London After Midnight Page #4

INSERT:

Extract from book:

"Men who have died by suicide

frequently become vampyrs.

They come out of their graves

at night, rush upon people

sleeping in their beds--"

BACK TO SCENE:
Burke looks up from the page. Sir James says

to him slowly, with deep significance:

TITLE:

"Roger Balfour died a suicide!"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

81

INTERIOR LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Sir James, as he finishes title, awed, looking out of scene

at Burke.

82

INTERIOR LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Burke, as he realizes the significance of this. There is a

moment when he seems deeply impressed. Then, with a sudden

change of manner, he says, vehemently:

TITLE:

"My God, man, this is the

twentieth century -- and

here we are almost believing

it!"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

83

INTERIOR LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

The three men, as Burke finishes title, indicating the book

on the table. Hibbs tells him rather hotly:

TITLE:

"I believe it!"

BACK TO SCENE:
Burke turns a cold gaze on Hibbs. For a

moment it seems as if his eyes would bore through the

secretary. Then, with something of contempt in his final

appraisement, he turns to Sir James, who shrugs his

shoulders, as though to get over, "What can we believe?"

Suddenly all three are tense, listening. Burke says in a

whisper:

TITLE:

"What was that?"

BACK TO SCENE:
They listen, tense, not moving a muscle.

Suddenly Hibbs cries out:

TITLE:

"A scream -- a woman's scream!"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

84

INTERIOR LIBRARY (NIGHT) MEDIUM SHOT

The three men, as Hibbs finishes title, indicating upward.

The three men rush out through the door to the hall.

85

INTERIOR HAMLIN HALL (NIGHT) LONG SHOT

The three men running out from the library, run to the

stairs. As they start up,

ONE FOOT LAP DISSOLVE INTO:

86

INTERIOR UPPER HALL (NIGHT) SEMI LONG SHOT

The three men coming into scene up the stairs. They stop in

f.g., listening, tense. Hibbs cries out, pointing off toward

a door, wildly--

TITLE:

"It's from Lucy's room!"

BACK TO SCENE:
They rush over to the door indicated.

87

INTERIOR UPPER HALL (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

At door to Lucy's room as Hibbs, first in, tries the door.

It is locked. He pounds upon the door. "Lucy! Lucy!" "Break

it open!" commands Sir James in wild excitement.

88

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) MEDIUM SHOT

Miss Smithson, the maid, is backing away toward the door.

She has her hand clutched to her throat and is staring in

terror out of scene. She hears the hammering on the door.

She reaches the door, frantically turns the key. The door

is flung open. Hibbs, Sir James and Burke plunge into the

room. The maid has her hand to her throat in pain. They

stop, looking around the room out of scene. Sir James

cries out:

TITLE:

"Where's Lucy?"

BACK TO SCENE:
Taking a hand from her throat, Miss Smithson

points wildly off saying:

TITLE:

"I -- locked her in there--"

BACK TO SCENE:
Sir James and Hibbs rush out, Miss Smithson

sinking into a chair.

89

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

Door to dressing room. Sir James, Hibbs, rushing in. Hibbs

turns the key in the door. Lucy, weak and faint from

fright, steps out. Sir James puts an arm about her,

supporting her. Speaking comfortingly to her, he starts out

with her toward an open window, out of scene. Hibbs looks

off after them, deep concern in his eyes.

90

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

By open window. Sir James, leading in Lucy, seats her by

the open window, leaning over her, speaking comfortingly to

her. In response to a question, she assures him that she is

all right. He looks up and off, as though spoken to out of

scene.

91

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

Burke leaning over Miss Smithson, whose throat is exposed.

He has evidently been looking at her neck. He is calling

off to Sir James. Hibbs comes in from the dressing room

door. Sir James enters from the window. Burke leans over

and looks at it.

INSERT:

CU neck, with two small wounds,

from which blood is trickling

slowly.

BACK TO SCENE:
Sir James looks up slowly, gravely. He

indicates for Hibbs to look. The secretary does so. He

looks up and he and Sir James stare at each other for a

solemn moment. "Well?" says Burke. Sir James tells him:

TITLE:

"Those are the marks found

on the neck of young Harry

Balfour."

BACK TO SCENE:
Burke nods. He thought so. Turning to Miss

Smithson, he says:

TITLE:

"Tell us what happened."

BACK TO SCENE:
Miss Smithson puts a handkerchief to her

throat, covering the wound, and says:

TITLE:

"Miss Lucy was getting ready

for bed. I went down to the

linen closet--"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

92

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Miss Smithson, as she pauses, then goes on talking. As she

talks,

LAP DISSOLVE INTO:

INTERIOR UPPER HALL (NIGHT) SEMI LONG SHOT

In f.g. Miss Smithson is getting bath towels from the linen

closet. Around a turn in the hall in b.g., walking slowly

toward her, comes the Man in the Beaver Hat. She does not

see him for a moment. He is midway down to her, when she

looks up, sees him and runs.

LAP DISSOLVE INTO:

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Miss Smithson, fright in her eyes at the recollection of it.

She gulps, then goes on:

TITLE:

"I ran in here,

locked the door."

BACK TO SCENE:
She goes on talking.

LAP DISSOLVE INTO:

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) FULL SHOT

Miss Smithson, locking door, turns, hurries Lucy into the

dressing room, locks that door, then turns staring at the

door to the hall.

93

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Miss Smithson, staring in horror as she sees:

94

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

On door, a vapor starts to come through the keyhole.

95 INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Miss Smithson open-mouthed, eyes bulging, as she draws back

in terror, staring out of scene toward the door.

96

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) MEDIUM SHOT

at door. The vapor coming through the keyhole forms itself

into the shape of a man. The vapor slowly disappears and,

standing there, is the Man in the Beaver Hat.

He starts forward. THE CAMERA MOVES WITH HIM until backed

against the bed, Miss Smithson comes into scene. The Man in

the Beaver Hat seizes her and puts his teeth against her

neck.

LAP DISSOLVE INTO:

INTERIOR LUCY'S ROOM (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Miss Smithson talking as she says:

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