The Sandman (Vertigo) Page #8

family was together.

Destiny passes a conspicuous gap where another painting may

have hung. The next portrait is of a young girl, smiling,

holding flowers in a summer field.

28.

DESTINY:

Sister Delirium. Youngest of the Endless.

I stand in my Gallery, and I call you --

DELIRIUM steps into the Gallery -- looking not all like her

portrait. Orange hair, her fishnet stockings tattered. One

eye is vivid emerald green, spattered with silver flecks that

move; her other eye is vein blue. Who knows what Delirium

sees through her mismatched eyes?

DEATH:

Hi, sis. How are you doing?

DELIRIUM:

uh. YesterDAY i did SomE really BAD

stuff. I meaN REal bad. YOU know.

(beat)

but TOdAY i DiD some GOOD things. I don't

knoW --

DESTINY:

Hush, little sister. There is one more to

be summoned.

At the end of the gallery is the portrait of Sandman, dressed

in the finery of the 17th century. Destiny pauses in front of

it --

INT. DESTINY'S GARDEN - CITADEL - MAIN HALL - TWILIGHT

Sandman, dressed as he was painted, sits at a seven-sided

table. The Endless gathered around. Destiny stands behind his

chair. There is one extra chair, standing empty.

DESTINY:

You know why I have called this family

meeting.

DESPAIR:

Brother Dream is back.

(glances at the empty chair)

I thought you had gone for good.

DESIRE:

Abandoned his realm, abandoned his

responsibilities ...

SANDMAN:

I had no choice in the matter.

DELIRIUM:

DesTiNY couLD hAVe Told yOu WHAT was

ComINg. BUT he wouLdn't 'cAUse he's meAN.

29.

DESTINY:

I could not turn that page until it was

time for the turning. But I can tell you

what has occurred in your absence.

DESIRE:

Oh, do. This could be fun.

Sandman gestures for Destiny to continue.

DESTINY:

The dreams of men became chaotic. One

man's dream could infect thousands.

Dreams of freedom, of subjugation, dreams

of equality, dreams of death. Dark or

light made no matter, if the dreamer

strong enough.

Delirium pays no attention. Bright butterflies emanate from

her fingertips.

DELIRIUM:

i juST made butter-flies. LOOK,

everyBody! LOOk at whaT I just DiD ...

DESTINY:

Brother Dream. You must decide. Will you

repair your kingdom, and return to your

throne?

SANDMAN:

I am not sure that I am needed. Or that I

wish to resume my mantle.

Desire leans forward.

DESIRE:

I could make you wish to.

Sandman frowns.

DESIRE:

I am Desire, am I not? Where I touch,

things want and need and love, drawn like

butterflies to a candle-flame.

DESPAIR:

You mean moths.

Desire's smile widens.

DESIRE:

Butterflies.

30.

One of Delirium's butterflies lands on a candle flame. It

BURNS quickly, writhing, leaving only colored smoke. The

image is at once repellent and beautiful.

DELIRIUM:

thoSe Were MINE. you didn't HaVe to do

thAT!

DESPAIR:

We should not argue. We should not fight.

Sandman looks across the table at Death.

SANDMAN:

You have been quiet, sister. What say

you?

DEATH:

What say I? Well, I'll tell you. And I'm

only going to say it once, so you'd

better pay attention.

She rises and comes around the table to him. He waits

DEATH (CONT'D)

You are utterly the stupidest, most self-

centered, appallingest excuse for an

anthropomorphic personification on this

or any other plane.

She sits on the table beside him.

DEATH (CONT'D)

What we do aren't just responsibilities.

These aren't just jobs. We didn't answer

ads in the classifieds because we wanted

the health care. Destiny, Desire, Death --

this is what we are. And you -- are

Dream.

Her stern attitude fades, and she takes his hand.

DEATH (CONT'D)

I'm glad you're back. I was worried about

you.

She kisses his cheek, then moves back to her chair.

Sandman rubs his forehead ... decides.

SANDMAN:

I will repair my kingdom. To do so I must

recover my tools of power: Pouch, Helm,

and Ruby.

31.

DESTINY:

(nods)

The path is chosen, then.

SANDMAN:

But I don't know where they are. Brother,

could you ..?

Destiny does not respond, but pulls his book closer.

SANDMAN (CONT'D)

No. Of course not. Sisters, can you be of

any assistance?

He's addressing Desire, Delirium and Despair, who are grouped

together -- a tableau of Mother, Maiden and Crone.

SANDMAN:

My pouch of sand, which controls dreams.

Do any of you have knowledge of it?

DELIRIUM:

i kNow! I KNoW! TheRe's a WOman namED

Rachel -- she haS IT! BuT I don'T KNoW

where SHe is. NeiTHeR doeS ShE.

Delirium shuts her mismatched eyes, furrows her brow. When

she opens her eyes again, they are both BLUE.

DELIRIUM:

Rachel remembers another: Rose Walker.

Perhaps she can lead you to your pouch.

(rubs her temples)

It hurts me to be this way.

SANDMAN:

Then stop.

Delirium's eyes shift back to one green, one blue.

DELIRIUM:

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