The Body Snatcher Page #16

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FETTES (cont'd)

That's the street singer.

Gray says nothing; merely looks at him calmly.

FETTES (cont'd)

(very much excited)

I know her, I tell you! She was

alive and hearty only this evening.

It's impossible she can be dead.

He pauses. Then in a lower voice.

FETTES (cont'd)

You could not have gotten this body

fairly.

Gray looks at him with a cold, hard look.

GRAY:

You are entirely mistaken.

The two men stand facing each other. There is even a hint of

physical violence in Gray's stooped crouch.

GRAY (cont'd)

You had better give me my money and

make the proper entry.

He stares Fettes down and the boy crosses over to the desk

and hurriedly gets out the money. He crosses over and gives

it to Gray. Gray looks at it and then at the boy.

GRAY (cont'd)

Good night, Dr. Fettes.

He tips his hat and is quickly gone. Fettes goes back to the

body and looks down at the dead face of the girl. He

shudders.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- DAY

CLOSE FULL SHOT -- the stairway. The door at the top of the

stairs opens and MacFarlane comes through with an early

morning shine upon his countenance; his hair sleek from

brushing. He is adjusting his tie and is whistling a

Scottish tune as he descends the stairs. He suddenly breaks

off as he sees someone below him on the floor level of the

anatomy room.

MACFARLANE:

(heartily)

Well, well, good morning to you,

young Master Fettes.

REVERSE SHOT. Fettes is completely dressed, but his haggard

face and rumpled hair give evidence of a sleepless night.

FETTES:

Dr. MacFarlane, have you ever seen

a street singer who sang "The Twa

Corby"?

They start toward the table where the body lies. The CAMERA

BEGINS TO TRUCK WITH them.

MACFARLANE:

Every street singer with a cracked

voice gives tongue to that one.

FETTES:

This girl was beautiful -- a wild

lassie from the Highlands.

MacFarlane shrugs.

MACFARLANE:

Beautiful, you say? It's a wonder I

have not remarked her.

They have reached the table and both me look down.

MACFARLANE (cont'd)

Oh, this girl.

He whistles a bar or two of her song.

INT. RECESS NEAR BRINE VAT -- DAY

Joseph, comfortably seated on a three-legged stool near the

brine vat and contentedly sucking at an old clay pipe, hears

the doctor's whistled tune. He leans forward without rising,

parts the curtain to look out.

FETTES' VOICE

She was murdered.

Joseph softly rises from his stool, taking care to let the

legs of this seat go back quietly onto the floor. He puts

himself into an attitude of intense listening.

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- DAY

MED. CLOSE SHOT on MacFarlane and Fettes.

FETTES:

I went to see Gray last night. I

asked him to bring us a specimen.

On my way I saw this girl. I gave

her alms money. She was alive and

singing.

He points to her temple. MacFarlane looks down.

MACFARLANE:

Well --

FETTES:

Gray killed her.

MACFARLANE:

We can't be sure of that.

FETTES:

I am sure. I mean to report it.

It's like Burke and Hare all over

again.

MacFarlane studies him for a long moment.

MACFARLANE:

(very quietly)

I wouldn't do that, Fettes. I

wouldn't report it.

FETTES:

Grave robbing is one thing -- this

is murder.

CLOSE SHOT -- Joseph at the curtain. He is turning away. He

has heard enough, and the calculating look in his eyes has

been replaced by one of triumphant decision.

MED. SHOT -- Fettes and MacFarlane.

MACFARLANE:

I don't know that -- neither do

you. This subject may have been an

epileptic -- thrown a fit -- fallen

out of bed -- cracked her skull and

killed herself -- there is

everything explained -- the bruise

on her head --

FETTES:

I can't believe that.

MACFARLANE:

Believe it or not. It's best for

you to pretend that you do. After

all, it was you who ordered this

specimen, received it here, and

paid for it. That makes you a

party to murder.

Fettes looks at MacFarlane. The truth of what the doctor has

said is borne in upon him. He is confused and bewildered.

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