The Princess Bride Page #10

FEZZIK:

(standing, talking as

he does so)

I just figured out why you give

me so much trouble.

CUT TO:

FEZZIK:

as he charges toward a huge rock that lines the path, and

just as he reaches it he spins his giant body so that the

entire weight of the charge is taken by the Man In Black.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

And the power of the charge is terrible, the pain enormous,

but he clings to his grip at FEZZIK's windpipe.

MAN IN BLACK:

(his arms never leave

Fezzik's throat)

Why is that, do you think?

FEZZIK:

(his voice just

beginning to get a

little strained)

Well, I haven't fought just one

person for so long. I've been

specializing in groups. Battling

gangs for local charities, that

kind of thing.

CUT TO:

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40.

ANOTHER HUGE ROCK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PATH

Again FEZZIK charges, slower this time, but still a charge,

and again he spins and creams the Man In Black against the

rough boulder.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

And the punishment is terrible, and for a moment it seems as

if he is going to let go of Fezzik's windpipe and crumble,

but he doesn't, he holds on.

MAN IN BLACK:

Why should that make such a

difference?

FEZZIK:

Well ...

(And now his voice is

definitely growing weaker)

... you see, you use different

moves when you're fighting half a

dozen people than when you only

have to be worried about one.

Again FEZZIK slams the Man In Black against a boulder, only

this time his power has diminished and Fezzik starts to

slowly collapse.

CUT TO:

FEZZIK:

and there isn't much breath coming.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

holding his grip as FEZZIK tries to stand, halfway makes it,

but there is no air. Back to his knees he falls, holds there

for a moment, and pitches down to all fours. The Man In

Black increases the pressure. FEZZIK tries to crawl. But

there is just no air. No air. FEZZIK goes to earth and lies

still.

CUT TO:

FEZZIK:

as the Man In Black turns him over, puts his ear to FEZZIK's

heart. It beats. The Man In Black stands.

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41.

MAN IN BLACK:

I don't envy you the headache you

will have when you awake. But, in

the meantime, rest well ... and

dream of large women.

And he nimbly scoops up his sword with his foot, catches it

and as he dashes off up along the mountain path --

CUT TO:

PRINCE HUMPERDINCK

as he slips his boot into a foot print in the sand.

Count Rugen mounted, watches. Behind him, half a dozen armed

WARRIORS, also mounted. A GREAT WHITE HORSE waits riderless

in front. Humperdinck is all over the rocky ground, and

maybe he isn't the best hunter in the world. Then again,

maybe he is. Because, as he begins to put his feet into

strange positions, we realize that what he is doing is

miming the fencers.

HUMPERDINCK:

There was a mighty duel -- it

ranged all over. They were both

masters.

RUGEN:

Who won? How did it end?

HUMPERDINCK:

(looking down in the

position where Inigo

fell unconscious)

The loser ran off alone.

(points in the

direction Vizzini and

FEZZIK took)

The winner followed those

footprints toward Guilder!

RUGEN:

Shall we track them both?

HUMPERDINCK:

The loser is nothing. -- Only the

Princess matters --

(to the armed warriors)

-- clearly this was all planned

by warriors of Guilder. We must

be ready for whatever lies ahead.

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42.

RUGEN:

Could this be a trap?

HUMPERDINCK:

(vaulting onto his horse)

I always think everything could

be a trap -- Which is why I'm

still alive.

And he gallops off --

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

cresting the peak of the mountain.

CUT TO:

CLOSE-UP ON

a knife pointed at a throat -- PULL BACK TO REVEAL Vizzini

munching on an apple, holding the knife to Buttercup's

throat. She is blindfolded.

A PICNIC SPREAD is laid out. A tablecloth, two goblets and

between them, a small leather wine container. And some

cheese and a couple of apples. The picnic is set on a lovely

spot, high on the edge of a mountain path with a view all

the way back to the sea.

The Man In Black comes running around the path, sees Vizzini,

slows. The two men study each other. Then --

VIZZINI:

So, it is down to you. And it is

down to me.

The Man In Black nods and comes nearer --

VIZZINI:

If you wish her dead, by all

means keep moving forward.

And he pushes his long knife harder against Buttercup's

unprotected throat.

MAN IN BLACK:

Let me explain-

VIZZINI:

-- there's nothing to explain.

You're trying to kidnap what I've

rightfully stolen.

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43.

MAN IN BLACK:

Perhaps an arrangement can be

reached.

VIZZINI:

There will be no arrangement --

(deliberate)

-- and you're killing her!

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