The Chronicles of the Counts Dracula-Cardie. Adapted from Baron Olshevris novel «Vampires»
grabs Nettie by the collar and drags her off the terrace.
The American Servant bows, handing Count Frederick a large sealed envelope.
Count Frederick opens it and reads a few lines to himself, then turns towards his wife
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues)
A coffin, bearing the mortal remains of our American relative is due to arrive at the castle in accordance to his wishes. He wanted to be buried in his home soil.
Countess Maria nods silently
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues)
Are you the same servant who is mentioned in this letter?
The American Servant bows in acknowledgement
AMERICAN SERVANT
My Lord, when can I bring the coffin?
COUNTESS MARIA
Tomorrow, if you wish
The American Servant bows to the couple and leaves
COUNTESS MARIA
(continues)
Who was that relative, dear?
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT – VENICE, LIDO CANAL – SUMMER EVENING
BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES
A gondola glides noiselessly along the water. Last rays of the setting sun reflect on the canal. All around, laughter and singing can be heard from the neighboring gondolas.
CARLO (27 years old): a son of Count Frederick and Countess Maria, an educated young aristocrat, has lived away from home for almost 20 years.
Carlo gazes at the water, lost in thought
TITLE: 1852
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
My mother died when I was already in Nuremberg. She was so beautiful, and yet she died so young. To this day I don’t know what illness took her to her grave.
END OF THE MEMORIES
INT – LARGE LIVING ROOM OF THE CASTLE, GROUND FLOOR – DAYTIME
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Young Carlo and Count Frederick talk in the living room of the castle. Carlo cries, standing in front of his father
TITLE: 1832
COUNT FREDERICK
It is your mother’s wish.
YOUNG CARLO
But why? Doesn’t she love me anymore?
INT-LUCY’S ROOM, NIGHT
Lucy sleeps peacefully in her bed when a big black cat moves crouching towards her. It arches its back and pounces on the child, mutilating her face. Lucy screams from pain and fear and tries to fling the cat away but the animal keeps attacking.
The door flies open and Catherine, the washer-woman Marina and the female cook rush in. The cat hides under the bed
CATHERINE
What is wrong, young lady?
Lucy sobs. Marina sees the blood and flings up her hands in horror. The cook presses a hand to her own mouth to stifle a scream. Catherine hugs the child
LUCY
Ooow, it hurts. That horrible cat hurt me! Why didn’t you help me?
CATHERINE
We came running as soon as we heard you.
Maria and Frederick come into the room. Frightened, Marina makes a hasty curtsey. The cook leaves the room backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
What is happening?
She looks at her daughter and pales. Maria sits down on the bed. Frederick casts Marina an angry look. She takes a few steps backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
Are you alright my dear?
LUCY
No! I am hurt and I am scared!
Blood drips from her face onto the pillow
COUNTESS MARIA
(speaking to servants)
Bring water and bandages. Hurry!
(speaking to Lucy)
Who did this to you?
The little girl starts to cry
LUCY
(in between sobs)
A cat…it was so…huge… and scary.
Maria looks around, then nods to her husband. Frederick picks up a burning candle and looks under the bed. A drape between the bed and he window moves. A sound of beating wings can be heard. A dark shadow moves into the night
COUNT FREDERICK
Calm down, dear, there is no one.
LUCY
The cat had the same evil eyes like the nasty old man from America.
The girl is calmed down by her parents and put back to bed
INT-MARIA’S ROOM-A VISION
Maria is on her bed, moaning, tormented by a nightmare. Lucy’s ghost forms at the foot of her bed
LUCY
Mommy, help me! Please, I am scared, I am going to die soon. Don’t leave me, please. Save me!
Maria wakes up and sits upright, breathing heavily
INT-MARIA’S ROOM-MEMORIES
Maria embroiders by the window. Michael, Petro and Catherine rush into the room. They are clearly disturbed
MICHAEL
Something bad has happened, my lady.
COUNTESS MARIA
What’s the matter?
MICHAEL
Your husband, my lady!
The Countess rises from her chair abruptly
COUNTESS MARIA
What is wrong with Frederick?
MICHAEL
His Highness has had a fall from a horse…
COUNTESS MARIA
Is he alive?
MICHAEL
Yes, but he is badly hurt.
Maria tries to run out of the room but faints.
She opens her eyes and sees the gloating smiling face of the American servant
AMERICAN SERVANT
So my lady, you haven’t worn my present yet? What a pity, the necklace has some wonderful properties and it could help guard your loved ones from harm…
Maria nods hopelessly
AMERICAN SERVANT
A wise decision, my lady.