Leimert Park

"**Leimert Park**" is the third episode in the first season of *City of Ghosts*. It is the third episode overall.

## Synopsis

Drumming noises at Sonya's café keep waking up her neighbor. Eva and the Ghost Club gather clues by exploring Leimert Park's musical history.

## Plot

We start with Zelda singing gibberish vocal exercises, and then starting the show. She hands it over to Eva, who shows us all around Leimert Park. Then, in an interview, Sonya talks about her career; she runs a vegan café during the day and teaches children poetry at night. Now behind the counter, Sonya tells Eva about how the coffee machine is acting weird, and as she says this, the coffee machine begins randomly releasing steam. Sonya gives an example of a free-style poem, and then shows us a glimpse into her poetry class. When she walks into the poetry room, she yells at the kids for being loud, and then notices a man peering at them from outside. Later, when Sonya is in the parking lot, she sees that same man getting angry over the loud drum music coming from the poetry workshop..

We now see that man, who had reported the poetry class for being too loud, explaining to the police what happened. Sonya explains she's afraid of losing the poetry workshop. Eva goes to the man to interview him. He tells her that he's Steve and he's a teacher; he says that he gets up early to teach, and stays up late grading papers, so he is already sleep deprived. The drum music from the poetry music makes it hard for him to sleep the few hours he can. He then slams the door on her, and she says it's time to meet with the Ghost Club.

At the library, Zelda shows Eva some footage they got of paranormal activity in the café; smoothie flavors randomly sloshing around, spoons levitating and hitting jars, and random tapping on glass. Thomas says that they think the ghost really likes music, which they agree with because Leimert Park is filled with musicians.

Barbara Morrison the owner of the Jazz and Blues museum, talks about the park, and how it used to be filled with musicians; when the fence was built around it, the musicians had to leave, but the park still remains the heartbeat of the community.

Back at the cafe, the Ghost Club explains to Sonya that they think the ghost is a drummer, and they ask her to write a poem for it. But as she gives her freestyle poem about poached eggs and toast, the ghost interrupts her, getting in the way of her creative flow. As she keeps trying throughout the day, the ghost criticizes her poems, and then becomes visible.

Darryl (the ghost) introduces himself to everybody. He explains that beating on stuff and finding rhythms is just how he got into music. He shows this by explaining how to make music on an old '60's Cadillac. He explains Leimert Park used to be be more musical, but the community eventually faded away; this story is conveyed through wooden blocks and peg dolls. He explains that he's just trying to get them all to be more free, and starts a cypher (a type of poetry circle with drumming).

Eva invites Steve to open mic night, and that's what we cut to; both him and Barbara attend, as well as many others. Eva goes first, giving her poem about Leimert Park. She then gets Steve to give his own verse, followed by Barbara, who sings it very soulfully.

They all give their rap-ups on what happens, and the episode ends.

## Characters

### Major Characters

* Eva
* Sonya
* Darryl Moore

### Minor Characters

* Zelda
* Thomas
* Peter
* Steve
* Barbara Morrison

### Mentioned or Pictured

* Mr. Hines
* Jordan (voice heard)

## Trivia

### Cultural References

* Darryl talks about how Mr. Hines had a '66 or '65 Cadillac