No, it was not a dream.
(touches her lips)
I did fall asleep, but then I sensed somebody come into the room. I recognized him, the grandfather. It was him, and yet, not him at all.
COUNT FREDERICK
(strokes her hand)
My dear, you just had a bad dream.
COUNTESS MARIA
(shakes her head in denial and clutches his hand even tighter)
No, listen
INT-CARDIES CASTLE, COUNTESS MARIAS BEDROOM-NIGHT
COUNTESS MARIA RECALLING HER DREAM
Countess Maria is awoken by a cold wind, blowing onto her face from the open window.
American GRANDFATHER (aka American Servant, 80 years old) is in her bedroom. He moves towards the Countess bed and leans over her. Eyes wide open with fear, she stares at him in the darkness
GRANDFATHER
Why are you not wearing my gift?
He holds the pearl necklace with the serpents head. He places it around the Countess neck and kissed her on the lips
END OF COUNTESS MARIAS DREAM
INT-CARDIES CASTLE, COUNTESS MARIAS BEDROOM-SAME NIGHT
Countess Maria lies on propped up pillows and wipes her lips with the back of her hand nervously. The bloodstains on her nightgown are clearly visible.
Count Frederick sits beside her, the family doctor and the servants crowd around her bed. Countess Maria continues
COUNTESS MARIA
Instead of the necklace there was a real snake around my neck and it bit me
YOUNG CARLO
Where is the snake, mama?
He wiggles through the crowd of adults towards the Countess. Carlos nurse Catherine grabs his hand immediately and takes him away.
Countess falls back onto her pillows with a frightened sigh
INT YOUNG CARLOS BEDROOM IN THE CASTLE SAME NIGHT
Carlo sits on the bed and looks at Catherine. His bare feet stick out from under the blanket
CATHERINE
(closes his legs with a blanket)
Where have you seen running barefoot at night!
YOUNG CARLO
(goes to sleep)
But where is the snake, nurse?
CATHERINE
(straightens his blanket)
The lady had a dream and cried.
Carlo pulls the blanket over his head
INT LARGE LIVING ROOM OF THE CASTLE MORNING
The sun highlights the living room of the caste. Countess Maria, pale and haggard, reclines on the couch. Count Frederick stands nearby.
The footman stands in front of them
COUNTESS MARIA
Where is Nettie? I have been waiting for her for half an hour.
FOOTMAN
Nettie isnt here. We have been looking for her since early morning.
COUNTESS MARIA
(discomposedly)
Find out who was the last to see her!
The footman bows and leaves the living room
YOUNG CARLO
(quickly coming up to parents)
Mom, have you found the snake?
COUNT FREDERICK
(pulls on Carlos arm)
Be quiet.
Countess leans back on the pillow with a slight groan
COUNT FREDERICK
(keeps looking at his son)
Do you want to ride to the village?
YOUNG CARLO
(joyfully)
I want it, want it! Mom, well go to the village!
Carlo hugs his father and mother by turns
COUNT FREDERICK
Order for Caryago to be saddled.
Petro comes from somewhere and takes Carlos hand
COUNT FREDERICK
(continues, looking at Petro)
Come to me. I have an instruction for you.
EXT CASTLE GARDEN SAME SUMMER DAY
Maria sits on the beautiful terrace with climbing roses. She waves to the departing people. She is pale and leans on the railing awkwardly. She bumps the roses and they wilt from her touch only to be reborn as the dead nenufares.
EXT AT THE GATE OF CARDIES CASTLE SAME SUMMER DAY
Young Carlo and Petro ride away of the castle gate. The gatekeeper asks passing them
GATEKEEPER
Find out if there is Nettie in the village.
PETRO
Ill look for.
Petro and Carlo go out of the gate
INT-ROOM OF CARDIES CASTLE SAME DAY
Young FEMALE SERVANT dusts the furniture. She sees a shadow on the polished white marble of the fireplace. A silhouette of a man is visible behind her back.
The servant girl turns around and her face is frozen in fear. She screams once and everything is plunged into darkness
EXT-FOREST ROAD SAME SUMMER DAY
Young Carlo and Petro ride along the forest road that leads to the village that lies at the foot of the castle rock
YOUNG CARLO
Petro, are you upset?
PETRO
Why do you think so, Carlo?
YOUNG CARLO
We no longer hunt birds nests or fish.
PETRO
(laughs)
Have I really changed so much?
YOUNG CARLO
Why is mama sick?
They move further and further away and their voices cannot be heard anymore behind the sound of wind and rustle of leaves on the trees.
INT-CARDIES CASTLE, KITCHENS EVENING OF THE SAME DAY
Petro mends a huge wicker basket in the kitchens. He winces, muttering something to himself.
Young and plumb floor washer MARINA (18 years old) scrubs the floors and chatters.
PETRO
(muttering)
Old Devil
MARINA
(chattering)
Why do you hate the American so much? Everybody is gossiping about it.
PETRO
Mind your own business. Go on, polish-polish!
MARINA
(does not give up)
He also goes down to the crypt every day.
She leaves her washrag for a moment to cross herself.
Petro concentrates on his work. He frowns even more
MARINA
(continues)
He is never seen with us folks and he refused the offer of allowance.
Marina attempts to imitate the voice of the American servant
MARINA
(continues)
My master left me enough money not to starve.
She laughs. Petro concentrates on his work
MARINA
(continues)
He arrived here all grey and dry and now has become so fat, soon he wouldnt even fit through the doorway!
Angry at the girl, Petro tosses the basket aside
PETRO
Dont you squeal! Once hed sucked you dry, he will get even fatter.
MARINA
(laughs even louder)
He will gag first!
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT-GARDEN IN FRONT OF THE HUNTING HOUSE SUMMER EVENING
Harry, James, Captain Wright, Georges and Karl Ivanovich are gathered in the garden in front of the Hunting House.
The bottom windows are half covered by the overgrown bushes of hawthorn and jasmine. Parts of the former garden are so overrun by vegetation that they resemble a jungle
TITLE: 1912
HARRY
Nobody has been here for forty years.