Sleepy Hollow Page #2

Ichabod lifts a LEATHER SATCHEL, checking its contents.

EXT. UPSTATE FORESTS -- DAY

TWO FAMILIES of MIGRANT WORKERS travel a path, leading over-

burdened horses. Ichabod's coach approaches from the other

direction. Ichabod looks out, unnerved.

One GAUNT MAN watches Ichabod pass. There is a dead, worried

look in the man's eyes. Others stare at Ichabod.

EXT. SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE LONG STRAIGHT ROAD -- DAY

Ichabod faces two massive, vine-covered PILLARS, unsure. He

turns to watch the driver lead the coach away.

Ichabod walks between the pillars to a long straight road.

He does not notice, above: THREE DEAD RAVENS hang from a tree

limb, twine wrapped round their necks.

EXT. SLEEPY HOLLOW, TOWN SQUARE -- DAY

Ichabod walks on with baggage. The square is empty, a CHURCH

and GRAVEYARD at one end. The road ahead is bordered by

businesses and homes.

CONVERSATION DRIFTS from a tavern. A criminal sits in

stocks. A quiet CRYING is HEARD. Ichabod hears...

He looks for its source. It's from a window above, LOUDER.

SOUNDS like the SOBBING of an OLD WOMAN.

EXT. VAN TASSEL ESTATE -- DAY

ICHABOD'S P.O.V.: a BELLTOWER stands tall, like a mast pole

with a crow's nest basket atop. There's a man in the basket

and a huge BELL.

Ichabod ponders this as he continues. Ahead on a hill: the

grand Van Tassel Manor House.

INT. VAN TASSEL MANOR HOUSE, SITTING ROOM -- DAY

MANY CHILDREN, in a circle, taunt a BLINDFOLDED YOUNG WOMAN

spun round by the handsome, barrel-chested man, BROM VAN

BRUNT. A few YOUNG MEN and LADIES watch. Brom releases the

woman. Everyone quiets and avoids her searching hands.

BLINDFOLDED WOMAN

This is such a silly game.

BROM:

Be a sport and stop complaining.

The woman moves to Brom's voice. He backs away, flanked by

peers GLENN and THEODORE. Children laugh.

Ichabod enters, clearing his throat. No one notices. The

blindfolded woman keeps grasping. One LITTLE GIRL sees

Ichabod and goes to him, finger to her lips.

LITTLE GIRL:

Play along. You must.

She tugs him. Before Ichabod can protest, he is placed in

the blindfolded woman's grip.

BLINDFOLDED WOMAN

There, I have someone. Am I

finished?

LITTLE GIRL:

You have to tell who it is.

The woman touches Ichabod's face. He is uncomfortable,

affected by this caress. Brom watches jealously.

LITTLE GIRL:

At least make a guess.

BLINDFOLDED WOMAN

I don't know. Is it Brom Bones?

BROM:

Certainly not.

ICHABOD:

Excuse me, Miss...

(takes her hands)

They have a laugh at your expense.

She takes the kerchief off to reveal a stunning beauty:

KATRINA VAN TASSEL. Ichabod tries to compose himself.

KATRINA:

Forgive me, I didn't know.

ICHABOD:

I... I am looking for Baltus Van

Tassel.

BROM:

We haven't heard your name yet,

friend.

ICHABOD:

Well, unless your name is Baltus,

you should not worry over mine.

Brom grabs Ichabod's collar, pissed. Ichabod's baffled.

BROM:

You need some manners.

KATRINA:

Brom!

Brom looks at her, then reluctantly releases Ichabod.

MAN'S VOICE (o.s.)

What is this, then... ?

BALTUS VAN TASSEL, 45, has entered, a working-class

aristocrat. LADY VAN TASSEL, 40, stands behind, a mix of

home-spun wife and well-kept lady.

BALTUS:

Can I help you, sir?

Ichabod's relieved to have a proper focal point. Children

gather around Katrina and hide behind her.

ICHABOD:

I have been sent from the city

with a letter of introduction.

I am told you offer me room and

board.

Ichabod hands over papers. Baltus reads, furrows his brow.

ICHABOD:

If we could speak alone.

BALTUS:

(nods, looks to Katrina)

This is not a time for frivolity,

Katrina, is it? Am I mistaken?

KATRINA:

They're only children, father.

Baltus snorts, then exits with Ichabod. The others huddle to

gossip, except Katrina, who moves beside Lady Van Tassel to

watch Ichabod and Baltus walk down the hall.

INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, PARLOR -- DAY

DOCTOR LANCASTER, 50, dour and always sweaty, takes a seat by

the fire, joining Baltus and three other elders. A pretty

servant, SARAH, brings a pipe cradle while Lady Van Tassel

sets down food. Ichabod is standing.

BALTUS:

That will be all, ladies.

(waits as they exit)

We are joined by Doctor Thomas

Lancaster, Constable. And to his

left are, Clergyman Steenwyck and

our able magistrate, Samuel Philipse,

both keeping order in their own ways.

PHILIPSE is youngest, eyes bloodshot, mug in hand and pipe in

mouth. CLERGYMAN STEENWYCK is formidably built, wearing a

constant look of disapproval.

BALTUS:

I myself am in charge of financial

matters and the regulation of

currency in our commonwealth. And,

lastly, this fine fellow is James

Hardenbrook, our Notary.

HARDENBROOK is oldest, ancient, with one eye pale and blind.

ICHABOD:

An honor, gentlemen. In time I

will need every detail of the

three murderings you've had, but,

for now, I ask only if you have

any theory at all as to who the

killer might be?

DOCTOR LANCASTER

Excuse me?

ICHABOD:

I say, is there any one person

suspect in these acts?

DOCTOR LANCASTER

I was afraid of this.

Philipse shoots a look to Baltus. Angst amongst the elders.

PHILIPSE:

Well, Constable... are you aware...

to be honest, you are not what we

expected. We sent for the militia.

ICHABOD:

The militia?

FATHER STEENWYCK

Why not tell us what you have heard?

Hmm? How much have your superiors

bothered to tell you?

ICHABOD:

All I know is three are slain, their

heads found severed from their

bodies...

FATHER STEENWYCK

The heads were not found severed.

The heads were not found at all.

Withered Hardenbrook leans forward, his voice cragged.

HARDENBROOK:

Taken. Taken by the Headless

Horseman. Taken back to hell.

ICHABOD:

Pardon me?

BALTUS:

You have not been well informed of

our troubles, sir. If you would...

Baltus gestures for Ichabod to sit. Baltus lights his pipe.

BALTUS:

The Horseman... he was a Hessian

mercenary, sent to our shores by

German princes to help keep

Americans under the thumb of

England. However, unlike his

compatriots who came as muscle in

trade for currency, he came

willingly. For love of carnage.

FLASHBACK -- AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD -- DAY

The HESSIAN HORSEMAN rides his black steed into a gory,

close-quarters clash, his cloaked uniform adorned with edged

weapons. He cuts down Americans left and right.

BALTUS (v.o.)

He was infamous for taking his

horse, Daredevil, hard into

battle... chopping off heads at

full gallop.

He dismounts, hoisting a battle axe. With sword and axe, he

annihilates. Blood gushes. Bones crack.

BALTUS (v.o.)

Just to look on him made your

blood run cold, for he had filed

down his teeth to rapiers... to

add to the ferocity of his

appearance.

The Horseman lets out a war cry. Jagged teeth. Grotesque.

FOREST BATTLEFIELD -- DAY

Winter. CANNONS can be HEARD BOOMING from afar. Daredevil

lies dead in red snow. FOLLOW FOOTPRINTS away...

BALTUS (v.o.)

He would not finally meet his end

till the winter of seventy-nine,

when New York City was held by

Henry Clinton and Washington

occupied West Point. It was

between those two places, not far

from here...

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