Isle of the Dead Page #14

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DR. DROSSOS

(smiling wryly)

Very well. I'll wager a dinner.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

EXT. RUINS - NIGHT

It is a moonlit night and the cypress trees cast deep shadows

across the marble flooring of the terrace.

From somewhere on the island, possibly played by one of the

servants, comes the sound of a Greek bagpipe blatting its

shrill and mournful music into the still air.

The CAMERA is set up TO TAKE IN the balcony from one end.

Thea, Oliver and Cathy are together. Cathy is stretched out

on a settee with a robe over her knees. Oliver and Thea stand

together near one of the pillars.

OLIVER:

(commiseratingly)

I know it must be hard. But you

have relatives in London --you've

got a whole world of living, ahead

of you --

CATHY:

(on the verge of the tears

which are so easy for

her)

No one can take my father's place.

She gropes around as if looking for something.

CATHY:

My handkerchief -— I think I must

have lost it —- perhaps when we

were in the grove.

(with a preemptory note)

Thea!

Thea bestirs herself out of whatever reverie has held her.

THEA:

I'll find it.

She starts off toward the right. Oliver looks at her.

OLIVER:

You can't go down there alone - -

He takes a few quick, long strides and catches up with her.

Cathy is left completely alone. She looks off at the other

two and her customary expression of weak helplessness quickly

changes to one of anger. She is so intent that she does not

notice Miss Wollsten rise from a chair in the b g., walk

through the deep shadows cast by the cypress trees and come

noiselessly to stand beside her. Miss Wollsten has to speak

to gain her attention.

MISS WOLLSTEN:

Cathy --

Cathy looks around at her inquiringly, somewhat startled.

MISS WOLLSTEN:

I wish I didn't have such bitter

knowledge of you, Cathy.

CATHY:

Whet do you mean?

MISS WOLLSTEN:

They were talking about the

Vrykolakas this morning. Cathy,

that's what you are —— a weak,

pale, half-dead thing that drains

all the life and joy from those who

want to live.

CATHY:

(haughtily; in an attempt

to put Miss Wollsten in

her place)

Miss Wollsten!

MISS WOLLSTEN:

You and your mysterious illness.

A new attack everytime you are

crossed — everytime you can't

get your own way.

Cathy tries to interrupt, but Miss Wollsten goes on

ruthlessly.

MISS WOLLSTEN:

Your father knew it too. But he

was never sure how much was

pretense.

CATHY:

(flaring up)

How do you know what my father

thought - -

MISS WOLLSTEN:

(disregarding her)

Your father loved me. He wanted to

marry me. But he was afraid of

hurting the gentle, delicate Cathy.

You spoiled his life ——you've

ruined mine ——

CATHY:

You were father's secretary -—

I never thought - -

MISS WOLLSTEN:

Didn't you? But now -- what are you

thinking now?

She points over the balustrade toward the cypress grove

below.

CATHY:

What would I be thinking?

MISS WOLLSTEN:

Mr. Davis seems a good prospect

——young handsome, sympathetic --

ready to listen to you and feel

sorry for you - -

CATHY:

What if he is?

MISS WOLLSTEN:

(disregarding her) )

But Thea -- She stands in your way.

I know you. I know your little

hints —— the way you can turn the

truth into a lie --

CATHY:

Why, I'm fond of Thea.

MISS WOLLSTEN:

You're planing something, Cathy..

But I won't let you —- I'll warn

them against you.

CATHY:

You will not say one single word.

I know your secret.

MISS WOLLSTEN:

That your father and I ——

CATHY:

No. I mean your other secret -—the

one you kept bidden even from my

father. That old doctor in London --

he told me.

She faces her triumphantly.Miss Wollsten shrinks and turns

away. Cathy stands looking after her smiling, then turns and

walks to the edge of the ruins and looks down into the grove.

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