Camera begins to pull back slowly, straight up - the song "Moon Shadow" by Cat Stevens begins. Once we are high enough to see the entire moon, the main title is superimposed.
An American Werewolf in London
We continue to retreat from the moon, looking on as it grows farther from us, continuing credits until the full moon is the size it appears to us from earth.
2 EXT. CROSSROADS ON THE MOORS - NIGHT
Tree branches enter into the frame, the camera pans down and we see a truck approaching. We are at a crossroads in the moors, looking sinister enough to have earned their literary reputation.
The truck stops at the crossroads, the DRIVER, mustached and wearing tweeds, boots, and a muffler, climbs down.
"Moon Shadow" ends.
CUT TO:
Loud bang of the back grating on the truck as it slams down. Revealed among the sheep are two rudely-awakened young American boys. They look exhausted. They both carry backpacks, two American kids on a jaunt in Europe. They are both in their late twenties.
It is very cold and they clamber out of the truck none too happily. Pushing sheep aside they step out and stretch.
JACK GOODMAN AND DAVID KESSLER
They've been cramped for hours.
TRUCK DRIVER Here, lads, East Proctor and all about are the moors. I go east here.
JACK Yes, well thank you very much for the ride, sir. You have lovely sheep.
TRUCK DRIVER (as he clambers back up on his truck) Boys, keep off the moors. Stay on the road. Good luck to you.
DAVID Thanks again!
He drives off. LONG SHOT of the two boys as the lorry pulls away. Surrounding them are the moors. They put on their packs, David points to the signpost pointing towards East Proctor.
EXT. ROAD ON THE MOORS - NIGHT
As they walk, their breath visible:
JACK Are you cold?
DAVID Yes.
JACK Good.
They walk on, finally:
DAVID Jack.
JACK David.
DAVID You're not having a good time are you?
JACK Oh, I don't know. I mean look around. Isn't this a fun place?
The camera shows us the moors - desolate, cold, foreboding.
DAVID Well, I like it here.
JACK I'm sorry. Northern England first, Italy later.
DAVID Right.
They walk on. JACK Do you think she'll meet me in Rome?
DAVID I think Debbie Klein is a mediocre person with a good body.
JACK Debbie is not mediocre and she has one of the great bodies of all time.
DAVID She's a jerk.
JACK You're talking about the woman I love.
DAVID I'm talking about a girl you want to fuck, so give me a break.
JACK Well, anyway, do you think she'll be there?
DAVID I don't know.
JACK (like an announcer) Rendezvous in Rome starring Jack Goodman and Debbie Klein. The love affair that shocked Europe! See torrid lovemaking at its most explicit! See Jack and Debbie expose their lust in the sacred halls of the Vatican! Never has the screen dared....
DAVID If you don't stop, I'm going to kill you.
JACK I have to make love to her. It's very simple. She has no choice really.
DAVID It just fascinates me that you can spend so much energy on someone so dull.
JACK It is impossible for a body like that to be dull.
DAVID We've known Debbie what, since the eighth grade? How many years of foreplay is that?
JACK She says she `likes me too much'.
David just laughs and laughs and laughs.
DISSOLVE TO:
3 EXT. EAST PROCTOR MAIN STREET - NIGHT
David and Jack entering East Proctor. It is brightly moonlit. East Proctor consists of a few shops, all closed, a petrol pump and a pub. East Proctor has a very small population and the place looks empty. David and Jack enter the middle of town and look about. The camera sees what they see. A few shops, dark and shuttered. Light and laughter come from the pub.
4 EXT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT
Its traditional shingle shows a ferocious wolf's bloody head on a pike, and tells us the pub's name, "The Slaughtered Lamb".
JACK The Slaughtered Lamb?
DAVID Of course, The Slaughtered Lamb. Why else would they have a severed fox head on a spear as their symbol?
JACK That's a wolf's head.
DAVID Of course, The Slaughtered Lamb. Why else would they have a severed wolf's head on a spear as their symbol?
JACK That's not a spear. It's a pike.
DAVID A severed wolf's head on a pike as their symbol.
JACK David, before we go in there I want you to know that - no matter what happens to us - it's your fault.
DAVID I assume full responsibility.
JACK Okay.
DAVID Shall we?
5 INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT
The pub was apparently "modernized" sometime in the mid- fifties. Its traditional Englishness combines with greasy stainless steel and glass. It is populated by mostly pale young men with longish hair. Several older men are ruddy complexioned and sport large mustaches. Four or five are watching a chess game. Two men are playing darts. The conversation is loud and there is often laughter. But there is something unsavory about these people. A look of leanness and poverty. They seem inbred and somehow sullen. We establish the types and the general level of noise in the room.
The door opens revealing David and Jack. There is dead silence and all are staring in a not friendly way at the two boys who are made uncomfortable by all the strange attention. They give each other a "what?" look, then turn to the assembled populace.
DAVID Hello.
JACK Nice to see you.
FACES
Silent and staring.
CUT TO:
DAVID AND JACK
DAVID (smiles) It's very cold outside. May we come in?
The WOMAN BARKEEP nods. The boys walk carefully over to a table and very self-consciously remove their packs, place them on the floor, and sit down at the table. There is a long, awkward wait. The Woman finally comes over to them.
JACK Do you have any hot soup?
WOMAN No.
DAVID Well, do you have any coffee?
WOMAN No.
JACK Hot chocolate? WOMAN We've got spirits and beer. If it's something hot you want, you can have tea.
JACK Then you have some hot tea?
WOMAN No.
JACK Oh.
WOMAN But I can heat some up for you if you'd like.
DAVID & JACK Yes, please.
As the Woman turns to prepare the tea, everyone resumes what they were doing; talking, drinking, playing chess and darts, and the boys breathe easier.
JACK Nice looking group.
DAVID Listen, at least it's warm in here.
JACK Look at that.
CUT TO:
JACK'S P.O.V.
On the wall is painted a red pentangle (a five-pointed star) and on either side burns a yellow candle.
DAVID What about it?
JACK It's a five-pointed star.
DAVID Maybe the owners are from Texas.
The Woman brings them their tea.
JACK (to Woman) Remember the Alamo?
WOMAN I beg your pardon?
DAVID He was joking. Thank you.
WOMAN Joking? I remember The Alamo. I saw it once in London, in Leicester Square.
Jack and David look startled. One of the CHESS PLAYERS explains:
CHESS PLAYER She means in the cinema, that film with John Wayne. (turns to board) Checkmate.
DAVID Oh, yes, of course.
JACK Right, with Laurence Harvey and everybody died in it. It was very bloody.
CHESS PLAYER Bloody awful if you ask me!
This sends everyone into gales of laughter. Jack and David smile politely.
CHESS PLAYER Here, Gladys, Tom. Did you hear the one about the crashing plane?
WOMAN No, but we're about to.
Laughter.
CHESS PLAYER You be quiet, woman, and let me speak.
CHESS PLAYER All right, laugh then. I shan't tell it.
WOMAN Oh, come on, tell us.
CHESS PLAYER No. You've had your chance.
The men all coax him to tell the joke.
JACK (to David) Ask them what the candles are for.
DAVID (to Jack) You ask them.
JACK (to David) Listen, that's a pentangle, a five-pointed star. It's used in witchcraft. Lon Chaney, Jr. and Universal Studios maintain it's the mark of the wolf man.
DAVID (to Jack) I see. You want me to ask these people if they're burning candles to ward off monsters.
JACK (to David) Right.
DAVID (to Jack) Wrong. The drinkers have gotten the Chess Player to tell the joke as everyone knew he would.
CHESS PLAYER Oh, all right. There was this airplane over the Atlantic on its way to New York. It was full of men from the United Nations.
WOMAN That's very funny, that is.
Uproarious laughter.
JACK (to David) Go on, ask them.
DAVID (to Jack) You ask them.
CHESS PLAYER Here now, let me finish! So halfway over the ocean the engines run low on petrol so they have to lighten the plane. So they heave out all the baggage, but it's still too heavy. So they chuck out the seats, but it's still too heavy! Finally this Froggy steps up and shouts "Viva la France" and leaps out. Then an Englishman....
DART PLAYERS Hear! Hear!
CHESS PLAYER (undaunted) ...steps up and shouts `God save the Queen!' and leaps out. But the plane is still too heavy. So the Yank delegate from Texas steps up, shouts, `Remember the Alamo!' and chucks out the Mexican.
This is apparently the funniest joke the inhabitants of East Proctor have ever heard. The laughter is uproarious, choking, knee-slapping, incredible. As the Chess Player goes to take a drink of beer, the Dart Player gasps out... DART PLAYER Remember the Alamo!
...causing the Chess Player to spit out his beer causing even harder laughter. Complete hilarity.
JACK Excuse me, but what's that star on the wall for?
Dead silence. A dart lands in the wall. David and Jack are understandably bewildered. The villagers look hard indeed.
DART PLAYER (angry) You've made me miss.
JACK I'm sorry.
DART PLAYER I've never missed the board before.
DAVID Jack, we'd better go.
JACK What do you mean? I'm starving.
DART PLAYER There's no food here.
The villagers look threatening and David's voice is a bit urgent.
DAVID Come on, Jack, shall we go?!!
JACK Apparently so.
The boys pick up their backpacks and move uncertainly for the door.
WOMAN (to men) You can't let them go.
DAVID (worried) How much do we owe you?
CHESS PLAYER Nothing, lads. Go, God be with you.
DAVID Uh, thank you.
WOMAN Wait! You just can't let them go!
DART PLAYER Go! And stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors.
DAVID Yes, well, thanks again.
CHESS PLAYER Beware the moon, lads!
David pushes Jack out.
6 EXT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT
It is very cold.
JACK What the hell was that all about?
DAVID I don't know. Let's see if there's an inn or something up the road.
JACK Beware the moon?
DAVID Come on, I'm freezing.
They start up the road into the night.
7 INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT
It is quiet.
WOMAN You can't let them go.
DART PLAYER (angry) Should the world know our business?!
CHESS PLAYER It's murder then.
DART PLAYER Then murder it is! It's in God's hands now.
The wax drips from the Pentangle's candles onto the floor.
DISSOLVE TO:
8 EXT. A ROAD ON THE MOORS - NIGHT - DAVID AND JACK
walking on the road surrounded by darkness.
DAVID That was weird. I guess leaving was the best idea.
JACK I don't know. Now that we're out here and it's three degrees, I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather face a blood- thirsty mob.
DAVID Well, not quite a blood- thirsty mob.
They keep walking.
JACK What do you think was wrong?
DAVID I have no idea.
JACK Maybe that pentangle was for something supernatural.
DAVID I see and they were too embarrassed to talk about it, because they felt so silly. There is a flash of lightning that sends a ghostly illuminating sheet of light over the boys' faces. The clap of thunder follows loud and rumbling.
DAVID Please don't rain.
Downpour. The boys are walking in a deluge.
DAVID Of course.
They walk getting soaked.
JACK Say, David....
DAVID I'm well aware of how pleasant the weather is in Rome at the present time thank you.
Jack spreads his arms and sings.
JACK Santa Lucia...Santa Lucia.
9 INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT
The rain is loud on the roof and beating on the windows. The gathered continue to drink, play chess and darts, but all are silent and contemplative.
WOMAN Perhaps they'll be safe in the rain.
The Chess Player slams his hand on the table. Shouts:
CHESS PLAYER No one brought them here! No one wanted them here!
WOMAN You could have told them!
DART PLAYER Are you daft? What do you think they'd say? They'd think us mad.
WOMAN Listen!
The rain is subsiding. There is a very faint howl.
WOMAN Did you hear it? We must go to them.
DART PLAYER I heard nothing.
CHESS PLAYER Nor I.
The camera lingers as the Chess Player's hard face shows the man's struggle. Another howl. The Chess Player turns suddenly.
10 EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT
David and Jack are now completely out of sight from East Proctor surrounded by darkness and wet. There is a light drizzle. They are standing, listening. The drizzle stops.
JACK Did you hear that?
DAVID I heard that.
JACK What was it?
David begins to walk, Jack with him.
DAVID Could be a lot of things.
JACK Yeah?
DAVID A coyote.
JACK There aren't any coyotes in England.
DAVID The Hound of the Baskervilles.
JACK Pecos Bill.
DAVID Heathcliffe.
JACK Heathcliffe didn't howl.
DAVID No, but he was on the moors.
JACK It's a full moon, `beware the moon'.
Another howl, this one long and loud. It is a very inhuman noise, terrifying, and closer this time.
JACK I vote we go back to The Slaughtered Lamb.
DAVID Yeah.
They are both visibly worried and walk briskly back from where they just came. Although after a bit of fast walking they are getting nowhere. They stop out of breath.
DAVID We're lost.
Another bloodcurdling howl.
JACK Shit! David, what is that?
DAVID I don't know. Come on.
JACK Come on, where?
DAVID Anywhere! I think we should just keep moving.
A growl. A low guttural growl comes from out of the darkness. We stay on the boys, but we hear something out there. It starts to walk.
DAVID It's moving.
JACK It's circling us.
And indeed it is. The boys strain to hear its four footfalls and they turn slowly, following it. A snarl.
JACK Fuck.
We hear the wolf-monster stop (for that's what it is - we know it's there even though we've not seen it). It sits breathing heavily.
DAVID What's the plan?
JACK (nervously) Plan?
DAVID (not too relaxed himself) Let's just keep walking.
They do and David keeps talking as they walk.
DAVID That's right, a lovely stroll in the moors. Tra-la-la, isn't this fun?
The thing stalking them seems to speed up. The boys hesitate as they sense it run past them. It stops.
DAVID It's in front of us.
JACK Do you think it's a dog?
Jack and David strain to see what waits ahead of them.
BOYS' P.O.V.
Something is waiting in the darkness. Its hulking shape is barely discernible, but its eyes glow eerily and its breath is visible.
JACK Oh shit. What is that?
DAVID A sheep dog or something. Turn slowly and let's walk away.
The boys keep talking as they move faster and faster.
JACK Nice doggie. Good boy.
DAVID Walk away, Jack.
JACK Walking away, yes, sir. Here we are walking away.
They are in a full-out run by now. After a few minutes flight they stop, panting.
DAVID See anything?
JACK No.
A moment of quiet, then a howl.
DAVID It sounds far away.
JACK Not far enough. Come on.
They walk briskly.
DAVID Jack?
JACK Yeah.
DAVID Where are we going?
JACK I'll tell you when we get there.
DAVID Well. I'm glad we...WHOAA!!
David shouts as he slips suddenly in the mud, scaring Jack, and us, and himself a great deal. He lays startled on the wet ground for a moment, then he and Jack laugh.
JACK You really scared me, you shithead.
DAVID Are you going to help me up?
Jack takes David's extended hand to help him up when THE WOLF MONSTER SPRINGS!
EXT. MOORS - NIGHT
The lunging beast brings Jack down in one fell swoop. David falls back on his ass. Jack is screaming and struggling as he is torn to shreds. David scrambles to his feet and runs in complete panic. Jack's screams and the wolf's roars combine.
JACK Jesus fuck! David! Please help me! Please! David! Shit! Help me! Oh God!
EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT
David runs and runs. Finally he falls, out of breath.
DAVID Jack? Oh my God, Jack!
He gets up and runs back to find Jack a torn and bloody mess on the ground. He stares in horror.
DAVID Jack....
EXT. NIGHT - VARIOUS FLASH CUTS
THE WOLF SPRINGS! The camera adopts David's P.O.V. as he fights the dark savage shape on top of him. Fangs clamp down on his shoulder when shots ring out and the hulking form rolls off of him.
EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT
David, dazed and bloody, looks and sees the men from The Slaughtered Lamb armed with shotguns and torches running towards him. Looking over at his attacker, instead of a wolf he sees a very old, naked man laying in the mud riddled with bullet holes. As the villagers crowd around, David falls back and faints.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
11 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
David is in a small, clean and very white hospital room. He lays on his back in bed, his shoulder bandaged and his arm plugged into a bottle of plasma. There are several cuts and abrasions on his arms and face, but he really doesn't look too bad. He opens his eyes slowly, blinks, and tries to sit up and look around, but is unable to because of the pain. He calls out....
DAVID Jack?!
...and passes out. However his shout has fetched a nurse. She is ALEX PRICE, very English, very beautiful. She goes to the bed.
ALEX Mr. Kessler?
She looks into his eyes, lifting the lids with her thumb, and then checks his chart at the end of the bed.
ALEX Mr. Kessler?
David remains unconscious. Another young nurse, MISS GALLAGHER, comes in.
MISS GALLAGHER He all right?
ALEX Yes, I should think. He called out just now.
MISS GALLAGHER He's an American, you know. Dr. Hirsch is going to fetch round one of those Embassy fellows to see him.
ALEX Chart says he's from New York.
MISS GALLAGHER I think he's a Jew.
ALEX Why on earth do you say that?
MISS GALLAGHER I looked.
ALEX (smiles) Really, Susan, I don't think that was very proper, and besides, it's common practice now.
A voice startles the girls.
DR. HIRSCH Yes, Miss Gallagher, Miss Price is quite right.
DR. HIRSCH enters. He is an older man wearing the customary lab coat. A very commanding and reassuring presence. The girls are embarrassed.
ALEX Dr. Hirsch, Mr. Kessler cried out a minute ago.
DR. HIRSCH Miss Gallagher, surely you must perform some function here at the hospital.
MISS GALLAGHER Yes, Doctor.
DR. HIRSCH Then get on with it.
MISS GALLAGHER Yes, Doctor.
She exits. Dr. Hirsch begins to examine David. Alex watches. Dr. Hirsch turns to Alex.
DR. HIRSCH Can I be of service, Miss Price?
ALEX Dr. Hirsch?
DR. HIRSCH Go about your duties.
ALEX Yes, Doctor.
She starts to exit.
DR. HIRSCH Oh, Miss Price?
ALEX Yes, Doctor?
DR. HIRSCH What exactly did he call out?
ALEX He said `Jack'.
DR. HIRSCH That would be Jack Goodman, the boy who was killed.
ALEX What happened to them?
DR. HIRSCH The police report said an escaped lunatic attacked them. He must have been a very powerful man. Although I really don't see that it is any of your concern, Miss Price.
ALEX No, sir. Of course, sir. Good day, Doctor.
She exits as Dr. Hirsch continues his examination, looking into David's eyes.
12 EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY
The camera is handheld, running furiously through the almost dense greenery. On the soundtrack are the footfalls and heavy breathing of the runner. The camera abruptly stops and turns, sharply looking about, the panting continuing. The breathing gets louder and harder, then too loud when we:
CUT TO:
13 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
David opens his eyes quickly, the silence and whiteness contrast sharply with the preceding fantasy. Standing beside the bed are Dr. Hirsch and MR. COLLINS. Mr. Collins wears a bow tie and is holding a briefcase.
DR. HIRSCH Hello, David. I am Dr. Hirsch and this is a countryman of yours, Mr. Collins.
DAVID Where am I?
DR. HIRSCH You're in a hospital in London.
DAVID London? Where's Jack? I had a strange dream.
DR. HIRSCH I should think so after your recent traumatic experiences.
DAVID The guy I was with. Is he all right? How did I get to London?
DR. HIRSCH (quietly) Now, David, I want you to prepare yourself; your friend is dead. David jolts up in bed and shouts.
DAVID What?
The sudden exertion and strain hurt.
DAVID Ow, shit!
He sinks back down.
DAVID Jack's dead?
MR. COLLINS Mr. Kessler, I am Mr. Collins of the American Embassy here in Grosvenor Square. Both Mr. Goodman's parents and your parents have been notified of your injuries and everything's in order.
DAVID Everything's in order? What are you talking about?
MR. COLLINS Mr. Goodman's body has been air-freighted back to New York for burial and your parents have wired funds for your stay in the hospital until you are well enough to fly home.
DAVID (controlled tears) You don't crate and ship Jack like some side of beef. (approaching hysteria) Who the hell are you people? What's going on here? Where is Jack? I demand to see him!
DR. HIRSCH (holds David down, calls out) Miss Price! Miss Price, please!
DAVID (shouting) Get your fucking hands off me! What the hell is going on here?
Alex enters amidst David's shouting and confusion.
MR. COLLINS (distraught, clutching his briefcase) I realize how upsetting this must be for you, Mr. Kessler, but please try to refrain from hysterics.
David continues shouting and struggling.
DR. HIRSCH Prepare a hypodermic, please, Miss Price.
The shot is administered and David is held down by Dr. Hirsch and Alex until his breathing becomes more normal.
MR. COLLINS Now, Mr. Kessler, try not to excite yourself. Everything has been arranged. I shall come back to check on your progress and send a report to your parents. The police have requested to interview you and I have given them permission to do so.
Dr. Hirsch walks Mr. Collins to the door.
DR. HIRSCH Thank you very much, Mr. Collins. He'll rest now and I'm sure everything will be fine once he's adjusted. He's had quite a shock.
MR. COLLINS These dumb-ass kids never appreciate anything you do for them.
Mr. Collins exits. Dr. Hirsch crosses back to the bed.
DAVID How long have I been here?
DR. HIRSCH You've been unconscious since you were brought in two weeks ago.
DAVID Two weeks?
DR. HIRSCH You've suffered some rather severe cuts and bruises, lost a bit of blood, but nothing too serious; black and blue for a while. You'll have some dueling scars to boast of. That lunatic must have been a very fierce fellow. They say a mad man has the strength of ten.
DAVID (softly, as the drugs take hold) Lunatic?
DR. HIRSCH Now we've just given you a pretty strong sedative, so try to get some rest now. Miss Price will see to your needs. Rest now.
Dr. Hirsch watches as Alex straightens David's covers.
DAVID (softly) It wasn't a lunatic.
ALEX (puzzled) I beg your pardon?
DAVID It was a wolf.
ALEX (bends down close to hear) What?
DAVID A wolf.
David passes out. Alex looks to Dr. Hirsch. DR. HIRSCH Did he say a wolf?
ALEX Yes, I believe he did.
Dr. Hirsch regards David thoughtfully.
14 INT. DR. HIRSCH'S OFFICE - DAY
Dr. Hirsch is on the phone, he is referring to a desk calendar.
DR. HIRSCH But Roger is so terribly boring. Yes, dear, but couldn't we...I see. (he makes a note) Thursday at eight, dinner with boring Roger. Yes, I'm sure I will; if I survived Rommel, I suppose I'll survive another excruciating evening with Roger Mathison. Be a good girl. Bye.
He hangs up very disgruntled. The intercom buzzes.
DR. HIRSCH Yes?
SECRETARY (V.O.) Lt. Villiers and Sgt. McManus are here to see you, Doctor.
DR. HIRSCH Send them in.
He rises to greet the two police officers, one tall, the other rather pudgy.
LT. VILLIERS Dr. Hirsch?
DR. HIRSCH Come in, come in. Please sit. Some tea?
The cops sit down, Lt. Villiers immediately produces a small notebook.
LT. VILLIERS No, thank you.
SGT. McMANUS I'd like some tea, please.
Lt. Villiers shoots the sergeant a withering look.
SGT. McMANUS Maybe not. No thanks. Maybe later.
DR. HIRSCH It's no problem.
LT. VILLIERS No, thank you, Doctor.
DR. HIRSCH Well, then, what can I do for Scotland Yard?
SGT. McMANUS We understand the Kessler boy has regained consciousness.
Lt. Villiers glares at McManus.
SGT. McMANUS Sorry.
LT. VILLIERS Has Mr. Kessler said anything regarding the attack on the moors?
The intercom buzzes.
DR. HIRSCH Excuse me. Yes?
SECRETARY (V.O.) Roger Mathison, Doctor.
DR. HIRSCH What here?
SECRETARY (V.O.) He's on the telephone.
DR. HIRSCH Tell him I'm out. No, tell him I've passed away. An old war wound or something. Tell him I'm dead. And no more calls!
He turns from the intercom back to the cops.
DR. HIRSCH You were saying?
LT. VILLIERS Has David Kessler anything to say concerning the attack on the moors?
DR. HIRSCH Why don't we ask him?
15 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
David sits up in bed. Lt. Villiers and Sgt. McManus stand by his side. Dr. Hirsch sits observing.
DAVID I'm sorry if I conflict with your report, but Jack and I were not attacked by a man.
LT. VILLIERS So you've said.
SGT. McMANUS He may have a point, Lieutenant. Two strong boys would be able to defend themselves against one man.
LT. VILLIERS Sgt. McManus, are you suggesting that David and Jack were, in fact, attacked by some animal and that the officialdom of East Proctor has conspired to keep it a secret? We have an autopsy report on the murderer who was shot in the act by the local police. We have two witnesses to the crime. You'll forgive me, Mr. Kessler, if I consider your testimony as coming from someone who has gone through a terrible shock.
SGT. McMANUS Lieutenant, the boy seems pretty lucid to me and....
LT. VILLIERS And what, Sergeant?
SGT. McMANUS (defeated) I don't rightly know, sir.
LT. VILLIERS That is precisely my point. David, as far as we are concerned, the matter is closed. We won't trouble you any further. Good day.
The lieutenant goes for the door. The sergeant smiles at David and follows.
LT. VILLIERS Doctor.
The cops exit. Dr. Hirsch crosses to David's bed.
DAVID There were witnesses?
DR. HIRSCH So they said.
DAVID How could there have been witnesses? It was so dark. We were running and I fell and Jack went to help me up and this thing came from nowhere...I don't understand what they're talking about.
DR. HIRSCH In time I'm sure it will all come back to you.
DAVID Doctor, my memory is fine. It's my sanity I'm beginning to worry about.
CUT TO:
16 EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY
Again the handheld camera is running furiously through the woods. Heavy breathing and the sounds of the runner crashing through the foliage. The camera runs for a while then suddenly stops short near a tree. David abruptly enters frame, animal-like, the tenseness of a startled cat. His head makes sudden movements, looking about.
CLOSEUP
of his flared nostrils and perked up ears accenting his animalness.
DAVID
takes off and now we run with him. He runs fast and gracefully, taking long strides and leaps. We run with him faster and faster sharing in his exhilaration. We see him completely as the animal, study his movement and grace as if watching a gazelle. Suddenly he stops again, alert, listening. He moves with stealth, slowly he pushes some leaves aside.
CLOSEUP
of his eyes.
DAVID'S P.O.V.
Several deer in the forest; they sense something and freeze, the camera noting a fawn next to a doe. The buck turns his head, feeling the danger.
CUT TO:
DAVID
Shots showing the muscles in his legs and shoulders tensing.
CLOSEUP
of David's eyes.
CLOSEUP
of the frightened deer.
CUT BACK TO:
CLOSEUP
of David's eyes.
CUT BACK TO:
THE FAWN
as it is leapt upon, its terrified face leaving frame as David forces it down. David's head reenters frame, his mouth full of flesh, his face and hands covered with blood. He howls in triumph.
17 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
The lights are subdued and David's asleep. The door opens, a shaft of light penetrates the room. Miss Gallagher enters with a small tray. She crosses to David, turns on the bed light and touches him.
MISS GALLAGHER Mr. Kessler? Wake up, please.
DAVID (awakened) I was having a nightmare.
Miss Gallagher is very efficient in administering the pills and pouring a glass of water.
MISS GALLAGHER Yes, well these should help that. That's right, drink up.
David takes the pills.
MISS GALLAGHER Now go back to sleep so you'll be fresh for Dr. Hirsch in the morning.
DAVID What time is it?
MISS GALLAGHER It's nearly eight. I'm off duty shortly, then I'm off to the films with Alex.
DAVID Alex?
MISS GALLAGHER Miss Price, the other nurse that attended you.
DAVID What are you going to see?
MISS GALLAGHER An American film about the Mafia called `See You Next Wednesday', and I want to see it badly, so you give me no problems and go to sleep.
DAVID (dropping off) Do you have bad dreams, too?
MISS GALLAGHER Some, everyone does.
DAVID Yes, but does everyone kill Bambi?
MISS GALLAGHER Bambi?
David has fallen asleep. Miss Gallagher turns off the light, picks up her tray and pauses in the doorway.
MISS GALLAGHER Kill Bambi?
She exits, closing the door plunging the room into darkness.
18 INT. HOSPITAL NURSES' STATION - DAY
The corridor is busy with orderlies pushing gurneys about, doctors, visitors, and patients all performing appropriate background actions. Behind the Nurses' Counter, Alex is typing some forms and an older, obviously senior nurse is filling some paper cups with different sizes and colors of pills she is taking from the drug cabinet. She is MRS. HOBBS, the chief nurse.
MRS. HOBBS Miss Price.
ALEX Yes, Mrs. Hobbs.
MRS. HOBBS Take these round now, will you please? The American boy in twenty-one is only to have these after he's eaten. Will you be sure of that?
ALEX Has he been refusing food?
MRS. HOBBS Nothing quite as dramatic as that, Miss Price. He just doesn't eat enough of what is put before him. He suffers from nightmares. I'd think he just needs a hand to hold.
ALEX Yes, Mrs. Hobbs.
Alex takes the cups handed to her and makes her way down the hallway, pausing a moment to straighten her appearance. She enters.
19 INT. CHILDREN'S WARD - DAY
A ward with seven or eight beds in it, all occupied. She goes to a little Pakistani boy named BENJAMIN.
ALEX Hello, Benjamin.
BENJAMIN No.
ALEX No what?
BENJAMIN No.
ALEX Well, all right then, be that way. Here, swallow this.
BENJAMIN No. Alex pours a glass of water, gives the pill to Benjamin who promptly takes it and then drinks the water, handing Alex back the glass.
ALEX Feeling better?
BENJAMIN No.
ALEX The doctor will be round later. Would you like a picture book to look at? We have some lovely funny Beanos.
BENJAMIN No.
ALEX Right.
She exits, pausing in the hall to speak to a black Jamaican ORDERLY pushing a cart of lunch trays into Benjamin's ward.
20 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY
ALEX Has the patient in twenty-one gotten his tray yet?
ORDERLY The American? Yes, duck.
ALEX How did he look?
ORDERLY What do you mean, `how did he look'?
ALEX You know, did he seem depressed? Do you think he'll eat the food?
ORDERLY (annoyed) I'm an orderly, not a bleeding psychiatrist! I push things about, but I've little say what happens to them.
ALEX Thank you.
Alex holds up her head and proceeds to David's room. She hesitates, then peeks in.
21 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
The curtains are drawn and David's lunch waits patiently on its tray alongside of the bed. David is apparently asleep. Alex enters softly.
ALEX (softly) Mr. Kessler?
DAVID (lifeless) Yes?
ALEX You haven't eaten your lunch.
DAVID I'm not very hungry, thank you.
ALEX I'm afraid you have to eat something.
DAVID Please, really. I'm not hungry.
ALEX You put me in an awkward position, Mr. Kessler.
DAVID How is that?
ALEX (she shakes the paper cup) Well, you're to take these after you've eaten. Now what kind of nurse would I be if I failed in so simple a task as giving out some pills?
DAVID Leave the pills. I'll take them later.
ALEX Sorry.
She opens the curtains, daylight fills the room.
DAVID Aw come on, Miss Price!
ALEX Call me Alex.
DAVID Aw come on, Alex!
ALEX Shall I be forced to feed you, Mr. Kessler?
David is getting interested.
DAVID Call me David.
ALEX Shall I be forced to feed you, David?
DAVID This is absurd. I'm not hungry. I don't want any food.
ALEX Right.
Alex efficiently removes the covers from the dishes and sits on the edge of the bed. Taking knife and fork in hand, she neatly cuts David's food into pieces. David watches all this amused. She places a napkin under David's chin and holds up his first bite on his fork. David folds his arms and refuses to open his mouth.
ALEX Let's try a little harder, shall we?
DAVID Will you give me a break?
Alex grabs David's nose forcing his mouth open quickly, shoving the fork in it. David is startled, but amused and chews his food slowly and swallows it. Alex holds up another bite.
ALEX Will I have to take such drastic action again, David?
David opens his mouth obediently. Alex almost smiles. She feeds him for a while; they are both sizing each other up. Finally:
DAVID May I have a glass of milk?
Alex smiles.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
22 EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY
Again we are running fast and faster. David again running naked, flying through the green forest. He stops suddenly, ears perked, he looks about and then we hear Jack's o.s. screams. The voice of Jack screams:
JACK (O.S.) David! David! Please help me! Oh God! David! Oh my God!
David turns in blind panic, he runs (and we run with him) desperately trying to find the source of Jack's screams.
He comes to a clearing in the woods, light streaming through the tall trees. Jack's screams halt in mid- word. David looks in disbelief at the clearing. There is a hospital bed with someone in it. It is the same as David's.
David walks toward it slowly. The figure in the bed lays still. It grows dark, very dark, and David looks up at the full moon. There is a howl identical to the one heard earlier back on the moors. David approaches the bed slowly, fearfully. We hear ocean noises on the soundtrack, the sound of crashing surf. David reaches out to pull back the covers, lightning and thunder cause him to hesitate for a second. Silence. The camera remains on David as he pulls off the covers. His face registers total disbelief and increasing horror.
We cut to the bed to find - DAVID. He lies there, pale white with purple lips and death pallor.
The camera begins to move in on the corpse of David.
Cut back to the standing David's terrified face; then continue until David's death mask fills the screen. The face remains still for several beats, then suddenly opens its bright yellow eyes and red mouth revealing fangs in a bloodcurdling wail which carries over in the....
CUT TO:
23 INT. HOSPITAL NURSES' STATION - NIGHT
Mrs. Hobbs hears David's screams and efficiently calls out....
MRS. HOBBS Orderly! Miss Gallagher!
Miss Gallagher and an ORDERLY appear at once.
MRS. HOBBS Orderly, go at once to twenty- one and restrain the patient.
The orderly exits.
MRS. HOBBS Miss Gallagher, remain here at the desk. I'll be in twenty- one.
She exits.
24 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
It is bright, daylight, and Dr. Hirsch gazes thoughtfully out the window.
DR. HIRSCH You've never had bad dreams before?
DAVID (upset) Sure, as a kid. But never so real. Never so bizarre.
Dr. Hirsch crosses over and sits on a chair by the bed.
DR. HIRSCH Did you get a good look at the man who attacked you?
DAVID I've told you, it wasn't a man. It was an animal. A big wolf or something. A rabid dog.
DR. HIRSCH (chewing on his glasses) Yes.
DAVID Look, Dr. Hirsch, I know I've been traumatized, but Jack was torn apart. I saw him. A man can't do that to someone with his bare hands.
DR. HIRSCH You'd be surprised what horrors a man is capable of.
DAVID Did you see Jack?
DR. HIRSCH No. In fact, your wounds were cleaned and dressed before you arrived here.
DAVID Did you talk to the police in East Proctor? Did the cops go to The Slaughtered Lamb?
DR. HIRSCH I really don't know.
DAVID Then why the hell are you so quick to disbelieve me? You yourself said it must have taken incredible strength to tear apart a person like that. DR. HIRSCH (rubs his forehead) David, please. The police are satisfied. I'm certain that if a monster were out roaming northern England we'd have seen it on the telly.
DAVID You really think I'm crazy, don't you?
DR. HIRSCH Believe me. The Hound of the Baskervilles was an invention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's. And if you'd read the bloody book, you'd find that Holmes discovered your house of hell a fraud, a fake.
There is an awkward silence as David sits and Dr. Hirsch is embarrassed at raising his voice.
DR. HIRSCH Now really, David. You're far too intelligent to go on this way. When you return to America I want you to seek out a competent psychiatrist or psychologist or something and stop this nonsense. You'll be leaving this hospital in three or four days, please remain sane. At least until you are no longer our responsibility.
Dr. Hirsch goes to the door.
DAVID Dr. Hirsch? (pause) I'd rather not be by myself.
DR. HIRSCH Of course not, David. I'll fetch in young Miss Price.
DISSOLVE TO:
25 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
Alex sits next to David's bed. Her shoes are off and she has her feet tucked up under her legs on the chair. The room is dark except for the lamp by which she reads. She is reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain. David is asleep. Alex reads for a bit, then puts down the book and yawns. She gets up and stretches, a big spreading arms and feet, fingers and toes stretch.
DAVID (quietly) You're a very beautiful girl.
ALEX (embarrassed) I thought you were asleep.
DAVID I was. What are you reading?
ALEX `A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' by Mark Twain.
DAVID Do you like it?
ALEX I've just started it. My friend gave it to me.
They look at each other.
ALEX What do you dream about?
DAVID I dream of death mostly.
ALEX I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you.
DAVID It's okay. I want to talk to you.
They sit and look at each other for a while longer.
DAVID How old are you?
ALEX That's not really a very proper question.
DAVID How old are you?
ALEX Twenty-eight.
DAVID I'm twenty-seven.
ALEX I know.
DAVID Now what do you want to talk about?
ALEX Was Jack Goodman your good friend?
DAVID (seriously) My best friend. My very best friend.
ALEX (embarrassed) Shall I read to you?
DAVID What? Oh, yes, please.
ALEX (opens book) A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Samuel L. Clemens. This is after the preface but before chapter one: A Word of Explanation. You all right?
DAVID (settles back) Yes, go on.
ALEX (clears her throat) Ahem, A Word of Explanation. It was in Warwick Castle that I came across the curious stranger whom I am going to talk about. He attracted me by three things: his candid simplicity, his marvelous familiarity with ancient armor, and the restfulness of his company - for he did all the talking. We fell together as modest people will in the tail of the herd....
DISSOLVE TO:
26 INT. KESSLER HOME - NEW YORK - NIGHT
We are at David's parents' house in New York. His FATHER sits reading the paper in the living room as his younger BROTHER and SISTER watch "The Muppet Show" on television. We can see past the small dining nook where David sits doing homework and into the kitchen where his MOTHER is washing the dishes. A peaceful lower, middle class setting. All is tranquil and secure. There is a loud pounding on the front door.