The Princess Bride Page #12

CUT TO:

VIZZINI:

busily switching the goblets while the Man In Black has his

head turned.

VIZZINI:

Oh, well, I-I could have sworn I

saw something. No matter.

The Man In Black turns to face him again. Vizzini starts to

laugh.

MAN IN BLACK:

What's so funny?

VIZZINI:

I'll tell you in a minute. First,

let's drink -- me from my glass,

and you from yours.

And he picks up his goblet. The Man In Black picks up the

one in front of him. As they both start to drink, Vizzini

hesitates a moment.

Then, allowing the Man In Black to drink first, he swallows

his wine.

MAN IN BLACK:

You guessed wrong.

VIZZINI:

(roaring with laughter)

You only think I guessed wrong --

(louder now)

-- that's what's so funny! I

switched glasses when your back

was turned. You fool.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

There's nothing he can say. He just sits there.

CUT TO:

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48.

VIZZINI:

watching him.

VIZZINI:

You fell victim to one of the

classic blunders. The most famous

is "Never get involved in a land

war in Asia." But only slightly

less well known is this: "Never

go in against a Sicilian when

death is on the line."

He laughs and roars and cackles and whoops and is in all

ways quite cheery until he falls over dead.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

stepping past the corpse, taking the blindfold and bindings

off Buttercup, who notices Vizzini lying dead.

The Man In Black pulls her to her feet.

BUTTERCUP:

Who are you?

MAN IN BLACK:

I am no one to be trifled with,

that is all you ever need know.

He starts to lead her off the mountain path into untraveled

terrain.

BUTTERCUP:

(a final glance back

toward Vizzini)

To think -- all that time it was

your cup that was poisoned.

MAN IN BLACK:

They were both poisoned. I spent

the last few years building up an

immunity to iocane powder.

And with that, he takes off, dragging her behind him.

CUT TO:

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49.

A MOUNTAIN PATH:

It's where FEZZIK fought the Man in Black. CAMERA PULLS BACK

TO REVEAL the Prince, kneeling, inspecting every grain of

misplaced sand. The others wait behind him.

HUMPERDINCK:

Someone has beaten a giant!

(roaring)

There will be great suffering in

Guilder if she dies.

He leaps onto his horse and they charge off.

CUT TO:

A WILD STRETCH OF TERRAIN

The Man In Black comes running into view, still dragging

Buttercup, who sometimes stumbles, but he keeps forcing her

along. Finally, when she is close to exhaustion, he lets go

of her.

MAN IN BLACK:

(his voice harsh now,

carrying the promise

of violence)

Catch your breath.

BUTTERCUP:

If you'll release me ... whatever

you ask for ransom ... you'll get

it, I promise you...

MAN IN BLACK:

And what is that worth, the

promise of a woman? You're very

funny, Highness.

BUTTERCUP:

I was giving you a chance. No

matter where you take me ...

there's no greater hunter than

Prince Humperdinck. He could

track a falcon on a cloudy day.

He can find you

MAN IN BLACK:

You think your dearest love will

save you?

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50.

BUTTERCUP:

I never said he was my dearest

love. And yes, he will save me.

That I know.

MAN IN BLACK:

You admit to me you do not love

your fiance?

BUTTERCUP:

He knows I do not love him.

MAN IN BLACK:

"Are not capable of love" is what

you mean.

BUTTERCUP:

I have loved more deeply than a

killer like yourself could ever

dream.

And the Man In Black c*cks back a fist. Buttercup flinches,

but does not retreat.

MAN IN BLACK:

That was a warning, Highness. The

next time, my hand flies on its

own. For where I come from, there

are penalties when a woman lies.

CUT TO:

VIZZINI'S BODY

The picnic is spread as before.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL the Prince kneeling by the body

as the others ride up. The Prince grabs the empty poison

packet, hands it to Rugen, after first sniffing it himself.

HUMPERDINCK:

Iocane. I'd bet my life on it.

(gestures to the trail ahead)

And there are the Princess's

footprints. She is alive ... or

was, an hour ago. If she is

otherwise when I find her, I

shall be very put out.

And as he vaults onto his horse and the all charge off --

CUT TO:

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51.

BUTTERCUP:

being spun INTO CAMERA view, falling heavily as the Man In

Black releases her. We are at the edge of an almost sheer

ravine. The drop is sharp and severe. Below, the ravine

floor is flat, but getting there would not be half the fun.

MAN IN BLACK:

Rest, Highness.

BUTTERCUP:

(stares at him)

I know who you are -- your

cruelty reveals everything.

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