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

EXT-GATES OF CARDIE’S CASTLE-SAME SUMMER EVENING

The mournful toll of the village bell is answered by the bell in the castle.

Countess Maria, Nikolai the groom, Lina the COOK, SERVANTS, little Carlo and his sister Lucy follow Marina’s coffin to the gates of the castle. From the crowd of castle servants muffles sobs can be heard.

The cart bearing the coffin drives slowly through the castle gates

NIKOLAI

The American did not come to the funeral mass.

COOK

Did you see it? His windows, even the shutters were closed when we were passing his guardhouse.

INT-FORMAN LIVING ROOM WITH THE NEW BALCONY-MORNING

Count Frederick guides his wife to her new place of rest. Catherine walks respectfully behind, accompanied by a couple of female servants, young Carlo and little Lucy

COUNTESS MARIA

It’s a pity this beautiful room was always locked.

COUNT FREDERICK

From now on we can spent our evening here.

The FOOTMAN opens the door for the couple.

Countess Maria takes two or three steps into the room, when suddenly; she screams violently and points into the neighboring hall.

COUNTESS MARIA

He is watching me… staring at me! He is my death!

The Countess faints in her husband’s arms. Everyone’s eyes follow the direction to which she was pointing. The faces of guests register unease.

A portrait (the same gold-framed portrait that was discovered in the Hunting House) hangs on the wall of the neighboring room. A tall lean old man, dressed in a renaissance style costume and wearing a heavy gold chain is peering from the frame. His thin lips are pressed together in an arrogant line and his red tinged eyes appear terrifyingly alive

COUNT FREDERICK

(to the servants)

Well, why are you gaping, remove everything!

YOUNG CARLO

(takes Countess’ hand)

Mom, don’t be afraid, the grandfather is dead.

EXT-AN OPEN AIR PLATFORM IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE GARDEN NEAR THE SHEER DROP – SAME SUMMER DAY

The Countess lies on a chaise lounge. She is clearly ill at ease.

She sees the evil red-tinged eyes among the hops. She looks around, terrified. The unseen presence moves towards the rocks of the sheer drop, its shape unclear yet menacing.

The Countess is afraid and reaches towards her husband.

Young Carlo and little Lucy play nearby, completely oblivious to the danger

COUNTESS MARIA

Freddie, those eyes, I can see them everywhere, they are hounding me.

COUNT FREDERICK

Whose eyes, dear?

COUNTESS MARIA

Grandfather’s.

COUNT FREDERICK

Enough, my darling, even the portrait is gone. I exiled it from our home.

The Count serves her cookies on a tray and leaves.

Countess Maria brings a cookie to her mouths and it grows moldy before her eyes.

She feels nauseous, coughs but later calms down and pulls out a small mirror in order to straighten her hair. Her reflection gradually vanishes as if eaten up by rust rising from the site of the bite on her neck. Maria cries out.

Her worried husband rushes in. She embraces him and flings away the mirror. The mirror lies on the floor, cracked, reflecting only the Count

END OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES

INT-CARLO’S SITTING ROOM, VENICE-EARLY MORNING

BEGINNING OF GROWN-UP CARLO’S MEMORIES

Carlo paces his sitting room, holding a letter in his hand and commenting to himself

TITLE: 1852

CARLO

My God, I am rich, unbelievably rich!