it for him. Lucas and Kirsta are suffering the death of Tony, taking their anger out on each other in their apartment. When the Priest calls Peter back in to tell him that his research can prove that Lucas and Kirsta are vampires, Peter explodes in anger and leaves. But, feeling guilty, he admits what he has done to Lucas and Kirsta. Forced by his actions, they show him the truth. They are vampires and have been since 1910. Meanwhile, the Priest decides to take action, attacking Lucas and Kirsta. He fails twice but then goes to the police, and James, with his story. Worried about his friend, James tries to confront Lucas but finds out that Peter is involved with whatever the hell is going on. The Priest hides in their apartment after the police leave. The next morning, the Priest attacks again, while Lucas and Kirsta sleep, but Peter arrives to fight him before he can burn them with sunlight. With the Priest dead, Lucas and Kirsta quickly pack to leave the city for good. But Lucas realizes his beloved guitar is still at the Savoy! Unwilling to leave it behind, they race to the club, unaware the police are following. Lucas and Peter find James waiting inside. Discovering the police are converging, they knock James out and make a run for it, police in hot pursuit. After a frantic chase, Kirsta and Lucas make a decision, and, with Peter in the back seat, crash their car into a dark river, sinking below the surface, gone forever. James, angry at the police response, quits the force for good. Many years later, a 70-year-old James runs Peter’s record shop, content in a blues life. Across the world, long before morning light, Peter, Lucas, and Kirsta stroll through an airport, forever youthful.