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

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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.

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