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Silence. Our world is in absolute darkness.
IN THE DARKNESS:
Around the edges light begins to invade, breaking the darkness.
It is not white light but shades of blue and it moves like water
- flowing and rippling as it engulfs the black.
More light continues to flow into the darkness, it seems random
and uncontrolled, but more and more we can see that the darkness
is contouring to taking a form.
The sounds of crashing waves intrude on the silence and it
becomes clear that we are under water and that the blue light is
nothing more than the sun's reflection over a body of water.
EXT. UNDER WATER - AFTERNOON
We DESCEND further and now the shape has taken from. It is the
disturbing sight of a WOMAN'S BODY floating limp with the
current under the water. We cannot see her face clearly.
The sounds of the ocean deep are drowned out by the sound of a
young woman's voice-
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I am dead now. I know this and I
accept it. If there is a God, might
there also be a devil? And if so at
which table shall I be seated? For in
this life I have done good deeds...and
bad.
CLOSE ON A GOLDEN HEART-SHAPED PENDANT
That floats freely around her neck, chained to her by a fine
necklace.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
All of this caused by a book - a
journal. It should have been nothing
to anyone but to me, it's owner. But
I was to learn that even this simple
diary would become of great
significance in the lives of others,
and also to my very own.
We stay with the floating body in silence for a moment longer
before-
FADE OUT:
Once again we are in darkness.
SUDDENLY, a single flame ignites out of nowhere and banishes the
darkness. It quivers for a moment and then begins to burn
strongly. From the burning reflection on glass we can see that
the flame is incased in a gas-lantern.
The lantern is placed carefully on a solid wooden platform.
Light gives way to-
INT. A BEDROOM - NIGHT
The wooden platform is in fact a large oak desk. An ink well and
several pens lay scattered across the counter. A jewelry box,
an array of perfume bottles of all shapes and sizes sit amongst
the tools of this writer. This is the desk of a lady, one of
considerable wealth.
A BEAUTIFUL JOURNAL
One with a leather cover is laid carefully onto the counter. The
cover is opened to reveal pages and pages of diary entries. The
daily experiences of this person, her dreams, ambitions, sights,
tastes and loves are all listed with dates. Raw emotion spelled
out in ink.
A PEN DIPS INTO THE INK
And begins to write on a fresh page. The words flow easily - a
word becomes a sentence, a sentence into a paragraph.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
(a diary entry)
Dear diary, it has been less than a
week since the funeral of my late
husband and although the mourning
period has only just begun, my mother
has already begun the search for my
new husband-to-be.
CUT TO:
INT. A BATHROOM - HUSBAND'S HOUSE - DAY
A tub sits to one side of this elegant bathroom. Two locked
double doors sit only metres from the tub.
CLOSE ON THE SIDE OF THIS TUB
where the frantic sounds of knocking, 'jiggling' of the two
locked doors and calls to "open up" and "let us in" from the
other side may be heard.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
You see, I was only married six months
before the unfortunate accident
involving my husband's wrists and a
knife which resulted in his premature
departure from this earth.
A BLOODY ARM falls limp before us. A deep gash along an artery
allows blood to gush onto the tiles below. A knife 'clangs'
onto the floor beside the pooling blood.
RETURN TO:
INT. A BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The pen continues to write over the page.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
And of course the reasons were
financial. Some bad decisions here
and there, over spending and of course
extravagant living lead to his
bankruptcy. In turn his debts were
passed onto to me, his widow, which of
course is what this was all about.
We see our writer for the first time in the reflection from her
mirror-set. She has an angelic face with striking emerald eyes,
long locks of blonde hair that hang over her shoulders and
perfect skin. She is GRETCHEN.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My late husband was not the only man
who could spend more than the pocket
allowed. My father suffered the same
ailment. Our family's fortune was all
but depleted and of course neither my
mother nor I knew of this until the
day we had a visit from the bank. My
father had hid his debts well, until
now. So it was up to me, their only
daughter, to remarry and save the
family from humiliation and to keep
them accustom to the life they were
used to.
There is a knock at the door and the sound of the handle
turning. Gretchen ceases writing and turns her head to the
doorway to see-
HER MOTHER, JACQUELINE.
Standing in the light. She looks to be dressed for a party.
JACQUELINE
It's past five my dear, the guests are
arriving.
She walks by Gretchen and over to the curtains. With a quick
tug they fly open, allowing the setting sun to blast light into
the dark room. Gretchen squints in pain and hides her face
behind her hand.
GRETCHEN
I was just finishing up here, mother.
JACQUELINE
Well don't be too long, you know how
important tonight is-
GRETCHEN
(sigh)
How could I possibly forget-
Jacqueline continues as if her daughter had never spoken.
JACQUELINE
And it is best to get off to a good
and early start.
GRETCHEN
You remind me so frequently.
Jacqueline inspects her daughter's appearance by walking around
her like a General would a soldier.
JACQUELINE
There are many eligible men out there
tonight - all eagerly waiting to meet
you. All you have to do is choose - I
made sure all the 'suitable' ones were
invited.
GRETCHEN
And by 'suitable', I assume you mean
wealthy?
JACQUELINE
Is there another kind of 'suitable'?
But don't you concern yourself with
that, I had them all inspected
thoroughly before the invitations were
sent out.
GRETCHEN
(sigh)
I do not doubt it.
Jacqueline stops her inspection and looks to her daughter.
JACQUELINE
It is important for you to be at your
best tonight. It is most urgent that
you act...
(pause to think)
'Suitable' for these men. Your family
needs you. Both of the men in our
lives have left us on the financial
brink and we must save our livelihood.
If not for you, then for your-
GRETCHEN
(interrupts)
Our? I'm sure when it boils down to
it, you mean your?
In a sudden outburst, Jacqueline slaps her across the face but
is instantly sorry and hold's Gretchen's face the way a mother
would when her child has been hurt.
JACQUELINE
(holding back mock tears)
See what this has done to me?
Would you like to see your mother
working as a seamstress, a wash
girl...
(pause, horror)
or a maid? Would you? To have our
belongings sold at auction, our
friends - what would they say? Would
you like your mother to be a laughing
stock?
Gretchen shakes her head - defeated.
GRETCHEN
No, mother.
Jacqueline begins to adjust her daughter's dress with her hands.
Just fiddling around the shoulders, a futile attempt to act like
a real mother.
JACQUELINE
Do you understand how hard it was to
find these men? You should count
yourself lucky that you are still
young. If you were older...
She doesn't need to finish, her daughter is convinced.
JACQUELINE (CONT'D)
I'm glad we've had this little talk.
So I will see you downstairs shortly?
Gretchen nods softly, unable to look her mother in the eyes.
JACQUELINE (CONT'D)
Good.
She kisses her daughter on the forehead and leaves.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - EVENING
Couples, all dressed in their finest evening attire stride along
a pathway towards the illuminated mansion. Flaming torches line
both sides this path.
The party has begun...
INT. BALLROOM - EVENING
A small orchestra entertains the guests. Couples dance in the
centre of the ballroom, each trying to outdo one another whilst
the remaining guests engage in conversation on the outer rim of
the ballroom.
Gretchen enters the ballroom through the main archway with the
other guests. She scans the room, but cannot recognize any of
the faces.
Awkwardly she moves through the crowd in search of her mother.
The ballroom is bulging with guests and so every step by
Gretchen is planned carefully, it looks like ballet blended with
her need not to touch/bump another living soul in the room -
especially the many 'suitors' that all stare at her with wanting
eyes. Many of them are as old, if not older than her own
father.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Dear diary, welcome to the grand
bazaar and instead of wares the item
up for bartering is me.
Gretchen spots her mother, who is talking to a suitor - MR.
MACDOUGAL. He is old enough to be her father, thinning hair and
red cheeks - obviously from over drinking.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And the person doing the selling is
none other than my own mother.
Gretchen approaches the pair, but MacDougal spots her first.
Jacqueline turns and greets her daughter, taking her hands in
hers.
JACQUELINE
Gretchen Dear
She takes Gretchen by the shoulders and insistently pushes her
towards MacDougal.
JACQUELINE (CONT'D)
Gretchen this is Mr. MacDougal, one of
the richest beef barons in Scotland.
Gretchen smiles politely.
MACDOUGAL
(extremely broad accent)
Good evening milady, a pleasure to
make your acquaintance.
Gretchen stares. Blinks. What did he just say?
Jacqueline sense a problem-
JACQUELINE
My daughter is very shy and isn't very
talkative.
MACDOUGAL
(broad accent, mixed with a
laugh)
Well now, the perfect wife.
Gretchen merely stares, still unable to understand his
jabbering.
JACQUELINE
(intervening)
Well .. perhaps you would both care to
dance.
MacDougal offers his hand and Gretchen reluctantly accepts it
and they both move, arms linked, to the dance floor with the
other couples.
The orchestra strikes up a new tune and the couples begin to
waltz.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
What kind of world accepted dancing as
a form of courting?
Gretchen spins, blocking our view of MacDougal and when they
turn we discover she has a new partner, another suitor. A FAT
LANDLORD.
FAT LANDLORD
I've always maintained that men should
stick to male activities such as
hunting and women to their own. Do
you enjoy sewing?
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I would rather stick needles in my
spine, bathe in acid and drink
poison...
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
(with a fake smile)
Oh yes!
They spin again, the suitor is blocked and upon returning
Gretchen is dancing with another SUITOR. He doesn't speak
English and mutters away, assuming she speaks his language.
Gretchen can do nothing but lose herself in her own mind,
ignoring his banter.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Will he ever stop talking? He hasn't
stopped for a breath since this dance
begun - that was five minutes ago.
Gretchen the begins to notice things about him, like the small
piece of celery stuck on his front tooth.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Is that celery?
They spin and once again she is dancing with another SUITOR.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I must have danced that entire night.
I had fat ones...
Gretchen spins and is dancing with a FAT SUITOR-
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Thin ones...
She spins and is dancing with a VERY THIN SUITOR-
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Giants...
On the dance floor, Jacqueline introduces Gretchen to a
EXTREMELY TALL SUITOR. She stares for a moment at his chest, as
that is where her own eyes meet him. She tilts her head back
and stares upwards, attempting to find which comes first -
heaven or his head.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And leprechauns.
Gretchen now dances with a very SHORT MAN. His bald head barely
reaches her chest. She dancing awkwardly and burns with
embarrassment.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I even danced with people from every
nationality and every color.
IN FLASH CUTS we watch as Gretchen dances with men of every
color.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
and even a woman.
Gretchen is now dancing with a woman.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
No wait-
She stops dancing - the woman vanishes.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
No I didn't.
Time has passed...Gretchen has finished dancing and stands alone
by a long table. To one side of her lies glasses and glasses of
champagne whilst the other side remains empty.
With the orchestra blocking out the words, we watch *IN TIME
LAPSE* as Jacqueline continuously brings over VARIOUS SUITORS at
what appears to be every moment, but in fact is over the whole
night. They come and go very quickly, after brief
conversations.
As the suitors are continuously introduced, Gretchen takes a
glass of champagne and drinks it whilst she talks. As they come
and go we watch the PILE OF EMPTY GLASSES begin mount up on the
empty section of the table as the FULL PILE begins to diminish
in number.
FROM ACROSS THE ROOM,
A HANDSOME FACE watches Gretchen with his dark consuming eyes.
He is in a small group of men and has been engaged in
conversation with them, but now only gazes at her. He is
JONATHAN ASHBY.
For a split moment, Gretchen's eyes lock with his - this only
makes his eyes want her more. SUDDENLY, their stare is broken
by Jacqueline, who introduces Gretchen to another SUITOR.
Ashby stops a passing waiter and points Gretchen out to him. A
few words are exchanged between the two and before Ashby
released the him, he plants several coins inside the waiter's
palm.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - EARLY MORNING
The flaming torches that once lit the way to the mansion are
slowly, one by one, being extinguished by the servants. The
smouldering smoke wafts into the grey skies above.
INT. A BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
Gretchen lies spread out over her sheets - she is exhausted.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
To my discontent not a single suitor
at that party suited my tastes. But
that was irrelevant wasn't it? I was
the one to be married and in the end I
would not even have a say...
INT. SITTING ROOM - NEXT AFTERNOON
A LETTER
Is unfolded and sits in Gretchen's hands.
She sits on the edge of a sofa with Jacqueline beside her and
OTHER LADIES sitting patiently on other seats about the room.
All are having afternoon tea.
She finishes reading the letter and flops her arms down,
everyone waits eagerly for her reaction. She is clearly
uninterested.
JACQUELINE
Well...?
GRETCHEN
Well what, mother? Who is this Mister
Ashby, do I know him?
JACQUELINE
Does it matter?
GRETCHEN
Well if he is to be my husband I would
at least like to know
something...anything about him.
JACQUELINE
I know something about him. He is
rich. Very rich. I heard he bought
the Lancaster's old place, double what
they paid for it and didn't bat and
eye.
GRETCHEN
Oh mother.
JACQUELINE
You may oh mother me but I do have
your interests at heart. He can look
after you, security is the most
important thing.
THIN LADY
She's right, you know?
Everyone turns to her. She is a rake, dressed in fine clothes
and has a 'bitch-ness' about her.
THIN LADY (CONT'D)
Even if you do not love your husband,
at least love his money. Enjoy
yourself.
The woman sitting next to her, a VERY WELL-OFF WOMAN nods her
head as she swallows her tea.
WELL-OFF WOMAN
I certainly did.
THIN LADY
As did I.
Everyone giggles - everyone but Gretchen who remains deadpan.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
They were right. Even if I did accept
his proposal, I was only accepting it
because we needed his money. Look at
me saying 'if', I knew that my
mother's persuading would eventually
lead to 'when'...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
A carriage pulled by four horses moves through the English
countryside.
INT. CARRIAGE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen, now dressed more plainly in a black dress and her hair
wrapped up in a bun, sits along inside the carriage, gazing out
at the passing scenery. She is silent and from her blank eyes
we can see she is lost in her thoughts.
GRETCHEN'S JOURNAL
Lies buried between her arms.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I was sent to join this man, Mister
Ashby at his home in the north of
England. I knew nothing of my husband
to-be only that he had lost his own
wife months earlier. This was all I
knew - I didn't even have a picture.
EXT. FRONT GATES - ASHBY ESTATE - LATER
The carriage moves parallel with a large stone wall.
INT. CARRIAGE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen watches curiously as the wall disappears and the
entrance to the huge property is revealed.
TWO HUGE IRON GATES
Tower above the fence. They are black and cold, representing
what is to come. Beyond the gates we can see a pathway leading
up to the mansion in the distance.
The gates reflect onto Gretchen's eyes as she stares in awe and
wonders to herself what kind of man would hide himself behind
thick stone and iron.
EXT. CARRIAGE - CONTINUOUS
The carriage comes to a complete stop. The horses dance around
for a moment before coming to rest.
The DRIVER jumps down from the cab and strolls through the
'sloshing' mud towards the back, where Gretchen's belongings are
strapped in.
Gretchen pokes her head through the window and watches as the
Driver places her belongings by the gate.
GRETCHEN
Why have we stopped? Is something the
matter?
DRIVER
No, Miss. I have specific orders not
to go beyond these gates.
GRETCHEN
By whom?
DRIVER
The owner's, Mister Ashby's. He was
most insistent, mentioned it several
times and made me repeat it to make
sure I understood.
GRETCHEN
Well, what am I supposed to do?
The Driver stops, removes his hat and scratches his head for a
moment.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Is he thinking or has he got lice?
DRIVER
Walk, I suppose.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
(deadpan)
Lice.
DRIVER
I'm sorry, Miss but orders is orders.
If I take you further I could lose my
job and then who would provide for my
kids-
GRETCHEN
(gives up)
Okay okay okay
Gretchen opens the door and carefully climbs out of the
carriage.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I suppose the air would do me some
good.
She straps a bonnet over her pulled-back hair and moves over to
her bags, taking them all in hand.
EXT. FRONT GATES - ASHBY ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen moves towards the towering gates. With a mighty heave,
she forces one of the gates open and steps through.
EXT. PATHWAY - ASHBY ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Large oak trees border the sandy pathway and continue with it
all the way to the mansion in the distance. The oaks are
tightly packed together and with their large over hanging
branches meeting in the centre, a tunnel is formed.
Gretchen slowly moves down the pathway, towards the mansion.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - DAY
CLOSE ON THE STONE FACE OF A BOY
Who's face is crumbling due to lack of care and echoes the
dreariness of this place. We BLUR OUT the boy's face and can see
Gretchen emerge from the pathway and the protection of the oaks.
The stone boy is in fact part of a massive FOUNTAIN that is
decaying with age and overgrown with moss.
Behind the fountain lay the MANSION. It too is beginning to
decay with lack of attention. The stone walls are beginning to
crack and the wooden window sills are in desperate need of a
coat of paint. The inside of the mansion is left only to the
imagination as heavy drapes block all eyes from prying where
they are obviously unwanted.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Dear diary, I have arrived to my new
home, only to find a once great manor
having been left to ruin and to slowly
decay with the passing of the days.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE
As she curiously gazes over the mansion.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I am left with a strange curiosity at
why a man, especially one as wealthy
as this Mister Ashby, would let his
home go to such ruin?
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
SOMEONE'S POV
Watches Gretchen from the safety of the darkness. This person
watches as Gretchen gazes over the house once more and then
disappears out of sight.
The drape falls back into place and instantly we are in
DARKNESS.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Absolute silence. A dark foyer.
We MOVE down a set of stairs and through the foyer towards the
front doors. With grey stone walls, thick stale air and no
movement this place could be easily confused with that of a
crypt.
SUDDENLY, light pours into the room and a shadow grows over the
grey stone floor as Gretchen enters.
GRETCHEN
Hello?
Her voice echoes until silence returns.
She strolls into the centre. We SPIRAL around her as she takes
in the new surroundings.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Hello?
Her voice echoes until silence returns.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
(louder)
Is there anyone home?
Silence.
A GRAND STAIRCASE
Lies before her. It splits at the centre landing, creating
another two sets of stairs that lead one left and one right.
However, this is not what she is staring at.
TWO GRANDFATHER CLOCKS
lay at the base of the steps. One on either side. They both
are exactly alike but there is something strange about them,
neither tick. They show '11:45am'.
She takes from one of her bags a POCKET WATCH and flips it open
and reads the time. '5:31pm'. She closes the lid, never taking
her eyes from the clocks.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
How strange.
Something catches Gretchen's attention. She stares for a moment
and then begins to climb the staircase.
A HUGE PORTRAIT
Hangs on the landing. The staircase leads directly to it.
It depicts a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN with long blonde hair, a gorgeous
smile and bares a likeness to Gretchen. A HEART SHAPE PENDANT
hangs around her neck.
Out of the silence a PIANO can be heard. She takes her eyes
from the captivating portrait and begins to follow the mournful
sound.
CUT TO:
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
CLOSE ON A MAN'S HANDS
As they play the ivory and black keys of a piano. He plays very
well.
RETURN TO:
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - SAME TIME
Gretchen cautiously walks up this corridor, still searching for
the origin of the piano's song.
CUT TO:
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
The hands move over the keys, he plays with a great passion and
is determined not to make a mistake - always hitting the keys
with precision.
RETURN TO:
INT. A CORRIDOR - MANSION - SAME TIME
Another corridor. Gretchen approaches a doorway where
flickering light emerges from an ajar door.
She places her hand against it and pushes it open.
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen enters the room, where easily a hundred flickering
candles, positioned all over the room burn. They are of all
shapes and sizes, puddles of wax having pooled and hardened
giving us the impression that they have been burning possibly
all night - perhaps many nights.
She moves through the room silently, awed and terrified at the
same time. This place is something out of a ghost story.
A four post bed with silk sheets. Elegant furniture. A hand
painted ceiling to rival that of Sistine Chapel - The room would
be beautiful if light could enter, but it is reminiscent of the
rest of the mansion, morbid and deprived.
Gretchen stops directly in front of a fireplace.
ANOTHER PORTRAIT
Of the beautiful woman hangs over it. The same heart shape
pendant around her neck.
SOMEONE'S POV
watches Gretchen from behind as she gazes over the portrait.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN-
VOICE (O.S.)
Who are you?
His voice booms in the silence. Gretchen, startled, turns
around to see ASHBY standing behind her - in an adjoining room.
GRETCHEN
You startled me.
ASHBY
(stepping forward)
And you didn't answer my question.
He moves closer and closer until he is almost on top of her. A
frightened Gretchen babbles-
GRETCHEN
I'm your...well I am....from
the....I'm Gretchen...
Against the fireplace. She cannot retreat any further.
ASHBY
Oh...
(insincere)
Forgive me. You look somewhat
different since the last time I saw
you.
(pause)
I wasn't expecting you for another few
days.
GRETCHEN
We had a good run. It took no time at
all really.
There is a long silence and it seems as if Ashby is trying to
stare her down. Gretchen tries to fight back, but his powerful
stare is no match for hers and she has to look away.
She locks eyes on his piano in the adjoining room.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
You play very well.
Ashby doesn't respond. She mistakes his silence for confusion.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
The piano.
Ashby slightly turns his head towards the adjoining room, but
stops. Is there some hidden pain?
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I never learned. Perhaps you could
teach me some time.
Gretchen smiles weakly, in an attempt to lighten the mood. It
fails.
ASHBY
You must be exhausted after your trip.
I'll show you to your room.
He turns and leaves.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
A dark silent room.
SUDDENLY, the double-doors fly open and Ashby marches in with
Gretchen following quickly from behind.
Gretchen scans the room quickly. A simple bed, writing desk, a
crumbling wardrobe, a chest of drawers that is in desperate need
of a coat of varnish and an old red leather chair that sits in
the middle of nowhere. The room lacks the elegance of the
others, but maintains the cold and dreariness of the mansion.
ASHBY
A bed...chest of
drawers...wardrobe...and a desk if you
so require one.
He points out the features as if he was a real-estate agent.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Did you bring any belongings with you?
GRETCHEN
They're downstairs.
ASHBY
I'll have my man bring them up for
you. He tends to the duties of this
house. I sometimes may have other
people as required, but he is the only
servant I keep on full-time. He caters
to all my needs and in future, to
yours.
GRETCHEN
Thank you.
He opens his mouth to speak, but cannot - he nods, smiles weakly
and leaves without another word.
The door close behind him. Gretchen frowns to herself as she
takes another look at her new room... and new life.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Welcome home, Gretchen.
There is a knock at the door.
A MAN enters the room carrying Gretchen's belongings. His hair
is longer than that of Ashby's, his clothes far less elegant and
he is at least ten years older. He is DANE, the lone servant.
DANTE
Where can i put these?
GRETCHEN
Just there would be fine, thank you.
Dante drops the cases roughly.
DANTE
Do you need anything else?
GRETCHEN
No, I don't believe so.
He turns to leave-
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Wait!
Dante stops and turns.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I do have something.
She moves over to her bed and retrieves a sealed LETTER. She
hands it to him.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Please, could you have this delivered
to my former address.
Dante takes a quick look over it and tucks it away in his vest
pocket.
DANTE
Anything else?
GRETCHEN
No, thank you.
Dante turns to leave when-
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
What is your name?
He turns, but continues to walk.
DANTE
(pause)
Dante, Miss.
Gretchen smiles.
GRETCHEN
Thank you
(pause)
Dante.
INT. DINING HALL - MANSION - EVENING
A long rectangular table sits in the centre of this Gothic
styled dining hall. A huge fire place lies off to one side.
Gretchen and Ashby sit at opposite ends of the table and eat
their supper in silence.
She constantly looks up from her meal, a puzzled expression over
her face as she looks over a strange sight.
A PLACE IS RESERVED
For another guest. It lies adjacent to Ashby at the other end
of the table.
GRETCHEN
Is someone going to be joining us?
He looks up from his meal.
ASHBY
No.
Silence. Gretchen's eyes wonder around the room and come to
rest on another PORTRAIT of the beautiful lady hanging above the
fireplace.
GRETCHEN
(finally)
Who's the woman in all of the
paintings?
Ashby stops in mid mouthful as if she has said something
shocking. After a breif pause he continues to chew and finally
answers.
ASHBY
My wife, Liz-
(stops himself)
Elizabeth.
GRETCHEN
Oh.
ASHBY
I'm sure your mother told you.
GRETCHEN
She did.
(pause)
How did she die?
ASHBY
She...
(painful pause)
She just died.
GRETCHEN
I'm sorry. She was very beautiful.
ASHBY
Yes she is.
Gretchen gives him a look, noting his use of is instead of was.
FOOTSTEPS break the new silence and Dante enters, a thick full
length coat under his arm.
DANTE
The carriage has arrived.
Ashby finishes his mouthful and stands. Gretchen looks to both
men, confused.
GRETCHEN
Carriage?
ASHBY
Yes. I have an appointment to keep
with a a business associate which I
cannot miss.
Dante helps Ashby on with his coat.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
I will be back tomorrow at some point.
Dante will attend to you if you
require him. Everything in this house
is at your disposal.
GRETCHEN
Thank-
ASHBY
(interrupts)
But I must stress one thing. I keep
all my doors unlocked but one. It
remains locked at all times, do I make
myself clear?
GRETCHEN
Yes, quite clear.
ASHBY
Good.
Ashby strides out of the room with Dante in tow.
From a BIRD's EYE VIEW we can see how insignificant Gretchen is
in this hall... and how alone.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
Gretchen folds the last of her night shirts and places them into
the derelict set of drawers. She returns to the bed, where the
rest of her clothing has been laid out and awaits to be put
away.
Taking a dress in her hands, she moves over to the wardrobe and
opens the doors.
GRETCHEN'S POV
An empty wardrobe - no hangers.
Gretchen pouts and rolls her eyes back slightly, 'typical'. She
looks down to see several hangers lying tangled together on the
base of the wardrobe. Crouching down, she picks them up, ready
to pull them apart when a PHOTOGRAPH drops out and falls face
down on the floor.
She stares at it for a moment then places the tangled hangers
down on the ground and picks up the photograph. She turns it
over and examines it. A photograph of ELIZABETH sits in her
fingertips. She looks very unhappy, greatly different from the
smiling portraits we have already seen.
Gretchen stands and whilst continuing to look over the
photograph moves over to her bed. She retrieves her journal from
the pillow and places the photograph inside for safe keeping.
She returns to unpacking.
CUT TO:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen is looking directly at us, a stern expression over her
face. She is thinking hard about something, but what?
Finally, a smile appears over her face-
With a mighty heave she pulls on a cord and the huge drapes fly
open, allowing moonlight to spill through the windows and into
her room.
Gretchen falls onto her bed and with a smile bathes in the
moonlight. After a moment, she turns her head and spots her
journal lying beside her.
CUT TO:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen is now sitting in the old leather chair, her legs
tucked under her as she writes in her journal.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Was tonight going to be the stencil
for the rest of my life? Was I to
spend the rest of my years in this
dreary house, with a husband that
would never speak more than a few cold
words to me?
She pauses writing and gazes through the window into the dark
outside world. A single light shines in the distance - this is
DANTE'S COTTAGE.
Exhausted, Gretchen nuzzles her head against the back of the
chair. Before she knows it she has fallen into a deep sleep,
the journal still resting on her lap.
CLOSE ON THE JOURNAL
As Gretchen's fingers begin to relax the journal begins to
slowly slip out of her grasp, sliding closer and closer towards
the edge of her knees.
In SLOW MOTION we watch as her fingers completely relax and the
journal slides off her knees. It falls to the ground with a
thunderous 'thud', spilling many pages open, allowing the
photograph to escape and slip under the chair.
Gretchen jumps in fright and looks about the room, only to find
the journal lying at her feet. She leans over and retrieves it.
Her lips move close to the burning candle and with a quick puff,
the flame is extinguished, smoke wafting into the air.
She stands and with a stretch, she slowly makes her way to the
bed.
FROM UNDER THE CHAIR
We watch as she slips between the sheets before FOCUSING on the
forgotten photograph.
FADE OUT:
EXT. ASHBY ESTATE - NEXT MORNING
The sun rises high into the sky for the beginning of a new day.
Flowers are blossoming and the trees glow in the morning dew -
we could be in Eden.
We LOWER through the oak branches and come to rest on the
pathway. A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER has beaten the odds and grown out
of the sand.
SUDDENLY, a set of HOOVES thunder over us and a CARRIAGE WHEEL
tramples the beautiful flower - reminding us that we are not in
Eden after all.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - SAME TIME
Gretchen moves down the empty corridor. She is learning her way
around her new home.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Ashby throws the double-doors open and hurries through the
foyer. As he approaches the staircase he looks to the
grandfather clocks and more importantly to their times,
"11:45am". He retrieves his own pocket watch and flips open the
lid, "11:40am". Only five minutes until they align.
He climbs the stairs, skipping every second step.
INT. SECOND FLOOR LANDING - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen walks to the end of the corridor and approaches the
staircase. She notices Ashby, but before she can call out to
him he turns into another corridor. He never saw her.
Curiously, she follows.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Ashby strides down the corridor. Gretchen's face peers around
the corner and watches as he stops at the end of the corridor,
before two LOCKED DOORS.
He removes a CHAIN from around his neck. Attached to the chain
is a KEY.
He inserts it into the lock, opens the door and enters. The
door closes behind him and the sound of him re-locking it can be
heard as Gretchen cautiously approaches.
Knowing full well that she may have to move swiftly at anytime,
Gretchen reluctantly crouches down onto her knees and peers
through the keyhole.
LOCK'S POV
Shows Gretchen's pupil constrict and dilate as she looks around
the room.
GRETCHEN'S POV
We cannot see much at all. The corner of a bed, other
furniture, a rug on the floor and a set of drapes covering up
the windows.
Ashby's voice can also be heard. It is very faint and mumbled,
Gretchen searches as much of the room as she can but cannot see
him anywhere.
Puzzled, Gretchen pulls away from the lock and SUDDENLY the
faint mumbling has transformed into SHOUTING. Ashby's footsteps
move towards the door.
Gretchen falls back in fright and quickly looks about for an
escape. She jumps to her feet, opens an adjacent door and
closes it behind herself JUST AS the other door opens and Ashby
storms out.
INT. ADJACENT ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen has herself pushed hard against the back of the door,
holding her breath as she doesn't want to draw Ashby's
attention to this room.
She can hear Ashby's ranting...
ASHBY (O.S.)
DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT OR I
WILL PUT YOU BACK WHERE I FOUND YOU!
The door is slammed shut and locked. His footsteps, thundering
at first, slowly begin to fade away as he disappears down the
corridor.
Gretchen can breathe again.
She turns and opens the door.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen peers into the corridor. Empty. She moves out of the
safety of the room and closes the door gently.
VOICE (O.S.)
You shouldn't be here.
A startled Gretchen turns to see Dante standing at the other end
of the corridor. He holds a platter of breakfast and tea,
destined for Ashby.
GRETCHEN
(stumbling)
I wasn't...I was...just...
DANTE
I am just warning you for your own
sake.
Gretchen cannot help but smile at his dramatization.
GRETCHEN
Warning me?
Dante doesn't return the smile.
DANTE
I don't mean anything by it, Miss.
GRETCHEN
What's in that room?
DANTE
Please, some things are better left
unsaid. I don't know what's in that
room and I don't want to know. You
should do the same.
GRETCHEN
A secret? How dramatic. We can all
keep secrets.
DANTE
He doesn't like secrets.
(pause)
Of any type.
GRETCHEN
He likes to keep them, apparently.
DANTE
I'm just telling you miss, so you
never tell me in time to come that I
didn't.
Without another word Dante continues down another corridor,
leaving Gretchen somewhat confused.
MOVE TO:
EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY
With the mansion tucked away in the background, Gretchen reaches
the summit of this grassy windswept hillside. She looks about
at the beautiful countryside and then to the dreary mansion that
stains the landscape.
With a frown, she turns away from the mansion and descends into
the meadows below.
EXT. MEADOWS - DAY
Various shots from all angles show Gretchen walking alone in the
huge green meadows.
An ARIEL SHOT shows Gretchen moving towards a set of cliffs that
border the meadows and a beach.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Gale force winds have swept up the ocean. Waves crash with
enormous ferocity onto the beach, saturating more and more dry
sand with every blow.
Gretchen is alone for miles as she walks alone the beach. It is
a very calming sight.
In the distance Gretchen spots someone in the distance. An
EASEL is set up in front of him and it is clear that he is
painting the stormy sea. It is Dante. His hair and clothes flap
wildly in the winds, however he seems unconcerned.
Gretchen waves but he cannot see her. She is about to continue
over to him when a CRASH of thunder causes her to abandon her
idea and decide to return to the mansion.
EXT. SKY - DAY
The clouds rumble and lightning begins to flash all around as
the storm grows.
EXT. GARDENS - ASHBY ESTATE - DAY
Gretchen runs through the garden, trying to dodge the ever
growing puddles as more and more rain begins to fall.
Completely saturated, Gretchen stops running and slowly moves to
a walk and finally stands in her own tracks. She looks about
herself, nothing but trees, flowers and hedges. She is lost.
EXT. CEMETERY - ASHBY ESTATE - MOMENTS LATER
Crypts. Tombstones. Plaques. Gretchen arrives at the family
cemetery. A rusted iron fence surrounds the graves. Unlike the
mansion the tombs are in pristine condition.
Gretchen is hesitant about going in.
There is another CRASH of thunder, Gretchen cowers, quickly and
clumsily she unlatches the gate and enters the cemetery. She
hides moves over to one of the crypts, allowing its oversized
roof to protect her from the storm.
Gretchen rubs her shoulders vigorously as in the wind her damp
dress is making her very cold. Her hair hangs tangled and flat
from rain and her face has gone pale white, her lips turning
blue.
She slides down the wall of the crypt, tucking her arms around
her legs as she helplessly awaits the end of the storm.
EXT. CRYPT - LATER
Gretchen looks up to the sky, the storm is still overhead,
thunder blasting the sky and lightning igniting the darkness. As
she is looking up at the storm, the name "Ashby" catches her
attention.
She turns her head more and moves herself away from the wall so
she can get a better look. Inscribed along the wall are all of
the Ashby family to be buried inside the crypt.
HAROLD STEVEN ASHBY JULIA ANN ASHBY
WILSON STEVEN ASHBY MARY MARGARET ASHBY
JAMES FREDERICK ASHBY GEORGIA JANE ASHBY
JAMES ALISTAIR ASHBY CAROLINE FRANCINE ASHBY
But at the end of the list, a female has been scratched out.
Gretchen stands. She looks closer and moves her finger over the
scratched out name. Most of the name is unrecognizable but it
is clear as she moves her fingers over the original etching and
from the few surviving letters it spells out the name
'Elizabeth'.
Gretchen stands back, confused and somewhat curious. She turns
and a RAT scampers over her foot. With a scream she unbalances
and falls backwards, knocking her head on the concrete floor of
the crypt.
BLACK:
In the darkness we can here the sound of a cloth sloshing around
in water. The excess water is squeezed away until the dribbling
stops.
CLOSE ON AN EYELID
As it barely blinks open and as quickly closes.
EYES POV
Shows a very BLURRED IMAGE.
The eye blinks again and the image begins to sharpen. A FIGURE
is sitting before us.
INT. A ROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - EVENING
Gretchen lays semi-conscious in a bed. The color in her face
has returned and her hair has dried.
Dante holds a washcloth in one hand and with the other lifts her
up slightly so he can clean the gash on the back of her head.
Gretchen moans in agony. Dante continues to carefully dab the
wound and wash the blood into the bowl.
GRETCHEN
(mumbled and slow)
Where am I?
DANTE
You're in my home. Do you remember
what happened?
Gretchen shakes her head weakly.
GRETCHEN
No.
DANTE
I found you unconscious in the
cemetery. It was only luck that lead
me to you, I had to check a fence and
the quickest route happened to be
through the cemetery, otherwise I may
not have found you when I did.
Dante squeezes the water out of the cloth once more and then
turns to Gretchen. Her eyes are now completely open.
DANTE (CONT'D)
It was too far to the house, so I
brought you here. I hope you don't
mind?
GRETCHEN
No.
DANTE
Can you sit up at all?
Gretchen tries to sit up but cannot. Dante helps her up and
begins to dab the wound once more.
GRETCHEN
How long...?
DANTE
A couple of hours.
GRETCHEN
Oh.
Gretchen suddenly notices that she is naked underneath the bed
sheets.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Oh my god.
She tries to scramble out of bed but in pain she falls back.
DANTE
What? What?
GRETCHEN
Where are my clothes?
DANTE
Drying. They were saturated. If I
hadn't have got you warm and dry
quickly you could have died of a
chill.
Gretchen only stares, stunned, embarrassed - just to name a few
of the emotions swimming around in her head at the thought of
Dante seeing her naked.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I didn't do anything-
GRETCHEN
I didn't say you did.
DANTE
(with a smile)
You were thinking it.
(pause)
I didn't look. It took me some time
to undress you for that reason. I may
not be a gentleman, but I do have my
honour.
Gretchen finally nods, accepting the reason.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry.
GRETCHEN
It's okay.
An awkward silence.
Dante stands.
DANTE
You should drink something.
He disappears out of the doorway.
Gretchen looks around the room. It is very basic but clean.
The entire room is lined with PAINTINGS. Canvases of all sizes
and widths are stacked and scattered all over the floor.
Gretchen slowly sits up, wrapping the sheet around her body as
she continues to look over all of the paintings. Paintings of
meadows, beaches, trees, sunsets and the ocean are some of the
many scenes he has captured.
Dante moves into the doorway, a glass of water in his hand.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Here you go.
He hands Gretchen the glass and she smiles to him.
GRETCHEN
Thank you.
She sips on it while looking over the paintings.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
You painted all these?
Dante smiles with pride,
DANTE
Yes, every one.
GRETCHEN
They are amazing.
DANTE
My father made me my first brush when
i was a boy. I remember it completely,
in every detail. We didn't have a lot
of money, most of it had to go into
farm equipment. But when he took the
brush and palette from behind his back
and handed it to me I was so happy...
(sorrowful pause)
He died that month. I always thought
it funny how the happiest time of my
life was the same time of one of my
saddest...
GRETCHEN
I'm sorry.
Dante shakes his head with a smile.
DANTE
It's okay. The paintings remind me of
him. It keeps him alive.
Gretchen smiles, she puts her hand to her head. The throbbing
pain has returned.
Dante grabs her and helps her to lie down.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Just lie here and rest. The swelling
will go down soon and then I'll take
you home.
Gretchen nods softly.
Dante takes the washcloth and dips it in the water and squeezes
out the residue before placing it on her forehead.
GRETCHEN
Can I ask you something?
DANTE
Yes.
GRETCHEN
In the cemetery, at Elizabeth's grave
I noticed her name scratched out.
Why?
DANTE
You weren't at Elizabeth's grave.
GRETCHEN
(confused)
What? Yes I was I found her name.
Dante dabs her forehead.
DANTE
You won't find her there.
Gretchen looks at him curiously.
DANTE (CONT'D)
They moved her body just after the
funeral.
GRETCHEN
Where?
DANTE
Why are you so interested?
Stay with Gretchen's face as we-
MOVE TO:
EXT. A MEADOW - NEXT DAY
LOOKING UP from the grass we watch as Gretchen, now recovered
from the day before and dressed in a new dress walks towards us.
She is staring at us.
DANTE (V.O.)
If you must know. You will find her
beyond the river, bordering the estate
in the furthest meadow from the house.
A CRUMBLING PLAQUE
Sits alone in this meadow. It reads "Here lies Elizabeth Jane
Ashby. Rest In Peace". Unlike the family cemetery this plaque
has been unkept or cared for and left to rot in the weather.
A FRESHLY PICKED ROSE
lies at the base of this plaque.
FADE OUT:
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - EVENING
A familiar setting, Gretchen and Ashby eating supper at
different ends of the table. Once again a place has been
reserved for a person that may never show up.
The silence is deafening. Gretchen continuously looks up to
Ashby, desperately wanting to break the ice and talk.
GRETCHEN
(finally)
I was out for a walk today.
Ashby looks up,
ASHBY
Pardon?
GRETCHEN
I was out for a walk today.
ASHBY
(disinterested)
Oh?
GRETCHEN
I found Elizabeth's grave.
Ashby pauses eating for a moment and then resumes.
ASHBY
I see.
GRETCHEN
I was curious, why was she buried
there and not with the rest of your
family.
ASHBY
It was so wished.
GRETCHEN
I just found it strange. It is also
very unkept, unlike the other graves
in your family's cemetery which are
perfect-
Ashby drops his knife and forks on his plate and stares angrily
at Gretchen - immediately she stops speaking.
ASHBY
Perhaps you should not pry into things
you do not and could not possibly
understand.
GRETCHEN
I was just-
ASHBY
(interrupts)
Curious? Yes I know. Remember the
proverb?
GRETCHEN
Curiosity
ASHBY
(finishes the sentence)
Killed the cat. Now leave it alone.
Ashby gives Gretchen one last cold stare before returning to his
meal.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Days past like years. The silence was
deafening...maddening.
BEGIN MONTAGE:
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - DAY
CLOSE ON ASHBY'S HANDS
As they move over the keys of his piano. He is playing a
beautiful but sad tune.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - ANOTHER NIGHT
Gretchen lies in her empty bed, alone in the dark. Left to live
in her own thoughts.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Ashby's reclusive ways were beginning
to effect me in a way I never
expected.
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Ashby continues to play his piano, the same beautiful song.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
In way I never imagined.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - ANOTHER EVENING
Gretchen dines alone in the huge dining room. Ashby is out. She
sits at the table, having barely touched her meal. Her eyes
have lost the youthfulness they once had, the fire that once
filled her spirit is beginning to die.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
It was breaking my spirit. I was
becoming like him.
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
We SLOWLY begin to PULL AWAY from Ashby and his piano as he
continues to play.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - ANOTHER DAY
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN
Her face has become pale and black bags lie thickly under her
eyes. She is no longer the woman we knew earlier.
Gretchen pulls the drapes down, blocking out the light.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I begun to fear the light and hid from
it. Light I associated with color,
brightness and happiness.
(beat)
There was no happiness in
this house.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen sits in her chair, not facing the window but in the
centre of her room. Sitting alone and in the dark as she has
let the candles burn out.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
You suddenly lose things to say when
you have only yourself
to talk to.
INT. VARIOUS PLACES - MANSION - DAY
The corridors, dining room, foyer, various rooms are all empty
and silent. The house remains barely used. Ashby spends his
days out and alone, leaving his fiancee alone with her
diminishing spirit.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - DAY
We SLOWLY move towards the double doors hearing the mumbling of
an argument, the first sign of life. It is Ashby, still hiding
away in his locked room.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen sits with her back to us in the middle of her room.
We SLOWLY ROTATE around the chair, as we move about her we can
see that she sits and just stares at nothing. She doesn't even
blink.
We ROTATE AWAY from her and move towards a bureau next to the
bed.
CLOSE ON THE BUREAU
Where Gretchen's journal lay unused. It's once beautiful and
shining covers has been left uncared for and collecting a thick
layer of dust.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Even my beloved journal began
to rot away in this house.
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
We SLOWLY move further and further away from Ashby as he
concludes the tune on his piano.
END MONTAGE:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
It is the day of Gretchen's and Ashby's wedding.
LEGEND: "Many months later..."
Gretchen stands in the centre of her room facing three mirrors
as a SEAMSTRESS, pins throughout her lips, adjusts the dress to
fit Gretchen's body.
SEAMSTRESS
You are a very lucky woman. This gown
was fashioned in Rome, made by some of
the best...
Without even looking at her, Gretchen interrupts - having now
inherited Ashby's 'charm'. Her tone bitter.
GRETCHEN
Was it hers?
She spits out 'hers' as if it were poison.
The Seamstress looks up, not quite understanding.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
It was hers, wasn't it?
She nods sadly.
But Gretchen isn't looking. She's looking at herself in the
mirrors, hating the dress with all her being.
SEAMSTRESS
It's still a beautiful dress.
A long silence.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
It was never my dress. Nothing was
mine unless it was hers first.
There is a knock at the door just as it opens. Ashby enters
with a small velvet box in his hand.
SEAMSTRESS
Now Mister Ashby you know you
shouldn't be in here.
ASHBY
Yes I know, but I have something for
my wife-to-be. A gift.
Gretchen looks at the box in Ashby's hand. A surprised look
comes over her face, he's being somewhat warm to her.
Ashby offers it to her, she hesitantly accepts it. She opens
the box to see-
A HEART-SHAPED PENDANT
Beautifully arranged in the box.
Her eyes almost well with tears.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Finally may he be the man I've hoped
for?
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
It's beautiful.
Ashby takes the pendant out of the box and holds the necklace by
the ends as he moves behind Gretchen. He places it around her
neck and clips it together.
He moves to her ear.
ASHBY
(whispers)
For a beautiful woman.
He presses his lips to her neck and kisses it. She shivers with
a sudden surge.
They both look at one another through the reflection of the
mirrors.
The Seamstress looks at the couple with a smile.
SEAMSTRESS
Awww I thought I'd never see you this
happy again, Mister Ashby.
Ashby turns his cold stare to the Seamstress and smiles
pensively.
He returns his gaze to Gretchen.
ASHBY
You look beautiful in that gown. You
are made to wear it.
GRETCHEN
Thank you.
ASHBY
But I do have one suggestion.
(pause)
If you don't mind.
Gretchen doesn't reply. He takes that as she doesn't mind.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
I wonder if you could possible wear
your hair...down. You wore it down at
the party and it took my breath away.
Gretchen slowly moves her hands behind to the back of her hair
and pulls out the pins. Ashby watches her do this with hidden
desire - however his eyes cannot hide it.
Finally her hair falls down and Ashby moves his fingers through
it, enjoying every strand.
He turns to the Seamstress.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
You know how I want it.
The Seamstress nods with a frown.
Ashby turns to Gretchen once more.
GRETCHEN
I should go. After all it is bad luck
to see your fiancee before the
ceremony.
Ashby leaves, giving the Seamstress one last cold glance as he
passes by her.
The Seamstress moves over to Gretchen.
SEAMSTRESS
Come on dear, I'll help you with your
hair.
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
Gretchen and Ashby stand before a PRIEST with only two other
guests filling the rows and rows of pews in this chapel. The
Seamstress and Dante.
We are towards the end of the ceremony.
PRIEST
Do you, Jonathan Robert Ashby take
Gretchen Mary Davidson to be your
lawfully wedded wife. Do you swear to
protect her, honour her and love her
in sickness and in health as long as
you both shall live?
Ashby turns to his bride.
ASHBY
I do.
PRIEST
And do you, Gretchen Mary Davidson
take Jonathan Robert Ashby to be your
lawfully wedded husband. Do you swear
to protect him, honour him and love
him in sickness and in health as long
as you both shall live?
GRETCHEN
I do.
PRIEST
Then with the power vested in me in
this house of the Lord I pronounce you
husband and wife.
(pause)
You may now kiss the bride.
Ashby turns to Gretchen and lifts the veil to reveal her
beautiful face. He looks her over and then kisses her.
MOVE TO:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
MASSES OF CANDLES
Surround the bedroom like walls of fire.
Gretchen, dressed in a white nightgown, stands in the centre of
the room. Her heart thumps nervously and she fiddles with her
fingers as she awaits her husband to come for her.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
Tired of waiting, Gretchen is now sitting in her chair by the
window writing in her journal.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Dear diary. I know it has been months
since my last entry but I am left with
nowhere to turn. It is my wedding
night and thus far I have spent it
alone.
(pause for a sigh)
I know where my husband is.
CUT TO:
INT. A ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
We PULL AWAY from Ashby as he plays his piano. He plays with a
passion not yet seen in him, his tune is neither sad nor happy.
It is something else...confusion.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
He will be playing his piano...
We back away further until we have moved through the locked
doors and into the-
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
We BACK AWAY down the corridor, away from the locked doors.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
...from behind locked doors, hiding
from his life and from me.
RETURN TO:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen finishes writing and leans her head against the back of
the chair.
GRETCHEN
(sighs mournfully)
Why must he hide from me? Why must we
live in such solitude? So many
secrets, so many questions lie
unearthed in this place. So many that
fester at my very being...
The pen slides off the journal and onto the floor. Gretchen
leans over and searches for it, but cannot locate it.
She climbs off the chair and crouches down on the floor, ducking
her head under. After a moment of searching she takes hold of
the pen... and something else, the photograph.
Months of dust and dirt have caked over the image and distorted
it somewhat. Gretchen wipes the dust away with her fingers,
rubbing hard until the image sharpens. It is indeed the
photograph of the sad, Elizabeth.
Gretchen stares at it for a moment, her face twists in deep
thought - there is something about the photograph...something
she cannot pick out.
SUDDENLY, she realizes what it is. She hurries over to the
three large mirrors and gazes upon her own reflection.
THE PHOTOGRAPH
Shows Elizabeth with a sad expression over her face. Her
beautiful hair hangs over her shoulders and a Gold heart-shaped
pendent lies around her neck.
THE REFLECTION
Shows Gretchen with the same hair style as Elizabeth and the
exact same pendant around her neck. They now look so similar it
is frightening.
Ashby is trying to turn her into Elizabeth.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Oh My God.
The door creeks open and Gretchen whisks herself around to see
Ashby step into the room.
BEHIND HER BACK
Gretchen conceals the photograph by dropping it onto the floor
behind her legs. She keeps her eyes glued on Ashby so his eyes
cannot wonder.
ASHBY
(aching with desire)
You look beautiful tonight. I was
right about you keeping your hair
down.
Gretchen manages only a weak smile.
Ashby moves closer to her, his breathing becomes deeper whilst
his eyes glide over every contour of her body.
He pulls her close and begins to kiss her. He is a rough lover
and Gretchen has little choice but to go along with it.
She is frightened of him.
FROM BEHIND
We watch as Ashby glides his hands up and down her arms before
he rips her nightgown down revealing her naked body.
ASHBY'S EYES
Burn even more with desire as he gazes upon her.
He grips her back tightly as his face disappears into her chest,
Gretchen tilts her head back slightly - not wanting to see what
he is doing.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Gretchen is underneath Ashby. She clutches onto his back in
pain as he pounds away. SOUNDS of agony escape her mouth but
Ashby ignores them and considers them sounds of pleasure.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
From a BIRD'S EYE VIEW we look down on Gretchen who now lies in
the bed alone. The sheets are ruffled and scattered over the
mattress.
She just stares back up at us with a look of despair over her
face.
We SLOWLY DESCEND towards her face as she speaks.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
And every night that followed was the
same. He would come into my room at
night, have his way and then leave me
to die every night, alone. I wanted
more than this. I I wanted
desperately for him to love me and to
make love to me. In his mind I knew
he made love to her. I was just the
object of his obsession, not the
object of his affection.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE
As a solitary tear rolls out of the corner of her eye and down
the side of her face.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen sits alone at the foot of the staircase. A book lay in
her hands, she is trying desperately to read it but cannot
concentrate long enough. Her mind is elsewhere, engrossed in
the questions and secrets of the house.
Dante walks out from a second floor corridor. A tray of used
cutlery and dirty dishes lay in his arms.
DANTE
What are you doing out here all alone?
GRETCHEN
Sitting.
DANTE
Yes, I noticed. Interesting book?
GRETCHEN
I don't know, I can't pluck up the
motivation to read it.
DANTE
Perhaps you should go outside, it is a
lovely day-
GRETCHEN
(interrupts)
I don't want to.
DANTE
Suit yourself.
He steps around her and is about to continue on-
GRETCHEN
Dante.
He stops and turns.
DANTE
Yes, Miss?
GRETCHEN
Why isn't Elizabeth's grave with the
others? Jonathan said it was her
wish, but I don't believe him.
DANTE
Opening old wounds will not help you
or him, miss. It will only make
things worse for you.
Gretchen is choking back tears, but the more she pleads the more
she begins to cry.
GRETCHEN
I don't care. I need to know, Dante.
I need to know everything about what
happened here. I feel as if this is
all driving me insane.
Dante places the tray down on the floor and plants himself
beside Gretchen. He wraps his arms around her and she cries
into his shoulder.
DANTE
What would you like to know?
GRETCHEN
(between tears)
Everything..everything...
DANTE
Okay.
The CAMERA turns away from the staircase and comes to rest at
the front doors.
DANTE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I was not always the only servant to
this house. There was another,
Samuel...
BEGIN FLASH BACK:
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - AFTERNOON
The doors open and TWO MEN walk through the foyer, each carrying
a bundle of firewood in their arms. One of the men is a YOUNGER
DANTE and the other is SAMUEL, a 20 year old man with striking
features.
DANTE
It usually takes around five trips to
fill the fireplace in the dining room
and a single trip for every other fire
place. However, that isn't the case
for the one in Mr. Ashby's chambers,
it takes two trips.
SAMUEL
(unsure)
Okay.
DANTE
Don't worry, you'll learn all this
soon enough.
SAMUEL
I hope so. I can't afford to lose
this job so soon after getting it.
They move past the staircase, which is of course empty, and step
through the archway.
DANTE (V.O.)
He was a good worker and I instructed
him in the ways to which the house was
to be run.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - ASHBY ESTATE - DAY
A thick piece of wood is positioned on a block. Within moments
the sharp blade of an axe strikes down hard and splits it in
half.
Dante takes the two split pieces and throws them into a pile,
whilst Samuel takes another thick piece and positions it on the
block. With a sharp blow they too are cut in half.
Samuel stops for a moment and wipes the sweat from his brow.
Both men are filthy from a hard day's work, but it only makes
Samuel more appealing, not so for Dante.
Both men stop to glance at a CARRIAGE that thunders up the
pathway and comes to a stop before the mansion.
The DRIVER jumps down from the cab and opens the carriage door.
A YOUNGER ASHBY is first out, he turns, holds his hand out and
waits-
A DELICATE HAND
Takes his softly in hers.
He helps a WOMAN out of the carriage, we cannot see her face.
Dante wipes his hands clean on his vest and slaps Samuel on the
shoulder-
DANTE
Come on.
They move over to the carriage.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Welcome back, Mister Ashby.
Ashby turns and smiles.
ASHBY
Thank you, Dante.
(pause)
How is my new worker getting on?
SAMUEL
Fine, sir.
ASHBY
I'm glad to hear it. I'd like you
both to meet my fiancee, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth turns to them, revealing her face for the first time.
She is absolutely stunning.
Samuel's breath is taken away, he is in love.
DANTE
A pleasure to meet the woman who would
take our master's heart.
Elizabeth smiles.
ELIZABETH
The pleasure was all mine, I assure
you.
She turns to Samuel. They are both instantly attracted to one
another, but Elizabeth hides it much better than Samuel does.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
And you are?
SAMUEL
Samuel, Miss.
ELIZABETH
Samuel.
She smiles. He smiles. Dante watches them both closely.
DANTE (V.O.)
From the beginning I can see the
makings of a tragedy.
INT. KITCHEN - MANSION - NIGHT
saucepans on the stove are simmering away. The counter is lined
with fresh vegetables and fruit, all at various stages of
preparations.
Dante is slicing carrots into a large pot, whilst Samuel sits by
the counter munching away on an apple.
SAMUEL
She is beautiful isn't she?
DANTE
Who?
SAMUEL
Elizabeth, of course.
DANTE
Oh. She's quite fetching.
SAMUEL
Fetching? No, she's much more than
that. She's beautiful, no, she's
beyond that - an angel.
DANTE
Don't get any ideas my young
apprentice.
Samuel only looks up from his apple, he doesn't speak.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
The dining room table is beautifully set with the most expensive
china and cutlery money can buy, with candelabras that stretch
the length of the table.
However, this all goes unnoticed as the two lovers sit together,
Ashby in his usual seat and Elizabeth in the UNUSED SEAT,
talking and giggling as they polish off another bottle of wine.
DANTE (V.O.)
Mister Ashby was infatuated with
Elizabeth. He loved every moment they
spent together, he loved her voice,
her scent, her smile - everything.
Dante and Samuel enter, each carrying a plate of supper.
SUDDENLY, the two lovers are conservative and sit quietly at the
table, politely thanking their chefs.
ASHBY
It looks delicious.
Samuel places a plate before Elizabeth and they both share an
intimate stare.
ELIZABETH
Thank you, Samuel.
He smiles.
SAMUEL
My pleasure.
Dante and Samuel leave together,
DANTE
(whispers)
You play with fire.
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
A PRIEST stands before the happy couple. The chapel is filled
with guests, including Dante and Samuel.
Throughout the ceremony, Samuel cannot take his eyes from
Elizabeth and she cannot take hers from him. Dante watches them
both, uneasily.
DANTE (V.O.)
I thought once the ceremony had taken
place Samuel would seen that he
couldn't have her and give up his
obsession.
(pause)
It didn't.
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
We MOVE THROUGH the bedroom, slowly past the bed where we can
hear the sounds of Ashby and Elizabeth making love. The sheets
bump with their moving bodies.
We CONTINUE through the room, towards the door, where a PAIR OF
EYES watch them.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
In the darkness Samuel watches the pair. His face and eyes burn
with a great jealousy.
Elizabeth turns her head to the ajar door and their eyes lock on
one another. She smiles seductively - this only torments Samuel
more.
From behind, Dante takes Samuel by the shoulder and throws him
across the corridor. He takes him by the shirt, his eyes almost
bulging out his head-
DANTE
(a strong whisper)
What are you doing?!? You cannot have
her, you must get over it!
Samuel pulls himself free,
SAMUEL
Why? Why must I? I love her and she
loves me.
DANTE
You don't even know her!
SAMUEL
I don't care!
Samuel storms away.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - ANOTHER DAY
Samuel and Elizabeth, hand in hand, run through the corridor,
smiles over their faces.
DANTE (V.O.)
He wanted her and I knew she wanted
him. Their passion for one another
grew as the days passed.
Samuel pulls her to him and they kiss passionately. She pulls
away, teasing him, smiles and kisses him back.
Elizabeth presses her finger to her lips. She takes his hand
and walks him into the next room. The door locks.
DANTE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You cannot stop the inevitable.
Dante steps out from the darkness, he sighs and shakes his head
before continuing on with his duties.
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - DAY/MAIN FOYER - DAY
INTERCUT:
Elizabeth lays spread out over the bed, Samuel on top of her,
pushing into her.
DANTE (V.O.)
And Mister Ashby never knew. He was
so blind to the truth, that the affair
went on for more than two years. They
would meet secretly every day, and I
did nothing to prevent it.
Ashby walks through the front doors and into the foyer, a
freshly plucked rose in his hand, a smile on his face.
DANTE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
But one day, I decided too...
Dante greets him. In silence they walk, Ashby's smile turns to
a frown. He rushes up the stairs.
Elizabeth grips the sheets tighter between her fingers, her body
stretches, her eyes close, she is in ecstasy-
SUDDENLY, the doors are thrown open. Elizabeth and Samuel
scramble around the sheets, trying to hide themselves.
Ashby storms in, he looks over the two of them. Tears stream
down his angered face.
The rose is crushed, blood trickling out of his fist from the
self-inflicted wound he hasn't even noticed.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Dante stands against the wall, desperately trying to decide if
he has done the wrong thing.
CLOSE ON DANTE'S FACE
Is it ages. We are taken out of the flashback.
END FLASH BACK:
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION -CONTINUOUS
A tear rolls down Dante's cheek.
DANTE
To this day I wonder if I did the
right thing. What right did I have to
decide if it was love they shared? If
it was love, then I should be damned
for what I did.
GRETCHEN
What happened next?
DANTE
Mister Ashby was a destroyed man, the
woman that he was infatuated with, the
woman he loved had betrayed him, but
the worst thing was that he still
loved her as much as he did the day he
met her.
(pause)
He terminated Samuel's employment and
sent him away-
BEGIN FLASH BACK:
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
Tears roll down Elizabeth's face as she watches Samuel slowly
wonder up the pathway, out of her life forever.
DANTE (V.O.)
...in the hope that this would save
his marriage and most of all so that
he could Elizabeth for himself.
Elizabeth slinks sadly to the bed, climbs onto it and cuddles
herself up into a tight ball.
She produces a vile, that has been concealed in her palm,
removes the lid and swallows the poison.
DANTE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Elizabeth was so heart broken with
Samuel's absence that rather than face
another day without him she took her
own life.
Elizabeth lies still on the bed. Dead.
END FLASH BACK:
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Dante wipes his face dry and pulls himself out of those
memories.
DANTE
And that brings us to now. Nothing
was ever the same after her death, he
was never the same.
GRETCHEN
Why didn't he say anything?
DANTE
He doesn't like to speak about it. He
exists in a world where it never
happened.
He turns to her.
DANTE (CONT'D)
You've seen him. You've seen this
place. He's changed nothing since her
death, the house has gone to ruin, all
the clocks have been broken - all in
his futile attempt to stop time.
He turns away again, thinking out loud.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I thought once you came into his life
that he would give up this ridiculous
existence. But it's only made him
worse.
(pause)
He's quite mad, you know?
Gretchen frowns.
DANTE (CONT'D)
He hides it well. We all have our
secrets.
Gretchen attempts a weak smile.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Dante was right. We all have our
secrets. Even I...
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - EVENING
Gretchen and Ashby sit still at opposite ends of the table even
though they are now married.
They eat in silence.
ASHBY
I will be away for the next few
months.
GRETCHEN
Oh?
ASHBY
I have business in Newcastle then I
must to check over my various
businesses in London before sailing to
Marsailles to purchase some land that
has just come onto the market.
Silence.
GRETCHEN
When do you leave?
ASHBY
Tomorrow. An associate will collect
me in the morning.
Silence, they continue to eat.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - NEXT MORNING
A carriage sits outside the mansion. A DRIVER opens the door
and Ashby steps inside.
Within moments the carriage rolls away.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
Gretchen watches from her window. A smile appears over her face
as the carriage disappears into the distance.
EXT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM WINDOW - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen's drapes fly open and light once again pours into her
room.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
She ties the drapes so that as much light can penetrate the room
as possible.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
This house had been the cradle to so
much deceit, secrets and sadness.
That was Elizabeth's legacy - not
mine. If my husband wanted to live in
the past, to prefer 'existence' over
'life' - then so be it.
(pause)
I wanted happiness, I choose life...
Gretchen sits at her desk, in front of a mirror. She begins to
place her hair up once more.
She smiles to herself. An idea.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
So I set about bringing some happiness
into my world...
INT. VARIOUS PLACES - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen moves through various corridors and rooms throughout
the mansion, opening all the drapes and windows, allowing
sunlight to lighten even the darkest corners and a breeze to
remove the stagnate 'crypt' like air.
Her smiles become bigger and more beautiful every time a drape
is ripped open and light is allowed to enter. Her youthfulness
and the Gretchen we remember is beginning to return.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen moves the hands of the Grandfather clocks so that they
match her pocket watch. With a few slight adjustments the
clocks begin to tick once more.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - DAY
From ON HIGH we watch as MANY STRONG MEN, all craftsman and
labourers, all carrying the tools of their chosen trade, walk
along the pathway and through the front doors, into the mansion.
We FOLLOW them inside, walking as one of them.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
The foyer opens up to us, where MANY MORE MEN are busily working
around the house. They paint, mend, hammer, sew - in an attempt
to bring the house back to its former glory.
We PASS THROUGH the foyer and move into the-
SITTING ROOM
Where more work is being done. Nails and a desperately needed
coat of varnish are added to the floorboards. Walls are
painted. Furniture is being mended and new fabrics replacing the
old. New curtains are being sewed and the old ones removed.
We exit through a double doors that lead outside.
EXT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Window sills are given a fresh coat of paint. The garden beds
are dug up, as old growth is removed and new seedlings and
added.
Gretchen and a FOREMAN stand well back from the house,
explaining (sometimes with large hand gestures) what still needs
to be achieved.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION
Gretchen sits by her desk, adding the final touches to a letter.
She seals it and hands it to Dante.
DANTE
Same address?
GRETCHEN
Yes please.
He leaves.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - DAY
The craftsmen slowly vanish from the foyer as their tasks end
until-
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - NIGHT
Everyone has now vanished. The foyer is almost unrecognizable,
restored to it's beautiful, and state it was always meant to be.
We PASS THROUGH the foyer and into the dining room.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen sits alone at her end of the table.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
But the night still brought with it
loneliness.
She throws down her knife and fork and leaves the table.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
No one wants to be alone.
INT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Gretchen steps along the tiny stone path that leads to Dante's
cliff side cottage. The cottage itself is relatively small, but
has something the huge mansion does not have - warmth and a
homely feeling.
She approaches the front door and is about to knock when from
inside there is a roar of laughter and the muffled sounds of
talking. She hesitates knocking and curiously strolls around to
the back of the cottage.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Gretchen's head peers cautiously through the carbon stained
windows.
EXT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
GRETCHEN'S POV
Reveals Dante painting the portrait of a NUDE WOMAN. She lies
draped over his bed, posing for him. Dante himself sits on a
stool in the corner of the room behind an easel. His weapons -
a palette and numerous brushes.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen gasps in horror. Dante's eyes dart to the window - but
there is nothing.
MODEL
What?
DANTE
Nothing. It's nothing.
EXT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen has herself plastered against the wall, holding her
breath. After a moment, having assured herself that Dante isn't
aware of her presence, she relaxes and begins to breathe once
more.
Another moment passes. She cannot help but take another look.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
Dante continues to paint the model and Gretchen watches from the
safety of the darkness.
SUDDENLY, he stops and disappears from the room.
MODEL
Where are you going?
DANTE
I need some more paint. I'll be right
back.
The Model quickly gets tired of waiting and shuffles to the edge
of the bed. Gretchen watches the model with great curiosity,
gazing over her naked back. She seems so comfortable and it
amazes the conservative Gretchen.
EXT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen is very focused, her eyes never blink.
VOICE (O.S.)
And what are you doing back here?
She spins around to see Dante standing before her, cleaning his
paint stained hands with a filthy cloth.
Gretchen burns red in embarrassment.
GRETCHEN
Nothing, I was just looking for you,
if you must know.
DANTE
(with a smile)
Oh really? You could have simply
knocked.
GRETCHEN
I was about too...I mean...I wasn't
looking if that is what you were
implying.
DANTE
I hadn't said anything.
GRETCHEN
You were thinking it.
Dante smiles.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I was going to invite you for tea, but
it seems you are busy.
DANTE
I thought you said you weren't
looking.
Caught out. Gretchen's face is now bright red.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I would love to pain you some time.
He waits a long moment, determined to embarras her further-
DANTE (CONT'D)
Tastefully of course.
Gretchen attempts to walk past him,
GRETCHEN
I don't think so.
He grabs her arm.
DANTE
Are you sure?
Gretchen gives him a filthy stare. Her embarrassment is turning
to anger.
GRETCHEN
Quite sure. I wouldn't let you paint
me if you were the last painter on
this earth and my life depended on the
fact that you did paint me.
DANTE
Well luckily for both of us it does
not.
Gretchen remains silent.
DANTE (CONT'D)
My dear Gretchen, you wouldn't be
blushing, would you?
GRETCHEN
The wind is cold on my cheeks. And
now if you will excuse me.
Dante releases her.
DANTE
My offer is always open.
He watches as she storms into the night. He cannot help but
smile to himself as he returns to his cottage.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
Gretchen sits behind a mirror-set brushing her hair. With every
hard stroke she seems to vent some anger from her earlier
embarrassment.
THROUGH THE MIRROR
We can see the door open and Dante cautiously enters.
GRETCHEN
Weren't you taught to knock before
entering a ladies quarters? I could
be indecent.
DANTE
Well - Are you?
GRETCHEN
Well - no, but that isn't the point is
it? I could have been and you would
have seen it all.
DANTE
That isn't a particularly unpleasant
thought.
She swings around in her chair and gives Dante a look.
GRETCHEN
You are very sure of yourself aren't
you?
DANTE
No not really. I had to drink a
quarter a bottle of whiskey before I
managed to muster up the courage to
come up here.
Gretchen stands. Her night shirt hangs almost off one shoulder
as the front remains virtually unbuttoned.
Dante is aroused by what he sees. Any man would.
GRETCHEN
Oh? And why did you come up here?
DANTE
(stumbles)
Well...I came up to...apologize
for..well before...earlier I
mean...the embarrassment I caused you.
Gretchen smiles and moves closer to him, walking in a very
seductive fashion. Her skin begins to shine in the candle
light.
Dante begins to blush.
GRETCHEN
(with a smile)
My dear Dante, do you blush?
DANTE
(smiles)
No, it's just the cold..wind on my
cheeks.
Gretchen pushes herself close to him, moving her fingers up his
chest and then under his chin.
GRETCHEN
No, I think it's more than that.
With little effort she brings his lips so close to hers, so much
so that he can taste her breath. Dante is putty in her hands.
Without kissing him she moves her lips to his ear.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
(whispers)
Do you like this?
DANTE
(seduced)
Yes.
GRETCHEN
Do you want more?
DANTE
Yes.
Gretchen smiles, pulls away from him and backs up.
GRETCHEN
I don't think so.
Dante is puzzled.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
You aren't the only one who can play
mind games.
(pause)
Now get out.
Dante is humiliated, his face turns red in anger.
DANTE
I was wrong, you and Ashby are well
suited for each other. You both love
to see me suffer.
Gretchen's victory smile instantly turns to a snarl.
GRETCHEN
Get out! Get out you illiterate...
(trying to find a word)
Bastard.
Dante is ready to explode.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
GET OUT NOW!
Without any thought she takes hold of the first thing she can
find - the journal. The pages fly open as it hurtles across the
room before hitting him flat in the chest.
Dante takes a few steps back. He is humiliated, hurt and ready
to explode but without another word he leaves.
Gretchen storms over to her desk and takes a long series of deep
breaths. She opens the top drawer and is about to place her
brush inside, when she catches sight of ELIZABETH'S PHOTOGRAPH
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Was I turning into her?...sex
games...playing with people's
minds....controlling lives....
With a sudden burst of rage, she rips the drawer open and hurls
it across the room with a PIERCING SCREAM. It thumps along the
floor spilling everything all over it.
She collapses onto her knees and begins to cry.
EXT. BEACH - EARLY MORNING
Storm clouds roll across the sky. Gale force winds sweep across
the sea. Waves rise up and smash the beach with a great fury
and crash across the rocky cliffs.
CLOSE ON A PAINTBRUSH
As it glides softly over a half-finished painting. It dabs and
sweeps and waves begin to form on the canvas. The brush dips
into the palette and mixes shades of grey, white and blue
together until it just right and then it is added to the
painting.
With the sea gradually creeping up on the dry dunes, Dante's
Easel is barely amongst dry sand. But he is virtually unaware.
CLOSE ON DANTE
His eyes don't blink and they don't move from the canvas. He is
focused on his painting and nothing more.
GRETCHEN
Strolls along the beach so close to the crashing waves that the
tide almost wets her feet. A bonnet covers her face and hair
from the winds.
GRETCHEN'S POV
Shows Dante painting further down the beach, his easel dug
firmly into the sands. He has not noticed her.
Finally she walks up beside him, watching him paint, not wanting
to interrupt.
CLOSE ON DANTE
Who has noticed Gretchen's presence but ignores it. He
continues to paint in silence.
GRETCHEN
(finally)
It is beautiful.
A long silence.
DANTE
Is that what you came all the way down
here to say?
GRETCHEN
No.
DANTE
Then what is it you want, Mrs. Ashby?
GRETCHEN
You don't need to call me that.
DANTE
I would apologize but you might throw
another book at me.
Gretchen smiles warmly.
GRETCHEN
As you can see I'm totally
defenceless.
Dante looks up from his canvas for the first time. However, he
continues to mix colors on the palette while he stares into her
eyes.
DANTE
I wouldn't believe that for a second,
but, you still haven't told me what
you want.
He returns his focus to the painting.
GRETCHEN
I wanted to apologize for last night.
I didn't mean what I said. You were
right, I was embarrassed and I took it
out on you. So, I'm sorry.
DANTE
No, it's okay. You were right-
He looks to Gretchen.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I am illiterate.
Gretchen doesn't know what to say. She smiles politely and looks
away.
DANTE (CONT'D)
It's okay. I've found other ways to
compensate. I can't write or read
words, but I can create much more with
my painting.
For the longest time, Gretchen hasn't taken her eyes away from
Dante, regardless of him looking at her.
The crashing waves fill the silence.
GRETCHEN
(finally)
I could teach you.
(pause)
I could teach you to read.
Dante stops painting and looks into her eyes. Is he thinking or
agitated that she suggested help?
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
If you wanted.
(pause)
Of course you wouldn't. I'm sorry I
suggested it. It was wrong of me-
DANTE
(interrupts)
I'd love to.
They both smile to one another. Could this be the start of
something?
DANTE (CONT'D)
We should get moving, the storm's
closing in.
Gretchen steps back as Dante packs up his easel. With the
painting under one arm and the easel slung over his shoulder,
Dante begins to walk down the beach with Gretchen by his side.
Dante looks to the sky, the storm is closing fast.
DANTE (CONT'D)
You won't make it home before the
storm hits.
GRETCHEN
What do you suggest?
DANTE
You can stay with me until it's over.
There's no use in catching a chill
when you don't need to. That is, if
you want to?
GRETCHEN
I'd be delighted. It would be nice to
have company for a change. Jonathan
spends his days locked away in that
room or playing the same tunes over
and over again on his piano. He never
talks to me, he won't even acknowledge
me most of the time.
Dante gives her a look as they walk.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Do I ask too much?
DANTE
No.
GRETCHEN
Sometimes I feel that I am. I know he
loved Elizabeth and I understand it.
But all I want is a husband, one that
will at least treat me like his wife.
(pause)
Sometimes I think he's trying to turn
me into her.
DANTE
Into Elizabeth?
GRETCHEN
Yes. Just some things he does...
DANTE
What things?
GRETCHEN
He likes me to wear my hair up, he
even had Janice put my hair like hers.
The wedding dress... even this
pendant... it all was hers. I just
think he wants me to be her...maybe
I'm just paranoid.
(pause)
The only time he ever really looks at
me is when I have my hair down,
wearing the clothes she once wore. It
terrifies me...the look he gets in his
eyes.
Gretchen turns to Dante as they walk - he isn't looking at her
and she wonders to herself is he is even listening.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I must be boring you with
all this talk of-
DANTE
(interrupting)
You're not boring me.
(pause)
He was very much in love with her,
even if she was not with him. His
eyes would never wain from her. He
could have easily thrown her out of
the home when he found out about her
infidelity, but he didn't. I don't
know of you or I could know a love
that strong... one so blind.
Gretchen gives him a look.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Maybe not. I don't know. Only he
would know the answers.
GRETCHEN
You must have thought quite a lot
about this.
DANTE
I've had a long time to think.
(pause)
A very long time.
Stay with Dante.
INT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - EVENING
TWO GLASSES
Sit side by side, obscuring our view of the world. A red liquid
is poured into the glasses.
Dante takes both glasses and turns around to a rustic hand-made
table. Gretchen sits at the end gazing over the paintings that
grace the walls. There are so many that some are stacked
together on the floor or leaning against the wall.
Dante steps carefully around to Gretchen, not wanting to knock
any of the paintings.
DANTE
I'm sorry, it's usually just me and my
paintings and not much room for
guests.
GRETCHEN
No, it's fine.
Dante hands her the glass and she accepts it gratefully.
DANTE
It's all I had. Like I said I don't-
GRETCHEN
(interrupts)
Usually keep company, I know.
He smiles weakly, a little embarrassed of his home.
He watches her as she continues to look over the paintings.
Without even acknowledging the glass she takes a mouthful of the
wine.
She chokes and almost spits it back out.
DANTE
(laughs)
I should have warned you. It packs a
wallop.
Gretchen smiles as she delicately attempts to wipe the wine from
her chin.
GRETCHEN
It certainly does that.
Dante takes a towel from the table and hands it to her.
DANTE
I get it from an decrepid old French
soldier in town. Once you get used to
it, you can't get enough of it.
GRETCHEN
It's not what I'm used to, but it's...
(with a smile)
...Different.
DANTE
(laughs)
It's terrible stuff, but I'd hate to
disappoint the old man now, he looks
forward to my Saturday visits.
There's a lesson in this for you,
never lie to a decrepid old Frenchman
who sells wine in a market.
GRETCHEN
You forgot soldier.
Dante smiles.
DANTE
Them too.
Gretchen takes a small sip of the wine and returns her gaze to
the paintings.
GRETCHEN
Is it hard?
DANTE
Excuse me?
GRETCHEN
Painting. Is it hard to learn?
DANTE
I don't really know. It depends on
the person.
GRETCHEN
Well...take me for example. Could I
learn?
DANTE
If I could learn then I'm sure you
could.
(pause)
Given the right teacher. All you
really need to remember is that you
have to paint what you see, not what
you think you see. Also try to
capture the image in your mind,
examine every single feature
individually-
Dante stands and takes a painting from the floor. An ocean
scene.
DANTE (CONT'D)
For example. Could you try to imagine
painting this? The sea is always
moving and how can anyone paint
something that's moving? Well you
can't. Just look and take a mental
photograph of what you want to paint
and then slowly construct it. Firstly
you need to do the background...the
sky...the sea....and the beach. Then
slowly add it's features, like the
texture you want, the waves and the
tone of color. Since you can't do
everything at once, you should
concentrate on everything step by
step.
Gretchen is stares dumbfounded. An information overload.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Okay. Would you like to learn?
Because I could teach you if you want
to learn?
Me, learn to paint?
(shakes her head)
I could never...well I couldn't
possibly do...
She looks at the painting, at it's beauty, trying to imagine her
painting such a thing.
GRETCHEN
Could I really learn to do something
like that?
DANTE
In time, yes.
Gretchen looks over the painting and smiles.
GRETCHEN
I would love too.
BEGIN MONTAGE:
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
A fresh canvas is set up on an easel. Gretchen and Dante share
a stool, pushed very close against one another. His hand is
wrapped around hers as he guides her to paint.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
And our arrangement was made. I would
teach him to read and write and in
return, he would teach me to paint.
CLOSE ON THEIR HANDS
As they paint. His grasp is very light and delicate on her
hand, but firm enough to guide her painting.
EASEL'S POV
Shows how close Gretchen and Dante really are. Their faces are
but centimeters apart. His breathing blows past her ear, it is
hard for her to concentrate.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - ANOTHER DAY
A PEN MOVES OVER A FRESH PAGE
As Dante slowly and clumsily copies out the alphabet. His grip
on the pen is tight and awkward, much like a small child's would
be.
Gretchen sits by his side, watching as he writes.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - ANOTHER NIGHT
Gretchen paints freely without Dante's aide. He stands behind
her, his hand stroking his chin whilst watching her brush
strokes.
He takes the brush from her hand and corrects a mistake. An
agitated Gretchen takes the brush back and corrects the
corrected mistake.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
Dante continues to write awkwardly, his face strains with
concentration.
He makes a mistake and in anger, tosses the pen across the room.
Gretchen moves her chair closer to him and takes out another pen
and places it in his hand. Dante takes that pen and tosses it
away. Without a word she takes out ANOTHER pen and places it in
his hand - he smiles - She covers her hand over his and guides
him to write more fluently.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Gretchen paces around the bedroom, combining colors on a
palette.
Dante enters the room, sipping a mug of tea.
After finally creating the color she wants, Gretchen dabs it
gently onto the painting. However, she doesn't like it and
attempts to scribble it out - this only makes it worse.
Furiously, she scribbles over the canvas with the brush.
Dante moves to her side. She turns to him. He smiles and
shrugs - without a hesitation she drops her paint brush in his
mug of tea and storms away.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
Dante now writes fluently by himself, progressing to words.
Words soon become sentences and sentences become paragraphs as
he becomes more literate.
FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW
We watch as pages full of writing begins to pile high on the
table. The pages soon give way to a book, then that book is
left on the table and replaced with another and then another
until books begin to stack over the desk. Dante is reading.
Gretchen paces around the desk, listening carefully to her
student as he reads aloud.
We SLOWLY MOVE OUT of the window-
EXT. MANSION WINDOW - CONTINUOUS
Through the window we watch Dante reading and writing with
Gretchen sitting close by his side, guiding her student.
Seasons begin to change. Leaves fall from the trees outside as
Summer gives way to Autumn. Snow lines the window sills and
flakes fall from the sky as Autumn gives way to Winter. Finally
the snow disappears and is replaced by the growth of Spring.
END MONTAGE:
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
A CARRIAGE thunders up the pathway towards the mansion.
Ashby has returned after his many months of absence.
EXT. MANSION - AFTERNOON
The carriage door opens. Ashby steps out and his eyes scan over
his home. It has changed considerably since he left.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Ashby storms through the front doors and into the foyer. He
gazes over the make-over, his face stone cold. He is most
displeased.
He moves between the clocks and begins to climb the staircase
but SUDDENLY stops in his tracks.
Tick. Tick.
He turns.
Tick. Tuck.
He slowly walks back down the staircase and turns the to
Grandfather clocks.
Tick. Tick. They have been repaired.
His face is ready to explode. He SCREAMS and with a great fury
he pulls both grandfather clocks over, letting them smash the
floor. The glass shatters, wood splits and cogs spin across the
floor.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Gretchen sits behind the easel, painting. Dante sits on the bed
reading a book.
A BRUSH dabs on the final touches to a painting. An EYE moves
off the painting and looks to its muse.
A VASE OF FLOWERS
That sits on a stand in the corner of the room.
We DESCEND from on high to view the whole painting. It is
beautiful. Gretchen smiles with pride and places the brush down
on the palette.
GRETCHEN
I'm done.
Dante looks up from his book. He wriggles off the bed and moves
behind her, carefully examines the painting.
Gretchen looks up to see Dante's expression. It is
expressionless. Very much an art critic.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Well...?
Gretchen begins to worry, her beaming pride begins to fade from
her face - he must hate it.
DANTE
It's wonderful.
DANTE'S POV - LOOKING DOWN ON HER
Gretchen smiles with a happy noise.
DANTE (CONT'D)
God, you're beautiful.
Gretchen's smile slightly fades, unable to determine her
feelings to the remark.
She turns her gaze to the painting.
GRETCHEN
(stammers)
Well...It's late I should really be
going...
Dante places his hands on her shoulders. Gretchen freezes.
DANTE
You don't have too.
Gretchen stands and moves around Dante.
GRETCHEN
I need to go.
Gretchen pushes past and leaves through the door. Dante bows
his head. The back door slams closed and the sound of footsteps
disappear into the night.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen opens the front door and closes it behind her. She
walks through the foyer and begins to slow, shivers are sent up
her spine when she notices the smashed remains of the two
clocks.
GRETCHEN
(frightened)
Oh no.
A VOICE (O.S.)
Oh yes.
ASHBY steps out of the darkness.
ASHBY
...do you know what I found when I
arrived home this afternoon?
He continues towards her, only making Gretchen more
uncomfortable.
GRETCHEN
I just thought this place could use a
new coat of paint here and there...to
brighten it up...change things....for
the better, I mean.
Ashby steps around her, nodding his head as if he's accepted her
reason.
ASHBY
I see....you thought....
Gretchen begins to relax a little.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(screams)
YOU DO NOT THINK!
A shiver shoots up her spine. Her eyes shut tightly.
He slaps her hard across the face, sending her sliding along the
floor.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
This is my home. You are my wife.
You do not change things that are not
yours to change.
He storms over and grabs her hair in his fist. He drags his
crying wife over to the clocks. He flips her over and holds her
face between his hands - making her stare at the clocks.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Do you see this?
She is too terrified to reply.
He tightens his grip and jerks her head.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
DO YOU SEE IT?
GRETCHEN
...yes...
ASHBY
These have been like this since my
wife died. You had no right to touch
them. No right.
(pause)
Don't you ever EVER touch anything in
this home again.
(snarls)
Do I make myself clear?
He almost spits 'clear' into her face.
GRETCHEN
Yes..yes...yes...
He releases her. Gretchen huddles into a ball, tears streaming
down her face.
ASHBY
Where were you today?
GRETCHEN
...With Dante...painting...he taught
me...
ASHBY
He taught you? The two of you
alone...for months...
GRETCHEN
(pleading)
Nothing happened...I swear it. I
swear it to you...
He leans over and rips the back of her dress with his powerful
arms, exposing her naked back.
Ashby looks down on her with absolutely no remorse as he begins
to unbuckle his belt.
ASHBY
You're independent ways are becoming
very tiresome. You will learn to act
as you are supposed to. You will
learn to be my wife.
(pause)
It is time to teach you a lesson. One
you won't forget so easily.
The CAMERA shifts away as Ashby begins to lash Gretchen's naked
back. Her screams of pain are piercing. From the candle light
illuminating the staircase, we bare witness to the lashings
through their shadows.
After countless lashings, Ashby tosses his belt across the
floor.
CLOSE ON HIS FACE
Exhausted from the beating. Sweat beads over his scarlet face
as he sucks air into his lungs.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Go upstairs and change. I would like
to have supper with my wife before I
retire for the evening.
He turns and walks into the dining room.
We stay with Gretchen. Her beautiful, porcelain white back is
now swollen and bloody from the lashings.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE - STAIR'S POV
Her eyes remain open and do not blink. Dried tears channel
their way over her cheeks like tiny rivers. Her cheek has
swollen purple from Ashby's slap.
She dare not cry. She dare not make a move - incase he returns.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen and Ashby eat in silence. Her face mars a swollen
cheek still, even with her attempts to mask it with makeup.
ASHBY
(finally)
What happened to your hair?
Gretchen looks up from her meal.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
It's up. I thought you liked to wear
it down.
GRETCHEN
No, you liked me to wear it down.
ASHBY
It's the same thing.
GRETCHEN
(softly)
No it's not.
Ashby throws his knife and fork down, his nostrils flare.
Gretchen jumps in fright.
VOICE (O.S.)
I'm not interrupting anything am I?
Ashby turns to see Dante standing in the doorway, a painting
under his arm.
ASHBY
Yes, what do you want?
Dante walks in and places the painting against a chair, next to
Gretchen.
DANTE
Mrs. Ashby left her painting behind.
I finished framing it and thought she
might like to have it.
GRETCHEN
(quietly)
Thank you.
He notices the swelling.
DANTE
What happened to your cheek?
GRETCHEN
Nothing.
ASHBY
Are you finished?
Dante turns to Gretchen. Her eyes are terrified, she nods for
him to leave.
DANTE
(hesitant)
Yes.
ASHBY
Then leave us.
Dante hesitates further. He doesn't want to leave her with this
tyrant-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(stands angrily)
NOW!
Gretchen jumps. Dante turns and leaves.
Ashby carefully dabs his mouth with the napkin and then strolls
around the table towards Gretchen.
She watches him uncomfortably. He stops, takes the painting in
his hands and while walking behind her, examines it.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(quietly)
I don't want you going over there
anymore.
GRETCHEN
Why?
SUDDENLY, a furious Ashby smashes the framed painting on the
table, sending candelabras and plates crashing onto the floor.
ASHBY
(screams)
BECAUSE I FORBID IT.
Gretchen shuts her eyes in terror.
He takes the wreckage of the painting and tosses it into the
roaring fire. It erupts immediately and burns brightly.
CLOSE ON THE FIRE
As the painting begins to breakdown. It folds and twists in the
heat as it slowly burns away.
From a BIRD'S EYE VIEW
We watch Ashby storm out of the dining room, leaving Gretchen
alone at the table. She slumps over the table.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE
Her face lay with one cheek resting on the table as she watches
her painting burn away. Her eyes once again appear dead.
CLOSE ON HER EYE
As the roaring fireplace is reflected.
Her destroyed face slowly transforms to anger.
INT. STAIRCASE - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Ashby climbs the steps. The anger still painted over his face.
Gretchen emerges behind him at the base of the staircase.
GRETCHEN
And I am your wife.
Ashby stops in his tracks and slowly turns to her.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
You said, you were my husband.
(pause)
And I am your wife and you treat me
like some sort of slave - not even
that. You don't talk to me, you don't
respect me, all you do is hide away in
your locked room, ignoring the world
and ignoring me.
He begins to step down the stairs to her.
ASHBY
Stop it.
GRETCHEN
No I will not stop. You have all the
windows closed up, the drapes pulled
across, blocking out the world. What
are you hiding from?
ASHBY
(angrier)
Stop it now.
GRETCHEN
Are you trying to mould me into
someone I am not? I can't be her.
I'm not her. I am me.
Ashby looks pale and ill. His head begins to spin.
ASHBY
Stop it!
GRETCHEN
I've tried to live with you like this,
but I can't. I need you, I need love -
I need life. And when I find
something I'm happy with and enjoy,
you take it away from me. You expect
me to be a hermit like you, but I
won't - I can't be like you!
He grabs her by the shoulders with a firm grasp.
ASHBY
STOP IT ELIZABETH!
An eerie silence only broken by their heavy breathing.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(quickly corrected)
I mean Gretchen... Gretchen.
She steps back, disgusted with him.
Ashby is embarrassed, he doesn't know what to do or say. He
opens his mouth several times to speak, but cannot find the
right words.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(finally)
You will stay under this roof where I
can watch you. You will stay away from
Dante...If I have to lock you in, I
will.
He turns and continues to climb the steps, leaving his stunned
wife at the foot of the staircase.
INT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - DAY
Dante sits at his table alone. His fingers tap impatiently on
the counter. Finally he takes out his pocket watch and checks
the time, we can assume he's been checking it regularly.
He stands and opens the door. He holds his body wide outside
and scans the countryside - but cannot see her anywhere.
Realizing the futility of it, he closes the door softly.
FADE OUT:
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - DAY
Dante carries a breakfast tray down the corridor but is stopped
at Gretchen's door by Ashby.
ASHBY
I will take it from here.
He takes the tray from Dante's hands and opens the door. We
catch a glimpse of Gretchen as she tries to find Dante through
Ashby's body.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
I'm sure you have other chores to
attend to.
He smiles to Dante and closes the door in his face.
The sun shines brightly in the sky. Ashby and Gretchen sit
awkwardly at a small wrought-iron outdoor setting, consisting of
a table and two chairs. Beautiful garden surrounds them as they
have their morning tea.
Gretchen looks up from her book.
A small smile appears over Ashby's face. He lifts the cup to
his lips, but his eyes remain elsewhere.
DANTE
Prunes the hedge in the background, but in direct view of Ashby.
He looks up at every second moment to gaze at the couple. He is
in pain.
Ashby tips his cup to Dante with a smile.
GRETCHEN
What are you looking at?
ASHBY
Nothing important.
Gretchen turns to see Dante pruning the hedge. He looks up to
her. They gaze at each other for a moment before Gretchen turns
back to Ashby.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Good girl.
Gretchen and Ashby sit finishing their supper. Dante enters and
begins to collect Ashby's finished plate and cutlery.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Thank you, Dante.
He walks down to the other end of the table.
CLOSE ON AN TWO ENVELOPES
That Gretchen places under her plate.
Dante collects the plate and feels the envelopes underneath.
They both exchange a glance before he disappears out of the
room.
INT. KITCHEN - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Dante hurries into the kitchen and drops the plates on the
counter. He gazes at both envelopes, one has his name printed
on the front. The other is blank.
He rips his open.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
(from the letter)
Meet me by the rocks. Midnight.
Tonight.
(pause)
P.S. You know what to do with the
other letter.
He lowers the letter, a smile appears over his face.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Gretchen, covered in a warm cloak and hood, softly, closes the
door to her bedroom. She looks both ways down the corridor and
hurries out of sight.
EXT. THE ROCKS - BEACH - MIDNIGHT
A full moon shines in the sky. Waves drift almost silently as
there is no virtually wind.
Dante stands on the rocky ledge by the beach. He is dressed
warmly with a painting under his arm.
The hooded Gretchen approaches from the darkness. He turns to
her.
DANTE
I didn't know if you'd come.
Gretchen smiles softly and her eyes become fixed on the painting
under his arm.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I have this for you.
(pause)
A gift.
He offers it forward and Gretchen takes it. She turns it over
and a PORTRAIT of herself is revealed.
GRETCHEN
(stunned)
It's beautiful.
(pause)
But how?
DANTE
I did it from memory. It was selfish,
I needed you and this was, I felt, the
closest I could have to you.
GRETCHEN
I - I don't know what to say.
DANTE
You don't need to say anything.
They both stare at one another. Finally they move closer to one
another and they share a kiss.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Why did you call me here?
Gretchen is lost in Dante's eyes.
GRETCHEN
(pause)
I've forgotten.
There is a silence.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I want you to paint me - paint me like
your models.
Dante finally nods.
DANTE
Okay.
INT. BEDROOM - DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
A fresh canvas is placed onto the easel. A palette is washed
and wiped dry. Paint dollops are squeezed out and smeared on
the palette. A glass jar containing a variety of brushes is set
down on the floor.
Dante looks over his work station, trying to decide if he is
missing something.
The floorboards creek. Dante looks up to see-
A PAIR OF NAKED LEGS
Standing in the doorway. He looks up the thighs and over the
rest of Gretchen. She wears nothing more than one of his
nightshirts and stands awkwardly and shyly in the doorway.
Dante has to literally gulp at the sight. She has never looked
more beautiful - or innocent.
DANTE
Ready?
She is so nervous that she cannot reply. She nods.
DANTE (CONT'D)
(stammering nervously)
Okay...umm....just...when you're
ready, just take off the shirt and hop
onto the ... The ummm...bed.
Gretchen walks past him and stands by the bed. Eventually she
begins to slowly unbutton each individual button on the
nightshirt - perhaps just in case she wants to back out.
When she is finished, the nightshirt hangs off her shoulders
exposing a long triangle of porcelain white flesh from her neck
down to her naval.
GRETCHEN
How do you want me?
DANTE
Just ... On... On the bed.
Gretchen slides the nightshirt off her shoulders and it drops to
her ankles. She moves onto the bed and lies down. Her chest
heaves up and down nervously.
Dante directs her position.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Now put your arm up there...no
no...further...yep that's it, over
your stomach ... Yep perfect.
(pause)
Can I ask one more thing?
She nods.
Dante moves around the bed and looks down on her. Gretchen's
breathing intensifiers as he leans over. His hands disappear
behind her head and he unties her hair, allowing it to flow
freely over the sheets.
DANTE (CONT'D)
You shouldn't hide this. You and I
both know who you are.
Gretchen's eyes are consumed in Dante's and for a second their
relationship could go further, but, Dante sits up and moves back
to his easel.
CLOSE ON THE PALETTE
As Dante begins to mix his colors. Finally he dabs his brush in
the newly created color and applies it to the fresh canvas.
Dante is concentrating extremely hard as he paints. His eyes are
locked firmly on the canvas, only moving to gaze upon his muse.
As his strokes become finer we can see the features of the
bedroom emerging.
He mixes in a new set of colors on the palette and begins to
apply them to the painting.
CLOSE ON DANTE'S EYES
As they look over his muse.
CLOSE ON PAINT STROKES
That begin to create Gretchen's naked body.
Gretchen's breathing begins to relax as she becomes more
comfortable with her own body.
More color is added to the forming body.
The last touches are added. With a fine brush he finishes the
shading around her body and sharpens the small features such as
he lips, eyes, nipples and fingers.
Dante sits back.
DANTE (CONT'D)
It's done.
She takes a sheet from the bed, wraps it around herself and
walks around the easel to see her portrait.
Dante stands and lets her gaze over the full portrait. Her
mouth widens in astonishment.
THE PORTRAIT
Is beautiful. Gretchen can hardly believe her eyes.
GRETCHEN
I don't know what to say. It's-
DANTE
Beautiful...
(pause)
Like you.
Gretchen turns to him, but cannot look into his eyes.
GRETCHEN
Do you really think I'm beautiful?
DANTE
Yes. I have also thought so. The
first time I saw you I was taken by
you.
There is a long silence as they gaze into one another's eyes.
Finally Gretchen is the one to act as she presses her lips to
his.
Dante's hands glide over her face and down, over her shoulders
and finally around her waist as he draws her closer.
DISSOLVE TO:
Dante lies above Gretchen, their faces so close, almost teasing
each other by not kissing. They stare continuously into each
other's eyes. Gradually and very slowly Dante moves in and out
of her.
Their breathing begins to intensify.
Gretchen tilts her head back in pleasure and Dante ceases the
opportunity and kisses under her chin and along her neck.
DISSOLVE TO:
From ON HIGH we can see that nothing covers or separates thew
two lovers as they embrace.
Gretchen stretches her arms far above her head as she arches her
back. Dante holds his arms under her back and draws her pelvis
closer to him. They seem perfectly matched, knowing what each
other wants.
She closes her eyes and exhales deeply as Dante continues to
pleasure her.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLOSE ON HER HANDS
That are stretched back on the bed. Her fingers clench and
stretch to their furthest most point, allowing the pleasure to
fill her completely.
DISSOLVE TO:
Dante's face becomes more and more flushed as the moments pass.
Ever so soft noises begin to escape Gretchen's mouth. Her
breathing intensifies further, her chest heaves deeper as oxygen
is sucked into her lungs.
DISSOLVE TO:
Dante now lies under Gretchen. His arms are wrapped tightly
around her back. Their mouths begin to separate as Gretchen
begins to gently tilt her body upwards and rock back and forth
on Dante.
His hands slide off her back and slide along her sides. They
move under her ribs and slowly push upwards until he cups her
breasts in his palms.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE
Her hair sweeps back as she tilts her head toward the ceiling.
Her eyes softly close as she releases a long and deep exhale.
CLOSE ON DANTE'S FACE
His eyes close as he lets out a series to deep breaths.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S FACE
She tilts her head and looks down to her lover. Her hair hangs
over her ears and sticks to her sweating face.
The rocks back and forth on him. Her head tilts back once more
as she climaxes. Tears stream out of the sides of her closed
eyes and roll down her face.
DISSOLVE TO:
We ASCEND to see the lovers wrapped up in one another like a
human knot. They stare into each other's eyes with a relaxed
smile.
FADE OUT:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
Ashby moves slowly through the dark, empty room and over to the
bed. He sits down on it and feel the covers, he knows it has
been not slept in.
He stands and moves over to the window. In the distance he can
see the lights on in Dante's cottage. He thinks for a moment.
His eyes turn from the window. He stops and stares.
GRETCHEN'S JOURNAL
Lies on the bureau beside the bed.
FADE OUT:
EXT. GARDENS - DAY
Ashby and Gretchen both sit at the outdoor setting. He reads a
newspaper whilst she sits quietly reading a novel.
She peers over the book to notice Dante standing behind the
hedge, staring back at her.
GRETCHEN
I'm going for a walk.
She stands, Ashby gives her only a slight glance as she walks
away.
EXT. STABLES - MOMENTS LATER
Gretchen walks around the corner, searching for her beloved but
he has vanished.
SUDDENLY, a HAND grabs her by hers and pulls her into the
stable.
INT. STABLES - CONTINUOUS
Dante pulls her close to him with a long passionate kiss. She
pulls away from him with a childish giggle, but she cannot
resist him and she returns his kiss.
They move into one of the vacant holds and fall onto the hay
lined ground, still kissing. Almost like animals they begin to
remove their undergarments, just enough so that they can make
love without undressing.
We PULL OUT of the stable with the sounds of ruffling hay and of
love making disturbing the silence.
We STAY in the stables, looking out through the open doors into
the rest of the estate.
ASHBY
strolls past the open doors and stops. He hears their love
making in one of the holds and without anymore than slight raise
of the eyebrows he continues past.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - DAY
An empty corridor.
SUDDENLY, Gretchen and Dante, hand-in-hand bolt through the
corridor and come to a sliding stop by her bedroom door. She
giggles as he pushes her to the wall and begins to kiss her.
Still in the long kiss, she fondles blindly for the door handle.
Finally she grasps it, opens the door and they both disappear
into the room.
The door closes and locks.
AT THE END OF THE CORRIDOR-
Ashby appears. He carries with him a silver tray, a glass of
milk sits on it.
He silently slinks away.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - DAY
Dante sits in a chair. He seems to be alone. His breathing
intensifies for a moment followed by a sigh.
GRETCHEN
Rises from between his legs, her face aglow, a smile appears
over both their faces.
We LEAVE the dining room and into the main foyer.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
We ASCEND up the staircase to Ashby. He stands by the balcony,
directly above the archway to the dining room.
His fingers continuously tap in a series from his pinky to his
index finger on the balcony ledge.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Footprints in the sand lead to Gretchen and Dante making love on
the beach. They are totally naked with their clothes scattered
around them.
We ASCEND to realize that we are looking through SOMEONE'S POV.
EXT. CLIFF'S ABOVE - CONTINUOUS
Ashby stands on the edge of the cliffs looking down on them. He
is rugged up warmly with his hands buried deep in his pockets.
His face is emotionless, neither sad or angry.
He turns and walks away from the cliff.
CUT TO:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
We MOVE over the dusty bureau. A rectangle patch is not dusty,
but very clean. Something has been lying there. Something has
been removed very recently. The journal.
RETURN TO:
EXT. CLIFF'S ABOVE - CONTINUOUS
Ashby continues to walk away from the cliffs.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S JOURNAL
That is now clasped in one of his hands.
A smile appears over his face.
FADE OUT:
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - DAY
Dante busily attaches a wagon to a set of horses. Ashby and
Gretchen emerge from the mansion.
LEGEND: " Weeks later..."
ASHBY
Dante.
Dante buckles the last strap and turns to Ashby.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Dante, I want you to take Gretchen
into town with you today.
Dante stares, stunned.
DANTE
To town?
ASHBY
Yes. I think it would be good for her
to get out in the open. She can help
you select everything we need for the
kitchen and perhaps some new decor for
the house. I think it's time for a
change. A woman's input around here
could be beneficial to us all.
Dante turns to Gretchen, she is just as stunned as he.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Unless you have some reservation?
DANTE
No, none.
ASHBY
Good, then it's settled.
Ashby smiles but Gretchen and Dante seem uneasy.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
You two better get going or it will be
dark by the time you return.
DANTE
I'll help you up. Come on.
Dante helps Gretchen onto the wagon then he strolls around to
the other side and hops on.
ASHBY
Keep her safe, Dante.
DANTE
I will.
He whips the horses and they wagon is away. They do a U-turn
and begin down the pathway.
Gretchen looks to her husband, he has not moved from his spot.
His arms are folded behind his back and an arrogant, almost
frightening smile shows on his face.
EXT. FRONT GATES - ASHBY ESTATE - LATER
The carriage pulls out of the front gates and onto the sandy
road.
EXT. WAGON - DAY
They sit in silence. Gretchen's face has turned pale and ill in
appearance. She continuously looks to Dante, wondering if he
is feeling just as sick. He remains unchanged.
GRETCHEN
How can you sit there so relaxed?
He turns to her.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
He knows. I know he knows.
DANTE
He doesn't know.
GRETCHEN
It's easy for you, you're not married
to him. There's something wrong with
all this. Something's wrong, very
wrong, I know it.
DANTE
Perhaps he's finally woken up?
Gretchen shakes her head.
GRETCHEN
No - not him. He's planning
something. I could see it in his
eyes. He wants us out of the house.
Surely you can see all this?
DANTE
Do you want me to take you home?
GRETCHEN
No, whatever it is it's already set in
motion. We'll have to wait for it to
unfold.
EXT. A ROAD - DAY
A OLD DRIFTER walks along the side of a road bordering the Ashby
Estate. His clothes are filthy and ragged, a matted beard hangs
from his face and a folded cloth carrying his few belongings is
slung over his shoulder.
A CARRIAGE rushes past him, forcing him onto the saturated
grass. He looks into the carriage window and eyes its occupant,
but we cannot him/her. He waves his fist at the Driver angrily.
It slows down and pulls into the FRONT GATES of the Ashby
Estate.
EXT. WAGON - DAY
Gretchen removes a severely creased envelope from a a pocket and
offers it to Dante.
DANTE
Same address?
GRETCHEN
Yes.
He accepts it and buries it in one of his own pockets.
DANTE
How many of them have I delivered?
GRETCHEN
That is the seventy seventh. One per
week.
DANTE
They must be important, for you to
keep such a tally.
Gretchen remains silent.
DANTE (CONT'D)
I know I shouldn't pry but-
GRETCHEN
Then don't. It is best for all if you
don't.
EXT. MARKET PLACE - TOWN - LATER
Market stalls line the town centre with loud owners selling
their wares. Food, clothing, pots and pans, linen and farming
equipment - everything someone could want can be found somewhere
in the array of tables.
Dante and Gretchen walk through the stalls, sampling fruit and
other items that are needed.
Finally they reach the stall of PIERRE, the old french soldier.
Bottles of all shapes and sizes sit on the counter, all
containing various blends of whiskey, wine and champagne.
Dante cannot help but smile at him. He is lounged back in an
old rickety chair with a bottle of something in one hand and a
book in another. He seems to be asleep under his old military
cap.
DANTE
Pierre.
He doesn't stir a muscle.
DANTE (CONT'D)
(louder)
PIERRE
Pierre jumps in fright, his book flies into the air and he
splashes his own face with the bottle. He looks about him and
then looks up to see Dante, he frowns.
PIERRE
(strong french accent)
Oh it is you. I thought it was
someone important.
He takes a cloth and begins to wipe his face.
DANTE
Sorry to disappoint.
PIERRE
Well with you here every week I'm
becoming used to it.
They both stare silently at each other for a moment. Smiles
appear and they laugh. They have probably played this game many
times over.
DANTE
Pierre, this is Gretchen. Gretchen
Pierre.
GRETCHEN
How do you do?
He removes his hat with an overly exaggerated bow and takes her
hand in his and kisses it.
PIERRE
(kissing her hand)
Mon Cherie. A pleasure to meet
someone of such beauty.
GRETCHEN
Thank you.
PIERRE
My pleasure, my little cherry blossom.
Gretchen gives Dante a look.
DANTE
Been sampling the wares again?
PIERRE
Merely a drop.
Dante nods, disbelieving him.
DANTE
Aha.
PIERRE
Why am I explaining myself to you,
boy? Can I get you anything or are
you going to bore me into an early
grave?
DANTE
Just the usual, Pierre.
Gretchen has grown bored with the banter and wonders off to the
next stall. She sniffs the fruit and feels the firmness of the
apples.
TWO MEN are talking near her. She can't help but listen in to
their conversation. One of the men is the DRIFTER.
DRIFTER
And it shot right through me, as if I
wasn't there.
MAN
What did you do?
DRIFTER
What could I do? I had to jump into
the grass. I should've gone back to
that house and given the driver
something to think about.
MAN
You should get some boys together and
go down there. Where did he go to?
DRIFTER
I don't know, it was a few miles out
that way...huge iron gates..large wall
surrounding...
MAN
That's the Ashby Estate.
Gretchen turns to the men.
GRETCHEN
Excuse me.
MAN
Yes miss.
GRETCHEN
I couldn't help but over hear you
mentioning the Ashby's.
MAN
That's right, miss. He was almost run
over by a carriage that turned in
there.
GRETCHEN
Carriage?
DRIFTER
Yes miss. It was in a hurry, I can't
imagine why-
GRETCHEN
(interrupts)
Did you happen to see who was in it?
DRIFTER
Yes miss.
GRETCHEN
Who?
CUT TO:
Gretchen grabs Dante by the arm.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
We have to get back now.
DANTE
What? Why?
Gretchen is already trying to drag him away.
GRETCHEN
Just come on!
Dante can see the anguish in her eyes.
DANTE
(nods)
Okay.
He grabs the bottles from Pierre and they rush away.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT GATES - ASHBY ESTATE - LATER
The wagon rushes through the front gates at a phenomenal speed.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - DAY
Before the wagon has come to a stop, Gretchen has jumped out and
is rushing through the front doors.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
From ON HIGH we watch Gretchen hurry through the foyer and up
the staircase.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen slides around the corner, trips on her dress and almost
falls onto her knees. But this does not stop her, she quickly
jumps up and hurries to her bedroom.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
The doors fly open and Gretchen rushes in.
ASHBY
Turns from the window, a smile appears over his face.
ASHBY
Gretchen. Welcome. I was just
catching up on some reading.
He holds up her diary.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
It was quite an interesting read too.
I learned a few things.
He begins to slowly walk around the room.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
You and Dante, a few things about me
that quite frankly hurt-
He moves to her. He places his finger on her lips-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
These lips were meant for me, not for
him.
He steps around her, so close that his breath makes her shiver.
Tears begin to roll down her cheek.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
These breasts-
Her grabs her breast,
ASHBY (CONT'D)
These hips
He places his hands on her hips, and almost like a perfect lover
moves them over her stomach.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(whispers into her ear)
Were mine.
He pulls away from her-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
But, in the end you chose to give them
to a mere servant, rather than to your
husband. I saved you and your family
from financial ruin and this is how
you repay me? Infidelity.
(pause)
I never kept a diary. I was always
concerned that someone, someday might
read it and discover my secrets. A
crush, stolen money-
(he points to her)
A secret lover...
He sits down on the sofa, directly next to SEBASTIAN, her 6 year
old son. He is terrified. He places his arm firmly around
Sebastian's shoulder and smiles.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Your son. Yes, I found out about your
little secret. The son you hid from
me.
He never takes his cold stare from her. Gretchen has become
very ill looking - her one love is now in the hands of her
enemy.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
We've been talking. He's a smart
little boy. I always wanted a son,
you know? My father and his father
were both great story tellers. They
would each sit me down and tell me
stories of great adventure, intrigue,
mystery and secrecy. So, I have been
sharing stories with our Sebastian
here.
He gently strokes Sebastian's hair, still never taking his eyes
from Gretchen.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
My favorite, was the story of a
wealthy gentleman who took it upon
himself to save a woman and her family
from financial ruin. He married this
woman that he saved and he thought
they would live happily ever after.
However, the woman was not what she
appeared. All of the time they were
together she was lying to her husband.
Hurt is welling up in Ashby's eyes.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Out late nights, sneaking around in
the night, whispering secrets in the
dark and hiding things from the man
who loved her.
He draws Sebastian closer-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
And do you know what happened to that
woman when he was found out?
Sebastian shakes his head. Ashby locks eyes with Gretchen-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Perhaps your mother knows the answer?
Do you know, mother dear?
Gretchen cannot speak, she is beside herself with fear.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Well I know. He gave her an ultimatum:
"Give up your cheating ways and live
as the wife you are expected to be,
you naughty girl, or I shall strike
down that which is dearest to you" and
do you know what she did?
(pause)
The naughty girl did as she was
ordered and she never saw the other
man again.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - NEXT DAY
Dante is packing up his wagon, putting the last of his
belongings on board.
He looks up to Gretchen's window. She looks down at him, tears
in her eyes. Sebastian stands beside her - she has chosen her
life.
Dante attempts a smile - it fails. He climbs onto the wagon,
whips the horse and it begins to move down the pathway.
He looks back but Gretchen and her son begin to blur as the
distance between them grows. He turns around and whips his
horse harder, he wants to leave quickly.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen wipes her eyes with a handkerchief.
The doors open. Gretchen turns.
Ashby and the new servant, MRS. ECCELSTON, a plump woman in her
fifties, enter.
ASHBY
My love, this is Mrs. Eccelston
Gretchen stares at her coldly.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
If you require anything she will
attend to your and our future needs.
Mrs. Eccelston smiles at Sebastian, she bends down to him
MRS. ECCELSTON
My, what a lovely boy you have-
Gretchen pushes herself between Mrs. Eccelston and Sebastian.
GRETCHEN
Don't touch him.
Mrs. Eccelston rises, a puzzled look over her face as she
wonders what she did to offend her.
ASHBY
Well, we'll press on Mrs. Eccelston.
I'll show you to your quarters.
He follows her to the door and turns to Gretchen.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(sneers)
Be good.
The doors close. Gretchen rushes to the window. She looks out
for her love, but he is long gone.
SEBASTIAN
What's wrong, mother?
Gretchen wipes the tears from her face.
GRETCHEN
Nothing, Sebastian. Nothing.
EXT. STABLES - DAY
Hand in hand, Gretchen and Sebastian follow Ashby into the
stables and over to a pony.
ASHBY
Every boy should have be able to ride.
He takes Sebastian's hand, forcing Gretchen to relinquish her
son as he draws him closer to the pony.
SEBASTIAN
Is he mine?
Ashby bends down beside him,
ASHBY
Yes he is. A gift from me-
(pokes him gently in the
ribs)
To you.
Sebastian glides his hand along the pony's mane. No boy is
happier than this one.
SEBASTIAN
Can I ride him, can I?
Ashby looks up to Gretchen with a smile.
ASHBY
Of course you can.
He lifts Sebastian up and places him on the pony's back.
Ashby takes the reigns in his hand and walks past Gretchen
without a second glance.
SEBASTIAN
SEBASTIAN (CONT'D)
(happy)
Look mother, I'm riding.
Gretchen manages only a weak smile.
Ashby leads the pony out of the stables.
Gretchen remains behind, watching her son disappear with him.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I knew what he was doing. He was
attempting to take Sebastian away from
me.
He wanted me to suffer and what better
way than taking away the thing most
precious.
Ashby takes Sebastian's hand to help him balance on the horse.
CLOSE ON THE TWO HOLDING HANDS: FATHER AND SON.
Beat.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He would buy my son's love.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - EVENING
Gretchen and Sebastian sit to one end of the table while Ashby
sits in his usual chair at the other end. A place is still
reserved for the guest that never arrives.
Gretchen is distracted from her supper by Sebastian, who plays
with his vegetables.
GRETCHEN
Sebastian, stop it.
SEBASTIAN
But I hate carrots.
GRETCHEN
They're good for you.
SEBASTIAN
I don't care.
ASHBY
If the boy doesn't like them, he
doesn't have to eat them.
Gretchen ignores him.
GRETCHEN
You need to eat your vegetables,
Sebastian. If you don't you won't
grow up big and strong.
SEBASTIAN
(childish)
But I don't want them.
ASHBY
Leave them, they can go to the pigs.
SEBASTIAN
I'm finished, can I go play, mother?
GRETCHEN
It's late, Sebastian.
SEBASTIAN
Please.
ASHBY
Oh let the boy go. Stop mothering him,
he needs adventure in his life.
(to Sebastian)
Go and play
Sebastian smiles to him and quickly disappears without his
mother's approval.
Gretchen looks to Ashby-
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
He tried to undermine my authority at
every turn, pit mother against son
until in the end he would look the
more desirable parent.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NEXT DAY
Gretchen stands alone in her bedroom. From her window she
watches Ashby and Sebastian set off together for a day of
hunting. They ride side-by-side and both seem to enjoy each
other's company, as their laughter can be heard even from here.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
And in the end he won. Sebastian
didn't even ask my permission to do
things anymore. He spent most of his
waking hours with him, a bond forged
through my own infidelity.
(pause)
There was only one thing left to do.
INT. KITCHEN - MANSION - LATER
Gretchen walks softly into the empty kitchen. She moves to a
drawer and opens it.
CLOSE ON THE OPEN DRAWER
A series of knives lay inside. She takes hold of the largest
and sharpest knife and gazes upon her sad reflection.
She turns her arm over and places the knife on her wrist. Her
eyes close, a single tear dribbles down her cheek as she
slashes.
The knife is instantly ripped from her hand and tossed across
the kitchen. Her eyes open.
ASHBY
Dressed in his riding uniform, stands over her. He slaps her
hard and knocks her to the ground.
She hits it hard and struggles to move.
Ashby's eyes burn in anger as he stands over her.
ASHBY
Don't you ever do that again!
Never, do you hear me? NEVER.
He rubs his forehead in thought.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
If you succeed in taking your own
life, then I will take your son's. Do
I make myself clear?
He storms out of the kitchen just as Mrs. Eccelston enters.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Clean her up.
He leaves. Mrs. Eccelston rushes in and helps Gretchen up.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Are you all right, dear?
GRETCHEN
I'm all right.
A small cut bleeds across her forehead.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Oh my lord, you're bleeding.
Mrs. Eccelston takes a cloth and holds it tight to her head.
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
What happened?
GRETCHEN
(pause)
I tripped.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Oh, you really should be more careful,
Miss. These floors can become quite
slippery. Come on we'll get you fixed
up.
Mrs. Eccelston helps Gretchen out of the kitchen.
EXT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - LATER
A WASHCLOTH is placed in a bowl of water and sloshed around for
a moment.
Mrs. Eccelston takes the cloth, folds it and dabs it on
Gretchen's wound. Her face ceases in pain.
MRS. ECCELSTON
That's quite a bump you have there,
miss. It may take a few days for the
swelling to die down.
Gretchen nods softly.
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
(finally)
I know I haven't been here long and
that I may not be fully aware of all
that goes on around this house, but...
(pause)
May I ask you something?
GRETCHEN
Okay.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Well, I was dusting the paintings the
day before last...
BEGIN FLASH BACK:
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY
Mrs. Eccelston dusts the paintings whilst humming a tune to
herself.
MRS. ECCELSTON (V.O.)
...usually it is uneventful
The muffled sound of love making can be heard. Mrs. Eccelston,
as nosey as she is, begins to follow the sound.
MRS. ECCELSTON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
But I could hear them.
Finally she approaches the TWO DOUBLE DOORS that lead into the
locked room. She places her ear against the door, the sounds
are louder. They are definitely coming from inside.
Mrs. Eccelston looks about herself, is there anyone watching
her?
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
I don't know why I did it miss, I
guess curiosity got the better of me.
She bends down and peers through the key hole.
KEYHOLE POV
Shows the corner of the bed, Ashby is on top of a WOMAN WITH
BLONDE HAIR. He is making passionate love to her. We cannot
see her face.
MRS. ECCELSTON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And I saw them.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Saw who? Who did you see?
ASHBY
(in pleasure)
Oh Elizabeth.
END FLASH BACK:
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Gretchen is now sitting up in bed, very curious in what Mrs.
Eccelston has to say.
MRS. ECCELSTON
I saw the master, Mister Ashby with
another woman. I didn't know her, but
he called out her name...Elizabeth.
Gretchen sits lost in her thoughts.
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
Have I done wrong miss? I agonized
over telling you for the longest of
times.
She snaps out of her trance.
GRETCHEN
Oh yes, sorry, you have done well Mrs.
Eccelston.
(pause)
Tell me, does he ever eat in there.
Mrs Eccelston thinks for a moment. She nods.
MRS. ECCELSTON
At least three times a day. He has
instructed me to leave food at the
door and leave. When I return there's
nothing but empty dishes.
The doors fly open and Sebastian comes running in - Ashby
follows closely behind.
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
I'll call back later to see how you
are getting alone.
Gretchen smiles to her.
Mrs. Eccelston stands and turns,
MRS. ECCELSTON (CONT'D)
Mister Ashby
ASHBY
Mrs. Eccelston
She hastily leaves.
Sebastian jumps onto the bed and they both embrace tightly.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
He wanted to see his mother.
SEBASTIAN
Are you all right?
Gretchen cannot take her eyes from Ashby whilst in the embrace
with her son. Her eyes burn with hatred towards him.
GRETCHEN
I'm fine.
SEBASTIAN
What happened?
GRETCHEN
I fell.
Ashby touches Sebastian on the shoulder and instantly he pulls
away his mother's embrace.
ASHBY
We should be going, I wouldn't want to
see Mrs. Eccelston's meal go to waste.
SEBASTIAN
(smiles to ashby)
Okay papa.
Gretchen locks eyes with Ashby. Papa?
Ashby leans over and presses his lips to Gretchen's forehead,
causing her agonizing pain. He pushes his lips harder on her
wound. Gretchen's face ceases in agony and then relaxes as he
pulls away.
ASHBY
Rest up well and remember what we
discussed earlier.
He turns and leads Sebastian out of the room.
Gretchen sits in the silence for a moment. She then retrieves
her diary from the bureau. She opens the diary and tares out a
blank page and begins to write on it.
INT. DINING ROOM - MANSION - EVENING
Ashby tucks a napkin into his collar as a STEAMING BOWL of soup
is placed before him. Mrs. Eccelston places another before
Sebastian.
ASHBY
Please check on my wife before you
retire, Mrs. Eccelston.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Yes, Mister Ashby.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
A DOLLOP of WAX
Is poured over a white envelope, sealing it.
The door opens and Mrs. Eccelston pops through.
MRS. ECCELSTON
Can I get you anything, Miss?
GRETCHEN
Yes.
She offers the envelope forward and Mrs. Eccelston accepts it.
She reads the label, "Dante".
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Please deliver this.
EXT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
With the letter in her hand, Mrs. Eccelston cautiously
approaches Dante's front door. She knocks several times and
stands back - awaiting an answer.
The door opens. Dante stands before her.
DANTE
Can I help you?
MRS. ECCELSTON
Are you Dante?
DANTE
Yes.
Mrs. Eccelston offers him the envelope.
Dante stares at it for a moment. He then eagerly rips it from
her hand as if it were some kind of treasured possession.
Without any further hesitation he tares the seal open and scans
over the letter.
His face drops upon finishing.
MRS. ECCELSTON
What? What is it?
Dante scans the letter once more. He then gives Mrs. Eccelston
a look - confusion.
EXT. MEADOW - ASHBY ESTATE - MIDNIGHT
A thick blanket of mist has rolled up from the sea and engulfs
everything in its wake. The once lush green meadows lay buried
under the white sea of fog, with only the mounds and trees
sticking out like small islands.
GRETCHEN
Stands alone in the meadow. The thick fog swims around her
ankles like a flowing stream. She is wrapped warmly in a thick
shawl and coat, a GLOWING LANTERN extends from her hand to
supply light in the darkness. It is bitterly cold and it hurts
her to breath.
In the distance a FAINT GLOWING emerges out of the darkness. It
comes closer and closer until the light reveals DANTE, a lantern
in one hand and a SHOVEL in another.
GRETCHEN
I'm glad you came. I was almost sure
you wouldn't.
Dante stabs his shovel into the ground.
DANTE
I almost didn't.
(pause)
What is this? Why are we here? My
first letter from you in almost two
months and it is nothing more than an
order for me to meet you here. No
'love from' - nothing...
GRETCHEN
(interrupts)
The new servant, Mrs. Eccelston, saw
Ashby and another woman in the locked
room - they were making love.
DANTE
Not this again...
GRETCHEN
He called out her name. Elizabeth.
Dante glares.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Don't you see - she's still alive.
Jonathan knew that Samuel would always
want her back, that some day he might
return for her. So what better way to
get rid of Samuel forever than to say
Elizabeth had died.
Dante remains silent.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
He faked her death so he could keep
her for himself. Christ, he even has
Mrs. Eccelston bring her food. Three
meals a day. She's a prisoner in that
room!
DANTE
This is ridiculous. I know she is
dead. I was at the funeral. It was
my job to dig the grave. My job to
bury her. She is dead.
GRETCHEN
Can you be certain? Can you honestly
be that certain? Did you see the body
before you buried her?
Dante sighs.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I know this sounds ridiculous. I've
been thinking about it for hours and
hours. But...
(pause)
It would explain everything. It would
explain the mysterious woman that Mrs.
Eccelston saw. The more I think about
it the more plausible it sounds.
Dante is not convinced and Gretchen knows it.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
I have to know. If she's in there
then fine. If not...If she is not
buried here, if she is
alive...shouldn't we do something
about it?
(pause)
I need to know. I have to...
Dante sighs deeply.
DANTE
Okay.
He retrieves his shovel, steps over to the grave and begins to
dig up the dirt surrounding the plaque. Gretchen bends down and
takes ANOTHER SHOVEL from under the blanket of fog and help
Dante exhume the grave.
FROM ON HIGH we watch as the couple dig deeper into the ground.
Mounds of soil begin to build up around them.
The sound of the digging shovels is eerie in the silence.
Finally with a CLUNK Dante stops digging.
GRETCHEN
What?
DANTE
I've hit something.
Dante gets onto his knees and wipes away the remaining soil to
reveal part of the ROTTING COFFIN.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Get out.
Gretchen climbs out of the grave and stands over it whilst Dante
awkwardly positions his legs around the base as he tries to pry
the lid open.
With a mighty heave, the nails buckle and the coffin lid flies
open.
COFFIN'S POV
Shows Dante and Gretchen staring silently down into us.
DANTE (CONT'D)
Oh my god.
DANTE'S POV
Reveals an empty coffin.
BLACK:
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I needed to get into that locked room.
I needed to find Elizabeth and free
her from Ashby's clutches.
(pause)
The only flaw in my plan. I needed
the key. I knew what I must do...
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
We LOWER into Ashby's bed. He sleeps restlessly.
FROM BEHIND the LACE NETTING we watch as the door opens without
a sound and a FEMALE SILHOUETTE enters.
She makes her way around to the bed and looks down on the
sleeping Ashby. She lifts the netting and climbs into the bed.
ASHBY
Elizabeth?
His eyes remained closed and his speech slurred. He is neither
awake or completely asleep.
For the first time we see who the silhouette belongs too. It is
Gretchen. She pulls the sheets down just enough that she can
sit astride him and then begins to gently move back and forth on
him.
Still very much 'out to it' Ashby tries to touch his beloved but
Gretchen gently holds his arms on the bed.
He begins to relax and Gretchen can move her arms freely. She
moves her hands over his chest - fondling the key. He arches
his back in pleasure.
THEN-
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - MORNING
Ashby wakes in fright. He sits up. His breathing is rapid and
he is soaked in sweat. He fiddles for a moment and finally
locates his key. It's exactly where he left it - around his
neck.
He begins to calm down.
INT. DANTE'S COTTAGE - MORNING
AN EXTREMELY HOT FIRE
Burns over the stove. A small crucible is taken out of the fire
with a set of tongs and moves across and gently liquid metal is
poured into a MOULD.
The MOULD has an uncanny resemblance to Ashby's key. After a
moment of being allowed to cool, DANTE takes the mould with the
set of tongs and dumps it into a bucket of water. Steam pours
out of the bucket and finally dissipates.
Dante places his hand inside and removes the mould. He opens it
up, takes out the freshly made key and hands it to GRETCHEN.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - DAY
Ashby and Sebastian are walking down the staircase. A shotgun
sits over Ashby's shoulder.
Gretchen walks through the front door. His eyes lock onto hers.
ASHBY
And where have you been?
GRETCHEN
In the garden. It was such a lovely
day and I didn't want to waste it
indoors.
SEBASTIAN
(excited)
We're going hunting.
GRETCHEN
Oh are you?
ASHBY
Yes, we're meeting the Harringston's
in a few minutes and travelling to
their estate. Sebastian should have
some sport in his life and what better
than a day of hunting foxes, geese and
anything else that moves.
GRETCHEN
You're not going to let him use the
gun are you?
ASHBY
No.
SEBASTIAN
Aww but you promised.
ASHBY
Yes..well...we should get going. Come
Sebastian.
Without another word they walk through Gretchen and towards the
front door.
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S HAND
As it reaches into her pocket and retrieves the DUPLICATE KEY.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Freeze.
Gretchen freezes in fright. She slowly turns to face him-
CLOSE ON GRETCHEN'S HAND
As it tries to conceal the key behind her back.
Ashby has the shotgun sighted on her. She holds her breath.
With a smile he lowers his rifle,
ASHBY (CONT'D)
We'll be back sometime this afternoon.
He turns and leaves. The door closes and Gretchen takes several
quick breaths, sucking air into her oxygen starved lungs. The
ordeal is over.
She turns and hurries up the staircase.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - DAY
The doors open and Gretchen races in. She moves across to the
window and watches as the two hunters walk down the pathway and
out of sight.
She turns from the window and leaves her room.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - DAY
Gretchen hurries along the corridor and arrives at the two
locked doors. She inserts the key into the lock and turns it.
Unlocked.
She pushes the doors open and enters.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT GATES - ASHBY ESTATE - SAME TIME
Ashby and Sebastian stroll through the front gates and over a
CARRIAGE that waits for them. The DRIVER is busily mending one
of the wheels, whilst OLD HARRINGTON 'supervises'.
ASHBY
Problem?
OLD HARRINGTON
Bloody wheels. Nothing is as strong
as it used to be. Twenty years ago we
never had these types of problems.
SEBASTIAN
We're still going hunting, right?
OLD HARRINGTON
Not unless we can get this wheel
repaired. We may have to reschedule -
tomorrow perhaps?
ASHBY
Of course.
RETURN TO:
INT. LOCKED ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
It is a bedroom. The grandest room of this house. Beautiful
furniture. Exquisite paintings. This room is fit for royalty
but is missing one key point - Elizabeth.
Gretchen moves around the room, scanning over these various
features.
GRETCHEN
Hello? ... Elizabeth?
No reply. Silence.
She comes to closed drapes, the same that cover all the windows
of the house. Gretchen turns and scans the room again -
nothing.
She sighs with disappointment and with that leans against the
drapes to think. However, her hand finds nothing sold back
there and her whole body falls over and is sucked behind the
drapes.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - SAME TIME
The front door open and Ashby strolls through. He continues
through the foyer and up the stairs.
RETURN TO:
INT. SECRET ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Pitch black. Gretchen lies flat on the floor.
After a moment of lying there she begins to feel her way around
the floor. Her hand touches something solid, a WOODEN LEG,
possibly to a table or bed.
She feels her way up the leg and stands up. There is a small
amount of light in the form of a rectangle coming from the end
of the room. A covered window.
Gretchen slowly and cautiously feels her way over to the window.
WINDOW POV
The drapes slide open and light rushes in. Gretchen turns from
the window to see on the table is-
THE BODY OF ELIZABETH
Lying inside a beautiful glass coffin. Gretchen screams in
fright.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - SAME TIME
Ashby moves through the corridor, closing in on the locked
doors.
RETURN TO:
INT. SECRET ROOM - SAME TIME
Sleeping beauty. She has not rotted at all. Her skin has
remained porcelain white. She could be easily confused as being
fast asleep rather than dead.
Gretchen shakes, her hands cover her face, unable to comprehend
what is happening.
GRETCHEN
Oh my God.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKED ROOM - MANSION - SAME TIME
The doors open and Ashby enters.
RETURN TO:
INT. SECRET ROOM - SAME TIME
Gretchen looks up. She has heard the doors open and close.
INT. LOCKED ROOM / SECRET ROOM - CONTINUOUS (INTERCUT)
Ashby approaches the drapes.
DRAPES' POV
They rush open and Ashby is staring at us.
ASHBY'S POV
Reveals the secret room. Empty. No sign of Gretchen at all.
He moves straight over to the glass coffin-
ASHBY'S LEGS
Stride past a sofa to reveal GRETCHEN hiding underneath it. Her
whole body is pressed against the floor as she tries not to
breath and more importantly - remain unnoticed.
Ashby glides his finger tips over the coffin's surface as if
they were touching his wife and not glass.
ASHBY
I am here my love. I heard you call
and I have come. You spoke to me in
my dreams and whispered into my heart.
My love for you has never died, even
if you did. I have always loved you,
ever since the first moment that my
eyes met yours at that party, do you
remember?
He smiles with the good memory.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
I can remember everything about it. I
remember how you wore your hair, down -
as always. Your dress was of lilac, I
even remember the every words you
spoke to me that night.
(pause)
I remember the day I asked you to
marry me. You had hurt your knee
after tripping on an up grown root.
It began to rain and even though you
were in agony, we managed to find
refuge under the oaks by that small
stream. With you unable to walk, both
of us drenched through to our skin,
our hair all-
(pause)
You never looked more beautiful. It
was then I produced the ring and asked
you to marry me. And you said, yes.
Yes. I was so happy and then-
He stops. His smile fades.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
And then I brought you here. I had to
work more back then, I wanted to
secure our future. If I knew that my
work would jeopardize us, I would not
have done it. I would have quit for
you. I would have done anything for
you.
(pause)
I knew Dante meant nothing to you and
that it was my neglect of you that
caused your eyes to stray. I
understand this now. I understand it
was me - my fault.
Gretchen hears the name 'Dante' and has a sudden realization.
FLASHCUT of Elizabeth's Plaque. A rose is placed over it.
Dante stands over the grave.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
But you granted me a second chance and
I thank you. It was destiny that
brought us together again. She is
like you in every way, even made your
'mistake', but with time and influence
I will make her you and we may be
together once more.
Ashby's mood changes rapidly once more. A displaced sadness.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(breaks down)
I feel so lost without you Elizabeth.
I need you as you need me. Without
you I am incomplete, an unfinished
work. Please forgive me my love,
forgive me for all my wrong doings...I
didn't mean to hurt you...but you hurt
me first...
He begins to stroll around, fluctuating emotions of sadness and
anger.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Do you know what they said in town?
Their tongues would flap so often they
would distort the truth. They said
you died from a broken heart, but I
knew better. I knew the truth.
FLASHCUT of Ashby slipping something into one of two glasses of
wine. Poison. He takes both glasses out into another room and
offers the poisoned one to Elizabeth. He raises his glass to
her and they both drink.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
You didn't die of a broken heart. You
destroyed our love, you broke the
unbreakable bond and you paid the
price for your infidelity.
His anger returns to an emotional sadness.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Did you think I wanted this Elizabeth?
I gave you my love, I gave you my
money, my home and my trust - I gave
you everything.
(pause)
You are still everything to me. I
want you back so much....I never
wanted to harm you....I had to...you
had to pay the for what you did. Like
the dog that bites it's master's hand,
you had to pay.
(pause)
Our love will go on...it will...it
always will
He stops, as if waiting for her to speak. He begins to break
down again, desperately wanting her to reply.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Please speak to me
Elizabeth....please...please please
please....just a
word...please...anything....just say
something....I need you.
His face slumps over the coffin. His fingers gently caressing
the glass. Tears roll down his cheek, off his face and trickle
down the glass.
CLOSE ON THE TEARDROP
As it continues to trickle down the glass and falls silently off
the coffin and falls SPLAT, onto the floor.
We BLUR OUT the tear drop to see Gretchen still lying silently
under the sofa.
ASHBY (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Would you like me to play our song,
Elizabeth? Would you like that?
Silent. Of course she cannot reply.
ASHBY (CONT'D)
I will play it for you, I know you
would want me to.
He presses his lips to the glass-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
Good night, my love.
He turns and hurries out of the room.
A moment passes. Gretchen slides herself out from under the
sofa and stands. Her hand roughly wipes the tears from her
cheeks and then leaves.
UNDER THE SOFA
We can see the duplicate key has been dropped and left behind.
EXT. BEACH - AFTERNOON
A canvas is set up before Dante as he paints the wild ocean. He
is so consumed with his work that he has not noticed the figure
dressed in black approaching him. It is Gretchen.
His eyes turn from the painting. His love has returned. He
runs for her with opens arms and finally sweeps her up in a
loving hug. His smile reaches from ear to ear with happiness
but as he lowers her, Dante realizes that she is not smiling,
her expression is cold as ice.
DANTE
What's the matter?
Gretchen pulls away from him, she can barely look at him.
GRETCHEN
Is it true?
Every spat out like poison.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
There is no Samuel is there? There
never was.
DANTE
What?
GRETCHEN
I heard it from his own lips. It was
you, wasn't it? You had the affair
with Elizabeth.
Silence. Dante is guilty - and he cannot help but look it. His
eyes cannot look much further up than the ground, he feels very
small. He opens his mouth several times to speak - he cannot.
DANTE
(sighs)
Yes.
GRETCHEN
Why did you lie to me?
He remains silent. However, he doesn't have to. Gretchen has
finally clicked.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Oh my god, I was your revenge against
him wasn't I? He took Elizabeth away
from you and so you took me away from
Ashby. How could I be so foolish to
think that you loved me.
DANTE
(grabs her)
But I do love you.
Gretchen forces her freedom from his grasp.
GRETCHEN
Do you? I gave you my mind, my body
and most of all my love but the whole
time I was nothing more than a pawn in
your revenge. I loved you, trusted
you and then you betrayed me.
Gretchen laughs weakly at her life.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
Tell me. Did you ever love me?
DANTE
I do love you.
GRETCHEN
(pause)
The story you told me on the staircase
that day, it wasn't true was it?
Dante shakes his head, 'no'.
GRETCHEN (CONT'D)
How can I believe you when you say you
love me? Everything you ever told me
was a lie.
He places his hands on her cheeks and holds her face close to
this. The desperation on his face is growing. Gretchen is in
tears.
DANTE
I'm not lying now. And you were
right, in the beginning I was consumed
with only thoughts on revenge against
him. Through his own jealously he had
taken from me the only thing I had
ever cared about.
(pause)
I thought I may never get the chance
to repay him\'85
(pause)
Until you came along. However, the
more time I spent with you the more I
can to realize how much you meant to
me.
GRETCHEN
And do you expect me to believe you
after all these lies?
DANTE
(firmly)
Yes.
(pause)
You can't understand how it hurt when
she died and how long I have waited
for the chance to repay him. We were
planning to run away together,
Elizabeth and I. To run away from him
and never return. All she wanted was
freedom from him and I promised that I
would give it to her. So when she
died, I was devastated. Devastated
that I could not deliver what I had
promised. I had failed her. So I
swore that I would avenge her and not
fail her again. It fuelled me, it has
fuelled me ever since - that is until
I met you.
(pause)
You opened my eyes to a world I
thought I could never know again.
And if there was a way to show you how
much you mean to me, I would.
Gretchen places her hands on his and slowly lowers them from her
face. Finally, she looks into his eyes.
GRETCHEN
(long pause)
It maybe too late for us Dante, but
perhaps you can still fulfil your
promise to her.
CUT TO:
INT. SEBASTIAN'S ROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
Sebastian lay in his bed fast asleep. A PAIR OF HANDS,
belonging to Gretchen, move gently over his cheeks and then tuck
his sheets in a little tighter.
She sits on the edge of the bed, watching her angelic son sleep
soundly - not a worry in the world. She leans over and presses
her lips to his forehead.
GRETCHEN
I promise you, I will not let you grow
up to be like him. I will set you
free, I will set us all free.
(pause)
Good night Sebastian.
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NIGHT
Ashby sits by his piano. His fingers strike the keys perfectly.
Elizabeth's song. He is so consumed in the music that he has
not noticed Gretchen standing in the doorway, dressed in only
her nightgown.
She presses the door and it opens with a long 'creek'.
Instantly Ashby ceases playing and swings around on his stool.
ASHBY
This would be the first night in our
marriage that you have sought me out.
GRETCHEN
Can't a wife seek out her husband?
ASHBY
Yes, but it is very unlike you. What
is it you want?
She steps into the room, accepting his crude invitation.
GRETCHEN
The same thing you want.
ASHBY
And that is?
She moves closer to him, so much so that her stomach is level
with his face. His breathing becomes more intense, his eyes
look up to hers.
Slowly she unbuttons her nightgown and lets it drop to her
ankles, exposing her naked body to him. He places his hands
around her sides and pulls her stomach to his lips and begins to
kiss it.
FROM BEHIND we watch Ashby slide off his chair and onto his
knees, his face between her legs. Her head tilts back in mock
pleasure.
CLOSE ON HER FACE
To reveal that she is staring into space, ignoring his touch and
is completely uninterested in him.
MOVE TO:
IN THE BED,
Gretchen sits astride Ashby, slowly moving on him. His eyes are
closed, enjoying the pleasure while it lasts. Her eyes are wide
open and locked on the KEY CHAIN around his neck.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SECRET ROOM - MANSION - LATER THAT NIGHT
CLOSE ON ELIZABETH
As she lies ever still - a sleeping beauty.
Gretchen stands over her. Watching her. From around her own
neck she removes the GOLD HEART-SHAPED PENDANT and ties it
around Elizabeth's.
GRETCHEN
I return to you, your heart. I will
set you free and finally may you rest
in peace. This is my gift to you.
FADE OUT:
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - NEXT MORNING
An eye lid. It blinks open once and then quickly shut tight.
Ashby's eyes take another few moment to adjust to the morning
light before they remain open. He rolls over in the bed,
expecting to find his wife beside him. Nothing. Empty sheets.
He sits up and scans the room, but she is nowhere to be found.
To help wake himself up he slides his hand over his eyes and
rubs his face - he notices something.
He feels for his key chain, but it is gone.
His eyes blaze with fury. He tosses the sheets off himself and
leaps out of the bed. Clumsily he slips into a pair of slacks
and throws on a pair of boots. His night shirt hangs out as he
hurries out of the room.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
He strides down the corridor. His strides become longer and
quicker. They slowly become a run as he begins to realize
something is definitely wrong.
INT. LOCKED ROOM - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
THE TWO LOCKED DOORS
Lie wide open as Ashby runs into the room. He quickly moves
over to the curtains and with a rough swing of his arms they are
open.
INT. SECRET ROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
He steps inside. There is nothing but an empty table. The
glass coffin containing Elizabeth has vanished.
Ashby screams in fury and above all else - anguish.
INT. SEBASTIAN'S ROOM - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
The doors open and once again Ashby hurries inside. Empty.
INT. GRETCHEN'S BEDROOM - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
The doors fly open and Ashby storms in. He looks about. Empty.
INT. CORRIDOR - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
Ashby strides down the corridor, his face twisted. He pushes
open another set of doors and steps into-
INT. ASHBY'S BEDROOM - MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Once inside he moves straight to his desk and opens up the top
drawer.
He retrieves something from inside. A PISTOL. He holds it close
to him and for a moment he strokes the barrel with his fingers.
His eyes burn for revenge, he wants nothing more than his
beloved back and will do anything to achieve it.
He storms out of the room.
INT. MAIN FOYER - MANSION - MOMENTS LATER
FROM ON HIGH,
We watch Ashby run down the staircase and through the foyer to
the front doors.
EXT. MANSION GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS
Ashby scans his property - there is no one to be found.
The grounds outside are saturated from a storm the night before.
The ground has turned to mud. WAGON TRACKS away from the front
doors.
Ashby leaps onto the muddy ground and begins to follow the
tracks.
EXT. TRACKS - DAY
Ashby continues with the tracks but finally comes to a
standstill. He knows where they lead - the beach. He looks to
one side, a meadow leads into a small forest - it is a short cut
to the beach.
He turns and runs through the meadow towards the forest.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Ashby bolts through the forest. Tears pour down his cheeks as
he tries to push himself harder and faster. He jumps logs and
dodges branches and ferns of all shapes and sizes.
A SHARP TREE BRANCH
Slices his cheek as he bolts past it. Blood oozes out of the
wound, but Ashby hasn't even noticed.
His hair has become matted and sticks to his face. Cuts graze
his face and arms from the sharp branches and twigs- but all the
pain, all the anguish he feels inside only makes him more
determined to run faster.
ASHBY'S EYES
Are overflowing with tears, fresh and dry. The desperation in
his eyes tell us that he will relentlessly continue his pursuit.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Ashby emerges over some dunes. He is exhausted and starved of
oxygen. His clothes are saturated and blood oozes from his
various wounds.
He stops and scans the beach.
The tracks go further up the beach and finally come to rest
before a halted WAGON. Gretchen stands alone by the outgoing
tide, staring out to sea.
Gretchen turns to see Ashby running towards her. She isn't
surprised to see him, on the contrary she has been expecting
him.
He notices the glass coffin sitting in the sand. It's lid is
open and saltwater rushes in and out of its body. He aims his
pistol at her-
ASHBY
(yells)
Where is she?
His voice is toned down by the strong winds and the crashing
waves.
GRETCHEN
Where she belongs. Free.
Ashby turns to the sea and notices a small make-shift raft
floating over the waves. Elizabeth's body lies on top of it.
ASHBY
(spitting anger)
Why would you do this?
GRETCHEN
Look at what you have become and all
because of jealousy. You have
destroyed the lives of all around you -
including yours.
(pause)
Let her go, Jonathan. Let all you're
hate, jealously, revenge - let it all
go. Let her go, just let her go.
It's over. Let her go and let her be
in peace.
Ashby's eyes close. A tear rolls down his cheek. They open
once more. His hate still burns within.
ASHBY
(screams)
NEVER! I WILL NEVER LET HER GO.
SHE'S MINE...
He dashes away from Gretchen. He runs with even more
desperation along the wet sand and dives into the surf.
As he begins to swim-
ASHBY (CONT'D)
(continuous)
I'm coming Elizabeth.... I'm
coming....wait for me...
EXT. SEA - CONTINUOUS
Ashby, already exhausted, struggles to catch up with the raft.
The waves force continuously crash over him and he is forced to
swim with all his energy. Saltwater flows into his mouth as he
gasps for air.
ASHBY
I'm coming...ELIZABETH...WAIT!
He is almost there. Almost out of energy. His strokes are weak
and he struggles to keep himself above the water level. Water
splashes hard in and out of his mouth as he sucks desperately
needed oxygen into his lungs.
EXT. RAFT - CONTINUOUS
Ashby takes hold of the raft and tries to pull himself on board.
But the raft is not able to support both of them and it topples
over - sending Elizabeth's body into the deep.
He treads water for a moment, continuously spinning around and
around desperately seeking his love. Waves continue to crash
over him but he doesn't care.
ASHBY
ELIZABETH!!?!?!?
He calls to her again and again, screaming her name - but she is
gone.
He takes a deep breath and dives under the water for her.
RETURN TO:
EXT. UNDER WATER - CONTINUOUS (BEGINNING)
The woman's body floats lifelessly in the sea.
CLOSE ON THE PENDANT
That lay around her neck.
CLOSE ON HER FACE
And for the first time we can recognize her as Elizabeth.
SUDDENLY, the calm waters are broken by the desperate strokes of
Ashby. He is out of air but is consumed with reaching his
beloved.
CLOSE ON THEIR HANDS
That lay only inches apart. With his last once of strength and
consciousness Ashby takes hold of Elizabeth's hand and grips
tightly.
IN THE SILENCE,
We watch their pair as they float with the current out into the
ocean.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I sometimes wonder to myself when I am
alone in the darkness of the night
whether I too could find a love that
strong.
INT. BEACH - AFTERNOON
Gretchen stands alone on the beach.
THROUGH US, Sebastian runs towards his mother. She turns to him
and welcomes him into her open arms in a warm embrace.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
...a bond that could never be broken
in neither in life or death.
Sebastian holds out his hand and Gretchen accepts the gift. Her
JOURNAL.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I also think about my journal and how
easily recording our thoughts can lead
to the unveiling of our deepest and
darkest secrets. As a back door into
our minds, can we afford to keep such
things in any other place but our
thoughts?
Gretchen swings the journal and watches as it floats high into
the sky and finally plummets into the ocean.
She turns and notices DANTE standing along in the distance.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I sometimes think about Dante. Maybe
if he had have asked I would have gone
back to him. But he didn't...
Dante smiles. Gretchen returns the gesture. He then turns and
begins to walk away...
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Our love had been tarnished beyond
repair by the secrets of that house.
I think we both knew this and that in
the end we both preferred to remember
the memories of an idealistic life
together that could have been....but
now, would never be.
EXT. SCHOOL HOUSE - ANOTHER MORNING
A tiny white weatherboard school house sits amongst a lush lawn
and a small, but blossoming garden. A picket fence surrounds.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Three years have passed since that
afternoon on the beach and a lot has
happened.
(pause)
I opened this school for children so
that they may come and learn to read
and write.
A BELL begins to ring.
We ROTATE around the schoolhouse until we are at it's front.
Gretchen, a year older, stands by the entrance, pulling down on
a rope that rings the bell.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And it is doing quite well. I may
even have to expand.
SMALL CHILDREN, all between the ages of six to twelve come
running through the front gates, up the lawn and into the school
building. They all greet their headmaster as they pass, and
Gretchen in turn returns their greeting.
INT. SCHOOL HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
The children sits behind desks in neat rows. They listen and
watch attentively as Gretchen writes the alphabet on the
blackboard. They copy it onto their smaller blackboards.
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
Have I found love, do you ask?
There is a knock. Gretchen ceases scribbling on the black board
and along with the children turn to the back of the room.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Well there is this one gentleman...
A YOUNG MAN stands silently at the back of the room. His hat is
nervously buried in his hands. He smiles shyly at Gretchen, who
returns his smile.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He isn't rich or is he a painter.
He's a writer. He is neither Ashby or
Dante, he is something different, but
I have grown very fond of him.
The children snigger to themselves quietly.
Gretchen dismisses the children. They pile out of the room,
almost bowling over the Young Man.
Empty. They are now alone.
The Young Man walks forward, his foot trips on a desk and he
stumbles before falling against another desk. Gretchen smiles,
wanting to burst out laughing.
He is deeply embarrassed. He dusts himself down and smiles.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Is he the one?
Gretchen moves over to him and kisses him on the cheek, running
her fingers down his face.
He offers his hand to her and she accepts it with a smile.
Together they walk out of the schoolhouse.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Maybe.
EXT. UNDER WATER - AFTERNOON
Ashby and Elizabeth drift hand-in-hand across the ocean...
GRETCHEN (V.O.)
I am dead now. The world I faced
those three years ago is now nothing
but a memory - it is gone.
(pause)
I have started again...begun a fresh
life...I have been reborn...
Silence.
GRETCHEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Yes, I think about all this and more
when I am alone in the darkness of the
night...
FADE OUT BLACK:
}
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