I'm stuck in a hotel. Actually, it's a pretty nice hotel, somewhere in the mountains. And I'm almost out of cigarettes, so I must go to bed before I finish them. And I feel guilty I haven't updated and uploaded my thoughts or stories. I'm beggining to think the best obssesion therapy is work. Sooo.... it's my first moment alone with myself is the past two weeks so I'm cillian blue again.
And, Cillian, I know you'll never read this, but I still can't stop writing as if you ever would do... (does this sound crazy or what? me pretending to talk to a super star?)... I think you have the purest human face ever to be on the big screen... funny how the lines of your face are so similar to the ones of the ancient citizens of our world... could beauty have some certain features that never go away or change with the ages?
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Monday, 21 January 2008
monday morning
Another cloudy monday morning. And no After Eight chocolate... :(... I'm attending an event, out of the city, and my room mate hates Cillian Murphy!!! How can anyone do that? How can you hate the gorgeous and talented Mr. Murphy? It's a total mistery. She says he's scary and ugly. Anyway, I forced her to admit that he has talent. The least I could do!
Sunday, 13 January 2008
The Prince - part 5
16.
INT. A church. The walls are covered with paintings and there is no priest. The prince is praying. Helen and the three children sit silent in corner, as if they fear to disturb him. A guard enters the church, walks to the altar, pushes Octavian in front of the prince and he leaves without any word.
Octavian:
[without watching, with his head touching the floor]
Have pity on me, Your Greatness!
THE PRINCE:
[cold]
How am I to pity my enemies?
OCTAVIAN:
[taking a dagger out of his clothes]
Than kill me with your divine hand!
The prince takes the dagger, caresses the blade with his thumb and then puts the dagger under Octavian’s chin, forcing him to look up and eventually to stand up.
THE PRINCE:
Get up! Don’t make me sad ever again!
From her corner, Helen looks at them with fear and hate.
OCTAVIAN:
[sincere]
I told you I was lying… I… I saw the dead man… he has no eyes…
THE PRINCE:
He stood there for you. I could have saved him, but I didn’t. The ravens ate your eyes.
OCTAVIAN:
[grabbing his hands with passion]
I know I hurt you. I am sorry.
Helen takes her children and rushes out of the church, with tears on her face. The two men don’t even notice her exit.
THE PRINCE:
[turning to the statue of Jesus]
Pray with me!
OCTAVIAN:
I never pray.
THE PRINCE:
So you deny God?
OCTAVIAN:
[sarcastic]
No… no… I’m just not a very big fan.
THE PRINCE:
John warned me you were the Devil…
OCTAVIAN:
That fool, old man? I’m ruled by ration, not by the Devil!
The prince makes the sign of the cross and they begin to walk to the exit.
THE PRINCE:
You know, Octavian, it could do me good if you took care of my entertainment. Organize some parties, or maybe a mask ball. This palace makes me sick. I’d leave it tomorrow.
OCTAVIAN:
It’s your own mind the one you must leave, not the palace. You’re a prisoner of yourself, and you don’t even know it.
THE PRINCE:
The stillness of this winter tears me apart. Can you hear this silence screaming?... we are at the end of the earth…
Cut to: Evangeline, who listens their conversation from outside, her ear stuck to the door of the church. It’s snowing outside and the big flakes are blown away by the fast wind.
Cut to: The prince and Octavian, who are slowly walking to the exit.
OCTAVIAN:
Why don’t you just awake your court instead? It could be entertaining.
THE PRINCE:
How? They have no soul. They’re empty.
OCTAVIAN:
[with that little madness in his eyes again]
Make them spy one other. Or you can torture the innocent, so you can drive the guilty insane. That’s the proof of power… Make best friends hate each other… [with an evil smile]Oh, that would be a masterpiece!
THE PRINCE:
You’re frightening.
OCTAVIAN:
Yes, but then we won’t be so bored anymore. Come on… do it for me!
THE PRINCE:
[truly frightened by the young man]
Jesus… what are you pushing me towards?
OCTAVIAN:
[passionate and evil]
To the perfection of you power!
Cut to: Evangeline, who sits outside the church, listening and crying. The snow outside slowly turns red, like blood.
17
INT.
The same ball room we already know. In a corner, the prince and Octavian talk as if the rest of the world does not exist. Helen watches them from another corner. Antonia, the prince’s cousin, approaches her. She looks as beautiful as ever.
Antonia:
Are you upset, my dear cousin?
Helen:
No, just a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep lately.
Antonia:
You should tell you husband to take better care of you… and your sleep!
Helen:
Oh, my husband must take care of the state, not of his wife.
Antonia:
[looking at Octavian and the prince]
The young man… what do you know of him?
Helen:
What do you mean?
Antonia:
Does he have anyone?
Helen:
I don’t know… [with suspicion] but why would you care?
Antonia:
[laughing]
Oh, my dear cousin, we shall not be young forever… we must take advantage of our youth now!
And she walks away laughing, to the corner where the prince and Octavian talk. In a different corner, some fellows speak about the prince and his young friend.
Fellow 1:
I don’t like this foreigner. The prince doesn’t have any time for his old servants any longer.
Fellow 2:
I’ve heard they spend all the days together…
Fellow 3:
[whispering]
And all the nights…
Fellow 2:
Hush! Don’t you say things like that? Do you want to get us killed?
Fellow 1:
That would explain why our lady is getting sadder and sadder…
Fellow 3:
I’ve heard the prince has not slept in her room for a month now…
Fellow 2:
I don’t want to hear these things. Him who knows too much is not safe these days!
Antonia is near the prince and Octavian.
Antonia:
[to the prince]
Dear cousin, you have not yet properly introduced me to your young and, may I say, handsome friend…
The prince:
[smiling with grace]
Please forgive my mistake, beautiful Antonia…
Octavian kisses Antonia’s hand.
Octavian:
I’m your humble servant, my lady… The sight of you enlightens my day.
Antonia:
[sensual]
Your lips speak sweet words… Are words the only thing you are good at, Octavian?
The prince:
[whispering in her ear]
Beware of him… he is a fatal man!
Octavian:
The things I’m good at are for others to decide, my lady… Maybe, in time, you’ll find out…
The prince:
[with a bit of jealousy in his voice]
Octavian, have I ever mentioned to you that sweet Antonia here killed her first three husbands?
Antonia:
[laughing]
Dear cousin, don’t give me credit for that! They all died of natural death.
Octavian:
[smiling]
How interesting! Perhaps we should talk some more these days.
Alone in corner, Helen stairs at them with bitter eyes.
18.
INT. Later the same night. The prince walks down a hall, when Helen opens the door of her room.
Helen:
My lord…
The prince:
Yes?
Helen:
Would you like to come in?
The prince:
No. Not tonight. I’ve had a busy day.
And he walks away.
Helen:
[raising her voice]
Don’t go to him! Please. The people are talking, my lord!
The prince:
[turning back to her]
Really? And what do they say?
Helen:
They gossip. They say you spend more time with the foreigner than with you own wife, and your own family. They say bad things will happen to the country if you keep doing that.
The prince:
So what if they talk? Why do you care?
Helen:
[angry]
We are still husband and wife and you must still rule this country, not have childish affairs with your playmates!
The prince:
[he speaks slowly, as waking up from a dream]
I… I’ll think about your words…
He turns around and walks away from her, entering his bedroom.
INT. A church. The walls are covered with paintings and there is no priest. The prince is praying. Helen and the three children sit silent in corner, as if they fear to disturb him. A guard enters the church, walks to the altar, pushes Octavian in front of the prince and he leaves without any word.
Octavian:
[without watching, with his head touching the floor]
Have pity on me, Your Greatness!
THE PRINCE:
[cold]
How am I to pity my enemies?
OCTAVIAN:
[taking a dagger out of his clothes]
Than kill me with your divine hand!
The prince takes the dagger, caresses the blade with his thumb and then puts the dagger under Octavian’s chin, forcing him to look up and eventually to stand up.
THE PRINCE:
Get up! Don’t make me sad ever again!
From her corner, Helen looks at them with fear and hate.
OCTAVIAN:
[sincere]
I told you I was lying… I… I saw the dead man… he has no eyes…
THE PRINCE:
He stood there for you. I could have saved him, but I didn’t. The ravens ate your eyes.
OCTAVIAN:
[grabbing his hands with passion]
I know I hurt you. I am sorry.
Helen takes her children and rushes out of the church, with tears on her face. The two men don’t even notice her exit.
THE PRINCE:
[turning to the statue of Jesus]
Pray with me!
OCTAVIAN:
I never pray.
THE PRINCE:
So you deny God?
OCTAVIAN:
[sarcastic]
No… no… I’m just not a very big fan.
THE PRINCE:
John warned me you were the Devil…
OCTAVIAN:
That fool, old man? I’m ruled by ration, not by the Devil!
The prince makes the sign of the cross and they begin to walk to the exit.
THE PRINCE:
You know, Octavian, it could do me good if you took care of my entertainment. Organize some parties, or maybe a mask ball. This palace makes me sick. I’d leave it tomorrow.
OCTAVIAN:
It’s your own mind the one you must leave, not the palace. You’re a prisoner of yourself, and you don’t even know it.
THE PRINCE:
The stillness of this winter tears me apart. Can you hear this silence screaming?... we are at the end of the earth…
Cut to: Evangeline, who listens their conversation from outside, her ear stuck to the door of the church. It’s snowing outside and the big flakes are blown away by the fast wind.
Cut to: The prince and Octavian, who are slowly walking to the exit.
OCTAVIAN:
Why don’t you just awake your court instead? It could be entertaining.
THE PRINCE:
How? They have no soul. They’re empty.
OCTAVIAN:
[with that little madness in his eyes again]
Make them spy one other. Or you can torture the innocent, so you can drive the guilty insane. That’s the proof of power… Make best friends hate each other… [with an evil smile]Oh, that would be a masterpiece!
THE PRINCE:
You’re frightening.
OCTAVIAN:
Yes, but then we won’t be so bored anymore. Come on… do it for me!
THE PRINCE:
[truly frightened by the young man]
Jesus… what are you pushing me towards?
OCTAVIAN:
[passionate and evil]
To the perfection of you power!
Cut to: Evangeline, who sits outside the church, listening and crying. The snow outside slowly turns red, like blood.
17
INT.
The same ball room we already know. In a corner, the prince and Octavian talk as if the rest of the world does not exist. Helen watches them from another corner. Antonia, the prince’s cousin, approaches her. She looks as beautiful as ever.
Antonia:
Are you upset, my dear cousin?
Helen:
No, just a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep lately.
Antonia:
You should tell you husband to take better care of you… and your sleep!
Helen:
Oh, my husband must take care of the state, not of his wife.
Antonia:
[looking at Octavian and the prince]
The young man… what do you know of him?
Helen:
What do you mean?
Antonia:
Does he have anyone?
Helen:
I don’t know… [with suspicion] but why would you care?
Antonia:
[laughing]
Oh, my dear cousin, we shall not be young forever… we must take advantage of our youth now!
And she walks away laughing, to the corner where the prince and Octavian talk. In a different corner, some fellows speak about the prince and his young friend.
Fellow 1:
I don’t like this foreigner. The prince doesn’t have any time for his old servants any longer.
Fellow 2:
I’ve heard they spend all the days together…
Fellow 3:
[whispering]
And all the nights…
Fellow 2:
Hush! Don’t you say things like that? Do you want to get us killed?
Fellow 1:
That would explain why our lady is getting sadder and sadder…
Fellow 3:
I’ve heard the prince has not slept in her room for a month now…
Fellow 2:
I don’t want to hear these things. Him who knows too much is not safe these days!
Antonia is near the prince and Octavian.
Antonia:
[to the prince]
Dear cousin, you have not yet properly introduced me to your young and, may I say, handsome friend…
The prince:
[smiling with grace]
Please forgive my mistake, beautiful Antonia…
Octavian kisses Antonia’s hand.
Octavian:
I’m your humble servant, my lady… The sight of you enlightens my day.
Antonia:
[sensual]
Your lips speak sweet words… Are words the only thing you are good at, Octavian?
The prince:
[whispering in her ear]
Beware of him… he is a fatal man!
Octavian:
The things I’m good at are for others to decide, my lady… Maybe, in time, you’ll find out…
The prince:
[with a bit of jealousy in his voice]
Octavian, have I ever mentioned to you that sweet Antonia here killed her first three husbands?
Antonia:
[laughing]
Dear cousin, don’t give me credit for that! They all died of natural death.
Octavian:
[smiling]
How interesting! Perhaps we should talk some more these days.
Alone in corner, Helen stairs at them with bitter eyes.
18.
INT. Later the same night. The prince walks down a hall, when Helen opens the door of her room.
Helen:
My lord…
The prince:
Yes?
Helen:
Would you like to come in?
The prince:
No. Not tonight. I’ve had a busy day.
And he walks away.
Helen:
[raising her voice]
Don’t go to him! Please. The people are talking, my lord!
The prince:
[turning back to her]
Really? And what do they say?
Helen:
They gossip. They say you spend more time with the foreigner than with you own wife, and your own family. They say bad things will happen to the country if you keep doing that.
The prince:
So what if they talk? Why do you care?
Helen:
[angry]
We are still husband and wife and you must still rule this country, not have childish affairs with your playmates!
The prince:
[he speaks slowly, as waking up from a dream]
I… I’ll think about your words…
He turns around and walks away from her, entering his bedroom.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
The prince - part 4
12.
INT. The next day, the prince and his family are in a leisure room. The children read and play and his wife is looking at him. He is pale and speaks no word. Helen approaches him:
Helen:
Would you like some tea?
The prince:
No. Leave me alone.
13.
EXT. A man gets hanged in the city square. The crowd watches the show. A little later, after the crowd is gone, a raven stops on the dead man’s shoulder, and eats his eyes.
VOICE OVER:
Whenever he was mad, someone got killed, so in times like this everyone was afraid of him. Yet, he missed the stranger.
14.
INT.
A room in the palace. The prince smokes, as a guard enters the room, with a young gipsy woman by his side.
The guard:
[pushes the gipsy inside]
Can I go now?
The prince waves his hand and the guard exists. We see shots of him having some wild sex with the gipsy and flash-backs of Octavian, half naked, hurting himself with the wipe.
After he’s done with the gipsy, a guard enters the room and takes the girl out.
The prince:
[to the guard]
Go find Octavian!
15.
EXT/INT
A port by a large water. The wind blows the snow and little people are on the docks. There is no sun, only clouds. The camera travels to find a tavern.
INT.
A dirty tavern. A few drunk people sleep with their heads on the table. Some musicians make a strange noise and, in a corner of the tavern, we can see Octavian singing, or better, mumbling a song, while he is holding in his arms a beautiful gipsy woman. After some music lines he stops the singing and kisses the girl. At the same moment, some soldiers come in the tavern and go straight to him. They take the girl out of his arms and pull him to the door. The gipsy takes the red rose behind her ear, follows the soldiers and gives the rose to Octavian.
INT. The next day, the prince and his family are in a leisure room. The children read and play and his wife is looking at him. He is pale and speaks no word. Helen approaches him:
Helen:
Would you like some tea?
The prince:
No. Leave me alone.
13.
EXT. A man gets hanged in the city square. The crowd watches the show. A little later, after the crowd is gone, a raven stops on the dead man’s shoulder, and eats his eyes.
VOICE OVER:
Whenever he was mad, someone got killed, so in times like this everyone was afraid of him. Yet, he missed the stranger.
14.
INT.
A room in the palace. The prince smokes, as a guard enters the room, with a young gipsy woman by his side.
The guard:
[pushes the gipsy inside]
Can I go now?
The prince waves his hand and the guard exists. We see shots of him having some wild sex with the gipsy and flash-backs of Octavian, half naked, hurting himself with the wipe.
After he’s done with the gipsy, a guard enters the room and takes the girl out.
The prince:
[to the guard]
Go find Octavian!
15.
EXT/INT
A port by a large water. The wind blows the snow and little people are on the docks. There is no sun, only clouds. The camera travels to find a tavern.
INT.
A dirty tavern. A few drunk people sleep with their heads on the table. Some musicians make a strange noise and, in a corner of the tavern, we can see Octavian singing, or better, mumbling a song, while he is holding in his arms a beautiful gipsy woman. After some music lines he stops the singing and kisses the girl. At the same moment, some soldiers come in the tavern and go straight to him. They take the girl out of his arms and pull him to the door. The gipsy takes the red rose behind her ear, follows the soldiers and gives the rose to Octavian.
Friday, 11 January 2008
The Prince - part 3
10.
EXT/ INT
We see the city covered with snow. Beggars and poor people run up and down the streets. A man, John, the astrologist, walks to the palace, looking at the people around him.
VOICE OVER
That winter, in the beginning of a new year, the prince called for me.
INT. John enters the cabinet of the prince.
The prince:
You haven’t visited me in quite a while. Are you angry? Tell me the truth.
John:
The Devil entered you house, my lord.
The prince:
Nonsense! He’s just a wise man, like you are.
John:
He lies.
The prince:
Who doesn’t? Maybe you two should work together.
John:
Oh, I can’t work with him. He’s the Devil, we don’t fit!
The prince:
Stubborn old man! Now tell me, what’s the year going to be like? What do the stars tell you?
John:
[opening a book]
This year, my lord, is ruled by Aquarius. The state will be troubled and so will be the men in your court. But you’ll get good news from the empire…
The prince:
[thinking out loud]
So my cousin does a good job there…
John:
A city by the sea, in the east, will get restless. The masters should mind the servants in their homes and be careful when they eat or drink…
The prince:
What does that mean?
John:
Who knows?... The great man is troubled and does not know what he wants anymore… so he must not despair…
The prince:
[troubled]
That’s enough for today. Go meet the stranger!
John:
[standing up and closing the book]
Never! I speak to God, he speaks to Satan!
The prince:
It will come a time when you’ll join your forces… Go now!
John kisses his hand and walks away from the room. The prince stands up, takes a short look on the window, then leaves the room.
11.
INT. The prince walks down a hall leading to Octavian’s room. When he reaches the door, he peaks into the room through a small hole in the door. A candle burns in the young man’s place. Books and magical objects are scattered all over the room. Octavian hears a sound, stands up and asks:
Octavian:
Is that you?
The prince keeps silent. Octavian, as if convinced he is alone, picks up a wipe, turns his back to the door, gets on his knees, takes his clothes off and starts wiping himself. After a while, he asks again:
Octavian:
Is that you?
The prince is silent.
Octavian:
Then let me punish myself!
He wipes himself even harder. His back is full of blood, but he doesn’t make any sound. The prince, troubled by the scene, opens the door, goes to Octavian, throws away the wipe and makes him stand up.
The prince:
Stop it, you foul!
Octavian has tears in his eyes.
Octavian:
You came! I was waiting for you! Please forgive me!
The prince:
I forgive you!
Octavian:
[grabbing the prince’s hands, with happiness on his face]
I wrote a sonnet for you…
The prince:
[touched]
Oh...
Octavian, with tears and mixed emotions on his face starts telling the poem.
Octavian:
Veggio nel tuo bel viso, Signor mio,
Quel ……
….
The prince is touched in the beginning, but his face changes in an instant and he starts yelling
The prince:
You fool! Do you think I’m stupid? Who are you lying to? That’s Michelangelo’s sonnet to Tomasso Cavalieri! I’ll feed you to the dogs!
The prince exits the room. Octavian sits on the bed for a while, thinking. Afterwards, he begins to pack the things in the room.
EXT/ INT
We see the city covered with snow. Beggars and poor people run up and down the streets. A man, John, the astrologist, walks to the palace, looking at the people around him.
VOICE OVER
That winter, in the beginning of a new year, the prince called for me.
INT. John enters the cabinet of the prince.
The prince:
You haven’t visited me in quite a while. Are you angry? Tell me the truth.
John:
The Devil entered you house, my lord.
The prince:
Nonsense! He’s just a wise man, like you are.
John:
He lies.
The prince:
Who doesn’t? Maybe you two should work together.
John:
Oh, I can’t work with him. He’s the Devil, we don’t fit!
The prince:
Stubborn old man! Now tell me, what’s the year going to be like? What do the stars tell you?
John:
[opening a book]
This year, my lord, is ruled by Aquarius. The state will be troubled and so will be the men in your court. But you’ll get good news from the empire…
The prince:
[thinking out loud]
So my cousin does a good job there…
John:
A city by the sea, in the east, will get restless. The masters should mind the servants in their homes and be careful when they eat or drink…
The prince:
What does that mean?
John:
Who knows?... The great man is troubled and does not know what he wants anymore… so he must not despair…
The prince:
[troubled]
That’s enough for today. Go meet the stranger!
John:
[standing up and closing the book]
Never! I speak to God, he speaks to Satan!
The prince:
It will come a time when you’ll join your forces… Go now!
John kisses his hand and walks away from the room. The prince stands up, takes a short look on the window, then leaves the room.
11.
INT. The prince walks down a hall leading to Octavian’s room. When he reaches the door, he peaks into the room through a small hole in the door. A candle burns in the young man’s place. Books and magical objects are scattered all over the room. Octavian hears a sound, stands up and asks:
Octavian:
Is that you?
The prince keeps silent. Octavian, as if convinced he is alone, picks up a wipe, turns his back to the door, gets on his knees, takes his clothes off and starts wiping himself. After a while, he asks again:
Octavian:
Is that you?
The prince is silent.
Octavian:
Then let me punish myself!
He wipes himself even harder. His back is full of blood, but he doesn’t make any sound. The prince, troubled by the scene, opens the door, goes to Octavian, throws away the wipe and makes him stand up.
The prince:
Stop it, you foul!
Octavian has tears in his eyes.
Octavian:
You came! I was waiting for you! Please forgive me!
The prince:
I forgive you!
Octavian:
[grabbing the prince’s hands, with happiness on his face]
I wrote a sonnet for you…
The prince:
[touched]
Oh...
Octavian, with tears and mixed emotions on his face starts telling the poem.
Octavian:
Veggio nel tuo bel viso, Signor mio,
Quel ……
….
The prince is touched in the beginning, but his face changes in an instant and he starts yelling
The prince:
You fool! Do you think I’m stupid? Who are you lying to? That’s Michelangelo’s sonnet to Tomasso Cavalieri! I’ll feed you to the dogs!
The prince exits the room. Octavian sits on the bed for a while, thinking. Afterwards, he begins to pack the things in the room.
Muphy's laws
1. I don't want to be famous and I don't want to be loved. Yet, I'm both.
2. I just want to be a normal person and be treated like one. Yet, I look awfully happy on those red carpets.
3. I'm a good, quiet boy. Yet, the spark in my eyes seems to be telling the other way around.
2. I just want to be a normal person and be treated like one. Yet, I look awfully happy on those red carpets.
3. I'm a good, quiet boy. Yet, the spark in my eyes seems to be telling the other way around.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
dear you
Dear Mr. Murphy,
I just occured to me that, if I had your lips, I would kiss myself in the mirror each morning... :)
Regards,
...
I just occured to me that, if I had your lips, I would kiss myself in the mirror each morning... :)
Regards,
...
The Prince - part 2
9.
INT. The prince and Octavian have dinner, just the two of them. The room is full of candles, flowers and smoke.
The prince:
I’m rich, you know...
Octavian:
[smiling]
Nobody is rich enough…
The prince shows him his left palm.
The prince:
What do you see?
Octavian looks at the palm and caresses it. Then he points his blue eyes to the prince.
Octavian:
There’s a sweet violent death awaiting you…
The prince:
You’re lying!
Octavian:
Don’t you like it?
The prince:
[annoyed]
I’ll throw you in a dungeon and torture you!
Octavian:
[calm]
Are you afraid of the truth?
The prince:
Go away!
Octavian stands up and walks to the door. After a short moment, the prince also stands up and follows him, grabbing his arm.
The prince:
Stay!
Octavian says nothing, but smiles mysteriously.
The prince:
[troubled, almost whispering]
How can I trust you?
Octavian keeps silent. His pure eyes say nothing, while his lips are wet, as after a kiss.
8.
INT. A ball room at the palace. Everybody is dressed in fancy clothes. The people talk is small groups, looking around for good gossips. All women wear opulent jewels. Octavian sits on a golden chair near the prince asking him about the people in the ball room.
The prince:
[pointing to an old man that sits absent in a corner]
That old man, my dear Octavian, is you competition. He is my astrologist, John, a wise man. He was born in this land, not like many of us here. We’re just visitors. We come, stay a while, rob the population… but he is from here.
Octavian:
Wise you say? What kind of wisdom could come from this place that God left so long ago?
The prince:
Don’t be mean…. Maybe you and John can learn from each other.
Octavian:
Forget the old man! Who’s the woman that’s staring at you?
The prince:
That’s Helen, my wife… Those two are our daughters, Alexandra and Marie, and that’s my son, Julian. He’s no good, just like his mother!
The action is moving in the corner where Helen and her children sit. She is a woman in her late 30’s, a little fat and ugly and with lots of make up on her face. Alexandra, 16, the oldest daughter, looks like Evangeline, tall and proud. Marie (13) and Julian (15) are both a little fat, just like Helen. They eat something from a plate, staring pretty absent around them.
Alexandra:
Mother, who’s that man sitting next to dad?
Helen:
A stranger Evangeline introduced to your father. She says he is a wise man from the West.
Alexandra:
I don’t like him. I don’t like when strangers come along.
Helen:
Your father is the master here, dear. You can’t fight his wishes. [suddenly turning to Julian] Stop eating like a pig! The people see you. You have royal blood, for God’s sake!
Julian stops eating immediately. He cleans his hands and face with a napkin and one can see tears appearing in his eyes.
Back in the place where the prince and Octavian sit.
Octavian:
[pointing at a young man with military clothing]
And him?
The prince:
That’s Marcus, one of my captains.
Marcus, a handsome man in his 30’, turns to them as if he realizes they speak of him. He salutes the prince and then takes a long look at Octavian.
The prince:
[without noticing the special attention Octavian pays to Marcus]
The woman dressed in red is my cousin, Antonia. She grew up in Venice. That poor man next to her is her fourth husband, a rich trader of this country.
Antonia is a fatal woman in her 30’s, big green eyes, long dark hair, splendid figure. Her husband is old, fat and bold and he is looking at her with lots of admiration. She never seems to notice his care, because she is always busy flirting with other men.
In another corner of the ball room, Evangeline approaches John the astrologist.
Evangeline:
You don’t enjoy yourself much, John!
John:
No, my lady, you know I am not from this world and I don’t understand this vanity.
Evangeline:
Why do you judge us so harsh?
John:
I see people starving in the streets everyday, on my way to the palace. Yet, all you people here seem to have no worry about the country you are here to lead to better times.
Evangeline:
We have separate destinies. It would be best for you if you stopped having dark thoughts. [pointing to Octavian] What do you think of him?
John:
The stranger? He is bad luck!
Evangeline:
Oh?
John:
His wisdom is a lie. A soldier of fortune, that’s what he is.
Evangeline:
Are you jealous?
John:
No, my lady. I’m just afraid of the things to come if he does not leave soon.
Back to the place where Antonia and her husband talk to other men.
Antonia:
[staring at Octavian with lots of temper]
That’s a pretty slave my cousin and our lord got for himself!
Man 1:
I don’t trust him. His lips are so deceiving…
Man 2:
And he’s strange. Have you noticed the way he looks at everybody? Like he’s making plans for us?
Antonia:
Still… what gorgeous eyes, what lovely skin!
The husband:
[he wants to say something]
Darling…
Antonia:
Hush, my love!
And she gently covers his mouth with her finger. He kisses her palm, mute with admiration. Antonia doesn’t seem to care and with the other hand sends a kiss to Octavian, who smiles and bounces.
9.
INT. Evangeline’s living room. She reads a book on a sofa and the ladies in her company laugh and read poems around her. It’s winter outside. There’s fire in the fireplace and the tables are covered with fruits and cookies. Someone knocks at the door.
Evangeline:
Come in!
The door opens an Octavian, dressed in a charming manner, comes in. The girls in the room smile at him, some of them blush.
Evangeline:
[delighted]
Oh, my dear Octavian, come in! [to the girls] Girls, leave us alone!
The girls leave the room, smiling to the young man. Octavian sits next to Evangeline and kisses her hand. His beauty is more obvious than ever and Evangeline looks pretty troubled by it.
Evangeline:
[pulling her hand]
You never told me… where do you come from?
Octavian:
[smiling]
Who knows?...
Evangeline:
[insisting]
At least, tell me who brought you here?
Octavian:
It is the water that brought me here… but I can’t tell you more…
He takes a grape and bites it. Evangeline seems to be fascinated by his presence and beauty.
Evangeline:
Tell me, what do you think we should do with this country?
Octavian:
Lots of things… temples, palaces, strong laws. But first you must build your power…
Evangeline:
We’ve built churches!
Octavian:
[with disgust]
These are not churches! The Greeks and the Romans built…
Evangeline:
This is not Rome. People are poor and they have lost their faith. They prey, but God stopped listening.
Octavian:
That’s because they’re not afraid. Fear is the foundation of governance!
Evangeline:
We rule over a gentle nation, Octavian, and we rob it enough.
Octavian:
[with energy]
Nobody robs the people enough!
Evangeline:
Oh, but we must pity them!
Octavian:
Pity you say? The people would feed you to the dogs! They only want to drink and eat. I’m talking about a real civilization! I want to make a real king out of your son. I’m destined to him… and him to me!
Octavian speaks all that with a powerful voice and a strange will coming from inside him. He looks mad. He kneels in front of Evangeline with passion.
Octavian:
You must protect me with you power, for you are the mistress here. The people will hate me, because I will do them harm. But you must protect me! Will you?
His head is down and Evangeline, troubled, touches his hair with trembling hands.
Evangeline:
I will!
In the same moment, the prince enters the room.
The prince:
Am I disturbing you?
Octavian:
[still in his knees, but smiling]
No, Your Greatness. We were talking about you.
The prince:
[sitting in a chair]
Stop calling me that!
Evangeline:
[with a troubled voice]
Octavian is dreaming about a glorious civilization on this land…
The prince:
[laughing bitterly]
You’re mad. In countries like this, the power is just a short lasting illusion. The empire gives it to us for a while. Afterwards, we prepare to run or to die!
Octavian:
[standing]
I want to build in spirit!
Evangeline:
And how will you do that?
Octavian:
By using injustice and violence and all the other bad things in the world, if I have to!
The prince:
Do you wish for my death?
Octavian:
[with passion]
Death has no meaning. Death is a hope. You and I have met before and we shall meet again. Do you believe me?
The prince:
[with anger]
You liar! I’ll throw you in the dungeon and wipe you… or maybe poison you. There are many ways of dying here!
Octavian:
[smiling with superiority]
I do not fell the pain, or the hunger, or the thirst. I’m free of all that and you can’t hurt me.
The prince:
I don’t have time for you!
Octavian:
Oh, you’ll make time, because I’m here to teach you things. I’m here to show you how ugly justice is!
Evangeline seem to be frightened by the aggressive talk. The prince is walking through the room with rage in his eyes.
The prince:
I hate men like you! I hate liars and traitors!
Octavian:
But at least we build things!
The prince:
You’re the devil!
Octavian:
[laughing with irony]
No. I’m just a man of your court. I live to serve you and I live to serve your power! That power that you waste!
The prince:
[threatening him]
These words can cost you your head!
Octavian:
[smiling, flirting and being naughty at the same time]
Well, that’s a pretty head… right?
Evangeline looks scared and says nothing. The prince suddenly calms down and sits back in the chair.
The prince:
[speaks as if discovering a bitter truth]
I thought I was the biggest bastard of all… but you are a bigger bastard than I am. I bought my chair with mountains of gold given to the Emperor, I’ve killed my enemies and betrayed my friends… I sleep with the wives of the men in my court, so I can know their secrets. I’ve put behind bars all the locals that raised their voice to me and now these people have no leader. I have thieves that steal for me and I kill the thieves that seal for others! Yet, you are a bigger bastard than I am.
Octavian smiles victorious, with a little madness in his eyes and kneels in front of him, kissing his hand. Evangeline, frightened, rushes out of the room.
INT. The prince and Octavian have dinner, just the two of them. The room is full of candles, flowers and smoke.
The prince:
I’m rich, you know...
Octavian:
[smiling]
Nobody is rich enough…
The prince shows him his left palm.
The prince:
What do you see?
Octavian looks at the palm and caresses it. Then he points his blue eyes to the prince.
Octavian:
There’s a sweet violent death awaiting you…
The prince:
You’re lying!
Octavian:
Don’t you like it?
The prince:
[annoyed]
I’ll throw you in a dungeon and torture you!
Octavian:
[calm]
Are you afraid of the truth?
The prince:
Go away!
Octavian stands up and walks to the door. After a short moment, the prince also stands up and follows him, grabbing his arm.
The prince:
Stay!
Octavian says nothing, but smiles mysteriously.
The prince:
[troubled, almost whispering]
How can I trust you?
Octavian keeps silent. His pure eyes say nothing, while his lips are wet, as after a kiss.
8.
INT. A ball room at the palace. Everybody is dressed in fancy clothes. The people talk is small groups, looking around for good gossips. All women wear opulent jewels. Octavian sits on a golden chair near the prince asking him about the people in the ball room.
The prince:
[pointing to an old man that sits absent in a corner]
That old man, my dear Octavian, is you competition. He is my astrologist, John, a wise man. He was born in this land, not like many of us here. We’re just visitors. We come, stay a while, rob the population… but he is from here.
Octavian:
Wise you say? What kind of wisdom could come from this place that God left so long ago?
The prince:
Don’t be mean…. Maybe you and John can learn from each other.
Octavian:
Forget the old man! Who’s the woman that’s staring at you?
The prince:
That’s Helen, my wife… Those two are our daughters, Alexandra and Marie, and that’s my son, Julian. He’s no good, just like his mother!
The action is moving in the corner where Helen and her children sit. She is a woman in her late 30’s, a little fat and ugly and with lots of make up on her face. Alexandra, 16, the oldest daughter, looks like Evangeline, tall and proud. Marie (13) and Julian (15) are both a little fat, just like Helen. They eat something from a plate, staring pretty absent around them.
Alexandra:
Mother, who’s that man sitting next to dad?
Helen:
A stranger Evangeline introduced to your father. She says he is a wise man from the West.
Alexandra:
I don’t like him. I don’t like when strangers come along.
Helen:
Your father is the master here, dear. You can’t fight his wishes. [suddenly turning to Julian] Stop eating like a pig! The people see you. You have royal blood, for God’s sake!
Julian stops eating immediately. He cleans his hands and face with a napkin and one can see tears appearing in his eyes.
Back in the place where the prince and Octavian sit.
Octavian:
[pointing at a young man with military clothing]
And him?
The prince:
That’s Marcus, one of my captains.
Marcus, a handsome man in his 30’, turns to them as if he realizes they speak of him. He salutes the prince and then takes a long look at Octavian.
The prince:
[without noticing the special attention Octavian pays to Marcus]
The woman dressed in red is my cousin, Antonia. She grew up in Venice. That poor man next to her is her fourth husband, a rich trader of this country.
Antonia is a fatal woman in her 30’s, big green eyes, long dark hair, splendid figure. Her husband is old, fat and bold and he is looking at her with lots of admiration. She never seems to notice his care, because she is always busy flirting with other men.
In another corner of the ball room, Evangeline approaches John the astrologist.
Evangeline:
You don’t enjoy yourself much, John!
John:
No, my lady, you know I am not from this world and I don’t understand this vanity.
Evangeline:
Why do you judge us so harsh?
John:
I see people starving in the streets everyday, on my way to the palace. Yet, all you people here seem to have no worry about the country you are here to lead to better times.
Evangeline:
We have separate destinies. It would be best for you if you stopped having dark thoughts. [pointing to Octavian] What do you think of him?
John:
The stranger? He is bad luck!
Evangeline:
Oh?
John:
His wisdom is a lie. A soldier of fortune, that’s what he is.
Evangeline:
Are you jealous?
John:
No, my lady. I’m just afraid of the things to come if he does not leave soon.
Back to the place where Antonia and her husband talk to other men.
Antonia:
[staring at Octavian with lots of temper]
That’s a pretty slave my cousin and our lord got for himself!
Man 1:
I don’t trust him. His lips are so deceiving…
Man 2:
And he’s strange. Have you noticed the way he looks at everybody? Like he’s making plans for us?
Antonia:
Still… what gorgeous eyes, what lovely skin!
The husband:
[he wants to say something]
Darling…
Antonia:
Hush, my love!
And she gently covers his mouth with her finger. He kisses her palm, mute with admiration. Antonia doesn’t seem to care and with the other hand sends a kiss to Octavian, who smiles and bounces.
9.
INT. Evangeline’s living room. She reads a book on a sofa and the ladies in her company laugh and read poems around her. It’s winter outside. There’s fire in the fireplace and the tables are covered with fruits and cookies. Someone knocks at the door.
Evangeline:
Come in!
The door opens an Octavian, dressed in a charming manner, comes in. The girls in the room smile at him, some of them blush.
Evangeline:
[delighted]
Oh, my dear Octavian, come in! [to the girls] Girls, leave us alone!
The girls leave the room, smiling to the young man. Octavian sits next to Evangeline and kisses her hand. His beauty is more obvious than ever and Evangeline looks pretty troubled by it.
Evangeline:
[pulling her hand]
You never told me… where do you come from?
Octavian:
[smiling]
Who knows?...
Evangeline:
[insisting]
At least, tell me who brought you here?
Octavian:
It is the water that brought me here… but I can’t tell you more…
He takes a grape and bites it. Evangeline seems to be fascinated by his presence and beauty.
Evangeline:
Tell me, what do you think we should do with this country?
Octavian:
Lots of things… temples, palaces, strong laws. But first you must build your power…
Evangeline:
We’ve built churches!
Octavian:
[with disgust]
These are not churches! The Greeks and the Romans built…
Evangeline:
This is not Rome. People are poor and they have lost their faith. They prey, but God stopped listening.
Octavian:
That’s because they’re not afraid. Fear is the foundation of governance!
Evangeline:
We rule over a gentle nation, Octavian, and we rob it enough.
Octavian:
[with energy]
Nobody robs the people enough!
Evangeline:
Oh, but we must pity them!
Octavian:
Pity you say? The people would feed you to the dogs! They only want to drink and eat. I’m talking about a real civilization! I want to make a real king out of your son. I’m destined to him… and him to me!
Octavian speaks all that with a powerful voice and a strange will coming from inside him. He looks mad. He kneels in front of Evangeline with passion.
Octavian:
You must protect me with you power, for you are the mistress here. The people will hate me, because I will do them harm. But you must protect me! Will you?
His head is down and Evangeline, troubled, touches his hair with trembling hands.
Evangeline:
I will!
In the same moment, the prince enters the room.
The prince:
Am I disturbing you?
Octavian:
[still in his knees, but smiling]
No, Your Greatness. We were talking about you.
The prince:
[sitting in a chair]
Stop calling me that!
Evangeline:
[with a troubled voice]
Octavian is dreaming about a glorious civilization on this land…
The prince:
[laughing bitterly]
You’re mad. In countries like this, the power is just a short lasting illusion. The empire gives it to us for a while. Afterwards, we prepare to run or to die!
Octavian:
[standing]
I want to build in spirit!
Evangeline:
And how will you do that?
Octavian:
By using injustice and violence and all the other bad things in the world, if I have to!
The prince:
Do you wish for my death?
Octavian:
[with passion]
Death has no meaning. Death is a hope. You and I have met before and we shall meet again. Do you believe me?
The prince:
[with anger]
You liar! I’ll throw you in the dungeon and wipe you… or maybe poison you. There are many ways of dying here!
Octavian:
[smiling with superiority]
I do not fell the pain, or the hunger, or the thirst. I’m free of all that and you can’t hurt me.
The prince:
I don’t have time for you!
Octavian:
Oh, you’ll make time, because I’m here to teach you things. I’m here to show you how ugly justice is!
Evangeline seem to be frightened by the aggressive talk. The prince is walking through the room with rage in his eyes.
The prince:
I hate men like you! I hate liars and traitors!
Octavian:
But at least we build things!
The prince:
You’re the devil!
Octavian:
[laughing with irony]
No. I’m just a man of your court. I live to serve you and I live to serve your power! That power that you waste!
The prince:
[threatening him]
These words can cost you your head!
Octavian:
[smiling, flirting and being naughty at the same time]
Well, that’s a pretty head… right?
Evangeline looks scared and says nothing. The prince suddenly calms down and sits back in the chair.
The prince:
[speaks as if discovering a bitter truth]
I thought I was the biggest bastard of all… but you are a bigger bastard than I am. I bought my chair with mountains of gold given to the Emperor, I’ve killed my enemies and betrayed my friends… I sleep with the wives of the men in my court, so I can know their secrets. I’ve put behind bars all the locals that raised their voice to me and now these people have no leader. I have thieves that steal for me and I kill the thieves that seal for others! Yet, you are a bigger bastard than I am.
Octavian smiles victorious, with a little madness in his eyes and kneels in front of him, kissing his hand. Evangeline, frightened, rushes out of the room.
The prince - part 1
THE PRINCE
Screenplay
1.
INT. A president’s office, that could be anywhere in the not so civilized world. The office is not big and on the desk we see the American flag, the British flag and the flag of the country we’re in. Lots of pictures and weapons on the walls. The president, a man in his 50’s, Caucasian, with a little grey hair, is talking on the phone.
The president:
Yes, sir! Sure, you have my entire support.
[he is shaking his head as for a doubt]
Of course our country will be happy to pay for that…
A guard enters the room and walks to the desk. The president doesn’t seem to notice his presence.
The president:
Sure… Call me when you have news. Have a good day, sir.
He hangs off the phone and he turns to the guard.
The president:
What’s the matter?
The guard:
[with a little fear in his voice]
There’s a man in front of the house… I don’t know how he got here with all the security and all that… he said he must speak to you…
The president:
Send him away! And file a report on how he got here!
The guard:
Yes, sir, I will. But he asked me to give you this…
He gives a yellow rose to the president. The president makes a surprised face, takes the rose, stands up, goes to the window and looks outside. The garden in front of the house is beautiful, but not so large. One can see the place is private and well guarded. A young man, very well dressed, is standing in front of the house and he is staring right to the window. The man has deep blue eyes, a childish face, pale complexion and wet lips. His figure is pure and evil at the same time and he is staring at the president both with guts and lust.
The president:
[without turning to the guard]
That’s all right. Show him in.
2.
EXT/INT. Somewhere in a capital city in Europe, 18th century. We are not in a super state like England or France, therefore the city is obviously poorer, smaller and uglier than London or Paris. The architecture is a mixture of western and eastern elements, most of the buildings have only one floor, the streets look dirty. The camera travels through the city and stops in front of a church. It’s a wood church, pretty big and solid, but one can see signs of fire on the walls. A man in his 40’s, poorly dressed and stumbling, walks through the doors of the church and enters it. After he enters the church, he walks through the crowd and falls down in front of the priest saying…
The man:
Help me… please help me!
Then he dies.
The people gather around him and take a close look. The man looks strange and has big purulent spots on his skin. A woman suddenly yells.
The woman:
It’s the plague! The plague is here!
Everybody starts yelling and they rush to the doors of the church.
3.
EXT/INT. Night. Big butterflies fly in the light of the moon. The camera travels though the city, but there’s no light to the windows and no rumor in the streets. We see people in poor and dirty interiors, peeping at windows in the dark, washing things, burning candles and praying.
VOICE OVER:
[narrator’s voice, the voice of a wise old man]
That night the butterflies came. They flew over the city like a curse. Yet, for three long days, nobody died.
4.
EXT/INT. Poor neighborhood in the city. The beggars prepare for the big plague. They laugh and sing and whisper in the night, while preparing wagons, sheets and lime stone. Their chief rushes in, yelling:
Beggars chief:
Another one died! We’re on, people!
The rest of them cheer, grabbing all the stuff and rushing to the city.
The camera travels through the city and we see different shots describing the plague epidemics.
People painting red crosses on gates, doors and windows.
Children crying and lighting candles next to their dead parents.
The butterflies covering the moon.
The rich packing their jewels and escaping the city.
A well dressed girl getting rapped on a street by gypsies.
Wagons carrying corpses to huge holes full with lime stone.
VOICE OVER:
The plague that year killed one man out of three. People said we were doomed and the prince was to blame for it, for he gave shelter to the foreigner.
5.
INT. A dark hall in the palace. The prince is walking down the hall, troubled, as if looking for someone. We don’t see his face, but we see a yellow rose in his hand.
The prince:
[shouting]
Octavian! Where are you?
A soldier comes to him out of the darkness and speaks with fear:
The soldier:
My lord… we found him!
6.
INT. A dark room in the palace. A dead pale body lies on a stone table. The prince cries, with the head on the table, holding the hand of the dead man. We hear him mumbling:
The prince:
My sweet angel… they’ve killed you! [yelling at the soldiers] Light the candles in the city! Let everyone know that his soul was pure and they must mourn for him!
FADE TO BLACK
7.
INT. The prince is staring at a window. He is a handsome man, in his late 40’s, Caucasian, still dark haired, with deep dark eyes full of melancholy. He sits in a chair, watching the yellow trees outside. It’s late autumn. The room is luxurious, but not decorated in a specific manner. Just like the rest of the city, it is a mixture of elements from different cultures and styles.
Text on screen:
Three years ago.
Suddenly the prince hears a noise. He turns and sees Evangeline, his mother, entering the room. Evangeline is in her late 60’, but still a beautiful woman, dressed according to the époque.
The prince:
[pretty bored]
Hello, mother! What do you want?
Evangeline:
[approaching him]
I thought I could lighten you up a little bit. You are too melancholic these days…
The prince:
What a boring way to live…
Evangeline:
Now don’t complain. You know you must accept you faith. But I brought someone I want you to meet… [turning to the door] Octavian, you may come in.
Octavian comes into the room. He is a beautiful man, very young. His skin is like porcelain and his deep blue eyes strike you from the beginning. His hair is dark, curly, almost reaching his shoulders and his face is pure and evil at the same time. The fine features of his face could just as well belong to a woman: small nose, full lips, fine chin. Actually, he is the same young man as in scene 1, but dressed in 18th century clothes. He approaches the prince and Evangeline with grace and he bounces in front of them. The prince takes a good look at him and their gazes cross with great intensity. Staring at the prince with his baby blue eyes full of promises and sins, Octavian speaks:
Octavian:
[bouncing]
You Greatness, I’m your servant!
Evangeline:
[pretty delighted]
Octavian is going to help John, the astrologist, with his calendars.
Octavian:
[still gazing at the prince]
I am a master of evil and of kabala… I come from the world, I search, I know much and I want to learn more…
He takes a yellow rose out of his clothes and gives it to the prince, with a mysterious smile on his face. His hand is bleeding because of the thorns. Evangeline, troubled from the strange chemistry between the two men, vanishes from the room. The prince grabs the rose and then grabs another three yellow roses from a vase, and makes a cross out of them on the table.
Octavian:
[still smiling]
Rosy-cross! So you know…
The prince puts a finger to his lips, as in for “silence”. Octavian gets closer to him, whispering:
Octavian:
In Egypt, the rose was the symbol of sealed lips….
The prince:
Will you serve me?
Octavian:
[kissing his right hand]
Yes, your greatness!
The prince:
Don’t call me that. How old are you?
Octavian:
23.
The prince:
And do you really know so much?
Octavian:
Perhaps…
The prince:
Why do you say perhaps?
Octavian:
It’s the right thing to say. Nobody knows too much…
The prince:
How many languages do you speak?
Octavian:
Greek, French, Latin, Arabic, Turkish… I’ve also lived in Spain…
The prince:
Why don’t you stay in one place?
Octavian:
They don’t want me for long.
The prince:
Who doesn’t?
Octavian:
The princes… They want to be loved, but I’m a fraud.
The prince takes Octavian’s hand and looks at his ring. Carved in the stone of the ring, very small, yet visible, he notices a snake, the sign of the Kadosch knights.
The prince:
Will you stay?
Octavian:
I can’t do otherwise.
The prince smiles.
The prince:
What are you after?
Octavian:
I want to find the temple of Hiram, the one that’s located in the middle of the Universe…
The prince:
[with irony]
The middle of the Universe is not here.
Octavian:
[sarcastic]
I know. But here’s the money that would take me to it.
8.
EXT/INT.
The prince and Octavian are climbing a tower’s stairs. They enter the tower and look down from its windows at the people in the streets. A heavy, grey rain makes the world look sad.
The prince:
[holding shyly Octavian’s hand]
Have you lived before?
Octavian keeps silent, staring at the people in the street.
The prince:
Do you read dreams?
Octavian:
[still looking at the street]
Yes… I can talk to you inner self and tell about your other lives…
The prince:
Will you make aqua toffana for me?
Octavian:
Yes, and I shall also heal your body and your soul, for my ring is a magic one… [suddenly turning to the prince]… but you shouldn’t trust me. Sometimes I lie.
The prince:
How much for you to stay?
Octavian:
10000 talants a year.
The prince:
That’s a fortune!
Octavian:
I know, but I can’t do it otherwise. I must help building the great temple, the greatest of all things!
The prince:
You can lose your head here!
Octavian:
[as if he didn’t care]
I’ve died before.
Screenplay
1.
INT. A president’s office, that could be anywhere in the not so civilized world. The office is not big and on the desk we see the American flag, the British flag and the flag of the country we’re in. Lots of pictures and weapons on the walls. The president, a man in his 50’s, Caucasian, with a little grey hair, is talking on the phone.
The president:
Yes, sir! Sure, you have my entire support.
[he is shaking his head as for a doubt]
Of course our country will be happy to pay for that…
A guard enters the room and walks to the desk. The president doesn’t seem to notice his presence.
The president:
Sure… Call me when you have news. Have a good day, sir.
He hangs off the phone and he turns to the guard.
The president:
What’s the matter?
The guard:
[with a little fear in his voice]
There’s a man in front of the house… I don’t know how he got here with all the security and all that… he said he must speak to you…
The president:
Send him away! And file a report on how he got here!
The guard:
Yes, sir, I will. But he asked me to give you this…
He gives a yellow rose to the president. The president makes a surprised face, takes the rose, stands up, goes to the window and looks outside. The garden in front of the house is beautiful, but not so large. One can see the place is private and well guarded. A young man, very well dressed, is standing in front of the house and he is staring right to the window. The man has deep blue eyes, a childish face, pale complexion and wet lips. His figure is pure and evil at the same time and he is staring at the president both with guts and lust.
The president:
[without turning to the guard]
That’s all right. Show him in.
2.
EXT/INT. Somewhere in a capital city in Europe, 18th century. We are not in a super state like England or France, therefore the city is obviously poorer, smaller and uglier than London or Paris. The architecture is a mixture of western and eastern elements, most of the buildings have only one floor, the streets look dirty. The camera travels through the city and stops in front of a church. It’s a wood church, pretty big and solid, but one can see signs of fire on the walls. A man in his 40’s, poorly dressed and stumbling, walks through the doors of the church and enters it. After he enters the church, he walks through the crowd and falls down in front of the priest saying…
The man:
Help me… please help me!
Then he dies.
The people gather around him and take a close look. The man looks strange and has big purulent spots on his skin. A woman suddenly yells.
The woman:
It’s the plague! The plague is here!
Everybody starts yelling and they rush to the doors of the church.
3.
EXT/INT. Night. Big butterflies fly in the light of the moon. The camera travels though the city, but there’s no light to the windows and no rumor in the streets. We see people in poor and dirty interiors, peeping at windows in the dark, washing things, burning candles and praying.
VOICE OVER:
[narrator’s voice, the voice of a wise old man]
That night the butterflies came. They flew over the city like a curse. Yet, for three long days, nobody died.
4.
EXT/INT. Poor neighborhood in the city. The beggars prepare for the big plague. They laugh and sing and whisper in the night, while preparing wagons, sheets and lime stone. Their chief rushes in, yelling:
Beggars chief:
Another one died! We’re on, people!
The rest of them cheer, grabbing all the stuff and rushing to the city.
The camera travels through the city and we see different shots describing the plague epidemics.
People painting red crosses on gates, doors and windows.
Children crying and lighting candles next to their dead parents.
The butterflies covering the moon.
The rich packing their jewels and escaping the city.
A well dressed girl getting rapped on a street by gypsies.
Wagons carrying corpses to huge holes full with lime stone.
VOICE OVER:
The plague that year killed one man out of three. People said we were doomed and the prince was to blame for it, for he gave shelter to the foreigner.
5.
INT. A dark hall in the palace. The prince is walking down the hall, troubled, as if looking for someone. We don’t see his face, but we see a yellow rose in his hand.
The prince:
[shouting]
Octavian! Where are you?
A soldier comes to him out of the darkness and speaks with fear:
The soldier:
My lord… we found him!
6.
INT. A dark room in the palace. A dead pale body lies on a stone table. The prince cries, with the head on the table, holding the hand of the dead man. We hear him mumbling:
The prince:
My sweet angel… they’ve killed you! [yelling at the soldiers] Light the candles in the city! Let everyone know that his soul was pure and they must mourn for him!
FADE TO BLACK
7.
INT. The prince is staring at a window. He is a handsome man, in his late 40’s, Caucasian, still dark haired, with deep dark eyes full of melancholy. He sits in a chair, watching the yellow trees outside. It’s late autumn. The room is luxurious, but not decorated in a specific manner. Just like the rest of the city, it is a mixture of elements from different cultures and styles.
Text on screen:
Three years ago.
Suddenly the prince hears a noise. He turns and sees Evangeline, his mother, entering the room. Evangeline is in her late 60’, but still a beautiful woman, dressed according to the époque.
The prince:
[pretty bored]
Hello, mother! What do you want?
Evangeline:
[approaching him]
I thought I could lighten you up a little bit. You are too melancholic these days…
The prince:
What a boring way to live…
Evangeline:
Now don’t complain. You know you must accept you faith. But I brought someone I want you to meet… [turning to the door] Octavian, you may come in.
Octavian comes into the room. He is a beautiful man, very young. His skin is like porcelain and his deep blue eyes strike you from the beginning. His hair is dark, curly, almost reaching his shoulders and his face is pure and evil at the same time. The fine features of his face could just as well belong to a woman: small nose, full lips, fine chin. Actually, he is the same young man as in scene 1, but dressed in 18th century clothes. He approaches the prince and Evangeline with grace and he bounces in front of them. The prince takes a good look at him and their gazes cross with great intensity. Staring at the prince with his baby blue eyes full of promises and sins, Octavian speaks:
Octavian:
[bouncing]
You Greatness, I’m your servant!
Evangeline:
[pretty delighted]
Octavian is going to help John, the astrologist, with his calendars.
Octavian:
[still gazing at the prince]
I am a master of evil and of kabala… I come from the world, I search, I know much and I want to learn more…
He takes a yellow rose out of his clothes and gives it to the prince, with a mysterious smile on his face. His hand is bleeding because of the thorns. Evangeline, troubled from the strange chemistry between the two men, vanishes from the room. The prince grabs the rose and then grabs another three yellow roses from a vase, and makes a cross out of them on the table.
Octavian:
[still smiling]
Rosy-cross! So you know…
The prince puts a finger to his lips, as in for “silence”. Octavian gets closer to him, whispering:
Octavian:
In Egypt, the rose was the symbol of sealed lips….
The prince:
Will you serve me?
Octavian:
[kissing his right hand]
Yes, your greatness!
The prince:
Don’t call me that. How old are you?
Octavian:
23.
The prince:
And do you really know so much?
Octavian:
Perhaps…
The prince:
Why do you say perhaps?
Octavian:
It’s the right thing to say. Nobody knows too much…
The prince:
How many languages do you speak?
Octavian:
Greek, French, Latin, Arabic, Turkish… I’ve also lived in Spain…
The prince:
Why don’t you stay in one place?
Octavian:
They don’t want me for long.
The prince:
Who doesn’t?
Octavian:
The princes… They want to be loved, but I’m a fraud.
The prince takes Octavian’s hand and looks at his ring. Carved in the stone of the ring, very small, yet visible, he notices a snake, the sign of the Kadosch knights.
The prince:
Will you stay?
Octavian:
I can’t do otherwise.
The prince smiles.
The prince:
What are you after?
Octavian:
I want to find the temple of Hiram, the one that’s located in the middle of the Universe…
The prince:
[with irony]
The middle of the Universe is not here.
Octavian:
[sarcastic]
I know. But here’s the money that would take me to it.
8.
EXT/INT.
The prince and Octavian are climbing a tower’s stairs. They enter the tower and look down from its windows at the people in the streets. A heavy, grey rain makes the world look sad.
The prince:
[holding shyly Octavian’s hand]
Have you lived before?
Octavian keeps silent, staring at the people in the street.
The prince:
Do you read dreams?
Octavian:
[still looking at the street]
Yes… I can talk to you inner self and tell about your other lives…
The prince:
Will you make aqua toffana for me?
Octavian:
Yes, and I shall also heal your body and your soul, for my ring is a magic one… [suddenly turning to the prince]… but you shouldn’t trust me. Sometimes I lie.
The prince:
How much for you to stay?
Octavian:
10000 talants a year.
The prince:
That’s a fortune!
Octavian:
I know, but I can’t do it otherwise. I must help building the great temple, the greatest of all things!
The prince:
You can lose your head here!
Octavian:
[as if he didn’t care]
I’ve died before.
therapy day number 2
God, I love the taste of After Eight chocolates in the morning, combined with dark coffe and thick cigarette smoke... Anyway, my theraphy is not going on too well, and I blame you, Cillian, for that!
There is this story that has been tormenting me for years... it's inspired by a famous novel in my country. And I've always wanted to write a script on it, but there was nobody there to be my model for this one, because the main character is a tricky, devolish, yet sweet, young man... a mixture between Dorian Grey, Joseph Balsamo, Don Juan and many, many other famous heros. His name is Octavian and he's the devil in an angel's body, unique and unpreddictable in every way. For a while, I thought Mr. DiCaprio could be my inspiration to picture Octavian well, but no... his eyes weren't clear enough, his lips weren't full enough, his attitude wasn't devolish enough... so I left the story to sleep in the back of my brains till better times...
... till the day I discovered Mr. Murphy, his face, his figure and, most of all, his acting. And I thought... "Oh, my God! That's truly Octavian... flesh and blood and mind and all..." So I got myself writing the script. I thought about posting it on fanfiction... but it's not a fanfiction... so I'll just post it here, scene by scene... and I could really need your opinion on it.
There is this story that has been tormenting me for years... it's inspired by a famous novel in my country. And I've always wanted to write a script on it, but there was nobody there to be my model for this one, because the main character is a tricky, devolish, yet sweet, young man... a mixture between Dorian Grey, Joseph Balsamo, Don Juan and many, many other famous heros. His name is Octavian and he's the devil in an angel's body, unique and unpreddictable in every way. For a while, I thought Mr. DiCaprio could be my inspiration to picture Octavian well, but no... his eyes weren't clear enough, his lips weren't full enough, his attitude wasn't devolish enough... so I left the story to sleep in the back of my brains till better times...
... till the day I discovered Mr. Murphy, his face, his figure and, most of all, his acting. And I thought... "Oh, my God! That's truly Octavian... flesh and blood and mind and all..." So I got myself writing the script. I thought about posting it on fanfiction... but it's not a fanfiction... so I'll just post it here, scene by scene... and I could really need your opinion on it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)