The Boxtrolls Page #6

The white hat looms from a distance. She gasps, realizing

how far she has to go.

She creeps forward a few more steps and hears a noise. She

hears something skittering along out in the fog and makes a

terrified SQUEAK. She covers her mouth.

Something is watching her.

WINNIE:

Who... who's there?

A shape steps forward from the darkness of a nearby alley,

but is obscured by mist. Two little lights cut through the

vapor.

Winnie scrunches her face slightly, focusing intently on the

figure.

The shape creeps a little closer. A hunched-over silhouette,

with glowing round eyes. It's a boxtroll monster!

Winnie gasps. She stays put and turns her head to the side,

screwing up her face with curiosity as the figure stands

upright.

26.

The figure takes another step towards her. REVEAL it is Eggs.

He lifts his goggles. The light from the street lamp reveals

his face. He is guarded but curious and mimics Winnie’s

expression.

She gasps in wonder, the hat momentarily forgotten.

WINNIE (CONT’D)

(calling out)

Who are you, boy?

Eggs looks confused.

EGGS:

Boy?

Fish and Shoe suddenly grab him from behind and pull him out

of Market Square.

EGGS (CONT’D)

(to Fish and Shoe)

Why would she call me that?

Suddenly, BRIGHT LIGHTS hit them! It's the REDHATS’ TRUCK!

Eggs and the boxtrolls sprint around the square, chased by

the Redhats.

MR. PICKLES

They're right there, Mr. Trout!

WITH WINNIE as she watches Eggs and the boxtrolls sprint out

of the square just a few steps a head of the Redhat’s truck.

MR. GRISTLE

We’re right behind you. HA hahaha!

Winnie stares, slack-jawed as the truck’s lights disappear

down the hill, then she turns and reaches for her father’s

hat, but it’s gone, instead she sees--

-- a big shadowy figure holding the hat and staring at it

lustily -- Archibald Snatcher. Winnie GASPS.

SNATCHER:

Hmm. Someone’s out past curfew.

Very dangerous.

Winnie is speechless for a moment, then-

WINNIE:

I... I saw a boy.

Snatcher still stares at the hat.

27.

SNATCHER:

All I saw was filthy boxtroll

monsters.

Snatcher finally looks at Winnie with an oily, false smile.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

Miss Portley-Rind. Allow me to

escort you home.

Snatcher leans down and offers his arm to Winnie. She snubs

him.

WINNIE:

I can escort myself, thank you.

Winnie turns her back to Snatcher and he gives a grunt of

frustration and restraint. She turns back to collect the

hat.

WINNIE (CONT’D)

If you’ll just give me my father’s

hat back.

Winnie grabs for the hat. Snatcher swishes it out of her

reach and heads for the stairs into the Guild.

SNATCHER:

Yes, how did this hat find itself

aaaaall the way out here?

Winnie runs after him.

WINNIE:

The... wind! Blew it, right out the

window. Very windy tonight!

Snatcher looks doubtful. He licks his finger and holds it up.

SNATCHER:

Hmmm. Must’ve died down. Suddenly!

Snatcher heads right to the front door.

WINNIE:

There’s no need to go inside.

SNATCHER:

Oh, but as a gentleman, I insist.

Snatcher shoves open the doors, pushes his way into the foyer-

(0600 SPR) SNATCHER AND LORD PORTLEY-RIND

28.

INT. CHEESE GUILD - ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT

-- and approaches the foot of the main stairs.

SNATCHER:

(calling out)

Lord Portley-Rind!

CLOSE ON the TASTING ROOM DOORS.

SFX Muffled voices of White Hats enjoying themselves suddenly

stop.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND (O.S.)

(muffled)

Did you hear something?

Winnie winces. She turns to Snatcher who is admiring the

white hat again.

WINNIE:

(desperate)

Can I have the hat back now?

Snatcher puts the hat behind his back, grins and pulls Winnie

up the stairs by her wrist, toward the Tasting Room.

WINNIE (CONT’D)

(pleading)

Please.

Portley-Rind bursts out to see Snatcher ascending the stairs.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

What in Gouda’s name is going on?

Archibald Snatcher?

SNATCHER:

Deepest apologies, your Lordship.

But I found something out in the

street that belongs to you.

Snatcher gestures behind him revealing a sheepish Winnie. As

he turns he also reveals the white hat. Portley-Rind rushes

down the stairs to meet Snatcher half way and GRABS THE HAT.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

My White Hat!

Winnie looks stricken.

WINNIE:

Huh?

29.

As Portley-Rind pulls on the hat, Snatcher refuses to let it

go, so they tug each other up and down the stairs.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

I’ll take that... Now, now,

Snatcher one doesn’t acquire a

white hat by simply--

(straining)

--picking it up... off the street.

Portley-Rind finally wins the tussle and grabs the hat back.

He growls under his breath at the smudges left on the brim.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND (CONT’D)

(with emphasis)

A white hat indicates privilege,

prestige, position!

(THEN)

It must be earned.

He removes a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabs at

the hat’s brim.

From the top of the stairs the other Guild members chime in.

LANGSDALE:

With Valor!

BOULANGER:

Chivalry!

BRODERICK:

Or being rich! That’s how I got it.

Snatcher looks up at them and bows, removing his red hat.

SNATCHER:

Oh, don’t I know it, sirs.

Snatcher climbs the stairs and gets face to face with Portley-

Rind.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

Fortunately, we still have our

little... agreeeeement.

Portley-Rind grimaces, remembering.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

Um.. ehhh...

Snatcher opens his arms, gesturing widely, as he recites the

particulars of the deal.

30.

SNATCHER:

When I destroy every last boxtroll

in this town, I shall earn my white

hat... and join you in the Tasting

Room.

Snatcher takes a step toward the Tasting Room door and looks

longingly into its warm, inviting interior. The White Hats

reach back and slam the doors shut. Snatcher’s face falls.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

Good lord.

(twists his mustache)

Not sure who should be more

terrified - the boxtrolls or us.

The White Hats chuckle. Snatcher’s expression drops into a

scowl. Portley-Rind puts his hat back on.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND (CONT’D)

Now, how the devil did my hat get

outside in the first place?

Snatcher smirks and gestures toward Winnie.

SNATCHER:

I was told the wind had something

to do with it.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

The wind, eh?

Portley-Rind looks at Winnie and frowns.

WINNIE:

Father, I’m sorry-

SNATCHER:

(interrupting)

Sorry! Can’t stay. Too much work to

do.

(doffs hat)

Miss Portley-Rind, your Lordship,

Sirs. I bid you good night. I’m

sure we’ll be seeing each other

again very, very soon.

Snatcher oozes out the door. Portley-Rind looks at Winnie and

shakes his head.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

(exasperated)

Hmmmm.. Winnie...

31.

Winnie is about to defend herself when Snatcher pops his head

back in and points to his head.

SNATCHER:

Don’t forget. I’m a size six-and-ahalf.

Order ahead.

As he finally leaves, his hat gets caught in the door and he

lets out a frustrated growl/groan.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

(under breath)

Ugh!

Winnie pleads her case from the foot of the stair case as the

White Hats return to their cheese.

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