Sleepy Hollow
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, CAVE HOME-EARLY EVENING
Ichabod and Masbath ride up, confronted by the Crone’s cave vomiting flame out all orifices.
Ichabod approaches. Embers swirl everywhere. The Old Crone’s body lies amongst bloodied leaves. Headless.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE, DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE-NIGHT
Much commotion. A MOB in front of the home marked “LANCASTER, PHYSICIAN.” Steenwyck addresses the rabble.
FATHER STEENWYCK You all stand idle, while this man goes about with a book of secrets and a bag filled with magic. You all stand idle, while the shadow of the Devil falls over our town.
Baltus, Lady Van Tassel and Katrina watch at safe distance.
FATHER STEENWYCK I say, if you do nothing, you share in the blasphemy of Ichabod Crane!
Killian, on horseback beside his wife, BETH, and son, Thomas, rides to one side of the shouting crowd.
KILLIAN Listen to me! Do you want to save your crops? Or would you rather see your farms go to ruin?
FATHER STEENWYCK How is he saving our farms? How? Ichabod Crane has brought into our midst the soulless, moldering corpse of a heretic!
INT. DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE, MEDICAL ROOM-NIGHT
Ichabod examines the Crone’s neck wound with magnification spectacles. Young Masbath is seated, ledger in his lap.
ICHABOD The wound is neither smooth nor cauterized, but jagged. She bleeds like a fountain.
Ichabod lifts her dead hand to show bruises and cuts.
ICHABOD She did not go quietly.
INT. DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE, PARLOR-NIGHT
Doctor Lancaster wrings his hands. His WIFE rocks nervously in a rocking chair. The CROWD outside ROARS as a bonfire lights up the curtained windows.
The front door is POUNDED open. ANGRY MEN enter. Lancaster stands, lips quivering. He points insistently to a door.
INT. DOCTOR’S RESIDENCE, MEDICAL ROOM-NIGHT
Angry men break in. Ichabod looks up.
ANGRY MAN Step aside, Constable. Step aside…
Ichabod is shoved aside, spectacles knocked off.
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.
ICHABOD Allow me some time. I have spent every hour in the company of others. I need to be alone.
KATRINA What troubles you?
She moves in front. Ichabod gets up and crosses to sit facing away. Katrina takes the chair he deserted.
KATRINA The things I said to you before… I was wrong to say them.
ICHABOD No, actually, you were not. Every word you spoke had truth in it.
KATRINA What has happened?
Ichabod sits silent, puts his head back, eyes closed.
ICHABOD Lady Van Tassel… she is your stepmother, isn’t she? She bears so little resemblance.
KATRINA What?
ICHABOD She is not your birth mother, is she?
KATRINA No, but… why do you ask that?
ICHABOD What happened to your mother? Is she still alive?
KATRINA She died. Her lungs were diseased… two years ago. What is this about?
ICHABOD Memories have come back. I had them forgotten, and wish I could forget them again… but they are here now. (pause) Lord, how I hate this place.
KATRINA If you want me to go, I will. Do you want me to leave?
ICHABOD I… I do not know. I no longer know what I think or what I feel.
Katrina walks to him. She touches his back.
KATRINA Why are you so afraid of that? Is there truly such harm in uncertainty?
She kneels, smiles a little for him. She reaches to touch his face, holds his head in her hands. Leans to kiss him.
He rests his head against hers, weary, putting his arms around her. They kiss passionately.
EXT. THE HOLLOW-EARLY MORNING
Dawn light, is visible over forests pounded by rain.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR HALL-MORNING
Ichabod exits his room, satchel in hand. He looks down the hall, then steps back in to take a white rose from a vase.
AROUND A CORNER, Ichabod comes to the last door. He bends, slipping the white rose under the crack of the door.
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, FRONT PORCH-MORNING
Rain. Ichabod comes out. Across the lawn, Young Masbath is bringing the horses.
LADY VAN TASSEL (o.s.) Good morrow, Constable.
Ichabod turns to see Lady Van Tassel in a chair, sewing.
LADY VAN TASSEL Returning to the Western Woods?
ICHABOD Yes, actually.
LADY VAN TASSEL Use caution.
ICHABOD (nods, studies her) Do you know… I think those are the first words I have heard from you my entire time here.
LADY VAN TASSEL As my husband says, a wife should be always like an echo, and at the same time, quite unlike an echo. (off Ichabod’s confusion) Like an echo, she should speak only when spoken to, and unlike an echo, should never try to have the last word, or, at least that is what he believes.
Baltus comes out the door, irritable, skillet in hand.
BALTUS Constable… did you notice anything out of the ordinary during the night?
Ichabod eyes the skillet, ill at ease, trying not to be.
ICHABOD Um… I… I did not… no. Why?
BALTUS Sarah has gone missing… my servant girl. Her things are gone. Damn it. She has joined the migration out of town. (to Lady Van Tassel) What about breakfast, woman? Or, am I to starve to death?
Lady Van Tassel gets up and goes in, taking the skillet.
ICHABOD I should be going… good day to you.
Ichabod heads towards Young Masbath. Baltus watches from the porch, disgruntled. He goes in.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS-DAY
Heavy rain. Ichabod and Young Masbath ride side by side.
YOUNG MASBATH If the Crone’s wound bled hard, that means she was not killed by the Hessian. Someone only tried to make it look that way.
ICHABOD You grow sharper by the minute, little man. It boggles my mind, but I begin to prefer your company over all others.
YOUNG MASBATH Well… I’m one of the few people who likes you.
ICHABOD (laughs) True enough.
YOUNG MASBATH Then, who murdered the Old Crone? And why?
ICHABOD Good questions, deserving answers, of which we are in short supply.
A SOUND is HEARD. Ichabod looks back, then to Masbath.
ICHABOD Quicken pace.
Ichabod rides faster. Young Masbath keeps up.
FURTHER ON, they charge over a hill. Ichabod halts Gunpowder and climbs clumsily off.
ICHABOD Ride on.
Young Masbath obeys. Ichabod takes out his pistol and wades into forest growth, backtracking.
INSIDE THE FOREST, Ichabod bounds through underbrush, low. A HORSE is HEARD SNORTING. He pushes through branches…
Moving behind a FIGURE IN A GREY CLOAK on horseback.
ICHABOD Halt and turn. I have a pistol aimed at your head.
The figure stops, pushes off the cloak hood. Katrina.
KATRINA It is only me.
ICHABOD Katrina. Why do you follow?
KATRINA I apologize if I worried you.
ICHABOD A woman should not be out alone in these woods.
KATRINA But, I am not alone, am I? I only wished to see what you were up to, and… (takes out WHITE ROSE) To thank you.
Ichabod softens, but doesn’t want to.
ICHABOD Come along.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, TREE OF THE DEAD-DAY
Raining still. Ichabod, Masbath and Katrina come into a clearing, mouths falling open at the sight of…
A monstrously huge TREE OF THE DEAD, at the clearing’s center, with branches reaching far and wide, knotted and gross, like agony captured in wood sculpture.
Ichabod dismounts, crossing a line beyond which grass and weeds will not grow. Young Masbath and Katrina dismount.
YOUNG MASBATH You were right… it does draw attention to itself.
Ichabod stares up into the endless, dead canopy of branches. He circles the incredibly wide trunk.
There’s a VERTICAL WOUND in the bark, as if the tree once had a terrible vertical in it, now partially healed and disgustingly scarred. Ichabod approaches.
He feels the mushy scar, picking at its scabs till much sap begins to trickle. It is red and Ichabod fingers it.
ICHABOD Blood.
KATRINA What did you say?
Ichabod goes to where Katrina and Masbath wait with the horses, digs in a saddle bag for a hand axe.
YOUNG MASBATH What is it?
ICHABOD Stay back.
At the trunk, Ichabod thumps the flat end of the axe against the suture. It sounds hollow. Ichabod begins to chop.
He pulls away loose bark. The tree drips more blood and a clear goo. Ichabod uses both hands on the axe to hack at the festering suture.
KATRINA What are you doing?
ICHABOD Just… keep where you are.
Ignoring, Young Masbath moves closer. Ichabod keeps chopping, then grips a large, loose flap of wood, trying to bend it. It’s not easy. Ichabod struggles.
Katrina follows Masbath’s slow advance.
Ichabod’s pulling… the flap suddenly gives, revealing a blood-soaked, wide-eyed, gap-mouthed HUMAN HEAD.
Ichabod recoils. Behind him, Katrina stifles a scream, taking Young Masbath in her arms to keep him from looking.
It is Philipse’s head, hanging off the trunk flap, held by roots grown around and into the flesh.
Ichabod reapproaches, back of his hand to his mouth.
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.
WHHOOOSH the fire shoots up the fireplace. Gone.
Behind Killian, the DOOR SPLINTERS INWARDS. The Horseman steps in, a battle axe in each hand. WIND BLASTS…
The DOOR to the other room SLAMS.
Killian grabs a kitchen chair and hurls it at the Horseman. The Horseman swings, smashing it aside.
KILLIAN Beth… run!
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Beth hugs Thomas to her as she backs away.
KILLIAN (o.s.) (from kitchen) Get out!
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
Killian grabs an iron skewer from the fireplace, swings it to fend off a blow from the Horseman.
The Horseman swings the other axe. Killian ducks. The axe cracks fireplace stone, throwing sparks.
Killian lunges, jamming the skewer into the Horseman.
The skewer comes through the Horseman’s back. The Horseman swipes with the flat of one axe-pounding Killian aside.
Killian hits the wall, bashing his head. Hits the floor.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
Beth kicks a carpet to reveal a trap door.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
The Horseman pulls the skewer out of his body, throws it. He goes to lift Killian by the hair with one hand, brings back the axe in the other…
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, WHITE ROOM-DAY
At the trap door, Beth lowers Thomas to stairs leading to the cellar. Thomas is crying.
BETH Don’t let him get you.
THOMAS Mommy…
BETH You hide now… go…
Beth closes the trap door, frantically replacing the carpet. The room’s door flies open and the Horseman strides in, carrying Killian’s severed head. Beth shrieks.
The Horseman steps forward, knocks over the magic lantern.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, CELLAR-DAY
Beth’s SCREAMS are abruptly CUT OFF. Her BODY is HEARD HITTING the floor above. Thomas crosses the cellar, stumbles. He scurries into the shelter of a wheelbarrow propped against the wall. FOOTSTEPS are HEARD.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, THE WHITE ROOM-DAY
The Horseman’s hands place Killian’s and Beth’s heads in a sack, cinching the sack shut.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
The Headless Horseman enters, bends to retrieve the battle axe he left. He stands. Pause.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, CELLAR-DAY
Thomas’ trembling hands pull the wheelbarrow closer. QUIET. He tries to control his sobbing.
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, KITCHEN-DAY
The Horseman turns, falls to his knees. He starts to chop at the floor with both axes. CHOPping, CHOPping, CHOPping… making quick work of it…
INT. KILLIAN’S HOME, CELLAR-DAY
A hole appears in the ceiling as debris falls.
Thomas looks up, terrified. He gets up to run away…
The Horseman’s arm shoves through above, grasping Thomas and yanking him up.
EXT. KILLIAN’S FARM-DAY
Brom rides from the forest, charging across Killian’s field.
At Killian’s house, Daredevil rides up as the Headless Horseman walks out with his sack of heads. The Horseman ties the sack to the saddle and leaps up.
Brom puts his reins in his mouth, raising his rifle.
The Horseman heads away, past the barn, as Brom gains.
Brom aims… FIRES!
BOOM-the slug EXPLODES, blowing the Horseman off Daredevil. Daredevil keeps going. The Horseman’s smoldering body is left “face down.”
Brom halts his horse. He climbs down, pleased.
The Horseman moves.
Brom backs away, satisfaction diminishing.
The Horseman gets on his knees.
Brom falls to one knee, begins reloading. He fills the gun from his powder horn.
The Horseman stands, unsheathes his sword and turns. The blast has blown apart his uniform at the chest and shoulder, exposing rotten flesh and maggot-infested muscle.
Brom readies his ramrod, jamming powder in the barrel.
The Horseman charges.
Brom stands, pulling out the ramrod. The Horseman is on him. Brom swings the rifle, blocking. Sparks fly.
The battle is on, with Brom fending off the Horseman’s sword with the gun-CLANK-CLANK-CLANK.
ACROSS THE FIELD, Ichabod and Gunpowder break into the open.
UP THE FIELD, the Horseman makes a backhanded swing. Brom goes down, his rifle sent flying.
Brom rolls to avoid as the Horseman slashes.
Brom flees. The Horseman pulls and throws a knife…
THWAP-the knife imbeds in Brom’s thigh.
The Horseman runs towards Brom.
Ichabod closes in, pulling an unlit lantern off his saddle.
Brom tries to get up, bends to extract the knife.
The Horseman, mid-run, changes his sword grip, blade down.
He plants one foot on Brom’s back, raising his sword, about to skewer…
Ichabod arrives full gallop, SMASHES the lantern into the Horseman-knocking the Horseman off Brom.
AT THE EDGE OF THE FOREST, Theodore and Glen arrive on horseback. They hold a moment, watching.
Brom runs, limping, to the barn, goal in sight: farm implements propped there. Brom grabs SCYTHES with long curved blades, one in per hand.
The Horseman rises.
Ichabod turns Gunpowder and leaps off, runs to Brom.
The Horseman moves towards them, hefting a battle axe in his free hand. Ichabod steps up, pistol aimed, furious.
ICHABOD For what it’s worth…
FIRES-the bullet rips through the Horseman’s stomach to reveal putrid innards as he keeps advancing.
At the forest, Theodore looks to Glenn, turns and flees.
Brom steps up, scythes ready. He and the Horseman go at it. Brom blocks axe and sword, catching and deflecting blows.
At the forest, Glenn follows Theodore away.
Ichabod grabs a long handled SICKLE.
Brom swings the scythes. The Horseman avoids.
Ichabod moves to the side, looking for an opening. He swings the sickle. The Horseman blocks.
The Horseman battles both at once, catching blows… countering every strike, METAL RINGING.
Brom catches the Horseman’s sword in one scythe, holding it off. Catches the axe handle in the other scythe.
The Horseman flatfoot KICKS Brom’s chest, sending him down.
Ichabod swings the sickle blade…
Hits the Horseman, the blade embedding to the hilt.
The Horseman drops his axe and grasps the sickle, jerking…
The sickle handle SLAMS Ichabod’s, knocking him away.
Ichabod crawls, tries to shake off the blow.
He looks up. The Horseman staggers, spastically trying to pull the blade from his body.
Brom limps to Ichabod, yanks him to his feet.
BROM We cannot win this.
They head towards the forest.
Behind, the Horseman extracts the sickle, throws it. He strides after them, picks up his axe on the way.
EXT. RIVERBANK-DAY
Ichabod and Brom stumble down a hillside. Brom points.
BROM There…
They run to a DOCK at the edge of a wide, rapid river. They jump into a FLAT BOAT barge.
BROM Go to the front and guide it.
Ichabod goes. Brom uses a scythe to slash the ropes.
Ichabod picks up a GUIDE POLE. The barge lurches, set free.
Ichabod struggles to push the boat out. it moves swiftly, caught in rain swollen current.
Brom looks back. No Horseman. He leaves the scythe and moves to the front, hefting another pole to help guide.
BROM Let’s see him catch us now.
Ichabod looks to the shore. Horror.
ICHABOD Look.
LIGHTNING ILLUMINATES-ahead, the Horseman stands on the bank with Axe and sword. Daredevil near.
BROM We’ll pass right by the son of a bitch.
Ichabod and Brom push with the poles, trying for speed.
At the bank, the Horseman walks directly to the water…
Just as he takes a step onto the water, the rain churned surface TRANSFORMS-instantly BECOMING a SHEET of ICE…
SPREADING and supporting the Horseman as he advances.
ICE SHOOTS OUT ahead of him, towards a point in the river where it will intercept the barge.
BROM My Christ…
The Horseman’s ICE BRIDGE engulfs the barge, HALTING IT.
Ichabod and Brom are thrown. The barge is trapped.
The Horseman nears.
Brom runs to the rear to retrieve his scythe. Ichabod holds up the only weapon he has, his guide pole.
The Horseman steps on board. Ichabod swings. The Horseman’s axe cracks the pole in half…
The Horseman thrusts with sword-into Ichabod’s chest- clean through. It SIZZLES as Ichabod screams.
The Horseman lifts Ichabod up, flips him, pulling the sword out as Ichabod goes…
SMASHING through the ice and under.
UNDERWATER water carries Ichabod, slams him against ice above. He’s pulled down by undertow.
ABOVE WATER, beyond the edge of the ice bridge: Ichabod comes up, gasping, choking on rain.
He treads water, looking to the barge.
ICHABOD’S P.O.V.-FROM THE WATER
Aboard the barge, the Horseman cuts Brom down… stands over him, chopping with sword. Our VIEW grows BLURRY, and…
FADES OUT/IN
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Candlelight. Ichabod, shirtless, feverish, opens his eyes. The wound at the top of his chest is raw. Katrina inserts a needle in the skin around it.
KATRINA Lay still, Ichabod. Do not move.
LADY VAN TASSEL Doctor, he is awake.
Ichabod tries to sit. Pain stops him. Lady Van Tassel helps bleed the wound with the needle and a tube leading to a SUCTION JAR of blood.
ICHABOD (barely a voice) What… what are you doing… ?
KATRINA I’m drawing bad blood from the wound.
Doctor Lancaster comes to the bed.
DOCTOR LANCASTER Keep still, Constable. You were half-drowned when they found you.
ICHABOD … Brom Bones…
DOCTOR LANCASTER He is dead. You would be also, if your wound had not somehow shut.
ICHABOD Bring Young Masbath here.
DOCTOR LANCASTER You need to sleep.
ICHABOD Bring him.
DOCTOR LANCASTER You need rest.
Ichabod gives up, closes his eyes. Katrina, needle in one hand, brings her other hand to hold Ichabod’s.
Blood drips into the suction jar.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-LATER NIGHT
Ichabod is soundly asleep. Across the room, Katrina is at his work table. Ichabod stirs. Katrina looks to him.
Once she is satisfied he will not wake, she returns to what she was doing, turning a page. She is reading his ledger.
EXT. SERVANT’S QUARTER’S, MASBATH’S ROOM-NIGHT
Young Masbath lies awake. A glint of light crosses the window. Masbath looks to it, gets up, peers out.
THROUGH THE WINDOW, he can see the Van Tassel Manor House in the distance. Lantern LIGHT crosses the lawn.
