After creating the new synopsis the script writers began to work on the new scenes that had been appointed to them. It was decided that we would write our own script and amend it if we felt it needed changes at script meetings. This worked well as we wrote the script a lot faster than before and all deadlines were met.
Drafts of new scenes
Scene 6
(The COUNT and SNOW CHILD enter the room and he arm around her waist holding her up. He takes her over to the bed and lays her down)
COUNT: Here. Get in bed and get warm.
(He pulls the cover over her)
COUNT: How long were you out in the woods? (She doesn’t reply and is just shaking in bed) It’s okay you’re here now. I’ll look after you, just try and get warm.
(The count begins to walk around the room and grabs clothing to cover the SNOW CHILD to keep her warm)
COUNT: This should keep you warm for now. I’ll get the housekeeper to bring up a bed warmer after she has come back from the market. I don’t think she will be too long.
(The SNOW CHILD begins to shiver even more and begins to curl up in a ball as she is so cold. The COUNT looks at the SNOW CHILD and begins to walk over to her slowly)
COUNT: Here. (He gets into bed with her from behind and holds her) I’ll warm you.
(The COUNT lays hugging the SNOW CHILD for a while)
COUNT: You really are like ice. Why did you not go for help or to the closest cottage? Look how week you are. Why did you stay out so long? If only I had found you earlier. I will help you as much as I can. Just try to get warm.
(The COUNT then begins to stroke the SNOW CHILDS head and moves her hair from her neck. He looks at her for a while)
COUNT: You know you are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. (He grabs her hand and lifts it from under the covers and begins to stroke it) You’re skin is as white as snow. It’s so beautiful. I don’t understand why someone would let you out of their sight. (He kisses her hand) If I had a woman like you I would make sure you were looked after and cared for. I would never let anything bad happen to you.
(The COUNT sits up and moves the SNOW CHILD onto her back. He strokes her face and kisses her cheek)
COUNT: I don’t know what it is about you. You make my heart ache. I can’t bare to see you like this yet I don’t even know you. (Pause. He looks into her eyes) I’ve never felt this way before. (Pause. He kisses her lips. The SNOW CHILD does not move or do anything)
COUNT: I don’t understand why I feel like this. I never have before. (The SNOW CHILD doesn’t say anything and the COUNT kisses her again) But you are so beautiful.
COUNT: I think… I think that I may I love you.
(The COUNT begins to kiss the snow child on the cheeks and on the lips. The SNOW CHILD keeps still and closes her eyes. They then make love. Half way through the SNOW CHILD dies and we see this by her head turning to the side and her arm coming out of the bed and she is just lifeless. The COUNT carries on making love to her and in the end he holds her head to his chest and cries. He then picks up her body and exits)
End scene
Written by Hannah Smith
Scene Seven
The COUNTESS enters the stage, which is now set back in the woods. The COUNTESS is looking for the EX WIFE who she had spoke to previously. The EX WIFE is in the forest collecting wood. The COUNTESS spots the EX WIFE.
COUNTESS
Excuse me.
EX-WIFE
Yes.
COUNTESS
I’m sorry to have disturbed you, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what you said earlier.
EX-WIFE
About my…your husband
COUNTESS
(nods)
EX-WIFE
How old are you dear?
COUNTESS
Why?
EX-WIFE
You look young.
COUNTESS
I’m old enough.
EX-WIFE
Old enough for what?
COUNTESS (pause) Marriage. Happiness. Love.
EX-WIFE
So your his young trophy wife?
COUNTESS
NO!
EX-WIFE
Well where is he now then? Why, if he loved you so much, would he let you wander alone in these woods in the snow?
COUNTESS
I didn’t tell him I left. He loves me and trusts me.
EX-WIFE
So why didn’t you tell him you left?
COUNTESS
Because…
EX-WIFE
Because you know what he would say. You know that he wouldn’t be bothered. He probably has another woman back now with him.
COUNTESS
No.
EX-WIFE
So why did you come out here?
COUNTESS
To find you.
EX-WIFE
Go on.
COUNTESS
I think it is in your best interests that you stop saying, the horrible things about him.
EX-WIFE
You know don’t you.
COUNTESS
Know what?
EX-WIFE
About everything?
COUNTESS
There is nothing to know.
EX-WIFE
He’s a mad man. Have you seen the room yet? No I bet you haven’t but I bet he’s told you not to go in a “certain” room.
COUNTESS
So what if he did, it’s his personal space. It doesn’t really mean anything.
EX-WIFE
Well go in it then… I did
COUNTESS
No. What?
(Long pause)
COUNTESS
What did you see?
EX-WIFE
It was horrible. He told me not to go in the room. He gave me the keys, and said don’t go in this room. What could I do? I wanted to know why. I was his wife, the love of his life. Yet he was telling me I had to stay out of the room. NO SECRETS! I walked up to the door and I just knew I wasnt going to like what I was going to see on the other side of the door.
COUNTESS
What happened?
EX-WIFE
I placed my hand on the door handle, and i just felt this sense of…of…fear. Like he was stood right behind me. And I have never felt like that in my life. I opened the door and walked down the stairs, it was dark, and the smell was…well horrid.
COUNTESS
What was it?
(Long Pause)
EX-WIFE
It was the smell of…of lies. Cheats. FLESH. That, that horrible man had kept these secrets there, under my nose, under my bedroom.
COUNTESS
I’m confused. What was there?
EX-WIFE
His OTHER wives. The lot of them. There lying in a dark room. Rotting away for his pleasure.
COUNTESS
Other wives?
EX-WIFE
Yes. I am not the only ex wife your precious loving husband has. They were there dead lying in the chamber.
COUNTESS
But…what about you why are you here then if he keeps them?
EX-WIFE
I got away. As you need to too.
COUNTESS
What?
EX-WIFE
Get away while you can. Don’t even go back to the castle. Just run, run as far as you can for as long as you can…in fact come stay with me for a few days.
COUNTESS
No he loves me.
EX-WIFE
You keep telling yourself that, but correct me if i’m wrong. You came here to see me about it?
COUNTESS
Yes
EX-WIFE
So something had happened for you to come to me.
(Long Pause)
COUNTESS
There was this girl.
EX-WIFE
Girl?
COUNTESS
In the forest. The day I saw you. There was this girl. He was being weird, would not stop talking about wanting a girl from the snow. Then..
EX-WIFE
He found a girl?
COUNTESS
Yes. She was ill. Dying more like, and he wanted to help. He tried to insinuate he was only helping her, but I saw the way he looked at her.
EX-WIFE
How?
COUNTESS
A way he never looked at me. I thought he loved me, but the way I saw him look at her was actual love…it was the way I wanted to be looked at, the way that…(she remembers the way the PIANO TUNER touched her.)
EX-WIFE
You must leave.
COUNTESS
No. He will love me again / (she begins to run off) and he will see that I am the one for him. I can’t lose him. I can’t lose everything.
EX-WIFE
/ You have to go, or you will be next. HE WILL KILL YOU
End Scene
Written by Rob Bull
Scene Eight
The housekeeper and the count are alone. The count is sat pondering to himself while the housekeeper observes silently. Finally after a few seconds the housekeeper speaks up
HOUSEKEEPER. Where is she now?
Silence. The atmosphere is uncomfortable.
Where is the girl?
COUNT. Girl?
HOUSEKEEPER. The Child.
COUNT. The chamber.
The housekeeper is shocked
HOUSEKEEPER. What? Why have you put her in there?
COUNT. I…I didn’t know what else to do.
HOUSEKEEPER. You’re going to have to be more careful; you’re starting to slip up.
The Count stays silent. The Housekeeper starts to get impatient
Are you listening to me? Be cautious.
COUNT. It doesn’t matter anymore.
The Housekeeper is now infuriated
HOUSEKEEPER. angrily Are you insane? Your sorrow for that girl is infuriating; she’s dead, dead you hear me. And while you’re here feeling sorry for yourself that wife of yours is out there sneaking around asking questions.
COUNT. Where is she now?
HOUSEKEEPER. I observed her leaving the grounds; she has gone to the forest.
COUNT. Leave her, she knows nothing.
HOUSEKEEPER. I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
The Count says nothing
Listen to me; she’s been seen in the woods.
The Count becomes intrigued
COUNT. Who has?
HOUSEKEEPER. The one who escaped.
COUNT. I thought she died…faded into oblivion.
HOUSEKEEPER. Well she’s still alive.
COUNT. unsure What harm can she do? She’s insane.
HOUSEKEEPER. What is wrong with you?
COUNT. Nothing, I’m fine.
HOUSEKEEPER. You’re a disgrace. Your power is waning and your mind has become corrupted by ideals of love. Let go of that little harlot and do something about this hindrance.
COUNT. Get out.
HOUSEKEEPER. If you won’t do anything then I will remove the poisoned one.
COUNT. he stands I SAID GET OUT!
The Countess enters. She stops when the Housekeeper turns to face her. The Count sits back down. The Housekeeper turns back to the Count.
HOUSEKEEPER. I will take care of this predicament.
The Housekeeper leaves. The Countess watches as she goes then approaches the Count. He doesn’t look at her or even move.
COUNT. Where have you been?
COUNTESS. In the garden.
COUNT. That’s amusing; I don’t remember the woods being a part of the garden.
COUNTESS. taken aback I…How did you…?
COUNT. What were you doing?
COUNTESS. There has been rumours…there’s a woman in the forest.
COUNT. to himself So it’s true then…
COUNTESS. What?
COUNT. he stands This woman, what did she say?
COUNTESS. She…she…
COUNT. angrily SPEAK WOMAN!
COUNTESS. She told me about a room…
COUNT. temper flaring What room!?
COUNTESS. nervous A room that stunk of hate. A room of death….
COUNT. Well this is just perfect.
COUNTESS. distressed She told me she was not the first, that there were others before…
COUNT. Oh really please do go on.
COUNTESS. terrified that you were evil, that you were going to kill me…
COUNT. To kill you…
COUNTESS. She said that you didn’t love me!
The Count stops what he’s doing and stares at the Countess
COUNT. Love you?
COUNTESS. Yes.
COUNT. Oh my darling, I loathe you.
COUNTESS. No…
COUNT. What’s this? You don’t like that?
COUNTESS. You’re lying to me…
COUNT. Oh no, I think you’re lying to yourself.
COUNTESS. You are horrible.
The Count laughs. She goes to leave. He stops her
COUNT. You are mine.
COUNTESS. No, I’m not…
The Countess leaves
COUNT. And so it ends.
End Scene
Written by Lewis Chanel
Final Scene
(Scene opens on bloody chamber. The SNOW CHILD is in the middle of the chamber slightly raised and the Ex wives are around her in different positions. The COUNTESS walks on stage with a knife and looks traumatised at what she is looking at. She walks around the chamber trying to take everything in. She goes to touch some of the objects in the chamber and then notices the SNOW CHILD. She walks up to the SNOW CHILD and walks around her. She stops and stares at her for a while.)
COUNTESS: Whats so special about you? Peasant child. Look at you! Disgusting. I am far more beautiful and you took him away from me. You took all this away from me. I was living my dream and I had everything I have always wanted. He would buy me everything until you came along. It’s sickening really how he could love something like you.
(The COUNTESS begins to stroke the SNOW CHILDS face with her knife to show she is crazed linking to the scene 7. As she is doing this the door to the chamber opens and a males silhouette is shown on stage. The COUNTESS stands up straight with her knife clutched in her hand and it is obvious she thinks it is the COUNT. The male begins to walk into the chamber and the COUNTESS can sense that he is getting closer and closer. The PIANO TUNER is the male and he is trying to feel his way into the chamber feeling around for the COUNTESS. The COUNTESS is unaware who this is as she is facing the other way. The PIANO TUNER moves towards the COUNTESS and puts his hand on her shoulder. She is still gripping the knife tight)
PIANO TUNER: I heard the argument… (The COUNTESS turns sharply and plunges the knife into the PIANO TUNERS stomach. He keels over and she withdraws the knife and screams.)
COUNTESS: NO! NO! William?! NO! (She places him on the floor and begins stroking his face and touching his wound. She is getting blood all over her hands and is putting it all over his face as she is touching him.)
PIANO TUNER: Elizabeth… You must leave this place.
COUNTESS: No, No. I said I would come back to you. I promised. I promised.
PIANO TUNER: You did. You’re here with me now.
COUNTESS: (She is sobbing) But… No. I didn’t… I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
PIANO TUNER: (The PAINO TUNER smiles and touches the COUNTESS’ face as she is leaning over him) I love you, Elizabeth.
COUNTESS: I love you too. (They kiss and the PIANO TUNER dies) William? (She begins to shake him) William? (She says in disbelief and begins to cry) No. No.
(The COUNT enters the chamber. The COUNTESS is still on the floor crying)
COUNT: How touching.
COUNTESS: You! You did this! (The COUNTESS stands with the knife in her hand)
COUNT: My darling, I am not the one holding the knife.
COUNTESS: No.. but.. but you made him come down here. I know you did. You did something. You did this. (She turns back and stares at the PIANO TUNER and puts her hand over her mouth. She is trying not to cry)
COUNT: (Spiteful) I did nothing. This was all you… (His eyes light up) Did you enjoy it? Did you? (He walks around his chamber with confidents. Pause) I do. I’m a little upset that I will have to add you to my collection so soon. I was enjoying your company.
COUNTESS: I am nothing like you. You disgust me. Look at what you have done to these women. Sick. Your sick. I will be no part of your collection.
COUNT: You honestly think you will get away?
COUNTESS: Well one has already…
COUNT: (The COUNT laughs) Has she? I wouldn’t be so sure. (A light comes up and we see the EX WIFE dead in the chamber)
COUNTESS: (Gasps) No. But how…
COUNT: … Shhh. Secret.
(Long Pause. The COUNTESS moves towards the SNOW CHILD but does not take her eyes off the COUNT. He flinches as she gets closer but does not move from where he is standing)
COUNTESS: I didn’t think she would be in here. Not judging by the way you were looking at her in the woods.
COUNT: I did not kill her if thats what you mean.
COUNTESS: (Laughs) I do not believe that for a second. Look around you.
COUNT: (Angry) I DID NOT KILL HER. (He looks at the SNOW CHILD. Finds it hard to say) She… She died in my arms.
COUNTESS: How?
COUNT: (Looking at the SNOW CHILD still and is lost in his own thoughts and emotions) The cold. On the day I found her. She was so beautiful… Just like snow.
COUNTESS: (Mocking) Ohhh… Touching. (She COUNTESS puts the knife to the SNOW CHILDS neck)
COUNT: (Threatening) Do not touch her.
(The COUNTESS begins to move the knife across the SNOW CHILDS neck)
COUNT: I am warning you. Do. Not. Touch. Her.
COUNTESS: (Looks at the SNOW CHILD) How precious. (She slits the SNOW CHILDS throat)
COUNT: NO!
(In a rage the COUNT marches up to the COUNTESS and grabs her by the throat. The COUNTESS is chocking and he is threatening her though gritted teeth in her face)
COUNT: I said not to touch her. I said not to touch her! Look at what you have done. You have stained her with blood. You have stained my child with blood. Her neck… (He puts releases the COUNTESS and begins to stroke her neck as if he is planning to cut it where her necklace is) Her beautiful neck.
(The COUNTESS is weeping and sees this as her chance to kill the count. She slaps him and plunges her knife into his stomach and drops it on the floor and stumbles back. The COUNT falls to the floor but tries to reach up to the SNOW CHILD but he can’t reach. He dies. The COUNTESS is left on the floor of the chamber holding her knees. A spot light it on her for a few minutes as she just sits there)
End Scene.
Written by Hannah Smith
After we had all written the scenes they were all put together to make a final script which was then looked over by Stephanie Doe- Director to make any notes she felt were relevant. A full script draft was then put together.
Hannah Smith
