Double Cross

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Tease
(Exterior Helsing house, night)
(Cut to boys bedroom, pan across open window to Max, having a nightmare. Lucard (vamped out) materialises outside then moves into the room. Grasps Max’s shoulder)

Max: No, No. Don’t. No! No!

(fade to Chris shaking Max)

Chris: Wake up. Wake up, Max. You’re having a nightmare. Wake up.

(turns on light)

Gustav: What’s going on here? When am I gonna get a little sleep?

Chris: Max had a nightmare.

Gustav: Oh. Oh.

Max: He was in this room. Dracula. I dreamt he was right here. Ooh, that was scary.

Gustav: There are a lot of things to worry about, Max, but a dream like that isn’t one of them. As long as you’re in this house, you’re protected by the cross of the Magyars.

Max: The what?

Gustav: You haven’t noticed the big cross over the stairway? (Max shakes his head) It is the reason Lucard can never come in here. Come with me a minute. Come on.

(They move to the stairway)

Gustav: My family has had that cross for generations. It has complete power over Lucard and anyone like him. They can never enter this house so long as it is there. So you see Max, your worries are unfounded.

(Close up on cross)

Act 1

(Helsing living room. Gustav is at the desk. Max comes wearing a walkman, turned up loud, dancing)

Gustav: Max. Max! You’ve been carrying on like this all morning. When am I gonna get a little quiet?

Max: You talking to me?

Gustav: Take off those ear muffs so you can hear me. Thank you! Thank you. If you’re looking for something to do, why don’t you read a book?

Max: Read?

Gustav: It’s good for you.

Max: So are vegetables. But I’ve never seen you eating any.

Gustav: Sauerkraut counts as a vegetable. Besides we’re talking about food for the mind, not the body. Reading is the best way to build a healthy mind. And it can be a lot of fun.

Max: Fun?

Gustav: Yes. And useful. Here try this one. It will tell you how to keep evil away. (Shows Max a book entitled “Vampires Legend and Lore”)

Max: Are there any pictures?

Gustav: Of course.

(phone rings)

Gustav: Hello. Who? Peter Dyson, you old dog. How are you? In town? Is Anna with you? Splendid! How is she? Still asking about me, is she? Well, if you’re gonna be in town for the week, why don’t you stay here? No, I insist. Wonderful. A couple of hours? Splendid. I’m looking forward to seeing you... both. (hangs up) We’re having company, Max. My old friends, Peter and Anna Dyson. Haven’t seen them in years. Oh, you know Anna and I were quite the pair until I introduced her to my best friend, Peter. The old dog, he stole her right out from under my nose. Of course, Peter had a more secure future. But I think she always remembered me.

Max: Uncle Gustav, when was the last time the Cross of the Magyars was blessed?

Gustav: What? Oh, not in years. I have to run over to Herr Blussen’s to get a few things for the Dysons. Will you be all right here for a couple of hours?

(Gustav exits)

Max: Yeah, but the book says that a vampire talisman should be blessed... regularly.

(Max goes to the staircase, takes the cross and leaves. The book is left open on the couch and the pages turn to one reading: NEVER, EVER REMOVE PROTECTIVE TALISMANS FROM YOUR HOME.)

(Cut to grave yard, then Max walking and approaching a man digging)

Max: Hmm.. Excuse me. Is the pastor here?

(The sexton looks at him and shakes his head)

Max: When will he be back? It’s important.

(The sexton resumes digging)

Max: Look, Gustav Helsing sent me. You know who he is, don’t you?

Sexton: I know where Gustav Helsing lives.

Max: Yeah, well he wants me to get his cross blessed before sundown.

Sexton: Leave it here. I will take care of it.

Max: No, nevermind. I’ll just find someone else.

(The sexton takes the cross from Max)

Sexton: I will take care of it. Leave it here.

Max: Sure. OK. I’ll just wander around and check back with you later. Like in an hour or maybe two, but no later than sundown. OK? OK.

(cut to exterior Lucard Industries)
(Lucard’s office, Lucard riding exercise bike)

Lucard: And although, I am aware of the fact that closing the plant in Arvin will put hundreds out of work and perhaps kill the town, one must realise that .. it was an ugly little town anyway.

(cut to Gustav, serving tea in his living room)

Gustav: So, and so Anna finally found me, sound asleep in the back of a milk truck.

Anna: Milk cart, you mean. Everything was still horse drawn in those days.

Chris: We’re home.

Gustav: Ah here they are. Peter and Anna Dyson, this is Sophie, whom you’ve heard so much about.

Sophie: Hi.

Gustav: And Eileen Townsend’s sons, Chris and ... Hey, where’s Max?

Sophie: We haven’t seen him.

Gustav: Well, he’ll be, he’ll be back shortly. Come on in and join us. We’ve been friends for almost 40 years.

Anna: Do you know that the three of us played together in a band? Back in the fifties?

Chris: You played in a band?

Gustav: Five Flying Dutchmen and a Dutchgirl. I played tuba.

Anna: And we weren’t even Dutch.

Chris: Awesome.

Gustav: Alas, the band broke up when Peter married the Dutchgirl. Women always go for the accordion player.

Peter: I prefer to think Anna was just showing good judgement.

Gustav: Oh, here let me show you the dance I used to do in the show.

Anna: Ooh, Gussie was a wonderful dancer. Peter, on the other hand, was an absolute menace on the dance floor.

(Gustav “dances” ending up in an uncomfortable looking, bent position)

Anna: Oh Gussie, Oh Gussie!

(Anna and Sophie jump up and help him to sit down. Peter notices the Cross of the Magyars is gone)

(Cut to Lucard’s office. Lucard is on the excercyle as the phone rings.)

Lucard: Lucard. He did. The Helsing home. Well, that’s very good, most promising. Keep me informed.

(Lucard ends the call and dials another)

Lucard: William, have the car ready. I need to transact a little business this afternoon in order to free up my evening.

(He puts down the phone, looks contemplative for a moment, then smiles)

Lucard: For a little pleasure.

(Cut to Max, back at the church. He runs up the steps and hammers on the door)

Max: Hello! Is anyone home? I said Hello!

(Getting no response, he turns to go)

Max: Aw man, why do I do stuff like this?

(he walks through the cemetary)

Max (whispers): Please somebody be here.

(intercut shots of Max walking through town with Lucard’s car. Max crosses the road in front of the car. As the car moves into the distance, the phone rings.)

Lucard: Lucard.

(cut to interior of car)

Lucard: Really? And the cross is gone from the house? You’re absolutely certain? Well, imagine that. No cross in the house and sunset a mere 64 minutes 15 seconds away.
Excellent.

(ends the connection)

Lucard: I do love a nice sunset.

(He grins)

End of Act 1

(Exterior Helsing house. Daylight. Cut to interior. Anna & Peter coming down stairs)

Anna: Gustav, this house is so beautiful. It’s charming, full of character. Just like you, Gussie.

(Gustav is waiting at the bottom of the stairs)

Anna: Isn’t that right, Peter?

Peter: As I was saying upstairs, there’s no question whose house this is.

Gustav: Well, shall we go? You kids will find dinner in the icebox. We won’t be late.

(They exit. Cut to exterior of Helsing house)

Chris (vo): 15-2. I’m in Europe, I’m single, it’s summer time and I’m playing cribbage.

(Cut to Chris and Sophie at the table)

Chris: I know how to live.

Sophie: Would you rather be back home loitering in a shopping mall?

Chris: Hey, not every American kid hangs out in the shopping mall, you know. Some places don’t have malls.

(Checks his watch)

Chris: Where’s my goofy brother?

(Max enters)

Max: Uncle Gustav! Uncle Gustav!

Sophie: Max, we were getting worried.

Max: Where’s Uncle Gustav?

Chris: He at dinner somewhere with the Dysons. I think you were supposed to be around here to meet them.

Max: I think I did something stupid.

Sophie: Max, what’s wrong?

Max: But it may be OK.

Sophie: Max, what did you do?

(picks up the book he was reading earlier, and turns to the page reading NEVER, EVER REMOVE PROTECTIVE TALISMANS FROM YOUR HOME)

Max: Oh no.

Chris: Max?

Max: I - I was reading a book about talismans, right. You know, the things that protect you from vampires. And I read they had to be blessed, right? But I didn’t read the whole thing. Which said that you gotta bring the pastor to the talisman, and not the other way around or else it’s game over, the bad guys win, see? So I, oh man

(Max points to the spot on the wall where the Cross of the Magyars usually hangs and covers his eyes. Chris gets up to look)

Chris: So the house is unprotected? Max, you idiot!

Sophie: Chris, don’t panic. It’s probably all right. I mean, how would Lucard find that it’s gone?

(Cut to exterior of Lucard Industries)

Lucard (VO): And the children are alone there?

(Cut to Lucard’s office. Lucard is standing by his desk, on the phone)

Lucard: All three? Well, I’m sure he’ll show up; he’s not one to stay out after dark. You know, this will be my first visit to the house of Helsing. (Laughs) Oh it is, is it? Well, the decor fits the man. Anyway, I must fly. You’ve done very well. I will remember.

(Cut to exterior, Helsing home. Night)

(Cut to Chris looking out the front window)

Chris: Sunset, guys. Go to yellow alert.

Max: I know. Let’s get out of here. How would Dracula find us if we’re not in the house when he gets here?

Chris: Relax, Max. He can’t know the cross is missing.

Sophie: Besides, all of Uncle Gustav’s vampire fighting stuff is right here.

(She moves to a cabinet and opens drawers)

Sophie: They’re empty.

(She checks all the compartments)

Sophie: Everything’s gone!

Max: It’s what?

Sophie: Someone must have stolen all the crosses and the holy water.

Max: But who?

Chris: Peter!

(A wolf howls in the distance)

Chris: Max, get up stairs.

(Chris grabs Max, and forces him toward the stairs)

Max: No way, man.

Chris: Max, upstairs.

(The lights blaze, then dim)

Max: OK. I’m going. I’m going.

(He runs up the stairs. Electrical phenomena abounds... flaring lights, phone rings, radio & TV broadcast strange sounds and images. Chris and Sophie huddle together. Wind blows)

Chris: What’s happening? What’s he doing?

Sophie: Enjoying himself. He’s letting us know that we can’t win.

(The door opens and fills with fog)

Chris: Where is he? Where’s Lucard?

(Cut to Max, in the bedroom)

Max: You can’t scare Dracula with noises, you dimwits.

(Cut to view of window, with Lucard rising outside the house. He pushes open the window and floats into the room)

Lucard: Surprise, surprise.

Max: Not really.

(Max throws a baseball, which Lucard catches in one hand and squeezes into dust)

Lucard: It’s all in the wrist.

Max: Woah.

(Lucard moves to attack Max. Max throws a handful of the dust into Lucard’s face and runs out the door)

Max: Chris!

(Lucard laughs. Max runs downstairs)

Max: Chris! Dracula’s in my room. Let’s get out of here!

(The rush to the door, to be met by Lucard. Lucard grabs Max. Sophie & Chris move by the stairway)

Chris: No

Gustav (coming in): Who the heck left the door open?

Chris and Sophie: Look out!

(Lucard releases Max and turns his attention to Gustav. Max runs to Chris)

Sophie: Peter took all the crosses and the holy water.

Gustav: Peter?

Peter (off camera): Gustav? What on earth is going on?

(Lucard lets go of Gustav, grabs Peter and flings him against the wall)

Chris: Well that’s gratitude for ya.

(Gustav removes a bottle of holy water from his pocket and uncaps it. Lucard recoils, as a hand knocks it to the floor. Camera reveals Anna, who has now entered)

Gustav: Anna. Oh no. No.

Lucard: Oh Anna. Come here. Come here.

(She moves to his side)

Lucard: When word reached me that the Dysons were in to town, those old trusted friends of Mr Helsing’s, an opportunity presented itself.

(Lucard moves her hair, revealing two puncture marks)

Gustav: She’s not a vampire yet. Until you kill her, you only control her mind, not her soul.

Lucard: Don’t quibble.

(Lucard grabs Helsing)

Lucard: I hate a sore loser.

Sophie: Uncle Gustav!

Sexton: Hello. Is anybody here? I’ve got the cross blessed.

(The sexton appears at the door, and sees the vamped out Lucard)

Max: Throw it here. Throw it

(The sexton crosses himself, throws the bundled up cross to Max, and runs. Max unwraps the cross and holds it up. Chris and Sophie take hold of it also. The energy bolt from the Cross pushed Lucard out the door, where he turns into bats and flies away. The door closes. Peter begins coming around, Anna sags and it caught by Gustav and eased into a sitting position)

Gustav: Take him upstairs quickly.

(While the children help Peter upstairs, Gustav takes the bottle of holy water, and wets his fingers with a bit of what’s left, then presses them to the punctures in Anna’s neck)

Gustav: This holy water will free you from that monster by my hand. That I am the cause of such things. Perhaps you were better off with Peter after all. At least I can bring you back again. (Touches her neck again) My dear friend.

(When he removes his fingers, her neck is unmarred)

Tag
(Exterior Helsing house. Daylight)

Gustav: I wish you would stay.

(cut to interior. Gustav, Peter and Anna coming down stairs)

Peter: I know this sounds silly. But for some reason, when Anna and I woke up this morning, we couldn’t wait to go home.

Gustav: Oh, you didn’t sleep well?

Anna: Oh no, I slept very soundly. But I had the strangest dreams.But I don’t remember them now.

Peter: The headache I woke up with, oh my. The whole evening’s a blur. But I promise when we visit again we’ll stay longer. And then, I’ll try not to be such a jealous fool when Anna praises you.

Gustav: Then you wouldn’t be yourself, dear Peter.

Anna: When Max wakes up, give our love to him.

(Kisses Sophie and Chris who are waiting by the door)

Sophie: We will.

Anna: We’d like to meet him someday.

Sophie: Bye.

(Peter kisses Sophie and Chris)

Chris: That’s one European custom I’ll never get used to.

(Anna kisses Gustav and they leave)

Gustav: Now remember, we must not tell Max that the Cross of the Magyars was crafted by St ? and never had to be blessed in the first place. Agreed?

Chris: There goes my day.

Gustav: Yeah, but we should tell him that in the future he must finish reading whatever he starts. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.