THE BRIDE! if it didnt suck.
Int: smokey bar lavish decoration, seedy clientele
We start in on a chaotic table of mixed company cheering and laughing, drinking disorderly. Zoom in on a stunning blonde in late flapper fashion, shes smoking and looks to be keenly listening in, mentally taking notes? We get snippets of audio talking of THE BOSS and the HITMAN and such, crimes.
A man from the table impedes her space.
Sound focuses in, we draw back to see them both.
MAN: aye doll, feelin thirsty? I havent seen you take a sip all night! Here, have mine-
He quite drunkenly shoves a shotglass toward her, she shakes her head.
WOMAN: I got my own drinks jimmy stop!
Shes being playful, as to not hurt his feelings.
JIMMY: aw please darlin, im just tryin to share my drink with a beautiful lady, i love to share, I thought you were a regular party girl--
He shoves again, she bats it away
A man sitting next to her, who has been smiling and egging the other man on grabs around her shoulders and leans in, doesnt make eye contact with her but the JIMMY instead.
MAN2: You're not no sourpuss are ya, babe?
He squeezes her shoulders and looks at her. We zoom in so we are feeling claustrophobic as he leans in so close to her, she can obviously smell his breath and feel the warmth of his alcohol flushed cheeks. She looks down at the offered drink.
The party meanwhile has been just as jumping as ever, a dancer bumps hard into JIMMY causing him to lurch forward and spill the drink all over the WOMANS front. The boys explode in laughter, she smiles embarrassed, she gets up out of the booth and excuses herself to the ladies room.
WOMAN: Ah now look what ya did! You owe me a new dress mista, and another drink when I get back!
She stalks off, head high until shes in a darker hallway. She exhales. Looks at her wet hands and flicks them off. She goes downstairs into the bathroom dries herself, fixes her hair in the mirror and then takes a door outside, she looks around to see if the coast is clear.
EXT: Dark alley. Wet pavement, mist in the air.
She runs a little distance down a dark alleyway. Looking here and there making sure she isn't being followed or watched. She rendezvous with a man in a long jacket, and trilby hat. Hes smoking.
He looks up to see her coming. Camera flicks to a window pov, her man from the party, CLYDE who held her around the shoulders, he now watches as she speaks to this partially obscured man. Its a quick meet, she runs back into the bar through the downstairs door, she has a lit cigarette on her lips as she closes the door behind her. CLYDE waits at the top of the stairs suprising her.
INT: Dark and smokey stairwell, the WOMAN makes her way sheepishly up the stairs to CLYDE.
WOMAN: Oh Clyde what are you doing out here, Jimmy spill his liquor on you too? That boy is so-
He cuts her off. He pins her to a wall next to the top of the stairs. Hes drunk as a skunk and slurring his speech.
CLYDE: who was dat down there aye? You sneaking around on me? I paid, did he pay? What're you doing with him huh? What're you doing talking to another man on my time?
WOMAN: I went for some air, he offered a cigarette! All mine are wet cus of little Jimmy-drinks-a-lot in there! Im sorry it wont happen again. Just wanted a puff is all. He was just there.
JIMMY comes out into the hallway.
JIMMY: Aye whats goin on out here. Party's inside lovebirds, unless youre sharin' ! I love sharin, Clyde how bout it?
The WOMAN rises off the wall and shakes her head, shes about to object when CLYDE shoves her back onto the wall. She grunts in pain.
CLYDE: Nah im not sharin'. You understand? I ain't the sharin type. I want you all myself, I paid as much and more for your pretty mouth and I'll have it you hear?
Hes shoving and spitting as he speaks, hes getting a little loud, JIMMY starts to be nervous it might get out of hand he starts to walk toward CLYDE while hes shouting, the WOMAN has her hands raised and shes frightened. Shes lightly pushing back but CLYDE is railing against her. JIMMY still drunk off his ass, bumps into CLYDE, who inadvertently shoves the WOMAN down the stairs.
We watch as she tumbles down the stairs, breaks a leg, bumps her head, and finally falls dead at the bottom of the stairs.
CUT TO a movie theater screen showing some dandy played by Jake Gyllenhaal dancing and singing about.
INT: Dark seats of a beautiful old timey movie theater.
We come around from behind a man who seems to be swaying and moving his hands to the beat of the music in the movie.
We see him from the front, hes gnarled, crooked nosed and covered in rivets and haphazard stitches. Clearly this is some sort of Frankenstein creature. He wears a heavy scarf around his neck and garb a couple years out of date, similarly patched with ameture sutures.
He smiles and waves his hands side to side mimicking the dance being performed on screen. He goes limp when the scene culminates in the two main characters embracing and deeply kissing. He touches his face, a longing, forlorn expression forms.
WOMAN ON SCREEN: I love you til the day I die!
MAN ON SCREEN: I love you even after that!
The MONSTER smiles a sad smile, pulls up his scarf, covering his unsightly face, gets up and claps as the movie ends.
INT: Inside the library, in the science section the MONSTER is reading through a book on recent scientific marvels and on the desk in front of him are books on reanimation, electrolysis among other appropriate sciency fodder. He hones in on a name of a scientist who sounds promising. We see a newspaper article calling them a "mad scientist hellbent on becoming god himself" if only anyone would keep an open mind.
Skimming it he sees that this doctor is working on an idea from 100 years ago where a man attempted to reanimate a cadaver using electricity and other stuff. Hes stricken when the article sites a Mr. Victor Frankenstein as the inspiration.
MONSTER: Father....must I continue to be tormented by you? You devil.
He slams a book shut and whips away from the library.
EXT: big ass cathedral ass building, its got gargoyles. Its got a big dome on top and a metal rod jutting out the top.
We meet the MONSTER inside.
INT: rather subdued compared to outside, natural neutral colors, kind of sterile hallway but theres a massive spiral staircase hinting at more to come.
The MONSTER is waiting patiently in a chair, his scarf covering his horrid visage and a hat, to make him look hip. Hes inconspicuously reading the newspaper which does show a picture of a girl whose gone missing, we dont see her name as hes conveniently covering it with his finger, but shes our girl. An OLDER WOMAN appears from a door, quite surprised to see anyone in her lobby. She walks toward the MONSTER.
OLDER WOMAN: Hello? Im sorry i wasnt expecting anyone do you have an appointment?
MONSTER: I'm looking for a Dr. Euphronious, I found his study about- erm, we'll its a bit private, id like to speak to him. My name is Frank, I haven't an appointment but I'd be glad to meet him, today, if possible.
OLDER WOMAN: Well ill have to look at the schedule. The Dr is very busy you know, what makes your issue so important?
FRANK: Well. Its a matter of life and death. And life after death, and my life and my death. This is a private issue as a matter of fact and id like to speak to no one other than the doctor himself, if you wouldn't mind.
From the same door the OLDER WOMAN just came from comes another woman in a maids uniform, she nods a hello to FRANK but does not speak to him, she leans toward the OLDER WOMAN speaking in hushed tones. We do not hear what she says but it seems important.
OLDER WOMAN: Well i have a busy schedule sir, you mentioned your life? Your death? Are you ill, terminally?
FRANK: yes I have an eternal- pardon terminal condition. Im afflicted and incurable *beat* im maimed and hideous and hideously lonely and adrift and-- oh heavens im unhinged. Ive come undone. I came looking for the doctor in the hope that he could. We could. Fix... my problem.
He tugs at his scarf, not pulling it down but indicating discomfort.
OLDER WOMAN: youre looking for Euphronious? The doctor that lives here?
The OLDER WOMAN shakes her head and adjusts her spectacles. She sighs.
OLDER WOMAN: I am Dr Euphronious. I use my first initial in papers. Its easier to get them published when they assume im a man, as you have. Nothing I havent faced before, I forgive you. But I need to know the nature of our business before I accept. Whats your malady son?
FRANK: I- I apologize. In my day- my experience has been...my father was a doctor. The only one I'd ever known as it happens. I shouldnt have assumed, times have changed.
DR.E: where do you come from? Small town i suppose, what with only one doctor.
DR.E walks toward FRANK, creasing her brow and looking concerned. Intrigued.
FRANK: small town germany....a long time ago doctor.
FRANK tilts his head by way of his massive stiff shoulders, his eyes flicker in something like a wink. His demeanor remains morose, but he laughs, or attempts to. Its a bit of a gurgle.
DR.E: how long ago frank? You speak like my father, walk like him too. Old.
FRANK: its a long story--
DR.E: And ya dress bad, and you stink too.
Her fingers rub her chin, shes piecing something together. Shes not speaking to insult, just speaking the facts aloud.
DR.E: you know what, you should come to my office.
She turns on her heel, and waves him toward her over her shoulder. FRANK follows stiffly. His walking cadence is tilted and staggering.
We meet back in DR.E office. Its littered with stacks of books, old anatomical posters and drawings, a couple wet specimens and a skull or two on display.
She closes the door behind them and sits behind her desk, gestures for FRANK to sit across from her. He does so.
DR.E: What do you know if my work, why have you come here, what caused you to seek me out?
FRANK: well, your work in, reinvigeration. Reanimation. Cadaver sciences and reversing rigor mortis. Thats what drew me here. You have studied a myriad of subjects pertaining to issues im intimately familiar with. I came with intentions- hopes... to work with you on a death defying, life giving project.
DR.E: uh huh. Im getting the picture. Would you mind taking down your mask? Id like confirmation on what im thinking.
FRANK looks down at his hands. Theyre rough and pallid, stitches run across both palms. He looks up, reaches for his security blanket of a scarf. He brings it down, under his chin, then unwraps himself fully. This is reminiscent of a mummy becoming unbound.
FRANK: I do apologize for my hideous face. You may laugh or scream, ill not be offended in your office.
DR.E: Fancy that! A walking corpse, apologizing for something you have no control over! Never apologize for what you are, you're a marvel. A scientific miracle. Who made you? How long ago?
FRANKs face is covered in stitches and staples, his coloring is gray and purple, and yet it seems as if he may be blushing. Hes sheepishly fiddling his frozen fingers.
FRANK: Ah. My maker, my father, the doctor. Victor Frankenstein... I've taken his name otherwise I was only called the Monster. Its been a long time. I was created in 1818. Ive been walking this hellish nightmare alone for a century.
DR.E: I know his work, though I never read anything about any success. Why wouldn't he write about you? You're a miracle, a testament to scientific creation. I feel i would have known about a walking talking dead man, living- as it were, for a hundred-plus years! He should have taken you on a tour! Where have you been?
FRANK: I caused him quite a bit of trouble after coming to. We didnt end on the best of terms. Its- its a long story i dont wish to delve into. Ive been wandering, place to place. A drifter in the most literal sense. Ive come to you as I wish to settle down. I wish to take a spouse, live out forever with a loving partner. Or at least someone to talk to. I havent had the pleasure of... pleasure... in the whole of my miserable hideous existence. I crave it. God I am so hungry. My pestilant heart aches.
DR.E: well I know a few eligible ladies but I highly doubt thats what youre getting at here huh. You want me to.. I guess put something- someone- together for you?
FRANK nods. His marble eyes seem to wet. DR.E seems intrigued, excited and shifts in her seat. She leans forward, clasps her hands together and huffs.
DR.E: Well i cannot go forward in good conscious if I dont at least voice my objections.
DR.E: how unbelievably unethical it is to bring an everyday, normal human being into the world without their consent, and now were looking at someone who had a whole life before and we're, what? Recycling a human body? Bringing someone we presumably dont know and cannot ask their permission until after the deed is done. Furthermore you are asking me to bestow upon a woman- I assume-
DR.E lowers her glasses and looks pointedly at FRANK who shrinks in his seat and nods.
DR.E: the duty of being YOUR wife. She didnt ask to be here, what will you do if she rejects you?
FRANK adjusts his coat more snugly around himself, uncomfortable. He shrugs.
FRANK: She would have every right to reject me im horrible, but i would... I would earn... work for her affection! (*beat: FRANK becomes more excited*)
I would be her protector, provider, we would be safe together. There's no one like me doctor. You have to see my plight, im cursed... to be alone...but she would not have that issue, i would always be there. I would always be for her. And her for me... I could... convince her. Id be the perfect gentleman.
DR.E: well it wouldn't be polite if I never brought up the potential hazards. Ive read extensively, practiced and had some varying success in reinvigeration. I think I could make this happen. Though, let me have you alone for some time, id like to see what makes you tick before I go building a clock on my own.
FRANK: how long do you think you'll need me alone for. Ive been alone this whole time. I grow terribly weary of it.
DR.E: lets say a week, ill let you know at the end if I need more time but a week should be plenty for preliminary examinations and planning.
FRANK stands from his seat. He smiles as much as he can and extends his right arm toward the doctor. DR.E stands and shakes his hand. FRANK grunts and exhales.
DR.E: You'll stay here with me. My girl will set up a cot in my study. Ill be up around 6 for breakfast and then we'll hop to it. Any questions? No i have one, do you eat?
CUT TO: INT: a detectives desk, a man sitting at the desk shown only from the shoulders down, smoke pouring from a cigar just off screen.
DETECTIVE is shuffling through papers and files of clues and hints about a local girl whose gone missing, he slaps down a final file open so the camera can see. Its a black and white photo of our WOMAN from the beginning, showing that she is some kind of informant. Her name is shown to be IDA, surname is covered by the corner of her photo. A handwritten note at the corner reads "dead end, presumably hit by Don Lupinos boys". We hear the DETECTIVE heave a sob and blow his nose before standing up and heading out.
CUT TO: INT: DR.E's big Gothic punk laboratory. Vats of liquid and various wires and tubes, vials and beakers litter the place. A hospital bed sits in the middle. The rain hitting the massive glass dome ceiling patters and rages. Levers and buttons line 2 of the 4 walls, the 4th is most wroght iron windows lined from the floor with piled of books.
Camera pans around and looks at all this, we land back at the door of the lab, which is on the last wall. In comes DR.E with FRANK on her heels, he is in turn tailed by the MAID. The three of them spread out in the room.
DR.E: Frank, sit up on the corner of the bed, ill need your arm uncovered so take off your coat.
FRANK sits down and does what hes told. Setting his ratty suit coat gingerly folded down next to him and rolls his sleeves up.
DR.E: Greta, go ahead and grab my needles, scalpel and suture kit.
The MAID, GRETA does so, shuffling around the room collecting all the little instruments that are needed.
DR.E prepares a tray of needles and syringes, we can montage through some very scientific testing, drawing blood, hammering knees, stitching patches of FRANK that have come undone. We can watch GRETA put him in a nicer suit and try to fix his hair as well. I feel the original movie lacked a makeover scene. DR.E checks some math, tallies results of any testing shes done, walks alongside FRANK working on his gait and injecting something that seems to soften his muscles making his movement smoother. At the end of this, its been a week, DR.E seems satisfied and puts her hands on her hips. Shes beaming at FRANK, admiring her improvements. FRANK seems sheepishly proud of how hes spiffed up.
DR.E: Well Frank, I think ive worked everything out, we'll have to wait for a storm which won't be for... about 3 days I suppose.
FRANK: wait, you still rely on lightning to bring forth life? We have so much electricity at our fingertips, im confused.
DR.E: Well no the storm is for cover. For both getting the girl out of the ground, and when we do light it up in here, it wont be as noticeable to my neighbors. By the way ive scouted a grave, hastily dug and hastily packed but it seems she lost a shoe.
DR.E holds up a little teal high heeled mary jane. FRANKS hands rise in reverence, reaching out to hold it. DR.E hands it over.
FRANK: My bride....so close now... im feeling. Feverish. I must lie down. Ill be in the study, please, wake me when we are ready to exhume her.
CUT TO: DREAM SEQUENCE (black and white)
We pan up from the checkered floor of the ornate ballroom from the movie FRANK was watching earlier in the story. A woman walks into frame (heels up were still low to the ground) wearing the pair of teal heels. (Teal being the only color) Still panning up we see shes guiding FRANK gently by the hand onto the dancefloor. Panning to reveal their faces, FRANK looks more done up, hair gelled and suit tailored. The woman, or course is the girl IDA we saw in the cops paperwork, shes styled as a well to do socialite of her time period. Loose finger waves, and a deep colored lip. They dance in a circle while music plays. Rain tapping on a glass surface gently patters in the background. We pan up to see theres no ceiling, the night sky is ablaze with stars (but no rain). The couple look at eachother, and then look toward the sky.
FRANK: I love you to the day I die.
WOMAN: I love you even after that!
We look too. When we pan back down at the couple, the WOMAN has turned to bones and dust in FRANKS arms, her shoes, the only thing remaining.
FRANK gasps to consciousness. He grabs at his chest where a thumping heart should be. His beats arhythmically and stops for several seconds at a time. FRANK chokes on air, coughs and sits up. GRETA the maid knocks lightly before entering.
GRETA: Mr.Frank, the doctor sent for you, its time.
FRANKs ears perk, the gentle patter in his dream had become a thunderous storm outside the doctors laboratory.
He jumps to his feet and ambles into the lab.
DR.E: happy engagement Frank, we're all set up, are you ready?
He looks at the shoe still in his hand. He nods and grabs his cap from a hat rack on his way out of the lab. The doctor follows, using an umbrella like a cane. We stay on the open door as GRETA closes it behind them.
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