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by max teasdale (maxteasdale@gmail.com)
Rated: 
Genre: Action/Adventure
User Review:  
For Dinu Rosetti, the summer of 1931 in the Bucharest region of Romania ended with disappointment and tragedy when he went missing after failing to locate the lost tomb of Prince Vlad Dracula. But for his great grandson, Steve Rosetti, his quest will begin with the simple dying wish from his grandfather. "Save my father's soul." Now faced with the daunting task of finding his great grandfather's remains in order to collect on a massive inheritance, Steve will have to dig deep inside for the answers. Will he risk life and limb to keep his promise to his beloved grandfather, or will he do it for the money?
Work in progress, but not sure where the story goes yet. My spin on what happened after the ACTUAL archeological dig of 1931. As usual, would love some feedback... good or bad. Thanks again!
This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
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THE MONASTERY
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FADE IN:
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EXT. WALLCHALIA-(PRESENT DAY ROMANIA) 1476 - DAY |
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We hear muffled sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth.
We fly over dark waves of a large lake through thick fog.
The hooves grow louder...
First credits roll.
The fog dissolves to reveal a medieval monastery crowning a
small island.
TITLE: THE MONASTERY.
We follow a long footbridge stretching away from the
monastery. We move up to see a bog offshore surrounded by
thick forest.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
CLOSE-UP OF NUMEROUS HOOVES MANEUVERING THROUGH THE FOREST.
A MAN'S ARMORED LEG SKEWERED BY AN ARROW. BLOOD SMEARS THE
DIRTY METAL.
THE MAN'S SHIELD, DENTED AND SCRATCHED, BUT STILL HOLDS THE
IMAGE OF A GOLD DRAGON.
WE FOLLOW HIS HAND AS HE PULLS A LONG SWORD FROM A SCABBARD.
PROFILE SHOT: VLAD DRACULA IS BEATEN AND BLOODIED, BUT
DETERMINED. HIS THICK MUSTACHE IS PULLED AGAINST HIS FACE AS
HIS LONG BLACK HAIR WHIPS BEHIND LIKE A SHREDDED PIRATE
FLAG. |
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EXT. BOG- NEAR SNAGOV MONASTERY - DAY |
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Dracula and his contingent of a few hundred mounted soldiers
emerge from the tree line. They make a bee-line to the
footbridge.
WRITTEN: WALLCHALIA, NEAR SNAGOV MONASTERY-1476
Dracula whips his head around to spot the pursuing Turkish
Calvary of a few thousand strong. They sprint out of the
tree line and split off to surround Dracula's troops.
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2.
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Dracula turns back to front and lingers on the vision of the
monastery in the distance. |
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DRACULA
Not enough time... |
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He yanks on the reins and stops his horse. The rest of his
troops gallop past, but circle back around.
Dracula flashes a hand signal or two, and spins his horse
around to face the Turks.
His archers ready long bows.
Dracula spikes his horse and lurches forward.
A bee-line of soldiers follow directly behind him.
Dracula spearheads the mob of Turks, swinging his sword in a
circular fashion hacking his way through flesh, bone and
tendon.
His archers rain arrows down on the attacking Turks as
Dracula continues chopping his way through.
But he is hit hard in the side by a deep blow.
His other soldiers are quickly outnumbered and slaughtered
like livestock.
The remaining soldiers sense the Prince's peril and charge.
But they too are outnumbered and killed.
With no other choice, Dracula spins his horse back around
and races toward the footbridge.
But his horse is hit by several arrows and throws Dracula
high into the air. He hits the spongy ground and watches his
horse limb away in agony. He grabs for sword and scrambles
to his feet.
The Turkish general saunters forward with his entourage. He
raises a hand as if ordering tea, and the archers open up on
Dracula.
He is hit in the other leg and in the shoulder. He falls to
his knees. But he summons his last effort and stands. He's
struck again in the other shoulder and in the stomach. He
drops again and drives his sword into the mud like the sword
into the stone. He centers the guard against his forehead
like a cross and mutters a quiet prayer.
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The general swings a leg off and hits the ground hard with
his large well-fed body. Sounds of air bubbles can be heard.
CLOSE-UP: AIR BUBBLES ESCAPING THROUGH THE MUD AND GRASS.
Dracula raises his head to face the general. |
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DRACULA
(in Arabic)
This is how you face me? In an
ambush? |
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The general looks away and scans the monastery as if
distracted by boredom. He looks back down. |
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THE GENERAL
(speaking Arabic)
You and I never met on the
battlefield...did you know that? I
always wanted to met the famous
"son of the dragon" in battle, but
I presume, it was not in the cards
for you and I. Ambush was my only
option. |
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The general grabs Dracula's sword and slowly pulls it from
the grass, the mud sucking at the blade. He brings it up to
examine the edge. He runs pinched fingers up the blade to
remove the excess watery mud. |
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THE GENERAL
Your father's prized Toledo
sword...you Christians make such
large swords. An extension of the
ego, perhaps?
(turning to his troops)
Look at it, it's a beast! |
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Laughter rings out. |
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DRACULA
You shoot arrows into my body like
a coward. |
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THE GENERAL
(smiling)
It is not your "body" Mehmed is
interested in. |
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The general raises the sword deep behind his shoulder and
decapitates Dracula in one powerful chop.
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Dracula's body pauses, as if stuck in prayer, then drops.
The general reaches down and grabs Dracula's head by his
long greasy black hair. He raises it up in a joyous toast. |
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THE GENERAL
The great Kaziglu is dead! Allah
be praised! |
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Thousands of troops answer back.
The general tosses the head to his second in command and it
is quickly deposited into a hemp sack.
The Turks gallop away and disappear into the thick forest.
Dracula's abandoned body loiters on the flat bog as a light
snowfall floats down. |
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EXT. SNAGOV MONASTERY- FRONT STEPS - DAY |
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BROTHER MICHAEL and BROTHER JACOB linger on the steps,
looking across the lake. |
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BROTHER JACOB
Do you think they are gone Brother
Michael? |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
It would appear that way.
(squinting to focus)
Would you please fetch a horse and
cart Brother Jacob. |
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Brother Jacob seems disappointed, but shuffles away to the
stables.
Brother Michael watches the ravens dance around Dracula's
body. |
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EXT. BOG- A ROAD NEAR THE BODY - DAY |
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The cartful of monks maneuver the muddy road, but then stop. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
We must continue on foot from
here, I'm afraid. The cart will
never make it out of the swamp
under the weight of ourselves and
our unfortunate cargo. |
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5.
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Brother Michael hears a snort of disgust from behind. He
turns to spot BROTHER HANS determined to break his silence. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
Something to say Brother Hans? |
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BROTHER HANS
It was by the grace of God that
took the Prince to Satan himself
to burn in an eternity of
hellfire. |
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Brother Michael wraps a thick cloak around his body and
smiles. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
You so willingly break your vows
in a time of crisis? I wonder if
you have the strength to endure
the hardships of the monastery? To
answer the call of the Lord, even
when your own earthly emotions say
otherwise. |
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BROTHER HANS
(pointing to the
body)
Brother Michael, please...he was-- |
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Brother Michael holds a hand up to silence the young monk. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
I know what he was Brother Hans.
And that is why we were called
upon to perform this ghastly
duty...to salvage what is left of
a most troubled soul. |
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Brother Michael climbs down and checks his footing. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
(cont'd.)
He will be deposited deep beneath
the alter in an unmarked grave and
will be but one of many challenges
our Lord will bestow upon us
during our time at Snagov. |
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He smiles and waves down the other monks.
But Brother Hans has more on his mind and sits motionless. |
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6.
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BROTHER HANS
You cannot be sincere in your
request to bury that hell spawn
beneath our holiest place of
worship...it's, it's ...
blasphemy! |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
(stern, but
relaxed)
I can clearly see inexperience has
reared its ugly head. I suppose I
do not have to remind you, you
will be serving an extended
penance for this outburst.
(cont'd)
But please allow me to educate you
on the hearts of men. Do you
really believe the violence and
the bloodshed will cease now that
our Prince has fallen? There will
always be another to take his
place...but, what do you think
will become of our fragile country
now that he has perished?
(cont'd)
No, our suffering has just begun,
I'm afraid. But we must now focus
on the task at hand, and do what
we can to ease the suffering of
others first. We must do our best
to pray for his soul and-- |
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BROTHER HANS
How can you expect us to pray for
a monster like Vlad the Impaler?!
His own name incriminates the very
heart and soul of the man you wish
to pray for! |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
It is our duty to pray for a man
who would give himself such a
name. And it is with this very
notion, that we must hope and pray
his spirit does not linger in the
world of men. For that is my fear
Brother Hans...that his soul will
not move on and will forever
remain here in the country he
furiously defended. No Brother
Hans, Vlad Dracula will not go
willingly, but will continue to
loiter in the hearts of evil men.
(MORE)
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7.
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BROTHER MICHAEL (cont'd)
We must be soldiers of the Lord
and hope the power of "our" God is
enough to stop the darkness from
descending onto the world of the
living once more. |
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Brother Michael's smile returns and offers a hand to Brother
Hans. |
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BROTHER MICHAEL
Now, we must hurry before
nightfall is upon us. Watch your
footing Brother Hans... the mud is
deep. |
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VIEW OF DOWNTOWN PORTLAND, OREGON FROM THE RIVER- NIGHT |
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WRITTEN: PRESENT DAY |
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INT. FANCY RESTAURANT-BUSY KITCHEN - NIGHT |
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The CHEF peeks though the order window. |
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CHEF
Remember Rosetti...he wants it
bloody! Don't fuck it up again! |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Two minutes!
(muttering)
Asshole... |
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CHEF
(turning back)
What's that Rosetti? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Asiago mash potatoes with that,
right? |
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Steve turns and smiles to a man on his right. The line cook
nudges Steve in the side.
Steve flips the steak, avoiding a tall flash of flame, and
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8.
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slaps the bloody steak onto a plate. He hands it to side to
be dressed. He goes to work skewering red meat onto long
sharp metal skewers. |
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EXT. FANCY RESTAURANT- BACK DOOR - NIGHT |
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Steve lights up. He puffs, then, exhales with a deep
satisfaction. He scans the city lights.
His cell phone rings.
He checks the incoming number and sighs. |
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He answers the phone. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Hey Tom...yeah, yeah, I'll have
the rent by tomorrow. Yeah, with
the late fee...okay, thanks. |
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He flips it shut and continues smoking.
His phone rings again... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Christ, now what... |
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He checks the number again. It's his MOM. |
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INAUDIBLE:
Steve walks away as he answers the phone. He lowers his head
and leans into the phone. He takes another drag and checks
his watch. |
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INT. HOSPITAL- LONG HALLWAY - NIGHT |
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Steve fast walks down the hallway, but then turns a corner.
His MOM is loitering outside a room. She looks up and spots
Steve. |
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MOM
He's been asking for you... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Is he okay? |
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9.
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MOM
It's not good, honey. You should
go in though. |
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INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT |
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Steve nods and creeps in. He rounds a half-pulled curtain
and finds GRANDFATHER ROSETTI.
He lowers his body into a chair and leans in. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(quietly)
Hey, buddy...it's steve. |
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The grandfather mutters... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
You been askin' for me grandpa? |
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The grandfather turns and opens his eyes. He breaks into
urgent, but strained, Italian. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(smiling)
You know I can't speak Italian
grandpa... |
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The grandfather continues and grabs for Steve's hand. He
shakes it, but is weak.
The mom walks into the room and scans the scene.
Steve turns and shrugs.
The mom waves him over and walks out the room.
Steve follows. |
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INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT |
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MOM
It was another stroke. Seems he
can only remember
Italian...anyways, he's got a lot
on his mind. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Whatta mean? |
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10.
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MOM
Well, he wants you to drop by the
house and...well, he wants you to
see something. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Now?! Mom, I have to get back to
work. |
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MOM
It's important.
(digging into her purse)
Here's the key... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Moooom...I can't do this now! What
the hell I'm I supposed to tell
that prick? |
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MOM
Tell'em your grandfather won't
last the night...and you need to
be here. Even a prick like him
will understand. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Is that true? |
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MOM
(turning away)
Well...it's not good. But he wants
you to go to the house tonight and
dig through his old shit. That's
what all that crazy Italian was
about. I think you should stay
here...with me, but he wants you
to go. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
It has to be tonight? |
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MOM
(handing over the
key)
Yeah. It's all up in the attic.
Hurry back, kay? |
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Steve nods and sighs. He walks away, but locks eyes with his
mom before turning the corner. |
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11.
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INT. GRANDFATHER ROSETTI'S HOUSE - NIGHT |
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Steve walks through the front door and quickly turns on the
lights.
He bolts up stairs and enters a bedroom. He walks to the
closet and climbs a narrow staircase to the attic. |
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INT. ROSETTI HOUSE- ATTIC - NIGHT |
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Steve steps up into the large space and is blasted by
stifling heat.
He scans the room and finds the chest in question.
He opens the antique chest and digs through.
He finds the deep red and gold silk cloth his mother
mentioned. It's wrapped around something and Steve steps
into the light. He slowly unwraps the object to identify the
image on the silk cloth. It's a dragon in gold.
But Steve hears a piece of metal cut through the air,
followed by a thud. He looks down and finds a large
gear-like object embedded in the floor like a throwing star.
It remains in the wood for a few seconds, then tips over,
settling like a large coin.
His eyes explore the object. It's a wrought iron gear with a
square hole in the center surrounded by a faded image of
another dragon.
His cell phone rings. He jumps slightly and answers. |
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VOICE ON THE PHONE
I am Sasha Florescu...you find
dragon? |
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The deep voice is soaked in a thick accent. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Who is this again? |
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SASHA FLORESCU
I have other dragon...
(beat)
...Rosa Rosetti will tell you. |
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12.
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STEVE ROSETTI
Hey, that's my... |
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The MOM voice cuts in. |
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INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT |
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The MOM watches a massive Romanian man with thick eyebrows
and a crewcut approach Grandfather Rosetti's bed. He places
a soft hand on his bald head and sighs. He watches the
Grandfather sleep. |
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MOM
Did you find the book too? |
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INT. ATTIC - NIGHT |
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Steve finishes unwrapping the silk cloth. A weathered book
is revealed. |
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MOM
Go to the back and feel the
lining. Do you feel something? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(adjusting his
cell phone)
Hold on... |
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He flips to the back and runs his fingers over the yellowed
lining. There's a bulge. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(cont'd)
Yeah, there's something... |
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MOM
Go ahead and rip it outta there... |
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Steve digs his fingernails into the paper and finds the
edge. With a grunt, he rips the it out to find a sealed
letter. |
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13.
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MOM
Did you find the letter? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
What the hell is going on? |
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MOM
I'll take that as a yes...careful
with the rest of the book. That's
only one of two copies left in the
world. The other copy is locked up
in the Oxford university library. |
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MOM
United Kingdom, honey. Listen,
bring everything with you and get
back here. I don't know how much
longer he has. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
...okay, I'm leaving now. |
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He slips the letter in the book and wraps it up again. He
grabs the dragon gear and exits. |
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INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT |
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The MOM folds her cell phone and watches Sasha.
His stare lingers, but then, he walks away. He approaches
the MOM and takes her hands. He pulls her in for a soft kiss
on the forehead, then exits the room. |
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SOME TIME LATER... |
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IN HOSPITAL ROOM. |
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Steve rushes in and spots the MOM.
She is standing over Grandfather Rosetti. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
What the hell is going on? |
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But the Grandfather is jolted awake. He spots Steve and
frantically waves him over, rambling in Italian. He grabs
Steve's hand and pulls him in. |
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14.
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MOM
(translating)
My boy...thank God you're
here...thank God... |
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Steve and the Mom exchange a look.
The Grandfather continues on... |
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MOM
(trans...)
What I am going to ask of you will
sound crazy...but, it must be
done. He must be freed from the
clutches of the devil...he
must...his soul cannot rest
until... |
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INAUDIBLE: |
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The Grandfather continues to ramble.
They exchange another look.
We pull away as the moment unfolds. |
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INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT |
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The Mom reads the letter...
Steve sits slumped over with his hand anchored to his
forehead. He stares into the floor in disbelief. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Grandpa is just crazy, right?
Delirious from the
morphine...right? |
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The Mom concentrates on the last pages. She finishes and
looks up. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(cont'd.)
I mean, he really can't expect me
to... |
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MOM
Listen...I know you've heard the
stories a million times, but...
(shaking the pages)
... this letter proves it was all
true. |
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15.
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Steve looks up and listens. |
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MOM
In the summer of 1931, your Great
Grandfather Dinu Rosetti
disappeared trying to find the
grave of Vlad the Impaler. The
real Dracula. His partner, Radu
Florescu , Sasha's Great
Grandfather, was found dead in his
locked guest room. Blunt force
trauma to the head. They had an
assistant, Nicholai Travsiti, who
wrote this letter, before, he too,
was never to be seen or heard from
again.
(combing through the pages)
In the letter, he trys to explain
what happened and his suspicions. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Suspicions? |
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MOM
(sighing)
According to Nicholai...
(flips to the last page)
And I quote, "Find the final
resting place of Vlad Dracula and
you find Rosetti." |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(sitting up)
What the hell is that supposed to
mean?! |
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MOM
It means you have to go to
Romania, honey. |
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INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT |
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Only a woman's face can be seen. Her facial features dance
in the light of several candles. She is thirty-something and
pretty, but her face is a battlefield of piercings. SAPPHIRE
is dressed in black goth garb, dark make-up, and long black
hair.
Her expression is serious and focused. Her eyes dart around
a packed table.
Other people, dressed in similar outfits, stare at Sapphire
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and wait.
They all surround a Ouija board. |
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SAPPHIRE
We all have been called forth to
summon the spirit of... |
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THE LIGHTS FLIP ON.
Steve walks through the front door unaware.
He turns to find a room full of people rubbing their eyes. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Oh shit! Sorry Sapphire....
(hits the lights again)
I'll be... in the back. |
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He tip-toes away in the darkness, but stubs his toe and
yelps.
Sapphire turns back around and sighs. |
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INT. STEVE'S APARTMENT- BACK BEDROOM - NIGHT |
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Sapphire walks in and crosses her arms. |
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Steve is staring at the wall and working on a bottle of
whiskey. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(looking up)
Sorry...didn't remember you had a
seance tonight. |
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SAPPHIRE
It's okay...Jim Morrison didn't
show up anyway. How's your
Grandpa? |
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Sapphire falls into the bed with Steve and hugs him. |
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SAPPHIRE
(grabbing for the
bottle)
I should probably have some of
this...
(gulps)
(MORE)
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17.
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SAPPHIRE (cont'd)
So, what happened? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Jesus Christ...you don't even
know.
(locking eyes)
There's a lot more Sapphire. I
have to go and have a long talk
with my mom tomorrow... |
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SAPPHIRE
Long talk? What for? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
And I have to go to church. |
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SAPPHIRE
Church? What the hell for? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Take another drink. |
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She does and wipes her lips. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Remember all that stuff about my
Great Grandfather and Dracula's
grave? |
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SAPPHIRE
Yeah, it totally turned me on...
what about it? |
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INAUDIBLE: |
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Steve explains...
But thirty seconds or so into his speech, Sapphire strikes
Steve in the chest from explosive disbelief.
Steve crashes to the floor, but not before Sapphire can grab
the bottle.
She takes another swig and continues to shake her head. |
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INT. ROSA ROSETTI'S HOUSE- LIVING ROOM - DAY |
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AROUND 10 AM - SUNDAY MORNING |
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18.
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They sit in the living room, both trying to avoid eye
contact with the elephant in the room.
She is surrounded by stacks of paper and folders. A
briefcase rests at her feet. |
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MOM
Okay, I'll just start then...
you've been left a substantial
inheritance. The conditions of
this inheritance will upset
you...and, I am sorry. But I am
only my father's daughter, and I
hope you understand.
(cont'd)
There are certain conditions, that
must be met. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Yeah, you mentioned that already.
What conditions? |
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MOM
Well, your Grandfather was a funny
man... very religious, as you
know. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(suspicious)
Yeah... |
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MOM
Well, ever since you expressed
interest in Archeology...he's been
planning this. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
I was ten and obsessed with
Indiana Jones movies... planning
what? |
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MOM
Well, it's complicated.. |
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MOM
Well, basically... if you want the
inheritance... you have to find
the remains of your Great
(MORE)
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19.
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MOM (cont'd)
Grandfather and bring him back to
the states. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
What?! How in the hell am I
supposed to do that?! |
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MOM
Well, actually... I don't know.
That's where Sasha comes in. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Yeah, who in the hell is that guy? |
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MOM
Like I said, he is the Great
Grandson of Radu Florescu. We've
known their family for a long time
now. You could say, our fates were
linked. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
C'mon mom, don't say shit like
that! This is crazy...you know
"this" is crazy. How can you
expect me to swallow this big
spoonful of crazy? |
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MOM
I know this is crazy,but... the
fact is, your Grandfather picked
you for this task. He truly
believed his father's soul is
being held hostage by Vlad
Dracula. And the only way to free
him, is to remove his body from
the country. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Task? I'm not some Goddamn knight
being sent on an errand. I'll be
arrested and thrown in a friggin'
Romanian jail. And, you can't just
go over there and start talkin'
shit about Dracula. He's a Goddamn
saint over there! |
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MOM
Well, he was the only one to stand
up to the Turks. Anyway, I
digress... we're getting off the
subject.
(starting again)
(MORE)
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20.
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MOM (cont'd)
Sasha has a few friends in the
Government and can get an
appointment at Snagov Monastery.
If that doesn't work... he has
connections in the Romanian mob. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Romanian mob, huh? This is crazy
mom... |
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MOM
We've covered that... do you have
the dragon key? |
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Steve pulls it out of his coat pocket. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
It's a key? |
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MOM
Sasha can explain more... but we
think the keys open a secret
underground vault containing
Dracula's gold. With the price of
gold, there could be millions. But
we also think, your Great
Grandfather was, some how, trapped
in there. We also suspect, foul
play. |
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Steve stares at the carpet in a daze. |
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MOM
(cont'd)
I hate to break it to ya, kiddo...
but it looks you are going to live
out some of those Indiana Jones
fantasies after all. |
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The Mom pops to attention and checks her watch. |
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DRACULA
Oh! You're going to be late...
Sasha is getting out of the late
service.
(scribbling on scratch paper)
Here's the address... and
remember, no "Goddamn that" or
"The hell with this...", alright?
Just listen and try to remember,
you're keeping a promise to your
Grandfather who loved you. |
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21.
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Steve takes the piece of paper as his eyes glaze over with
mild shock. |
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INT. ORTHODOX CHURCH- FRONT LOBBY - DAY |
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Steve creeps in and finds a deserted lobby.
The doors to the church are shut but he can hear the service
inside.
Suddenly, the building comes alive with movement. The doors
open. A steady flow of church-goers stream out.
Steve is frozen. He is an island of uncertainty as the herd
of people is diverted around his body like a rushing river.
Many stare. Just one look, tells them he doesn't belong.
But Steve hears his name called and turns. |
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Sasha approaches him. He is massive and close to seven feet
tall. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
(cont'd)
I am Sasha Florescu... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(chuckling)
Jesus Chr...
(stops himself)
Oh man, you sure you're not
related to Frankenstein? |
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SASHA FLORESCU
(straight face)
I like your joke...not first time
I hear, though. You have key? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(going into his
pocket)
Yeah, right here... |
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Sasha places a paw on Steve's shoulder and scans the room. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
Not here...
(leading Steve away)
... we go have Turkish coffee. You
(MORE)
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22.
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SASHA FLORESCU (cont'd)
like Turkish coffee? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
I thought you guys hated the
Turks? |
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SASHA FLORESCU
Yes... good coffee, though. Come,
we go now. |
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INT. BALTIC DELI- COFFEE SHOP - DAY |
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Steve sips the coffee and likes it. He looks through the
front windows and tips his cup at Sasha's huge Cadillac SUV. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Nice car, man. You must do well. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
I do okay... my wife and I have
many businesses. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Oh really, what kind? |
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SASHA FLORESCU
Assisted living care... we have
large house with five residents.
We own three more, though. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(choking on his
coffee)
Really? I thought you were... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(whispering)
...I thought you were in
the...mob. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
Not me. My friends in Romania...
it is why we need keys. |
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He reveals his key and places it on the table.
Steve does the same.
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23.
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Sasha moves the teeth together and they fit perfectly, like
two gears. He taps the center of each key. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
Crank bar goes in there... we
crank together and open secret
door. I hope gold is inside. |
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SASHA FLORESCU
We might need to bribe my friends
to help you... maybe Police too. |
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INT. DARK BAR - NIGHT |
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SAPPHIRE
OH MY GOD...I've like, told all my
friends! |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(scanning the room)
Sapphire, no... this is serious! |
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SAPPHIRE
Ah, seriously cool! Do you realize
what's happening here? You could
actually find the final resting
place of one-of-history's most
notorious tyrants. Archeologists
have been trying for over seventy
years! Nobody has ever found it.
Don't you think that's a little
weird? I mean, with all the
technology and stuff. Nobody,
Steve! |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Okay, okay... I'm just, well I
don't know... a little concerned
for my safety, that's all. |
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SAPPHIRE
Ah, why? You'll have that gorilla
with you... and hello, you'll have
me. |
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Steve sips his drink, trying to hide behind the tumbler of
whiskey.
Sapphire sits back, turning cold and distant. |
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24.
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STEVE ROSETTI
Listen, I already asked her, okay.
You know how she is... |
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FLASHBACK: |
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MOM
Ah, absolutely not... this is a
family matter... and family money. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
C'mon mom...take it out of my
share. |
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MOM
Ah, your share doesn't really
exist, until you have satisfied
the conditions of the estate. I'm
sorry, honey...but, it's all
legal. And I can't amend the
documents in your favor. I know
you need it, but... it just can't
be done. You literally, don't get
the money until your Great
Grandfather's emaciated
sarcophagus is sitting in my
living room.... oh yeah, and a DNA
test. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
What if I can't do it? |
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Shuffling through paperwork... she locates the right page. |
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MOM
(reading)
Ah... "... if fore-mentioned task
is not completed, all assets are
to be liquidated and divided
equally among remaining heirs." |
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She looks up and shrugs. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(scoffing)
Well, what if...I mean, how much
is it? |
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MOM
(narrowing gaze)
Aaaa lot... |
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25.
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END FLASHBACK. |
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SAPPHIRE
Jesus Christ! She really said
that? |
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Steve nods and finishes his drink. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
All expenses directly related to
this "adventure" are to be paid by
the estate...including bribing
officials and local law
enforcement...and you think I'm
joking. |
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Steve motions to the cocktail waitress and orders another
drink. |
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SAPPHIRE
Shit... I mean, I could probably
scrunch up enough... |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(sighing)
It's like, two grand, Sapphire...
and you would need spending money.
And God knows how long we'll be
there.... I'll probably have to
extend my visa. |
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SAPPHIRE
You couldn't pay my way? |
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STEVE ROSETTI
Ah, no... fore-mentioned gorilla
will be in charge of all
expenses... and oh yeah, this
Sasha guy, is one of the heirs. If
I fuck it up, he gets a fourth of
my money. |
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SAPPHIRE
What?! That's crazy!
(looking away in disgust)
This is crazy!
(popping forward)
But Steve, I'd be perfect! I mean,
(MORE)
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26.
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SAPPHIRE (cont'd)
I've been waiting for adventure
like this all my life. I'd be able
contact the spirit of Vlad the
Impaler, for Christ sake. |
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Cocktail waitress delivers his drink. |
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STEVE ROSETTI
(shifty eyes)
That's what I'm afraid of... |
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FADE OUT. |
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| Feedback |
| From Barry |
Date 8/8/2010 |
|
| Hi Max, I am also a writer. May I suggest that you write your visuals more succinctly. Directors have imaginations, too. Moreover, we screenplay writers do not want to inadvertently irritate the prospective directors' and producers' sensibilities in regard to the aforesaid. Regards, Barry |
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