A H alper in Produc t ion
w h i t e zom bi e
Story and dialogue by: Garnett Weston
Screenplay by: Frank Lawrence & Laura Mae
Murder Legendre, Witch Doctor
Madeline, bride
Dr. Bruner, missionary
Charles Beaumont, comparative stranger
Neil Parker, groom
Silver, Beaumont’s butler
Pierre, Witch Doctor
Legendre’s army of the undead,
driver, minister, maids, locals and vultures
Scene: Haiti, 1932
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White Zombie ∙ Haiti ∙ 1932
ext. roadway—evening
Locals are labouring in the road performing a voodoo chant.
Enter Driver carrying Neil and Madeline in a horse drawn carriage.
Neil.
Looks like a burial.
Madeline.
In the road? Driver, what is it?
Driver.
It’s a funeral, Mademoiselle. They are afraid of the men who steal dead bodies. So they dig the grave in the middle of the road where people pass all the time.
Neil.
Well, that’s a cheerful introduction for you to
our West Indies.
ext. side of the road—evening
A sinister man, M. Legendre, stands at the side of the road. He knows
there is a carriage coming and he is patiently awaiting it.
Enter Driver, Neil, and Madeline.
Driver.
Do you know where is the house of
monsieur Beaumont?
Legendre ignores the driver and leans into the carriage, intently staring
at Madeline. As he stares into her eyes he takes hold of her scarf.
The driver sees men in the distance and takes off in a terrible hurry.
Driver.
Zombies! Aller vite! Allez!
Legendre menacingly tucks Madeline’s scarf into his coat.
Madeline.
It felt like hands touching me.
ext. beaumont’s house­— evening
Enter Driver, Neil, and Madeline. Neil and Madeline exit the
carriage and stand at the front door of Beaumont’s house.
Neil.
Why did you drive like that you fool?
We might have been killed!
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Driver.
Worse than that, Monsieur, we might have
been caught.
Neil.
Caught? By whom? Those men you spoke to?
Driver.
They are not men Monsieur, they are dead bodies.
Neil.
Dead?
Driver.
Yes, Monsieur. Zombies. The living dead.
Corpses taken from their graves who are made
to work in sugar mills and fields at night. Look!
Here they come!
Exit Driver.
Madeline.
Look, look!
A lonely dog howls in the night as a man emerges from the shadows.
Enter Dr. Bruner.
Dr. Bruner.
Excuse me please, have you got a match?
Did I frighten you? Ha, I’m sorry. I’m oddly enough I suppose.
Neil.
No, it wasn’t you. Something happened back on the road there. We stopped to speak to some men. Our driver told us that they weren’t men at all. He said they were corpses.
Dr. Bruner.
Corpses­—
Neil.
Surely you don’t believe it do you?
Dr. Bruner.
No. But I don’t know—Haiti is full of nonsense and superstition. They’re always mixed up with a lot of mysteries that will turn your hair grey. I’ve been a missionary here for, oh, thirty years, and at times I don’t know what to think. Come, let’s go in the house.
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Enter Silver. He graciously opens the front door for the guests.
Neil.
Oh, yes, come dear.
Dr. Bruner.
Is Mr. Beaumont in?
Silver.
You are expected, Dr. Bruner.
Dr. Bruner.
Yes, I’ve been sent for to marry someone. Maybe—
Dr. Bruner playfully glances at the couple of whom he is speaking.
int. reception hall—evening
Neil, Madeline, and Dr. Bruner get acquainted as Silver keeps
busy in the room and listens to their conversation.
Dr. Bruner.
How long is it that you’ve known
Mr. Beaumont?
Neil.
Oh, only a few days. Madeline introduced him on the docks in Port-au-Prince.
Dr. Bruner.
Ah, and you?
Madeline.
I met him on the ship coming from New York. He was very kind during the voyage.
Neil.
Madeline and I planned to be married
the moment she arrived, but Mr. Beaumont
persuaded us to come here. And he promised
to take me out of the bank at Port-au-Prince
and send me to New York as his agent.
Dr. Bruner.
Hmm—strange. Very strange. You­—
Dr. Bruner glances at Silver who is listening intently.
Silver.
I’ll tell Mr. Beaumont you are here.
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Dr. Bruner.
Yeah.
Silver moves from the large room to a position around the corner
where he lurks and is able to hear the conversation. He is suspicious
of the three guests and finds their presence to be quite unsettling.
Neil.
It’s all right, isn’t it doctor?
Dr. Bruner.
Oh, I guess so. You see I, I’ve only met Mr. Beaumont once or twice. But he never struck
me like the man who would take the trouble to play fairy godfather to a young couple like you. Unless—
Neil.
Unless what, sir?
Silver exits his secret spot. Dr. Bruner peers around the corner and
sees no one is currently eavesdropping.
Dr. Bruner.
I suppose you’ll think I’m a meddling old fool, but, you know, I’d feel a good deal better if you’d clear out of this place after you’re married, and have nothing more to do with Mr. Beaumont.
Dr. Bruner, along with his two new acquaintances, Neil and
Madeline, go on discussing affairs both current and ancient. They
tell him of their future and he tells them of his past.
int. beaumont’s office—evening
Beaumont sits in his large room deep in thought.
Enter Silver.
Silver.
The young people have arrived sir, and Dr. Bruner. They are waiting in the reception hall.
Beaumont.
Show them to their rooms, and tell them I’m out. No wait. Perhaps I’d better see them. It might look odd if I didn’t.
Silver.
Very odd, sir. Especially as Dr. Bruner is a trifle skeptical as to your—motives, sir.
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Beaumont.
Nevermind my motives.
Has that other person sent word yet?
Silver.
No, sir. Not yet.
Beaumont.
He’s twenty-four hours late.
Silver.
I wish you’d keep away from—that man,
sir. What you are planning is dangerous.
Beaumont.
Don’t you suppose I know that, Silver?
You don’t seem to realize what this girl
means to me. Why, I’d sacrifice anything I
have in the world for her. Nothing matters
if I can’t have her.
int. reception hall—evening
Back in the reception hall, the young couple listen to Dr. Bruner as
he tells tales of his time in Haiti.
Dr. Bruner.
I think, ah, I think you’ll like Haiti.
Most people that—
Enter Beaumont and Silver.
Beaumont.
Madeline! I’m delighted to see you.
Neil, you’re more than welcome.
Neil.
Thank you, sir.
Beaumont.
Doctor, it is very kind of you, I know what a busy man you are.
Dr. Bruner.
No, ah, not at all. There is a native family live out here that I’ve been trying to see for a long time. After this young couple are safely married, I will leave.
Beaumont.
But surely you will stay for dinner after the ceremony.
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Dr. Bruner.
No no no. No, I must run along.
Beaumont.
That’s a great pity. We have something very special prepared for this occasion. It was very good of you, Madeline, to humour the whim of a lonely man. There was so little time to prepare, I couldn’t do half the things I wanted for you.
Madeline.
You’ve done more than enough already
Mr. Beaumont, for a comparative stranger.
You’ve made us so happy. Giving Neil a position in The States.
Beaumont.
Neil?
Neil.
Yes. Yes indeed.
Beaumont.
Oh, yes of course. I’m sure Neil will make a
very good agent. But you must be tired after
your drive. You get some rest.
Silver!
Silver steps up to attention.
Beaumont.
Silver will show you to your room.
Silver.
This way please.
All go upstairs save Beaumont who answers a queer knock on the door.
Beaumont climbs aboard a horse drawn carriage driven by a man who
is a member of Legendre’s crew. The driver has a most unmistakably
vacant look on his face. The horse pulls the carriage out of frame.
int. legendre’s factory—late evening
Beaumont makes his way through a mill factory that is populated
by Legendre’s brain dead soldiers. Unaware of reality, these mindless men toil endlessly on the grounds as the months and years pass.
Beaumont slowly and cautiously proceeds to the factory office.
Legendre and another of his servants are waiting in a small room.
Enter Beaumont.
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Legendre.
Delighted to see you again, monsieur Beaumont.
Legendre holds out his hand but Beaumont refuses to shake it.
This display of self righteousness angers Legendre as he curls his hand
back up into a fist.
Legendre.
Please. Sit.
Legendre motions for Beaumont to sit down. As Beaumont sits, he
looks around at all of the peculiar details that accumulate to make up
Legendre’s factory office. Shelves holding jars containing questions
and secrets. Oil lamps illuminating enormous books on tabletops
while casting wild shadows on the walls and creating deep dark corners
for creatures to lurk. Quill pens and jars of ink alongside the tragic
taxidermied head of a wild beast.
Legendre.
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Monsieur.
I’ve been on a journey seeking men for my mills.
Beaumont.
Men?
Legendre.
They work faithfully, and they are not worried about long hours. You, you can make good use of men like mine on your plantation.
Beaumont.
No. That’s not what I want.
Legendre.
Then perhaps we should talk about the young lady who came to your house this evening.
Beaumont.
You’ve seen her? When?
Legendre.
The road, tonight.
Legendre briefly pulls out the scarf he took from Madeline.
As Beaumont reaches for it, Legendre tucks it back into his coat.
Legendre smirks. He knows he can manipulate Beaumont.
Legendre.
There was a young man with her.
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Beaumont.
They are to be married tonight.
You waited too long to do anything.
Legendre.
What do you want me to do?
Beaumont.
If she were to disappear, for a month—
Legendre.
What do you hope to gain by her disappearance?
Beaumont.
Everything.
Legendre.
Humph, do you think she will forget her lover in a month?
Beaumont.
Just give me a month. One little month.
Legendre.
Not in a month. Not even a year. I looked into her eyes. She is deep in love. But not with you.
Beaumont.
They are to be married within an hour. There must be a way.
Legendre.
There is a way. The cost. The cost is heavy.
Beaumont.
You give me what I want, and you may ask anything.
Legendre looks at his servant who is standing watch. Beaumont looks
over at him too. He stands at attention as he is commanded to do. An
extremely maniacal yet mindless look is on his face. Through his eyes
you can almost see he is somehow aware of his condition but absolutely
unable to do anything about it. He is a tortured prisoner in Legendre’s
game. Beaumont looks frightened. Legendre leans in and whispers
something into his ear. Beaumont reacts with surprise.
Beaumont.
No! Not that!
Legendre walks over to a hutch, reaches into a drawer, and takes out a
vial that sits in a case. The vial is full of liquid. He slowly brings it over
to Beaumont. With pleasure in his eyes, he explains.
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Legendre.
Only a pin point, monsieur Beaumont, in a glass of wine or perhaps a flower. Take it. The time is very brief. You must do your share if I am to help you.
Beaumont.
No.
Legendre places the strange vial of liquid into Beaumont’s hands.
Beaumont doesn't want it but Legendre’s eyes and voice are
intensely convincing. Beaumont is easily persuaded and he takes the
vial into his possession.
Legendre.
Keep it, Monsieur. Keep it. You may change
your mind. Send me word when you use it.
Beaumont walks towards the door. Stunned at first, then horrified
of what he knows he will do. He looks back at Legendre briefly just
before he leaves.
Beaumont.
I’ll find another way.
Legendre.
There is no other way.
Exit Beaumont.
int. dressing room—late evening
As Madeline awaits her dress, she checks her hair in a small handheld mirror. It is a most unusual night and there seems to be a strange
sound coming from just outside. Two Maids are helping her get
ready for her ceremony. One of them walks over to the bay window
and opens it to reveal the sound of voodoo drumming. The ladies
look out the window in eager wonder.
Maid 1.
They are driving away evil spirits.
Madeline finds this to be quite unnerving. She is bothered instantly
by it and in haste begs her maid to undo the noise.
Madeline.
Close it, close it!
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Maid 1 closes the window. Maid 2 holds out the wedding dress in
front of Madeline. In amazement of its beauty she cries out­.
Maid 2.
Mademoiselle!
int. beaumont’s reception hall—late evening
The wedding ceremony has begun. Beaumont walks Madeline
down the staircase towards the archway under which Neil awaits.
Strangely and deliberately, Silver places a flower on a nearby table.
Beaumont.
I love you, Madeline, more than anything else
in this whole world. Heaven or hell lies in this little moment for me. You could raise me up to paradise or you could blast my world into nothing. I can make you the envy of every woman. I’d give my life to make you happy.
Oh, listen to me dear before it’s too late.
Madeline.
Don’t, please.
Beaumont.
Don’t go into that room. We can be in Port-au- Prince in half an hour. There’s a boat sailing at midnight.
Madeline.
You’ve been so wonderful.
Don’t spoil everything now.
Beaumont.
One last gift before I lose you forever.
Beaumont walks over and picks up the flower that Silver carefully
arranged for him. He gives it to Madeline and she takes it from him,
smelling its deceivingly sweet scent. Together they enter the ceremony.
Dr. Bruner.
We are gathered together here in the sight
of god, and in the face of this company, to
join together this man, this woman in holy
matrimony.
ext. beaumont’s yard—late evening
Outside in Beaumont’s yard, Legendre is lurking around. He takes
a candle from a light stand, blows it out, and wraps Madeline’s scarf
around it. He then starts to skillfully carve the candle into the figure of
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a human being. Above Legendre’s head, perched on a nearby wall, a
giant vulture sits and watches. Legendre looks up and is pleased to see
his companion. The vulture feeds Legendre’s self-belief.
Vulture.
Yeahh!
int. beaumont’s dining hall—late evening
Neil, Madeline, and Beaumont are dining around a bountiful table.
Neil.
This is the night of nights.
Beaumont.
A toast to the bride. To beauty’s queen.
Neil.
Gladly, My Lord. Leave but a kiss within the
glass. Fair gypsy, read my fortune. What do
you see in the glass?
Madeline.
I see happiness. I see love, far more than you
can bear.
Is that all?
Madeline.
No. I see, I see—
Neil.
Neil.
What is it?
Madeline.
I see—Death.
Neil.
Madeline! Madeline what’s wrong?
Madeline my dear, please.
Outside, Legendre roasts his carved figure of Madeline on the flame
of another candle. As it melts away, Madeline feels much pain and
collapses in her husband’s arms.
Neil.
Madeline. Madeline.
Can’t we do something?
Please, please. Madeline.
Not my wife. My wife!
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Madeline closes her eyes and fades away under a dark spell. She is
unable to be revived. Her pulse is undetectable. She will later be
examined by doctors and pronounced dead. Very little time passes
and she is put to rest in a cemetery in Haiti.
int. mausoleum—evening
Madeline is in her casket and the casket is placed in the mausoleum.
Minister.
Praise of our lord and saviour and the love of god and the fellowship of his angels.
Be with us ever more. Amen.
int. local bar—night
Neil tries to comfort himself with drink. As he tries to numb the
pain of losing Madeline, he suffers apparitions of her. Misery sweeps
him across the room as he follows the distant voice of his wife.
Madeline.
Neil, Neil.
Neil, Neil.
Tormented by the spirit of his dearly departed, Neil leaves the bar and
sets forth for the cemetery. He is as panic-stricken as a rabid animal.
ext. cemetery—late night
Legendre and Beaumont systematically snake their way through the
dark graveyard. Legendre boldly leads the way as a timid Beaumont
follows. They are on a mission. A dog barks.
Beaumont.
Look!
Legendre and Beaumont approach six men who are obediently
standing at attention just outside of Madeline’s mausoleum.
Beaumont.
Zombies!
Legendre.
Yes. They are my servants.
Did you think we could do it alone?
In their lifetime they were my enemies.
Ledot, the witch doctor. Once my master.
Secrets I tortured out of him.
Von Gelder, the swine. Swollen with riches.
He fought against my spells until the last.
In him I have a struggling type.
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His Excellence, Richard.
Once minister of the interior.
Scarpia, Brigand Chief.
Marcquis, Captain of Gendarmerie.
And this—this is Chauvin. The high
executioner—who almost executed me!
I took them just as we will take this one.
Beaumont.
But what if they regain their souls?
Legendre.
They would tear me to pieces.
But that, my friend, shall never be.
Legendre commands the motion of his men through his mind and
the arrangement of his hands. The six men open the door and march
down about twelve steps into the mausoleum. They take hold of the
casket from the slab of concrete it sits on and carry it over, placing it
down at the feet of Legendre and Beaumont. One of them removes
the top of the casket exposing Madeline’s soft pale face.
Both men look inside. Legendre stares at Madeline with intensity.
Beaumont looks into the coffin with surprise and delight in his eyes.
Beaumont.
Madeline.
Enter Neil to the cemetery. In the distance at first. He is overcome
by grief and regret. He has lost his mind in an unfamiliar place of a
country he knows little about. Drunkenly, he stumbles through the
graveyard making his way to his wife’s resting place.
Neil.
Madeline! Madeline! Madeline!
Legendre is alerted to the noise and looks at Beaumont. Beaumont
looks up from Madeline to the open door of the mausoleum. Both
men hear Neil screaming out. He is not too far off. Legendre
signals to hurry as they remove Madeline from her resting place.
Beaumont, Legendre, and the team of dutiful and unknowingly
obedient zombies disappear into the night with the casket carrying
Madeline’s body. Neil soon approaches the mausoleum and finds it
empty. Desperately he cries out in anger and disbelief.
int. bruner’s office—late morning
Dr. Bruner and Neil discuss the problem at hand. Bruner’s office
is professional looking yet full of oddities. It is quite large and affords
the two men enough space to walk around during the scene. Neil
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starts out sitting across the desk from Bruner and proceeds to pace
around as his frustration builds. Ever moving, the camera reflects Neil’s
emotions as it dances around the room.
Dr. Bruner.
There’s two explanations that strike me,
either the body was stolen by the members of
a death cult that use human bones in their ceremonies, or else—
Neil.
Or else what?
Dr. Bruner.
She’s not dead.
Neil.
Not dead? Are you mad?
I saw her die, the doctor signed the certificate.
I saw them bury her.
Dr. Bruner.
Now, wait a minute, wait a minute. I’m not mad. But I’ve lived in these islands for a good many years, and I’ve seen things with my eyes that made me think I was crazy. There are superstitions in Haiti that the natives brought here from Africa. Some of them can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt, and beyond that yet, in the countries that was old when Egypt was young.
Neil.
Yes, but what has that to do with Madeline?
I kissed her as she lay there in the coffin. And her
lips were cold.
Dr. Bruner.
Let me explain. Now, just a minute, I’ll explain. Wherever there is a superstition, you will find there is also a practice. Now, do you remember
what your driver told you the night that he
took you to Beaumont’s house?
Neil.
Oh, about those horrible creatures we saw.
Dr. Bruner.
Yeah.
Neil.
He said they were corpses! Taken from their graves.
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Dr. Bruner.
Yes—that’s the superstition!
Now for the practice. The ghouls that steal
the dead corpses from their graves, are
supposed to put them there in the first place.
Neil.
Do you mean that Madeline was murdered
so that somebody could steal her dead body?
Aagh! Nonsense.
Dr. Bruner.
No, no. Not her dead, not her—
Her body, yes; but not her dead body.
That’s what I meant.
Neil.
Well surely you don’t think she’s alive, in the hands of natives! Oh no, better dead than that.
Dr. Bruner.
Excuse me please, have you got a match?
Neil impatiently reaches into both pockets of his white jacket and
provides a single match from his right pocket. He gives the doctor
the match and continues to frantically pace about the room. Equipped
with another match, Dr. Bruner strikes it against the desk leg and
lights his bowl. Long hauls from the pipe produce great clouds of
white smoke that rise up from his hands. The room stands still for not
a moment.
Dr. Bruner.
Thank you.
Neil.
You don’t believe that do you?
Dr. Bruner.
Say, there’s been lots of people that’s been
pronounced dead that came alive again and lived for years. Now, if nature can play pranks like that, why isn’t it possible to play pranks with nature?
Neil.
Oh, I don’t know.
Dr. Bruner.
Your driver believed he saw dead men, walking.
He didn’t. What he saw were men alive in
everything but this and this.
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Dr. Bruner motions to head and heart. He describes a race of men
who live and breathe yet are unaware of their physical or mental
selves. Men who would otherwise walk the earth aimlessly if it wasn’t
for their keeper—the one who created them. Their master.
Neil.
Oh, the whole thing has me confused.
I just can’t understand it.
Dr. Bruner.
Um, I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you.
I’ve been trying for years to get to the bottom
of these things. To separate what you call fact from fiction.
Dr. Bruner is intrigued by this mystery and wants to make the most
of this situation. Seeing as how this subject has piqued his interest,
and given he has knowledge on the subject, he knows he can help
young Neil and really make a difference. He makes his way over to a
shelf and takes down a large book. He then returns to his desk.
Dr. Bruner.
The law. The law of Haiti acknowledges the
possibility of being buried alive. Here it is in
the penal code. I’ll read it for you. It’s in French—do you speak French?
Neil.
No.
Dr. Bruner.
Excuse me please, have you got a match?
Neil looks directly at the desk in front of them and sees a match lying
on the table. Annoyed, he picks it up and hands it to the doctor.
Neil.
Right here, here’s one.
Dr. Bruner.
Oh, thank you. I didn’t see it there.
I’ll translate it for you. If you could spare me.
‘ Article—’
Dr. Bruner takes a puff of his pipe again having struck a hot flame.
Dr. Bruner.
‘ Article 2:49. The use—’
Dr. Bruner pauses again to really get his bowl of tobacco burning hot.
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Dr. Bruner.
‘ The use of drugs or other practices which
produce lethargic coma, or lifeless sleep,
shall be considered attempted murder.’
Neil.
Yes.
Dr. Bruner.
Attempted.
Neil.
Yes I see.
Dr. Bruner.
Yeah, alright now, wait— ‘If the person has been buried alive, the act should be considered murder no matter what result follows.’
Neil.
Beaumont! Say, you said you couldn’t
understand why he was so interested in us.
Do you think he did this?
Dr. Bruner.
No. No, I think his natives would. Natives
would be right. Of course if you want to, we
could go to Beaumont’s house first.
Dr. Bruner bangs his hand on the table with determination. He
stands up and moves to the front of his desk. Neil is his shadow.
Dr. Bruner.
If I could get my hands on the devil that’s
responsible for this, I’ll make him such an
example that every witch doctor in Haiti
would be shaking in his sandals.
Neil.
But we can’t do this alone. Can’t the authorities help?
Dr. Bruner.
The authorities, Neil, my boy, you don’t know these islands. The native authorities are afraid
to meddle. I am not. I’ve got friends among the
natives. They’ll tell me things that no jandam
could ever get out of you. Because I am a preacher they think I am a magician. Before we get through with this thing, we may uncover
sins that even the devil would be ashamed of.
Oh, these witch doctors—
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int. castle legendre—midday
Built up high upon a great cliff overlooking the countryside.
Violent waves crash on the rocks below.
A monumental staircase with archway looms at the precipice.
Gigantic columns hold up the enormous Victorian style interior.
Beaumont watches in haunted disbelief as Madeline plays at a
grand piano. Her once vibrant eyes have become so horribly vacant.
Beaumont.
Madeline.
Beaumont gently clasps a necklace around Madeline’s neck. She
takes no notice of Beaumont or any of her other surroundings.
Beaumont.
Foolish things, they can’t bring back the light
to those eyes. I was mad to do this but if you had
smiled on me, I’d have done anything for you. Given you anything. I thought that beauty alone would satisfy but the soul is gone. I can’t bear those empty staring eyes. Oh, forgive me Madeline. Forgive me! I can’t bear it any longer. I must take you back!
Enter Legendre.
Legendre.
Back to the grave, Monsieur?
Beaumont.
No, you must put the life back into her eyes and bring laughter to her lips. She must be gay and happy again.
Legendre.
You paint a charming picture, Monsieur. One that I should like to see myself.
With unwavering power, Legendre telepathically commands
Madeline to join the men. She walks over to them.
Beaumont.
You must bring her back.
Legendre.
Aren’t you a trifle afraid, Monsieur? How do
suppose those eyes will regard you when the brain is able to understand?
Exit Madeline at Legendre’s mental request.
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Beaumont.
Better to see hatred in them than that dreadful emptiness.
Legendre.
Perhaps you’re right. It would be a pity to
destroy such a lovely flower. Let’s drink
to the future of this flower. A glass of wine!
Enter Silver.
Beaumont.
Silver, bring wine.
We have a toast to drink.
Silver brings over two glasses of wine. Legendre takes them both
and hands one to Beaumont.
Legendre.
To the future, Monsieur.
Beaumont drinks. Legendre does not. Beaumont looks concerned.
Legendre.
Only a pin point, Monsieur.
In a flower or perhaps a glass of wine.
Beaumont looks horrified at his glass. He now realizes that he has
consumed a tainted drink and throws it across the room.
Beaumont.
You devil. What are you trying to do to me?
Legendre.
I have other plans for Mademoiselle.
And I am afraid you might not agree.
I have taken a fancy to you, Monsieur.
Beaumont.
Silver! Silver!
Ever loyal Silver tries to attack Legendre, but is frozen with fear.
Legendre wills his servants into the room.
Enter Legendre’s entourage.
Beaumont.
Don’t, don’t.
Silver is carried away by Legendre’s men but not without a cry for
help as he is being thrown into a flowing stream that no doubt leads
over the cliff and into the body of water at the foot of the mountain.
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Silver.
Aaahhhhh!
Legendre.
To the future, Monsieur.
Vulture.
Yeahhhh!!!
Beaumont.
The vulture, you—
No. Not that. Not that!
ext. en route to castle legendre—early afternoon
Dr. Bruner and Neil make their way through the rough, riding on
top of two rather tired looking donkeys.
Dr. Bruner.
We ought to be picking up an old witch doctor around here pretty soon. His name is Pierre, I’ve known him for years. Bright old fellow. I don’t know just where we’ll find him.
The two men slowly but surely make progress on their route through
the less populated areas. They come across Pierre and another native
talking in a small clearing, one of them tending an ox.
Pierre.
Come son. There are evil spirits in the road.
I will give you an awonga. And here, this one
for the ox. Goodbye.
Exit Native.
Pierre turns to Dr. Bruner and Neil. He looks concerned.
Pierre.
Young man is sick with distress.
Dr. Bruner.
Well hey, wait a minute, we can’t afford to have you sick. Neil, why don’t you go over there, we've got a hard day before us tomorrow.
Exit Neil.
Dr. Bruner.
Now, now then Pierre, come on. He’s gone.
We can talk.
Pierre.
It is a dangerous thing you ask me to do.
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Dr. Bruner.
Well now listen here you know, we're old friends, you and me, and I want to go on.
Pierre.
Turn back before it is too late.
Dr. Bruner.
Oh, no. I’ve come too far to turn back now.
Pierre.
I’m too old to go all the way with you.
Dr. Bruner.
Well listen, can’t you get somebody to go
with us?
Pierre.
My people all afraid of the mountain.
Dr. Bruner.
Why?
Pierre.
Because it is called the land of the living dead.
Dr. Bruner.
Well, have, have you ever been there?
Pierre.
I am the only man that has ever come back from there alive. There is an evil spirit man that is called Murder. Come, I will tell you all about what he did.
ext. down shore at the base of the mountain that
legendre’s castle rests upon—late afternoon
Dr. Bruner and Neil have set up a small camp. Neil is resting as
Dr. Bruner approaches with a canteen and forces him to drink.
Neil is not well and is not conscious of this interaction.
Vulture.
Yeaahhhhh!
Dr. Bruner.
Vulture.
Dr. Bruner picks up a stone and hurls it at the vulture. The bird
sends out the most horrific scream.
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Vulture.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeeeaaaaah!
Dr. Bruner.
Just as old Pierre said. A cloud of vultures
always hovers over the house of the living dead.
Neil.
Madeline. Is she there?
Dr. Bruner.
Naw.
Neil.
Oh, I must go and see her.
Dr. Bruner.
Oh, no, no, no, no. Neil my boy, please, please lie down and rest. Please. You’ll feel stronger in the morning. You rest. Let me go up and see what I can do.
Full of optimism, Dr. Bruner turns towards his destination.
ext. legendre’s castle—early evening
Madeline wanders away from her two Maids and walks out to her
balcony. She stares out into the night.
Maid 1.
Why is she so restless tonight?
Maid 2.
Perhaps she remembers something.
Maid 1.
They never remember anything when they
are like that.
Maid 2.
No?
Maid 1.
Because she’s cut off.
Madeline knows her husband is out there. Back at the shore, Neil
sees her face in his mind and bravely picks himself up to approach
the castle. Inside, Madeline sits back down and one of the Maids
hesitantly approaches to brush her hair.
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Maid 1.
No, I can’t, I can’t.
Maid 2.
You must, it’s your turn.
Maid 1.
Let’s run away.
Maid 2.
Shh! He might hear you.
Maid 1.
No way. I can’t stand it.
I am going to run away.
Maid 2.
He will find you and make you like her.
int. legendre’s castle—early evening
Neil, with every ounce of remaining strength, travels through the
giant castle.
int. legendre’s main room—early evening
Legendre stands and studies Beaumont’s slow and painful descent
into seeming death. Legendre takes joy in watching the effects of
his chemistry progress, transforming Beaumont into another member
of the walking dead. Legendre sits down at the table.
Legendre.
Can you still hear me?
It is unfortunate you are no longer able to speak.
I should be interested to hear you describe your symptoms. You see, you are the first man to know what is happening. None of the others did.
A rapidly decaying Beaumont reaches his hand out to Legendre as
if to ask him for pity.
Legendre.
You refused to shake hands once. I remember.
Well, well. We understand each other better now.
Legendre is carving another voodoo doll out of a candle. He systematically takes out wax around where the neck should be, creating an
area near the top representing the figure’s head.
Enter Neil at the far end of the room. He collapses immediately
due to exhaustion. Legendre notices the disturbance and walks over
to find Neil asleep on a table. He summons Madeline with his
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mind, then moves back to the table where Beaumont is sitting.
Madeline soon appears at the table where Legendre waits. She
reaches out and picks up the knife that he left sitting next to the
wax figure. Beaumont, who is in a most desperate state, looks up to
Legendre in disgust and despair. He is slipping into paralysis and in a
great deal of pain, all the while aware of his rapid deterioration.
Madeline approaches Neil and raises the knife above her head in a
stabbing motion. Then out of nowhere, Dr. Bruner, who has been
waiting for just the right moment in which to make his presence
known, reaches out his arm and stops her from stabbing her husband.
Madeline runs off across the room despite Legendre’s frenzied
attempts to regain her immediate attention.
Neil wakes and sees Madeline running. He swiftly runs after her.
Neil.
Madeline! Madeline!
He catches up to her outside by the side of the cliff. She is teetering
precariously near the edge. Neil pulls her in.
Neil.
Madeline, Madeline. I found you. You’re alive. Alive! What’s the matter? It’s I, Neil. Oh my darling, what have they done to you?
Enter Legendre and his faithful group of undead. They move with
intent and quickly approach Neil.
Neil.
Who are you? And what are they?
Legendre.
To you my friend, they are dangers of death.
As they close in, Neil is in danger of falling off the cliff. He draws
his gun and shoots at the ghouls. He hits one of them in the chest
but it doesn’t slow the creature down at all. Amidst the commotion,
Dr. Bruner knocks Legendre over the head. Legendre goes down.
Dr. Bruner.
Come! Zombies! Duck!
Neil ducks and dives between their legs, regaining solid ground.
Without guidance from Legendre, the zombies are aimless and start
walking off the cliff one by one. No screams follow their plunge into
the waves and rocks below.
Madeline glares into Neil’s eyes and actually sees him. Legendre
soon regains consciousness and Madeline slips back under his spell.
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Neil.
Madeline, don’t you know me dear? It’s Neil.
Dr. Bruner.
I could swear, for a moment she recognized you.
Legendre slyly slinks back up the huge staircase towards the interior
of his castle. Does he have a smirk on his face?
Dr. Bruner.
Come on, don’t let him get away.
Legendre pauses and explodes a substance on the ground causing a
cloud of white smoke. He then goes deep into mental concentration
trying to recapture the mind of his white zombie.
Enter Beaumont.
Vulture.
Yeaahhh!!
In a final attempt to set things right, a disfigured and disheveled
Beaumont appears on the scene. He is at the tipping point of his
transformation and barely hanging on to life. He manages to launch
himself at Legendre and they both go over the edge crashing their
bones on the rocks and waves far below.
Vulture.
Yeaahhh!!
Exit Vulture.
Neil.
Madeline my darling!
Madeline is now completely revitalized. She looks again into Neil’s
eyes, recognizing him as her husband.
Madeline.
Neil, I—I dreamed.
Neil and Madeline embrace and are overcome with relief and the
feeling of good fortune. It seems as though their story has a happy
ending. They are soon, however, interrupted in their reunion due to
a solicitous tapping on Neil’s shoulder.
Dr. Bruner.
Excuse me please, have you got a match?
the end
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