LEGEND script from March 10th, 1984 - Second Draft with September 25, 1984 Revisions by William Hjortsberg



"LEGEND"
           
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
                              
by
                              
WILLIAM HJORTSBERG



2nd Draft Revised -- Final Shooting Script
10 March 1984


Revised 25 September 1984     New Opening Sequence

     EXTERIOR    NIGHT SKY    NIGHT

     A sparkling panoply of stars bejewels the external
     void.  We hear the resonant voice of the Lord of
     Darkness.
     
                        DARKNESS (VO)
            Mother night....Fold your dark arms
            around me....Protect me in your
            black embrace....
     
     We pull back slowly down from the heavens.
            
                        DARKNESS (VO CONT)
            Only you remember how it was before
            I was cast down from
            infinity....When the world was dark
            and I ruled the icy chaos with
            terror and.....
     
     Pull back through a narrow stilted window into:
     
     INT    GREAT HALL OF DARKNESS    NIGHT
     
     The window is a star studded sliver set between
     black velour drapes.  A huge fire blazes in the
     grotesque hearth.  We see Darkness only in
     silhouette, hulking on his Throne, a horned demon
     masked in shadows.  His soliloquy continues
     without interruption.
     
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            ...evil.  Now I am a prisoner of my
            own solitude, condemned to dwell in
            darkness while the world blazes with
            damnable light!  Even the moon's
            reflection keeps me from the woods
            when she rides the sky at
            night.....I sit alone an impotent
            exile, while this force....this
            presence returns to torment me.
            
     There is a booming knock on the massive door.
     Darkness cocks his head.
     
                        DARKNESS
            Enter.
            
     The towering doors open a crack and a hideous
     armoured goblin sidles in.  This is Blix.  His
     evil eyes glance about apprehensively.
            
                        BLIX
                        (nervously)
            You summoned me your lordship.
            
Revised 25 September 1984     New Opening Sequence (CONT)
            
                        DARKNESS
            Aaahhh....come hither Blix.
Revised 25 September 1984
     
     Fawning and servile, Blix nervously approaches the
     dread Throne of Darkness.
            
                        DARKNESS (OFF-STAGE)
            Are you not the most loathsome of my
            goblins.
            
                        BLIX
            Truly Master....
            
     Blix kneels at the foot of the Throne.  Darkness
     is glimpsed as the vaguest of shadowy profiles.
     Only his clawed hand, gripping the arm-rest, is
     seen clearly.
     
                        DARKNESS
            And your heart is black with hate?
            
     Blix bends forward and kisses the cloven hooves of
     Darkness.
     
                        BLIX
            Black as midnight....black as pitch.
            
                        DARKNESS
            I like your style Blix, that is why
            I called you here....Since I must
            remain in darkness, you shall be my
            eyes and ears....
            
                        BLIX
            You do me great honour, Lord.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Something troubles me.  I feel a
            presence in the forest, a force I
            had mercifully almost forgotten.
            
                        BLIX
            Must be dread indeed to trouble you,
            Lordship.
            
                        DARKNESS
            You would not think to look upon so
            frail a creature, that he contains
            such power....One could rule the
            universe with it.  You must find him
            for me....and destroy him.
            
                        BLIX
            Where should I look Sire?
            
Revised 25 September 1984     New Opening Sequence (CONT)
            
                        DARKNESS
            Search the woods....show no pity.
            You will know him when you see him.
            
                        BLIX
            But....But Lord....What does he look
            like?
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (enraged)
            FOOL!
            
     Darkness reaches out and plunges a knife straight
     into Blix' forehead.  The goblin staggers about
     cross-eyed.
     
                        DARKNESS
            Let that serve to remind you.  This
            creature is crowned with an
            alicorn....a single spiral reaching
            like an antenna straight to heaven.
            
     Looking very foolish with the knife sticking out
     of his head, Blix nods in earnest agreement.
     
                        BLIX
            I get the point Sire....
            
                        DARKNESS
            Bring me back the Alicorn.  I will
            reward you well.  You shall be a
            prince here in my realm.
            
     Blix glances about at the bone-littered floor and
     the grotesque decorations.
     
                        BLIX
            ...Er....a rare privilege
            Master....But if it's all the same
            to you....I'd prefer payment in
            gold.
            
                        DARKNESS
            So it shall be.  Generosity befits a
            job well done.
            
                        BLIX
            And shall I find you here Lord?
            
                        DARKNESS
            It is I who shall find you....Blow
            the horn in the Great Tree....Hurry
            now....before dawn.
            
     Blix bows backing away from his shadowy Master.
Revised 23 March 1984

1.   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                  1

     Whispy clouds scud across the face of a fat
     dreaming moon hanging above the midnight forest.
     
     Huge trees taper upwards like columns supporting
     the roof of heaven.  Moonlit dewdrops spangle a
     delicate spiderweb.  The setting is tranquil and
     utterly majestic.
     
     A magnificent stag stands silhouetted in the
     distance.
     
     Over the brow of a distant hill, a pair of
     brilliant light beams scintillate in an ethereal
     ballet.
     
1A   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                                             1A
     
     PULL BACK: through ferns and brambles, to a steep
     embankment where umbrella-sized toadstools
     cluster.
     
     A snarling face APPEARS under a mushroom cap.
     This is BLIX, a brigand goblin hunter.  Clad in
     decrepit armour and slung with savage weapons, he
     is a terrifying figure.
     
     Blix WHISTLES.  The SOUND is unexpectedly lovely,
     a nightingale's call.
     
     Further back, three other goblins return the
     BIRDCALL.  They bristle with weaponry.  POX is a
     pig-faced fop, wearing tattered lace and filthy
     brocade.  Tiny BLUNDER and TIC are both masked by
     grotesque helmets.  Swarms of gnats drone about
     their hidden heads.  They creep forward to join
     Blix.
     
1B   DELETED

1C   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                                             1C

     Blix signals an advance and the goblins creep
     through the forest towards the hilltop.
     
     A moth lands on a twig two feet from Tic's head.
     He turns. His incredible sticky tongue uncoils
     from within the helmet, seizing the moth and
     retracting with it, quick as a flash.
     
     As the goblins near the hilltop, the fantastic
     LIGHT gradually illuminates their hideous
     features.
     
     A tiny mouse runs out of the eye-slits on
     Blunder's helmet, circles the crest, and runs back
     in on the other side.
     
     Blix signals silently for the other goblins to
     spread out.
     
     The goblins crawl separately through the
     underbrush.
     
     Pox comes snout to snout with a WILD PIGLET.
     Terrified, the little shoat SQUEALS and scampers
     off.
     

2    DELETED

2A   DELETED
Revised 23 March 1984

2B   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                                             2B

     Beyond the hilltop, the LIGHT BEAMS retreat.

3    DELETED

3A   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                                             3A

     Blix charges forward brandishing his crossbow.
     
                        BLIX
                        (wild cry)
            Fenoderee....!
            
     Blix runs over the top of the hill and down into
     the gully beyond, closely followed by Tic, Pix and
     Blunder.
     
     Brilliant clumps of forget-me-nots are everywhere,
     like discarded jewels.

3B   GOBLINS' POV : DISTANT FOREST                           3B

     The pair of shining LIGHT BEAMS race away between
     the trees.
     
4    DELETED                                                 4

5    DELETED                                                 5

5A   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                  5A

     The goblins watch the LIGHT BEAMS disappear.  Blix
     GROWLS in frustration.
     
     Blunder spots a SHINING silver hair caught on the
     bark.
     
     He reaches up and plucks it free.
     
                        POX
            What's that....?  L-l-let me see,
            old chap.
            
                        BLUNDER
            No!  It's mine!
            
Revised 24 April 1984
     
     Blunder hides the hair behind his back, but Pox
     quickly grabs the other end.
     
                        POX
            Give it to m-m-me!
            
     Both goblins pull on the hair.  Miraculously, it
     does not break, but stretches between them like
     spun steel.
     
                        BLUNDER
            Turn loose, anus features!
            
                        POX
            Hard cheese!
            
     A furious tug of war.  Pox pulls his knife and
     tries unsuccessfully to cut the hair.
     
                        BLUNDER
            It's mine you rectum!  Mine!  Mine!
            
     Blix marches up and furiously bangs their heads
     together.  Pox and Blunder fall dazed to the
     ground.  Blix holds the silver hair shining above
     his head and studies it.

5A   CONTINUED                                               5A
     
                        BLIX
            What star is lost from heaven's
            face....?  No forest beast runs so
            swift....
                        (spitting in disgust)
            ....or shines so fair....!
            
     The hair leaps out of his hand and Blix has to
     snag it out of the air.
     
                        BLIX
            Even his hair has magic....
                        (to goblins)
            Come!  Hurry!  We must take this to
            our Master!
            
5B   EXT    FOREST    NIGHT                                  5B
     
     The three goblins gallop through the moonlit
     forest.
     
6-6A DELETED
Revised 24 April 1984

7    EXT    SINISTER EVERGLADE    NIGHT                      7

     A miasmic Jurassic swamp.  Stunted trees rise like
     amputated limbs from the fetid water.  The goblins
     stare out across the bog toward a distant island
     [sic--should probably read "Great Tree"] looming
     mysteriously on the far island.
     
                        BLIX
                        (pointed)
            On yonder island once the Castle of
            Darkness stood....black towers
            reaching to the sky....the ramparts
            guarded by an army of goblins....
            
                        BLUNDER
            I don't see no castle....
            
                        POX
            Use your imagination, stupid!
            
                        BLIX
            Castle gone now....the Tree of Doom
            [word run off the page here -Geoff].
     
7A-C DELETED

8    EXT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT                              8

     An enormous blasted tree crowns the ruins of a
     forgotten castle.  Tangled roots grip the ancient
     stones like the tentacles of a malformed sea
     monster.  An atmosphere of eternal evil hovers
     over the site.
     
     Blix hurries up the crumbling steps.  Pox and
     Blunder follow.
     
                        Blunder
            Wish I was still an elf....Stay
            clear of nasty places like this and
            do nothing all day but sing and
            dance and guzzle wine in the
            sunshine....
            
     The steps lead under gigantic twisting roots.
     Blix finds a small opening and slips inside.  Pox
     and Blunder follow.
     
9    INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT                              9

     The three goblins tumble down a steep slope.
     
                        POX
            Frog spit!
            
                        BLUNDER
            Snail sperm!
Revised 24 April 1984
     
     The giant tree is a vast hollow stump, open to the
     moonlit sky, surrounding a smaller tree transfixed
     by a curved bronze horn, an instrument of
     unspeakable evil.  Tic, Pox, and Blunder stare up
     like open-mouthed tourists.  Blix is impatient.
     
                        BLIX
            No time to gawk....!  This way!
            
     Blix leads the way into a rock slab overhanging a
     seemingly endless pit at the base of the inner
     tree.  Deftly, the evil goblin swings across on a
     dangling vine to the other side.
     
                        BLIX (CONT)
            Come on....Come on....

     Pox and Blunder follow, not liking it very much.
     
                        POX
                        (grumbling)
            What's the big rush?  All this fuss
            over a hair....
            
     Pox swings across the opening.  Blunder hesitates
     at the brink, looking down in terror.

9    INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT (CONT)                       9
     
                        BLUNDER
            Be better off home in bed....
            
                        BLIX
            Jump!
Revised 24 April 1984
     
     Blunder swings over to Blix.  Tic is the most
     frightened of all.  He trembles at the edge,
     unable to move.
     
                        TIC
            Me wait here....
            
                        BLIX
                        (angry)
            What?
            
                        TIC
            Too far for Tic....too deep down....
            
     Blix changes his manner, smiling with evil
     insincerity.
     
                        BLIX
            Don't be afraid....it's easy....
            
     Blix swings the vine across to Tic.
     
                        BLIX
            You can do it....Trust me....
            
     Tic isn't so sure.  He grabs the vine and swings
     across the abyss.  Tic gets a toe-hold on the
     other side.  Blix smiles and pushes him back over
     the opening.  Tic dangles there pitifully, his
     little legs kicking in space.
     
                        TIC
                        (pleading)
            Please.....
            
     Without a word, Blix draws his short sword and
     chops through the vine above Tic's grasp.  The
     unfortunate goblin drops into the void with a
     terrifying SCREAM.  Blunder and Pox stare down
     into the dreadful darkness as Tic's final cry
     FADES in the distance.
     
                        BLUNDER
            Poor Tic....
            
                        BLIX
                        (growling with anger)
            Forget Tic!  Better we split three
            ways than four.
Revised 24 April 1984

9    INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT (CONT)                       9
            
     Blix rushes under the great horn.  The mouthpiece
     is high above his head.
     
                        BLIX
            Boost me!  Hurry....!
     
     The three goblins form a teetering ladder with
     Blix wobbling at the top and Blunder crushed at
     the bottom.  Blix blows into the horn with all his
     might.  Nothing happens.  Not a sound.  Suddenly,
     he breaks wind!  Pox and Blunder grimace.
     
                        POX
            That the only t-t-tune you know?
            
     Blix blows again into the horn.  There is no
     sound.  Dead leaves and dust puff out of the bell,
     followed by three SQUEALING bats.  The supporting
     goblins wobble.  Pox steps on Blunder's head.
     Blix blows a third time into the great horn.  The
     unholy SOUND reverberates like the wailing of all
     the doomed souls in Purgatory.
     
                        BLUNDER
            Now what....?
            
                        BLIX
            Why you worry!  We wait like all-
            time same....think bad thoughts and
            relax....
            
10   EXT    FOREST (VARIOUS ANGLES)    NIGHT                 10

     As the evil SOUND moans, the forest creatures
     react with terror.  Squirrels, rabbits and mice
     dart fearfully for cover.  Birds flock to their
     nests.  Only the night creatures, the wolves,
     weasels and owls, prick up their ears and listen.
     
11-12 DELETED

13   INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT                              13
     
     The goblins wait.  Blix sits apart from the
     others, playing with the silver hair.  The light
     of a campfire casts their shifting shadows against
     the huge trunk of the hollow tree.
Revised 24 April 1984

13   INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT (CONT)                       13
     
                        BLIX
                        (to himself)
            Moving silent like the breeze.
            Soft as shadows, still as trees,
            Darkness be in all we sees.
            He lives in silence, he lives in
            fire,
            He lives in all that's dark and
            dire.
     
     A mysterious whirlwind arises from the bowels of
     the earth blowing a funnel of leaves and debris up
     through the hole Tic fell into.
     
     Blix walks to the edge of the platform, peering
     down into the dark opening.
     
                        BLIX  (CONT)
            Look in the gloom, search out the
            tomb, that be where you find our
            sire.
     
     Blix gets down on his knees, genuflecting towards
     the gaping hole.
     
     Something monstrous shoots up from below.
     
     Huge and horned, the black shadow of the LORD OF
     DARKNESS towers over Blix.
     
     An awesome silence ensues.
     
     Blunder and Pox kneel, heaping ashes and dirt upon
     their heads.
     
                        BLIX (CONT)
            Hail O great One....divine and dark!
            Strong like lion, swift like shark!
            
     Blix offers the silver hair up to Darkness.
            
                        BLIX
            Though I'm not worthy of the task,
            Great Lord, I found this for your
            amusement.
            
     Blunder leaps to his feet and grabs the hair from
     Blix.
     
                        BLUNDER
            Don't listen!  I found it....!  Me!
            Blunder the Bold!
            
     There is a bright FLASH OF LIGHT.  Blunder HOWLS
     with pain.  Blunder stares at his arm in dismay.
     His hand is gone, magically replaced by a
     grotesque bird claw.
     
                        BLUNDER
                        (stunned)
            Thank you, Lordship....
            
     Blunder experimentally clenches and unclenches his
     new bird claw.
Revised 24 April 1984

13   INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT (CONT)                       13
     
                        POX
            Quite stylish, actually....
     
     Darkness dangles the shining silver hair in front
     of him.
     
                        DARKNESS
            Where....?
            
                        BLIX
            In the woods, six leagues back,
            'Tween Twin Oaks and the Dragon's
            Track.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Did my bold hunters chance to see
            the quarry which cast this spoor?
            
                        BLIX
            We stalked it, Sire, alas too
            slow....Beast run like quicksilver!
            
                        DARKNESS
            This hair is from an angel of
            light....The purity of its heart is
            an abomination to me....And now,
            it's come back to these woods!  I
            must have this creature!
            
                        BLUNDER
            We catch it....!  We catch it....!
            
                        POX
            Yes....f-f-field and f-f-fen....the
            glories of the ch-chase....er, how
            do we t-t-trap it, Lord?
            
                        DARKNESS
            No trap of yours will work....There
            is only one lure for such disgusting
            goodness....one bait which never
            fails....
            
                        BLIX
            Oh, Divine Dark One I beseech thee,
            what be this bait?  Please, you
            teach me....
            
                        DARKNESS
            Innocence!
     
14   EXT    COTTAGE MEADOW    DAY                            14

     A beautiful flower-spangled meadow alive with
     songbirds.  Clouds of multi-hued butterflies swirl
     overhead.  A young princess skips SINGING across
     the meadow.  Her name is LILI.  She wears splendid
     brocades and carries a bouquet wrapped in a lace
     napkin.  Like these blossoms, she's beautiful and
     fresh and innocent.
Revised 11 September 1984

14   EXT    COTTAGE MEADOW    DAY (CONT)                     14
     
                        LILI
                        (singing)
            Come down sparrow, sing me good
            morning.
            Rise up sun, light the arch of the
            sky.
            Living river, turn light to
            diamonds,
            When I look in my true love's eyes.
            
     Lili runs towards a distant thatched-roofed
     cottage.
     
15   EXT    BOULDER AT EDGE OF WOODS    DAY                  15

     Blix, Pox and Blunder hide behind a boulder,
     watching the girl.

15A  EXT    COTTAGE AT EDGE OF WOODS    DAY                  15A

     The WOODCARVER'S WIFE is hanging up the washing
     when Lili sneaks from behind the cottage.
     
     Grinning mischievously, Lili unfastens one end of
     the clothes-line and lets it drop.  The laundry
     flutters onto the new-mown grass.  A sheet drapes
     around the outraged wife.
     
                        WIFE
            Dad-blamed faeries!
     
16   INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                                              16
     
     The cottage is snug and homey with smoke-blackened
     beams and hand-pegged furniture.  A WOODCARVER
     sleeps by his bench surrounded by wood-shavings
     and roughed-out toys.
     
     Lili steps into the sunlight streaming through the
     open doorway.  Her beauty is ethereal, an angel
     descending.
     
     Finches peck at newly-made tarts laid on a trestle
     table to cool.  They rise to the rafters at Lili's
     approach.
     
     The Princess peeks around the room.  She tiptoes
     to the hearth and lifts the stewpot lid, dipping
     in a fingertip for a taste.  Spying the tarts, she
     grabs one and eats it hurriedly, leaving a
     telltale crumb on her upper lip.
     
     The clock tolls the hour.  A carved wooden maiden
     pirouettes from the interior, pursued by a
     skeletal figure playing a bone fiddle.  Lili is
     fascinated.
     
                        WIFE
            Lili....Princess Lili....
     
     The woodcarver's wife enters.  She curtsies to the
     princess.
     
                        WIFE
            God bless Your Highness.  A Royal
            visit is ever a pleasure....Won't
            you have another biscuit?
            
     Nell pulls a tray from the oven.
Revised 11 September 1984

16   INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                    (CONT)                    16
     
                        WIFE (CONT)
            They are fresh-baked for the Palace.
            I hope to make a penny or two with
            my cakes.
            
                        LILI
            Nell....I've no time today, not even
            for treats....
            
                        WIFE
                        (teasing)
            You must have a sweetheart waiting.
            
                        LILI
            No, I don't....
            
                        WIFE
            Surely your father the King forbids
            such folly.
            
                        LILI
            What my father doesn't know won't
            trouble him.
            
                        WIFE
            The willful heart invites despair,
            Like blind men creeping in a
            dragon's lair.
            
     With Nell's back turned, Lili steals another
     biscuit, hiding it among the flowers in her
     bouquet.
            
                        LILI
            Neither country proverbs nor king's
            commands can keep me out of the
            woods today.
            
                        WIFE
            Then its common sense
            ought....Princess Lili, I've always
            looked on you as a daughter and, if
            you'll pardon my saying so, it's
            time you behaved like the Princess
            you are.  You should be looking for
            a handsome Prince on a white
            charger, not visiting poor folk like
            us.
            
                        LILI
            But I love coming here, Nell.
            
                        WIFE
            Why?
            
     Lili picks up a carved spoon.
Revised 11 September 1984

16   INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                    (CONT)                    16
            
                        LILI
            This place holds more magic than any
            Palace....Your life is very
            rich....No Prince could carve wood
            like this.  I love you, Nell.
            
                        WIFE
            You're very sweet Lili, I love you
            too....You're right, the old codger
            is a clever man....Magic is a
            wonderful thing.
            
                        LILI
            Don't tell my father you've seen me.
            
                        WIFE
                        (sympathetically)
            I'm sure one day you'll find your
            magic too.
            
                        LILI
            I've got to go, Nell.
            
                        WIFE
            These woods be thick with spriggen
            and banshee!
            
                        LILI
            Is that why you've hung a bell over
            your door?
            
                        WIFE
            Aye, and spread the floor with flax
            and salt.  My babe won't be stole by
            fairies.
            
     The Princess starts merrily for the sun-bright
     doorway.
            
                        LILI
                        (laughing)
            More salt, Nell....!  You'll worry
            yourself to death if you're not
            careful.
            
     Lili runs out like a naughty child.  The
     Woodcarver's wife leans against the door jamb and
     calls after her!
            
                        WIFE
            Beware of toad stool rings and
            willow trees....!  Stay away from
            old oaks!
17   EXT    FOREST PATH TO GLADE    DAY                      17
     
     Hiding behind a moss-covered log, Blix, Pox and
     Blunder watch Princess Lili run SINGING through
     the woods, oblivious to any possibility of danger.
     

Revised 26 March 1984

18   EXT    JACK'S FOREST GLADE    DAY                       18

     A lovely glade surrounded by tall trees.
     Breathlessly, Lili runs in from the woods.  She is
     familiar with this spot.  It is her trysting
     place.
            
                        LILI
                        (calling)
            Jack.....!  I know you're here....
            Jack!
            
     Lili looks around in exasperation.  Behind her,
     something wild and mysterious swings through the
     trees like an animal.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            Jack?  Where are you....? Answer me!
     
     Lili is apprehensive at getting no replay.  She
     hears the Rustle of leaves but does not see the
     sun-dappled figure leaping from limb to limb
     overhead.
     
            
            
                        LILI
                        (frightened)
            Oh, Jack....Please say something if
            you're here....
            
     JACK O' THE GREEN, a legendary "Green Man" who
     lives the free life of a hermit in the woods,
     drops from a tree behind the Princess, landing
     without a sound.  He is barefoot, about sixteen,
     and wears woven ivy leaves and skins.
     
     Startled, Lili SCREAMS.
Revised 2 April 1984
            
                        Lili (CONT)
            Jack!  You scared the life out of
            me.
            
     Jack says nothing, staring at her shyly.  Lili
     hands him the flowers.
     
     A JAY flies down out of the greenery and lands
     RASPING on Jack's shoulder.  He imitates the bird
     expertly.  The Jay answers him in English.
            
                        JAY
            She brings a gift as fair as
            herself.
            
     Lili LAUGHS.  It all seems magic to her.
            
                        LILI
            You're so clever, Jack.... See what
            you can find in the flowers.
            
     Jack pokes in the bouquet and discovers the hidden
     tart.  He's never seen a cake before and is
     puzzled by it.

18   EXT    JACK'S FOREST GLADE    DAY (CONT)                18
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            It's something to eat.... I made it
            for you myself....
            
     Jack stuffs the tart into his mouth.
            
                        JACK
            Mmmmmmm....
            
                        LILI
            Sweet?
            
                        JACK
            I know someone sweeter....
            
19   EXT    ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST    DAY                19

     Concealed behind the trees,  Blix, Pox and Blunder
     watch the Green Man and the Princess wander down a
     meandering path.
            
                        BLIX
            Ain't half as sweet as rotten meat.
     
     Pox picks a spider from his web, pops it in his
     mouth, and crunches it down with a happy smile.
     
Revised 23 March 1984

19A  EXT    MEANDERING PATH    DAY                           19A
     
     Several birds perch on Jack's head and shoulders.
     Squirrels, rabbits and hedgehogs play about his
     feet.  Jack feeds them nuts and berries from his
     pouch, answering their chatter expertly.  Jack
     understands the language of all wild creatures.
     
     When a frisky wren flies warbling overhead, Lili
     hesitantly returns its call.
            
                        JACK
            That was very good....just right.
            
                        LILI
            Teach me rabbit like you promised.
            
                        JACK
            Rabbit is much harder than wren.
            
                        LILI
            Let me try.  I'm a very good
            student.... My father thinks I'm
            brilliant....
            
     Lili toys with the silver medallion pendant she
     wears, causing reflected sunlight to shine in
     Jack's eyes.

19A  EXT    MEANDERING PATH    DAY (CONT)                    19A
            
                        LILI
            See how brilliant I am!
            
                        JACK
                        (laughing)
            Stop it.....!  I can't see!
            
                        LILI
            I'll dazzle you with my wisdom.
            
                        JACK
            Much more than wisdom dazzles me.
            
                        LILI
            Then teach me rabbit....
            
     Lili laughs and hangs her medallion around his
     neck.
            
                        JACK
            Not now....
            
                        LILI
                        (impatiently)
            Why not?
            
                        JACK
                        (slyly)
            Because there's something really
            special I promised to show you.
            
Revised 23 March 1984
            
                        LILI
            Today!  Do you mean it, Jack?
            
                        JACK
            This is their season....they won't
            pass here again for a long, long
            time....
            
                        LILI
                        (excited)
            Oh, let's do it!  I want to more
            than anything!
            
                        JACK
            All right....
            (unwrapping the lace napkin)
            But you'll have to wear a blindfold.
            
                        LILI
                        (coyly)
            Don't you trust me, Jack?

                        JACK
                        (binding her eyes)
            I'll always trust you, Lili....
            
Revised 23 March 1984
            
20   EXT    FOREST PATH, GLADE TO STREAM    DAY              20

     Jack holds Lili's hand, leading her blindfolded
     along a path through the woods.  Distant thunder
     RUMBLES.
            
                        LILI
            Haven't you some place we can
            shelter?
            
                        JACK
            Many places....none fit for you,
            Lili....
            
                        LILI
            In these woods you are the prince,
            Jack.... I am only a pauper here....
            
     Jack turns to face a radiantly smiling Lili.  He
     bends towards her, closer and closer, and, for a
     moment, seems about to steal a kiss.
     
     She waits, smiling, sensing what is about to
     happen.  In the end, Jack's innocence and timidity
     get the best of him and he turns away.
     
     Without his knowledge Lili lifts a corner of the
     blindfold and mischievously peeks.
     
20A  EXT    BEHIND A TREE NEAR THE PATH    DAY               20A

     The three goblins peer around a mossy trunk.
     
            
                        BLUNDER
            Yuck!  See what he was gonna do?
            Makes me wanna puke.
                        BLIX
            I swear by all the bats above,
            Nothing's quite so foul as love!
            
                        POX
            Except maybe poetry....!  Sounds
            like you swallowed a minstrel and
            can't stop burping.
            

21   EXT    UNICORN STREAM AND GLADE    DAY                  21

     A sun-gilded amphitheatre within the darker
     confines of the forest.  Sparkling like a ribbon
     of diamonds, a stream flows down the middle.
     
Revised 1 May 1984
     
     Jack leads Lili out of the woods and unties the
     napkin from around her eyes.
            
                        LILI
                        (awestruck)
            Oh, Jack....!  It's magic!
            
     Jack leads Lili into the concealing shrubbery.

21A  EXT    STREAMSIDE SHRUBBERY    DAY                      21A
     
     Some time had passed.  Lili is uncomfortable and
     restless.
     
                        LILI
            How much longer?
            
                        JACK
                        (more softly)
            Shhhh!  Just watch!  True royalty
            approaches....
            
22   EXT    THE STREAM (JACK & LILI'S POV)    DAY            22
     
     The radiant LIGHT BEAMS GLEAM through the trees.
     A moment later, a splendid white unicorn moves
     down the hillside to the edge of the stream.  This
     is a stallion.  He holds his head proudly.  His
     mate stands at the edge of the woods.
            
                        LILI (OS)
            Ohh....They're so beautiful....
            
     The unicorn dips his horn into the stream.
     
                        JACK (OS)
            The alicorn purifies the water....
            
     The stallion watches his mare approach to drink.
     
     She is slighter and more delicate, but every inch
     as magnificent.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        JACK (CONT) (OS)
            There's nothing more magical.... As
            long as they roam the earth, evil
            cannot harm the pure of heart....
            
23   EXT    LARGE BOULDER OPPOSITE CLEARING    DAY           23

     The three goblins crouch hiding.
     
                        BLUNDER
                        (disgusted)
            Ugly one-horned mules!
            
                        BLIX
            Shhh!
            
24   EXT    CLEARING    DAY                                  24

     The princess is entranced.
     
                        LILI
            Can you speak their language?
            
                        JACK
            They express only love and
            laughter.... Dark thoughts are
            unknown to them.
            
                        LILI
            Oh Jack.... I must touch one.
            
                        JACK
                        (alarmed)
            No!
            
                        LILI
            I want to!
            
                        JACK
            No.  Don't!
            
                        LILI
            I'm going to.... You can't stop me!
Revised 23 March 1984
            
     The princess strides defiantly into the open
     meadow.
     
     The unicorns watch the girl from across the
     stream.  They snort and paw the ground.
     
     Lili stands alone, holding out her arms to the
     unicorns:
            
                        LILI
                        (singing)
            Like a child feels watching a
            rainbow.
            Like a bird feels the first time it
            flies
            I feel magic stirring within me,
            When I look in my true love's eyes.
            
     The stallion's nostrils flare.  His strong neck
     arches.  Sunlight gleams on his horn as he
     charges.
     
     From Lili's POV the stallion is terrifying as he
     thunders towards her across the stream.
     
     The stallion rears and prances, racing around the
     Princess as if drawn forward on an invisible lead.
     
     Jack watches from the underbrush, his outrage
     tinged with more than a touch of jealousy.
     
25   EXT    BOULDER    DAY                                                              25
     
     Blix, Pox and Blunder peer from their hiding-
     place.  Evil leers brighten their impish features.
     
                        POX
                        (whispering)
            F-f-fish in a barrel....
     
     Blix clamps his hand over Pox's mouth.

26   EXT    CLEARING    DAY                                  26

     The lure of the virgin is too strong for the
     unicorn to resist.  Lili makes no move as the
     trembling stallion stands before her, the rapier
     tip of his horn pressed against her breast.  It is
     obvious he could kill her in an instant.
     
     The Princess calmly reaches out and caresses his
     muzzle.
            
                        LILI
                        (singing)
            When the darkness falls like a
            curtain
            And the rivers and streams turn to
            ice,
            I have summer and daylight forever
            When I look in my true love's eyes.
            
     Across the stream, the mare paces back and forth,
     obviously agitated.
Revised 26 March 1984
            
27   EXT    BEHIND THE BOULDER    DAY                        27
     
     Blix pulls a long black flute from his quiver.  He
     takes a dried hornet from a black snail-shell with
     a hinged lid and slips it into his flute, aiming
     the instrument like a blowgun.
     
     His cheeks puff.  There is a soft PHUT of expelled
     breath.
     
28   EXT    CENTRE OF CLEARING    DAY                        28
     
     The poisoned hornet sails through the air and
     strikes the stallion on the haunch.
     
     Stung, the unicorn bolts across the clearing,
     disappearing into the undergrowth with the mare
     hard on his heels.
     
     The Princess stands confused and bewildered.
     
     Distant THUNDER disturbs the tranquillity.
     
     Jack is nowhere in sight.  Lili chases after him.
     
                        LILI
            Jack,....Oh, Jack.... It was so
            lovely....like a dream....
            
                        JACK (VO)
                        (furious)
            What you did is forbidden!
            
                        LILI
            Nothing is forbidden me!  Who says
            so?
28   EXT    CENTRE OF CLEARING    DAY (CONT)                 28
            
                        JACK
                        (not sure)
            It's known, Lili.  They're sacred
            animals!
            
                        LILI
            I don't care!
            
                        JACK
            You risk your immortal soul talking
            like that.
            
                        LILI
            And you sound just like my
            confessor.  I only wanted to touch
            one.... Oh, Jack, where's the harm
            in that....?  Don't be such a
            scold..... It was magic.... Thank
            you....
            
     The Princess takes Jack by the hand.
Revised 26 March 1984
     
29   EXT    FOREST (UNICORN HUNT)    DAY                     29
     
     The unicorns plunge through brambles and fern
     clumps.  Leaping a deadfall log, the stallion
     stumbles.
     
     He struggles to his feet and continues running.
     
     The three goblins gallop pell-mell in pursuit on
     their devilish steeds.  There is nothing comical
     about them now.
     
                        LILI (VO)
                        (reciting)
            Sweet William did a-hunting go,
            In the wood where faeries dwell.
            
30   DELETED

31   EXT    FOREST (UNICORN HUNT)    DAY                     31

     The stallion staggers, his gait increasingly
     unstable as the poison takes effect.
     
     The mare nuzzles his flank where the envenomed
     hornet struck.  It is a virulent wound, red and
     swollen.
     
     The war-like SHOUTING of the goblins grows ever
     closer.
     
     The unicorns pause at a fork in the trail.  The
     stallion motions with his head.  Sadly, the mare
     comprehends and flees down the divergent path to
     safety.
     
     The stallion stands his ground.  When the three
     goblin hunters gallop towards him, he turns and
     limps into the woods.

32   EXT    RING POND    DAY                                 32
     
     Jack and Lili sit atop a high promontory jutting
     over a crystalline pond.
     
                        LILI
                        (reciting)
            Came he at last to where bluebells
            grow,
            He heard them ring, 'tis true to
            tell.
            He lay him down and did not know
            The flower's sound was his own death
            knell.

Revised 26 March 1984
     
     Lili kisses Jack sweetly.  He doesn't respond.
            
                        LILI
                        (smiling)
            Are you afraid of my kiss?
            
                        JACK
            I'm afraid you'll break my heart.
            
                        LILI
            Then still your heart.... You are
            dear to me as life itself.
            
                        JACK
            Only because I amuse you....
            
                        LILI
            That's not true....!  I do love you,
            Jack.  You must believe me!
            
                        JACK
            You....love me?  No good can come
            from it.  I am only a Green
            Man....no name....nothing to bring
            you.
            
     The Princess pulls her golden ring on and off her
     finger.
     
                        LILI
            What does it matter.  I don't care
            about any of that.
            
                        JACK
            But, it does matter....!  If not
            now....some day.  What about when
            the time comes for you to marry?
            
                        LILI
            I want to marry you.
            
                        JACK
            That's impossible!
            
                        LILI
            Not if it's what you really want,
            Jack.
            
     Lili shows Jack her ring.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            Don't you wish this was our wedding
            ring?
            
                        JACK
            What if I say yes....?  Will my wish
            come true?
Revised 26 March 1984
     
            
                        LILI
            It is my right as a princess to set
            a challenge for my suitors.
            
     Lili throws her ring high over their heads.  It
     glitters through the air, tumbling over and over
     in the long drop to the pond.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            I will marry whoever finds this
            ring.
            
     The ring splashes into the centre of the pond.
     Jack strips off his leafy cloak and dives headlong
     from the cliff.
     
33   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    DAY                       33
     
     Sweat-streaked, the unicorn staggers out of the
     trees onto a sweeping green meadow brilliant with
     pink blossoms.  Froth bubbles on his nostrils.
     His wide azure eyes betray his panic.
     
     The goblins ride onto the flower-bright meadow.
     They jump down from their mounts in a frenzy.
     
     The stallion stumbles forward, making a last
     futile effort to attack the goblins.  Limbs
     leaden, head hanging, the noble animal settles
     against a sapling and slides to the ground.
     
     Thunder RUMBLES overhead.  A wild wind whips the
     pink blossoms into the air.
     
34   EXT    UNDERWATER RING POND    DAY                      34
     
     The golden ring drifts down, tumbling in a lazy
     spiral.
     
     Jack's pale form stabs through the crystal water.
     The distant glint of the sinking ring lures him
     on.
     
     The ring settles into the mud on the bottom,
     concealed by waving weeds.
     
     Jack searches blindly as clouds of silt billow
     about him.
     
     The three goblins advance towards the fallen
     unicorn through a pink blizzard of wind-blown
     blossoms.
Revised 26 March 1984
     
35A  EXT    SKY    DAY                                       35A

     The black clouds boil and CRASH, thunderheads
     mounting one upon another in a dark maelstrom.
     
36   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    DAY                       36
     
     The goblins stand around the fallen unicorn.
     Blunder turns away as Pox seizes the end of the
     alicorn, lifting it off the ground.  Blix swings
     an evil battle-axe high up over his head.
     
     Jagged lightning splits the raging darkness as the
     black blade falls.
     
     Blix waves the severed alicorn in triumph.
     
     The whirling pink petals turn instantly into white
     snowflakes.
     
37   EXT    RING POND    DAY                                 37
     
     Apocalyptic winds SCREAM through the forest.
     Lightning FLASHES.
     
     The world is plunged into winter darkness.
     
     Lili clings to a tree trunk.
     
                        LILI
                        (in desperation)
            Jack!  Help me!
            
     The Princess can't maintain her grip.  The icy
     blast knocks her to the ground and she crawls to
     the cliff edge.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
                        (screaming)
            Jack!
            
     To her horror, Lili sees a skin of ice form over
     the surface of the pond.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
                        (sobbing)
            Oh, dear God.... Jack....no....
            
     Fighting the raging wind, Lili stumbles to the
     pond and pounds on the ice in frustration.  It is
     no use.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            ....got to get help!
            
     Frantically, Lili runs off into the storm-whipped
     woods.
     
38   EXT    UNDERWATER RING POND                             38
     
     Jack turns and looks up at the dark surface.  He
     strokes upwards, only to bump his head into
     something solid at the top.  The pond is covered
     by a sheet of ice!
Revised 25 March 1984
     
39   EXT    RING POND    DAY                                 39
     
     Jack's contorted face is seen through the ice.
     
     He breaks the frozen surface with his fist and his
     gasping head thrusts into the air.
                        JACK
                        (shouting)
            Lili....!
            
     His words are lost on the wind.
            
40   EXT    COTTAGE MEADOW    DAY                            40

     Winter shrouds the tiny homestead.  Immobile
     goats, chickens and ducks stand silent as snow
     statues in the farmyard.
     
     Lili runs from the frozen forest and stumbles up
     the cottage steps.
     
41   INT    COTTAGE (FROZEN)    DAY                          41
     
     The Princess barges in, wild-eyed and distraught.
     
     Frost rimes the walls and furnishings.  Everything
     glistens like sugar candy.  The Woodcarver and his
     wife are frozen solid.
     
                        LILI
            Nell....!  Arthur....!
            
     Lili touches the wife's gelid cheek.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            Nell....?  Oh, nooooo!
            
     Lili is shocked to discover the wife is frozen.
     
     The Princess throws herself sobbing across the
     bed.
     
     SOUNDS of SNORTING and SHOUTING come from outside.
     
     Lili scratches the frost off the window pane is
     the sleeping alcove.
     
42   LILI'S POV : THROUGH WINDOW                             42
     
     The noisy goblins ride up through the storm on
     their devil mounts.  Blix has the alicorn tucked
     under his arm.  They dismount and head for the
     cottage.
     
43   INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                   43
     
     Terrified, Lili runs wildly across the cottage and
     climbs the ladder to the loft.
Revised 25 March 1984

43A  INT    COTTAGE LOFT    DAY                              43A
     
     Barrels and chests are stored here.  Lili hides in
     a corner.  She wraps herself in an old quilt
     snatched from an open trunk.
     
     Snow blows in through a hold in the roof, covering
     the floor timbers.  Three-inch gaps between the
     planks permit a view into the cottage interior.
     
43B  LILI'S POV : BETWEEN PLANKS                             43B
     
     The front door slams open and the goblins stumble
     laughing inside.
     
                        BLIX
            Mortal world turned to ice,
            Here be goblins' paradise!
            
43C  INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                   43C

     Blunder sinks his hand-axe into the kitchen table
     as he saunters past the frozen tarts.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Lots to eat!  Plenty much to take!
            
     Pox runs forward to the cradle and seizes the
     frozen baby, baring his tusks for the feast.
            
                        POX
            I s-s-simply adore m-m-milk fed
            meat!
            
                        BLUNDER
            What're you....?  Some kinda animal?
            
     Horrified, Lili GASPS (OS) in the loft.
     
     The goblins cock their ears to listen.  Pox SNARLS
     and drops the baby back into the cradle.
     
     Blix accidentally points the alicorn at the frozen
     stewpot on the hearth.  It begins to steam and
     bubble, magically boiling without a fire
     underneath.
     
     Blunder starts up the ladder to the loft, but
     changes his mind halfway, more interested in what
     Blix is doing.
     
                        BLIX
            Why eat cold?  It's better hot!
     
                        POX
            Am-m-mazing!  How did you d-d-do
            that, old
            ch-ch-chap?
Revised 25 March 1984

            
     Blix is equally surprised by the alicorn's power
     but acts as if he was in control the entire time.
     
                        BLIX (CONT)
            Easy.... Nothing to it....
            
     Blix isn't so sure and points the alicorn
     experimentally at a basket full of eggs.
     
     The eggs immediately begin leaping up and down.
            
                        BLIX (CONT)
            Goblin omelette....
            
     Blunder and Pox SHRIEK with impish joy.
            
                        POX
            Nice....v-v-very n-n-nice!
            
     Blix aims the alicorn at the plates and crockery
     on the mantle and they all shatter.
            
                        BLIX
            One....two....three....!
            Instant debris....!
            
                        POX
            f-f-four....five....six....
            Hooray f-f-for Blix!
            
     Blix marches up the steps to the workshop and
     points the alicorn at a number of unfinished
     marionettes.
     
                        BLIX
            Dance....!
            
     The wooden puppets begin magically jiggling and
     leaping where they hang.
     
     Pox claps his hands in rapture.
            
                        POX
            Ad-d-dorable....!  I l-l-like it!

43C  INT    COTTAGE    DAY (CONT)                            43C
            
                        BLIX
                        (excited)
            I like it, too!
            
Revised 25 March 1984

43D  INT    LOFT (FROZEN)    DAY                             43D

     Lili watches the havoc through the gaps in the
     floor.
     
     Blix points the alicorn straight up.  Snow flies
     wildly around the crouching Princess.
     
     It is all the Princess can do to keep from
     screaming.
     
43E  INT    COTTAGE (FROZEN)    DAY                          43E
     
     As a grand finale, Blix points the alicorn at
     Nell's frozen figure, blowing her skirts above her
     waist.
            
                        POX
                        (languidly)
            M-m-most amusing, Blix....most
            terribly amusing.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Lucky day.  Kill ugly one-horn dead
            as a cowplop on a birthday cake!
            
                        BLIX
            Prattle, prattle like a priest!
                        (pointing to himself)
            It was me who shoot the beast!
            
                        POX
            W-w-wouldn't have had a shot without
            the
            p-p-princess for bait....  B-b-
            beauty brought the b-b-beast to bay.
            
                        BLUNDER
            She's so sweet....eat her brains
            like jam!
            
43F  INT    LOFT (FROZEN)    DAY                             43F

     Lili slumps against the wall, aghast at what she's
     just overheard.
            
Revised 25 March 1984

43G  INT    COTTAGE    DAY                                   43G

     Blunder and Pox fill a sack with frozen tarts.
            
                        POX
            I'd like to suck her b-b-bones!
            
     Blix points the alicorn at the cottage door.  It
     flies open with a CRASH.
            
                        BLIX
            Better hurry!  The Lord of Darkness
            awaits us....
            
     Blix marches out of the door.  The other two
     goblins follow, dragging their sack of tarts.
     
     Blunder and Pox leave, slamming the door behind
     them.
     
     After a long pause, Lili creeps sobbing down the
     ladder from the loft.
            
                        LILI
            Oh, God....   God....
            
     The Princess stumbles across the cottage towards
     Nell.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            What have I done....?  I didn't want
            the unicorn to die.... All I did was
            touch it....
            
     Lili pleads with the frozen wife, begging for her
     forgiveness.
Revised 6 June 1984

     The front door CRASHES loudly open.
     
     Little Blunder swaggers into the cottage.
     
     Lili covers her face with the quilt and holds
     herself rigid as if frozen.
     
     Blunder stalks to the kitchen table and pulls his
     axe free.  He does a double-take on spotting the
     Princess.  The tiny goblin can't remember if he
     saw her earlier or not.
     
     He pokes her a lifts her skirt to peek at her
     legs.  He is stopped short by Blix's angry CRY
     outside:
     
                        BLIX (OS)
            Blunder!  Hurry!  Can't be late!
            
     Blunder hurries to the door.
     
     Lili relaxes when she hears it SLAM.
            
                        LILI
            Thank God....
     
     The Princess looks straight into Nell's glittering
     eye.
            
                        LILI
                        (desperately)
            I'll make it right somehow.... I
            swear it, Nell....!  I Don't care
            what happens to me....I'll follow
            those goblins to the end of time if
            I have to.
            
     Lili kisses Nell's frozen cheek and rushes out of
     the cottage.
            
43H-43Q  DELETED

43R  EXT    FOREST    DAY                                    43R

     Lili runs through the icy woods following the
     goblins' tracks in the snow.
            
44   DELETED

45   DELETED : TRANSPOSED TO 46D

Revised 1 May 1984

46   EXT    FAERIE CIRCLE    NIGHT                           46

     A campfire blazes.  Jack sleeps shivering beside a
     tiny fire.
     
     Magic dazzling vapour trails stream through the
     air above his head.
     
     A tiny glowing LIGHT streaks out of the woods.  It
     circles around Jack.  The LIGHT touches the fire
     and it BLAZES up like a bonfire, waking Jack.
            
                        JACK
            What....?
            
46A  JACK'S POV : LIGHT                                      46A
            
     Jack stares at the radiant bubble hanging above
     him.  He sees a tiny woman-child with delicate
     dragonfly wings trapped inside.  This is LUNA.
            
                        JACK
            Who're you?
            
46B  EXT    FAERIE CIRCLE    NIGHT                           46B

     Luna ZOOMS off into the treetops.
     
     Jack grabs a flaming brand and jumps to his feet.

                        JACK (CONT)
            Who's there....?
            
     Watching him through the drifting smoke is GUMP,
     an elf no more than waist high.  Slightly built,
     he is near-naked in spite of the cold.  His face
     is that of a child, yet his eyes shine with a
     wisdom centuries old.
            
                        GUMP
                        (smiling mysteriously)
            Here you be a forest child and not
            know the Gump....
            
                        JACK
            Gump, is it?
            
                        GUMP
            Honeythorn Gump at your service....
            
     The tiny golden LIGHT streaks down and whirls
     around Jack's head.  He swats at her.
            
                        JACK
            Stop it....!  Go away....!
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP
            Does your blood run so cold, Jack.
            You'll be a corpse before your time.
            
     Luna flies off.
     
     The air is suddenly filled with frenzied CLICKS
     and SNAPS: stones tapping, sticks rubbing, logs
     being thumped, etc.
     
     All at once, numbers of green-glowing eyes stare
     at Jack from out of the shadows.
     
     Jack glances about, bewildered.
            
                        JACK
            I feel I must be dreaming....
            
                        GUMP
            If life is a dream, Jack, better you
            dread the waking.
            
     Jack is caught off guard: how does this tiny
     stranger know his name?
            
                        JACK
                        (frightened)
            How do you know my name?
            
                        GUMP
            How does a spawning salmon find his
            way from the cold, black depths of
            the mysterious sea....?  I know
            everything, Jack!
            
                        JACK
            Then tell me why this has happened?
            Why is it winter now?
            
                        GUMP
            I'd be a powerful wizard indeed
            could I answer....
                        (shrewdly)
            Suppose you tell me, Jack.
            
     Jack is uncomfortable.
            
                        JACK
            Me?
            
                        GUMP
            You know these woods as well as any
            elf....  Did you not see something
            odd today?  Any strange spirits?
            Did nothing untoward happen?
            
                        JACK
            No....well....  I took Lili to see
            the unicorns....
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP
                        (furious)
            You did what?
            
     Numbers of elves and faeries appear out of the
     dark woods.  They come in all sizes, from sprites
     no larger than squirrels to plump hobmen as big as
     small children.
     
     BROWN TOM is a plump, tipsy leprechaun, draped
     with pots and pans like a tinker; SCREWBALL, a
     tiny pixie wearing an ill-fitting cap and garments
     tassled with flowers.
            
                        FAERIES
                        (whispering in chorus)
            What....?  Codfish and cockles....!
            Never....!  Pewterpots
            and....pumpkins....!  Poo-poo
            pudding....!  Doo-doo dumplings....!
            Shit-willy whatnot....!
            
                        GUMP
            Silence!
            
     The whispering stops.  All eyes are on Jack.  He
     writhes with guilt under their scrutiny.
            
                        JACK
                        (deeply ashamed)
            Oh God, she touched him....
            
     A GROAN rises from the crowd of faeries.  They are
     outraged.  Gump is maddest of all.  His eyes glow.
     He trembles with banshee fury.
            
                        GUMP
            Touched it!  A mortal laid hands on
            a unicorn?
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Bad....terrible bad!
            
                        JACK
            We meant no wrong.
            
                        GUMP
                        (screaming with wrath)
            Squawk!  Squawk!  No more talk....
            Do you think you can upset the order
            of the universe and not pay the
            price?
            
     Brown Tom produces ancient bagpipes, Screwball a
     tambourine.  The other wee folk tune up an
     incredible variety of oddly-shaped instruments,
     seashell trumpets, acorn cellos, gossets,
     serpentines, blossom-bell horns, bone flutes, all
     manner of drums and rattles.
Revised 1 May 1984
     
     A wild and haunting overture begins.  The rhythm
     is compulsive.
     
     Jack cannot control his body.  His feet move
     against his will.
            
                        JACK
                        (frantic)
            No!
            
     Gump leers demonically.
            
                        GUMP
            Time to dance, Jack!
            
     Playing his fiddle, Gump is possessed, demonic.
     
     Screwball beats on a log with a pair of shin
     bones.  The faerie orchestra breaks into an other-
     world melody.
     
     Jack leaps and jumps like a zombie.
     
                        JACK
            No....!  Please....!
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (chanting)
            Round and round and round and round,
            Before you're lost, you must be
            found.
            
     The tempo increases.  The musicians leap and
     cavort.
     
     Jack twists and capers, dancing against his will.
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (chanting)
            In and out and up and down,
            Behind each smile there lurks a
            frown.
            
     Gump leaps wildly, fiddling like a demon.  Jack is
     a prisoner of the frenzied music.
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (chanting)
            Spin and spin and spin and spin,
            To learn to lose you first must win.
            
     Gump hops into the fire, dancing and playing as
     sparks leap about him.
     
     The music grows wilder.
     
     Jack will never survive.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (chanting)
            Twist and reel and toe and heel,
            The end to pain is to learn to feel!
            
     Jack's face is a mask of agony.  With a supreme
     effort. he hurls himself onto the ground, his body
     jerking spasmodically to the music.
            
                        JACK
                        (screaming)
            Enough!
            
     The faerie orchestra falters, their tempo broken.
            
                        GUMP
                        (angry)
            Is the music not to your liking?
            
            I....won't....go....on....  Take my
            life, if you must....
                        (boldly)
            I did it for love!  And I'd do it
            again!
     
     Gump stares at Jack.  A tender expression softens
     his flinty eyes.
            
                        GUMP
            Hmmmm.... Love, you say....?  Love
            is another story....  Answer me this
            riddle and all is forgiven.
            
                        JACK
            And if I cannot?
            
                        GUMP
            Why, Jack....then 'tis your death
            song I'll be playing.
            
                        JACK
            Ask away, and pray God my answer
            pleases you.
            
                        GUMP
            What is a bell that does not ring,
            Yet, its knell makes the angels
            sing?
            
     Gump laughs, knowing Jack can't solve the riddle.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        JACK
            The flower.  Bluebells.  To hear
            them ringing means your life is at
            an end.
            
     Gump hurls his violin to the ground and stomps on
     it.
            
                        GUMP
            Damnation!  Codfish and cockles!
            Gammon and trotters!
            
     Screwball and Brown Tom run for cover as Gump
     explodes in an insane frenzy.  He throws himself
     on the ground, kicking and SCREAMING.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Rabbit noodles....!  Schweinhundt
            saukraut mit schlagober....!  Piddle-
            puddles und ka-ka crumpets....!
            Piss pots and thunder mugs!  Demkopf
            doo-doo brain riddle-widdler!
            
     Abruptly, Gump stands and dusts himself off as if
     nothing had happened.  He smiles at Jack and holds
     out his tiny hand.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            You bested me, Jack....  Bested
            me....bested me....
            
                        JACK
                        (modestly)
            A riddle without an answer is like
            an empty cup when you're thirsty for
            wine.
            
                        GUMP
            Well spoke!  And if it's wine you
            want, it's wine we shall have.
            
     Gump claps his hands and four tiny glasses
     magically APPEAR, floating in the air before them.
     
     Another clap and Brown Tom's hat POPS off his
     head, revealing a wine bottle balanced underneath.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            A small measure of entertainment at
            best.
            
     Gump snaps his fingers and the wine bottle floats
     off Brown Tom's head, pausing in mid-air to fill
     each bobbing glass.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Elderberry wine....no finer drink
            under heaven.
            
     Each one takes a glass, Gump raises his in a
     toast.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Here's to Jack....riddle-
            solver....dancing fool, and faerie
            friend....
            
     They all clink glasses.  Jack regards his with
     suspicion.
            
                        JACK
            I'm honoured, Gump....but no more
            tricks!
            
                        GUMP
                        (to the others)
            Here be precious summertime frozen
            into a winter memory and the blamed
            fool won't drink faerie wine for
            fear of enchantment.
            
     They all drink, Jack with some reluctance.  The
     faeries enjoy the wine.  Jack gags, as if he's
     swallowed fire.
            
                        JACK
            ....don't you care what's happened?
            
                        GUMP
            Course we care....  What good's the
            world locked in a season of death?
            No folks to scare on a summer's
            night....
            
                        BROWN TOM
            No babies to tickle....
            
                        SCREWBALL
            No lovers to tease....
            
                        GUMP
            No more spells to cast....  Does
            that sound like an enjoyable
            prospect?
            
                        JACK
            We must find the answer!
Revised 6 June 1984
            
                        GUMP
            That we must.  But first, we better
            see that no harm's come to the
            unicorns.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I sadly fear the worst....
            
     Gump claps his hands and everyone is magically
     holding luminous flower lanterns.
            
46C-46D   DELETED

47   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    NIGHT                     47

     The faerie procession moves out of the woods onto
     the frozen meadow.
            
                        FAERIES
                        (singing together)
            What can you do when there's
            Nothing to be done?
            Sing a little song
            And have fun, fun, fun....
            
     The Silhouette of the ice-glazed unicorn is
     glimpsed in the glow of the faerie lanterns.  The
     mare stands guard
     
     Led by Jack, the faeries run towards the recumbent
     stallion.
     
            
     Gump stoops and picks up an arrow dropped by the
     goblins.
            
                        GUMP
                        (studying arrow)
            This is goblin's work....
Revised 6 June 1984
            
     Suddenly the mare charges.  Gump runs for cover.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Run, Jack!
            
     Hiding behind logs and roots, the faeries watch
     from a safe distance.
     
     The alicorn is aimed straight at Jack's throat.
     After a tense moment, the mare relaxes and Jack
     speaks to her in a soft, musical language.
     
                        Screwball
            What's he saying?  What's it mean?
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (shrugging)
            Search me....  I speak some rabbit,
            but unicorn is Greek to me!
            
     Followed by the mare, Jack walks to the faeries
     hiding place.
            
                        GUMP
            Come on Jack, don't keep us in the
            dark.
            
                        JACK
            Dark is where we'll stay, Gump.
            We're cursed.
47   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    NIGHT (CONT)              47
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Is there naught we can do?
            
                        JACK
            Yes....We must get the alicorn back.
            Only then will the stallion come
            back to life and the world return to
            normal.  We're to find a
            champion....bold of heart and pure
            in spirit.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            What champion?  Every mortal who can
            swing a sword is frozen still as an
            icicle!
            
                        GUMP
            Don't give up so quick.
                        (feeling Jack's arm)
            You sure you're a mortal?
            
                        JACK
                        (indignant)
            Course I am!
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        BROWN TOM
            How is it you be so fluent in
            unicorn?
            
                        JACK
                        (never thought of it
            before)
            Well....I....grew up in the
            woods....  All the animals are my
            friends....
            
                        GUMP
            You'll do!  We best see about some
            weapons....  Bring the mare....
            
                        JACK
            She won't come.  She's standing
            vigil.  No way she'll leave her
            mate's side.
            
                        GUMP
            Hmmmm....  Brown Tom!  Stay here
            with the unicorn and guard her well.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Like me own life!
            
                        GUMP
            Better!  She's the last of her kind.
            
                        JACK
            I don't know anything about weapons.
            
                        GUMP
            You'll learn....  I know where to
            find the best....
                        (pulling a kerchief
            from his
                         belt)
            But, you'll have to wear a
            blindfold.
            
                        JACK
                        (grinning)
            Don't you trust me, Gump?
            
     Gump ties the kerchief around Jack's eyes and
     leads him into the woods.
            
Revised 1 May 1984

48   INT    GREAT TREE    NIGHT                              48

[in the script this was called 48A, but no 48 exists at
all and this is clearly changed from the old 48.  The A
must have been an error -Geoff]
            
     Princess Lili crawls into view at the opening high
     in the trunk of the hollow tree.  She stares down
     at the goblins below.
     
     Pox and Blunder cook frogs and rats over a small
     fire.
     
     Blix sits alone.  The alicorn floats magically in
     the air above his hand.
            
                        BLIX
                        (musing)
            Here's my big chance....
            Opportunity never knocks twice....
            Magic horn is mine, mine....mine!
            Now, all creatures will love the
            night and worship goblins as
            divine....
            
                        BLUNDER
            You shouldn't talk like that,
            Blix....
            
                        BLIX
            Why not?  I've got the power now!
            
                        BLUNDER
            Oh-oh!  Plenty big talk....
            
                        BLIX
            Not even Darkness lasts forever!
            
     Blix snatches the alicorn out of the air and aims
     it at Blunder, causing a burst of fire to erupt
     beneath the tiny helmeted goblin.
     
     Blunder yelps and runs off, clutching his flaming
     backside.
     
     Blix and Pox ROAR with laughter.
            
                        POX
            M-m-m-most amusing....
            
     Blix points the alicorn at the lantern.  It
     instantly EXPLODES, sending a fountain of fire
     into the night sky.
            
                        BLIX
            Higher....higher....
            Burning fire!
            Making music like a choir!
            
     Power has gone completely to Blix's head.
            
                        POX
            S-s-seems a pity to waste such
            power....
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        BLIX
                        (furious)
            Waste!  I waste you....
            
     Blix points the alicorn at Pox, who backs away
     defensively.
            
                        BLIX (CONT)
            Turn you into pork chops....or
            savory sausage....
            
     Unbeknownst to the goblins, a demonic form emerges
     within the column of flame.  It is the leering
     face of Darkness!
            
                        POX
            Why not t-t-turn everything into
            garbage....?  T-t-towering mountain
            of slop....  Doesn't that sound
            splendid?
            
     Blunder cautiously rejoins the group, his trousers
     smouldering.
            
                        BLUNDER
                        (over-eager)
            Hog heaven!
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (behind them)
            Fools...!
            
     The three unsuspecting goblins look up and see
     their Lord flaming above them.
     
     High above them, Princess Lili observes
     everything.
     
     Blix tosses the alicorn into the air.  Blunder
     unwittingly catches it.
            
                        BLIX
            Greetings, Worship....
            
                        POX
            W-w-welcome, Great Lord....
            D-d-darkest of the....
            
                        DARKNESS
            Your devotion disgusts
            me....insignificant strands of toad
            slobber!
            
     Blix and Pox drop groveling to their knees,
     covering their heads with leaves and dirt.
     
     Blunder can't control himself.  He rushes forward
     and points the alicorn up at Darkness.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        BLUNDER
            Hear me, you angels of light!  Your
            reign is over!  A new order begins!
            I hold the power....
            
                        DARKNESS
            Enough!
            
     Suddenly, with the pure clarity of a BELL CHIME, a
     shaft of daylight stabs through a hole in the
     hollow tree trunk.
     
     The glow of dawn tinges the ground and casts its
     luminence over Darkness and the goblins.
     
     Darkness cringes in terrible pain.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
                        (writhing)
            What is this....?
            
     Beams of sunlight advance down the inside of the
     tree trunk.
     
     Darkness recoils, wrapping his flaming cloak about
     him.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            The unicorn is dead....Is this not
            true?
            
     Blix and Pox exchange guilty looks.
            
                        BLIX
            True, Lord....
            
                        POX
            Undeniably t-t-true!
            
     Darkness is on to them.  He points with the
     alicorn.
            
                        DARKNESS
            You lie!  Here is dawn!
            
                        POX
            Well....almost t-t-true....ess-s-s-
            entially true....
            
                        BLIX
            That stallion is dead, dead as
            dreams, dead as legend....
            
                        DARKNESS
            OUT WITH IT!
            
     Sunlight is halfway to the ground.  Darkness
     shrinks shriveling like a dying ember.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        POX
            The m-m-mare still lives....
            
                        DARKNESS
            If even one unicorn walks the earth,
            my power is not complete....
            
                        BLIX
            Just a female....  She has no
            power....
            
     The ground grows very light.  Darkness melts into
     the campfire.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Only the power of creation....?  Get
            the female....  I command you!
            
     Sunlight strikes the ground.  Darkness is gone!
     His arm holding the alicorn aloft above the fire
     is the last to disappear.
     
     Lili backs silently into the shadows surrounding
     the Great Tree.
            
49 & 50  DELETED
51A  EXT    ENTRANCE TO TOMB    DAY                          51A

     Gump lead Jack to the carved wooden entrance to an
     ancient tomb.  Jack pulls off his blindfold in
     time to see Gump insert his finger like a key into
     the lock and open it.
            
                        JACK
            So....we've turned graverobber....
            
                        GUMP
            What can you steal from a man who's
            already lost his life?
            
     Jack fingers his purloined cloak with lingering
     guilt.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            I can't go with you, Jack....  Luna
            will guide the way....
            
     Luna flies inside.  Jack makes his decision and
     follows her into the tomb.
            
51B  INT    ANCIENT TOMB    DAY                              51B

     Tree roots twist down like dead men's fingers and
     clutch the ancient rune stones lodged in the
     earthen walls.  The  floor is heaped with gems and
     treasures.
     
     Jack follows Luna's glowing LIGHT in wonderment.
     
     At the far end of the tumulus, Jack comes upon an
     astonishing sight.  Lying on a golden dais is the
     corpse of a beautiful knight.  His features are as
     fine as alabaster.  Clad in gold mail, his
     bejeweled sword lies on his chest under his folded
     arms.
     
     Jack is stunned.  He looks for a long time and
     makes a second decision, starting back up the
     tunnel.
     
     There is a bright burst of LIGHT and Luna
     materializes as a child-sized woman with gossamer
     wings.
     
                        LUNA
            Jack, wait....!
            
                        JACK
                        (astonished)
            What!  How'd you do that?
            
                        LUNA
            It's a secret....  Don't tell
            Gump....
            
                        JACK
            There's lots I'd like to tell
            Gump....
            
                        LUNA
            You've got to do it, Jack!  You're
            our only hope!
            
                        JACK
            This can't be right!
            
                        LUNA
            Isn't the world more important?
Revised 1 May 1984
     
     Jack can't answer this.  He stares back at the
     sleeping warrior.
            
                        LUNA (CONT)
            Behold the champion....
            
     Luna transforms back to a tiny dot of light.
     
     Jack hesitates, then enters the burial chamber and
     takes hold of the golden sword.
     
52
-    DELETED
57

58   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    DAY                       58

     A small cooking fire flickers under blackened pots
     and an iron skillet.  Brown Tom nervously stuffs a
     teapot with dried herbs.  Wolves HOWL in the
     distance.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Colt's foot and sassafras....  Maybe
            a spot of spearmint....  St. John's
            Wort's not bad....and a little
            foxglove.
     
     Lili hurries up out of the woods.
     
                        LILI
            I'm Princess Lili....  I....
            
                        BROWN TOM
            You!  You're the cause of all our
            sorry!
            
                        LILI
            I want to make it right....  I
            followed the goblins!  Darkness sent
            them back to hunt the mare.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Good lass!  You're a plucky little
            partridge at that.
            
                        LILI
            We can't stay here!  It's not safe!
            
59   DELETED

60   EXT    UNICORN    DAY                                   60

     Brown Tom looks past Lili.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Too late....!
            
     They are surrounded by goblins.
     
     Pox and Blix aim their wicked barbed arrows
     straight at the hearts of Lili and Brown Tom.
     
     Brown Tom swings the iron skillet back over his
     head in a warrior's stance.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            If you imps're looking for a fight,
            ye've come to the chap who'll oblige
            ye.
            
                        BLIX/POX
            Kill....!  K-k-kill....!  Kill....!
            
     Blix and Pox loose their arrows, renocking the
     bows with incredible speed.
     
     Brown Tom moves like lightning, using the skillet
     as a shield to deflect the arrows raining about
     him.
     
     Lili stands in front of the mare, striving to
     protect the unicorn's body with her own.
     
     Brown Tom leaps acrobatically about with the
     skillet.  A fusillade of arrows CLANGS OFF its
     iron surface.
     
     A lucky shot pierces Brown Tom's hat.  Dark red
     liquid streams down his face.  His eyes roll up in
     mortal terror.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Dick-o-Tuesday's duck!  They've done
            for me!
            
     Brown Tom staggers in a dramatic half-circle,
     toppling straight over backwards, stiff as a
     board.
     
     The mare unicorn rears WHINNYING on her hind-
     quarters, as a goblin lassoes her neck.
     
     The goblin hunters advance.  Blix spreads a heavy
     net wide.
     
     The black shadow of the net falls across Lili and
     the unicorn like an evil spider web.
     
61   DELETED
Revised 1 May 1984
            

62   EXT    UNICORN DEATH ARENA    DAY                       62

     Brown Tom lies flat on his back as Jack and the
     faeries emerge from the woods.  Jack wears the
     sword and golden armour from the tomb.
     
     Gump rushes to his fallen friend, lifting him in
     his arms.
            
                        GUMP
            Brown Tom....?  You can't be
            dead....!  Oh, this is
            terrible....terrible!
     
     Brown Tom opens his eyes and looks feebly about.
     
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (in a daze)
            Why, Gump....they kill you, too?
            
                        GUMP
            Course they didn't!  What in blazes
            are you talking about?
            
     Brown Tom rolls his eyes up at the arrow piercing
     his hat.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Goblins shot me through the brain
            pan.
            
     Gump yanks off Brown Tom's hat.  Bits of broken
     wine bottle tumble out.  Gump regards his friend
     with scorn.
Revised 26 March 1984
            
                        GUMP
            Your brains are one spot an arrow'd
            do no harm!
            
                        JACK
            Where's the unicorn?
            
     Sheepishly, Brown Tom pulls the arrow from his
     hat.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            I'm afeered the goblins took her.
            Did me best to fight them off, but
            they swarmed up by the hundreds....
            Horrid creatures, they were.  The
            Princess warned me, but....
            
                        JACK
            Lili?
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Aye.
            
                        JACK
                        (overjoyed)
            She's alive!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            She was living still when they
            killed me.
            
                        GUMP
            We'll follow their tracks in the
            snow.  Foul weather's on our side
            for a change.
            
62A  EXT    FOREST    DAY                                    62A
            
     Jack and the faeries march through the woods
     holding lanterns, into the teeth of a driving
     blizzard.
            
63   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                63
            
     Blix and Pox kneel nervously before the Throne of
     Darkness.  A huge fire blazes in the hearth.
     
     We hear Darkness speak, but see only his bat-
     winged shadow spread like an inky cloak across the
     two kneeling goblins.
Revised 26 March 1984
            
                        DARKNESS
            Where is she?
            
                        BLIX
            In the dungeon like a treasure,
            Awaiting your darkest pleasure.
            
                        POX
            There's m-m-more, Sire....
            
                        BLIX
            We present with all due
            deference....
            This thing you once called
            innocence.
            
                        DARKNESS (OS)
            Innocence....?
            
     Darkness stares into the fire.
     
     As Darkness grips the arm of his throne, his
     fingers start to melt, dripping to the dank stone
     floor.
            
64   INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   64
            
     Darkness bleeds through the groin vault ceiling,
     spreading like a stain across the curving stones.
     
     Below, the unicorn is locked in a steel halter, a
     woven steel cable binding her to an iron windlass.
64   INT    DUNGEON    DAY (CONT)                            64
     
     The Princess paces the dark and dripping cell.
     Her dress is in tatters, her hair tangled.  There
     is something wild and free about her now, and yet
     she has never appeared more alluring.
     
     The melting shadow of Darkness drips from the
     ceiling, forming a small demonic shape as it
     falls.
     
     We hear the BEATING of Darkness' heart in time
     with each evil drip.  The sound grows LOUDER and
     LOUDER until the echo reverberates within the
     vaulted chamber.
     
     Lili is terrified.  She looks frantically around
     as the pulsing rhythm continues.  The Princess
     sees nothing and hugs the unicorn's neck for
     comfort.
     
64A  DELETED

65   EXT    HILL ABOVE GREAT TREE BOG    DAY                 65
            
     Jack and the faeries stare out at the tree-crowned
     ruin and surrounding bog.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP
            When evil anarchy ruled the land the
            wicked came here to sacrifice.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            It's ugly!  I hate it!
            
                        GUMP
            Good!  You go first....
            
                        SCREWBALL
            All the time me.  Same old story.
            
65A - 65B   DELETED

65C  EXT    BOG    DAY                                       65C
            
     Screwball climbs up onto a floating lily pad.
     
     An undulating V-shaped wake moves through the
     water alongside as they step from lily pad to lily
     pad and clamber onto a long, twisting root.
     
     Without warning, an emaciated green arm shoots out
     of the water and grabs Screwball.  He is gone
     under the surface with a scream.
     
                        BROWN TOM
            Screwball!
            
     Jack grips the hilt of his sword and rushes to the
     spot where Screwball disappeared.
     
     Meg Mucklebones rises out of the bog behind him.
     She tosses Screwball aside and hauls Jack into her
     cadaverous embrace.
            
                        MEG
            Foul-tasting faerie....!  Come to
            Meg, juicy boy!
            
                        JACK
            You don't mean to eat me, ma'am?
            
                        MEG
            Oh, indeed I do....
            
                        JACK
            That would be a shame.  Someone so
            lovely deserves far better than
            scrawny little me....
            
     The flattery gives Hairy Meg pause.  She simply
     can't resist it.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        MEG
            Hmmmm....think me fair, do you,
            Jack?
            
                        JACK
            All the heavenly angels must envy
            you.
            
                        MEG
            Oooo....  What a fine meal you'll
            make, be the rest of you as sweet as
            your tongue.  I've had naught but
            muskrat and snakes all this
            month....
            
                        JACK
            But....don't you like my words?
            
                        MEG
            Words won't fill an empty
            stomach....
            
     Jack glances at the shield hanging over his
     shoulder.
            
                        JACK
            Then fill your soul with loveliness.
            Feast on the beauty of your
            reflection.
            
     Meg Mucklebones takes Jack's shield, partially
     releasing him from her clammy clutches.
            
                        MEG
            What a splendid idea....  Clever
            boy!
            
     Hanging onto Jack with one hand, Hairy Meg bends
     over the shield.
            
                        JACK
            Your alchemy makes rusted steel
            shine like silver.
            
     Meg primps and preens; an obscene parody of a
     pretty maiden at her vanity table.
     
     While Meg is preoccupied with her grotesque
     reflection.  Jack silently draws this sword.  Meg
     doesn't notice a thing.
            
                        MEG
            Such discerning taste for one so
            young....
            
     Meg turns to face him with a fearful pucker of her
     tattered lips.
            
                        MEG (CONT)
            Come....give us a kiss before
            dining.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP
                        (Shouting)
            Give her the kiss of cold steel,
            Jack!
            
     Jack swings blindly with his eyes closed.  It is a
     lucky stroke.  Meg Mucklebones' head flies from
     her shoulders.
            
                        JACK
                        (astonished)
            I did it!
            
     The decapitated hag sinks back beneath the scummy
     surface.
            
                        GUMP
            Like a champion, Jack.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            On to victory!
            
65D  INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                65D
            
     A huge fire blazes in the gaping hearth.  Darkness
     stands before it, almost a shadow in his midnight
     cloak.
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (anguished)
            What's wrong with me, Father....?
            It has been an eternity since I felt
            desire....
            
     A VOICE IN THE FIRE answers Darkness; majestic and
     sepulchral.  The flames billow out as it speaks.
            
                        VOICE
            You hold the world in your
            grasp....yet your victory is
            meaningless!
            
                        DARKNESS
            Meaningless?
            
                        VOICE
            What do you gain from it?  What
            pleasure comes from ruling imps and
            goblins....?  Souls already
            black....  Innocence fascinates you
            because her soul is pure....
            
                        DARKNESS
            I'll take her then!
            
                        VOICE
            Rape is too easy....  She remembers
            the world as it was.  When she loves
            your new order, then you will
            triumph!  So....woo her....win
            her....break her spirit....!

Revised 1 May 1984
            
65E  EXT    GREAT TREE    DAY                                65E
            
     Jack and the faeries step ashore on the island.
     Gump makes a mystical sign with his hands.
            
                        JACK
            What's that?
            
                        GUMP
            For our protection, Jack.  Remember,
            Darkness is a liar....a treacherous
            fiend!  Don't listen to him.  Never
            believe what you see....
            
66   INT    GREAT TREE    DAY                                66
     
     Jack and the faeries stare up at the massive horn
     embedded in the inner tree.
     
     Screwball starts to climb towards it.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Nice big trumpet....!  Bet it's
            loud....
     
     Gump hauls him back down by the seat of his pants.
            
                        GUMP
            Don't touch it!  Our lives are lost
            if it blows!
            
     Jack stands on a slanting rock.  The faeries join
     him and their combined weight causes the rock to
     pivot.
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (alarmed)
            Newt-fingered marmalade!
            
     They all plummet SCREAMING into empty space.  Luna
     circles, a dot of light above the bottomless pit.
            
                        LUNA
                        (wee voice)
            Oh, dear....  Oh, dear....
            
     The tiny faerie whirls in a blur of indecision
     before streaking down into the dark opening after
     her falling friends.
            
66A-67  DELETED

68   INT    CAVE CHUTE DAY                                   68

     Like prisoners on a fairground helter-skelter,
     Jack and the faeries spin down a seemingly endless
     curving chute.
     
     They hurtle through festooned cobwebs, stirring up
     smoky clouds of ancient dust.
     
Revised 1 May 1984

69   INT    CAGE AND ALCOVE    DAY                           69

     The end of the chute opens into an open cage.
     Jack and the faeries tumbles through onto a pile
     of straw.  Luna is right behind, bright as a
     firefly.
     
                        BROWN TOM
            Ouch!  Ow!
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Where are we?
            
     Gump stares woefully at the iron bars.
            
                        Gump
            Some place we don't want to be!
            
     A scuffling NOISE in the far side of the cage
     attracts their attention.  Blunder pops up from
     under a pile of straw, still wearing his helmet.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Shhhh!  You be fricasseed faeries if
            you don't shut up!
            
                        SCREWBALL
            And who be you, bucket-head?
            
                        BLUNDER
            Who I am won't help me none, nor you
            neither....
            
     Blunder  pulls off his helmet.  He is  Screwball's
     identical twin!
            
                        BLUNDER (CONT)
            ....even if you is my brother!
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (astonished)
            Blunder....!
            
                        BLUNDER
            Screwball....!
            
     They rush into each other's arms, embracing
     through the bars.
            
                        BLUNDER (CONT)
            Never expected a Buttercup family
            reunion in the kitchen of the Lord
            of Darkness....
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I knew it!  I knew it!  Should of
            stayed at home....
            
                        BLUNDER
            That's right, brother, me'n you is
            barbecue!
Revised 15 May 1984
            
                        JACK
            Only dead meat waits for the
            stewpot!  Spring the lock with your
            magic, Gump!
            
     Gump examines the huge padlock with a frown.  He
     puts his finger to the lock and it FLASHES.
     
                        GUMP
                        (wearily)
            Iron is sore trouble for elves.
            
     Jack stares at the wall which is covered in
     graffiti.
     
     Luna orbits around his head.
     
     Brown Tom wanders into the corner and finds a
     bottle of wine under the straw and sits there
     guzzling; slaps Blunder's hands away from the
     bottle through the bars.
     
     Screwball coughs.
     
     Gump gazes up at Jack.
            
                        GUMP
            You'll be the champion, Jack....
            
     Jack turns away from the wall to look at Gump and
     the others.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Jesus, Mary and Joseph....  May the
            well of wine never run dry....
            
                        GUMP
            SHHH!
            
     Screwball giggles.
     
     Jack smiles.
     
     The moment of relief is broken by....
Revised 15 May 1984
     
     The sounds of heavy footsteps approaching,
     accompanied by rough, tuneless SINGING.
     
                        COOL (OS)
            ....this li'l piggie went to
            market....
            anudder li'l piggie got eat....
            pig-meat pie, li'l piggie die....
            
                        BLUNDER
            Oh, no!  He's coming....!  Hide!
            Hide!  Hide!
            
     Blunder conceals himself under a pile of straw.  A
     deformed shadow is cast across the cage.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Blunder's got the right idea!
            
     Screwball hides in the straw.  Jack and the others
     immediately do the same.
     
     A fiendish COOK opens the cage door.  He is ten
     feet tall and unspeakably ugly.  He peers blindly
     inside, sniffing the air with his hideous nose.
            
                        COOK
            ....pig-pig-pig....
            
     The Cook gropes inside the cage and grabs Blunder.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Help....! Lemme go....!  Tunr me
            loose, you
            tub o' guts
     
     The COOK hauls Blunder out, kicking and screaming.
     Jack and the faeries peer out from under the
     straw.
     
                           BROWN TOM
            Blunder!
            
                        JACK
            We've got to help him....
            
     Jack takes hold of Screwball's new-found sword.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            My brother can take care of himself!
            
                        GUMP
            Screwball's right.  It's more
            important to find the unicorn!
            
                        JACK
                        (to Gump)
            Can't Luna fly out and find a key?
Revised 15 May 1984
     
            
                        GUMP
                        (shaking his head)
            She's much too small....could never
            lift it....
            
     Luna buzzes furiously.
            
                        JACK
                        (to Luna)
            Your secret will keep forever in the
            grave!
            
     There is a bright FLASH of faerie-light and Luna
     stands full-sized before them, her gossamer wings
     a-tremble.
            
                        LUNA
            You promised....!
            
                        GUMP
                        (outraged)
            Willful sprite!  How dare you keep
            such secrets?
            
                        LUNA
            They're mine to keep!  I'll do what
            you ask....if you kiss me, Jack.
            
                        JACK
            Easy enough.
            
     Jack kisses her chastely on the cheek.
     
                        LUNA
            Call that a kiss....?  Am I not
            sweet?
            
                        JACK
            Sweeter than bee pollen on a summer
            wind.
            
     Luna moves close to Jack.
            
                        LUNA
            Sweet is the wind that blows me to
            you....
            
     A soft cocoon of faerie LIGHT engulfs Luna.  She
     metamorphoses within it, emerging as Princess
     Lili.  Luna/Lili embraces Jack.  It is sweet and
     tempting.
            
                        JACK
                        (resisting)
            No....this isn't real....
            
     Screwball giggles and sniggers.
Revised 15 May 1984
     
            
                        LUNA/LILI
            Oh, but it is....  I'm warm and
            alive and happy to be in your arms.
            
     Jack is nearly enchanted, but he pushes away.
            
                        JACK
            I can't do it....!  This is faerie
            glamour!
            
     A brilliant aura of faerie LIGHT envelops
     Luna/Lili and she TRANSFORMS into her true winged
     form.
            
                        JACK (CONT)
            Human hearts don't work that way.
            
                        LUNA
            What care I for the human heart?
            Soft and spiritless as porridge!  A
            faerie's heart beats fierce and
            free.
            
     There is a furious pyrotechnic whirlwind and, in
     an instant, Luna returns to a tiny dot of LIGHT.
            
                        JACK
            Luna....?
            
     Without an answer, Luna flies out between the iron
     bars.
            
                        JACK (CONT)
            I....didn't mean to hurt her.
            
                        GUMP
                        (scornful)
            Your fine sensibilities have left us
            here to rot.
            
     Luna suddenly reappears, TRANSFORMED TO FULL-SIZE,
     she tiptoes into the alcove, her hands coyly
     behind her.
            
                        GUMP
            Luna....!
            
                        LUNA
                        (laughing)
            You look like mourners at your own
            funeral....
            
     Luna tosses a large iron key in through the bars
     to Gump.
Revised 15 May 1984
     
            
                        JACK
            My heart thanks you, Luna, for....
            
                        LUNA
                        (bitterly)
            You....!  You....mortal!  I could
            vex you!  Dance your life away!
            
     Instantly she reduces to a tiny dot of LIGHT.
            
                        GUMP
            Hurry, lads....
            
     Gump unlocks the barred door and they all clamber
     out.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Lemme out of this stink hole!
            
     In the alcove, the faeries are awed by the view of
     the distant kitchen.
            
69A  FAERIE'S POV:  KITCHEN                                  69A

     Huge ovens belch fire and smoke.  A vast hearth
     blazes.  Like the lower reaches of Hell, the Dark
     Lord's kitchen is a place where all hope is
     abandoned.
     
     The demon Cook struggles with Blunder by the
     chopping block.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Leggo, lard-belly....!
            
     Blunder wriggles from the Cook's grasp and runs
     off into the shadows.
            
                        COOK
            Hey piggie....where you go....?
            
69B  INT    ALCOVE    DAY                                    69B

                        BROWN TOM
            Terrible sight for a sober man to
            see....(hic)....
            
     Luna's light glows by a small passage at the
     bottom of the larder at the end of the alcove!
            
                        GUMP
            Over here!
            
     Jack and the fairies hurry out through the
     passage.
Revised 15 May 1984
     
70
-    DELETED
70A

71   INT    KITCHEN CORRIDOR    DAY                          71

     The faerie band gathers in the foul, dripping
     corridor.  Irregular torchlight casts a lurid glow
     across the broken stones.
     
                        GUMP
            We must find the dungeons.  Legend
            has it they house such sorrow that
            death is a gift....
            
     Screwball sits down defiantly.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Think I'll stay right here, thank
            you very much.
            
     Gump grabs hold of Screwball's ear and hauls him
     back up.
            
                        GUMP
            Not so fast!  You search with the
            rest of us!
            
     Screwball hugs Jack's leg.
Revised 1 May 1984
     
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I'm going with Jack!
            
                        GUMP
            No!  We split up.
            
     Screwball looks both ways, deciding which seems
     safest.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I'm going this way!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            I'm going that way!
            
     They both collide, falling flat on their rumps.
            
                        JACK
            Stop....!  Better to search in
            teams.  Gump and me, Brown Tom goes
            with Screwball.
            
     Gump hauls out his ornate mechanical timepiece.
            
                        GUMP
            Right!  Let's synchronize!  We meet
            back here in twice five hundred
            beats of a bluebirds heart.
            
     Brown Tom takes a similar timepiece from under his
     tunic and studies its intricate interior.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Better allow another couple dozen
            butterfly breaths.
            
     Jack and Gump run off along the corridor, followed
     by Luna's glowing LIGHT.  Screwball watches
     without moving.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Know what I want to know?
            
                        BROWN TOM
            What?
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Why me?
Revised 27 March 1984
     
72   INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   72

     The iron-studded dungeon doors swing magically
     open as Lili watches, her eyes aglow with animal
     fire.  She crouches beside the unicorn, resting on
     her haunches in an easy feline fashion.
     
     Lili rises like a sleepwalker, unable to resist
     the compulsion luring her toward the open doorway.
     
     The chained unicorn WHINNIES pitifully.  Princess
     Lili looks back without expression as she leaves.
     
73   DELETED                                                 73

74   DELETED                                                 74

75   INT    ANOTHER CORRIDOR    DAY                          75

     Luna's bobbing LIGHT leads the way as Jack and
     Gump hurry along the rubble-choked corridor.
     Alerted by the SOUND of something approaching,
     they dart into the shadows.
            
                        GUMP
            Quick, Jack!
            
     Jack and Gump watch in horror as a cracked EGG the
     size of a watermelon runs down the corridor on
     armour-scaled chicken legs, led on either side by
     a Demon holding a chain leash.
     
     Jack draws his sword.
     
     Gump restrains him.
     
                        GUMP
            Don't trust your eyes!  All is
            enchanted here.
            
     Jack and Gump hurry on in the opposite direction.
Revised 4 June 1984
     
75A  INT    DUNGEON CORRIDOR    DAY                          75A
     
     Screwball and Brown Tom creep timorously forward.
     They are alerted by the SOUNDS of something
     approaching.  A hideously deformed shadow falls
     across the opposite wall.
     
     The two faeries clutch each other in terror and
     duck into the shadows.
     
     It is Princess Lili!  She passes the elves' hiding
     place as if in a trance.
     
75B  INT    VAST CORRIDOR    DAY                             75B
     
     A woman-sized Oona sees Princess Lili drifting in
     the distance like a somnambulist.
     
     Lili continues out of sight Oona follows.
            
76
-    DELETED
80

80A  INT    RAIN CORRIDOR    DAY                             80A

     Lili wanders down a long colonnade hung with
     dangling vine-like roots.  A glistening magic rain
     falls from the granite ceiling.  Her blank eyes
     start straight ahead.
     
     Jack and Gump appear at the opposite end of the
     passage in time to see the Princess drift out of
     sight.
Revised 4 June 1984
     
81   INT    BARREL CORRIDOR    DAY                           81

     Jack and Gump enter the sloping corridor where
     barrels are stacked at the top end.
     
     Suddenly, they are attacked by SCREAMING PYGMIES,
     let off leashes by Blix, who stays unseen by Jack
     and Gump in the shadows.
            
                        GUMP
            Jack!
            
     The nimble Pygmies leap about them, talons
     slashing.  Jack and Gump retreat.
            
                        GUMP
            Quick!  In here!
            
     Gump yanks open a heavy oaken door in the side
     wall and they duck inside, slamming it shut in the
     teeth of the attacking Pygmies.
     
81A  INT    COLUMN CORRIDOR (SEALED)    DAY                  81A
     
     Jack strains to keep the door shut tight, then
     finds it is barred from outside.  The corridor
     behind them is completely bricked over.
            
                        GUMP
            Trapped....!
            
     CLOSE ON DOOR - with great force the Pygmies'
     claws stab and slash through the thick wood like
     stilettos.  Their needle tips mere inches from
     Jack and Gump.  The door curves with their impact,
     its inner surface studded with talons.
     
81B  INT    BARREL CORRIDOR    DAY                           81B
     
     Blix gleefully smacks the Pygmies away
     purposefully lifts the bar from the door, and
     backs off.
            
                        BLIX
            Heel....!
            
     The pygmies scuttle away at Blix's heels.
     
     Jack and Gump peer out cautiously.
            
                        JACK
            Come on!
            
     Jack and Gump run up to the top of the gully
     toward the barrels and look back.
     
     The Pygmies are advancing up the slope toward
     them.  Jack quickly turns a barrel on its side,
     leaps on top of it, and ROLLS it down to
     steamroller the SCREAMING Pygmies.  Blix backs
     into the shadows.  Jack and Gump run off in the
     opposite direction.

Revised 4 June 1984
     
82   INT    CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GREAT HALL    DAY               82
     
     Lili leads towards a pair of massive doors which
     swing slowly open at her approach.
     
     A woman-sized Oona follows, and stops to watch as
     Lili enters and the doors swing closed behind her.
     
83   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                83
     
     An enormous chamber draped with black cloth and
     surrounded by tall Baroque columns.  Winged demons
     writhe in the shadows above.  A long black table
     reaches down the centre of the room.  All is lit
     by firelight.  The gaping hearth, with its
     entablature of monumental sculpture, is flanked by
     a pair of massive ebony thrones, carved in a
     hideous, twisting mass of tendons, sinews and
     muscles.
     
     When the imposing doors swing closed, Lili's spell
     is broken.  reflected firelight GLITTERS in the
     shadows.  An open jewel box spills its sparkling
     treasure into an ornate table.  Lili is lured like
     a moth to a flame.
     
     She steps up onto an oversized footstool by the
     table.  The ebony casket brims with gemstones.
     Lili's eyes dazzle.  A carved ebony figure of a
     skeleton turns slowly out of the centre, holding
     in its uplifted arms the most exquisite black
     diamond necklace the mind can imagine.
     
     The Princess sucks in her breath.  The temptation
     is too great.  She impulsively takes the necklace
     and hops down from the stool.
     
     She leans against a sculpted marble frieze of
     souls in torment, concentrating on the tricky
     clasp.  All at once, a piece of sculpture becomes
     ANIMATE.  Powerful arms reach out to fasten the
     necklace.  For a moment Lili doesn't notice,
     grateful for the help.  Then she realises what is
     happening and SCREAMS, pulling away in terror.
     
     Something weird and mysterious approaches from out
     of the draped shadows.  It is a magnificent high-
     collared black gown, waltzing lake a ghost across
     the black marble floor.  There is no one wearing
     the garment!
     
     Fascinated, Lili watches the dress circle towards
     her.  She finds it irresistible.  Taking hold of
     the gown's empty sleeves she begins to dance,
     spinning round and round to the impulsive music.
Revised 4 June 1984
     
84   INT    CORRIDOR    DAY                                  84
     
     Jack looks up and down, unsure of their
     directions.
     
                        JACK
            Which way....?  Oona!
            
     A woman-sized Oona appears from behind them.
            
                        OONA
                        (reluctantly)
            I know where the Princess is....  I
            saw her go into a great hall--all by
            herself.
            
                        GUMP
            We best reconnoitre....  It may be a
            trap!  Oona--you must take us to
            this place.
            
     Gump and Jack follow Oona stealthily along the
     shadowed passage.
     

85   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                85
     
     Lili dances by herself, turning slow dreamy
     circles before the blazing fire.  She is now
     WEARING the splendid black gown!  Lili is stopped
     by her reflection in a tall cheval glass mirror.
     Lili's feminine curiosity is aroused.  The
     Princess overcomes her fear and approaches the
     mirror.  She looks furtively about, making certain
     she is unobserved.  Alone, she admires her perfect
     image.
     
     CLOSE ON MIRROR : Beneath Lili's pleased
     expression we see the evil face of Darkness APPEAR
     like a man emerging from under water.  Darkness
     penetrates the surface of the mirror.
     
     Lili backs away, GASPING soundlessly with terror.
     Darkness steps forth through the glass into the
     room, clad in black finery.
     
     Lili staggers.  Darkness reaches to embrace her
     and the Princess SHRIEKS at the top of her lungs.
     The moment he touches her shoulder, she slumps to
     the floor, unconscious.
     
     Darkness stands over the fallen girl, his
     heartbeat pulsing like muffled thunder.  Something
     almost like a smile creases his hideous features
     as he rolls a lock of Lili's hair between his
     clawed fingers.  The Princess blinks and opens her
     eyes.  She is horrified to find Darkness kneeling
     over her and frantically tries to get away.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Do not be afraid, lady....
            
     Lili GASPS like a stranded fish.  She is catatonic
     with fear.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            I mean you no harm.
Revised 11 July 1984
     
     Darkness offers the Princess a hand.  The slow
     kettledrum THROB of his heart underscores his
     words.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            How like you my gifts....?  Does the
            gown not please you?
            
     Lili weeps and tugs at the black dress.
            
                        LILI
                        (frantic)
            Never!  I hate you!  I hate this
            dress!
            
                        DARKNESS
            Can you speak so of your bridal
            gown....?
            
                        LILI
                        (screaming)
            Noooooooo!
            
     Lili stares at Darkness with terror and loathing.
            
                        LILI
            You're mad!
            
                        DARKNESS
            Aye, Lady, in madness lies the soul
            of all that's noble....  I've found
            my true mate and you know it.
            Beneath the skin we are already one.
            
                        LILI
            Never!
            
                        DARKNESS
            'Twas your sin trapped the unicorn.
            Even now, the evil seed of what
            you've done blooms within you!
            
                        LILI
                        (shrieking)
            You lie!  You're repulsive.
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (stung by her words)
            No more so than you!  Can't you
            sense it?  I need someone to share
            my dark secrets.
            
                        LILI
            You....?  You disgust me!  You're
            nothing but a beast!
Revised 11 July 1984
            
                        DARKNESS
            Everyone is a beast....only most are
            afraid to see it!
            
     The sound of CHIMES from a distant part of the
     castle.
     
86
-    DELETED (TRANSPOSED)
91

91A  EXT    SKY    DAY                                       91A
     
     Round and red, the great disc of the setting sun
     slides towards the distant horizon.
     
91B  INT    CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GREAT HALL    DAY               91B
     
     A woman-sized Oona leads Jack and Gump towards the
     massive doors.  Oona looks through the crack
     between the doors, and turns malevolently to Jack.
            
                        OONA
            You should see your princess now....
            
     Jack strains to hear every word being said inside,
     trying to see through the crack.
     
     Gump presses his ear to the massive doors like an
     eavesdropper.
     
91C  INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                91C
     
     Lili slumps to the cold stone floor, WEEPING.
     Darkness bends solicitously over her.
            
                        LILI
                        (scornful)
            You think you're so powerful....and
            hide in the ground like a mole!
            
                        DARKNESS
            This too will change.  The last
            unicorn dies tonight....!  As her
            blood ebbs, the sun sets forever.
            There shall never be another dawn!
Revised 11 July 1984
            
                        LILI
                        (horrified)
            No....!  You can't....  You
            mustn't....
            
     Darkness throws back his evil head and LAUGHS.
            
                        DARKNESS
            I require the shadow's solace and
            the dark of the night....  Sunshine
            is my destroyer!
            
                        LILI
            Damn you!
            
                        DARKNESS
            We are both of us damned, my Queen.
            
     Darkness bows with mock formality, ALTERING into
     his own shadow, which slides through a crack
     between the paving stones.
     
     Lili, horrified anew, falls to the floor, WEEPING.
     

92   INT    CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GREAT HALL    DAY               92
     
     The demonic LAUGHTER of Darkness carried through
     the massive doors mingled with Lili's WEEPING.
            
                        GUMP
            As long as the sun still shines, we
            can destroy him!
            
     CLOSE ON JACK: THOUGHT FLASHBACK as he remembers
     Lili's necklace dazzling his face in the sunlight,
     and inspiration strikes.
            
                        JACK
                        (grinning)
            I think I know a way....
            
                        GUMP
            Jack!
            
     Jack cups his hands to the crack in the doors and
     WHISTLES.
            
                        JACK
                        (calling out)
            Lili....?
            
93   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                93

     Lili huddles WEEPING on the cold stones.
            
                        JACK (OS)
            ....Lili....?
            
     At the sound of Jack's voice, the Princess looks
     up with a start.
Revised 11 July 1984
            
                        LILI
            ....Jack?
            
                        JACK (OS)
            Over here....  By the door....
            
     Lili turns eagerly towards the door.
            
                        LILI
            Oh, Jack....dear Jack!  Can it
            really be you?  I was afraid you
            were dead.
            
93A
-    DELETED
93C

93D  INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                93D

                        JACK (OS)
            Don't worry, we're here to save you.
            
                        LILI
                        (sadly)
            I'm far past saving, sweet Jack....
            
     A huge tear wells in Lili's eyes and flies out
     toward the crack, defying gravity.
     
94   INT    CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GREAT HALL    DAY               94
     
     Lili's tear flies through the crack and strikes
     Jack's face like a horizontal raindrop.  He
     touches the spot curiously.
            
                        JACK
                        (into crack)
            Don't be afraid.  Can you see me?
            Please go in the light so I can see
            your face....just a glimpse of your
            eyes....  They will give me such
            strength....
            
     Jack strains to see through the crack.  The
     Princess reaches out her hand and covers the
     crack.
            
95   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                95
            
     Lili stares at the crack in horror.
            
                           LILI
                        (grief-stricken)
            No....  I can't....forget me,
            Jack....
Revised 11 July 1984

96   INT    CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GREAT HALL    DAY               96
            
                        JACK
            Don't be afraid, I'm with you, Lili,
            I love you....
            
     Lili takes her hand away from the crack--Jack
     leaps up.
            
                        JACK
            Lili!
            
                        GUMP
            Jack!  There's nothing you can do
            now to help her.  Be thankful she
            still lives.  Let's go--there's no
            time to spare....  Remember your
            plan--you must tell it to me.  Oona,
            you must go in and listen....
            Jack....
            
     Sadly, Jack follows Gump back along the corridor.
     
     Oona transforms into a dot of LIGHT and flies
     through the crack.
     
97   INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                97
     
     Princess Lili lies SOBBING.  She feels the winged
     figures watching her from high above.
     
     The music THROBS, underscoring a low, rhythmic
     CHANTING.
     
     Like some ghastly chorus from Hell, the living
     statuary SINGS in unison to Lili.
     
                        STATUARY
                        (singing)
            Bride of Night....Bride of Night....
            Darkness is your heart's delight!
            Hail to Darkness!  Hail the Night!
            His the Power and the Might!
Revised 27 March 1984

     Lili lifts her head, listening to the sepulchral
     SINGING.  Her eyes burn like a tiger's.  She bares
     her fangs, and from her throat issues a bone-
     chilling HOWL.
            
98   INT    DUNGEON CORRIDOR    DAY                          98
            
     Screwball and Brown Tom stop short in their tracks
     when the SOUND of a distant HOWL echoes in the
     shadows.
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (trembling)
            I vote we run like hell!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Second the motion....!
            
     The two faeries scamper off into darkness.
     
99   INT    KITCHEN CORRIDOR    DAY                          99
     
     Gump, Jack and a woman-sized Luna wait outside the
     kitchen door as Brown Tom and Screwball come
     running up.  Gump studies his ornate timepiece.
            
                        GUMP
            Where were you?  In another three
            flicks of a badger's tail it'll be
            half-past.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Time slips away when you're having
            so much fun.
            
                        BROWN TOM
                        (out of breath)
            We....found the
            mare....chained....in a dungeon
            below.
            
     Gump shoves his timepiece back into his belt.
            
                        GUMP
            Excellent....  Jack has a plan....a
            good one.
Revised 27 March 1984
            
                        JACK
            We need to sneak back into the
            kitchen and....
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Oh no!  Not me!  Seen enough of that
            kitchen, I have!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Don't be so pig-headed!  You can
            trust Gump.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I'd sooner trust a rat in the
            ghetto!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            Well....trust Jack then.
            
     Jack leads the way back to the kitchen.
     
100  INT    KITCHEN    DAY                                   100
     
     Jack and the faeries tiptoe cautiously across the
     kitchen.
     
     Both Demon Cooks are fast asleep, the one
     encountered first is stretched out across his
     chopping block, SNORING like a dragon with
     indigestion; the other slumped against a pillar.
     
     The unfortunate Blunder turns slowly over the
     coals, hog-tied to a spit.  A bright red apple is
     stuffed in his mouth.
     
     Jack and Gump rush to his side.  Gump pulls the
     apple from Blunder's mouth.
     
                        BLUNDER
                        (frantic)
            Gemme outta here!  While I'm still
            medium rare!
            
     Gump shoves the apple back into Blunder's mouth,
     stoppering his loud complaint.
            
                        GUMP
            Any more noise and you're shish-ka-
            bob....
Revised 27 March 1984

     Blunder nods eagerly.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            You do what we say....understand?
            
     More eager nodding from Blunder.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Swear it!
            
     Gump pulls the apple out of Blunder's mouth.
            
                        BLUNDER
                        (desperate)
            I swear!  On the festering forelock
            of Nicodemus!
            
     Jack cuts Blunder's bonds and the little imp hops
     out of the fireplace.  Gump whispers Jack's plan
     to the others, pointing up at the mantle.
            
                        BLUNDER (CONT)
            I owe you one, champ!
            
     Jack boosts Gump and Screwball up onto the mantle
     where the polished plates are stacked.
     
                        JACK
            Up we go....  You too, Gump....
            
     Luna TRANSFORMS into a dot of LIGHT and flies up
     to the chimney piece, REMATERIALISING there full-
     size.
            
                        JACK (CONT)
            Your turn, Blunder.
            
     Jack lifts Blunder to the mantle.
     
     Screwball, Gump and Luna rush about frantically
     gathering shield-sized plates.
     
     Blunder gets the idea and joins in.
     
     There are numerous close calls and near collisions
     on the narrow ledge.
Revised 27 March 1984
     
     One by one, the faeries toss the plates down to
     Jack, who stacks them in Brown Tom's arms.
     
     Brown Tom staggers through the kitchen carrying a
     teetering tower of plates.  He can't see where
     he's going and nearly trips over the nozzle of the
     giant bellows.
     
     Brown Tom carefully sets the stacks of plates down
     behind a stone pillar.
     
     Blunder climbs high onto a shelf flanking the
     fireplace.  He picks up a plate and scales it
     through the air towards.  Jack like a discus.
            
                        BLUNDER
            Heads up!
            
     Jack leaps for the gliding plate but it is too
     high and sails past over his head.
     
     All the faeries on the mantle watch in fearful
     anticipation.
            
                        JACK
            Brown Tom!
            
     Brown Tom races to catch the plate.  It is no use.
     The plate CRASHES into the pillar ringing like a
     gong as it tumbles to the floor.
     
     Both ferocious Cooks are awakened by the NOISE.
     
                        SECOND COOK
            Huh....!  Wuzzat?
            
     Jack and the faeries freeze in place as the Cook
     rises and pulls his huge cleaver from the chopping
     block.
     
                        COOK
                        (sniffing the air)
            Meat....!  Me smells fresh meat!
            
     Jack is defenseless in the face of the awesome
     Cook.  Looking desperately about, he spots a long
     wooden oven probe among a bunch of kitchen
     implements.
            
                        SECOND COOK
            Find meat!
            
     Jack grabs the probe, a staff eight feet long.
Revised 27 March 1984
            
                        JACK
            Over here!
            
     The blind Cook lunges for Jack.  He wields his
     deadly cleaver with amazing accuracy for one
     without sight.
            
                        COOK
            Chop you up!
            
     Jack ducks past the Cook, smacking him on the leg
     with the staff.  The huge demon YELPS with pain.
     
     The SECOND COOK picks up a skillet, wielding it
     like a club.
            
                        SECOND COOK
            Smash....!  Me smash!
            
     Jack is caught between the two demon Cooks.  He
     cannot face one without turning his back on the
     other.
     
     Gump sees Jack's predicament and leaps from the
     mantle onto the Second Cook's head with a wild
     CRY:
            
                        GUMP
            Schweinhundt!
            
     Gump clings to the Second Cook like a terrier,
     confusing him and giving Jack time to dart
     acrobatically out of the way.
Revised 27 March 1984
            
                        JACK
                        (jabbing the Cook)
            Gotcha!
            
                        COOK
            Cut you in half!
            
     A mighty swing from the Cook misses Jack, who
     executes a nimble back flip.  The Cook cleaves
     through a hanging side of meat by mistake.
     
     The second Cook grabs hold of Gump and shakes him.
            
                        SECOND COOK
            Sweet, sweet blood....
     
     Up on the mantle, Screwball and Blunder exchange a
     helpless look.  Gump is a goner unless they do
     something.  They reach a simultaneous unspoken
     conclusion, and leap onto the Second Cook's back.
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (calling out)
            Rooster-toes....!
            
                        BLUNDER
                        (calling out)
            ....pig-whiskers!
            
     Faced with this new twin threat, the Second Cook
     drops Gump, who immediately bites him on the leg.
            
                        SECOND COOK
            What....!  Who now?  Ouch!
            
     Jack fights a rearguard action, stabbing at the
     savage Cook as he retreats.
     
                        JACK
            Best you can do?
            
                        COOK
            You gonna be mince-meat!
            
     Jack is backed against a stone column.
            
                        JACK
            Got to catch me first!
            
     The Cook's cleaver CLANGS against the ramp,
     missing Jack by inches.
     
     The Second Cook has his hands full.  Brown Tom has
     joined the fray and clings onto his other leg
     while Blunder and Screwball claw and punch at his
     head.
            
                        SCREWBALL AND BLUNDER
            Hit him...!  Sock him....!
Revised 27 March 1984
     
     Staggering under the full weight of the faerie
     onslaught, the Second Cook lurches in circles.
            
                        SECOND COOK
            Kill....!  Smash....!
            
     Furious, the Second Cook swings his heavy skillet
     at Screwball and Blunder.  He misses them
     completely, hitting himself square on the head and
     knocking himself out.
     
     The faeries leap off as the demon topples
     backwards into the fireplace.  He tips over a huge
     kettle, extinguishing the fire, and lies
     unconscious among the cinders.
            
     The faeries race to help Jack, trapped in a
     corner.
            
                        GUMP
            Here we come!
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Cut him down to size, Jack!
            
     The faeries' wild clamour attracts the Cook's
     attention and he turns to attack them.
     
     The faeries' enthusiasm vanishes in the face of
     this direct threat.
     
                        SCREWBALL
                        (terrified)
            Sodom and Glockamorra!
     
     The faeries turn and run.  The Cook starts after
     them.  Jack sticks his staff between his legs,
     tripping him up.
     
     The Cook sprawls on his face.  Jack runs past,
     using his staff like a pole-vaulter to gain the
     mantle in a single leap.
     
     The Cook gets to his feet, GROWLING.
            
                        COOK
            Gonna spill your guts, boy!
            
                        JACK
                        (calling)
            Come and get me!  I'm over here!
            
     The faeries gather by the chopping block.  Gump
     tosses a carving knife up to Jack.
Revised 1 May 1984
            
                        GUMP
            Jack!  Catch!
            
     Jack deftly catches the knife by its wooden handle
     and leaps into the air, grabbing hold of a huge
     hanging wheel.
     
     The Cook rushes to the fireplace, smacking at the
     mantle with the cleaver.
            
                        COOK
            Kill you now!
            
                        JACK
                        (calling)
            Over here, stupid!
            
     Puzzled, the Cook looks up, sniffing in the air
     for Jack.
            
                        COOK
            Huh....?  Where that?
            
                        JACK
            Right here!
            
     Staring blindly up into the air, the Cook lurches
     under Jack, completely confused.
     
     Jack cuts the rope above him and he and the huge
     wheel CRASH down on top of the Cook, knocking him
     senseless.
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Three cheers for the champion!
            
                        FAERIES
                        (all together)
            Hip....!  Hip....!  Hooray....!
            
     Jack ignores the cheering and heads for the
     fireplace.
     
     Gump joins him as he stares thoughtfully up the
     chimney.
            
                        GUMP
            Now what, Jack?
            
                        JACK
            Must go clear to the top.
     
101B INT    CHIMNEY    DAY (CONT)                            101B
            
     Gump peers in.
            
                        GUMP
            Not much to hold onto.  Take a
            peapod pixie to make that climb....
            
     [Page 94 is missing from the library script.  The
     following is page 94A]
Revised 2 May 1984
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (to himself)
            I'm goin' places, all
            right....straight to the top and on
            outta this hell-hole....  No more
            kitchen....no more demons....  Just
            the easy life for Screwball
            Buttercup....
            
101C INT    KITCHEN    DAY                                   101C

     A shining gold plate is propped on the belly of
     the Second Cook sprawled in the fireplace.  Luna
     positions another plate against the bellows,
     taking care to get the angle right.  Gump stands
     between the bellows and the shattered kitchen
     door, measuring the angle with a curious hand-held
     instruments.
            
                        GUMP
            Little more to the left,
            Luna....that's better....just a
            touch more....perfect.
            
101D INT    KITCHEN CORRIDOR    DAY                          101D
            
     Blunder and Brown Tom run off carrying armloads of
     plates.  Jack leans a platter against the corridor
     wall, adjusting it precisely.
     
                        JACK
                        (calling)
            How's that?
            
                        BROWN TOM (OS)
            Dead centre....!
            

102  INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                102
            
     Lili's tears have dried.  She prowls the majestic
     hall with regal dignity.  Something magic occurs
     at the banquet table; each crystal goblet fills
     mysteriously with black wine as she passes; every
     empty bowl and platter suddenly is heaped with an
     incredible variety of things to eat--all of it
     black!
     
     The food is beautiful in spite of its colour.
     Lili stares at it with undisguised hunger.  Some
     animal instinct warns her not to trust this
     gleaming ebony feast, but she's famished and
     snatches up an apple bright as polished
     anthracite.
Revised 30 July 1984
            
                        DARKNESS (OS)
            Good....eat....
            
     Lili GASPS, dropping the apple.  Darkness sits in
     one of the twin grotesque thrones flanking the
     hearth.
            
                        LILI
            I don't want it!  I'm not hungry!
            
                        DARKNESS
            Do you lie just to please me?
            
                        LILI
            I do nothing for your pleasure!
            
                        DARKNESS
            All I wish is that you sit and talk
            with me.
            
     Lili approaches the other grotesque throne.  Like
     some impossible living organism, it pulses in
     anticipation.
            
                        LILI
            Sit....?  Here....?
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            Yes.  Please....
            
                        LILI
            I prefer to stand.
            
     Darkness nearly succumbs to anger.  The veins in
     his forehead throb.
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (snarling)
            Sit....!
            
     Darkness shrewdly realises rage won't work and he
     relaxes with a twisted smile.
     
                        DARKNESS
            ....or stand.  As you wish....  It's
            enough that we're alone
            together....just the two of us....
Revised 30 July 1984
            
     Darkness leans forward in his throne, smiling at
     Lili.
            
                        DARKNESS
            ....Some simple conversation....
            
                           LILI
            I have nothing to talk about.
            You've stolen my dreams away....
            
                           DARKNESS
            All things change, lady....the
            dreams of youth become the regrets
            of maturity....  Dreams are my
            speciality....  Through dreams I
            influence mankind....
            
     Darkness smiles hideously at Lili.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            My dream is of eternity with
            you....no more silence....no more
            loneliness....
            
     Darkness moves gracefully to Lili's side and
     kneels before her.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            I offer you....my heart....my
            soul....my love!
            
                        LILI
            Love....?
            
     Lili is astonished.  She walks away to consider
     what Darkness has said.
     
     Darkness watches her slyly.  His expression
     reveals his words to have been a ruse.  He gloats
     in anticipation.
     
     Lili turns back to face him.  Darkness immediately
     resumes his look of adoration.
     
                           LILI (CONT)
            If such is true....hope is yet
            alive....
            
     They are interrupted by the SOUND of a CHIME.  An
     unseen clock tolls the hour.
     
     Darkness stares up into the shadow.
            
                        DARKNESS
            It grows late....
            
102A
-    DELETED--ANY REMAINING DIALOGUE IS CONTAINED IN SC
102
102D

102E EXT    SKY    DAY                                       102E

     The setting sun blazes through distant drifting
     clouds, tinting the sky a riot of colours.
     Another CHIME is heard.
     
102F INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                102F
     
     The SOUND of a distant CHIME echoes through the
     shadow.
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (gently to Lili)
            Sit....  I value your thoughts.  Why
            not share them with me?
Revised 30 July 1984
            
     Lili looks at the grotesque throne.
            
                        LILI
            No more than that....just sit?
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (nodding)
            Sit....
            
     Lili steps up onto the oversized footstool.
     Inches behind her the monstrous throne swells and
     throbs like an organic creature, the powerful
     sinews rippling with desire.
     
     The fabric of Lili's gown brushes the writhing
     throne.  In another second she will be sitting.
     
     Unexpectedly she stands up tall on the footstool.
            
                        LILI
            I think I'll stand, if you don't
            mind.
            
     Lili hops down from the footstool.
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (screaming with rage)
            SIT, DAMN YOU!
            
     Lili sashays past him, twitching her gown in an
     unashamedly wanton fashion.  Her hearty LAUGH is
     as loud as the outraged ROARS of Darkness.
            
                        LILI
                        (laughing)
            Never....never....
            
     The SOUND of the unicorn's frightened whinny
     carries up from the dungeons below.
     
     Lili cunningly disguises her alarm with laughter.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            I hear a throat begging to be cut.
            
     Darkness appreciates this joke.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Are you so anxious to see blood
            flow?
            
                        LILI
            As you are to drink it!
                        (smiling slyly)
            Will you grant your bride a wish on
            this night?
Revised 30 July 1984
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (beaming with pleasure)
            You have but to ask....
            
                        LILI
            I will sit here with you, as you
            desire....but, on one condition....
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (eagerly)
            Anything....
            
                        LILI
            I want to kill the unicorn!
            
103
-    DELETED
111B

111C INT    CHIMNEY    DAY                                   111C
            
     Screwball struggles up the endless chimney past
     hideous gargoyles and ancient skeletons embedded
     in the blackened bricks.
     
     The SOUNDS of conversation CARRY UP from below.
            
                        DARKNESS (OS)
            Lady, you make me proud....
            
                        SCREWBALL
            Crumpets and candlesticks....!
            
                        LILI (OS)
            Bring me to the wretched beast!
            
                        SCREWBALL
            I can't let that happen....  Why,
            it's not civilized!
            
     Screwball struggles upwards like a tiny
     mountaineer.
     
     He reaches into a grinning skull for a handhold
     and the jaws clamp shut on his fingers.
            
                        SCREWBALL (CONT)
            Billygoat dumplings!
            
     Screwball yanks his hand free, nearly losing his
     balance.  His terror gives him renewed energy and
     he scrambles frantically up the inside of the
     chimney.
Revised 17 August 1984

111D EXT    TOP OF CHIMNEY    DAY                            111D
     
     The chimney pot is shaped like a monstrous demon.
     Black as a sweep, Screwball emerges at the top and
     looks around.
     
     The distant sun is a dying ember resting on the
     surrounding rim of dark mountains.  We HEAR the
     SOUND of a clock CHIME!
     
111E INT    DUNGEON CORRIDOR    DAY                          111E
     
     A distant CHIME stops Gump in his tracks.  He
     pulls his timepiece from the pouch and studies it.
            
                        GUMP
            ....not much time....
            
111F INT    GREAT HALL    DAY                                111F
            
     Darkness walks toward the fire.
            
                        DARKNESS
            This way, fair beauty....
            
     Lili hesitates when she realises Darkness intends
     to lead her straight into the flames.
     
                        LILI
                        (fearful)
            No....!  It's impossible!
            
     Darkness steps into the leaping flames.  He turns
     to take Lili's hand.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Come....it takes but a single
            step....  Find the faith....
            
     Darkness looks deep into Lili's eyes.  Lili
     smiles.  Her fear vanishes.  She walks towards the
     flames.
     
112  DELETED
Revised 17 August 1984

113  INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   113
      [the top of the page is numbered 100/105]
     
     Jack and Faeries creep out of the shadows towards
     the Dungeon door.
            
                        GUMP
            Your greatest challenge is still to
            come....
            
     Gump checks his timepiece.
            
                        GUMP
            We have not much time.
            
     Jack and Blunder position the final plate, lining
     it up on Darkness who is standing at a lectern
     above the ceremony.  At the last moment Darkness
     moves away.
            
                        JACK
            Gump!
            
                        GUMP
            Oona!  Fly like the wind up to
            Screwball--it's time!
            
     Oona light flies back along the corridor.
     
     Jack, Gump, Brown Tom and Blunder creep forward
     through the doors just as the doors slam shut
     trapping Blunder outside.
            
                        JACK
            Brown Tom, you wait here.
            
     Jack and Gump move off around the edge of the wall
     leaving Brown Tom.
            
                        BROWN TOM
            The game is lost....for all Jack's
            pretty plans.
            
     He lies down on the ground and crawls forward.
     
113A INT    CORRIDOR    DAY                                  113A
     
     Oona zipping along.
     
113B INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   113B
     
     Jack and Gump make their way around the outside
     wall of the dungeon to find a vantage point.
     
113C EXT    TOP OF CHIMNEY    DAY                            113C
     
     Screwball has reached the top exhausted after his
     heroic climb, he watches the sunset.
Revised 17 August 1984
            
                        SCREWBALL
                        (singing under his
            breath)
            ....nickety-nackety....noo-noo-
            noo....
            
     He balances the dish precariously on top of the
     chimney and collapses on it.
            
                        SCREWBALL (CONT)
                        (singing)
            ....fiddle-dee-widdle-dee....
            
     Within a flash he is asleep, not a care in the
     world.
     

113D INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   113D
     
     Darkness sweeps majestically down the stone steps
     to join Lili.  A winch is dragging the unicorn
     towards a ceremonial slab.
     
     Blix, Pox and Ceremonial Goblins stand in a semi-
     circle around the unicorn.
     
     Jack and Gump watch in horror behind a statue.
            
                        JACK
            ....Oh God....!  Lili.
            
                        GUMP
            Judge her with your heart, not your
            eyes.
            
                        DARKNESS
            In the beginning there was
            nothing....a void of darkness, a
            cold eternity of silence....
            
                        BLIX/POX
            Endless night, black as death!
            Mother of Shadows protect us!
            
     The assembled Guards answer in a ghastly CHORUS:
            
                        CHORUS OF GUARDS
            Mother of Shadows, renew us!
Revised 17 August 1984
            
                        BLIX/POX
            Dream Sister....eclipse our pain!
            
                        CHORUS OF GUARDS
            Night Bride....restore our strength!
            
114  INT    KEEP AND CORRIDORS    DAY                        114
            
     Luna BLAZES straight up out of the abysmal keep; a
     tiny shooting star.  The demon's ceremony
     continues (OS)
            
                        DARKNESS (OS)
            ....and when the perfect void was
            corrupted by Light, a great wailing
            was heard and all the brethren fled
            in terror....
            
     Luna rockets along the ruined corridors of the
     labyrinth.
            
                        CHORUS OF GUARDS (OS)
            Deliver us, O Darkness, from all
            fear....
            
115  INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   115
            
     Darkness steps forward.  His booming VOICE
     disturbs the sleeping bats and sends them wheeling
     in clouds around his head.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Hear me, ye Powers of the Night!  We
            offer this sacrifice in honour of
            you....
            
     Darkness reaches up and seizes a fluttering bat
     from out of the air.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            Here is our offering....sanctified
            with blood....
            
     Darkness crushes the bat to a pulp and splatters
     the unicorn's white flank with its blood.
            
                        DARKNESS (CONT)
            ....and with fire!
            
     Darkness touches his fingertip to the unicorn's
     haunch.  The hide smoulders instantly, leaving an
     ugly brand.
            
                        CHORUS OF GUARDS
            Blood and fire, born of Night....
            Blood and fire, drown the Light!
            
     The unicorn rears back.  Her hooves CLATTER on the
     cold stones.
Revised 17 August 1984
            
                        DARKNESS
            I pray you, Father, accept my
            sacrifice....  Let Light be forever
            extinguished!  Let the Age of
            Darkness begin.
            
     Darkness contorts with the strain of imposing his
     will on the unicorn.  He dominates the mare and
     she grows calm.
     
     As the Demon Guards CHANT, a giant guard strains
     at the winch.  The unicorn is being dragged toward
     the chopping block.
     
     Working together, two guards turn the iron winch.
     Bit by bit, the cable is drawn forward onto the
     drum.
     
     The unicorn's neck is stretched across the block.
     
                        LILI
            Let my loom be made of flesh and
            blood....  I am a sister to the
            Fates!
            
     Lili slowly raises the sword.
            
                        GUMP
            She means to do it, she's one of
            them!
            
     Jack grabs a long black bow and an arrow from a
     quiver beside it.
            
                        JACK
            I'm going to stop her!
            
     The unicorn is helpless before Lili.  Blix locks
     the winch, securing the cable.
            
                        DARKNESS
            The birth of a new world awaits your
            stroke.
            
     Lili swings the greatsword high over her head.
            
                        CHORUS OF GUARDS
                        (chanting)
            Blood and fire....eternal ice!
            Blood and fire....and sacrifice....
            
     Jack draws back the arrow in the longbow, aiming
     at Lili.
     
     Jack's face contorts with anguish as he holds his
     aim dead on Lili.
Revised 17 August 1984
     
                        JACK
                        (muttering to himself)
            I trust you Lili....  I'll always
            trust you....
            
     A wild LAUGH bursts from Lili's throat.  She
     swings the sword with all her might.
     
     The glittering blade arcs through the air.
     
     Jack diverts his aim and fires the arrow at
     Darkness.
     
     Lili's stroke severs the line restraining the
     mare.
            
                        LILI
                        (exultant)
            Run!  You're free....!
            
     The unicorn plunges into the shadows.
     
     Jack's arrow drives straight through the neck of
     Darkness but he pays no attention to it, pulling a
     weapon from his belt.  It is the stallion's
     alicorn, mounted as a short-sword.
     
     Darkness lunges for Lili, striking her down with
     the alicorn.
     
     Jack and Gump fire a barrage of arrows across the
     Dungeon at Darkness.
            
                        GUMP
            He's going for the mare.  The world
            needs a Champion, Jack.
            
     Jack grabs a hanging chain and swings across the
     lava pit.
            
            
                        JACK
            Gump, keep firing arrows to give me
            cover.
            
     Jack hurtles towards Darkness giving him a heavy
     kick as he swings past.  Gump keeps firing arrows
     at Darkness.  They stick in but have no effect.
     
115A EXT    CHIMNEY    DAY                                   115A
     
     Oona arrives to discover Screwball asleep on the
     dish.
            
                        OONA
            Oh dear!  Oh dear!
Revised 17 August 1984

115B INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   115B
            
     Jack snatches a sword from the rubble and turns to
     face Darkness.
     
     Darkness turns to meet this new challenge,
     charging like a bull straight at Jack.
     
     Jack stands his ground, sword poised.
     
     Jack and Darkness clash, duelling with their
     swords.  Jack manages to hack at Darkness' torso,
     but the blows have no effect.
     
     After a fierce exchange, Jack is hurled to the
     ground by the force of the attack.
     
     The Lord of Darkness holds his greatsword pointed
     straight at the boy's heart.
     
                        DARKNESS
            Always a pleasure to take a brave
            man's life.
            
     Darkness thrust down with the greatsword but Jack
     rolls skillfully aside and bounds to his feet.
     
                        JACK
            ....haven't killed me yet....
            
     Jack swings at Darkness, who parries with the
     greatsword.  Sparks fly.
     
     Jack swings again.  Darkness catches the blade in
     his bare hand and holds Jack immobile to meet his
     malevolent gaze.
            
                        DARKNESS
            Oh, but I have....
            
     Jack is speechless with terror, he is lying
     precariously on the edge of the lava pit.
     
115C EXT    TOP OF CHIMNEY    DAY                            115C
     
     Oona transforms into her grown self.  Looking
     sadly at Screwball, touching him with her toe.
            
                        OONA
            Screwball....wake up!
            
     Screwball wakes, trying to remember where he is.
     He stands on the rim of the chimney.  Oona
     struggles and tries to push up the dish on her
     own.
Revised 24 August 1984
            
                        OONA
            Quickly Screwball....push!
            
     Together they wrestle with the dish.
     
116  DELETED

116A EXT    TOP OF CHIMNEY    DAY                            116A
     
     Oona aims the pot lid at the ruby BLAZE of the
     setting sun.  She aims a beam of LIGHT straight
     down the chimney.
     
116B INT    CHIMNEY    DAY                                   116B
     
     The beam of LIGHT descends the dark shaft like a
     golden waterfall.
     
116C INT    KITCHEN    DAY                                   116C
     
     The beam of LIGHT moves like a searchlight inside
     the fireplace, criss-crossing to the propped up
     plate on the table.
     
117
-    DELETED
120

120A/C  INT    CORRIDORS    DAY                              120A/C

     The beam of LIGHT reflects off the plates and
     ZOOMS down the corridors.
     
121  INT    DUNGEON    DAY                                   121
     
     Darkness towers over Jack, the Alicorn dagger in
     his hand.
            
                        POX
            T-t-think we should help!
            
                        BLIX
            Don't be a fool!  We stay here where
            it's safe....
            
     They disappear in the shadows.
     
     Darkness raises the greatsword above his head,
     snarling, he makes a final swing at Jack with the
     Alicorn.  As he is about to strike him there is a
     tremendous roaring sound, the doors burst open and
     brilliant light streaks in.
Revised 24 August 1984
            
                        JACK
                        (screaming)
            Time to die!
            
     The beam blasts Darkness through the window.  Jack
     scrambles towards the ceremonial sword.  He clings
     frantically to the masonry clawing his way back.
            
                        GUMP
            Kill him Jack!  Do it!  Do it!
            Burn!  You evil fiend....
            
                        DARKNESS
                        (screaming)
            Fool!  You think you have won.  I
            pity your stupidity.  What is light
            without dark?  What are you without
            me?  Goodness exists only because of
            me.  I am part of all of you.  You
            can never defeat me.  We're
            brothers....eternal.
            
                        GUMP
            Do it Jack.  Don't listen.
            
     Jack strikes down on Darkness' wrist holding the
     Alicorn.  Darkness' severed hand holding the
     alicorn drops to the ground.
     
     Darkness flies out helplessly into space.
            
                        GUMP
                        (elated)
            The world has found a Champion.
            Three cheers for Jack.  Hooray!
            Hooray!  Hooray!
            
     Then Jack's elation is brief.  He looks across at
     the unconscious Lili.
     

121A INT    DUNGEON (AREA BY WINCH/COLUMN)    NIGHT          121A
     
     Gump, Brown Tom, Blunder and the mare gather round
     Lili who still lies motionless.
     
     Jack rests her head in his lap.  He kisses her
     gently.
            
                        JACK
            Lili!
                        (then to Gump)
            Do something Gump!
            
                        GUMP
            This is sadly beyond my modest
            powers, Jack.
Revised 24 August 1984
            
                        JACK
            What must I do Gump.  Tell me.
            
     Gump thinks long and hard.
            
                        GUMP
            Jack,....before you took Lili to see
            the unicorns....what were you doing?
            
     Jack thinks back.  Smiling sadly at the memory.
            
                        JACK
            We were sitting above the lake....
            Lili was teasing me....  She said
            she would marry me if I proved my
            worth....  Then....she threw
            it....the ring into the lake....  I
            couldn't find it....
            
                        GUMP
                        (thinks)
            Don't you see?  You must find it.
            Go back.  Complete the circle.
            
     Jack looks quizzically at Gump.
            
                        GUMP
            Look what we have been through.
            
     Indicating the mayhem around them.
            
                        GUMP (CONT)
            Have faith in yourself.  That is the
            greatest lesson you have learned.
            
     Screwball and Oona arrive at this moment.  Jack
     smiles at them.
            
                        JACK
            But what about you, Gump?  I'll miss
            you.
            
                        GUMP
            We too have our promise to keep.
            Blunder!  Hand me the Alicorn!
            
     Blunder picks up the Alicorn from Darkness' hand.
     Jack and group laugh.  Jack become sad.
Revised 24 August 1984
            
                        JACK
                        (to Brown Tom)
            Brown Tom!  Don't smoke!  Don't
            drink!  Avoid flying!
            
                        BROWN TOM
            I'll miss you Jack.
            
                        JACK
                        (to Screwball)
            Don't get too down....  You're much
            better when you make us laugh.
            
                        (to Oona)
            Forgive me Oona.  I'll never forget
            you.  I do love you, but....
            
                        OONA
            I know, like a sister....
            
     She smiles bravely.
            
                        JACK
                        (to Gump)
            To you Gump I owe most of all....  I
            owe you....you....everything!
            
     An emotional Gump interrupts.
            
                        GUMP
            Harumph!  Go now Jack!  You have
            your promise and your steed.  Now
            fulfill your promise.
            
122
-    DELETED
128A

129  EXT    RING POND (UNDERWATER)    DAY                    129
            
     Jack streaks down, streaming air bubbles like a
     comet's tail.
     
     A winking GLEAM catches Jack's eye and he reaches
     out an eager hand.
     
     A cloud of silt issues from his grasp as he opens
     his fingers.  Centered on his palm, golden and
     perfect, is Lili's ring.
     
129A
-    DELETED
129I
Revised 16 April 1984

130  EXT    RING POND    DAY                                 130

     Jack breaks the surface, holding the ring
     triumphantly above his head.

130A
-    DELETED
136A

137  EXT    CLIFF ABOVE POND    DAY                          137
     
     The Princess sleeps under the spreading tree.
     
     Jack kneels beside her and slips the ring onto her
     finger.
     
     He takes the girl in his arms and kisses her
     passionately.
            
                        JACK
                        (whispering)
            I love you....
            
     He rests her gently back on the mossy bank.  Lili
     smiles.  Her eyelids flutter.
     
     The Princess opens her eyes, staring at the
     glittering, dripping leaves above.
            
                        LILI
            ....I love you, Jack....
            
     Lili frowns, remembering.  She sits up with a
     violent shudder.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            ....I had such a nightmare....
            
     Jack hugs Lili, comforting her.
            
                        JACK
            It's over now....
            
     After a moment, they part, and Lili sees the ring
     gleaming on her hand as it rests on Jack's
     shoulder.  She is uncertain if this was part of
     the dream or not.
            
                        LILI
                        (smiling)
            ....was it really all a dream....
            
     Jack grins, bright as a sunbeam.
            
                        JACK
            Perhaps....what did you learn from
            it?
Revised 16 April 1984
            
                        LILI
            So many things....about how the
            world is....about myself
            especially....and, about you,
            Jack....
            
                        JACK
            ....and....?
            
                        LILI
            ....I know you belong here....in the
            woods....
                        (looking around)
            Nobody lives in such
            splendour....with carpets soft as
            this....or ceilings as high....or
            with subjects who love him more....
            
     Lili kisses him tenderly.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            You are my Prince....
            
     Jack and Lili join hands.
            
                        JACK
            No....  I'm only Jack....no more
            than that....
            
                        LILI
            My Lord Jack....
            
     Very gently Lili slips the golden ring onto Jack's
     finger.
            
                        LILI (CONT)
            Treasure it....  Keep it safe....
            I'll come and see you every day....
            
                        JACK
            I'm always here for you, Lili....
            
     Jack kisses Lili very gently on the lips.
            
                        JACK (CONT)
            Sing to me....  Please....
            
                        LILI
                        (singing)
            Come wild flowers, weave us a carpet
            Spreading oak, make a shade where we
            lie....
            
137A JACK'S POV : UP THE PATH                                137A
            
     Honeythorn Gump, Brown Tom, Blunder and Screwball
     stand at the top of the path, highlighted by the
     rising sun.  They giggle and nudge one another,
     waving happily at Jack.
            
                        LILI (VO)
                        (singing)
            Breeze and branches, whisper a love
            song
            When I look in my true love's
            eyes....
Revised 19 September 1984

137B EXT    FOREST PATH    DAY                               137B
            
     Jack and Lili walk hand in hand down an arching
     green bower of trees.
            
                        LILI (VO)
                        (singing)
            Come down sparrow, sing me good
            morning,
            Rise up sun, light the arch of the
            sky....
            
     Jack smiles at her and looks back over his
     shoulder.
     
137C EXT    FOREST PATH (EDGE OF WOODS)    DAY               137C
     
     Jack stands at the edge of the woods smiling back
     at Lili.
     
                        JACK
                        (waving)
            See you tomorrow, Lili....
            
     Lili returns his wave with a smile, picks a bright
     flower, pressing the petals to her lips, starting
     gaily for home.
            
                        LILI (VO)
                        (singing)
            Living river, turn light to diamonds
            When I look in my true love's
            eyes....
            
138  EXT    MEADOW    DAY                                    138
            
     A lush green expanse, boldly patterned with wild
     flowers.  Jack bounds through the forest, just
     before he disappears over the horizon he turns and
     waves a final farewell.
     
            
                        LILI (VO)
                        (singing)
            Like a child feels watching a
            rainbow
            Like a bird feels the first time it
            flies...
            
     Honeythorn Gump, Brown Tom, Blunder, Screwball,
     Oona and the two unicorns gathered at the top of
     the path return the farewell to Jack and the
     audience.  Once again all is well in the World.
     
     
                            THE END



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