The Body Snatcher Page #21

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GRAY:

Ah -- Dr. MacFarlane's man -- A

surprise visit, but come in -- come

in.

He steps aside, and Joseph slowly moves over toward the

stairway, looking around him.

MED. SHOT as Gray leads Joseph into the living quarters and

looks curiously at Joseph, who returns the look with a sort

of determined belligerence.

GRAY (CONT'D)

You're welcome to my little

nest, Joseph -- is it not? That's

right -- you have something to say

to me -- something very private.

JOSEPH:

Yes.

GRAY:

Now that is very interesting --

(with a gesture)

Take a chair, Joseph,

Joseph seats himself and Gray sits down opposite him. No

sooner has he seated himself than the big white cat, his pet,

comes and jumps upon his knee. Gray strokes it fondly.

JOSEPH:

(looking around)

Can anyone hear what we say?

GRAY:

(indicating the cat)

Only Brother.

JOSEPH:

(bending toward him)

I know that you kill people to sell

bodies.

Gray sits motionless except that the hand which rests upon

the arm of his chair slowly tenses and that other hand which

strokes the cat, stops at the cat's head. For a long moment

he is silent, then he speaks very softly.

GRAY:

You say you've come here on your

own account? No one knows you are

here?

JOSEPH:

Give me money or I'll tell the

police you murder the "subjects."

Again there is a silence as Gray studies him. By now, Gray's

right hand relaxes. His left hand begins to stroke the cat.

Finally, he smiles.

GRAY:

Well, you shall have money, Joseph.

Why should you not?

Still smiling, he very carefully takes the cat from his lap,

sits it on the floor and rises. Joseph follows him with his

eyes.

GRAY (CONT'D)

(crossing to the taboret

for a bottle and two

glasses)

I don't suppose the great Dr.

MacFarlane is too free with his

pay, is he?

He has come back with the bottle and filled a glass with

brandy for each. He passes a glass into Joseph's hands.

GRAY (CONT'D)

Here -- have some of this.

They both drink. Immediately, Gray refills Joseph's glass.

GRAY (CONT'D)

(as he pours)

You want money and you shall have

it.

He pulls a purse from his pocket and begins to count out

notes and coins.

GRAY (CONT'D)

Let me see -- five and five -- then

in gold -- six all together. Shall

we say sixteen pounds, Joseph?

Joseph, with the glass still at his lips, nods his head. Gray

looks about as if seeking a point of vantage; then carefully

sets himself in a straight-backed chair, facing and a little

to the side of Joseph's chair. Joseph is in a low-cushioned

chair. Gray, being above him, almost seems to hover over him.

Gray leans forward to give him the money.

JOSEPH:

I have made you give me money, but

you smile. Aren't you angry?

GRAY:

No, Joseph. I'm not angry -- here --

another glass of brandy --I'll

wager it's better than the

doctor's.

This time Gray fills Joseph's glass and drabbles a few drops

into his own, but doesn't bother to pick it up.

GRAY (CONT'D)

Drink up, man!

The liquor has begun to affect Joseph. He takes the third

glass eagerly and drains it while Gray watches him in

silence. As he puts the glass down, Gray begins to speak.

GRAY (CONT'D)

I have an idea -- a splendid idea --

such an excellent idea that we must

drink on it.

He fills the fourth glass. Joseph takes it but does not

drink, as he is interested to hear Gray's proposition,

GRAY (CONT'D)

You see -- I admire you, Joseph.

Coming here shows courage. I'm

looking for such a man -- but --

drink, Joseph, drink..

Joseph drinks. Again Gray keeps silent while he swallows the

liquor. As Joseph puts down the glass, Gray hitches his chair

forward an inch or two. Again he refills the glass; puts it

into Joseph's unsteady hand.

GRAY (CONT'D)

You and I should work together.

JOSEPH:

You mean we would sell the bodies

to the doctors together? Dig them

up?

GRAY:

(smiling)

No digging Joseph. The churchyards

are too well guarded. We will

"Burke" them,

JOSEPH:

(puzzled)

Burke them?

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