SALEM
by
Lanny Maude
FADE IN:
EXT. DANVERS, MASSACHUSETTS - PRESENT - DAY - ESTABLISHING
The words "Danvers, Massachusetts" FILTER INTO VIEW.
A beat.
The words "Formerly known as..." FILTER INTO VIEW.
FADE TO:
EXT. SALEM VILLAGE - 1692 - DAY - ESTABLISHING
The words "Salem Village" FILTER INTO VIEW.
A beat.
The words FADE AWAY.
A beat.
The date "1692" FILTERS INTO VIEW.
A beat.
The date FADES AWAY.
HANNAH CHAPMAN is being dragged down the street by EPHRAIM
TUTTLE as some of the villagers watch. No one intervenes.
Hannah's wrists have been tied behind her back. Her blonde hair
is ratty and she's streaked with dirt, as if she's tripped a
couple of times. If she was cleaned up, she'd be an attractive
young woman.
Ephraim is the Witch Finder General. He's dressed a bit more
flamboyantly than the other villagers. He looks straight ahead,
not concerning himself with the activities of mere mortals.
HANNAH
Somebody, please help me. I have done
nothing wrong.
The villagers do their best to ignore her. They don't want to
get involved.
EXT. COURT HOUSE - DAY
Ephraim pulls Hannah to the court house.
HANNAH
Please let me go. This must be a mistake.
He opens the door and roughly shoves her through.
HANNAH
NO!
He follows, closing the door behind himself.
EXT. SALEM VILLAGE - DAY
Just another day in Salem. Life goes on...at least for the
other villagers.
INT. COURT HOUSE - DAY
The three village magistrates, JOHN MINOR, NATHAN FOX, and JAMES
BURROWS, are sitting in front of Hannah.
Hannah is standing. She has no choice. She's been tied to a
rope threaded through a pulley in the rafters. If the rope was
pulled much tighter, it would lift her feet off of the floor.
Ephraim is standing next to Hannah. He's making his case with
the magistrates against Hannah.
EPHRAIM
I have been performing my duties as Witch
Finder General for long enough to know when
I encounter a witch.
HANNAH
'Tis a false accusation. I have done none
of things he claims.
EPHRAIM
Silence, witch.
Nathan stands.
NATHAN
We have heard the evidence presented by Mr.
Tuttle.
Ephraim nods. As far as he's concerned, the case is closed.
Nathan continues.
NATHAN
But the accused continues to deny the
charges. There is one sure method to
determine guilt or innocence.
Hannah and Ephraim look at Nathan, wondering where this is
going.
NATHAN
We must look for the mark of Satan.
Ephraim is quick to agree.
EPHRAIM
I will abide by your findings.
Hannah, on the other hand, is mortified.
HANNAH
No. You can not do this. I am innocent.
Please do not do this.
John and James stand and start to advance toward Hannah.
NATHAN
If you are innocent child, you have nothing
to fear.
He nods to Ephraim, who pulls out a knife and closes on Hannah.
HANNAH
No...no...please, no...
Ephraim cuts her clothes and tears them off to expose he body.
Hannah hangs her head in shame and despair.
HANNAH
...no...no...no...
The four men investigate Hannah's skin, looking for the mark of
Satan. It doesn't take them very long to see that she has
unusually flawless skin. They move away from her and huddle
together to determine the next step. They speak quietly.
JOHN
I've never seen anything like it.
JAMES
Her skin is so perfect. Not a mark to be
found.
NATHAN
I agree. This looks like one case where Mr.
Tuttle is wrong.
Ephraim is rattled. He is never wrong. He must always win. He
quickly devises a new plan.
EPHRAIM
My dear magistrates. I put it to you that
what you see proves that she is a witch.
NATHAN
On what do you base that.
EPHRAIM
On the fact that perfection is not possible.
JOHN
Explain.
EPHRAIM
That her skin is perfect is the work of
Satan. Rather than leave his mark, which we
might find, he has removed all marks.
They think about it.
JAMES
You may have something.
They all turn to look at Hannah, who's head still hangs, shaking
in denial. Her voice is almost inaudible.
HANNAH
...no...no...no...
EXT. DUCKING STOOL - DAY
Hannah has been tied to the ducking stool. It is a device used
to hold a person under water. It is sometimes used to determine
guilt or innocence. It is sometimes used for torture to force a
confession.
This time it is being used for an execution.
The three magistrates and Ephraim stand by the main support of
the ducking stool.
An EXECUTIONER is holding the other end of the ducking stool
arm, keeping Hannah suspended above the river.
There are a number of villagers watching, but none of them want
to get too close. No one wants to come under the notice of the
Witch Finder General.
NATHAN
Hannah Chapman, you have been found guilty
of the crime of being a witch.
Hannah's face is obscured by her hair because her head is
hanging. Her head is no longer shaking. She's accepted her
fate.
NATHAN
You are sentenced to die by drowning, the
sentence to be carried out immediately.
No response from Hannah.
NATHAN
May God have mercy on your soul, even though
you turned your back on Him in this life.
Hannah looks up at the four men who have condemned her.
Nathan looks at the executioner and gives a slight nod.
The executioner releases the mechanism to send Hannah plunging
into the river.
HANNAH
You basta--
SPLASH!
Hannah goes under.
Everyone is absolutely silent.
When the bubbles cease rising to the surface, Nathan signals the
executioner to raise Hannah.
The executioner raises the stool, but to everyone's shock, the
stool is empty.
The men on the riverbank look at each other as nervous sounds
come from the villagers.
The executioner swings the stool to the riverbank and rushes to
inspect it. He finds the ropes still tied to the stool. He
addresses the magistrates.
EXECUTIONER
I don't understand. The ropes are intact.
Ephraim thinks quickly. He faces the villages and raises his
voice.
EPHRAIM
This proves she was a witch. Behold...
He gestures toward the stool.
EPHRAIM
...Satan has reclaimed her for his own.
The nervous villagers want nothing to do with it. They start to
disperse.
The men on the riverbank look at the stool. They are not really
sure what has just happened.
EXT. RIVER - DAY
Meanwhile, down river, Hannah quietly surfaces near the bank.
She looks up river to make sure that she has escaped undetected.
She climbs out of the water and sneaks into the woods to hide.
EXT./INT. CAVE - DAY
She comes across a small cave. She's wet and cold so she
collects some wood for a fire. She takes the wood into the cave
and organizes it into a pile.
She sits in front of the wood pile and closes her eyes. She
holds her hands together in front of herself, concentrating.
She suddenly spreads her hands then claps them together.
The wood pile bursts into flames.
She huddles in next to the fire to warm and dry herself.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Nathan is riding a horse. He's on his way to another village to
conduct some business. He comes around a bend to find Hannah on
the trail. He reins the horse to a stop.
NATHAN
Whoa...
He doesn't recognize her. For one, she's cleaner than she was
the last time he saw her. And her hair is no longer blonde,
it's dark.
They look at each other.
HANNAH
Good day to you, sir.
NATHAN
Might I ask, young lady, what you are doing
out here. And without an escort.
HANNAH
I was merely taking a walk. It is such a
fine day.
NATHAN
You know you are a long way from town.
HANNAH
I don't mind. I enjoy the woods.
He looks more closely at her. Is that recognition in his eyes?
NATHAN
I don't believe I've seen you around here
before.
HANNAH
I have only just recently moved to the area.
He studies her a bit more.
NATHAN
You shouldn't be out here by yourself.
He licks his lips without even realizing it.
NATHAN
You are a very attractive young lady.
HANNAH
Sir, think of your wife.
NATHAN
Why should I? I don't see her here.
She gets playful.
HANNAH
Would you like to see a trick?
NATHAN
A trick? Take care. Someone may accuse you
of witchcraft.
She laughs.
HANNAH
Don't be silly. Come down here so I can
show you.
NATHAN
As you wish.
He slides down off of the horse.
HANNAH
Now hold your hands out in front of you...
She demonstrates, holding her arms straight out, palms together.
HANNAH
...like this.
He complies.
NATHAN
Like this?
HANNAH
Yes.
She puts her hands over his hands. The effect on him is almost
electric.
HANNAH
Now close your eyes.
He just looks at her a moment.
She rubs his hands and pushes a little more.
HANNAH
Close them...
He finally closes his eyes.
She continues rubbing his hands
HANNAH
Now just relax.
He does what he's told. Of course, it helps that he has fallen
under her spell.
She looks up and a rope starts snaking its way down from a thick
branch to where she's standing. The rope reaches her. She
makes a quick circular motion around his hands before moving
closer to him and putting her hands on his face.
The rope wraps around his wrists as she soothes him.
HANNAH
Relax...relax...relax...
She steps back. She raises her hands and the rope tightens,
pulling his hands over his head. It continues until his feet
are a few inches above the ground.
She undoes his trousers and lets them bunch down to his feet.
She pulls out a small metal device from one of her pockets. She
holds it in one hand while waving the other hand over it. She
then blows on the end. The end glows bright red.
She takes the device and presses it onto one of his buttocks.
He gives no indication that he's being branded.
When she pulls the device away, there's a horned figure branded
onto his skin.
HANNAH
How's that for the mark of Satan?
She blows on the device again, and it immediately cools enough
so that she can put it away.
She walks around to face him again.
HANNAH
Don't worry. I'll be sure to report that I
saw a witch bound in the woods.
She reaches back and lets forth with a mighty slap across his
face. This breaks the spell.
As he's fighting his way to full consciousness, she takes the
reins of the horse and leaves. He's left there alone, hanging
in the woods with his trousers down at his ankles.
And with the mark of Satan on his ass.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. BRIDGE - DAY
John is crossing the bridge that spans the river. He sees
someone, he can't make out who, coming from the other direction.
The two meet in the center of the bridge. The other person is
Hannah.
HANNAH
Good day to you, sir.
JOHN
Good day--
He really looks at her.
JOHN
Do I know you?
She smiles at him.
HANNAH
You should. You sentenced me to die for
being a witch.
His eyes grow wide.
JOHN
Oh my--
She draws a hand across her mouth.
His mouth keeps moving, but no sound comes from it. He stops
trying to talk and looks at her, terrified.
HANNAH
No need to let everyone know I'm back.
We'll keep this between the two of us.
She motions with one hand and he flips off of the bridge, into
the river. She clenches her fist over the water. She looks
down so she can see him trapped, eyes wide, looking back at her.
She holds him there until his body shudders in death. She
unclenches her fist and he floats away down river.
She continues across the bridge as if nothing happened.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT./INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Hannah approaches James' house. She's carrying a bag. She
finds an open window then hunkers down and opens the bag. She
pulls out a snake.
She rubs the snake's head, then she closes her eyes and rubs her
eyelids. She keeps her eyes closed.
POV the snake as she holds it up and drops it in the house
through the open window. It crawls along until it finds James'
hand on the floor next to the bed.
Outside, Hannah smiles. This is too easy. Her eyes are still
closed.
Inside, the snake bites James on the wrist.
James yells as the snake slithers under the bed. He holds his
wrist as he gets out of bed. He goes to the window so he can
look at his wrist in the moonlight.
The two puncture wounds are oozing blood.
James howls again and tries to run from the house. He crashes a
couple of times, but he finally makes it to the door. He opens
the door and Hannah is standing there.
JAMES
Help me! A snake bit me. Get the doctor.
Hannah holds out her hand.
HANNAH
Let me see.
He extends his wrist so she can see.
She takes his hand and looks briefly at his wrist. Then she
looks up.
HANNAH
You don't need a doctor.
He is panicking.
JAMES
What? What do you mean?
She is calm when giving her response.
HANNAH
'Tis too late. By the time a doctor sees
this, you will be dead.
JAMES
What?
HANNAH
Yes, the only one who can help you now is a
witch.
JAMES
A witch?
HANNAH
Too bad you had them all killed.
JAMES
Wha--
He starts convulsing.
She lets go of his hand as he sinks to the ground. She kneels
next to him and extends her hand into his house. When she pulls
her hand back, she's got the snake. She holds the snake where
he can see it with his dying eyes.
HANNAH
Thank you for caring for my snake, kind sir.
His only response is a gurgle before he dies.
She takes her snake and disappears into the darkness.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ephraim is sleeping, snoring only slightly.
There is a movement in the darkness in his room.
Hannah appears to separate herself from the darkness and walks
to the bed. She looks down on the cause of her recent troubles.
HANNAH
I've saved something special for you.
She very lightly touches a spot between his eyes. She waves her
hands over his face.
He no longer snores.
She continues, moving her hands back and forth a few inches
above his body. She works her way from his head to his feet.
When finished, she returns to his head where she once again
touches a spot between his eyes.
She bends down and listens for breathing. Nothing.
HANNAH
Perfect.
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
A GRAVE DIGGER is putting the finishing touches on the grave
that he's just filled.
GRAVE DIGGER
Dying in your sleep must be the easiest way
to go. Wouldn't you agree Mr. Tuttle?
He collect all of his gear and leaves.
Soon, Hannah detaches from the trees bordering the graveyard and
approaches Ephraim's grave. She's carrying a black flower.
She reaches the grave and lays the flower on it.
HANNAH
Are you ready, Mr. Tuttle?
She closes her eyes. She puts out her hands and waves them over
the grave.
INT. COFFIN - CONTINUOUS
All is quiet in Ephraim's coffin...until Ephraim starts snoring.
Then the snoring stops and Ephraim makes a slight moaning noise.
Just the sounds of waking.
EPHRAIM
How can it be so damn dark?
He tries to sit up and...
WHAM!
He hits his head on the coffin lid.
EPHRAIM
Ow!
He feels around, discovers his confinement. His next words are
shaky with terror.
EPHRAIM
What's happening? Where the hell am I?
HANNAH (O.S.)
I hope you find death as much fun as I have.
She laughs.
EPHRAIM
What? No! Nooo...
EXT. GRAVEYARD - CONTINUOUS
She's the only one who can hear Ephraim.
EPHRAIM (O.S.)
...Nooo...
She smiles and stands.
HANNAH
I hope that teaches you not to interfere in
things that you do not understand.
EPHRAIM (O.S.)
...Nooo...
She starts to walk away, but stops. She turns to face the grave
again.
HANNAH
Of course, for you the lesson is a bit late.
EPHRAIM (O.S.)
...Nooo...
She walks away, ignoring the cries that only she can hear.
FADE TO BLACK.
The End
Salem is © 2001 Lanny Maude