RED RIDING HOOD
Written by
David Leslie Johnson
REVISED FIRST DRAFT
July 16, 2009
FADE IN:
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
FLAMES fill the SCREEN. Then: the gentle voice of an
OLD WOMAN, barely more than a whisper...
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
I am a common woman. I was born
in a common cottage in a common
village. My life would likely be
no different from yours, were it
not for the most uncommon events
that occurred during the winter of
the Year of Our Lord Thirteen
Hundred and Twenty-five. I
learned many things that winter.
About people. About love. But
mainly, I learned about loss.
A MAN tosses a piece of wood into the flames, which turns
out to be a LARGE CAMPFIRE.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
To this day, I am the only person
that I know to be living who knows
the whole truth about that
horrible time. This is my tale.
CAMERA PULLS BACK, revealing THREE KNIGHTS, beleaguered,
scarred, returning from the Crusades. Their armor is in
disarray, adorned with souvenirs from the Middle East.
They're camped in a clearing, their cart pulled to a
nearby roadside. LIGHTNING flashes in the distance.
One of them, a TEENAGE BOY who looks like his sword might
weigh more than he does, hitches a nervous HORSE to a
tree. He strokes the horse's neck, calming.
Then: A WOLF HOWLS in the distance. The Boy suddenly
looks nervous, too. He quickly joins the others at the
campfire -- a FAT KNIGHT (30s) and an OLD KNIGHT.
TEENAGE BOY
Did you hear that?
FAT KNIGHT
Hear what?
The wolf HOWLS AGAIN. The Boy shivers, fearful.
TEENAGE BOY
The innkeeper told me --
(CONTINUED)
2.
CONTINUED:
FAT KNIGHT
I know what he told you. He told
you about the Wolf. The Beast of
Villiers la Croisée.
(off Boy's look)
The people of that village have
been spreading that nonsense since
before you were a tickle in your
daddy's prick. I'd give you a
whipping for believing it if I
thought it would do any good.
The Old Knight stares into the fire, then speaks.
OLD KNIGHT
I used to travel these woods.
They told the same stories then
that they do now. Only I heard
them from a man who actually saw
the beast with his own eyes.
FAT KNIGHT
Half the people in these parts
claim to have seen it.
OLD KNIGHT
This man claimed it was the last
thing he ever saw. The Wolf took
his eyes. And half his face.
(off their looks)
I saw his scars and empty eye
sockets. His skin looked like it
was on inside-out. It didn't seem
to me like the kind of thing a man
would make up a story about.
He shrugs. His companions exchange an unnerved look.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT (LATER)
It's raining now. The Knights sleep underneath the cart
for shelter. Lightning FLASHES.
Then, from O.S., the horse gives a series of frightened
NEIGHS. The Boy stirs, but by the time he awakens, there
is only the sound of the RAIN. Did he imagine it? He
reluctantly decides to venture out to investigate.
The Boy hurries over to where he tied the horse... but
all he finds is the empty rope blowing in the wind. In a
FLASH of lightning, he sees that the horse is gone.
Then he hears something. A strange GNAWING sound.
TEARING and POPPING. He slowly turns...
(CONTINUED)
3.
CONTINUED:
Not far away, he makes out a shape in the darkness. The
horse is on its side, WHEEZING helplessly. And there's
something crouched next to it. We can't make out what it
is, only a MAN-LIKE SHAPE, shrouded in shadow.
Whatever it is, it's eating the horse alive.
The Boy steps away in horror, then hurriedly stumbles
back to his companions and frantically shakes them awake.
FAT KNIGHT
What the devil are you --?!
TEENAGE BOY
Wait, wait! Be quiet!
He raises a hand. He's heard something. They listen.
FOOTSTEPS. Approaching through the mud. The Boy's hand
clutches a dagger, but the Fat Knight reaches out and
stays him, terrified. The Boy follows his look.
We never get a good look at THE FIGURE walking toward
them. But what the men see scares them shitless. It
stops near the cart. The men huddle together, watching
as it slowly starts to walk around the cart --
-- then suddenly jumps atop it. The Figure is now above
them. With each step it takes, the boards of the wooden
cart CREAK and bend under its weight. A long beat.
Then the Figure jumps down again, landing behind the men,
startling them. It pauses. The men cower, shivering...
Suddenly, the cart is flipped over as if it weighed
nothing, revealing the terrified Knights beneath it.
Lightning FLASHES. A shadow falls over them.
The men scramble to their feet, but the Old Knight slips
in the mud. The Boy stops to help him, but then the Old
Knight starts screaming, something GROWLS, and the Boy
stops short at what he sees. The Fat Knight runs.
TEENAGE BOY
Wait! We have to help him!
The Fat Knight ignores him. The Old Knight shrieks. We
hear the same TEARING and POPPING that this thing made
while eating the horse. The Boy quickly looks around...
... sees a curved Arabian scimitar lying in the mud,
fallen from the overturned wagon. He grabs it and as the
Fat Knight runs, the Boy stands his ground. He hefts the
blade. He's young, but he has used this before. A lot.
Rain beats down on his face and lightning FLASHES as he
confronts the thing that is devouring the Old Knight.
(CONTINUED)
4.
CONTINUED: (2)
The Fat Knight runs through the forest without looking
back. He hears a loud HOWL behind him and runs faster.
Then he hears the Boy SCREAMING and blind panic sets in,
his head filled with the sounds of his HEAVY BREATHING
and RUNNING FOOTFALLS in the mud and crashing THUNDER.
He's running so fast he nearly falls into the RUSHING
RIVER that crosses his path. He quickly looks for a way
to cross. The river is gorged and the water is moving
fast. Then, in a flash of lightning, he spots it --
A fallen tree spans the river. The Knight hurries to it.
The bark is smooth and slick from the rain. He can't
stand on it. He has to crawl. He edges out on his hands
and knees, his eyes flicking nervously at the waters
surging underneath him. He has almost made it across...
... when he hears a LOW SNARL. He freezes. Looks back.
Lightning FLASHES. The Figure, still obscured to us,
stands on the riverbank behind the Knight. It GROWLS.
The Knight tries to crawl away, but slips and nearly
falls in the river. Then suddenly, the tree beneath him
begins to move. He hangs on for his life and looks back.
The Figure is on the tree behind him, slowly closing in.
He starts to crawl, slips again. No way he can get away.
He looks down into the racing river waters. Then back at
the Figure closing in. The choice is clear. The Fat
Knight dives headfirst off the tree --
-- but he never hits the water. Something grabs him by
the legs and stops him short. He cries out and looks up
at the thing that is dangling him helplessly above the
water. He weeps. Then, abruptly --
-- he is yanked up out of sight.
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
A BUTCHER quickly and expertly cuts the throat of a pig
that has been hung upside down by its hind legs. It
kicks and squirms as it bleeds out into a pan.
VILLAGERS bustle along a muddy road. A MERCHANT sells
his wares. Dogs run and BARK. A DISHEVELLED MAN locked
up in the stockade. A BLACKSMITH's hammer CLANGS.
On the surface, a typical medieval village. But
something is wrong here. A pall hangs over the place.
The people are subdued, beaten. A TITLE comes up:
FRANCE
1324
(CONTINUED)
5.
CONTINUED:
There's a SIGN in the village green. Hanging from it is
a wood plank with a crude drawing of a moon on it, three-
quarters full. The moon has a vaguely sinister face...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - DAY
A tiny spider spins its web. CAMERA RACKS FOCUS to a
pretty 17-year-old GIRL gazing up at it. Her name is
ISABELLE. She scoops the spider up, watches it crawl
around on her hand, fascinated.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY
The home of a medieval peasant. Isabelle's mother,
SUZETTE (late 30s), and sister, LUCIE (18, plain-
looking), work in the garden. They look up as Isabelle
emerges from the cottage, daintily carrying the spider.
LUCIE
Honestly, Isabelle. Just kill it.
ISABELLE
I can't. It's the fifth
commandment. Thou shalt not kill.
Lucie rolls her eyes. Isabelle crouches, letting the
spider crawl off her hand. She watches it skitter away,
then calls to Suzette, feigning nonchalance:
ISABELLE
I'm going to take Father some
water.
SUZETTE
All right. Don't be long.
Isabelle smiles, grabs a bucket and ladle, and anxiously
heads toward the village. Lucie watches her go, dubious.
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
Isabelle struggles to draw water from a well. Even
toiling and sweaty, Isabelle's beauty stands in stark
contrast to her squalid surroundings.
A CARPENTER building a timber-framed structure notices
his TWO YOUNG APPRENTICES (late teens) casting distracted
glances in her direction. He calls out to her, smiling.
CARPENTER
Hey, there! Let one of these
young lads get that for you.
(CONTINUED)
6.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
I can do it myself.
The Carpenter smiles. Of course she can.
EXT. NEW FIELD - DAY
The village WOODCUTTERS are chopping down trees and
hauling away the lumber. A GROUP of them are in the
midst of what looks like a serious conversation.
Isabelle approaches them with the bucket of water. One
of them turns and sees Isabelle. His name is CESAIRE
(handsome, 40s). He hides his dour expression and gives
Isabelle a big smile. She smiles back.
ISABELLE
Mother thought you might be
thirsty.
CESAIRE
That was very thoughtful of her.
He gives her a knowing look as he ladles a drink from the
bucket. Isabelle's gaze drifts from him to another
woodcutter, working off by himself. His name is PETER
(21, darkly handsome, almost dangerous-looking).
He makes eye contact with Isabelle for a moment, then
wipes his brow and calls out to the WOODCUTTER BOSS.
PETER
I'm taking a break.
WOODCUTTER BOSS
A break? Does that mean you're
going to start working?
The other Woodcutters LAUGH. Peter walks away.
Isabelle's gaze lingers on him too long. Cesaire
notices, not entirely comfortable with what he sees...
EXT. WOODS - PATH - DAY
Not far from where the Woodcutters work, Peter waits,
impatient. Soon Isabelle approaches, smiling. He takes
her in his arms, kissing her. She holds him tight.
PETER
I was afraid you weren't coming.
ISABELLE
You should know better than that.
(CONTINUED)
7.
CONTINUED:
He kisses her again, nibbling her neck. Isabelle opens
her eyes, smiles up at him. Touches his face.
ISABELLE
I think my sister's starting to
suspect something.
PETER
Do you think she'll tell your
father?
ISABELLE
I don't care. I wish she would
tell him. I want everyone to
know. Besides, my father likes
you.
PETER
Of course he does. Right up until
the point where he figures out
what I'm doing with his daughter.
Peter glances back and Isabelle follows his look.
Through the trees, she sees her father and the group of
grim Woodcutters, still in serious conversation.
ISABELLE
What's going on?
PETER
You haven't heard?
(off her look)
Three men. They found them this
morning just off the Center Road.
At least they think it was three
men. There wasn't enough left to
piece them back together.
A long beat as Isabelle takes this in. Then:
ISABELLE
Was it the Wolf?
PETER
Could it have been anything else?
Isabelle shudders. No, it couldn't have been.
PETER
We should have killed that monster
a long time ago.
ISABELLE
I know. You say that every month.
(CONTINUED)
8.
CONTINUED: (2)
He gives her a grim smile, then kisses her. She kisses
him back, then tries to stop kissing him. It's not easy.
ISABELLE
I'd better go.
PETER
Same time tomorrow?
ISABELLE
Don't get used to this. I start
my sewing lessons next week.
PETER
You really think you can go all
day without seeing me?
ISABELLE
I'll manage somehow. Pride is a
cardinal sin, by the way.
PETER
I can think of worse sins I could
be committing.
She gives a cautioning look, then leaves with a smile.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAWN
The VILLAGE HERALD is changing the plank on the moon
sign. He replaces the picture of the three-quarters moon
with a picture of a half moon, its face indifferent.
HERALD
Half full! Half full!
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAWN
Suzette is putting bread and cheese into a basket.
Isabelle pulls on a drab hooded cloak.
SUZETTE
You mind your grandmother,
understand? You're her student
now, the same as the other girls.
ISABELLE
Yes, Mother.
Suzette hands her the basket with a proud look.
SUZETTE
My last baby has grown up.
9.
EXT. VILLAGE - CROSSROADS - MORNING
Isabelle watches a DEAF BOY perform simple sleight of
hand magic tricks. His name is CLAUDE (14). She
applauds his performance and hands him a coin. He makes
it 'disappear,' then smiles big and runs away.
A crazy old woman, LUCRECE, shoots Isabelle a look.
LUCRECE
You're only encouraging him.
ISABELLE
I know.
THREE GIRLS (ages 16-18) approach: ROXANNE (round-faced,
cheery and instantly likable), PRUDENCE (practical,
serious), and ROSEMARIA (pretty, arrogant, flirtatious).
A playful PUPPY tags along. Prudence and Rosemaria look
tired, but Roxanne greets Isabelle with a big smile.
ISABELLE
You look happy.
ROXANNE
Aren't you excited?
PRUDENCE
It's too early to be excited.
ROXANNE
I'm just trying to look on the
bright side.
ROSEMARIA
Well, stop it before somebody
hurts you.
The girls have a laugh at Roxanne's expense.
EXT. VILLAGE - OUTSKIRTS - MORNING
The girls leave the village on a trail that leads through
the dark forest. The puppy stops at the edge of the
forest. Then it WHINES and refuses to follow.
EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - MORNING
The trail stretches out in front of the girls as far as
they can see. Rosemaria walks with Roxanne. Prudence
hangs back with Isabelle, brimming with juicy gossip.
(CONTINUED)
10.
CONTINUED:
PRUDENCE
Did you hear about her and the
Darley brothers?
ISABELLE
Oh, no! Which one?
PRUDENCE
Both! On the same night!
Isabelle gives an incredulous look and Prudence tries to
contain her laughter. Rosemaria hears and looks back at
them. She scowls at Isabelle.
ROSEMARIA
Why does your grandmother have to
live so far away?
ISABELLE
What's the matter, Rosemaria?
Having trouble walking?
Prudence laughs. Roxanne frowns, disapproving.
Rosemaria shoots Isabelle a dirty look.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAY
The girls cross a little wooden bridge that spans a
BABBLING brook and follow the trail to a large cottage,
well past its prime. Chickens CLUCK and peck around it.
An OLD WOMAN opens the door and waves to them. She's
stooped and withered, but her eyes are bright and
beautiful. She wears a blue belted gown and a necklace
with a crucifix on it. This is Isabelle's GRANDMOTHER.
GRANDMOTHER
Well, stop dawdling. Come on,
come on.
The girls hurry inside, but Grandmother stops Isabelle.
GRANDMOTHER
Your mother has warned you not to
expect any special treatment from
me?
ISABELLE
Yes, ma'am.
Grandmother eyes her a moment longer, then breaks into a
smile and surreptitiously hands her a bright red apple.
(CONTINUED)
11.
CONTINUED:
GRANDMOTHER
Well, then your mother doesn't
know me very well, does she?
Isabelle smiles as Grandmother ushers her inside.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAY
Grandmother works a pair of knitting needles, casting
loops of red wool yarn onto one of them, a BLACK CAT
resting on her lap. Her bedchamber is hidden by a
beautiful veil embroidered with palms and pomegranates.
The girls sit facing her, watching as she knits. Then:
GRANDMOTHER
There. This is going to be my
foundation. Everything I do now
will build off of this.
She shows the row of stitches to Roxanne.
GRANDMOTHER
Roxanne, is this a good
foundation?
ROXANNE
I don't know.
GRANDMOTHER
Why not?
ROXANNE
Well... you haven't told us what
you're making.
GRANDMOTHER
There's something else I haven't
told you. I haven't told you why
I'm making it. Before you begin
any task, you must first always
ask yourself why.
ROSEMARIA
Why?
The girls laugh. Grandmother gives her a patient smile.
GRANDMOTHER
Because understanding why you are
doing something is the key to
doing it successfully. So, before
we begin today, let's be certain
that we have a good foundation.
Who can tell me why you are here?
(CONTINUED)
12.
CONTINUED:
PRUDENCE
To become seamstresses. To learn
how to sew and mend clothes.
GRANDMOTHER
That's what you are doing. But
why are you doing it?
Blank looks. None of them have ever considered this.
GRANDMOTHER
Isabelle, your sister studied with
me last winter. What does she do
now?
ISABELLE
She works with the women.
GRANDMOTHER
Why don't you work with them?
ISABELLE
I don't know how to yet.
GRANDMOTHER
And how does that make you feel?
Isabelle thinks for a moment, then has an insight.
ISABELLE
Like a child.
Grandmother gives her a smile, then continues.
GRANDMOTHER
You will be coming here every day
for the next three months. During
that time, I will teach you
everything you need to know to be
productive members of our
community. But there is something
far more important that will also
be happening here.
All the girls are paying close attention now, but
Grandmother seems to be speaking directly to Isabelle.
GRANDMOTHER
You will be proving your worth and
learning your place in the world.
And I promise you, when you leave
here for the last time, you will
never feel like a child again.
13.
EXT. VILLAGE - OUTSKIRTS - DUSK
The four girls return to the village along the forest
path. Waiting for them is Peter. Isabelle pretends to
not notice him. As they pass, he calls out to her:
PETER
I need to talk to you.
Isabelle turns to face him, trying to stay nonchalant.
ISABELLE
What about?
Peter just looks at her for a beat. Isabelle turns and
sees that the other girls have stopped to watch.
Isabelle shoots them a look. The girls take the hint and
leave. When they've gone, Peter walks up to Isabelle.
PETER
When were you planning on telling
me?
ISABELLE
Telling you what?
PETER
That you're engaged to be married
to Henri Smith.
Isabelle gapes at him, stunned and confused.
ISABELLE
Henri Smith? Is this a joke?
PETER
Look at me. Just look at me and
tell me you didn't know.
She looks at him and sees it in his eyes. He's serious.
ISABELLE
Who told you this?
PETER
Your father.
Off Isabelle's look...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
The family is gathered around the table. Isabelle and
Lucie listen to their parents in stunned silence.
(CONTINUED)
14.
CONTINUED:
SUZETTE
It's all been arranged. Your
marriage to Henri will settle our
debt to his father.
Isabelle nods, shaken. Cesaire sees that she's upset.
SUZETTE
We know that you and Peter have
become friends. But you have
adult responsibilities now. That
means putting your family's
interests ahead of your own.
ISABELLE
So Henri Smith is in the family's
interest and Peter is not?
CESAIRE
Peter is a fine young man.
ISABELLE
But what? He's poor? He's an
orphan?
SUZETTE
He's not one of us. His parents
were outsiders.
ISABELLE
Why? Because they hadn't lived
here since Noah built the ark?
SUZETTE
You mind your tongue.
Isabelle is about to respond, when she notices something.
Lucie is crying. A beat. Lucie looks up at her parents.
LUCIE
Do you realize how this makes me
look? I'm older than her by more
than a year. If anyone should be
getting married in the spring,
it's me.
Everyone is taken aback. Lucie storms out of the
cottage, angrily wiping tears. Isabelle watches her go.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
Cesaire smokes his pipe, troubled. Suzette sits nearby.
(CONTINUED)
15.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE
This was your idea. Now I have
both of them hating me.
In the loft, Isabelle and Lucie are in bed... but
Isabelle only pretends to be asleep so she can eavesdrop.
SUZETTE
We knew Isabelle was going to be
stubborn. It wouldn't be like her
to simply do as she's told. She's
too much like her grandmother.
CESAIRE
That she is. What about Lucie?
SUZETTE
She's a good girl, but she's still
a child. Talk to her. You're her
father. She'll listen to you.
Isabelle glances over at Lucie... and sees that she's
been eavesdropping, too. Lucie turns away, embarrassed.
Isabelle gives her a sad look.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY
There's a knock at the door. Isabelle answers, revealing
HENRI (18). He's tall and good-looking, but still
awkward in his body. Isabelle eyes him, a little aloof.
HENRI
Hello, Isabelle.
ISABELLE
Hello, Henri.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - DAY
Isabelle and Henri walk in awkward silence. Then:
HENRI
So I suppose you've heard.
ISABELLE
Yes. My parents are very pleased.
HENRI
And you? Are you pleased?
ISABELLE
It's a very generous arrangement.
(CONTINUED)
16.
CONTINUED:
Not the answer he was hoping for. Another awkward beat.
HENRI
Do you have any other feelings
about it? About me?
ISABELLE
I'm not sure. We've never really
talked that much.
HENRI
I know. That's why I asked you to
walk with me. I wanted to talk.
ISABELLE
What for?
HENRI
Well... because we're going to be
husband and wife soon.
ISABELLE
Not until the spring festival.
That's months away. A lot can
happen in a few months.
Henri seems disappointed. She sees this and reconsiders.
ISABELLE
All right. What would you like to
talk about?
HENRI
I'm not really sure. I brought
you this.
He reaches into his pocket and offers Isabelle a flower.
She takes it, suddenly blushing. But just then, she sees
Peter walking toward them with another WOODCUTTER.
ISABELLE
Well, I'm glad we had this
conversation.
Isabelle abruptly turns and walks away, leaving Henri
surprised and a little hurt. She passes Peter, her eyes
averted. He glances back at her as she and walks away...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle is helping Suzette prepare dinner, but she's
purposefully ignoring her mother. Suzette notices.
(CONTINUED)
17.
CONTINUED:
SUZETTE
You know, I had a sweetheart when
I was your age, too.
Isabelle looks up, intrigued in spite of herself.
Suzette smiles slyly at her reaction.
ISABELLE
What happened?
SUZETTE
Nothing happened. My parents
arranged for me to marry your
father and that was the end of
that.
ISABELLE
Didn't you want to marry your
sweetheart?
SUZETTE
Of course, I did. But there's
more to marriage than being in
love. Love doesn't always last
and it certainly doesn't fill your
children's bellies in the winter.
ISABELLE
You've never wished you could have
married that other boy?
SUZETTE
Not even once.
Isabelle eyes her, still uncertain.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Isabelle prays in front of an altar with prayer candles
on it. Peter kneels next to her and lights one of them.
PETER
We need to talk.
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
Isabelle and Peter stand behind the church, out of sight.
Peter looks off toward the woods, his back to Isabelle.
PETER
You have to go through with it.
You have to marry Henri.
(CONTINUED)
18.
CONTINUED:
Isabelle takes a step toward him. She hesitates,
gathering her nerve to speak. Then:
ISABELLE
I don't care what my parents want.
They don't own me. I love you.
PETER
That doesn't matter.
ISABELLE
It does to me. Doesn't it matter
to you?
PETER
It's not our decision to make.
ISABELLE
You sound like my mother.
PETER
Then maybe you should start
listening to your mother.
(off her look)
It's over. They had to find out
eventually. Don't turn this into
something that it's not. We had
our fun, but that's all it ever
was.
Isabelle looks up at him, shocked and confused.
ISABELLE
I don't believe you.
PETER
Go home, Isabelle. Go home and
grow up.
Isabelle gapes at him. Peter walks away.
ISABELLE
I don't believe you!
He doesn't look back. She watches him go, heartbroken.
EXT. CREEK - DAWN
Cesaire bathes in a cold stream. The sun is just barely
rising, rays of light shining through the trees. He
smiles. It looks like the start of a beautiful day.
19.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAWN
The village is bustling with activity, but there's a
palpable tension. The picture on the moon sign is of a
three-quarters moon... but then the Herald changes it to
a picture of a FULL MOON with a cruel, malevolent face.
HERALD
Full moon! Full moon! Full moon!
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - MORNING
Isabelle emerges from the cottage. Roxanne, Prudence,
and Rosemaria are outside waiting on her. They all start
toward the village, but then Isabelle sees something...
In the shadows next to the cottage, Cesaire is giving
Lucie a stern lecture. Lucie turns and sees Isabelle.
Her face is ashen and there are tears in her eyes.
Isabelle starts toward them, but Cesaire stops her.
CESAIRE
This doesn't concern you,
Isabelle.
ISABELLE
Yes, Father.
Isabelle reluctantly turns and walks away. The girls
follow her. Roxanne gives Lucie a concerned look.
EXT. VILLAGE - MORNING
The girls walk through the village. Isabelle is lost in
thought, stung by her father's brusk dismissal.
ROXANNE
What's wrong with Lucie?
ROSEMARIA
How would you feel if you were in
love with your sister's fiancée?
Isabelle stops short and gives Rosemaria a sharp look.
ISABELLE
Lucie is not in love with my
fiancée.
ROSEMARIA
Really? So she's just had a crush
on him since she was ten?
(CONTINUED)
20.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
As if she would really tell you
something like that.
ROSEMARIA
She didn't. She told my sister.
(off Isabelle's look)
Did you honestly not know?
Isabelle clearly had no idea, but tries to hide it. Just
then, they walk by the blacksmith's shop where Henri
works with his father, ADRIEN. Henri smiles at Isabelle.
ISABELLE
Come on. We're going to be late.
She turns away. Rosemaria gives her a smug look.
EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - DAWN
The girls are walking down the path to Grandmother's
cottage. Rosemaria lags behind, tired and grumpy.
There's a fork in the path and Rosemaria stops at it. A
SMALLER PATH branches off into the forest, overgrown and
narrow. Rosemaria looks at it for a beat...
Roxanne suddenly notices that Rosemaria isn't with them.
She looks back and sees her start down the other path.
ROXANNE
Rosemaria...?
The other girls stop and hurry back to the fork, dismayed
to find Rosemaria headed down the overgrown path.
ISABELLE
What are you doing?
ROSEMARIA
What does it look like?
ISABELLE
You can't go that way. You have
to stay on the path.
ROSEMARIA
This way is faster.
PRUDENCE
But it's not safe. My brother
says the bridge is rotten.
(CONTINUED)
21.
CONTINUED:
ROSEMARIA
I don't care. It's bad enough
working all day in that smelly
cottage. It's not reasonable for
them to expect us to walk that far
every day on top of that.
She walks away, defiant. The girls look nervous. Then:
PRUDENCE
If you get lost, nobody will come
looking for you. Not tonight.
This last part gives Rosemaria pause. She looks down the
narrow path. It suddenly seems a little ominous.
Grudgingly, she returns to the group. The other girls
exchange quiet looks of relief. They continue on.
The wind blows leaves across the abandoned path...
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAY
The girls are busy with sewing and knitting projects.
Grandmother helps Roxanne at the spinning wheel. Then:
GRANDMOTHER
Everyone finish what you're
working on. Your parents will be
worried if you're not home before
it starts to get dark.
The girls begin packing up their work. Prudence sighs.
PRUDENCE
I wish someone would just kill
that stupid wolf.
ROXANNE
You can't just kill it. It's not
an ordinary wolf. It's a devil-
wolf. A servant of Satan himself.
Prudence rolls her eyes. Whatever.
ROSEMARIA
Who cares what it is? It's only
one night a month. You stay
inside, lock up the animals, and
you don't go into the forest.
It's never killed anyone from the
village and as long as we leave it
alone, it never will.
(CONTINUED)
22.
CONTINUED:
GRANDMOTHER
My goodness. I had no idea our
young people were so woefully
uneducated these days.
(off their looks)
Our village was not always like
this. When I was young, this was
a very special place. Traders and
merchants came here from lands I'd
never heard of selling things I
had never seen. King Philip the
Bold even visited here once. But
that, of course, was before the
Wolf came.
The girls listen attentively.
GRANDMOTHER
Your parents fear the Wolf because
they remember when it did kill
people from the village. Break
down doors in the middle of the
night and snatch children right
out of their beds. Rumors began
to spread that we were cursed.
That was when our village began to
die. And that was why my husband
led a group of men into the woods
to kill the Wolf. But instead, it
killed him.
Isabelle reacts. She has never heard this story before.
GRANDMOTHER
After that, people here didn't
have much stomach to go hunting
for it anymore. But something had
changed. The Wolf stopped killing
in the village. Even our
livestock were usually safe as
long as they were brought inside.
So we decided it was safer to
compromise. We gave the Wolf its
one night a month, the night of
the full moon, and it has left us
alone ever since.
ISABELLE
People still die.
ROSEMARIA
Yes, but nobody we know.
(CONTINUED)
23.
CONTINUED: (2)
GRANDMOTHER
Everyone knows what should be
done. But it's not always easy to
do what you know is right.
Sometimes it's easier to settle
for being safe.
Isabelle frowns, unsatisfied.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - DAY
Villagers hurriedly bring their sheep and pigs into their
homes. Doors are shut and barricaded. Cesaire is
outside the family cottage, nailing the shutters closed.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DUSK
Isabelle's family sits at the dinner table in silence.
Cesaire sets mugs of beer out for everyone. Lucie numbly
picks at her food, doesn't touch her beer. Isabelle
works up her nerve to say something and turns to Suzette:
ISABELLE
You were right. About Peter. I
was being childish.
(BEAT)
But I'm not going to marry Henri.
Cesaire and Suzette stop eating. Suzette levels a cold
look at Isabelle.
SUZETTE
You'll do as you're told. It's
all been arranged.
ISABELLE
The family gains the same no
matter which one of us marries
him. And I don't love Henri.
Lucie does.
Lucie looks up, surprised to be dragged into this.
ISABELLE
She's right. It's not fair. I
will gladly trade places with her.
A beat. Then, without looking up, Lucie whispers:
LUCIE
Shut up.
Isabelle is stung, the smile wiped from her face.
(CONTINUED)
24.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
I'm sorry... I...
LUCIE
Please. Just shut up and mind
your own business.
A tense beat. Isabelle looks away, hurt and confused.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - NIGHT
Isabelle is fast asleep. Next to her, Lucie looks over
at her. She's wide awake. She sneaks out of bed...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Lucie carefully sneaks down from the loft and quietly
puts on a RED RIDING HOOD. She accidently kicks a pan on
the floor and puts a hand down to silence it. She
listens to hear if anyone has awakened. Nothing.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
Lucie slips out of the house. She shivers in the cold,
pulls the riding hood around her. FULL MOON in the sky.
The village looks deserted, a ghost town. Eerie, still,
dark. The moon-sign swings in the breeze, CREAKING on
its rusty hooks. Lucie hurries away toward the woods...
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
Lucie nervously walks along the road leading away from
the village. She startles at every sound. She looks up.
The full moon is visible in the sky above her through the
skeletal branches of the dark trees...
She comes to the overgrown path that the girls stopped at
earlier. Lucie takes a deep breath and starts down it...
EXT. GULLY - NIGHT
Lucie reaches an OLD ROPE BRIDGE. It spans a deep gully
and a fast-moving river strewn with jagged rocks. Lucie
gives the bridge a nervous look and starts across it...
The boards CREAK loudly under her feet. The bridge sways
in the wind. She carefully makes her way across, only
breathing when she is safely on the other side.
25.
EXT. WOODS - CLEARING - NIGHT
Lucie comes to a grassy meadow bathed with moonlight.
She stands in the middle of it, next to a large rock, and
looks all around. She's alone, cold and afraid. Then...
... she takes off her riding hood, folds it, and places
it on the rock. She begins to disrobe, folding her dress
and her undergarments and stacking them in a neat pile.
Soon she's standing naked, her arms clutched around her
breasts, shivering with cold. And fear.
CAMERA PULLS BACK from this lonely naked figure until the
dark branches of the trees obscure her from view. Then,
somewhere, a WOLF HOWLS in the night...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - DAWN
Isabelle wakes up, groggy. Lucie's bed is empty.
EXT. DARK FOREST - DAY
Children are playing, a BOY chasing several giggling
GIRLS, growling and waving his hands like claws.
BOY
I'm the Wolf! I'm going to eat
you up!
EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - DAY
One of the Girls runs into the meadow and sees something
that makes her stop short. The other Children gather
behind her, all frozen by what they see...
CROWS are picking at a bloody carcass. All we can see of
it is a human hand. A crow gnaws on one of the fingers.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAY
The girls are at their lessons. Suddenly, there's an
urgent KNOCK at the door. Everyone stops, surprised.
Grandmother answers it. It's a YOUNG MAN, sweaty and out
of breath from running.
GRANDMOTHER
What on earth --?
The Young Man glances at Isabelle. Something about the
look in his eyes makes Isabelle go pale...
26.
EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - DAY
Isabelle hurries into the clearing with Roxanne,
Prudence, and Rosemaria trailing behind her. A crowd has
gathered. She pushes through it, then stop short.
Lucie is dead. We don't see what's been done to her, but
Roxanne turns away and vomits. Cesaire and Suzette are
already here. He holds her as she cries on his shoulder.
Isabelle just stares at Lucie's body, shattered.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Isabelle is curled in a fetal ball on the bed, clutching
Lucie's cloak to her chest. She's cried her eyes out.
Grandmother sets down a cup of tea. As Isabelle watches,
Grandmother sprinkles a pinch of dark herbs in the tea.
GRANDMOTHER
It's my little secret. A pinch
will help you rest. A little more
and you'll sleep through the end
of the world.
Grandmother smiles. Isabelle smiles back, weak.
ISABELLE
I think I'd like that.
EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
Two men, the Merchant and the REEVE, gossip by the well.
MERCHANT
She had it coming, if you ask me.
What the hell was she doing out
there?
Then they notice that Isabelle is right behind them,
drawing a water from the well. Both men shift
uncomfortably, but she pretends she didn't hear.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY
Lucie's body lies on the table. Isabelle watches as
Suzette and Grandmother bathe the body. Suddenly,
Grandmother stops. She's found something clutched in
Lucie's hand. A troubled look comes over her...
ISABELLE
What is it?
(CONTINUED)
27.
CONTINUED:
GRANDMOTHER
Nothing.
Grandmother curtly wraps what she's found in a washcloth.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Lucie's funeral. Cesaire and Suzette sit with Isabelle,
who holds Grandmother's hand. The other girls are here,
too. Roxanne sits with her mother, MARGUERITE, and
Claude, the deaf boy we saw performing magic. The
priest, FATHER AUGUSTE, conducts the service.
FATHER AUGUSTE
Wherefore each man and woman that
is wise, make him ready thereto;
for we all shall die, and we know
not how soon...
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
Villagers leave the church. Claude is playing in the
cemetery. Father Auguste frowns, disapproving.
Marguerite sees this and angrily pulls Roxanne aside.
MARGUERITE
Take your brother home.
Embarrassed, Roxanne quickly grabs Claude and drags him
away, but he fights her, crying and kicking.
Isabelle's family is met by Henri and his father, Adrien.
ADRIEN
She was a good girl. We all loved
her.
He's looking at Cesaire and shakes his hand, but he
briefly glances at Suzette. Isabelle notices the look,
but then she spots Peter leaving the church. She makes
brief eye contact with him before Henri interrupts.
HENRI
I'm here for you, too.
But her gaze follows Peter as he walks away...
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - DAY
ATTEWATER, the town bailiff, presides over a gathering of
the Villagers. Isabelle, Suzette, and Grandmother sit
with Cesaire, who is angrily addressing the crowded room.
(CONTINUED)
28.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE
A line has been crossed. The
beast must be destroyed!
MERCHANT
Your daughter crossed the line.
She went into the woods.
CESAIRE
She was taken. She must have
been!
MERCHANT
So the Wolf broke into your home
and stole your daughter without
waking anyone or leaving any sign
at all?
REEVE
It's been almost thirty years
since someone here was killed by
the Wolf. We've left it alone.
Why would it suddenly come and
take one of us now?
Grandmother gathers her nerve and stands up.
GRANDMOTHER
I know something.
Cesaire and Suzette give Grandmother surprised looks.
She walks up to the table and hands Attewater the wadded
up washcloth we saw her with earlier.
GRANDMOTHER
I found this. I believe it must
belong to her attacker.
Attewater unfolds the washcloth. There are a few strands
of hair inside. He gives her a sharp look.
ATTEWATER
This is not animal hair.
GRANDMOTHER
No, it isn't. It's human.
A stunned silence comes over the room.
ATTEWATER
No man could have done the things
that were done to your
granddaughter. It must have been
the Wolf.
(CONTINUED)
29.
CONTINUED: (2)
GRANDMOTHER
Yet she was holding a man's hair
in her hand when she died.
ATTEWATER
What are you suggesting?
GRANDMOTHER
That the man and the Wolf may be
one and the same.
A low MURMUR works its way through the crowd.
ATTEWATER
A werewolf.
FATHER AUGUSTE
It would explain much. The Pope
himself has declared that such
creatures exist.
The thought gives everyone pause.
MERCHANT
Even if you're right, it doesn't
help us. The woods are filled
with hermits and strangers. If
there's a werewolf among them, how
will we find it?
ATTEWATER
There are experts in these
matters. Men who find and try
witches and werewolves. We could
request the Church to send
someone.
Grandmother gives him a sharp look.
GRANDMOTHER
Not someone. You're talking about
Father Solomon.
This sends a ripple of comment through the room.
ATTEWATER
He is the Church's most successful
werewolf hunter.
ADRIEN
But what of his methods? The man
once burned down an entire village
just to root out one witch.
(CONTINUED)
30.
CONTINUED: (3)
ATTEWATER
Unsubstantiated rumors. The
Church has appointed him the
Witchfinder General of all
Christendom.
FATHER AUGUSTE
That is also unsubstantiated.
Attewater eyes him, but Father Auguste stands his ground.
ATTEWATER
I have the utmost confidence in
the ability of the Witchfinder
General to determine the nature of
the beast and put an end to it. I
will dispatch a messenger in the
morning.
CESAIRE
Even if Father Solomon agrees to
help us, it will take weeks for
him to get here. That means
another full moon. Maybe two.
We must defend ourselves.
A long, silent beat. Then, Henri stands.
HENRI
He's right. The beast broke the
peace, not us.
(TO CESAIRE)
I will help you kill it.
Henri's father gives him a surprised look. But after
another long beat, the Reeve stands up, too.
REEVE
As will I. We all will.
Henri is nervous, but tries to appear brave for Isabelle.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAWN
Isabelle is about to leave when she sees Lucie's red
riding hood. She gives it a solemn look.
EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - DAWN
A light snow has fallen. The girls are walking to
Grandmother's house, but Isabelle sadly lags behind, lost
in thought. She's wearing Lucie's red riding hood.
(CONTINUED)
31.
CONTINUED:
Roxanne waits for Isabelle and offers her hand. Isabelle
smiles sadly and takes it. Prudence and Rosemaria let
them catch up, then they continue on together...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle returns home. Suzette is making dinner, but
stops short when she sees Isabelle in Lucie's red cloak.
SUZETTE
Who gave you permission to wear
that?
ISABELLE
Nobody. I just --
SUZETTE
Your Grandmother made that for
Lucie. Take it off.
Isabelle hesitates, then does as she's told. Suzette
snatches the cloak away from her. A beat.
ISABELLE
It was folded when they found her.
Her clothes, too. Did you notice
that?
SUZETTE
Someone must have folded them.
A beat. Isabelle is reluctant to voice her thoughts...
ISABELLE
She was so unhappy.
Suzette turns, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
SUZETTE
What are you saying?
ISABELLE
Maybe she went into the woods on
purpose. Maybe she wanted to die.
Suddenly: Suzette slaps her across the face. Hard.
SUZETTE
Lucie's soul is at peace with God.
Don't you ever again suggest
otherwise.
Suzette turns away in tears. Isabelle is stunned
speechless.
32.
EXT. PETER'S COTTAGE - DAY
Isabelle trudges through the mud toward a ramshackle
cottage. If there had been train tracks in the
fourteenth century, this place would have been on the
wrong side of them.
Isabelle gathers her nerve and knocks on the door. A
long beat. The door opens. It's Peter. He gives her a
surprised look. She looks up at him, choking back tears.
PETER
Are you all right?
ISABELLE
I'm sorry. I just need to talk to
someone. Can I come in?
Peter balks. Just then, a figure appears. Isabelle
can't believe her eyes... It's Rosemaria. She's
standing behind Peter, but it's clear that she's naked.
ROSEMARIA
No. You can't.
She wraps an arm around Peter's waist. Isabelle gives
him a stricken look and runs away. Peter watches her go.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DUSK
Lessons are over. The girls are ready to leave except
for Isabelle, who sits alone by the fire. Rosemaria
gives her a sly look as she leaves. When the girls have
gone, Grandmother sits down next to Isabelle.
ISABELLE
I hate the cold. Why can't we
have lessons in the summer?
GRANDMOTHER
I suppose that would be easier.
But then that would defeat the
purpose. People only change when
things are difficult.
Isabelle gives her a look, understanding, then turns
away. Grandmother puts a hand on her shoulder and then
leaves her alone. Isabelle stares into the fire...
INT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Roxanne comes home to a shocking scene: her mother,
Marguerite, half-naked and wrapped in a blanket,
(CONTINUED)
33.
CONTINUED:
viciously beating Claude with a switch. Roxanne
hurriedly pulls her off of him and he runs away.
MARGUERITE
I caught the little bastard
watching us!
ROXANNE
Watching what?
Just then, the Merchant enters from the bedroom,
adjusting his clothes. He hesitates when he sees
Roxanne, then drops a handful of coins on the table and
leaves. Marguerite puts the coins in a leather purse.
Roxanne glares at her.
MARGUERITE
It's money, isn't it? You could
make twice this your first time.
They pay more for virgins.
Roxanne recoils in disgust and storms out in tears.
EXT. VILLAGE - DUSK
The full moon sign swings in the wind, a few flakes of
snow whipping through the air around it.
INT. BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE - DUSK
Adrien picks up a hammer and a pickaxe. He hands the
hammer to Henri, fixing him with a serious look.
ADRIEN
Don't do this for Isabelle. She
can't marry you if you're dead.
HENRI
(LYING)
I'm not doing it for her.
ADRIEN
Your mother would be proud to see
the man you've become.
Henri is moved. He nods, at a loss for words.
INT. TAVERN COTTAGE - DUSK
Not so much a tavern as the home of someone who decided
to brew some beer and sell it. Cesaire stands before a
group of men. They've all had too much to drink.
(CONTINUED)
34.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE
My father died trying to kill the
Wolf. For forty years, we have
lived in fear of it. But no more.
And never again. We don't need a
Witchfinder General to rid of us
this hell-hated beast. Because by
God and all that is holy, the
Beast of Villiers la Croisée shall
die tonight!
The men CHEER.
EXT. VILLAGE - DUSK
Cesaire leads the drunken group through the streets. The
rest of the Villagers line the streets, watching them go.
Claude tries to join the hunters, thinking it's a game,
but Roxanne quickly catches him. Peter shakes his head
at the dubious spectacle. Henri sees him.
HENRI
You're not coming with us?
PETER
Are you joking? These fools are
as likely to kill each other as
they are anything else.
Henri shoots him an angry look before moving on.
Isabelle and Suzette say goodbye to Cesaire. Isabelle
sees Peter through the crowd and quickly looks away.
Just then, Henri and Adrien pass by. On impulse,
Isabelle runs up and kisses Henri on the mouth. When
she's sure that Peter has seen this, she quickly walks
away. Henri gives Peter a gloating look. Peter scowls.
EXT. DARK FOREST - DUSK
The Men have taken up positions just inside the treeline,
one of them every twenty feet, surrounding the village.
They each have lit torches. CAMERA FINDS Henri crouched
in the brush. Cesaire walks along the line of men.
CESAIRE
Get that torch out.
Henri douses his torch.
35.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
The full moon is high in the night sky. Snow is falling.
CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES over the anxious face of the hunters.
Adrien, clutching his pickaxe. The Reeve. The Merchant.
The Carpenter. Shivering from cold and jangled nerves,
staring wide-eyed into the dark and silent woods...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle lies in bed, but still awake. Suddenly... a
wolf HOWLS outside. Her eyes widen.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
The Reeve hears it. He clutches an old sword. Nearby,
the Merchant cowers in the brush. Adrien listens as the
wolf HOWLS over and over, louder each time. The
Carpenter nervously peers out from his cover...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - NIGHT
The HOWLING is getting closer. Isabelle goes to the
window, opens the shutter, cautiously peers out... and is
startled by a HORRIBLE SCREAM in the distance.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
The Carpenter hears the SCREAM, too. He runs toward it
and finds an extinguished torch on the ground. There are
footprints in the snow. And blood. The brush around him
RUSTLES and he jumps to his feet, axe held at the ready --
-- but it's just the other Men, led by the Reeve.
REEVE
Who was that screaming?
CARPENTER
I don't know.
MERCHANT
Look.
He's gone pale. The others follow his look. There's a
LARGE PAW PRINT in the snow. The Men stare at it.
Suddenly, the same SCREAM pierces the night, this time
coming from deeper in the woods. The Men exchange a wary
look, but then start after it.
(CONTINUED)
36.
CONTINUED:
They run into a still clearing where the snow-covered
brush is as high as their waists. They pause and listen.
Only silence. They carefully make their way in the
direction of the screams, quiet. Frost-brittle leaves
CRUNCH under their feet...
Suddenly -- something is moving in the brush. All they
can see is the snowy brush violently shaking as it darts
off, almost faster than it can be followed with the eye.
It races right by the Merchant, knocking him on his ass,
but it's gone before he can get a look at it.
He startles as the Reeve pulls him to his feet.
REEVE
Which way did it go?
The Merchant points a trembling finger. The Reeve
plunges into the brush after it and the Men follow.
EXT. DARK FOREST - HILLSIDE - NIGHT
The Reeve leads the Men to the foot of a steep and rocky
hill. It's a dead end. But then they hear the SCREAMS
again. The Men look up at the hillside.
CARPENTER
The caves. It's in the caves.
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
The Men stand in the mouth of a wide cave, relighting
their torches. The SCREAMING echoes from inside. The
Carpenter raises his torch. The cave is as deep and dark
as a monster's throat. The Men crowd start inside...
The SCREAMING continues, unnerving the Men as they
approach. Then they come to a fork in the tunnel. The
SCREAMS bounce off the stone walls. Impossible to tell
where it's coming from.
REEVE
Split up. Two groups.
Half the Men take one fork, half the other. We follow
the Reeve's group down a narrowing passageway. The Men
crowd together, hunched low. The SCREAMS seem to be
getting louder. The Reeve stops, listening.
He turns toward a low crack in the cave wall. The
SCREAMS are coming from inside. He shines his torch
inside, lowers his head, and walks toward it. The cave
(CONTINUED)
37.
CONTINUED:
floor takes a steep dip. He has to keep one hand on the
wall to keep from falling...
Then suddenly, his feet skid on a patch of loose pebbles
and he loses his footing. He slides down the steep
floor, drops his torch, hands flailing, unable to stop
himself, and then --
-- he finds himself falling off a low cliff into the
darkness. He tumbles head over heels down a rocky slope
and splashes hard in a shallow underground river. The
torch rolls off the ledge above and falls on the shore
amidst a shower of grit and pebbles.
The Reeve gets up, grimacing in pain, grabs the torch.
He shines it around... and sees Adrien. He's leaning
against a rock, the ground beneath him wet with blood
spreading from a dark wound between his legs.
Reeve rushes to his side and crosses himself when he sees
the wound. Then: a low, menacing, GROWL. He turns...
There's a huge, SNARLING GRAY WOLF behind him. Adrien's
pickaxe juts from between its shoulder blades.
Reeve freezes, suddenly realizing that he's dropped his
sword. He splashes around in the river, blindly feeling
for it in the water. The wounded animal growls, blood
bubbling from between its teeth. Reeve finds the sword --
-- just as the wolf attacks.
EXT. VILLAGE - OUTSKIRTS - DAWN
Silence. The sun is starting to light the sky, revealing
a peacefully glistening blanket of snow on the village.
The Men are returning from the woods. Isabelle and
Suzette are among the Villagers breathlessly awaiting
them. No way of telling whether they met with success or
failure. But as they near...
... we can see Reeve leading the group, carrying a pike
with the wolf's severed head on it. The Villagers CHEER,
but the Men are weary and subdued. Suzette and Isabelle
find Cesaire. He hugs them tight.
Suddenly, a woman GASPS. Then they see: the Men are
carrying Adrien's body on a travois. Suzette chokes back
her reaction. Henri walks with the body, eyes red and
cried out. He passes Isabelle without looking at her.
38.
EXT. BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE - DAY
Henri hammers at a red-hot iron horseshoe. Isabelle
enters. Henri doesn't seem to notice. A hesitant beat.
ISABELLE
I heard your father wounded the
beast. He was a brave man.
HENRI
Did you hear what it did to him?
It chewed off his private parts.
Isabelle had not heard this. Henri doesn't stop working.
HENRI
And I did nothing. I was too
scared. I couldn't move. I just
let my father be eaten alive.
She moves toward him, but he shrugs her away.
HENRI
No. I don't want you here.
Isabelle gives him a sad look, then leaves. Henri just
keeps hammering away on the anvil.
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
A coffin is lowered into a grave. Father Auguste blesses
it. Henri stands at his side. Isabelle is here with
Roxanne. Lucrece eyes Isabelle, then whispers to her:
LUCRECE
I thought your mother would be
here. They used to be quite
close.
Isabelle gives her a sharp look, but Lucrece says nothing
more. Isabelle looks down at the coffin with a sudden
realization...
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY
Suzette is soaking clothes in a bucket of lye, crying as
she works. Isabelle approaches. Suzette quickly wipes
her eyes. A beat. Isabelle gathers her nerve, then:
ISABELLE
You told me you had a sweetheart
before you were married. It was
Henri's father, wasn't it?
(CONTINUED)
39.
CONTINUED:
Suzette freezes. She faces Isabelle, but doesn't answer.
ISABELLE
Lucie was in love with Henri. She
could have married him.
(off Suzette's look)
Couldn't she have?
SUZETTE
We arranged for you to marry him.
ISABELLE
But you gained the same no matter
which one of us married him. So
why did it have to be me?
SUZETTE
I think you know the answer to
that question.
ISABELLE
No. You say it.
Suzette's eyes well up. Then:
SUZETTE
Lucie was Henri's half-sister.
She was not your father's
daughter.
Isabelle suddenly looks ill. Reluctant, she asks:
ISABELLE
Am I? Do you even know?
SUZETTE
Yes. I was already pregnant when
your father and I married.
ISABELLE
Does he know?
SUZETTE
No. And he must never know.
Tears spill down Isabelle's cheeks. She walks away.
SUZETTE
Isabelle!
(BEAT)
Promise me you won't tell him.
Isabelle gives her a look that doesn't promise much. She
leaves without answering.
40.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Grandmother ladles soup into a bowl and brings it to
Isabelle. Isabelle's eyes are red from crying.
GRANDMOTHER
I've found that there's no burden
that doesn't at least seem a
little lighter on a full stomach.
ISABELLE
I don't know what to do. She
wants me to pretend like I don't
know. How am I supposed to go on
living in that house?
GRANDMOTHER
You have a right to be angry with
her. But try not to hate her.
Too much hate will eat you alive.
Isabelle nods and rests her head on Grandmother's
shoulder.
EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT
As Isabelle enters the village, she hears LAUGHING and
CAROUSING. Every cottage in the village is dark. Except
one. Isabelle gathers her nerve and turns toward it...
INT. TAVERN HOUSE - NIGHT
Isabelle tentatively enters. There aren't many people
here, just Marguerite and a few ROWDY MEN making a lot of
noise. Isabelle instantly sees what she's here for:
Cesaire is slumped in a corner, drunk and passed out.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Isabelle steers Cesaire through the doorway and drops him
into the bed next to Suzette. He's already half-asleep.
Suzette gives Isabelle a silent look, then turns away.
Isabelle sighs. She sits next to Cesaire and kisses his
forehead. As she stands, he clumsily takes her hand.
CESAIRE
You're a good girl.
Isabelle allows a sad smile, places his hand back on his
chest, and leaves.
41.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY
The wolf's head has been placed atop a stake. Children
throw rocks at it. Isabelle watches with Roxanne and
Prudence.
PRUDENCE
I heard there's going to be a
festival on the night of the next
full moon. To celebrate.
ROXANNE
A festival? I've never been to
one!
PRUDENCE
My father says he hasn't seen one
since he was a boy.
ROXANNE
It's strange, isn't it? You think
because things have been a certain
way your whole life that they'll
always be the same. Then
overnight everything just changes.
But Isabelle is distracted. Amidst the morning bustle,
she sees Rosemaria laughing with Peter. Roxanne notices.
Just then, they hear HORSES approaching. A lot of them.
Everyone stops what they're doing, listening, suddenly
apprehensive. The girls turn toward the sound and see...
... A DOZEN SOLDIERS in identical armor, silver helmets
gleaming in the sun, riding into the square atop armored
steeds. The Villagers gape at them in awe.
The Soldiers ride escort to a WHITE COACH with a red
cross on it, drawn by two horses: one white, one black.
A FIGURE rides inside, cloaked in darkness. Isabelle
gives it an uneasy look.
Leading the Soldiers is the CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD, his
helmet adorned with a blood-red plume. He brings the
caravan to a halt in front of the Merchant's shop.
CAPTAIN
This is Villiers la Croisée?
MERCHANT
Yes, my lord.
CAPTAIN
Summon your bailiff. My master
would speak with him at once.
(CONTINUED)
42.
CONTINUED:
MERCHANT
Of course, my lord. May I ask to
what does he owe this honor?
CAPTAIN
He requested the services of His
Eminence, the Witchfinder General.
You may tell him that he has
arrived.
All eyes turn to the figure in the coach. Only a
bejeweled hand is visible, resting on the coach's window.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY (LATER)
A Soldier places a wooden step next to the coach and
another opens the door. The whole village has turned
out, but they're keeping their distance. Even Attewater,
standing front and center, seems uneasy.
The figure emerges from the coach. A grizzled man with
penetrating eyes and a black beard, wearing a strange
amalgam of priestly white robes and decidedly un-priestly
battle armor. A broadsword hangs from his hip, the hilt
depicting Christ on the cross. With the sword sheathed,
the cross is upside-down. This is FATHER SOLOMON.
ATTEWATER
This is indeed an honor, Your
Eminence.
Solomon makes no response. His eyes are on the severed
wolf's head on display. Attewater smiles proudly.
ATTEWATER
As you can see, our werewolf
problem has been dealt with.
SOLOMON
That is no werewolf.
Surprise and outrage ripple through the crowd. Isabelle
and Roxanne exchange a shocked look.
SOLOMON
When a werewolf dies, it returns
to its human form. If what you
killed was a werewolf, then you
would have a human head skewered
atop that pole.
REEVE
And I suppose you've seen this? A
wolf turning into a man?
(CONTINUED)
43.
CONTINUED:
Solomon levels a look at the Reeve and slowly walks
toward him. The Reeve is taller, but Solomon is, without
doubt, the bigger man. The Reeve's eyes flick nervously
to the armored Soldiers and their swords. A beat.
SOLOMON
My wife's name was Pénélope. She
was very pretty. And we were very
happy.
The Reeve tries to keep the confusion off his face.
Attewater and Father Auguste exchange uncertain looks.
SOLOMON
We lived in a village not unlike
this place. And not unlike this
place, our village was plagued by
a werewolf. I went out with some
men to hunt it. It never even
occurred to me that we might
actually find it. But we did.
He has everyone's attention now. All eyes are on him.
SOLOMON
It attacked me. All I saw were
yellow teeth. I hacked at it with
an axe and suddenly it was gone.
There was blood on my axe. I had
cut off one of its paws. I picked
it up and put it in my sack.
(BEAT)
When I returned home in the
morning, I found my wife with a
bloody rag tied around her left
wrist. And when I opened my sack,
the werewolf's paw was gone. This
is what I found in its place.
Solomon takes an old leather sack from his belt, reaches
inside... and pulls out a WOMAN'S MUMMIFIED HAND wearing
a wedding ring. There are gasps from the crowd.
SOLOMON
Her name was Pénélope. She was
very pretty. And we were very
happy. Until the day I killed
her.
Solomon turns and gives Attewater a hard look.
SOLOMON
Your werewolf is still alive. And
I promise you, it will kill again.
44.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Soldiers stand at every door. Solomon and Attewater sit
in front of the gathered Villagers. Solomon's Captain
stands behind him. Isabelle nervously notes that the
Captain wears a spiked flail. The black iron ball is
shaped like a skull with spikes coming out of it.
SOLOMON
I have examined the body of your
blacksmith. There were bruises on
his neck from where the beast held
him in its jaws, squeezing his
throat so that he could not
scream.
CESAIRE
But he did scream. We all heard
him.
SOLOMON
Only when it wanted you to. It
used him as bait to lure you into
the bit of theater it had
prepared.
HENRI
Theater? My father is not
playacting. He is dead.
REEVE
And I killed the beast that did
it.
SOLOMON
That's what it wants you to think.
It did kill your blacksmith. But
the animal that you killed was not
the werewolf.
REEVE
There was blood dripping from its
teeth.
SOLOMON
The blood was its own. The
werewolf most likely wounded it
earlier in the evening and left it
in the cave for you to find and
kill.
CESAIRE
'Most likely,' he says. Have you
ever heard anything more unlikely
in your lives?
(CONTINUED)
45.
CONTINUED:
The Villagers laugh. Lucrece eyes them, disapproving.
ATTEWATER
Your Eminence, if what you say is
true, that we were somehow fooled
by this thing, it could not have
done so without foreknowledge of
our plan to hunt it.
SOLOMON
That's correct. The werewolf does
not live in the forest as you have
rather naïvely assumed. It lives
here in the village. Among you.
There is a moment of shocked silence. Then mounting
anger. Cesaire stands up and gestures to Henri.
CESAIRE
You come here and tell us that
this boy's father died for
nothing. You accuse us and call
us fools. Well, I believe what I
can see with my own eyes. That
wolf is dead. And I know it's
dead because I was with the brave
men who killed it.
MERCHANT
And what of the festival?
ATTEWATER
The festival was to celebrate the
death of the Wolf.
MERCHANT
And we say that it's dead! We've
spent every full moon for the past
forty years cowering in our homes.
We've earned a celebration.
REEVE
And paid for it in blood!
Attewater gives Solomon a nervous look. Solomon shrugs.
SOLOMON
Have your festival. I will stay
on here until then to ensure that
you have the celebration you all
so richly deserve.
The Villagers seem appeased, especially the smug
Merchant. A look passes between Solomon and his Captain.
Isabelle catches it... and finds it unsettling.
46.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY
The moon sign displays the angry full moon, but it has
been decorated with ribbons and mistletoe. Despite the
cold, the mood in the village is happy and excited.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Solomon is anointing each of his Soldiers with holy water
from a basin held by Father Auguste...
SOLOMON
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et
Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in
principio, et nunc, et sempter, et
in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAY
Isabelle wears her best dress, her hair decorated with
ribbons. Cesaire is asleep, a flask in his hand.
Suzette knits.
ISABELLE
I'm going to the festival.
SUZETTE
All right then.
She doesn't look up from her knitting. Isabelle leaves.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Solomon kneels in prayer, lit by flickering candlelight.
He kisses the image of Christ on the hilt of his sword...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY
The festival is in full swing. A bonfire ROARS. The
Villagers sing and drink. A MAN in a wolf costume jumps
out and startles the women and children. The children
chase him with sticks and he comically runs away.
Isabelle watches their antics with Roxanne and Prudence.
Claude is laughing and chasing the man in the wolf
costume, but an OLDER BOY purposefully trips him.
Another BOY steals his cap and teases him. Marguerite is
too busy carousing to notice. Roxanne frowns.
ROXANNE
I'm sorry...
(CONTINUED)
47.
CONTINUED:
She hurries to help Claude. Isabelle and Prudence watch.
PRUDENCE
She acts more like a mother to him
than a sister.
ISABELLE
Someone has to look after him.
PRUDENCE
I know. But who looks after her?
Isabelle gives Roxanne a sad look.
EXT. CHURCH - BELLTOWER - DUSK
The Captain of Solomon's guard stands watch. The sounds
of the FESTIVAL can be heard in the distance...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DUSK
Men play MUSIC and couples dance. Roxanne dances with
Claude, Prudence with an OLDER BOY... but Isabelle sits
alone, watching Peter dance with Rosemaria.
Just then, Henri stumbles toward Isabelle with a beer,
clearly the latest of many. He follows her look and sees
that she's watching Peter. Henri glares at him...
... then abruptly pushes his way toward Peter and grabs
him roughly by the shoulder, spinning him around. Peter
is surprised, but ready to laugh it off.
PETER
Take it easy, friend.
HENRI
You didn't come with us. The
night my father died.
Peter's smile fades. Isabelle rushes to pull Henri away.
HENRI
You stayed here and let real men
do the work you didn't have the
belly for.
ISABELLE
Please, don't do this --
Henri brushes her aside, but too hard and she stumbles.
Peter instantly grabs hold of Henri's wrist. Henri
(CONTINUED)
48.
CONTINUED:
overreacts and punches Peter in the eye. Peter falls on
his ass, but the Villagers just laugh.
Peter slowly stands, staring Henri down. He could easily
lay Henri out... but decides against it. He leaves.
Rosemaria reaches out to him, but he ignores her.
Isabelle shoots Henri a look of contempt, then hurries
off after Peter. Henri watches her go, ashamed.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - DUSK
Peter storms off. Isabelle runs after him.
ISABELLE
Peter! Wait!
PETER
Why? So you can hit me, too?
ISABELLE
I just want to make sure you're
all right.
Peter stops. He whirls on Isabelle, incredulous.
PETER
Why can't you just leave me alone?
ISABELLE
You're bleeding.
PETER
So what? What's the matter with
you? What do I have to do to make
you stop caring about me?
Isabelle is taken aback. A beat.
ISABELLE
You think I want to feel like
this? You think I enjoy feeling
like a fool every day because I
can't stop loving you?
Peter's bravado falters. He can't completely hide what
her words do to him. She looks up at him, realizing...
ISABELLE
Why are you with Rosemaria? You
hate Rosemaria.
PETER
I don't have to like her to get
what I want from her.
(CONTINUED)
49.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
You're a terrible liar.
Isabelle takes a step closer and presses the palm of her
hand against his chest. A beat.
ISABELLE
There. You're heart is starting
to beat faster. And the little
black circles in the middle of
your eyes still get bigger when I
touch you.
She gazes up at him. He tries not to look in her eyes,
but can't stop himself.
ISABELLE
You can tell me you don't love me,
but I know what you're really
feeling. I can feel it with my
hand and see it with my eyes.
Peter hesitates, then covers her hand with his own.
PETER
I thought being with Rosemaria
would be the one thing you would
never be able to forgive. I
wanted you to hate me.
(off her look)
Isabelle, you are the best thing
that could ever happen to me. And
I am the worst thing that could
ever happen to you.
ISABELLE
How could you think that?
PETER
I wasn't born here. You and I
both know what that means. I will
always be a stranger to these
people. Your parents will never
let us be together.
ISABELLE
That means less to me now than
ever. We can leave here. We can
go someplace where we'll both be
strangers.
PETER
I can't let you do that. You have
something here that I will never
have. You have a place. You have
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
50.
CONTINUED: (2)
PETER (CONT'D)
a family. With Henri you have a
future. I'm not going to let you
ruin that over me.
ISABELLE
The only life I want is with you.
PETER
Isabelle... I'm wrong for you.
ISABELLE
I know you are. I just don't
care.
She kisses him on the mouth, then quickly steps back, as
if she did it before she could change her mind. Then he
takes her in his arms and they kiss, long and hard.
INT. BARN - DUSK
A door opens and Peter and Isabelle enter, still kissing.
He closes the door, pushes her against it with his body.
He lowers her to pile of straw in an empty stall. She
looks up at him, surprised, then pulls him tightly to
her, kissing him hard. She grabs his hand and guides it
to her breast. Now Peter looks surprised. He hesitates.
ISABELLE
I don't want to wait.
PETER
But not like this.
(A BEAT)
I want to marry you.
She searches his face and sees that he's serious.
PETER
I can pack the cart tonight and we
can leave in the morning.
(off her look)
Is that too soon?
ISABELLE
It's not soon enough.
She pulls him to her and kisses him.
EXT. BARN - DUSK
Peter looks outside. The coast is clear. He and
Isabelle slip out and close the door behind them.
(CONTINUED)
51.
CONTINUED:
PETER
You'd better get back before
someone misses you.
She gives him a lingering kiss. When she pulls away from
him, he sees that she's crying.
PETER
What's wrong?
ISABELLE
This feels like a dream. I'm
afraid if I leave you I might wake
up.
He kisses her and holds her tight. Neither of them
notice Henri, angrily watching from the shadows...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - NIGHT
Isabelle returns to the festival. She sits next to
Roxanne, who notices a piece of straw in Isabelle's hair.
Isabelle quickly brushes it away, embarrassed.
Isabelle's eyes go to the sky. The sun has finally set.
The moon has risen, silver and full. Isabelle gazes up
at it, transfixed. Roxanne looks over at her, curious.
ISABELLE
I've never seen it full before...
Suddenly -- the CHURCH BELLS start to ring. Everyone
falls silent. Confused looks all around. Then,
somewhere in the dark...
... a WOLF HOWLS. The Villagers gasp. A WOMAN screams.
People start to panic. Claude is knocked down.
ROXANNE
Claude!
Then something massive pushes its way through the surging
crowd, bursting from the darkness...
It's THE WOLF. The Villagers gape in horror. It makes
the wolf that they killed look like a chihuahua. But
there's something about its face that isn't canine at
all, but ghoulishly human as it HOWLS at the moon.
Suddenly, a group of Villagers throw off their cloaks,
revealing themselves to be Solomon's armored Soldiers.
Each of them draws a gleaming sword and points it at the
Wolf. They've been lying in wait and now they have it
surrounded. The Wolf SNARLS at them.
(CONTINUED)
52.
CONTINUED:
A moment later, Father Solomon gallops into the square on
his armored steed, wearing a helmet adorned with a golden
eagle. He tugs the reins and his horse rears back.
SOLOMON
Get to the church, you fools!
The Wolf SNARLS up at him. Solomon gives a battle cry:
SOLOMON
DIE, BEAST! AND LONG LIVE GOD'S
HOLY LOVE!
The Wolf ROARS. Solomon and his men charge toward it.
The Villagers caught between them trample one another to
get away. A MAN gets knocked into the bonfire. Flaming
logs fall off the pyre and set a cottage ABLAZE.
The Wolf swipes Solomon's Soldiers aside like rag dolls.
They bravely press the attack, but they're no match for
the beast. It swats one of them right through the wall
of a nearby cottage. The ambush has backfired.
The Carpenter sees Claude on the ground and picks him up,
trying to help. Claude fights and screams, but the
Carpenter carries him away. Roxanne starts toward him --
-- and is bowled over by Solomon's horse. Solomon grabs
the stake with the wolf's head atop it and charges at the
Wolf, wielding the stake like a lance. The Wolf catches
the stake in its jaws, throwing Solomon off his horse.
Just as the Wolf is about to pounce on him, but more
Soldiers join the fight. The Wolf sees them coming. It
attacks Solomon's horse, biting its neck and dragging it
to the ground. As the Soldiers close in --
-- the Wolf spins around, hurling the injured horse at
them, knocking them down like bowling pins. Another
Soldier tries to attack the Wolf from behind, but it
smacks him aside with its tail and then smashes him to
the ground with one enormous paw.
Isabelle hurriedly helps Roxanne to her feet and drags
her away from the ongoing battle.
ROXANNE
Where's Claude? Where is he?!
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
The Carpenter runs away with Claude in his arms, but
Claude bites his hand and wriggles free. Claude falls to
the ground and dashes back toward the square.
53.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
Roxanne runs through town like a rat in a maze, jostled
by the fleeing Villagers. Isabelle races after her.
ROXANNE
Claude! Claude!
Roxanne spots Rosemaria and grabs her, begging for help.
ROXANNE
Have you seen my brother? Please!
But Rosemaria just pushes her aside, panicked. An
instant later -- the Wolf appears out of nowhere, jumping
on Rosemaria. She screams, then -- CRUNCH. The screams
stop. Isabelle and Roxanne gape in horror, then run.
EXT. CHURCH - BELLTOWER - NIGHT
The Captain RINGS the church bell. People are fleeing
the village and running toward the church.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
The few Villagers left hurry into their homes and bolt
the doors behind them. TWO SOLDIERS search the nearly
empty streets for the Wolf, swords drawn.
Soldier #1 looks down... and sees bloody paw prints in
the snow. He points them out to Solider #2. They follow
the tracks to a corner, carefully peer around it...
The Wolf is about ten feet away, loudly tearing meat from
Rosemaria's body. Soldier #1 gestures for his companion
to approach from the other side. They split up.
Soldier #1 peers out at the Wolf... but it's gone. The
street is empty. Only Rosemaria's body lying in the
bloodstained snow. He ducks back around the corner...
... and we see that the Wolf is now right behind him.
Meanwhile, Soldier #2 is stealthily making his way into
position... when he suddenly hears Soldier #1 SCREAMING.
Soldier #2 quickly ducks inside a nearby cottage...
INT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
... and peers out the window. He sees Soldier #1
painfully crawling through the snow, clutching a mangled
and bloody wound on his shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
54.
CONTINUED:
SOLDIER #1
Help... Help me...
Soldier #2 ducks back from the window. No way. He's not
going out there. Then: SNIFF. SNIFF.
There's a shadow visible under the crack of the cottage
door. And a big black snout pressed up against it,
SNIFFING out its prey. Soldier #2 readies his sword...
... but then the Wolf moves away. A long beat. The
Soldier edges toward the door. The shadow does not
return. He slowly reaches out a hand to open the door...
Suddenly, the door is blasted off its hinges and the Wolf
bursts inside. It stands on top of the door, pinning the
Soldier beneath it. The Soldier tries to raise his
sword, but can't. The Wolf SNARLS down at him, drooling.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
The Wolf is dragging Soldier #2's body out of the cottage
by the ankles when its ears suddenly prick up. It's
heard something. It's being watched. It looks up...
... and sees Claude standing at the end of the street,
paralyzed with fear. The Wolf GROWLS, blood dripping
from its chin. Claude runs. The Wolf leaps after him.
Claude turns a corner, looks back, sees the Wolf headed
right for him. Claude ducks into an alley and the Wolf
follows him...
EXT./INT. BARN - NIGHT
... only to find Claude has disappeared. The Wolf
follows Claude's tracks in the snow to the door of a barn
and peers inside. The barn appears to be empty...
... but Claude is hiding in a hayloft. The Wolf SNIFFS
the air. Pushes the door open with its nose and pads
inside. Looks around. Claude shivers. But just then:
ROXANNE (O.S.)
Claude! Claude!!
The Wolf cocks its ears toward the voice, listening...
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
Isabelle and Roxanne are the last stragglers, Roxanne
looking for Claude, Isabelle trying to stop her.
(CONTINUED)
55.
CONTINUED:
ROXANNE
Claude! Where are you?!
Isabelle drags her to the ground and covers her mouth.
ISABELLE
You have to stop it. He can't
hear you and you are going to get
us killed. Do you understand me?
Roxanne nods, crying. Isabelle helps her up -- and finds
herself face-to-face with the Wolf. Roxanne screams.
They run back the way they came, turn another corner --
EXT. VILLAGE - ALLEY - NIGHT
-- but the narrow alley is blocked by a high stone wall.
ISABELLE
Come on!
Isabelle climbs the wall, but Roxanne's not going to make
it. Isabelle jumps down to help her...
... just as the Wolf's shadow falls over the alley. The
girls watch helplessly as the Wolf slowly walks toward
them, SNARLING and glaring at them with its strange, near-
human eyes. Then, inexplicably... the Wolf speaks.
THE WOLF
Well, well. You look very pretty
this evening, my dear. Good
enough to eat.
The Wolf's voice is sonorous, seductive. The Devil's
voice. Isabelle stammers, unable to believe her senses.
THE WOLF
It's considered polite to thank
someone when they pay you a
compliment. Are you being
impolite, Isabelle?
ISABELLE
How do you know me? Who are you?
ROXANNE
Isabelle...?
The Wolf GROWLS, cutting her off, and turns back to
Isabelle. It moves closer. Isabelle looks into its
eyes. They suddenly seem very big and deep, almost
hypnotizing. She seems to fall into them...
(CONTINUED)
56.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
What big eyes you have...
THE WOLF
The better to see you with, my
dear.
ISABELLE
Are you going to kill us?
THE WOLF
Kill you? Why would I kill you?
ISABELLE
Then what do you want?
THE WOLF
I want you, Isabelle.
Isabelle gapes, dumbstruck and dismayed.
THE WOLF
We are the same, you and I. We
are both wild things. You show
one face to the world, but there
is another face that you hide. A
fire burning inside you, waiting
to be released.
The Wolf sniffs her, starting at her feet and working its
way up. It SNARLS with satisfaction, savoring her scent.
THE WOLF
Yes. I can smell it on you even
now.
Suddenly, the Wolf jumps onto its hind legs, puts its
forepaws on the wall on either side of Isabelle, its
muzzle only inches from her face. She recoils.
THE WOLF
Leave with me tonight. Run with
me. The only shackles binding you
are of your own making. Slip them
and I can show you the world and
every pleasure in it.
Isabelle hesitates, then finds the strength to speak:
ISABELLE
I don't know who you are, but we
are not the same. I would rather
die than go with you.
(CONTINUED)
57.
CONTINUED: (2)
THE WOLF
What about your fat friend here?
Do you think she would rather die?
(off Isabelle's look)
Come away with me. Or I will kill
her. And I will keep killing
until you agree to leave with me.
Suddenly, the sound of MEN SHOUTING. The Wolf leans in,
SNARLING. Isabelle turns away from its foul breath.
THE WOLF
Choose now. Quickly.
Isabelle trembles. She looks down at Roxanne's terrified
face, torn. Isabelle closes her eyes. She can't do it.
THE WOLF
Your silence has doomed them all.
Just then, Solomon and two Soldiers turn the corner. The
Wolf leaps atop the wall and growls down at Isabelle:
THE WOLF
Come the next full moon, their
blood will be on your hands.
Then it jumps over the wall. Solomon scrabbles up after
it, but the Wolf is already too far away. It looks back
at him. A silent challenge passes between them. And
then the Wolf is gone.
INT. CHURCH - NIGHT
Solomon and his Soldiers bring Isabelle and Roxanne
inside. A crowd of panicked Villagers swarms to Solomon.
SOLOMON
We are safe here. God protects
his own house and those within it.
Isabelle finds Prudence.
ISABELLE
Is Peter here?
PRUDENCE
Peter? I don't think so.
ISABELLE
What about Claude? Or my parents?
PRUDENCE
I haven't seen any of them.
(CONTINUED)
58.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
Would you look for them? Please?
Prudence nods and rushes off. Roxanne slumps in a
corner, a dazed look on her face. A beat.
ROXANNE
You talked to it.
ISABELLE
It talked to us.
A chill runs down Roxanne's spine. A long beat.
ROXANNE
No. It only growled.
(off Isabelle's look)
You heard it talk to you?
Isabelle doesn't know what to say. She glances around to
see if anyone has overheard. Then:
ISABELLE
Do not speak of this to anyone.
Roxanne nods, but eyes Isabelle warily. Isabelle turns
away, afraid and confused.
EXT. CHURCH - DAWN
Silence. The door CREAKS open and the Merchant peers
out. A blanket of new snow covers the village. It's as
if the massacre of the night before never happened.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAWN
Isabelle hurries inside. Embers burn in the fire pit. A
chair has been overturned. The room is empty.
ISABELLE
Mother! Father!
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - DAWN
Isabelle bursts in to find Suzette lying in bed and
Cesaire leaning over her, crying. Isabelle stops short.
ISABELLE
Is she dead?
CESAIRE
No, thank God.
(CONTINUED)
59.
CONTINUED:
He sits up, revealing Suzette's face, which has been
horribly slashed from scalp to chin. Isabelle recoils.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAWN
The Villagers slowly gather. Dead bodies litter the
snow. Roxanne clutches Prudence's arm. Henri joins
them. Father Auguste crouches next to Soldier #1.
FATHER AUGUSTE
This man is alive!
(TO HENRI)
Bring me water! Hurry!
Henri nods and quickly turns -- but is stopped cold by
Solomon's iron grip on his arm. Solomon and his Captain
go to Soldier #1. Solomon kneels at his side.
SOLOMON
Are you bitten?
Shivering, the Soldier nods. The Captain closes his
eyes. Solomon stands and turns to Father Auguste.
SOLOMON
Step back.
Confused, Father Auguste does as he's told. Then, before
anyone can react, Solomon draws his sword and plunges it
into the Soldier's heart. Everyone startles.
SOLOMON
The werewolf's bite is the same as
death to a man.
Stunned silence. Solomon turns to the Villagers.
SOLOMON
The dark days have returned to
your village. Your homes are no
longer safe. The Wolf will
return. Again and again. And it
will not stop until it has sucked
the marrow from all your bones.
Unless you stop it.
(BEAT)
But to kill a monster, you must
become one yourself. A wolf
caught in a trap will chew off its
own leg to save itself. Will you
do the same? What sacrifice will
you make to save your families and
your way of life? Will you do
whatever it takes? Or will you
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
60.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON (CONT'D)
cower in your beds and die like
sheep?
A long beat. The Villagers shiver and not just from the
cold. But no one speaks. Solomon turns to Attewater.
SOLOMON
It appears my expertise is not as
appreciated as I was led to
believe.
He turns to leave. Suddenly, Attewater steps forward.
ATTEWATER
Wait!
Attewater drops to one knee. Solomon stops and gives him
an appraising look. Then Solomon turns to the Villagers.
After a moment, the Reeve drops to his knee. One by one,
the Villagers kneel to Solomon. Henri and Father Auguste
are among the last, but they reluctantly kneel as well.
ATTEWATER
We will do what must be done.
A beat. Then Solomon offers his hand. Attewater kisses
Solomon's ring. Henri and Roxanne exchange uneasy looks.
INT. PETER'S COTTAGE - DAY
There's an urgent knock at the door. Peter quickly opens
it. It's Isabelle. He ushers her inside. As soon as
the door is shut, he takes her in his arms. She gives
him a concerned look. He looks tired, drawn and pale.
PETER
I was up all night worrying about
you. Thank God you're safe.
But something about her expression gives him pause. She
looks up at him, struggling with what she has to say.
ISABELLE
Peter... My mother's hurt. I
can't leave. Not now.
PETER
I thought you didn't want to wait.
ISABELLE
I don't have any choice. It's not
just my mother. Something else
happened last night.
(off his look)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
61.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE (CONT'D)
I can't tell you about it. I just
have to stay.
Peter nods, but his face darkens. A long, tense beat.
ISABELLE
I meant everything I said. This
isn't what I wanted.
PETER
Of course not. You'd better go
home and see to your mother.
She gives him a sad nod, then turns to go. She pauses at
the door, but he doesn't look at her. She leaves.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Solomon places his silver sword on the table in front of
Attewater and Father Auguste.
SOLOMON
Silver. This is our most potent
weapon. One blow will kill it.
(BEAT)
That sword has tasted the blood of
many such creatures. But never
one as powerful as this.
ATTEWATER
If it's that powerful, how can we
possibly hope to stop it?
SOLOMON
We must find it in its human form.
Who among you do you suspect?
Attewater and Father Auguste trade uncomfortable looks.
Neither of them wants to speak up first.
SOLOMON
It has not survived this long by
being obvious. The signs will be
subtle. Insomnia. Restlessness.
Strange behavior. Strange smells.
(off their looks)
Well, none of them smell good, but
we must start somewhere.
FATHER AUGUSTE
What about the hair Madame
Ordeville found on Lucie's body?
It was dark. The person we are
looking for must have dark hair.
(CONTINUED)
62.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON
Perhaps. Unless it planted the
hair to make us think that.
ATTEWATER
Yes, it's trying to trick us
again. This has been happening
for forty years. It must be an
old man by now. The hair should
have been gray.
SOLOMON
Not necessarily. It may be the
child or grandchild of the
werewolf that first struck here.
FATHER AUGUSTE
The curse is hereditary?
SOLOMON
It is. But it effects men and
women differently. A man can
inherit the curse. Or he can be
turned simply by being bitten.
Solomon turns toward the fire and stares into it.
SOLOMON
But women are immune to the
werewolf's bite. In order for a
woman to be turned, she must
inherit the curse. But even then
it will lie dormant unless she
eats human flesh. Only then will
the bite of a male werewolf change
her. Only then can she become a
werewolf and capable of passing
the curse on to her own children.
ATTEWATER
But it could be a woman.
SOLOMON
Of course. It could be any one of
you.
Attewater and Father Auguste exchange a wary look.
EXT. VILLAGE - CROSSROADS - DAWN
The mood of the village is grim. Isabelle meets Roxanne
at the crossroads. Roxanne eyes her warily. A beat.
(CONTINUED)
63.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
Has Claude come home?
ROXANNE
No. Nobody has seen him.
ISABELLE
He's run away before. He'll be
all right.
Roxanne nods, unconvinced. Prudence joins them. They
all exchange a sad look.
PRUDENCE
Well. I suppose this is all of
us.
The three of them turn and start toward the woods...
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle and Grandmother sit by the fire.
GRANDMOTHER
It talked to you. And you
understood it?
ISABELLE
As clearly as I do you now.
Grandmother fixes her with a serious look. A beat.
GRANDMOTHER
Word of this cannot be allowed to
spread. Do you understand me?
ISABELLE
Roxanne will never speak of it.
She won't even talk to me about
it.
A long beat. Isabelle is working up her nerve. Then:
ISABELLE
I have to do what it wants.
(off her look)
I have communed with an unholy
beast. What does that make me if
not cursed?
GRANDMOTHER
I don't know. But I won't allow
you to go with this devil and live
as its concubine.
(CONTINUED)
64.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
But if it comes back for me and I
don't go with it, then it will
kill again. If I have the power
to save even one life, aren't I
compelled to do so?
GRANDMOTHER
This is why it chose you. You're
a good girl with a gentle heart.
It's using that against you.
ISABELLE
But how could it? Unless it
really does know me?
Isabelle and Grandmother exchange an anxious look...
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY
Isabelle is walking home through the snow. Henri is
waiting for her. A beat. Then:
HENRI
I spoke with your father. I broke
off our engagement.
(off her look)
I saw you with Peter. Don't
worry, I didn't tell anyone.
Isabelle can't hide her shock. She shifts anxiously.
ISABELLE
What about my family's debt?
HENRI
I have no interest in ruining your
family. I will have you out of
love or not at all.
Isabelle is dumbfounded. Henri turns and walks away...
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
Isabelle is cooking, lost in thought. Suddenly, there's
a KNOCK at the door. Isabelle opens it. It's Prudence.
PRUDENCE
They've caught the werewolf!
65.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
Prudence leads Isabelle and Cesaire through the village.
There are SHOUTING VOICES up ahead.
PRUDENCE
He's been hiding in a hayloft.
They caught him trying to steal
food.
ISABELLE
But who is it?
An angry crowd has gathered. Solomon's Soldiers are all
that's stopping it from turning into a lynch mob.
Isabelle finds Roxanne in tears, trying to force her way
through the crowd.
ISABELLE
What's wrong? What's happening?
Roxanne doesn't answer, just plunges into the crowd.
Isabelle goes in after her. Cesaire tries to stop her.
CESAIRE
Isabelle! Get away from there!
She follows Roxanne to the front of the crowd, just as
two Soldiers haul a figure out of a barn -- it's Claude.
ROXANNE
Claude!!
ISABELLE
It's not him! It can't be!
LUCRECE
If he's not the werewolf, then why
was he hiding? What's he afraid
of?
The Soldiers carry Claude off and Roxanne stumbles after
them. Isabelle tries to follow, but Cesaire stops her.
She can only watch helplessly as Claude is dragged away.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - DAY
Villagers are gathering. The whole town must be here.
As Attewater approaches the entrance:
GRANDMOTHER (O.S.)
Salus populi suprema est lex.
(CONTINUED)
66.
CONTINUED:
He turns and sees Grandmother walking toward him. She
nods to the inscription above the entrance. 'SALUS
POPULI SUPREMA EST LEX.'
GRANDMOTHER
The good of the people is the
chief law.
ATTEWATER
You read Latin.
GRANDMOTHER
And write. I was studying to be a
nun when I met my husband.
ATTEWATER
He must have been some man.
GRANDMOTHER
He was a priest.
She grins. Is she being serious? Attewater bristles.
GRANDMOTHER
You know the boy is innocent.
He's being tried because he's
different. Because Father Solomon
knows he can turn us against him.
ATTEWATER
Father Solomon is here to protect
us.
GRANDMOTHER
A wolf hunting sheep picks off the
weakest ones first.
(off his look)
This is just the beginning.
She enters the manor hall. Attewater watches her go.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - DAY
The room is crammed with Villagers. Isabelle sits with
Cesaire and Grandmother. Attewater sits behind the
table. Claude is shackled and guarded by Soldiers. He
looks afraid, confused. Solomon questions Lucrece. A
SCRIBE records the proceedings.
SOLOMON
You say you saw the accused
perform magic?
(CONTINUED)
67.
CONTINUED:
LUCRECE
In broad daylight with my own
eyes. Everyone here has seen it.
SOLOMON
So it was common knowledge that
the accused was a conjurer?
LUCRECE
Yes, Your Eminence. I saw it for
the Devil's work, but they laughed
at me and paid him money.
Isabelle and Grandmother exchange a concerned look.
Through a SERIES OF CUTS, more witnesses are questioned:
FATHER AUGUSTE
shifts uncomfortably as Solomon interrogates him...
SOLOMON
Are you aware that it is the
custom of witches and devil
worshippers to hold their black
sabbaths in cemeteries?
FATHER AUGUSTE
Yes, Your Eminence.
SOLOMON
And do you know of their practice
of dancing with invisible devils
during these rituals?
FATHER AUGUSTE
I have heard it said so, yes.
SOLOMON
Is there one here today who you
have seen dancing in your
cemetery?
FATHER AUGUSTE
(hesitant; a beat)
Yes. But I don't believe he meant
anything by it. It was in jest.
SOLOMON
So you consider the black mass to
be a jest?
There are suspicious WHISPERS among the Villagers.
Father Auguste eyes them nervously. A beat.
(CONTINUED)
68.
CONTINUED:
FATHER AUGUSTE
No, of course not.
SOLOMON
Then point him out.
Father Auguste reluctantly points to Claude.
MARGUERITE
Roxanne weeps as her mother testifies against Claude.
SOLOMON
What is your relationship to the
accused?
MARGUERITE
I am his mother.
SOLOMON
And where is his father?
MARGUERITE
I don't know, sir.
SOLOMON
Well, what is his name?
She pauses. The crowd eyes her, disapproving. A beat.
MARGUERITE
I never learned his name, sir.
SOLOMON
You say a man whose name you
cannot recall is the father of
your child? What can you tell us
about him?
MARGUERITE
Not much, sir.
She lowers her eyes, ashamed. Solomon considers her.
SOLOMON
Almost as if it were a dream?
(off her look)
Certain devils called incubi can
collect human semen and then
transfer it to women as they
sleep. A woman who unwittingly
conceives in this manner would not
be a whore. She would be
blameless in the eyes of God.
(CONTINUED)
69.
CONTINUED:
Marguerite's eyes spark, suddenly hopeful...
SOLOMON
You remember almost nothing of the
man who impregnated you. Is it
not possible that there was no
man? That the accused is not the
product of your own sin, but the
foul offspring of a werewolf whose
semen was placed in you by an
incubus while you slept?
MARGUERITE
Yes! Yes, I remember now! He
came to me in my sleep! It wasn't
my fault! God save me, it wasn't
my fault!
Roxanne buries her face in her hands.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - DAY (LATER)
Solomon addresses the gathered Villagers.
SOLOMON
We have proven here today that
behind this veil of feigned idiocy
is the fiend that has plagued your
village. However, in order for
the sentence of death to be
carried out, the Church requires
either a confession or the
testimony of a witness who has
seen the accused in his
transformed state. Since the
accused has refused to confess,
this court calls upon its final
witness. Isabelle Ordeville.
Isabelle is stunned. All eyes turn toward her.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - DAY (TIMECUT)
Isabelle stands before Solomon. Claude waves. She
ignores him.
SOLOMON
On the night of the last full
moon, you were attacked by the
Wolf. You looked it in the eye.
And the one thing a werewolf can
never change is its eyes.
(CONTINUED)
70.
CONTINUED:
He gestures to the Soldiers. They grab Claude and force
him to look at her.
SOLOMON
Look into his eyes, my child. Do
you see the beast in them?
Isabelle gives Claude a pitying look. Solomon watches,
expectant. Then:
ISABELLE
It isn't him. It can't be. He
was with us when the Wolf
attacked.
Solomon is taken aback. Surprised MURMURS in the room.
SOLOMON
Is this true? Is there another
here who can speak to this?
ROXANNE
I can! It's true! I saw him!
LUCRECE
She's his sister! She'll say
anything!
The suspicious Villagers agree. Roxanne gives Isabelle a
desperate look. Then Isabelle spots the Carpenter.
ISABELLE
He was there! He carried Claude
away! He saved his life!
Suddenly, all eyes are on the Carpenter. He shrinks
back. He glances at his WIFE. She stares at him. Hard.
CARPENTER
She is mistaken. I did no such
thing.
Isabelle is shocked. She looks to the other Villagers,
but no one will speak up. Solomon frowns.
SOLOMON
Very well. Since no one here can
bear witness, we must extort a
confession. This court shall
reconvene tomorrow at dawn.
Solomon leaves. Claude is dragged out of the room by
Soldiers. Isabelle gives Grandmother a helpless look.
71.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DUSK
Isabelle and Grandmother sit at the table. Cesaire is in
the other room feeding Suzette.
ISABELLE
Why wouldn't Father Solomon listen
to me? Doesn't he care that
Claude isn't guilty?
GRANDMOTHER
He'd rather let an innocent boy
die than risk letting the Wolf go
free.
ISABELLE
But the Wolf is free. And the
moon will be full in two days.
The full weight of this hits home. Grandmother leans
close, lowers her voice.
GRANDMOTHER
We both know it will be coming for
you. You must leave here tomorrow
and never return.
A long beat. Isabelle reluctantly shakes her head.
ISABELLE
I cannot leave.
GRANDMOTHER
You have no choice. The
alternative is unthinkable.
ISABELLE
What is unthinkable is that I
should be responsible for the
deaths of everyone that I love.
I'd rather spend a lifetime of
misery than let that happen.
GRANDMOTHER
The Wolf's sins are on its own
twice-damned soul, not yours.
ISABELLE
But what if it was you it wanted?
Would you go with it to save me?
Or would you leave me to die?
Grandmother doesn't have a fast answer for that.
Suddenly, a HIDEOUS, INARTICULATE SCREAM echoes in the
night. Isabelle and Grandmother exchange a grave look.
72.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Grandmother and Isabelle step outside, followed by
Cesaire. The SCREAMING can be heard more clearly.
GRANDMOTHER
Father Solomon. Extorting his
confession.
Claude's screams sending chills down their spines.
CESAIRE
You should have condemned him
today. At least it would have
been quick.
Cesaire turns and goes back inside. Isabelle and
Grandmother continue to listen.
INT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Roxanne weeps with her hands clamped around her ears,
trying to block out the SCREAMING. Her mother sits by
the fire as if nothing unusual is going on.
ROXANNE
How can you just sit there and
listen to this?
Marguerite ignores her. Furious, Roxanne stands up and
grabs Marguerite's coin purse.
MARGUERITE
Where are you going with that?
Roxanne doesn't answer, just pulls on her cloak.
Marguerite grabs her, but Roxanne turns and shoves her to
the ground. Marguerite starts to get up, but Roxanne
snatches a knife from off the table and points it at her.
ROXANNE
Don't you touch me again. Ever.
Roxanne angrily throws the knife aside and leaves.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON - NIGHT
A fire burns underneath a 'Brazen Bull,' a hollow, life-
size bull made of brass. The fire heats the metal to
almost red-hot. Claude's screams come from inside it.
Solomon glowers, frustrated. Attewater looks sick.
(CONTINUED)
73.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON
Enough of this. Let's eat.
He gestures to the Scribe, who hands Attewater a
document.
ATTEWATER
What is this?
SOLOMON
A statement declaring that you
heard the boy confess. All it
requires is your signature. Or
your mark, if you cannot write.
ATTEWATER
But he has not confessed. How
could he have?
Solomon studies Attewater. A beat. Solomon shrugs.
SOLOMON
Very well. Listen more carefully
this time.
He gestures for the Soldiers to throw more wood on the
fire. The FLAMES leap higher. Attewater goes pale. All
he hears are screams. Solomon stands next to the bull.
The flames gleam off the brass, casting him in hellfire.
SOLOMON
Listen to how he sings of his love
of Satan. How he despairs that he
will never again copulate with the
dead or sink his teeth into the
flesh of pregnant women and eat
their unborn children.
Attewater gives Solomon a horrified look, suddenly
realizing. Father Solomon is insane.
ATTEWATER
Stop this.
SOLOMON
No. You stop it.
(off his look)
We both know he is guilty. But I
cannot legally execute him without
a witness or a confession. Sign
this and we have a confession.
Attewater glares at Solomon, then angrily signs the
document. Solomon gestures to his Soldiers, who open the
bull and pull Claude out. Attewater has to look away.
(CONTINUED)
74.
CONTINUED: (2)
Suddenly, Solomon grabs Attewater by his collar, drags
him across the room, and forces him to look at Claude.
Thankfully, we do not see him, except in deep f.g. His
naked flesh is actually smoking. Attewater cringes.
SOLOMON
This is the business of werewolf
hunting and you had best develop a
stomach for it. Because where
there is one werewolf, there are
two. And where there are two,
there are more.
(BEAT)
This is only the beginning.
Solomon throws him to the floor and leaves. Attewater
trembles helplessly as Claude is dragged out of the room.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Solomon is eating dinner. The Captain enters.
CAPTAIN
A girl to see you.
SOLOMON
Well, I've yet to come across a
girl I wouldn't at least look at.
The Captain ushers Roxanne inside. She meekly steps
forward. A beat.
SOLOMON
I assume you came here with a
purpose.
She hurriedly empties Marguerite's purse on the table in
front of Solomon. A mere handful of coins.
ROXANNE
I would like to bargain for the
release of my brother.
SOLOMON
Your brother has just confessed.
ROXANNE
What? That's not possible!
SOLOMON
It has been witnessed and
notarized. He will hang in the
morning.
(CONTINUED)
75.
CONTINUED:
Roxanne stands frozen, gathering her courage for what she
is about to say. Realizing that she has no choice.
ROXANNE
I have more than money to offer
you.
She raises a trembling hand and starts to open her
bodice, but Solomon interrupts.
SOLOMON
What do you think you are doing?
(off her look)
Do you have any idea who I am? I
am the Witchfinder General. I
have fought in the Holy Land. I
have waded hip deep in blood and
resisted all the temptations of
the infidels. And you seek to
stay the hand of justice with such
a tawdry bribe? Leave here, girl,
before I have you whipped.
Solomon gestures for the Soldiers and they forcibly drag
her away. Roxanne struggles against them.
ROXANNE
Wait! I have something else! I
know the name of a witch!
Solomon looks up sharply. The Soldiers stop. Solomon
crosses the room and stands glaring down at Roxanne. She
cringes. This is the hardest decision of her life...
ROXANNE
Spare my brother and I will tell
you her name.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
SMASH! Isabelle and her parents are jolted from their
sleep by Soldiers barging into their home. One of them
climbs into the loft and yanks Isabelle out of bed.
Cesaire leaps to his feet, but is viciously beaten down.
Suzette screams. The Soldiers drag Isabelle away.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON CELL - NIGHT
Isabelle is thrown to the floor, the door SLAMMED behind
her. She huddles against the wall, shivering.
(CONTINUED)
76.
CONTINUED:
Then: A low MOAN in the dark. Isabelle startles. She
looks up, her eyes going wide in disgust and horror...
It's Claude. He's locked in a man-shaped cage, his body
covered with hideous burns. He moans again. Isabelle
chokes back her disgust and goes to him. She lightly
takes his hand, shaken to her soul at the sight of him.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - DAY
The chamber is full again. Cesaire, Grandmother,
Prudence, and Henri are here. Peter sits in the last
row. Isabelle is in the seat of the accused. Roxanne
stands witness. She's trying not to look at Isabelle.
SOLOMON
How are you acquainted with the
accused?
ROXANNE
We were friends.
SOLOMON
And how long did this friendship
last?
ROXANNE
All my life.
SOLOMON
And in this time, have you ever
known the accused to converse with
devils?
ROXANNE
Yes, Your Eminence. On the night
of the last full moon, she talked
to the werewolf. And later she
told me that it also talked to
her.
Isabelle gives Grandmother a frightened look. Cesaire
clenches his fist. Solomon turns to Isabelle.
SOLOMON
What of this? Do you deny having
conversed with a werewolf?
She looks to Roxanne, who trembles with emotion. Then:
ISABELLE
No. I do not deny it.
The crowd REACTS. Solomon quiets them with a look.
(CONTINUED)
77.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON
Describe this encounter.
ISABELLE
It spoke, just as a man speaks.
SOLOMON
And what was the nature of your
conversation with it?
Isabelle hesitates. Grandmother holds her breath.
ISABELLE
It told me... It promised to
leave here and never return. But
only if I leave with it.
Roxanne gives her a stunned look. A heavy silence falls
over the room. Even Solomon is surprised. Then:
REEVE
But who is it? Make her tell us
who the werewolf is!
ISABELLE
I don't know! I swear I don't
know!
MERCHANT
It doesn't matter who it is
anymore. It wants her, not us.
Let's just give it what it wants.
A long, tense beat. Heavy silence. Nobody speaks.
FATHER AUGUSTE
We should not allow ourselves to
even consider this.
REEVE
I think we already are.
GRANDMOTHER
What's the matter with you? You
know her. You all know her.
REEVE
Do we? Did we know she could talk
to werewolves?
GRANDMOTHER
She could have run away. She
could saved herself, but she
stayed here because she cares more
about you than she does herself.
(CONTINUED)
78.
CONTINUED: (2)
Peter reacts. He and Isabelle exchange a look. Now he
understands...
MERCHANT
If she stayed, she did so because
she is in league with it. Let
this be her punishment.
The crowd loudly AGREES. Solomon considers. Grandmother
gives Attewater a dark look. Then:
SOLOMON
Very well. Isabelle Ordeville, in
light of your willing confession,
it is the decision of this court
that on the night of the next full
moon, you be left to the mercy of
the werewolf.
Cesaire silently buries his face in his hands.
HENRI
No!
Henri bursts to his feet, turning heads. Isabelle is led
away. Roxanne can only watch, helpless and ashamed.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY
Lucrece has drawn a small crowd around the well.
Prudence pauses to hear what she's saying...
LUCRECE
The first victim was her sister.
The second was her fiancée's
father. Then Rosemaria, who
everyone knows she hated. And
don't forget her mother, with half
her face missing. All this death
around one girl...
Prudence has heard enough. She turns away.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - DUSK
Roxanne approaches. The Captain eyes her, questioning.
ROXANNE
I'm here for my brother.
He gestures. Roxanne turns... and sees Claude's body
dangling from a makeshift gallows. He's been hanged.
(CONTINUED)
79.
CONTINUED:
Roxanne falls to her knees. The rope around Claude's
neck CREAKS as his body sways in the wind.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON CELL - NIGHT
Isabelle stands at the barred door. Grandmother is on
the other side. They speak in furtive whispers.
GRANDMOTHER
I'm not going to let these
worthless shits sacrifice you to
save themselves. We have to find
the real werewolf before tomorrow
night.
ISABELLE
That's impossible. Even Father
Solomon doesn't have the first
clue.
GRANDMOTHER
Father Solomon doesn't know the
things that I know.
(off Isabelle's look)
I am the oldest person in this
village who was here when the Wolf
first came. I remember the old
days. And what is happening now
is much worse.
ISABELLE
What was it like in the old days?
GRANDMOTHER
The Wolf never used to attack in
the open like it did at the
festival. It's a coward at heart.
It would kill whole families in
their homes, but it always stayed
in the shadows. It never would
have shown itself in the old days.
ISABELLE
It's grown bold.
GRANDMOTHER
Or perhaps it made a mistake.
(BEAT)
You're at the center of this. At
least two of the victims can be
tied to you. What if it had to
kill so many at the festival to
hide the fact that the first two
killings weren't random?
(CONTINUED)
80.
CONTINUED:
Isabelle considers this. A beat as she realizes...
ISABELLE
But who would want to kill Lucie?
GRANDMOTHER
Your parents said that the Wolf
broke into the house and took
Lucie. We both know that's not
true. What really happened?
Isabelle hesitates, reluctant.
ISABELLE
My mother made me swear I would
never speak of it.
(BEAT)
Lucie went to the Wolf willingly.
Grandmother reacts, horrified.
GRANDMOTHER
Why would you think such a thing?
ISABELLE
She was in love with Henri.
GRANDMOTHER
She took her own life over a boy?
ISABELLE
What other explanation is there?
Grandmother thinks. The pieces are fitting together...
EXT. STABLE - NIGHT
Grandmother knocks on a door. Henri answers.
GRANDMOTHER
Hello, Henri.
INT. STABLE - NIGHT
Henri is in the midst of shoeing a horse. Grandmother
stands by the door, watching him.
GRANDMOTHER
You spoke up very loudly in
Isabelle's defense today. That
was very brave.
(CONTINUED)
81.
CONTINUED:
HENRI
I just said what I felt.
GRANDMOTHER
You're under no obligation to
stand in her defense. You broke
off your engagement to her.
HENRI
I never stopped caring about her.
I would do anything for Isabelle.
GRANDMOTHER
As her sister would have done
anything for you.
(off his look)
Lucie was in love with you. But
you knew that, didn't you?
HENRI
I had no control over the way she
felt.
GRANDMOTHER
She kept it secret from almost
everyone. Even Isabelle didn't
know. Did you tell anyone?
HENRI
Never.
GRANDMOTHER
Not even your father?
HENRI
I didn't have to tell him.
GRANDMOTHER
So he knew your secrets, did he?
Henri picks up a hammer and goes back to work. Angrily
nailing a shoe to the horse's foot. BANG! BANG! BANG!
GRANDMOTHER
You were the only one who could
have lured Lucie out on the Wolf's
night. And none of the men who
went hunting for the Wolf remember
seeing you after the sun set on
the night your father died.
Henri faces her, clutching the hammer...
HENRI
Why are you doing this?
(CONTINUED)
82.
CONTINUED: (2)
GRANDMOTHER
Because I want you to confess.
You killed Lucie. And your
father. And God only knows how
many others. And if you won't
admit it, then I will tell Father
Solomon and we will lock you up
until the moon rises tomorrow
night and you can no longer hide
your guilt.
As she says this, a slow look of dawning realization
comes over him. Realization and horror.
HENRI
It's you.
Henri steps closer to her, menacing. Grandmother steps
back and finds herself bumping against the closed door.
HENRI
My God, it's you. You're the
Wolf. I can smell it on you now.
GRANDMOTHER
Smell what? What are you talking
about?
HENRI
The night my father died. I saw
the Wolf pass by, dragging him by
the neck. I was so terrified I
couldn't move or make a sound. I
remember every detail of that
moment. The way the moonlight
gleamed off the Wolf's coat. The
soundless way it moved. I even
remember the way it smelled. A
thick, greasy, musky stink.
(BEAT)
And I can smell it on you right
now.
A beat. They stand frozen. Glaring at one another.
GRANDMOTHER
You accuse me and I'll bring you
down with me. All they can do is
take my life. You have more to
lose.
HENRI
But who do you think they'll
believe? I'm the blacksmith.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
83.
CONTINUED: (3)
HENRI (CONT'D)
They know me. You're the crazy
old woman who lives in the woods.
GRANDMOTHER
Then I'll have to prove it.
HENRI
Unless you can, you'd best keep
your mouth shut.
Another beat. A stand-off. Grandmother's hand finds the
door handle. She turns it, stumbling outside --
EXT. STABLE - NIGHT
-- and practically runs right into Cesaire. She
startles, gives him a surprised, flustered look.
CESAIRE
Are you ready for me to take you
home?
She looks back. Henri stands in the doorway, still
holding the hammer. She eyes him, measuring, suddenly
hesitant. Cesaire gives them both an uncertain look.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
Cesaire and Grandmother ride in a horse-drawn cart. The
moon is almost full. Up ahead, Grandmother sees Prudence
with a group of Villagers listening to Lucrece.
GRANDMOTHER
Stop the cart.
Cesaire pulls the reins. Grandmother calls out:
GRANDMOTHER
Prudence, come with me. I have
some blankets I want you to mend
for Father Auguste.
Prudence sighs and climbs up into the cart.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
The cart stops out front. Grandmother turns to Prudence.
GRANDMOTHER
You take these blankets to Father
Auguste the moment you're
finished. Understand?
(CONTINUED)
84.
CONTINUED:
PRUDENCE
All right.
Cesaire helps Grandmother out of the cart.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Grandmother hands Cesaire a stack of knitted blankets.
He has tears in his eyes.
CESAIRE
Will you want a ride into town
tomorrow? To say goodbye to her?
GRANDMOTHER
Yes. First thing in the morning.
He nods shakily and leaves. She closes the door behind
him and lets the façade of calm fall from her face. She
puts a trembling hand to her mouth, mind racing...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAWN
The Villagers go about their daily activities, but nobody
speaks. The Herald hangs the full moon sign.
HERALD
Full moon! Full moon! Full moon!
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAWN
Morning sunlight glints off the frozen brook. A flock of
CROWS are startled from their roosts and take flight.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DAWN
Grandmother sits at the table, writing a letter in Latin
with a quill. She doesn't notice the veil that separates
her bedchamber rippling, as if in a gentle breeze...
Suddenly, she hears MOVEMENT. She looks up. The veil is
still. She stands and pokes the ashes of the fire with
her cane, her back to the veil...
... and changes her grip on the cane. To wield it as a
weapon. Glancing back, she sees the veil move again...
Suddenly, she whirls around and swings her cane at the
veil, sweeping through it three times without hitting
anything. A beat.
(CONTINUED)
85.
CONTINUED:
GRANDMOTHER
Show yourself! Coward!
Another beat. The veil settles and is still. Then:
A FIGURE lunges out of the veil with its arms reaching
out at us. It grabs Grandmother's throat in one hand and
wrestles the cane from her grip with the other.
She struggles, but she's far too weak for her attacker.
The Figure whips out a knife. Grandmother sees it, but
can do nothing. The knife flashes.
Fat drops of blood splash on the floor. Then the Figure
drops Grandmother and she crumples, lifeless. A pool of
blood slowly spreads out from underneath her.
The Figure steps over the widening pool and picks up the
letter Grandmother was writing. He quickly scans it and
angrily tosses it in the fire...
Then he hears something. FOOTSTEPS, crunching through
the snow. He hurries to the window and peers out...
It's Roxanne and Prudence. Roxanne looks like hell, but
here for lessons as usual. The Figure ducks out of
sight. A moment later, they're KNOCKING on the door.
Their feet are visible under the crack.
The Figure sidles alongside the door, BREATHING heavily.
Another KNOCK. On the floor inside, the pool of blood is
expanding toward the door...
The Figure sees it. He puts a hand on the hilt of his
knife... then whispers to the girls through the door,
disguising his voice with a dry, old woman's rasp:
THE FIGURE
Go away.
Outside, Roxanne and Prudence exchange a curious look.
PRUDENCE
Are you all right?
THE FIGURE
I'm sick. You can't come in.
PRUDENCE
You sound awful. Would you like
us to make you something?
THE FIGURE
No. You mustn't come in. Go
home, now. I want to sleep.
(CONTINUED)
86.
CONTINUED: (2)
The blood is flowing right toward the door. In about
thirty seconds, the girls will be standing in it.
Outside, Prudence and Roxanne exchange a look...
... then turn and walk away. The Figure breathes a sigh
of relief and takes his hand away from the knife.
But then Roxanne stops. And looks back. The Figure
secretly watches from the window.
Roxanne walks back to the cottage. The blood is about to
run under the door. The Figure grabs the door handle and
readies the knife. Roxanne stands on the doorstep.
ROXANNE
Are you sure you don't want us to
bring you something?
THE FIGURE
No, my dear. Come back tomorrow.
The blood is seconds away from hitting her feet. The
Figure stands poised to throw open the door... but at the
last instant, Roxanne turns and walks away. She doesn't
see the blood pour outside under the door behind her.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON CELL - DAY
Isabelle has fallen asleep on the bed of straw. She's
startled awake by the sound of her CELL DOOR opening.
It's Father Auguste.
FATHER AUGUSTE
I've come to hear your final
confession.
Isabelle nods shakily and sits up. He enters.
ISABELLE
Has there been any word from my
grandmother?
FATHER AUGUSTE
None that I have heard. Why?
Isabelle doesn't answer. She turns away, troubled...
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - DAY
Peter anxiously waits outside, half-hidden in a copse of
trees. A SERVANT BOY runs up to him from the house.
(CONTINUED)
87.
CONTINUED:
SERVANT BOY
She's still in the dungeon.
They're going to move her at
sunset.
Peter tosses the Boy a coin. The Boy runs off. Peter
looks at the stone house, his eyes hard and determined...
INT. MANOR HOUSE - CORRIDOR - DAY
Attewater walks with Father Solomon.
ATTEWATER
We've hanged the werewolf. Why
not let the girl go free?
SOLOMON
I told you, Bailiff. Where there
is one werewolf, there are more.
And the girl is the bait for our
trap.
Father Solomon strides off. Attewater watches him go...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY
Villagers are already gathering. The Merchant looks up
at the sun. It's now dipping beneath the rooftops...
EXT. BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE - DAY
Peter knocks on the door. Henri opens it. He eyes Peter
dubiously.
PETER
I need your help.
Off Henri's look...
INT. TAVERN HOUSE - DAY
Attewater hurriedly enters and looks around. Nobody here
except the BARMAN and Cesaire slumped in a chair, a jug
of beer in his hand. Attewater goes to Cesaire.
ATTEWATER
Where is your mother?
CESAIRE
I don't know. I went to pick her
up this morning and she was gone.
(CONTINUED)
88.
CONTINUED:
Attewater reacts, concerned. Cesaire takes another
drink. Attewater angrily knocks it out of his hand.
ATTEWATER
Stop pouring that swill down your
gullet listen to me!
Cesaire emerges from his drunken fog and shoots him a
dangerous look, but Attewater doesn't shy from it.
ATTEWATER
She was trying to find the
werewolf. If she figured out who
it is, I need to know now.
Suddenly, the door bursts open and the Captain enters,
flanked by Soldiers. They drag Cesaire to his feet.
ATTEWATER
Wait! What has he done?
CAPTAIN
It's just a precaution. Father
Solomon doesn't want the girl's
family interfering.
Suddenly, Cesaire pulls a club out of his boot and hits
the Captain across the back, knocking him to his knees.
Cesaire hits him again, then he's wrestled to the ground.
The Captain kicks Cesaire in the face and knocks him out.
The Soldiers drag him away. Attewater watches them go...
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON CELL - DAY
Soldiers haul Cesaire's unconscious body downstairs.
Isabelle watches as they throw him in another cell.
ISABELLE
What have you done to him?!
Then: Isabelle's cell is opened. The Captain is holding
iron manacles. Isabelle looks at them, horrified. The
Soldiers clap her in irons. This is really happening...
CESAIRE (O.S.)
Isabelle...
He's coming to. Isabelle breaks away from the Soldiers,
runs to his cell, and holds his hands through the bars.
ISABELLE
I love you so much. Tell Mama and
Grandmother that I love them.
(CONTINUED)
89.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE
I love you, my angel. You don't
know how much.
The Soldiers pull Isabelle away and lead her up the
stairs. Cesaire shakes his cell door with impotent rage.
CESAIRE
Bastards!
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - DUSK
Isabelle is chained to the back of Solomon's coach. The
Captain approaches with a 'humiliation mask': an iron
mask that locks in place over the head with only tiny
holes to see out of. This one is shaped to look like a
wolf's head. Isabelle goes pale at the sight of it...
... then the Captain puts it over her head. Inside the
mask: almost total darkness. The Captain locks it on.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - DUSK
Solomon's coach lurches through the snow and slush.
Isabelle trudges along behind it. The Villagers line the
road to watch as she is dragged stumbling through the
streets in her horrific iron wolf mask. Lucrece sneers.
LUCRECE
Not so pretty now, is she?
The Villagers do not answer. Henri is here, silently
fuming. Prudence stands next to him. She looks around.
PRUDENCE
Where's Peter?
HENRI
I haven't seen him.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DUSK
Solomon, Attewater, and Father Auguste stand next to the
stocks. As a crowd of anxious Villagers watches,
Isabelle is placed in the stocks with the mask still on.
SOLOMON
We, Bailiff Attewater, Father
Auguste, and Father Solomon of
Avignon, having in mind that you,
Isabelle Ordeville of Villiers la
Croisée in the Diocese of Saint-
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
90.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON (CONT'D)
Flour, by your own confession,
have committed acts of vulgar
heresy, convict you of the sins of
witches and condemn you to the
mercy of werewolf. This is the
sentence given.
Solomon walks away and Attewater reluctantly follows.
Through the holes in the mask, Isabelle sees Father
Auguste make the sign of the cross and sadly turn away.
ISABELLE
Help...
Father Auguste stops. The Villagers shift uncomfortably
as her helpless voice calls out from inside the mask.
ISABELLE
Help me... Please... Help me...
The Villagers start to leave, ashamed. Isabelle sees
them going... and suddenly SCREAMS.
ISABELLE
HELP ME! PLEASE! WHY WON'T
SOMEBODY HELP ME?!
The Villagers startle. She SCREAMS again, struggling
against the stocks. But no one comes to her aid.
INT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - DUSK
Isabelle's SCREAMS can be heard from here. Roxanne lies
in her bed, sobbing her heart out...
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DUSK (LATER)
Almost everyone has left. Isabelle slumps in the stocks,
silent and exhausted. Father Auguste sadly walks away,
leaving only Prudence. She nervously approaches.
PRUDENCE
Isabelle? Can you hear me?
ISABELLE
I can hear you.
PRUDENCE
Roxanne wanted you to know how
sorry she is. She only said those
things to save her brother.
(CONTINUED)
91.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
I know. Will you tell her that I
forgive her?
PRUDENCE
Of course.
(BEAT)
I wanted to say... I don't know
what to say.
ISABELLE
You don't have to say anything.
PRUDENCE
I want to.
(BEAT)
I want you to know that you may
have fooled Roxanne, but you don't
fool me. Not anymore. You were
always too good. Too pretty.
Nobody could be as perfect as you.
You tricked us. And now you're
going to get what you deserve.
A beat. Isabelle responds, surprisingly gentle:
ISABELLE
I think you'd better go now.
Prudence looks up. The sun has almost set.
PRUDENCE
Yes. It won't be long now.
ACROSS THE SQUARE
The Captain crouches in the shadows of a nearby barn. He
watches Prudence leave. Solomon and Attewater join him.
SOLOMON
No one shoots until I give the
order.
Attewater glances outside and sees Soldiers armed with
longbows hidden all around the square. The Captain draws
an arrow from his quiver. It's tip is made of silver.
EXT. VILLAGE - OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT
The streets are empty. The FULL MOON has risen...
92.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
Isabelle is now alone. The streets are empty. Around
the square, Soldiers stand in tense silence, ready with
arrows strung on their bows. Attewater shifts nervously.
Suddenly: a long, ululating HOWL. Isabelle gasps. The
Soldiers ready their bows. Attewater shrinks back.
Another HOWL. Closer now. Isabelle tries to pull her
hands out of the stocks. Then: Solomon spots something.
SOLOMON
There.
The Captain and Attewater follow his look. A BLACK SHAPE
is stealing through the shadows toward Isabelle...
SOLOMON
Hold your fire...
Isabelle frantically tries to free herself, her wrists
torn and bleeding, but it's no use. Then, suddenly --
-- something SLAMS into the stocks. BANG! She can't see
what it is. The stocks are hit again. Isabelle screams.
Suddenly, the Shape moves into her field of view:
HENRI (O.S.)
Hey! Stop it! It's me!
Isabelle's eyes go wide. The Black Shape crouches and
looks in at Isabelle through the eyeholes. It's Henri.
ISABELLE
Get away from me!
HENRI
I'm not the Wolf! The moon is
out! Look, I haven't turned!
Isabelle realizes. He's right. It couldn't be him.
HENRI
I'm trying to get you out of this.
ISABELLE
Yes! Yes, please hurry!
Solomon and his men watch as Henri uses a hammer and
chisel to break open the stocks. BANG! BANG!
CAPTAIN
He's going to free her.
Then: another HOWL. Almost on top of them.
(CONTINUED)
93.
CONTINUED:
SOLOMON
Patience. It's close now...
Henri brings the hammer down again and again and -- BANG!
The lock is cleaved in two. Henri throws the stock open
and helps Isabelle out of the mask. She looks like hell.
HENRI
Can you stand?
Isabelle nods. In the loft:
SOLOMON
Kill him.
Attewater gives Solomon a horrified look. The Captain
strings an arrow and draws it back, taking aim...
Suddenly, Attewater pushes him aside, spoiling the shot.
The arrow whizzes by Henri's head. Attewater calls out:
ATTEWATER
RUN!
Isabelle and Henri see him -- just as Solomon plunges a
dagger into his back. Henri drags Isabelle to her feet
and they run away, arrows ZIPPING all around them.
Solomon scowls as he watches them escape.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
Henri leads Isabelle as they run through the village.
HENRI
We have to get to the stable.
Peter left his cart for us.
ISABELLE
Peter? Where is he --?
HENRI
It doesn't matter. Come on!
EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT
The Captain and his Soldiers have picked up a few
followers. They're raising the alarm. A MOB is forming.
CAPTAIN
The witch has escaped! The witch
has escaped!
94.
EXT. STABLE - NIGHT
Henri leads Isabelle around the back and helps her into a
cart that is waiting for them and unhitches the horse.
EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT
Henri and Isabelle take off through the village in the
cart... but then they hear a HOWL behind them.
They look back. The Wolf emerges from the darkness,
chasing after them. Henri whips the horse, urging it to
go faster. They start to pull away from the Wolf, but
then it veers off into the village and disappears.
HENRI
It's gone.
ISABELLE
I don't think so...
Just then, they pass by the Reeve and a group of
Villagers. The Villagers start to give chase, but
Isabelle and Henri quickly leave them behind.
Meanwhile, the Wolf is shortcutting through the village,
racing after the cart. It comes to a sheep pen and
smashes through it. It comes to a large barn and leaps
onto its roof, then leaps off again --
-- and lands within striking distance of the cart. Henri
drives the horse, but it's no use. The Wolf lunges,
wrestling the horse to the ground. The horse cries out,
its body twisting as it falls, sending the cart flying.
Isabelle falls out and lands hard. Henri lies on his
side, clutching his wrist. Isabelle pulls herself
together and goes to him. She looks at his arm. It's
visibly broken. She helps him to his feet --
-- just as the overturned cart is SMASHED apart. The
Wolf bursts through it, breaking it to pieces. It glares
at them with bloodthirsty eyes.
Isabelle and Henri back away from it, but their escape is
blocked -- the Villagers have caught up. They freeze at
the sight of the Wolf, but stand their ground. Isabelle
and Henri are trapped. The Reeve shouts:
REEVE
Take her! Take her and leave us
in peace!
The Wolf SNARLS at him and turns to Isabelle.
(CONTINUED)
95.
CONTINUED:
THE WOLF
You can't outrun me, my dear. And
there is no place you can hide
that I cannot smell you out.
(BEAT)
So what is your decision? Will
you take your place with me?
ISABELLE
My place will never be with you.
THE WOLF
Where do you belong then? Here?
With the cowards who so gladly
sacrificed you to save themselves?
ISABELLE
They're still good people.
THE WOLF
They are sheep. We are not like
them. Let me show you what you
are.
The Wolf steps closer... but suddenly, Henri pushes
Isabelle aside, pulls his hammer from his belt, and
raises it to hit the Wolf.
HENRI
Get away from her!
The Reeve quickly grabs him. Henri struggles futilely,
but Isabelle seizes the distraction. She snatches a
Villager's torch and jabs it into the Wolf's side. The
Wolf leaps back with an eerily human YELP of pain.
Before it can react, Isabelle waves the torch at the
Villagers, grabs Henri and they run away.
The mob chases after them. Three Soldiers appear and
join the mob. Figures silhouetted against the snow,
angry faces lit by torchlight. It's like a nightmare.
Suddenly, a cottage in front of the mob EXPLODES into
pieces and the Wolf bursts out of it. It turns on the
Villagers and Soldiers. It picks up a fallen roof beam
in its powerful jaws, clenches them, trembling with rage,
and snaps the wooden beam in half like a twig.
The Villagers run away in fear, but the Soldiers stand
their ground and the Wolf attacks.
Meanwhile, Isabelle and Henri escape... but there are
more Soldiers up ahead. Isabelle and Henri quickly hide.
(CONTINUED)
96.
CONTINUED: (2)
HENRI
I need to tell you something. In
case I die.
(off Isabelle's look)
Your grandmother is the Wolf.
Isabelle recoils in disbelief. She shakes her head.
ISABELLE
The Wolf is a man. It told me.
HENRI
You believe it?
Isabelle hesitates. He has a point. Henri peers out.
The Soldiers are closing in on them...
HENRI
They're coming.
ISABELLE
Follow me.
She takes his hand and leads him away.
EXT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle knocks at the door. Roxanne answers. She gives
Isabelle a stunned look.
ISABELLE
We need to come inside. Quickly.
INT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle and Henri enter. Roxanne shuts the door.
Marguerite gasps when she sees Isabelle.
MARGUERITE
Have you lost your mind? If they
find her here, they'll kill us,
too!
ROXANNE
Then shut up so they don't find
her.
HENRI
We have to get out of town.
ROXANNE
You'll never make it. You can
hide here until morning.
(CONTINUED)
97.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
They're searching everywhere. We
have to keep moving.
ROXANNE
You might make it to the church.
Even the king cannot violate the
protection of sanctuary.
HENRI
And the Wolf cannot cross onto
holy ground.
The three exchange a look. Sounds like a plan.
ISABELLE
Can we go out your back window?
Roxanne nods. They hurry toward the window, but then:
ROXANNE
Wait! I have an idea.
EXT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
A group of Villagers walks by. As they do, the Reeve
hears something coming from behind the cottage...
HENRI (O.S.)
Come on!
The Reeve follows the voice and sees two figures that
look like Henri and Isabelle climb out the back window.
REEVE
They're here! Over here!
The two figures run and the Villagers chase after them.
EXT. VILLAGE - FIELD - NIGHT
Henri and Isabelle hide behind a shed, just as the
Villagers appear and spread out, trying to find them.
Henri turns to Isabelle... only it's not Isabelle. It's
Roxanne wearing Isabelle's clothes.
HENRI
Can you keep going?
ROXANNE
I can if you can.
They run off, chased by the Villagers.
98.
EXT. ROXANNE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle climbs out the back window undetected, dressed
in Roxanne's clothes. The coast is clear. She runs off.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - NIGHT
Isabelle can see the church steeple over the rooftops and
races toward it. But then she hears a low GROWL ahead of
her. Dark eyes peer from an open barn door. She turns
and runs down an alley. The Wolf chases after her.
As Isabelle nears the end of the alley, the Wolf suddenly
appears in front of her, blocking her path. She races
back the way she came, then darts into a gap between two
outbuildings, barely big enough for her to pass through,
too narrow for the Wolf to follow.
But as she runs, she hears a LOUD CLAMORING above her.
The Wolf is chasing her on the roof of one of the
buildings. It's right over her. It shoves its head
through the narrow space above her, SNAPPING its jaws,
but can't quite reach her. Then suddenly --
-- the gap between the buildings closes further and the
Wolf is stopped short, choking, its head caught in the
narrow space. But Isabelle slips through, emerges from
between the buildings, and is startled by a VOICE:
CAPTAIN (O.S.)
There!
The Captain is pointing at her. He has another Soldier
with him. Isabelle runs. They chase after her...
... just as the Wolf frees itself. From the rooftop, it
sees the Soldiers chasing Isabelle. It races after them,
running across roofs and jumping from cottage to cottage.
Isabelle runs into an alley that dead-ends at a low wall.
There's firewood piled against the wall and Isabelle
quickly scrabbles up it, but at the last second --
-- the Captain reaches out and grabs her ankle. She
grabs a log and hits him over the head until he lets go.
Then she jumps down to the other side.
The other Soldier starts to climb after her, but is
suddenly lifted right off his feet. The Captain looks
up. The Wolf is standing on the adjacent roof and has
picked the Soldier up in its jaws. It glares down at the
Captain. It flings the Soldier in its mouth away like a
dirty sock. The Captain gapes up at it in fear for a
moment too long and then the Wolf is on him.
99.
EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - NIGHT
Isabelle's route has taken her right back to where she
started. She spots the steeple and starts toward it...
But there is someone here. Father Solomon. He's holding
his silver sword. Isabelle freezes. For a moment, they
just stand there, looking at one another. Then --
Isabelle turns to run. Solomon is on her in an instant.
He grabs a fistful of her hair and throws her to the
ground. She tries to get away, but he puts a knee in her
back and ties her hands together with a length of rope.
SOLOMON
At least you won't die alone now.
Your friends will all hang with
you.
Suddenly... a long, hideous SNARL. Behind them. Father
Solomon turns. Isabelle cranes her neck and sees... the
Wolf emerge from the alley she just came out of. Solomon
picks up his sword and stands to face it.
SOLOMON
If you come for her, you come
through me.
The Wolf GROWLS and raises its hackles. Solomon raises
his sword. Just then, Henri and Roxanne run into the
square, followed by a group of Villagers.
SOLOMON
Stay back!
Henri hurries to Isabelle's side. The Villagers watch,
breathless, as Solomon and the Wolf circle one another.
Solomon's sword starts to tremble. Sweat breaks out on
his brow. The Wolf SNARLS with an almost mocking leer.
Then, with a loud battle cry, Solomon charges. The Wolf
leaps at him. Solomon raises his sword...
... and the Wolf's jaws clamp onto his wrist. Solomon
screams. The Villagers watch, horrified, as the Wolf
twists back and forth, like a dog with a chew toy --
-- biting off Solomon's hand. The hand falls into the
snow, still clutching the silver sword. Solomon cries
out in agony. The Wolf turns toward Isabelle and SNARLS.
THE WOLF
There is your mighty werewolf
hunter. Who will save you now?
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED:
Isabelle trembles. The Wolf slowly steps toward her,
menacing... and is struck in the head with a rock. The
Wolf stops, surprised to find Henri standing in its way.
Henri picks up another rock and throws it.
HENRI
You bastard! You killed my
father!
ISABELLE
Henri, what are you doing?
HENRI
I'm not letting it take you.
He throws another rock and another. One hits the Wolf in
the eye, tearing a gash in its face. The Wolf GROWLS.
HENRI
Look! It bleeds! We can kill it
if we stand together!
The Villagers waver. Henri beseeches them:
HENRI
Father Solomon was one man. His
soldiers were mercenaries. But we
are a village!
The Wolf SNARLS at him, but comes no closer.
ISABELLE
He's right. It's a coward at
heart. Look at it. Why doesn't
it attack?
The Wolf SNARLS louder and takes a step toward her... but
then the Merchant picks up a rock and throws it.
MERCHANT
You killed my daughter!
Then another Villager joins them. The Wolf looks around.
Villagers are emerging from the shadows all around it.
It's surrounded. And not by a dozen soldiers, but by a
solid wall of angry, determined men and women.
The Wolf raises its hackles, trying to scare them, but
they start closing in, jabbing at it with weapons and
farm implements. It snaps and SNARLS at its attackers,
but there are too many of them.
Someone drives a spear into the Wolf and it screams in
agony. It lurches around, biting at the spear, but can't
reach it. Then Henri sees something in the snow...
(CONTINUED)
101.
CONTINUED: (2)
Solomon's sword. He pries it out of Solomon's severed
hand and turns to face the Wolf, the angry Villagers
gathered behind them. The Wolf trembles, blood dripping
from its many wounds... then it turns to Isabelle.
THE WOLF
I will come for you again.
And with that, it turns and flees into the night. The
Villagers CHEER. The Reeve chases after it and the rest
of the angry mob follows him. Henri turns to Isabelle.
HENRI
Are you all right?
Isabelle nods, shaky. Then...
SOLOMON (O.S.)
This isn't over.
They turn. Solomon kneels, holding his bloody stump.
SOLOMON
I am bitten.
Henri and Isabelle exchange a look. A long beat. Henri
walks over to Solomon, sword in hand. Solomon crosses
himself and closes his eyes, unafraid. Roxanne turns
away. Isabelle doesn't.
Then Henri swings the sword. There is a soft THUMP as
Solomon's head hits the snow. Henri throws the sword
aside. Isabelle puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - DAY
Isabelle awakens in her bed. She looks around. She's
still dressed in Roxanne's clothes from the night before.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAY
Isabelle enters to find Suzette putting food in a basket.
Suzette stops when she sees Isabelle and gives her a hug.
ISABELLE
It's past noon.
SUZETTE
I know. I didn't want to wake
you.
Isabelle smiles up at her. The wounds on Suzette's face
are still bad, but healing. She's scarred for life.
(CONTINUED)
102.
CONTINUED:
ISABELLE
Where's Father?
SUZETTE
He'll be home soon. They have no
reason to hold him any longer.
ISABELLE
Did they catch the Wolf?
SUZETTE
No. They lost it in the forest.
This gives Isabelle pause. A beat. Then:
ISABELLE
What about Grandmother?
Suzette hesitates. Isabelle is suddenly concerned.
SUZETTE
Roxanne came by. She said your
grandmother has fallen ill. I was
hoping you could look in on her.
Off Isabelle's troubled look...
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - DAY
Isabelle walks through the village wearing Lucie's red
riding hood and carrying a basket of food. People lower
their eyes as she passes. She spots Prudence gossiping
with Lucrece. Prudence sees her, then looks away.
The same pup we saw at the beginning is now a grown dog.
It playfully follows Isabelle along the path, but stops
as she enters the dark, fog-shrouded forest...
EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - DAY
Isabelle walks through the snow. A thick fog gives the
forest a strange, dream-like feeling. A cold wind blows.
Soon Isabelle becomes aware of FOOTSTEPS behind her. She
stops and turns. Slowly, a figure appears. It's Peter.
PETER
Thank God you're all right.
He tries to take her hand, but she pulls away. A beat.
ISABELLE
I'm fine. You sent Henri to help
me.
(CONTINUED)
103.
CONTINUED:
PETER
What did he tell you?
Isabelle gives him a hurt look.
ISABELLE
Those people back there. I know
they mean well, but they're just
people. I didn't expect anything
from them. I expected something
from you.
PETER
I just need to talk to you.
ISABELLE
I'm going to see my Grandmother.
She's sick. Please don't follow
me.
Isabelle starts walking again. Peter just stands there,
watching her go. When she looks back, he's gone. She
sighs, wiping tears from her eyes. She continues on...
Then: FOOTSTEPS behind her again. She stops and looks
back. Listens. Nothing. She keeps walking. But then
she HEARS them again. Looks back. A dark figure follows
her in the fog. She walks faster.
She reaches the fork in the path. She pauses. The
FOOTSTEPS are still behind her. She makes a decision.
She breaks off a tree branch and backs toward the
abandoned path, using the branch to sweep away her tracks
in the snow. When she's far enough away from the main
path, she throws the branch aside...
... and turns to face the abandoned path. It looks
ominous. She gives it a wary look, then starts walking.
EXT. GULLY - DAY
Isabelle reaches the rope bridge. More of the rotten
boards have fallen out during the winter. Isabelle looks
down. It's a long drop to the river below. She edges
out, stepping carefully on the snow-covered boards,
holding onto the rope with both hands...
Suddenly -- CRACK! A board SNAPS under her weight. At
the last instant, she regains her balance. The broken
board SPLASHES into the water. She takes a moment to
catch her breath before continuing...
104.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DUSK
Isabelle crosses the little bridge and knocks on the
front door. The fog still hangs over everything. She
doesn't notice the dark stain under her feet...
ISABELLE
Grandmother? Are you awake?
She listens at the door. A long beat. Then:
THE FIGURE (O.S.)
Pull the bobbin. The latch will
open.
We recognize the thin, raspy voice. Isabelle hesitates,
then pulls the bobbin and opens the door...
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DUNGEON - DUSK
The Reeve and a GUARD examine something O.S.
REEVE
You're certain nobody has seen him
since last night?
GUARD
The Wolf must have taken him.
What else could have done that?
They're looking at the cell where Cesaire was locked up.
The metal door has been ripped off its hinges...
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DUSK
Isabelle closes the door. A pot is cooking over the
fire. The cat lounges in its heat, grooming itself. It
looks up at Isabelle as she enters. Isabelle stops.
The veil that has always been closed is now open. Beyond
it, we see Grandmother propped up in bed. The light is
too dim to see her very well, just a candle by her bed.
She's wearing a nightgown and cap. She doesn't move.
THE FIGURE
I've been expecting you.
Isabelle starts toward the bedroom with the basket...
ISABELLE
Mother sent some food. There are
cakes and a pot of butter --
(CONTINUED)
105.
CONTINUED:
THE FIGURE
Don't come in here.
Isabelle stops short. Grandmother's face is cloaked in
darkness. Isabelle gives her a questioning look.
THE FIGURE
I'm not hungry right now.
ISABELLE
Are you sure? You sound so weak.
THE FIGURE
I just made myself a stew. I left
it over the fire for you.
Isabelle glances back at the pot BUBBLING over the fire.
ISABELLE
I came here to take care of you.
Not the other way around.
THE FIGURE
Don't be silly, my dear. You've
been through so much. Sit down.
Isabelle considers for a beat, then places the basket on
the table, next to a ball of yarn with Grandmother's
knitting needles sticking out of it.
THE FIGURE
There's no burden so heavy that it
doesn't seem a little lighter on a
full stomach.
ISABELLE
(SMILES)
You always say that.
She ladles some soup into a bowl and sits down. The cat
looks up from its grooming, watching her...
THE FIGURE
That's right. Eat up, my dear.
Eat up.
Isabelle takes a bite of the hot soup. The cat jumps up
on the table and lies down next to her, licking its paw.
ISABELLE
I've been worried about you. When
you didn't come back yesterday, I
was afraid...
(BEAT)
You were wrong about Henri.
(CONTINUED)
106.
CONTINUED: (2)
THE FIGURE
Was I now?
ISABELLE
Yes. He saved my life.
Isabelle takes another bite of soup, then pauses. She
puts the bowl down and loosens her collar...
ISABELLE
I feel hot all of a sudden.
THE FIGURE
It's just the stew warming you.
Isabelle hesitates, but keeps eating. Then she takes a
closer look at the cat. There's blood on its paw.
That's what it has been licking this whole time.
Suddenly, Isabelle feels faint. She breaks out in a
sweat. She looks at the soup. A thick broth with chunks
of white meat...
ISABELLE
What is this...?
THE FIGURE
If you don't like it, there's wine
on the table to wash it down.
Isabelle reaches for the bottle with an unsteady hand and
pours herself a cup. She takes a sip... and freezes.
It's not wine. It's blood. She gags and drops the cup,
spilling blood everywhere. The cat jumps away.
She looks at the bottle, turns it over. More blood pours
out. Isabelle screams and throws it, knocking over the
pot and spilling the soup. The Figure laughs.
THE FIGURE
Oh, what pretty red lips. Come
and give your Granny a kiss, my
dear.
ISABELLE
I don't think I want to.
THE FIGURE
Then I will come to you.
And with that -- Grandmother slowly starts to move. She
groans. She's hurt. She stands up. She's much taller
now than she was. As Isabelle watches in mute dread, the
Figure pulls off Grandmother's nightgown and cap, hobbles
into the firelight, revealing its face...
(CONTINUED)
107.
CONTINUED: (3)
It's Cesaire. Isabelle quickly stands, startled.
ISABELLE
What is this? Where's
Grandmother?
CESAIRE
I'm afraid I ate most of her.
(BEAT)
You ate the rest.
Isabelle gives the spilled stew on the floor a horrified
look. For a moment, she looks like she may pass out.
CESAIRE
I didn't want to kill her. But
she finally realized what I was.
EXT. CREEK - DAWN (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire bathes in a cold stream...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
The hardest thing to hide has
always been the smell. The
werewolf musk is strong,
especially close to the full moon.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The night of the wolf hunt. Henri crouches in the woods,
clutching his hammer... then freezes with terror. He
sees the Wolf slink by in the dark, dragging Adrien along
by his throat. It happened just as Henri said it did.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Henri smelled it the night he saw
me. And he recognized the smell
later.
EXT. STABLE - DUSK (FLASHBACK)
Grandmother's confrontation with Henri. She stumbles
outside and practically runs right into Cesaire...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
He thought it was your
Grandmother. He didn't know he
was smelling me. But she did.
She'd lived with the smell her
whole life, she just had no way of
knowing what it was.
108.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Grandmother hands Cesaire a stack of knitted blankets.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Once she realized what it was, of
course, she knew the truth. She
tried to sneak a message to Father
Auguste last night.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire carries the blankets back to the cart. He
quickly looks inside them and finds a note: 'MEUS FILIUS
EST LUPUS.' Subtitle: 'My son is the wolf.'
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Luckily, she'd taught me how to
read.
BACK TO SCENE
Isabelle shakes her head, tears streaming down her face.
ISABELLE
You're not the Wolf. You can't
be...
CESAIRE
Look into my eyes. The one part
of me I can never change.
Isabelle looks into his eyes... and recoils in horror.
ISABELLE
Oh, dear God... You killed Lucie?
You killed my sister?
CESAIRE
I did more than that to her.
Isabelle steps away from him, mind reeling. He snarls.
CESAIRE
I only wish your mother could have
known what I did to her. The girl
she passed off as my daughter.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The night of the festival. SCREAMS can be heard coming
from the village square. Suzette runs outside...
(CONTINUED)
109.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE (V.O.)
I was made a cuckold by your
mother. But I paid her back.
She hears a LOW GROWL. She turns, startled. It's the
Wolf. It lunges at her, raking her face with its claws.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The wolf hunt. Adrien hears SOMETHING move in the brush.
He looks toward it... and sees the Wolf staring at him
from the darkness.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
I paid her lover back, too.
BACK TO SCENE
To Isabelle's dismay, Cesaire has tears in his eyes.
CESAIRE
Lucie was the joy of my life. But
she wasn't mine.
ISABELLE
Yes, she was. In every way that
matters, she was.
CESAIRE
No. Not in every way that
matters. My father sired me. I
am a werewolf because it was in
his blood. Because I was his.
ISABELLE
Did Grandmother know?
CESAIRE
No. And neither does your mother.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DUSK (FLASHBACK)
The night Lucie died. Cesaire pours mugs of beer, but
this time we see him sprinkle something in the beer
before serving it -- Grandmother's sleeping herb.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
I put an herb in the beer to make
you sleep whenever the moon was
full. One of your Grandmother's
old remedies.
110.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - DUSK (FLASHBACK)
Many years ago. Grandmother is in her 40s, asleep in a
chair, holding an empty cup. Isabelle's GRANDFATHER
takes the cup from her hand and quietly leaves.
Grandmother sleeps peacefully by the fire...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
That's how my father got away with
it. Your grandmother never
learned the truth. Until last
night.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Still many years ago. A werewolf runs through the
woods... followed by a smaller werewolf.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
I began to turn when I was
fourteen. My father and I ran
together. We hunted freely.
Killing at will.
The two werewolves are chasing a FRIGHTENED PEASANT,
moving in for the kill...
EXT. DARK FOREST - DAY (FLASHBACK)
The mangled body of the Peasant has been discovered. A
group of MEN stands around it.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Our only mistake was that we
gorged ourselves too often on the
fat flesh of the villagers.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The two werewolves are running through the woods again,
this time chased by VILLAGERS with torches and weapons.
CESAIRE
They killed my father.
Suddenly, the larger werewolf falls into a pit filled
with sharp stakes. It CRIES OUT in agony. The smaller
werewolf looks down and WHIMPERS...
... watching as the larger werewolf begins to change
before our eyes. It's reverting to its human form...
(CONTINUED)
111.
CONTINUED:
By the time the Villagers reach the pit, what they find
is Grandfather's naked body skewered on the stakes. The
smaller werewolf GROWLS at them and runs away.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
The fools thought my father had
been thrown in the pit by the
Wolf. They never suspected that
he was the Wolf.
SERIES OF SHOTS (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire labors in a field. He goes to church. He
thatches the roof of his cottage in the hot sun...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
I tried to live as my father did,
but I came to realize that I did
not belong here. The Wolf was my
true self. It wasn't something to
be hidden. It was a gift. I had
to leave here and never return.
EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire stands in the cemetery, looking down at his
father's grave...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
But I did not want to go alone.
My father and I were part of a
long and powerful bloodline. It
was up to me to see that it did
not die out. I had hoped for a
son to pass my gift on to.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire mends a fence, but keeps glancing at something...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Instead, God gave me daughters.
He's looking at Lucie and Isabelle. They help Suzette
hang clothes to dry. He smiles as he watches them...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
But female werewolves are not
born. They are made. And I chose
my eldest.
Lucie catches him watching. She waves. He waves back.
112.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Another day. Cesaire is giving Lucie a stern lecture.
Lucie's face is ashen and there are tears in her eyes.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
When I finally decided to leave, I
told Lucie the truth. And I gave
her a choice. She could come with
me. Or I would take you instead.
Lucie turns and sees Isabelle approaching. We realize
that we've seen this moment before.
CESAIRE
This doesn't concern you,
Isabelle.
ISABELLE
Yes, Father.
Isabelle walks away. Cesaire watches her go...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
She agreed to come with me. She
did it to protect you.
INT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Isabelle is fast asleep. Lucie sneaks out of bed...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
We arranged to meet on the night
of the next full moon.
EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Lucie stands naked, arms clutched around her breasts.
Then, a NOISE in the brush. She turns and sees...
CESAIRE
She was not a werewolf yet. I had
to turn her.
... the Wolf emerge from the forest with a scrap of
bloody meat dangling from its jaws.
EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Later. Lucie weeps as she forces herself to eat the raw
meat scraps. The Wolf watches, panting...
(CONTINUED)
113.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE (V.O.)
First, she had to eat human flesh.
I fed her from a kill I had made
the month before. But the ritual
was not yet complete. She had to
be bitten by a male werewolf.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle looks like she's going to be ill.
CESAIRE
The bite should have changed her.
It should have made her like me.
But it didn't. That's when I
knew. There was no werewolf blood
in her. I was not her father. I
was so angry. I killed her before
I even realized I was doing it.
INT. TAVERN COTTAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Cesaire sits slumped in a corner, too drunk to move. A
hand reaches in to help him. It's Isabelle.
CESAIRE (V.O.)
Afterwards, I thought about
killing myself. The only thing
that kept me alive was you.
EXT. ISABELLE'S FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Isabelle helps drunk Cesaire into bed...
CESAIRE (V.O.)
You were so beautiful. So kind.
And I knew you were mine. That's
why you could understand me when
no one else could. You were mine.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Cesaire takes Isabelle's hand and won't let it go. She
backs into the wall. He looms over her...
CESAIRE
Do you see now? This is your
heritage. This is what you are.
Everything I have done has been to
insure the future of our
bloodline. We will run together
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
114.
CONTINUED:
CESAIRE (CONT'D)
like my father and I once did.
You are the next generation. You
have had your first taste of human
flesh. Now one bite from me is
all that is needed to change you.
It will only hurt for a moment.
And then you will be as I am.
ISABELLE
There must indeed be a God. For
you are surely the Devil...
CESAIRE
I will give you a choice. Come
with me now. Or refuse me and let
your friends suffer in your place.
I will kill them one by one. Your
mother. Roxanne. Peter.
Isabelle shudders. She slowly pulls away and he releases
her. She walks over to the table, her back to him. She
eyes the ball of yarn with Grandmother's knitting needles
in it. A long beat. Isabelle chokes back tears.
ISABELLE
Father...?
He approaches her. Stands behind her and places his hand
on her shoulder. Her skin crawls.
CESAIRE
Yes, my dear?
ISABELLE
You gave me two choices.
She turns to face him. Looks up at him.
ISABELLE
But I have thought of a third.
Suddenly -- CRUNCH! Isabelle drives something hard into
Cesaire's jaw. He gasps, choking. He puts his had to
his throat. Blood spills out through his fingers.
CAMERA FINDS Grandmother's ball of yarn on the table.
The knitting needles aren't sticking out of it anymore...
They're sticking out of Cesaire's neck. He falls to his
knees, gagging. Then he flops over dead. Eyes open.
Isabelle gazes down at him. She looks like she might
have just lost her mind. Then she sits on the floor,
staring at his body... and screams. An eruption of
rage, betrayal, and heartbreak. She screams.
115.
EXT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
The cottage is dark and quiet.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
It's pitch black in here. There's a KNOCK at the door.
PETER (O.S.)
Hello?
No response. The door CREAKS open. It's Peter. As he
opens the door, moonlight spills inside to reveal
Isabelle huddled and trembling in the corner. She's
screamed and cried herself out. All that's left is anger
and a grim resolve. She did what she had to do.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT (LATER)
Isabelle and Peter sit at the table. A dim candle
provides the only light. A long beat.
ISABELLE
People should know what he was.
PETER
We can't tell anyone. If they
don't believe you, they'll hang
you for this. And if they do
believe you, they'll hang you for
being the daughter of the Wolf.
ISABELLE
Then I'll run away. I was ready
to run away last night.
(BEAT)
Why didn't you come for me?
Peter gives her a long look. But instead of speaking, he
rolls up his sleeve. Isabelle's eyes go wide. There's a
huge scar on his arm. In the shape of a bite mark.
PETER
I was bitten at the festival. I
spent last night in the woods
because I was afraid of what might
happen...
(A BEAT)
I changed. I'm like him now.
ISABELLE
No, you're not. You could never
be like him.
(CONTINUED)
116.
CONTINUED:
Isabelle's tears fall, the full implications of what he's
saying starting to sink in. He takes her hand.
PETER
I can't stay here.
ISABELLE
Yes, you can. We can still be
together. My father lived here.
My grandfather lived here.
PETER
Your father and your grandfather
killed people. They couldn't help
themselves. If I stay here, I
won't be able to control myself.
(off her look)
I have to be alone.
Isabelle rests her head on his and they just sit like
that, leaning against one another in the candlelight...
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT (LATER)
Isabelle and Peter crouch next to Cesaire's body. The
candle is on the floor, casting weird shadows.
PETER
We could take him to the river.
ISABELLE
I don't want him ever found.
PETER
We'll weight him with rocks.
ISABELLE
No. We'll put the rocks inside
him.
(off his look)
Cut him open. I will sew the
rocks inside him.
Peter is taken aback. She's serious.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S COTTAGE - NIGHT (LATER)
Peter and Isabelle have placed several heavy rocks next
to Cesaire's body. Peter opens Cesaire's shirt and takes
out a hunting knife. Isabelle gives Peter a nod. Peter
somewhat reluctantly lowers the knife, his shoulder
moving up and down as he goes about his unseen task...
(CONTINUED)
117.
CONTINUED:
Moments later, Isabelle threads a needle and coldly
stitches begins stitching. We don't see what she's
doing, but there's blood on her needle and thread.
There's a spot of blood on her cheek, too.
EXT. RIVER - FERRY DOCK - NIGHT
Low mist hugs the ground. There's a wooden A-frame
pontoon raft tied to a ferry dock. A guy-rope runs
through the A-frame to a pier on the opposite shore.
Isabelle and Peter nervously approach. He pushes a
wheelbarrow onto the raft, its contents wrapped in
burlap. Peter unties the moorings and is about to shove
off, but Isabelle stops him:
ISABELLE
Wait.
She pulls back the burlap, revealing Cesaire's dead body.
His belly is lumpy and misshapen, an ugly red line in his
torso stitched together with black thread. The knitting
needles still jut out of his jaw. Isabelle yanks them
out, then pulls the burlap back over Cesaire's body.
Peter gives her a questioning look.
ISABELLE
These belonged to my grandmother.
The knitting needles are covered in blood. Peter takes
out a rag and wipes the blood off for her. And as he
does... something begins to shine through in the
moonlight. Peter gives Isabelle a stunned look.
PETER
They're silver.
EXT. RIVER - NIGHT
Peter uses a long pole to push the raft across the water.
Isabelle gazes out at the moonlit mist. They stop the in
the middle of the river. They exchange a look...
... then each take a side of the wheelbarrow and dump the
body into the water. It sinks instantly and is gone.
PETER
Death was too good for him.
ISABELLE
I can live with it.
118.
EXT. RIVER - OPPOSITE BANK - NIGHT
Isabelle and Peter stand on the shore. He kisses her and
she holds his face in her hands, wanting the kiss to last
forever. When they part, she gives him an aching look.
ISABELLE
Where will you go?
PETER
I don't know. I need to
understand what I've become.
Maybe I can learn to control it.
(off her look)
I'll take my own life before I
take another's.
ISABELLE
I know.
PETER
I'm not coming back. I don't want
you to wait for me. This is the
last time you'll ever see me.
ISABELLE
No, it isn't. You'll be in my
dreams until the day I die.
Peter turns and starts to walk away. But then he pauses.
PETER
You know, Henri is a good man.
ISABELLE
Yes, he is.
Then Peter continues on until he vanishes in the fog.
CAMERA PUSHES IN on Isabelle as she watches him go...
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
I never saw him again.
EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - DAY
SPRINGTIME. The leaves have returned to the forest with
explosions of green. Crops grow in the fields. Flowers
bloom. The village is vibrant with life and beauty.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
Life in my village was changed
forever. There were many
questions and few answers. In the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
119.
CONTINUED:
OLD WOMAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
end, the Wolf did not return. And
that was answer enough for most.
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
Isabelle and Henri stand before Father Auguste. They're
getting married. Roxanne, Suzette, and other friends and
neighbors watch as Isabelle and Henri exchange rings.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
Henri and I were married. He was
a good man and a good father. I
loved him very much. But I never
loved him the same way that I
loved Peter. That was the one
secret in our marriage.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Isabelle laughs as she watches Henri run around, playing
with their three young children -- TWIN GIRLS and a BOY.
Isabelle gives Henri a warm, loving smile.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
I only tell you now because he is
dead. And if he knows now, I
believe that he forgives me, for
he must also know that I never
loved him falsely.
EXT. BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle's Girls are in bed asleep. Isabelle enters,
carrying the sleeping Boy. She gently places him in bed
next to the girls and covers them with a blanket.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
This is my story, not that I
expect you will believe it. In my
own village, the events of that
awful winter have already passed
into legend. Parents tell their
children to be good or else the
Wolf will come and gobble them up.
Isabelle smiles as she watches them sleep.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
They've already forgotten. A
simple children's story is all
that remains.
120.
EXT. BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE - NIGHT
Isabelle opens the door and strolls outside, looking up
at the sky. The moon is full.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
But sometimes, when the moon is
full, my thoughts still turn to
Peter. He promised me that I
would never see him again. And I
never have.
Somewhere, a wolf HOWLS. Isabelle smiles.
OLD WOMAN (V.O.)
But I often wonder if I hear him.
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
High on a hilltop, CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal a WOLF
staring down at the distant village. It's hard to tell
in the moonlight whether it's a normal wolf...
Or something else.
It looks up at the bright full moon and HOWLS as we
FADE OUT.
THE END
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