NaScreeWriMo - Day Twenty-Seven
Nov. 27th, 2010 08:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kungfuwaynewhoEXT. CASTLE - DAWN
The carriage stops. Mira exits, not too surprised to see her WOLF ESCORTS - two big creatures, one on either side. They accompany her to the doors, which swing open on their own, just as they did the first time she arrived.
Mira enters--
THE ENTRY HALL
The blank-faced manservant stands ready and waiting. He gestures toward the entrance to the corridor.
Mira joins him.
INT. DINING HALL - MORNING
Mira enters, the blank-faced manservant remaining in the doorway behind her. Blocking the exit.
The Count sits in his usual spot, smiling beatifically.
BATHORY
You shouldn’t leave like that, my dear. You could
get hurt. I’m always happy to send the
carriage around for you.
MIRA
Where is my husband?
BATHORY
I’m right here, of course.
Mira just stares at him, patient.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
So you’re still quibbling over a few meaningless words? Fine,
we’ll have your little wedding. Sit down in the meantime,
have something to eat.
Mira sits, utterly calm. Beat.
MIRA
I’m not afraid of you anymore. My son is safe.
BATHORY
Is he now? Unfortunately your father’s wagon has a
broken wheel. It’s quite immovable. I must admit,
I’m none too pleased with your father at the moment.
A chink in Mira’s armor.
EXT. RIVER - WAGON - DAY
The wagon almost level again. Miklos nails a piece of wood against the wheel axle, trying to strengthen it. The nail BENDS.
MIKLOS
Blast! Girl, hand me another nail.
Inside the wagon, Ilka stares at Dominik, unable to look away. That alien look still on his face. That dark chuckle.
Movement catches Ilka’s eye. Past Dominik, up the riverbank, the first wolf can be seen. Hackles raised, growling.
MIKLOS (O.S.)
Girl! A nail!
Ilka finally tears her eyes away. Turns, digs through one of the bags. Pulls out a handful of nails - shaking fingers drop most. She manages to lean over and give Miklos a few.
She whips back around. Dominik looks at her, quizzical.
DOMINIK
What happened? Why did we stop?
No relief on Ilka’s face. Just wariness. She jumps when Miklos suddenly stands behind her.
MIKLOS
Finished! Let’s get moving, girl.
Dominik looks more and more upset as Ilka continues to stare at him.
MIKLOS (CONT’D)
Girl!
ILKA
(whispers)
What?
MIKLOS
Let’s get moving.
(beat)
Take the reins.
Ilka does, holding them in limp hands. Keeping an eye on Dominik out of her peripheral vision. Miklos pantomimes and Ilka repeats the gesture, slapping the reins up and down.
The horses start - the wagon moves forward. Miklos walks beside, keeps an eye on the wheel.
Ilka looks back up the riverbank. The wolf is gone.
The horses’ front hooves step onto the bridge.
The wolves are upon them.
The horses scream, jerk forward. The reins and bridle SNAP - the horses break free of the wagon, run across the bridge.
A wolf LEAPS onto Miklos. He grapples with it, trying to keep its fangs away from his throat.
Ilka grabs Dominik, shakes him.
ILKA
Stop! Stop this, damn you!
Dominik just laughs at her.
Miklos SCREAMS.
Ilka searches, frantic, finds a KNIFE. She goes to the edge of the wagon.
Red blood spreads over the surface of the snow.
Ilka moans, leans back. Dominik is beside her, dangling a chubby little hand down to pet the wolf’s head.
Ilka pushes herself away from the boy, knife still in hand. Eyes a little mad.
INT. CASTLE - DINING HALL - DAY
Mira sits. Still. Waiting. The blank-faced manservant fills her wine glass - that dark red liquid. Bathory raises his own glass.
BATHORY
Drink with me.
Mira lifts her glass. POURS the wine out on the floor. Then she DROPS the glass. It shatters.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
You do brighten up the day. I almost wish I didn’t
have to break you.
MIRA
Where is Samuel?
A plate is set before her, the cover withdrawn. Mira doesn’t look at it, just stares ahead at Bathory.
BATHORY
Are you going to eat?
MIRA
Where is my husband?
BATHORY
For someone who spent her childhood in such a wealthy
home, you are quite rude to the servants. Really,
Mira, you never even say ‘thank you.’
Mira picks up the plate - beautifully arranged, delicious food - and drops it on the floor. She turns to the servant who set it in front of her.
MIRA
Thank--
The servant is SAMUEL. He stares forward with the same vacant, blank expression as the others.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Samuel. Samuel!
She jumps up, throws her arms around him. But it’s like hugging a block of wood. Mira pulls back, tries to get Samuel to look at her.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Samuel, it’s me. I’m here. Samuel!
No response. Bathory grins in the background, as though he is enjoying some theater.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Look at me. Samuel. It’s me, it’s
Mira. Samuel!
She puts her hands on the side of his face. He finally seems to see her. He lifts a hand - slowly - and touches her hair. Lifts a lock to examine it. Mira smiles at him, encouraging.
The corner of Samuel’s mouth lifts in distaste. Then he LUNGES for Mira’s throat.
Mira cries out, shoves herself back. Samuel snaps his teeth together again, growling.
BATHORY
Enough.
Samuel turns to the Count, teeth still bared. Bathory raises a finger. The vacant mask slips back down over Samuel’s face. He steps back against the wall.
Mira stares.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
See, darling? Now we have a compromise. You
may see him whenever you wish. I think I’m
being quite reasonable, don’t you?
Mira just turns and RUNS.
INT. CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Running. Her breathing loud - panicked gasps. Around the corner and there’s her stretch of hallway - the dragon tapestry between two doors. She enters--
HER ROOM
And slams the door shut. Stands a beat.
Mira SCREAMS.
The carriage stops. Mira exits, not too surprised to see her WOLF ESCORTS - two big creatures, one on either side. They accompany her to the doors, which swing open on their own, just as they did the first time she arrived.
Mira enters--
THE ENTRY HALL
The blank-faced manservant stands ready and waiting. He gestures toward the entrance to the corridor.
Mira joins him.
INT. DINING HALL - MORNING
Mira enters, the blank-faced manservant remaining in the doorway behind her. Blocking the exit.
The Count sits in his usual spot, smiling beatifically.
BATHORY
You shouldn’t leave like that, my dear. You could
get hurt. I’m always happy to send the
carriage around for you.
MIRA
Where is my husband?
BATHORY
I’m right here, of course.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
So you’re still quibbling over a few meaningless words? Fine,
we’ll have your little wedding. Sit down in the meantime,
have something to eat.
MIRA
I’m not afraid of you anymore. My son is safe.
BATHORY
Is he now? Unfortunately your father’s wagon has a
broken wheel. It’s quite immovable. I must admit,
I’m none too pleased with your father at the moment.
EXT. RIVER - WAGON - DAY
The wagon almost level again. Miklos nails a piece of wood against the wheel axle, trying to strengthen it. The nail BENDS.
MIKLOS
Blast! Girl, hand me another nail.
Movement catches Ilka’s eye. Past Dominik, up the riverbank, the first wolf can be seen. Hackles raised, growling.
MIKLOS (O.S.)
Girl! A nail!
She whips back around. Dominik looks at her, quizzical.
DOMINIK
What happened? Why did we stop?
MIKLOS
Finished! Let’s get moving, girl.
MIKLOS (CONT’D)
Girl!
ILKA
(whispers)
What?
MIKLOS
Let’s get moving.
(beat)
Take the reins.
The horses start - the wagon moves forward. Miklos walks beside, keeps an eye on the wheel.
Ilka looks back up the riverbank. The wolf is gone.
The horses’ front hooves step onto the bridge.
DOMINIK
No!
No!
The wolves are upon them.
The horses scream, jerk forward. The reins and bridle SNAP - the horses break free of the wagon, run across the bridge.
A wolf LEAPS onto Miklos. He grapples with it, trying to keep its fangs away from his throat.
Ilka grabs Dominik, shakes him.
ILKA
Stop! Stop this, damn you!
Miklos SCREAMS.
Ilka searches, frantic, finds a KNIFE. She goes to the edge of the wagon.
Red blood spreads over the surface of the snow.
Ilka moans, leans back. Dominik is beside her, dangling a chubby little hand down to pet the wolf’s head.
Ilka pushes herself away from the boy, knife still in hand. Eyes a little mad.
INT. CASTLE - DINING HALL - DAY
Mira sits. Still. Waiting. The blank-faced manservant fills her wine glass - that dark red liquid. Bathory raises his own glass.
BATHORY
Drink with me.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
You do brighten up the day. I almost wish I didn’t
have to break you.
MIRA
Where is Samuel?
BATHORY
Are you going to eat?
MIRA
Where is my husband?
BATHORY
For someone who spent her childhood in such a wealthy
home, you are quite rude to the servants. Really,
Mira, you never even say ‘thank you.’
MIRA
Thank--
MIRA (CONT’D)
Samuel. Samuel!
MIRA (CONT’D)
Samuel, it’s me. I’m here. Samuel!
MIRA (CONT’D)
Look at me. Samuel. It’s me, it’s
Mira. Samuel!
The corner of Samuel’s mouth lifts in distaste. Then he LUNGES for Mira’s throat.
Mira cries out, shoves herself back. Samuel snaps his teeth together again, growling.
BATHORY
Enough.
Mira stares.
BATHORY (CONT’D)
See, darling? Now we have a compromise. You
may see him whenever you wish. I think I’m
being quite reasonable, don’t you?
INT. CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Running. Her breathing loud - panicked gasps. Around the corner and there’s her stretch of hallway - the dragon tapestry between two doors. She enters--
HER ROOM
And slams the door shut. Stands a beat.
Mira SCREAMS.
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no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 05:32 pm (UTC)It's pretty action-y from here on out, I think. I haven't...completely finished outlining, LOL.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 03:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 05:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 01:18 am (UTC)I'm hoping for a Fix Everything ending, but I don't think that's where you're headed.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 04:05 am (UTC):/
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 02:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 04:35 pm (UTC)I was actually thinking that there haven't really been many deaths up till now. Hmm. Shouldn't a vampire movie have casualties?
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 05:27 pm (UTC)FWIW, at this point, I'm also sort of regarding the blank-faced servants as casualties.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 06:05 pm (UTC)I think the only thing that's really saying "vampire" at this point are the sort of genre tropes, though they could easily just say "gothic horror mystery." Which is okay, I guess; IDK. I'll have to think about it.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 03:40 pm (UTC)(But don't let that stop you.)
(I guess.)
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 04:33 pm (UTC)Um, there will be fixing? But only for certain definitions of the word "fix." So.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 04:51 pm (UTC)