This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"The Kaiserine's Champion" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY - NIGHT
A panoramic view of a sprawling central European city 200+
years ago. Notable landmarks are the Empress's Palace and
the impressive city prison. Hereabouts, the enigmatic
Empress is known by her Germanic title of Kaiserine.
Title: "High Sazburg, capital of the Prussian Empire, circa
1750."
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
Behind a tavern filled with voices, music, song, laughter
and the occasional scream.
MANFRED, 20s, our rugged hero, is dragged out of the tavern
and into the alleyway by NINE City Wardens wearing SCARLET
uniforms. They're drunk and wanting entertainment... at
Manfred's expense.
WARDEN #1
Come on, Corporal! Show the scum who
he's dealing with!
WARDEN #2
Give him a scar to remember us by!
The grinning CORPORAL draws his sword. He circles Manfred,
enjoying the moment.
CORPORAL
Draw your sword, boy. Time you learned
the price for involving yourself in our
business.
Manfred reluctantly draws his sword. The Corporal lunges,
trying to run him through, but Manfred sidesteps and THROWS
the Corporal against the wall. The Corporal SLAMS off the
brickwork and collapses, stunned.
The Wardens are ENRAGED. They CHARGE at Manfred, who meets
their attack with his naked blade. Steel clashes against
steel... and in just the first few seconds it becomes
obvious that Manfred is a MASTER SWORDSMAN and the Wardens
have bitten off more than they can chew.
As the fight goes on Manfred becomes more and more ANGRY,
and less inclined to spare his opponents any mercy. He
bares his teeth as Wardens fall dead or reel back with
terrible wounds.
The fight ends with corpses and groaning, wounded men
littering the alleyway. Manfred slowly lowers his sword and
breathes heavily. He isn't exhausted by the fight, he's
trying to get his anger under control.
WHAP! A club strikes him from behind, scattering his
senses. Manfred collapses, unconscious.
A dozen NOSEYS, aka City Constabulary, enter the alleyway.
They wear BLACK uniforms. The surviving Wardens draw back
cautiously. Just for a moment it seems possible that
another fight might break out between the two groups, but
the Noseys have an unmistakable advantage in numbers.
NOSEY OFFICER
(to his men)
Take him.
His men drag Manfred out of the alleyway. The Wardens want
to object but the Nosey Officer grins at them, warning them
not to try anything stupid. The Wardens can only watch
helplessly as the unconscious Manfred is taken away.
The Nosey Officer turns and follows his men out of the
alleyway, into the night. He doesn't look back.
DISSOLVE TO:
Black screen. The sounds of HAMMERING and WOOD SAWING.
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY SQUARE - DAY
A team of CARPENTERS work to complete a GALLOWS platform in
front of an impressive looking building with thick iron bars
on all the windows. The city prison.
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
Loud HAMMERING sounds from outside.
Manfred sits on the straw-covered floor with his head bowed,
apparently sleeping through the noise. He's chained to the
wall, heavy manacles encircle his wrists.
He looks up as a key rattles in the lock. The door swings
open and the prison SERGEANT grins at Manfred.
SERGEANT
Here's your breakfast, Manfred my boy.
Enjoy your last meal!
The Sergeant empties the NIGHT FILTH BUCKET over Manfred,
who gasps and chokes at the rancid stench. The Sergeant
laughs at his little joke.
SERGEANT (CONT'D)
You hear that?
(re: hammering)
You're going to swing soon, m'lad. Rest
assured, I'll be in the front row,
cheering as you gasp and kick your way
to Hell.
Manfred wipes the filth off his face and LEAPS at the
Sergeant -- but the chains snap him back against the wall.
He lands painfully. The Sergeant laughs again.
The sound of FOOTSTEPS from the corridor. The Sergeant
turns to look outside -- and SNAPS TO ATTENTION.
A tall man ducks his head and enters the cell. OTTO THENCK,
40s or older, the sinister head of the Ministry of State
Security. He carries an air of absolute authority about him
which isn't lost on the Sergeant, who trembles in fear.
Manfred and Thenck stare at each other. Manfred wonders who
this guy is and what he wants.
THENCK
(to Sergeant)
So, this is the swordsman. You have him
in chains, I see.
SERGEANT
Yes, sir. Extremely dangerous, sir.
Killed six of the Duke's Wardens, he
did, and put another three in hospital.
The doctor says they'll be out of action
for weeks. Duke Wilhelm is--
THENCK
(interrupts)
I know what Duke Wilhelm is.
(to Manfred)
So, what have you to say for yourself,
you scoundrel?
Manfred doesn't answer.
THENCK (CONT'D)
Cat got your tongue, mmm?
(to Sergeant)
I want to talk to this rogue in private.
Close the door on your way out.
SERGEANT
But, sir--
THENCK
(interrupts)
He's chained to the wall, Sergeant. I
think I'll be safe enough, don't you?
The Sergeant hesitates for a moment, then exits. He closes
the cell door behind him.
The outside hammering stops abruptly.
THENCK
It sounds like they're ready for you.
In which case I'd best make this short,
lest we're interrupted before we
conclude our business.
MANFRED
Who are you, and what do you want of me?
THENCK
It isn't every day I get to meet a
swordsman of your caliber. Six Wardens
dead and another three wounded, eh?
Remarkable.
Thenck draws a handkerchief from his sleeve and drops it
onto Manfred's lap. Manfred stares at it for a moment...
then uses it to wipe his face. He offers to return it to
Thenck but Thenck doesn't want it, for obvious reasons.
THENCK (CONT'D)
Why don't you tell me what happened last
night?
MANFRED
I think you already know.
THENCK
They say you picked a fight with the
Duke's men.
MANFRED
The Duke's ruffians, you mean. They're
the ones who swaggered into the tavern
and picked a fight, not me.
THENCK
They picked on you?
A beat. Manfred hesitates before answering.
MANFRED
No. A young lad, sitting quietly in a
corner with his girl, doing no one any
harm.
THENCK
A friend of yours, was he? Your
brother? A cousin?
(beat)
Let me guess what happened. The Duke's
Wardens decided they wanted the girl for
themselves, and pretended to take insult
at something the boy said or did. Am I
right?
Another beat. Manfred wonders how he knows so much.
MANFRED
Close enough.
THENCK
And so... for reasons known only to
yourself... you decided to interfere,
decided to help a stranger you didn't
even know.
(he chuckles)
I shouldn't imagine the Wardens took
kindly to your interference?
THENCK
The Duke's Wardens are indeed ruffians.
But they are also excellent swordsmen
thanks to Schwertkampfer, the Duke's
swordmaster, who is no slouch with the
blade. Yet you killed six of them.
You're either very good, or you're the
luckiest man alive. Which is it?
MANFRED
Perhaps a little of both.
THENCK
A good answer. It may be that I have a
use for someone who possesses such luck,
and knows how to use a sword.
A beat. Manfred doesn't dare hope...
THENCK (CONT'D)
Tomorrow, if you didn't already know, is
the Kaiserine's birthday. It's a very
special occasion, and special
entertainment is arranged. I'm looking
for someone to put into the Arena. You
may be that man.
Manfred reacts to "the Arena."
MANFRED
What exactly are you offering?
THENCK
Your freedom, a large bag of silver, and
a fast horse to take you out of the
city. Assuming, of course...
MANFRED
Assuming I survive.
THENCK
Assuming you survive.
A beat. Manfred licks his lips, thinking it over.
THENCK (CONT'D)
Oh, yes, the Arena is far different from
a crowded alley where drunken soldiers
trip over each other and botch their
attacks. You'll be matched against the
deadliest killers in the Empire. Then
again, what's the alternative? A rope,
a trapdoor and a quick end, if you're
lucky. If you're unlucky you might
dangle there for hours, dying a very
unpleasant death...
Manfred swallows hard, imagining the noose around his neck.
MANFRED
I'm your man, if you can get me out of
this.
THENCK
Very sensible. I like that.
Thenck raps the door. The Sergeant opens the door and looks
suspiciously at Manfred. Manfred holds up his chains as if
to say, "See? I haven't escaped."
THENCK (CONT'D)
Sergeant, release this man. I'm going
to send someone up to collect him. Make
sure he's ready by the time they arrive.
SERGEANT
With respect, sir, he's the Duke's
prisoner. He killed the Duke's Wardens.
THENCK
You're wrong, Sergeant, he is my
prisoner. He was arrested and brought
here by my Constables, not the Duke's
Wardens, who displayed remarkable
incompetence by failing to kill him,
wouldn't you agree?
Manfred is SHOCKED to hear this.
SERGEANT
But what will I tell the Duke, sir?
He's bound to ask.
THENCK
You have prisoners in the other cells,
haven't you?
SERGEANT
Yes, sir. Petty thieves for the most
part. A pair of smugglers, a husband
who cut off his unfaithful wife's ears,
a forger--
THENCK
(interrupts)
A forger! When was he arrested?
SERGEANT
Yesterday, sir. Caught passing wooden
coins covered with silver paint. Not
too clever, sir. It's fifty lashes for
him, then a lengthy spell in prison,
breaking rocks.
THENCK
I disagree. As inept as he is, his is
the worst crime of all -- he was
attempting to undermine the economy of
the Empire. I'll respect assassins and
even spies, but never forgers. Let me
tell you what you will do, Sergeant.
You will go to the forger's cell.
There, you will bind his arms and legs
securely, then gag him, and put a hood
over his head. When the Duke's men come
looking for this prisoner...
Thenck indicates Manfred.
THENCK (CONT'D)
...you will give them the forger
instead. Do you understand?
The Sergeant swallows hard. So does Manfred.
SERGEANT
Y-yes, sir.
Thenck nods, then turns and exits. Conversation over.
SERGEANT
It seems you have friends in high
places, lad. You know who that was?
Otto Thenck. The Magician! You know
why they call him that? Because he
makes people disappear. Maybe you've
escaped the noose, but there are worse
deaths than hanging, mark my words.
That's something else for you to think
about, eh?
The Sergeant uses a key to unlock the chain manacles.
MANFRED
Thanks.
Manfred comes up fast and PUNCHES the Sergeant, who falls to
the floor. When he tries to get up, Manfred kicks him in
the nuts. The Sergeant rolls around in the night soil,
clutching his manhood and howling in pain.
Manfred hurries to the door, plainly intending to get out of
here before anyone realizes he's gone...
...But stops and retreats from the door as TWO men enter the
cell. They're dressed in black, wearing long cloaks and
scarves that cover their faces and make them look like
highwaymen. They aim their flintlock PISTOLS at Manfred.
The men step aside and gesture with their weapons. You go
first -- but we'll be right behind you!
EXT. PRISON COURTYARD - DAY
The two highwaymen escort Manfred outside. A horse-drawn
enclosed COACH sits waiting, its door open. The DRIVER is
another masked highwayman. He watches as Manfred approaches
the coach and climbs inside.
INT. COACH - DAY
Manfred sits down. The door is SLAMMED shut. The coach's
windows are blackened. Light comes from a vent set into the
ceiling above.
The coach starts off. SFX: hooves and clattering wheels.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
The coach moves through the streets of High Sazburg, leaving
the grim prison behind.
INT. COACH - DAY
Manfred looks up as the Driver opens a HATCH and looks in to
see his passenger isn't up to any mischief. He closes the
hatch, leaving Manfred alone and frustrated.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
Still moving through the streets...
INT. COACH - DAY
Manfred tries the door handle. Locked, of course.
He settles back to enjoy the ride as best he can.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
The coach stops outside a red brick building with darkened
windows.
INT. COACH - DAY
Manfred realizes the coach has stopped. He waits. What's
going to happen now?
A loud CLICK.
He tries the door handle again. The door opens.
EXT. MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY - DAY
Manfred climbs down out of the coach. He doesn't recognize
the building, doesn't know where he is.
The Driver shakes his reins and the coach moves off, leaving
Manfred behind. Manfred watches, uncertain. The coach
reaches the end of the street and disappears around the
corner.
Manfred regards the building. Nothing indicates what it
might be or why he's here.
Just then he notices several CITY WARDENS walking up the
street. They haven't seen him yet, but they're coming this
way. He climbs the steps, takes hold of the brass knocker
and RAPS loudly on the door.
A spy-hole opens! An eyeball peers out at Manfred and a
muffled voice talks to him.
LUDWIG (O.S.)
What do you want?
Manfred has to think about it. What does he want?
MANFRED
Otto Thenck sent me.
LUDWIG (O.S.)
What's the password?
MANFRED
Password?
LUDWIG (O.S.)
Didn't he give you a password?
MANFRED
He didn't give me anything.
The Wardens are still moving closer... they'll see him any
moment now!
Heavy bolts grumble, and the door swings open.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Manfred looks down at LUDWIG, a dwarf, age unknown. Ludwig
has just climbed down off a wooden stool which he used to
reach the spy-hole. He wears a miniature black uniform and
a big cavalry sword that trails on the floor behind him.
Manfred goes to step inside but Ludwig pushes him back out.
LUDWIG
And who might you be?
MANFRED
I said, Otto Thenck sent me. Let me
inside, quickly.
LUDWIG
He didn't tell me to expect any
visitors. Go away.
EXT. MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY - DAY
The Wardens have almost reached the entrance. They're
talking among themselves. They haven't even seen Manfred
yet. One of them is the Corporal whom Manfred smashed into
the wall the night before, whose face is heavily bruised.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Ludwig tries to shut the door but Manfred stops it with his
boot. He reaches inside and grabs Ludwig, lifting him up
off the floor.
MANFRED
Listen, Stumpy, I told you, Thenck sent
me. So let me inside, unless you want
me to bash your face in.
Ludwig rolls his eyes, inviting Manfred to look further down
the hallway. Manfred does... and finds himself looking at
TWO soldiers aiming their muskets at him.
LUDWIG
The Tirpitz musket is the deadliest
piece of weaponry ever developed by the
Kaiserine's clever scientists, and
rarely misses at ranges under five
hundred paces.
Manfred puts Ludwig down and smoothes the creases out of his
uniform jacket.
LUDWIG (CONT'D)
Thank you.
MANFRED
Don't mention it.
Ludwig snaps his fingers, remembering something.
LUDWIG
You wouldn't be from the prison, would
you?
MANFRED
How astute of you. Indeed I am.
LUDWIG
(to Soldiers)
Easy, lads. This one's expected, after
all.
The soldiers lower their muskets. Manfred sighs with
relief.
LUDWIG
Come inside. I'm Ludwig. What should I
call you?
MANFRED
The name's Manfred.
Manfred steps into the hallway. Just as Ludwig closes the
door we hear a distant CHEERING NOISE made by a large crowd.
EXT. CITY SQUARE - DAY
A pair of bound legs DROPS into shot from above. The
unfortunate forger who replaced Manfred on the gallows goes
to meet his maker. The legs dance and twitch. The unseen
CROWD cheers, enjoying the entertainment.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The closing door cuts off the cheering. Manfred touches his
neck and swallows hard. But for the grace of God that would
have been him.
LUDWIG
Sounds like someone's having a good
time. Cheer up! You look as if
someone's just walked over your grave.
Come with me, I'll take you upstairs to
the laboratory. You're very fortunate,
you know. Not everybody gets to meet
the great Doctor Schmidt.
Ludwig waddles down the corridor, trailing his sword behind
him. Manfred follows him. As they draw level with the
Soldiers, Manfred's eyes are drawn to them...
MANFRED'S POV: the Soldiers' faces are horribly SCARRED and
MUTILATED. Patches of flesh have been SEWN together with
rough stitches. Their mouths are lop-sided and their noses
are shapeless lumps of flesh with oddly-matched holes.
LUDWIG
Didn't your mother ever tell you it's
rude to stare?
INT. STAIRWAY - DAY
Ludwig leads Manfred up a flight of stairs.
INT. LABORATORY - DAY
Amber light streams into the room through high, narrow
windows. Tables contain complex scientific apparatus of the
era -- glass bottles connected by winding rubber tubes,
brass machinery that whirs and clicks.
The far wall contains a row of chains and manacles like
those in the prison. Dried blood stains the crumbling wall
plaster. Upon closer inspection, we see the plaster has
been CLAWED by whoever was chained here.
MANFRED
What is this place? A torture chamber?
LUDWIG
Hush, fool, it's a laboratory, anyone
can see that.
DOCTOR SCHMIDT enters by another door. 50s, balding. He
wears thick spectacles, black uniform, a scarlet officer's
sash around his portly waist.
SCHMIDT
Pray tell, who is this fine specimen,
Ludwig?
LUDWIG
Herr Thenck sent him, Doctor Schmidt.
He's from the prison.
Ludwig waves his hand in front of his nose.
LUDWIG (CONT'D)
Which explains the smell.
Schmidt moves to stand in front of Manfred. He studies
Manfred closely. Without asking permission, he opens
Manfred's eye wide with his thumb and finger and studies his
eyeball.
SCHMIDT
Please unbutton your shirt.
Manfred unbuttons his shirt. Schmidt picks up a storm
lantern, opens the shutter and shines the light on Manfred's
neck. The light is blue. Schmidt thumbs a switch and the
light changes to red. He moves the lamp down over Manfred's
chest.
SCHMIDT
Good, very good. I notice a scar on
your chest. You were wounded in the
war?
MANFRED
Yes. A Moskovian musket ball.
SCHMIDT
It penetrated the lung. You are very
fortunate to be alive. A fraction to
the right and the ball would have struck
your heart. Do you have any difficulty
in breathing?
MANFRED
Not so much now. Sometimes I have to
sit down and rest after any strenuous
exercise, however.
THENCK (O.S.)
Well, Herr Doctor? Was I right?
Thenck enters through the door Schmidt used.
SCHMIDT
Indeed you were, Herr Thenck. The
wounds show up clearly under the
lamplight. But how did you know?
THENCK
(to Manfred)
Do you remember how and when it
happened?
MANFRED
I was wounded in Moskovia...
Thenck waves a hand, telling Manfred to shut up.
SCHMIDT
Once again we find that the victim
remembers nothing of the incident. The
filth are indeed skilful in masking
their activities. The elixir will
restore his lost memories. I see no
reason why we should not proceed at
once.
THENCK
Neither do I. Go ahead, Herr Doctor.
Schmidt picks up a small glass bottle and holds it up to the
light. He shakes it, then takes out the stopper.
SCHMIDT
Stick out your tongue.
Manfred hesitates. Schmidt shows impatience.
SCHMIDT
Come now, there is nothing to fear.
This will allow you to recall the
memories that were deliberately hidden
by the vampyre filth that drank your
blood.
MANFRED
Drank my...? Are you insane?
THENCK
Do as Doctor Schmidt says, Herr Manfred.
He says this softly... but the warning is obvious.
Manfred opens his mouth and sticks his tongue out. Slowly,
carefully, Schmidt tilts the bottle until a single drop of
green liquid falls onto Manfred's tongue...
WHAM! Manfred is THROWN headlong into a FLASHBACK that's
about to change his life.
INT. OVERNIGHT COACH - NIGHT
Manfred sits opposite ULRIKE, a woman in her early 20s who
charms him with her beauty and poise. The window curtains
are drawn for privacy. Outside the coach, a full Moon is
about to rise above the mountains.
MANFRED
You cannot imagine my disappointment,
Fraulein Dornier, at discovering you are
married.
ULRIKE
(laughing)
Please accept my apologies, Herr
Manfred. This is why I travel to High
Sazburg. My husband will meet me there
and we shall travel on together to
Konigshaven, where he will serve with
the Imperial High Seas Fleet, and I will
raise six beautiful children.
MANFRED
I should imagine you already know what
their names will be.
ULRIKE
Oh, yes. And what of you, Herr Manfred?
What brings you to High Sazburg?
MANFRED
A Moskovian musket ball.
ULRIKE
I don't understand.
MANFRED
I was recently released from the Army
because of a chest wound I sustained in
Moskovia. I'm journeying to High
Sazburg to seek employment. I have a
cousin who lives there. He wrote and
told me merchants are always looking for
trustworthy bodyguards. Ex-soldiers
receive preferential consideration.
ULRIKE
But your wound...?
MANFRED
I've been exercising steadily since I
was released from the military hospital.
I fence twice a day to build up my
strength and stamina. I still
experience a shortness of breath if I
exert myself for prolonged periods, but
it's getting better.
ULRIKE
I should hope so. I wish you good luck
in finding employment. If, as you say,
ex-soldiers are sought...
Manfred lifts the window curtain to look outside.
INSERT: a view of the FULL MOON rising over the distant
mountains. Its dazzling light BLINDS US as it shines into
the coach.
Ulrike SCREAMS as the moonlight strikes her. She throws her
arms up to cover her face. Manfred gapes, unable to
understand what the hell has just happened.
In the space of a single heartbeat Ulrike changes from a
beautiful woman to a snarling harpy with cat eyes and fangs
as long as fingers. She lunges at Manfred and pins him
against his seat with superhuman strength.
Her mouth opens wider than should be humanly possible, and
her fangs drive DEEP into Manfred's neck as he struggles to
free himself.
BACK TO SCENE:
Manfred opens his eyes. He's dizzy, like he's just awoken
from a dream. A very bad dream.
Thenck and Schmidt stare at him dispassionately. Manfred
stares at the bottle in Schmidt's hand.
THENCK
Now do you remember what happened?
MANFRED
I remember only too well. There was...
a woman. Or at least, I thought she was
a woman...
THENCK
She was vampyre. Had she drained you
sufficiently for death to occur, you
would now be vampyre yourself. Or, if
she did not wish you to become vampyre
at the moment of your death, you would
have become a mindless undead zombie,
rotting slowly until your body
eventually fell apart.
Manfred touches his neck. Frowns, as his fingers touch
something he didn't realize was there.
THENCK (CONT'D)
Yes, that is where she bit you, and
imparted the Vampyre's Gift.
MANFRED
The Vampyre's... what?
THENCK
When the vampyre bites its victim, not
only does it extract the blood upon
which it feeds, some of its own blood
also enters the victim's body. This
exchange of fluids prepares the victim
for extraordinary changes which will
come about should the victim die and
become vampyre. Physical strength is
increased; the senses become sharper,
enhanced far beyond normality. This is
known as the Vampyre's Gift. It only
lasts for a period of days, and will
fade completely if the vampyre does not
return to finish its dirty work.
A beat. Manfred wonders if Thenck is insane... but then
again, maybe there's some truth in all this crazy talk.
THENCK (CONT'D)
I believe this explains how you were
able to fend off the Duke's Wardens in
the tavern alleyway. When my Constables
reported the incident to me, I knew
there must be something special about
you. I'm glad my instincts proved
correct. Tell me, when did the vampyre
attack you?
INSERT: a subliminal glimpse of the vampyre Ulrike, with
her cat eyes and extended fangs.
MANFRED
What? Oh... two nights ago.
THENCK
You're certain of this?
MANFRED
I arrived in High Sazburg only yesterday
aboard the coach from Guttzeig, so yes,
I'm certain. Why?
SCHMIDT
It is likely that the Vampyre's Gift
still flows in your veins. As I have
already intimated, it will fade soon...
perhaps tonight, or tomorrow, who can
say? Fortunately Herr Thenck arranged
to have you brought here in time. I am
unable to initiate the start of the
transformation from human to vampyre.
Only one of them can do that. But my
elixir will stop the Vampyre's Gift from
fading, and will also permit the change
to continue.
MANFRED
May I ask what you mean when you say
"continue," Herr Doctor?
THENCK
Come, Herr Manfred. You are not a
child, and can be trusted to draw
logical conclusions. The Vampyre's Gift
allowed you to defeat the Duke's
Wardens. Without it, they would have
cut you into very small pieces. I
instructed Doctor Schmidt to give you
his elixir because without it, the
Vampyre's Gift would soon have left you.
The elixir is already working, pulsing
through your bloodstream, transforming
you into a vampyre.
MANFRED
WHAT?
THENCK
Long before the transformation is
complete, you will either have won or
lost in the Arena. If you are still
alive at the end of the contest, Doctor
Schmidt will give you the counter-elixir
he has developed. This will halt the
change, and return you to your human
state. Is this not so, Herr Doctor?
SCHMIDT
I have the counter-elixir ready.
MANFRED
I want it now.
THENCK
Quite impossible. It is necessary for
my plans that the Vampyre's Gift stays
with you until the Arena contest ends.
MANFRED
Damn you, you should have asked me
first!
THENCK
To what end? Do you wish to die in the
Arena? Of course not. Had we explained
everything first then you would
eventually have said yes anyway, but we
could afford no delay, since we had no
idea when the Vampyre's Gift would leave
you. What's done is done, for the good
of all. You must accept it, Herr
Manfred. The alternative must surely be
obvious?
Manfred lowers his head for a moment. When he looks up
again and bares his teeth, we discover they're fractionally
longer than they should be. And there's a glint in his eye
that reminds us of Fraulein Ulrike in the night coach...
Thenck and Schmidt stare at him, untroubled by his unusual
appearance. Manfred growls, and takes a step toward them...
WHAP! Manfred stops and looks around. Ludwig has climbed
up onto a chair behind him and struck him across the head
with a heavy wooden club.
MANFRED
You little--!
It's as far as he gets. The lights go out just as Manfred
starts falling toward the laboratory floor.
§