The Chronicles of the Counts Dracula-Cardie. Adapted from Baron Olshevris novel «Vampires»

You will see, my lady, that the Count is right and there is nothing to worry about.

COUNTESS MARIA

Go, Petro, find out, perhaps they need help.

She falls back onto her pillows, tiredly. The bells start to ring once more

The Count mutters in Petro’s ear…

COUNT FREDERICK

She must never learn of the epidemic.

PETRO

I will come up with something.

EXT-GARDEN OF THE WIDOW’S HOUSE-SUMMER EVENING

A small village house is surrounded by a garden. One part of the garden faces the main village road.

WIDOW’S DAUGHTER (17 years old) and a young servant girl LISA (16 years old) pick berries in the garden.

ELDERLY GENTLEMAN (aka American Servant 80 years old) walks towards the garden wall from the main road. He addresses Lisa

ELDERLY GENTLEMAN

May I have some water, my child?

He hands the girl a silver coin over the fence. She stares at it for a brief moment then takes the coin.

INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON – SAME EVENING

Count Frederick’s fingers glide masterfully along the keys of the piano.

Countess Maria listens to her husband play the piano. The children and the servants headed by Petro are all nearby.

EXT-GARDEN NEAR THE WIDOW’S HOUSE – SAME SUMMER EVENING

Lisa walks along the garden path, carrying a pitcher of kvass. She trips over something, looks down and discovers the body of the widow’s daughter. She drops the pitcher and it shatters at her feet

LISA

Help me! Help!

INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON-SAME EVENING

The Count’s fingers glide along the keys of the instrument, he finishes the melody.

INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, YARD NEAR THE STABLES-SUMMER MORNING

Family Doctor and Count Frederick walk near the stables. The whinnying of the horses can be heard (sound behind the scenes)

COUNT FREDERICK

Is your patient getting better, Doctor?

FAMILY DOCTOR

She has anemia and a very severe case. She will need a healthy diet, milk, wine.

COUNT FREDERICK

Send her all she needs.

NIKOLAI the groom (25 years old) runs up to the Count. He is out of breath

NIKOLAI

Marina, our floor washer girl, she is dead.

FAMILY DOCTOR

Hurry up, take us to her.

They hurry, passing the servant’s barracks. Nikolai talks while walking

NIKOLAI

She didn’t come down to work in the morning. Chambermaids went up to her room and found her dead.

INT – MARINA’S ROOM-SAME MORNING

Marina’s corpse lies on her bed. Her face and body appear peaceful, as if she is only sleeping. The sudden gust of wind through the open window lifts and tangles her long loose hair.

Family Doctor takes Marina’s wrist. Count Frederick watches him closely

FAMILY DOCTOR

She is not only dead; the body is already stiff and cold.

COUNT FREDERICK

Do you see that red mark on her neck?

A small red wound is visible on the dead girl’s neck, the skin around the wound is slightly red.

Count Frederick and the Family Doctor exchange looks