Sleepy Hollow
FOUR other SEVERED, DECAYING HEADS are held by ingrown roots within the dewy innards.
KATRINA My God… what has happened?
ICHABOD He… he tries to take the heads… they will not pass.
He looks to the branches towering above.
ICHABOD Must be some sort of gateway. But, why this place… ?
YOUNG MASBATH We should go.
ICHABOD Why this tree?
Ichabod begins looking at the ground, moving around the tree. He gets to his knees, pushing mud away.
Uncovering a flush HEADSTONE carved with “666.”
ICHABOD (to himself) “Climb down to the Horseman’s soulless place.” (to Masbath) Bring the shovel.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, TREE OF THE DEAD-LATER DAY
Rain. Young Masbath’s crouched, muddy, rifle across his knees. He’s watching the tree.
Behind him, Katrina climbs out of the shallow grave near a pile of mud. Ichabod hands up the shovel.
KATRINA Masbath, we’ve found it.
Young Masbath goes to the grave. Ichabod pulls at thick burlap cloth, straining as it comes away.
Ichabod looks down, disbelieving.
ICHABOD It cannot be true.
WE SEE roots have gripped the Horseman’s bones and tattered uniform. The skeleton is all there-except the skull.
ICHABOD Why is it every grave I open holds a new mystery inside?
KATRINA The skull is gone.
ICHABOD Yes. I did notice that, thank you.
Ichabod climbs out, weary in body and spirit. LIGHTNING. THUNDER. He stares at the bones.
ICHABOD This is his silent shrieking… and his desire, to reclaim his head.
Ichabod turns, looking to the bordering forest.
ICHABOD “He who holds fast the Horseman’s desire will guide his reaping hand.” (pause) Someone controls the Horseman.
KATRINA (o.s.) Ichabod!
Ichabod turns, looks…
Katrina and Young Masbath back away, because the ROOTS in the grave are ALIVE, further entwining around remains.
Ichabod spins to the twisted tree…
The vertical SUTURE SEETHES, pulling inwards… sucking Philipse’s head back in and closing, bubbling.
Ichabod bounds over grave dirt pile, hastening Katrina and Young Masbath along as he flees.
At the tree, the suture swells.
Ichabod, Katrina and Young Masbath pass where their freaking horses are tied to a fallen trunk, heading for cover.
A RUMBLING is HEARD from the twisted tree, which suddenly BURSTS wide, spitting smoldering cinders.
At the tree line, Ichabod, Katrina and Young Masbath cower, looking back.
From the tree wound, a glow brightens, till the Headless Horseman and Daredevil EXPLODE into existence…
They hit the ground running.
Ichabod watches the Horseman ride away with bolts of LIGHTNING STRIKING the GROUND BEHIND.
The Horseman disappears in the forest.
ICHABOD His next victim is chosen! (to Masbath) Give me distance, then guide her back to the Hollow.
Ichabod runs towards the horses.
YOUNG MASBATH Constable!
EXT. WESTERN WOODS-DAY
The Horseman rips past on Daredevil.
EXT. BEHIND IN WESTERN WOODS-DAY
Ichabod rides as fast as Gunpowder is able.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
Small home. Killian, Thomas and Beth have finished supper. Beth clears plates as Killian picks his teeth with a knife.
THOMAS May I be excused, father?
KILLIAN Do you deserve to be?
THIRD MAN (shyly) I think so.
KILLIAN (smiles) Then, go.
Thomas gets down from his chair. He goes to the fireplace to light a tallow wick, which he takes to the next room.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Thomas plops on the floor and lights his MAGIC LANTERN: a lantern with an outer sleeve of glass painted with silhouettes of lions and monsters.
Thomas turns the lantern and looks to the walls where the creatures, shadows are thrown. He roars for them, imagining them real and having a grand time.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
Beth comes for more dishes.
BETH Don’t pick teeth. You teach Thomas bad habits.
Killian pulls her to him, playful.
KILLIAN I am a bad habit. There’s nothing for it.
BETH (kisses him) No one knows better than I.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Thomas continues his fun, shadow animals circling him.
In the shifting light, a baby spider comes from a crack in the wall. Then, another spider skitters out. More follow.
EXT. FORESTS-DAY
A black horse runs, hooves pounding the ground. THUNDER is HEARD. The horse slows and stops… it is Brom’s horse, with Brom aboard. Brom looks skyward.
The storm harshens, roaring through the trees. Distant HOOFBEATS can be HEARD. POUNDING.
Brom takes his rifle off his shoulder. The HOOFBEATS grow LOUDER and PASS, far away. Brom turns in the saddle and WHISTLES. He kicks his horse and rides.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Thomas still watches shadow beasts, but sees something else. He goes to the crack where hundreds of spiders flee all directions. Thomas is amused.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
Behind Killian, mantelpiece stones pulse, breathing almost imperceptibly. Demonic faces form, then disappear and reform again, shifting. WIND HOWLS.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Beth enters, looking at Thomas.
BETH What are you doing there?
The magic lantern stops spinning. Shadow creatures freeze.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
The ENTIRE HOUSE CREAKS. Killian looks up. CREAKING STOPS. The HOWLING WIND is LOUD.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, THE WHITE ROOM-DAY
Beth comes to Thomas’ side as he points.
THOMAS Spiders.
Beth bends to see the swarming spiders. She looks up, noticing the FEROCITY of the WIND.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
Killian stands, looking up. The HOUSE CREAKS again, then suddenly the WIND CEASES. Silence.
KILLIAN Beth…
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, THE WHITE ROOM-DAY
Beth picks up Thomas. The magic lantern creatures begin spinning anew, all around.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
With a ROAR, the fire flares. Killian looks.
