The Chronicles of the Counts Dracula-Cardie. Adapted from Baron Olshevris novel «Vampires» - Olga Boyko

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      INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON-SAME EVENING

      The Count’s fingers glide along the keys of the instrument, he finishes the melody.

      INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, YARD NEAR THE STABLES-SUMMER MORNING

      Family Doctor and Count Frederick walk near the stables. The whinnying of the horses can be heard (sound behind the scenes)

      COUNT FREDERICK

      Is your patient getting better, Doctor?

      FAMILY DOCTOR

      She has anemia and a very severe case. She will need a healthy diet, milk, wine.

      COUNT FREDERICK

      Send her all she needs.

      NIKOLAI the groom (25 years old) runs up to the Count. He is out of breath

      NIKOLAI

      Marina, our floor washer girl, she is dead.

      FAMILY DOCTOR

      Hurry up, take us to her.

      They hurry, passing the servant’s barracks. Nikolai talks while walking

      NIKOLAI

      She didn’t come down to work in the morning. Chambermaids went up to her room and found her dead.

      INT – MARINA’S ROOM-SAME MORNING

      Marina’s corpse lies on her bed. Her face and body appear peaceful, as if she is only sleeping. The sudden gust of wind through the open window lifts and tangles her long loose hair.

      Family Doctor takes Marina’s wrist. Count Frederick watches him closely

      FAMILY DOCTOR

      She is not only dead; the body is already stiff and cold.

      COUNT FREDERICK

      Do you see that red mark on her neck?

      A small red wound is visible on the dead girl’s neck, the skin around the wound is slightly red.

      Count Frederick and the Family Doctor exchange looks

      EXT-GATES OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SAME SUMMER EVENING

      The mournful toll of the village bell is answered by the bell in the castle.

      Countess Maria, Nikolai the groom, Lina the COOK, SERVANTS, little Carlo and his sister Lucy follow Marina’s coffin to the gates of the castle. From the crowd of castle servants muffles sobs can be heard.

      The cart bearing the coffin drives slowly through the castle gates

      NIKOLAI

      The American did not come to the funeral mass.

      COOK

      Did you see it? His windows, even the shutters were closed when we were passing his guardhouse.

      INT-FORMAN LIVING ROOM WITH THE NEW BALCONY-MORNING

      Count Frederick guides his wife to her new place of rest. Catherine walks respectfully behind, accompanied by a couple of female servants, young Carlo and little Lucy

      COUNTESS MARIA

      It’s a pity this beautiful room was always locked.

      COUNT FREDERICK

      From now on we can spent our evening here.

      The FOOTMAN opens the door for the couple.

      Countess Maria takes two or three steps into the room, when suddenly; she screams violently and points into the neighboring hall.

      COUNTESS MARIA

      He is watching me… staring at me! He is my death!

      The Countess faints in her husband’s arms. Everyone’s eyes follow the direction to which she was pointing. The faces of guests register unease.

      A portrait (the same gold-framed portrait that was discovered in the Hunting House) hangs on the wall of the neighboring room. A tall lean old man, dressed in a renaissance style costume and wearing a heavy gold chain is peering from the frame. His thin lips are pressed together in an arrogant line and his red tinged eyes appear terrifyingly alive

      COUNT FREDERICK

      (to the servants)

      Well, why are you gaping, remove everything!

      YOUNG CARLO

      (takes Countess’ hand)

      Mom, don’t be afraid, the grandfather is dead.

      EXT-AN OPEN AIR PLATFORM IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE GARDEN NEAR THE SHEER DROP – SAME SUMMER DAY

      The Countess lies on a chaise lounge. She is clearly ill at ease.

      She sees the evil red-tinged eyes among the hops. She looks around, terrified. The unseen presence moves towards the rocks of the sheer drop, its shape unclear yet menacing.

      The Countess is afraid and reaches towards her husband.

      Young Carlo and little Lucy play nearby, completely oblivious to the danger

      COUNTESS MARIA

      Freddie, those eyes, I can see them everywhere, they are hounding me.

      COUNT FREDERICK

      Whose eyes, dear?

      COUNTESS MARIA

      Grandfather’s.

      COUNT FREDERICK

      Enough, my darling, even the portrait is gone. I exiled it from our home.

      The Count serves her cookies on a tray and leaves.

      Countess Maria brings a cookie to her mouths and it grows moldy before her eyes.

      She feels nauseous, coughs but later calms down and pulls out a small mirror in order to straighten her hair. Her reflection gradually vanishes as if eaten up by rust rising from the site of the bite on her neck. Maria cries out.

      Her worried husband rushes in. She embraces him and flings away the mirror. The mirror lies on the floor, cracked, reflecting only the Count

      END OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES

      INT-CARLO’S SITTING ROOM, VENICE-EARLY MORNING

      BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES

      Carlo paces his sitting room, holding a letter in his hand and commenting to himself

      TITLE: 1852

      CARLO

      My God, I am rich, unbelievably rich!

      PETRO stands nearby in respectful silence. Although he is only about 67 years old the time has dealt him a terrible blow, his appearance is much older and he is dressed in a monk-like cowl. He holds papers and a pilgrim’s sack

      PETRO

      Your father lived simply. He barely spent his money.

      CARLO

      There is over a million florins in Venice alone!

      Petro reaches into his sack and produces a jewelry box. He places it carefully onto the couch nearby

      PETRO

      These are your mother’s jewels.

      Carlo

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