FADE IN:

EXT. WOODS - DAY

A winter day in the North woods in the late 19th century.

Everything looks so quiet, the blanket of snow virtually 
untouched.  From behind some of the brush, a WOLF pokes out its 
nose.  It is white with startling blue eyes.  It looks 
intelligent.  It proceeds to wander through the woods.

The wolf eventually comes across a pair of HUNTERS.  The hunters 
are carefully scanning the area.  The wolf quietly sneaks by the 
hunters and continues its trek.

                        HUNTER #1
          There it is!

Hunter #1 quickly raises his shotgun to his shoulder.  The 
shotgun BOOMS and the snow near the wolf flies into the air.  
The wolf takes off running.

                        HUNTER #2
          Stop it!  It's getting away!

The shotgun BOOMS again, misses the target again.  The wolf 
continues to run.

EXT. HOUSE, FRONT YARD - DAY

A two-story house nestled among the trees in the woods.

It's a cold day, but at least the snow has stopped falling.  
Richard's servant, ANDREW, is splitting wood in the front yard.  
He swings the axe into the end of a log--THWACK!  Plumes of 
vapor are produced by Andrew's heavy breathing.

EXT. HOUSE, BACK YARD - CONTINUOUS

The back door of the house opens and out steps RICHARD.  He's a 
big man in his fifties, dressed against the cold.  THWACK!  The 
sound can be heard from the front of the house.

Richard looks up at the sky as he closes the back door and steps 
into the snow.  He walks a short distance from the house to stop 
at a headstone.  He slowly drops to his knees and proceeds to 
brush the snow clear of the headstone.  The headstone reads,

                             VICTORIA
                     Beloved Wife and Mother
                            1841-1887

Richard's fingers come to rest on the name.  The axe falls 
again: THWACK!

INT. HOUSE, EDWARD'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

This is a typical bedroom for a family that is wealthy.  The 
room is dim, lit only by the winter light from the window.

MARGARET stands at the window, looking down at Richard.  She's a 
young woman who is completely naked, holding one arm across her 
breasts and one hand on the window frame.

EDWARD is sitting up in the bed.  He's a young man who is naked 
as well, but he has the sheet pulled up to his waist.

                        MARGARET
          He really misses her.

                        EDWARD
          We all do, but Father can't let her go.

                        MARGARET
          He goes out there almost every day.  He's 
          been doing it for years.

Edward gets off the bed and walks to the window where he wraps 
his arms around Margaret from behind.  She closes her eyes and 
leans her head back against Edward.

He slides his hands up to cup her breasts.  He kisses her neck.  
She reaches up and behind so she can interlock her fingers 
behind his neck.  She GASPS as he pinches her nipples.

                        EDWARD
                 (whispering)
          I love the way you feel.

Margaret lets out a slight MOAN as Edward's fingers work.  He 
slides his hands down her sides until they come to a rest at her 
waist.  She stretches out, grabbing the top frame of the window 
with both hands.

EXT. HOUSE, EDWARD'S BEDROOM WINDOW - CONTINUOUS

Margaret's breasts are smashed up against the cold glass.

EXT. HOUSE, BACK YARD - CONTINUOUS

A faint THWACK! is heard in the background.  Richard is still 
kneeling in front of his late wife's headstone.  He lightly 
traces the words with his fingers.

EXT. HOUSE, FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS

The axe swings.  THWACK!  Andrew sets up, swings, THWACK!

INT. HOUSE, EDWARD'S BEDROOM - DAY

Margaret is on the bed underneath Edward.  They are lost in 
passion, MOANING and GROANING.  Their love-making reaches an 
orgasmic peak... then tapers off.  He rolls off of her.

                        MARGARET
                 (playfully)
          Was that to your satisfaction, sir?

                        EDWARD
          Yes, I enjoyed that...

He props himself up on one elbow so he can see her better.  He 
traces a circle around one of her nipples.

                        EDWARD
          ...But you better get back to work cleaning 
          my room.

Margaret reels back in mock indignation and hits him.  He laughs 
and pulls her on top of himself for a kiss.  He kisses her 
lightly, playfully on the lips.  He kisses her on the tip of her 
nose, following quickly with a little nip.  She giggles.

He kisses her very softly on both eyelids, lingering, not 
rushing the moment.  He returns to her lips where she can no 
longer restrain herself.  She kisses him back with such passion 
it's almost startling.

EXT. HOUSE, EDWARD'S BEDROOM WINDOW - CONTINUOUS

The faint sound of Andrew's chopping carries in the still air.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The room is lit entirely by candlelight.  Richard is seated at 
the head of the table.  His sons JOHN and Edward are seated to 
his right.  His daughters ANNE and ELIZABETH are seated to his 
left.  Victoria's chair at the other end of the table is empty.

They are all engaged in insignificant dinner conversation.  
Margaret enters the room wearing her usual maid's uniform and 
starts removing some of the tableware.  As she leans between 
John and Edward, Edward quickly rubs a hand on one of her legs.

INT. HOUSE, EDWARD'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Margaret is sitting astride Edward in bed.  She has undressed 
except for her undergarments.  She is unbuttoning his shirt.  
Unknown to the couple on the bed, the door to Edward's bedroom 
slowly, quietly opens a crack.

IN THE HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Richard carefully peeks in on his son and maid.  His rage builds 
until--

IN EDWARD'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

The door flies open.  Richard points at Margaret who jumps off 
of Edward to grab her dress to cover herself.

                        RICHARD
          YOU!

Margaret gets her dress.  Edward rises from the bed.

                        RICHARD
          GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

                        MARGARET
          What?

                        RICHARD
          OUT OF MY HOUSE!

                        MARGARET
                 (simultaneous)
          But I have nowhere to go.

                        EDWARD
                 (simultaneous)
          Father, you can't be serious.

                        RICHARD
          I will not have you in my house corrupting 
          my sons!

                        EDWARD
          Father, it's my fault!  Don't do this!

Richard ignores his son.

                        RICHARD
          You will go to your room, get your things 
          together, and leave!

Margaret runs out of the room crying.

                        EDWARD
          Father, it's not her fault.  I asked her to 
          my room.

Richard refuses to listen to any argument.

                        RICHARD
          Shut up!

He leaves Edward's room and slams the door shut.  Edward quickly 
puts on the rest of his clothes.

INT. HOUSE, ENTRY - NIGHT

Margaret is standing at the door.  She has a bag in her hand and 
she is in tears.  Richard is standing in front of her and his 
children and butler are watching.

                        MARGARET
          But where will I go?  It's dark and snowing.  
          My parents live more than five miles away

                        RICHARD
          You should have thought of that before 
          seducing my son, you whore.
                 (opens front door)
          Now get out!

He pushes Margaret out into the night.  The kids and butler all 
chime in with their arguments, but Richard is a stubborn man.  
Margaret just looks at him.  She can't believe this is 
happening.

Richard SLAMS the door in her face.  He turns to face the crowd 
behind him.

                        RICHARD
          All of you go to your rooms!

                        EDWARD
          But father--

                        RICHARD
          YOU HEARD ME!  GO!

The crowd disperses to go to their rooms.  Richard heads for the 
sitting room.

IN THE SITTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Richard enters and goes straight for the liquor.  He's always 
had a temper, but this is one of the most extreme things he's 
ever done.

He pours himself a drink before sitting in his chair facing the 
fireplace.  He stares into the flames for a moment then starts 
in on his drink.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Margaret steps off of the porch and into the snow.  It's dark 
and it's snowing lightly.  She is crying softly to herself.  She 
walks away from the house.

INT. HOUSE, SITTING ROOM - NIGHT

Richard gets up from his chair to pour himself another drink.  
He is about to take a sip when he notices his reflection in a 
mirror over the liquor cabinet.  He just holds his glass close 
to his mouth, looking at himself in the mirror.

Finally, he turns his back to the mirror and takes a drink.

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Margaret is not properly dressed for a trek in the snow.  The 
weather quickly takes its toll.  She manages to make it to the 
base of a huge tree where she huddles up next to the tree to 
protect herself from the snow.  She is shivering and crying.

She doesn't notice the white wolf that pokes its head out of the 
brush.  The wolf looks around to see if there are any others in 
the area. Satisfied that Margaret is alone, the wolf transforms 
into man-shape.

He is tall and slender.  He sports maybe a bit more hair than 
the average man and his hair is white.  He has the same blue 
eyes as the wolf.  He is wearing no clothing, yet he is 
unaffected by the cold.

He is in fact a VAMPIRE, and he advances on Margaret.  When he 
speaks, his voice is soothing.

                        VAMPIRE
          What's wrong, child?

Margaret looks up in tears.  If she is surprised to see a naked 
man in the snow, she doesn't show it.

                        MARGARET
          My master threw me out.  I'll never make it 
          home.

                        VAMPIRE
          You're freezing.
                 (kneels fluidly)
          Let me comfort you.

He holds and comforts Margaret for a little while before baring 
his fangs and sinking them into Margaret's neck.

INT. HOUSE, SITTING ROOM - NIGHT

Richard is standing in front of the fireplace.  He is holding a 
half-full glass.

                        RICHARD
          DAMMIT!
                 (throws glass into fireplace)
          ANDREW!

Andrew enters the room immediately.  He knows what his master is 
like, so he was waiting outside the door.

                        ANDREW
          Yes sir?

                        RICHARD
          Go get the boys.  We're going after her.

                        ANDREW
          Yes sir.

He quickly leaves the room.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Richard, Edward, John, and Andrew are all on the front porch 
dressed for cold weather exploration.  It’s going to be 
difficult.  The snow has covered Margaret's tracks.

Richard and John are carrying rifles.  Edward and Andrew are 
carrying lanterns.  Richard addresses his sons quickly.

                        RICHARD
          You boys head south-west.  Stay together.  
          Andrew and I will head west.  Fire two quick 
          shots if you find her, three shots if you 
          run into trouble.  Questions?

                        JOHN
                 (simultaneous)
          No, sir.

                        EDWARD
                 (simultaneous)
          No, sir.

                        RICHARD
          Then go!

The four split up to try to find Margaret.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

John and Edward are searching.  Edward holds the light high, 
trying to see as much as he can.  He's agitated because of his 
emotional connection to Margaret.

                        EDWARD
          MARGARET!
                 (waits listening)
          MARGARET!

                        JOHN
                 (pointing)
          Let's try over that way.

The two head off between the trees.

                        EDWARD
          MARGARET!

ON RICHARD AND ANDREW - CONTINUOUS

It's almost a duplicate of the scene with John and Edward, but 
Andrew's calls don't have the same intensity as Edward's did.

                        ANDREW
          MARGARET!  MARGARET!

Richard is constantly scanning.  It's extremely difficult to 
see.  The dark and snow not only cut visibility, but distort it 
as well.  They continue their search.

                        ANDREW
          MARGARET!

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Anne and Elizabeth look through the window, waiting for someone 
to return.  They can see a light coming toward the house.  
Richard and Andrew come up to the house.  They are defeated.  
The front door opens.  Anne and Elizabeth emerge onto the porch.

                        ANNE
                 (simultaneous)
          What's happening?!

                        ELIZABETH
                 (simultaneous)
          Did you find her?!

                        ANNE
          Where--

Richard puts his hand up to stop his daughters.

                        RICHARD
          Go to your rooms.

                        ANNE
                 (simultaneous)
          Why did--

                        ELIZABETH
                 (simultaneous)
          But what--

                        RICHARD
          PLEASE!
                 (quietly)
          Go to your rooms.

His daughters are obedient.  They hesitate only a moment before 
complying.  He sits on the porch, setting his rifle down.  He 
lowers his head into one of his hands.

Andrew stands by quietly like a good servant.  Off in the 
distance a light advances on the house.  Andrew sees it.

                        ANDREW
          Sir...

Richard looks up and sees the light.  Soon John and Edward are 
visible.  Edward's head and lantern are low.  Richard stands, 
anxious.  John and Edward come to the porch.

                        RICHARD
          Son...

                        EDWARD
          Get away from me!

He continues past the others, entering the house and closing the 
door.  John and Andrew look to Richard for what's next.

                        RICHARD
          We'll search again in the morning.

                        JOHN
          Father, why did--

                        RICHARD
          Let's just get some sleep.  We'll continue 
          in the morning.

Richard picks up his rifle and the three enter the house.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Margaret is frozen beneath the tree.

                        EDWARD (O.S.)
          MARGARET!

He comes into view, looking at Margaret.  He stops, not wanting 
to believe.

                        EDWARD
          No.
                 (a beat)
          NO!

He breaks into a run, dropping to his knees when he gets to 
Margaret.  He touches her frozen features lightly with his 
fingertips.

                        EDWARD
          ...no...

John catches up to him.  John stops and stares.  He doesn't know 
what to say.  Edward gently puts his arms around Margaret and 
hugs her.  Her body is stiff with cold and death.  Richard and 
Andrew join them.

                        RICHARD
          Edward...

Edward looks up at his father, the cause of all of this pain.  
He lets go of Margaret and leaps toward John where he grabs the 
rifle out of John's hands.  He swings the rifle up and points it 
directly at his father's face.

Silence.  Literally, a frozen tableau.

                        EDWARD
          I should kill you.

No one dares move.  Finally, Edward relaxes.  He lowers the 
rifle and then lets it drop from his hand into the snow.  He 
returns to Margaret.  Richard turns to Andrew.

                        RICHARD
          Bring a hand-cart.

                        ANDREW
          Yes, sir.

Andrew hurries off.  Richard and John watch the sad scene in the 
snow.  John retrieves his forgotten rifle.  Edward is in his own 
world, mourning his loss.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The family is once again at the dinner table.  Edward, however, 
is absent.  The diners eat in silence.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

The ground is still covered with snow, but it is no longer 
snowing.

Edward is slowly walking through the woods.  He comes to the 
tree where Margaret was found.  He touches the tree, thinking of 
Margaret not as he last saw her, but when they were happy.  He 
lowers his head in sorrow.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Richard looks out through the French windows.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

The snow-covered tableau looks so quiet and peaceful.

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY

The warm summer sun has long since melted the snow.

EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY

Edward arrives at the graveyard carrying a bouquet of wild 
flowers.  He reverently walks to a grave with a small marker.  
He kneels and places the flowers in front of the marker.  He 
kneels there in silence for a little while before leaving.

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY

The graveyard is covered in snow.  Margaret's small marker is 
completely buried under the snow.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Richard's house.  Unchanged after a year.  It's snowing.

INT. HOUSE, SITTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Richard is sitting by the fire, enjoying a drink.  The CRACKLING 
of the fire is soothing.  He takes a sip from the almost-empty 
glass.  He sets it on the table next to his chair and sits back.

His eyes drift closed briefly.  After a moment, his eyes close 
again.  He fights them open.  That's enough.  Time for bed.  He 
stands and leaves.

IN THE DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Richard enters and walks to the French windows.  He notices the 
curtains were left open so he reaches to draw them.

He pauses, looks out the window.  There's something moving off 
in the distance.  He rubs his eyes before looking again.  
There's a ghostly image dancing in the drifting snow.  Richard 
strains to focus.

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Margaret is dancing in the snow.  She's very pale, almost as 
white as her flowing dress.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Richard recognizes her.  He can't believe it.

                        RICHARD
                 (to himself)
          It's her.
                 (stares a moment longer)
          It's her!

He sprints toward to door.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

The front door bursts open.  Richard pauses in the doorway, 
looking at the image.

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Margaret continues her dance.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

                        RICHARD
          Margaret!

He runs after her even though he's not dressed for the cold.  
She retreats as he advances.  Andrew had heard the commotion.  
He comes to the front door.  He doesn't see Margaret.  All he 
sees is Richard running out into the snow.

                        ANDREW
          Sir!  Stop!

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Richard keeps chasing after something only he sees.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Andrew disappears from the doorway.  He returns shortly, putting 
on a winter coat.  He runs out after Richard.

                        ANDREW
          Sir!

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Margaret is weaving between the trees, moving deeper and deeper 
into the woods.  Richard can't seem to catch up with her.  He's 
breathing heavily now.

Andrew attempts to catch up, but loses Richard in the drifting 
snow.  Margaret suddenly stops, allowing Richard to get within 
range.  He is panting, out of breath.

                        RICHARD
          Margaret...

She gives a little curtsy.

                        MARGARET
          Good evening, sir.

                        RICHARD
          How can this be?  You're...

He can't continue.  The guilt still weighs heavily on him.

                        MARGARET
          I'm what, sir?

He replies quietly, as if telling a secret.

                        RICHARD
          You're dead.

                        MARGARET
          How can that be, sir?  I'm standing right 
          here.

He pauses.  His brain can't put it all together.  She slowly 
advances on him, holding out one hand.

                        MARGARET
          Come... touch me... I'm right here.

She stops right in front of him.  He slowly reaches out and 
touches her hand.  It's solid.  Richard is confused.

                        RICHARD
          I don't understand.  We buried you.

                        MARGARET
          Don't worry about that now, sir.

She steps in close and reaches up to cradle his face in her 
hands.

                        MARGARET
          No need to worry anymore.

She stretches up and kisses him lightly on the lips, then looks 
into his eyes.

                        MARGARET
          Hold me.  It's cold out here.

He slowly, almost mechanically, puts his arms around her.  She 
embraces him back.

After a moment, she brings one arm back around.  She grabs hold 
of his shirt and rips it open.  Margaret bares her fangs and 
sinks them into Richard's chest.  He just stands there, 
seemingly unaware of what's happening.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Andrew returns to the house to find Richard's children all 
waiting at the door.

                        JOHN
          What's happening, Andrew?  Where's Father?

                        ANDREW
          I'm not sure.  I lost him.

Before anyone can get out the questions they want to ask, Andrew 
continues.

                        ANDREW
          Let's go inside.  I'll tell you what I know.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Richard's children and Andrew are seated at the dinner table.

                        ANNE
          Tell us what happened.

The other children all agree with Anne.  Andrew puts a hand up 
to stop the questions.

                        ANDREW
          I'm not sure what happened.  I heard your 
          father yell, but by the time I got to the 
          door, he was all the way to the tree line.

                        ELIZABETH
          Why did he go out there?

                        ANDREW
          I don't know.  It seemed as if he was 
          chasing someone or something.  The last 
          thing I heard him say was...
                 (looks at Edward)
          ...Margaret...

Edward's heart is clenched by an unseen hand.  He has not 
forgiven Richard for Margaret's death.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

The lights are burning in the house as plans are made.

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Silence.  Peaceful, calm silence... suddenly broken by Andrew, 
John, and Edward crashing out of the house wearing their warmest 
clothes, carrying rifles.  They're off to find Richard.  They go 
in three different directions.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

John searches for his father.  He comes across a track in the 
snow where something had been dragged.  He follows the track to 
see Richard propped up against the base of the same tree where 
Margaret was found.

                        JOHN
          Father!

He runs to Richard, looks for signs of life.  He hangs his head 
when he finds Richard is dead.  He mourns briefly before 
standing and FIRING two shots into the air.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Richard's children are gathered around the table.

                        JOHN
          One of the things I don't understand is the 
          track.  He was dragged for over two hundred 
          yards to that tree.  We followed the track 
          all of the way.

Edward knows what John is going to say.

                        EDWARD
          Yes... and there were no footprints.

                        JOHN
          Right.  Whoever dragged him to the tree left 
          no footprints.

                        ANNE
          That's not possible.

                        JOHN
          Possible or not, that's what happened.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Snow covers the ground.  Victoria's headstone sits all alone, 
soon to be joined by--

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Richard's headstone sitting next to Victoria's on a beautiful 
summer day.  There are flowers in front of both headstones.

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Both headstones are now poking up through the snow that blankets 
everything.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The children are relaxing at the table at the conclusion of 
their meal.  Elizabeth glances to the French windows.  She sees 
two faint shapes moving in the drifting snow out on the west 
slope.  She jumps up in surprise.

                        ELIZABETH
          There's someone out there.

They all rise and move to the windows where they see two 
figures: one large, one small.  Edward suddenly cries out.

                        EDWARD
          It's Margaret!

Edward bolts for the door, rips it open.

                        ANNE
          John!  Stop him!

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Edward leaves the house running with John close behind.  John is 
a little older and a little faster.  John tackles Edward into 
the snow.

                        EDWARD
          Let me go!  It's Margaret!

                        JOHN
          No it isn't.  Margaret's dead.

                        EDWARD
          But look...

John ignores him, picks him up out of the snow, and drags him 
back to the house.  Andrew rushes out to help John.  Edward just 
continues looking at Margaret dancing in the drifting snow.

                        ELIZABETH
          Look... it is Margaret.
                 (a beat)
          And Father!

They all stand by the front door looking at the images.

                        JOHN
          It's not really them.  They must be ghosts.  
          That must be what happened to Father.  He 
          saw Margaret's ghost and ran after, just 
          like Edward.

                        EDWARD
          Why are they here?  Why don't they come any 
          closer?

                        ANDREW
          Let's all go in the house.  We'll discuss it 
          inside.

They all move into the house and close the door.

INT. HOUSE, DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

They file around the table and sit down.

                        ANNE
          What are we going to do?

                        JOHN
          I don't know if there's anything we can do.

                        ELIZABETH
          They don't seem to be getting any closer.

Edward gets up.  Everyone watches as he goes to the windows.  He 
stares out at the figures.

                        ANDREW
                 (whispering)
          I think we should stay out of the snow at 
          night.

The others at the table nod their agreement.  Edward slowly 
draws the curtains.

                                                   FADE TO BLACK.



                             The End