The Sandman (Vertigo) Page #3

Sandman's helm, pouch and ruby. He fingers the helm.

BURGESS:

Protection can be had. Deals can be

struck ...

(to Alex)

You've never seen a summoning, have you,

son? Tonight, you will. We'll conjure a

demon of hell. And trade this --

(lifts the helm)

-- for our safety.

(more)

9.

BURGESS (CONT'D)

(turns to leave)

Inform the acolytes.

ALEX:

Yes, Lord Magus. But what about ... what

about him?

BURGESS:

He will not get out unless the circle is

broken. And the circle will not be broken

unless I order it.

He leaves, Alex trailing. Sandman watches them go..

In the corner, a DROP of water slips from a pipe, courses

down the wall to the floor. Twenty years has worn a channel

in the stone; the drop flows along it. And then another ...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE WORLD - VARIOUS

More time goes by, more images, dreamlike: McCarthy in the

Senate. Lenin reviewing a May Day parade. Walt Disney opening

Disneyland. Hula hoops, 3-D movies, Elvis. The KKK marching

on Washington. All accompanied by the Everly Brothers'

version of 'All I Ever Do is Dream.'

INT. BURGESS MANOR - CELLAR - CIRCA 1960S - NIGHT

The door pushes open. Burgess enters, slightly drunk. At

sixty, he's still handsome and vital. With him is --

RACHEL. Beautiful in the extreme, radiating sexual heat.

Dressed in the counterculture style of the day. She is

giggling -- then draws up short at the sight of Sandman.

RACHEL:

My God ... it's true.

She circles Sandman slowly.

Alex, now in his twenties, has followed them into the room;

he watches Rachel's every step.

RACHEL:

He's magnificent. And you caught him,

Lord Magus?

Burgess smiles -- but it fades when Alex speaks.

ALEX:

Actually, it was a mistake. He was trying

to --

10.

BURGESS:

Shut up, Alex.

RACHEL:

Is he a demon?

BURGESS:

(shakes his head)

He's more dangerous than any demon I've

known.

He scoops up the pouch from the shelf.

BURGESS (CONT'D)

Here. This is what I told you about.

(opens the pouch)

The stuff that dreams are made of ...

ALEX:

(to himself)

'Made on.' Quote it right, you old idiot

...

He goes unheard as Burgess sprinkles some of the sand into

his own hand. It sparkles. He holds it out to Rachel.

BURGESS:

No matter how much you take out, there's

always some left ... Try it.

RACHEL:

How do I ..? Sniff it?

BURGESS:

Sniff it, swallow it, rub it on your skin

... pour it in your eyes ... it doesn't

matter.

Rachel considers. Puts one finger in her mouth, moistening

it, rolls it in the sand. With a wicked grin, eyes never

leaving Burgess', she trails her hand down toward her jeans --

Burgess stares, panting slightly --

Her fingers slips beneath the waistband. Between her legs --

BURGESS:

Oh, Rachel ... You are a wild one ...

She smiles, shows her teeth -- her eyes go wide. She is

seeing something beautiful, rapturous. She is seeing life as

a dream.

RACHEL:

Oh ... oh, my ...

11.

Roderick sets the pouch down, moves to Rachel. Begins to

nuzzle her neck, undress her. She responds to him --

-- but her eyes never leave the pouch.

Alex's gaze lingers on Rachel as he backs away. Then he steps

discreetly out of the room.

And Sandman continues to watch ... and wait ...

INT. BURGESS MANOR - CELLAR - NIGHT

The door opens. Alex slips in, followed by Rachel.

RACHEL:

Is he really what old Roddy says he is?

ALEX:

I don't know ... Stupid old Roddy

should've died by now and left me in

charge ... he really can work some sort

of magic ...

RACHEL:

That sand ... that was magic ...

Alex grabs the pouch. Considers, then takes the ruby as well.

He heads for the door. Rachel catches him.

RACHEL:

Please ... just a little.

Alex considers. Opens the pouch. Rachel pinches out some

sand, sniffs it. It takes effect immediately, transporting

her. Alex grabs her hand.

ALEX:

Come on ...

She pulls against him, grabs for the pouch. He lets her take

it. She clutches it. One last look at Sandman; then she

allows herself to be led from the room.

Sandman gazes after them.

In the corner, a DROP of water slips from the pipe, courses

down the wall to the floor. Flows along the channel, which

now leads to a small pool.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE WORLD - VARIOUS

More time goes by. Nixon, victorious over McGovern. An EST

meeting, slam dancing punks, a 'Star Wars' line. The

Ayatollah exhorting a mob. The song is 'Dreamweaver.' It

skips.

12.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

A man -- call him DAVID -- sleeps fitfully in the one-room

efficiency apartment. He wears the pants and shirt of a

postal uniform; the rest is scattered on the floor.

The TV is on, volume low, showing Bicentennial celebration

news footage. Traffic NOISE comes from outside, mixed with

the sound of a DOG BARKING.

All the sounds FADE OUT, save the BARKING. It becomes

rhythmic, constant.

David's eyes flutter open.

CORINTHIAN:

Hello, David.

The CORINTHIAN is a young man with silver hair, whipsaw build

clothed in white silk pants and T-shirt.

He wears small, round dark glasses and an amused smile.

DAVID:

Hello. How did you get in here?

CORINTHIAN:

I wanted to talk to you, David. To tell

you that you are not fulfilling your

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