dropsletmekissyou

POSSESSIONwrittenbyDAVIDHENRYHWANGBasedonthebookbyA.
S.
BYATTFebruary1996EarlyProductionDraftFOREDUCATIONALPURPOSESONLYPOSSESSIONOPENONBLACKAWOMAN'SVOICEspeaks,softly,whispering:CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`Therewasoncealittletailor,agoodandunremarkableman,journeyingthroughaforest.
Andasheadvancedintothedark.
.
.
SLOWFADEUPTO:EXT.
FAIRYTALEFOREST-DAY/NIGHTMoonlight.
Amagicalforestoftrees.
Diamondshardsofbluelightonwrinkled,wormyroots.
Overthemossygorse,steps--AlittleTAILOR,withscissors,needlesandthreadhangingfromhisbelt.
Aglasskeyroundhisneck.
Andatall,greyhoundbesidehim.
Heseesahead--Agiantstone,whereacrackopensup.
TheTailorpeersinside.
Andsqueezesdowninsideadarktunnel.
Whichleadsoutinto--INT.
STONECHAMBER-DAY/NIGHTAshimmeringhallofphosphorescentlight.
TheTailorseesatallglassdome;andashiningglasscoffin,onavelvetpall,surroundedbymothsandbutterflies.
TheTailorpeersinsidetheglassdome,sees--Aminiaturecastle,withwindowsandbattlements.
FROMPOV-INSIDEGLASSCOFFINTheTailorpeersin,tosee:asleepingPRINCESS,herbreathrufflinghergoldenhair.
Inherhands:abox,likeagreeniceegg.
BACKTOSCENETheTailor--takeshisglasskey,slipsitintothelock.
(CONTINUED)2.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Andthelittletailorthoughttobendandkissherperfectcheek,becauseheknewthiswaswhathemustdo.
.
.
'AndkissesthePrincess.
Sheopenshereyes,fullofwonder.
PRINCESSYoumustbetheoneIhavebeenwaitingfor.
Youmustbetheprince.
TAILORNo,youaremistaken.
Iamatailor.
Insearchofworktokeepmealive.
ThePrincesslaughs.
AndthesoundofherlaughterSHATTERStheGLASSCOFFINintosplinters.
Andonthebox,CLOSEINand--REVEREND(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,'saidJesus.
`Hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive.
.
.
'SLOWFADEUPTOasilveryBLACKANDWHITE--EXT.
CEMETERY(LONDON)-DAY(1888)Theboxliesinthehandsofawidow,MRS.
ELLENASH,infrontofamausoleum.
It'sadrippingNovemberday,sunlowinthesky.
Ellenliftsbackherveiltokissthebox.
Whichsheplacesinside--awroughtironvault.
Itsdoorsclose.
REVERENDLetthebodyandsoulofRandolphHenryAshlieineternalpeace,mournedbyhissorrowingwidowEllen.
.
.
PULLBACKtoseeEllenandmourners,meninblackhatsandcloakslikesilk-cladravensroundanEgyptian-stylevaultedtomb.
Ellenfocusesontheboxbehindametalgrille.
HOLDON--thebox.
Asbeforeoureyes,theboxandtombrapidly--(CONTINUED)3.
CONTINUED:Ageahundredyears.
Roseswitheranddie.
Moss,weeds,leaves,briars,tendrilsofundergrowthpushandcoil'roundthegrille.
REVEREND(V.
O.
).
.
.
honorednotonlybythoseoftheyearofourLord1888,butbyalloftime.
.
.
Andasawindblowsleaves,FADEUPTO--EXT.
LONDONSTREETS(BLOOMSBURY)-DAY(PRESENT)Thespinningwheelofabicycle.
Thespokesblurinaconstantmotion,givinganillusionofstillness.
As--SuddenlyVIVIDCOLORandSHRIEKofCARHORNS--Ayoungmanweavesperilously'roundawormoftraffic.
Inanorakandcycleclips,ROLANDMICHELL,thirtyish,dodgesdownbackstreets,cuttingthroughinto--EXT.
BRITISHMUSEUM-DAYRolandwheelshisbicycletosheds,removeshisclips.
Oblivioustohistrouserssplashedbymud.
Heunpackshisbicyclepanniers.
Headsthroughasideentranceinto--INT.
BRITISHMUSEUM-DAYRolandwalksdownalongcorridor,leadingthroughtoanECHOINGdomedhall.
HepausesbyapartyofTEACHERandschool-kidsinfrontofastatueofaneminentVictorian:RandolphHenryAsh.
CLOSEUP-STATUERolandstaresfondlyupatthesternfeaturesofAshgazinglifelesslyoutoverthekids'boredfaces.
BACKTOSCENETEACHER.
.
.
Poet,philosopher,naturalist,statesman,RandolphHenryAshwasoneofourmosteminentliteraryheroes.
.
.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)4.
CONTINUED:TEACHER(CONT'D).
.
.
whosefamouslovepoemstohiswifeEllenareamongthemostgloriousjewelsofourliteraryheritage.
FromtheVictorianage,onlyBrowningandTennyson--(tounrulykids)Payattention,Kylie--WhostareamusedlyatRoland'snerdyappearance,cyclinghelmetstillon.
Heslipsunnoticeddownasidestair-well,entering--INT.
BRITISHMUSEUMBASEMENT-ASHFACTORY-DAYThroughadoormarked,"AshInstitute:DirectorProfessorJamesBlackadder.
"Thisisthe"AshFactory":Abasementofcorridors,ininstitutionalgrot.
Striplighting,peelingpaint-work.
PAOLA,afifty-somethingsecretarywithmoth-likeglasses,glancesupatRoland.
PAOLA'Morning,Roland.
Blackadder'sinapanic.
MortimerCropperhaslanded.
ROLANDOh,God.
DidBlackadderfinishmyreferenceIaskedhimweeksago.
PAOLAIremindedhim.
Butyouknowwhathe'slikewhenCropper'sintown.
ROLANDImusttalktoBlackadder.
HeknowssincehegavethatjobtoFergus.
.
.
PAOLAAccidentNoticeshisruinedtrousers,onherwaytothephotocopier.
ROLAND(hadn'tnoticedbefore)Oh.
.
.
mybicycle,Isuppose.
(CONTINUED)5.
CONTINUED:Rolandputsdownhispanniers,squeezespastPaolaintothepantry.
Heflicksonthekettle.
Looksforhiscoffeemug.
ROLAND.
.
.
Who'sbeenusingmymugAsheunscrewsthecoffeejar,waitingforthekettletoboil,heturnstoseeatthedoor,agrey-hairedwoman,staringathim.
BEATRICEIfyouhaveaminute,Roland.
.
.
ThisisDr.
BEATRICENEST,doyenneofEllenAshstudiesandKeeperoftheAshMuseum,aneccentricspinsterishscholar.
ROLANDActually,Beatrice,IwasabouttogetstartedonthoseAshfootnotes--BEATRICEIt'simportant.
It'saboutEllen.
.
.
Ominoussilence.
RolandregistersBeatrice'sinsistence.
Shedisappearsdownthehall.
Rolandhastofollowherinto--INT.
MUSEUM-ASHFACTORY-BEATRICE'SROOM-DAYAmustycavernofcardboardboxesandyellowingpapers.
Behindthem,almostbrickedin,sitsBeatrice.
WhoflingsaletterovertoRoland.
BEATRICEIcan'tbearit.
Anotherletterfromthatimpossiblewoman,LeonoraStern.
ShewantsapiecefrommeforsomeghastlynewjournalaboutEllenAsh'ssexualrelations--ROLANDWith.
.
.
AshBEATRICEWithanyone.
Thiswoman'sobsessedwithsex.
(CONTINUED)6.
CONTINUED:ROLANDYouprotectEllenfromquestionablesuitors,Beatrice.
I'vealwaysadmiredthat.
BEATRICEEllenwasafaithfulwife.
AndI'mfaithfultoher.
Sheneedsprotection.
I'mtheonlyonenowwhocares.
.
.
NOISESinthecorridor.
Twoacademicspoketheirnosesin.
One,hisrival,atrendyyounglecturer,FERGUSWOLF;theother,abluffelderlyScottishprofessor,JAMESBLACKADDER,Roland'sboss.
FERGUSHi,Roland.
StillhereROLANDFergus.
.
.
(beat)Congratulationsonyourappointment.
.
.
Downcast,Rolandshrinksbackindefeat.
Blackadderblustersin.
BLACKADDERAh,Roland.
.
.
IwantyouattheLondonLibrary.
Comealong,Cropper'sintownfortheauction.
.
.
BlackadderwhisksRolandoutfromtheroom.
INT.
MUSEUM-ASHFACTORYCORRIDORS-DAYTheywalkdownthecorridorwithFergus,Blackadderputtingonhiscoat.
ROLANDIfeelsorryforpoorBeatrice.
Eventhefeministshatehernowforchampioningadullwife--BLACKADDER(exasperated)BeatriceNestandherbloodylettersofEllenAsharecompletelyirrelevanttomodernscholarship.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)7.
CONTINUED:BLACKADDER(CONT'D)She'swastedtwenty-fiveyearslookingupeveryrecipeforgooseberryjamandjaunttoBroadstairs.
That'swhatIgetforhiringaPh.
Dfrom.
.
.
(canbarelysayit).
.
.
NewZealand.
FERGUSTheoldwitch.
She'sthebestkeeperoftheAshMuseumyou'llfind--BLACKADDERYes.
LikeEllen,Beatriceisbestbehindcloseddoors.
.
.
BlackadderandFergusswoopoff.
Rolandwatchesthemgo,turns'roundtosee--Beatricescurrybackintoherroomlikeacrab.
Obviouslyoverheardtheircomments.
Rolandsighs--CUTTO:EXT.
LONDONSTREETS(PICCADILLY)-DAYThespinningwheel.
Onhisbicycle,withhispanniersandclips,Rolandswervesthroughnoisytraffic,headingfor--EXT.
LONDONLIBRARY(ST.
JAMES'SSQUARE)-DAY(PRESENT)AnelegantLondonsquare.
RolandcyclesinasleavesblowfromatalltreetowardsavastVictorianlibrary,wherepeopleleavebystonesteps,armfulsofbooks.
AsRolandparkshisbike--SomeLEAVESfloataway,tumbletowardsaskylightonthelibraryroofTAPPINGlikebirdstryingtoenter,as--INT.
LONDONLIBRARY-HALL-DAYRolandenterstheshabbyhall.
Bespectacledscholarsshufflearoundinasilenthum.
Rolandseemssuddenly"athome.
"Allaroundhim,wastedlifetimesdevotedtobooks.
.
.
8.
INT.
LONDONLIBRARY-STACKS-DAYRolandnavigateslikeamoleaccustomedtothedarkthroughamazeofmetalshelves.
HiddenstairsandtinycorridorslikeaPiranesiprison,bookspiledhigh:dark,dusty,infinite.
.
.
Rolandseemstoknowhisway,eveninthedark.
.
.
INT.
LONDONLIBRARY-BASEMENT-RAREBOOKSDEPARTMENT-DAYZig-zaggingthroughalabyrinthofbooks,Rolandemergesdowninthebasement.
Heknocksatadoormarked"RareBooks5.
"Noreply,soheenters--Amustyroomlikeapharaoh'stomb,ahighwindowcastinglightintoacellofvellumandleather.
Rolandputsfilesdown.
ROLANDMyname'sDr.
Michell,RolandMichell.
YouhaveacopyofDonne'spoetryforme.
An1858edition.
Apebble-glassedLIBRARIANemerges,crookedashistotteringpilesofbooks.
Slightlydeaf,hetakeshistime.
LIBRARIANYouordereditthroughProfessorBlackadderoverattheAshInstituteROLANDCorrect.
I'mworkingontheCompleteWorkseditionwithhim.
LIBRARIANIdidn'tknowAshwasanadmirerofDonneROLANDHequotedoneofDonne'spoemsonhisdeathbed.
I'mcheckingreferencesintheNineteenthCenturyeditions.
.
.
justtobesure.
TheLibrarianfindsRoland'sbook,boundwithtape.
Hewipesawayblackdust,handsitover.
Rolandsitsdown,crackspagesapart.
(CONTINUED)9.
CONTINUED:LIBRARIANDoesn'tlooklikeit'sbeentouchedforawhile.
I'llcheck.
.
.
Flickingthrough,Rolandseesnotesscrawledinthemargins.
CLOSEUP-HANDWRITINGBACKTOSCENEItintrigueshim.
ROLANDSomeone'sscrawlednotesalloverthemargins.
LIBRARIANHm.
.
.
Well.
.
.
it'sneverbeencalledfor,asfarasIknow.
.
.
(checksfilecards,asRolandreads)Odd.
.
.
Accordingtoourrecords,thiseditionwasbequeathedtousbyAsh'swidow,Ellen.
ROLANDYoumeanthiscopybelongedtoAshhimselfSomeonemusthaveconsulteditbeforenow.
LIBRARIANSeemsitwaslostinourfilingsystem.
.
.
Intrigued,Rolandgoesbacktocuttingleaves.
Withgreatdelicacyhecutsopenasetofpages,suddenlytwooldlettersfalltothefloor.
Rolandbendsdowntopickthemup--LIBRARIAN(ramblingon)`.
.
.
DevilandDemonology,Dogs,DomesticServantsand.
.
.
Donne.
.
.
'(beat)Youcanloseanythinginhere.
Ifoundasetoffalseteethonce.
.
.
Rolandisn'tlistening.
Dazzledbyathinshaftofsunlight,Rolandstartstoread.
OnyellowingPAPER,asoundofaPENSCRATCHING.
(CONTINUED)10.
CONTINUED:AndAsh'svoice--deep,intimate--OVER:ASH(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Dearmadam,Excusethislettertoastranger.
YetsinceourpleasantandunexpectedconversationatCrabbRobinson'sparty,Ihavethoughtofnothingelse.
.
.
'OnhearingAsh'svoice,Rolandturnsthelettersover.
Likeaspell,thevoicestops.
Rolandstareshardattheletters,thenlooksbackattheLibrarian.
Concealingthelettersfromview.
Warily,Rolandturnsthelettersoveragain.
AsRolandreadsthenextpassage,hisexpressionchangestowonder.
ASH(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Ifeel,Iknowwithacertaintythatcannotbemistaken,thatyouandImustspeakagain.
.
.
'Hereadson,silently.
Thenturnsthelettersoveragain.
Hefoldsbackthebooktothefrontpaper:Asignature"RandolphHenryAsh.
"Rolandpullstheletterupbesidethesignature--ROLANDIncredible.
.
.
CLOSEUP-LETTER/SIGNATUREAmatch.
BACKTOSCENELikeagreatpokerhand,Rolandcan'tbelievehisluck.
Suddenlyalive,confused,palpitating,helooks'round.
LIBRARIANHm.
.
.
FoundanythinginterestingEXTREMECLOSEUPONROLANDdeliberating.
Hisheartbeatseemstopause.
Timestops,hiswholelifeconvergesinasinglemoment:Lifeordeath,truthorlie,asimple"Yes"or"No":ROLANDNo.
Nothingreally.
.
.
11.
BACKTOSCENEGuiltily,RolandslidesthelettersintohiscopyofPoemsofR.
H.
Ash.
Andslipsthebookbeneathhisarm,as--AloudKNOCKINGsoundCARRIESOVERfrom--AUCTIONEER(V.
O.
).
.
.
Soldonce.
.
.
soldtwice.
.
.
INT.
CHRISTIE'SAUCTIONHOUSE(LONDON)-DAYAhammerbangsonagavelasanAUCTIONEERclosesadeal.
Inapanelledroom,acrowdofbuyerssitwaiting,somepoisedonphones,otherswithcatalogues:VictorianLiteraryMemorabilia.
AUCTIONEERSoldforahundredandtwenty-fivethousandguineas.
.
.
Thetall,handsomebuyer,acknowledgestheAuctioneer:MORTIMERCROPPER,U.
S.
scholar,collector,masteroftheAshuniverse.
Nearby,theelderlyLORDASH,andhiswastrelson,HILDEBRAND.
AUCTIONEER.
.
.
LettersandmemorabiliaofRandolphHenryAsh,includingweddingringsbelongingtothepoetandhiswife.
.
.
toProfessorCropper.
Behindhim,BlackadderandFergusWolfexchangeglances.
CropperacknowledgesBlackadder,turnstoLordAsh.
CROPPERWecanresteasy,LordAsh.
TheweddingringsaresecuredfortheAshCollection.
LORDASHYoubeattheJapaneseagainCROPPEROfcourse,sir.
Wehaveveryamplefunds.
LORDASH(repeatingvaguely)Veryamplefunds.
.
.
LordAshsmiles.
CroppercommentstoHildebrand.
(CONTINUED)12.
CONTINUED:CROPPERPleasedtoseeyourfathersohappy.
HILDEBRANDMoneyalwaysexciteshim.
CROPPERThenweshouldgo.
Nomoreburiedtreasurehere.
Yourfather'sveryfrail.
HILDEBRANDButnotfrailenough.
Envyinhisvoice,asCroppercollectstherings.
HewheelsLordAsh'schairtotheexit.
BlackadderandFergusgossip.
FERGUSYouhavetohandittoCropper,repackagingAshasaNewVictorian.
Allmoralrigorandfamilyvalues.
Pureopportunism--BLACKADDERNowNewsweekpickeditup,theoldgoatthinkshe'llgetaPulitzerforhisbook.
Hideous.
.
.
(beat)ButIwouldn'ttrustanyone,facedwithCropper'sloot.
.
.
BlackadderrushesuptoCropper.
BLACKADDERCongratulations,ProfessorCropper.
CROPPERAh,Professor.
.
.
Dr.
Wolf.
.
.
Lookattheserings.
Wonderfulthings.
.
.
Heproudlyholdsuptheringsbeforethem.
Alllookon.
CROPPERIrememberwhenmyfatherwouldamusehimselfbyplacingthetreasuresofhisowncollectioninmysweatypaw.
.
.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)13.
CONTINUED:CROPPER(CONT'D)(strokinghispalm;sensuously).
.
.
`Here,Morty,myboy,'hewouldsay.
`Hereishistorytoholdinyourhand.
'Priceless.
.
.
BLACKADDERSurelyastrainevenforyourbudget.
Effortlesslysuperior,Croppersmilescondescendingly.
CROPPERAttheCropperFoundation,wedon'thaveabudget.
Justacheckbook.
Blackadder,FerguswatchhimwheelLordAshout.
EXT.
ROLAND'SFLAT(STOKENEWINGTON)-SPINNINGBICYCLEWHEEL-NIGHTRolandridesupthelanesofrundownStokeNewington.
OutsideatallVictorianhouse,Rolandstops,bringshisbicycleupsteps.
Openshisdoors,andenters--INT.
ROLAND'SHOUSE-HALLWAY-NIGHTLockinghisbicycleinthehall,hepicksupapileofmail.
Andwearilygoesdownthestairsintothebasement.
INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT-KITCHEN-NIGHTPortraitsofRandolphHenryAshstaredownatakitchentable.
CATSgather,MIAOWINGforfood,as--VAL,hislong-timegirlfriend,setsdownbeforeRolandaplateoflambandratatouille.
It'sreheated,andliketheirrelationship,tepid,andpotentiallypoisonous.
ROLANDShallIgetabottleofwineVALYoushould'vethoughtofthatbefore.
Rolanddutifullypicksatthemeat.
Then--(CONTINUED)14.
CONTINUED:ROLANDImadeanamazingdiscoverytoday--VALIt'llgocold.
ROLANDIwasintheLondonLibrary.
IfoundAsh'sowncopyofDonnepoemswithallhisnotesinthemargins.
AndI'msurenooneknewitwasthere--VALIexpecttheydidn't.
ROLAND.
.
.
IfItellBlackadder,Iknowhe'llthinkit'simportant--VALIexpecthewill.
Rolandseesthebadmood.
Likeastormgatheringstrength.
ROLANDI'msorrytoboreyou,Val.
Itdoeslookexciting.
Icanwriteitup.
It'llmakemeabetterjobprospect--VALTherearenojobs.
Andifthereare,theygotoFergusWolf--Valgetsupfromthetable.
Rolanddutifullyprodsthelamb.
ROLANDIfyouthinkwhatIdoissounimportant--VAL(lightingacigarette)Youdowhatturnsyouon.
Youhavethisthingaboutthisdeadman.
Whohadathingaboutdeadpeople.
That'sokay,butnoteveryoneisverybotheredaboutallthat.
.
.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)15.
CONTINUED:VAL(CONT'D)(drawsoncigarette).
.
.
Iseesomethings,frommymenialvantagepointinmylawyer'soffice.
Lastweek,whenEuanandI--Rolandstartstofeedcatsbelowthetable.
ROLANDWho.
.
.
VALAlawyer.
Inmyoffice.
.
.
Oh,nevermind.
Valturnstohim.
Atfirstslowly,calmly.
Thenlouder.
.
.
VALIsupposeIenvyyou,piecingtogetheroldAsh'sworldpicture.
Onlywheredoesthatleaveyou,oldmoleWhat'syourworldpictureAndhowareyouevergoingtoaffordtogetusawayfromdrippingcat-pissandbeingontopofoneanother!
Rolandstares,strickenbyVal'sshowoftemper.
ROLANDSomething'supsetyou,hasn'titVALSeemsareasonablededuction.
EXT.
/INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT(STOKENEWINGTON)-BEDROOM-NIGHTThreeA.
M.
OutsideadilapidatedVictorianhouse,abreezeRUSTLESthroughatree'sLEAVES.
MOVEINTHROUGHaWINDOW,whereValliesinbed,alone.
Outsidethebedroom--INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT-BATHROOM-NIGHTSittingontheloweredlooseat,Rolandgoesovertheletters.
Hestaresatthehandwriting,hearsAsh'svoice.
(CONTINUED)16.
CONTINUED:ASH(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
DearMadam,Excusethislettertoastranger.
.
.
'RUSTLEDbyWIND,withastrange,harmonicMUSIC,thelettershoverdelicatelyinhishands.
HauntedbyRoland's.
.
.
DREAM-EXT.
HOUSE-CRABBROBINSONPARTY(BLACK&WHITE)-DAYAsAshescortsEllenintothehouse,hecarriesonthroughaparty,insideaconservatoryofOrientalplantswhichconcealguestsplayingblindman'sbluff.
AshseesaWOMAN,headturnedaway.
ONthatlook--ASH(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
SinceourpleasantandunexpectedconversationatCrabbRobinson'sparty,Ihavethoughtofnothingelse.
.
.
'AshisdrawntowardstheWoman--FREEZEONhisexpression,hisfeaturesturnasiftostone,as--ENDOFDREAM.
INT.
UNIVERSITYOFLONDONLIBRARY-ATDESK-NEXTDAYCrisppagesofayellowingvolume.
RolandreadsthejournalofCrabbRobinson.
Anentryunder1858.
CRABBROBINSON(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
June18,1858.
Mybreakfastpartywentoffverywellindeed.
Ihadwithme:Mr.
Bagehot,Mr.
Ash,Mrs.
Jameson.
.
.
ProfessorSpear,Mrs.
Lees,MissLaMotteandherfriendMissGlover,thelastsomewhattaciturn.
.
.
'Rolandlocksup,scribblesanote:"ChristabelLaMotte.
"Hedreamilysees--FLASHBACK-EXT.
CRABBROBINSON'SHOME(RUSSELLSQUARE)(BLACK&WHITE)-DAY(1858)Intheconservatory,Ash,asbefore,walkingtowardsaWoman,turnedawayfromhim(andus).
(CONTINUED)17.
CONTINUED:Thehost,CRABBROBINSON,amustachioedaesthete,observeshisguests.
CRABBROBINSON(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
AshhadnevermetMissLaMotte,whospokemoreforcefullythanIexpected.
Sheissurprisinglyhandsomewhenanimated.
.
.
'InBLACKANDWHITEweseeasdistantshadows--AshwithaWoman--ChristabelLaMotte--andbehindher,anotherWoman--BLANCHEGLOVER,anattractive,butlessconfidentartist.
CRABBROBINSON(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
WealldiscussedwithMrs.
LeesherclaimtohaveconversedwiththespiritofCharlotteBronte.
.
.
Mr.
AshappealedtoMissLaMotteonthequestionofvisionsandsecondsight;shedeclinedtoexpressanopinion,answeringonlywithaMonaLisasmile.
'FromAshandChristabel'ssmile:Rapturous,intense.
.
.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
CUTTO:CLOSEUPasRolanddouble-underlinesthename"ChristabelLaMotte.
"Hetakeshisslipofpaperto--INT.
UNIVERSITYOFLONDONLIBRARY-INDEX-DAYStandinginacatalogueroom,trousersstillcoiledbybicycleclips,Rolandflicksthroughthecardsinagargantuanindex.
Under"L,"herummagesuntilhefindsthereference.
.
.
ONCARDROLAND(mumbling)La.
.
.
La.
.
.
La.
.
.
LaMotte.
(CONTINUED)18.
CONTINUED:"LaMotte,Christabel1825-1890.
Poet,critic.
"ROLANDjotsdownareference:719.
640.
Movesdowntorelatedliterature.
Rolandholdsacardatarm'slength.
Frombehind,avoice:FERGUS(O.
S.
)Ididn'tknowyouhadaninterestinChristabelLaMotte.
.
.
Rolandturns,seesFerguspeeringoverhisshoulder.
Fergusreachesovertoinvestigatethecard.
Andlaughs.
ROLANDIdon't.
Ineverheardofheruntilnow.
(beat)WhydidyoulaughFERGUSYou'relookingforaninvoluntaryexpert.
TherearetwopeopleintheworldwhoknowallaboutChristabelLaMotte.
OneisProfessorLeonoraSternfromTallahassee.
TherealexpertisDoctorMaudBaileyatLincoln.
CropperandImetthembothinParis.
Aconferenceonsexualityandtextuality.
(beat)Aformidablepair.
.
.
theyhavequiteathingtogether.
ROLANDA`thing'FERGUSIdon'tthinktheylikemen.
ROLANDOh,dear.
FERGUSMaudrunsaresourcecenterupthereinLincoln.
Cropper'sfundingit.
They'vegotChristabel'spapersthere.
Ifyouwantanything,that'swheretolook.
(CONTINUED)19.
CONTINUED:ROLANDImight.
Thanks.
What'sshelikeFERGUSUnreadable.
Thefeministsareinterestedinher.
Wroteapoemaboutafairywhomarriedamortalforasoul--ROLANDImeantDr.
Bailey.
.
.
WillsheeatmeupFergusconsidersbriefly.
Alotofundecodablefeeling.
FERGUSShethicksmen'sbloodwithcold.
ONRoland'slook,amixofintrigueandworry--EXT.
LINCOLNUNIVERSITY-NEXTDAYThebeautifulfaceofMAUDBAILEY:paleandcool,likeamarblestatue.
Blondehairup,Maudstandsinadoorwayofamoderncampusblock,aspastcampusfountainsandlawns--Rolandwalkstowardher.
Asheclosesin,heisdrawninbyherbeauty.
Herecognizesit,yetcannotevenadmitit.
Sheismiddle-class,beautiful,confident:everythinghedarenotaspireto.
MAUDYoumustbeDr.
MichellROLANDYes.
.
.
Roland.
.
.
Maudoffershimherlong,coolhand.
Rolandputsdownhisbriefcase,shakesherhand.
MAUDIhopeyouhaven'twastedyourjourney,Dr.
Michell.
Withneitherawordnorasmile,Maudturns,walksintothefacultybuilding.
Rolandtakesastep,remembershisbriefcase.
Turnsbacktopickitup,andhasto--CatchupwithMaud,nowseveralstepsahead,openingadoorto--20.
INT.
FACULTYHALL(LINCOLNUNIVERSITY)-DAYInanewbuildingofbeigewoodandtintedglass,MaudwalkswithRolandtowardsanelevator.
Young,punkyfemalestudentswalkpast,ringsintheirnoses,holdinghands.
Rolandseesnomen.
MAUDOnthephoneyousaidyoufoundaconnectionbetweenRandolphandAshandoneofmypoets.
ROLANDIfoundadraftofaletterinoneofAsh'sbooks.
IthoughtitmightbetoChristabelLaMotte.
MAUDWhatsortofletterROLANDAloveletter,Ithink.
MAUDHardtobelieve.
Where'syourevidenceMaudpressesthebuttonfortheelevator.
Theywait.
ROLANDTherewasabreakfastparty,June18,1858.
AtthehomeofCrabbRobinson.
Ibelievetheymetoneanotherthere--MAUDYoucanneverrelyonCrabbRobinson.
Hewasanotoriousgossip,alwaysinventingthings.
.
.
TheELEVATORPINGS,opensdoors.
MaudandRolandstepinside.
ROLANDOfcourse,buthehassomecuriousdetails.
.
.
INT.
ELEVATOR-DAYInsidetheelevator,RolandandMaudareuncomfortablyclosetogether,astheygodownintotheresourcecenter'sbasement.
(CONTINUED)21.
CONTINUED:ROLAND.
.
.
HesaysAshandChristabeldiscussedeachother'spoems.
AndmetthespiritualistMrs.
Lees.
Itsoundedplausibletome.
In1861,AshwroteMummyPossestafteraseance--MAUDMyChristabelwasinterestedinspiritualism.
ButIdon'tthinkAshwouldhaveappealedtoher.
Hispoemisfullofhatredforwomen--ROLANDThenit'sprobablyawildgoosechase.
Asyousaid.
(beat)Ihopeyoudon'tthinkI'vemadeallthisup.
Thisrelationship--MAUDYousaid`connection.
'Nowit'sarelationshipROLANDBetweentwopeople.
Twohumanbeings.
Isn'tthatnormallycalledarelationshipMAUDDepends.
Ithinkyourtheoryiswayoffthemark.
Itsounds,frankly,alittlebizarre.
Maudturnsaway,headsoffintothelibrary.
Rolandfollowsher.
ROLANDIneedtocross-referenceitwithherjournal.
YoudidsayChristabelkeptajournal.
.
.
MAUDNo.
ButwehaveadiarybyafriendofChristabel.
Anartist,BlancheGlover.
.
.
ROLANDCrabbRobinsonmentionsMissGlover.
Whowasshe(CONTINUED)22.
CONTINUED:Maudpicksupinterest.
TheELEVATORPINGS,doorsopen.
Theywalkoutoftheelevator,towardsthelibrarydoors.
MAUDBlanchewasChristabel'shousemate--andmostcertainlyherlover.
Infrontofthedoors,Rolandhangsback.
Maudholdsthedooropen.
ROLANDAmIallowedinMAUDNaturally.
INT.
LIBRARY(LINCOLNUNIVERSITY)-RESOURCECENTER-DAYOnadesk,Maudbringsoutaboxofmustymanuscripts.
Shepicksasinglevolume,placesitonthedeskinfrontofRoland.
Athick,green,leather-boundnotebook.
MAUDBlanche'sdiarywasamongChristabel'spaperswhenshedied.
Leonoraislookingforagranttohaveitedited.
She'sfoundaresearcherfromFrancewho'sinterested.
Butwecan'tgothrougheverything.
.
.
ROLANDThenI'llletyouknowwhatIfind.
Maudisabouttogo.
Sherelents,givingintohercuriosity.
MAUDIcheckedmyfilesbeforeyouarrived.
ChristabelonlyreferredtoAsh.
InalettershewrotetoWilliamRosetti,towardstheendofherlife.
(beat)Itwas.
.
.
ifanything.
.
.
hostile.
(beat)Youhaveacoupleofhours.
Rolandsitsatadesk.
Illuminatedbyashaftofoverheadlight.
23.
ONCOVERAgildeddove,flyingoutfromakeyhole.
Heopensthelavishly-illustratedbook,withmarbledendpapers.
"AJournalofOurHome-LifeInOurHouseinRichmond"ByBlancheGloverCommencedonthedayofourSettingupHouseMay1st,1853.
"AsRolandflickstoJune1858,herwritingisdecoratedwithprettydrawings,slowlymergingintoswirling,macabreimages.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
June18,1858.
WewentouttobreakfastatMr.
CrabbRobinson'shome.
PresentwereMr.
Bagehot,Mrs.
Lees,Mr.
Ashthepoet,thoughwithoutMrs.
Ash,whowasindisposed.
.
.
'Inhismind'seye--Rolandtriestopenetrateamistycloud--FLASHBACK-EXT.
CRABBROBINSON'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)(SILVERNITRATEBLACK&WHITE)-DAY(1858)Inagardenconservatory,Ashmovestowardsabeautifulwoman,backturnedawayfromhim.
Behindher,asAshdrawscloseris--Awoman,wenowrecognizeas--BLANCHEGLOVER.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
ThePrincesswasmuchadmiredandrightly.
.
.
'AshisinterceptedbyHELLALEES,aspiritualist.
Whointroducesthebeautifulwoman:CHRISTABELLAMOTTE,abeguilingpre-Raphaelitebrunette.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
SheprofessedtolikeMr.
Ash'spoemRagnarokgreatly.
Whichnaturallyflatteredhim.
.
.
'ChristabelreturnsAsh'ssmile.
Modestlyflirtatious,sheisdrawnintohisorbit,staringdeepintohiseyes.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Thisfamouspoetwouldhavebeenmuchsurprisedtoknowmytrueopinion.
.
.
'(CONTINUED)24.
CONTINUED:BlanchewatchesAshwalkwithChristabelawayfromher.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
ButIsmiledandnoddedasbestImight,keepingmythoughtstomyself.
(beat)Idesiredtobeathome.
'Blancheholdsinherhandabook,withanembossedgildeddoveonitscover.
Then--INTERCUTWITH:ROLANDCheckingtheclock,flipsthroughyellowingpagesofBlanche'sjournal,filledwithportraitsofChristabel.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
MyPrincessismuchexercisedaboutalongletterwhicharrivedtoday,whichshedidnotshowme,butsmilesover,andcaughtupandfoldedaway.
.
.
'Slowlyherportraitschangeintomacabredrawingsofserpentsandgoblins.
Rolandreturnstoapagehe'sskimmed:BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Letters,lettersletters.
.
.
'INT.
BLANCHE&CHRISTABEL'SHOUSE(1858)-DUSKInthehallway,apileofletters.
Christabelpicksthemup,headsupstairs.
Followedatadistance,byBlanche:Herfacebroodingandsuspicious.
AsChristabeldropsaletter--Blanchepicksitup,goestothedoor,confrontsherwithit.
Christabelrunsupstairs,sobbing.
.
.
BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Notforme.
Youneednothurrythemaway.
.
.
'INSIDEHERROOMChristabelhideslettersinhersewingbasket,foldsthemunderhandkerchieves.
Outside,throughthekeyhole--(CONTINUED)25.
CONTINUED:BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Iamnosneak,noGoverness.
Fromthatfateyourescuedme,myPrincess,asIshallrescueyoufromyours.
.
.
'Blanchespiesin.
EXTREMECLOSEUP-INIRISHereyelarge,unblinking.
Blanchemovesback,staresoutthewindow.
Thepanesframeherface.
Astormisbeginning.
Bycandlelight--BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Nowwehaveaprowler.
.
.
'Blancheseestreeshadowsmoveacrosswindows.
RAINandWINDHOWLoutside.
WINDOWFRAMESRATTLE,Blanche'sangermounts.
Asbranchesscrapeoverwindows--BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Ihearhimoutthere.
Awolfatthedoor.
.
.
'BlanchewatchesasfromoutsidesomethingBANGSagainstadoor.
AlowmoanofCRACKINGWOOD.
AlatchisBATTEREDuntilreadytogive.
Inareflection,Blanchesees--BLANCHE(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
ThispeepingTomhasputhiseyetoourwalls.
Nowhepeersshamelesslyin.
.
.
'Aman'sface--Ash--BOOM!
AsuddenGUSTOFWIND.
Windowsandshuttersareblownin--rainpoursthrough.
Asilhouette--afacelikeAsh.
ThentheWINDOWBURSTSopen--SplintersofglassflytowardsBlanche--SMASHCUTTO:INT.
LIBRARY-NIGHTSilence.
Duskhasturnedtonight.
Beneathanisolatedpoolofoverheadlight,Rolandlooksupfromthediaryintodarkness.
Amongtheshelves,ashadowstirs.
Fromthedarkness--MAUDDidyoufindanything(CONTINUED)26.
CONTINUED:Maudstepsintothelight.
Stunned,Rolandclosesthebook.
ROLANDIthinkso.
Alonetogetherinthedesertedlibrary.
Unexpectedlyintimate,evenerotic.
Maudperchesonadesk.
ROLANDDoyouknowaboutthisprowlerBlanchewassoworriedaboutThewolfatthedoorMAUDYouthinkitmayhavebeenAshYousawherdrawings.
Blanchehadavividimagination.
Onthedesk,RolandandMaudflickthroughBlanche'smacabredrawingsoflabialflowersandserpents'tongues.
ROLANDAndwasjealous.
MAUDPossibly.
IfChristabelwasherlover.
Loversdogetjealous,don'ttheyROLANDWhathappenedtoBlancheMAUDShedrownedintheThames,shortlyaftercompletingthisbook.
Suicide.
Christabelwasdistraught.
Itwasallverysad.
(beat)Butit'sgettinglate.
ROLANDIneedtofindoutwhathappenednext.
MAUDSorry,nottonight.
Thecenter'sclosed.
RolandlooksatMaud.
Realizesnowornever.
ROLANDThenI'dbetterexplain.
(CONTINUED)27.
CONTINUED:Rolandtakesoutthetwostolenlettersfromhispocket.
Hetossesthemonthetable.
Maudstartstoreadthem.
ROLANDIfoundthese.
They'reinAsh'shandwriting.
MAUDYou'resurethey'reauthenticROLANDI'vechecked.
They'redatedJune19,1858.
MAUDThedayafterCrabbRobinson'sparty.
ROLANDPrecisely.
IfIcanfindsomethingdefinite,theycouldchangeourwholeideaofAsh.
(beat)AndperhapsofChristabel.
Maud'spulsequickens.
Shefinishes,looksup,regaininghercomposure.
Sensestheirimportance.
ROLANDIhaven'tshownthemtoanyoneelse.
Nooneelseknowstheyexist.
IfoundtheminabookintheLondonLibrary.
MAUDYoustolethem--ROLANDIdon'tthinkthey'remine,oranything.
Butthey'renotCropper'sorBlackadder'sorLordAsh'seither.
Don'tyouseeMyAshlivedaquietandexemplarymarriedlife.
Now,suddenly.
.
.
(beat)Alovelettertoanunknownwoman.
AsRolandtieshimselfinknots,Maudiscoollyaccusatory.
MAUDIsupposetheymightrepresentaconsiderableacademicscoop.
Foryou.
(CONTINUED)28.
CONTINUED:ROLANDWell,Iwantedtobetheonewhodoesthework.
.
.
(realizesherinsult).
.
.
Waitaminute--itwasn'tlikethat.
MAUDI'msorry.
I'dneverhavethenervetodothat.
Stealthem.
.
.
ROLANDItwasanimpulse.
Forthefirsttime,IfeltAshwasaliveinthoseletters.
Itwasincredible.
That'swhyIneedyoutofindoutthetruthaboutAshandChristabel--MAUDYouknowCropperfundsthecenter.
Ifhefindsout--ROLANDHewon't.
Ifyoudon'ttellhim.
MAUDIcan'tletyouXeroxBlanche'sdiary.
Thespinewon'tstandit.
Maybeyoucouldcopyitout.
Ineedtothink.
ROLANDYoucan'tthrowmeout.
MAUDCanIbookyouaguestroomROLANDIdon'thaveanymoney.
MAUDIthoughtyouwereworkingforBlackadder.
ROLANDPart-time.
Ialsowashdishesinarestaurant.
Maudmullsitover.
(CONTINUED)29.
CONTINUED:MAUDYou'dbettercomebacktomyplace.
(beat)Youcansleeponmysofa.
Rolandlooksatthediary.
Thetracesofthefadedbrownwriting.
AsMaud'shandrestscloseby.
INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-SITTINGROOM-NIGHTOutsideinthehall,Maudcollectsbedding,playsbackanANSWERINGMACHINEMESSAGEfromCropper,asinhersittingroom--PhotographersfromLeonora,lettersfromtheCropperFoundation.
Anillustratedbookhasbeenleftopenforhimonherdesk.
MAUD(O.
S.
)Ifoundsomethingforyou.
AfirsteditionofChristabel'spoem,TheFairyMelusinathatBlancheillustrated.
.
.
ROLANDCanIreaditMAUD(O.
S.
)Yes.
It'sverybeautiful.
Criticsstilldismissherpoetry.
ButIalwaysfounditstrangeandpowerful.
There'sonepassageaboutawomanwho'dgiveanythingforachild,evenahedgehog,anddulygivesbirthtoamonster.
.
.
Rolandlooksatthemacabreillustration.
AsMaudenters.
ROLANDIthinkBlancheissorryforthehedgehog.
MAUD.
.
.
Isshe(impressedbyRoland'sinsight,Maudexaminesapicture)Yes,maybeyou'reright.
LeonorathoughtitwasrelatedtoFrankenstein,theproductofMaryShelley'shorrorofbirth--(CONTINUED)30.
CONTINUED:ROLANDThanks.
I'llreadit.
Perhapsit'llhelpmesleep.
.
.
(realizinghismistake).
.
.
Ididn'tmeanitlikethat.
Maudthrowshimblankets.
Glaresathim.
MAUDSeeyouinthemorning.
There'satraineveryhour.
Maudclosesthedoor.
Rolandliesonthecouch,listeningtoherinthenextroom.
Hesettlesdown,picksupthebookofChristabel'spoetry,startstoread.
Inshadowydarkness--DISSOLVETHROUGHIRISTO:EXT.
FORESTOFARDEN("FAIRYMELUSINALAND")-DAYEMERGEastheIRISOPENSOUTINTOastrangedreamlikeplaceofChristabel'ssecretimagination:adark,sinisterfairylandwhereowlscry,wolveshowl.
Throughanenchantedsilverforest--AdistantKNIGHTinarmordismountshiswearyblood-spatteredhorse.
Over,Christabelwhispersherpoem:CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Adraggledknightcameridingthroughthetrees,Behindhimfear,beforehimdarkestnight.
.
.
'Theknighthearsasongfromahollowchamber:Insideaglasscoffin,boundbysilverchainsandsapphireropes,liesafairyprincessinwhitesilk.
SheholdsagobletuptotheKnight:KNIGHT(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
WhatIshallbecome,Iknownot.
ButIcraveaplaceofrest,Adraughtofwater,forIchokeondust.
.
.
'TheKnightpullsbackthornybriars,stepsintothemossyhollow.
Heshatterstheglasscoffin,magicallyexplodingintoshimmeringsplinters.
TheKnightletstheliquiddroponhistongue,and--(CONTINUED)31.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
AllonelonglookconsumedhissoulIntodesirebeyondthereachofhope,Beyondthetouchofdoubtordespair,Sothathewasonething,andallhewas--'AstheKnightkissesher,hergoldenhairwrapsitselfaroundhim--silverchainsandemeraldropesbindhislimbs,cutthroughhisarmor--fromhermouthaserpent'stonguedartsout--Pluckshiseyeballsfrombehindhischainmailvisor.
AstheKnightletsoutapainfulroar,whichfreezes--SMASHCUTTO:INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-SITTINGROOM-NIGHTInthebook--Ahorrificwoodcutillustration:thefairyprincess,asRolandcatcheshisbreath,wakingup--AlmostfallsoffMaud'scouch.
Hechecksaclock.
HearsDROPSOFWATER.
Hegetsup.
OnMaud'smantelpiece,Rolandisdrawnto--AnoldphotoofayoungEdwardianlady.
Helookscloselyatthepicture:abrideclutchingabouquetofflowers.
Ontheback,aninscription:"M.
B.
Onherweddingday.
"Intrigued,RolandhearstheDRIPPINGsoundGROWLOUDER,as--INT.
LIBRARY-RESOURCECENTER-NIGHTInthebasement,Blanche'sdiaryliesopen.
Shaftsofmoonlightonadesertedhall.
Abreezeblows,rufflingpages,paststrangedrawingsofflyingdoves,as--Pastanaisleofdesks,walksashadowyfigure,hummingachildlikesong.
Alongthefloor,LEATHERSHOESSQUEAKING,asoakingwetdresstrailingbehindher,soundofWATERDRIPPING.
.
.
Asthisfigurevanishesthroughdoubledoors.
.
.
32.
INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-BEDROOM-NIGHTOnherbed,Maudliesasleeponherpillow.
Abreezeblows.
Maudstirs,somethingenterstheroom.
.
.
ONMAUD'SFACEDropsfallliketears.
Aboveher,apallidhand,delicatebutwithered.
AsMaud'seyesflicker--Attheendofherbed--bathedinpalestlilaclight,Blanche'sghoststaresather,wetclothesDRIPPINGPUDDLESOFWATER.
Fromherpockets--Blancheremovesstonessewnwiththreadintocloth.
Shesnapseachthread,hurlingstonesupintheairoverMaud,where--Theydon'tfall,butfloatintheair.
Strange,silveryspiralshapesuponjetblacksurfaces--INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-NIGHTInsidehisroom,Rolandisdistractedbystrangesounds:TheSNAPPINGofTHREADS,aSOFTHUMMING,then.
.
.
MAUD(O.
S.
)No.
.
.
no.
.
.
no.
.
.
INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-BEDROOM-NIGHTStillhalf-asleep,Maudtossesherhead.
UntilBlanchestretchesoutherhand,strokesherface.
Desirous,tender,filledwithgrief,BlancheleansoverMaud--INTERCUT--Rolandontheothersideofthedoor--as--BLANCHEMydearprincess.
.
.
Blanche'sbedraggledtressesspilloverMaud'sface.
Tenderlyshelowersherlipsinakiss.
ButMaud--awakes--ashriek--theghostvanishes,and--Rolandrushesin.
Maudsitsup,sobbing.
ROLANDWhatwasit--MAUDIsawher.
.
.
Suddenly,Maudlooksupathim--(CONTINUED)33.
CONTINUED:ROLANDYou.
.
.
Maudrushesintotheotherroom,Rolandfollows--INT.
MAUD'SFLAT-SITTINGROOM-DAWNMaudbythemantelpiece,nexttotheframedphoto.
Rolandenters,putshishandonhershoulder.
MAUDIshouldn'thaveletyoustay.
ROLANDMaud,please--MAUDGobacktoLondon.
Idon'twantyouhere--Maudpicksuptheframedphoto,hurlsittothefloor.
MAUDPlease--Rolandgivesherafinallook:nochancebuttoaccept.
ROLANDIfthat'swhatyouwant.
Maudexits,shutsthedoorbehindher.
Rolandkneelsdowntopickupthemess.
Looksatthephotograph:initials,"M.
B.
"EXT.
LINCOLNSTATION-DAYNextday.
Rolandwaitsontheplatformforhistrain.
Maudwavesbriefly,hurriesaway.
Thetrainpullsin,stops,passengersboard.
ANNOUNCER(V.
O.
)(overloudspeaker)ThetrainatplatformtwoistheLondonInter-City,nowreadyfordeparture.
.
.
Rolandlooksback,seesMaudgettingintohercar.
AWHISTLEBLOWS.
Amomentofdecisionbeforethedoorslock.
Roland--Unlocksthedoor.
Getsout--34.
EXT.
LINCOLNSTATION-TAXISTAND-DAYIntimetoseeMauddrivingawayinhercar.
Rolandhailsacab,getsin.
Setsoff,followingher--EXT.
LINCOLNCOUNTRYSIDE-DAYMauddrivesoutoftownintohills.
Hercartwists'roundcountrylanes,drawingRolandonwards.
Adarkskyglowers,as--INHERCARMaudsitsstaringahead.
Almosttrance-like.
Shedrivestoaplacesheobviouslyknowswell.
Rolandfollowsherupto--Aremotevillageamidsweepinghills.
Atitsedge,achurchyard.
RolandlosesMaud'scar.
Butashenearsthechurch,Roland--EXT.
ST.
ETHELREDACHURCHYARD(LINCOLN)-DAYSeeshercarparkednearby.
Rolandstopshistaxi.
DRIVERNotmuch'roundhere.
WantmetowaitRolandcheckshispockets.
Nomoney.
ROLANDNo,er.
.
.
(anembarrassedsilence)I'vedonesomethingsilly.
Idon'thaveanycash--TheDriverlooksathim.
Thenathiswristwatch.
EXT.
ST.
ETHELREDACHURCHYARD(LINCOLN)-DAY(FEWMOMENTSLATER)TheDriverzoomsoff--Roland'swatchnowstrappedtohiswrist.
AsRolandsetsofftosearchforMaud.
HewandersroundtheoldNormanchurchyard.
Overinthedistance,standsMaud.
EXT.
ST.
ETHELREDACHURCHYARD(LINCOLN)-DAYAfiercewindblowsasRolandhikesuptowardsher.
(CONTINUED)35.
CONTINUED:Outonahill,overadeep,narrowvalley,agraveyard.
Maudhearshimcoming,swivelsroundashestandsoverher.
MAUDIaskedyoutoleavemealone.
HowdidyoufindmeROLANDSorry.
Ifollowedyou.
Ihadsomanyquestions.
.
.
(beat)Thatgirlinthephotograph.
'M.
B.
'WhowassheMAUDMayBailey.
Christabel'sniece.
ROLANDWhydidyouhaveherpictureMAUDSophieLaMottewasChristabel'ssister.
ShehadadaughtercalledMaia.
EveryonecalledherMay.
(beat)Shewasmygreat-great-grandmother.
ROLANDSothat'swhyyou'resointerestedinChristabel.
Thefamilyconnection.
MAUDNo.
Christabelwassounhappy.
Ifeltshewascursed.
Ialwaysavoidedher.
Butherpoetryalwaysdrewmeback.
ThisiswhereChristabeldied.
Rolandlooksatthetombstone.
Inwhitestone,afemalesaintcurvesroundahumbletomb:ChristabelLaMotte1825-1890.
ROLANDShediedaloneMAUDChristabelnevermarried.
Shehadnochildren.
ShespentherlastyearslivingwithSophieandherhusbandoveratSealCourt.
(CONTINUED)36.
CONTINUED:ROLANDWhereisthatNearbyMAUDNotfar.
Youcanseeitoverthehill.
Agaleblowsfiercer.
Above,BRANCHESRUSTLEandCREAK.
Rolandpicksupanoldbouquetofrustingwireanddeadchrysanthemums.
ROLANDCanwevisitMAUDI'mafraidnot.
It'snotopentothepublic.
I'veneverevenbeeninside.
Leonoratried.
Butshedidn'tgetonwiththeowners.
(beat)Thewindisgettingup.
Youshouldgonow.
I'lldriveyoutothestation.
ThistimeI'llmakesureyougetonatrain.
Aswindandrainblowacrossthesaintlyfigure.
Rolandlooksbackupahill.
Silhouettedontheskyline,Rolandseesglintsofsilver--apersoninawheelchair,indifficulty.
ROLANDLook.
Upthere.
.
.
ToMaud'sannoyance,Rolandheadsoffupthehill.
EXT.
HILL-DAYOnthehilltop,awindblowsasRolandrushesup.
Maudfollowsbehind.
Stuckinmud,abranchhasfalleninfrontofaladyinawheelchair:silkscarves,hatandboots:LADYJOAN.
LADYJOANIseemtobestuck.
Boggeddown.
Foolhardy,myhusbandsays.
Mosthumiliating.
Canyouseetheoffendingobject--ROLAND(shiftingthebranch,slipping)There.
It'soutoftheway.
.
.
(CONTINUED)37.
CONTINUED:LadyJoanletsoffthebrakes.
Maudarrivesupthehill.
MAUDJustaswellwewereuphere.
AreyoualrightLADYJOANIfeelabitshaky.
Mydogismeanttostaywithme.
Neverdoes.
Uselessgreatlump.
Useless.
.
.
Ifyou'daccompanymetothefootofthetrack,myhusbandwillgetme--ROLANDIdon'tknowroundhere.
WhichwayLADYJOANDownthere.
IliveatSealCourt.
Myname'sBailey.
.
.
JoanBailey.
Ihopeyoudon'tmind.
It'snottoofar.
.
.
MaudlooksatRoland,whosuppressesanexclamation.
MAUDWe'lltakeyouthere.
EXT.
SEALCOURT-DAYDusk.
Rain.
RolandandMaudpushLadyJoanupaweed-infesteddriveway.
Atalltowerdominatesahuge,crumblingGothicruin,coveredinrosesandvines.
Escapingthestorm,theyenter--INT.
SEALCOURT-HALL-DAYAgranddecayinghall.
Stainedglasswindows,Pugin-stylecarvings,rottingvelvettapestriesandRAINDRIPPINGNOISILYintobucketsonstonefloors.
LADYJOANBettercomeintotheservants'hall.
Theonlywingweusenow.
Myhusbandshouldbethere.
.
.
Pastatigerrugonawidefloor,Roland,MaudandLadyJoanpassthroughatempleoftaxidermy:surroundedbyancientstuffedanimals:bear,lion.
.
.
wildebeest.
Sadlymoth-eaten,dilapidated.
(CONTINUED)38.
CONTINUED:Onwoodenpanelling,acrestofarms:acrossedshield,heldbyunicornandcentaur.
Nowfadedandabandoned,obviouslybroke.
.
.
INT.
SEALCOURT-BAILEYLIVINGAREA-DAYRolandandMaudsitinakitchenoffadedgrandeur:pilesofnewspapers,potsofjam,oldshoes,dogfood,brokentoasters.
.
.
Herhusband,SIRGEORGE,sitswithTheSportingLife,watchingTVhorse-racing.
WhileLadyJoanservesteafromachinaservice,preservinganairofdecorum.
LADYJOAN.
.
.
Isupposewemustberelated,MissBailey.
ButtheLincolnshireBaileysnevergotonwiththeNorfolkBaileys.
Familyfeud.
(beat)Tea,Mr.
MichellYousayyou'reawriter.
.
.
ROLANDNotquite.
Aresearchassistant.
I'mworkingonascholarlyedition:ThecompleteworksofAsh,theVictorianpoet--Rolandclearsaspaceonthetable.
SirGeorgeshoutsupfromTV.
SIRGEORGEOldTommyBaileynamedahorseafterhim.
Can'tthinkwhy.
.
.
Didhimatschoolonce.
.
.
LADYJOANWehadasortofpoetinthishouse.
.
.
SIRGEORGEThelittleladypoet.
Terriblestuffaboutfairies.
.
.
LADYJOANMr.
MichellandMissBaileymightlikepoetry--SIRGEORGETheycan'tlikeChristabelLaMotte--(CONTINUED)39.
CONTINUED:MAUDIdo.
Wewerevisitinghergrave.
SirGeorgeputsdownhispaper,glaresatMaud.
SIRGEORGEWhowasthatfrightfulnosyAmericanfemalerantingaboutthestateofthegraveYou'renotinleaguewithher--MaudkicksRolandbeneaththetable.
SmilesatSirGeorge.
MAUDNo.
.
.
IrememberChristabeldescribedtheSealCourtgardeninwinter,asshewalkedtherewithherdog.
.
.
Maudgoestothewindow,looksoutontoanovergrowngardenwithachippedstonepondatthecenter.
MAUD'SPOVAghostofahoundwalksacrossthelandscape,thenvanishes--BACKTOSCENEMAUD.
.
.
'theshelteredbenchandthesilveryfishinthelittlepool.
.
.
evenundertheice,Icouldseethemsuspended.
'(beat)I'vebeenstudyingherlife.
SIRGEORGENotmuchofalife.
SheshutherselfawayintheEastWingtower.
MAUDThat'swhatshemusthaveseen.
LADYJOANTheeastwing'sneverbeenused.
Icamehereasabridein1929.
Noone'stouchedherroomsincethen.
(CONTINUED)40.
CONTINUED:Maudlooksthroughthewindow,aGothictowerinrainandwind.
LADYJOANWemustfindthescones.
I'mafraidwedon'thavetoomanyluxurieshere.
Butonehastomakeanexception--(toSirGeorge)Aftertea,IthinkyoushouldshowtheseyoungpeopleChristabel'sroom.
Thatis,iftheywanttosee.
RolandlooksatMaud,whoseeyesbetrayherexcitement.
INT.
SEALCOURT-EASTWINGTOWER-DUSKOutside,astorm.
UpatoweringspiralstaircaseSirGeorgeleadswithanoldlantern.
MaudandRolandfollowwiththeLabrador,upCREAKINGBOARDS;nightskyvisiblethroughgapsinceiling.
SIRGEORGENoelectricityinthiswing.
ClosedsincetheFirstWar.
.
.
Rolandstumbles,putshisfootthrougharottenboard.
SIRGEORGECareful.
.
.
Don'twanttoloseyou.
.
.
MaudandRolandlookupthewindingstair:apanelleddoorwithalatch.
SirGeorgetriespushingit,thenpullsitopen.
Awindrushesthrough,as--INT.
SEALCOURT-CHRISTABEL'SROOM-DUSKBylantern-light,RolandandMaudseeapanelledroomwithabox-bed,amahoganydeskcarvedwithgoblins,arockinghorse,heavytrunksandbureaudrawers.
Inawallbesidethebay-window--Agapinghole.
Apigeonfluttersout--SIRGEORGEDamn--Sendingthelantern'slightacrossamirrorentwinedwithgildedroses.
(CONTINUED)41.
CONTINUED:Initsreflection,MaudandRolandseearowof--staringtinywhitefacesproppedagainstanembroideredcushion.
MAUDThedolls--Onthebed:threedollswithchinafaces:goldhair,blackhair,andawhitenightcap.
Allstarewithblueglassyeyes.
MAUDChristabelwrotepoemsaboutherdolls.
Here'sone.
.
.
Maudpicksupthecushion:embroideredwithversesanddaisychains.
Meanwhile,asSirGeorgeinspectsraindamage--ROLANDIsupposeanypaperswereclearedfromherdesk.
MaywelookThewindblowsouthislantern.
Theroomplungesintodarkness.
SIRGEORGE--Notnow.
Toowindy.
Theboardsareallrotten.
Bestwaituntilmorning.
MAUDMorning.
.
.
!
SIRGEORGEI'msureLadyJeanwillwantyoutostay--MAUDButthat's--ROLAND--verykindofher.
Maud,stillholdingthecushion,glaresatRoland.
SIRGEORGEGood.
Joanieloveshavingsomeonetotalkto.
INT.
SEALCOURT-KITCHEN-NICHEOutside,astorm.
Iceonthewindows.
(CONTINUED)42.
CONTINUED:Steamfromthekettle,asLadyJoanboilsupforthehotwaterbottles.
LADYJOANIthinkweshouldgetthebedmadeup,getsomehotwaterbottlesinitnow.
Don'tyouthink,Dr.
BaileySirGeorgescurriesacrosswithanotherantiquehotwaterbottle:MAUDYou'resurebothofuscanstay.
Thisisn'tanimposition--LADYJOANNonsense--SIRGEORGEI'llgoupandseetothebed.
I'llneedhelpwiththesheets--ROLANDI'llhelp.
MAUDNo.
I'llgo.
.
.
SirGeorgeandMaudheadupstairs.
LadyJoanfillsthekettle.
ShehastakentoRoland,addresseshimaffectionately.
LADYJOANIhopeyouhaven'thadatiff,orsomething.
ROLANDTiffLADYJOANYouandyouryoungwoman.
Girlfriend.
Whatever.
ROLANDOhno.
Thatis,notiff,andsheisn't--mygirlfriend.
Ihardlyknowher.
I'vegotagirlfriend--LADYJOAN(notlistening)She'sabeautifulgirl,Dr.
Bailey.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)43.
CONTINUED:LADYJOAN(CONT'D)Stand-offishorshy,maybeboth.
Whatmymothercalledachillymortal.
(beat;holdsupahotwaterbottle)Ihopeyouaren'tfrozeninthatgreatdraughtyroom.
.
.
EXT.
SEALCOURT-NIGHTWind,rain.
Apristine,magicalsetting.
Treesfantasticallyhungwithice,apondglintsinmoonlight,watercoveringwithice.
Frozengoldandsilverfishswimbeneaththesurface,glowing.
INT.
SEALCOURT-BEDROOM-NIGHTIntheoldmainbedroom,Roland--inoldjumpers--makesupanarmchairasabed.
Bitterlycold.
Astheytalk,Maudgetsundressed,behindascreen.
MAUDYoudidn'thavetostaythenight.
ROLANDLadyJoanwantedusto.
Theythinkwe'reacouple.
Besides,they'llletuslookatChristabel'sroomtomorrow.
MAUDIcouldhavecomebackonmyown.
ROLANDYou'restuckwithmenow.
You'dneverhavegotinherewithoutme.
MAUDThatdoesn'tmeanI'mgrateful.
Turnaround.
.
.
Rolanddutifullysnugglesintothearmchair,asMaudemergesfrombehindthescreeninherbedtimeoutfit:asugar-pinkwinceyettenightdressoverlongjohns,knittedmittens,Arransweater.
ROLANDThenI'llhavetotellSirGeorgehowyouandLeonoraaresuchgoodfriends.
I'msurehe'dbeveryinterested.
.
.
(CONTINUED)44.
CONTINUED:MAUDYouwouldn'tdothat.
.
.
ROLANDOfcourseIwould.
Leonoramusthavereallyoffendedhim.
AsMaudgetsintoherbed,foraddedprotectionfromthecoldandRoland,sheputsonaknittedbalaclava.
Onlyhereyesarevisible,peepingout.
MAUD(gettingintobed)SheonlycomplainedaboutthestateofChristabel'sgrave.
ButshegotSirGeorgeallupset.
Itendedwithhimfiringshots--ROLANDAttemptedmurder.
That'shandyforblackmail.
MAUDI'veheardenoughfromyou.
Iwanttogotosleep.
Maudrollsover,anembroideredcushionnexttoherhead.
Rolandliesstaringattheceiling.
ROLANDYouknow,inthebeginning,theywereveryromantic--MAUDWhoROLANDAshandEllen.
HetookhertothesouthofFrancefortheirhoneymoon--MAUDRoland,thisisnotimeforalecture--ROLANDIalwaysthinkofthemashavingaperfectmarriage,nochildren,justlivesdevotedtopoetry--(CONTINUED)45.
CONTINUED:MAUDJustlikeChristabel--ROLANDAtleasttheyhadsomethingincommon.
MAUDGoodnight,Roland.
ROLANDGoodnight.
Maudgrabsthecushion.
Rolandswitchesoutthelight.
Darkness.
INT.
SEALCOURT-BEDROOM-NIGHTInanotherfar-awaybedroom,smotheredinblanketsandparaffinstoves,lieSirGeorgeandLadyJoan,fastasleep.
WiththeLabradorcurledupbetweenthem.
INT.
SEALCOURT-BEDROOM-NIGHT(2:00AM)Rolandawakes.
ROLANDMaud.
.
.
Maudisnotbesidehim.
Noristhecushion.
Thecandlehasburntdown.
Hegetsoutofbed,lightsanother.
INT.
SEALCOURT-CORRIDORSANDSTAIRCASE-NIGHTOutintocorridors,Rolandstepswithhislight.
Hewalksdownalonghallway,reachestheeastwing,thedoortothetower.
UPSPIRALSTAIRCASERolandwalksup,up,up.
Hereachesthepanelleddoor.
Hepauses,pullsthedooropen,enterstosee--INT.
SEALCOURT-CHRISTABEL'SBEDROOM-NIGHTBycandlelight,WINDstillHOWLSin.
Rolandsees--thegolden-haireddoll.
Hepicksitup.
And--ashestoopsdown,Rolandlooksuptosee--Maud.
Hegaspsinshock--(CONTINUED)46.
CONTINUED:MAUDQuiet--!
!
Theymighthearus--ROLAND--Whatareyoudoing--Maudpointstotheembroideredcushion:apoem,sewninachildishdesignaroundadaisychain.
MAUDIcouldn'tsleep.
IthinkDollyishidingsomething.
Look.
.
.
(beat)'.
.
.
DollykeepsaSecret,SaferthanaFriend.
Dolly'sSilentSympathyLastswithoutend.
Friendsmaybetrayus,Dolly'slipsaresealed.
CouldDollytellonusMuchsheconcealed.
.
.
'(beat)Givemetheknife.
Rolandhandshertheknife,Maudunpicksaknottedribbon.
Astheribbonsunravel,thesilkgownopensup,paddingspillsout,and--MAUDSomething'sinside.
.
.
Amongtuftsofduckdown--apackage.
Wrappedinwhitelinenwithtapelikeamummy.
Maudunwrapsit,andoutfall--TWOBUNDLESOFOPENLETTERSMaudpicksuponepile:inhandwriting:"RandolphHenryAshEsq.
,29RussellSquare,London.
"Rolandpicksuptheother,to"MissChristabelLaMotte,Bethany,MountAraratRoad,Richmond.
"ROLANDAsh'shandwriting.
Lookatthedates.
Hedidsendit.
HowdidyouknowMAUDIdidn't.
(beat)ThisisChristabel'swritingtoo.
Readyours.
(CONTINUED)47.
CONTINUED:Rolandpicksoutaletter,writteninAsh'sdistinctivehandwriting.
Hecanhardlyspeak--ROLAND(readingtheletter)'.
.
.
DearMissLaMotte,Excusethislettertoastranger.
ItwasagreatpleasuretotalktoyouatdearCrabbe'sbreakfastparty.
MayIhopeyoutooenjoyedourtalk--andmayIhavethepleasureofcallingonyou.
.
.
'(toMaud).
.
AndtheanswerDidsheanswerMaudtakesaletter,carefullyunfoldsit.
MAUD(readingtheletter)Thenextday.
'.
.
.
DearMr.
Ash,IamacreatureofmyPen,myPenisthebestofme,andIencloseaPoem,inearnestofmygreatgoodwilltowardsyou.
.
.
'ROLANDGoon.
Please.
.
.
Maudholdsuptheletter.
Abouttoread,then--MAUDNo.
Itwouldn'tberight.
ROLANDExcusemeMAUDYoushouldreadAsh'sletters.
I'llreadChristabel's.
ROLANDButwhyMAUDThosearethepoetsthatinteresteachofus--ROLANDButthey'rewritingtooneanother--(CONTINUED)48.
CONTINUED:MAUDThat'snotthepoint.
HowcanIbeexpectedtorememberChristabel'swords--ROLANDButifthey'reloveletters,don'tyouwanttohearwhathewrotetoherMAUDRoland,please.
Thisisnotthetimeforyourtheories--Maudfreezeshimwithaglance.
Theysettleonthefloor,bothtaketheirrespectivepiles.
Andsitthere,openinglettersinsilence.
Rolandopenshis,readsalittle--thenstaresatMaud.
Whoproducesfromherpocketsapencilandsomeindexcards.
ROLANDWhatareyoudoingMAUDIhavesomecards.
Ineedtorecordherobservations.
It'sasystemIuseatthecenter--ROLANDThisisridiculous--MAUDIhavetobemethodical.
Wecancross-referlater.
Justbecauseyou'reunprepared--ROLANDUnprepared--It'sthemiddleofthenight.
Iwanttogetasenseofwhathappenedtothem,howtheyfelt--MAUDRoland,you'reascholar.
There'snoneedtogetcarriedaway.
Maudgoesbacktoreading.
Coldlyhostile,shedoesn'tlookup.
Rolandpicksuphisletters,startsreading.
Silence.
Theirsensesaredrawnintothewords,until--(CONTINUED)49.
CONTINUED:ROLAND(V.
O.
)(fromtheletter)'.
.
.
DearMissLaMotte,Youencouragememorebyyourpermissiontowriteagain,thanbyyourwishnottobeseen.
PerhapsyouwilltellmeaboutyourFairyMelusinapoem.
.
.
'Rolandstopsreading.
HelooksacrossatMaud.
Whofrownswithconcentration,makingneatnotes.
ROLANDSorrytointerrupt.
.
.
(asMaudlooksup)WasChristabelstilllivinginRichmondwhenshewroteTheFairyMelusinaMAUDYes.
ROLANDWithBlanche.
.
.
(asMaudnods)Hmmm.
.
.
MAUDWhydoyouaskROLANDAshseemstohavewrittentoChristabelaboutherpoem.
Atsomelength.
.
.
MAUDOh.
.
.
ROLANDYes.
Quiteinteresting.
.
.
Rolandletsitdrop.
ButMaud'scuriosityispiqued.
MAUDMayIlookROLANDAquickglance.
Maudpeersover,seesthereference.
Looksup.
MAUDWhatdidhesay(CONTINUED)50.
CONTINUED:ROLANDIdon'tknow.
I'mjustinthemiddle.
.
.
MAUDOfcourse.
Maybeyoucould.
.
.
ROLANDReaditaloudMAUDJustthereferencetoherpoem--ROLANDOfcourse.
Ifyouinsist.
.
.
AsRolandstartstoreadaloud:FLASHBACK-EXT.
BLANCHEANDCHRISTABEL'SHOUSE(RICHMOND)-DAY(1858)Thepostmanwalkinguptotheirdoor,carryingtheletterclearlyinview.
Hepopsitthroughtheletterbox,as--ROLAND(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
PerhapsyouwilltellmeaboutyourownFairyMelusinapoem.
.
.
'Fromthefrontwindow,Christabelwatcheshimgo.
She--INT.
BLANCHEANDCHRISTABEL'SHOUSE(RICHMOND)-DAY(1858)--runs'roundtothehall,topickuptheletter.
Sherunsupstairs,unawareofBlancheemergingfromdownstairs.
ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
ByyourwritingmayIcometoknowyourmostsecretself,thoughmyeyesneverseeyourperson.
WhenIwrite,thenIknow.
.
.
Yourfriend,RandolphAsh.
.
.
'ENDOFFLASHBACK.
CUTBACKTO:51.
ROLANDANDMAUDcaughtinaspell,ineachother'seyes.
ROLANDHowdidshereplyMaudgoesforthenextletter.
Thenpauses,electrified--MAUDIcan'tgoon.
Myhandsaretrembling.
ROLANDLetmefinditforyou.
(fiddlesamongtheletters)It'sthenextday.
Theywerewritingeveryday.
Rolandselectstherightdatemark,pullsoutthefadedletter,handsittoMaud.
ROLANDDoyouwanttoreaditMAUDJustthisone.
.
.
Whotremblesassheopensitup.
ShelooksupatRoland,asshereads--MAUD'.
.
.
Mydearfriend,howshallIanswerYourinspirationmeanssomuchtome.
YetIfeelIcannotcontinueourcorrespondence.
BlancheandIhavemadeapact,chosenawayoflife.
Icannotchoosetobreakit.
.
.
'RolandwatchesMaudreading,hiseyesoverherfaceinthecandlelight.
Sensingtheirdeepimmersioninthislovestory.
DISSOLVETHROUGHTO:FLASHBACK(BLACKANDWHITE)-EXT.
RICHMONDSTREETS-NIGHTArainstorm.
Upthehill,ChristabelandBlanchewalk,followedatadistancebyFOOTSTEPS.
Outsidetheirhouse,Blanchepauses,turnssuspiciously.
Sheseesnobody.
Theyentertheirhouse--(CONTINUED)52.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Youwillsayyouarenothreattothat.
Iknowthethreatisthere.
Perhapsitwouldbebetterifweceasedtocorrespond.
.
.
'INT.
BLANCHEANDCHRISTABEL'SHOUSE-NIGHTTheWINDHOWLS.
Astormblows.
Frominside,Blanchelooksoutfrombehindshutters.
Thenightof"theProwler".
.
.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Theworldwouldnotlookwelluponsuchlettersbetweenawomanandamarriedman--evenifthatmanwereagreatandwisepoet.
Yourfriend,ChristabelLaMotte.
.
.
'Downthestreet,standsamaninblackcloakandumbrella,nexttoahansomcab.
Windswept,lashedbyrain,reveal--Ash,eyesfixeduponthehouse.
Throughtreesonthewindow:Blanche.
CRASH--!
!
TheWINDOWSMASHES,SPLINTERS--ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Icannotforgivemyself.
Ihavenodesignsonyourfreedom.
Iknowtoowelltheunhappinessalackoffreedomcanbring.
Thismustbeyourchoice.
Andyet.
.
.
'EXT.
RICHMONDHOUSE-DAYApostmanarrives,putstheletterintotheletterbox.
ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Ourinspirationissorare,sospecial,Icannotthinkitbetterifweceasedtocorrespond.
.
.
'INT.
RICHMONDHOUSE-DAYTHROUGHtheletterbox,thepostman'sletterfallstothefloor.
Itliesonthehallway,likeanevilomen.
(CONTINUED)53.
CONTINUED:ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Ishallsendyouthemanuscriptofmynewpoem,withtheinkbarelydry,inspiredbythethoughtofyou.
.
.
Everyoursmosttruly.
.
.
'Christabelpicksuptheletter,onlytoreveal--Blancheupstairsbehindher.
Sheswoopsdown,snatchestheletter,takesoutpagesofhandwrittenpoetry.
Christabeltriestoretrieve--Astruggle.
BlanchethrowsoffChristabel'shand,whorecoils.
Blanchetakesthepoem,holdsitupinfrontofher--CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Idarenotwritemore.
Yourpoemislost.
Icannotbesureanyfurtherletterofyourswillreachme.
.
.
'Christabelwalksupstairs,entersherroom,closesthedoor.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
AndshallIgiveupNo,Iwillnot.
IfitispossibleforyoutowalkinRichmondParkateleven,Ishallbethere.
.
.
'Outofthewindow,ChristabelseesBlancheleavethehouse.
BLANCHE'SPOVShelooksbackupatChristabel,likeaprincessinthetower.
Blancheclutchesthelettersinhercloak,hurriesaway.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
INT.
ATTIC-CHRISTABEL'SBEDROOM-NIGHTMaudlooksupatRoland,facesbylanternlight,surroundedbyletters.
Rolandopensupanother,handsittoMaud,whopauses.
Gentlytoucheshishand,listeningtotheWINDHOWLING--MAUDThey'reherewithusnow.
Aren'tthey.
.
.
(CONTINUED)54.
CONTINUED:Rolandlooksintohereyes.
Maudpicksupaletter,opensit.
InChristabel'shandwriting,thewordsseemterrifyinglyreal:MAUD(reading)'.
.
.
Thisisamomentofmadness.
Youhavesummonedmeoutofmytower--andoutofmywits.
Ididnotthinkyouwouldcome.
.
.
'TheWINDHOWLS,andwithaROLLofTHUNDER--FLASHBACK-EXT.
RICHMONDPARK-DAY(1858)Blackclouds.
ALIGHTNINGSTORMROLLS.
Lostinasilverforest,hishorsetetherednearby,ChristabelturnstowardsAsh.
Hiseyesonhers,herpalefacetrembling,sheholdsoutherhandtohim.
ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Andthenitwasmymadness.
Forinthatmoment,Icouldtakeyourhand.
.
.
ornot.
Dothedeed,orturnbackforever.
Iwasabletochooseeitherpath.
.
.
'Ashreachesout,takesherhand,gloved.
Putsittohischeek.
ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Andnowonlytheone.
'Themomentofcontactistoomuch.
ChristabelwatchesasAshtakesherglove,slowlyunpeelsit.
Letsitlielimply,then--Kissesherhand.
Amomentofperfectstillness.
Andinthatmoment,forthefirsttime,wehearChristabel'svoice:CHRISTABELWhatarewetodoAshandChristabelstareintooneanother'seyes.
ONASHASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Thereisafirewithinuswhichmustburn.
.
.
55.
INT.
ASH'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-DAY(1858)Bycandlelightinsidehisstudy,Ashsitswithhisbooks,composingalettertoChristabel.
Intheb.
g.
--ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
IhadaplantogoawaytoYorkshire.
Therearereservationsfortwo.
Ibeseechyoutoaccompanyme.
(beat)Ishallwaitatnoon.
St.
Agnes'sChurch.
'Ellenhoverslikeaghost,peeringoutofthewindow.
Shelooksouttoraindropsonthewindowpane.
AservantremovesAsh'sbag,AshkissesEllenuponthecheek.
Andheadsdownstairs.
EXT.
ASH'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-DAYAdriverwaits,luggageandgearonacarriage.
AshgivesaletterforChristabeltoamessenger.
Whoracesoff.
Thehorsessetoff,Ashintheback.
ACLOCKCHIMES.
One,two,three.
.
.
ASH(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Iwriteinhaste.
Ifearyouranswer--Iknownotwhethertodepartorno.
.
.
'BesidesAsh'scarriage,anotherblackcarriagepullsupwithawhitecrest.
ThenasBlanchestepsout--INT.
ST.
AGNES'SCHURCH-DAY(1858)Atthebackoftheknave,Ashkneelsinprayer.
HehearstheCLOCKSTRIKETWELVE.
Ashturns,seesanoutsidedooropenslowly.
Daylightcomesintodarkness.
Thecandlesflutteras--MAUD(V.
O.
)Didshegowithhim.
.
.
INT.
SEALCOURT-CHRISTABEL'SROOM-DAY(PRESENT)Dawn.
MaudandRolandlietogether,surroundedbytheletters.
ROLANDThere'soneleft.
(CONTINUED)56.
CONTINUED:MAUDYoureadit.
.
.
Rolandpicksupafinalletter.
FromChristabel'spile.
Hereadsitinsilence,intriguedbyitscontents.
ROLANDIt'sfromChristabel.
SheasksAshtoreturnallherletters--MAUDIsthereanymoreTheremustbe.
.
.
Frustrated,Maudrummagesamongtheletters.
Suddenly,adooropens,MaudandRolandlooksuptosee--SirGeorgestaringatthem.
SIRGEORGEWhatinhell'sname--Onthefloor,lettersarefannedout.
Dollslie,ribbonsuntied,dressesunravelled.
MaudandRolandlookupatSirGeorge.
ROLANDSir.
.
.
wefoundlettersfromAshandChristabel--MAUDThiscouldchangeeverything--SirGeorgepointshishuntinggunatthem.
SIRGEORGEHandsup--EXT.
/INT.
SEALCOURT-HALL/LIVINGAREA-DAY(LATER)Rolandstandsoutside,whistling.
Waitingforthetaxi.
Inside--Mauddescendsthestaircase,seesSirGeorgeinthehallonthetelephone.
Maudenters--KITCHENwheretheletterslieonamoundofyellowingnewspapers.
LadyJoangreetshersympathetically.
MAUDOnceit'sknowntheselettersexist,everyonewillbeatyourdoor.
Everyone.
(CONTINUED)57.
CONTINUED:LADYJOANOh,dear.
.
.
SirGeorgehasafizzingtemper.
I'msorryyouhavetogo.
Fromoutside,thetaxiBEEPSitsHORN.
RolandwavestoMaud.
MAUDSoamI.
EXT.
ST.
ETHELREDA'SCHURCH-DAYVOOM,VOOM--!
MaudREVSupherCARoutsidethechurchwheretheyleftit.
Shepullsoutpastthetaxiwhichdroppedthem.
Besideher,Rolandlooksdowncast.
ROLANDTheymustbeworthafortune.
MAUDWebothhadthesameinstinct.
Toplaythemdown.
Cropperwouldlovetogethishandsonthem.
Doyouthinkweshouldtellhim--ROLANDNo--they'dbeinNewMexicotomorrow.
He'shavetositonthem.
OrhiswholetheoryaboutAshwouldbeblownaway--MAUDSirGeorgewouldbealotricher.
Hecouldmendthathouse--ROLANDIdon'tknowwhyIfeelsopossessiveaboutthedamnedthings.
They'renotmine.
MAUDWefoundthem.
Andthey'reprivate.
They'reloveletters.
I'llbetSirGeorgewillsellthem.
.
.
Amomentpasses.
Rolandisagitated.
HeturnstoMaud.
ROLANDWeshouldmakeapact.
Ifoneofusfindsoutanymore,heorshetellstheother,andnooneelse.
(CONTINUED)58.
CONTINUED:Maudcomestoacrossroads.
LefttoLincoln,righttotheNorth.
Shepauses.
Thenrevsup,setsoff.
Rolandexpectstoturnleft--toLincoln.
Sheturnsright.
ROLANDYouwentthewrongway.
MAUDWe'renotgoingbacktoLincoln.
ROLANDWhereareweheadingMAUDWhitby.
.
.
(beat)Wehavetofindout.
DidChristabelgotherewithAshMaudstaresatRoland.
HOLDONhisexpression.
Astheb.
g.
whizzespast--EXTREMECLOSEUPAnintensesoundofWHEELSPOUNDINGaCLICKETY-CLACKrhythm--arelentlessHISSofSTEAMandROARINGFIRE,thatburstsintoaPIERCINGWHISTLE--thattearsthroughtime,as--SMASHCUTTO:FLASHBACK-INT.
TRAIN-RAILWAYCARRIAGE(YORKSHIRE)-DAY(1859)Blacksmokebillowsinahellishcloud,asanironjuggernautzoomson,landscapezipspastawindowatbreakneckspeed,as--inDAZZLINGVIVIDCOLOR--ASHlooksoutofawindow,withapatchofwarmbreath.
Aglovedhandwipesthroughthehazetoreveal,inthereflection,Christabel'sfaceinbrightsunlight.
Bothnervous,theysitoppositeoneanother.
Bothwithbooksupontheirknees,Ashsuddenlylooksup.
Hehasbeenplanninghisspeech--ASHForgivethisboldness.
WhatIdonotknowis.
.
.
whetheryouwishtotravelasmywife.
Itisalargestep--(CONTINUED)59.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABELIwanttobewithyou.
Iamquitehappytobecalledyourwife.
ThatiswhatIhadunderstoodI--we--haddecided.
ASHYoumustnotregretthis.
CHRISTABELOfcourseIshallregret.
Sowillyou,willyounotButthatisofnoimportanceatthistime.
Silence.
Thenfromhispocket,abox:inside,agoldsignetring.
ASHIhopeyouwillacceptthisring.
CHRISTABELMyresolutionwasasstrongasyours.
Sheproducesherownring,jadewithinitial"C.
"Theysmile.
Ashpeelsoffherglove.
Hepusheshisringoverhers.
CHRISTABELSo.
.
.
itisdone.
Ashholdsontoherhand.
SuddenlywithaWHOOSHofsmoketheTRAINplungesintoflickeringdarknessofatunnel.
Ashpressesherhandtohislips.
Shardsofsunlightflickerlikeakinematoscopeonhisface,Ashletsherfingersfall.
Then--intolightagain--Ashturnsherleathergloveinhishands,smoothingitssoftleatherpocketsbackintoshapelikeafetish.
Staringather.
EXT.
/INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-DUSK(1859)Latesun.
Awhitehotel,perchedonaclifflookingouttosea.
Asifinavividdream--AshandChristabeldismountfromahorse-drawncarriage.
ThehotelierMRS.
CAMMISHorganizesthebaggage:hatboxes,trunks,collectingboxes,nets,writingdesks.
Whicharecarriedupstairs,as--AshandChristabelgotoawindow.
Aviewovercliffs,ofgreysea.
ASHThere.
TheGermansea.
Likesteel,withlifeinit.
(CONTINUED)60.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABELItremindsmeoftheBretoncoast.
Whichisinsomesensemyhome.
It'ssochangeable.
Blueandclearoneday,thenextdarkandwild.
ASH(awkwardly)I--we--mustgotheretoo.
Therearesomanyplaces.
Evenaroundhere.
Suchcuriousnorthernnames.
Ugglebarnby.
JuggerHowe.
HowlMoor--CHRISTABELOnthemap,Isawone.
TheBoggleHole.
Shestartstolaugh.
Ashsmilestoo.
ASHTheBoggleHole.
.
.
(laughstoo)DoyoulikethesoundofthatThenweshallgothere.
Ashsaysitagreeably.
Christabelrelaxesalittle.
CHRISTABELIshouldlikethat.
Verymuch.
Outside,awindblowsinfromthesea,as--ENDOFFLASHBACK.
SMASHCUTTO:INT.
WHITBYHOTEL,DININGROOM-DUSKoutsideapicturewindow,atallTREERUSTLESinthewind.
InalargeVictorianroomnowwithmodernfurniture--MaudandRolandatatable,busywithpilesofbooksandnotes.
MapopenbesideCropper'sbiographyofAsh,Rolandjotsdownnames.
.
.
BoggleHole.
ROLANDThere'saplaceonthemap,theBoggleHole.
That'saniceword.
Maybewecouldgo--(MORE)(CONTINUED)61.
CONTINUED:ROLAND(CONT'D)(offMauddeepinherbook)FoundanythingMAUD(lookingup)I'vebeenreadingAsh'slovepoems.
Mostlovepoetryisonlytalkingtoitself.
ButAshwasn't.
Ithinkhewastalkingtoher.
ROLANDToEllen--MAUDNo,Christabel.
(beat)Ilikethemnow.
ROLANDI'mgladyoulikesomethingabouthim.
MAUDIdidn'tsayIdidn'tlikeAsh.
IonlythoughtChristabelwouldn'tlikehim.
I'vebeentryingtoimaginehim.
Them.
ROLANDTheymusthavebeeninanextremestate.
Amomentofmadnessbroughtthemhere,threwtheirlivesupintheair.
Justlikeus--MAUDTheywereinlove.
ROLANDOfcourse.
Don'tyouenvythemMAUDIdon'tknow.
Weneversaythewordlove,dowe.
It'salwayssex.
Weseeiteverywhere.
Wesaywe'redrivenbydesire,butwecan'tseeitastheydid.
(CONTINUED)62.
CONTINUED:ROLANDSometimesIfeelthatthebeststateistobewithoutdesire.
Ihavethisimageofacleanemptybedinacleanemptyroom,wherenothingisaskedortobeasked--MAUDThat'swhatIthinkabouttoo,whenI'malone.
Thesameimage.
Anemptybedinanemptyroom.
Allwhite.
ROLANDExactlythesame.
Outside,agustofWINDRUSTLESLEAVES.
Mrs.
Cammishenterswithatray,Maudpresseshernapkintoherlips,dabshermouth.
MAUDHowstrange.
Instinctively,Maudstaresdownathernapkin.
Inthatmoment--CLOSEUPONtheimprintofherlipstick--CUTTO:FLASHBACK-INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-DININGROOM-DUSK(1859)Christabellowershernapkinpolitely,staresbackatAshseatedopposite.
Asa19thCenturyMrs.
Cammishfussesatthetable.
Nowaprivatediningsuite,decoratedinVictoriandamaskfinery.
MRS.
CAMMISHYourladywifeislookingabitpeaky,sir.
NoteatingherfoodASHSoup.
Boiledhakeandpotatoes.
Cutletsandpeas.
Arrowrootmoldsandtreacletart.
Wehavedinedwell,Mrs.
Cammish.
(CONTINUED)63.
CONTINUED:MRS.
CAMMISHAspotofseaair.
That'sthetonicforyourwife,sir.
Icantell,she'sachillymortal--Mrs.
Cammishbreezilyremoveshertray,exits.
Christabelsmilespolitely,asAshtakesoutathincigarillofromasilvercase.
ASHMrs.
Cammishisright.
Youmustenjoytheseaair.
CHRISTABELPerhapsitisconsideredawifelypursuit.
IthinkMrs.
Cammishconsidersmelackinginwifelyvirtues.
Ashlightsthecigarillo,takesalung-fullofsmoke.
ASHIcarenotforsuchwifelyvirtue.
(beat)Willyougoupfirst,mydearChristabelstandsup,strainedbutmocking.
Shesmiles.
CHRISTABELIfyouwish,mydear.
.
.
Christabeltakesalitcandle,exits.
Ashwalkstothewindow.
Enjoyshiscigarsmokecurlinginfrontofhim,theCRASHoftheSEAbelow,asMrs.
Cammishreappears.
ASHDoyouhaveacognacMRS.
CAMMISHNothingFrenchinthishouse,sir.
ASHQuiteso.
(tohimself,beneathhisbreath)`Ledegout,c'estvoirjuste.
Apreslapossession,l'amourvoitjustechezleshommes.
.
.
'--Balzac.
MRS.
CAMMISHNocognac,andnoBalzac,neither,sir.
(CONTINUED)64.
CONTINUED:ASH(beat)Goodnight,Mrs.
Cammish.
Mrs.
Cammishexits.
Ashblowsalastpuffofcigarsmoke,then--INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-HALLWAYANDSTAIRS-NIGHT(1859)Ashwalksdownadarkhall,pasttoweringplants,elaboratemosaics,tothestairs.
Maidsdutifullywaxwood,shinebrass.
ASH(V.
O.
)`DearEllen.
.
.
TodayImadeacuriousgeologicaldiscovery.
.
.
Ashmountsstairs,footstepsmuffledbycarpet.
Henearsthetop,onhisface--dreadandwonder.
Ashwalksdownthecorridor.
ASH(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Adornmentsmaybemadeherefromancientammoniatefossils,creatureslongdeadbutnotvanished.
Theyarejetblack,withaspecialsilverlustre.
Inthisverymarvelofscience,Inowseeaperfectmiracle.
.
.
'TwochambermaidswalkpastAsh,curtseying.
Ashstubsouthiscigarilloonabrassashtray.
Hestandsinfrontoftheroom,thenopensthedoor--INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-BEDROOM-NIGHT(1859)Ashentersadark,candle-litroom.
Onachairsitsa--Crinolinepetticoatlikeacollapsedcage,allsteelhoopsandstraps.
Tooneside,abrassbed:WhereChristabelstands,herbacktohim,armsontherails,inacorset.
CHRISTABELIneedsomeassistance.
Ashmovesovertoher.
Hisfingerspickupfine,longlaces;unthreads,tremblingoverbonedsilk;hefumbles,dropsthem.
(CONTINUED)65.
CONTINUED:ASHIaminexperiencedinsuchmatters.
Christabeldoesnotlookback.
Shepullsherhairuptorevealthenapeofherneck,downyhairbycandlelight.
Ashseestheswellofherbreasts,asheplants.
.
.
Akissuponherbareshoulder.
Andwithawhisper--ASHYouaresafewithme.
CHRISTABELIamnotatallsafewithyou.
(beat)ButIhavenodesiretobeelsewhere.
Ashunthreadsthelaces.
Hefeelsthecurveofherwaist,herhips.
Slowly,assheturnstoundohiscollarstud,shekisseshimonhisneck.
Asina.
.
.
MONTAGEofbuttonsandlaces--stockingsunrolled--corsetremoved--candleblownout--UPONBEDAshembracesher.
CHRISTABELAreyouafraidASHNotnow.
.
.
mywhitelady,Christabel.
Ashtakesherinhisarms.
Theylieuponthebed.
ASHDonotfightme.
.
.
CHRISTABELImust.
.
.
Onabedsidetableacandleflameflickers--ROLAND(V.
O.
)`AndislovemoreThanthekickgalvanic.
.
.
'DISSOLVETHROUGHFLAMETO:66.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-ROLAND'SBEDROOM-NIGHTApooloflightfromabedsidelamp,asRolandmurmursapoemaloudfromabookofAsh'spoetry.
ROLAND`.
.
.
OrthethunderingroarOftheAshvolcanic,ThrownfromsomecraterOfearth-firewithin'Rolandwalksovertothebathroom.
Aheavy,latcheddoor.
Heknocks,noreply.
Thenopensthedoor--INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-BATHROOM-NIGHTThedoorswingsin--INSLOWMOTION.
Steamgathersincoldair.
Rolandnearlyfallsoverapart-nakedfigure--Maudinasilkenrobe,whosteadiesherselfonhisshoulder--Rolandthrowsupahand,claspshersupplebodybeneathherrobe--Maudgasps.
Anelectriccurrentbetweenthem--ROLANDIknocked--I'msorry.
.
.
Rolandbrieflyclutchesthesilk.
Heletsitgo,asifstung.
Heseesherhair--damp,overbareshouldersandneck.
Beadsofwater,runningdowntoherbreasts.
MAUD(composingherself)Iwaitedsometimeforyoutousethebathroom.
ROLANDSodidI.
Iwaslookingforalight--MAUDWell.
.
.
(closesherrobe).
.
.
noharmdone.
ROLANDNo.
Maud--Rolandreachesout,Maudwithdraws.
(CONTINUED)67.
CONTINUED:ROLANDIfwedon'tfindanything,I'msorryforgettingyouintothis.
Iknowitwasmyfault.
MAUDIt'sokay.
Idon'tblameyou.
ROLANDIwantedustofindsomething,together.
Ireallydid.
Andifwereachadeadend,then.
.
.
MAUDIwantedthistohappentoo.
We'llthinkofsomething.
(beat)Goodnight.
Maudexits,closingthedoor.
LeavingRolandinthefoggysteam,lookingathimselfinthemirror--inwhichheseesablurredfigure.
Hewipesawaythesteamtoseeaswirlofwhitesheets--FLASHBACK-INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-BEDROOM-NIGHT(1859)Indarkness,Ashawakes.
Notbesidehim.
Heseesheroverbyawindowseat.
Inaswirlofsheets,hegetsup,goesover.
Findshershakingsilently,withtears.
Heputsoutanarm.
ASHWhatisit,mydearCHRISTABELHowcanwebearitForsoshortatime.
HowcanwesleepthistimeawayASHWecanpretendthatwehaveallthetimeintheworld.
CHRISTABELAndeverydayweshallhaveless.
Andthennone.
ASHWouldyouratherhavehadnothingatallCHRISTABELNo.
Wearehere,wearenow.
Letmeholdyou.
.
.
(CONTINUED)68.
CONTINUED:ChristabelcaressesAsh.
Hekissesherneck,herbreast.
CHRISTABELYouwillburnmeup.
ASHThenletusburnuntilwearebothconsumed.
.
.
Ashkissesher.
Drawshishanddownherbodytoherbreast--ASHNowIknowyou,truly.
CHRISTABELYes,Iadmit.
Youknowme.
.
.
Throughtheopenwindow,awindblows,rufflingherhair.
Abreezefloatingthroughtheroom,as--INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-BEDROOM-NIGHT(PRESENT)Abreezewaftsthrough,rufflingherhair,awakeningMaudfromherdreamtohearChristabel'svoice.
.
.
half-dream,half-real.
CHRISTABEL(O.
S.
).
.
.
Admit.
Youknowme.
.
.
Inpaledawnlight,Maudseeslettersscatteredoverhertable.
Thenoverbythewindowseat--Christabelsitslookingout,headturnedaway,hairblowinginthebreeze.
.
.
throughthewindow:seaspraycrashonrocks:thewaterresemblesflamesoffire.
Framedinthewindowwiththeghost,thereflectionoftheleapingflamesagainstherface,Maudgetsanepiphany--MAUDOhmyGod.
.
.
Roland.
INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-ROLAND'SBEDROOM-DAWNRolandawakestoKNOCKINGathisdoor.
Groggilyhegetsup,goestothedoor.
Opensittosee--Maud.
(CONTINUED)69.
CONTINUED:MAUDMyroom.
Now.
Maudreturnsswiftly.
Rolandstepsoutwarily,wondering.
INT.
WHITBYHOTEL-MAUD'SBEDROOM-DAWNRolandwalksintoMaud'sroom.
Seesherstaringoutofthewindow.
Foramoment,hecan'tseeanything.
Helookscloseratthewindow.
MAUDIsawher.
ROLANDWho.
.
.
MAUDChristabel.
MaudmovesclosertoRoland.
Almosttouching.
AsRolandseestracesofareflectioninthewindow.
Heturnstoher.
MAUDAllmylife,sinceIwasachild,I'veseenher.
Butneverwithanyoneelse.
Yousawher,didn'tyou.
.
.
ROLANDI'mnotsurewhatIsaw.
.
.
MAUDIsawBlanchethatnightinLincoln.
That'swhyIwantedyoutogo.
Ithoughtitwasawarning.
ROLANDAndnowMAUDIdon'tknow.
Youdon'tthinkI'mcrazy--ROLANDNo,never.
Notmuch,anyway.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)70.
CONTINUED:ROLAND(CONT'D)Buttwocrazypeoplearenomoreusethanone.
Westillhavenoproof.
Nowtheghosthasvanished,Maudcanseeoutoverthebeach.
MAUDLook.
Outthere.
Rolandsquintshiseyes.
Focusesoutinthedistance:wavescrashuponrockycaverns,sunscatteringlightlikeflames.
MAUDYoureadChristabel'spoemaboutMelusina--ROLANDButIneverfinishedit.
Maudmovesclosertothewindow,entrancedbywhatshesees.
MAUD'AndwherethewatermovedandshookitselfAshowofleapingflames,oftonguesoflight--Rolandmovestowardsher.
Anidea.
ROLANDWait.
Sayitagain.
Doit,andI'llrecitealinefromAsh.
(asMaudprotests)Justdoit--Nowinspired,Rolandstarts.
Suspicious,Maudcarrieson.
ROLAND'Shallourhearth'sashgrowpaleorsparkinwaves--'MAUD'.
.
.
Andwherethewatermovedandshookitself--'FROMRoland'sface,PANONTOMaud.
ROLAND/MAUD(together)'--Ashowofleapingflames,oftonguesoflight,Afountainofcoldfire,selfrenewed.
'(CONTINUED)71.
CONTINUED:Bothamazed,asthewordscoincide.
ROLANDThesamelines.
Wordforword.
MAUDTheywerehere.
Theysawit.
.
.
together.
Theylookouttosea.
Inthewindowreflection,flamesdanceoffwavesastheycrashagainstrockycaverns.
RolandandMaud'sfacestogetherinthewindow.
INT.
ASHFACTORY-BASEMENT-DAYInsidehisoffice,BlackadderishardatworkonafootnoteofanAshpoem(MummyPossesst).
Helooksuptosee:Fergus.
Instinctively,Blackadderputsahandoverhiswriting.
FERGUSIwaslookingforRolandMichell.
BLACKADDERHe'sonholiday.
Heaskedforafewdaysoff.
.
.
Neverhadaholidaybefore,nowthatIthinkofit--FERGUSMaybethiswaspersonal.
IwasprettysureRolandwasontosomethingaboutChristabelLaMotte.
.
.
(asBlackadderraisesaneyebrow)Butitmayhavecometonothing.
Orhe'dhavetoldyou.
BLACKADDERHeprobablywould.
FERGUSExactly.
INT.
ROLANDANDVAL'SAPARTMENT-DAYValiseatingcornflakes.
CATSMEOWING.
TheDOORBELLRINGS.
Shegoestoanswerit.
It'sFergusWolf.
FERGUSHello,mydearest.
IsRolandin(CONTINUED)72.
CONTINUED:VALNo.
He'sgoneawayforafewdays.
FERGUSWhatapity.
Ineedtogetintouchwithhimratherurgently.
VALHehasn'tphoned.
Idon'tknowwhenhe'sback.
Ihaven'tbeenallthatnicetohim.
FERGUSIsee.
.
.
VALIdon'tknowwhatyousee,Fergus.
Youalwaysseeabitmorethanthereistosee.
What'supFERGUSThere'ssomethinggoingonIdon'tunderstand.
Yet.
Youdon'thappentoknowMaudBaileyAsilence.
NowValisintrigued.
VALIsee.
.
.
Hedidn'ttellmewhathewasupto.
HeknowsI'mnotinterested.
ButIdidhaveaphonenumber.
Foremergencies.
FERGUSThiscouldbeanemergency.
EXT.
SOHOSTREETS(OUTSIDEL'ESCARGOT)-DAYOutsidearestaurant,MortimerCropperwalkswithHildebrandAshdownthestreet.
Whenhehearsavoicebehindhim.
FERGUSProfessorCropper--(asCropperandHildebrandturn'round)Sorrytointerrupt.
Iwascuriousifyou'dseenRolandMichellrecently.
.
.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)73.
CONTINUED:FERGUS(CONT'D)(beat;catcheshisbreath).
.
.
Ithinkhemayhavediscoveredsomething.
AconnectionbetweenAshandthepoetChristabelLaMotte.
.
.
HildebrandandCropperexchangeglances.
CROPPERHowextraordinary.
WewerejustdiscussinganenquiryaboutsomelettersupinLincoln--(givinghisfullattention)Youinterestme,Dr.
Wolf.
Likeacatwiththecream,Ferguspurrsquietly.
INT.
SEALCOURT-DAYTHROUGHthekitchenwindow,SirGeorgepeersoutfrombehindthecurtaintoseeaswankyMercedesarriveoutsidethehouse.
Hegoesintothehallway,picksuphisshotgun,and--EXT.
SEALCOURT-DAYSirGeorgeaimshisshotgundownitssightsatMortimerCropper,standingbyhisMercedeslookingupatthehouse.
SIRGEORGEWhothehellareyouCropperwalksforward,holdingouthiscard.
CROPPERProfessorMortimerCropperoftheCropperFoundation,HarmonyCity,NewMexico.
I'vecomealongway--SirGeorgedoesn'ttakethecard.
Stillaimsthegun.
SIRGEORGEGoaway.
Whatdoyouwant--(CONTINUED)74.
CONTINUED:CROPPERDon'tshoot.
Inevertroublethetrulyreluctant.
IbelieveyoumaybeinpossessionoflettersbyRandolphHenryAsh.
HaveyouanyideaofhowmuchtheywouldbeworthSIRGEORGEWorthCROPPERInmoney.
Inmoney,SirGeorge.
SirGeorge'sbrowcreaseswiththought.
Thegunlowers.
SIRGEORGEEnglishthingsshouldstayinEnglandinmyview--CROPPERUnderstandable.
Anadmirablesentiment.
Butthesedays,howrelevantissentimentCropperseesthegap,leapsin.
HeproffersSirGeorgehiscard.
EXT.
WHITBYSEASHORE-NEARCAVERN-DAYRolandandMaudatarockycaverntheyglimpsedfromthehotel.
Maudwithscarfcoveringherhair,suddenlyseeingRolandinanewlight,assheexaminesthedistinctive,jet-blackstones.
MAUDLookatthese.
Allshinyandblack.
NowonderAshwroteaboutthem.
ROLANDIwonderiftheyevermetagain.
.
.
MAUDNooneknowswhereChristabelwentwhenBlanchedied.
Sheseemstohavevanished--ROLANDThenit'shopeless.
WestillneedtofindrealproofAshandChristabelwereheretogether.
(CONTINUED)75.
CONTINUED:MAUDThatcouldtakeweeks.
.
.
(beat)WillyoubesorrytogobacknowROLANDWillyouMAUDIhavetheimpressionbothofuswillbesorry.
MaudlooksupatRoland.
Andasthesunlightreflectsonthestonesinherhand--DISSOLVETO:FLASHBACK-EXT.
WHITBYSEASHORE(ROCKYCAVERN)-DAY(1859)StonesinthehandofChristabel,glinting.
AshandChristabelareinacavernaglowwithlight.
Outside,WAVESCRASHagainstrocks,asChristabelfillsherbasketwithjet-blackstones.
Inaplayful,light-heartedmood,Ashnuzzlesclosetoher.
CHRISTABELIshalltakethesehome,usethemtopropdoors,weighdownthesheetsofmypoem--Affectionately,handsintertwined,sheteaseshim.
ASHLetmecarrythembackforyou.
CHRISTABEL(laughingly)Icancarrymyownburdens.
ASHNotwhileIamhere--Ashtakesthebasket.
Sherelents,thensuddenlyhermoodshifts.
Shelooksawaysaddened,astheyheadoutontotherocks.
CHRISTABELYouknowthatafterthesefewdaystogether--ASHLetusnotthinkoftime--(CONTINUED)76.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABELWemustpart,neverlookback.
Itisinevitable,webothknowit--ASHIcannot,willnot.
Iloveyou--CHRISTABELYouspeaktomeofloveYouhaveawife,sir.
Speaktomeofher.
Insuddenfury,theSEACRASHESagainstrocksbelow.
Windbuffetsthem.
Inanguish,wordsstickinhisthroat,tearsinhiseyes.
ASHIhaveawife.
.
.
andIloveher.
NotasIloveyou.
.
.
(hestops;unabletogoon)Therearegoodreasonswhymyloveforyouneednothurther.
Iknowthismustsoundbaldandlame.
Itmustbewhatmanymen,philanderingmen,havesaidbeforeme.
Ineverthoughttofindmyselfsayingsuchthings.
YetIbelievewhatIhavesaidtobetrue.
Icannevertireofyou--ofthis--CHRISTABELItisinournaturetotire.
Fortunately.
Letuscolludewithnecessity.
Letusplaywithit.
.
.
(beat)'.
.
.
Andifwecannotmakeoursunstandstill,yetwewillmakehimrun.
'ASH.
.
.
Apoetaftermyownheart.
CHRISTABELAndmine.
ThoughnotmorebelovedthanRandolphHenryAsh.
.
.
Shemovestowardshim.
Theyembracepassionately.
Fromherpocket,Christabelthrowsapaperoutonthewind,flyingaway--ASHWhatisthat(CONTINUED)77.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABELApoem.
Iwaswritingithere.
ASHWhy--You.
.
.
arenothappywithitCHRISTABELThesefeelings--Iwantthemtoliveforever.
Tosurvivethefewdayswehavehere.
Shetrembles,closetotears.
Ashtakesherinhisarms.
Andasthewildseabuffetstheshore,WAVESCRASHINGagainstrocks--HOLDONthescrapsofpaper,astheyflyonthewind,PASTthetidepools,ACROSSthebeach,TOWARDStheseashore,where--Theyscatteracrosstwopairsoffeet.
Oneinchicmodernsandals,theotherwearingoldtennisshoes.
REVEAL--ENDOFFLASHBACK.
EXT.
WHITBYSHORELINE-DAYRolandandMaudontheshore.
Reluctantly,gettingreadytogo.
ROLANDIdon'tknowwhatwillhappentomewhenIgetback.
I'vegotnorealjob.
Andthenthere'sVal.
.
.
I'velivedwithhersinceuniversity.
Iowehersomuch.
Butitdoesn'twork.
Notforanygoodreason.
Butbecause.
.
.
MAUDIhadarelationshiplikethat.
Wetormentedeachother.
Oneofthosepeoplewhoassoonasyouopenyourmouth,theysayanothercleverer,louderthing.
QuotingFreudatsixinthemorning.
Ifeltbattered.
Fornogoodreason.
RolandseesMaudsmiling.
Fiddlingwithherheadscarf.
(CONTINUED)78.
CONTINUED:ROLANDTellme--WhydoyoualwayscoveryourhairMAUDIt'sthewrongcolor.
Noonebelievesit'snatural.
AtaconferenceonceIgotaccusedoftryingtopleasemen.
SoIcutitoff.
Nowit'sgrown,Iputitaway.
ROLANDYoushouldn't.
Youshouldletitout.
MAUDWhydoyousaythatROLANDBecauseifanyonecan'tseeit,theythinkandthinkaboutit,theywonderwhatit'slike.
.
.
MAUDDotheyROLANDYes.
.
.
Lifeissoshort.
Ithasarighttobreathe.
Suddenly,Mauduntiesherhead-square,undoestheclipsslowly.
MAUDYouareanoddman.
ROLANDI'mnotmakingapass.
Youknowthat.
MAUDYes,Ido.
That'swhat'ssoodd.
Sheputsdownherhead,shakesit.
ROLANDThatfeelsbetter.
MAUDAllright.
Thatfeelsbetter.
Amomentbetweenthem.
Rolandisdrawntowardsher.
Butuptothecliff,Maudseesafamiliarfigureappear,wavingatthem.
(CONTINUED)79.
CONTINUED:CROPPERHello,downthere--!
RolandandMaudswivel'roundtosee--theurbanesilhouetteofMortimerCropper,walkingtowardstheminthesandycove.
CROPPERAtlast.
You'reahardpairtotrackdown--ROLANDHowdidyoufindus--CROPPERAlittledetectivework.
You'reforgetting.
IknowourdearRandolphbetterthananyofyou.
Congratulationsonyourdiscovery.
.
.
(beat)Tea,anyone.
.
.
Croppermovesuptothem,withhisshark'sgrin.
INT.
HOTEL-TEAROOM-DAYCropperpoursteaforMaud,Rolandlookson.
Cropperischarminglyproprietorial,gleefulathisnewpossessions.
MAUDAtleastSirGeorgeandLadyJoanwillgetsomemoney--ROLANDButhaveyoureadthelettersCROPPERThat'snotsoimportant.
I'llbesendingthembacktoNewMexicoforsafekeeping.
PoorLordAshfoundthenewsveryupsetting.
Hehadastroke--(asRolandandMaudreact)HildebrandhassteppedintolookaftertheAshestate.
ROLANDWecan'tproveityet.
ButwethinkAshandChristabelcamehere.
Together--(CONTINUED)80.
CONTINUED:CROPPERFascinating.
.
.
(beat;agrin)Perhaps.
Perhapsnot.
.
.
Ofcourse,ifsomethingdiddevelopbetweenAshandChristabel,MaudandIwouldbethenaturalteamtodotheresearch.
Afterall.
.
.
(putsaproprietorialarmaroundher)Wehavea'specialrelationship'.
.
.
Rolandpicksupthenuance.
Cropperturnstohim.
CROPPERWealreadyfundMaud'swork.
AndwithwhatIknowaboutAsh.
.
.
Idon'tthinkyou'llbeneeded,Dr.
Michell.
Rolandsits,sayingnothing.
Furious.
CROPPERThanksforyourtimeandenergy,Dr.
Michell.
I'msureyouunderstand.
ROLANDIunderstand.
RolandlooksatMaud,likearabbitintheheadlights.
Saysnothing.
Rolandgetsup,walksoffindisgust.
CropperstopsMaudfollowing.
Sheturnstohim.
MAUDNowyouownthelettersyoucandowhatyouwant--whydoyouneedmeCROPPERMylawyertellsmeAshwroteanotereturninghisletterstoChristabel'spossession.
Alegaltechnicality--MAUDYoumeantheletterscouldbelongtomeCROPPEROpentodispute.
ButI'dhatetoseeyouwastemoneyonlawsuits.
Sounnecessary.
(CONTINUED)81.
CONTINUED:MaudpullsherhandawayfromCropper.
MAUDIwasworriedyouwerebeingnicetome.
Howsilly.
.
.
INT.
ROLAND'SROOM/CORRIDOR-DAYMaudfollowsRolanduptohisroom.
Sheknocksonhisdoor.
MAUDRoland,letmein--ROLAND(O.
S.
)Goaway--Maudtriesthedoor.
Tohersurprise,it'sunlocked.
Sheenters.
FindsRolandflinginghisbooksandpapersintoabag.
MAUDLookatme,Roland--ROLANDIcanhearyoufine--MAUDIcan'tbackoutofthis.
Thecenter.
Thestudents.
That'smylife--ROLANDGood.
You'rewelcometoit--MAUDI--we--needCropper'smoney.
ROLANDHewantstoowneverything.
Nowhedoes.
Includingyou--MAUDSowhatcanwedoIfwehadanyfirmproofaboutAshandChristabel--ROLANDWecouldhavecarriedon--Ican'tbelieveyouexpectmetolistentoCropper'sbullshit--when,ontopofeverythingelse--yousleptwiththis.
.
.
thiscowboy--(CONTINUED)82.
CONTINUED:Rolandfinisheshispacking,headsforthedoor.
MAUDRoland,you'rejealous.
It'snothing--ROLANDNothing!
You'rekidding--onedayI'montheacademicscoopofthedecade--thenextthisnecrophiliacex-boyfriendofyourstellsmeI'munemployed--MAUDYoudon'tevenhaveajob--ROLANDIdon'tevenhavealife.
Iwashdishes--MAUDIthoughtthatwasastory--somewimpishpuppydogtrickforsympathy--ROLANDIdon'tneedtoinventthings.
Iliveinastinkingbasement,fullofcatpiss--MAUDThenyou'repathetic,Roland.
Gobacktoyourbasement,withyourbooksandyourdreamsandyourstupidromanticillusions--becauseyoudon'tliveintherealworld--ROLANDI'mglad.
Ihatetherealworld.
Asaconcept,it'smuchoverrated.
Maudtriestocalmitdown.
Rolandheadsoutthedoor.
MAUDOkay.
.
.
okay.
.
.
Listen--I'llseewhatIcando.
I'llgotoLondon.
StayatLeonora's.
MaybeIcanpersuadeCropper--ROLANDDon'tbother.
Ithoughtwewantedthesamething.
Obviously,wedon't.
(CONTINUED)83.
CONTINUED:Rolandtakeshisbag,pushespasther.
Exitsdownthecorridor.
Maudwatcheshimdisappear.
Behindher,Cropper--CROPPERNotyourtype,Maud.
Tooweak.
LeonoraandIwouldbothbedevastated.
ThesoundofaTRAIN,WHISTLINGthroughatunnel,as--INT.
TRAIN(LONDON)-DAYDriftingoff,Rolandsitsinhiscarriageasthetrainzipsthroughtherollingcountryside.
Inthenewspaper,anarticle:"AshLettersRockLiteraryWorld"withapictureof.
.
.
Cropper.
Thelightplaysonhisface,flickeringlikeakinematoscope--AsaWHISTLESHRIEKSandcarriesoverTO--FLASHBACK-INT.
STATION/TRAIN(LONDON)-DAY(1859)Amidthesteamofatrainonitsplatform,AshandChristabeldisembark.
Hisluggagesitsawaitinghimwithporters.
HetakesChristabeltoacarriage,loadedwithhercases.
Ashhelpsherup.
Holdsontoherhand,asshesitsdown.
CHRISTABELImustgo.
ASHIfonly.
.
.
Hekissesherhand.
Christabelgivesaruefulsmile.
CHRISTABELIamsadwewentwalking,sir.
(beat)Yetsadtoo,thatwearenotwalkingstill.
Shedoesnotwithdrawherhand.
Ashletsitgo.
Thecoachmanshutsthedoor.
Theystareintoeachother'seyes,asthedrivercrackshiswhipandhercarriagesetsoff--Ashstaresatthecarriage.
Hiseyesmoistwithtears.
AsChristabelvanishesintothedistance.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
84.
INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT-DAYWearyandexhausted,finallyhome,Rolandpasseshisbicycle,makeshiswaydownhisflat.
Inthecorridor,RolandfindsVal.
Withhercoaton.
Asuitcase.
Andvase,inhand.
VALHello,Roland.
DidyouhaveagoodtimewithMaudBaileyROLANDIrangandrangyou.
.
.
VALIthoughtifyoucouldvanish,Icould.
SoIdid.
ROLANDYoudon'tlookveryangry,Val.
Actually,youlookhappy.
Rolandlooks'roundtheflat.
Furnitureseemstobemissing.
VALIdecidedIcouldbe.
.
.
(beat)I'mgoingtolivewithEuan.
Theshock,whenitcomes,isadoublewhammy:hehasnoidea.
ROLAND.
.
.
WhoVALAlawyer.
Inmyoffice.
AnythingtosayROLANDEr.
.
.
I'mglad.
VALIhopenotaltogetherglad.
AreyouallrightROLANDInsomeways.
Inothers,I'minamess.
VALYou'llsurvive,Isuppose.
Therent'spaiduntilthefirstofthemonth.
Thisweek,thatis.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)85.
CONTINUED:VAL(CONT'D)I'llleaveyouthecats.
.
.
Dryfood.
Andsardines.
Notins.
Andchangethetray.
Daily.
.
.
ifyoucanpossiblymanage.
Rolandstandsinthehallway,Valpicksuphersuitcase,exits.
Thedoorslams.
Welcomehome.
INT.
TVSTUDIO-NIGHTInsideastudio,aTVpanelgetsreadytodebatethehotliterarynews.
LEONORASTERN,aloud,energeticUSfeministsitsnexttoBlackadder,inthemakeupchair,whileCropperandHildebrandAshsitunderlightsgettingready.
MAKEUPReady,ProfessorStern--LEONORAMoreblush,deary,Icantakeit--Asaninterviewerannouncesalead-in,Leonoraleansover,whisperingtoBlackadder,handpoisedonhisthigh.
LEONORAYou'vegottomakeyourMr.
Ashtobethehottestpropertyintown,Professor.
Getthembytheballs.
Givethemonesexything,you'lldofine--BLACKADDEROnesexything.
Mmnnn.
.
.
LEONORAIlovethewayyoutalk.
Bytheway.
.
.
(handonhisthigh)ItakeitneitherofuswantCroppertowinthis.
Youmaybeinterested,Professor.
IgotaletterfromaresearchstudentinBrittany.
.
.
INTERCUTWITH:INT.
ROLAND'S/LEONORA'SAPARTMENTS-DUSKOnTVscreen--abeautifulinterviewer,Patel,introducesthepanel.
AswePULLBACKtosee--(CONTINUED)86.
CONTINUED:ANNOUNCER(V.
O.
)(onTV)'.
.
.
Theliteraryworldhasbeenrockedbyanextraordinarydiscovery.
Apanelofexpertsisheretodiscuss.
.
.
'Aloneinhisapartment--RolandgloweringattheTVscreen.
Alowmoan.
Thecatskeepoutofhisway.
INTERCUTWITH:INT.
LEONORA'SAPARTMENT-DUSKWatchingthesameTVprogram,liketwolonelyhearts,MaudsitsonthesofainLeonora's.
Sheuncoversaletteronatable.
AFrenchaddresscatcheshereye.
Shereadsitavidly.
MAUD(readingaloud)`.
.
.
Iamcurrentlyworkingonanunpublishedwriter,SabinedeKercoz,andhavediscoveredmaterialIbelievewillbeofinteresttoyou.
Yours.
.
.
Dr.
ArianeLeMinier.
.
.
'MaudflicksthroughLeonora'sfiles.
Findsanaddress.
Shehesitates.
INTERCUTbetween--INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT-BATHROOM/KITCHEN-DUSKTapsfullon,Rolandrunsabath.
ThenoisedrownsoutTVandphone.
HisanswermachineplaysMaud'svoicetoanemptyroom.
MAUD(V.
O.
)(onanswermachine).
.
.
Roland.
.
.
Areyouthere.
.
.
Roland,Ineedtospeaktoyou.
.
.
Iknowyoudon'twanttospeaktome.
.
.
ButIthinkI'vefoundanotherclue.
.
.
CLICK--themessagebreaksoff.
87.
BACKTOTVaseachofthepanelcompetesfor15secondsoffame.
LEONORA(V.
O.
).
.
.
Ofcourse,fromaradicalfeministperspective,itwasasurprisetolearnChristabelmighthavelovedaman--BLACKADDER(V.
O.
)Acompleteshock.
It'sasifwe'ddiscoveredShakespeare'sDarkLady--CROPPER(V.
O.
)Idon'tthinkwehavetorushtoconclusions.
Nothinghappened.
Tomyeyes,thiscorrespondencewasapurelyliteraryloveaffair.
Ashwasalwaysacomplexman.
Thisonlyproveshismoralstanceasexemplary.
UntilDr.
FergusWolfandIexaminetheevidence--BLACKADDER(V.
O.
)That'swhythelettersmuststayinourcountryaspartofourheritage--PATEL(V.
O.
)(toHildebrandAsh)Withyourfathernowill,doesn'tthatquestioncometoyouHILDEBRAND(V.
O.
).
.
.
Afterahundredyears,someofusfeelthetimeisrighttoletAshenterthemodernworld--CROPPER(V.
O.
).
.
.
NowisthetimetobringothervaluablepartsofAsh'slegacyintothepubliceye.
.
.
ONCropper'ssmile--CUTTO:INT.
ROLAND'SFLAT-DAYNextmorning.
Darkness.
Rolandliesinbed,asleep.
Curtainsdrawn.
ThePHONERINGS,wakeshim.
Rolandgetsuptoanswerit.
Afriendlyvoice.
(CONTINUED)88.
CONTINUED:BEATRICE(V.
O.
)Roland.
.
.
areyouthere.
.
.
ROLANDBeatrice.
.
.
I'mgladit'syou.
IsupposeyousawthosevulturesonTV.
.
.
INTERCUTWITH:INT.
ASHHOUSEMUSEUM-LIBRARY-DAYUpintheoldAshhouse,nowamuseum,shelvesarefilledwithbooks,papers,portraits.
Glasscasesofspecimens.
Amidahugebox-file,Beatricetakesshelter.
Onthephone--BEATRICE.
.
.
Yes.
AreyoualrightI'moverattheAshMuseum--Blackadder'sbeeninafearfulrage.
Saysyou'vebeendoingthingsbehindhisback--ROLANDRightnowIhateBlackadder--IhateAsh--IhatethewholeAshfactory--BEATRICEHe'sscreamingforacopyofMrs.
Lees'sbook,withadescriptionoftheAshseance--ROLANDTheseanceWhyBEATRICECropper'sontosomething.
He'scheckinguponAsh'swhereaboutsin1860.
He'sdesperate.
Myfilingsystemishislasthope.
Ican'tfindacopyanywhere.
Maybeyoucouldhelp--ROLANDHmm.
.
.
Idon'tknow.
.
.
It'scalledTheShadowyPortal,isn'titRolandlooksdistractedlyathispilesofbooks.
Aroundtheapartment,booksonshelves.
Onwindowledges.
Inboxes.
.
.
(CONTINUED)89.
CONTINUED:BEATRICEYes.
Callmeifyouhaveabrainwave.
Mylifewillbemiserableotherwise.
ROLANDI'llhaveathink.
I'msureI'veseenitrecently.
.
.
'Bye.
CLICK.
Rolandputsdownthephone.
Buthe'salreadygrippedbyanidea.
Herunshisfingersalongtheshelves.
Scanningforatitle.
Hemovestoanotherpile,rapidsearch--ROLAND(frommemory).
.
.
TheShadowyPortal.
.
.
Anautobiographicalreminiscence.
.
.
byMrs.
HellaLees.
.
.
Rolanddartsfromshelftobox,repeatinghismantra--ROLAND.
.
.
theLondonLibrarycopy.
.
.
Untillikeadiviningrod,hishandsguidehimtoapileofbooksbehindabox.
Rolanddivesin,bringsout--Abook.
It'sold.
Withgildedleaves,anembosseddoveonthecover.
Andinthefrontispiece--anovalphotographofMrs.
Lees.
Rolandleafsthroughthepages--ROLANDTheseance.
.
.
ofcourse,theseance.
.
.
Hetakesthecopy,sitsdowninanarmchair.
Findsachapter,headed"AMummyPossest"Ashestartstoread,acatjumpsup,curls'roundhim.
OverRoland,reading--ASH(V.
O.
)`Iwishtoseetheladyofthehouse.
.
.
Mrs.
Lees.
.
.
Please,allowmein.
.
.
Noonemustknow.
.
.
Noone.
.
.
SMASHCUTTO:FLASHBACK-INT.
MRS.
LEES'SHOUSE(CHEYNEWALK,CHELSEA)-NIGHT(1860)Avelvetcurtainsweepsopentoreveal--(CONTINUED)90.
CONTINUED:Ashinblack,wearingaface-mask.
Heentersthechamber,litbyastrange,violetrayfromalantern.
Amaskedwoman--MRS.
HELLALEES--cladinjewels,leadshimovertowards--MRS.
LEESGentlemen,membersoftheVestalLights,lettheseancebegin.
.
.
Acirculartable:sevenladies,fourmen;theyclasphands.
Ashtakesaseatinthecircle.
MRS.
LEES(tospiritworld)Wearereadytoreceiveyou,ifyourspiritstandsatthethreshold,weaskyoutorevealyourself.
Isanybodythere.
.
.
Mrs.
Leestapsthetable.
Ashscansthecircle,hiseyeshitthoseofawomanopposite.
Asharpintakeofbreathas--MRS.
LEESIfeelhands.
Ascoldasice.
.
.
Thetablevibrates.
AshwatchesMrs.
Leesshakeuncontrollably.
Aspiritvoicespeaksthroughher--MRS.
LEES`Donotforceme.
.
.
'(asherself)Whoisit(asvoice)`Nobodaddy.
.
.
'AshseesahaloofelectromagneticforcelikefiresurroundMrs.
Lees.
SuddenlyAshfeelsaTAPPINGshakethetable.
Abreezeliftsskirts.
AshhearsaWOMANSOB,thenLAUGHTER.
MRS.
LEESThereisahostilepresenceintheroom.
IsthereaspiritwhowishestospeakThesoundofRUNNINGWATER.
Ashlooksatthewomanopposite:andrecognizesChristabel,whospeaksinatrance,aspiritvoicepossessesher.
(CONTINUED)91.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABEL(inaspiritvoice)`Rememberthestones.
.
.
'(inherownvoice)Whereareyou(inthespiritvoice)`Ibringgifts.
.
.
'MRS.
LEESSheispossessed.
Aspiritiswithus.
.
.
Ashwantstogoovertoher.
Butthecircle'shandsholdontohim.
HehearsRUSHINGWATERboomLOUDER,thensees--Avisionofawhitehandcarryingawhitewreath,hangingfromthechandelierbythreads.
Thecircleclaspshandsagain--MRS.
LEESLethergo.
.
.
thespirithasentrancedher.
.
.
Donotwakeher.
.
.
AsBlanche'sspiritmanifestsitself--MRS.
LEESYoubringamessageoflove.
.
.
ButanELECTROMAGNETICCURRENTCRACKLES,holdsAsh'shandsfast.
Ashstrugglestogetfree--ASHImustspeak.
.
.
AshmovestowardsChristabel.
Butthewreathtangleshiminthreadslikeaweb.
Hetriestobreakfree,butghostlyhandswraparoundhisthroat--ASHAway,foulspirit.
Ibegyou--AshturnstoseeaghostlyfaceofBlanche.
Inrage,heraisesthewreathinhishands.
Mrs.
Leespleads--MRS.
LEES--Don'tbreakthespell--herspiritwillbeharmedforever--!
ButAshhurlsthewreathaway,aSHRIEKasBlanche'sspiritdisappears.
AshrushesatChristabel,whoalmostfaintsinhertrance.
Heholdsherinhisarms,removeshermask--(CONTINUED)92.
CONTINUED:ASHSpeak,Ibegyou.
.
.
IcametoFrance.
.
.
youturnedmeaway,mydarling.
.
.
ForGod'ssake,answer.
.
.
tellmethetruth.
.
.
Imustknow.
.
.
Weeping,AshcradlesChristabelinhisarms.
ASHWhereisshe.
.
.
IsshenotdeadTellme.
.
.
Tellmewhatyouhavedone.
.
.
AshbendstohearChristabel'swhisper.
CHRISTABELYouhavemademe.
.
.
amurderess.
Christabelcollapses.
GueststrytopullAshawayfromher.
Hehowlsinpainandrage--ASHDead.
.
.
No-o-oo--!
!
Ashpushesoveracandleflame,whichspillsover.
Mrs.
Leescomestohersenses.
HERPOVaroundAshafieryhaloofred.
BACKTOSCENEMRS.
LEESSir,youareademon.
.
.
Gonow.
.
.
Ashstandsup,aforceofredlightsurroundinghim.
Helooksathisownhands,seesthem--smearedintranslucentblood.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
SMASHCUTTO:INT.
CONVENTOFST.
ANNE(BRITTANY,FRANCE)-LIBRARY-DAYInacavernouslibrarylinedwithancienttomes,atalongoaktable,Maudfinishesworkfortheday.
Aroundher,nunsputawayleathervolumes,readytocloseup.
Maudpicksuphernotebooks,pilesofphotocopieddocuments.
Exitsinto--93.
EXT.
CONVENTOFST.
ANNE(BRITTANY)-LIBRARY-DAYAcloisteredcourtyardofamedievalconvent.
RAINPOURSdown.
Shepassesnunsscurryingabouttheirbusiness,shelteredbytheoldcloisterroofs.
Inherbrisk,modernclothes,Maudisasurrealcontrast,assheemergestosee--Ayoung,chicFrenchscholar,DR.
ARIANELEMINIER.
EXT.
BRITTANYCOUNTRYSIDE-DAYInsideabatteredRenault,WINDSCREENWIPERSSLOOSHBACKANDFORTH,asLeMinierandMauddriveintoasmalltown.
LEMINIERWhenIsentmydiscoveriestoProfessorStern,Ihopedshewouldnotifyyou.
IamagreatadmirerofyourwritingsonChristabel.
MAUDYoucouldn'thavebeenmorehelpful,Ariane.
LEMINIERThephotocopierisagreatdemocraticinvention,no.
.
.
AsLeMiniertalks,Maudstaresthroughwindscreenwipers,inablurofrainandglass,shesuddenlysees--HERPOV-ATSIDEOFROADTwobedraggledfigures,oneofthemChristabel,distressedandcrying,holdingoutherhands.
MaudfocussesonherastheCARZOOMSpast--Theireyesmeet--as--LEMINIER(O.
S.
).
.
.
Weshouldshareourinformation,shouldwenotIsitnotafeministprinciple,cooperationBACKTOSCENEMaudsnapsback,answerswithasmile.
LeMinierbuzzesalongthecountryroads,headingforthenearbysmalltown.
94.
EXT.
HOTEL(LACAPCOZ,BRITTANY)-DAYRainpoursdown.
LeMiniersetsMauddownnearbyherhotelinaprovincialseasidetown,nearasandybayanddarksea.
AsMaudrunstotheentrance,sheseessomeoneshelteringfromtheelements.
Hunchedover,slumped,drenchedbyrain--Oncloserinspection,shesees--Roland.
Shockedatfirst,shewarmstoasmile.
AsRolandlooksup,anorakcollarpulledup.
Andthroughtherain,theyrushtogether,throwarms'roundeachother.
Thenslowlypullapart--ROLANDWemustbemad.
MAUDOfcoursewearemad.
Rolandpausesasifabouttosaysomethingimportant.
Andsneezes.
INT.
HOTEL(LECAPCOZ,BRITTANY)-DAYInherbedroom,Rolandsits,feetinabowlofsteamingwater.
Hewrapsatowel'roundhishead,asheandMaudsharetheirdiscoveries.
ROLANDShewasthere.
Christabelwasthereattheseance.
ButAshwassofullofrage--MAUDOrgrief.
HebelievedChristabelwasresponsibleforsomeone'sdeath.
Thequestionis--`Who'ROLANDBlanche,ofcourse.
YousaidnooneknewwhereChristabelwaswhenBlanchecommittedsuicide.
MAUDUntilnow.
That'swhatIfoundfromLeonora'sletter.
ChristabelhadfamilyinBrittany.
Ayoungcousinwhowroteajournal.
AFrenchresearcherfoundfragmentsofpoemsbyChristabeldatedSpring1860.
Thisiswhereshewas.
Untilnow,nobodyknew.
.
.
Maudtakesthetowel,rubsRoland'shairdry.
(CONTINUED)95.
CONTINUED:ROLANDIwishnobodyknewwhereIwas.
MAUDMetoo.
I'veliedshamelesslytoLeonora.
IevenstoleDr.
LeMinier'saddress.
ROLANDAllscholarsareabitcrazy.
Rolandsneezes,blowshisnose.
He'sinabadway,histowellikeaturban,balancedonhishead.
MAUDRoland,yousaidAshcametoFrance.
Whenexactly--ROLANDSpring,1860.
.
.
MAUDExactlyROLANDAround.
.
.
March.
MAUDSothinkaboutit,Roland.
(Rolandisblank)HowlongisthatafterAshandChristabelwereinWhitbyUnderhisturban,Rolanddoeshissums.
Maudknowstheanswer.
ROLANDAbout.
.
.
eight.
.
.
no.
.
.
Ninemonths.
MAUDNinemonths.
MaudstaresatRoland.
Whogaspswithsurprise.
Ashedrieshishair,hefreezes.
Asuddenrealization--ROLANDA.
.
.
child.
EXT.
BRITTANY-INTERCUTVARIOUSSHOTS-DAY/NIGHTOutwalking--twofigures,Christabelwithheryoungcousin,SABINE.
Christabel'spaleface,unwell,understrain.
(CONTINUED)96.
CONTINUED:CHRISTABELAndhowdoyouthinkthingsarewithme,cousinSabineChristabelturnsherfaceaway.
Sabineseessheisweeping.
CONVENTChristabelknockingonthedoor.
ThenINSIDEthecourtyard.
Acloakconcealsherfigure.
INSIDEanoffice,anunpullsasidethecloak.
Pregnant.
Then--CUTBACKTO:ROLANDROLANDIftherewasababy,diditsurviveMAUDIdon'tknow.
ROLANDThoughifitsurvived--MAUDAshcouldhavebelievedshewastryingtospeaktoherchildintheseance.
ROLANDHerdeadchild.
ButifAsheverknew--MAUDIntherecordsoftheConvent,theyrecordavisitbyagentlemanwhoanswersAsh'sdescription.
Hewasturnedaway.
Theyneverspokeagain.
.
.
INT.
HOTEL(LECAPCOZ,BRITTANY)-DAYMaudandRolandgodownstairs,peeringoverthebannister.
Suddenly,theyfreeze.
Inthelobbyofthehotel,theysee--LeonoraSternwithBlackadder,canoodlingfondly.
MAUDOh,no.
.
.
97.
INLOBBYRolandandMaudoverhearLeonorawithBlackadder.
LEONORAIdon'tunderstandwhyMauddashedoffwithoutaword.
ThatletterfromLeMinierwasmine,afterall.
Weweregoodfriends.
.
.
(beat)PerhapsyourRolandMichellissomekindofmachoboss-man.
BLACKADDERHe'snotforceful.
It'shismajorfailing.
LEONORAThenitmustbelove.
BACKONSTAIRSMaudandRolandsneakbacktotheirroom.
MAUDShouldwegoandconfrontthemMaudputsoutbothherhands.
Rolandtakesthem.
ROLANDIthinkweshould.
AndIthinkwecan't.
INT.
/EXT.
HOTEL(LECAPCOZ,BRITTANY)-DAYAsLeonoraandBlackadder,inbrightleisurewearandsunglasses,strideoutfromthehotel.
RolandandMaudsneakoutoftheentranceinto--ataxiCAB.
WhichZOOMSoffathighspeed,passingthemontheesplanade.
EXT.
PORT(CAEN,BRITTANY)-EVEAtacross-channelport,anovernightferryindock.
RolandandMaudwalkupthegangway,intothepassengersections.
INT.
FERRYBOATCABIN-EVEInsidethetinycabin,RolandandMaudputdowntheirbagsandinvestigate.
Awhiteroom.
Twinbunks.
(CONTINUED)98.
CONTINUED:Shower.
Theyseemlight-headedandgiddy.
Rolandtakesstock.
ROLANDThesearecleannarrowwhitebeds.
Justlikewealwayswanted.
MAUDSotheyare.
DoyouprefertoporbottomROLANDIdon'tseethatitmatters.
AndyouMAUDI'lltakethetop.
Suddenly,perfectlyawareoftheabsurdityandsexualambiguityofitall,theylaughoutloud.
EXT.
FERRYBOAT-NIGHTNighttime.
Outside,theWATERHISSESandPRICKLES.
Darkwavescarvedbythehugeboat.
.
.
asdownbelow--INT.
FERRYBOAT-CABIN-NIGHTOnalowlight,RolandandMaudlietogether,backtobackonthebottombunk,anklesoverlapping.
Maudisreflective,muted.
Neithercansleep.
MAUDIfeelsadaboutChristabel'sbaby.
.
.
ROLANDWedon'tknowitwasdead.
MAUDIcan'thelpthinking.
.
.
ifitwasn'tdestinedtodie,whydidsherunawayWhydidn'tshestaywhereshewassafeROLANDMaybeshemeantnoonetoknowwhathappened.
Notevenus.
.
.
RolandturnstowardMaud.
Whoisstillturnedaway.
(CONTINUED)99.
CONTINUED:ROLANDIthinkI'velosteverythingI'veeverhadorcaredabout.
Ash.
Myjob.
EvenValnow.
.
.
MAUDOh.
.
.
ROLANDShewalkedout.
Ishouldfeelfrightful.
ButifIhadtotellthetruth.
.
.
(beat)Iwant.
.
.
thatlife,Maud.
AshandChristabel's.
I'mnotafraidtoadmitit.
RolandputshishandonMaud's,looksdirectlyather.
Hisfacenexttohers,amomentoftruth.
ROLANDIknowitsoundscrazy--MAUDIthoughtyouwerelikeme.
Youwantedtheemptyroom.
ROLANDIdid.
NowI'mnotsosure.
MAUDNo,please--Ican't--Idon'twanttolosemyself.
DoyouunderstandhowimportantthatisROLANDYes--but--tolivelifesopowerfully.
DoesanyonedothatanymoreMAUDNotme--tooromantic.
Lifeisn'tlikethat.
ROLANDMaybethat'swhywereadbooks,youandme.
Silenceovertakesthem.
Comfortableandsafe,theswelloftheSEAhushesthem.
TheWINDoutsideCARRIESOVERINTO--100.
FLASHBACK-INT.
ASH'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-LIBRARY-NIGHT(1859)Attheopenwindow,alacecurtainbillowsinthebreeze.
Ellenclosesthewindow.
Shewalksintothelibrary,aFIREROARS.
Atadesk,Ashlooksthroughamicroscope:Atadeadbutterfly.
Itsintricatepatterns.
Apinispoisedoverthesample.
Yethismindisonsomethingelse.
Hegetsup,movesbehindher.
Ellenstops.
ASHEllen,IhavesomethingImusttellyou.
Ellenturnstohim.
Ashpauses,thenwordstumbleout.
ASHForthelastyear,Ihavebeeninlovewithanotherwoman.
Icouldsayitwasasortofmadness.
Apossession,asbydemons.
Akindofblinding.
Atfirstitwasonlyletters--andthen--inYorkshire--Iwasnotalone--ELLENIknow.
EllenlooksupatAsh,hisproudcrestfallen.
ASHHowlongELLENIwastold.
Ihadavisitor.
Ellenunlocksadrawer.
BringsouttheoriginalcopyofAsh'spoem,inanenvelopeaddressedto"MissLaMotte,Bethany.
.
.
"ELLENTheoriginalversionofyourpoem.
Certainpassagesaresuperior,Ithink,towhatyounowhavehere.
(beat)Isensedanewinspiration.
Amuse.
AsIwouldcaretoinspireyou,wereIapoet.
Silence.
Ashisspeechless,deepinthought.
(CONTINUED)101.
CONTINUED:ASHIfIhadnottoldyouaboutthis--aboutMissLaMotte--wouldyouhaverestoredthistomeELLENIthinknot.
HowcouldIButyouhavetoldme.
ASHMissBlancheGlovergaveyouthisCLOSEUP-ELLENDISSOLVETO:EXT.
/INT.
ASH'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-DAY(1859)Upatthewindow,thelacecurtainfluttersoutonthebreeze.
Inside,inthereceptionroom--aletterisflungontoatable.
ELLEN(V.
O.
)Shewrotetwice.
Andcamehere.
.
.
Ontheenvelope:Ash'shandwriting:Inside,amanuscriptofapoem.
Addressedto"ChristabelLaMotte.
.
.
"Ellenstaresatit.
Sheturnsawayfrom--Blanche.
Whopacesupanddowninherneatwornboots,claspingandunclaspingherhands.
BLANCHEYourownhappinessisruined,isalie.
Youcouldhelpmeifyouchose.
Weweresohappy--Fromthetable,Ellenpicksupabell.
Sheringsit.
ELLENIcandonothingaboutyourhappiness,MissGlover.
Pleaseleavemyhouse.
Amaidcomestothedoor.
Ellenstaresather.
Blanchepauses.
Thenexits.
Ellenturnsaway.
DISSOLVETO:102.
INT.
ASH'SHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-LIBRARY-NIGHT(1859)AshbeforeEllen,stumblingtofindwords.
ASHIdonotknowwhattosay,Ellen.
Idonotexpecttoseeher--MissLaMotteagain.
Wewereagreedthatthisonesummermustseetheend--of.
.
.
(voicetrembles).
.
.
theend.
Andevenifthatwerenotso--shehasvanished,shehasgoneaway--EllenhearsAsh'spain,notesit,saysnothing.
ASHYoumustbeangry--distressed--ELLENNotangry.
Iknowhowgentleandpatientyouhavebeenwithme.
ForIhaveneverbeenarealwifetoyou.
.
.
ASHEllen,donot--ELLENIfIhavenotprofferedtheproperintimacybetweenhusbandandwife,thatismyregret,Randolph.
(beat)Yetyouhaveneverceasedtoloveme.
Asilencefallsbetweenthem.
ASHYouaremywife,Ellen.
Ishallalwaysloveyou.
ELLENThen,asyouhaveforgivenme,soIshallforgiveyou.
Ellenwipesatearfromhereye,looksupatAsh.
ELLENItisaquestionofsilence.
Letusnottalkofitagain,Randolph.
Ellengentlyresponds,touchinghishand.
NOISESFADEINfromaMODERN-DAYSTATION,aswe--DISSOLVEBACKUPTO:103.
EXT.
VICTORIASTATION-DAY(PRESENT)Abusytrainstation.
RolandandMaudemergeonaplatform,pushthroughcrowds.
Rolandlooksuptosee:awildfiguredashinguptheplatform:Beatrice,wavingfrantically.
ROLANDBeatrice--Beatricearrives,huffingandpuffing,outofbreath.
BEATRICEOhdear.
Iamsorry.
YoumaythinkI'mmad,orbad,orpresumptuous--Icouldonlythinkofyou--MAUDDr.
Nest--Beatrice--please.
.
.
BEATRICEIwouldn'thavecomeunlessyouseemedtocareabouther--ROLANDAbout.
.
.
BEATRICEHer.
.
.
Ellen.
(beat;asifitwasobvious)Ihavetotellyoubothsomething.
It'surgent.
INT.
ASHHOUSEMUSEUM(RUSSELLSQUARE)-NIGHT(SUNSET)Backindoors,acupofteafreshlymade,Beatriceisbackundercontrol.
RolandandMaudlisten,asBeatricecalmsdown.
BEATRICEMortimerCropperwasheretoday.
LookingatsectionsofEllen'sjournal.
MAUDAboutBlanche'svisitBeatricelooksatthemboth.
Veryserious.
BEATRICENo.
AboutAsh'sfuneral.
HebroughtyoungHildebrandAsh.
(MORE)(CONTINUED)104.
CONTINUED:BEATRICE(CONT'D)I'mabsolutelycertainCropperwantstoopenupAsh'stomb.
Hewantstofindoutwhatisinthebox.
MAUDWhatboxBEATRICEEllen's.
ROLANDTheoneEllenburiedinAsh'stomb.
MaudsitsdownwithRoland,nowsurroundedbyBeatriceandMaud.
BEATRICEIdon'tknowwhattodo.
Theyalldislikemeso--theythinkEllen'sdiaryisunimportant.
I'vebeenthinking.
.
.
(beat)Ellenwrotetobaffleus.
ROLANDWhatdoyoumeanBEATRICEShewrotesomuch.
Tothrowusoffthescent.
(beat)Ibelieveshemusthaveknowniftherewasachild.
.
.
whathappenedtoit.
Howitdied.
That'swhysheburiedthetruthinabox.
.
.
Fromaleatherportfolio,Beatriceremovesanoldscrapofpaper.
BEATRICESheleftthisscrapofpaperinherdeskwhenshedied.
I'msureEllenknewthescavengerswouldcome--soonerorlater.
.
.
(recitingfrommemory)`WhatshallIbewithoutyouMyRandolphnowisgone.
.
.
'Beatricestandsinfrontoftheglasscases,frominside,RolandandMaudhearaFLUTTERINGsound.
AsiftheBUTTERFLIESaresuddenlyalive,flutteringwings,tryingtoescape,as--(CONTINUED)105.
CONTINUED:WithMaud,hefollowsBeatricetowardstheoldbedroom.
BEATRICEFollowme.
.
.
Beatricewalksintotheoldbedroom,pasttheglasscasesandportraits,theaquariumandbooksofthefirstdreamlikeshot--AsifBeatricehasbecomeEllen'sghost.
.
.
CUTTO:FLASHBACK-INT.
ASH'SHOUSE(LONDON)-BEDROOM-NIGHT(1888)Ellenleansoverherdyinghusband.
Ashliesinbed,proppeduponpillows.
Heisdying.
ASHForty-fouryearswithnoanger.
Idonotthinkmanyhusbandsandwivescansayasmuch.
.
.
(beat)Itcannotbehelped.
Doyouthink,afterdeath,wecontinue.
.
.
Ellenbowsherhead,beginstoweep.
ASHDonotcry.
Iamnotsorry.
Ihavenot--donenothing,youknow.
Ihavelived.
EllenseesAshclutchinginhishandagoldpocketwatch:along,plaitedchainofgoldhairtiedaroundit.
ASHDonotletmebepickedbyvultures.
Burnwhattheyshouldnotsee.
.
.
Ellenunwindsherhairfromhishands.
AKNOCKatthedoor.
Asshegetsuptogo,Ashmoansdeliriously--ASHSummerfields.
.
.
inatwinklingofaneye,Isawher.
Ishouldhavelookedafterher.
HowcouldIIcouldonlyhurther.
.
.
(CONTINUED)106.
CONTINUED:ELLENYousawwhoInthesummerfieldsYousawwho,RandolphASH(afterapause)I.
.
.
forgot.
.
.
Ashfallsbackasleep,hishandclutchesthewatchwiththegoldenhairwhichEllenwillalsolaterbury.
Ellengoestothedoor,opensittoadoctor.
Asheenters,Ellenturnsback--Tolookatherhusband--amoanassheseesheis--Dead.
Awindblowshercandle,smokepasttearfuleyes.
INT.
ASHHOUSE(RUSSELLSQUARE)-LATERTHATNIGHTONaROARINGFIRE,flamesburnuppapers.
Ellenwatches,throwsmoreon.
Atherhusband'sdesk--ELLENWhatshallIbewithoutyou(NOTE:TheoneRolandandMaudnowread,liesonthedesk.
)Shetakesapacketofletters,tiedwithribbons.
Shehesitates.
Insteadofthrowingthemonthefire,Ellenwalkstowardabox.
.
.
ELLEN(V.
O.
)`--MyRandolphnowisgone.
Tomorrowwewillsetouttogetheronhislastblindjourney.
.
.
'Sheunlocksthebox,removesanenvelope,addressedto"RandolphAsh.
"ThebrokensealrecognizableasChristabel's:acrestofarms,ashieldheldupbyaunicornandcentaur.
Ellengoestothebed-stand:apocketwatchwithaplaitofgoldenhairwrappedaroundthechain-ring.
ELLEN(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Andtheselettersandmementoes--whydoIchoosetoputthemup,intheirsealedenclosure.
.
.
OnthedeskbesideEllen'snote,anopenbox.
Shehesitates,holdingthelettersinherhand,then--107.
EXT.
CEMETERY-DAY(1888)Asintheopening--thesamebox.
ClosedandsealedinEllen'shands.
PULLBACKtoreveal:mournersinblack.
Ellenwalksforwardwiththebox--ELLEN(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Iwantthemtohaveasortofduration.
Ademi-eternity.
.
.
'PlacestheboxinthemausoleumnearAsh'scoffin.
ELLEN(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
Andiftheseekersdigthemoutagain.
.
.
'Oncue,theGATESCLOSEWITHaTHUD.
Theboxnowlockedandsealedinthemausoleum--ELLEN(V.
O.
)'.
.
.
ThenjusticewillperhapsbedonetoherwhenIamnotheretoseeit.
'ENDOFFLASHBACK.
INT.
ASH'SHOUSEMUSEUM-NIGHTIntheshadowytwilight,Beatricelooksoutfromthedarkness.
ShetakesbackherpreciousnotefromRolandandMaud.
ROLAND`Justicewillperhapsbedonetoher.
'WhodidshemeanBEATRICEI'veaskedmyselfthatquestionalltheseyears.
Ascholar'slifetime.
.
.
MAUDIfCropperdigsitup,hecankeepthetruthhiddenforever.
ROLANDSowhatcanwedoWe'dneedtocatchhimintheact--BEATRICEOrgettotheboxbeforehim--ROLANDYoumean,breakin.
.
.
tothetomb(CONTINUED)108.
CONTINUED:BEATRICEIknowitsounds.
.
.
barbaric.
MAUDThisnoteyou'veshownus--nooneelsehasseenitBEATRICE(shakingherhead)Nooneelsehasasked.
Theydon'tthinkEllenisimportant.
But,youseeSheis.
RolandlooksatMaud,anunaccustomedglintinhiseye.
ROLANDThenweneedtogonow.
EXT.
INN(NEARCEMETERY)-NIGHTAn18thCenturyinnwithmossyroofandorchard,nearavillagechurch.
Beneathalargetree,thedarkshapeofaMercedes.
Trunkopen,withCropperandHildebrandinspectinglights,shovels,ropes.
HILDEBRANDIsupposewecouldleavefalseclues.
BlameitontheSatanists.
Ablackmassorsomething.
.
.
Hildebrandsnortswithlaughter.
Cropperfrowns.
CROPPERIamnotacommonthief.
It'sonlythatbox--thethoughtofitdecayingintheground--thethoughtofperhapsneverknowing--Heclosesthetrunk.
CropperandHildebrandwalkovertotheinn,andenter,VOICESCARRYINGOVERinside--EXT.
ROADSTOCEMETERY-NIGHTOnhillyroads,Mauddriveshercarthroughthickeningmist,Rolandatherside.
Theypassthetripinsilence,eachwaitingfortheothertospeak.
MAUDYoupackedthethings(CONTINUED)109.
CONTINUED:ROLANDSure.
MAUDThecrowbarROLANDYes.
Thecrowbar.
MAUDWemightneedit.
Aren'tyouworried--Maudglancesovertowardshim,herexcitementpalpable.
Then--sheswervestoavoidatruck;Rolandwinces,sighs.
ROLANDIdon'tworryaboutanything.
Notnow.
Atthemoment,Ifeelall--clearinthehead--ifyouknowwhatImean.
Theysitinsilenceasshezoomsdownanarrowsidestreetthroughthefog.
Thendownasteephillwithtreesonbothsides.
MAUDRoland,I'msorryhowitturnedout.
ROLANDForwhoMAUDYou.
Andme.
IthinkIwasafraid.
ROLANDIdon'tthinkso.
Notyou.
OfwhatMAUDOffallinginlovewithyou.
ROLANDIdidn'tknowyouwantedto.
.
.
That'sovernow,anyway.
Idon'twantyoutoloveme.
MAUDYoudon't(CONTINUED)110.
CONTINUED:ROLANDNo.
Toocomplicated.
Ican'tthinkabout'us'anymore.
Thefoggrowsthicker,asifthey'redrivingbackintime--FLASHBACK-INT.
ASH'SHOUSE-DAY(1888)Illuminatedinaflashoflightning:asthebeginning--FOOTSTEPS.
AhandKNOCKSonadoor.
Threeknocks.
MAID(O.
S.
)Mrs.
Ash.
.
.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
RETURNTO:EXT.
ROADSNEARCEMETERY-NIGHTRolandslamsonthebrakes.
Swirlingfogclearstoreveal--AhoundlikeChristabel'scompanionfromSealCourt,intheroad.
Theanimalvanishesbehindanothercloudoffog.
RolandandMauddriveslowlyforward.
Thefoggrowsmoremisty--COVERINGtheSCREENaswe--RETURNTO:FLASHBACK-INT.
ASH'SHOUSE-DAY(1888)ThesamehandKNOCKINGonthedoor.
Detailsbecomeclearer,asweREVEAL.
AgaintheKNOCKING.
Ahushedservant'svoice:MAID(O.
S.
)Mrs.
Ash.
.
.
aletter.
SoundofRAINONGLASS.
HORSES'HOOVESONCOBBLESTONES.
ThedooropenstorevealEllen,facingheryoungMAID.
MAIDAladycalledMissLaMottecametothedoor.
Shegavemethisletterforyourhusband.
Shesaiditwasveryimportant.
Ellentakesanenvelopefromthegirl'shand,closesthedoor.
111.
CLOSEUP-LETTERThecoatofarmsfromSealCourt.
InChristabel'shandwriting:"ToRandolphHenryAshEsq--MostUrgent.
"Andhername:"From:ChristabelLaMotte,SealCourt,Lincolnshire.
"Ellentakestheletter.
Slowly,softly,shewalksintothe--BEDROOMWhereAshliesinbed,deathlyill.
AsEllenpicksuptheletter,sheholdsittoher,unabletoletitgo--Poisedoveracandle'sflame--EXT.
INN(NEARCEMETERY)-NIGHT(PRESENT)Peeringthroughthebarwindow,RolandseesCroppereatinganddrinkingwithHildebrandandFergus.
HesneaksbacktoMaud,standingbyCropper'sMerc.
ROLANDThey'reallthere.
Cropper,Hildebrand,evenFergus.
MAUDRoland,didyoubringaknifeROLANDYes.
DoyouneeditMAUDYes,Ido.
Rolandbringsoutaknifefromhisbag.
Withoutwarning,MaudtakesitovertotheMerc,stabsonetire.
Thentheother.
AIRRUSHESOUT.
TheTIRESPUNCTUREfast.
MAUDAllright--shallweRolandstaresatMaudandtheknife.
Bothisdisbelief.
EXT.
CEMETERY-NIGHTMaudandRolandpulluponthehillnearthecemeterygates.
Onthegates,asign:"STRICTLYNOADMITTANCE"Nearbyalargewall,wheretheyplacealadder.
Upoverthewall,intothecemeterytheygo.
(CONTINUED)112.
CONTINUED:Walkingthroughthegraveyard,'roundlongcurvedavenuesofthenecropolis.
Asif,fromthetombstonesandgraves,voicesfilltheair.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`Mydear,mydear.
.
.
'HOLDONRolandandMaudastheydisappearupthehill,intothegloomydarknessamongthetreeswavinginthebreeze.
INT.
CEMETERY-NIGHTNearthemausoleum,thetombawaits,theboxinside.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Iaskforyourforgivenessforintrudingonyouatthistime.
Iamtoldyouaregravelyill.
.
.
'INSIDECABINETHOLDONtheletter,itsflapofenvelopeopen.
Wehearavoice,MOVETOWARDSit,untilwhitepaperFILLStheSCREEN.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
IhavewritdownsomethingsIdearlywishyoushouldknow.
.
.
'FLASHBACK-INT.
SEALCOURT-DAY(1888)AsinRolandandMaud'searlierjourney,weCLIMBUP--Awindingspiralstaircaseleadingtoatowerbedroom,wallsnowfreshly-pained,Christabel'sdolls--whereMaudandRolandfindthelettersacenturylater--keptneatlyontheirbed.
Awomansitsatherdesk,talkingsoftlyasshecomposesaletter.
ItisChristabel,nowanoldwoman,inher60s.
CHRISTABEL.
.
.
Isitherelikeanoldwitchinatower.
Youwillsaytome,itshouldhavebeentold,twenty-eightyearsago.
Iknow--Ihaveknownforthesemanyyears--thatIhavedoneyouwrong.
Yet,myguiltforallthathappenedmadeitimpossible.
.
.
'(CONTINUED)113.
CONTINUED:Christabeldriftstothewindow.
Goldensummersunfloodsin.
CHRISTABEL`.
.
.
Thetruthis,thatyouhaveadaughter,whoiswell,andmarried,andthemotherofawonderfulboy.
'Shelooksdownfromherisolationontothegrassknollbelow,sowell-keptinitsday.
Abeautifulwomaninherlate20s,MAIABAILEY,playswithherbabyboy.
CHRISTABEL`.
.
.
Sheisbeautiful,andcalledMaia,andresembles,Ithink,bothherparents,neitherofwhichsheknowstobeherparents.
.
.
'Christabelturnsfromthewindow,lostinhermemories.
FLASHBACK-EXT.
FIELD(BRITTANY)-NIGHT(1860)Christabel'smemories.
WeareFLYINGOVERruggedwinterterrainbeforeafarmhouse,TOWARDSabarninBrittany,decadesago.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Weagreedtoleaveeachotherandneverlookback.
Andforpride'ssake,andyours,Iresolvedtokeepmysideofit.
WhenIdiscoveredmycondition,BlancheandIquarrelledbitterly.
Icouldnotcometoyou.
SoImadearrangements--IfoundaplacetogoinFrance--butyoucamesearchingafterme.
.
.
'Thedoorsofthebarnopenforus,andweCREEPPASTcowsandmulesthatstareTOWARDSus.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
SoIfled,Ifled.
.
.
'WeREACHahaystackintheback,wherethesquattingChristabeltremblesinagony.
CIRCLEAROUND,weseehersweat-drenchedface.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Iconcludedthatnodecentrefugeremainedfitforme.
.
.
'Sheopenshermouthtoscream,as--114.
INT.
CHRISTABELANDBLANCHE'SHOUSE(RICHMOND)-1859CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
AndwhenIthoughtofpoorBlanche.
.
.
'INT.
SITTINGROOMAlone,Blanchesewingpocketsofadress:stones(fromWhitby)expertlyboundwithneedleandthread.
.
.
ONTABLEAsuicidenoteinBlanche'swriting,placedonadesk:"Towhomitmayconcern.
.
.
"Weigheddownbyastone.
EXT.
THAMESRIVER-CHELSEABRIDGE-1859Uponabridge,Blanchelooksintoswirlingwatersofadarkriver.
Inherpockets,silvery-blackstonessewninbythread.
Asshewalkstotheprecipiceofthebridge,andjumps--CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
IknewIhadkilledher.
.
.
'UNDERWATERAtthebottomoftheriver,Blanchetumbles,bubblesslowlyexpiringfromhermouth.
Herbodyweigheddownbythefossilstones,shefloatseerilyinthecolddarkness.
.
.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Icouldnotfacetheworld.
Noryou.
.
.
'EXT.
CLIFFS(BRITTANY)-1860Inadarkcloak,Christabel,alone,facingouttosea.
Atherlowestebb.
Distraught,tearsstreamingdownhercheeks.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Ifelthaunted,cursed,andalone.
.
.
'DISSOLVETHROUGHTO:115.
INT.
SEALCOURT-CHRISTABEL'SROOM-DAY(1888)Despitethememory,Christabel'sfaceiscalmandpeaceful.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
SoIgavedearMaiatomysisterSophieBailey,whobroughtherupasherown.
.
.
'Christabelwandersintotheshadowsofherroom,whicharecoveredwithstacksofpapers.
Alifetimeofwords.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
NowIwanttomakeamends,lettheseghostsrestinpeace.
Ihaveflownaboutthebattlementsofthisstronghold,cryingonthewindofmyneedtoseeandfeedandcomfortmychild,whoknowsmenotand--towhomcanIsaythis,butyou--wholovesmenot.
.
.
'Shereturnstothewindow.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Andyet,sheissohappy.
Ah,butifyouwerehere,youwouldseehowIdarenotdisturbherpeace.
.
.
'CLOSEUPONYOUNGMAIA'SFACEShelooksup,perhapshereyesmeetChristabel's.
Buttheyoungmotherquicklyavertsthem.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Ihavebeenangryforsolong--withallofus,withyou,withBlanche,withmypoorself.
.
.
andnow,neartheend,Ithinkofyouwithclearlove.
.
.
'Shemovestoherdesk,signshernametotheletter,thenpicksupasmallart-nouveaupictureframe.
Sheremovesthephoto.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Isendyouherpicture.
Shewillhavenothingofherstrangename,andpreferstobecalledMay,whichsuitsher.
.
.
'116.
CLOSEUPONPHOTOofawomanonherweddingday.
OriginalofthephotoonMaud'smantelpiece,hergreat-great-grandmother,May.
CHRISTABEL(V.
O.
)`.
.
.
Didwenot--didyounotflame,andIcatchfireIsthatnotfineShallwesurviveandrisefromourashes.
.
.
'ONCHRISTABEL'SFACEasshepreparestopartwithherphoto.
Aburstofsunshinesurgesthroughthewindow.
Sheisconsumedinwhite.
Asthelightslowlyfades,weHOLDONphoto,butnowit'sold,faded,andinmuddyhands.
ENDOFFLASHBACK.
DISSOLVETHROUGHandREVEAL--EXT.
CEMETERY-DAWNRainstarts.
Thesunisabouttorise.
RolandandMaudsitatthegraveyardbythemausoleum.
Ontheground--MAUD(readingletter)`.
.
.
Andso,"inthecalmofmind,allpassionspent,"IthankGod--iftheremustbeadragon--thathewasyou.
'Theboxhasbeenopened,theletter(withcrest)sitsoutofitsenvelope,photosintheirhands,watchwithitsbraidedlockofgoldenhair.
RolandholdsitagainstMaud'sownhair.
ROLANDIt'sher.
May.
Shewas.
.
.
MAUDMygreat-great-grandmother,yes.
May.
.
.
ROLANDNowIknowwhytheyleftallthis--theclues,thepoems,theletters.
Theywantedyoutoknow,Maud.
Theyleftthemforyou.
(CONTINUED)117.
CONTINUED:HoldingtheoldcrumpledpicturesofMay,Maudisovercome.
MAUDShelookslikeChristabel.
Youcanseeit.
ROLANDShelookslikeyou.
ShelookslikeRandolphHenryAsh,too.
MAUDSoIlooklikeAshAhintoflightness.
Rolandsmiles,gentlytouchesherface.
ROLANDIwouldneverhavethoughtofit.
Butyes--here,atthecorneroftheeyebrow--theedgeofthemouth--MAUDNowyouseeit,you'llalwaysseeit--ROLANDI'llneverbefreeofit.
MAUDNo.
We'llneverbefree.
Maudsmilestoo,looksupatRoland,asifforthefirsttime.
Rolandreachesouttoher,holdsherclosetohim.
ROLANDMaud.
.
.
I.
.
.
loveyousomuch.
.
.
Theicequeenmelts.
Maudburiesherface,tearsfall.
ROLANDIjustloveyou.
That'showitis.
Maudraisesherarmstohim,hishandsstrokeherwethair,tracingthecurvesofhershiveringbody.
As--MAUDTheworstpossiblewaythen.
Theypullawayforaninstant.
(CONTINUED)118.
CONTINUED:ROLANDYes,totalobsession.
Theworst.
.
.
Theymovecloser.
Rolandknowsherheartisbarelytriumphingoverherfear.
Fightingeveryinchoftheway,Maudsoftlybringsherlipstohis.
Aheartbeatawayfroma.
.
.
Long,lingeringkiss.
Until--Maudopenshereyes,looksupslowly.
AndbehindRoland,sees--overthebrowofthehill,afamiliarfigure:Beatrice.
Smiling,whitehairstreamingintherain.
Rolandswivelsaround,tosee--Agatheringcrowdofsodden,desperatescholars:Beatrice,Cropper,Hildebrand,Fergus,gloomy;everBlackadderandLeonora.
INT.
INN(NEARCEMETERY)RAINPOURSdown.
Inthebar,aroundafireplace,amuddycrewofscholars,inpajamasanddressinggowns,drinkhottoddies;BlackadderandLeonoraholdhands,inlove.
Beatricepassesaroundtheletters.
BLACKADDERHowstrangeforMaudtobedescendedfrombothAshandChristabel.
.
.
FERGUSYes.
Yourlives'work,allinvain.
.
.
CROPPERNo,no.
Isenseditallalong.
TheoldCropperinstinct.
Iknewitwassomethingvast.
.
.
BEATRICEIcanimagineEllen.
Shedidn'tevenreadit.
Justputitaway--BLACKADDERForMaud.
Asitturnsout.
ShepreserveditforMaud.
BEATRICEPoorAsh.
Heneverknew.
.
.
neverknew.
.
(CONTINUED)119.
CONTINUED:LookingtoLeonora,foroncespeechless,gazingatadampletter.
LEONORA.
.
.
Wow.
PULLBACKfromthediscussion--TOupstairs--where--INT.
INN(NEARCEMETERY)-ROOMTHROUGHthewindowsofthe18thCenturyinn--Inawhiteroom,withawhitefour-poster,withwhite-veiledcurtains.
MaudandRolandbyawhitebed.
ROLANDI'mafraidofit,too.
Justlikeyou.
MAUDWhatcowardsweare,afterall.
(beat)Kissme.
ROLANDThat'swhatIwasafraidof.
Behindthewhiteveils,MaudfinallykissesRoland,softlyatfirst,thenwithallherrepressedpassion,astheyliedownuponthebed--DOWNBYBED-BOXAndbesideit--theWATCH.
Withitsplaitofgoldenhair,whereweHOLDforamoment.
Until,weakly,fitfully,thesweepingsecond-handgaspsoutafewinexplicableTICKS--enoughtoletusknow--Itisalive.
ASH(V.
O.
)Therearethingsthathappenandleavenodiscernibletrace,arenotspokenoforwrittenof,asthoughsuchthingshaveneverbeen.
Twopeoplemet,onahotMayday,andnevermentionedthemeeting.
.
.
DISSOLVETO:120.
FLASHBACK-EXT.
MEADOW(SEALCOURT)-DAY(1868)ThesameWATCH,TICKING.
.
.
Inthehandsofaman,walkingdownacountrylaneonahotMaydayofbrightsunlightandBUZZINGINSECTS.
Nearby,ameadowfullofflowers,likeaMonet:bluecornflowers,scarletpoppies,acarpetofyellowdaisiesswayinthebreeze.
Upalane,walksabeardedmaninablack,wide-brimmedhat.
Fromcoolshadows,hestareswistfullyoutinthedistance,at--thegothictowersofSealCourt.
Theoldmanishot,wipeshisbrow.
Ashecatcheshisbreath,anearbyCREAKINGsound,toandfro,distractshim.
Yetsointenseishisstare,hehardlynoticesayoungGIRL(8),swingingonagate.
GIRLHello!
AreyoulostTheGirl,inbluedressandwhitepinafore,humstoherself,makingadaisychain.
Themanlooksdownather:heisAsh.
ASHAmI--Oh,hello.
Yes.
.
.
Iwaslookingupatyonderhouse.
DoyouknowitGIRLThathouseOfcourseIdo.
That'smyhouse.
ASH(beat)IsitreallySuddenlycurious,Ashcockshisheadtowardsher,lowershimselfononeknee.
Agentlematter-of-facttenderness.
ASHWell,youareaveryfortunategirl.
(holdingouthishand)MynameisRandolphAsh.
HowdoyoudoMayIknowyoursGIRL(MAY)MynameisMayBailey.
Ihaveanothernamealso,butIdonotlikeit.
(CONTINUED)121.
CONTINUED:ASHIthinkIknowyourmother.
Youhaveatruelookofyourmother.
MAYNooneelsesaysthat.
IthinkIlooklikemyfather.
ASHIthinkyouhavealookofyourfather,too.
Ashputshisarmsaroundherwaist,liftsherdowntohisside.
Mayssits,pullinggrass,surroundedbyacloudofbutterflies.
ASHYouseemveryhappy.
MAYOh,yes.
Iam,Iam.
(beat)CanyoumakedaisychainsASHIwillmakeyouacrownforaMayQueen.
Butyoumustgivemesomethinginexchange.
MAYIhaven'tgotanythingtogive.
ASHOh,justalockofhair.
Torememberyouby.
MAYLikeafairystory.
ASHJustso.
Ashhuntsinhissatchel,takesoutatinypairofpocketscissors.
Andverygentlycutsalonglockfromhergoldenhair.
MAYHere.
I'llplaititforyou,tokeepittidy.
May'sfingerssettowork,Ashgathersuptwigs,ferns,flowers.
(CONTINUED)122.
CONTINUED:ASHI'llmakeyouacrown,likeafairy'schild.
OrlikeProserpine.
DoyouknowanypoetryMAYIhaveanAuntChristabelwhoisalwaystellingmepoems.
ButIdon'tlikepoetry.
ASHIamsorryyoudon'tlikepoetry,asIamapoet.
MAYOh,Ilikeyou.
Youmakelovelythingsanddon'tfuss.
ASHIfIwrotedownamessage,wouldyoubekindenoughtodeliverittoyourauntMAYAmessageWhatwillitsayASHSimplythatyoumetapoet,whowaslookingforhisfairygoddess,andwhometyouinstead,andwhosendsherhiscompliments,andwillnotdisturbher,andisonhiswaytofreshwoodsandpasturesanew.
AshlocksintoMay'seyes.
Amomenthewillrememberwithabsoluteclarity,butwhichwillfadeinhermemoryovertheyears.
Tinybeetlescrawlabouttheirfeet.
Theygobacktoworkingbeneaththesun.
Amanandagirl,contenttoshareonemomentoftheirlives.
Asabreezefloatsthrough,rufflingtheleavesaroundthem--DISSOLVETO:SAMESCENE-MOMENTSLATERAshstandsbythegate,watchingMayrunthroughthemeadow,noteinhand,daisycrownuponherhead.
Ashwindsherblondehair-plaitaroundthechainofhiswatch.
(CONTINUED)123.
CONTINUED:MayclimbsupahilltowardsSealCourt,whereherbrothersambushher.
Theyroughandtumble,fallingdownthegrassyslope.
Hercrownfallsbeneathonebrother,iscrushed.
Amongherthings,Maypicksupherhalf-embroideredcushion(theoneMaudfindsahundredyearson)withversesonlybegun.
Ashturnsawayas--HISNOTEwithoutMayevenregistering--Fliesfromherhand,upintotheair.
Carriedbythewindlikealeaf,itfloatsthroughthefields.
Overthegrass,connectedbydiamond-threadsoflight--Overtheyellowandpurpleflowers,upintothebranchesofatree.
Whenawindblows,RUSTLINGLEAVES,seemingtoplaymusicuponthem.
HOLDONthetree.
SLOWPANTHROUGHTO--ENDOFFLASHBACK.
EXT.
LONDONLIBRARY(ST.
JAMES'SSQUARE)-DAYThatsametree.
Ahundredyearslater.
Nowfullcircle,growingmagicallyinanelegantsquareincentralLondon.
AstheWINDRUSHESthroughthebranches,inanancientharmony--Abouttopluckfromitsbranchestotapuponalibrarywindow--Leaves,floatinglikebirds.
FADETOBLACK.
THEEND