Carlo gazes at the water, lost in thought
TITLE: 1852
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes)
My mother died when I was already in Nuremberg. She was so beautiful, and yet she died so young. To this day I dont know what illness took her to her grave.
END OF THE MEMORIES
INT LARGE LIVING ROOM OF THE CASTLE, GROUND FLOOR DAYTIME
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLOS MEMORIES
Young Carlo and Count Frederick talk in the living room of the castle. Carlo cries, standing in front of his father
TITLE: 1832
COUNT FREDERICK
It is your mothers wish.
YOUNG CARLO
But why? Doesnt she love me anymore?
INT-LUCYS ROOM, NIGHT
Lucy sleeps peacefully in her bed when a big black cat moves crouching towards her. It arches its back and pounces on the child, mutilating her face. Lucy screams from pain and fear and tries to fling the cat away but the animal keeps attacking.
The door flies open and Catherine, the washer-woman Marina and the female cook rush in. The cat hides under the bed
CATHERINE
What is wrong, young lady?
Lucy sobs. Marina sees the blood and flings up her hands in horror. The cook presses a hand to her own mouth to stifle a scream. Catherine hugs the child
LUCY
Ooow, it hurts. That horrible cat hurt me! Why didnt you help me?
CATHERINE
We came running as soon as we heard you.
Maria and Frederick come into the room. Frightened, Marina makes a hasty curtsey. The cook leaves the room backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
What is happening?
She looks at her daughter and pales. Maria sits down on the bed. Frederick casts Marina an angry look. She takes a few steps backwards
COUNTESS MARIA
Are you alright my dear?
LUCY
No! I am hurt and I am scared!
Blood drips from her face onto the pillow
COUNTESS MARIA
(speaking to servants)
Bring water and bandages. Hurry!
(speaking to Lucy)
Who did this to you?
The little girl starts to cry
LUCY
(in between sobs)
A catit was sohuge and scary.
Maria looks around, then nods to her husband. Frederick picks up a burning candle and looks under the bed. A drape between the bed and he window moves. A sound of beating wings can be heard. A dark shadow moves into the night
COUNT FREDERICK
Calm down, dear, there is no one.
LUCY
The cat had the same evil eyes like the nasty old man from America.
The girl is calmed down by her parents and put back to bed
INT-MARIAS ROOM-A VISION
Maria is on her bed, moaning, tormented by a nightmare. Lucys ghost forms at the foot of her bed
LUCY
Mommy, help me! Please, I am scared, I am going to die soon. Dont leave me, please. Save me!
Maria wakes up and sits upright, breathing heavily
INT-MARIAS ROOM-MEMORIES
Maria embroiders by the window. Michael, Petro and Catherine rush into the room. They are clearly disturbed
MICHAEL
Something bad has happened, my lady.
COUNTESS MARIA
Whats the matter?
MICHAEL
Your husband, my lady!
The Countess rises from her chair abruptly
COUNTESS MARIA
What is wrong with Frederick?
MICHAEL
His Highness has had a fall from a horse
COUNTESS MARIA
Is he alive?
MICHAEL
Yes, but he is badly hurt.
Maria tries to run out of the room but faints.
She opens her eyes and sees the gloating smiling face of the American servant
AMERICAN SERVANT
So my lady, you havent worn my present yet? What a pity, the necklace has some wonderful properties and it could help guard your loved ones from harm
Maria nods hopelessly
AMERICAN SERVANT
A wise decision, my lady. One can never run from ones destiny.
EXT LIDO, VENETIAN CANAL SUMMER DAY
Venetian canal. A gondola glides quietly along the waves. Carlo stands in it, dipping an oar into the water.
TITLE: 1852
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I can still see my mother clearly, tall and slender with rich golden braids.
Marias face, framed by two thick braids is reflected in the waters of the canal
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
Her blue eyes are looking at me with such love. I can feel them still, but what? Another eyes are looking at me, but they are not my mothers calm blue ones, but black and passionate.
The image in the water changes, Marias blue eyes darken and become brown eyes of a STRANGE WOMAN (aka Rita, 19 years old), she is soon seen sitting in the nearby gondola. Rita and Carlo exchange glances and he is clearly smitten.
The camera shows only Ritas eyes for now, the rest of her face is obscured
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
I want to see her again!
EXT VENICE, LIDO, SEAFRONT SUMMER EVENING
Rita walks along the seaside (the camera shows her back, her face is kept hidden from the viewer).
She is followed by her nurse CECILIA (45 years old), the Italian, Catholic.
RITA: 19 years old, a beautiful Venetian, impoverished noblewoman. Selfish, self-confident, pampered. Rita has beautiful white skin and dark hair.
CECILIA: 45 years old, Catholic. She speaks only Italian.
Carlo watches them from a quiet spot on a nearby bench while writing a letter to Alf
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I found her, my black-eyed girl. She is so dazzling!
(pause)
Just think of a description of a legendary Venetian beauty, but even then think not of her but of her shadow.
RITA
(shouting playfully)
Carlo, come to us!
CARLO
Right away.
He keeps writing
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes)
I am not going home alone. Rita is coming with me, we are to be married!
RITA
(calling)
Carlo, Carlo, we are waiting for you!
CARLO
I am coming.
He keeps writing
CARLOS VOICE
(behind the scenes, continues)
You are asking me about the coffin that I had written to you about yes it was Grandfathers coffin, brought by his old servant from the land of the Aztecs.
Rita comes closer (her face is still hidden from the viewer). She takes Carlos hand and pulls him somewhere. He follows her meekly
RITA
Oh, signor, one can wait for you for an eternity!
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT CLEARING IN THE WOODS SAME SUMMER DAY
Harry sits down next to Karl Ivanovich
HARRY
I come from the land of the Aztecs!
KARL IVANOVICH