The Body Snatcher Page #25

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FETTES:

MacFarlane

They stand for a moment looking at each other then she turns

wildly toward Fettes and seizes his coat lapels.

MEG:

Listen to me, Fettes, I'm one

part befuddled with drink, one part

over-heels in love with MacFarlane,

and one part fey. You're a

lowlander, Fettes, and you have no

way of knowing what we Highlanders

call the second sight.

FETTES:

I've heard of it.

MEG:

It's a gift to my people -- and I

see MacFarlane and Gray-- the pit

yawns for them and the flames --

and I would have you away from them

and safe out of the torment.--

The two stand facing each other, Meg crushing the boy's coat

lapels in her hands.

DISSOLVE:

INT. GRAY'S LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT

It is very dark as Gray opens the door. For a moment his

distinctive silhouette is in the doorway. Then he closes the

door behind him and the room is again plunged into darkness

except for a glow from the embers in the hearth. Gray crosses

to the hearth. He takes a spill from the mantle, blows on the

coals and lights the spill. Its flaring light reveals

MacFarlane standing watching him. After a first momentary

check of surprise, Gray, without a word, transfers the flame

from the spill to a candle. He blows out the spill and sets

it back on the mantle.

MED. SHOT with Gray in the f.g. and MacFarlane coming toward

him. Gray has recovered his composure.

GRAY:

(very softly)

This is unexpected, Toddy.

MacFarlane comes to a halt facing Gray. The CAMERA BEGINS TO

CHEAT IN ON the pair.

MACFARLANE:

(toneless)

I wanted to see you. You weren't

here -- so I waited.

The two men survey each other in absolute silence. From o.s.

near at hand, the cat mews.

The CAMERA PULLS BACK TO SLIGHTLY WIDER ANGLE as Gray turns

away, seating himself upon the arm of a chair. The cat comes

into the shot and jumps up beside him.

MACFARLANE.

(drawing closer)

What do you want of me. Gray?

GRAY:

(smiling)

Want of you, Toddy? I want nothing

of you.

TWO SHOT - Gray and MacFarlane. MacFarlane is tense,

motionless. He stares down at Gray who sits at his ease

stroking the cat, now purring on his knee.

MacFarlane makes an obvious effort to control himself, to

speak calmly.

MACFARLANE:

Gray, I must rid myself of you --

you've become a cancer -- a

malignant, evil cancer -- rotting

my mind.

GRAY:

(pouring a drink

for MacFarlane)

So, Toddy, you've made me a

disease, eh?

MACFARLANE:

(disregarding this

sarcasm, but taking the

proffered glass)

I can't understand your hurt to

me -- but I must cut you out.

He drinks, sets down the glass. Gray watches him, gets up

from his chair and stands before him.

MACFARLANE (CONT'D)

I will not leave here until I have

finished with you. Gray. One way or

another -- I must be sure that I am

rid of you.

He pauses and looks at Gray.

MACFARLANE (CONT'D)

And if there is no other way --

Gray looks at MacFarlane, big and bulky in the small chair.

He moves nervously.

GRAY:

Surely you are not threatening an

old friend, Toddy.

MACFARLANE:

We have never been friends.

Gray moves over to the chair on which he sat when he "Burked"

Joseph. He bends forward over the taboret and refills the

doctor's glass.

GRAY:

Have another glass of something

good, Toddy.

MACFARLANE:

I've drunk enough tonight.

GRAY:

(putting the glass down on

the taboret)

Another little drop'll never do you

any harm.

Almost as if unconscious of his action, MacFarlane picks up

the glass, sips, then drinks. Gray smiles. MacFarlane sets

down the glass. Gray immediately refills it. And again

MacFarlane reaches for it, takes it into his hand.

GRAY (CONT'D)

(softly)

Drink --

MacFarlane, without thought, brings the glass to his lips.

MACFARLANE:

You're getting old, Gray, and it's

a hard life driving a cab through

these wet and windy streets of

Edinburgh --

GRAY:

I have other means of sustenance.

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