An American Werewolf in London Page #2

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?

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.

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