THE HOUND
by
Lanny Maude
FADE IN:
EXT. ARKHAM - DAY
Akham is a picture-perfect little Massachusetts town that is
ablaze in autumn colors.
EXT. MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY - DAY
An old school, established in the 18th century. Lots of stone
walls, columns, and ivy.
Students are scattered all over the place. Some are studying,
some are walking to or from class.
VINCENT PLUMMER and OLIVER ST. JOHN walk out of the Orne
Library. They are conversing, but are too far away to hear.
As they come closer, their conversation can be picked up.
VINCENT
...yes it was wrong, but his last lecture
was so boring. How are we supposed to pay
attention to that drivel?
OLIVER
I'm not arguing that point. I just think you
should've picked a better place to nod off.
VINCENT
I'm beginning to think I should've picked a
better place to go to school.
OLIVER
Don't be absurd. Miskatonic is one of the
finest universities in the country.
VINCENT
Well, if they want to stay one of the
finest, they need to improve their teaching
staff.
OLIVER
Come on... don't you think we've had some
good professors here?
Vincent thinks about this one for a moment.
VINCENT
Alright, they're not all total asses.
(beat)
But some of them really try to be.
They both get a brief chuckle out of that.
They continue walking, their conversation becoming lost in the
distance.
OLIVER
I plan to do a little more research next
term. I'm going to check out the professors
as well as the classes. That way I won't
get stuck like this again...
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. VINCENT'S APARTMENT - DAY
It's a standard student apartment. Small, but relatively neat.
Oliver is standing at the window, looking outside.
Vincent is lying on the couch. He has one forearm across his
eyes.
VINCENT
Bored, boreder, boredest...
OLIVER
I don't know what to do. I'm going to end
up failing due to lack of interest.
Vincent sits up and uses his best radio-announcer voice.
VINCENT
And today's mot du jour is ennui.
The doorbell RINGS.
Oliver turns away from the window to see who it is.
Vincent goes to the door and opens it.
A MESSENGER is standing at the door.
MESSENGER
Vincent Plummer?
VINCENT
Yes...
The messenger holds out an envelope.
MESSENGER
Telegram.
Vincent takes the envelope.
VINCENT
Thanks.
The messenger turns and leaves.
Vincent closes the door.
Oliver watches with mild interest as Vincent attacks the
envelope.
Vincent gets the telegram out and drops the envelope on the
floor. He reads for a short time before he sits down on the
couch.
OLIVER
What is it?
VINCENT
You remember my great-uncle Howard?
OLIVER
Yeah... he's the one with the big mansion on
the edge of town.
VINCENT
He died yesterday.
OLIVER
No. What happened?
VINCENT
It doesn't say. My guess is old age.
(beat)
He was moving pretty slow the last time we
were out there for dinner.
He stands and passes Oliver as he walks to the window. He peers
out of the window in much the same way that Oliver was before
the telegram came.
Oliver turns to watch him.
VINCENT
Mom and Dad are flying in for the funeral
tomorrow.
OLIVER
D'you want me to go with you?
A beat.
VINCENT
Yeah... Thanks...
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
It's overcast, but still a nice day. Uncle Howard's graveside
services are being held in one of the oldest sections of the
cemetery.
Vincent and Oliver are there as well as Vincent's PARENTS and a
few people from the town.
A PRIEST is reading some remarks to the gathering.
PRIEST
...and even though Howard was not often seen
at services, he was generous in his other
contributions.
The people listen politely as the priest continues.
Vincent looks around. He notices Uncle Howard's house at the
far edge of this section of the cemetery.
INT. VINCENT'S APARTMENT - DAY
Vincent enters followed by his parents and finally Oliver.
VINCENT
Have a seat. You want something to drink?
MOM
No, Honey. We can't stay. Your father has
to prepare for a board meeting in the
morning.
Vincent's father pulls a fat envelope out of a pocket.
DAD
We wanted to make sure you got this.
He holds out the envelope to Vincent who takes it.
VINCENT
What is it?
DAD
You know Uncle Howard thought the world of
you. His only child died young.
He puts his arm around his wife's waist.
DAD
You're our only child. I think Howard
looked at you as a son. He was thrilled
when you decided to move to Arkham.
(points at envelope)
He wanted to give you some things.
Vincent opens the envelope. He unfolds the papers and looks at
them briefly.
VINCENT
Looks like a bunch of legal documents.
What's it all mean?
DAD
It means you now own his house.
Vincent and Oliver stare and Vincent's father, dumbfounded.
DAD
He also left you a generous trust fund.
VINCENT
How generous?
MOM
Well... you'll be able to pay for the rest
of school instead of your father, and that
will hardly dent it.
DAD
Howard also set up funding so the property
taxes will be taken care of for you.
VINCENT
I... I don't know what to say.
DAD
I probably wouldn't in your situation
either. You're a lucky young man.
Vincent's mother rummages through her purse and pulls out a key.
She holds it out to Vincent.
MOM
You can move in anytime.
Vincent takes the key, stares at it in disbelief.
EXT. MANSION - DAY
An old mansion. The cemetery is in the background. The two
were probably built around the same time.
A small moving van pulls into the driveway.
Vincent and Oliver hop out of the van.
Oliver stares at the mansion.
OLIVER
I can't believe this is all yours.
VINCENT
I can't either.
He pulls the key out if his pocket.
VINCENT
Let's go check it out.
They walk up to the front door.
Vincent unlocks the door and gives it a push.
INT. MANSION, ENTRY - CONTINUOUS
The door swings open as Vincent and Oliver look inside. They
step inside.
Vincent shakes his head.
VINCENT
I never imagined that Uncle Howard would
leave this to me.
OLIVER
It's kind of big for just the two of us. We
don't own that much stuff.
VINCENT
I'm sure we'll be able to get used to it.
He closes the door.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - DAY
Comfortable chairs, a big fireplace, a few bottles of liquor and
glasses, a few books,...
And a very large cabinet of some kind.
Vincent and Oliver enter.
OLIVER
I've never seen so many rooms. Your uncle
never gave me a tour.
VINCENT
This is great. It'll give us a chance to
try new things. We should be able to
overcome our boredom now.
He goes to the cabinet.
VINCENT
We can start by celebrating.
He opens the cabinet. There are numerous bottles inside.
OLIVER
Wow...
Vincent pulls a bottle out and passes it to Oliver.
VINCENT
Here.
Oliver takes the bottle and looks at it. He reads the label.
OLIVER
Absinthe?
VINCENT
It's Uncle Howard's special stash. It's
deadly stuff.
He closes the cabinet and gets a couple of glasses.
Oliver uncorks the bottle. He holds the bottle up to take a
sniff.
He jerks his head away.
OLIVER
Yow!
Vincent laughs.
VINCENT
I said it's deadly. It's 140 proof and
contains extract from wormwood plants. It's
supposed to be a bit hallucinogenic.
He holds the glasses out.
Oliver pours a couple fingers into each glass then sets the
bottle down. The liquid is bright green... almost fluorescent.
Oliver takes a glass from Vincent.
They CLINK glasses.
VINCENT
To the end of boredom.
OLIVER
The end of boredom.
They drink.
OLIVER
(breathlessly)
This stuff can't be legal.
VINCENT
It isn't. Hasn't been since World War Two.
He tips his glass to Oliver before he takes another sip.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
The only light is coming from the drawing room windows.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MANSION - DAY
Nothing is happening outside the house.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Not much is happening inside the house, either.
Vincent and Oliver are at least sitting up. They are slowly
recovering from last night's binge.
OLIVER
You alive?
VINCENT
Yeah.
(beat)
I may not look like it, but I finally feel
like I've got something to live for.
OLIVER
You know what you have to do now.
VINCENT
What?
OLIVER
House-warming party. What else?
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
There are cars all around. The entire house is lit up. Loud
MUSIC pounds from the house.
INT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS
The house is full of people: people dancing, people eating,
people drinking, people talking.
IN THE DRAWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
This room, like most of the others, is populated with partiers.
Vincent is standing by the fireplace talking to SONIA, a
delicious-looking young lady.
Oliver is slow-dancing with TRISHA.
IN OLIVER'S ROOM - NIGHT
The room is empty, and the door hangs open a bit.
The MUSIC can be heard from downstairs.
Oliver and Trisha enter the room.
He closes the door then faces her.
She looks back at him.
They just stare at each other for a brief moment before they
burst into a flurry of activity. They undress like it's a race.
Once the clothes are out of the way, they embrace and kiss.
They do this tenderly.
They stop and look into each other's eyes.
He sweeps her up into his arms and tosses her onto the bed. He
follows with a flying leap onto the bed as well.
They continue their amorous endeavors.
IN VINCENT'S ROOM - NIGHT
Like Oliver's room, the MUSIC is still evident.
Vincent and Sonia are standing next to the big four-poster bed
kissing.
She lets go and stretches her arms above her head and grabs the
post she's leaning against.
He continues to lavish attention on her.
She whispers in his ear.
SONIA
Tie my hands up here.
He looks at her.
She looks back at him and looks up.
He follows her eyes until he sees where she's holding the bed
post.
SONIA
(whispering)
Tie me up...
He looks around for something to use. He finally grabs a pillow
and strips the pillowcase off of it.
He ties her hands to the bed post with the pillowcase.
She lets out a slight MOAN while he's ties her up.
He kisses her then slowly unbuttons her blouse. He massages her
breasts and pinches her nipples through her bra.
She lets out little SOUNDS of pleasure.
He kneels down in front of her and starts to rub her legs. He
works his way up until his hands slide under her miniskirt.
He looks up at her.
VINCENT
No panties.
SONIA
(breathless)
Uh, huh.
VINCENT
I like it.
SONIA
Me too.
He gets up and starts to undress.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
The party continues.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - DAY
Oliver is sitting, reading a book.
Vincent bursts in the room. He has a mini cam-corder in one
hand.
Oliver looks up from his book.
VINCENT
Oliver... I need your help.
OLIVER
Sure.
VINCENT
Sonia's coming over today.
He holds out the cam-corder.
VINCENT
I want you to tape us.
OLIVER
What?
VINCENT
I want you to secretly video tape us. She's
really kinky... she wants to do it in the
basement.
Oliver rises.
OLIVER
Why?
VINCENT
She says she wants it to be like a dungeon.
Oliver just looks at him.
VINCENT
So I want you to hide down there and tape
us.
OLIVER
You're getting weird, man.
Vincent shrugs his shoulders.
IN THE BASEMENT - DAY
It's pitch black.
A door opens and light spills in from above.
Vincent CLICKS on the light switch. The stairwell illuminates.
He and Oliver start down the stairs.
OLIVER
Talk about creepy.
VINCENT
Well, we had to explore it one of these
days.
They get to the basement and turn on the lights down there.
It's a good-size basement. There's a workbench with some tools
and a lot of shelves with odds and ends.
Vincent moves to the workbench and sets the cam-corder down.
VINCENT
We'll be here by the bench.
He looks around.
VINCENT
(points)
You can hide behind those shelves.
They go to the shelves and check out the space behind.
OLIVER
You're one sick fucker, you know.
VINCENT
But I'm good at it.
(beat)
At least we're not dying of boredom anymore.
OLIVER
Okay... I'll do it.
VINCENT
Good. Now you can help me prepare.
LATER
The basement is now lit by numerous candles. There are some
chains and ropes suspended from the exposed plumbing. There's a
leather cat-o'-nine-tails and handcuffs on the bench.
They hear a faint DOORBELL.
VINCENT
She's here! Get ready!
He runs up the stairs.
Oliver picks the cam-corder off of the bench. He notices an
envelope on the bench. It's addressed to Vincent.
He sets the cam-corder back down, picks up the envelope, and
turns it over. It's sealed.
He hears FOOTSTEPS overhead so he stuffs the envelope in his
pocket, grabs the cam-corder, and hides behind the shelves.
POV OLIVER as he prepares to video tape Vincent and Sonia.
SONIA (O.S.)
It looks icky.
VINCENT (O.S.)
You've been a bad girl. It's what you deserve.
They enter Oliver's field of view.
Sonia is wearing a light one-piece dress.
They stop in front of the workbench.
Vincent grabs the bottom of her dress and removes it over her
head in one fluid motion.
She reaches up to undo her bra, but he slaps her hand out of the
way.
VINCENT
I didn't say you could do that.
SONIA
Sorry, Master.
He unclasps her bra and tosses it on top of her dress.
He picks up the handcuffs.
VINCENT
Hold 'em out.
She holds her wrists out.
He snaps the cuffs down on one wrist. He holds that arm up and
feeds the cuffs through a loop in an overhead rope.
She raises her other arm and he snaps the cuffs down on that
wrist as well.
SONIA
I'm yours to do as you please now.
He grabs an unlit taper from the bench. He lights it from
another candle.
He holds the lit taper in front of her face.
VINCENT
Let's try a little hot-wax torture.
She closes her eyes.
SONIA
Do your worst.
CUT TO:
IN THE TV ROOM - DAY
Vincent and Oliver are watching the TV. They're playing the
tape from yesterday's "dungeon" encounter.
On the TV, Vincent is dribbling melted wax onto Sonia's breasts.
She lets out SQUEALS of pleasure and pain.
OLIVER
Are you going to show her this?
VINCENT
Are you fucking crazy? She'd kill me.
OLIVER
I don't know. With her tastes, she may get
off on it.
VINCENT
You might be right.
Oliver suddenly remembers the envelope. He pulls it out of his
pocket.
OLIVER
I forgot to tell you last night.
He holds out the envelope.
OLIVER
Did you leave this in the basement?
Vincent takes the envelope and looks at it.
VINCENT
I've never seen this before.
He opens the envelope. Inside there's a letter that he unfolds
and starts to read.
He looks up at Oliver.
VINCENT
(surprised)
It's from Uncle Howard.
OLIVER
A chill just ran down my back.
Vincent reads.
VINCENT
He says he's been a "Collector of the
Curious" all of his life and his "museum" is
located in the house.
OLIVER
Where? I didn't see anything unusual.
VINCENT
He says it's accessed through the basement.
IN THE BASEMENT - DAY
Vincent and Oliver are behind the shelves.
Vincent is looking at the letter which he holds in one hand
while the other hand is fumbling in the darkness above the wood
paneling on the wall.
CLICK... a section of the paneling SLIDES out of the way. The
short hallway that is exposed is barely lit by the basement
lights.
Oliver sees a light switch and FLICKS it.
The museum on the other end of the hallway lights up.
The two slowly enter the hallway.
IN THE MUSEUM - CONTINUOUS
They exit the hallway and look at the museum.
The room is not unusually wide, but it is surprisingly deep.
There are alcoves lining both walls... dozens of them. There is
a large empty acrylic box in the center of the room.
They look at the displays. The alcoves hold bookshelves,
strange artifacts, even bodies and body parts.
OLIVER
Wow! Sickness runs in your family.
Vincent either ignores him or didn't hear him. He comes to the
acrylic box.
There's another envelope addressed to Vincent on the box.
He extracts the letter from the envelope and reads while Oliver
looks at the displays.
He walks to where Oliver is looking at a collection of human
heads of various ages, in various stages of decay.
VINCENT
Uncle Howard wants me to be the curator of
his museum.
OLIVER
What's that mean?
VINCENT
Take care of it. Even add to it if
possible.
He looks at the letter again.
VINCENT
He makes two specific requests: if I don't
want the job, I'm to donate the books to
Orne Library at Miskatonic U. and burn
everything else.
OLIVER
What's the other request?
VINCENT
If I want the job, my first duty will be to
"recover" Uncle Howard and put him in his
museum.
OLIVER
Is that what the big empty case is for?
VINCENT
Yeah...
A beat.
OLIVER
What're you going to do?
Vincent looks around.
VINCENT
How handy are you with a shovel?
OLIVER
But how are we supposed to get him? We'd
get caught if we tried to dig him up.
VINCENT
Check this out.
He hands the letter to Oliver.
VINCENT
There are access tunnels underneath the
cemetery from here. Uncle Howard left a
map.
Oliver looks at the letter.
VINCENT
We don't dig him up. We get him from below.
LATER
Vincent and Oliver come out of a tunnel in the back of the
museum. They are filthy. The are carrying Howard on a
stretcher.
They set the stretcher down beside the acrylic box.
OLIVER
I think my arms are couple inches longer
now.
VINCENT
Come on. We're almost done.
They lift the acrylic cover off of the base and set it on the
floor.
They carefully transfer Howard onto the base. They take a
little time to straighten him and his clothes before they
replace the cover.
Oliver looks at Vincent, then at himself.
OLIVER
Whew... time for a shower.
VINCENT
You can go first. I still need to fill out
the journal.
OLIVER
What journal?
VINCENT
It said in the letter that every item in
here is cataloged in a journal that's
located by the entry.
They walk to the entry where there's a small niche on either
side. The one on the right side has a leather-bound book and a
glass pen and inkwell. The one on the left is empty.
Vincent grabs the book. He opens it to look briefly inside.
Oliver picks up the pen and looks at it.
OLIVER
I've heard of glass pens before, but I've
never actually seen one.
VINCENT
Let's take this stuff upstairs. I'll fill
it out while you shower.
OLIVER
Alright.
He picks up the inkwell and the two of them leave the museum.
They turn out the light and the museum is plunged into darkness.
INT. MANSION, KITCHEN - NIGHT
Vincent is sitting at the kitchen table, reading Howard's museum
journal.
Oliver enters. He is wearing only shorts. He has a towel over
his shoulders and his hair is still wet.
OLIVER
Your turn.
Vincent puts down the journal.
VINCENT
Okay. Y'know it's later than I thought.
He stands.
OLIVER
Yeah. I lost track of time down there
myself.
Vincent snags the journal and holds it out Oliver.
VINCENT
You should read this. Some interesting
things in here.
Oliver takes the book.
OLIVER
I'll meet you in the drawing room after your
shower. We still have to celebrate your new
job as the curator of Uncle Howard's museum.
VINCENT
Good idea. I'll be down in a few.
He leaves.
Oliver sits at the table and starts to read passages in the
journal.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
Oliver is dressed now. He's still perusing the journal. He has
already set out a bottle of Howard's special stash and two
glasses.
Vincent enters, hair still slightly damp.
VINCENT
Ah, I see you've made preparations.
He opens the bottle and pours. He hands a glass to Oliver.
OLIVER
Thanks.
Vincent holds out his glass.
VINCENT
To Uncle Howard's museum.
Oliver holds out his glass as well.
OLIVER
Uncle Howard's museum.
They drink.
VINCENT
What'd you think of the journal.
OLIVER
It's fascinating. The one thing I really
wonder about is this amulet he occasionally
mentions.
VINCENT
I was thinking the same thing. Apparently
he's been searching for it for a long time.
Oliver flips to the front of the journal.
OLIVER
It's been on his mind from the start. He
mentions that empty niche by the entry is
reserved for the amulet.
VINCENT
I think we need to find that amulet.
OLIVER
I know just where to start. He says the
first mention of it is in a book called
Cultes des Goules.
He hands the journal to Vincent who scans the page.
VINCENT
The only copy he knows of is in Orne Library
in the restricted section.
He looks up at Oliver.
VINCENT
You ever hear of a restricted section in the
library?
OLIVER
No, but I haven't spent much time in the
library either.
INT. ORNE LIBRARY - DAY
Vincent and Oliver enter the library.
It's a typical large campus library. Two floors of books and
more books. Students are scattered about.
They go to the card catalog.
VINCENT
Okay, where's "C?"
OLIVER
C'mon. It's over here.
He opens a drawer and starts flipping through the cards. He
can't find Cultes des Goules.
OLIVER
It's not here.
VINCENT
Try Unaussprechlichen Kulten. Uncle Howard
said it was in there, too.
They move to the U section. Oliver searches.
No luck.
OLIVER
It's not here either.
Vincent looks around.
VINCENT
Maybe we should ask someone.
OLIVER
I don't think this is the kind of thing we
should be talking to people about.
A beat.
VINCENT
Yeah, you're right.
OLIVER
Let's just looks around.
They wander around downstairs, but don't notice anything that
looks like what they want.
They climb up to the second floor and look around there as well.
They eventually find in an out-of-the-way place, a door with a
combination lock on the handle. The sign over the door says,
"Authorized Personnel Only."
VINCENT
This might be it.
He tries the handle. It's locked.
They look around. There's a table a short distance away.
OLIVER
Over there.
They sit at the table.
OLIVER
I didn't see any mention of a combination.
Did you?
VINCENT
No. I didn't read the whole thing, but I
didn't notice anything.
A man carrying an old-looking, leather-bound volume passes the
table heading in the direction of the door.
OLIVER
Wait a minute.
They watch as the man punches the combo lock and opens the door.
He enters and the door closes behind him.
Vincent and Oliver watch the look as if something were going to
happen.
The door opens and the man exits empty-handed. The door swings
shut on its own as he leaves.
VINCENT
Maybe one of us could stand by the door.
When someone comes out, just block the door.
OLIVER
No, we might get caught.
(beat)
I have an idea. Let's go.
They leave.
EXT. ORNE LIBRARY - NIGHT
It may be night, but a student's work is never done.
INT. ORNE LIBRARY - NIGHT
Vincent and Oliver are sitting at the table upstairs across from
the locked door. They are reading. There's a book bag on the
table.
A woman walks by the table on her way to the door. She unlocks
it and goes inside.
Oliver springs into action. He grabs some stuff from the book
bag and goes to the door.
He tapes a piece of cardstock to the doorframe then returns to
the table.
OLIVER
Now we wait.
The woman exits the room.
As the door closes, it closes with the cardstock over the strike
plate.
The woman leaves, not noticing that the door didn't latch.
Vincent and Oliver look around carefully before they grab their
stuff and head for the door.
They open the door and slip inside, taking the cardstock off of
the doorframe.
IN THE RESTRICTED ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The room is not too large... three walls full of drawers with
labels.
The two look over the drawers.
Vincent puts a hand on one drawer.
VINCENT
Here's Unaussprechlichen Kulten.
OLIVER
This is the right place.
Vincent looks at another drawer. He opens it and pulls out a
book.
VINCENT
Look, here's the English translation.
Oliver opens a drawer where he's looking.
OLIVER
And here's Cultes des Goules.
He looks back at the drawers.
OLIVER
But we're going to have to slog through this
one in French.
VINCENT
Let's get out of here before someone catches
us.
OLIVER
Good idea.
They stuff the books into their book bag.
IN THE LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
They exit the room, trying not to look too suspicious.
Nobody says anything, nobody stops them.
They quickly leave the library.
INT. MANSION, DINING ROOM - DAY
There are papers scattered all over the huge dining room table.
Oliver is hard at work decoding the information contained in
Howard's notes and the books they stole from the library.
Vincent enters carrying a newspaper.
VINCENT
You ever think about adding to Uncle
Howard's collection?
OLIVER
What d'you think I'm doing here? I've just
about got the location of that damned amulet
worked out.
VINCENT
I mean besides that.
OLIVER
Like what?
Vincent hands him the newspaper.
VINCENT
Take a look at this.
Oliver looks.
VINCENT
There... where I circled it.
Oliver looks up at him.
OLIVER
You mean that girl in the accident?
Vincent points at the paper.
VINCENT
Read that part.
OLIVER
(reads)
Tamara Jean Whately is best known for her
eyes; they have confounded her doctors since
her birth. She has a double pupil in each
eye.
VINCENT
I want that for the museum.
OLIVER
What? Tamara?
VINCENT
No. Just her eyes.
Oliver thinks about it.
VINCENT
You need to take a break, anyway.
OLIVER
Okay. It'll be interesting.
IN THE MUSEUM - NIGHT
Vincent sets a small jar on a shelf. It contains two eyeballs
floating in formaldehyde.
OLIVER
Where'd you get the formaldehyde?
VINCENT
(gestures)
There's a small drum of it in the back of
the basement.
OLIVER
Well, now that we've had our little
diversion, it's time to get back to my
research.
VINCENT
You go ahead. I'm going to stay down here a
little longer.
OLIVER
Okay.
He leaves.
Vincent goes over to Howard, puts a hand on the acrylic coffin,
looks at his face.
VINCENT
I hope you're proud of me.
While looking in on Howard, he notices something that he didn't
see before.
There are some papers in Howard's inside coat pocket. Looking
from an angle, Vincent can just see the edge of the papers.
He carefully tilts the cover up just enough to get the papers
from Howard and sets the cover back in place.
He unfolds the papers. The first thing he notices is a drawing
of an amulet.
He takes off running.
VINCENT
Oliver!
IN THE BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
He comes through and hits the stairs running.
VINCENT
Oliver!
IN THE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Oliver is deep in research.
Vincent rushes into the room.
VINCENT
Oliver! Check this out!
He hands the papers to Oliver.
Oliver's face transforms.
OLIVER
Where'd you get this?
VINCENT
It was in Uncle Howard's suit.
OLIVER
This may be it.
He spreads the papers on the table and starts cross referencing.
He scribbles down notes, moves back and forth between books and
papers.
VINCENT
Will this do it?
OLIVER
I think I know where it might be.
VINCENT
Where?
OLIVER
In France.
VINCENT
Where in France?
OLIVER
I don't know yet, but I think I can pin it
down now.
VINCENT
What do you mean?
Oliver gestures to the stack of research.
OLIVER
I found numerous references to a French
count being buried with an "artifact."
He picks up the paper with the amulet drawing.
OLIVER
These papers link Balfour to the amulet.
VINCENT
Who?
OLIVER
François-Honoré Balfour, Comte d'Erlette.
All we have to do is find where he was
buried.
EXT. CHATEAU DES FAUSSES FLAMES - NIGHT
A small burial ground located next to a ruined manor in the
woods of Averoigne.
Luminous insects dance from place to place, their purpose known
only to themselves. The moon is full and visible through the
trees except when flocks of bats occasionally obscure it.
Vincent and Oliver stand in front of a headstone. They are
holding shovels.
VINCENT
Why wasn't he buried in the family crypt in
Paris?
OLIVER
He specifically requested to be buried here.
(beat)
The original owners of the chateau were
suspected of being witches.
Vincent CHUNKS his shovel into the ground.
From far away comes the sound of an animal HOWLING. It's a
mournful sound that chills the pair of grave robbers.
VINCENT
(looks around)
What the hell was that?
OLIVER
I hope we don't find out.
Vincent turns his attention to the task at hand.
VINCENT
Let's find out if your research was
accurate.
They both start digging.
A huge bat suddenly swoops down on them.
They both YELL in surprise and duck and try to watch where it
flies. While they're not looking, another big bat flies down
and perches on the headstone.
They turn around to resume digging and the bat on the headstone
hisses at them and flaps its wings.
Oliver knocks the bat from the headstone with a swipe of his
shovel.
The bat flops on the ground SQUEALING.
Oliver finishes it off with his shovel.
VINCENT
Wow, I've never seen you move so fast.
OLIVER
I don't like bats.
They resume digging.
LATER
A shovel CLUNKS into wood.
The HOWL in the background sounds a little closer and louder.
They stop digging and look at each other, then simultaneously
drop to their knees to start clearing the dirt by hand.
They get the top of the coffin uncovered.
Vincent climbs out of the hole.
VINCENT
You figured it out... you should have the
honors.
A brief FLASH of lightning illuminates their world.
They look up into the sky.
OLIVER
Good timing.
VINCENT
Come on. Get with it.
Oliver reaches down and finds purchase on the edge of the lid.
He lifts. It CREAKS open a crack.
The HOWL sounds like it's on top of them. They try to see where
it's coming from.
OLIVER
You see anything?
VINCENT
No.
(beat)
It's weird.
Oliver returns to the casket. He throws the lid back revealing
the contents:
A skeleton. The teeth are a little longer than normal and
pointed.
A jade amulet is clutched in skeletal fingers.
OLIVER
YEAH!
VINCENT
Alright! You did it!
Another FLASH of lightning.
VINCENT
Grab it and let's get out of here.
Oliver works the amulet and its chain out of Balfour's hand. He
SLAMS the coffin and climbs out of the grave.
He hands the amulet to Vincent.
OLIVER
Sometimes I even surprise myself.
VINCENT
I still don't believe it.
He just stares at the amulet.
Oliver grabs a shovel.
OLIVER
Come on. Let's fill this in.
Vincent reluctantly stuffs the amulet in a pocket. He grabs his
shovel.
The two quickly fill in the grave. The bats fly around.
Lightning FLASHES occasionally. The HOWL fades back into the
distance.
INT. MANSION, MUSEUM - DAY
Vincent sets the jade amulet on a piece of deep crimson velvet
that sits in the no-longer-empty niche.
VINCENT
It's beautiful.
OLIVER
It's supposed to be a powerful talisman.
VINCENT
Well, its power is ours now.
They just stand there and admire the amulet.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
A horrible BAYING drifts from the cemetery next door.
INT. MANSION, OLIVER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The BAYING startles Oliver from sleep. He sits up and looks to
the window.
Another HOWL.
He gets up, opens the window, and peers out. He can't see
anything so he just closes the window.
There's a TAPPING at the door so he turns to face the door.
OLIVER
Yeah.
The door opens and Vincent enters.
VINCENT
You hear it?
OLIVER
Uh huh. Sounds like the graveyard in
France.
VINCENT
I'm glad to hear you say that. I thought I
was losing it.
OLIVER
Not unless your dementia is contagious.
VINCENT
Do you think it has something to do with
that amulet?
OLIVER
It wouldn't surprise me. I'll do some more
research in the morning... see if I can find
something.
VINCENT
Alright. See you in the morning.
OLIVER
'Night.
Vincent leaves, closes the door.
Oliver turns back to the window. He peers out into the
darkness.
The next HOWL prompts him to draw the curtains.
INT. MANSION, DINING ROOM - DAY
Oliver still has all of his research materials spread across the
table. He is wrapped up in it.
There's a SCRATCHING at the window.
He goes to investigate. He looks out through the window.
Nothing.
He returns to the table. Before long, he hears the SCRATCHING
again. He investigates but again... nothing.
He leaves the room.
No motion anywhere until Oliver appears on the other side of the
window.
EXT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS
He looks around, searching for the cause of the noise but sees
nothing obvious. He looks underneath the window and sees what
looks like paw prints in the dirt.
He looks around again, trying to find the source of the noise
and the prints.
All's quiet.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
Vincent and Oliver are drinking and smoking cigars. Vincent is
reading a book. Oliver is just staring into the fire in the
fireplace.
There's a sudden FLUTTERING at the window.
They both look at the window, then at each other.
Vincent finally puts his book down and goes to the window. He
looks out.
OLIVER
(nervous)
See anything?
VINCENT
Yeah, it looks like bats.
He turns to Oliver.
VINCENT
I've never seen bats around here before.
OLIVER
I... I gotta go...
He hurries out of the room.
VINCENT
Where're you going?
No answer.
VINCENT
Oliver!
He leaves at a slower pace, not hurried like Oliver.
IN THE MUSEUM - NIGHT
Oliver is lighting incense. Vincent enters.
VINCENT
What's wrong with you?
OLIVER
I need to relax. I feel calmer down here.
A beat.
OLIVER
Burn some incense, study the displays,...
VINCENT
You're losing it, man.
OLIVER
(quietly)
You're probably right.
They look at each other in silence.
From the basement, a CREAK.
They look at each other wide eyed.
VINCENT
(whispering)
There's someone on the stairs.
He points toward the tunnel in the back of the museum. They go
there and get a couple of shovels.
Another CREAK.
They start toward the basement, shovels raised. They stop when
they hear a raspy VOICE from the basement.
VOICE (O.S.)
Je suis presque assez fort. Vous mourrez
des morts violentes.
OLIVER
What the hell was that?
VINCENT
I don't know. It sounded like French.
They hear a raspy CHUCKLE from the basement.
OLIVER
Let's go.
Vincent nods his assent.
They charge into the basement YELLING, but
IN THE BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
Nobody's there.
They look around confused, then they hear the same raspy CHUCKLE
from up the stairs. They run to the stairs and look up.
Nothing.
They hear the voice again.
VOICE (O.S.)
Vous ne savez pas que vous faites. Vous
êtes morts.
VINCENT
That was definitely French.
OLIVER
Could you tell what it said?
VINCENT
I caught the last phrase...
(beat)
"You are dead."
Oliver looks up the stairs again.
OLIVER
(yells)
Fuck you!
Silence.
More silence.
VINCENT
Come on, man. Let's finish that bottle and
try to get some sleep.
Oliver hesitates, think what to do.
OLIVER
Okay...
They head up the stairs.
IN VINCENT'S ROOM - NIGHT
Vincent is sound asleep, but is startled awake by a
bloodcurdling SCREAM. He sits up in bed, not sure if he dreamed
it.
The SCREAM repeats and continues.
He practically flies out of the room.
VINCENT
Oliver!
IN THE HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Vincent stops briefly at the door to Oliver's room. He hears a
CRASH of breaking glass and the SCREAMS fade away.
He bursts into the room.
IN OLIVER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
It's a total wreck.
VINCENT
Oliver!
He looks around... the window is broken. He goes to the window
and looks out. In the cemetery he can see Oliver being attacked
by what looks like a shadow.
VINCENT
Oliver!
He dashes out of the room.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
Vincent flies out of the front door.
Oliver is no longer screaming.
Vincent runs into the cemetery toward Oliver. He gets close
enough to see a little detail. Oliver looks awfully damaged.
Vincent walks a little... unsure. He finally runs the rest of
the way to Oliver's side. He hears the distant WHIR of wings
and looks up in time to see a vague black shadowy thing against
the moon.
He looks back to Oliver who has been torn to ribbons. Oliver
stares blankly.
VINCENT
Oh, Oliver...
Oliver blinks his eyes.
VINCENT
Oliver! What happened?
Oliver strains to speak. When it comes it's only a whisper.
OLIVER
The amulet...
(beat)
That damned thing...
His eyes close as he exhales his last breath.
INT. MANSION, MUSEUM - NIGHT
Vincent is standing in front of the amulet. Oliver's remains
are propped underneath the niche.
Vincent just stares at the amulet. He finally turns around and
surveys the rest of the museum. His eyes come to rest on
Howard. He walks to Howard and places his hands on the acrylic.
VINCENT
I hope you won't be upset... but I have to
do this
(beat)
I don't want to end up like Oliver.
He stands there a moment longer before he grabs the amulet. He
wraps it up in its velvet cloth, stuffs it in his coat pocket,
and leaves.
He soon returns with a gas can. He sloshes gasoline around the
whole museum. He ends up back at Howard's resting place.
VINCENT
I'm glad you isolated the museum from the
house with plenty of dirt and stone. At
least the house will survive.
(beat)
I'm sorry Uncle Howard.
He pours the last of the gasoline over Howard's casket. He
leaves the room and tosses in a lit match. WHOOSH, the gasoline
ignites and the museum is totally destroyed.
INT. HOTEL, LOBBY - DAY
Vincent is filling out a registration card. A MAN comes to the
counter and bumps into him.
MAN
Pardonez-moi, monsieur.
The man grabs a tour brochure from the counter and leaves. As
he leaves, he throws away the brochure and extracts a small
velvet-wrapped bundle from his pocket. He opens the bundle.
It's the amulet. The man's eyes grow wide.
MAN
C'est incroyable!
He wraps the amulet back up then rushes out of the lobby.
IN VINCENT'S ROOM - DAY
The door is opened by a BELLBOY who stands back and allows
Vincent to enter. The bellboy grabs Vincent's bags and follows.
He sets the bags down in the room. Vincent hands him some
coins.
BELLBOY
Merci.
VINCENT
De rein.
The bellboy leaves, closing the door on his way out. Vincent
walks to the desk and starts to empty his pockets. He tosses
the various items on the desk. He reaches into his coat pocket
to get the amulet.
Nothing. The shock is evident in his face.
He frantically searches all of his pockets. No luck. He looks
around the room, thinking. It comes to him.
IN THE LOBBY - FLASHBACK
Vincent is filling out a registration card. A man comes to the
counter and bumps into him.
MAN
Pardonez-moi, monsieur.
IN VINCENT'S ROOM - BACK TO PRESENT
VINCENT
Oh, shit!
He goes to the window and looks out.
LATER
It's night and Vincent is in bed. The all too familiar BAYING
is keeping him awake. He tries burying his head under the
pillow.
LATER
Daylight fills the room.
Vincent pushes the pillow off. He slowly drags himself out of
bed. He wanders to the door, opens it, and retrieves the
newspaper from the hallway.
He sits in a chair and proceeds to scan the paper.
He comes across an article headlined "MEURTRES DANS LA RUE
MORGUE." SUPER the translation: Murders on Pride Street.
He throws the newspaper down.
VINCENT (V.O.)
What am I going to do now?
EXT. CHATEAU DES FAUSSES FLAMES - NIGHT
Vincent has returned to the scene of the crime.
VINCENT (V.O.)
What am I supposed to do now?
Everything looks the same as before. That is until he comes to
Balfour's grave. It looks like it's been dug up again. Vincent
stops short.
VINCENT
What the hell...
He decides he's got nothing to lose now. He pries the coffin
lid open. A BOLT of lightning illuminates the scene.
The amulet is back in Balfour's skeletal hand. There is what
looks like fresh blood on the skeleton's teeth and hands.
Vincent SCREAMS. His scream is cut short by a load HOWL. He
spins around to try to locate the source of the howl. There's
nothing there.
He runs. The lightning FLASHES again.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
The lightning FLASHES, lighting the house and cemetery.
The HOWL, when it comes, is very loud this time.
INT. MANSION, DRAWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Vincent is kneeling in the dark. He's holding a pistol. He
pops the cylinder open and puts one bullet in. He carefully
snaps the cylinder closed.
He points the gun at his forehead, holds the position.
He re-aims the gun at his temple, holds the position.
He re-aims the gun in his mouth, holds the position.
He can't do it. He drops the gun to the carpet. He hangs his
head and starts to cry.
A large shadow rises up behind him.
CUT TO BLACK:
A beat.
Vincent's final SCREAM is truly blood-curdling.
The End
The Hound is © 1998 Lanny Maude