The Princess Bride Page #9

THE SIX-FINGERED SWORD

as it is knocked free, arching up into the air, and --

CUT TO:

INIGO:

catching it again. And something terrible is written behind

his eyes:
he has given his all, done everything man can do,

tried every style, made every maneuver, but it wasn't

enough, and on his face for all to see is the realization

that he, Inigo Montoya of Spain, is going to lose.

CUT TO:

THE MAN IN BLACK

moving in for the end now, blocking everything, muzzling

everything and

CUT TO:

THE SIX-FINGERED SWORD

sent flying from Inigo's grip. He stands helpless only a

moment. Then be drops to his knees, bows his head, shuts his

eyes.

INIGO:

Kill me quickly.

MAN IN BLACK:

I would as soon destroy a stained

glass window as an artist like

yourself. However, since I can't

have you following me either --

And he dunks Inigo's head with his heavy sword handle. Inigo

pitches forward unconscious.

MAN IN BLACK:

Please understand, I hold you in

the highest respect.

He grabs his scabbard and takes off after the Princess and we

CUT TO:

CLOSE UP:
VIZZINI

VIZZINI:

Inconceivable!

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36.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

Vizzini, staring down from a narrow mountain path, as far

below the Man In Black can be seen running. FEZZIK, carrying

the Princess, stands alongside. It's a little later in the

morning.

VIZZINI:

Give her to me.

(grabs Buttercup

starts off)

Catch up with us quickly.

FEZZIK:

(starting to panic)

What do I do?

VIZZINI:

Finish him, finish him. Your way.

FEZZIK:

Oh, good, my way. Thank you,

Vizzini.

(little pause)

Which way is my way?

CUT TO:

A COUPLE OF ROCKS

Nothing gigantic. Vizzini points to them. There is a large

boulder nearby.

VIZZINI:

Pick up one of those rocks, get

behind the boulder, and in a few

minutes, the Man in Black will

come running around the bend. The

minute his head is in view, hit

it with the rock!

As Vizzini and Buttercup hurry away.

FEZZIK:

(little frown; softly)

My way's not very sportsmanlike.

He grabs one of the rocks and plods behind the boulder and

we --

DISSOLVE TO:

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37.

THE MAN IN BLACK

racing up the mountain trail. Ahead is a bend in the trail.

He sees it, slows. Then he stops, listening.

Satisfied by the silence, he starts forward again and as he

rounds the bend -- a rock flies INTO FRAME, shattering on a

boulder inches in front of him.

CUT TO:

FEZZIK:

He moves into the mountain path. He has picked up another

rock and holds it lightly.

FEZZIK:

I did that on purpose. I don't

have to miss.

MAN IN BLACK:

I believe you -- So what happens

now?

FEZZIK:

We face each other as God intended.

Sportsmanlike. No tricks, no

weapons, skill against skill alone.

MAN IN BLACK:

You mean, you'll put down your

rock and I'll put down my sword,

and we'll try to kill each other

like civilized people?

FEZZIK:

(gently)

I could kill you now.

He gets set to throw, but the Man In Black shakes his head,

takes off his sword and scabbard, begins the approach toward

the Giant.

MAN IN BLACK:

Frankly, I think the odds are

slightly in your favor at hand

fighting.

FEZZIK:

It's not my fault being the

biggest and the strongest. I

don't even exercise.

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38.

He flips the rock away.

CUT TO:

THE MOUNTAIN PATH AND THE TWO MEN

The Man In Black is not now and has never been a shrimp. But

it's like he wasn't even there, FEZZIK towers over him so

much.

There is a moment's pause, and then the Man In Black dives

at FEZZIK's chest, slams him several tremendous blows in the

stomach, twists his arm severely, slips skillfully into a

beautifully applied bear hug, and in general makes any

number of terrific wrestling moves.

FEZZIK just stands there, kind of taking in the scenery.

Finally the Man In Black pushes himself away, stares up at

the Giant.

MAN IN BLACK:

Look are you just fiddling around

with me or what?

FEZZIK:

I just want you to feel you're

doing well. I hate for people to

die embarrassed.

They get set to begin again. Then suddenly --

CUT TO:

FEZZIK:

as he jumps forward with stunning speed for anyone his size

and reaches for the Man In Black who drops to his knees,

spins loose, and slips between the Giant's legs.

FEZZIK:

You're quick.

MAN IN BLACK:

And a good thing too.

FEZZIK:

(getting set for

another onslaught)

Why do you wear a mask? Were you

burned by acid, or something like

that?

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39.

MAN IN BLACK:

Oh no. It's just that they're

terribly comfortable. I think

everyone will be wearing them in

the future.

FEZZIK considers this a moment, then attacks, and if he

moved quickly last time, this time he is blinding and as the

Man In Black slips down to avoid the charge, FEZZIK moves

right with him, only instead of twisting free and jumping to

his feet, this time the Man In Black jumps for FEZZIK's back

and in a moment he is riding him, and his arms have FEZZIK's

throat, locked across FEZZIK's windpipe, one in front, one

behind. The Man In Black begins to squeeze. Tighter.

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