Corpse Bride Page #10

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EXT. TOWN SQUARE (LAND OF THE DEAD) - PERPETUAL TWILIGHT

The party is about to begin. Corpse Bride is putting on the finishing touches, when Elder Gutknecht approaches her.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

Very good indeed. I've always thought people worried too much about the ceremony and not enough about the celebration.

CORPSE BRIDE:

Well, it was a very quick ceremony.

She tucks a dead flower in his lapel.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

As it should be. In my day, we didn't bother with cups and candles. Rubbish, all of it. How does anyone keep it straight when they say their vows?

CORPSE BRIDE:

(playfully)

Lucky for me, I didn't have to. I was rather silent!

Elder Gutknecht stops. Dust drifts off him.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

Excuse me?

CORPSE BRIDE:

(a little more hesitantly)

I was rather silent?

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

You didn't say your vows?

CORPSE BRIDE:

(frightened now)

No...?

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

But, my child, you must both say the vows for the marriage to be binding.

They stare at each other.

CORPSE BRIDE:

(slowly)

What are you saying?

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

My dear, you're not really married. He's free to go.

Corpse Bride looks around wildly at all the wedding feast preparations, the crowds of the Dead, already beginning to congregate, and at Victor, now wild and handsome, with Boots trotting alongside. She looks back at Elder Gutknecht, distraught.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

The moment he realizes he's not really married, he'll simply drift back.

CORPSE BRIDE:

But surely... surely there's some way to fix this? Please help me!

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

You'll have to complete the ceremony by saying your vows.

CORPSE BRIDE:

I'll say them right now!

Elder Gutknecht shakes his head.

CORPSE BRIDE:

(distressed)

What?

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

His vows were spoken in the land above. You too, must say your vows among the living.

Corpse Bride stares at him. Her knees wobble.

CORPSE BRIDE:

We'll never get up there without him knowing. If he finds out... He'll leave! How can I explain it?

The Elder scratches his skull, wafting a faint cloud of dust.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

Perhaps, my dear, it is time to accept that some things are not meant to be.

CORPSE BRIDE:

I've been waiting my whole life, and my whole after-life for this! I'm not giving up now. We're going up there. And we're going up now.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

Wait. Please be reasonable... Even if I could allow it, you said yourself he'd be suspicious.

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EXT. TOWN SQUARE (LAND OF THE DEAD) - MOMENTS LATER

The Dead have gathered around the statue. Corpse Bride is on top of the horse as she addresses the crowd.

CORPSE BRIDE:

Listen up, people! Listen up! There's been a change of venue! Grab what you can and follow me. We're moving this party.

SCISSORHEAD:

Where?

CORPSE BRIDE:

Upstairs!

The crowd reacts with surprised GASPS and confused MURMURING...

FRESHLY-DEAD WOMAN

Upstairs? I didn't know we had an upstairs here.

VICTOR:

(surprised)

Why?

CORPSE BRIDE:

(talking fast)

For the moonlight! I was thinking we could... repeat our vows up there... like the first time we met. It would be so romantic...

He listens to her rapid-fire, used-car salesman pitch.

CORPSE BRIDE:

And you could say good-bye to everyone properly...

VICTOR:

(resigned)

If it means that much to you.

He smiles to Corpse Bride and extends his arm to her.

Corpse Bride beams, giddy with relief.

HANGED MAN:

Back among the living? Is it possible?

SKELETON GIRL:

Sounds creepy. Let's go.

The crowd CHEERS, and excitedly rush to gather up their stuff. Elder Gutknecht looks very concerned.

ELDER GUTKNECHT:

Oh, dear...

The Dead Tinsmith straightens his tie, and combs the single strand of hair on his head, trying to make himself presentable for the journey.

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NEW ANGLE:

Bonejangles and the Skeletons gather their instruments.

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ANOTHER ANGLE:

Black Widow and Maggot crawl out of Corpse Bride's ear, pulling with them a gossamer sheet of fabric.

BLACK WIDOW:

We thought you needed a proper wedding veil.

CORPSE BRIDE:

(genuinely touched)

Thank you.

MAGGOT:

It's woven from your tears. They are so strong and wispy.

CORPSE BRIDE:

It's beautiful.

She starts to cry happy tears.

BLACK WIDOW:

So now she wants a gown.

As the bugs put the veil on, we...

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM-EVENING

Another wedding veil, carried by Hildegarde. She enters, finding Victoria slumped on the edge of her bed.

HILDEGARDE:

(gently)

Miss Victoria, we must leave for the church...

Victoria looks up. She's been crying.

VICTORIA:

Yesterday, I thought my wedding would be happy. Now I feel like I'm caught in the tide, pulled out to sea.

HILDEGARDE:

The sea leads to many places, dearie. Maybe you'll land somewhere better.

BARKIS:

(O.S.)

(pre-lap)

With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.

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INT. VILLAGE CHURCH - EVENING

A somber, ponderous bleakness pervades, accentuated by the sound of LUGUBRIOUS ORGAN MUSIC.

Victoria stands dully at the altar, wearing her austere ivory wedding gown.

The portrait of the Duke has been brought to the church and placed in a seat of honor, as if to witness the ceremony.

Finis and Barkis wear formal wedding suits and towering top hats.

BARKIS:

With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

He slides an ornate ring onto her finger.

The silent CROWD sits, stiff and starched in their grey suits and dresses. Among them, we FIND Hildegarde.

Pastor Galswells nods at Victoria. With a deep breath, she takes a candle from the table.

VICTORIA:

(almost a whisper)

With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

She slides a gold ring onto Barkis' chubby finger. He offers a saccharine smile, as much for the crowd as anyone.

PASTOR GALSWELLS

I now pronounce you, man and wife.

Barkis leans in for a kiss. Victoria turns her cheek at the last moment, lest he kiss her lips.

TRANSITION TO:

INT. EVERGLOT DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The dinner party is being held with all the formality of a funeral. Multiple salad forks. Finger bowls. Everything placed just so.

The only sound is the occasional TINKLE of GLASS and SILVERWARE.

Maudeline is in her element, and works the crowd, who sit chewing the bland meal like wax statues.

Barkis tries to take Victoria's hand, but she pulls away.

EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE (LAND OF THE LIVING) - NIGHT

The village is still and quiet. The Town Crier is out lighting the street lamps.

Then, the CLATTER of HOOVES on cobblestones. The Town Crier looks up to see Van Dort's carriage coming over the bridge, racing towards the village at breakneck speed. It barrels through the gates and circles the square on two wheels.

Shocked villagers peer from their windows.

The CARRIAGE SMASHES into the statue.

Resorting to his default behavior, the Town Crier pulls out his BELL and starts RINGING.

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