The Possession Page #6

MAUD:

... Is she?

(impressed by Roland's

insight, Maud

examines a picture)

Yes, maybe you're right. Leonora

thought it was related to

Frankenstein, the product of Mary

Shelley's horror of birth -

(CONTINUED)

30.

CONTINUED:

ROLAND:

Thanks. I'll read it. Perhaps

it'll help me sleep...

(realizing his

mistake)

... I didn't mean it like that.

Maud throws him blankets. Glares at him.

MAUD:

See you in the morning. There's a

train every hour.

Maud closes the door. Roland lies on the couch, listening

to her in the next room. He settles down, picks up the book

of Christabel's poetry, starts to read. In shadowy darkness

DISSOLVE THROUGH IRIS TO:

EXT. FOREST OF ARDEN ("FAIRY MELUSINA LAND") - DAY

EMERGE as the IRIS OPENS OUT INTO a strange dreamlike place

of Christabel's secret imagination: a dark, sinister

fairyland where owls cry, wolves howl. Through an enchanted

silver forest -

A distant KNIGHT in armor dismounts his weary blood-

spattered horse. Over, Christabel whispers her poem:

CHRISTABEL (V.O.)

'... A draggled knight came riding

through the trees,

Behind him fear, before him

darkest night...'

The knight hears a song from a hollow chamber: Inside a

glass coffin, bound by silver chains and sapphire ropes,

lies a fairy princess in white silk. She holds a goblet up

to the Knight:

KNIGHT (V.O.)

'... What I shall become, I know

not.

But I crave a place of rest,

A draught of water, for I choke

on dust...'

The Knight pulls back thorny briars, steps into the mossy

hollow. He shatters the glass coffin, magically exploding

into shimmering splinters. The Knight lets the liquid drop

on his tongue, and -

(CONTINUED)

31.

CONTINUED:

CHRISTABEL (V.O.)

'... All one long look consumed

his soul

Into desire beyond the reach of

hope,

Beyond the touch of doubt or

despair,

So that he was one thing, and all

he was --'

As the Knight kisses her, her golden hair wraps itself

around him -- silver chains and emerald ropes bind his

limbs, cut through his armor -- from her mouth a serpent's

tongue darts out -

Plucks his eyeballs from behind his chain mail visor. As

the Knight lets out a painful roar, which freezes -

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MAUD'S FLAT - SITTING ROOM - NIGHT

In the book -- A horrific woodcut illustration: the fairy

princess, as Roland catches his breath, waking up!-

Almost falls off Maud's couch. He checks a clock. Hears

DROPS OF WATER. He gets up. On Maud's mantelpiece, Roland

is drawn to -

An old photo of a young Edwardian lady. He looks closely at

the picture:
a bride clutching a bouquet of flowers. On

the back, an inscription: "M.B. On her wedding day."

Intrigued, Roland hears the DRIPPING sound GROW LOUDER, as -

INT. LIBRARY - RESOURCE CENTER - NIGHT

In the basement, Blanche's diary lies open. Shafts of

moonlight on a deserted hall. A breeze blows, ruffling

pages, past strange drawings of flying doves, as -

Past an aisle of desks, walks a shadowy figure, humming a

childlike song. Along the floor, LEATHER SHOES SQUEAKING, a

soaking wet dress trailing behind her, sound of WATER

DRIPPING...

As this figure vanishes through double doors...

32.

INT. MAUD'S FLAT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

On her bed, Maud lies asleep on her pillow. A breeze blows.

Maud stirs, something enters the room...

ON MAUD'S FACE

Drops fall like tears. Above her, a pallid hand, delicate

but withered. As Maud's eyes flicker -

At the end of her bed -- bathed in palest lilac light,

Blanche's ghost stares at her, wet clothes DRIPPING PUDDLES

OF WATER.

From her pockets -- Blanche removes stones sewn with thread

into cloth. She snaps each thread, hurling stones up in the

air over Maud, where -

They don't fall, but float in the air. Strange, silvery

spiral shapes upon jet black surfaces -

INT. MAUD'S FLAT - NIGHT

Inside his room, Roland is distracted by strange sounds:

The SNAPPING of THREADS, a SOFT HUMMING, then...

MAUD (O.S.)

No... no... no...

INT. MAUD'S FLAT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Still half-asleep, Maud tosses her head. Until Blanche

stretches out her hand, strokes her face. Desirous, tender,

filled with grief, Blanche leans over Maud -INTERCUT

-- Roland on the other side of the door -- as -

BLANCHE:

My dear princess...

Blanche's bedraggled tresses spill over Maud's face.

Tenderly she lowers her lips in a kiss. But Maud -- awakes

-- a shriek -- the ghost vanishes, and -

Roland rushes in. Maud sits up, sobbing.

ROLAND:

What was it -- ?

MAUD:

I saw her...

Suddenly, Maud looks up at him -(

CONTINUED)

33.

CONTINUED:

ROLAND:

You...

Maud rushes into the other room, Roland follows -

INT. MAUD'S FLAT - SITTING ROOM - DAWN

Maud by the mantelpiece, next to the framed photo. Roland

enters, puts his hand on her shoulder.

MAUD:

I shouldn't have let you stay.

ROLAND:

Maud, please -

MAUD:

Go back to London. I don't want you

here --

Maud picks up the framed photo, hurls it to the floor.

MAUD:

Please -

Roland gives her a final look: no chance but to accept.

ROLAND:

If that's what you want.

Maud exits, shuts the door behind her. Roland kneels down

to pick up the mess. Looks at the photograph: initials,

"M.B."

EXT. LINCOLN STATION - DAY

Next day. Roland waits on the platform for his train. Maud

waves briefly, hurries away. The train pulls in, stops,

passengers board.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

(over loudspeaker)

The train at platform two is the

London Inter-City, now ready for

departure...

Roland looks back, sees Maud getting into her car. A

WHISTLE BLOWS. A moment of decision before the doors lock.

Roland -

Unlocks the door. Gets out -

34.

EXT. LINCOLN STATION - TAXI STAND - DAY

In time to see Maud driving away in her car. Roland hails a

cab, gets in. Sets off, following her -

EXT. LINCOLN COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

Maud drives out of town into hills. Her car twists 'round

country lanes, drawing Roland onwards. A dark sky glowers,

as -

IN HER CAR:

Maud sits staring ahead. Almost trance-like. She drives to

a place she obviously knows well. Roland follows her up to

A remote village amid sweeping hills. At its edge, a

churchyard. Roland loses Maud's car. But as he nears the

church, Roland -

EXT. ST. ETHELREDA CHURCHYARD (LINCOLN) - DAY

Sees her car parked nearby. Roland stops his taxi.

DRIVER:

Not much 'round here. Want me to

wait?

Roland checks his pockets. No money.

ROLAND:

No, er...

(an embarrassed

silence)

I've done something silly. I don't

have any cash -

The Driver looks at him. Then at his wrist watch.

EXT. ST. ETHELREDA CHURCHYARD (LINCOLN) - DAY

(FEW MOMENTS LATER)

The Driver zooms off -- Roland's watch now strapped to his

wrist. As Roland sets off to search for Maud. He wanders

round the old Norman churchyard. Over in the distance,

stands Maud.

EXT. ST. ETHELREDA CHURCHYARD (LINCOLN) - DAY

A fierce wind blows as Roland hikes up towards her.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote