Sophie, Queen Of The Night

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(Interior Helsing Home. Chris, Max and Gustav are studying a map)

Max: We've covered every street in town. There's no sign of Sophie. Are you sure we can't go to the police?

Gustav: Lucard has agents everywhere Max. We can't risk him finding out that Sophie's a . . . a vampire. If he found her and
turned her against us...I can't imagine anything more terrible.

Chris: When I think about what she could be doing out there, drives me crazy.

Gustav: Me too Chris, but we just have to hope that, vampire or not, Sophie's basic good nature will prevent her from doing any
harm.

(Cut to a park, at night-time. We see an elderly woman walking along, then Sophie steps out from behind some trees)

Sophie: Miss Ringhoff? Hello Miss Ringhoff.

Miss Ringhoff: Sophie?

Sophie: My goodness, I haven't seen you in ages.

Miss Ringhoff: Not since I kicked you out of my classroom two years ago. No-one could possible know as much as you seemed to think you knew- their heads would explode.

Sophie: I'm sure I wasn't as bad as you remember.

Miss Ringhoff: That smug smile whenever you were right..an impossible girl.

Sophie: Well I think you'll find I've changed.

Miss Ringhoff: Its too late to charm me Miss Metternich. As far as I'm concerned, you're nothing but an old slyboots.

Sophie: Miss Ringhoff, I'd really like to thank you.

Miss Ringhoff: What for?

Sophie: For making this even more fun (she bares her fangs and bites Miss Ringhoff)

(Interior Lucard's castle. Lucard and Sophie enter the room. Mrs Pfenning is also present)

Lucard: Yes, the Dark Ages were wonderful years for me. Wherever one went there was one sort of plague or another, death was everywhere, I was young, and the world was beautiful. Ah, Sophie, may I present Mrs Pfenning, my new business manager.

Sophie: How do you do?

Mrs Pfenning: Very well.

Lucard: I have a surprise for you Sophie (he removes the cover from a harpsichord)

Sophie: A harpsichord! For me?

(Lucard gestures for her to play it, which she does)

Lucard: Its not the harpsichord my dear, it's you- now that you're a vampire, your learning curve has just shot off the chart.

(He notices Mrs Pfenning listening to the music)

Lucard: Why, Mrs Pfenning, have I misjudged you? I thought my new business manager was all facts and figures.

Mrs Pfenning: I used to listen to that piece with Harry, my late husband.....uh, Mr Lucard, I have been doing an inventory of your art collection and I must say, I find it, well, sheer extravagance, excessive in the extreme. You're tying up hundreds of millions of dollars that, properly managed, could realise enormous dividends...if I may be so frank.

Lucard: Indeed you may Pfenning, to a point. One thing you must realise- I have always preferred excess.
(He turns to Sophie)

Lucard: You are playing beautifully Sophie.

Sophie: I'm incredible.

(Interior Hesling Home. Max and Chris are reading a newspaper as Gustav enters)

Gustav: What are you two so engrossed in?

Chris: We're reading about an attack- an old lady was mauled by a wild animal last night.

Max: Or at least, that's what they say it was.

(Gustav looks at the newspaper)

Gustav: Its Miss Ringhoff.

Max: You know her?

Gustav: She was Sophie's history teacher. Sophie always said Miss Ringhoff hated her; she dreaded going to her class.

Chris: You think Sophie could have.....?

Gustav: It's possible. Apparently Miss Ringhoff has no memory of the attack, that's the good news.For Sophie's sake, I mean- at least no-one will be hunting for her but us....Oh, I managed to purify some water from the ?????? spring.

Max: So??

Gustav: Well, we know that Sophie was bitten by a vampire with a rare antigen in its blood.

Chris: Vincent. Mr Poetry.

Gustav: Yes. And Lucard himself became ill after biting Vincent, this water was the only thing that saved him. It contains an
element which reverses the effect of the antigen in the bloodstream.

Max: So you mean it saved Lucard because it changed him back into his natural state?

Gustav: Yes, as a vampire. So it's possible that process may work both ways.

Chris: You think it might kill the vampire effect that Vincent gave Sophie?

Gustav: And return her to her normal state as a teenage girl, yes. It wouldn't work for every vampire of course, only those with the specific disorder that Vincent has, and I don't even know if it will work for Sophie. But it's our only chance.

(Interior Lucard's office. Mrs Pfenning is working at a computer)

Mrs Pfenning: (looking at the screen) Oh....terrible....

(A bat flies in, and transforms into Sophie)

Mrs Pfenning: Oh, there you are. I take it you received my message?

Sophie: I don't know, I just....something seemed to call me here- telepathy?

Mrs Pfenning: Your new sense. In time you'll come to master it.

Sophie: What are you doing here so early?

Mrs Pfenning: Taking care of Lucard's excesses. He makes some of the most venturesome of investments then virtually ignores their performances- someone has to worry about that.

Sophie: Mrs Pfenning..why did you send for me?

Mrs Pfenning: You and I, Sophie, have something in common- we are both underappreciated.

Sophie: I don't understand.

Mrs Pfenning: Lucard sees you, and please forgive me for saying so, as his pet project. Of course he's fond of you, as people are of their pets, but he has no intention of including you in his business.

Sophie: Yes he will. Why shouldn't he?

Mrs Pfenning: Sophie, my husband died last year. He was the vice-president of a bank- well, he had the title, I did most of the work as his 'secretary' of course. I was the brains. They fired me when Harry died. I begged them to let me take over his position, but no. I was just a middle-aged secretary to them. Lucard is no different from all those bank executives Sophie. He doesn't really take us seriously. But if we work together, he'll have to.

Sophie: What are you saying?

(They both fall silent as Lucard enters)

Lucard: Well, the gang's all here. I want to hear all about your night on the wing Sophie, but first, about that postcard....?

Sophie: They should have it by now- 'Dear old friends, I'm having a wonderful time at the castle- wish you were here.' (laughs)

Lucard: Excellent, that was a wonderful idea Sophie, you're developing a fine dark wit.

(Interior Helsing Home. Gustav and Chris are entering into the hallway)

Chris: Well, none of Sophie's friends have seen her lately- they're all alive for one thing.

Gustav: My greatest fear is that she may have left the country. If that's the truth, we may never see her again.

(Max runs in)

Max: Hey you guys! The morning mail's in- and its from Sophie.

Gustav: (reading the postcard) 'dear old friends, I'm having a wonderful time here at the castle- wish you were here.'

(Interior Lucard's castle. Mrs Pfenning is talking to two of Lucard's zombies)

Mrs Pfenning: And of course, you'll be promoted- once Lucard is gone, I'll give the two of you the gift of vampire life. Now listen to me- you must bring me a length of chain, make it a nice, strong gauge, ten or twelve feet. Then you're to prepare two wooden stakes, well balanced so they can be thrown with accuracy.

(Interior Lucard's castle. Sophie is admiring herself in the mirror, holding up a red dress. Lucard is standing behind her, watching her)

Lucard: Enjoy your reflection while you can my dear, I'm afraid it won't be long before you don't have one. Now remember, your target this evening must not escape. When I pay good money to bribe a politician, I expect him to stay bribed. I want to send a clear message to his colleagues- future consideration.

Sophie: Don't worry. I'm so excited, I love this shade of red. It won't show up so much if he spat on it.

Sophie: Alexander, I am nervous. About tonight, I mean.

Lucard: Let me tell you what Napoleon said; 'Thumb on the blade and strike upwards.'

Sophie: That's for knifing someone- vampires don't use knives.

Lucard: You mustn't be so literal. He meant that one should always have a plan, be quick, efficient and merciless. Remember Sophie, if this enemy escapes, it will displease me very much. I know you don't want to do that.

Sophie: I would never do anything to displease you Alexander.

(Another room in the castle- We see the two servants stirring something in a large pot. Mrs Pfenning is also present)

Mrs Pfenning: Quickly, there is much to do. Be careful you fool, that's holy water!

(Another room in the castle. Lucard is standing in front of a mirror, but there is no reflection)

Lucard: I'm sure I look rather fine this evening, but alas, I have no way of proving it to myself.

(Max, Chris and Gustav enter the room, Gustav is holding a crucifix)

Lucard: Why, Helsing, what an expected pleasure, though we really must try to see less of each other.

Gustav: I want Sophie, now.

(A bat flies in through the window and transforms into Sophie, who pulls a sword from a nearby suit of armour, and moves towards Chris)

Chris: Sophie, it's me, Chris, remember?

Sophie: Oh yeah, I remember. (to Lucard) This one's mine!

Chris: Try and catch me!

Gustav: Chris!

Lucard: Well, you said he was yours, what are you standing around for?

(Sophie transforms into a bat, and flies after Chris. In the background we hear Mrs Pfenning shouting)

Mrs Pfenning: Now Peter!

(A stake is thrown towards Lucard, which he catches)

Mrs Pfenning: Throw the chain!

(Gustav and Max run out)

Mrs Pfenning: (laughing) I like to be straightforward and efficient Mr Lucard, in doing the books or murdering the boss. You know, when you first took me on, I was delighted. There was nothing left for me in this world with Harry gone, but when you brought me over to this further side of life Lucard...

(The two zombies enter)

Lucard: (to one of the zombies) Peter, stop her!

Mrs Pfenning: You brought my ambition with me....

Lucard: I created you.

Mrs Pfenning: A vampire's will...

Lucard: Peter, I love you as my child.....

Mrs Pfenning: A vampire's thirst for blood- your blood as it turns out, Lucard.

(She tries to stake him, but Peter tries to grab her, and she turns into a bat and flies out. Lucard gets up, pulling off the
chains, and stakes one of the zombies, who disintegrates)

Lucard: (to the other zombie) That was a fine show of loyalty Peter, well done. Would you get that for me please?

(He points to a stake, which Peter lifts and gives to him)

Lucard: You know Peter, I have a funny nature, I've never had a sufficient appreciation of loyalty, especially when it comes so late!

(He stakes Peter, who disintegrates.)

(Outside, we see Chris being chased by a bat, and hear Sophie's laughter. Chris lifts a burning torch and swipes at the bat)

Sophie's voice: What's the matter Chris? Don't you like it when a girl chases you for a change?

(Interior Lucard's castle. We see Pfenning pouring two glasses of red wine, then she adds holy water to one glass.)

(Again we see an exterior shot of Chris running. Sophie appears in front of him, and he makes the sign of the cross)

Sophie: Chrissy, is that any way to treat a girl, especially one you like?

Chris: Most girls aren't vampires (he runs off)

Sophie: You can run, but you can't hide.

(Back inside the castle, Pfenning is still in the room, and Lucard enters)

Lucard: Why Mrs Pfenning, I thought you'd left us.

Mrs Pfenning: I would have, but where would I go? There is nothing left for me anywhere. Besides, you would have found me eventually and killed me.

Lucard: True, I'm like that. (He notices the wine) And what have we here?

Mrs Pfenning: A toast. Let us drink to your victory, and to my late husband, whom I am about to rejoin.

Lucard: I'm impressed, Madame, such civility in the face of death. Ah, a '42 Margole from my own cellars, the noble wine. To noble deeds, Mrs Pfenning.

(Back Inside. Lucard drinks the wine, and then notices Mrs Pfenning looking at him strangely)

Lucard: Something wrong Mrs Pfenning?

Mrs Pfenning: You should be dead by now.

Lucard: Now that's not a very nice thing to say.

Mrs Pfenning: Damn you.I put holy water in that wine.

Lucard: Oh I don't think so, a '47 Margole has an unmistakable bouquet, one I know very well. Watered down, its just not the same. You are a devious sort, aren't you Pfenning?

Mrs Pfenning: You couldn't have switched glasses, I would have seen you.

Lucard: Vampires are an especially nimble species, quite adept at slight of hand, we would make very good magicians, for instance. (He bares his fangs) Poor Pfenning, if you'd spent less time trying to destroy me, you might have learnt that for yourself.

Mrs Pfenning: I'll never let you have the satisfaction.

(She drinks her wine, and disintegrates)

Lucard: No!!! (He brushes her remains off the table) Oh that foolish woman could have seriously marred the finish.

(Outside we see Chris running, Sophie still chasing him. He falls down a slope, and Sophie is waiting for him at the bottom)

Sophie: Why Chrissy, I have you at my feet at last.

Chris: Soph, it's me, please don't kill me.

Sophie: Kill you? I could never do that. I'm going to make you live forever. You won't believe what a kick it is to be undead, to be eternally young, sort of like Peter Pan, except with fangs.

Chris: Sophie, I love you.

Sophie: Of course you do Chris, and when you join us, we can be young and in love forever.

Chris: Then you love me too?

Sophie: Of course I do Chris.

Chris: Sophie, I'm crazy about you. If I've got to be a vampire to be with you, then that's what I'll do.

Sophie: Come here...we'll be together always.

(she goes to bite him)

Chris: But I've got to know you mean what you say, so before you do it, kiss me first.

Sophie: I'd be delighted.

Chris: I'm a little self-conscious (he pulls out a small bottle and sprays his mouth. They kiss, then Sophie begins to shake)

Sophie: What have you done to me?!

Chris: Its water from the Paquette spring, Uncle Gustav said it could cure you.

Sophie: No!!!!

(Gustav and Max enter)

Gustav: Chris, what happened?

Chris: I thought I could save her....

Gustav: She's recovering. Chris, you've done it!

Max: Alright! But what did you do?

Chris: I kissed her. All I did was kiss her. Come on, lets get her home....

(Interior Helsing Home, Sophie and Chris are sitting on the sofa)

Chris: So I figured if I could get you away from the castle, away from Lucard, I'd have a chance. Then I had to convince you to kiss me....not that it took much convincing.

Sophie: So it was all just part of your plan? All those things you said, even the kiss?

Chris: No, I meant every word of it.

Sophie: So did I.

(They go to kiss, but are interrupted by the doorbell)

Sophie: They'll go away.

(They go to kiss again, and again the doorbell rings. Max pops up from behind the sofa)

Max: Hold on a second guys, I'll get it.

(Max leaves to answer the doorbell and Sophie and Chris kiss)

Max: Chris, I think you should come to the door.

Chris: I'm busy, take a message.

Max: No Chris, I really think you should come to the door.

Chris: (to Sophie) This'll take just a sec.

(A girl walks in, carrying two suitcases, and she kisses Chris)

Alexa: Surprise!

Chris: Alexa! I thought you were back in Philadelphia.

Alexa: I missed you so much.

Sophie: Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?

Chris: I can explain...

Sophie: Go ahead then, explain.

Alexa: Yes, explain.

Max: Actually, I wouldn't mind hearing an explanation myself bro...

(Chris grins nervously at both girls)