First Drafts.

Each script writer went away and began to write their own take on each scene. We all met and developed a finished scene from each others ideas.

Beginning drafts


Characters

Count

Countess

Snow Child

Piano Tuner

Housekeeper

Ex lover of the Count. Slightly crazed.

Scene One


(The curtain opens to reveal a castle’s boudoir, the COUNTESS and HOUSEKEEPER are in the boudoir. The COUNTESS is sat on a chair in the middle of the room.)


HOUSEKEEPER: You look beautiful. You make a wonderful bride. (pause) From here on your life will start. (pause) You’re so lucky if I may say so Madame.


(HOUSEKEEPER carries on brushing COUNTESS’ hair)


COUNTESS: (staring off into the distance. Pause.) Thank you.


(Silence)


HOUSEKEEPER: He will look after you, you know. He has much to give. Wait until you have a tour of the house. It is magnificent. I know you will enjoy living here. The master has put a room aside just for you so you are able to play music till your heart is content. What a good man.


COUNTESS: (happy and surprised) My own music room?


HOUSEKEEPER: Oh yes. He will dote on you as you are beautiful. The master can’t seem to resist your pretty face. (strokes her face and carries on brushing her hair. Pause)


HOUSEKEEPER: Oh you must be so happy. I tell you I wish I could find a suitor like him. Charming, handsome, wealthy, he is every woman’s dream.


(The COUNT enters)


(Silence)


HOUSEKEEPER: Doesn’t she look beautiful.


COUNT: Indeed. (not acknowledging the COUNTESS)


(COUNTESS smiles)


HOUSEKEEPER: You make such a fine pair, if you don’t mind me saying master. This is a day that you will remember for the rest of your lives.


(COUNT smiles and nods)


(Pause. COUNT stares at COUNTESS)


COUNT: Ready?


COUNTESS: (turns to COUNT) Yes…sir


HOUSEKEEPER: Of course she is. All ready for your new life aren’t you dear?


(Silence)


COUNT: (To HOUSEKEEPER) Good. As you were.


(COUNT exits)


HOUSEKEEPER: Nothing to worry about madam. I’m sure your nervous, but today will be wonderful… absolutely wonderful.


COUNTESS: I’m sure it will.


HOUSEKEEPER: There all finished. (COUNTESS looks in mirror) Aren’t you just a picture. Come now. It is time.


(They both exit.)


END SCENE


Scene Two


(The COUNTESS enters on stage. There is a stool at the front of the stage with a spot light on it. She sits and after a few seconds of thinking looks up)


COUNTESS: I was unsure of marrying him as I am so young and he a lot older. But the safety and stability he could provide was overwhelming and what girl would not want that? (Looks at and plays with the huge ring on her finger) Even though he is older then I, he is very handsome. He almost took my breath away the first time I saw him. His dark eyes stared at me and I felt like I was drowning in them. I could feel his lust. He just had something about him and I felt like I was under some kind of spell. He was beautiful. (Pause) He had been married before. More then the once. It bemused me as she had died only 3 months before we met. Maybe he didn’t love her as much as he had previously though as he moved on quickly. (Pause) They never found the body. Poor soul. (Pause) My wedding day was just beautiful. A small affair with only a few people but elegant and luxurious. It felt like a dream… I couldn’t believe it was my day. I was treated like a princess. (Pause) Then it was all over and everyone left. (pause) Then it was just us. Me and him.
(Lights come up to reveal the rest of the stage and a bed. The COUNT is stood at the back and is staring at the COUNTESS. She jumps to her feet and hurries back taking the stool with her and places it somewhere near the bed. The COUNT stares at the COUNTESS for about 10 seconds before speaking)


COUNT: Darling.


COUNTESS: (Hesitates)… Sir.


(The COUNT stares at the COUNTESS and she begins to feel uncomfortable and begins rubbing her arms and looking down)

COUNT: Well look at what I have managed to get for myself.

(He approaches her slowly. She stands rigid. He walks behind her and smells her. Breathes out a huge sigh)

You smell like a pure rose my darling.


(The COUNTESS begins to take a step forward but the COUNT grabs her and pulls her close to his chest as he is still stood behind her. He keeps her here for a few seconds and then he begins to stroke her face and jolts it to the side and begins to kiss her neck. The COUNTESS does not move and remains rigid and scared)


COUNT: (Pushes her forward and she spins around to look at him. He stares at her) What a pretty little doll you are.


COUNTESS: Sir. I…


COUNT: … Sh. I did not say speak! (The COUNT looks angry)


(The count walks over to the COUNTESS and begins to feel her body etc. He stares at her and begins to take off her jacket then top leaving her stood with her arms trying to cover her body with her head down. The COUNT take a step back to admire what is his. He stares for a few seconds then steps forwards to the COUNTESS)


COUNT: (Walks up to COUNTESS strokes her face and strokes her lips) Soon.
(Pause) Come, we will now take a walk.

(The COUNT exits.The COUNTESS is left to quickly put her top and jacket back on and swiftly runs after the COUNT)


End Scene.

Scene Three

(We see the PIANO TUNER attempting to tune a piano in the music room. The HOUSEKEEPER enters the room and looks around and she spots the piano tuner on the floor looking for a tool)


HOUSEKEEPER: Hello.


PIANO TUNER: (The piano tuner stands up. Pause) Hello?


HOUSEKEEPER: Hello dear, I’m the housekeeper (NAME) (She reaches for the piano tuners hand and lifts it from his side to shake it) Just thought I would introduce myself to you. The master said you would be coming. I’m glad you found your way to the room. This castle is rather grand.


PIANO TUNER: Yes, it is. The master showed me up earlier as he wanted the piano fixing for his new bride he said. I’m (NAME) by the way.


HOUSEKEEPER: Yes, he mentioned getting someone over to sort it out. Are you from the village?


PIANO TUNER: I am.


HOUSEKEEPER: I thought as much. The master tries to get all his staff close as they may have family. He is a good man.


PIANO TUNER: Yes, I’m sure he is mam. I lived with my father so hopefully I will be able to see him. (Pause) My father was in the business. He passed it down to me. Unfortunately, I was able to do little when it came to work so he taught me to tune pianos so I was able to make a living. It’s more about feeling the vibrations and hearing the correct notes more then anything.


HOUSEKEEPER: (looks at him sympathetically) I’ve heard you’re nothing but the best dear. Thats why we simply had to have you.


(The PIANO TUNER looks embarrassed)


PIANO TUNER: Thank you, mam. That means a lot. (He smiles to himself. Long pause) Do you have family in the village too?


HOUSEKEEPER: Oh no my dear. I have worked for the master for as long as I can remember.


PIANO TUNER: You must be the best as well then.


HOUSEKEEPER: Well he likes things a certain way and expectations are always met when it comes to me. I always strive to meet perfection and often do if I say so myself. (Long pause) The master took me in at a very young age you see dear and has looked after me ever since. I owe him a lot as he has helped me a lot. I guess he is like my family.


PIANO TUNER: I am sorry mam. I didn’t know that you didn’t have…


HOUSEKEEPER: …Thats perfectly fine, dear. I don’t mind sharing my story. It’s the truth at the end of the day. He’s been good to me and is such a good man. I couldn’t have wished for better (She gives a small smile to herself. Pause) If you don’t mind me asking… How did you lose your sight?


(The PIANO TUNER hesitates but reluctantly talks. He is emotional)


PIANO TUNER: I was like this from birth. My mother had complications and was ill during her pregnancy. When the birth came around unfortunately she did not make it and passed away. I was blind and my father was left to look after me. It was hard for us but we managed.


HOUSEKEEPER: (Pause. Walks up to the PIANO TUNER and takes his hand in her hands) I’m really sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been. Your father sounds like a strong person and I can see that has reflected on you. You’l be happy here and if not you come and see me.


PIANO TUNER: Thank you.


(The COUNT and COUNTESS arrive home from their walk and enter into the room where the HOUSEKEEPER and PIANO TUNER are)


COUNT: I see you’ve had introductions. Good. (HOUSEKEEPERS NAME) I need you to go and pack for a night away. I have been called to business.


HOUSEKEEPER: Yes, sir. Come (PAINO TUNERS NAME).


(The HOUSEKEEPER and PAINO TUNER exit. The COUNT turns to the COUNTESS)


COUNT: I have been called to go on business. I won’t be gone long but it is a very important trip.


COUNTESS: I don’t understand. We have only just got married and you’re leaving. I thought we were going to…


COUNT: … I won’t be gone long. Only a few days.


(The COUNT pulls out a large set of keys from beneath his jacket and unhooks them from a chain. He puts them into the COUNTESS’ hand)


COUNT: Here. These are keys to all the rooms in the castle. Feel free to go anywhere. This is your house now. Wear as many jewels as you desire and have as many dresses made as possible if you wish. I ask one thing… Do not go down to the west wing. (The pulls one small key from the bunch and shows it her and she stares at it) This key is forbidden. Do not use it.


(The COUNTESS looks at the key then into the COUNTS eyes. She feels scared but curious. She slowly nods her head)


COUNT: Good. (The HOUSEKEEPER enters with his case. He nods at the HOUSEKEEPER and he puts his hand on the COUNTESS’ chin and lifts up her head and gives a long kiss)


COUNT: Ill be a few days. (He exits)


(The HOUSEKEEPER and the COUNTESS are left standing in the room alone)


HOUSEKEEPER: Do not worry my dear. He will be back soon. The master occasionally has to go away on business but its never for too long.


COUNTESS: Thank you. Will you leave me now please?


(The HOUSEKEEPER exits)


(The COUNTESS looks through all the keys like she has never seen them before. She begins to wander around the room and around the castle opening boxes and putting on jewellery. She then finds a box full of letters from the COUNTS ex-wives. She looks through them)


COUNTESS: (Reading the letter out loud) Darling, I can’t wait to be in your arms. Its been such a long time since I felt your touch. You’re the one I want and the one I need. My darling to be with you I am willing to do anything and for fill any fantasy. I crave your skin on mine and will do anything for you. I’m willing to do what we discussed. Till we meet again my darling. All my love.


(The COUNTESS stares at the letter for some time in confusion. She is curious to what the letter is talking about)


COUNTESS: I’m willing to do what we discussed? What did they discuss? I don’t…


(The COUNTESS carries on looking through the box of letters and we see her reading more but she doesn’t say anything. She puts the box back and carries on looking through the rest of the castle. She comes to the key and starts to walk towards the west wing. The HOUSEKEEPER then shouts her name)


HOUSEKEEPER: (COUNTESS’ NAME!)


(The COUNTESS hesitates and turns around and walks away from the west wing off stage)

End Scene

– Written by Hannah Smith

These are all original from the original written script and will be built upon and used for the final master script.

Hannah Smith.