the girl with the red riding hood (script by david leslie johnson)

8/6/2019 The Girl With the Red Riding Hood (script by David Leslie Johnson)

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"THE GIRL WITH THE RED RIDING HOOD"

Written by

David Leslie Johnson

APPIAN WAY REVISED FIRST DRAFT9255 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 615 July 16, 2009West Hollywood, CA 90069(310) 300-1390


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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 bornin a common cottage in a commonvillage. My life would likely beno different from yours, were itnot for the most uncommon eventsthat occurred during the winter ofthe Year of Our Lord ThirteenHundred and Twenty-five. Ilearned 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 turnsout to be a LARGE CAMPFIRE.

OLD WOMAN (V.O.)To this day, I am the only personthat I know to be living who knowsthe whole truth about thathorrible time. This is my tale.

CAMERA PULLS BACK, revealing THREE KNIGHTS, beleaguered,scarred, returning from the Crusades. Their armor is indisarray, adorned with souvenirs from the Middle East.Theyre camped in a clearing, their cart pulled to anearby roadside. LIGHTNING flashes in the distance.

One of them, a TEENAGE BOY who looks like his sword mightweigh more than he does, hitches a nervous HORSE to atree. He strokes the horses neck, calming.

Then: A WOLF HOWLS in the distance. The Boy suddenlylooks nervous, too. He quickly joins the others at thecampfire -- a FAT KNIGHT (30s) and an OLD KNIGHT.

TEENAGE BOYDid you hear that?

FAT KNIGHTHear what?

The wolf HOWLS AGAIN. The Boy shivers, fearful.

TEENAGE BOYThe innkeeper told me --

(CONTINUED)


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FAT KNIGHTI know what he told you. He toldyou about the Wolf. The Beast ofVilliers la Croise.

(off Boys look)The people of that village have

been spreading that nonsense sincebefore you were a tickle in yourdaddys prick. Id give you awhipping for believing it if Ithought it would do any good.

The Old Knight stares into the fire, then speaks.

OLD KNIGHTI used to travel these woods.They told the same stories thenthat they do now. Only I heardthem from a man who actually saw

the beast with his own eyes.

FAT KNIGHTHalf the people in these partsclaim to have seen it.

OLD KNIGHTThis man claimed it was the lastthing he ever saw. The Wolf tookhis eyes. And half his face.

(off their looks)I saw his scars and empty eyesockets. His skin looked like itwas on inside-out. It didnt seemto me like the kind of thing a manwould make up a story about.

He shrugs. His companions exchange an unnerved look.

EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT (LATER)

Its raining now. The Knights sleep underneath the cartfor shelter. Lightning FLASHES.

Then, from O.S., the horse gives a series of frightenedNEIGHS. The Boy stirs, but by the time he awakens, thereis only the sound of the RAIN. Did he imagine it? Hereluctantly decides to venture out to investigate.

The Boy hurries over to where he tied the horse... butall he finds is the empty rope blowing in the wind. In aFLASH of lightning, he sees that the horse is gone.

Then he hears something. A strange GNAWING sound.TEARING and POPPING. He slowly turns...

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Not far away, he makes out a shape in the darkness. Thehorse is on its side, WHEEZING helplessly. And theressomething crouched next to it. We cant make out what itis, only a MAN-LIKE SHAPE, shrouded in shadow.

Whatever it is, its eating the horse alive.

The Boy steps away in horror, then hurriedly stumblesback to his companions and frantically shakes them awake.

FAT KNIGHTWhat the devil are you --?!

TEENAGE BOYWait, wait! Be quiet!

He raises a hand. Hes heard something. They listen.FOOTSTEPS. Approaching through the mud. The Boys handclutches 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 towardthem. But what the men see scares them shitless. Itstops near the cart. The men huddle together, watchingas it slowly starts to walk around the cart --

-- then suddenly jumps atop it. The Figure is now abovethem. With each step it takes, the boards of the woodencart 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 weighednothing, revealing the terrified Knights beneath it.Lightning FLASHES. A shadow falls over them.

The men scramble to their feet, but the Old Knight slipsin the mud. The Boy stops to help him, but then the OldKnight starts screaming, something GROWLS, and the Boystops short at what he sees. The Fat Knight runs.

TEENAGE BOYWait! We have to help him!

The Fat Knight ignores him. The Old Knight shrieks. Wehear the same TEARING and POPPING that this thing madewhile 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 theFat Knight runs, the Boy stands his ground. He hefts theblade. Hes young, but he has used this before. A lot.Rain beats down on his face and lightning FLASHES as heconfronts the thing that is devouring the Old Knight.

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(CONTINUED)


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The Fat Knight runs through the forest without lookingback. 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 BREATHINGand RUNNING FOOTFALLS in the mud and crashing THUNDER.

Hes running so fast he nearly falls into the RUSHINGRIVER that crosses his path. He quickly looks for a wayto cross. The river is gorged and the water is movingfast. 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 cantstand on it. He has to crawl. He edges out on his handsand knees, his eyes flicking nervously at the waterssurging 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 nearlyfalls in the river. Then suddenly, the tree beneath himbegins 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 atthe Figure closing in. The choice is clear. The FatKnight dives headfirst off the tree --

-- but he never hits the water. Something grabs him bythe legs and stops him short. He cries out and looks upat 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 pigthat has been hung upside down by its hind legs. Itkicks and squirms as it bleeds out into a pan.

VILLAGERS bustle along a muddy road. A MERCHANT sellshis wares. Dogs run and BARK. A DISHEVELLED MAN lockedup in the stockade. A BLACKSMITHs hammer CLANGS.

On the surface, a typical medieval village. Butsomething is wrong here. A pall hangs over the place.The people are subdued, beaten. A TITLE comes up:

FRANCE

1324

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CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


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Theres a SIGN in the village green. Hanging from it isa wood plank with a crude drawing of a moon on it, three-quarters full. The moon has a vaguely sinister face...

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - DAY

A tiny spider spins its web. CAMERA RACKS FOCUS to apretty 17-year-old GIRL gazing up at it. Her name isISABELLE. She scoops the spider up, watches it crawlaround on her hand, fascinated.

EXT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY

The home of a medieval peasant. Isabelles mother,SUZETTE (late 30s), and sister, LUCIE (18, plain-looking), work in the garden. They look up as Isabelleemerges from the cottage, daintily carrying the spider.

LUCIEHonestly, Isabelle. Just kill it.

ISABELLEI cant. Its the fifthcommandment. Thou shalt not kill.

Lucie rolls her eyes. Isabelle crouches, letting thespider crawl off her hand. She watches it skitter away,then calls to Suzette, feigning nonchalance:

ISABELLEIm going to take Father somewater.

SUZETTEAll right. Dont be long.

Isabelle smiles, grabs a bucket and ladle, and anxiouslyheads toward the village. Lucie watches her go, dubious.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Isabelle struggles to draw water from a well. Eventoiling and sweaty, Isabelles beauty stands in starkcontrast to her squalid surroundings.

A CARPENTER building a timber-framed structure noticeshis TWO YOUNG APPRENTICES (late teens) casting distractedglances in her direction. He calls out to her, smiling.

CARPENTERHey, there! Let one of theseyoung lads get that for you.

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ISABELLEI can do it myself.

The Carpenter smiles. Of course she can.

EXT. NEW FIELD - DAY

The village WOODCUTTERS are chopping down trees andhauling away the lumber. A GROUP of them are in themidst of what looks like a serious conversation.

Isabelle approaches them with the bucket of water. Oneof them turns and sees Isabelle. His name is CESAIRE(handsome, 40s). He hides his dour expression and givesIsabelle a big smile. She smiles back.

ISABELLEMother thought you might be

thirsty.

CESAIREThat was very thoughtful of her.

He gives her a knowing look as he ladles a drink from thebucket. Isabelles gaze drifts from him to anotherwoodcutter, working off by himself. His name is PETER(21, darkly handsome, almost dangerous-looking).

He makes eye contact with Isabelle for a moment, thenwipes his brow and calls out to the WOODCUTTER BOSS.

PETERIm taking a break.

WOODCUTTER BOSSA break? Does that mean youregoing to start working?

The other Woodcutters LAUGH. Peter walks away.Isabelles gaze lingers on him too long. Cesairenotices, 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 takesher in his arms, kissing her. She holds him tight.

PETERI was afraid you werent coming.

ISABELLEYou should know better than that.

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He kisses her again, nibbling her neck. Isabelle opensher eyes, smiles up at him. Touches his face.

ISABELLEI think my sisters starting tosuspect something.

PETERDo you think shell tell yourfather?

ISABELLEI dont care. I wish she wouldtell him. I want everyone toknow. Besides, my father likesyou.

PETEROf course he does. Right up until

the point where he figures outwhat Im doing with his daughter.

Peter glances back and Isabelle follows his look.Through the trees, she sees her father and the group ofgrim Woodcutters, still in serious conversation.

ISABELLEWhats going on?

PETERYou havent heard?

(off her look)Three men. They found them thismorning just off the Center Road.At least they think it was threemen. There wasnt enough left topiece them back together.

A long beat as Isabelle takes this in. Then:

ISABELLEWas it the Wolf?

PETER

Could it have been anything else?

Isabelle shudders. No, it couldnt have been.

PETERWe should have killed that monstera long time ago.

ISABELLEI know. You say that every month.

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He gives her a grim smile, then kisses her. She kisseshim back, then tries to stop kissing him. Its not easy.

ISABELLEId better go.

PETERSame time tomorrow?

ISABELLEDont get used to this. I startmy sewing lessons next week.

PETERYou really think you can go allday without seeing me?

ISABELLEIll manage somehow. Pride is a

cardinal sin, by the way.

PETERI can think of worse sins I couldbe committing.

She gives a cautioning look, then leaves with a smile.

EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAWN

The VILLAGE HERALD is changing the plank on the moonsign. He replaces the picture of the three-quarters moonwith a picture of a half moon, its face indifferent.

HERALDHalf full! Half full!

INT. ISABELLES 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? Youre her studentnow, the same as the other girls.

ISABELLEYes, Mother.

Suzette hands her the basket with a proud look.

SUZETTEMy last baby has grown up.

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EXT. VILLAGE - CROSSROADS - MORNING

Isabelle watches a DEAF BOY perform simple sleight ofhand magic tricks. His name is CLAUDE (14). Sheapplauds his performance and hands him a coin. He makesit disappear, then smiles big and runs away.

A crazy old woman, LUCRECE, shoots Isabelle a look.

LUCRECEYoure only encouraging him.

ISABELLEI 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.

ISABELLEYou look happy.

ROXANNEArent you excited?

PRUDENCEIts too early to be excited.

ROXANNEIm just trying to look on thebright side.

ROSEMARIAWell, stop it before somebodyhurts you.

The girls have a laugh at Roxannes 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 theforest. Then it WHINES and refuses to follow.

EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - MORNING

The trail stretches out in front of the girls as far asthey can see. Rosemaria walks with Roxanne. Prudencehangs back with Isabelle, brimming with juicy gossip.

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(CONTINUED)


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PRUDENCEDid you hear about her and theDarley brothers?

ISABELLEOh, no! Which one?

PRUDENCEBoth! On the same night!

Isabelle gives an incredulous look and Prudence tries tocontain her laughter. Rosemaria hears and looks back atthem. She scowls at Isabelle.

ROSEMARIAWhy does your grandmother have tolive so far away?

ISABELLE

Whats the matter, Rosemaria?Having trouble walking?

Prudence laughs. Roxanne frowns, disapproving.Rosemaria shoots Isabelle a dirty look.

EXT. GRANDMOTHERS COTTAGE - DAY

The girls cross a little wooden bridge that spans aBABBLING 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. Shesstooped and withered, but her eyes are bright andbeautiful. She wears a blue belted gown and a necklacewith a crucifix on it. This is Isabelles GRANDMOTHER.

GRANDMOTHERWell, stop dawdling. Come on,come on.

The girls hurry inside, but Grandmother stops Isabelle.

GRANDMOTHER

Your mother has warned you not toexpect any special treatment fromme?

ISABELLEYes, maam.

Grandmother eyes her a moment longer, then breaks into asmile and surreptitiously hands her a bright red apple.

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GRANDMOTHERWell, then your mother doesntknow me very well, does she?

Isabelle smiles as Grandmother ushers her inside.

INT. GRANDMOTHERS COTTAGE - DAY

Grandmother works a pair of knitting needles, castingloops of red wool yarn onto one of them, a BLACK CATresting on her lap. Her bedchamber is hidden by abeautiful veil embroidered with palms and pomegranates.The girls sit facing her, watching as she knits. Then:

GRANDMOTHERThere. This is going to be myfoundation. Everything I do nowwill build off of this.

She shows the row of stitches to Roxanne.

GRANDMOTHERRoxanne, is this a goodfoundation?

ROXANNEI dont know.

GRANDMOTHERWhy not?

ROXANNEWell... you havent told us whatyoure making.

GRANDMOTHERTheres something else I haventtold you. I havent told you whyIm making it. Before you beginany task, you must first alwaysask yourself why.

ROSEMARIA

Why?

The girls laugh. Grandmother gives her a patient smile.

GRANDMOTHERBecause understanding why you aredoing something is the key todoing it successfully. So, beforewe begin today, lets be certainthat we have a good foundation.Who can tell me why you are here?

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PRUDENCETo become seamstresses. To learnhow to sew and mend clothes.

GRANDMOTHERThats what you are doing. But

why are you doing it?

Blank looks. None of them have ever considered this.

GRANDMOTHERIsabelle, your sister studied withme last winter. What does she donow?

ISABELLEShe works with the women.

GRANDMOTHER

Why dont you work with them?

ISABELLEI dont know how to yet.

GRANDMOTHERAnd how does that make you feel?

Isabelle thinks for a moment, then has an insight.

ISABELLELike a child.

Grandmother gives her a smile, then continues.

GRANDMOTHERYou will be coming here every dayfor the next three months. Duringthat time, I will teach youeverything you need to know to beproductive members of ourcommunity. But there is somethingfar more important that will alsobe happening here.

All the girls are paying close attention now, butGrandmother seems to be speaking directly to Isabelle.

GRANDMOTHERYou will be proving your worth andlearning your place in the world.And I promise you, when you leavehere for the last time, you willnever feel like a child again.

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EXT. VILLAGE - OUTSKIRTS - DUSK

The four girls return to the village along the forestpath. Waiting for them is Peter. Isabelle pretends tonot notice him. As they pass, he calls out to her:

PETERI need to talk to you.

Isabelle turns to face him, trying to stay nonchalant.

ISABELLEWhat about?

Peter just looks at her for a beat. Isabelle turns andsees that the other girls have stopped to watch.Isabelle shoots them a look. The girls take the hint andleave. When theyve gone, Peter walks up to Isabelle.

PETERWhen were you planning on tellingme?

ISABELLETelling you what?

PETERThat youre engaged to be marriedto Henri Smith.

Isabelle gapes at him, stunned and confused.

ISABELLEHenri Smith? Is this a joke?

PETERLook at me. Just look at me andtell me you didnt know.

She looks at him and sees it in his eyes. Hes serious.

ISABELLEWho told you this?

PETERYour father.

Off Isabelles look...

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - NIGHT

The family is gathered around the table. Isabelle andLucie listen to their parents in stunned silence.

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SUZETTEIts all been arranged. Yourmarriage to Henri will settle ourdebt to his father.

Isabelle nods, shaken. Cesaire sees that shes upset.

SUZETTEWe know that you and Peter havebecome friends. But you haveadult responsibilities now. Thatmeans putting your familysinterests ahead of your own.

ISABELLESo Henri Smith is in the familysinterest and Peter is not?

CESAIRE

Peter is a fine young man.

ISABELLEBut what? Hes poor? Hes anorphan?

SUZETTEHes not one of us. His parentswere outsiders.

ISABELLEWhy? Because they hadnt livedhere since Noah built the ark?

SUZETTEYou mind your tongue.

Isabelle is about to respond, when she notices something.Lucie is crying. A beat. Lucie looks up at her parents.

LUCIEDo you realize how this makes melook? Im older than her by morethan a year. If anyone should begetting married in the spring,

its me.

Everyone is taken aback. Lucie storms out of thecottage, angrily wiping tears. Isabelle watches her go.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - NIGHT

Cesaire smokes his pipe, troubled. Suzette sits nearby.

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CESAIREThis was your idea. Now I haveboth of them hating me.

In the loft, Isabelle and Lucie are in bed... butIsabelle only pretends to be asleep so she can eavesdrop.

SUZETTEWe knew Isabelle was going to bestubborn. It wouldnt be like herto simply do as shes told. Shestoo much like her grandmother.

CESAIREThat she is. What about Lucie?

SUZETTEShes a good girl, but shes stilla child. Talk to her. Youre her

father. Shell listen to you.

Isabelle glances over at Lucie... and sees that shesbeen eavesdropping, too. Lucie turns away, embarrassed.Isabelle gives her a sad look.


Theres a knock at the door. Isabelle answers, revealingHENRI (18). Hes tall and good-looking, but stillawkward in his body. Isabelle eyes him, a little aloof.

HENRIHello, Isabelle.

ISABELLEHello, Henri.

EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - DAY

Isabelle and Henri walk in awkward silence. Then:

HENRI

So I suppose youve heard.

ISABELLEYes. My parents are very pleased.

HENRIAnd you? Are you pleased?

ISABELLEIts a very generous arrangement.

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Not the answer he was hoping for. Another awkward beat.

HENRIDo you have any other feelingsabout it? About me?

ISABELLEIm not sure. Weve never reallytalked that much.

HENRII know. Thats why I asked you towalk with me. I wanted to talk.

ISABELLEWhat for?

HENRIWell... because were going to be

husband and wife soon.

ISABELLENot until the spring festival.Thats months away. A lot canhappen in a few months.

Henri seems disappointed. She sees this and reconsiders.

ISABELLEAll right. What would you like totalk about?

HENRIIm not really sure. I broughtyou this.

He reaches into his pocket and offers Isabelle a flower.She takes it, suddenly blushing. But just then, she seesPeter walking toward them with another WOODCUTTER.

ISABELLEWell, Im glad we had thisconversation.

Isabelle abruptly turns and walks away, leaving Henrisurprised and a little hurt. She passes Peter, her eyesaverted. He glances back at her as she and walks away...

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT

Isabelle is helping Suzette prepare dinner, but shespurposefully ignoring her mother. Suzette notices.

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SUZETTEYou know, I had a sweetheart whenI was your age, too.

Isabelle looks up, intrigued in spite of herself.Suzette smiles slyly at her reaction.

ISABELLEWhat happened?

SUZETTENothing happened. My parentsarranged for me to marry yourfather and that was the end ofthat.

ISABELLEDidnt you want to marry yoursweetheart?

SUZETTEOf course, I did. But theresmore to marriage than being inlove. Love doesnt always lastand it certainly doesnt fill yourchildrens bellies in the winter.

ISABELLEYouve never wished you could havemarried that other boy?

SUZETTENot even once.

Isabelle eyes her, still uncertain.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Isabelle prays in front of an altar with prayer candleson it. Peter kneels next to her and lights one of them.

PETERWe 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.

PETERYou have to go through with it.You have to marry Henri.

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Isabelle takes a step toward him. She hesitates,gathering her nerve to speak. Then:

ISABELLEI dont care what my parents want.They dont own me. I love you.

PETERThat doesnt matter.

ISABELLEIt does to me. Doesnt it matterto you?

PETERIts not our decision to make.

ISABELLEYou sound like my mother.

PETERThen maybe you should startlistening to your mother.

(off her look)Its over. They had to find outeventually. Dont turn this intosomething that its not. We hadour fun, but thats all it everwas.

Isabelle looks up at him, shocked and confused.

ISABELLEI dont believe you.

PETERGo home, Isabelle. Go home andgrow up.

Isabelle gapes at him. Peter walks away.

ISABELLEI dont believe you!

He doesnt look back. She watches him go, heartbroken.

EXT. CREEK - DAWN

Cesaire bathes in a cold stream. The sun is just barelyrising, rays of light shining through the trees. Hesmiles. It looks like the start of a beautiful day.

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The village is bustling with activity, but theres apalpable tension. The picture on the moon sign is of athree-quarters moon... but then the Herald changes it toa picture of a FULL MOON with a cruel, malevolent face.

HERALDFull moon! Full moon! Full moon!

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - MORNING

Isabelle emerges from the cottage. Roxanne, Prudence,and Rosemaria are outside waiting on her. They all starttoward the village, but then Isabelle sees something...

In the shadows next to the cottage, Cesaire is givingLucie 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.

CESAIREThis doesnt concern you,Isabelle.

ISABELLEYes, Father.

Isabelle reluctantly turns and walks away. The girlsfollow her. Roxanne gives Lucie a concerned look.

EXT. VILLAGE - MORNING

The girls walk through the village. Isabelle is lost inthought, stung by her fathers brusk dismissal.

ROXANNEWhats wrong with Lucie?

ROSEMARIAHow would you feel if you were inlove with your sisters fiance?

Isabelle stops short and gives Rosemaria a sharp look.

ISABELLELucie is not in love with myfiance.

ROSEMARIAReally? So shes just had a crushon him since she was ten?

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ISABELLEAs if she would really tell yousomething like that.

ROSEMARIAShe didnt. She told my sister.

(off Isabelles look)Did you honestly not know?

Isabelle clearly had no idea, but tries to hide it. Justthen, they walk by the blacksmiths shop where Henriworks with his father, ADRIEN. Henri smiles at Isabelle.

ISABELLECome on. Were 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 Grandmotherscottage. Rosemaria lags behind, tired and grumpy.

Theres a fork in the path and Rosemaria stops at it. ASMALLER PATH branches off into the forest, overgrown andnarrow. Rosemaria looks at it for a beat...

Roxanne suddenly notices that Rosemaria isnt with them.She looks back and sees her start down the other path.

ROXANNERosemaria...?

The other girls stop and hurry back to the fork, dismayedto find Rosemaria headed down the overgrown path.

ISABELLEWhat are you doing?

ROSEMARIAWhat does it look like?

ISABELLE

You cant go that way. You haveto stay on the path.

ROSEMARIAThis way is faster.

PRUDENCEBut its not safe. My brothersays the bridge is rotten.

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ROSEMARIAI dont care. Its bad enoughworking all day in that smellycottage. Its not reasonable forthem to expect us to walk that farevery day on top of that.

She walks away, defiant. The girls look nervous. Then:

PRUDENCEIf you get lost, nobody will comelooking for you. Not tonight.

This last part gives Rosemaria pause. She looks down thenarrow path. It suddenly seems a little ominous.Grudgingly, she returns to the group. The other girlsexchange quiet looks of relief. They continue on.

The wind blows leaves across the abandoned path...


The girls are busy with sewing and knitting projects.Grandmother helps Roxanne at the spinning wheel. Then:

GRANDMOTHEREveryone finish what youreworking on. Your parents will beworried if youre not home beforeit starts to get dark.

The girls begin packing up their work. Prudence sighs.

PRUDENCEI wish someone would just killthat stupid wolf.

ROXANNEYou cant just kill it. Its notan ordinary wolf. Its a devil-wolf. A servant of Satan himself.

Prudence rolls her eyes. Whatever.

ROSEMARIAWho cares what it is? Its onlyone night a month. You stayinside, lock up the animals, andyou dont go into the forest.Its never killed anyone from thevillage and as long as we leave italone, it never will.

21.

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23/121

GRANDMOTHERMy goodness. I had no idea ouryoung people were so woefullyuneducated these days.

(off their looks)Our village was not always like

this. When I was young, this wasa very special place. Traders andmerchants came here from lands Idnever heard of selling things Ihad never seen. King Philip theBold even visited here once. Butthat, of course, was before theWolf came.

The girls listen attentively.

GRANDMOTHERYour parents fear the Wolf because

they remember when it did killpeople from the village. Breakdown doors in the middle of thenight and snatch children rightout of their beds. Rumors beganto spread that we were cursed.That was when our village began todie. And that was why my husbandled a group of men into the woodsto kill the Wolf. But instead, itkilled him.

Isabelle reacts. She has never heard this story before.

GRANDMOTHERAfter that, people here didnthave much stomach to go huntingfor it anymore. But something hadchanged. The Wolf stopped killingin the village. Even ourlivestock were usually safe aslong as they were brought inside.So we decided it was safer tocompromise. We gave the Wolf itsone night a month, the night of

the full moon, and it has left usalone ever since.

ISABELLEPeople still die.

ROSEMARIAYes, but nobody we know.

22.

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24/121

GRANDMOTHEREveryone knows what should bedone. But its not always easy todo what you know is right.Sometimes its easier to settlefor being safe.

Isabelle frowns, unsatisfied.

EXT. VILLAGE - VARIOUS - DAY

Villagers hurriedly bring their sheep and pigs into theirhomes. Doors are shut and barricaded. Cesaire isoutside the family cottage, nailing the shutters closed.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DUSK

Isabelles family sits at the dinner table in silence.Cesaire sets mugs of beer out for everyone. Lucie numblypicks at her food, doesnt touch her beer. Isabelleworks up her nerve to say something and turns to Suzette:

ISABELLEYou were right. About Peter. Iwas being childish.

(beat)But Im not going to marry Henri.

Cesaire and Suzette stop eating. Suzette levels a coldlook at Isabelle.

SUZETTEYoull do as youre told. Itsall been arranged.

ISABELLEThe family gains the same nomatter which one of us marrieshim. And I dont love Henri.Lucie does.

Lucie looks up, surprised to be dragged into this.

ISABELLEShes right. Its not fair. Iwill gladly trade places with her.

A beat. Then, without looking up, Lucie whispers:

LUCIEShut up.

Isabelle is stung, the smile wiped from her face.

23.

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(CONTINUED)


25/121

ISABELLEIm sorry... I...

LUCIEPlease. Just shut up and mindyour own business.

A tense beat. Isabelle looks away, hurt and confused.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - NIGHT

Isabelle is fast asleep. Next to her, Lucie looks overat her. Shes wide awake. She sneaks out of bed...


Lucie carefully sneaks down from the loft and quietly

puts on a RED RIDING HOOD. She accidently kicks a pan onthe floor and puts a hand down to silence it. Shelistens 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 onits rusty hooks. Lucie hurries away toward the woods...


Lucie nervously walks along the road leading away fromthe village. She startles at every sound. She looks up.The full moon is visible in the sky above her through theskeletal branches of the dark trees...

She comes to the overgrown path that the girls stopped atearlier. Lucie takes a deep breath and starts down it...

EXT. GULLY - NIGHT

Lucie reaches an OLD ROPE BRIDGE. It spans a deep gullyand a fast-moving river strewn with jagged rocks. Luciegives the bridge a nervous look and starts across it...

The boards CREAK loudly under her feet. The bridge swaysin the wind. She carefully makes her way across, onlybreathing when she is safely on the other side.

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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, andlooks all around. Shes alone, cold and afraid. Then...

... she takes off her riding hood, folds it, and placesit on the rock. She begins to disrobe, folding her dressand her undergarments and stacking them in a neat pile.

Soon shes standing naked, her arms clutched around herbreasts, shivering with cold. And fear.

CAMERA PULLS BACK from this lonely naked figure until thedark branches of the trees obscure her from view. Then,somewhere, a WOLF HOWLS in the night...

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - DAWN

Isabelle wakes up, groggy. Lucies bed is empty.

EXT. DARK FOREST - DAY

Children are playing, a BOY chasing several gigglingGIRLS, growling and waving his hands like claws.

BOYIm the Wolf! Im going to eatyou up!

EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - DAY

One of the Girls runs into the meadow and sees somethingthat makes her stop short. The other Children gatherbehind her, all frozen by what they see...

CROWS are picking at a bloody carcass. All we can see ofit is a human hand. A crow gnaws on one of the fingers.


The girls are at their lessons. Suddenly, theres anurgent KNOCK at the door. Everyone stops, surprised.Grandmother answers it. Its a YOUNG MAN, sweaty and outof breath from running.

GRANDMOTHERWhat on earth --?

The Young Man glances at Isabelle. Something about thelook in his eyes makes Isabelle go pale...

25.


27/121

EXT. DARK FOREST - CLEARING - DAY

Isabelle hurries into the clearing with Roxanne,Prudence, and Rosemaria trailing behind her. A crowd hasgathered. She pushes through it, then stop short.

Lucie is dead. We dont see whats been done to her, butRoxanne turns away and vomits. Cesaire and Suzette arealready here. He holds her as she cries on his shoulder.Isabelle just stares at Lucies body, shattered.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Isabelle is curled in a fetal ball on the bed, clutchingLucies cloak to her chest. Shes cried her eyes out.Grandmother sets down a cup of tea. As Isabelle watches,Grandmother sprinkles a pinch of dark herbs in the tea.

GRANDMOTHERIts my little secret. A pinchwill help you rest. A little moreand youll sleep through the endof the world.

Grandmother smiles. Isabelle smiles back, weak.

ISABELLEI think Id like that.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Two men, the Merchant and the REEVE, gossip by the well.

MERCHANTShe had it coming, if you ask me.What the hell was she doing outthere?

Then they notice that Isabelle is right behind them,drawing a water from the well. Both men shiftuncomfortably, but she pretends she didnt hear.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - DAY

Lucies body lies on the table. Isabelle watches asSuzette and Grandmother bathe the body. Suddenly,Grandmother stops. Shes found something clutched inLucies hand. A troubled look comes over her...

ISABELLEWhat is it?

26.

(CONTINUED)


28/121

GRANDMOTHERNothing.

Grandmother curtly wraps what shes found in a washcloth.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Lucies funeral. Cesaire and Suzette sit with Isabelle,who holds Grandmothers hand. The other girls are here,too. Roxanne sits with her mother, MARGUERITE, andClaude, the deaf boy we saw performing magic. Thepriest, FATHER AUGUSTE, conducts the service.

FATHER AUGUSTEWherefore each man and woman thatis wise, make him ready thereto;for we all shall die, and we knownot how soon...

EXT. CHURCH - DAY

Villagers leave the church. Claude is playing in thecemetery. Father Auguste frowns, disapproving.Marguerite sees this and angrily pulls Roxanne aside.

MARGUERITETake your brother home.

Embarrassed, Roxanne quickly grabs Claude and drags himaway, but he fights her, crying and kicking.

Isabelles family is met by Henri and his father, Adrien.

ADRIENShe was a good girl. We all lovedher.

Hes looking at Cesaire and shakes his hand, but hebriefly glances at Suzette. Isabelle notices the look,but then she spots Peter leaving the church. She makesbrief eye contact with him before Henri interrupts.

HENRIIm 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 ofthe Villagers. Isabelle, Suzette, and Grandmother sitwith Cesaire, who is angrily addressing the crowded room.

27.

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(CONTINUED)


29/121

CESAIREA line has been crossed. Thebeast must be destroyed!

MERCHANTYour daughter crossed the line.

She went into the woods.

CESAIREShe was taken. She must havebeen!

MERCHANTSo the Wolf broke into your homeand stole your daughter withoutwaking anyone or leaving any signat all?

REEVE

Its been almost thirty yearssince someone here was killed bythe Wolf. Weve left it alone.Why would it suddenly come andtake one of us now?

Grandmother gathers her nerve and stands up.

GRANDMOTHERI know something.

Cesaire and Suzette give Grandmother surprised looks.She walks up to the table and hands Attewater the waddedup washcloth we saw her with earlier.

GRANDMOTHERI found this. I believe it mustbelong to her attacker.

Attewater unfolds the washcloth. There are a few strandsof hair inside. He gives her a sharp look.

ATTEWATERThis is not animal hair.

GRANDMOTHERNo, it isnt. Its human.

A stunned silence comes over the room.

ATTEWATERNo man could have done the thingsthat were done to yourgranddaughter. It must have beenthe Wolf.

28.

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(CONTINUED)


30/121

GRANDMOTHERYet she was holding a mans hairin her hand when she died.

ATTEWATERWhat are you suggesting?

GRANDMOTHERThat the man and the Wolf may beone and the same.

A low MURMUR works its way through the crowd.

ATTEWATERA werewolf.

FATHER AUGUSTEIt would explain much. The Popehimself has declared that such

creatures exist.

The thought gives everyone pause.

MERCHANTEven if youre right, it doesnthelp us. The woods are filledwith hermits and strangers. Iftheres a werewolf among them, howwill we find it?

ATTEWATERThere are experts in thesematters. Men who find and trywitches and werewolves. We couldrequest the Church to sendsomeone.

Grandmother gives him a sharp look.

GRANDMOTHERNot someone. Youre talking aboutFather Solomon.

This sends a ripple of comment through the room.

ATTEWATERHe is the Churchs most successfulwerewolf hunter.

ADRIENBut what of his methods? The manonce burned down an entire villagejust to root out one witch.

29.

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(CONTINUED)


31/121

ATTEWATERUnsubstantiated rumors. TheChurch has appointed him theWitchfinder General of allChristendom.

FATHER AUGUSTEThat is also unsubstantiated.

Attewater eyes him, but Father Auguste stands his ground.

ATTEWATERI have the utmost confidence inthe ability of the WitchfinderGeneral to determine the nature ofthe beast and put an end to it. Iwill dispatch a messenger in themorning.

CESAIREEven if Father Solomon agrees tohelp us, it will take weeks forhim to get here. That meansanother full moon. Maybe two.We must defend ourselves.

A long, silent beat. Then, Henri stands.

HENRIHes right. The beast broke thepeace, not us.

(to Cesaire)I will help you kill it.

Henris father gives him a surprised look. But afteranother long beat, the Reeve stands up, too.

REEVEAs will I. We all will.

Henri is nervous, but tries to appear brave for Isabelle.


Isabelle is about to leave when she sees Lucies redriding hood. She gives it a solemn look.

EXT. DARK FOREST - PATH - DAWN

A light snow has fallen. The girls are walking toGrandmothers house, but Isabelle sadly lags behind, lostin thought. Shes wearing Lucies red riding hood.

30.

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(CONTINUED)


32/121

Roxanne waits for Isabelle and offers her hand. Isabellesmiles sadly and takes it. Prudence and Rosemaria letthem catch up, then they continue on together...


Isabelle returns home. Suzette is making dinner, butstops short when she sees Isabelle in Lucies red cloak.

SUZETTEWho gave you permission to wearthat?

ISABELLENobody. I just --

SUZETTEYour Grandmother made that for

Lucie. Take it off.

Isabelle hesitates, then does as shes told. Suzettesnatches the cloak away from her. A beat.

ISABELLEIt was folded when they found her.Her clothes, too. Did you noticethat?

SUZETTESomeone must have folded them.

A beat. Isabelle is reluctant to voice her thoughts...

ISABELLEShe was so unhappy.

Suzette turns, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

SUZETTEWhat are you saying?

ISABELLEMaybe she went into the woods on

purpose. Maybe she wanted to die.

Suddenly: Suzette slaps her across the face. Hard.

SUZETTELucies soul is at peace with God.Dont you ever again suggestotherwise.

Suzette turns away in tears. Isabelle is stunnedspeechless.

31.

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33/121

EXT. PETERS COTTAGE - DAY

Isabelle trudges through the mud toward a ramshacklecottage. If there had been train tracks in thefourteenth century, this place would have been on thewrong side of them.

Isabelle gathers her nerve and knocks on the door. Along beat. The door opens. Its Peter. He gives her asurprised look. She looks up at him, choking back tears.

PETERAre you all right?

ISABELLEIm sorry. I just need to talk tosomeone. Can I come in?

Peter balks. Just then, a figure appears. Isabelle

cant believe her eyes... Its Rosemaria. Shesstanding behind Peter, but its clear that shes naked.

ROSEMARIANo. You cant.

She wraps an arm around Peters waist. Isabelle giveshim a stricken look and runs away. Peter watches her go.

INT. GRANDMOTHERS COTTAGE - DUSK

Lessons are over. The girls are ready to leave exceptfor Isabelle, who sits alone by the fire. Rosemariagives her a sly look as she leaves. When the girls havegone, Grandmother sits down next to Isabelle.

ISABELLEI hate the cold. Why cant wehave lessons in the summer?

GRANDMOTHERI suppose that would be easier.But then that would defeat thepurpose. People only change when

things are difficult.

Isabelle gives her a look, understanding, then turnsaway. Grandmother puts a hand on her shoulder and thenleaves her alone. Isabelle stares into the fire...

INT. ROXANNES FAMILY COTTAGE - NIGHT

Roxanne comes home to a shocking scene: her mother,Marguerite, half-naked and wrapped in a blanket,

32.

(CONTINUED)


34/121

viciously beating Claude with a switch. Roxannehurriedly pulls her off of him and he runs away.

MARGUERITEI caught the little bastardwatching us!

ROXANNEWatching what?

Just then, the Merchant enters from the bedroom,adjusting his clothes. He hesitates when he seesRoxanne, then drops a handful of coins on the table andleaves. Marguerite puts the coins in a leather purse.Roxanne glares at her.

MARGUERITEIts money, isnt it? You couldmake 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 ofsnow whipping through the air around it.

INT. BLACKSMITHS COTTAGE - DUSK

Adrien picks up a hammer and a pickaxe. He hands thehammer to Henri, fixing him with a serious look.

ADRIENDont do this for Isabelle. Shecant marry you if youre dead.

HENRI(lying)

Im not doing it for her.

ADRIEN

Your mother would be proud to seethe man youve 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 decidedto brew some beer and sell it. Cesaire stands before agroup of men. Theyve all had too much to drink.

33.

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(CONTINUED)


35/121

CESAIREMy father died trying to kill theWolf. For forty years, we havelived in fear of it. But no more.And never again. We dont need aWitchfinder General to rid of us

this hell-hated beast. Because byGod and all that is holy, theBeast of Villiers la Croise shalldie tonight!

The men CHEER.

EXT. VILLAGE - DUSK

Cesaire leads the drunken group through the streets. Therest of the Villagers line the streets, watching them go.Claude tries to join the hunters, thinking its a game,

but Roxanne quickly catches him. Peter shakes his headat the dubious spectacle. Henri sees him.

HENRIYoure not coming with us?

PETERAre you joking? These fools areas likely to kill each other asthey are anything else.

Henri shoots him an angry look before moving on.

Isabelle and Suzette say goodbye to Cesaire. Isabellesees 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. Whenshes sure that Peter has seen this, she quickly walksaway. 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 crouchedin the brush. Cesaire walks along the line of men.

CESAIREGet that torch out.

Henri douses his torch.

34.

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36/121


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...


Isabelle lies in bed, but still awake. Suddenly... awolf HOWLS outside. Her eyes widen.


The Reeve hears it. He clutches an old sword. Nearby,

the Merchant cowers in the brush. Adrien listens as thewolf HOWLS over and over, louder each time. TheCarpenter nervously peers out from his cover...

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - LOFT - NIGHT

The HOWLING is getting closer. Isabelle goes to thewindow, opens the shutter, cautiously peers out... and isstartled by a HORRIBLE SCREAM in the distance.


The Carpenter hears the SCREAM, too. He runs toward itand finds an extinguished torch on the ground. There arefootprints in the snow. And blood. The brush around himRUSTLES and he jumps to his feet, axe held at the ready --

-- but its just the other Men, led by the Reeve.

REEVEWho was that screaming?

CARPENTER

I dont know.

MERCHANTLook.

Hes gone pale. The others follow his look. Theres aLARGE PAW PRINT in the snow. The Men stare at it.

Suddenly, the same SCREAM pierces the night, this timecoming from deeper in the woods. The Men exchange a warylook, but then start after it.

35.

(CONTINUED)


37/121

They run into a still clearing where the snow-coveredbrush is as high as their waists. They pause and listen.Only silence. They carefully make their way in thedirection of the screams, quiet. Frost-brittle leavesCRUNCH under their feet...

Suddenly -- something is moving in the brush. All theycan see is the snowy brush violently shaking as it dartsoff, almost faster than it can be followed with the eye.It races right by the Merchant, knocking him on his ass,but its gone before he can get a look at it.

He startles as the Reeve pulls him to his feet.

REEVEWhich way did it go?

The Merchant points a trembling finger. The Reeveplunges 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 rockyhill. Its a dead end. But then they hear the SCREAMSagain. The Men look up at the hillside.

CARPENTERThe caves. Its in the caves.

INT. CAVE - NIGHT

The Men stand in the mouth of a wide cave, relightingtheir torches. The SCREAMING echoes from inside. TheCarpenter raises his torch. The cave is as deep and darkas a monsters throat. The Men crowd start inside...

The SCREAMING continues, unnerving the Men as theyapproach. Then they come to a fork in the tunnel. TheSCREAMS bounce off the stone walls. Impossible to tellwhere its coming from.

REEVE

Split up. Two groups.

Half the Men take one fork, half the other. We followthe Reeves group down a narrowing passageway. The Mencrowd together, hunched low. The SCREAMS seem to begetting louder. The Reeve stops, listening.

He turns toward a low crack in the cave wall. TheSCREAMS are coming from inside. He shines his torchinside, lowers his head, and walks toward it. The cave

36.

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(CONTINUED)


38/121

floor takes a steep dip. He has to keep one hand on thewall to keep from falling...

Then suddenly, his feet skid on a patch of loose pebblesand he loses his footing. He slides down the steepfloor, drops his torch, hands flailing, unable to stop

himself, and then --

-- he finds himself falling off a low cliff into thedarkness. He tumbles head over heels down a rocky slopeand splashes hard in a shallow underground river. Thetorch rolls off the ledge above and falls on the shoreamidst a shower of grit and pebbles.

The Reeve gets up, grimacing in pain, grabs the torch.He shines it around... and sees Adrien. Hes leaningagainst a rock, the ground beneath him wet with bloodspreading from a dark wound between his legs.

Reeve rushes to his side and crosses himself when he seesthe wound. Then: a low, menacing, GROWL. He turns...

Theres a huge, SNARLING GRAY WOLF behind him. Adrienspickaxe juts from between its shoulder blades.

Reeve freezes, suddenly realizing that hes dropped hissword. He splashes around in the river, blindly feelingfor it in the water. The wounded animal growls, bloodbubbling 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, revealinga peacefully glistening blanket of snow on the village.

The Men are returning from the woods. Isabelle andSuzette are among the Villagers breathlessly awaitingthem. No way of telling whether they met with success orfailure. But as they near...

... we can see Reeve leading the group, carrying a pike

with the wolfs severed head on it. The Villagers CHEER,but the Men are weary and subdued. Suzette and Isabellefind Cesaire. He hugs them tight.

Suddenly, a woman GASPS. Then they see: the Men arecarrying Adriens body on a travois. Suzette chokes backher reaction. Henri walks with the body, eyes red andcried out. He passes Isabelle without looking at her.

37.

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39/121

EXT. BLACKSMITHS COTTAGE - DAY

Henri hammers at a red-hot iron horseshoe. Isabelleenters. Henri doesnt seem to notice. A hesitant beat.

ISABELLE

I heard your father wounded thebeast. He was a brave man.

HENRIDid you hear what it did to him?It chewed off his private parts.

Isabelle had not heard this. Henri doesnt stop working.

HENRIAnd I did nothing. I was tooscared. I couldnt move. I justlet my father be eaten alive.

She moves toward him, but he shrugs her away.

HENRINo. I dont want you here.

Isabelle gives him a sad look, then leaves. Henri justkeeps hammering away on the anvil.

EXT. CHURCH - DAY

A coffin is lowered into a grave. Father Auguste blessesit. Henri stands at his side. Isabelle is here withRoxanne. Lucrece eyes Isabelle, then whispers to her:

LUCRECEI thought your mother would behere. They used to be quiteclose.

Isabelle gives her a sharp look, but Lucrece says nothingmore. Isabelle looks down at the coffin with a suddenrealization...


Suzette is soaking clothes in a bucket of lye, crying asshe works. Isabelle approaches. Suzette quickly wipesher eyes. A beat. Isabelle gathers her nerve, then:

ISABELLEYou told me you had a sweetheartbefore you were married. It wasHenris father, wasnt it?

38.

(CONTINUED)


40/121

Suzette freezes. She faces Isabelle, but doesnt answer.

ISABELLELucie was in love with Henri. Shecould have married him.

(off Suzettes look)

Couldnt she have?

SUZETTEWe arranged for you to marry him.

ISABELLEBut you gained the same no matterwhich one of us married him. Sowhy did it have to be me?

SUZETTEI think you know the answer tothat question.

ISABELLENo. You say it.

Suzettes eyes well up. Then:

SUZETTELucie was Henris half-sister.She was not your fathersdaughter.

Isabelle suddenly looks ill. Reluctant, she asks:

ISABELLEAm I? Do you even know?

SUZETTEYes. I was already pregnant whenyour father and I married.

ISABELLEDoes he know?

SUZETTENo. And he must never know.

Tears spill down Isabelles cheeks. She walks away.

SUZETTEIsabelle!

(beat)Promise me you wont tell him.

Isabelle gives her a look that doesnt promise much. Sheleaves without answering.

39.

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41/121

INT. GRANDMOTHERS COTTAGE - NIGHT

Grandmother ladles soup into a bowl and brings it toIsabelle. Isabelles eyes are red from crying.

GRANDMOTHER

Ive found that theres no burdenthat doesnt at least seem alittle lighter on a full stomach.

ISABELLEI dont know what to do. Shewants me to pretend like I dontknow. How am I supposed to go onliving in that house?

GRANDMOTHERYou have a right to be angry withher. But try not to hate her.

Too much hate will eat you alive.

Isabelle nods and rests her head on Grandmothersshoulder.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

As Isabelle enters the village, she hears LAUGHING andCAROUSING. Every cottage in the village is dark. Exceptone. Isabelle gathers her nerve and turns toward it...

INT. TAVERN HOUSE - NIGHT

Isabelle tentatively enters. There arent many peoplehere, just Marguerite and a few ROWDY MEN making a lot ofnoise. Isabelle instantly sees what shes here for:

Cesaire is slumped in a corner, drunk and passed out.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Isabelle steers Cesaire through the doorway and drops him

into the bed next to Suzette. Hes already half-asleep.Suzette gives Isabelle a silent look, then turns away.

Isabelle sighs. She sits next to Cesaire and kisses hisforehead. As she stands, he clumsily takes her hand.

CESAIREYoure a good girl.

Isabelle allows a sad smile, places his hand back on hischest, and leaves.

40.


42/121

EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY

The wolfs head has been placed atop a stake. Childrenthrow rocks at it. Isabelle watches with Roxanne andPrudence.

PRUDENCEI heard theres going to be afestival on the night of the nextfull moon. To celebrate.

ROXANNEA festival? Ive never been toone!

PRUDENCEMy father says he hasnt seen onesince he was a boy.

ROXANNEIts strange, isnt it? You thinkbecause things have been a certainway your whole life that theyllalways be the same. Thenovernight 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 theyre doing, listening, suddenlyapprehensive. The girls turn toward the sound and see...

... A DOZEN SOLDIERS in identical armor, silver helmetsgleaming in the sun, riding into the square atop armoredsteeds. The Villagers gape at them in awe.

The Soldiers ride escort to a WHITE COACH with a redcross on it, drawn by two horses: one white, one black.A FIGURE rides inside, cloaked in darkness. Isabellegives it an uneasy look.

Leading the Soldiers is the CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD, hishelmet adorned with a blood-red plume. He brings the

caravan to a halt in front of the Merchants shop.

CAPTAINThis is Villiers la Croise?

MERCHANTYes, my lord.

CAPTAINSummon your bailiff. My masterwould speak with him at once.

41.

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43/121

MERCHANTOf course, my lord. May I ask towhat does he owe this honor?

CAPTAINHe requested the services of His

Eminence, the Witchfinder General.You may tell him that he hasarrived.

All eyes turn to the figure in the coach. Only abejeweled hand is visible, resting on the coachs window.

EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DAY (LATER)

A Soldier places a wooden step next to the coach andanother opens the door. The whole village has turnedout, but theyre keeping their distance. Even Attewater,

standing front and center, seems uneasy.

The figure emerges from the coach. A grizzled man withpenetrating eyes and a black beard, wearing a strangeamalgam of priestly white robes and decidedly un-priestlybattle armor. A broadsword hangs from his hip, the hiltdepicting Christ on the cross. With the sword sheathed,the cross is upside-down. This is FATHER SOLOMON.

ATTEWATERThis is indeed an honor, YourEminence.

Solomon makes no response. His eyes are on the severedwolfs head on display. Attewater smiles proudly.

ATTEWATERAs you can see, our werewolfproblem has been dealt with.

SOLOMONThat is no werewolf.

Surprise and outrage ripple through the crowd. Isabelleand Roxanne exchange a shocked look.

SOLOMONWhen a werewolf dies, it returnsto its human form. If what youkilled was a werewolf, then youwould have a human head skeweredatop that pole.

REEVEAnd I suppose youve seen this? Awolf turning into a man?

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Solomon levels a look at the Reeve and slowly walkstoward him. The Reeve is taller, but Solomon is, withoutdoubt, the bigger man. The Reeves eyes flick nervouslyto the armored Soldiers and their swords. A beat.

SOLOMON

My wifes name was Pnlope. Shewas very pretty. And we were veryhappy.

The Reeve tries to keep the confusion off his face.Attewater and Father Auguste exchange uncertain looks.

SOLOMONWe lived in a village not unlikethis place. And not unlike thisplace, our village was plagued bya werewolf. I went out with somemen to hunt it. It never even

occurred to me that we mightactually find it. But we did.

He has everyones attention now. All eyes are on him.

SOLOMONIt attacked me. All I saw wereyellow teeth. I hacked at it withan axe and suddenly it was gone.There was blood on my axe. I hadcut off one of its paws. I pickedit up and put it in my sack.

(beat)When I returned home in themorning, I found my wife with abloody rag tied around her leftwrist. And when I opened my sack,the werewolfs paw was gone. Thisis what I found in its place.

Solomon takes an old leather sack from his belt, reachesinside... and pulls out a WOMANS MUMMIFIED HAND wearinga wedding ring. There are gasps from the crowd.

SOLOMON

Her name was Pnlope. She wasvery pretty. And we were veryhappy. Until the day I killedher.

Solomon turns and gives Attewater a hard look.

SOLOMONYour werewolf is still alive. AndI promise you, it will kill again.

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INT. MANOR HOUSE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT

Soldiers stand at every door. Solomon and Attewater sitin front of the gathered Villagers. Solomons Captainstands behind him. Isabelle nervously notes that theCaptain wears a spiked flail. The black iron ball is

shaped like a skull with spikes coming out of it.

SOLOMONI have examined the body of yourblacksmith. There were bruises onhis neck from where the beast heldhim in its jaws, squeezing histhroat so that he could notscream.

CESAIREBut he did scream. We all heardhim.

SOLOMONOnly when it wanted you to. Itused him as bait to lure you intothe bit of theater it hadprepared.

HENRITheater? My father is notplayacting. He is dead.

REEVEAnd I killed the beast that didit.

SOLOMONThats what it wants you to think.It did kill your blacksmith. Butthe animal that you killed was notthe werewolf.

REEVEThere was blood dripping from itsteeth.

SOLOMONThe blood was its own. Thewerewolf most likely wounded itearlier in the evening and left itin the cave for you to find andkill.

CESAIREMost likely, he says. Have youever heard anything more unlikelyin your lives?

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The Villagers laugh. Lucrece eyes them, disapproving.

ATTEWATERYour Eminence, if what you say istrue, that we were somehow fooledby this thing, it could not have

done so without foreknowledge ofour plan to hunt it.

SOLOMONThats correct. The werewolf doesnot live in the forest as you haverather navely assumed. It liveshere in the village. Among you.

There is a moment of shocked silence. Then mountinganger. Cesaire stands up and gestures to Henri.

CESAIRE

You come here and tell us thatthis boys father died fornothing. You accuse us and callus fools. Well, I believe what Ican see with my own eyes. Thatwolf is dead. And I know itsdead because I was with the bravemen who killed it.

MERCHANTAnd what of the festival?

ATTEWATERThe festival was to celebrate thedeath of the Wolf.

MERCHANTAnd we say that its dead! Wevespent every full moon for the pastforty years cowering in our homes.Weve earned a celebration.

REEVEAnd paid for it in blood!

Attewater gives Solomon a nervous look. Solomon shrugs.

SOLOMONHave your festival. I will stayon here until then to ensure thatyou have the celebration you allso richly deserve.

The Villagers seem appeased, especially the smugMerchant. A look passes between Solomon and his Captain.Isabelle catches it... and finds it unsettling.

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The moon sign displays the angry full moon, but it hasbeen decorated with ribbons and mistletoe. Despite thecold, the mood in the village is happy and excited.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Solomon is anointing each of his Soldiers with holy waterfrom a basin held by Father Auguste...

SOLOMONGloria Patri, et Filio, etSpiritui Sancto. Sicut erat inprincipio, et nunc, et sempter, etin saecula saeculorum. Amen.

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - COMMON ROOM - DAY

Isabelle wears her best dress, her hair decorated withribbons. Cesaire is asleep, a flask in his hand.Suzette knits.

ISABELLEIm going to the festival.

SUZETTEAll right then.

She doesnt 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...


The festival is in full swing. A bonfire ROARS. TheVillagers sing and drink. A MAN in a wolf costume jumps

out and startles the women and children. The childrenchase 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 wolfcostume, but an OLDER BOY purposefully trips him.Another BOY steals his cap and teases him. Marguerite istoo busy carousing to notice. Roxanne frowns.

ROXANNEIm sorry...

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She hurries to help Claude. Isabelle and Prudence watch.

PRUDENCEShe acts more like a mother to himthan a sister.

ISABELLESomeone has to look after him.

PRUDENCEI know. But who looks after her?

Isabelle gives Roxanne a sad look.

EXT. CHURCH - BELLTOWER - DUSK

The Captain of Solomons guard stands watch. The soundsof the FESTIVAL can be heard in the distance...

EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - DUSK

Men play MUSIC and couples dance. Roxanne dances withClaude, Prudence with an OLDER BOY... but Isabelle sitsalone, watching Peter dance with Rosemaria.

Just then, Henri stumbles toward Isabelle with a beer,clearly the latest of many. He follows her look and seesthat shes watching Peter. Henri glares at him...

... then abruptly pushes his way toward Peter and grabshim roughly by the shoulder, spinning him around. Peteris surprised, but ready to laugh it off.

PETERTake it easy, friend.

HENRIYou didnt come with us. Thenight my father died.

Peters smile fades. Isabelle rushes to pull Henri away.

HENRIYou stayed here and let real mendo the work you didnt have thebelly for.

ISABELLEPlease, dont do this --

Henri brushes her aside, but too hard and she stumbles.Peter instantly grabs hold of Henris wrist. Henri

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overreacts and punches Peter in the eye. Peter falls onhis ass, but the Villagers just laugh.

Peter slowly stands, staring Henri down. He could easilylay 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 hurriesoff after Peter. Henri watches her go, ashamed.

EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - DUSK

Peter storms off. Isabelle runs after him.

ISABELLEPeter! Wait!

PETERWhy? So you can hit me, too?

ISABELLEI just want to make sure youreall right.

Peter stops. He whirls on Isabelle, incredulous.

PETERWhy cant you just leave me alone?

ISABELLEYoure bleeding.

PETERSo what? Whats the matter withyou? What do I have to do to makeyou stop caring about me?

Isabelle is taken aback. A beat.

ISABELLEYou think I want to feel likethis? You think I enjoy feelinglike a fool every day because Icant stop loving you?

Peters bravado falters. He cant completely hide whather words do to him. She looks up at him, realizing...

ISABELLEWhy are you with Rosemaria? Youhate Rosemaria.

PETERI dont have to like her to getwhat I want from her.

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ISABELLEYoure a terrible liar.

Isabelle takes a step closer and presses the palm of herhand against his chest. A beat.

ISABELLEThere. Youre heart is startingto beat faster. And the littleblack circles in the middle ofyour eyes still get bigger when Itouch you.

She gazes up at him. He tries not to look in her eyes,but cant stop himself.

ISABELLEYou can tell me you dont love me,but I know what youre really

feeling. I can feel it with myhand and see it with my eyes.

Peter hesitates, then covers her hand with his own.

PETERI thought being with Rosemariawould be the one thing you wouldnever be able to forgive. Iwanted you to hate me.

(off her look)Isabelle, you are the best thingthat could ever happen to me. AndI am the worst thing that couldever happen to you.

ISABELLEHow could you think that?

PETERI wasnt born here. You and Iboth know what that means. I willalways be a stranger to thesepeople. Your parents will neverlet us be together.

ISABELLEThat means less to me now thanever. We can leave here. We cango someplace where well both bestrangers.

PETERI cant let you do that. You havesomething here that I will neverhave. You have a place. You have

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a family. With Henri you have afuture. Im not going to let youruin that over me.

ISABELLEThe only life I want is with you.

PETERIsabelle... Im wrong for you.

ISABELLEI know you are. I just dontcare.

She kisses him on the mouth, then quickly steps back, asif she did it before she could change her mind. Then hetakes 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. Shelooks up at him, surprised, then pulls him tightly toher, kissing him hard. She grabs his hand and guides itto her breast. Now Peter looks surprised. He hesitates.

ISABELLEI dont want to wait.

PETERBut not like this.

(a beat)I want to marry you.

She searches his face and sees that hes serious.

PETERI can pack the cart tonight and wecan leave in the morning.

(off her look)Is that too soon?

ISABELLEIts not soon enough.

She pulls him to her and kisses him.

EXT. BARN - DUSK

Peter looks outside. The coast is clear. He andIsabelle slip out and close the door behind them.

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PETERYoud better get back beforesomeone misses you.

She gives him a lingering kiss. When she pulls away fromhim, he sees that shes crying.

PETERWhats wrong?

ISABELLEThis feels like a dream. Imafraid if I leave you I might wakeup.

He kisses her and holds her tight. Neither of themnotice Henri, angrily watching from the shadows...

EXT. VILLAGE - SQUARE - NIGHT

Isabelle returns to the festival. She sits next toRoxanne, who notices a piece of straw in Isabelles hair.Isabelle quickly brushes it away, embarrassed.

Isabelles eyes go to the sky. The sun has finally set.The moon has risen, silver and full. Isabelle gazes upat it, transfixed. Roxanne looks over at her, curious.

ISABELLEIve never seen it full before...

Suddenly -- the CHURCH BELLS start to ring. Everyonefalls 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.

ROXANNEClaude!

Then something massive pushes its way through the surgingcrowd, bursting from the darkness...

Its THE WOLF. The Villagers gape in horror. It makesthe wolf that they killed look like a chihuahua. Buttheres something about its face that isnt canine atall, but ghoulishly human as it HOWLS at the moon.

Suddenly, a group of Villagers throw off their cloaks,revealing themselves to be Solomons armored Soldiers.Each of them draws a gleaming sword and points it at theWolf. Theyve been lying in wait and now they have itsurrounded. The Wolf SNARLS at them.

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A moment later, Father Solomon gallops into the square onhis armored steed, wearing a helmet adorned with a goldeneagle. He tugs the reins and his horse rears back.

SOLOMONGet to the church, you fools!

The Wolf SNARLS up at him. Solomon gives a battle cry:

SOLOMONDIE, BEAST! AND LONG LIVE GODSHOLY LOVE!

The Wolf ROARS. Solomon and his men charge toward it.The Villagers caught between them trample one another toget away. A MAN gets knocked into the bonfire. Flaminglogs fall off the pyre and set a cottage ABLAZE.

The Wolf swipes Solomons Soldiers aside like rag dolls.

They bravely press the attack, but theyre no match forthe beast. It swats one of them right through the wallof 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 theCarpenter carries him away. Roxanne starts toward him --

-- and is bowled over by Solomons horse. Solomon grabsthe stake with the wolfs head atop it and charges at theWolf, wielding the stake like a lance. The Wolf catchesthe stake in its jaws, throwing Solomon off his horse.

Just as the Wolf is about to pounce on him, but moreSoldiers join the fight. The Wolf sees them coming. Itattacks Solomons horse, biting its neck and dragging itto the ground. As the Soldiers close in --

-- the Wolf spins around, hurling the injured horse atthem, knocking them down like bowling pins. AnotherSoldier tries to attack the Wolf from behind, but itsmacks him aside with its tail and then smashes him tothe ground with one enormous paw.

Isabelle hurriedly helps Roxanne to her feet and drags

her away from the ongoing battle.

ROXANNEWheres Claude? Where is he?!

EXT. VILLAGE - ROAD - NIGHT

The Carpenter runs away with Claude in his arms, butClaude bites his hand and wriggles free. Claude falls tothe ground and dashes back toward the square.

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Roxanne runs through town like a rat in a maze, jostledby the fleeing Villagers. Isabelle races after her.

ROXANNE

Claude! Claude!

Roxanne spots Rosemaria and grabs her, begging for help.

ROXANNEHave you seen my brother? Please!

But Rosemaria just pushes her aside, panicked. Aninstant later -- the Wolf appears out of nowhere, jumpingon Rosemaria. She screams, then -- CRUNCH. The screamsstop. Isabelle and Roxanne gape in horror, then run.

EXT. CHURCH - BELLTOWER - NIGHT

The Captain RINGS the church bell. People are fleeingthe village and running toward the church.


The few Villagers left hurry into their homes and boltthe doors behind them. TWO SOLDIERS search the nearlyempty streets for the Wolf, swords drawn.

Soldier #1 looks down... and sees bloody paw prints inthe snow. He points them out to Solider #2. They followthe tracks to a corner, carefully peer around it...

The Wolf is about ten feet away, loudly tearing meat fromRosemarias body. Soldier #1 gestures for his companionto approach from the other side. They split up.

Soldier #1 peers out at the Wolf... but its gone. Thestreet is empty. Only Rosemarias body lying in thebloodstained 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 intoposition... 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 #1painfully crawling through the snow, clutching a mangledand bloody wound on his shoulder.

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SOLDIER #1Help... Help me...

Soldier #2 ducks back from the window. No way. Hes notgoing out there. Then: SNIFF. SNIFF.

Theres a shadow visible under the crack of the cottagedoor. 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. TheSoldier edges toward the door. The shadow does notreturn. He slowly reaches out a hand to open the door...

Suddenly, the door is blasted off its hinges and the Wolfbursts inside. It stands on top of the door, pinning theSoldier beneath it. The Soldier tries to raise hissword, but cant. The Wolf SNARLS down at him, drooling.


The Wolf is dragging Soldier #2s body out of the cottageby the ankles when its ears suddenly prick up. Itsheard something. Its being watched. It looks up...

... and sees Claude standing at the end of the street,paralyzed with fear. The Wolf GROWLS, blood drippingfrom its chin. Claude runs. The Wolf leaps after him.

Claude turns a corner, looks back, sees the Wolf headedright for him. Claude ducks into an alley and the Wolffollows him...

EXT./INT. BARN - NIGHT

... only to find Claude has disappeared. The Wolffollows Claudes tracks in the snow to the door of a barnand peers inside. The barn appears to be empty...

... but Claude is hiding in a hayloft. The Wolf SNIFFSthe air. Pushes the door open with its nose and padsinside. 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, Roxannelooking for Claude, Isabelle trying to stop her.

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ISABELLEWhat big eyes you have...

THE WOLFThe better to see you with, mydear.

ISABELLEAre you going to kill us?

THE WOLFKill you? Why would I kill you?

ISABELLEThen what do you want?

THE WOLFI want you, Isabelle.

Isabelle gapes, dumbstruck and dismayed.

THE WOLFWe are the same, you and I. Weare both wild things. You showone face to the world, but thereis another face that you hide. Afire burning inside you, waitingto be released.

The Wolf sniffs her, starting at her feet and working itsway up. It SNARLS with satisfaction, savoring her scent.

THE WOLFYes. I can smell it on you evennow.

Suddenly, the Wolf jumps onto its hind legs, puts itsforepaws on the wall on either side of Isabelle, itsmuzzle only inches from her face. She recoils.

THE WOLFLeave with me tonight. Run withme. The only shackles binding youare of your own making. Slip them

and I can show you the world andevery pleasure in it.

Isabelle hesitates, then finds the strength to speak:

ISABELLEI dont know who you are, but weare not the same. I would ratherdie than go with you.

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THE WOLFWhat about your fat friend here?Do you think she would rather die?

(off Isabelles look)Come away with me. Or I will killher. 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 WOLFChoose now. Quickly.

Isabelle trembles. She looks down at Roxannes terrifiedface, torn. Isabelle closes her eyes. She cant do it.

THE WOLFYour silence has doomed them all.

Just then, Solomon and two Soldiers turn the corner. TheWolf leaps atop the wall and growls down at Isabelle:

THE WOLFCome the next full moon, theirblood will be on your hands.

Then it jumps over the wall. Solomon scrabbles up afterit, but the Wolf is already too far away. It looks backat him. A silent challenge passes between them. Andthen the Wolf is gone.

INT. CHURCH - NIGHT

Solomon and his Soldiers bring Isabelle and Roxanneinside. A crowd of panicked Villagers swarms to Solomon.

SOLOMONWe are safe here. God protectshis own house and those within it.

Isabelle finds Prudence.

ISABELLEIs Peter here?

PRUDENCEPeter? I dont think so.

ISABELLEWhat about Claude? Or my parents?

PRUDENCEI havent seen any of them.

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ISABELLEWould you look for them? Please?

Prudence nods and rushes off. Roxanne slumps in acorner, a dazed look on her face. A beat.

ROXANNEYou talked to it.

ISABELLEIt talked to us.

A chill runs down Roxannes spine. A long beat.

ROXANNENo. It only growled.

(off Isabelles look)You heard it talk to you?

Isabelle doesnt know what to say. She glances around tosee if anyone has overheard. Then:

ISABELLEDo not speak of this to anyone.

Roxanne nods, but eyes Isabelle warily. Isabelle turnsaway, afraid and confused.

EXT. CHURCH - DAWN

Silence. The door CREAKS open and the Merchant peersout. A blanket of new snow covers the village. Its asif the massacre of the night before never happened.


Isabelle hurries inside. Embers burn in the fire pit. Achair has been overturned. The room is empty.

ISABELLEMother! Father!

INT. ISABELLES FAMILY COTTAGE - BEDROOM - DAWN

Isabelle bursts in to find Suzette lying in bed andCesaire leaning over her, crying. Isabelle stops short.

ISABELLEIs she dead?

CESAIRENo, thank God.

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He sits up, revealing Suzettes face, which has beenhorribly slashed from scalp to chin. Isabelle recoils.


The Villagers slowly gather. Dead bodies litter thesnow. Roxanne clutches Prudences arm. Henri joinsthem. Father Auguste crouches next to Soldier #1.

FATHER AUGUSTEThis man is alive!

(to Henri)Bring me water! Hurry!

Henri nods and quickly turns -- but is stopped cold bySolomons iron grip on his arm. Solomon and his Captaingo to Soldier #1. Solomon kneels at his side.

SOLOMONAre you bitten?

Shivering, the Soldier nods. The Captain closes hiseyes. Solomon stands and turns to Father Auguste.

SOLOMONStep back.

Confused, Father Auguste does as hes told. Then, beforeanyone can react, Solomon draws his sword and plunges itinto the Soldiers heart. Everyone startles.

SOLOMONThe werewolfs bite is the same asdeath to a man.

Stunned silence. Solomon turns to the Villagers.

SOLOMONThe dark days have returned toyour village. Your homes are nolonger safe. The Wolf willreturn. Again and again. And itwill not stop until it has sucked

the marrow from all your bones.Unless you stop it.(beat)

But to kill a monster, you mustbecome one yourself. A wolfcaught in a trap will chew off itsown leg to save itself. Will youdo the same? What sacrifice willyou make to save your families andyour way of life? Will you dowhatever it takes? Or will you

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cower in your beds and die likesheep?

A long beat. The Villagers shiver and not just from thecold. But no one speaks. Solomon turns to Attewater.

SOLOMONIt appears my expertise is not asappreciated as I was led tobelieve.

He turns to leave. Suddenly, Attewater steps forward.

ATTEWATERWait!

Attewater drops to one knee. Solomon stops and gives himan appraising look. Then Solomon turns to the Villagers.After a moment, the Reeve drops to his knee. One by one,

the Villagers knee

the girl with the red riding hood (script by david leslie johnson)

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