FADE IN ON:2
INT. Night.3
Perceval snr. approaches Perceval and lays his hand heavily upon his shoulder and looks deep into his eyes. His mouth opens and a thick mist ensues from it. Perceval is unable to move or resist as he breathes it in.4
PERCEVAL SNR:5
Remember the motto... Perceval... Non Omnis Moriar... n.. not all of me.. w..will die... 6
(Perceval snr staggers backward. Elijah is witness to all of this and realises what has happened. It frightens him and he starts to tremble. It is in his voice when he speaks.)7
ELIJAH:8
Perceval? What was that... (to Perceval snr) What was that? You answer me before you die you bastard! Answer me!9
(Even as he speaks the Earls clothes start to smoulder and the skin on his hands and face starts to turn black. He looks confused and fearful as the fire takes hold of him, suddenly he is a ball of flame. Elijah grabs his brother and pulls him out of the door before the fire gets them as well, both of them are screaming. The Earl is screaming as he burns to death on his knees. As they duck out of the door they fall on the floor, and Elijah only just manages to close it. Allie comes running along the hallway. Elijah is hanging on to the door handle crying, and Perceval is trying to get up having hurt his shoulder. Inside the room the Earl screams still and then all is quiet.)10
ALLIE:11
What in the world has happened here? Eli? Master Perceval? What is going on!12
ELIJAH: (crying)13
He's in there.. I knew it I knew he was a Demon.. he's in there...14
ALLIE:15
Who's in there?16
PERCEVAL:17
My father... he's burning alive...18
ALLIE:19
What?20
PERCEVAL:21
I don't know... he just started burning...22
(Perceval stands up and almost staggers over. For a moment there is a strange light in his eyes that Allie sees, she stops for a moment not sure of what she saw at all. She stares at him for a second longer than she should and then goes to help Elijah who is still hanging on to the door handle and on his knees.)23
ELIJAH:24
He's a Demon and I knew it... I knew it... he's in there.. in there.... don't let him out.. don't let him out...25
(Allie takes him by the shoulders and tries to release him from his position)26
ALLIE:27
Come on Eli.. it's alright.. come on lad, lets have a look shall we?28
ELIJAH:29
You don't want to let him out.. No! No.. I can't let you see!30
(He clings on even tighter to the door handle but eventually Allie eases him off and pulls him to one side.)31
ALLIE:32
You boys stay there... I'm going to have a look that's all...33
ELIJAH:34
Don't go in there Allie... please.. don't let him out...35
(Perceval glances at Elijah and smirks. Elijah is puzzled at this. Allie goes to open the door and burns her hand on the brass door kno
36ALLIE:37
OOOOOOHHH!!! How could you hold this door knob Eli...? OOOHHH! 38
(She takes her apron and manages to open the door. The charred body of the Earl is on its knees in the middle of the room, still smouldering. Allie is shocked and almost screams out but she closes the door behind her.)39
ALLIE:40
Are either of you hurt?41
Both:42
No.. 43
ALLIE:44
Then if it pleases you Master Perceval, Elijah, if you would let me handle this. People need to be informed, we need to get this mess cleaned up, and we need to sort everything out... if you would please go to your rooms, the both of you...45
PERCEVAL:46
And why should we? 47
ALLIE:48
Your father is dead. We need to inform the undertakers and the police. 49
PERCEVAL:50
Hmph! If you must.51
(Perceval storms off arrogantly ignoring his brother and Allie. Elijah watches him walk away. He is much calmer than he was.)52
ELIJAH:53
Something's happened to Perceval.54
ALLIE:55
What? Oh Eli.. love.. please .. now you go to your room. There's too much to do here lad. Looks like the Earl got himself in an accident because he was drunk. How could you hold that door handle...? Is your hand burned?56
ELIJAH:57
No, it wasn't hot.58
(Shows Allie his hand and it is fine.)59
ALLIE:60
You go to your room boy... off you go. Looks like Master Perceval is the new Earl as of this moment.61
(As the servants and others arrive to see the body, Elijah walks slowly forward, talking and thinking out loud.)62
ELIJAH:63
It went from one to the other... I saw it. It was in the Earl... and now it is in my brother... the family tradition?64
(He turns around)65
ELIJAH (cont):66
Allie?67
(Allie is too busy and so is everyone else. Rather than go to his room Elijah goes out of the house. He walks as if in a trance and stops at the front gates. Half hiding in the trees is a respectable gent, he is grey haired and smoking a pipe. The suit he wears is brown tweed. Elijah recognises this man as a friend of the Earls, one of his secret friends. He walks over to him with a purpose and doesn't stop to introduce himself or anything.)68
ELIJAH:69
Who are you? 70
MAN:71
Someone your father trusts impeccably young man. You must be Elijah. How old are you now? Perhaps 12 years is it?72
ELIJAH:73
Maybe so. I have seen you with him. You are one of them.74
MAN:75
Sort of... one of them as you put it but not quite.76
ELIJAH:77
Who are you?78
MAN:79
Ah well.. I will tell you if you promise never to tell your brother.80
ELIJAH:81
I don't have a brother.82
MAN:83
Surely young Perceval is your brother. (chuckles) Of course we know all about you young Eli...84
ELIJAH:85
If you want to see my father you'll have a job on... the man is dead. Died in a fire... 86
MAN:87
Oh I know that... it happens to all of them... the Rosemonts. Can you read, boy?88
ELIJAH:89
Yes.90
MAN:91
Self taught?92
ELIJAH:93
Well how else is a servant meant to learn? I watched Perceval...I picked it up. It is easy enough.94
MAN:95
Most admirable. 96
(The man bends his knees a little so he can be eye to eye with Elijah)97
MAN:98
I'll be straight with you young man, but whatever you are told you must keep silent. Do you understand?99
ELIJAH:100
Why?101
MAN:102
Because if I am right, your brother is not.. as he was.103
ELIJAH:104
(pauses, puzzled) How would you know sir?105
MAN:106
My name is Germain. I am here to help you Elijah. I posed as "one of them" so I could keep an eye on you. Help you.. as it were. I've watched you grow up from being a small baby... to the young man you are now. If I was your father I would be very proud of you.107
(Elijah listens intently as the old man continues with what he is saying.)108
GERMAIN:109
If you want to know about your family, there is a book, a very old book that will tell you all you need to know. In the library nonetheless...110
ELIJAH:111
What should I know about my family?112
GERMAIN:113
The curse of the Rosemonts. It is very important that you understand and know what it is.114
ELIJAH:115
I can't go into the library thats where he... where he...116
GERMAIN: Where he died?117
(Elijah nods.)118
GERMAIN:119
You must go in when no one is watching you. Now, third shelf up you'll find a large leather bound journal containing the history of the Rosemont family right back to the first Earl, John Rosemont. He was a cursed man, and his family for generations... no female child...120
ELIJAH:121
No female child has ever been born to house of Rosemont... only boys and only one son for each generation...122
GERMAIN:123
You know of it?124
ELIJAH:125
Well sir... I was told that is why the Earl hated gypsies. Because it was a gypsy who placed the curse upon the family. I overheard him and his lot in the library... where they carried out rituals and strange things that call out to the universe and draw my soul like a magnet. Sometimes it was frightening but other times so very very....126
GERMAIN:127
Odd?128
ELIJAH:129
I was going to say... familiar... like I sort of know what they are going to do next... 130
GERMAIN:131
You're more advanced than I thought...132
ELIJAH:133
I hated them. And the Earl... I hated him. 134
GERMAIN:135
Your father... and now your brother...I should imagine... was the head of a society. A Rosicrucian society, founded... founded by John Rosemont himself. I on the other hand am the... head of a far more ancient society, the most ancient in the whole world. (gives a little smile) We are called AMORC. Remember that name, and you will be helped wherever you are Elijah DeCourt. 136
(Germain takes up his walking stick and makes to leave.)137
GERMAIN:138
I must go.. Toodle pip! I have one or two things to do. Oh.. by the way, there is a gypsy caravan passing this way tonight, travelling to the continent so I hear. (smiles) 139
ELIJAH:140
Gypsy carava...? Germain? Germain?141
(He looks around but Germain is gone as if vanished from sight. Elijah slowly walks back into the house. When he gets back the place is deserted and there is only the smell of burned flesh, a smokey haze in the air and complete silence. The door slams behind him. He takes a couple of steps forward. The place is eerily silent.)142
ELIJAH:
Allie? Anybody? 143
(He takes a few tentative steps forward. Perceval is sitting on the stairs, he looks terrible and dirty. There is a long pause as the two boys stare at each other for a moment.)144
PERCEVAL:
There's nobody here, they took the body somewhere. I don't know where. I can't stand the smell, its the most horrible thing I have ever smelled... (rolls eyes a little).145
ELIJAH:
Are you alright Perceval?146
(Perceval is trembling, he lays a hand upon the bannister and grips tightly.)147
PERCEVAL:
I don't know Eli... I don't know. 148
ELIJAH:
I met a man... outside, he says he... (stops himself, looks down)149
PERCEVAL:
Keeping secrets Elijah?150
ELIJAH:
No...151
PERCEVAL:
Don't keep secrets from me, thats not how we do things remember? We share everything.. we're brothers...152
ELIJAH:
Are we? Is that right? I saw something in there...153
PERCEVAL:
Really? You fascinate me.154
ELIJAH:
Has.. has everybody gone?155
PERCEVAL:
Strangely... your family are all packed up, they've hooked up the horse and cart... intending to leave... all of them... it'll be just you and me at this rate eh?156
ELIJAH:
I... don't know why they would do that. 157
(Walks off in the direction of the library leaving Perceval sitting on the stairs. He begins to rock to and fro as a strange red light begins to glow in his eyes. As he is sitting there going through this strange transformation, the front door slowly opens and stops but there appears to be nobody there. A chill wind blows through the hall and some autumn leaves fly in. Perceval stands up and walks through the door which closes behind him.)158
CUT TO:
(The Library. Elijah opens the door slowly. There is nobody in there but the smell is overpowering and there is a big black char mark in the middle of the floor where the Earl had burst into flames. He tries to block it all out and makes his way to the book case and there just where Germain said it was, the Journal of the History of the Rosemonts. He takes it from the shelf and leaves the library. He wanders down the hall with tears running down his face, to the empty kitchen, a fire still burning in the hearth. As Elijah passes it, the fire strangely goes out. He sits down at the table and begins to sob deeply, whilst at the same time he opens the front cover to read about what happened to John Rosemont.)159
CUT TO:
(The woods surrounding Forever Holme. Perceval stands in what appears to be a stone circle, his eyes burning a bright orange/red colour. As he stands there in between the gaps of the stone circle there appear several red robed people.)160
PERCEVAL:
Who are you? Answer me... who are you? What's happening to me?161
(one steps forward, his face cannot be seen because of the hood)162
HOOD1:
Master? Master it is us... surely you remember?163
(one whispers to another )164
HOOD2:
What if the transformation didn't work properly?165
HOOD3:
That would not have happened...166
HOOD1 (to others):
Silence, the transformation has only just begun. (to Perceval) Master Perceval, you will soon remember... 167
(The Hooded man lays his hands upon his head and Perceval drops to his knees. The others also place their hands upon his head.)168
HOOD1:
Magnus Opus... Magnus Magus... Non.. Omnis.. Moriar... Long live the Master.169
CUT TO:
(The Kitchen. Allie enters through the back door, her hand is bandaged and she is quite dirty having helped in removing the body from the library. She catches Elijah reading the journal of the Rosemonts and weeping softly. She kneels beside Elijah and hugs him tight.)170
ELIJAH:
I'm not crying for him... I'm not... if anything it is for my mother.. and for Perceval.. and... 171
ALLIE:
Hush Eli... I know lad... I know... it were a terrible shock for ye. Whats this about Perceval?172
ELIJAH:
He's changed Allie. The curse of the Rosemonts took him, I saw it with my own eyes.173
ALLIE:
Oh Eli, love you don't want to believing in curses and that sort of thing,it does you no good at all.174
ELIJAH:
Says 'ere it were your great great great grandfather that cursed 'em. 175
ALLIE:
No, I don't know Eli...176
ELIJAH:
You were born here weren't you Allie?177
ALLIE:
Well my mother was a housekeeper here and her mother before her...178
ELIJAH:
Right back to 'eaven knows when eh?179
ALLIE:
Aye thats right lad, but I don't believe in no curses, I never was part of the camp...180
ELIJAH:
No.. but they are your family... my family...181
ALLIE:
Eli... dear boy.. dear dear boy... (hugs him)182
ELIJAH:
We're responsible for the curse, I'm responsible...183
ALLIE:
No lad.. no.. now I want you to go to your room and rest. You have had a terrible shock and you need to calm down. Everything looks awful for you at the moment doesn't it?184
ELIJAH:
Are you leaving?185
ALLIE:
No.. no I'm not leaving Eli...186
ELIJAH:
Why's the horse and cart loaded up?187
ALLIE:
Well a few of the servants are leaving to join the gypsy caravan again. But I'm not... some of us are staying... we have to look after you boys. Someone has to do it don't they? I don't know what I'd do if I left this place. A lot has happened here but it is the only home I have ever known.188
CUT TO:
Elijah's bedroom, Int. Night.189
(Elijah is lying in bed staring at the celing when he hears his brother finally enter the house. The door slams in a familiar way, the way it used to when his father returned home. He sits up and after a few moments he gets out of bed and opens the door. He is still dressed. He can hear Perceval walking slowly up the stairs and is suddenly wary. He grabs the nearest thing, which happens to be part of a broken table, one of the legs, for safety and protection. Perceval appears at the bottom of a flight of stairs. He has changed clothes and is wearing a golden riding jacket and has his hair in a ponytail, also wearing boots as if he is just back from ridin. He begins to walk slowly up the stairs. He sees Elijah with the table leg but he only laughs.)190
PERCEVAL:
You expect me to be scared of that.. or scared of you?191
ELIJAH:
What are you wearing?192
PERCEVAL:
My clothes... just like fathers. I have worn these before... (smirks)193
ELIJAH:
You werent' like that before you went out... 194
PERCEVAL:
No.. but I am now...195
ELIJAH:
And you seem too calm... 196
PERCEVAL:
Do I? 197
(He continues walking up the stairs and gets to the top, Elijah can see in his eyes that it is not his brother any more, he backs off a little and raises the table leg like a weapon.)198
PERCEVAL:
When you were a baby, I wanted to throw you into the fire... and I would have but the flames extinguished... and was Rosemont weak? He was terribly weak... he couldn't do it. (smiles)199
ELIJAH:
What? Perceval, this isn't you... 200
PERCEVAL: No...it is my turn. (pause) Elijah, I have to get rid of you. You are an abomination, a mistake, someone that should not be here. You threaten my omnipotency and I can't let that happen. I am going to have to kill you.201
ELIJAH:
Perceval! Perceval don't let him take over, fight him, fight the demon!202
(Perceval advances to him and Elijah takes a few steps backward)203
PERCEVAL:
I see it all so clearly now. The old man was too drunk to do anything. Now I understand, now I get it. I can do things, things you could never even contemplate, I have powers, look at this Elijah I have powers.204
(As he walks on down the hall, advancing slowly and menacingly towards Elijah, several vases and things shatter without him even touching them. Elijah keeps moving backwards and flinches when the vases shatter)205
ELIJAH:
You keep away from me! You don't have powers Perceval its the demon... hear me.. fight him... fight him.... (stops moving backward) or.. I will.. (grips the table leg tighter) Don't you take one more step.206
(Perceval stops as well.)207
PERCEVAL:
Remember once you told me you are scared of fire, but you hid that as best you could so the Earl wouldn't use it against you. Remember you told me that Elijah?208
ELIJAH:
I'm not afraid of fire... 209
PERCEVAL:
Ah but you told me you were, don't think I don't remember. 210
ELIJAH:
You are mistaken, I told you no such thing.211
PERCEVAL:
You are terrified of it. Must have really scared you to see the old man burst into flames like that. Must have given you such a shock. 212
(Suddenly Elijahs shirt arm bursts into flames. He screams out terrified at first, but it strangely goes out again almost immediately. Elijah is terrified but not burned and alright.)213
PERCEVAL:
Curse you... 214
(Elijah screams out in pain as large red welts appear on his arms and legs, he drops the table leg with a clatter on the hard wooden floor. He is paralysed on his knees and cannot move.)215
PERCEVAL:
If you will not burn... if you are fireproof, there are other ways to dispose of you.216
ELIJAH:
Let me go... let me go...217
PERCEVAL:
Tonight you die Elijah DeCourt, Gypsy boy, son of Satan!218
ELIJAH:
Let me go...219
(Perceval places his hand upon Elijahs head and the most excruciating pain shoots through him. Somehow he finds the strength and will to move and rolls over, grabbing the table leg as he does so, as he stands up he hits Perceval on the back of the head with it. His brother is enraged and turns around quickly, he takes the table leg and preceeds to beat Elijah with it over and over again, spilling blood everywhere. Despite his screams he continues kicking and beating him till he is unconscious, then he takes the shattered body of his brother and throws it straight down the stairwell. Percevals eyes glow bright red. He stands watching from the top of the stairs whilst Allie and the other servants gather round what is left of Elijah. He laughs and goes to his room, slamming the door behind him.)220
ALLIE (Screams):
Eli... Eli no!221
(She kneels down beside him and some of the other servants gather round him. She cannot feel his breathing or anything.)222
ALLIE:
No.. no.. Eli... please... (looks up to the others) I think he's ... I think... he's...223
(Elijah coughs blood and wakes up, Allie hugs him tight and picks him up off the floor, runs with him to the kitchen. CUT TO: In the kitchen Allie checks him over, there are a few large red welts on his arms but otherwise he is not hurt. He sits on the table while she checks him out. He is very quiet and in shock.)224
ALLIE:
Heavens Eli! How on Earth you survived such a fall I will never know.. and no bones broken. Are you alright lad?225
(He nods.)226
ALLIE:
Did Perceval do this to you? 227
(No answer)228
ALLIE:
Answer me lad, did Master Perceval do this to you?229
ELIJAH:
I want to go to my room... 230
ALLIE:
If Perceval did this to you, he'll do it again lad, he'll be after you.. next time he might manage to kill you.. do you not understand?231
(One of the servants is in the kitchen with them. His name is Joseph. He's very rough looking and has bad teeth.)232
JOSEPH:
'appen he don't get it Allie. 233
ALLIE:
He can't stay here, not with Perceval being the way he is, he'll go after him again.234
JOSEPH:
'e can come with us.235
ELIJAH:
No.. I want to go to my room. It's my room.. I'm safe there...236
JOSEPH:
Lad, you don't want to go there. We've known a while the Earl is summat else... (lights thin cigarette) and we've been protecting you.. sorry but not very well... we done our best though. Weren't good enough.. I know that.237
ELIJAH (Screaming out):
I want to go to my room... I want to go to my room.. let me go to my room now! 238
(screams out, and tries to escape to his bedroom but Allie and Joseph hold him back and hold him tight whilst he struggles.)239
ELIJAH(Screaming): I want to go to my room! Let go of me... let go of me ...aaargh!!240
ALLIE: Oh Joseph what in the world will we do?241
JOSEPH:
I'll take him wi' us, he's a strong lad but, I'll get 'im on the cart.242
ELIJAH:
I don't want to leave, I want to go to my room!243
ALLIE:
Aye that's the best idea, I'll help you Joseph...244
(They drag the screaming and struggling little boy out of the back door, one of the other servants covers him with a sack and they manage to get him on to the cart.)245
ALLIE:
Will I ever see him again. 246
JOSEPH:
I don't know Allie, why don't you come wi' us lass?247
ALLIE:
My place is here... I have to stay.. I'm not the only one.248
JOSEPH:
Aye but...249
ALLIE:
The Earl won't attack me, he never has and never will. I'll do me best as I always do Joseph. Take the boy, help 'im. 250
JOSEPH:
We're going to the continent, sure you'll be safe?251
ALLIE:
Aye... I have to be.252
(The cart moves off with Joseph handling the horses and Elijah held still screaming in the back with a few of the others.)253
CUT TO:
Next morning at Forever Holme INT. DAY.254
Perceval enters the kitchen. He doesn't look as fierce as he did the night before, but is still wearing the same clothes he had on.)255
PERCEVAL:
Allie? Allie? Where's Eli..? What happened?256
(Allie is cleaning. She doesn't even look up from her work.)257
ALLIE:
Master Perceval... I trust you slept well sir. Breakfast will be on the table in a few minutes. I am sorry it is a little late today.258
PERCEVAL:
Allie... I asked you a question.. where is Eli..? He hasn't tended to the horses or done his chores...259
(Allie turns to look at him and tries to quell her emotions. Tears form in her eyes but she supresses them. She passes Perceval as she goes out into the hall and speaks to him.)260
ALLIE:
I'll do young Eli's chores today sir... 261
PERCEVAL:
Allie.. where is he?262
(turns round to follow her into the hallway acting seemingly innocent. Allie can't look at him and looks the other way,hiding her eyes and tears.)263
ALLIE:
Eli had a fall last night Master Perceval.264
PERCEVAL:
A fall?265
ALLIE:
Aye sir... he... died.266
PERCEVAL:
What?267
ALLIE:
Fell down the stairwell sir... he were only a fragile little thing at that.. his body weren't strong enough to sustain a fall like that sir...he passed away in the night. Every bone in his body were broken sir.268
PERCEVAL:
No.. Eli... 269
(He turns away. Allie looks out the window in the direction the cart went the previous night and we hear the voice in her head as she sniffs into a hankie. "God speed Eli.. God speed.")270
CUT TO:
Back to 2008 in the parlour at Forever Holme. Elijah and Rachel are sitting on a rug in front of the fire. He has his arm around her and she is resting on his chest, he is resting with his back on the foot of an old chair. He gazes into the fire as he tells her the story.)271
ELIJAH:
... and they took me away. I only wanted to go to my room... can you believe it? I was just a child.. had no idea of the danger I was in. 272
RACHEL:
How did you survive the fall?273
ELIJAH:
Well I ...know how I survived but back then I had no idea. Even I thought I should be dead.274
RACHEL:
You know to fall from the top of the stairwell, that's a huge fall. (she sits up and looks at him.) I mean... it would be impossible for anyone to survive that.275
(She stands up and takes his hand and they walk to the stairwell. The whole place is still dark but there is a huge window nearby casting a sort of blue white light everywhere from the moon on the snow outside. She looks up to the top of the stairwell.)276
RACHEL:
It was right here wasn't it.277
(Elijah looks up and to her.)278
ELIJAH:
Yes, right from the top, to the hard wooden floor. Straight down.279
RACHEL:
That is absolutely incredible.280
(Elijah walks up the stairs to the big window. It has quite a large windowsill on it and some stained glas at the top of it. He looks out of the window into the distance. He is very melancholy. Rachel senses this and goes to him, laying a gentle hand upon his shoulder.)281
RACHEL:
Elijah?282
(He sniffs a little and shakes the emotions from his head.)283
ELIJAH:
It's okay... I'm alright.. (forces a smile.)284
RACHEL:
What happened to you Elijah? 285
(she gently strokes his face and he seems to calm as she does that. He leans into her touch a little and holds her wrist, moves her hand to his lips and gently kisses her fingers. He looks at her hand in his)286
ELIJAH:
You have beautiful hands, I always thought you had beautiful hands.287
RACHEL:
Thank you.288
ELIJAH:
Forgive me Rachel, telling this is bringing back a lot of emotions for me. 289
RACHEL:
You had a bad childhood Elijah. I can feel it too, what you went through was horrific. 290
ELIJAH:
You're so caring and loving. I'm not used to people caring about me... 291
RACHEL:
Well thats understandable too. 292
(Elijah smiles and takes her other hand in his and holds both of them to his chest, pulling her closer. They are silhouetted against the blue/white light of the large window on the stairwell.)293
CUT TO:
EXT. DAY.294
Somewhere in the English countryside. It is a cold overcast day and the gypsies have stopped to have some food. They have lit a camp fir. Joseph tries to offer Elijah some of it, but Elijah is sitting in a bundle not far from them sulking.295
JOSEPH:
Here boy, 'ave some meat, you 'ave to keep your strength up.296
ELIJAH:
I don't want any, I want to go home. You took me away from my home.297
JOSEPH:
Took you away from danger lad. You know as well as I do Perceval wouldn't've stopped till he'd taken the life from ye. You'd do well to eat a bit.298
ELIJAH:
I told ye I don't want any. 299
JOSEPH:
Ah... hell wi' ye.. I'll eat it.300
(long silence)301
ELIJAH:
Where are you taking me.302
JOSEPH:
We'll see when we get there.303
(Elijah looks at him with disdain as though he hates him. He folds his arms and looks off into the distance.)304
ELIJAH:
I don't want to be a gypsy... I want to go home... I just want to go home... 305
CUT TO:
Monologue and screen shots of Elijah growing up with the gypsies, travelling from place to place, reading Tarot, learining tricks and how to steal, how to get by.306
ELIJAH: (monologue)
Over the years I learned the ways of my gypsy bretheren. I learned to read the Tarot, tell fortunes and lie cheat and steal my way through life. We travelled all over Europe, to Germany, Poland, Belgium, even as far as Spain. We did this year after year, and the years were relentless. In the year 1847 when I was 25 years old we went to Paris... I loved Paris, a great city indeed. But it was here where events took an unusual turn...307
CUT TO:
The gypsy camp in Paris 1845. INT. Night.308
Elijah is sitting behind a table in a very windy tent. Its dark and decorated beautifully in dark reds and golds. He sits gazing at a crystal ball as if in a daydream. He has a red scarf tied around his head and a single hoop earring. He closes his eyes for a moment and still the echoes of Forever Holme can be heard in his mind.309
ELIJAH (whispering):
The call is great...one day... one day....310
(Just then someone enters the tent, it is Germain, but Elijah doesn't see him propoerly. He and down opposite. Elijah hardly looks at him.)311
ELIJAH:
Come to have yer fortune told have ye? Ye must cross me palm with silver... 312
GERMAIN:
I thought fortune telling was reserved for the older women of the camp, not the son of an Earl... (Laughs)313
ELIJAH:
Germain? Oh my God! Germain, what are you doing here?314
GERMAIN: (gives a gesture)
Welcome to Paris young man. This is the current headquarters of the European lodge of AMORC. Right here in this very city.315
ELIJAH:
Right here?316
GERMAIN:
I saw the gypsies were in town so I thought I would come along and see how you are. And how are you getting along dear boy? I see they have made you into a fine young man.317
(Elijah sits back in his chair, looks to the side a bit, longing to be free of this whole thing.)318
ELIJAH:
Fine young man... more like a theif and a beggar... 319
GERMAIN:
And taught you Tarot and how to predict the future. What other occult skills have you learned?320
(looks at Germain)321
ELIJAH:
I can read minds... hear what people are thinking...I do scrying, writing... I'm always right. It was hard to do it at first and I still feel strange when I'm right. That sounds silly don't it Germain?322
GERMAIN:
No, no it sounds just as it should be. And have you heard anything about your brother these few years?323
ELIJAH:
No.. not a thing. Do you have news of him? Is he alright?324
GERMAIN:
Well he seems to be thats for sure... but you never can tell. He's learning a lot and planning things... (Germain looks unsettled)325
ELIJAH (Smirks):
You fear him don't you?326
GERMAIN:
Well... I am anxious that he may do something...unethical. 327
ELIJAH:
I see. 328
GERMAIN:
Did you read the book I told you about?329
ELIJAH:
Aye I did, and I still have it. Read it from cover to cover, over and over. When they bundled me on to the cart, someone had the bright idea of throwing the book on with me. 330
GERMAIN:
So you know of the circumstances of the curse and why you are so unusual?331
ELIJAH:
Unusual? I'm an abomination... wasn't supposed to be born... though I was born in wedlock, I was unplanned... (reaches under the table and takes out a bottle of wine and a glass) Care for a drink Germain?332
GERMAIN:
Er... no thank you, I don't drink alcohol.333
ELIJAH (smirks):
All the more for me... (takes a drink from the bottle) Fine life I have Germain. The bastard son of an Earl... I don't know what I am. I get by, I scrape by, I have no destiny.334
GERMAIN:
Oh.. you have a destiny alright... probably the most important destiny on this Earth...335
(Long silence)336
ELIJAH:
Really? And what would that be Germain? (drinks more)337
GERMAIN:
Well what if I said to you that the time has come for you to leave this Gypsy caravan and pursue your true destiny, your true path here in Paris?338
ELIJAH:
Oh... okay... (drinks more) I'm this big important so and so.. right? I don't believe it... and last time I saw you Germain, things went wrong for me in a catastrophic way, I was beaten within an inch of my life, dragged screaming from the only home I had ever known and into a life of crime and poverty. I have travelled with these people for years... years...339
GERMAIN:
I urge you to be calm Elijah, this is not the time for anger. I know that underneath that toughened exterior is a refined young man just waiting to show himself. 340
(Elijah takes a drink but seems to calm down. He takes off the bandanna round his head and throws it to the ground.)341
ELIJAH:
You know I want nothing more. I don't want to travel any more... you seem to know me better than I know myself. (drinks more)342
GERMAIN (smiles):
Very well. I expect you at this address as soon as you can gather your things.343
(He leaves a card on the table Elijah picks it up and reads it.)344
Antiquus Mysticus Ordo Rosae Crucis
Grand Lodge of Europe
La Rue Valente
Paris345
(He only glances at the card but when he looks back the tent is empty. He looks around but Germain is gone.)346
CUT TO:
EXT. Night347
(Elijah has gathered up his things in a small bag and he exits his caravan. As he is walking away he is followed by three women he knows Anna, Lucia and Bella, are their names. Lucia taps him on the back.)348
LUCIA:
Elijah, where are you going hmm?349
(He turns around. It is clear they were close at one time. He smiles and strokes her hair.)350
ELIJAH:
Lucia... (pauses) I have always been very fond of you, I want you to always remember that.351
LUCIA:
Its very late Elijah, where are you going?352
BELLA:
Can we come along? 353
ANNA:
Shush Bella... 354
(Elijah and Lucia look at each other and there is a long silence.. her expession changes)355
LUCIA:
You're leaving aren't you?356
(He nods.)357
ANNA:
What? But.. but why?358
(He looks at their disappointed faces. It is clear they like him a lot and may be even in love with him in their way. Elijah suddenly feels a strange attachment to the camp and the girls and his family. His heart opens up.. but at the wrong moment. He opens his mouth as if to speak, his lip trembles a little and he looks down.)359
LUCIA:
Where are you going Eli?360
ELIJAH:
I'm sorry.. I have to go... Tell Joseph for me... and the others... I have to go.361
(He looks very upset about leaving but walks away as quickly as he can. Lucia, Bella and Anna watch him go and he doesn't look back.) 362
CUT TO:363
EXT. Night
La Rue Valente. Elijah checks the address on the card and looks at the buildings to discern the correct address. He stops outside a very large building. Theres nothing to say that it is the lodge, no sign. He starts to walk up the steps when the door opens. Germain is standing there to welcome him.364
GERMAIN:
I'm glad to see you Elijah DeCourt. Welcome to the Grand Lodge. (smiles and takes him by the arm) We've been waiting for you...365
(Elijah smiles and goes inside with him. It is an old gothic hall and very dark but for a few oil lamps.)366
GERMAIN:
We've got a room ready for you and everything. Your Rosicrucian training will start here, and if it pleases you, tomorrow you will go through initiation. Is that alright?367
ELIJAH:
Initiation?368
GERMAIN:
That's right. Of course you do need to go through several initiation services as we feel you are more advanced than neophyte. More even than Zelator.. (pauses) If you are unfamiliar with the degrees I can go through them with you.369
ELIJAH:
I... know of them but I wouldn't mind a refresher sir. (bows)370
(Germain takes Elijah through to another room. There are several people waiting and they bow when he comes in. They are wearing red hooded robes and their faces cannot be seen. Elijah is stunned as they seem to bow to him.)371
GERMAIN:
Don't be afraid Elijah... we are your people.372
(long silence. Elijah looks at Germain who also bows)373
CUT TO:
Elijah and Germain are sitting at a table in the Grand Lodge. It is just the two of them and Elijah is having something to eat.374
GERMAIN:
I don't think you've eaten all day have you Elijah?375
ELIJAH:
Nor yesterday... this is so good.376
GERMAIN:
Eat it all.377
ELIJAH:
Are you not eating?378
GERMAIN:
I don't need to dear boy... I have other nourishment.379
ELIJAH:
Hm... 380
GERMAIN:
Tell me... Elijah, do you ever feel a desire to... go back to your home?381
ELIJAH:
I do. But I know I can't for I'll be killed. That's what they told me... said Perceval threw me down the stairwell to kill me... He did... he did a lot more besides. S..set me on...f.. fire. 382
(Clearly troubled he pushes his plate of food away and takes a drink of the wine he he has been given.)383
GERMAIN: (observing reaction)
Are you afraid of fire?384
(Long silence)385
ELIJAH:
No.. I'm not.. not at all.. 386
GERMAIN:
Yes you are... (pause) How bad is it?387
ELIJAH:
I'm alright.. I'm not afraid of fire...388
GERMAIN:
Where does that come from. Perhaps that your father tried to kill you by throwing you on a fire when you were born?389
ELIJAH:
He didn't.. the fire went out. But I am sure he would have... 390
GERMAIN:
Perhaps the fear comes from somewhere else. 391
ELIJAH:
It's not a fear its... its.. (puts drink down)392
ELIJAH:
I've always had an image in my mind.. that... 393
GERMAIN:
Carry on Elijah, I'm listening...394
ELIJAH:
Well... I think I'm going to die in a fire... that will be my manner of passing... 395
GERMAIN:
And what makes you think that?396
ELIJAH:
You said it yourself, it's how they all die, the Rosemonts. My father burst into flames before my very eyes... every story I read about the Rosemonts in that book, they all burned to death, every one of them. 397
GERMAIN:
You are terrified of fire Elijah. That can be a weakness.. something you have to overcome. 398
ELIJAH:
I'm alright.. honestly.. 399
(drinks, but is trembling, Germain sees this. He walks over to the curtains and somehow sets them alight. Elijah practically jumps out of his chair as the fire takes hold.)400
ELIJAH:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?... PUT IT OUT.. PUT IT OUT!!401
GERMAIN:
You do it.. go over to it and put it out. 402
ELIJAH:
No.. I can't.. 403
(Elijah is getting very panicky now he wants to run, Germain moves behind him and pushes him towards the fire. Elijah puts his arms up to protect himself.)404
ELIJAH: (Screaming)
I CANT! NOOOOOO!405
(He gets within an inch of being burned when the fire suddenly goes out. He stands there clearly shocked and stunned wondering what happened.)406
GERMAIN:
There you see.. not bad.. not bad at all. We'll need new curtains but well done you...407
(Rips down the old burned curtains)408
GERMAIN (continued):
The reason your father couldn't burn you when you were born and the reason the fire went out when Perceval tried to kill you.. is because you are a master of fire. You don't know it yet.. thats all.409
(Elijah is still shaking.)410
ELIJAH:
You were trying to kill me... (Looks fearfully at Germain)411
GERMAIN:
No.. no of course not.. dear boy.. no.. just demonstrating your power. Someone had to tell you... that will be very important to you in the future. But now you know your fears are unfounded. A master of fire such as you are... you cannot be burned in a fire and you cannot die that way... unless of course you willed it so. You can make fire do anything you please.412
ELIJAH:
Nobody told me that before..why didn't anyone tell me..? Ohh.. (sits down) I could have saved him.. my father... I could have put that fire out...413
GERMAIN:
Aye maybe you could. Do you know why you didn't .. why you let him burn?414
ELIJAH:
I didn't let him burn I just... didn't do anything to stop it.. I didn't know I could.415
GERMAIN:
No.. boy.. its that your true self knew it should not intervene. You knew it had to happen.416
ELIJAH:
He was a demon... now my brother is a demon... is there any way I can help him?417
GERMAIN:
Yes... Perceval is a demon... he was concieved during a magic ritual... what we call a magic child. Born for the purpose of hosting a demon... it is the only way that it can survive.. from father to son and so on through the generations. I was there when it happened.. I saw it. The Earl was an absolutely barbaric man indeed.. that poor girl...418
ELIJAH:
My mother...419
GERMAIN:
Yes... poor Elisse.. she didn't have a clue what was happening. Though she truly loved the Earl with all her heart.. heaven only knows why for the way he treated her...420
ELIJAH:
So.. all the Rosemonts were concieved in this way? During ritual to produce a host for the demon?421
GERMAIN:
Thats right.. every one of them. Been trying to put a stop to it for centuries... yes Elijah your brother is a demon.. but (long pause) What in the world do you imagine.. you are?422
ELIJAH:
M..me? Uhh... the bastard son..of.. 423
GERMAIN:
If Perceval is a magic child... so are you Elijah. You are twins.. concieved at the same time. You are a miracle... an unexpected miracle.. you're not an abomination at all. You are the answer to our prayers.424
ELIJAH:
What?425
GERMAIN:
A second son. That has never happened in all the centuries I've known of the Rosemonts... only one son for each generation. Ah.. but this generation produced two sons. Two... I was over the moon.. delighted... I knew.. just knew you were special Elijah.426
ELIJAH:
I'm not special... I'm not... I'm a gypsy...and the bastard son of an evil Earl... who abused me and my brother like we were nothing.. I'm not special... I shouldnt' even be here... (lowers his head into his hands.)427
GERMAIN:
Wrong Elijah, and you must stop thinking like that. 428
ELIJAH:
Can.. can I ask why you want to stop the demon? I mean... what is it to you? Surely it comes from more than wanting to help?429
GERMAIN:
(pause) Well there is a more.. cosmic reason. I'll reveal that in time... though I suspect Perceval has already hinted at it..when he tried to kill you. Wouldn't surprise me. Anyway... it is getting very late and you have a big day tomorrow. Rosicrucian Initiation takes a lot of preparation and you need to sleep. I'll show you to your room. Are you ready? Are you alright?430
ELIJAH:
I'm... overwhelmed.. but I'm alright...431
GERMAIN:
I see you are still shaking. Sorry about the fire thing but it was the best way to show you your own power.432
TO BE CONTINUED433
434
435
436
437
438
Adding your comment:
X
