The Body Snatcher Page #23

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FULL SHOT - Gray as he comes from the recess and starts

across the anatomy room. When he reaches the stairs he pauses

a moment, and then, instead of going toward the door, turns

and starts up the stairs.

DISSOLVE OUT:

DISSOLVE IN:

INT. MACFARLANE'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

A single lamp is burning. Meg, in negligee and mob cap, sits

in an arm chair busily knitting. Opposite her, in a low chair

sits Gray, his whip in his hand and his hat on the back of

his head. He is lounging in the chair and he has a glass of

ale on the floor beside him. He drinks from it and puts it

back on the floor. Meg looks up.

GRAY:

You've no need to be so anxious,

Meg, MacFarlane's been drunk and

away before. He'll be home in good

time. Meanwhile, you've got me to

keep you company.

MEG:

I'd call that no good fortune.

GRAY:

There was a time, lassie -- a time

when I used to bring the dashing

young doctor to your door -- when

you didn't feel so uncommon cold to

your old friend Gray.

MEG:

Why must you be on him all the

time? Why does it please you?

GRAY:

He's my friend. I like to see my

friends -- I like to visit them --

There is the sound of the front door opening. Both look up.

Heavy dragging footsteps sound in the hall.

MEG:

Well, he's come home -- you've no

excuse now to bear me company.

Gray makes no move to get out of his chair. MacFarlane stands

in the doorway. He sees Gray.

MACFARLANE:

What are you going here? Have I not

told you --

GRAY:

Would you grudge me a glass with my

old crony, Meg?

MEG:

Crony indeed!

MACFARLANE:

You can get out.

Gray rises leisurely..

GRAY:

I brought you something tonight,

MacFarlane -- an interesting

specimen -- in very good condition.

MACFARLANE:

I've ordered nothing from you.

GRAY:

This is a gift.

MACFARLANE:

I take no gifts from you.

GRAY:

This is a gift you'll not return.

MACFARLANE:

Get out of here!

GRAY:

Wait, Toddy. That's not hospitable.

I want to discuss business.

MACFARLANE:

You are not to set foot in here

again, Gray, for business or any

other reason. And you're going out

now!

He seizes Gray by the shoulder. Gray merely looks at him.

GRAY:

(calmly)

I wouldn't do it, Toddy. I wouldn't

be rough handed.

MacFarlane, somewhat taken aback by the calm and effrontery

of the man, lets go of him.

GRAY (CONT'D)

If you were to throw me out, it

might become known that when the

great Dr. MacFarlane finds his

anatomy school without "subjects" --

he provides them himself and from

the midst of his own household ---

ANGLE - THREE SHOT - Gray's manner, fully as much as his

ambiguous speech, has put an end to all thought of violence.

MACFARLANE:

What the devil are you talking

about?

Gray rises slowly.

GRAY:

Take a look downstairs. Toddy. Take

a look.

He turns and walks quietly out of the room. MacFarlane

stares after him; than slowly a thought comes to him.

MACFARLANE:

Fettes -- where is Fettes?

MEG:

I'll get him.

She leaves quickly. When she has left, MacFarlane passes his

hand over his eyes, trying to clear his whiskey-muddled

brain; then he turns and starts for the door of the anatomy

room,

INT. ANATOMY ROOM -- NIGHT

The school is dark and empty; only moonlight enters from the

windows. The night light is out. MacFarlane comes slowly down

the stairs. As he reaches the foot of the steps, Fettes, in

his bathrobe, comes to the head of the stairs, bearing a

candle. MacFarlane turns to look at him.

MACFARLANE:

Fettes, were you down here when

Gray came?

Fettes shakes his head. MacFarlane starts for the alcove,

and Fettes follows him. MacFarlane pulls the curtain aside.

MACFARLANE (CONT'D)

Bring that candle over here.

MED. CLOSE SHOT - in the recess. It is very dark. The curtain

is drawn back, and MacFarlane appears. The scene is suddenly

illuminated as Fettes follows him, carrying the candle. The

great vat is clearly visible as both men peer down into it.

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