The Body Snatcher Page #7

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GRAY (cont'd)

You'll find the specimen in good

condition. He was bright and

cheerful as a thrush not a week

long gone. A likely lad, I'm told.

(glances at Fettes)

You're the new assistant?

Fettes nods.

FETTES:

(trying to remember his

manners)

I'm Donald Fettes.

GRAY:

I'm very pleased to know you,

Master Fettes.

FETTES:

Mr. Gray?

GRAY:

That's right. Gray, the cabman.

I've had a bit of dealing with

MacFarlane in the past, you know.

Fettes nods.

GRAY (cont'd)

And I've always gotten along with

his assistants -- providing they

understood my humble position.

He puts one hand on Fettes' arm. Fettes moves away from him.

FETTES:

Dr. MacFarlane said I should pay

you --

GRAY:

(interrupting)

Of course -- it's the soul of the

business -- the pay --

Fettes shifts uneasily, confused and seemingly uncertain of

his next step.

GRAY (cont'd)

(prompting him)

I have no doubt you have the key in

your pocket --

Fettes reaches into his pocket and brings out a big iron key.

GRAY (cont'd)

(pointing)

And there is the box.

They start over toward it. Fettes opens the box.

GRAY (cont'd)

My fee is as usual -- ten pounds.

Fettes counts out the money to him. Gray flips the last coin

into the air and catches it with a gamin gesture which is

surprising in a man of such sinister appearance. As Fettes

still stands rather stupidly, Gray prompts him again.

GRAY (cont'd)

And now, although it's none of my

business, I would make the proper

entry if I were you. "One specimen

-- ten pounds -- received from --

let us say -- "MacDuff" -- a royal

name.

Fettes looks toward the desk.

GRAY (cont'd)

(still prompting him)

It's the little cloth-covered book

in the drawer.

Fettes brings it out. Gray watches him while he writes. The

pen scratches and squeaks over the paper. Then both turn and

start toward the entry.

FETTES:

Good night, Mr. Gray.

As the door Gray tips his hat elegantly to Fettes.

GRAY:

My respects, Master Fettes, and may

this be the first of many

profitable meetings.

He leaves, disappearing in the darkness of the entryway. A

second later the door can be heard closing behind him.

Fettes stands for a long moment looking at the dark entry,

then from behind him comes a chuckle of laughter. He whirls

abruptly.

ANOTHER ANGLE -- Fettes in the b.g. and above him on the

landing, holding a candle, is Dr. MacFarlane in an elegant

dressing gown.

MACFARLANE:

Well, well, my boy. Your first

meeting with the redoubtable Gray.

You may count it as a milestone in

your medical career.

MED. CLOSE SHOT -- Fettes as he looks from MacFarlane to the

door.

FETTES:

My medical career --

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

INT. ANATOMY SCHOOL -- DAY

CLOSE SHOT -- skeleton. It is facing the camera, its stance

a parody of that prize fighter of the period; left well

extended, right held high, both knees bent. Over the shot

comes a clamor of men's voices, cutting across which,

suddenly, comes Fettes' voice.

FETTES:

All right, gentleman -- that will

do! Settle down!

The CAMERA PULLS BACK to show the interior of the school. In

the f.g. is the dais, at one side of which is the skeleton.

Fettes steps up onto the dais at the other side of the

passing some dozen students, all young men in their early

twenties. Two students, Gilchrist and Richardson, are

prominent. Richardson is lean and sardonic.

FETTES (cont'd)

Dr. MacFarlane has asked me to

review the points he has just

discussed with you.

MED. CLOSE SHOT -- dais. The skeleton is to one side in the

f.g. facing the students, o.s. Fettes has his back to it.

FETTES (cont'd)

He started with the construction of

the ribs and the haemapophyses --

He turns toward the skeleton, then reacts sharply as he

notices its ludicrous stance.

FETTES (cont'd)

(angrily)

I suppose this was your doing,

Richardson.

He starts rearranging the skeleton's limbs. Richardson

grins. It is at this moment that Joseph comes sidling up to

the group.

JOSEPH:

Mr. Fettes --

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