Бесплатный фрагмент - The Chronicles of the Counts Dracula-Cardie
Adapted from Baron Olshevris novel "Vampires"
OPENING TO EACH EPISODE
Glimpses of hooves of the horses galloping through the forest. Again the sound of laughter and flashes of sunlight among the trees.
Blue shards of the sky high above and wistful laughter of the beautiful stranger in the blue dress as she vanishes in the rays of the sun
The horse rears up, throwing its rider off
SMITH
Are you alright?
HARRY
I saw Her…
INT – CARDIE’S CASTLE — DAYTIME
A gust of wind blows across the abandoned halls of the Cardie’s castle, reaching the open piano in the main room. Crimson rose petals are scattered on the ancient ivory keys, they shift as the wind stirs them
TITLE: 1912
RITA’S VOICE
(whispering behind the scenes)
Your love gave me back my life… Your love gave me back my life…
The wind swirls and the petals fall to the floor
EXT – MOUNTAINS IN PERU — DAYTIME – MEMORIES
TITLE: 1770
YOUNG DRACULA (27 years old), the INTERPRETER and the OLD GUIDE stand in front of the cave decorated with carvings of Indian idols. Their clothes wave in the strong wind that blows from the mouth of the cave. The old guide shakes his head and pleads in his native tongue, his very manner indicating that it is forbidden to go further
YOUNG DRACULA
What is he saying?
INTERPRETER
We cannot go any further. Anyone who does will doom himself to eternal torment and bring curse upon his descendants.
YOUNG DRACULA
The main thing is that it’s eternal… Give him a scare of offer some money — we must get into the temple, whatever it takes!
The interpreter persuades the old man, but the latter pushes the interpreter away and falls on his knees in front of the count. He points to the sky, where a huge eagle flies. The old man almost faints in horror, when the eagle rushes down. The old guide covers his head with hands and wails
OLD GUIDE
(in Spanish)
Death, death, it is already following us, and we ourselves are going to meet it.
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – IN SURROUNDING FORESTS OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SAME SUMMER DAY
HARRY (27 years old), CAPTAIN WRIGHT (31 year old), JAMES (30 years old) and GEORGES (20 years old) rush on horses across the forest. The riders sweep past a Hunting House.
EXT-IN THE SKY OVER THE CASTLE FOREST-SAME SUMMER DAY
From above an EAGLE flies and looks down: there is a valley with a lake below. On one side of the valley there is a gloomy medieval Cardie’s castle, and a bit away from the valley, in the lowland of the forest, there is a Hunting House.
The Eagle descends at high speed and rushes on a white Dove — this happens in the sky over the clearing, where Harry has stopped in the woods…
HARRY: (27 years old, a loafer, millionaire, descendant of the Dracula-Cardie family, confident, eccentric, sometimes unscrupulous, sexy, used to get what he wants, he and Rita are two of a kind. He is a comrade-in-arm of Captain Wright and James.
EXT-FOREST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SAME SUMMER DAY
Harry has lost his way during the hunt. His horse stands in a clearing in the woods. Harry seems that a woman’s blue dress flits in the trees and a female laughter is heard.
Harry is distracted by the eagle and the dove — looks to the sky, he can see the eagle attacking the dove, this happens over his head.
Harry looks at the trees again, where the blue dress has just flashed. There is nothing. Harry looks around, looking for the owner of the dress.
The horse knickers and takes off.
INT – DINING ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — EVENING OF THE SAME DAY
Harry, James, Captain Wright, Georges, Harry’s attorney and doctor, KARL IVANOVICH (50 years old), have supper after hunting at the wooden table
Harry wipes his hands with a napkin
HARRY
I think I saw her.
Karl Ivanovich sorts some records on his knees
KARL IVANOVICH: 50 years old, a librarian, Harry’s attorney in castle affairs. A quiet, well-educated, intelligent-looking old man, wearing glasses because of poor eyesight, half-Russian
KARL IVANOVICH
(takes off his glasses)
Her?
Harry puts his napkin aside and looks at everyone
HARRY
The ghost from the castle: the blue dress, dark hair.
Georges drops his fork under the table. James pours himself a glass of wine
JAMES: 30 years old, an Englishman, military interrogator, positive hero in all senses, conscientious, man with principles, generous, good friend. A comrade-in-arm of Captain Wright and Harry, aristocrat
JAMES
Harry, what makes you think it was her? Maybe some local pulled your leg.
Harry puts a scarlet rose on the table
HARRY
Found in the forest.
Captain Wright takes the flower
CAPTAIN WRIGHT: 31 year old, an Englishman, cool cynic, skeptic, typical military man, it is hard for him to admit his weaknesses. Rarely smiling, traditionalist in everything. Captain is a true friend, smokes a lot. Introvert, aristocrat
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(examining the rose)
Such roses certainly don’t grow in the forest.
JAMES
I guess once we move into the castle all that is hidden will become revealed.
Georges shifts in his chair, is a little nervous
GEORGES: 20 years old, amorous, a bit naive, unspoiled young man. Georges is a virgin, aristocrat, student
GEORGES
I saw her too, she was beautiful like an angel.
Captain Wright abstracts himself from the rose and looks at Georges
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Well, that’s something new.
Karl Ivanovich puts the papers aside
KARL IVANOVICH
Stories about lake women are taking new forms.
Harry takes a sip of wine from his glass
HARRY
I tell you, this woman is from the castle! The LAKE MAIDEN has fair hair, and the beauty from the forest is dark-haired. I saw it myself.
Captain Wright lights up a cigar
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Maybe there are their own mermaids in the forest?
Harry puts his glass on the table
HARRY
I understand, you don’t believe me.
Captain Wright throws the rose on the table, stands up from his seat, pushes back his chair.
His cigar emits smoke in the ashtray. Captain takes it and smokes
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Village tales are like the village beer — thorn apples.
EXT-WITCHES” VALLEY – SUMMER NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY
Mist twists above the lake. White nenufare opens its petals, swaying gently. It rises above the water, its stem is no longer the stem, but a slim body of a woman. It is the LAKE MAIDEN (aka Maria, 23 years old)
She has a pale face with big blue eyes, and there are white nenufares in her loose golden hair.
Her body is translucent as if woven from silver threads.
The air over the lake is filled with inaudible sounds, female laughter is heard.
The Lake Maiden as if floats on air and whispers something with her lips.
White snowstorm of petals of white nenufares rises over the lake, following her.
INT-ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY
Harry, Captain Wright, James and Georges slouch in the living room.
Karl Ivanovich lays a notebook in front of him
KARL IVANOVICH
(puts on the glasses)
I will read you the teacher’s diary.
JAMES
Quiet, gentlemen, quiet.
KARL IVANOVICH
(reads the teacher’s diary)
None of the villagers has seen him from that night. My suspicion that there was something fatal linking the “incidents’, left me.
INT – STUDY IN THE TEACHER’S COUNTRY HOUSE-DAYTIME, THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
The TEACHER (28 years old) sits at the table in his study and writes. A pen in his hand slides on the paper.
TITLE: 1852
TEACHER’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
Yesterday my doubts came back. Heinrich the hunter had disappeared.
INT – LIVING ROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — SAME DAY
Heinrich’s sister, MARIA (25 years old) cries in the teacher’s house. The teacher and his sister MINA (30 years old) comfort her
MARIA
(wipes her tears)
My brother is missing! He went hunting early on Friday morning, promising to return in time for the evening service.
TEACHER
(walks about the room)
Don’t cry, we will find Heinrich.
MARIA
(knits a sock)
The rumor in the village says that the only place where we should look for him is the Witches’ Valley.
Mina crosses herself after Maria’s words
TEACHER
(stands still, looking at them)
So let’s go to the valley. But why should he be there?
MINA
(knitting)
Even though Michel, the ironsmith, was found in the Witches’ Valley, it was only because he was dead drunk.
TEACHER
(scratching his head)
That’s right. His hunting field is on the opposite side, in the mountains.
MINA
(puts knitting on her knees)
The brother is right, they won’t find your Heinrich in the Valley.
The teacher looks reproachfully at his sister. She understands that she is saying the wrong thing and becomes silent. Maria cries again
END OF THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
INT – ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — SAME NIGHT
Karl Ivanovich pauses and puts the notebook down
TITLE: 1912
HARRY
(claps his hands)
Tomorrow we are spending the night at the Hunting House. It’s just near the Valley.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(yawns in the armchair)
Right now I don’t understand anything.
HARRY
(smokes his cigar)
You will understand once a witch gets hold of you.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(lazily)
What is it, the Witches’ Valley?
JAMES
(takes whisky off the table)
I thought you knew.
HARRY
(blows smoke rings)
The Valley is located at the foot of a mountain, on top of which the castle stands. In the valley’s centre there is a lake. The lakeshore is very swampy and at sunsets mists rise from its water.
He breathes out another portion of smoke
JAMES
(holds the glass of whisky in his hand)
It was this very mist that gave rise to all the legends.
HARRY
(gesticulating with his cigar in the air)
In the moonlight the mist takes on forms of beautiful women.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Not bad.
HARRY
Everyone who ended up in the Witches’ Valley on full moon was found dead.
JAMES
The lake women drink a man’s life with their kisses.
Drinks his glass of whisky at a draught
VILLAGE DOCTOR (48 years old) enters the living room
VILLAGE DOCTOR
Of course he will die, the lake water is stagnant and rotten.
Everyone looks at him
HARRY
(makes a hand gesture in his direction)
Doctor, you may pay for your lack of belief.
VILLAGE DOCTOR
(sits down in a spare chair)
If a drunk makes his way to the swamp, he will either drown or catch a fever.
The front door claps on the ground floor (sound behind the scenes).
EXT – VILLAGE INN — SAME SUMMER NIGHT
It is dark outside. Crickets sing.
INT – ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — SAME NIGHT
Harry and his guests sit in a room with a fireplace.
Georges sleeps. Karl Ivanovich looks into the notebook
KARL IVANOVICH
(rearranges his glasses and reads)
It was only after he regained consciousness that we were able to pry open his fingers. There was the medallion of Holy Virgin.
HARRY
I guess we have missed something, haven’t we?
KARL IVANOVICH
Yes, there is a gap in the records.
EXT – WITCHES” VALLEY – SUMMER EVENING, HEINRICH’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
TITLE: 1852
HEINRICH — the hunter (20 years old) sits on the ledge of one of the rocks near a hawthorn bush.
The moon is bright. Mist rises from the lake.
Heinrich leans towards the hawthorn bush, smells the fragrance of its flowers and yawns.
Suddenly a gust of wind shakes the bush and a hawthorn branch strikes Heinrich on his chest — in an instant, white flowers cover him.
A white veil covers Heinrich. The veil shines and in the middle of it a beautiful female face appears, pale and wondrous, with huge greenish eyes and pink lips (Countess Maria’s face).
She moves closer to him. Heinrich is unable to take his eyes off her. He tries to reach for his medallion but there is no holy picture and lace on his neck.
The LAKE MAIDEN (26 years old) moves closer to Heinrich and kisses his lips. Everything around Heinrich starts to spin. He falls down unconscious.
END OF HEINRICH’S MEMORIES
EXT – WITCHES” VALLEY — SUMMER DAY, THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
The teacher passes by the lake back to the village. He sees a white nenufare underfoot, stops, picks it up from the ground, examines. The flower is little wilted
TEACHER
How did it get here?
INT – TEACHER’S BEDROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY
The teacher sits in his bedroom in his house on the second floor. He is about to go to bed.
Almost full-blown white nenufare stands in a glass of water. The teacher looks at it
TEACHER
(talking to the flower)
You are so beautiful…
The flower in the glass begins to transform. The white nenufare seems to move, it opens its petals a bit more.
Droplets of water shine on its petals. Those are either droplets or blue eyes of a woman
TEACHER
(breathing the air with his nose)
What is this, a fragrance?
The nenufare no longer floats helplessly in the glass of water, but sways proud on its high stem, but this is no longer the stem, but a slim woman’s body (aka Countess Maria)
She has a pale face with big sad eyes and pale pink lips. Her golden hair falls in beautiful waves upon her breasts.
Her figure sways softly and with every movement grows bigger and bigger until becomes a normal woman, yet her body stays translucent.
Now she floats on air from the table. The room is filled with inaudible sounds.
Her figure as if floats on air. She comes closer and closer; soon she sways beside the teacher’s bed, whispering something. She leans over him. She stretches out her arms, as if begging for something
TEACHER
(pushes the ghost aside with his hands)
No! No!
A crash and sound of breaking glass are heard in the room.
EXT-WITCHES” VALLEY — SAME SUMMER NIGHT
The fog band moves away from the open window of the bedroom towards the Witches’ Valley. In the moonlight it seems magical glow.
INT – TEACHER’S BEDROOM — SAME NIGHT
Frightened Mina appears in the room. The teacher sits in the bed and looks at the sister.
The broken glass decanter lies on the floor next to the bed in a puddle of water
MINA
(grumbling)
Why shouting, you have broken the decanter!
The teacher looks at the desk suspiciously: the nenufare dies helplessly in its glass. The teacher mops his brow slowly
TEACHER
(smiles, embarrassed)
Only a dream.
MINA
(picks up the pieces from the floor)
Scared to death.
INT – TEACHER’S BEDROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE-MORNING
There is no nenufare in the glass on the desk anymore. The teacher looks at the empty glass half awake
TEACHER
May it be a spirit of a suicide?
INT-DINING ROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — SAME MORNING
The teacher enters the dining room on the ground floor. Mina puts dishes for breakfast on the table
TEACHER
Mina, have you seen the flower in my bedroom?
MINA
(puts the dishes)
The faded one? I’ve thrown it away.
TEACHER
(sits at the table)
Pity, I got used to it.
MINA
(stops and looks at her brother)
You are pale in the morning.
TEACHER
Just sleepy.
MINA
(continues putting the dishes)
You know, Heinrich has become an assistant to the church watchman.
TEACHER
Ah…
MINA
(puts pies in front of the brother)
Eat, I’ve baked in the morning.
She sits down in front of him, pours out tea
TEACHER
(bites off a pie)
My favourite. Thank you.
MINA
(pours out tea)
Maria is glad that Heinrich was found. Truly speaking, he has become odd. Silent. So the old church watchman invited him. The watchman is strange, has planted garlic everywhere in the garden.
She gives a cup of tea to the brother
TEACHER
(takes the cup from her hands)
I should go and see Heinrich.
MINA
Go-go. It won’t be bad.
She puts a pie on her saucer.
EXT – WITCHES” VALLEY — SUMMER NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY
The teacher stands in the Witches’ Valley near the water, on the lakeshore.
Mist rises over the lake, taking on different forms: now the white cloud takes shapes of a lady with nenufares in her hair.
And now nenufares on the water surface open their petals, fireflies float over them.
Blossomed trees, growing near here, give their white petals to the wind.
White snowstorm of petals whirls in the air over the lake and the schoolteacher’s head
TEACHER
(peers into the white whirl over the lake)
What if everything that the villagers say about the valley is true?
He goes into the lake
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – CLEARING IN THE FOREST OF CARDIE’S CASTLE — EVENING
Harry and the company enjoy their picnic, Smith accidently spills some wine on Harry’s shirt
HARRY
(shouting)
What the hell is the matter with you, Smith? My shirt isn’t a wineglass, damn it!
Smith spreads his arms in embarrassment
SMITH
Forgive me, it was an accident. For a moment I imagined that someone was looking at me from the forest. Someone with red eyes.
Everybody looks around nervously
JAMES
There is no one!
HARRY
I never took you for someone who suffers from a persecution complex, Smith. Oh well, pour me some more wine and, for once, try to aim for the glass and avoid my shirt.
Smith pours the wine but his hands shake. He shivers and points towards the forest
SMITH
My God, it is still there.
Captain Wright grabs a rifle and fires a single shot in the direction pointed by Smith. Black bat flies out of the forest
HARRY
Calm down, Smith, it is only a perfectly harmless bat.
Suddenly the bushes behind the resting men creak. Everyone jumps to their feet and grabs their rifles
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Halt before you get a bullet in your guts. Who is there? Answer me, damn you!
A VILLAGE HEADSMAN, a fat middle aged man emerges from the bushes
VILLAGE HEADMAN
Gentlemen, calm down. It is only me.
HARRY
You see, Smith, he is hardly a demon.
Smith crosses himself and kisses a religious medallion at his neck
HARRY
Gentlemen, it is time to get going. We haven’t had the chance to explore the Western side of the castle yet. And now that we are so lucky to get a tour guide, — the village headsman, we should really waste no time.
(addressing the headsman)
Have you got a horse?
VILLAGE HEADSMAN
No.
HARRY
Then Smith’s mare will have to carry you both.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(quietly)
The poor mare — a hysterical damsel and a fat man together on her back.
Everyone mounts their horses and rides away.
EXT-VILLAGE CHURCH GARDEN – SUMMER DAY, TEACHER’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
The yard is planted with garlic flowers. The teacher goes by the white flowers to the church, holding his nose with his hand.
INT – IN THE VILLAGE CHURCH — SAME DAY
The teacher enters the village church.
It is ornamented with crosses and lined with wreathes of garlic over the windows and doors.
CHURCH WATCHMAN (aka Petro in his old age, 60 years old) stands on a ladder and fixes a wreath of white garlic flowers above the entrance door from the inside.
Heinrich sorts mistletoe crosses
TEACHER
How are you, Heinrich?
HEINRICH
(sorting crosses)
So far, so good.
TEACHER
(comes up to Heinrich)
And what about your neck?
HEINRICH
(touches a bandage on his neck)
Scratched, the wounds are not healing well.
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(comes off the ladder)
And they wouldn’t heal, until she bites somebody else.
The teacher turns to the entrance door and points to the wreaths of white flowers
TEACHER
What is it?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
She doesn’t like it!
TEACHER
(wrinkles his nose)
I guess, me too.
Heinrich looks askance at the teacher
TEACHER
(continues)
I’ve heard your stories. Can the dead rise from their coffins?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(takes the ladder away from the entrance and puts it in the corner)
You are still young, wait till you get to my age.
TEACHER
(turns to Heinrich)
Do you really believe in that too?
Heinrich sorts crosses in silence and hides his eyes
HEINRICH
(quietly)
I do.
INT – LIVING ROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — EVENING OF THE SAME DAY
Mina sews in a chair by the window. The teacher rocks in a rocking chair
MINA
(darns a shirt)
They say, the old man knew better life. He was the uncle of one of the young Counts Dracula and lived in the castle.
(bites the thread in two with her teeth and examines her work)
Then the family suffered some sort of misfortune. The castle was abandoned.
(puts the shirt on her knees and looks at the brother)
The counts have relatives somewhere in America, but no one knows them.
TEACHER
(stops rocking)
Are you talking about our church watchman, Mina?
MINA
(sighs)
About him. Who else?
END OF THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
INT-ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — SAME NIGHT
Karl Ivanovich looks into his notebook and keeps silent.
TITLE: 1912
GEORGES
(rubs his eyes half asleep)
The teacher writes about your relatives, doesn’t he?
HARRY
Why do you think so?
GEORGES
(shrugs his shoulders)
Intuition.
KARL IVANOVICH
(reads the teacher’s diary)
Today the church watchman came to our house, bringing some objects for Mina to clean. I lured him to my study and gave him a cup of tea, into which I had poured two tablespoons of rum.
INT – STUDY IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — EVENING, THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
The teacher and church watchman sit in the teacher’s study at the table. The teacher gives the church watchman some tea from the tray
TITLE: 1852
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(a little drunk)
And I dare say, she almost bit me to death!
TEACHER
Who, the hound bitch?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
What bitch? The Countess herself! She died, but at the time of the full moon she starts to stroll around. If she gets stuck on someone — you know, the poor man is dead!
He bites off a pie, washes down with some tea. The teacher watches him
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(continues)
Once we were walking together on the clearing, and a big wolf jumped on me, knocked me over flat. And she, my darling Nettie, my beauty, she flew into a rage and grabbed the bastard by the scruff of his neck.
TEACHER
The dead Countess?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(waving his hands at him)
Go on with you, all you do is confuse things! The hound, Nettie, I raised her myself; and for nothing perished the poor dog.
TEACHER
I don’t understand who you are talking about.
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(completely drunk)
I drowned her in the old well.
He gets up from the table, takes his bag on the floor near the chair
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(continues)
Well, I must go.
TEACHER
(nods and gets up from the chair)
Tomorrow Mina will clean everything
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(winks at the teacher)
Sleep well?
INT-BEDROOM IN THE TEACHER’S HOUSE — NIGHT OF THE SAME DAY
A nenufare stands in the glass of water on the table in the bedroom. The teacher stands next to it, but the flower is unmoved
TEACHER
How can I get you to come back?
He paces the room, nervous. He accidently moves the window curtain: something falls on the floor — the teacher picks up a wreath made up of dried garlic flowers and bulbs
TEACHER
(continues)
So this is the source of the stench in my room.
EXT – GARDEN OF THE VILLAGE CHURCH – SUMMER DAY
The teacher talks to the church watchman. The teacher holds a small package in his hands. The church watchman varnishes a big wooden cross
TEACHER
(stretches the package to the watchman)
Here, Mina gave the church objects.
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(points to a bench to his left)
Put it there.
TEACHER
(puts the package on the bench)
What about the hound Nettie? The Countess’ one. What happened to her?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(turns towards him with a sly smile)
The counts had a fine pack of hunting dogs, and Nettie was the Countess’ favourite. The old American devil did away with her.
EXT – CARDIE’S CASTLE – SUMMER DAY, THE MEMORIES OF THE CHURCH WATCHMAN (PETRO)
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
TITLE: 1832
Panoramic view: a terrace of the castle, there is a chapel away from it.
INT – LARGE BALCONY ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CASTLE – SAME DAY
PETRO (as a young man, 39 years old) enters the balcony in the form of a terrace, AMERICAN SERVANT (seemingly 80 years old) meets him halfway. Petro exchanges glances with him.
NETTIE follows the American with her eyes and shakes, her fur stands on end, eyes are wild, teeth snap.
COUNTESS MARIA (26 years old) reclines pale on a couch. There is fear on her face, eyes are half-closed
COUNTESS MARIA
(groaning)
Petro…
Petro stares at the Countess, then at the dog, then at the door, after the gone servant.
EXT – GARDEN OF CARDIE’S CASTLE — SAME SUMMER DAY
American Servant moves away in the direction of the chapel. Nettie, like crazy, runs after him and goes out of sight.
END OF THE MEMORIES OF THE CHURCH WATCHMAN
EXT-VILLAGE CHURCH GARDEN-SUMMER DAYTIME, THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
BEGINNING OF THE MEMORIES
The teacher and the church watchman talk in the church garden
TITLE: 1852
TEACHER
(sits down on the bench and adjusts the collar with his hand)
Do you think the snake bit Nettie?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(painting a cross)
No, the snake bit Countess.
TEACHER
How could a snake get into the castle?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(painting the cross)
From the jewel box that the old devil had brought with him.
(pause)
Don’t go to the lake.
TEACHER
Who told you that I was going to the lake?
CHURCH WATCHMAN
(throws the brush and takes off the gloves)
Where else could you dirty your boots, mud is everywhere, completely ruined.
END OF THE TEACHER’S MEMORIES
INT-ROOM IN THE VILLAGE INN — SAME NIGHT
Karl Ivanovich puts the notebook on his knees
TITLE: 1912
KARL IVANOVICH
(sorting the sheets)
Here is another interruption.
HARRY
(slouches in the armchair)
Time for bed.
Captain Wright snores in his armchair.
EXT – WITCHES” VALLEY — SAME SUMMER NIGHT
YOUNG MAN, a villager, staggers from the lake in the direction of the village.
He takes some steps and falls dead. He holds a rose-nenufare in his hand. There are drops of blood on his shirt.
EXT – CLEARING IN THE WOODS — SUMMER DAY
During the hunt Smith, Harry, James, Captain Wright, Karl Ivanovich and Georges have a picnic in a clearing under a wide-branching tree. They eat ham from big plates and drink wine out of bottles.
There are hunting trophies and guns next to them. Saddled horses graze nearby
SMITH
(pours out wine by glasses)
Mr. Harry, whole stories are told about you.
Harry lies and chews a grass blade
HARRY
Well, what kind of?
JAMES
(gives Harry a glass of wine)
They say, you’ve got a whole kingdom in America and you are a descendant of Montezuma.
Harry spits out the grass blade and takes the glass from him
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(puts a piece of ham into his mouth)
Where did you get such information?
JAMES
The villagers say so.
He chews the ham and takes a sip from his glass of wine
HARRY
Have you already been to the village?
Harry takes a piece of ham from the plate, brought to him by Smith
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
James and I walked there in the afternoon.
He lights up a cigar
SMITH
Mr. Harry is the owner of the local castle, so they talk about him.
He sits down on the grass next to Harry and eats a piece of ham
HARRY
Karl Ivanovich will help me to become its owner.
He takes another piece of ham from Smith’s plate
KARL IVANOVICH
(wipes his hands with a napkin)
I haven’t found missing documents yet in the archive, but I have got interesting letters.
He leans back against the tree trunk and gets a batch of letters out of his bag
HARRY
These are letters from the Hunting House, we will live there until I get the castle.
KARL IVANOVICH
(unties the ribbon, which ties the letters)
The letters have an evident connection with the teacher’s diary.
INT — LIVING ROOM OF THE VENETIAN MANSION — DAYTIME
BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES
A hand of a young aristocrat writes a letter
TITLE: 1852
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
Dear Alf! I am able to return to my motherland, which I left as a seven-year-old boy. I still don’t know the reason for my exile from my parents’ castle.
EXT-TERRACE OF CARDIE’S CASTLE – SUMMER EVENING
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Everybody gathered on the terrace: YOUNG CARLO (7 years old), his sister LUCY (5 years old); COUNT FREDERICK (41 year old): adult, calm, with noble manners; COUNTESS MARIA (25 years old): beautiful, graceful blonde with noble manners; PETRO (39 years old), Count Frederick’s younger brother.
Countess’ favourite greyhound, NETTIE, lies right here.
SEBASTIAN (40 years old), the servant, enters
TITLE: 1832
SEBASTIAN
An elderly gentleman wishes to speak to the Count.
COUNT FREDERICK
Call him.
Sebastian leaves
The old grey-haired gentleman, seemingly 80 years old, AMERICAN SERVANT (aka American Grandfather) enters the terrace.
AMERICAN SERVANT: seemingly 80 years old, aristocratic bearing and manners, tall, thin-faced, is a bit haughty. He has got reddish eyes and crimson lips on the pale face. He wears a long religious habit.
The American servant bows to the count and countess.
Nettie jumps, bristles up and rushes at him.
The old man drives her away with a crutch, which he holds in his hands
COUNTESS MARIA
Nettie has never behaved like this before!
COUNT FREDERICK
Petro, take the dog away.
Petro grabs Nettie by the collar and drags her off the terrace.
The American Servant bows, handing Count Frederick a large sealed envelope.
Count Frederick opens it and reads a few lines to himself, then turns towards his wife
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues)
A coffin, bearing the mortal remains of our American relative is due to arrive at the castle in accordance to his wishes. He wanted to be buried in his home soil.
Countess Maria nods silently
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues)
Are you the same servant who is mentioned in this letter?
The American Servant bows in acknowledgement
AMERICAN SERVANT
My Lord, when can I bring the coffin?
COUNTESS MARIA
Tomorrow, if you wish
The American Servant bows to the couple and leaves
COUNTESS MARIA
(continues)
Who was that relative, dear?
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – VENICE, LIDO CANAL – SUMMER EVENING
BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES
A gondola glides noiselessly along the water. Last rays of the setting sun reflect on the canal. All around, laughter and singing can be heard from the neighboring gondolas.
CARLO (27 years old): a son of Count Frederick and Countess Maria, an educated young aristocrat, has lived away from home for almost 20 years.
Carlo gazes at the water, lost in thought
TITLE: 1852
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
My mother died when I was already in Nuremberg. She was so beautiful, and yet she died so young. To this day I don’t know what illness took her to her grave.
END OF THE MEMORIES
INT – LARGE LIVING ROOM OF THE CASTLE, GROUND FLOOR — DAYTIME
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Young Carlo and Count Frederick talk in the living room of the castle. Carlo cries, standing in front of his father
TITLE: 1832
COUNT FREDERICK
It is your mother’s wish.
YOUNG CARLO
But why? Doesn’t she love me anymore?
INT-LUCY’S ROOM, NIGHT
Lucy sleeps peacefully in her bed when a big black cat moves crouching towards her. It arches its back and pounces on the child, mutilating her face. Lucy screams from pain and fear and tries to fling the cat away but the animal keeps attacking.
The door flies open and Catherine, the washer-woman Marina and the female cook rush in. The cat hides under the bed
CATHERINE
What is wrong, young lady?
Lucy sobs. Marina sees the blood and flings up her hands in horror. The cook presses a hand to her own mouth to stifle a scream. Catherine hugs the child
LUCY
Ooow, it hurts. That horrible cat hurt me! Why didn’t you help me?
CATHERINE
We came running as soon as we heard you.
Maria and Frederick come into the room. Frightened, Marina makes a hasty curtsey. The cook leaves the room backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
What is happening?
She looks at her daughter and pales. Maria sits down on the bed. Frederick casts Marina an angry look. She takes a few steps backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
Are you alright my dear?
LUCY
No! I am hurt and I am scared!
Blood drips from her face onto the pillow
COUNTESS MARIA
(speaking to servants)
Bring water and bandages. Hurry!
(speaking to Lucy)
Who did this to you?
The little girl starts to cry
LUCY
(in between sobs)
A cat...it was so...huge… and scary.
Maria looks around, then nods to her husband. Frederick picks up a burning candle and looks under the bed. A drape between the bed and he window moves. A sound of beating wings can be heard. A dark shadow moves into the night
COUNT FREDERICK
Calm down, dear, there is no one.
LUCY
The cat had the same evil eyes like the nasty old man from America.
The girl is calmed down by her parents and put back to bed
INT-MARIA’S ROOM-A VISION
Maria is on her bed, moaning, tormented by a nightmare. Lucy’s ghost forms at the foot of her bed
LUCY
Mommy, help me! Please, I am scared, I am going to die soon. Don’t leave me, please. Save me!
Maria wakes up and sits upright, breathing heavily
INT-MARIA’S ROOM-MEMORIES
Maria embroiders by the window. Michael, Petro and Catherine rush into the room. They are clearly disturbed
MICHAEL
Something bad has happened, my lady.
COUNTESS MARIA
What’s the matter?
MICHAEL
Your husband, my lady!
The Countess rises from her chair abruptly
COUNTESS MARIA
What is wrong with Frederick?
MICHAEL
His Highness has had a fall from a horse…
COUNTESS MARIA
Is he alive?
MICHAEL
Yes, but he is badly hurt.
Maria tries to run out of the room but faints.
She opens her eyes and sees the gloating smiling face of the American servant
AMERICAN SERVANT
So my lady, you haven’t worn my present yet? What a pity, the necklace has some wonderful properties and it could help guard your loved ones from harm…
Maria nods hopelessly
AMERICAN SERVANT
A wise decision, my lady. One can never run from one’s destiny.
EXT – LIDO, VENETIAN CANAL – SUMMER DAY
Venetian canal. A gondola glides quietly along the waves. Carlo stands in it, dipping an oar into the water.
TITLE: 1852
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I can still see my mother clearly, tall and slender with rich golden braids.
Maria’s face, framed by two thick braids is reflected in the waters of the canal
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
Her blue eyes are looking at me with such love. I can feel them still, but what? Another eyes are looking at me, but they are not my mother’s calm blue ones, but black and passionate.
The image in the water changes, Maria’s blue eyes darken and become brown eyes of a STRANGE WOMAN (aka Rita, 19 years old), she is soon seen sitting in the nearby gondola. Rita and Carlo exchange glances and he is clearly smitten.
The camera shows only Rita’s eyes for now, the rest of her face is obscured
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
I want to see her again!
EXT – VENICE, LIDO, SEAFRONT – SUMMER EVENING
Rita walks along the seaside (the camera shows her back, her face is kept hidden from the viewer).
She is followed by her nurse CECILIA (45 years old), the Italian, Catholic.
RITA: 19 years old, a beautiful Venetian, impoverished noblewoman. Selfish, self-confident, pampered. Rita has beautiful white skin and dark hair.
CECILIA: 45 years old, Catholic. She speaks only Italian.
Carlo watches them from a quiet spot on a nearby bench while writing a letter to Alf
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I found her, my black-eyed girl. She is so dazzling!
(pause)
Just think of a description of a legendary Venetian beauty, but even then think not of her but of her shadow.
RITA
(shouting playfully)
Carlo, come to us!
CARLO
Right away.
He keeps writing
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I am not going home alone. Rita is coming with me, we are to be married!
RITA
(calling)
Carlo, Carlo, we are waiting for you!
CARLO
I am coming.
He keeps writing
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
You are asking me about the coffin that I had written to you about… yes it was Grandfather’s coffin, brought by his old servant from the land of the Aztecs.
Rita comes closer (her face is still hidden from the viewer). She takes Carlo’s hand and pulls him somewhere. He follows her meekly
RITA
Oh, signor, one can wait for you for an eternity!
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – CLEARING IN THE WOODS — SAME SUMMER DAY
Harry sits down next to Karl Ivanovich
HARRY
I come from the land of the Aztecs!
KARL IVANOVICH
Perhaps the old grandfather mentioned in the letters is the same relative whose burial record you need to complete your transference of inheritance, Sir.
EXT-FRONT GATES OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SUMMER DAY
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Young Carlo stands in front of a gigantic black coffin at the gates of the Cardie’s castle
TITLE: 1832
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
The old servant’s visit was followed by the arrival of the grandfather’s coffin the next day.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, FAMILY CHAPEL — SAME DAY
Castle private chapel is brightly lit and elegantly decorated in an anticipation of a funeral Mass.
EXT – ENTRANCE TO THE CHAPEL – SAME SUMMER DAY
American servant stands at the entrance to the chapel. Behind his back, servants hold the gigantic coffin
AMERICAN SERVANT
The coffin is too large and will not pass through the chapel’s entrance to the crypt. Wouldn’t it be best to open the crypt’s western doors in the garden?
Count Frederick stands at the threshold of the chapel and looks up at the old man, clearly surprised
COUNT FREDERICK
How could you possibly know about the other entrance to the crypt?
AMERICAN SERVANT
I know it from my late master’s stories.
COUNT FREDERICK
(speaking to the servants)
We will have to forgo the funeral mass.
COUNTESS MARIA
How can we bury him without a proper service?
COUNT FREDERICK
(speaking to servants)
Open up the western doors to the crypt.
PETRO
Don’t worry, Your Highness. We will take care of it.
American servant gives Petro an evil stare. Petro gives sign and the servants lift the American coffin but as soon as they step on the stairs as the latter begin to crumble and the large coffin falls, almost toppling over. When the coffin connects with the floor a hollow sound is heard.
Petro eyes the coffin suspiciously
PETRO
(to himself, puzzled)
Empty? But why drag an empty coffin halfway around the world?
The American servant tries to escape Petro’s gaze by hiding behind other servants
INT – IN THE CRYPT UNDER THE CHAPEL — SAME DAY
The crypt has been cleaned and is brightly lit with burning torches.
Servants, led by Petro lower the coffin into a stone sarcophagus that has an inscription “Brought from America” carved on its lid.
The count and the countess watch the proceedings
COUNT FREDERICK
(to his overseer)
Michael, don’t forget to lock the crypt.
MICHAEL
(to the servants)
Who has the key?
The servants go around the sarcophagus, shrug their shoulders and shake heads
COUNT FREDERICK
(to the servants)
Who was the last man to hold the key?
PETRO
You have lost it, airheads.
MICHAEL
(to the count)
Perhaps it was stolen, My Lord?
COUNTESS MARIA
God forbid, please order a thorough search.
The count and the countess walk out through the open door of the crypt into the garden. American servant follows them
AMERICAN SERVANT
May I beg your permission to live in the old guardhouse near the chapel?
COUNT FREDERICK
But the old guardhouse is hardly fit to live in.
AMERICAN SERVANT
The only desire I have left in this world is to guard my master’s grave.
COUNT FREDERICK
As you wish.
The count, the countess and the American servant go out through the open western doors of the crypt to the garden.
EXT – GARDEN NEAR THE WESTERN DOORS OF THE CRYPT-SAME DAY
Count Frederick, Countess Maria and American Servant stand in the garden.
The old man bows deeply to the count, handing the countess a long dark velvet box
AMERICAN SERVANT
(bowing)
As per my master’s spoken command, in the memory of him.
Countess Maria opens the box, revealing a beautiful pearl necklace resting on the blue velvet. The necklace’s clasp is shaped like a serpent’s head with two large emeralds for eyes. The emeralds glint mysteriously in the light.
Countess Maria looks up at her husband questioning and he nods in approval. The Countess’ fingers touch the necklace
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – CLEARING IN THE WOODS — SAME SUMMER DAY
Karl Ivanovich puts sheets on his knees
HARRY
(eats olives from a saucer with fingers)
The great idol of Huitzilopochtli was once adorned with a pearl necklace fashioned into a snake with emerald eyes. It was supposed to possess some sort of a supernatural power. It vanished when the Spaniards looted Huitzilopochtli’s temple.
GEORGES
Who was she, Huitzilopochtli?
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
A he. An ancient god of war.
JAMES
So this is all?
KARL IVANOVICH
I cannot find the rest of this letter.
He shuffles through the pile of old letters
HARRY
(puts an olive into his mouth)
Well, please read the next one that you can find.
INT – CARDIE’S CASTLE, LONG CORRIDOR — NIGHT
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
TITLE: 1832
The empty corridor of the castle is dimly lit. The silence of the night is broken my Countess Maria’s scream.
INT – CARDIE’S CASTLE, CHILDREN’S BEDROOM — NIGHT
Young Carlo sits up in his bed, listening in the darkness. He can hear the doors slamming, the sounds of running feet and the voices of the excited servants (sound behind the scenes)
YOUNG CARLO
(frightened)
Catherine, Catherine, where are you?
He leaps out of his bed, barefoot and clad in a nightshirt and rushes out of his bedroom
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, COUNTESS MARIA’S BEDROOM-SAME NIGHT
Countess Maria’s bedroom is filled with frightened servants.
The countess lies unconscious on propped up pillows, her face as white as her sheets and nightdress. There are red spots of blood on her chest, on the white fabric.
The count sits next to her, lifting her head, and the FAMILY DOCTOR (40 years old) pours medicine in her mouth.
A few moments later she regains consciousness and looks around the room, terrified
COUNTESS MARIA
Freddie, did you chase him away?
COUNT FREDERICK
(lowers his wife’s head back onto the pillow)
Whom, my dear?
COUNTESS MARIA
(grabs Count’s hand)
The old grandfather, don’t let him in!
COUNT FREDERICK
(takes her hand)
Calm down, my dear, grandfather is dead and you must have had a nightmare.
COUNTESS MARIA
(squeezes his hand)
No, it was not a dream.
(touches her lips)
I did fall asleep, but then I sensed somebody come into the room. I recognized him, the grandfather. It was him, and yet, not him at all.
COUNT FREDERICK
(strokes her hand)
My dear, you just had a bad dream.
COUNTESS MARIA
(shakes her head in denial and clutches his hand even tighter)
No, listen…
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, COUNTESS MARIA’S BEDROOM-NIGHT
COUNTESS MARIA RECALLING HER DREAM
Countess Maria is awoken by a cold wind, blowing onto her face from the open window.
American GRANDFATHER (aka American Servant, 80 years old) is in her bedroom. He moves towards the Countess’ bed and leans over her. Eyes wide open with fear, she stares at him in the darkness
GRANDFATHER
Why are you not wearing my gift?
He holds the pearl necklace with the serpent’s head. He places it around the Countess’ neck and kissed her on the lips
END OF COUNTESS MARIA’S DREAM
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, COUNTESS MARIA’S BEDROOM-SAME NIGHT
Countess Maria lies on propped up pillows and wipes her lips with the back of her hand nervously. The bloodstains on her nightgown are clearly visible.
Count Frederick sits beside her, the family doctor and the servants crowd around her bed. Countess Maria continues
COUNTESS MARIA
Instead of the necklace there was a real snake around my neck and it bit me…
YOUNG CARLO
Where is the snake, mama?
He wiggles through the crowd of adults towards the Countess. Carlo’s nurse Catherine grabs his hand immediately and takes him away.
Countess falls back onto her pillows with a frightened sigh
INT – YOUNG CARLO’S BEDROOM IN THE CASTLE — SAME NIGHT
Carlo sits on the bed and looks at Catherine. His bare feet stick out from under the blanket
CATHERINE
(closes his legs with a blanket)
Where have you seen running barefoot at night!
YOUNG CARLO
(goes to sleep)
But where is the snake, nurse?
CATHERINE
(straightens his blanket)
The lady had a dream and cried.
Carlo pulls the blanket over his head
INT – LARGE LIVING ROOM OF THE CASTLE — MORNING
The sun highlights the living room of the caste. Countess Maria, pale and haggard, reclines on the couch. Count Frederick stands nearby.
The footman stands in front of them
COUNTESS MARIA
Where is Nettie? I have been waiting for her for half an hour.
FOOTMAN
Nettie isn’t here. We have been looking for her since early morning.
COUNTESS MARIA
(discomposedly)
Find out who was the last to see her!
The footman bows and leaves the living room
YOUNG CARLO
(quickly coming up to parents)
Mom, have you found the snake?
COUNT FREDERICK
(pulls on Carlo’s arm)
Be quiet.
Countess leans back on the pillow with a slight groan
COUNT FREDERICK
(keeps looking at his son)
Do you want to ride to the village?
YOUNG CARLO
(joyfully)
I want it, want it! Mom, we’ll go to the village!
Carlo hugs his father and mother by turns
COUNT FREDERICK
Order for Caryago to be saddled.
Petro comes from somewhere and takes Carlo’s hand
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues, looking at Petro)
Come to me. I have an instruction for you.
EXT – CASTLE GARDEN — SAME SUMMER DAY
Maria sits on the beautiful terrace with climbing roses. She waves to the departing people. She is pale and leans on the railing awkwardly. She bumps the roses and they wilt from her touch only to be reborn as the dead nenufares.
EXT – AT THE GATE OF CARDIE’S CASTLE — SAME SUMMER DAY
Young Carlo and Petro ride away of the castle gate. The gatekeeper asks passing them
GATEKEEPER
Find out if there is Nettie in the village.
PETRO
I’ll look for.
Petro and Carlo go out of the gate
INT-ROOM OF CARDIE’S CASTLE — SAME DAY
Young FEMALE SERVANT dusts the furniture. She sees a shadow on the polished white marble of the fireplace. A silhouette of a man is visible behind her back.
The servant girl turns around and her face is frozen in fear. She screams once and everything is plunged into darkness
EXT-FOREST ROAD – SAME SUMMER DAY
Young Carlo and Petro ride along the forest road that leads to the village that lies at the foot of the castle rock
YOUNG CARLO
Petro, are you upset?
PETRO
Why do you think so, Carlo?
YOUNG CARLO
We no longer hunt birds’ nests or fish.
PETRO
(laughs)
Have I really changed so much?
YOUNG CARLO
Why is mama sick?
They move further and further away and their voices cannot be heard anymore behind the sound of wind and rustle of leaves on the trees.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, KITCHENS — EVENING OF THE SAME DAY
Petro mends a huge wicker basket in the kitchens. He winces, muttering something to himself.
Young and plumb floor washer MARINA (18 years old) scrubs the floors and chatters.
PETRO
(muttering)
Old Devil…
MARINA
(chattering)
Why do you hate the American so much? Everybody is gossiping about it.
PETRO
Mind your own business. Go on, polish-polish!
MARINA
(does not give up)
He also goes down to the crypt every day.
She leaves her washrag for a moment to cross herself.
Petro concentrates on his work. He frowns even more
MARINA
(continues)
He is never seen with us folks and he refused the offer of allowance.
Marina attempts to imitate the voice of the American servant
MARINA
(continues)
My master left me enough money not to starve.
She laughs. Petro concentrates on his work
MARINA
(continues)
He arrived here all grey and dry and now has become so fat, soon he wouldn’t even fit through the doorway!
Angry at the girl, Petro tosses the basket aside
PETRO
Don’t you squeal! Once he’d sucked you dry, he will get even fatter.
MARINA
(laughs even louder)
He will gag first!
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT-GARDEN IN FRONT OF THE HUNTING HOUSE – SUMMER EVENING
Harry, James, Captain Wright, Georges and Karl Ivanovich are gathered in the garden in front of the Hunting House.
The bottom windows are half covered by the overgrown bushes of hawthorn and jasmine. Parts of the former garden are so overrun by vegetation that they resemble a jungle
TITLE: 1912
HARRY
Nobody has been here for forty years.
Smith comes up to Harry with a local assistant MILLER (27 years old) in tow
SMITH
My assistant Miller, will be our tour guide.
INT-HUNTING HOUSE — SAME EVENING
Harry, James, Captain Wright, Georges and Karl Ivanovich follow Smith along the dimly lighted corridor.
Karl Ivanovich slides his hand along the wall
KARL IVANOVICH
I wonder why the Counts chose not to live here?
Georges looks up at the painted ceiling
georges
Perhaps they didn’t like hunting?
MILLER
Previous owners have passed away long ago.
Harry walks past a wooden door
HARRY
And the rooms in this part of the house were used for the Counts’ guests, weren’t they?
Miller stops
MILLER
Yes, and now they are being prepared for you, Sir.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
What about the rooms of the former owners themselves?
INT-BRIDE’S BEDROOM, HUNTING HOUSE — SAME EVENING
Harry, James, Captain Wright, Georges and Karl Ivanovich enter through the door opened.
The room is large with tall windows that open onto the view of the lake. The interior is rich and luxurious.
Carved four poster bed with an opulent brocade hanging has its headboard decorated with gilded cupids. Everything in the room speaks of a spoiled, wealthy woman.
Harry and friends examine the room with interest
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Damn it Harry, it is like being inside a fairytale!
Karl Ivanovich pulls out a drawer in a small desk.
KARL IVANOVICH
A woman lived here once, take a look.
Items of a lady’s handicraft covered with a light layer of dust lie inside the drawer: still vibrant colored silks, slightly moth eaten wool, small scissors, beads and pearls. A tiny gold thimble rolls in the drawer.
Smith and Harry examine the findings
SMITH
We haven’t touched anything here, Sir
(apologetically)
HARRY
I’m glad you didn’t. We’d rather explore ourselves.
Harry opens the door of the wardrobe. James stands next to him and sniffs at the interior
JAMES
I swear, I can smell lavender. The past and the present meet at last.
Beautiful lace edged undergarments are stacked on the shelves as well as heaps of ribbons, bows and artificial flowers.
A pair of ladies shoes stands on the bottom shelf.
A large jewel-box, decorated with gold and mother of pearl’s flowers attracts the friends’ attention.
Captain Wright examines the jewel-box, Karl Ivanovich comes up to him
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
It is Japanese, fit for the Emperor’s palace.
KARL IVANOVICH
I wonder what the lady kept in it.
HARRY
Let’s find out.
Harry takes the box and tries to open it. But all for nothing, there is no exterior lock.
James takes the box and shakes it slightly. Georges watches them from the side
JAMES
The box has its secret!
Harry puts the jewel-box back and closes the cupboard’s door
HARRY
I will have to get a locksmith.
Captain Wright’s voice is heard from the other side of the room
WRIGHT’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
Come over here, it is worth seeing!
EXT-LARGE BALCONY OF THE BRIDE’S BEDROOM — SAME EVENING
Georges, James, Captain Wright and Karl Ivanovich are gathered on the balcony, watching the view of the castle.
The mist rises from the lake. In some places the mist parts a little and the clear blue water of the lake peeks through.
To the left there is the dark green of pine trees and on the right there is the dark rock, crowned with the ominous looking castle
KARL IVANOVICH
What a magnificent view.
James whistles in appreciation
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
And now, more than ever, I refuse to believe in the local lore of malicious maidens with duck feet.
Harry’s irritated voice is heard from the room
HARRY’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I will not sleep on an old dusty mattress!
INT-BRIDE’S BEDROOM-SAME EVENING
Harry, Smith and Miller argue near the four-poster bed
SMITH
I thought it was the best room in the house…
HARRY
Take my things to another bedroom.
Smith and his assistant Miller start to exchange words and both appear troubled
HARRY
What’s the matter?
SMITH
We are not sure to whom we can offer the big bedroom.
MILLER
We have prepared the rooms according to the number of guests.
HARRY
Well, you should make yourself comfortable in this dusty nest!
Miller appears afraid and Smith takes a step backwards
MILLER
Me? Sleep here, in her bedroom? Forgive me but I cannot.
HARRY
What the hell are you talking about?
MILLER
A young bride lived here, she died here too and the people say that her soul is restless and her ghost walks and cries at night.
Harry turns to his friends
HARRY
So, who wishes to make an acquaintance with a ghostly bride?
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
I am game, as long as I have a dozen cigars and a glass of rum.
KARL IVANOVICH
With a dozen cigars laced with opium like you prefer, you will see not only a ghostly bride but a white elephant and a green snake thrown in for a bargain.
Harry claps his hands
HARRY
It is settled then, Wright will sleep here, lead on, Smith.
EXT-GARDENS AROUND THE HUNTING HOUSE — SAME SUMMER EVENING
Harry, James, Wright, Georges, Karl Ivanovich and Miller struggle to make their way through the overgrown garden.
The sun hasn’t set yet, but it is not bright anymore.
INT – HUNTING HOUSE, OTHER WING, FIRST FLOOR — SAME EVENING
Almost all rooms are walk-through. The atmosphere is gloomy
HARRY
Everything is rather unpretentious.
Georges points at the door
GEORGES
Take a look at this portrait!
The bright gold frame hangs near the door leading off to a small room. Its opulence is strangely at odds with the rest of the interior
JAMES
They used the first available place.
HARRY
Light it up please, Miller.
Karl Ivanovich approaches the portrait with the lamp
KARL IVANOVICH
Let me help you.
Miller and Karl Ivanovich light up the portrait with the lamp.
Tall, gaunt elderly man (aka the American grandfather) dressed in a velvet renaissance style costume, wearing a thick gold chain stares regally from the frame.
His large aquiline nose and thin lips speak of his aristocratic breeding and stern character.
In the flickering light of the lamp his eyes shine with an eerie red tinge
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
What a wonderful technique.
GEORGES
It is as if he is really staring at us.
HARRY
This is only half a picture, I wonder why someone would cut painting in half?
JAMES
Let me take a look.
James comes closer to the portrait first from right and then from left, trying to examine it from every angle.
While doing so he accidently bumps Karl Ivanovich, who, in order to avoid falling, braces his hand against the wall. The seemingly solid surface gives way, revealing a secret passage and the old man cries out as he falls into the dark space
KARL IVANOVICH
A-a-a!
INT-HIDDEN SALON-SAME EVENING
Karl Ivanovich rises from the floor, groaning. Harry helps him to his feet
KARL IVANOVICH
I am all right, thank god.
JAMES
Please forgive my clumsiness.
Karl Ivanovich pats James’ shoulder. The men are fascinated by the new room
With its large Venetian windows and luxurious furnishings it appears similar to the bedroom of the ghostly bride
GEORGES
Don’t you think this salon matches the ghost lady’s bedroom?
He runs his fingertip along the surface of an elegant desk
The finger is covered with dirty dust
HARRY
It seems that someone else lived here yesterday.
Books and bits of lady’s handicraft litter a small desk.
In the center of the room there is a large chaise lounge with a small elegant table placed next to it.
A large silver vase on the table still holds a bouquet of dried field flowers
MILLER
Mister Cardie is right.
JAMES
(touching a cushion on the chaise lounge)
Take a look at this cushion; it still has an imprint of a head!
Captain Wright, Georges and Harry stare at the cushion
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
I see it too.
HARRY
Jamie, you are a hopeless romantic.
Georges touches the cushion
GEORGES
This is incredible!
A lute lies on the seat of the nearby chair. At the foot of the chaise lounge among several dried up roses there is a discarded blood red lady’s cape, made from expensive plush fabric
JAMES
Look, here is her cape.
He picks up the cape and inhales its send slowly
JAMES
(continues)
This room and the ghost bedroom belonged to the same lady.
HARRY
Wait you can tell it from the smell, Sherlock?
JAMES
Yes, it is the same lavender perfume.
James hands Harry the cape
HARRY
No, thank you, I don’t feel like sniffing at dusty old rags.
Harry puts the cape back where he and James found it
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Jamie, have you fallen for this fabled beauty?
JAMES
I wouldn’t have minded meeting her.
HARRY
(laughs)
But, as always, you are too late.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, PORTRAIT GALLERY-SAME EVENING
A portrait of a beautiful woman (aka Rita) with a spray of red roses at the waist of her blue dress hangs on the wall of the portrait gallery.
INT-HIDDEN SALON — SAME EVENING
Karl Ivanovich hands Harry a small gold-edged book
KARL IVANOVICH
I’ve fallen on it
Harry takes the book and opens it. The title page bears an inscription in Italian
HARRY
(reads it out loud)
Pray for my poor soul…
KARL IVANOVICH
It is a catholic prayer-book.
Harry’s words silence the laughter and the banter. It is as if the corpse itself is with them in the room.
James comes up to the table with the vase with dried field flowers. He points to the open decanter, whose stopper lies next to it on the table
JAMES
Here is the stopper. Whoever lived here had no time to close it.
HARRY
Why did the owners fled from here?
Georges looks inside a birdcage that stands near the window. Tiny bones of the long-dead bird lie at its bottom. Seashell-shaped feeder is empty
GEORGES
Good question.
Karl Ivanovich opens the drapes on the furthest window and discovers that it is really a door
KARL IVANOVICH
Here’s the door.
He turns the key and the door opens with an unpleasant creak. Evening breeze rushes into the room
Candles flicker, curtains and the dried flowers in the vase move, as if the spirit of the dead woman has invaded the room, angered at the disturbance
EXT – WITCHES” VALLEY — SAME SUMMER EVENING
The mist rises over the lake.
A quiet female laughter, like a bell, is heard here and there.
Nenufares seem to move on the water surface.
The mirror surface of the lake darkens.
INT – HIDDEN SALON WITH A BALCONY — SAME EVENING
Everybody looks around in a small adjacent room.
Miller approaches one of the four windows, looks into it, turns to everyone and gestures lively
MILLER
This salon forms a part of the suit of rooms that includes the lady’s bedroom.
HARRY’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I found a small balcony, the size of a bird’s nest!
Captain Wright comes close to one of the paintings decorating the side wall
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Here is the door to the ghost-bride’s bedroom. It is disguised as a painting.
MILLER
(comes close to the painting)
Yes, it can be mistaken for a painting.
Karl Ivanovich joins Wright and pulls on the door handle
KARL IVANOVICH
It won’t budge.
MILLER
Let me try, sir.
He puts his shoulder to the door, but Wright stops him
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Miller, it’s useless, the door is nailed shut.
Harry stands in the balcony’s doorway facing the room
HARRY
It’s because the door is blocked by the large wardrobe, the one where we found all those women’s clothes.
JAMES
Gentlemen, it’s time for dinner.
Everybody follows James. They close the door behind them and the room is empty again
EXT-FOREST — DAYTIME
Harry, Captain Wright, Georges, and James walk through the forest, carrying rifles and talking. A pair of spaniels follows them.
James carries their trophies, slung behind his shoulder
GEORGES
I think the lady in the abandoned rooms must have died suddenly.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
And I think she ran off with her paramour.
HARRY
Who else agrees with him?
JAMES
I think something unpleasant happened at the Hunting House, but what precisely?
Georges picks up a stick from the ground and throws it, the dogs rush after the stick
GEORGES
What was a woman doing there?
HARRY
She was a foreign lady.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
(stops, looking at Harry)
How do you know this?
HARRY
The village headman. He told me that a foreign lady died of a broken heart. She missed her homeland.
(pause)
His grandmother told him.
GEORGES
(comes up to them)
But why didn’t she live up at the castle?
JAMES
(laughs)
The headman’s grandmother did not specify why, did she?
Harry shoots a duck and hits. The duck falls behind the trees. Harry’s dog runs after it
HARRY
Sadly, she did not.
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Goddamn!
He aims and fires a shot at the black bat flying above their heads but misses
EXT-FOREST-MORNING-COUNT FREDERICK’S DREAM
TITLE 1832
Hunt, Count Frederick, his guests and servants chase a doe. Suddenly a group of trees cuts Count Frederick away from the rest of the party.
He keeps chasing the animal without realizing that he is now alone. The doe mounts a steep hill and is transformed into Maria. She beckons the Count towards herself. He rushes towards his wife only to tumble off the cliff into the chasm below.
Maria is then turned into a laughing Dracula who, in turn, becomes a bat.
Count Frederick wakes up in cold sweat
INT-HUNTING HOUSE, DINING ROOM-SAME DAY
Harry, Wright, Georges and James leave the dining room for the smoking room.
INT – HUNTING HOUSE, SMOKING ROOM-SAME DAY
Harry, Georges, Wright, Karl Ivanovich and James select drinks and cigars, sit down and make themselves comfortable.
Karl Ivanovich sits down in an armchair too, holding a pile of papers. He sorts it nervously
KARL IVANOVICH
I am happy to tell you that I found the continuation of the letters!
GEORGES
Good!
Karl Ivanovich, takes a handkerchief out of his pocket, polishes his glasses and puts the handkerchief away
KARL IVANOVICH
Are you ready, gentlemen?
EXT-OLD VENETIAN STREET — AUTUMN DAY
BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES
TITLE: 1852
Carlo walks along the old Venetian street, he turns right and opens the glass door of an antique shop.
INT – VENICE, ANTIQUE SHOP — SAME DAY
Carlo looks around in the antique shop. The old Jewish SALESMAN greets him
SALESMAN
I have special goods for you.
The salesman opens up the cupboard and gets a beautiful jewel-box (the box from the Hunting House) and places it on the counter before Carlo
CARLO
Who did it belong to?
SALESMAN
To the roman Empress Messalina!
Carlo slides his fingers across the box
CARLO
It has no lock?
SALESMAN
(smiles)
I’d rather show you
(the salesman’s hand moves the apple into the bird’s beak and the box opens)
Voila!
CARLO
Rita will love this.
The salesman shows Carlo various compartments inside the box. Each is filled with ladies’ jewels. The piece de resistance is a large roman comb with pink pearls
SALESMAN
Your bride will be delighted, signore.
Carlo picks up the comb and looks at it
CARLO
It will look magnificent in Rita’s dark curls!
EXT – VENICE, STREET – SAME AUTUMN DAY
Carlo walks along the cobbled Venetian street. Wheels of carriages roll past him, frilled hems of the ladies’ gowns move along and a single blue blossom falls from the basket of the street flower seller, lying on the rough cobblestones
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
Up until now, if you do not count my mother’s fit and the disappearance of her favorite dog, everything was simple and logical.
After that we were plunged into something we could not understand
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, GARDEN-SUMMER DAY
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Count Frederick and his family doctor walk in the western part of the garden
TITLE: 1832
COUNT FREDERICK
She is recovering well, even her complexion is improving.
The doctor looks at his clock on the chain
FAMILY DOCTOR
The fresh air will be good for her, but still, don’t leave her alone by herself.
COUNT FREDERICK
I am worried about her hallucination, the one about the snake.
They stop and look at each other. The doctor puts the clock into the pocket
FAMILY DOCTOR
I am telling you, she put the necklace on herself.
COUNT FREDERICK
Well, either way, she will never see that damned necklace again.
The doctor looks at his feet and then at the count again
FAMILY DOCTOR
There is a strange epidemic in the village. Seems to affect girls and young women.
Count Frederick thrusts his hands into the pockets of his trousers. He fidgets in place. He doesn’t like this conversation
COUNT FREDERICK
Do you think it is somehow connected to what had happened to my wife?
They walk further along the garden
FAMILY DOCTOR
No, I don’t think so.
COUNT FREDERICK
So, why are you so worried, my friend?
The doctor looks around as if afraid that someone can hear them and stops near a rose bush
FAMILY DOCTOR
Old beggar-woman saw a well-dressed, elderly gentleman who was walking away from the village in the direction of the castle.
Lucy appears suddenly and drags Carlo from his hiding place behind the rose bush. Count Frederick and the family doctor see the children and fall silent
LUCY
I caught you!
EXT – CARDIE’S CASTLE, BALCONY — SAME EVENING
A funeral bell tolls from the direction of the village. Everyone crosses themselves.
Countess Maria lies propped up on the chaise lounge, surrounded by her family. Her private balcony is large enough to resemble a terrace. The Countess shivers.
Count Frederick and Petro stand nearby on the balcony
COUNTESS MARIA
Another death in the village?
COUNT FREDERICK
I am sure it is nothing, my dear. Do you want me to send Petro to find out?
PETRO
You will see, my lady, that the Count is right and there is nothing to worry about.
COUNTESS MARIA
Go, Petro, find out, perhaps they need help.
She falls back onto her pillows, tiredly. The bells start to ring once more
The Count mutters in Petro’s ear…
COUNT FREDERICK
She must never learn of the epidemic.
PETRO
I will come up with something.
EXT-GARDEN OF THE WIDOW’S HOUSE-SUMMER EVENING
A small village house is surrounded by a garden. One part of the garden faces the main village road.
WIDOW’S DAUGHTER (17 years old) and a young servant girl LISA (16 years old) pick berries in the garden.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN (aka American Servant 80 years old) walks towards the garden wall from the main road. He addresses Lisa
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
May I have some water, my child?
He hands the girl a silver coin over the fence. She stares at it for a brief moment then takes the coin.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON — SAME EVENING
Count Frederick’s fingers glide masterfully along the keys of the piano.
Countess Maria listens to her husband play the piano. The children and the servants headed by Petro are all nearby.
EXT-GARDEN NEAR THE WIDOW’S HOUSE — SAME SUMMER EVENING
Lisa walks along the garden path, carrying a pitcher of kvass. She trips over something, looks down and discovers the body of the widow’s daughter. She drops the pitcher and it shatters at her feet
LISA
Help me! Help!
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON-SAME EVENING
The Count’s fingers glide along the keys of the instrument, he finishes the melody.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, YARD NEAR THE STABLES-SUMMER MORNING
Family Doctor and Count Frederick walk near the stables. The whinnying of the horses can be heard (sound behind the scenes)
COUNT FREDERICK
Is your patient getting better, Doctor?
FAMILY DOCTOR
She has anemia and a very severe case. She will need a healthy diet, milk, wine.
COUNT FREDERICK
Send her all she needs.
NIKOLAI the groom (25 years old) runs up to the Count. He is out of breath
NIKOLAI
Marina, our floor washer girl, she is dead.
FAMILY DOCTOR
Hurry up, take us to her.
They hurry, passing the servant’s barracks. Nikolai talks while walking
NIKOLAI
She didn’t come down to work in the morning. Chambermaids went up to her room and found her dead.
INT – MARINA’S ROOM-SAME MORNING
Marina’s corpse lies on her bed. Her face and body appear peaceful, as if she is only sleeping. The sudden gust of wind through the open window lifts and tangles her long loose hair.
Family Doctor takes Marina’s wrist. Count Frederick watches him closely
FAMILY DOCTOR
She is not only dead; the body is already stiff and cold.
COUNT FREDERICK
Do you see that red mark on her neck?
A small red wound is visible on the dead girl’s neck, the skin around the wound is slightly red.
Count Frederick and the Family Doctor exchange looks
EXT-GATES OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SAME SUMMER EVENING
The mournful toll of the village bell is answered by the bell in the castle.
Countess Maria, Nikolai the groom, Lina the COOK, SERVANTS, little Carlo and his sister Lucy follow Marina’s coffin to the gates of the castle. From the crowd of castle servants muffles sobs can be heard.
The cart bearing the coffin drives slowly through the castle gates
NIKOLAI
The American did not come to the funeral mass.
COOK
Did you see it? His windows, even the shutters were closed when we were passing his guardhouse.
INT-FORMAN LIVING ROOM WITH THE NEW BALCONY-MORNING
Count Frederick guides his wife to her new place of rest. Catherine walks respectfully behind, accompanied by a couple of female servants, young Carlo and little Lucy
COUNTESS MARIA
It’s a pity this beautiful room was always locked.
COUNT FREDERICK
From now on we can spent our evening here.
The FOOTMAN opens the door for the couple.
Countess Maria takes two or three steps into the room, when suddenly; she screams violently and points into the neighboring hall.
COUNTESS MARIA
He is watching me… staring at me! He is my death!
The Countess faints in her husband’s arms. Everyone’s eyes follow the direction to which she was pointing. The faces of guests register unease.
A portrait (the same gold-framed portrait that was discovered in the Hunting House) hangs on the wall of the neighboring room. A tall lean old man, dressed in a renaissance style costume and wearing a heavy gold chain is peering from the frame. His thin lips are pressed together in an arrogant line and his red tinged eyes appear terrifyingly alive
COUNT FREDERICK
(to the servants)
Well, why are you gaping, remove everything!
YOUNG CARLO
(takes Countess’ hand)
Mom, don’t be afraid, the grandfather is dead.
EXT-AN OPEN AIR PLATFORM IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE GARDEN NEAR THE SHEER DROP — SAME SUMMER DAY
The Countess lies on a chaise lounge. She is clearly ill at ease.
She sees the evil red-tinged eyes among the hops. She looks around, terrified. The unseen presence moves towards the rocks of the sheer drop, its shape unclear yet menacing.
The Countess is afraid and reaches towards her husband.
Young Carlo and little Lucy play nearby, completely oblivious to the danger
COUNTESS MARIA
Freddie, those eyes, I can see them everywhere, they are hounding me.
COUNT FREDERICK
Whose eyes, dear?
COUNTESS MARIA
Grandfather’s.
COUNT FREDERICK
Enough, my darling, even the portrait is gone. I exiled it from our home.
The Count serves her cookies on a tray and leaves.
Countess Maria brings a cookie to her mouths and it grows moldy before her eyes.
She feels nauseous, coughs but later calms down and pulls out a small mirror in order to straighten her hair. Her reflection gradually vanishes as if eaten up by rust rising from the site of the bite on her neck. Maria cries out.
Her worried husband rushes in. She embraces him and flings away the mirror. The mirror lies on the floor, cracked, reflecting only the Count
END OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
INT-CARLO’S SITTING ROOM, VENICE-EARLY MORNING
BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES
Carlo paces his sitting room, holding a letter in his hand and commenting to himself
TITLE: 1852
CARLO
My God, I am rich, unbelievably rich!
PETRO stands nearby in respectful silence. Although he is only about 67 years old the time has dealt him a terrible blow, his appearance is much older and he is dressed in a monk-like cowl. He holds papers and a pilgrim’s sack
PETRO
Your father lived simply. He barely spent his money.
CARLO
There is over a million florins in Venice alone!
Petro reaches into his sack and produces a jewelry box. He places it carefully onto the couch nearby
PETRO
These are your mother’s jewels.
Carlo sits down on the couch and motions for Petro to join him. He places the jewelry box on his knees and opens it, gently lifting the glittering treasures inside
CARLO
This was my father’s gift, I remember it as if it was yesterday.
A large tortoiseshell comb adorned with rubies lies inside the box among the jewels. Carlo caresses it with his fingers
PETRO
Our poor mistress loved them so.
CARLO
And where is the necklace? The one that the American gave my mother?
Petro shudders
PETRO
You are mistaken, there never was such thing.
Carlo looks at him in surprise
CARLO
The snake-shaped one? Don’t you remember?
Petro almost leaps from the couch
PETRO
Do you think I stole it?
CARLO
Dear God, of course not!
Petro paces the sitting room nervously
PETRO
I’ve locked up both the Castle and the Hunting House. I will send the money to wherever you wish.
Carlo closes the jewelry box and rises from the couch
CARLO
That will not be necessary. Once I am married, I will go back home to the castle.
Petro shudders and waves his arms
PETRO
What? No, no you wouldn’t dare!
CARLO
Why not?
PETRO
You must obey your mother’s last wish.
CARLO
I am sorry, but my mind is already made up.
Petro falls to his knees and kisses Carlo’s hands
PETRO
At least wait for me, wait until I’ve come back from Jerusalem, we will go there together.
INT-ENTRANCE TO THE CHAPEL-EVENING
Carlo inspects the chapel’s doors. They are sealed. The servants are crowded behind his back.
Carlo turns to his servants, confused
CARLO
What about my marriage? Open up the doors at once and start preparing for the wedding!
WORKER
But my Lord, Petro forbade us from opening the chapel!
Carlo shoots the worker an angry look
CARLO
Petro is not the master here. I expect you to remember it next time!
The servants attempt to open the door without success
WORKER
(guiltily)
The lock is sealed with some sort of resin.
CARLO
Then melt it! Resin should become liquid when treated with heat. If it doesn’t work than break the door down for all I care. Take a whole wall down if you have to but have the chapel ready for my wedding!
A lighted torch is brought close to the door. The resin starts to melt and trickles to the floor.
The doors open and a dark hurricane rushes at the bystanders driving them to their knees. Black bat with glowing eyes is seen at the storm’s center
END OF THE MEMORIES
INT-HUNTING HOUSE, SMOKING ROOM-SAME EVENING
Harry, James and Georges have finished their cigars and whiskey and are slumped in their chairs, tired. Captain Wright is fast asleep.
Karl Ivanovich sits in his armchair, there is a pile of papers on the armrest. He puts the read sheet on his lap
GEORGES
So, what is the answer to the mystery?
Captain Wright snores in his chair
EXT-WITCHES” VALLEY-SUMMER NIGHT
A large black bat flies from the side of the forest towards the castle.
The moon shines high in the night sky.
The lake is concealed in thick mist. Bellow the mist, the water is covered with white nenufares.
The bat flies above the castle.
INT-HUNTING HOUSE, BREAKFAST ROOM-MORNING
James, Wright, Harry, Georges and Karl Ivanovich have their morning coffee.
Wright appears gloomy as he chews on his unlit cigar
HARRY
So, fellow soldier, the house lady doesn’t bother you?
Harry takes a piece of cake off the plate. Captain Wright
takes the cigar out of his mouth and breathes out smoke
CAPTAIN WRIGHT
Do you suppose that I believe in all that nonsense?
HARRY
(eating the cake)
Nobody would ever think of you as a coward.
GEORGES
(drinking his coffee)
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