Queen of the Damned Page #23

AKASHA:

That's enough, Lestat.

Still Lestat doesn't stop.

AKASHA:

Lestat. Enough. Stop!

(NOTE:
Scene as scripted here is quite different fromwhat was analyzed in boards. Notable potential expenseor savings indicated with brackets. [])

But Lestat clamps down even harder. Akasha thrashes,

trying to release herself.

Maharet and Marius realize what he's doing, see thechance Lestat has gained for them. A silent signalpasses between them as...

The Ancients make an instantaneous decision. Akasha

looks up, gasping, in time to see Maharet, Marius,

Khayman, Armand, Mael, Pandora flying towards her.

Akasha lets out a hiss...

Most of the Ancients are thrown to the ground while Maelignites in mid-air. Mael's skin bubbles. He screams,

the veins in his face rise up and explode as if his bloodwere burning acid...

Pandora too bursts into flames. She falls to the ground.

But Lestat, strong with Akasha's blood, keeps his holdand Khayman, Armand, Marius, Maharet fly at her again.

They swarm over Akasha. She rises into the air,

thrashing about, but they hang on, forming a flying massof flailing limbs.

The THUMP of Akasha's HEART ACCELERATES as they try todrain her...

Akasha turns on [Khayman to incinerate him. Flash. He

screams as his blood boils, exploding out of hisfingertips -- But he doesn't ignite... His wounds quicklyheal. He moves in for another attack...]

(CONTINUED)

119.

193 CONTINUED:
(6) 193

The Ancients are still flung around by Akasha's greatstrength, but they all hold on, as the thrashing finallybegins to subside. The mass of bodies sinks to the

ground. The Ancients pull back to reveal that...

Akasha's skin is deathly blue white. In horror, she

manages to spit out her words.

AKASHA:

You kill me, you kill yourselves.

The Ancient Ones look to each other, uncertain a moment.

Akasha gazes at them, then turns slowly, fixes her gazeon Lestat. He gazes back at her.

Suddenly, Akasha takes her chance, rises, her eyes flaregreen, marshalling the last of her wrath. Lestat cries

out in agony as smoke rises from his limbs.

Fiercely determined, Lestat bites into Akasha's throat,

this time for the kill. Akasha sinks her nails into his throat.

He hangs on, his teeth deep. They are locked in mortal combat.

Akasha slowly sinks to the ground, realfear in her eyes as her strength finally vanishes.

MAHARET:

Wait, Lestat! You must stop!

Lestat pulls away, leaving Akasha hanging in a twisted,

unnatural angle.

They all stare waiting to see what will happen...

... Maharet moves quickly. She strides over to Akasha

and sinks her fangs into Akasha's neck. Akasha strugglesbut this time she cannot even rise up. Maharet does not

stop. A HOWLING sound as if from hell fills the room.

The Ancient Ones stare at Akasha, step back in awe.

Lestat sits up, burned but still alive to see...

Akasha's skin begins to grow horribly pale, to harden andcake into a chalk. There's no blood left to flow from

the gaping holes in Akasha's flesh. She slowly begins totransform back to her frozen statue state. Her skin

returning to MARBLE. CRACKS multiply, becoming fissures.

Finally, Akasha literally falls to pieces, SMASHING onthe stone floor like porcelain.

A silent moment. The Ancient Ones look at each other,

astonished, as they realize they're still "alive."

(CONTINUED)

120.

193 CONTINUED:
(7) 193

KHAYMAN:

(whisper)

We survived!

The Ancients let out relieved hisses.

But Lestat is only concerned about Jesse. He rushes to

her, picks up her lifeless head, takes a dagger from thefloor and slices his wrist. He brings the open vein toJesse's mouth, but she's not moving. Lestat bends down

to her ear and whispers.

LESTAT:

I left you one drop, my love.

Drink deep and live.

Jesse's lips slightly move and quiver as she tastes theblood. She begins to take the blood inside her and thenfinally truly drink and revive as Lestat cradles her.

She pulls away, gasping. Lestat looks into her eyes.

JESSE:

I thought I'd lost you...

LESTAT:

Drink, my love.

Her lips move to his wrist. Lestat strokes her hair,

soothes her. Jesse gasps as pain courses through her.

Lestat holds her close. She looks up at him, their eyesare locked together.

LESTAT:

I will never leave you again.

He holds her tight in his arms.

All the Ancients gaze at Lestat, now understanding whathe did.

Slowly Jesse rises, gazes at Lestat, her face pale, hereyes glowing. Then Jesse turns, stares at Maharet. All

the Ancients turn, follow her gaze.

A whiteness is spreading across Maharet's face and skin.

Maharet stares at her arms and legs, slowly turning to

stone. Jesse goes to her.

JESSE:

Maharet...

(CONTINUED)

121.

193 CONTINUED:
(8) 193

MAHARET:

My child, let me look at you...

You are finally happy. It is as

it should be now... I will watch

over you always.

Maharet reaches out, embraces Jesse. Then Maharet sinks

into a chair and freezes into a statue.

ARMAND:

(a reverent whisper)

She took Akasha's last drop, tookAkasha's death into herself.

Behold, our Queen... our new

mother...

The Ancients slowly bow to Maharet. Jesse slowly slipsfrom Maharet's arms. Goes into Lestat's arms.

JESSE:

Is she... dead?

KHAYMAN:

No, she will live forever. She

sleeps. She sleeps, and dreams of

us.

Jesse and Lestat hold onto each other, gazing atMaharet's face. On Maharet's lips is the most content ofsmiles. Jesse wipes away a tear.

Marius turns to Lestat. Their eyes meet. Then Marius

bows at Maharet's feet.

MARIUS:

My Queen, I will watch over youalways.

DISSOLVE TO:

194 EXT. TALAMASCA HEADQUARTERS (LONDON) - EVENING 194

The sun has long disappeared as the darkness settles.

195 INT. TALAMASCA HEADQUARTERS - EVENING 195

The shadows creep up the doorway.

196 INT. TALBOT'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS ACTION 196

Talbot sits at his desk covered with news clippings.

122.

197 CLOSE ON CLIPPINGS 197

Images from the concert... "Mass Hysteria"... "Rock 'n'Roll Nightmare"... "Drugs in Water Supply"... Theheadline "Band starts World Tour but where is Lestat?"...

JESSE (O.S.)

Good question...

198 BACK TO SCENE 198

Talbot looks up to see Jesse and Lestat looking over hisshoulder. He leaps out of his seat. Sees the change inher instantly.

Jesse.

TALBOT:

My God...

JESSE:

(smiles)

David, this is Lestat.

He looks at Lestat, fear in his eyes.

TALBOT:

How do you do?

LESTAT:

Charmed, I'm sure.

JESSE:

I told you I'd return with myfindings. Here they are.

David stares, shaken.

TALBOT:

But please, sit down. You'll have

to excuse me... it's just so...

so...

LESTAT:

Unexpected?

TALBOT:

Strangely, no...

David looks sadly at Jesse.

JESSE:

Please don't be sad. I'm where I

belong. I'm happy now.

(CONTINUED)

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