The Sandman (Vertigo) Page #9

DesTINy? I'm SORry. I didn't MEaN to calL

you meAn. I mean, i meant to, bUt I

dIdn't MEAN it whEN I meant To.

DESTINY:

I know.

Delirium smiles.

SANDMAN:

My Dreamstone, my Ruby Moonstone, which

can alter the fabric of reality. Where is

it?

32.

Desire seems to enjoy answering.

DESIRE:

A very desirable item, hm? Stolen from a

king by a mage, stolen from a mage by a

thief. And that's the last I know of it.

(a knife's-edge smile)

Sorry.

Sandman scowls. Then turns to Despair.

SANDMAN:

And my helm of office, which protects me

between realms?

DESPAIR:

It was traded to a demon long ago. It now

abides in Hell. I am too familiar with

that place.

Sandman does not like this news.

SANDMAN:

Thank you.

He rises, leaves the table.

EXT. DESTINY'S CITADEL - TWILIGHT

Sandman stands on a balcony looking out over Destiny's

garden. Death joins him.

SANDMAN:

My ruby is missing. And I am not strong

enough to face a single demon, let alone

the hordes of hell.

DEATH:

So ... the pouch?

SANDMAN:

Yes. My sister, I pray you tell our

siblings that I was needed elsewhere, and

I could not stay.

He kisses her hand, and starts to fade away.

SANDMAN:

Adieu.

He's gone. Death bites her lip.

DEATH:

Great. Now I get to worry about him some

more ...

33.

EXT. ALEXANDER'S YACHT - EVENING

A 150-foot white yacht, sleek, huge engines, built for speed

and show, a testament to ego rather than seaworthiness.

Anchored far away from shore. Silent and dark, save for

lights in the galley and a forward cabin.

INT. ALEXANDER'S YACHT - GALLEY - EVENING

Plush and elegant. Long center table, huge refrigerator.

Quiet, cavernous and empty. A door opens --

It's ALEXANDER BURGESS. No longer the 'young' Burgess, he's

in his fifties, now -- and looks older. Silk robe pajamas,

unkempt hair, shuffling along, he is a shocking contrast to

the opulence of his ship.

CLOSE ON:
a tray, as Alexander carefully places five celery

sticks in line. Each celery stick is exactly the same length.

INT. ALEXANDER' YACHT - CAPTAIN'S CABIN - EVENING

Alexander pushes into the cabin, carrying the tray. A huge

bed, marble and wood appointments -- this is a yacht Donald

Trump might have owned.

On the bed is the body of a muscular young man. Dead.

ALEXANDER:

Carlos ... ?

CORINTHIAN:

Alexander Burgess, I presume.

The Corinthian is standing to one side of the door. Alexander

drops the tray, reaches into his robe, draws a gun from a

holster at his side --

The Corinthian moves swiftly, a single blow --

Alexander crumples to the deck, and SCREEN FADES TO BLACK.

INT. ALEXANDER'S YACHT - CAPTAIN'S CABIN - EVENING

FADE UP:
CLOSE ON ALEXANDER, lying where he fell. His eyes

open -- slightly. He shifts his eyes only, glancing around.

POV ALEXANDER -- he sees the Corinthian, moving about the

cabin, searching. Photos on the walls show scenes from huge

and decadent parties -- liquor, drugs, beautiful women,

powerful men. The Corinthian looks at them, shakes his head.

CORINTHIAN:

(to himself)

Oh my, such decadence.

34.

He moves past, examines an empty wall. Lingers there.

CORINTHIAN:

Dear Alexander ... you spent a lot of

time here, didn't you? It stinks of worry

...

He glances at a trail we can't see.

CORINTHIAN:

You've worn a path. And stood here for

long periods of time ...

He reaches up -- a hidden switch behind a bookcase slides

back a section of marble, revealing a safe. Without looking:

CORINTHIAN:

(to Alexander)

Get up! You've been awake for the past

two minutes. Your breathing betrays you.

Alexander opens his eyes, struggles to sitting. He begins to

weep -- not in terror, but in resignation. He wipes his eyes

with both hands.

ALEXANDER:

I knew ... it had to happen.

CORINTHIAN:

Yes, well ... you shouldn't have written

the book. Led me right to you.

He flings a book off the shelf down in front of Alexander.

'LORD MAGUS:
The Truths of Roderick Burgess' by Alexander

Burgess. Alexander looks at it.

ALEXANDER:

Stupid. But I had to ... to ...

CORINTHIAN:

Pay penance? Set the record straight?

Make a fortune off the movie sale?

Alexander laughs mirthlessly.

ALEXANDER:

Hardly. You're probably the only one

whose ever read the damn thing.

(beat)

Want me to sign it?

CORINTHIAN:

No.

35.

ALEXANDER:

The Ruby.

CORINTHIAN:

Yes.

Alexander stands, moves to the safe.

ALEXANDER:

Is Carlos dead?

CORINTHIAN:

Yes. Your lover?

Alexander works the dial.

ALEXANDER:

(shakes his head)

Pilot and body guard. I haven't had much

interest in lovers -- male or female --

in a long time. Although I had my share

of both, once ...

He pulls the safe open. It is empty, save for SANDMAN'S RUBY,

set on a velvet pad. He takes it out.

ALEXANDER:

This gave them to me. It gave me

everything I ever desired ...

CORINTHIAN:

(mock tragic)

Except the one thing you ever really

wanted. Your father's love.

Alexander makes a fist around the Ruby. Hurls it at the

Corinthian -- who makes an effortless one-handed catch. He

holds it up to the light, then pockets it. Draws his knife.

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