Good Night Prometheus, the Tragedy of Frankenstein

Good Night Prometheus: The Tragedy of Frankenstein

By

James C. Durkis and Kaja E. Durkis

James C. Durkis

9601 Regal Ridge Drive, NE

Albuquerque, NM 87111

(505) 362-1029

[email protected]

FADE IN:

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - NIGHT

On the side of a mountain sits FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE. A

waterfall pours into the gorge that separates the mountain

from the surrounding land. Mist from the waterfall obscures

portions of the castle and the drawbridge.

DOCTOR VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN (O.S.)

(reading)

...so they fashioned a coffin of

glass and kept vigil at her side.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS

VICTOR (O.S.)(CONT’D)

(reading)

The Prince soon heard of the fair

maiden in the glass coffin.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - THE STUDY - CONTINUOUS

Doctor Victor Frankenstein (Victor) sits on a large couch,

reads to his son (Jason), 13. A dog (Zarya) on the floor.

VICTOR

(reading)

While the little men kept vigil

near the coffin, the Prince arrived

and recognized his one true love.

He leaned over and gave Snow White

love’s first kiss, which woke her

from her magical slumber. The

Prince carried Snow White away to

his castle. And they all lived

happily ever after...The End.

JASON

(sleepily)

Read me another story, Daddy.

VICTOR

It’s time for bed. I’ve got work to

do tonight.

JASON

You work every night.

2.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - JASON’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jason gets into bed. Zarya jumps onto the bed, snuggles next

to Jason. Victor’s stands in the doorway, shadow in the

room.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Good night son. I love you very

much.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - VICTOR’S LAB - CONTINUOUS

Victor feeds test animals in cages. Glassware, medical

equipment, a large glass container with green liquid, potted

plants, mosses clutter the LAB.

Victor crushes leaves and minerals. A red powder is poured

into a small red barrel atop the desk. Next to it is a

small blue barrel.

Victor tired, writes a few notes in a journal, falls into a

restless sleep. Victor’s arm knocks over items on the desk.

FOG/MIST OBSCURES SCENE INTO DARKNESS

INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL - DAY (DREAM)

FOG/MIST EVAPORATES

A younger Victor places a cloth over the nose and mouth of a

patient. Sounds of distant fighting. Patient falls asleep.

VICTOR

We’ll have to amputate. Nurse, can

you help me here, please?

A commotion. A badly wounded cavalry officer (Edgar) is

carried in, placed onto a nearby bed.

VICTOR

Edgar!

Victor rushes to Edgar, provides treatment.

EDGAR (VICTOR’S OLDER BROTHER)

Hey, little brother, don’t let me

die, okay.

Victor treats Edgar. Another commotion.

3.

OFFICER (O.S.)

The General’s injured! I need a

doctor immediately!

The officer and a soldier approach Victor.

OFFICER

You! You’re a doctor, come with me!

VICTOR

I’m sorry, I have patients right

here who need my attention. You’ll

have to...

The officer draws his sword, threatens Victor. Gasps of

shock.

MILITARY OFFICER

That was not a request doctor! You

will come with me now!

The soldier grabs Victor’s medical bag.

VICTOR

But he’s my brother!

MILITARY OFFICER

I have my orders. Move!

Victor resists but is forced from the room.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Someone! Get that bleeding under

control!

INT. MILITARY COMMAND CENTER - CONTINUOUS (DREAM)

A ruined military command center. Sounds of distant

fighting. Victor works on the head and face of a man on the

ground.

VICTOR

I’ve done all I can. The bleeding

has been stopped. He’s stable but

will require further treatment once

you get him to the hospital.

Victor looks up at his escorts.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Am I free to go?

The officer nods. Victor grabs his bag, quickly leaves.

4.

INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS (DREAM)

Victor hurries in. Bloodstained bedsheets cover Edgar’s

face. Victor, in grief, sits down next to Edgar.

VICTOR

What happened?

NURSE

I’m sorry. We couldn’t stop the

bleeding.

Victor hangs his head, elbows on knees, hands over face.

VICTOR

No...not my brother.


NURSE (O.S.)

Doctor...doctor.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - VICTOR’S LAB - DAY

JASON (O.S.)

Daddy...Daddy.

FOG/MIST EVAPORATE

Victor awakes with a start. The desk is a mess, several

items on the floor.

VICTOR

Huh? What?

JASON

It’s time to wake up.

Jason looks at the clutter.

JASON (CONT’D)

Made a mess again, huh?

VICTOR

Yes, it seems so. I’ll clean this

up while you start breakfast, okay?

5.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

KITCHEN is cluttered. Jason prepares breakfast. Zarya sits

nearby. Victor enters.

VICTOR

Thanks Jason.

JASON

Good morning, Daddy. Any new

inventions last night?

VICTOR

No, not really.

JASON

What’s with the red and blue

barrels?

VICTOR

Ahhhh, the spark machine. When I

combine different plants and

minerals into each barrel I can

create a spark. Like the lightning

from a storm, just smaller. It can

make muscles twitch or help a heart

keep beating.

Victor and Jason sit down, eat.

JASON

Does it work?

VICTOR

Sometimes.

JASON

(smiling)

Sometimes? Like your other

experiments?

VICTOR

I’ll find the answer to all the

problems, you’ll see. The blood

replacement works in small doses.

JASON

Why do you need to replace blood?

VICTOR

During the war I saw too many

people die because they lost too

much blood from their wounds. If I

6.

VICTOR

can figure out how to replace that

blood, I can save a lot of lives,

especially when the moss patches

are used.

JASON

(laughing to himself)

Do those work yet?

VICTOR

Yes, actually, they do...with minor

side effects.

Jason looks up, questioningly.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

A little skin discoloration, that’s

all. But I’ll fix that problem too.

JASON

You work too hard. You need to go

out and play.

VICTOR

(somber, softly)

Adults don’t get to play, son. My

work is important...I was not here

when your grandfather died because

I was forced into the war...I was

unable to save my own brother...I

was unable to save your mother when

your sister was born...and I was

unable to save your sister when she

was overcome by the consumption. I

haven’t earned any playtime.

There’s so much I need to do...to

make things right.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - CONTINUOUS

Jason, Zarya emerge from the mist covering the drawbridge,

run along the road, to the forest.

EXT. FOREST - CONTINUOUS

Two men (Beval and Carsen) kneel behind tall bushes, watch

Jason and Zarya run down a forest path.

7.

BEVAL

It’s the Frankenstein boy.

CARSEN

It will be our necks if we’re

caught. The baron signed a warrant

against poachers on his lands.

A third man (Jonathan) joins Beval and Carsen.

JONATHAN

What’s the problem?

CARSEN

It’s the baron’s son and his dog.

The men watch Jason and Zarya run off into the forest.

JONATHAN

That brat probably scared off what

little game there was around here.

BEVAL

Hunting has been poor all year. We

don’t want to be caught poaching on

the baron’s lands.

JONATHAN

The baron? Don’t make me laugh!

That useless excuse for a doctor

does nothing but sit in his castle.

He doesn’t take care of his land,

doesn’t help the sick in town. As

far as I’m concerned, these are my

lands now. At least I’m putting

them to good use.

Carsen and Beval exchange looks of concern.

CARSEN

Come on, let’s try a different

location.

The three men fade back into the shadows of the forest.

EXT. LAKE SIDE - CONTINUOUS

Jason and Zarya enter large clearing near lake. Jason grabs

a rock, throws it at some ducks. Zarya chases the ducks as

they fly off.

Jason sits down behind a large boulder. Zarya snuggles up

next to him.

8.

A girl (Deirdre), the same age as Jason, enters tossing a

ball with two younger children. The ball lands in the water.

Deirdre chases the ball, stops at the water’s edge.

DEIRDRE

You threw it, you go get it.

Zarya dives past Deirdre into the water. Gasps of surprise,

water splashes. Dierdre falls into the water. Zarya

retrieves the ball, shakes herself off, sprays Deirdre. The

younger children laugh.

Zarya delivers the ball to Jason. Jason smiles.

JASON

(apologetic)

Umm...here’s your ball.

Deirdre angry, approaches Jason. Jason backs away.

DEIRDRE

Oh, so you think it’s funny do you?

JASON

(smiling, trying not to laugh)

No...not really....it’s just water.

DEIRDRE

Well, I’ll show you funny.

Deirdre approaches, Jason backs into the lake. Jason loses

his balance. Deirdre extends one finger, pushes Jason over.

A splash. The younger children laugh.

DEIRDRE (CONT’D)

There! Now we’re even.

Deirdre leans over, extends a hand, helps Jason up.

DEIRDRE (CONT’D)

Hi, I’m Deirdre.

JASON

I’m Jason.

DEIRDRE

I’ve never seen you around before.

Are you new in the town?

JASON

No, I live in the castle with my

father. He’s a doctor.

9.

DEIRDRE

You mean the old, haunted castle?

JASON

It’s not haunted...it’s just...my

father’s really busy, and...

DEIRDRE

(smiling)

Don’t worry about it! Let’s play!

It would be good to finally have

someone my own age to play with.

JASON

Sure!

MONTAGE

A) Jason, Deirdre and younger children play catch.

B) Jason, Deirdre and younger children play keep-away.

C) Jason, Deirdre and younger children play tag.

D) Jason, Deirdre and younger children chase after Zarya.

END MONTAGE


DEIRDRE

It’s getting late. We have to get

back.

JASON

I had fun. Want to play again

tomorrow?

DEIRDRE

Sure, but bring some food. A

picnic, perhaps?

Deirdre and younger children leave. Zarya pants in

exhaustion. Jason smiles, waves.

JASON

See you tomorrow.

10.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - JASON’S BEDROOM - DAY

Jason wakes up. Zarya emerges from under the covers. The

room is a mess. Jason sleepily opens window.

JASON

I’ll be late!


Jason looks into the LAB. Victor is asleep at the desk.

JASON

Time to wake up, Daddy!

Victor mumbles in his sleep, knocks an item off the desk.


Jason carries a large basket, eats a turkey leg, emerges

from the mists over the drawbridge. Zarya pokes her head

over the raised edge of the drawbridge, tail wagging, barks.

JASON

Come on girl.

Zarya rushes after Jason.

EXT. LAKE SIDE - LATER

Deirdre picks flowers. Jason and Zarya enter. Jason holds

the remains of the turkey leg, tosses it away. Zarya sprints

after it.

DEIRDRE

Well, it’s about time.

JASON

Sorry, it’s a long walk from the

castle.

DEIRDRE

You brought a picnic! How

wonderful!

Jason smiles, blushes.

JASON

Yes...umm...let me set things up.

11.

MONTAGE

A) Jason pulls out an elegant cloth (with the Frankenstein

crest embroidered on it). Jason sets out the food.

B) Jason and Deirdre play catch with Zarya.

C) Jason and Deirdre sit down and eat.

D) Zarya steals food while Jason looks at Deirdre.

E) Jason and Deirdre walk along the lake shore, skip stones

into the water. The sun gets low in the western sky.

F) Deirdre picks flowers.

END MONTAGE


DEIRDRE

I had a wonderful time today, but I

have to get back home.

Jason and Deirdre fold the picnic cloth.

JASON

I had fun too. Maybe we can meet

again in a few days. I have to help

my Dad with chores and stuff.

DEIRDRE

Okay, it’s a date.

Jason blushes.

JASON

A...a what?

Deirdre causally walks away. She selects flowers from her

bouquet and tosses them, one at a time, into the lake.

DEIRDRE

A date. But you have to bring a

picnic.

JASON

But, okay, a picnic. Why are you

throwing flowers into the water?

12.

DEIRDRE

I don’t know. They’re pretty and

they look nice in the water.

Deirdre picks more flowers, leaves. Jason shakes his head.

JASON

Girls are strange.


Jason and Zarya walk along a dim forest path. Zarya stops

short, crouches, softly growls. Jason stops. Sounds of

movement, stumbling.

A gravely wounded deer staggers onto the path. Two

black-fletched arrows protrude from its side. The deer

staggers, two more arrows are shot into the deer, killing

it.

Jason steps backward as Beval and Carsen appear. Carsen

places his hand on his hunting knife. Zarya growls. Jason

backs up to a tree.

JASON

Poachers.

A black-fletched arrow flies into the tree right next to

Jason’s head. Jonathan, atop a black horse, draws his bow.

Jason runs. Jonathan’s shot misses.

Jonathan moves his horse next to Beval and Carsen.

JONATHAN

You two get that kill back to the

cave. I’ll take care of the

witness.

BEVAL

Why, Jonathan? He’s just a boy.

JONATHAN

A boy who can cost us our lives!

Get moving!

Jonathan notches another black-fletched arrow, spurs his

horse forward. Beval looks anguished.

BEVAL

May God have mercy on our souls.

13.


Jason runs, dodges between trees, basket in hand. Zarya runs

at Jason’s side. Arrows strike the trunks of trees as Jason

passes by. The sun begins to set.

Jason, exhausted, breaks from the forest, a road in sight

across a large field. Hoof beats approaching. Jason stumbles

forward. Jonathan raises his bow, pauses, smiles, lowers the

bow. Jonathan leans forward, pats the horse on the neck.

JONATHAN

Come on boy, let’s have some fun.

Jonathan spurs his horse forward. Jason drops the basket.

The basket shatters beneath the horse’s hooves. Zarya barks

at the attackers. The horse overtakes Jason, runs him over.

Jonathan spins the horse around. Jason rolls over, badly

injured. Zarya fiercely barks.

JONATHAN

Yup!

The horse rears back, flails its front legs, silhouetted

against the setting sun. Jason’s raises his arm defensively.

JASON

Noooo!

The horse pounds his front hooves down. The sound of broken

bones, torn flesh. Cries of pain. Zarya leaps at Jonathan’s

leg. A kick sends Zarya to the ground with a yelp. Jonathan

repositions his horse.

JONATHAN

Yup!

The horse rears, brings its front hooves down. The sound of

broken bones. Jonathan repositions his horse. Zarya’s

barking is heard moving away. Jonathan looks up. A cart with

a lit lantern approaches. Zarya runs towards the cart,

barking. Jonathan sneers.

JONATHAN

When you get to hell, boy, tell

them who sent you.

Jonathan spurs his horse into a sprint over Jason’s body,

back to the forest. The sun sets.

14.

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Zarya reaches the cart, barks at the driver (Spencer).

Spencer stops his cart, squints.

SPENCER

What do you want girl? You’re a

long way from home.

Zarya barks, runs back along the road, stops, barks again.

Zarya leads Spencer to where Jason lays. As the cart gets

close, Zarya runs next to Jason, barks, lays down next to

Jason, Zarya’s muzzle touching Jason’s hand. Zarya whines

repeatedly. Spencer climbs down, sees Jason.

SPENCER

Saints protect us.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - COURTYARD - NIGHT

Spencer’s cart enters the COURTYARD. A storm brews over the

mountains.

SPENCER

Doctor Frankenstein! Baron! Come

quickly!

Spencer dismounts as Victor opens the castle doors.

VICTOR

Spencer, why the commotion?

Victor sees Jason in the back of the cart. Zarya lays next

to Jason. Victor turns ashen, steadies himself against the

stone banister of the castle steps.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Oh, God no.

SPENCER

I’m sorry sir, I don’t know what

happened. Something attacked him.

Victor, in grief, steps down the stairs using the banister

for support, reaches a hand toward Jason.

VICTOR

Not my son. He’s all I have left.

Victor staggers. Mist forms near Victor’s head. The mist

condenses into a ghostly image of the face of Edgar.

Victor’s face a mask of despair.

15.

EDGAR’S IMAGE

Hey, little brother, don’t let me

die, okay.

VICTOR

No.

The ghostly image fades, shifts, reforms into the ghostly

image of the face of a young woman (Deborah), wet with

sweat, disheveled hair, in tears.

DEBORAH’S (VICTOR’S DEAD WIFE) IMAGE

You take good care of our daughter,

Victor. I love you very much.

VICTOR

Please, no.

Deborah’s eyes close, the ghostly image fades, reforms into

the ghostly image of the face of a very young girl

(Katherine), looking ill, coughing.

KATHERINE’S (VICTOR’S DEAD DAUGHTER)

IMAGE

Daddy, I don’t feel very good.

Victor turns from the misty image, it fades away.

VICTOR

(whispering)

I failed you all.

SPENCER

Is there anything I can do, sir?

Victor, in a trance, lifts Jason into his arms, carries him

slowly up the entry steps. Zarya follows.

SPENCER

I’m sorry, sir.

VICTOR

I’ve lost everything.

Victor carries Jason through the open door of the castle.

The door closes with a low, echoing thud.

16.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - ENTRY HALL - CONTINUOUS

Victor, in a trance, back against the castle door, cradles

Jason’s body. Victor carries Jason with slow, mechanical

steps. Victor stumbles, falls to one knee. Jason makes a

weak but audible gasp.

VICTOR

Jason?

Victor checks for a pulse at Jason’s neck.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

You’re alive!

Victor stands, lifts Jason, with renewed energy.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

I won’t fail you! I won’t let you

die!

Victor carries Jason up the castle main stairs. Lightning,

thunder. Zarya follows Victor.


Victor places Jason on a large table next to the desk. Books

and other items tossed to the floor. Lightning, thunder. The

storm grows.

VICTOR

I won’t lose you...

(beat)

...not like the others.

Victor grabs a listening tube from his desk. Victor listens

to Jason’s chest. A weak, irregular heart beat.

MONTAGE

A) Victor tosses off his coat, works furiously on Jason.

B) Victor uses scissors to remove Jason’s clothing.

C) Victor soaks pre-prepared moss patches in a bucket of

water, applies them to Jason’s wounds. A flash of lightning,

a roll of thunder.

D) Cloth wraps applied to keep the moss patches in place.

17.

E) The storm rages outside, images of scissors, moss patches

and cloth wraps blur together and continue until Jason is

covered from head to toe in moss patches and cloth wraps.

MONTAGE ENDS


Victor presses the listening tube to Jason’s chest. The

heart beat is weak, unsteady.

VICTOR

You’ve lost too much blood.

Lightning, thunder. The large, glass container filled with

green liquid is seen. The storm rages.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

The blood replacement!

Victor prepares a transfusion, with a stopcock on the desk

controlling the flow. A sharpened quill the needle. The flow

adjusted to a slow drip. Quill inserted into Jason’s arm.

Lightning, a loud clash of thunder.

Victor listens to Jason’s heart. The heartbeat is weak,

faint, unsteady, stops.

VICTOR

No!

A flash of lightning illuminates the red and blue barrels on

the desk. A roll of thunder. Victor grabs the wires coming

from the barrels, touches them to the sides of Jason’s

chest. A small spark. Jason’s body twitches.

VICTOR

No, no, no.

Victor adds large jars of red and blue powder then water to

the barrels. The wires are touched to the sides of Jason’s

chest. A large spark. Jason’s body arches. Lightning,

thunder. Zarya whines. Victor listens to Jason’s heart. The

heartbeat is strong, steady. Victor sighs. Victor leans

forward, whispers.

VICTOR

You have a lot of broken bones son.

I’m going to have to set them. I’ll

give you something for the pain.

18.

INT. TOWN TAVERN - NIGHT

Spencer enters. A storm outside, in the distance.

BARTENDER

Late night, Spencer?

The Bartender places a filled mug in front of Spencer.

SPENCER

Yes. And a very bad night too. The

Frankenstein boy died today.

Muted gasps of surprise. In the far corner, a table

partially hidden in shadows, Jonathan leans forward, smiles.

BARTENDER

What happened?

SPENCER

I don’t know. It was getting dark

and you know my eyes don’t work

like they used to. I just found the

boy’s body on the side of the road.

Trampled, crushed.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED (O.S.)

What do you mean trampled?

Magistrate Aldred stands at the entrance, cloaked from head

to toe, a hood covers his head partially concealing his

face. The right side of the Magistrate’s face is covered by

a leather mask. Behind Magistrate Aldred stands a patrolman

(Jerald).

SPENCER

Magistrate! Yes, sir! The boy

looked like he had taken a very bad

fall. Bones broken, bloody. Not

seen anything like it since the

war.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Animals?

SPENCER

None that I saw, sir. It was

dark...my eyes..and that dog was

barking like crazy. I don’t know of

any forest animals that trample

people.

19.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

And the body?

SPENCER

Delivered to the castle, sir. The

Baron was overwhelmed with grief.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Thank you, Spencer. I may wish to

talk to you again tomorrow.

Magistrate Aldred, Jerald leave. Rain falls outside.

Jonathan smiles, leans back into the shadows.

SPENCER

So much death and tragedy around

the Frankenstein family. Must be a

curse.

Patrons nod, voice agreement.

INT. TOWN STABLE - CONTINUOUS

Beval, surprised by the sudden entrance of Magistrate Aldred

and Jerald, quickly hides items behind a post.

BEVAL

Magistrate, what can I do for you?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jonathan’s horse.

BEVAL

Sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(sternly)

Jonathan’s stallion, where is it?

BEVAL

Stall three, sir.

Magistrate Aldred walks to and opens the stall door, looks

over Jonathan’s horse. The Magistrate closes the stall door,

returns to Beval.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Freshly washed. Why did Jonathan

have his horse bathed at night?

20.

BEVAL

Jonathan loves that horse, sir. He

takes very good care of it.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Better than his family.

Beval looks uncomfortable.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED (CONT’D)

Bucket.

BEVAL

Sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Kindly hand me that bucket you

placed behind the post.

Beval hands the bucket to Magistrate Aldred. Magistrate

Aldred empties the water, walks back to the stall.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jerald?

JERALD

Yes, sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

They say there aren’t any animals

that would trample a man.

JERALD

Yes, sir. That’s what they say.

Magistrate Aldred tosses the bucket into the stall.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Unless its been trained.

Magistrate Aldred makes a clicking sound, the horse’s ears

perk-up, the horse stands at attention.


Yup!

Jonathan’s horse positions itself, rears up, brings its

front hooves crashing down on the bucket, shatters it.

Magistrate Aldred turns to Beval.


The good captain was very proud of

that trick during the war, don’t

you agree, Sergeant?

21.

Beval looks down to the ground.

BEVAL

Yes, General...I mean Magistrate.

Yes, sir, very proud.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

The Frankenstein boy?

Beval looks pale, steadies himself.

BEVAL

Sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

The Frankenstein boy was killed

today.

BEVAL

(feigning surprise)

That’s...that’s terrible, sir! What

happened?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I was hoping you would tell me.

BEVAL

Me, sir? I don’t know anything. How

could I?

Magistrate Aldred sighs in frustration.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I see. You’re a good, loyal man

Beval. I hope that loyalty doesn’t

get you into trouble.

Magistrate Aldred and Jerald leave the stable. Beval lowers

his head, in shame, whispers to himself.

BEVAL

A good man.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - VICTOR’S LAB - NIGHT

LAB in disarray. Jason is covered from head to toe in

patches and cloth bandages. Victor reads to Jason.

VICTOR

As the young maiden approached, the

Prince recognized her right away

despite her ragged clothes. The

22.

VICTORPrince knelt, held out the slipper

and placed it onto Zezolla’s foot.

It was a perfect fit. Zezolla took

the matching slipper out from her

pocket, and put it on as well. The

Prince took Zezolla by the hand and

walked her to his awaiting

carriage, and they rode back to the

castle. They were married and lived

happily ever after...The End.

Victor sets the book down, turns off the stopcock. A distant

sound of rolling thunder. The storm has passed. Less than a

third of the blood replacement has been used.

VICTOR

Good night son.

Victor rests his hand on Jason’s hand, goes to sleep at the

desk.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

(whispering)

I love you very much.

The fingers of Jason’s bandaged hand, slowly, gently, close

around Victor’s hand. Victor sleeps restlessly. Victor’s arm

pushes outward knocking items on the desk. The stopcock

lever is hit, opens. The green liquid gurgles, flows.


EXT. "HEAVEN" (DREAM)

FOG/MIST EVAPORATE

White mist, clouds. Points of light appear, sparkle, fade.

Deborah enters, beautifully dressed. Victor enters, looks

ragged, tired, dressed as he was when he fell asleep.

DEBORAH

Victor, what are you doing here?

VICTOR

Deborah?

Victor embraces Deborah.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Oh, my beloved, how I’ve missed

you!

23.

DEBORAH

It’s good to see you my love...but

you’re not supposed to be here.

Katherine, 4 years old, skips from the mist.

KATHERINE

Daddy’s here! Daddy’s here!

Katherine rushes to Victor. Victor knees to embrace her.

VICTOR

It’s so good to see you both again.

Victor releases Katherine, stands up, looks around.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Why are you here? And...where is

here?

DEBORAH

We’re here for Jason. Where is he?

Katherine skips to the right, looks into the distance.

KATHERINE

Jaaaaason.

VICTOR

No...I’ve lost you and

Katherine...I can’t lose him too.

KATHERINE

Jaaaaason.

DEBORAH

But, it’s not your decision to

make. It’s his time. He should be

here.

KATHERINE

Come play with me Jason!

VICTOR

No, it’s not his time. It can’t be.

I’ve saved him.

In the b.g., a shadowy image of a hulking figure appears.

The image raises its arms slightly with a muffled yell.

Victor, Deborah turn to the image. Katherine moves closer.

24.

KATHERINE

Jason?

The image raises its arms higher. A muffled, reverberating

scream is heard, clearly in pain.

Tears well-up Deborah’s eyes.

DEBORAH

Oh, Victor...what have you done?


JASON (O.S.)

(screaming, in pain, hoarse)

Daddy! Help me! Daaaaddyyyyy!


FOG/MIST EVAPORATES QUICKLY, AS IF BLOWN AWAY

Victor awakes to Jason’s screams. Jason’s body is swollen,

bloated. Jason’s skin is light green. Sounds of tearing

cloth. Victor tries to restrain Jason.

VICTOR

Jason! No! You’ll reopen the

wounds!

Spots of dark green spread on the bandages. Sounds of

splintering wood. The large glass container is empty.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Dear God, no!

Victor removes the transfusion tube from Jason’s arm. Victor

pours chloroform onto a cloth, holds the cloth over Jason’s

nose and mouth.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Breathe son, breathe.

Jason stops struggling. Victor grabs scissors, removes the

cloth bandages. Wounds have reopened, seeping dark green

blood. There are no moss patches left.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

The patches...I’ve used them all.

25.

MONTAGE

A) Victor removes cloth bandages.

B) Victor threads a thread through a sharpened quill.

C) Victor tosses several old moss patches aside.

D) Victor sews Jason’s re-opened wounds closed.

E) Victor grabs moss from ceramic pots in the LAB

and GREENHOUSE.

F) Victor hastily creates a pasty mix of water and powders.

G) Victor soaks clumps of moss into the mixture, applies the

new patches (black in color) to the wounds that reopened.

H) Victor carefully re-wraps Jason’s wounds.

I) Splints re-fitted, wood replaced.

J) Victor places three large, wide leather straps around

Jason to secure him to the table.

END MONTAGE


Victor places his hand on Jason’s forehead, looks concerned.

VICTOR

You’re running a nasty fever.

Victor wipes Jason’s forehead with a wet cloth. Jason’s hair

comes off in large clumps. Victor, exhausted, places the

cloth on Jason’s forehead, sits down.

VICTOR

I’m sorry, son...I am so sorry.


Jason sleeps restlessly. Victor gives Jason an injection.

Victor grabs the listening tube, puts one end over his ear,

leans forward over Jason’s chest. Three loud, resonating

"booms". Zarya gets up, leaves. Victor confused. Three loud,

resonating "booms".

26.


(in the distance, muffled)

Baron Frankenstein? May I speak

with you, please?

Victor, in a panic, grabs his coat, rushes from the LAB.


Three loud, resonating "booms". Victor enters. Zarya sits

near the castle doors, wagging her tail.


Baron Frankenstein!

Victor opens one of the doors. Blinding daylight. Victor

gasps, shades his eyes. Magistrate Aldred on the landing.

Spencer, near cart, in the COURTYARD. A patrolman (William)

at the far end of the COURTYARD, with two horses.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Good afternoon, Baron.

Victor steps out into the COURTYARD

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS

Victor blinks, dazed.

VICTOR

Afternoon?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Yes, doctor. My deepest sympathies

over the loss of your son. I am

very sorry to disturb you.

VICTOR

My son...I haven’t slept...I wasn’t

expecting visitors.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Spencer.

SPENCER

Oh, yes sir.

Spencer hands a large cloth to Victor.

27.

SPENCER (CONT’D)

We found this, sir. Where I found

your son last night.

The torn, muddied cloth has the Frankenstein crest.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I went to see if I could find out

what happened to your son.

Regrettably, the storm destroyed

any evidence.

VICTOR

I see.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I don’t think your son’s death was

an accident. But I need proof.

VICTOR

But, my son...

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I’d like to see the body.

VICTOR

(with new energy, in panic)

No! I mean, I can’t.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Baron, please. I need to see what

happened to him.

VICTOR

Magistrate, I can’t...the body, my

son...is in no condition...There’s

nothing to see.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Baron, we both saw all types of

injuries and atrocities during the

war. You more than anyone. Can you

tell me anything?

Victor leans against the door for support.

VICTOR

No bite marks, no claws. Broken

bones...

Victor wipes tears from his eyes.

28.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

...so many broken bones.

Victor straightens up, using the door for support.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

I have no idea what might have

caused this. And, I’ve already

prepared his body for burial...

there is nothing to see,

Magistrate.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I understand. I’m very sorry to

have bothered you.

Magistrate Aldred takes a few steps down, turns back.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

What will you do now?

VICTOR

I don’t...I don’t know.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

We could use a doctor with your

skills in town. You could help a

lot of people.

VICTOR

No...I have work to do here. I’m

not very good at helping...not my

brother...not my wife...not when it

mattered.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

You’re wrong. You saved hundreds

during the war. You saved me.

VICTOR

Yes, General, I remember.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I can’t thank you enough for what

you did. I may have lost an eye,

but you allowed me to see my

daughter’s wedding and my

granddaughter growing up. My scars

run deep and the pain still

lingers, but I’m alive. You can

give that gift to others.

Victor looks up toward the windows of his third floor LAB.

29.

VICTOR

(softly)

You’re alive...that’s all that

matters.

Victor turns to Magistrate Aldred.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Thank you General, ummm,

Magistrate. I will think about what

you said. I just need time.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Get some rest Baron. I’ll have

Spencer come by tomorrow to see

what you need for the funeral.

VICTOR

Thank you Magistrate.

Victor, leaning against the door, watches the three men

leave. Victor looks up to the windows of LAB, smiles.

VICTOR

You’re alive. That’s all that

matters.


Magistrate Aldred, William and Spencer emerge from the mist

on the drawbridge, reach the road.

WILLIAM

Good to be away from there, sir.

That castle gives me the creeps.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Baron Frankenstein has endured a

great deal of hardship over the

years, upkeep of the castle is the

least of his concerns.

WILLIAM

I guess so, sir. With an old castle

like that, the mind plays tricks.

You hear things.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

How so, William?

30.

WILLIAM

Oh, nothing, sir...it’s...it’s just

that when you were talking to the

Baron, I could have sworn I heard

ghosts.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Ghosts? During the day?

WILLIAM

Well, maybe it was just the wind.

It sounded a lot like moaning... or

someone in pain.

William shivers.


Victor wets, replaces cloth on Jason’s forehead. Jason’s

left eye flickers open. The right side of Jason’s face is

covered by black moss patch, bandages.

JASON

(weakly)

Daddy?

VICTOR

Jason.

JASON

I don’t feel well...I can’t move.

VICTOR

Jason, you were badly injured. Do

you remember anything?

A tear in Jason’s eye runs off the side of his face.

JASON

No...I hurt all over.

VICTOR

You’re running a fever, son. I had

to strap you down so you wouldn’t

hurt yourself.

JASON

Daddy, I’m hungry.

VICTOR

I’ll get you something, real soon.

Victor grabs the listening tube.

31.

JASON

Daddy, read to me.

Victor smiles.

VICTOR

Of course, son...of course.

MONTAGE

A) Spencer delivers a coffin and supplies to the COURTYARD.

Victor hands a note to Spencer. Spencer nods, drives away.

B) Victor feeds Jason soup.

C) Victor by lantern-light, fills three large bags with dirt

from the STABLE. Victor places them in the coffin, closes

the lid, hammers nails to seal coffin.

D) Victor reads to Jason by lantern-light.

E) A small gathering, daytime, around the coffin. The bishop

blesses the coffin. Coffin lifted by patrolmen, carried into

CRYPT. Victor, bishop and attendant follow.

F) One vault in the crypt stands open, at waist height.

G) The coffin is carried towards the open vault, names on

some of the stone work of other vaults are seen: "Edgar

Frankenstein, Jr."; "Deborah Frankenstein"; "Katherine

Frankenstein"

H) The coffin slid into vault. Jerald and William lift a

cover stone, Spencer hammers copper pins along the edges.

Patrolmen leave.

I) Spencer finishes sealing the edges of the cover stone.

Spencer leaves.

CLOSE ON cover stone.

"JASON FRANKENSTEIN

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased.

- Matthew 3:17"

J) Victor stands alone in the CRYPT.

32.

END MONTAGE

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:


The LAB organized, clean. Jason larger, taller. Zarya close

to Jason. Victor works at desk. Jason awakens.

JASON

Daddy?

VICTOR

Awake again?

JASON

I’m hungry.

VICTOR

Again? Let me see how your doing,

then I’ll get you some more food.

Victor exams Jason.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Its only been three weeks. I can’t

believe how quickly you’re healing.

JASON

I’m really hungry.

VICTOR

How about soup?

JASON

No meat.

VICTOR

What?

JASON

No meat, just vegetables.

VICTOR

(sarcastically)

My son, Jason Frankenstein, wants

vegetables?

JASON

The meat upsets my stomach.

33.

VICTOR

I’ve tried for years to get you to

eat vegetables. Vegetable soup

coming up!

EXT. FOREST - DAY

A doe and fawn in a clearing, eating. At the edge Jonathan,

Carsen and Beval kneel behind tall bushes.

BEVAL

Jonathan, please, not a mother and

her fawn.

JONATHAN

Quiet fool. We’ve been hunting for

weeks and found nothing until

today. I say we take them and

that’s final!

CARSEN

I wish we could figure out what’s

scaring away all the game...no

bear, deer...no rabbit...nothing.

BEVAL

The forest is as creepy and haunted

as that old castle.

JONATHAN

Enough! I will not listen to any

more of your superstitious dribble.

The lack of game has nothing to do

with the castle. We were having a

hard time even before the

Frankenstein boy’s unfortunate

accident. Have I made myself clear?

Beval hangs his head, casts his eyes downward.

BEVAL

Yes, sir.

JONATHAN

All right then. I’ll take the fawn.

You two take down the doe. On my

mark.

The men take out a black-fletched arrow from their quivers,

raise slightly and notch the arrows in their bows.

34.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

One.

The men draw their bows.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

Two.

The men take aim.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

Three!

The men fire. Two cries of pain. The fawn falls. The doe

runs, wounded.

JONATHAN

You missed again Beval! I’ll have

to track her down. You two take

care of the fawn.

Jonathan runs back into the woods, whistles. Sounds of hoofs

approaching. Jonathan rides past Carsen and Beval.

JONATHAN

Get moving you idiots!

Carsen and Beval slowly walk to the fallen fawn. Beval

upset.

BEVAL

A mother and her child...this isn’t

good.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - VICTOR’S LAB - NIGHT

Jason eats vegetables, bread. Some patches, bandages

removed. Victor works at a microscope. Zarya eats scraps

Jason drops.

JASON

(noticeably deeper voice)

Any more?

Victor looks up from the microscope, smiles.

VICTOR

You’ve done nothing but eat the

past month. What do you say we try

to get you into your own bed?

35.

JASON

Okay!

Victor helps swing Jason’s legs to the side of the table.

JASON

When will all the patches come off?

VICTOR

They should have already come off.

Some of them seem, well...stuck.

Victor helps Jason to the edge of the table, eases Jason’s

feet to the floor. Jason has grown considerably.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

My, you’ve grown quite a bit.

JASON

The patches, they itch, really bad.

VICTOR

Well, until I find out what the

problem is, please try not to

scratch them. The last thing we

want is an infection.

Jason looks depressed. Victor reaches for the lantern on the

desk, supports Jason under his left arm.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Let’s go, son...walk carefully.

Jason’s right arm and both legs are in splints. Jason’s walk

is slow, mechanical.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Victor and Jason come down the last stair between the second

and third floor. Jason grimaces, groans in pain as he moves.

VICTOR

Not much further, son.

Victor and Jason bang into tables and chairs along the

hallway. Jason frequently loses his balance. Items fall off

tables, crash to the floor.

36.


Two travelers in a wagon ride past FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE. The

wagon pauses. Muffled bumps, moans and crashes. Shifting

lights seen through the mists.

WAGON DRIVER

Haunted they say.

WAGON PASSENGER

Let’s get out of here. I don’t want

to deal with no ghosts.

The driver snaps the reins, the cart moves forward.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - JASON’S BEDROOM - DAY

Heavy winds. Swirling, red and yellow leaves. Jason sits in

bed, pillows support his back and neck. Splints on Jason’s

right arm and both legs. Victor removes bandages. Jason’s

body is a patchwork of green and brown skin, with black moss

patches.

VICTOR

I’ve never seen anything like it.

Aside from the color of your skin,

you’re almost completely healed.

Victor looks into his medical bag. Jason scratches the black

moss patch on his face. Course black powder falls off.

JASON

(nervous)

Daddy?

Jason holds out his hand, which is covered in black powder.

JASON (CONT’D)

(apologetic)

It itches.

Victor grabs a magnifying glass, examines the black powder.

VICTOR

Nothing to worry about son. Let me

take a look at the patch.

Victor examines Jason’s face and head. Victor wipes away

more of the black moss patch. Jason’s skin underneath is

black.

37.

VICTOR

Does it hurt?

JASON

No. It just itches!

Victor gently removes more of the black moss patch, examines

the top of Jason’s head.

VICTOR

Well, I have good news and bad

news.

JASON

What is it?

VICTOR

The good news is, we can rub off

what’s left of the moss patches.

JASON

And the bad news?

VICTOR

The skin under these patches has

also changed color.

Jason looks at his chest, arms and legs, then back to

Victor.

JASON

But...you’re going to fix it,

right? You promised.

VICTOR

Yes, son, I promised. I’ll find a

way to fix this. Also, one more

piece of good news. Your hair is

growing back!

Jason smiles, runs his left hand over his head.

JASON

I can feel it!

VICTOR

Now, let’s see how these bones are

healing.

JASON

Can I eat first, I’m hungry.

38.

VICTOR

You ate an hour ago!

JASON

I’m sorry, Daddy, I’m really

hungry.

VICTOR

Alright. Let me see what I can

find.

Victor gathers used bandages from the floor.

JASON

Some water too, please.

VICTOR

Of course, we have plenty of water.

Victor turns to leave.

JASON

And a story later?

Victor turns back, smiles, nods.

VICTOR

We have plenty of those too.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - COURTYARD - DAY

Victor and Spencer in conversation, near the STABLE. Snow on

ground. Spencer places items from the cart onto ground.

SPENCER

That will do it for this week, sir.

Vegetables, cloth, leather, more

vegetables.

VICTOR

Thank you, Spencer. This is what

I’ll need next week, if possible.

Victor hands Spencer a small note. Spencer reads it.

SPENCER

Vegetables, cloth...no problem,

sir. Next week then. You sure you

don’t need any help getting those

supplies into the castle?

39.

VICTOR

I’m sure, thank you.

Spencer climbs onto his wagon.

SPENCER

Good thing you don’t ask for much

meat anymore, it’s becoming very

hard to come by.

VICTOR

These woods have always been filled

with game. Does anyone know what

the problem is?

SPENCER

No, sir. Some say the woods round

the castle are haunted.

VICTOR

Well, thank you again, Spencer.

Spencer leaves. Victor watches the cart pass through the

mist over the drawbridge. Zarya arrives, wagging her tail.

VICTOR

What do you want girl?

JASON (O.S.)

(very deep, adult voice)

Daddy?

Jason peeks his head around the corner of the STABLE. Victor

looks towards the drawbridge, turns back toward Jason.

VICTOR

Jason, what are you doing out here?

If someone should see you...

JASON

Come on, Daddy! I came out to help.

No one’s around.

Jason taller than Victor. Jason dressed in poor fitting,

poorly sewn, clothes. Jason’s hair very short, black.

VICTOR

You’re growing like a weed. It’s

amazing.

JASON

Let’s measure! Measure me!

40.

VICTOR

Okay, son, but help me with the

supplies first. I need to sew you

some new clothes.

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) Jason wakes up, tries to put on a patchwork shirt, which

tears as he puts his arm into a sleeve.

JASON

Daaaaaddyyyyy!

B) Jason looks at his image closely in a mirror, running his

hand through his hair.

C) Jason sits on a chair in Victor’s lab. Victor applies a

paste to Jason’s arm, wraps Jason’s arm.

D) Jason enters KITCHEN. Victor prepares a meal.

JASON

Measure me, Daddy! Measure me!

Jason stands in doorway. Victor steps on footstool to

measure Jason. Jason much taller than Victor. Victor uses

knife to mark the wood at Jason’s height. Victor steps down,

Jason turns to see, smiles broadly, proudly.

JASON

I’m tall!

E) Jason sits in the LAB. Victor washes off a paste from

Jason’s arm. No change. Jason and Victor depressed.

END SERIES OF SHOTS

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - KITCHEN - DAY

Victor cooks. Jason enters.

JASON

What are you doing?

VICTOR

I’m baking a special cake.

Jason smiles.

41.

JASON

You’re baking a birthday cake!

VICTOR

What makes you think that?

JASON

Well, you never make a cake unless

it is someone’s birthday and...

Jason stands tall, proud.

JASON

...it’s my birthday!

VICTOR

Then it must be a birthday cake!

JASON

What flavor is it?

VICTOR

I’m trying something new, just for

you. I found a recipe for something

called carrot cake.

JASON

Carrot cake! Sounds delicious!

VICTOR

I hope you’ll like it. By the way,

your first birthday present today

will be no lab work, no ointments,

no experiments.

JASON

Thanks, Daddy.

VICTOR

Now, get out of here and go set up

the dining room.

Jason smiles, leaves.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Victor, Jason sit at a large table. Fine china, silverware.

VICTOR

Are you finished, son?

42.

JASON

Yes.

VICTOR

I’ll take care of the plates.

Victor grabs the plates, leaves.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Close your eyes now, son.

Jason closes his eyes. Victor enters, sets down one

cloth-wrapped bundle, with a bow on top. Victor leaves.

Victor enters, carries a cake with fourteen, small, lit

candles, sets the cake down in front of Jason.

VICTOR

You can open your eyes now.

Jason opens his eyes, smiles.

JASON

Lots of frosting?

VICTOR

Yes, lots of frosting. Now, make a

wish.

Jason closes his eyes, thinks, opens them again.

JASON

I wish I could leave the castle

again...and live happily ever

after.

Jason blows out the candles. Victor looks sad.

VICTOR

(softly)

One wish at a time, son...one wish

at a time.

Victor points to the wrapped bundle.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

Time to open your present.

Jason hastily unwraps the gift. Four leather-bound books.

JASON

Books! Thank you!

43.

VICTOR

These, along with the others in the

library, should keep you busy.

JASON

Read me one! Tonight!

VICTOR

Jason, you’re old enough to read

these on your own.

JASON

I know...but it’s my birthday!

Pleeeeease!

Victor sighs, smiles.

VICTOR

Very well, but only after we have

some cake.

JASON

Deal!

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - ROOF BATTLEMENTS - DAY

Jason basks in the morning sun. Two birds land on parapet

nearby, one bird flies next to Jason. The access door to the

roof rattles, opens. The birds fly off. Victor enters.

VICTOR

There you are! It’s time for

breakfast, and then we need to run

some tests.

Jason stretches, yawns.

JASON

I’m not really hungry. I’ll eat

later.

VICTOR

Are you feeling okay?

JASON

I feel great!

VICTOR

When was the last time you ate a

full meal?

Jason shrugs.

44.

JASON

Yesterday...I think.

VICTOR

Alright. Come see me in the lab.

JASON

Okay, Daddy.


Jason enters. Zarya follows. Animals in their cages stop

their activities to watch, follow Jason.

VICTOR

Jason, come here. I want to try

something new.

Jason sits down, sighs.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

I have a solution that is being

used to remove the color from

cloth. Watch this.

Victor takes out a piece of brown cloth and a bottle

containing white liquid. Victor applies a small drop to the

cloth. The cloth turns white where the drop lands.

JASON

Wow! Will it work on me?

VICTOR

That’s what we’re about to find

out.

Victor wets a cotton ball with the white liquid.

JASON

It smells funny.

VICTOR

It should. It’s a solution of lye

and sour milk. We’ll try just a

small spot on your arm.

Victor dabs the wet cotton ball on Jason’s forearm.

JASON

Ow! It hurts! It hurts! Get it off!

45.

Jason’s forearm glows green/white. Victor grabs a cloth,

wipes Jason’s forearm. The glow subsides. Victor examines

Jason’s forearm.

VICTOR

You’ve been burned. Let me get some

medicine on that.

Victor creates a paste, turns back to Jason.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

It’s gone!

Victor grabs a magnifying glass, examines Jason’s forearm.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

It’s completely healed. How?

JASON

It doesn’t hurt anymore.

Victor sits back, in thought.

VICTOR

What was that light?

Jason shrugs, looks confused.

JASON

I have no idea.

Victor thinks.

VICTOR

Jason, will you refill the water

bucket?

JASON

Sure.

Jason grabs the bucket, leaves. Zarya follows. Victor goes

to the bookshelf, searches for a book.

JASON (O.S.)

Daddy! The pipe is clogged again!

Victor turns, shouts.

VICTOR

Go down to the well and fill the

bucket there.

An audible, long sigh from Jason.

46.

JASON

Yes, sir.

Victor turns back to the book shelf.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - WELL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jason, Zarya enter. Jason carries lantern and water bucket.

Jason opens the well covers, places the lantern on the stone

ledge of the well, lowers the bucket with the rope.

Jason retrieves the bucket, accidentally knocks the lantern

into the well. Jason lunges, catches the lantern. The

lantern illuminates a metal ladder.

JASON

What’s that?


Jason, Zarya enter.

JASON

Here’s the water.

VICTOR

Jason, have a seat. I need to draw

some blood.

Jason sits hesitantly. Victor grabs a sharpened quill.

JASON

Why?

VICTOR

Ointments and lotions are not

working. I need to try something

different.

JASON

How much do you need?

VICTOR

Just a drop or two. Give me your

finger.

Jason extends a finger. As the quill touches the finger tip,

the finger tip glows green/white. Victor pulls back,

surprised.

47.

VICTOR

What the...there’s that light

again.

Victor brings quill to touch Jason’s finger tip, hand and

forearm. A brief glow from the spots touched.

VICTOR

Let me get that blood.

Victor pricks Jason’s finger tip, the finger tip glows

softly. Two drops of blood fall onto a circular glass slide.

The blood is dark green. Victor puts slide onto microscope.

JASON

In the well, I saw a ladder going

down. What’s it for?

VICTOR

Oh, that..it goes nowhere. Your

uncle and I found that ladder when

we were kids. Your grandfather told

us it was an old escape tunnel.

JASON

And it goes nowhere?

VICTOR

Well, your grandfather, in no

uncertain terms, told Edgar and I

to stay away from the ladder and

the tunnel. Of course, being boys,

we snuck down there and decided to

have a look.

JASON

What did you find?

VICTOR

Nothing. The ladder leads to an

underground waterfall and a old

tunnel.

JASON

The tunnel goes nowhere?

VICTOR

I’m sure at one time it lead

somewhere, but we found the tunnel

blocked by a huge boulder. It was a

dead-end. Lucky your grandfather

never found out what we did. He

would have whipped us for sure.

48.

Victor examines the blood, slides lenses in and out.

JASON

Can I go now?

VICTOR

Sure. I’ll be busy for a while.

Jason gets up, Zarya follows. Jason stops at the doorway.

JASON

Daddy?

Victor a look of deep concern, looks up from the microscope,

does not turn toward Jason.

VICTOR

(concern in his voice)

Yes, son?

JASON

Why can’t I leave the castle?

Victor turns to Jason.

VICTOR

You can’t!...I mean, we’ve

discussed this before.

JASON

I know, but...

VICTOR

Everyone in the town thinks you

died. You don’t remember what

happened to you and the Magistrate

doesn’t think it was an accident.

JASON

But I’m bigger now, I can protect

myself.

VICTOR

Bigger isn’t the point, son. Until

I find a cure for the way you look

people won’t accept you. They may

try to hurt you.

JASON

Does it really matter how I look?

49.

VICTOR

Unfortunately, yes...but Jason, I

promise you, once we get rid of the

staining on your skin, I will go to

Magistrate Aldred and tell him I

faked your death so that whoever

tried to hurt you would not get

another chance. I’ll explain that

it took a long time for you to

heal. I will ask his help to

explain to the town that you’re

still alive. The Magistrate owes me

a favor, it shouldn’t be a

problem...okay?

JASON

(eyes down, sad)

Okay...I’ll go read...or something.

Jason leaves, Zarya follows. Victor uses microscope, moves

several lenses. Victor writes in a journal. Victor sighs,

places his elbows on his knees, hands to his forehead.

CLOSE ON journal, CLOSE ON the last written entry.

"The blood is not human."

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:


Jason, Zarya enter. Victor asleep at the desk, his sleep

restless. Jason picks up items from the floor. Jason moves

items out of the reach of Victor’s arms.

JASON

(whispers)

You work too hard. I’m going to go

exploring.

Jason, Zarya leave.


Jason, Zarya enter. The only light comes from the lantern

Jason carries. Jason lifts the well covers, looks down.

JASON

(to Zarya)

This doesn’t look very safe. You

better stay here.

Zarya looks at Jason, whines softly.

50.

JASON

I’ll be right back, okay?

Zarya sits down, raises her paw, scratches the well, looks

sad. Jason, holds the lantern, climbs into the well, climbs

down. The light fades. Zarya sighs, lays down.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - WELL - CONTINUOUS

Jason climbs down. Sounds of rushing water. Jason’s foot

slips. Jason loses his grip, slips, falls. Jason glows

green/white. A splash of water, darkness.

Jason gasps for air as he surfaces. Jason’s glow illuminates

the scene. A waterfall pours into the well, near the

waterfall is a small stone platform, just at water level. A

tunnel leads into the darkness. Jason swims to the platform,

climbs up. Jason notices his glow.

JASON

Wooooowwwww!

Several nooks carved into the tunnel wall. Lanterns,

torches, swords, knives, tinder boxes, rope fill the niches.

Jason’s glow fades. Jason grabs torch and tinder box, lights

torch.

JASON

Adventure time!

Jason heads into the tunnel.

INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

Jason carefully walks through the crudely carved tunnel.

Jason reaches the end. A very large, round boulder

completely blocks the tunnel. A metal sconce on wall nearby.

JASON

Blocked, just like Daddy said.

Jason pushes the boulder. It does not move. Jason places

torch into wall sconce. An audible click. Jason rubs his

hands together, uses both his hands to push the boulder.

Sound of stone against stone. The boulder moves. Jason backs

away, the boulder slides back into place. Jason smiles.

JASON

Yes!

51.

Jason pushes boulder, it rotates out of the way, reveals

wider tunnel behind. Jason grabs torch. An audible click.

Jason walks forward. In b.g. boulder rotates back into

place.

INT. POACHER’S CAVE - CONTINUOUS

Tunnel twists, turns. Light ahead. Jason peeks around the

corner. A large cave filled with stacks of animal pelts,

cooking utensils and two small fires. Jason cautiously moves

into the cave, torch in front of him.

Animal hides stretched on frames, drying in front of fires.

Hooded cloaks, bows and black-fletched arrows in far corner.

Jason passes a stack of deer pelts, looks at them.

FOCUS ON the deer pelts. Jason’s breath becomes labored.

EXT. FOREST - DAY (FLASHBACK)

JASON’S POV

A gravely wounded deer staggers onto the path. Two

black-fletched arrows protrude from the side of the deer.

The deer staggers, two more arrows are shot into the deer,

killing it.

RETURN TO SCENE


Jason breathes heavily, looks frightened. Jason glows.

JASON

The poachers.

Jason stumbles, trips, knocks a pelt frame into fire. A

blaze starts. Torch falls from Jason’s hand, sets stack of

pelts afire. Jason grabs bear pelt, tries to put out fire.

Bear pelt catches fire. Jason tosses pelt away, another

stack of pelts catch fire. Jason panics. Fires spread. Back

of cave blocked by flame. Jason coughs, rushes out cave

entrance.

52.

EXT. POACHER’S CAVE - CONTINUOUS

Cave entrance well hidden behind outcropping of rock and

thicket of bushes. Jason looks around. Smoke pours out cave

entrance. Jason runs.


Jason enters. Ducks in lake. Jason grabs a stone, starts to

throw at ducks, hesitates. Jason starts to throw again,

pauses, drops the stone. Sun high in sky. Jason rests

against large boulder, suns himself, sleeps.

FOG/MIST OBSCURES SCENE:

EXT. "DREAM WORLD OF FIRE AND MISTS" (DREAM)

Jason, prior to his transformation, runs, gasps for breath,

through a field of dark mist and flashes of fire.

JASON

Poachers...poachers.

A demonic laugh. From the fiery mists emerges a immense,

creature resembling a centaur, with a bear’s body, fiery

hooves, a human torso and head, talons for hands, glowing

fiery eyes. The creature laughs, chases Jason.

JASON

Poachers. Someone help me!

The creature leaps. Jason screams.

FOG/MIST OBSCURES SCENE TO DARKNESS:


Jason wakes up breathing heavily, glows softly. Several

animals, including a skunk, nearby. Skunk walks past deer

and rabbit, toward Jason. Jason stands up.

JASON

No, no....good skunk....stay away.

Skunk moves forward. Jason backs away, toward the woods.

Skunk, deer and rabbit follow. Jason runs. Skunk follows,

deer and rabbit stop, watch.

53.


Jason walks quickly, looks back. Jason dodges behind a tree,

stops, peeks around the tree. The skunk runs after Jason.

JASON

Why are you following me?


Beval walks slowly, listening, stalking. Movement is heard.

Beval hides, readies his bow, notches a black-fletched

arrow. Heavy footsteps. Beval peeks out, sees nothing.

JASON (O.S.)

(muffled, distant)

Go away...shoo!

Movement gets closer. Beval looks around. Sounds of running.

Beval stands up. Jason crashes into Beval. Beval knocked

into air, lands heavily, bow and arrow scatter. Jason

pauses. Beval stunned, in pain. Jason looks at skunk, at

Beval.

JASON

Oh no.

Jason runs.

BEVAL’S POV

Vision fuzzy, sees Jason’s back running away. Vision clears,

Jason gone. Beval reaches for his bow on ground nearby.

Skunk, standing over his bow, stares at him.

BACK TO SCENE

Beval, skunk stare at each other. Beval slowly withdraws his

hand from the bow. Skunk cocks its head, chitters.

BEVAL

Don’t do it.

Skunk pivots, sprays Beval.

BEVAL

No!

The skunk kicks at the ground with its hind legs. Dirt,

leaves fly at Beval. Skunk runs away. Beval coughs, gasps.

54.

BEVAL

This is...not good.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - LATER

Sun begins to set. Jason looks around cautiously, sneaks

across the drawbridge, into the mists.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Jason enters, followed by Zarya. Jason grabs several

vegetables, eats hungrily.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Oh, there you are.

Victor enters.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

I’ve been looking for you. Let’s

get started on dinner.

JASON

(dejected)

Sure thing, Daddy.

VICTOR

Something wrong?

JASON

No, not really.

VICTOR

It will be okay, son. Let’s get

some dinner, then we can talk about

it tonight. I’ve got a new ointment

I want to try, okay?

Jason smiles half-heartedly.

JASON

As long as you read to me

afterward. A story with a happy

ending.

VICTOR

We’ll see. Food first. Story later.

55.

INT. TOWN TAVERN - NIGHT

Carsen enters, looks around, approaches Jonathan.

Jonathan talking to, drinking with a woman.

CARSEN

Jonathan, we need to talk.

Jonathan sets down his drink.

JONATHAN

(to the woman)

If you’ll excuse me a second.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

(to Carsen)

What is it?

CARSEN

You need to speak to Beval, right

away.

JONATHAN

(indicting the woman)

I’m busy. Can’t this wait?

CARSEN

No, Jonathan, it can’t.

Jonathan growls in frustration.

JONATHAN

Fine!

Jonathan turns to the woman.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

Some other time perhaps.

Jonathan finishes his drink, turns, stands close to Carsen.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

This better be important!

INT. TOWN STABLE - CONTINUOUS

Door opens, Beval stands up. Jonathan, Carsen enter.

Jonathan catches his breath, waves his hands in front of

him.

56.

JONATHAN

Phew! What’s that smell?

CARSEN

It’s Beval.

JONATHAN

(angry)

You brought me here for this?

CARSEN

No, Jonathan. Listen to Beval.

JONATHAN

(to Beval)

Well? What’s so important?

BEVAL

I saw it.

JONATHAN

It? What is it? Are you drunk?

BEVAL

No, sir...I’m not drunk. It

attacked me...I was lucky to get

away.

JONATHAN

What are you talking about?

BEVAL

A monster, sir...the one that’s

been scaring off the animals. I saw

it.

JONATHAN

What? And it smelled liked this?

BEVAL

No, sir. This was from a skunk. The

monster appeared out of nowhere.

JONATHAN

What did it look like?

BEVAL

Green...brown. Huge...fast, it ran

on two feet. Glowing red

eyes...claws. At least eight feet

tall!

Jonathan pauses.

57.

JONATHAN

All right, Beval. We can’t do

anything tonight. Get yourself

cleaned up and have the horses

ready for first light tomorrow.

This monster has affected our

hunting for over two years now, so

we’ll hunt it down. Maybe we’ll get

a reward when we drag its carcass

to town.

BEVAL

Yes, sir. Everything will be ready.

Jonathan and Carsen leave.

EXT. TOWN STABLE - CONTINUOUS

The stable door swings closed. Jonathan takes a deep breath.

CARSEN

Tomorrow morning then, sir.

JONATHAN

Yes. Time to head home. I probably

have Beval’s stink all over these

clothes. I might as well spend some

time with the wife and kid.

Jonathan and Carsen walk off in separate directions.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Jonathan, Carsen, Beval ride on horseback in early morning.

Ground fog. Beval rides ahead, dismounts, looks around.

BEVAL

This is the spot.

Jonathan and Carsen ride up. Carsen dismounts.

JONATHAN

Tell us what happened. And do it

standing down wind. I thought you

were supposed to clean yourself up?

Beval moves away from Jonathan. Carsen searches.

BEVAL (CONT’D)

(pointing as he speaks)

I was on my way to the cave, the

creature came out of nowhere,

58.

BEVAL (CONT’D)

there, from the north. I heard him,

but couldn’t see him. He attacked

me then fled to the south, there.

CARSEN

Jonathan, I can’t find anything

around here, not with this fog.

Jonathan stands in the saddle, looks around.

JONATHAN

Alright, let’s head to the cave. We

need to get ready for our delivery.

EXT. POACHER’S CAVE - LATER

Jonathan, Carsen and Beval on horseback approach the

POACHER’S CAVE. Carsen sniffs the air.

CARSEN

Do you smell that?

JONATHAN

Yes, that’s Beval. We’ve been

smelling him all morning.

Carsen looks around.

CARSEN

No, it smells like smoke.

The men dismount, walk through bushes. Carbon soot blackens

cave entrance. Jonathan rushes into cave, yells in anger.

JONATHAN (O.S.)

It’s ruined!

Carsen and Beval approach cave entrance. Jonathan leaves

cave, grabs Beval by the collar.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

(screaming)

What did you do? How did you let

this happen?

Carsen tries to separate Jonathan and Beval.

CARSEN

Jonathan, stop!

59.

BEVAL

(frightened)

I didn’t do anything! I never made

it back here yesterday!

JONATHAN

Ruined! At least half of everything

we worked for is gone, burned!

Jonathan pushes Beval out of the way, walks away.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

How did this happen?

Carsen stands near the cave entrance, looks down.

CARSEN

I know.

JONATHAN

What?

CARSEN

Beval’s monster.

JONATHAN

And how do you know that?

Carsen motions others to come closer, points down. Carsen’s

foot stands next to an enormous shoe print.

CARSEN

Beval was right...that’s one big

monster.

The men look at each other. Sounds of horses panicking.

JONATHAN

The horses!

The men rush to the horses. The horses are nervous, moving

restlessly. A low, guttural growl resonates.

BEVAL

The monster! It’s here!

Horses panic. Beval and Carsen restrain horses. Jonathan,

bow drawn, scans forest. Fleeting shapes. Sounds of

movement.

CARSEN

There’s more than one of them!

60.

BEVAL

What will we do?

A low guttural growl. Jonathan fires an arrow. Movement

heard, fleeting shapes move away. The horses calm down, but

are still nervous.

JONATHAN

Well, Beval, your monster seems to

have run off again.

Beval nervously looks around.

BEVAL

If there’s more than one...

JONATHAN

Then there will be more than one

reward when we kill them.

CARSEN

Jonathan, what’s the Major going to

say?

JONATHAN

(angry)

I’ll worry about my brother! You

worry about what we can salvage!

Jonathan angry.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

I’ll post guard. Carsen, get to the

cave. Beval, secure the horses then

go help Carsen.

CARSEN

Yes, sir!

BEVAL

Yes, sir!

EXT. POACHER’S CAVE - LATER

Carsen and Beval tie pelts and bundles into the horses.

JONATHAN

It’s getting late. We’ll take care

of the goods and the horses. We

hunt again tomorrow, on foot.

61.

BEVAL

Why on foot?

JONATHAN

The horses got spooked and

panicked. We can’t kill these

things and control the horses at

the same time, so we go on foot.

Jonathan and Beval mount. Carsen looks concerned.

CARSEN

Jonathan?

JONATHAN

Yes?

CARSEN

I’ve been looking at the footprint.

I just realized something.

JONATHAN

(impatiently)

What is it, Carsen?

CARSEN

The footprint...it’s not a

footprint at all.

JONATHAN

What? What are you getting at?

CARSEN

It’s a shoe print.

Jonathan looks confused.

CARSEN (CONT’D)

What type of monster wears a shoe?

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - DAY

Jason peeks out from the mists over the drawbridge, looks

around in the early morning sun. Zarya whines. Jason turns.

Zarya stands at the foot of the drawbridge, tail wagging.

JASON

(whispering)

No! Stay! You can’t come Zarya.

You’ll get me in trouble!

Zarya sits down, raises her paw, looks sad.

62.

JASON

(whispering)

Stay!

Jason sneaks along drawbridge sidewall, peeks around edge.

Sound of paws on drawbridge. Zarya peeks out from mists.

JASON

(whispering)

Bad girl! Get back!

Zarya backs up into the shifting mists.

JASON (CONT’D)

(whispering)

Now stay!

Jason gets up, sneaks into the forest.

Zarya, tail wagging, looks over drawbridge sidewall. Zarya

crawls to end of drawbridge, peeks out. Zarya gets up,

sprints after Jason.


As Jason walks past, animals look up and follow him with

their eyes. Squirrels, birds follow Jason as he moves. The

forest comes alive as Jason passes.


Jason enters, looks around. Jason sits behind large boulder.

Zarya enters, lays next to Jason, tail wagging. Jason

smiles, scratches Zarya behind her ears.

JASON

(softly, kindly)

You’re a bad girl, Zarya.

Jason pets Zarya, sleeps. Forest animals approach Jason as

he sleeps. The animals lay down, eyes focused on Jason.

MIST/FOG OBSCURE SCENE TO BLACK:

EXT. "DREAM WORLD OF FIRE AND MISTS" (DREAM)

Jason stands amidst mists, fog, fire. Echoing laughter.

Jason looks around. Large creature resembling a centaur,

with a bear’s body, fiery hooves, human torso and head,

talons for hands and glowing, fiery eyes, circles Jason.

63.

CREATURE

(distant, echoing)

Tell them.

The creature circles. Its eyes and hands are now human.

Distant, echoing, unattached laughter.

CREATURE

Tell them.

The creature circles. Its body now that of a horse. Creature

looks like a centaur. Distant, echoing, unattached laughter.

JASON

(defiant)

Tell them what?

The creature circles. Creature now a horse and rider.

Distant, echoing, unattached laughter. Horse and rider

transform into shadowy image of Jonathan atop his stallion.

Stallion raises up, flails front hooves. Stallion’s front

hooves come down with a crash. Silence.

JONATHAN

When you get to hell, boy, tell

them who sent you.

Unattached laughter.

FOG/MIST OBSCURE SCENE INTO DARKNESS:


Deirdre and three young children enter, running, playing

catch.

Zarya raises her head, listens. Jason’s sleep is restless.

Sounds of children at play. Zarya stands up, walks to the

side of the boulder, peeks around.

Ball is thrown, bounces into water. Zarya bolts after ball.

Deirdre stops at waterline. Deirdre jumps out of the way as

Zarya splashes into water. Zarya grabs ball, looks at

Deirdre, tail wagging.

DEIRDRE

Hey! That’s our ball!

Zarya runs, ball in mouth, behind the boulder. Birds fly

off, forest animals scatter.

64.

JASON (O.S.)

(sleepy)

Huh?...Where’d you get this, girl?

Deirdre, children approach boulder.

DEIRDRE

Hey! Give us our ball!

JASON (O.S.)

Umm...sure...sorry.

Jason stands, sun behind him, chest and head above boulder’s

top. Fear on faces of children. Jason’s shadow covers

Deirdre. Deirdre petrified. Jason walks around boulder,

holds ball out in front of him. The younger children scream,

flee.

CHILD #1

Monster! Help!

CHILD #2

Monster!

CHILD #3

Mooommmyyyyyy!

Jason looks around behind himself.

JASON

Monster?...Where?

Deirdre struggles to breathe, takes a step back, trips,

falls backwards. Jason walks up to Deirdre. Jason towers

over Deirdre, blocks the sun, details grow shadowy and

fuzzy. Jason extends his arm, ball in hand, toward Deirdre.

JASON

Umm...I’ve got your ball.

Deirdre’s vision wavers, blurs. Deirdre faints. Darkness.

JASON (O.S.)

Deirdre? Are you okay?

EXT. LAKE SIDE - LATER

Deirdre’s vision goes from black to gray. Gray, to blurry,

then into focus. Jason sits, legs crossed, ten feet away

from Deirdre. A rabbit in Jason’s lap, deer nearby. Jason

looks at deer, pets rabbit. Zarya sits beside Jason.

65.

JASON

(softly, kindly, to deer)

Shhhh, it’s okay, I won’t hurt you.

Jason reaches his hand out. The deer takes a step forward,

licks Jason’s fingers. Jason gently pets the deer.

Deirdre sits, a look of wonder on her face.

DEIRDRE

You won’t hurt me either, right?

Jason looks at Deirdre, pulls his hand back from the deer.

Deer moves away from Deirdre, rabbit sits up nervously.

JASON

(smiling)

Of course not, Deirdre. Why would I

do that?

DEIRDRE

How do you know my name?

JASON

It’s me, Jason. Jason Frankenstein.

Deirdre frightened.

DEIRDRE

That’s not possible. Jason

Frankenstein died last year.

JASON

I’m not dead. My father’s a doctor,

he saved me.

DEIRDRE

There was a funeral.

JASON

That was my father’s idea. He said

someone tried to kill me, so until

I got better it was best to have

people think I was dead.

DEIRDRE

Kill you? Why? How?

Jason pauses, looks anguished.

JASON

(softly)

I don’t remember much, but it has

something to do with the poachers

66.

JASONon our lands...I may have seen

them. I remember someone chasing me

on a horse, laughing...and the

horse hurting me.

DEIRDRE

That’s terrible!

Jason looks downward, pets the rabbit. Awkward silence.

DEIRDRE

You look different.

Jason lifts his arms, looks at his arms and hands.

JASON

My Dad says he’ll find a way to fix

this. Make me look normal again.

Deirdre gets to her feet. Rabbit and deer flee.

DEIRDRE

Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare them.

JASON

It’s okay. They’ll come back later.

The animals seem to like me.

DEIRDRE

Why is that?

JASON

I don’t know...but I’m glad they

do. Except for Zarya, they’re my

only friends. I have no one to talk

to.

Jason, head down, pets Zarya.

DEIRDRE

I’m still your friend.

Jason raises his head, smiling broadly.

JASON

Really? You mean it?

DEIRDRE

Of course! However, I need to be

sure you’re really you.

67.

JASON

How?

DEIRDRE

When we last met, what did you

bring?

Jason thinks.

JASON

A picnic! You asked me to bring a

picnic.

DEIRDRE

Okay...if I had a bunch of flowers,

what would I do with them?

Jason thinks, smiles.

JASON

You’d pick the pretty ones and toss

them into the water.

DEIRDRE

And, would you throw me into the

water?

JASON

No way! You’d push me into the

water if I did.

Deirdre jumps, gives Jason a hug. Soft green/white glow on

Jason’s cheeks.

DEIRDRE

It is you! You scared me. I can’t

wait to tell the town your alive!

JASON

No! Don’t!...Please...not until I

look normal again. Please promise.

DEIRDRE

Okay, I understand. I promise.

JASON

Thank you. It’s really important.

DEIRDRE

I promise.

Jason gets up to his knees.

68.

JASON

Would you like to meet here

tomorrow?

DEIRDRE

Sure. But no little kids. You saw

how they acted.

JASON

That’s how my father said people

would react if they saw me. Looks

like he was right.

Awkward silence.

JASON (CONT’D)

I could bring a book. I could read

you a story. Would like that?

Deirdre smiles.

DEIRDRE

Why, Mr. Frankenstein, I would like

that very much. How nice of you.

Deirdre grabs the ball, stands up.

JASON

I really liked being able to talk

to someone again...thank you. I’ll

bring a book of fairy tales.

DEIRDRE

As long as the fairy tales have

happy endings.

JASON

Okay, I promise.

INT. MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE - NIGHT

The Magistrate sits behind his desk. William stands nearby.

Three children sit in chairs in front of the Magistrate’s

desk, parents of each child stand behind the chairs.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Now, let’s go over this again.

69.

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) Child #1

CHILD #1

It was green and brown and ten feet

tall with huge claws, and it chased

us all the way home.

B) Child #2

CHILD #2

It was brown with black stripes,

and twelve feet tall. It had big

fangs and glowing eyes...and it

stole our ball.

C) Child #3

CHILD #3

It was really big, with black fur

and big wings...and it grabbed our

ball and ate it. Then it yelled at

us and tried to eat us.

END SERIES OF SHOTS

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(to the children)

I see. Well, you were very brave to

come here and tell me what you saw.

Everything will be alright.

Magistrate Aldred stands.


(to the parents)

I will look into this matter and

add additional patrols in the

forest. Hopefully, we will find

what your children saw before

anyone gets hurt. Thank you for

bringing this to my attention.

The parents usher children from office.

WILLIAM

It was probably just a bear.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

I suspect your right. However, we

have to keep the fine citizens

70.

MAGISTRATE ALDREDhappy, so we’ll double the regular

patrols in the eastern forest for

the next week. Talk to people whose

homes are in the outlaying areas.

Ask if they have seen or heard

anything unusual.

WILLIAM

Yes, sir. I’ll see to it.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - LIBRARY - DAY

Jason looks for a book. Zarya follows Jason. Jason selects

two books, holds one in each hand, faces Zarya.

JASON

Okay, Zarya, which one should I

take?

Zarya sits, looks at Jason, then raises her right paw. Jason

looks in his left hand.

JASON (CONT’D)

This one it is.

Jason returns the other book to the shelf, reaches into his

pocket, pulls out a piece of food.

JASON (CONT’D)

Good girl, Zarya. You get a treat!

Jason raises food high and tosses it into a corner. Zarya

bolts after the food, finds, chews, shallows it. Jason

sneaks out, closes door behind him. Zarya runs over to the

door, scratches door, whines.

JASON (O.S.)

Sorry girl, no dogs today. You stay

here.

Zarya scratches door, whines, looks sad.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Morning fog. Jason walks, book in hand. Stag and doe follow

Jason. In the distance, Jonathan, Carsen and Beval kneel in

shadows.

71.

CARSEN

(whispering)

I hear something.

All three men slowly raise up, look around. In a break in

the trees, stag and doe come into view. Jonathan draws his

bow.

JONATHAN

(softly)

The stag’s mine! Carsen the doe!

Stag and doe pause, raise their ears. A black-fletched arrow

hits stag in shoulder. Doe flees as an arrow misses it. Stag

cries out, tries to turn, falls to the ground.

Jason turns as stag falls. Jason rushes to stag’s side,

kneels, grabs arrow. Jonathan, Carsen and Beval rush from

their cover.

BEVAL

(shouting)

It’s the monster!

CARSEN

Where did it come from?

JONATHAN

(angry)

It’s after our kill!

Jonathan draws his bow.

Stag calls out in pain, tries to get up, Jason tries to pull

out arrow. A black-fletched arrow hits Jason in the right

shoulder. Jason jerks back, screams in pain, shoulder glows

green/white. He reflexively yanks arrow out from stag.

Jason drops the book, reaches for his shoulder. Stag flees.

The three men aim at Jason. Jason dodges behind a tree.

Three black-fletched arrows hit the tree. The three men

cautiously move forward.

JASON

It’s them! The poachers!

Jason softly glows green/white. Jason flees into woods.

72.


Jonathan, Carsen and Beval cautiously approach tree behind

which Jason was hiding. They find nothing.

JONATHAN

Where did it go?

BEVAL

It just vanished!

Beval nervously looks around.

JONATHAN

Check for tracks.

Beval and Carsen search.

BEVAL

I found a print, but the underbrush

is thick, we’ll never track it.

CARSEN

I found something.

Carsen hands a book to Jonathan. Jonathan looks at it

curiously.

CARSEN (CONT’D)

I found that book over where we

shot the deer and the monster. I

doubt it belonged to the deer.

BEVAL

What’s a monster doing with a book?

Jonathan puts the book in his pouch.

JONATHAN

We’ll ask it when we kill it.

Besides, it will make a nice gift

for my daughter. I think it may be

her birthday soon.

CARSEN

Her birthday was last week.

JONATHAN

There, you see, Daddy got her a

special present, just for her!

73.

CARSEN

You’re a real prince, Jonathan. One

of a kind.

Jonathan smiles, slaps Carsen on the back.

JONATHAN

I know. I know.


Jason runs, ground becomes uneven, Jason stumbles onto a

forest path, right in front of a patrolman (Kirby) on

horseback. Horse panics, rears up on its hind legs. Kirby

falls. The horse flails its front legs.

EXT. FOREST - DAY (FLASHBACK)

JASON’S POV

Jason looks up from the ground. A horse, silhouetted in the

setting sun, rears up on its hind legs, flails its front

legs in the air.

JASON (O.S.)

(in pain)

Noooo!

OVERLAP CUT TO:


RETURN TO SCENE

JASON

(screaming)

Noooo!

Jason glows green/white, takes an awkward step backward,

trips, falls. Arrow from stag falls. Arrow in Jason’s

shoulder dislodges, falls. Horse flees. Jason scrabbles to

his feet. Kirby, stunned, looks up at Jason.

JASON

Leave me alone!

Jason runs. Glow fades, he vanishes into the shadows. Kirby,

on his knees, clumsily draws his sword, holds it with both

hands, shaking in fear.

74.

EXT. LAKESIDE CLEARING - DAY

MONTAGE

A) Deirdre waits in the grassy clearing, looks around.

B) Deirdre picks wild flowers.

C) Deirdre selects flowers from her bouquet and tosses them

one at a time into the lake.

D) Deirdre stands, bouquet in hand, back to a boulder, head

down, sad.

E) Deirdre slowly leaves the clearing, a tear on her eye.

END MONTAGE

INT. MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE - DAY

Magistrate Aldred and William in conversation. Kirby bursts

into room, breathing heavily, holds two arrows.

KIRBY

Sir! I’ve seen the monster!

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

What? Shut the door. Sit down.

Magistrate Aldred sits at his desk. Kirby sits.


Are you alright?

KIRBY

Yes, sir. I barely escaped with my

life.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Have you told anyone about this

yet?

KIRBY

No, sir. I came straight here.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Okay, tell me what you saw.

75.

KIRBY

Well, sir, it attacked my horse.

Came out of nowhere! My horse

spooked, threw me to the ground.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Tell me about the monster.

KIRBY

It was about ten feet tall. Green

and brown in color. Claws and

fangs. It howled viciously.

WILLIAM

Like a wolf?

KIRBY

Umm...sure, just louder, meaner.

WILLIAM

That might explain the wolf howling

some have been hearing, sir.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Possibly. Anything else Kirby?

KIRBY

Well...it glowed.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Glowed?

KIRBY

Yes, sir. Like a ghost. I fought it

off and it fled into the forest.

Kirby holds up the two black-flecthed arrows.

KIRBY (CONT’D)

I found these, sir.

William takes the arrows, examines them.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Those look like poachers’ arrows.

KIRBY

I found those when the monster

fled.

WILLIAM

Sir, we have a problem.

76.

William grabs white cloth from his belt, rubs one corner of

cloth on first arrowhead, shows red-stained cloth.

WILLIAM

Blood looks to be from a deer or

bear, nothing unusual.

William rubs another corner of cloth on second arrowhead,

shows green-stained cloth.

WILLIAM

Green, sir. Nothing I know of has

green blood.

KIRBY

That glow...it must be a demon!

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Enough! Don’t go spreading rumors.

We’re not sure what we’re dealing

with.

KIRBY

Yes, sir. I’ll speak to no one,

sir.

Magistrate Aldred thinks.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Kirby, go and ask the bishop to see

me, please. Maybe he has some

ideas.

KIRBY

Yes, sir.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

William, gather the other patrolmen

and send out a message to every

able-bodied man to meet tonight at

the town hall. We’ll offer a reward

and deputize volunteers...

(beat)

...looks like we have a monster to

deal with.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - KITCHEN - LATER

Jason and Victor prepare dinner. Sunset twilight. Zarya

close to Jason. knock at castle doors. Jason and Victor look

at each other in surprise.

77.

VICTOR

(whispers)

Hide! Now!


Jason hides in supply room, Zarya follows. Victor waits

until supply room door closes, locks. Knock at castle door.

Victor opens castle door. Jerald stands on the landing.

JERALD

Sorry to disturb you Baron, but the

Magistrate has asked every able man

to meet in town later tonight.

VICTOR

What’s this all about?

JERALD

Monsters, sir.

VICTOR

What?

JERALD

Yes, sir. There’s been a monster

spotted in the forest over the past

couple of days. The Magistrate is

offering a reward and will deputize

volunteers to hunt for the

creature.

VICTOR

What...what does this monster look

like?

JERALD

Well, sir, the descriptions vary.

Green. Brown. Maybe black. Ten feet

tall, with claws and fangs...and

some say it glows, like a ghost.

Victor pale, upset.

JERALD

Have you seen anything like that

out here, sir?

VICTOR

Ten feet tall, claws, fangs. No,

nothing like that.

78.

JERALD

Very well, sir. Will you be able to

make it to town tonight?

VICTOR

I’m sorry, I would not be much

help. I’m merely a doctor. I won’t

even know how to hold a bow or a

sword.

JERALD

I understand, sir. In that case,

the Magistrate asks that you stay

indoors, for your own safety.

Victor looks over Jerald’s shoulder at drawbridge, then back

to Jerald.

VICTOR

That won’t be a problem. In fact, I

will immediately secure the castle.

JERALD

Very good, sir. Good night.

VICTOR

Thank you, patrolman. Good night.

Victor stays at door, watches Jerald leave, closes and bolts

the castle door.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Jason stands, ear pressed to door. Zarya behind him. A knock

at the door. Jason steps back, head held down, ashamed.

JASON

Yes?

VICTOR (O.S.)

You heard the patrolman?

JASON

Yes.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Would you like to come out so we

can talk about this.

JASON

No.

79.

VICTOR (O.S.)

Get out here, now!

JASON

Yes, sir.


Jason, head bowed, enters.

VICTOR

You went outside the castle?

JASON

Yes.

VICTOR

People saw you?

JASON

Yes.

VICTOR

Didn’t I tell you not to do that?

JASON

Yes.

VICTOR

And I told you what would happen,

didn’t I?

Jason raises his head, looks at Victor.

JASON

Yes...but I was bored, I just

wanted someone to talk to.

VICTOR

And now the whole town, out of

fear, wants to kill you.

Jason hangs his head.

JASON

I’m sorry.

Victor shakes his head, sighs.

VICTOR

Follow me.

80.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - WINCH ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Victor sets down lantern. Jason close by. Massive winch

dominates room.

JASON

What are we doing here?

VICTOR

We’re going to do something that

hasn’t been done since the war.

We’re going to raise the

drawbridge.

Victor grabs two large wooden handles, tries to pull down.

Winch does not move. Victor tries harder. No movement.

VICTOR

Jason, I could use your help.

Jason slowly walks to the other set of handles, looks sad.

JASON

Yes, sir.

Victor steps back, prepares himself, takes a deep breath.

Victor reaches out to grab the handles, winch rotates

quickly. Victor amazed as Jason casually moves handles,

raises drawbridge, effortlessly. A thunderous, echoing boom.

Drawbridge raised. Jason stands head down, eyes lowered,

hands on winch handles.

VICTOR

That was quite impressive

Jason looks sad, depressed.

VICTOR (CONT’D)

With the drawbridge up no one can

get in, and, more importantly, no

one can get out...

(beat)

...promise me you won’t lower the

drawbridge.

JASON

I promise.

VICTOR

If you try to lower the drawbridge,

I’ll hear it.

81.

JASON

I understand.

Victor sighs.

VICTOR

Okay, let’s have dinner.

Victor grabs lantern, leaves. Room darkens. Jason

motionless.

JASON

(sad, whispering)

I don’t feel very hungry right now.

INT. JONATHAN’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Jonathan enters. Blazing fire in fireplace. Elizabeth

(Jonathan’s wife) preparing dinner. Behind Elizabeth, only

partially seen, Jonathan’s daughter helps with meal.

JONATHAN

I’m home!

ELIZABETH

We heard you, dear. Sit down.

Dinner is almost ready.

JONATHAN

I’m home, means my dinner should be

be ready, waiting for me.

Elizabeth pauses, sighs. Jonathan sits down at the table.

ELIZABETH

Yes, dear, your dinner is ready.

Elizabeth brings plate and mug to Jonathan. As Elizabeth

brings meal to Jonathan, Deirdre (Jonathan’s daughter) is

seen. Deirdre prepares two dinner plates. Jonathan pulls a

book out from his pouch.

JONATHAN

Deirdre, come here and see the

present I got you for your

birthday.

Deirdre focuses on the two dinner plates.

DEIRDRE

My birthday was last week.

82.

JONATHAN

Don’t take that tone with me young

lady. I’ve been working very hard.

Deirdre brings plates to table. Jonathan tosses book across

table. Deirdre remains standing, looks at the book.

JONATHAN

(food in mouth)

Well, don’t I get a thank you?

Deirdre sits at table.

DEIRDRE

Thank you.

Deirdre picks up the book, looks through it.

DEIRDRE

It’s a book of fairy tales. Where

did you get it?

JONATHAN

(with pride)

I took it from that monster in the

forest.

ELIZABETH

The monster?

DEIRDRE

(shocked, nervous)

What monster?

Jonathan looks up from his meal.

JONATHAN

The monster the whole town has been

talking about. The one I was just

deputized to help kill...It

attacked patrolman Kirby today. It

tried to attack me, too.

Elizabeth concerned. Deirdre shocked.

ELIZABETH

What happened?

Jonathan takes a drink, clears his throat.

JONATHAN

I was in the woods when I saw a

deer. Out of no where, the monster

83.

JONATHANappeared and savagely attacked it.

I got my bow out, to defend the

deer, and my arrow hit the monster.

Deirdre gasps.

JONATHAN (CONT’D)

The monster ran towards me and I

fought it off. When it fled into

the forest, it dropped this

book...your birthday present, dear.

ELIZABETH

You certainly are brave!

Deirdre looks at the book, looks sad.

DEIRDRE

Daddy, what did the monster look

like?

Jonathan finishes his meal, burps.

JONATHAN

Well, it’s very tall. Green and

brown. The same monster they say

attacked those children at the

lake.

Deirdre picks up book, leaves table, tears in her eyes.

JONATHAN

What’s wrong with you?

DEIRDRE

(softly)

No one got attacked at the lake.

JONATHAN

And how would you know that?

Deirdre stands silent. Jonathan slowly rises.

JONATHAN

I asked you a question, young lady.

How do you know what happened at

the lake?

DEIRDRE

I...I just heard, that’s all.

84.

JONATHAN

You play with those children all

the time. Were you there?

Deirdre walks away. Jonathan rushes around the table.

ELIZABETH

Jonathan, no!

Deirdre turns, arms up in defense. Jonathan grabs Deirdre’s

wrist, twists it. Deirdre gasps in pain.

JONATHAN

Tell me what you saw, girl!

DEIRDRE

(in pain)

I promised!

Jonathan twists Deirdre’s wrist again, Deirdre cries in

pain. Elizabeth rises.

ELIZABETH

Jonathan, stop it!

Jonathan slaps Elizabeth. Elizabeth cries in pain, cringes.

JONATHAN

Don’t interfere woman! They’re

offering two hundred gold

sovereigns for the monster, and I

want that money!

DEIRDRE

(screaming, crying in pain)

He’s not a monster! He’s just a

boy!

JONATHAN

That thing is no child!

DEIRDRE

You’re hurting me. Stop!

JONATHAN

I’ll stop when you tell me about

the monster!

Elizabeth sits, crying. Deirdre sobs uncontrollably.

Jonathan twists her wrist again. Deirdre cries in pain.

85.

JONATHAN

Talk child! I’m losing my patience!

DEIRDRE

(crying)

The boy’s name is Jason, he lives

in the castle. He was going to read

to me today.

Jonathan rips the book from Deirdre’s hand.

JONATHAN

This book? The monster was bringing

this book for you?

DEIRDRE

He’s not a monster!

Jonathan throws the book into the fireplace.

JONATHAN

Jason Frankenstein is dead. I know

that for a fact!

DEIRDRE

(crying)

His dad...saved him.

Jonathan pushes Deirdre away. Deirdre falls, in tears,

clutching her left wrist. Elizabeth rushes to Deirdre,

comforts her. Jonathan sneers.

JONATHAN

I’m going to go handle some

official deputy business. You two

stay here and not a word of this is

anyone, understand?

ELIZABETH

Jonathan, she’s hurt. We have to

get her to a doctor.

JONATHAN

I’m busy. You get her to a doctor.

But, this was an accident!

Understand!

Elizabeth and Deirdre nod.

86.

EXT. JONATHAN’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Jonathan rushes out. Magistrate Aldred, William and Robert

ride up.

JONATHAN

Aldred! What are you doing out

here?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

We’re on patrol, Jonathan. Thought

I’d stop by and see my

granddaughter.

JONATHAN

Why?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Why? Do I need a reason?

JONATHAN

No, of course not.

Elizabeth, hooded cloak hides her face, and Deirdre, holding

her left wrist, appear in doorway behind Jonathan.

JONATHAN

We were just leaving. Perhaps some

other time.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Leaving? I specifically asked

people stay indoors. Where are you

going?

JONATHAN

I’m going to meet with a few of the

other deputies. Elizabeth is taking

Deirdre to the doctor.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

The doctor? What happened?

JONATHAN

Nothing serious, just a little

kitchen accident. You know how

clumsy women can be.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Elizabeth, is everything okay?

Elizabeth looks away.

87.

ELIZABETH

Yes, father, everything’s fine.

Deirdre just hurt her arm.

Jonathan smiles.

JONATHAN

You see, Aldred, nothing to worry

about.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jonathan, you must have the most

dangerous kitchen in the kingdom.

My daughter has had quite a few

kitchen accidents over the years,

and now my granddaughter.

JONATHAN

It’s none of your concern, Aldred.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Captain, this is my daughter and

granddaughter we’re talking about,

it certainly is my concern.

Jonathan walks over to Magistrate Aldred, looks at

patrolman, then at Magistrate Aldred.

JONATHAN

Aldred, the war’s over. I’m no

longer a captain, you’re no longer

a general. Remember that.

Jonathan walks off. Elizabeth and Deirdre, looking down,

slowly walk off in opposite direction. Robert dismounts his

horse, walks toward Elizabeth.


Jason peeks into LAB. Victor asleep at desk. Notes and books

litter LAB.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS

Jason, with Zarya behind him, selects a book.

88.


Jason, carrying lantern, climbs into well. Zarya raises her

paw, scratches well wall twice.

JASON

(whispering)

Hush, Zarya! Sit!

Zarya sits, whines softly, stares at Jason.

JASON

Don’t look at me like that. I’m not

breaking my promise. I said I won’t

touch the drawbridge and I’m not.

Besides, I made a promise to

Deirdre and I have to keep that

promise, don’t I?

Zarya looks questioningly at Jason. Jason climbs down. Room

grows dim. Zarya raises her paw, whines, looks sad,

scratches well wall. Light in WELL ROOM fades away.

INT. JONATHAN’S HOUSE - DAY

Deirdre, left wrist and forearm wrapped and splinted, sneaks

out of house.

EXT. JONATHAN’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Deirdre exits front door, silently. Sun rises over mountains

to east. To west, a storm gathers. Deirdre rushes off.


Sun rises over mountains to east. Jonathan, Carsen and Beval

sit hidden in forest across road from FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE.

CARSEN

We’ve been here all night. Nothing.

JONATHAN

We’ll sit here until the monster

appears. While the rest of those

fools search the forest, I know the

monster will come from the castle.

This is the only way in or out.

Beval sighs, looks bored. To the west, a storm gathers.

89.

EXT. LAKESIDE CLEARING - DAY

Deirdre looks around.

DEIRDRE

(whispering)

Jason...Jason

JASON (O.S.)

(whispering)

Over here.

Jason sits under large tree, surrounded by forest animals.

Deirdre walks over to Jason. Animals nervous at her

approach.

JASON

(whispering)

Sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday

...I...something came up. I brought

the book.

Jason holds up book. Deirdre looks around.

JASON (CONT’D)

(whispering)

Why are we whispering?

DEIRDRE

You have to go. They’ll kill you if

they see you.

JASON

Why?

A distant flash of lightning, an echoing roll of thunder,

the storm builds. Animals look up, slowly move/fly off.

DEIRDRE

The whole town thinks you’re a

monster. They’ve offered a reward

to whoever kills you.

JASON

I haven’t hurt anyone!

DEIRDRE

It doesn’t matter! You have to get

back to the castle and stay there.

Rain falls. Deirdre, Jason look up. Heavy rain approaches.

90.

JASON

You’ll never get home through that.

Come with me. I know a secret cave

where we can stay dry.

DEIRDRE

I’m not supposed to be out here. My

father will get angry if he knows I

left the house.

JASON

The cave’s not that far. You can

leave as soon as the storm passes.

Deirdre rubs her bandaged forearm, looks concerned. The

storm approaches.

DEIRDRE

Okay, but hurry.

Jason, Deirdre exit. In b.g. a second storm builds over the

mountains. Above the mountains, several flashes of

cloud-to-cloud lightning.


Victor asleep at the desk. Rainfall. Lightning, thunder.

Victor wakes, stands up, stretches, looks at his notes.

VICTOR

Going to need Jason for some tests

today.

Victor leaves.

VICTOR (O.S.)

(shouting)

Jason! I need you in the lab today!

Zarya’s muffled barks.

EXT. POACHER’S CAVE - DAY

Light rain. Jason, Deirdre approach cave. Distant lightning,

distant thunder. Sounds of movement. Glimpses of movement,

flashes of gray. Heavy rain. Jason and Deirdre cautiously

move through bushes concealing cave entrance.

91.


Jason lights lantern. Deirdre looks at her wet clothes.

DEIRDRE

My dad is going to be furious.

JASON

Let’s go to the castle. You can dry

off there.

DEIRDRE

What about your father?

JASON

Well...he should understand. He’s

really nice, just really busy.

Jason walks to the back of the cave.

JASON

Come on!

Deirdre shrugs, follows Jason.

INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

Jason and Deirdre reach the boulder. Jason tries to push it.

Nothing happens. Jason tries to pull it. Nothing happens.

JASON

It opened this morning! This is how

I got out.

Jason hands lantern to Deirdre. Jason uses both his hands to

try to pull boulder. Nothing happens. Jason takes a step

back, leans his shoulder against boulder. Nothing happens.

JASON

I forgot about the switch.

DEIRDRE

What switch?

JASON

On the other side of the boulder

there is a torch holder, it acts as

a switch to let the boulder move.

Let’s look around here.

Deirdre and Jason scan walls of cave. Jason sighs.

92.

JASON (CONT’D)

Nothing.

DEIRDRE

So, what’s Plan B?

Jason look of despair.

JASON

There is no Plan B. We raised the

drawbridge. I can’t get back home.

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) Victor looks in the library, Zarya follows.

VICTOR

Jason?

B) Victor looks in Jason’s room, Zarya follows.

C) Victor looks in the kitchen, Zarya follows.

D) Victor opens roof access door, looks outside. Lightning,

thunder.

VICTOR

Jason!

END SERIES OF SHOTS


Victor enters, Zarya follows.

VICTOR

Jason! Come out! I don’t have time

for hide and seek!

Victor looks at Zarya. Zarya sits, wags her tail. Victor

smiles.

VICTOR

You want to play? Zarya, find

Jason! Go get him, girl.

Zarya jumps up, runs to entrance of WELL ROOM.

93.


Zarya, Victor enter. Zarya runs to well, sits, lifts her

paw, scratches well wall. Victor looks down the well.

VICTOR

Jason! Come out of there! Now!

INT. POACHER’S CAVE - DAY

Jason and Deirdre enter, stop. Deirdre gasps. A large wolf

sniffs the ground just inside the cave. A low growl echoes.

A second wolf steps toward Deirdre.

DEIRDRE

I thought animals liked you.

JASON

Well, these don’t.

First wolf stalks toward Jason. Second wolf leaps at

Deirdre, bites and tears her dress as Deirdre steps back and

screams. Jason kicks second wolf, sends it flying, yelping,

into cave wall. First wolf leaps at Jason, bites his leg.

Jason kicks first wolf off. Jason’s leg glows green/white.

Both wolves limp out of cave. Jason hurries to cave

entrance, looks outside. Lightning, thunder.

DEIRDRE

You’re hurt!

JASON

I’m fine.

Deirdre kneels, looks at Jason’s leg. No wound is seen.

DEIRDRE

But...it bit you. I saw it!

JASON

I heal quickly. But we’re trapped

here.

Deirdre stands, looks down at her dress, tears in eyes.

DEIRDRE

My father will kill me when he sees

my dress.

Deirdre holds her left arm across her chest, right hand

massaging the bandages. A distant roll of echoing thunder.

94.

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) Victor descends the ladder, carries a lantern.

B) Victor walks through the escape tunnel.

C) Victor reaches boulder, sets lantern down, tries to

move boulder repeatedly. No movement. Victor puts shoulder

against boulder, pushes, moves his feet. His feet come out

from under him. Victor slides down, back to boulder to a

sitting position, head hung low, silhouetted in light of the

lantern.

VICTOR

Where is he?

END SERIES OF SHOTS

INT. MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE - DAY

Magistrate Aldred sits at his desk, looks over papers.

Rainfall. Lightning, thunder. A knock on door.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Come in.

Elizabeth enters, hooded cloak covers her face.

ELIZABETH

Dad, I need your help.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Elizabeth, of course. What can I

do?

Elizabeth closes door, lowers her hood. Bruise on her face.

ELIZABETH

Deirdre is missing, she must have

left early this morning.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Where would she go? There’s a

monster out there.

ELIZABETH

She may have gone to warn it.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

What?

95.

ELIZABETH

Deirdre...Deirdre says it’s not a

monster. She says it’s just some

boy from the castle.

Magistrate Aldred stands up, helps Elizabeth sit down.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Elizabeth, tell me what you know.


FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE sits clouded in mists and rain. Muffled

clank, drawbridge lowers slowly.

CARSEN

The drawbridge!

Jonathan and Beval join Carsen. They watch the drawbridge

lower. Lightning, thunder.

JONATHAN

I knew it! Get ready boys!

Victor carries lantern, wears heavy cloak and large hat,

emerges from mists on drawbridge, walks toward forest.

BEVAL

That’s the doctor. What’s he doing?

JONATHAN

I don’t know, but we’ll follow him.

My guess is he’ll lead us right to

the monster.

The men gather their weapons, follow Victor.

INT. POACHER’S CAVE - DAY

Light from lantern waivers, fades. Distant roll of thunder.

DEIRDRE

The light’s going out. I don’t want

to be trapped in a cave in the

dark.

JASON

If we leave, we can stay along the

edge of the mountains. When we get

to the road, you can head home.

Jason hands book to Deirdre.

96.

JASON

Here, take this, as a gift.

Deirdre holds book to her chest with her right hand.

DEIRDRE

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Deirdre puts book in large pocket of her dress. Light from

lantern flickers, dies.

EXT. POACHER’S CAVE - CONTINUOUS

Jason steps out of cave. Light rain. Deirdre follows. Jason

grabs two large rocks. Lightning, thunder.


Jason and Deirdre walk cautiously. Movement is heard.

Glimpse of a wolf, then another. Jason throws a rock. Sounds

of movement increase. Lightning. Two wolves appear. Jason

throws a rock. The wolves dodge, move closer. Thunder.

A very large branch on the ground. Jason picks it up,

effortlessly throws it. Wolves dodge, branch lands with a

crash, wolves flee.

Jason and Deirdre move on. An enormous fallen tree blocks

their path. Wolves appear. Wolves growl, move forward. Jason

grabs a rock, throws it. It misses. A low, guttural growl.

Lightning, thunder, the wolf Pack Leader enters.

The Pack Leader much larger than other wolves. Pack Leader a

deep, guttural growl. Jason and Deirdre step backwards

against fallen tree. A small crawl space under tree

close-by.

JASON

Deirdre...crawl under, get out of

here.

DEIRDRE

What about you?

Jason looks at the tree, a large branch sticks out. Jason

tears branch off. The wolves pause.

JASON

Run, run for your life. I’ll hold

them off.

97.

DEIRDRE

Jason?

JASON

Go! Please.

Wolves attack. Deirdre dives under tree, gets stuck. A wolf

leaps at Jason. Jason knocks wolf away. A yelp of pain. A

second wolf attacks Deirdre. Wolf grabs Deirdre’s foot,

twists, pulls. Deirdre screams.

DEIRDRE

Ow! Help me! Help!

Jason, glows green/white, kicks second wolf. Second wolf,

stunned, releases its grip. Jason grabs second wolf by

scruff of neck, throws it against a nearby tree. Deirdre,

sound of tearing cloth, squeezes under tree. More wolves

appear, move closer. Pack Leader steps forward. Jason holds

tree branch in right hand, lifts it, taps it, once, twice,

against open palm of left hand. Jason glows green/white.

JASON

Bad doggies!

Pack Leader attacks.


Deirdre emerges from under fallen tree, runs with a slight

limp. Sounds of battle, snarls, yelps, flashes of

green/white light. Lightning, thunder. Deirdre yells.

DEIRDRE

Help! Help us!

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Small clearing on forest path. Lightning, thunder. Carsen

and Beval grab Victor, hold him against tree. Victor’s hat

falls. Jonathan walks up, takes lantern from Victor, sets it

down.

JONATHAN

Well, doctor, what are you doing

out here in the forest?

VICTOR

That’s none of your concern. These

are my lands, I will do as I

please. What do you think you’re

doing?

98.

JONATHAN

I think we’re about to collect the

reward money.

Victor struggles against the men holding him.

VICTOR

What reward money?

Jonathan uses his left hand to press Victor against the

tree.

JONATHAN

The reward for the monster. The

monster you created.

Victor stops struggling, looks pale. Lightning, thunder.

VICTOR

You men are insane. I have no idea

what you’re talking about.

Jonathan puts his left forearm into Victor’s chest, pushes

Victor hard up into the tree. Jonathan leans close to

Victor.

JONATHAN

We know it all, doctor. We know

after your son died, you created a

monster in your lab. We know you

even named it Jason, after your

son. And, we know you’re going to

tell us where it is.

VICTOR

I’m not going to tell you thugs

anything!

Jonathan draws his hunting knife, smiles.

JONATHAN

Oh, I think you will.

Lightning, loud thunder.

DEIRDRE (O.S.)

(muffled, distant)

Ow! Help me! Help!

CARSEN

Jonathan! That’s your daughter!

The men look toward the scream. Snarls, yelps, sounds of

battle. Flashes of green/white light in the distance.

99.

DEIRDRE (O.S.)

(muffled, distant)

Help! Help us!

Jonathan turns to Victor. Jonathan moves his forearm

forcefully into Victor’s throat.

JONATHAN

Your monster is attacking my

daughter!

Victor struggles to breathe.

VICTOR

(barely audible)

No.

JONATHAN

I won’t let you make any more of

those things!

Jonathan stabs Victor. Carsen and Beval gasp, release

Victor. Jonathan leans close to Victor.

JONATHAN

When you get to hell, doctor, tell

them who sent you.

Jonathan pulls out knife. Victor holds stomach, gasps for

breath, blood seeps between fingers. Victor slides down

tree.

BEVAL

Jonathan, why?

JONATHAN

I have my reasons!

Yelps, howls, green/white flashes in the distance.

Lightning, thunder. Movement nearby. Jonathan turns. Carsen

and Beval draw their bows. Deirdre stumbles into clearing.

DEIRDRE

Help us.

Deirdre collapses, faints. Beval drops his bow, rushes to

Deirdre. Sounds of horses. Lightning. Carsen lowers his bow.

CARSEN

We have company.

A rumble of thunder, sounds of hooves. Magistrate Aldred,

William, Robert, Kirby and Jerald ride into clearing.

100.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(shouting over his shoulder)

Elizabeth, we’ve found her!

Elizabeth, flanked by two patrolmen, rides into clearing.

Magistrate Aldred, Robert, Elizabeth dismount. Elizabeth and

Robert rush to Deirdre. Beval steps back.

Sounds of fighting, green/white flashes in the distance.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Get the child back to the horses!

Spread out!

JONATHAN

No! The reward money’s mine!

A yell, a sound of wood hitting flesh, a yelp of pain, a

flash of green/white light. Lightning, thunder. Silence.

JASON (O.S.)

(muffled, distant)

Deirdre!...Deirdre!

BEVAL

It’s the monster!

CARSEN

It’s coming for the girl.

Robert and Elizabeth carry Deirdre behind the other

patrolmen. Heavy footsteps, dragging. A green/white glow

approaches. Lightning, thunder. Deirdre opens her eyes.

DEIRDRE

(weakly)

Mom?

ELIZABETH

Everything will be okay, dear.

Heavy footsteps, dragging. The green/white light fades,

vanishes.

JASON (O.S.)

Deirdre!

Deirdre gets to her feet, shakes off her mother’s arms,

looks around her.

DEIRDRE

Jason! Run!

101.

Lightning, thunder. Jason stumbles through bushes into

clearing, drags carcass of Pack Leader. Heavier rain falls.

Magistrate Aldred steps forward. Patrolmen draw their

weapons. Jonathan steps forward. Carsen raises his bow.

Jason nervous, drops the carcass, steps backwards.

JASON

I...umm...uh, oh.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(to the patrolmen)

Stand down, lower your weapons.

Patrolman confused, slowly lower their weapons.


(to Jason)

Jason? Jason Frankenstein?

JASON

Umm, yes.

Gasps of surprise, whispers of disbelief. Deirdre rushes to

Jason, turns to face patrolman, arms wide, in tears.

DEIRDRE

Don’t hurt him! He hasn’t hurt

anyone!

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Deirdre, it’s okay. We’re just

going to talk.

JONATHAN

I’m not going to talk! Get away

from my daughter, monster!

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jonathan! Enough! Back-off now!

Jonathan takes a step back. Carson lowers his bow.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jason? What happened to you?

Jason looks around. Deirdre looks up at Jason.

DEIRDRE

Tell them.

A voice, echoing in b.g., of creature from Jason’s dream.

102.

CREATURE (V.O.)

Tell them...tell them...

JASON

I saw poachers...they tried to kill

me.

Carsen and Beval take a few steps backwards.

JASON (CONT’D)

A man on a black horse chased me.

The horse hurt me really bad.

JONATHAN

Enough! Why are we listening to

this thing?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Did you see the people that hurt

you?

Jason slowly points to Jonathan, Carsen and Beval.

JASON

They’re right there.

Gasps of surprise. Anguish in Deirdre’s face.

DEIRDRE

Daddy?

JONATHAN

Lies! This demon is simply trying

to trick us!

Deirdre, in tears, stumbles backward.

DEIRDRE

Why?

Jonathan steps forward. Lightning. Jonathan raises his

hunting knife.

JONATHAN

You’ll pay for these lies.

Thunder.

Jason steps toward Jonathan.

JASON

I remember you. Laughing as you

chased me.

103.

JONATHAN

No one is listening to you,

monster.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jonathan! Stand down!

Jason steps over the carcass, closer to Jonathan.

JASON

I’m not a helpless little boy any

more! My father made me strong!

JONATHAN

Your father can’t help you anymore,

he’s dead.

JASON

What?

A flash of lightning reflects off Jonathan’s hunting knife

and the blood on it. Jason steps to the left. Victor’s body

sits against the tree, illuminated by the lantern. Thunder.

JASON

Daddy?

Jason’s skin flickers with intense spots of green/white

light. Jonathan smiles.

JONATHAN

When you get to hell, boy, say

hello to your father.

Nearby lightning, a roar of thunder. Jason cries out.

JASON

Daddy!

Blinding flash of green/white light. Everyone turns away or

shields their eyes. Horses panic. Jason rushes to Victor,

straight through Jonathan. Jonathan thrown backwards, lands

hard against a distant tree. The green/white light fades.

Jason, in tears, glows softly, kneels next to Victor. Jason

reaches his hands out, holds Victor by the shoulders, shakes

him gently.

JASON

Daddy? Daddy? It’s time to wake up.

A bow crashes down, splinters over Jason’s head and

shoulder. Jason’s head and shoulder glow brighter. Carsen

looks at his shattered bow. Jason turns, tears in eyes,

shouts.

104.

JASON

Leave me alone!

Jason punches Carsen in the chest, sends him flying

backwards. Carsen lands at feet of Magistrate Aldred,

remnants of bow and black-fletched arrows from his quiver

scatter over the ground. Jason lifts Victor. Victor’s cloak

falls. Jason flees. Lightning, thunder. Jonathan staggers

forward, stands tall, bow drawn, black-fletched arrow

notched, takes aim at Jason.

DEIRDRE (O.S.)

No!

Dierdre rushes forward, jumps, knocks Jonathan’s bow. The

arrow misses. Jonathan yells in frustration, throws his bow

to the ground, grabs Deirdre, raises a fist.

JONATHAN

You little brat!

Sound of well-oiled steel sliding over leather, a flash of

steel. The point of a sword appears at Jonathan’s throat.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(coldly)

I won’t do that if I were you.

Jonathan releases Deirdre. Deirdre runs to Elizabeth’s arms.

Jonathan slowly steps away, raises his arms.

JONATHAN

Aldred, what are you doing? You’re

not going to let the monster get

away?

Magistrate Aldred lowers his sword to his side.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

No, Jonathan, I have every

intention of dealing with the

monster.

Jonathan smiles, lowers his arms.

WILLIAM

Your orders, sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Robert, escort my daughter and

grandchild back to town.

105.

ROBERT

Yes, sir!

Robert moves Elizabeth and Deirdre to his horse. Magistrate

Aldred motions towards carcass of Pack Leader with his

sword.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Kirby, see to it the body of that

creature is brought to town. It’s

not ten feet tall, but it’s the

only thing with fangs and claws

I’ve seen today.

KIRBY

(embarrassed)

Ummm...yes, sir.

Magistrate Aldred turns to Jonathan, points his sword.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jerald, you and the other patrolmen

will immediately place Jonathan and

his friends under arrest.

JONATHAN

What? What for?

Jerald moves towards Jonathan. One patrolman approaches

Beval. Beval does not resist. The other patrolman lifts

Carsen, stunned, in pain, from the ground.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jonathan, you are under arrest for

poaching. You are under arrest for

the murder of Baron Victor

Frankenstein. You are under arrest

for the attempted murder of the

boy, Jason Frankenstein.

Jonathan struggles briefly against Jerald’s efforts to tie

his hands behind his back.

JONATHAN

You’ve got no proof! Nothing!

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Murder and poaching are hanging

offenses.

Magistrate Aldred turns to Beval.

106.


I have all the evidence I think I

need, but I am sure I can find a

good man who might be willing to

exchange his testimony to avoid a

date with the hangman.

Beval stands, hands tied behind his back, head down.

BEVAL

(whispering)

A good man...yes, sir.

JONATHAN

Aldred...General...you can’t do

this...I’m a war hero.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Sorry, Captain, the war’s over.

Remember?

In the b.g., Elizabeth and Deirdre, sit atop Robert’s horse.

Robert holds the reins, walks the horse away.

JONATHAN

Aldred, please, I’m your

son-in-law. Don’t do this.

Magistrate Aldred steps next to Jonathan, leans close.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

(very coldly)

When you’re safely in jail, when

you can’t threaten anyone, I’m

going to have a nice long talk with

my daughter and granddaughter. If I

find out all those kitchen

accidents weren’t really accidents,

you’ll beg for the hangman’s noose

before I’m done with you.

Magistrate Aldred steps back.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jerald, place Jonathan in solitary

confinement. He’s to speak to no

one...except me.

JERALD

Yes, sir.

William walks up to Magistrate Aldred.

107.

WILLIAM

What about the monster, sir?

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

The monster is on his way to

solitary confinement.

WILLIAM

I, I mean the Frankenstein boy,

sir.

Magistrate Aldred nods, sighs, points to the lantern.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

William, will you get that lantern

and ride with me. We have some more

work to do.

WILLIAM

Yes, sir.

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - NIGHT

Magistrate Aldred and William approach FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE.

Dark clouds obscure sky and mountains above castle.

Drawbridge is raised.

WILLIAM

The drawbridge, sir. How do we get

across?

Magistrate Aldred curses under his breath.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

We can’t.

Magistrate Aldred shouts.

MAGISTRATE ALDRED

Jason! Jason Frankenstein!...We

want to talk to you!

EXT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS


(shouting, distant)

Jason!...Frankenstein!

108.



(mufled, echoing)

Frankenstein!...Frankenstein!

JASON (O.S.)

(reading, in tears)

Pinocchio and Geppetto...made it

safely home...after their

adventures. Geppetto put Pinocchio

to bed...and kissed him good

night...

INT. FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE - STUDY - CONTINUOUS

Everything is dark, except for the dim light of a small fire

in fireplace. Jason reads to Victor. Victor, blood-stained,

cradled in Jason’s lap, dead. Zarya on floor nearby.

JASON

(reading, in tears)

Pinocchio had made many mistakes...

but he learned to be brave...to not

tell lies... and to listen to his

father...Pinocchio prayed the Blue

Fairy would come and turn him into

a real boy...so that he and his

father would live happily ever

after.

Room starts to darken. Fog/mist begins to obscure scene

Jason closes book.

JASON

The End.

Room goes dark. Fog/mist condense into words:

"The End"

The words evaporate back into fog/mist.

FOG/MIST OBSCURE SCENE TO BLACK:

JASON (O.S.)

(softly)

Good night, Daddy...I love you...I

love you very much.

109.

EXT. "HEAVEN"

White mist and clouds fill the scene. In b.g. points of

light appear, sparkle, fade away. Deborah and Katherine

appear. Victor, in fine formal attire, enters. Victor looks

at his clothes, smiles. He sees Deborah and Katherine,

smiles broader. Victor embraces Deborah.

DEBORAH

Welcome beloved!

VICTOR

Oh, Deborah, I’ve truly missed you.

Deborah smiles.

DEBORAH

We’ll never be apart again.

Victor goes to one knee, hugs Katherine. Katherine gives

Victor a big kiss on his cheek.

KATHERINE

Welcome home, Daddy. Is Jason

coming too?

Victor stands up, grasps Deborah’s hand.

VICTOR

Not now sweetheart.

Katherine looks disappointed.

KATHERINE

But, I want to play with my big

brother again.

Deborah looks at Katherine, smiles.

DEBORAH

It’s not his time...not now.

KATHERINE

We’ll wait for him, right?

Victor looks at Katherine and then at Deborah, smiles.

VICTOR

Of course we will.

110.

Victor and Deborah release their hands, turn and each grasp

one of Katherine’s hands. Backs turned, they walk away into

the mists, small points of light sparkle on their outlines

as they move away. Victor, Deborah and Katherine fade away

into points of sparkling light.

VICTOR (O.S.)(CONT’D)

We’ll wait...together.

FOG/MIST OBSCURE THE SCENE TO BLACK:

FADE OUT

THE END

Documents

Good Night Prometheus, the Tragedy of Frankenstein