Outlander Page #5

Season #1 Episode #1 - 'Sassenach'

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If the second world war had taught

me anything, it was the value of

steadfastness in the face of

hardship.

INT. PASSENGER TRAIN - MOVING - DAY - FLASHBACK

Uncle Lamb playing CARDS across from Young Claire in a small

compartment as the world passes by just outside. Lamb is

trying in vain to get her to do something with her cards.

CLAIRE (V.O.)

My uncle once tried to teach me

poker, but I refused to trade any

of my cards for new ones. It

seemed wrong, cheating even, to

change just because I didn’t like

what I’d been dealt.

Young Claire remains impassive in the face of her uncle’s

entreaties, and he finally throws down his cards in defeat.

EXT. VILLAGE STREET - DUSK

Claire bundles herself more tightly against the wind and

walks away from the shop window.

CLAIRE (V.O.)

I would play the cards in my hand.

INT. MRS. BAIRD’S BED & BREAKFAST - CLAIRE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Claire sits before the mirror, brushing her hair with dubious

results -- the curls refusing to behave despite her efforts.

She glares at the mirror.

CLAIRE:

Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ...

EXT. VILLAGE STREET - NIGHT

Frank is coming up the street toward the B&B as the first

drops of RAIN begin to fall. He pulls his lapels tighter

about him and quickens his step, but the cobblestones are now

slick and treacherous. He nearly falls at one point, has to

grab a lamp post to keep his footing, then freezes in place,

staring into the gloom at -

(CONTINUED)

22.

CONTINUED:

A FIGURE:

In the distance, standing at the edge of the garden of the

B&B by the fence. His features are indistinct, a combination

of the distance and the gloom of night, but Frank can tell

he’s looking up at Claire, who can clearly be seen in the

upper window, struggling with her hair in the mirror.

Frank strides across the street to confront the figure. As

he approaches, he can make out more details: tall, wearing a

loose shirt, folded plaid over his shoulder, kilt and

sporran.

FRANK:

Can I help you? I say, you there --

can I help you with something?

No response. The rain is coming down in sheets as Frank

reaches out for the man -- who abruptly turns and brushes

past Frank and into the night. Startled, Frank looks around

- where’d he go? How’d he disappear so quickly? Suddenly

there’s a CRASH of LIGHTNING NEARBY and the POWER GOES OUT IN

THE VILLAGE.

INT. MRS. BAIRD’S BED & BREAKFAST - CLAIRE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Claire has lit CANDLES in the small room just as Frank throws

OPEN the DOOR allowing a DRAFT to blow in as well,

extinguishing a few of the candles. Claire relights them.

CLAIRE:

Someday, you might possibly

consider entering a room with

something less than the momentum of

a Sherman tank.

He doesn’t answer and Claire looks up at him.

CLAIRE (cont’d)

What’s the matter? Looks like

you’ve seen a ghost.

FRANK:

As a matter of fact, I’m not at all

sure that I haven’t.

CLAIRE:

Don’t tell me you’ve seen Mrs.

Baird’s crushed workman wandering

the streets.

FRANK:

No. This was... something else.

(CONTINUED)

23.

CONTINUED:

MOMENTS LATER:

Claire is pouring them short glasses of whiskey while Frank

gets out of his wet clothes. Outside, the storm is blowing

hard now, rain pelting the windows.

CLAIRE:

Looking at me? Are you sure?

FRANK:

Quite. We could both see you

clearly brushing your hair.

CLAIRE:

Punishing my hair would be more

accurate. What’d this fellow look

like?

FRANK:

Big chap. A Scot, in complete

Highland rig-out, complete to

sporran and running-stag brooch on

his plaid.

(beat)

I only got a glimpse of his face,

but he seemed terribly unhappy

about something. When he pushed

past me, he was close enough that I

should have felt him brush my

sleeve as he passed -- but I

didn’t. I turned around to say

something, but he was gone.

Vanished. That’s when I began to

feel a bit cold down the backbone.

A disquieting moment.

CLAIRE:

Well, that is spooky.

Claire shakes it off, downs the rest of her drink, then

gathers the glasses to refill them.

FRANK:

(quiet)

Did you have many Scots in your

charge during the war, Claire?

(CONTINUED)

24.

CONTINUED:
(2)

CLAIRE:

Oh, quite a few. I remember one, a

crusty old thing really, a piper

from the Third Seaforths who

couldn’t stand being stuck with a

needle...

She trails off as she makes a realization.

CLAIRE (cont’d)

What is it you’re asking me, Frank?

FRANK:

When I saw that chap staring up at

you, I thought... that he might be

someone you had nursed.... someone

who might be looking for you now...

to... reconnect.

CLAIRE:

“Reconnect”...?

FRANK:

Claire, it was six years. It

wouldn’t be unusual if -- I mean,

everyone knows doctors and nurses

are under tremendous stress in the

combat theater... and it’s just

that, well, it wouldn’t be

surprising if something had -

Claire is on her feet with fury.

CLAIRE:

Do you think I’ve been unfaithful?

Do you? Because if so, you can

leave this room this instant.

Leave the house altogether!

FRANK:

(tries to take her hand)

Darling -

CLAIRE:

Don’t you dare touch me! A strange

man looks up at my window and you

take it as evidence that I’ve had

an affair with one of my patients?

Is that what you think of me?

Despite her protestations, Frank puts his arms around her,

but Claire remains stiff as a board.

(CONTINUED)

25.

CONTINUED:
(3)

FRANK:

(caressing her hair)

No. No, I don’t think any such

thing, Claire.

(beat)

I only meant to say that even if

you ever did... it would make no

difference to me. I love you so.

Nothing you ever did could stop my

loving you.

A moment, then Claire puts her arms around him.

FRANK (cont’d)

Forgive me?

Lightning flashes outside the window as Frank kisses her neck

and Claire softens.

CLAIRE:

“The quality of mercy is not

strained. It droppeth as the

gentle dew from heaven...”

Claire’s skirt then droppeth to the floor.

This time, the lovemaking is tender, comfortable, enjoyable.

Claire is unabashed with her body and her sensuality,

perfectly comfortable making her desires known and more than

willing to satisfy her partner. Frank is more conventional,

a little reserved in contrast to his more ravenous wife, but

game to try and keep up with her.

When it’s over, Claire rests her head on Frank’s chest as

they lie amid the wreckage of the sheets.

CLAIRE (V.O.)

Sex was our bridge back to one

another. The one place we always

met. Whatever obstacles presented

themselves during the day or night,

we could seek out and find each

other again in bed.

(beat)

As long as we had that, I had faith

everything would work out.

Her eyes begin to flutter, nearly dozing off -- but Frank

reaches for the small alarm CLOCK on the side table.

CLAIRE:

Mmm. Thought we weren’t setting

alarms on this trip...

(CONTINUED)

26.

CONTINUED:
(4)

FRANK:

I want to see the witches.

CLAIRE:

The what?

FRANK:

They’ll be at the stones before

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