SNAP CITY
Episode 7: "The Marilyn Monroe Effect"
Created by Toni - SF City Hall Photographer 15+yrs
COLD OPEN
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - MORNING
MILES, SCOTT, FELIX, and TREVOR are setting up photography equipment on the City Hall steps. A BRIDE in an
elaborate white gown poses dramatically on the stairs, while her NERVOUS GROOM fidgets nearby.
MILES
Okay, we need to get these shots quick. The next wedding party arrives in thirty minutes.
SCOTT
(adjusting lighting)
This bride specifically requested to recreate classic Hollywood glamour shots. Apparently she's really into
vintage photography.
TREVOR
As long as she pays our premium "artistic vision" rate, she can pretend to be whoever she wants.
The BRIDE suddenly strikes a pose with her arms outstretched, as if wind is blowing her dress.
BRIDE
(in a breathy, Monroe-like voice)
Darling, can you capture the wind? I need to feel that iconic moment... just like when I married Joe right here
on these very steps!
NERVOUS GROOM
Honey, your name is Jennifer, and you've never been married before. Also, there's no wind today.
BRIDE
(still in Monroe voice)
Don't be silly, Joe! You know how much this place means to us! January 14th, 1954 - the happiest day of my life!
SCOTT
(confused)
Wait... did she just say 1954? And did she call him Joe?
MILES
I think she's just really into method acting or something. Let's just take the photos.
FELIX
This chick is totally crazy!
The Bride continues posing, her movements becoming increasingly erratic and vintage-Hollywood dramatic.
BRIDE
Boys, you simply must capture my essence! The camera loves me, and I love the camera! Happy birthday, Mr.
President!
NERVOUS GROOM
(to the boys, whispering)
She's been acting like this all week. I don't know what's gotten into her.
TREVOR
(taking photos)
Lady, as long as your check clears, you can pretend to be the Queen of England for all I care.
BENNY runs up, carrying extra equipment.
BENNY
Fellas! I brought the wind machine like you requested! Oh golly, is that bride doing the Marilyn Monroe pose?
BRIDE
(spinning around)
Finally! Someone who recognizes true glamour! Yes, darling, give me that subway grate wind! Let my dress dance!
Benny turns on the wind machine. The Bride's dress billows up dramatically as she laughs with delight.
BRIDE
Yes! YES! This is it! This is the shot that will make me immortal!
Felix, trying to get the perfect angle, climbs onto the railing of the City Hall steps with his camera.
FELIX
I'll get the perfect shot from up here!
As Felix leans out to photograph the billowing dress, he loses his balance and falls directly into the wind
machine's blades.
FELIX
OH SHIIIIIIT!
The wind machine blasts the space where Felix was standing. Orange parka scraps whip through the air like confetti. Felix is gone.
MILES
Where's Felix?!
SCOTT
He was just here!
BRIDE
(completely unfazed)
How wonderfully dramatic! Death and beauty, together at last! Just like my final scene!
NERVOUS GROOM
Jennifer, a person just vanished! Maybe we should call 911?
BRIDE
Don't call me Jennifer! I'm Marilyn! And the show must go on!
The Bride continues posing dramatically while Felix's remains are scattered around the steps.
FADE TO:
SNAP CITY
THE MARILYN MONROE EFFECT
ACT ONE
INT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - ROTUNDA - LATER
The boys are reviewing the photos on Scott's camera while the BRIDE continues to pose dramatically around the
rotunda. Felix reappears from behind a pillar, parka damp, scrolling to one perfect frame on his camera.
SCOTT
(looking at camera screen)
Guys, you need to see these photos. There's something really weird about them.
MILES
Weird how?
SCOTT
Look at this shot of the bride. There's this strange glow around her, and... is that another face superimposed
over hers?
The boys crowd around the camera screen. In the photo, there's clearly a translucent second face overlaying
the bride's features.
TREVOR
That's just double exposure or some camera glitch. Happens all the time with cheap equipment.
MILES
But we're using digital cameras, fatass. Double exposure isn't really a thing anymore.
FELIX
That bride is definitely possessed or something.
The BRIDE approaches them, still speaking in her breathy Monroe voice.
BRIDE
Boys, I simply must see the photos! I want to make sure you captured my good side. Though really, darling, all
my sides are good sides!
SCOTT
(showing her the camera)
Actually, can you explain this? There seems to be... another face in the photo with you.
The Bride looks at the photo and gasps dramatically.
BRIDE
Oh my! How marvelous! You can see both of us! Jennifer was always such a plain little thing, but I've made her
so much more glamorous!
MILES
Both of you? What do you mean both of you?
BRIDE
Well, I'm Marilyn, obviously! And she's Jennifer, the boring little bride who was getting married in MY dress,
at MY special place! I simply couldn't allow such a travesty!
BENNY
Oh man! Are you saying you're possessed by Marilyn Monroe's ghost?
BRIDE
Possessed is such an ugly word, sweetie. I prefer "glamorously enhanced!"
GREG suddenly appears, carrying a camera covered in crystals and celebrity magazine clippings.
GREG
Boys! I felt a massive celebrity ghost energy disturbance coming from City Hall! My fame-detector camera has
been going crazy!
MILES
Dad, what the hell is a fame-detector camera?
GREG
It detects residual celebrity energy! Famous people leave psychic imprints in places where they had emotionally
significant moments! And City Hall is like celebrity ghost central!
Greg points his camera at the Bride. It starts beeping rapidly and flashing.
GREG
OH MY GOD! This woman is radiating massive celebrity energy! Like, A-list, iconic status energy!
TREVOR
(eyes lighting up)
Celebrity energy? You mean she's actually possessed by Marilyn Monroe? Do you know how much money people would
pay to see that?
SCOTT
Trevor, you can't monetize a supernatural possession!
TREVOR
The hell I can't! "Meet the Real Marilyn Monroe at City Hall!" We could charge $100 per photo session!
BRIDE
(pleased)
Oh, you're a smart boy! I always did love my fans! And publicity, of course!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL appears, wearing a clipboard and looking stern.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
Hold up, bros! I'm the new City Hall Supernatural Phenomena Coordinator! Any ghost interactions need to follow
proper cultural sensitivity protocols!
MILES
There's a City Hall Supernatural Phenomena Coordinator?
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
As of this morning, bro! Can't have people exploiting historic spirits without proper consent and representation
guidelines!
BRIDE
Consent? Darling, I'm Marilyn Monroe! I invented consent! Well, except for that whole thing with the President,
but that's different!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
We need to ensure that any supernatural documentation respects the cultural impact and legacy issues surrounding
deceased celebrities!
TREVOR
Look, Permit Principal, as long as the ghost wants to be photographed, what's the problem?
The GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN suddenly materializes next to them.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
There's a big problem! Marilyn Monroe's spirit isn't supposed to be here!
BRIDE
(turning to face the ghost)
Oh, hello Diane! Still haunting City Hall, I see? How quaint!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Marilyn, you need to return to wherever celebrity ghosts are supposed to be! City Hall has its own spiritual
ecosystem!
BRIDE
But Diane, darling, this place holds such wonderful memories! Joe and I were so happy here, even if it didn't
last!
SCOTT
Wait, Marilyn Monroe really did get married here? That's not just the possession talking?
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Oh yes, January 14th, 1954. She married Joe DiMaggio right here at City Hall. It was quite the event!
GREG
That explains the celebrity energy buildup! The dome is 42 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol dome because it
channels and amplifies emotional imprints from significant life events!
MILES
So the dome made her ghost stronger?
GREG
Exactly! All that celebrity marriage energy has been building up for 70 years! And now it's reached critical
mass!
The Bride suddenly staggers, her voice shifting between Monroe's breathy tone and a normal voice.
BRIDE
(normal voice)
Help me! I'm Jennifer! She won't let me...
BRIDE
(Monroe voice again)
Hush now, darling! We're having such a lovely photo session!
NERVOUS GROOM
Jennifer! Baby, fight it! Come back to me!
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
INT. CITY HALL - CITY HISTORIAN'S OFFICE - LATER
Miles and Scott are meeting with the CITY HISTORIAN, an elderly woman surrounded by books and historical
documents. The office walls are covered with photos of City Hall through the decades.
CITY HISTORIAN
So you're telling me that Marilyn Monroe's ghost has possessed a bride during her wedding photoshoot?
SCOTT
I know it sounds crazy, but we have photographic evidence, and multiple witnesses.
MILES
Is there anything in the city records about supernatural activity related to Monroe's wedding here?
CITY HISTORIAN
(pulling out a thick file)
Funny you should ask. There have been reports over the years. Brides acting strangely, photographers capturing
unusual images, security guards hearing singing late at night...
She opens the file, revealing decades of incident reports and strange photographs.
CITY HISTORIAN
Look at this photo from 1984. A bride insisted on recreating Monroe's poses, and you can clearly see a second
figure in the image.
SCOTT
This has been happening for thirty years?
CITY HISTORIAN
Longer than that. The earliest report was from 1962, just a few months after Monroe's death. A bride claimed she
felt "guided" during her photoshoot.
MILES
So Monroe's ghost has been haunting wedding photography here for decades?
CITY HISTORIAN
It seems that way. But this is the first time we've had such a complete possession. Usually, it's just...
influences.
INT. CITY HALL - ROTUNDA - SAME TIME
Meanwhile, Trevor has set up a booth with a sign reading "MEET THE REAL MARILYN MONROE - PHOTOS $50!" A long
line of TOURISTS has formed. The possessed Bride is posing with visitors while Felix (back from nowhere) takes
photos.
TREVOR
(collecting money)
Step right up! Get your photo with the authentic ghost of Marilyn Monroe! No refunds, no touching, cash only!
TOURIST 1
Is she really possessed by Marilyn Monroe?
BRIDE
(in full Monroe voice)
Of course, darling! Who else could look this fabulous while being dead for sixty years?
Felix is trying to recreate the iconic subway grate photo, positioning a small wind machine under a grate in
the floor.
FELIX
I'll get the perfect wind-blown dress shot.
Felix positions himself directly under the grate to get the upward angle. He turns on the wind machine just as
the Bride poses above.
BRIDE
Oh, this is wonderful! Just like the subway in New York!
The wind machine malfunctions, shooting a powerful blast of air upward. Felix is launched through the grate
and flies directly into the dome ceiling.
FELIX
NOT AGAAAAAAIN!
Felix is flung toward the dome, hits the curve, and is gone before anyone sees him land. Only a damp streak remains on the glass.
TOURIST 2
Where's Felix?!
TREVOR
He was just here! And you'll pay extra for the exclusive photos!
BRIDE
(delighted)
How thrilling! Death and glamour, together again! Just like my movies!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL approaches with his clipboard.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
This whole operation is highly problematic! You're exploiting both a deceased celebrity AND a possessed living
person without proper consent protocols!
TREVOR
She's consenting! The ghost is consenting! What more do you want?
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
But what about the rights of the original bride? Has Jennifer consented to being possessed?
The Bride suddenly staggers again, switching voices.
BRIDE
(Jennifer's voice)
No! I didn't consent to any of this! I just wanted normal wedding photos!
BRIDE
(Monroe voice)
Oh, hush! Normal is so boring! I'm making you fabulous!
NERVOUS GROOM
Jennifer, please! Our families are here! Our wedding is ruined!
Greg appears with his celebrity detector camera, which is now smoking and sparking.
GREG
The celebrity energy is off the charts! My camera can't handle this much fame! The dome is amplifying her star
power exponentially!
BENNY
Maybe we should get an exorcist or something? This doesn't seem healthy for Jennifer!
TREVOR
Are you crazy? This is the best business opportunity we've ever had! We're making more money in one day than we
usually make in a month!
The Ghost of Diane Feinstein reappears, looking concerned.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Boys, you need to stop this immediately. Marilyn's spirit is getting stronger by the hour. Soon, she'll
completely overpower Jennifer's consciousness!
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, more confident)
And what would be wrong with that, Diane? I'm much more interesting than some suburban bride!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Because it's not your body, Marilyn! You need to move on!
BRIDE
But I'm having so much fun! And the cameras love me! They always have!
Miles and Scott return from the historian's office, running urgently.
MILES
Guys! We found out how to stop this!
SCOTT
According to the city historian, Monroe's ghost only appears when someone tries to recreate her wedding
photography! If we stop taking photos, she should lose power!
TREVOR
Stop taking photos? Are you insane? We've got a line of customers around the block!
CUT TO:
ACT THREE
INT. CITY HALL - ROTUNDA - CONTINUOUS
The crowd of tourists is getting larger and more excited. The possessed Bride is becoming increasingly
theatrical, while Felix (back from nowhere) continues trying to get the perfect Monroe-style photo.
SCOTT
We have to shut this down! Jennifer is disappearing more each time Monroe takes control!
TREVOR
But think of the money! We could franchise this! "Monroe's Ghost Tours" in every major city!
MILES
Trevor, a woman's soul is being stolen by a celebrity ghost!
TREVOR
And people are paying $50 to see it! Supply and demand, Miles!
Felix has set up an elaborate wind machine system to recreate the subway grate photo. He's wearing a helmet
this time.
FELIX
This time I'll get the perfect shot!
The Bride poses over the grate as Felix turns on the wind machines. The dress billows perfectly, but Felix
gets caught in the updraft and is blown through a window.
FELIX
WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!
Felix vanishes into the smoke of a hot dog cart that chooses this moment to explode outside.
TOURIST 3
Felix vanished again!
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, delighted)
Marvelous! Such dedication to the art of photography! That boy really knows how to make an exit!
Permit Principal tries to intervene with his clipboard.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
This is getting out of hand! We need to implement immediate safety protocols for supernatural photography
sessions!
GREG
(camera now shooting sparks)
The celebrity energy is reaching critical mass! The dome can't contain this much fame! It's going to create a
feedback loop!
The dome above them begins to glow with an eerie light, and photographs start materializing in the air -
images of Monroe from throughout her career.
SCOTT
Look! The dome is projecting Monroe's life through photography!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
The dome is trying to help! It's showing Marilyn her complete story - including the end!
The floating photographs show Monroe's career, marriages, struggles, and finally, her tragic death.
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, becoming emotional)
Oh... I remember now. The loneliness, the pills, the sadness... I wasn't always happy, was I?
NERVOUS GROOM
(stepping forward)
Jennifer doesn't have to be lonely! She has me, and our families, and a whole life ahead of her!
BRIDE
(Jennifer's voice breaking through)
David? Is that you? I'm so scared... she won't let me go...
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, weaker)
But I just wanted to be loved... to be remembered...
MILES
You are remembered! Everyone knows who you are! But Jennifer deserves her own life!
SCOTT
And her own wedding photos! With her own memories!
The dome's light intensifies, showing more recent photos - Jennifer's childhood, her relationship with David,
their engagement.
BRIDE
(Jennifer's voice, stronger)
Those are my memories! My life! I want my wedding back!
TREVOR
(still thinking about money)
Can't you share? Like a timeshare situation? Monroe Mondays, Jennifer Tuesdays?
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Marilyn, you need to let her go. This isn't your second chance - it's stealing someone else's first chance.
Felix returns from a locked service stairwell, now wearing a full suit of armor and carrying a camera with one impossible frame on the screen.
FELIX
I'm getting that photo.
Felix sets up one final, elaborate wind machine array and positions himself in a protective cage.
FELIX
This time nothing can go wrong!
As Felix activates the wind machines, the cage is torn apart by the wind, and Felix is sucked into the HVAC
system, disappearing with a metallic clanging sound.
BENNY
Oh man! Felix got sucked into the air conditioning!
BRIDE
(both voices overlapping)
I just wanted... / I just wanted... / to be beautiful... / my wedding day...
The dome's light focuses into a single beam, and the Ghost of Diane Feinstein extends her hand toward the
Bride.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Marilyn, come with me. It's time to rest. Let Jennifer have her moment.
CUT TO:
ACT FOUR
INT. CITY HALL - ROTUNDA - CONTINUOUS
The dome's light creates a swirling vortex above them. The possessed Bride stands in the center, torn between
two spirits fighting for control.
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, fading)
But the cameras... the glamour... I was so beautiful when I was here with Joe...
NERVOUS GROOM
Jennifer is beautiful too! She doesn't need to be anyone else!
BRIDE
(Jennifer's voice, fighting)
I am beautiful! This is MY wedding day! In MY dress! At MY ceremony!
Greg's camera finally explodes from celebrity energy overload, sending sparks everywhere.
GREG
The celebrity energy has reached maximum capacity! The dome can't handle this much fame!
SCOTT
(to Miles)
We need to do something! She's being torn apart by two different personalities!
MILES
The historian said Monroe only appears during wedding photography. What if we destroy all the cameras?
TREVOR
Are you insane? Those cameras are worth thousands of dollars!
SCOTT
A woman's life is worth more than camera equipment!
Scott starts smashing cameras while Trevor tries to stop him.
TREVOR
No! Stop! We can work this out! We can negotiate!
As each camera is destroyed, the Monroe personality gets weaker.
BRIDE
(Monroe voice, weaker)
The cameras... without the cameras, I'm just... a memory...
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
And memories are what you should be, Marilyn. Beautiful memories of a beautiful person.
Permit Principal finally gets involved constructively.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
You know what? This situation requires direct action! Nobody should be forced to share their identity!
Permit Principal helps Scott destroy the remaining cameras.
BRIDE
(Jennifer's voice, growing stronger)
I can feel myself coming back! David, is that you?
NERVOUS GROOM
I'm here, Jennifer! Come back to me!
Felix crashes through the ceiling, having traveled through the entire HVAC system.
FELIX
Did I miss anything?
Felix drops back into frame from above and lands beside the last remaining camera, which somehow already holds his shot.
TREVOR
Felix! That was a $3000 camera!
As the final camera is destroyed, the dome's light fades, and the Bride collapses. When she looks up, she's
clearly Jennifer again.
BRIDE
(Jennifer's normal voice)
David? What happened? Why is everyone staring at me? And why do I taste lipstick?
NERVOUS GROOM
(hugging her)
You were possessed by Marilyn Monroe's ghost! But you're back now!
BRIDE
Possessed? That's ridiculous! Although... I do feel like I just had the most amazing dream about being a movie
star...
The Ghost of Diane Feinstein appears one more time, alongside a translucent figure of MARILYN MONROE.
GHOST OF MARILYN MONROE
Thank you, boys. I got a little carried away there. Being famous can be... intoxicating.
MILES
Are you going to be okay now?
GHOST OF MARILYN MONROE
I think so. I remember now that my happiness came from being myself, not from trying to possess someone else's
life.
SCOTT
I've learned something today. Sometimes the most beautiful photographs aren't about recreating the past -
they're about capturing genuine moments in the present.
MILES
And celebrity worship can be dangerous when it makes us forget about the real people around us.
TREVOR
I've learned that next time I have a supernatural money-making opportunity, I should invest in better camera
insurance.
FELIX
I've learned to avoid wind machines forever.
BENNY
And I learned that possession is really mean! Nobody should steal someone else's wedding day!
The two ghosts begin to fade away.
GHOST OF MARILYN MONROE
Jennifer, darling, I hope your marriage is everything mine wasn't. Be happy, be yourself, and don't let anyone
else define your beauty.
BRIDE
Thank you... Marilyn. That's actually really sweet advice.
The ghosts disappear, and the dome returns to its normal lighting.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - EVENING
Jennifer and David are finally taking their normal wedding photos on the steps, looking genuinely happy. The
boys are using a simple film camera that Benny found in the equipment closet.
BRIDE
You know what? I don't need glamorous Hollywood poses. I just want pictures of us being us.
NERVOUS GROOM
That's all I ever wanted too.
SCOTT
These are going to be beautiful photos. Real and honest.
TREVOR
(calculating)
And we're only charging them half price since their original session was... disrupted.
MILES
That's surprisingly decent of you, Trevor.
TREVOR
Well, I already made $12,000 from the ghost photos before you guys ruined everything.
Greg approaches with a new camera, this one covered in wedding-related decorations.
GREG
Boys! I've modified my camera to detect "love energy" instead of celebrity energy! This is going to
revolutionize wedding photography!
MILES
Dad, please don't start another supernatural photography incident.
GREG
Don't worry, Miles! Love energy is much safer than celebrity energy! What could possibly go wrong?
Greg's camera immediately starts smoking when pointed at the happy couple.
GREG
Okay, maybe love energy is more powerful than I thought...
TAG
INT. FELIX'S HOUSE - FELIX'S ROOM - ONE WEEK LATER
Felix is in his room, looking at the photos from the Monroe incident. In one photo, both ghosts are clearly
visible, waving goodbye.
FELIX
You know, dying multiple times in one day really puts things in perspective. At least ghosts are usually pretty
polite about it.
Felix notices something else in the photo - in the background, there's another translucent figure that looks
suspiciously like JOE DiMAGGIO.
FELIX
Oh, come on! Are there MORE celebrity ghosts at City Hall?
Felix's phone rings. It's Miles.
MILES
(voice, over phone)
Felix? We just got a call about a groom who thinks he's possessed by Joe DiMaggio's ghost...
FELIX
(sighing)
I'll get my helmet.
FADE OUT.
THE END
EPISODE 7: THE MARILYN MONROE EFFECT