The Body Snatcher Page #15

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A look of relief comes over Fettes' face. He picks up his

glass and drinks again.

FETTES:

(leaning forward)

But how soon, man? Dr. MacFarlane

is engaged in some very urgent

research at present. He can't wait

very long.

Again Gray smiles.

GRAY:

I fear he may have to.

FETTES:

But can't you give me any idea?

GRAY:

How could I? I will do my best.

After all, you see, I am

financially interested.

The CAMERA PULLS BACK to a WIDER ANGLE as Fettes gets to his

feet abruptly. Where comes very faintly over the shot from

somewhere outside, the voice of the street singer, singing

the same melody.

GRAY (cont'd)

You may tell Toddy that I will do

what I can, when I can -- as he

knows I will.

(sighing)

But he must wait and see as the

children do.

FETTES:

If that's your answer -- it'll have

to do.

Fettes turns abruptly away and goes quickly out of scene

toward the door. Gray sits for a moment, reflecting, then

gets to his feet. The CAMERA PANS WITH him as he goes to the

door and out.

EXT. STREET -- NIGHT

MED. FULL SHOT -- at the far side of the street, Fettes can

be seen striding. At the nearer side, approaching slowly, is

the street singer.

INT. GRAY'S STABLE -- NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT -- Gray. His head is turned in the direction of

the voice. His hand comes up to his chin as he rubs at it

reflectively, obviously seized by an idea. He makes up his

mind and turns into the stable.

MED. SHOT. It is dark. In the f.g. is the white horse. It

turns as Gray comes into scene and nuzzles him affectionately

as he pats it.

GRAY:

Ah, Friend! There's bad news for

you, boy -- bad news --

He pulls out a lump of sugar and gives it to the horse.

GRAY (cont'd)

We have to go out again, Friend.

He turns away into the darkness, but is back in a moment

bearing the horse's collar. As he slips the collar over the

animal's head --

DISSOLVE:

EXT. STREET -- NIGHT

It is a long deserted street. At the near end a lantern on a

house wall casts a sphere of dim radiance. The CAMERA is

FOCUSED DOWN the street which ends in Stygian darkness. From

behind the camera comes the street singer, walking slowly,

singing and rattling her begging bowl. She walks on. Just

before her figure is lost in the darkness, from behind the

camera can be heard the clop-clop of hoofs, the creak of

carriage springs, and the rolling wheels of Gray's cab. As

the singer disappears completely into the darkness, the cab

goes past the camera. It, too, disappears into the darkness.

The CAMERA HOLDS. The sound of the carriage ceases. A

moment later, the song of the street singer comes to an

abrupt, choked end.

LONG DISSOLVE OUT

DISSOLVE IN:

INT. FETTES BEDROOM -- NIGHT

At a small table, seated on a high stool, is Fettes. A

little lamp burns dimly at his elbow and by its light he is

studying. He turns the pages, checks some point in his

reading with an anatomical chart spread over the table and

with his pencil still poised over the anatomical chart, he

pauses, listening. From some distance away comes the sound

of a horse's hoofs and the banging of wheels. Fettes rises

and crosses to the window. He draws the curtains aside and

pushes open the casement. With the window open and sound of

the horse's hoofs is louder. He looks down.

EXT. ALLEYWAY -- NIGHT

SHOOTING DOWNWARD as if from Fettes' viewpoint. Gray's cab

pulled by the white horse comes into the scene and stops.

INT. FETTES BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Fettes turns away from the window and starts for the door.

EXT. ALLEYWAY -- NIGHT

Gray gets off the cab.

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- NIGHT

Fettes passing through.

INT. THE ENTRY WAY -- NIGHT

Fettes opens the door, admitting Gray. He comes in carrying

the usual canvas-colored body, but this burden is lighter

than the last. Without any difficulty he takes it into the

adjoining room.

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- NIGHT

Gray lays his burden down upon the table.

GRAY:

(cheerfully)

There, Master Fettes. Sooner than

we had expected. A stoke of luck

one might say.

FETTES:

Good.

He is still almost half asleep as he starts over toward the

desk pulling the key from his pocket as he goes. As he does

so, his eyes light on the face of the corpse, revealed on his

side by the drooping canvas. He is startled; takes two steps

nearer and looks again.

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