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by Adam Distrola (distrolaa@yahoo.com)
Rated: 
Genre: Drama
User Review: 
Based on Edgar Allen Poe's Poem `THE RAVEN'. We find out who Lenore was and what she realy meant to the speaker Edward.
WGA REGISTRATION NUMBER:
1107845
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FADE IN:
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EXT. DARK ALLY WAY - NIGHT |
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A man in a trench coat walking down an old dark ally way.
His name EDWARD VAN SCOOTER, 35, a young a wise man who’s
intelligence is like that of Elbert Einstein; he hears a
nose behind him. He look’s over near some garbage cans. A
raven fly’s out and spokes him. He continues to walk down
the ally. Edward comes to an end at an old building right on
the corner. He pulls some keys out of his pocket. He
fiddles around with them and finally places one in the door
we ZOOM in and see a wedding ring on his finger. He opens
the door. |
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INT. LOFT - NIGHT |
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Edward walks over to the kitchen places his coat on the
counter. Pilling through MAIL that was on the counter. He
turns on the CD Player and lies down on the couch. As soon
as he lies down I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE BY MEAT LOAF begins
to play.
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EDWARD (V.O)
Once upon a midnight dreary, while
I pondered, weak and weary, Over
many a quaint and curious volume
of forgotten lore...
(beat)
...While I nodded, nearly napping,
suddenly there came a tapping, As
of someone gently rapping, rapping
at my chamber door. |
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Edward lies on the couch with his arm over his eyes. |
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EDWARD
Tis some visitor, tapping at my
chamber door; only this, and
nothing more. |
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Ah, distinctly I remember, it
was in the bleak December, and
each separate dying ember lying
like a ghost upon the floor.
(beat)
...Eagerly I wished the morrow;
vainly I had sought to borrow from
my books surcease of sorrow,
(MORE)
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2.
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EDWARD (cont'd)
sorrow for the lost Lenore,. For
the rare and radiant maiden whom
the angels name Lenore, nameless
here forevermore
(beat)
and the silken sad uncertain
rustling of each purple curtain
thrilled me filled me with
fantastic terrors never felt
before; So that now, to still the
beating of my heart, I stood
repeating… |
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Edward taking his arm off sits up. |
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EDWARD
(frustrated)
'Tis some visitor entreating
entrance at my chamber door,
some late visitor entreating
entrance at my chamber door.
This it is, and nothing more. |
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Rubbing his eyes as if he just woke up. |
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EDWARD (V.O.)
…Presently my soul grew stronger;
hesitating then no longer.
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Edward stands and walks to the door jesters but does not
open it. |
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EDWARD
Sir or Madam, truly your
forgiveness But the fact is I was
napping, and so gently you came
tapping,
(beat)
And so faintly you came
tapping, at my chamber door, That
I… I was sure I heard you.
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INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT |
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He opens the door. Light from the room pours into the
hallway.
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3.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Here I opened wide the door;
Darkness there, and nothing more.
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INT. EDWARD’S LOFT - NIGHT |
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POV. INTO THE HALLWAY |
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EDWARD (V.O)
Deep into that darkness peering,
long I stood there wondering,
fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams
no mortal ever dared to dream
before
(beat)
The silence was unbroken. The
darkness gave no token. And the
only word there spoken was a
whispered word, |
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We hear a whispered word ‘LENORE’ ANGLE BACK ON EDWARD. He
mouths the word, ‘LENORE’.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
and an echo murmured back the
word, Lenore! 'Merely this and
nothing more. |
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As he hears the word ‘LENORE’ and POV PEERING in to the
darkness. |
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FADE INTO THE HALL. |
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INSERT TITLE: THREE YEARS EARLIER |
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EXT. TAVERN - NIGHT |
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INT. BAR - SMOKEY ROOM - MUSIC ALOUD IN THE FAR - NIGHT |
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Edward sitting at a bar drinking glass of water. A lady
walks up to the bar. Her name is LENORE,29, a young
beautiful women long brown hair and the a body that makes
all of the guys look at her. She walks up to Edward and
sits.
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LENORE
Excuse me! Do you mind if I sit?
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4.
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LENORE
(To bartender)
Martini!
(To Edward)
So are you with any one tonight? |
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Lenore with a smile on her face. |
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LENORE
Really! Then may I join you?
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EDWARD
(smiling)
Sure. Why not. |
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Bar tender hands Lenore her martini and gives Edward another
glass of water.
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Edward takes sip. |
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LENORE
So why is it some one like you, is
sitting at a bar all by there
lonely self? |
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LATER SAME SCENE. |
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The bar starts to clear. Lenore hands Edward a napkin.
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LENORE
Call me some time? Ok!
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5.
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She walks away from the bar and heads to the rear exit. She
stops, looks back at Edward then she leaves.
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BARTENDER
She’s something isn’t she?
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EDWARD
Ah, oh yeah she is. |
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EXT. FRENCH CAFÉ - DAY |
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A couple walks in. |
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INT. FRENCH CAFÉ - DAY |
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Edward and Lenore at a table having lunch. When out of no
where a red haired man smoking a pipe walks in the room. He
walks over to the table where Edward and Lenore are sitting
at. His name is FRANCES,32, a friend of Edwards and a Irish
man born in FRANCE but raised in IRELAND, he is wiser and
more charming then Edward. He speaks to Edward and Lenore
with an Irish accent. |
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FRANCES
I so this must be the lovely lady
I’ve been hearing ‘bout |
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Edward takes a sip of tea. |
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EDWARD
After noon Frances. |
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FRANCES
Top da morning to ya Edward. What
brings you to this end of town?
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EDWARD
We are having lunch! |
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Lenore taking a bite of her COFFEECAKE and a sip of her TEA
Frances packing his pipe with more tobacco and light it not
with a mach but a Zippo. |
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LENORE
Would you like to join us?
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6.
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FRANCES
Oh how I would love. But I must be
getting back to me wife. It’s her
birthday you know? It was nice
meeting you Lenore.
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Lenore places her hand out and Francs takes it and KISSES
it. |
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EDWARD
Tell the Mrs. I sad hello will
you.
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FRANCES
I, that I do, both of you have a
fine and lovely day.
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Frances leaves the room not the same way he came in but
through an exit near the rear.
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EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT |
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INSERT TITLE: ONE YEAR LATER |
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INT. RESTAURANT LOBBY - NIGHT |
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Edward and Lenore all dressed up and sitting at a BLACK TIE
RESTAURANT |
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LENORE
(wiping her mouth.)
Dinner was delouses.
(takes a sip of
wine.)
and the wine is so crisp. |
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Edward playing with his glass. |
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EDWARD
Yes, yes it was…
(2 beats)
…Lenore you know how much I love
you right? |
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7.
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LENORE
(big smile.)
Of course and I love you the same
way.
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A crash. Both of them look over at the kitchen. Edward gets
on one knee.
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EDWARD
Lenore I love you more then life
it’s self. No other could compare
too you, your eyes twinkle like
stars, your smile shines like the
evening sunset.
(beat)
What I’m trying to say is, may I
have the honor of you being my
wife? |
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Lenore about to cry. |
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They hug and kiss. Edward then stands up. |
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EDWARD
Waiter! Garson! Champagne for
every one to night…
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He takes Lenore’s hand and pulls her up from her chair. |
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EDWARD
…To night is a night for
celebration.
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Every one starts to clap. The we hear Champagne tops popping
open.
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EXT. CHURCH - DAY |
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We see a great church and hear BELLS ringing. DOVES FLYING
AROUND. |
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8.
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INT. CHURCH - DAY |
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Edward and Lenore up at the alter with a PRIEST. |
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PRIEST
(With a bible in
hand)
Do you Edward take Lenore as your
law fully wedded wife to love and
cherish in sickness and in health
till DEATH do you part.
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PRIEST
And do you Lenore take Edward to
be you law fully wedded husband to
love and cherish in sickness and
in health. Till DEATH do you part.
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PAN OVER THE AUDIENCE crying and clapping. Edward and Lenore
holding each other and smiling.
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EXT. RECEPTION HALL - DAY |
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Laughter coming from inside |
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INT. RECEPTION HALL - DAY |
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A giant hall filled with balloons and streamers from wall to
wall. Tables side by side in a PYRAMID form with Edward,
Lenore, Frances and Lenore’s brides maid at the top. Frances
stands up to give the best man speech. |
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FRANCES
Me thinks its time for the toast.
I may be old but we little folk
look up to one such as Edward here
to only say “ we shale be that
young again someday” till then I
shall say to you both live as if
this were ye last day hear with us
may you both live and love till
the day death comes knocking on
your door. God bless ye all. |
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9.
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Lenore gets up and runs outside Edward and Frances look at
each other and Edward runs after her.
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EXT. CHURCH YARD - DUSK |
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Lenore on her knees in front of an old worn; moss covered
ivy covered statue of the lady MAIRY, crying. Edward places
his hand on Lenore’s shoulder. She grabs hold of it and rubs
it. She looks up over her shoulder at Edward. |
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EDWARD
Lenore dear what’s wrong? |
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Lenore stands and wipes the tears away. |
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LENORE
Nothing I…
(beat)
I just needed to get some fresh
air. |
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INT. RECEPTION HALL - DUSK |
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PAN OVER ROOM as they walk in the tables are moved all
around with one in the middle with Frances and a women in a
hooded cloak Frances to Edward and Lenore. |
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FRANCES
For ye may think you know the
future my friends but hear is a
gift to you that shall for see the
outcome of all.
(Motioning the
hooded women.)
She shall… |
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The women takes off the hood. She is a very old lady,76,
with long salt and pepper hair. Her eyes are still young as
if she was still at the age of 26.
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FRANCES
…read you thy cards. |
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Edward, Lenore and the Old Lady sits down. The old lady
pulls out a pack of taro cards. |
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OLD LADY
These cards have been handed down
over generations and never failed
in ones future out come.
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10.
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Lies the cards in the magical 10 card circle. Death, devil,
Tower, chariot, and wheel of fortune are laid out as the out
come of ones future life.
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OLD LADY
I see that in the mid summer one
shale fall very ill and perish in
later months to come.
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Death second to last she screams. last card empress. |
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OLD LADY
You…
(Points to Lenore.)
…Shall be the one that he comes
for.
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Edward stands up the room goes black Lenore screams the
light’s come back on and the old lady is gone. |
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Frances points to two guys near him and motions for them to
go looking for the old lady. |
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FRANCES
She would have had to run into me
to.
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EXT. MAZE - DAY |
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PANOVER A LARGE SHRUB MAZE. Edward and Lenore on there
honeymoon. They are taking a walk through the maze.
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EXT. EDWARDS LOFT - DAY |
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Busy traffic. People running all around. Yelling from
windows and sidewalks. |
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INT. EDWARDS LOFT - DAY |
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Same loft form the beginning. PAN OVER THE APARTMENT. Edward
standing in the doorway arms crossed on his chest DOCTOR
checking Lenore’s heart and blood presser then him and
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Edward walks near a window on the other side of the room.
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DOCTOR
I’m sorry but her condition will
get worst. This is only my opinion
but I think she will stay with us
only for a couple of more year’s!
I’m very sorry.
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The doctor leaves. Lenore on the bed sick. She calls Edward
over. |
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LENORE
Edward come here…
(coughs)
…please.
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Edward turn’s from the window and smiles. He walks over to
the bed. Sits down on the bed next to Lenore. |
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EDWARD
What is it my love. |
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EDWARD
(coughing)
I just wanted you to be near me. I
LOVE YOU Edward. |
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Edward places his hand on her and gives her a kiss on the
forehead then gives her a real kiss on the mouth.
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EXT. CHURCH - WINTER - DAY |
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INSERT TITLE: TWO YEARS LATER. |
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A smaller church then what we saw earlier. A hearse right in
front. Limos all around even in the yards.
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INT. CHURCH - WINTER - DAY |
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PAN OVER THE ROOM. Here we can see that it is much more
smaller then when they got married. A funeral; every one is
wearing black the men wearing tuxedoes. The women are
wearing long black dresses with black Vail’s over there
faces. Edward up at the podium, which stands behind an open
casket. Lenore lies in it wearing a white lace dress, all
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most see through, Edward crying and reading from a PREPARED
SCRIPT. |
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EDWARD
Ah, broken is the golden bowl! The
spirit flown forever! Let the bell
toll! A saintly soul floats on the
Stygian river; hast thou no tear?
(beat)
Weep now or nevermore!
See! Low lies thy love, Lenore!
Come! let the burial rite be read-
the funeral song be sung!
(beat)
An anthem for the queenliest dead
that ever died so young. For her
the doubly dead in that she died
so young.
(beat)
Wretches! ye loved her for her
wealth and hated her for her
pride, And when she fell in feeble
health, ye blessed her that she
die! How shall the ritual, then,
be read?
(beat)
The requiem now be sung by you, by
the evil eye, by the slanderous
tongue that put to death the
innocence that died, and died so
young?" but rave not thus! and let
a sabbath song go up to God so
solemnly the dead may feel no
wrong. The sweet Lenore hath "gone
before," with Hope, that flew
beside, Leaving thee wild for the
dear child that was thy
bride.
(beat)
For her, the fair and debonair,
that now so lowly lies, the life
upon her yellow hair but not
within her eyes the life still
there, upon her hair the death
upon her eyes.
"Go! go! from fiends below, the
indignant ghost is risen from Hell
unto a high estate far up within
the Heaven.
(beat)
From grief and groan, to a golden
throne, beside the King of Heaven!
Let no bell toll, lest her soul,
(MORE)
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EDWARD (cont'd)
should catch the note as it doth
float up from the damned Earth!
and I! my heart is light! No dirge
will I upraise.
(beat)
But waft the angel on her flight
of old days!" … this is how we
shall remember you my love you are
and always
will be my wife. In time we shall
see each other again
(3 beats) |
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Edward sits down. Frances walks up to the podium. ANGLE ON
LENORE.
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FRANCES
I how so we remember this lovely
lady she has gone to thy father
who art in heaven the angles now
call her Lenore for evermore. |
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LATER. |
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The room has cleared. Edward standing over Lenore’s coffin.
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EDWARD
That it is and for our love my
wife so dear to me. Loved more
then any can or should shall be.
Nameless in my heart forever more
Lights come on slowly
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SPLIT SCREEN EDWARD places a hand on the Edward over the
coffin. |
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INT. LOFT HALLWAY - NIGHT |
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Edward at the door staring out into the darkness
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Back into the chamber turning…
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Edward shuts the door.
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14.
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INT. LOFT - NIGHT |
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Edward turns around and heads back to the couch.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
My soul within me burning, soon
again I heard a tapping somewhat
louder than before.
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Edward stops just before the couch. He looks behind him over
at the door shakes head. Then hears TAPING again then looks
over at the window. |
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EDWARD
Surely, surely there is something
at my window lattice; Let me see
then, what there is, and this
mystery explore
(beat)
Let my heart be still a moment and
this mystery explore; 'Tis the
wind and nothing more! |
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Edward walks over to the window.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Open here I flung the shutter,
when, with many a flutter, in
there stepped a stately raven of
the saintly days of yore.
(beat)
Not the least obeisance made he;
not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady,
perched above my chamber door,
upon a bust of Pallas just above
my chamber door Perched, and sat,
and nothing more.
(beat)
Then this ebony bird beguiling my
sad fancy into smiling, By the
grave and stern decorum of the
countenance it wore.
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Edward walks over to the door smiling. |
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EDWARD
Though thy crest be shaven, thou,
art sure no craven.
(beat)
(MORE)
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15.
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EDWARD (cont'd)
Ghastly grim and ancient raven
wandering from the nightly shore
Tell me what thy lordly name is on
the Night's Plutonian shore! |
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Much I marveled at this ungainly
fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
though its answer little meaning
little relevancy bore;
(beat)
For we cannot help agreeing that
no living human being ever yet was
blessed with seeing bird above my
chamber door Bird or beast above
the sculptured bust above my
chamber door,
(beat)
With such name as Nevermore.'But
the raven, sitting lonely on the
placid bust, spoke only, |
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The Raven cleaning and picking at itself.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
As if his soul in that one word he
did outpour. |
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Nothing further he uttered, not
even a feather did he fluttered
till I muttered. |
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EDWARD
Other friends have flown before
tomorrow he will leave me, as my
hopes have flown before.
(2 beats) |
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16.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Startled at the stillness broken
by reply so aptly spoken.
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Edward now angry. |
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EDWARD
Doubtless, what it utters is
its only stock and store, Caught
from some unhappy master whom
unmerciful disaster followed fast
and
(beat)
followed faster till his songs one
burden bore Till his hopes, that
melancholy burden bore of "Never…
nevermore. |
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EDWARD (V.O.)
But the raven still beguiling all
my sad soul into smiling, Straight
I wheeled a cushioned seat in
front of the bird and bust and
door;
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Edward pulls up a chair from a desk near the door.
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EDWARD (V.O.)
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I
betook myself to linking Fancy
unto fancy, thinking what this
ominous bird of yore what this
grim, ungainly, gaunt, and
(beat)
ominous bird of yore meant in
croaking Nevermore.' This I sat
engaged in guessing, but no
syllable
(beat)
expressing To the fowl whose fiery
eyes now burned into my own; this
and more I sat divining, with my
head at ease reclining
(beat)
On the cushion's velvet violet
lining that the lamp-light gloated
o'er, But whose velvet violet
lining with the lamp-light
gloating nevermore! Then, I
thought, the air grew denser,
perfumed from an unseen censer
(MORE)
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17.
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EDWARD (cont'd)
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls
tinkled on the tufted floor. |
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EDWARD
Wretch, thy God hath lent thee by
these angels he has sent thee
Respite and nepenthe from thy
memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh
quaff this kind nepenthe, and
forget this lost Lenore! |
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EDWARD
Prophet! Thing of evil!
(beat)
Prophet still, if bird or devil!
Whether tempter sent, tossed thee
here ashore, yet all undaunted, on
this desert land enchanted
(beat)
On this home by horror haunted
tell me truly, I ask is there balm
in Gilead? Tell me… tell me, I
beg! |
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EDWARD
Prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us
by that God we both adore
(beat)
Tell this soul with sorrow laden
if, within the distant Aidenn, It
shall clasp a sainted maiden whom
the angels named Lenore. |
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EDWARD
Be that word our sign of parting,
bird or fiend! |
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Stands and yells at the bird. |
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EDWARD
Get thee back into the tempest and
the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave
no plume as a token. Thy soul hath
(MORE)
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18.
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EDWARD (cont'd)
spoken! Leave my loneliness
unbroken! Quit the bust above my
door! Take thy beak from out my
heart, and take thy form from off
my door!
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EDWARD (V.O.)
And the raven, never flitting,
still is sitting. On the pallid
bust of Pallas just above my
chamber door; And his eyes have
all the seeming of a demon's that
is dreaming. The lamp-light o'er
him streaming throws his shadow on
the floor; And my soul from out
that shadow that lies floating on
the floor shall be lifted
nevermore!
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The Raven fly’s from the door around the room. Edward opens
the door the bird fly’s out calling “nevermore”.
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INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT |
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Edward running after the Raven; down the stairs and out the
door. |
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EXT. STREET - NIGHT |
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Edward standing there in a shocking gaze. POV we see Lenore
across the street wearing the dress she was buried in, with
a white light surrounding her. Edward runs into her arms.
They hug and kiss. QUICK SHOT to the raven up on a telephone
wire. Repeating the word Nevermore'. AERIAL WIDE SHOT OF THE
STREET. The bird flying away speaking that word and we see
that the streets are empty Edward and Lenore are no longer
there. The bird fly’s toward us. As it gets closer the scene
becomes darker. BEGIN END CREDITS. |
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FADE OUT. |
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| Feedback |
| From Daniel Siegel |
Date 12/21/2012 |
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| Nice, do you think you could send this to CBS or something. |
| From John La Valle |
Date 6/30/2006 |
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| You need to go back and read The Raven. Alot of the words in your voice overs are wrong. But all in all, a decent script. |
| From Glenn |
Date 3/19/2006 |
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| Poe is one of my favourites. Its good to see someone step out of the box and do something little different.
Good on ya
This would make a great stage performance. |
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