Sleepy Hollow
The group grasps the Crone. Masbath stands on his chair, clutching the ledger. Ichabod grabs one man.
ICHABOD What are you doing?
The man slams Ichabod back.
Magnification spectacles are crushed under foot.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE-NIGHT
Angry men carry the corpse to a raging bonfire. The mob makes way. Steenwyck cheers them.
FATHER STEENWYCK Let her burn! Let her burn!
Ichabod comes out, followed by Young Masbath. The Crone’s corpse is thrown in the fire. Cheers all around.
At Ichabod’s side, a man tries to grab the ledger Young Masbath holds. Young Masbath cries out, hanging on to the book. Ichabod joins the struggle.
Katrina watches, emotions conflicting.
Other men grab Ichabod. One punches Ichabod in the face.
Katrina rides forward as Baltus calls for her to stop.
Katrina leaps down, into the crowd, pulls men off Ichabod.
KATRINA Stop this! Leave them alone!
A SHOT RINGS OUT. Chaos halts. Everyone turns, quieting.
The men around Masbath and Ichabod turn to face Brom Bones. Brom holds a smoking pistol, flanked by Theodore and Glenn.
BROM Let them go (pointing) Are you going to beat an orphaned child, imbecile?
Masbath is released, along with the ledger. Steenwyck moves forward, pushing people aside.
FATHER STEENWYCK Are you Ichabod Crane’s protector, Brom Bones?
BROM Only for the moment.
FATHER STEENWYCK You side with him in this?
BROM No. I agree he has only made matters worse. But, that will change, if you listen.
He trades with Theodore, pistol for a long rifle. Brom hefts the rifle, taking a round slug from his pocket.
BROM Theodore, Glenn and I offer to ride each day and night to watch over the Hollow. We will stalk the border of the Western Woods and haunt the Horseman for a change, with rifles like this… and slugs like this…
Brom brings the slug to his lips, blows. It WHISTLES.
BROM Hollowed out and filled with powder.
Brom smiles at Katrina, who watches unimpressed.
BROM Constable Crane is not the only one who fights with science on his side.
ICHABOD I fired upon the Horseman and the bullet did nothing.
BROM You must have missed your mark.
ICHABOD I hit him square.
BROM (to the crowd) I say… if the Horseman is solid enough to take the lives of our people, he’s solid enough to feel this…
Brom aims the rifle at a BARREL down the road. FIRES.
PLUNK-the barrel is hit-EXPLODES. Smoke wafts.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
In bed, Ichabod is having unpleasant dreams once more.
FREAKISH WOMAN (v.o.) The night of the great storm, I saw her cross my windows.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-COURTROOM-DAY
Young Ichabod is seated beside Father, eyes tearful. We are back in the court where Mother stands trial.
FREAKISH WOMAN In the lightning, I did see her. (points to Mother) Her. Lady Crane… I will never forget it. The next moment, I found my infant son was dead, with the blood welt on his breast.
The evil Third Man turns to a jury of TWELVE MEN.
THIRD MAN You have heard it. The blood welt is the mark of Satan’s touch.
As the crowd murmurs in fear, Young Ichabod looks to Father, who sits with hands clenched, emotionless.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S HOME-NIGHT
In the quiet kitchen, Young Ichabod looks across the table. Father stares into his food.
YOUNG ICHABOD She was with me, father.
FATHER Nothing can be done against them.
YOUNG ICHABOD She was with me that night.
Father doesn’t even look up.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-CHURCH-NIGHT
Empty church. Young Ichabod carries a lantern past pews. A soldier is seated near the altar with a rifle.
YOUNG ICHABOD May I see her?
The soldier exits through a white door. Young Ichabod waits, looking up at the vast church. The white door opens and the Third Man steps out.
THIRD MAN Go home.
YOUNG ICHABOD May I see my mother?
THIRD MAN You do not want to be here. Go home to your father.
YOUNG ICHABOD She did not do it… please listen…
THIRD MAN She is guilty.
YOUNG ICHABOD No, sir, please… she is innocent…
THIRD MAN She has confessed.
YOUNG ICHABOD No.
THIRD MAN She has admitted to her evil and signed a written confession. Do you know what confession is? (off Ichabod’s nod) All that is left for you now is to pray for her soul.
The Third Man leaves through the white door.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S BEDROOM-MORNING
Young Ichabod buttons his shirt.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S YARD-MORNING
Young Ichabod comes out, looks to the lawn, not understanding. Father loads a wagon full of belongings.
FATHER We are leaving. (long pause) She has gone away.
Realization comes to Young Ichabod. He runs, away across the lawn as Father calls after him.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-FOREST TRAIL-MORNING
Young Ichabod runs, weeping.
THIRD MAN (v.o.) She has confessed.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-CHURCH-MORNING
Empty. Doors are thrown open and Young Ichabod enters. He goes down the aisle, towards the white door.
THIRD MAN (v.o.) She has admitted to her evil and signed a written confession.
YOUNG ICHABOD Mother.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-CHURCH, BEYOND WHITE DOOR-MORNING
Young Ichabod enters, halting. The room contains TORTURE DEVICES: iron cuffs, thumb screws, knifes and needles.
THIRD MAN (v.o.) Do you know what confession is?
He walks, numb, eyes locked forward…
In the corner is a SPIKED CHAIR, adorned with sharp iron spikes. Hundreds of spikes. It is fitted with straps for holding down the “accused.”
Tears stream down Young Ichabod’s face. He kneels, hands on the spikes of the chair, pressing hard.
As he sobs, blood runs down from his hands.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
In bed, Ichabod opens tear filled eyes. He sits up, bringing his trembling hands to wipe his cheeks. His hands trail blood. He looks to them…
The old scars are bleeding.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SITTING ROOM-NIGHT
Katrina comes to the door. Ichabod is seated by the fire, eyes bleary, palms wrapped with bloodied cloth.
KATRINA Constable Crane?
Katrina comes beside Ichabod’s chair.
