Sleepy Hollow
EXT. VAN TASSEL ESTATE, ORCHARD-NIGHT
The lantern light moves through the orchard, away from the house. We cannot make out the person.
Elsewhere, Young Masbath runs in pursuit. He hides against one tree, leans to look…
The light enters forest. Young Masbath follows.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-MORNING
Ichabod’s hurting. Masbath helps with a shirt.
YOUNG MASBATH Someone left last night. Looked like they headed to the square, but I lost them in the forest.
ICHABOD Man or woman?
YOUNG MASBATH All I saw was their lantern.
ICHABOD Business, best hidden is hidden best at night.
Ichabod goes to his work table, organizing his satchel.
YOUNG MASBATH If someone has the Horseman’s skull… if they control the Horseman, then why haven’t they sent him for your head yet?
ICHABOD Because, I serve a fine purpose alive. It is perfection for our murderer if I return to New York City with nothing more than tales of a galloping ghoul. (pause) We must uncover the reason these victims were targeted. What was taken from them… other than their lives? Who benefits by their deaths?
Ichabod fumbles the bottle of white powder.
It bounces, cork popping out… rolls under the bed.
ICHABOD Damn it.
Ichabod kneels, pained. A trail of the blood-detecting powder has spilled. The bottle is out of reach.
YOUNG MASBATH I’ll get it.
Young Masbath gets down, ready to crawl for it, but Ichabod stops him, peering under.
ICHABOD Wait…
Far under, near the bottle, some powder is bubbling.
Ichabod moves to the end of the bed and lifts, in pain. Young Masbath helps. They drag the bed to one side.
Under the bed: a Satanic PENTAGRAM has been DRAWN IN BLOOD.
Ichabod stares, trying to grasp the implication. Masbath is about to speak, but Ichabod puts a finger to his lips.
Ichabod moves to lock the door.
YOUNG MASBATH (whispers) Who did this?
Ichabod does not answer. He picks up a wash basin and dumps the water to wash the Pentagram away.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE/CHURCH-DAY
WAGONS, HORSES and TOWNSPEOPLE swarm. A CROWD loots the town’s general store. Provisions are passed along man to man and loaded on wheelbarrows.
All up and down the long straight road, home owners board up windows with lumber.
Ichabod and Young Masbath ride, passing many angry faces.
ICHABOD Panic has set in.
They stop, tying their horses and climbing stairs to the door of the “NOTARY.” Ichabod looks off…
DOWN THE ROAD, at the far end, people head to the church. Much activity there as well.
ICHABOD Sanctuary. Or, so they hope.
Families put up tents all around the church within the bordering wrought-iron fence. Supplies abound.
People work to build and erect massive wooden crosses.
INT. NOTARY PUBLIC, HARDENBROOK’S OFFICES-DAY
Tidy room. Young Masbath watches Ichabod hand a slip of paper to the elderly Notary, Hardenbrook.
ICHABOD Do you have these persons’ wills?
HARDENBROOK I have everything… last testaments… birth certificates, death certificates… deeds.
ICHABOD Yes, sir… but, do you have these?
Hardenbrook studies the paper with his one good eye.
HARDENBROOK Certainly… certainly.
Hardenbrook nods, handing the list back, grinning. Ichabod stands waiting. Hardenbrook is still nodding.
ICHABOD May I see them, Master Hardenbrook?
HARDENBROOK Hmm? See them?
ICHABOD May we look at them now?
HARDENBROOK Of course. You want them… it shall not take long. Wait here.
Hardenbrook heads across the room. Ichabod offers the list.
ICHABOD Maybe you should take this.
HARDENBROOK A fine idea.
Hardenbrook takes it and exits. Young Masbath sits.
YOUNG MASBATH What good is this?
ICHABOD To discover what might have been taken from those who died, it will help to know what was there that could be taken in the first place.
Ichabod waits. After a moment, he looks uncertain. He crosses to the half-open door…
INT. NOTARY PUBLIC, RECORDS ROOM-DAY
Ichabod sticks his head in, not liking what he sees.
Hardenbrook’s amidst unbelievable disarray. Tables, shelves, and baskets of unevenly piled documents.
Hardenbrook looks on a shelf, confused, then goes to a table, lifting papers, mumbling.
HARDENBROOK Damn… damn… damn…
ICHABOD Master Hardenbrook…
Hardenbrook turns, a bit startled.
ICHABOD Perhaps, I could assist in finding them?
HARDENBROOK Well… that might be… helpful.
INT. NOTARY PUBLIC, RECORDS ROOM (TIME CUT)-DAY
Hardenbrook is asleep in a chair, snoring, blind eye open. Ichabod and Young Masbath face official-looking documents, with Ichabod focused on one will in hand.
YOUNG MASBATH My father had farm land. It was the only thing we owned of any value.
ICHABOD (still reading) And it now belongs to you, according to Baltus. I heard him say it.
YOUNG MASBATH Yes.
Ichabod turns the will in his hand to Masbath.
ICHABOD Then look here at your father’s will, and tell me why you are not listed.
Young Masbath takes it, boggled. Ichabod grabs another.
ICHABOD Van Garrett had denoted his elder son in his last wishes; the same son murdered along with him. But Van Garrett’s wife and two infant children are not written… and they were spared. (picks up another will) Do you see? Philipse had no family to bestow his farm to. But, here… (picks up another) The Widow Windsor was listed on her late husband’s will. After her inheritance, she amended the document to include her bastard child. This is why the Horseman made absolutely certain to impale the unborn descendant.
Ichabod sits back.
ICHABOD Only the heirs were killed. Proof that the Horseman slaughters by assignment.
YOUNG MASBATH But, if the farm is not mine, who stole it away?
ICHABOD No one yet, far as I can tell. It has gone intestate.
YOUNG MASBATH In test… what?
ICHABOD Intestate. Your farm… all the farms… they belong to no one.
YOUNG MASBATH What does it mean?
Ichabod stares off.
ICHABOD Often in such cases, property which has gone intestate legally passes to whomever the deceased was indebted to. And, who in this town is owed a great many debts?
YOUNG MASBATH (realization) Baltus Van Tassel.
ICHABOD Did your father take a loan?
YOUNG MASBATH Yes. I rode with him on payment days.
Ichabod stands, grim, gathering wills and his ledger.
ICHABOD Tonight, we answer questions. And, to discover who moves about the Van Tassel house after dark… all we need is a candle.
A LOUD NOISE is HEARD from the other room. Ichabod looks.
INT. HARDENBROOK’S OFFICES-DAY
Ichabod bursts in. No one there. A chair has been knocked over and the front door is ajar. Ichabod moves…
EXT. NOTARY-DAY
Ichabod exits. All around is the commotion in the square as before. No telling who it was who just fled.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-DAY
Young Masbath is seated, bored. Ichabod writes in his ledger. A KNOCK on the door. They both look up.
KATRINA (o.s.) (from outside door) Constable… are you there? (long pause) Ichabod?
The knob is tried and found locked. Pause. At the bottom of the door, a red rose is passed under.
This saddens Ichabod.
EXT. CHURCH-NIGHT
Quiet night. The church is a sight, with a yard resembling an empty squatter’s tent city, surrounded by crosses. Boarded over windows leak shafts of light.
MOVING PAST THE WINDOWS many eyes peer out from the slats.
UP IN THE BELFRY, TWO RIFLEMEN are on watch.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Ichabod and Masbath are in darkness, still waiting. Ichabod takes the cover off a lantern, looks at a clock. Midnight, straight up. Ichabod stands, picks up an unlit candle.
ICHABOD Midnight seems an appropriate time.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, HALLWAY-NIGHT
Ichabod and Young Masbath look out, cautious. They move to the nearest door.
Ichabod crouches, using the candle to mark the seam of the door and door frame. He’s making a low, wax seal. If the door opens, the seal will break.
They move to a second door, quietly. Ichabod makes another low wax mark.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, MAIN ENTRANCE-NIGHT
Ichabod and Masbath come downstairs to a hall. Ichabod continues his wax marking at each door.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, BALTUS’ OFFICE-NIGHT
Ichabod and Young Masbath enter, shutting the door. Ichabod walks to shelves at Baltus’ desk, looks through ribbon bound DOCUMENTS and hands some to Masbath.
Young Masbath pulls off the ribbon, pages through these “LOAN AGREEMENT” parchments. Ichabod brings another pile.
ICHABOD (whispering) They are alphabetical.
Young Masbath has the M’s. “MARYIE,” “MEGAPOLENISIS,” AND “MELYN…” Not finding what he wants.
YOUNG MASBATH There is no Masbath here. My father’s loan papers are missing.
ICHABOD (regarding his documents) There are none for Magistrate Philipse either. “Paasch, James” “Pieter, Thomas” “Pos, William.”
A FLOORBOARD CREAKS. Ichabod looks, blows out the lantern. He and Young Masbath stand frozen.
Across the room, light comes under the door, stops, then continues. A DOOR is HEARD OPENING and SHUTTING. Ichabod crosses to follow, pointing back.
ICHABOD Keep looking. Then, hide in my room and bolt the door till I return.
EXT. FOREST-NIGHT
Lantern light moves, far ahead. Ichabod follows.
EXT. FOREST, FURTHER ON-NIGHT
Ichabod stops, hidden. He can see the light ahead, but it is no longer in motion. He advances.
EXT. FOREST CLEARING-NIGHT
A lantern sits on a rock. On a blanket, a semi-naked MAN and semi-naked WOMAN are in the midst of rough SEX.
Ichabod crawls to peer from underbrush.
The couple keeps coupling, with the man on top. His grunts and gasps are particularly desperate. He’s all over the woman, who lays back… it is Lady van Tassel.
Ichabod swallows, inches closer.
Lady van Tassel pulls the man’s shirt, exposes his flesh. She raises a small, sharp KNIFE behind his back.
Ichabod’s eyes widen.
Lady Van Tassel brings the blade to her own hand, slicing deep in her palm. Blood flows. She rubs her cut hand over her partner’s arching back, smearing blood.
Lady van Tassel caresses the man’s chest, neck, face… trailing blood. The man lifts his head, in ecstasy, sucks the woman’s bloody fingers… it’s Clergyman Steenwyck.
Ichabod backs away, having seen more than plenty.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Young Masbath unlocks the door. Ichabod enters.
YOUNG MASBATH I was getting worried. Who was it?
ICHABOD Lady Van Tassel.
YOUNG MASBATH What was she doing?
ICHABOD Something I really wish I had not seen. Never mind it. Did you find the victims’ loan agreements?
YOUNG MASBATH No. They are all missing.
This troubles Ichabod.
YOUNG MASBATH There is more, though. While you were gone, I could hear someone else walking through the house.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, UPSTAIRS HALLWAY-NIGHT
Ichabod and Young Masbath creep round a corner. Going to the LAST DOOR, Ichabod crouches, eyes narrowing…
ICHABOD (whispers, to himself) Katrina.
The wax seal is broken, flecks of wax on the floor.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, FOYER AND HALL-NIGHT
Ichabod and Masbath come downstairs, checking all the wax marks. Young Masbath finds one broken.
YOUNG MASBATH Here.
Ichabod comes over, pushes the door…
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, KITCHEN-NIGHT
They enter. The kitchen is empty. Ichabod crosses to another door, crouches. Another broken wax mark.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SEWING ROOM-NIGHT
They enter… the room with the elaborate loom. Ichabod moves his lantern to make a quick search, goes to table.
He touches the top of a candle. His finger comes away with a bit of still wet wax.
YOUNG MASBATH There are no other doors. This is as far as she could have gone.
ICHABOD It is nothing. She comes to read books, so her father will not find her. (to convince himself) It is absolutely nothing.
YOUNG MASBATH What books?
ICHABOD Fiction plays and novels. Baltus does not approve. Now, come. It may not be long before Lady Van Tassel returns.
YOUNG MASBATH But, sir… what books? Where are they?
Ichabod stops, looking around. No books anywhere.
YOUNG MASBATH If there is a secret place for books… it could be just as good for the missing loan agreements.
Ichabod ponders this without saying anything.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SEWING ROOM-LATER NIGHT
SEARCH MONTAGE:
– Drawers are opened and searched, quietly. – Young Masbath uses a candle to look up the fireplace. – Ichabod opens a linen cabinet, unfolding blankets. – Young Masbath looks in a closet filled with big spools of sewing thread, on his knees, pulls a wooden box forward. Inside it, he finds only old cups and silverware.
Ichabod pulls up a rug, feeling along the floorboards.
Young Masbath crawls, doing the same. He climbs under the loom, tapping on the floor. TAP… TAP… TAP…
He crawls further under the loom. TAP… TAP… PLONK. A hollow sound. He taps again… PLONK… PLONK.
YOUNG MASBATH Constable.
Ichabod comes over as Young Masbath lifts a loose board. Under the floor, there are piles of books. Masbath brings them up, handing them to Ichabod, who studies the spines.
Young Masbath reaches in up to his shoulder. He comes up with “LOAN AGREEMENTS.”
YOUNG MASBATH Fie! Here they are.
Ichabod takes them. Names are near the top: “Masbath,” “Van Garret,” “Philipse,” and “Killian.”
Ichabod sits back, numb, his heart bitterly broken.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, KITCHEN-MORNING
Lady Van Tassel prepares food with two servants at the open fireplace/oven. Ichabod enters, rushed.
ICHABOD Excuse me, Lady Van Tassel… Katrina is not in her room.
LADY VAN TASSEL No. She has gone out.
ICHABOD Where?
LADY VAN TASSEL She has taken the last of our grain to be milled. (crossing to him) You do have a background in the medical arts, don’t you, Constable?
ICHABOD Very little. I must be going…
Lady Van Tassel holds out her cut palm, the gash sewn shut.
LADY VAN TASSEL Will you look at this? I cut my hand this morning: I sewed it myself, but I am afraid it will go bad.
Ichabod takes her hand, distracted and nervous.
ICHABOD It appears well. It has already clotted.
LADY VAN TASSEL Look closer. Do you have anything to clean it with?
ICHABOD It is fine. Now, I must…
Lady Van Tassel grabs Ichabod by the wrist, tight.
LADY VAN TASSEL (whispering, close) I know you saw me.
ICHABOD What… ?
Lady Van Tassel glances to servants, keeps her voice low.
LADY VAN TASSEL I know you followed last night. You must promise not to tell Baltus…
Ichabod tries to pull away, but she grips tighter. The FRONT DOOR is HEARD SLAMMING. Ichabod is panicky.
LADY VAN TASSEL Have mercy on me. Please… have mercy.
Ichabod pulls away just as Baltus enters. Lady Van Tassel goes back to work as if nothing happened.
BALTUS Constable, it is urgent that we speak.
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE FRONT PORCH-MORNING
Baltus leads Ichabod to the porch.
BALTUS Clergyman Steenwyck is calling a meeting. This time he is determined to have you forced out, or worse.
ICHABOD How did you hear this?
BALTUS He came to me. He promised great violence. Said I should cast you out for my own protection. (troubled pause) I must speak honestly. There is no reason to think he will not meet with success.
Ichabod looks to barn, sees Masbath bringing the horses. The CHURCH BELL is HEARD TOLLING far away.
BALTUS That is the meeting bell already calling. With the murder of Killian and Brom, no one sees any good from you. If… if you were to leave… you might be saving your own life.
Ichabod studies Baltus, then offers his hand. They shake.
ICHABOD I appreciate your concern. I thank you, sir.
Ichabod hurries off, across the lawn, exasperated. He runs. Masbath runs to him. Ichabod takes Gunpowder and climbs up.
YOUNG MASBATH (mounting his horse) What now? Where is she?
ICHABOD Things have become complicated. Katrina is at the mill. Ride ahead, find her and bring her to meet me outside the church. Find her at all costs. Quickly.
They ride, fast.
EXT. FOREST-DAY
A conjuring pile of straw burns. Gloved hands unfold a paper filled with clippings of human hair. The hair is sprinkled on the fire.
A cloaked FIGURE is kneeled at the pile. The figure turns to remove A human SKULL from a cloth bag.
The skull is placed at center in the flames. It’s teeth are sharp, cut to points. The HORSEMAN’S SKULL.
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
In the church yard refugee camp, food is prepared over fire. People inhabit the tents.
INT. CHURCH, STEENWYCK’S QUARTERS-MORNING
IN THE CHURCH it’s crowded with families. Pews filled with bedding and belongings. Steenwyck comes to CLOSE the DOUBLE DOORS of his quarters, turning, angry.
FATHER STEENWYCK You are astonishing, Constable. Do you truly think your ridiculous accusations frighten me?
Ichabod is doing nothing to hide his disdain.
ICHABOD Only if I repeat them outside this room. And, I will if I must… (points to doors) Out there, for all to hear. Or… you may speak, as planned. But, you tell them you feel compelled to move on to greener pastures.
FATHER STEENWYCK No. You will not run me out. No one will believe a word of what you say.
ICHABOD Oh? Far as I can tell, a rumor does not travel alone for long here.
FATHER STEENWYCK Are you a deist? Is that it? A free thinker who does not believe in divinity.
ICHABOD It is only important what you are. An adulterer…
FATHER STEENWYCK I am the Lord’s voice in this town.
ICHABOD Wallowing in sin and lust…
FATHER STEENWYCK They need guidance.
ICHABOD Wallowing quite literally in blood.
FATHER STEENWYCK (snapping, quaking) Damn you, sir! God damn you to hell!
ICHABOD He may. But, not soon enough for you, and not on your behalf.
Ichabod walks. Steenwyck is humiliated.
ICHABOD You are so upset now… and yet, you seemed in such good spirits last night.
FATHER STEENWYCK You cannot do this. I am a man of God!
ICHABOD Climb to the top of the tallest ladder you can find, Father. That is the closest you ever come to God.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
Pews are packed. Steenwyck enters, walks to the altar. EVERYONE QUIETS. Steenwyck has composed himself, barely.
FATHER STEENWYCK My friends… dear friends. Those of you still on your farms, I thank you for coming.
He sees Ichabod near the back. THUNDER is HEARD OUTSIDE.
FATHER STEENWYCK I… I address unfortunate business. (pause) I am forced to take my leave from Sleepy Hollow. I will be moving on to do the Lord’s work elsewhere.
The GATHERERS MURMUR shock. Ichabod walks out.
EXT. THE LONG STRAIGHT ROAD-DAY
Raining hard. Baltus and Lady Van Tassel ride.
BALTUS Hurry along. The meeting has most certainly already begun. We do not want Steenwyck as our enemy.
Lady Van Tassel trails. WOOD is HEARD SPLINTERING…
Just off the road, a tree falls…
The trunk catches Lady Van Tassel’s horse on its rear flank.
The horse falls. Lady Van Tassel hits the dirt.
Baltus looks back, halting.
Lady Van Tassel looks up to Baltus in fear, then turns.
Behind her, the Headless Horseman trots from, the forest on Daredevil, stops. Calm. He takes his axe in hand.
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
Storming. The meeting is letting out. Near the churchyard gate, Young Masbath rides with Katrina following on a horse cart. Ichabod walks up as Katrina dismounts.
KATRINA What is so urgent?
ICHABOD Come with me.
Ichabod leads her to where they can talk away from others.
KATRINA Why have I not seen your face for so long? You look much better.
She touches his face, but he takes her hand, places the loan agreements there.
ICHABOD Explain these. I found them secreted away in the sewing room.
Katrina’s expression changes just so slightly to guilt.
ICHABOD Why… why have I scrambled and run and clawed in all directions, only to find you against me?
He stares at her. Katrina stares back, in a small way defeated. She looks for an out, but there is none.
KATRINA I have been reading your journal. I’m sorry. I found it too fascinating to resist. (pause, ashamed) I rode to catch up with you at the Notary, out of curiosity. Before I found you though, I overheard what you were said.
ICHABOD It was you there?
KATRINA When… when you spoke father’s name along with accusations, I could not believe it. I had to hide these… at least till I could confront him myself.
ICHABOD And, what did he say?
KATRINA He did not do these things. If you knew him, you would realize…
ICHABOD What did he say, Katrina?
KATRINA I have not been able to face him yet.
ICHABOD The loans give the land to your father. It does not matter survivors are still on their farms. They could be thrown off… tomorrow… a year from now.
KATRINA Yes, I have seen that, and I told you why I hid them.
ICHABOD What would you have me believe?
KATRINA (tiring, angry) If you think I am behind this, say it.
ICHABOD The name Van Tassel is blackened. You share that name.
KATRINA Call me a liar, then, and a murderess. Say it, out and out.
Many people are starting to notice the confrontation.
ICHABOD Katrina…
KATRINA Speak the words, Constable. What is stopping you? What has happened to your ability to transcend sentimentality?
Emotions tear at him. Rain seems to pound down harder.
KATRINA Oh, no. No. Please… don’t dare stand looking as if you still care for me, after all that you have said. If I were to confess, would that ease your suffering? Would that make it easier for you to hate me?!
A TORTURED CRY is HEARD O.S.
Baltus comes charging through the square on his horse.
BALTUS The Horseman is coming!
He’s barely hanging on. He stops, practically falling off, running towards Katrina and Ichabod.
BALTUS Save me…
KATRINA Father?
BALTUS He killed her…
Baltus grasps Katrina, fearful. HOOFBEATS are HEARD.
BALTUS The Horseman has killed her.
Far behind, the Horseman rides to follow, axe held up. Instant mayhem-people scatter all directions, screaming.
Baltus runs headlong to the church.
KATRINA Father!
Katrina runs after Baltus. Ichabod backs away, watching the Horseman come, then heads to the church with Masbath.
Baltus pushes through the iron gate, into tent city, joining the swarm of townsfolk pouring into the church.
The Horseman rides behind, closing the gap. Men, women and children run for cover all along the square.
Amidst the churchyard panic, Ichabod looks back…
The Horseman reaches the open gate and Daredevil suddenly rears up, snorting, unwilling to enter.
The Horseman grabs Daredevil’s reins, tries to move forward again. Same result. Daredevil freaks out.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
Baltus makes his way in, shoving. People are still clamoring in through the doors.
Men pass rifles from stockpiles and climb onto pews at boarded windows. Women herd children into a cellar.
Baltus searches for a hiding place. He looks across the church to see Steenwyck closing the doors of his living quarters. Baltus moves…
BALTUS Steenwyck!
At the front doors, Katrina squeezes in with Ichabod and Young Masbath just as people are forcing the doors closed. It’s madness. People outside begin pounding.
Katrina searches.
KATRINA Father!
Ichabod goes to a window, looking out between boards.
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
Across the yard, the Horseman gives his axe an underhand toss to the ground inside the gate.
The AXE instantly BEGINS TO DEGRADE TO DUST in the rain.
The Horseman rides, keeping outside the fence.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
Ichabod comes away from the window, looking to panicked citizens. He sees Katrina moving up the aisle…
She’s heading towards Baltus, who slams against the door to Steenwyck’s room.
BALTUS Damn you, Steenwyck! Help me! Let me in!
RIFLES BOOM LOUDLY as men at the windows begin firing.
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
The Horseman circles, under fire.
Great clouds of gun smoke shoot from the church.
Men fire down from the belfry.
Parts of the Horseman and Daredevil splatter red into the rain as slugs hit without effect.
AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHURCH, the Horseman comes around, heading to the town square.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
Rifleman shout to each other, running to the opposite windows to follow the Horseman.
Young Masbath grabs a rifle and leaps to join the brigade.
Baltus is still beating Steenwyck’s door when a HUGE FARMER grips Baltus angrily and throws him…
HUGE FARMER You’ll kill us all!
Baltus falls, knocking over pews. Katrina’s nearby.
HUGE FARMER You’re the one the Horseman wants. Why should we die for you!?
KATRINA NO!
The huge farmer picks Baltus up, dragging him and shoving Katrina aside as she approaches.
Ichabod’s pushing past people, trying to reach them.
EXT. CHURCH/TOWN SQUARE-DAY
The Horseman brings Daredevil to a halt, yanking a large coil of ROPE off a hitching post.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
The huge farmer shoves Baltus to the floor again.
HUGE FARMER Get out!
Others join the rage, pulling Baltus towards the front of the church, shouting. Ichabod struggles to push them off.
ICHABOD Stop this!
Ichabod gets to Baltus’ side, trying to protect.
ICHABOD The Horseman cannot enter! It does not matter who he wants, he cannot cross the gate!
At the windows, ONE RIFLEMAN turns, crying out.
ONE RIFLEMAN He’s coming back!
More panic. The huge farmer moves towards Baltus.
HUGE FARMER We have to save ourselves!
Baltus pulls the pistol from Ichabod’s holster, brandishing.
BALTUS No! Get away from me!
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
The Horseman rides past the front, fired upon.
He halts at the wrought iron gate, reaching to yank off one POST which is pointed on top, like an arrow head.
INT. CHURCH-DAY
Baltus holds everyone’s back with the pistol.
BALTUS The next person to lay hands on me will have a bullet. Stand off!
KATRINA Father…
BALTUS No! We’re safe here. (points at Ichabod) You said it. The Horseman will not have me.
CRASH, the harpoon-like post SPEARS through a window, trailing rope tied to it…
CRACK-SKEWERS Baltus from behind, the bloodied point bursting out his breast bone.
Baltus looks down, drops the gun… clutching the post with both hands. Blood streams out his mouth. Katrina screams.
The rope yanks Baltus back. He SLAMS into the WINDOW…
EXT. CHURCH-DAY
Baltus CRASHES out, hits the ground, dragged…
Outside the fence, Daredevil runs with the rope tied around his saddle pommel. The Horseman strides forward, sword out.
Baltus SLAMS the fence and the rope snaps. He is held there awkwardly, gurgling blood.
The Horseman reaches Baltus… chops off his head.
INT. SLEEPY HOLLOW FORESTS-DAY
The storm has passed. Empty forest. Long, peaceful pause, till Ichabod makes his way through, searching the ground.
Ichabod comes to look down a small hill. The corpse of Lady Van Tassel lies headless, in a dirty, torn dress.
Ichabod walks to the body. Lady Van Tassel’s arm is twisted behind. The sewn cut on the palm of her hand faces up.
ICHABOD (shouting back) Here! I have found her… (looking at corpse, quiet and miserable) Here she is.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, UPSTAIRS HALL-EARLY EVENING
Doctor Lancaster comes out from where Katrina is asleep. He closes the door, wipes his sweaty face. Ichabod waits.
DOCTOR LANCASTER It has been a terrible jolt to her nerves.
ICHABOD You will stay at her side?
Doctor Lancaster nods. Ichabod walks.
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE-EARLY EVENING
It’s getting dark. Ichabod comes out and crosses the porch. A few of the Hollow’s residents are here. Young Masbath gets up and follows Ichabod onto the lawn.
Ichabod walks without waiting.
YOUNG MASBATH She’s the one who controlled the Horseman, isn’t she, sir? Sir? (no answer)
ICHABOD I need time for thinking. Without you hanging on my coattails for a change.
Ichabod keeps walking. Young Masbath stops, wounded.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, TREE OF THE DEAD-NIGHT
Ichabod stands holding a torch, looking up. The whole area is bright from the light off a giant fire.
There are broken lanterns and barrels around the agonized, twisted tree. The tree is aflame, fire dancing up the trunk, and through every branch to lick the sky.
EXT. FOREST-DAY
Dawn. Ichabod is seated overlooking the Hudson. He stares at the beauty around him, brooding through bleary eyes. Gunpowder is tied to a tree. BIRDS SING.
The ledger is open in Ichabod’s lap. He thumbs pages absently, just keeps staring off.
EXT. FOREST-DAY (TIME CUT)
A fire burns in a circle of rocks. Ichabod’s ledger is thrown in. The pages catch quickly.
Ichabod watches, then walks away. He’s about to climb onto Gunpowder, but on second thought he opens his satchel and digs out a BOOK. He walks back to the fire, throws it on…
“Romeo and Juliet.” Flames devour it.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, TREE OF THE DEAD-DAY
The clearing is silent. The twisted tree still stands, smoldering, impressive as ever, or perhaps even more so with the alien appearance its blackened skin now affords it.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Ichabod packs up baggage. Young Masbath is miserable.
YOUNG MASBATH Won’t you change your mind, sir? What can I say to convince you?
ICHABOD Nothing. To hell with this place and all the people here.
Ichabod closes a bag, throws it with others.
YOUNG MASBATH Why… why are you like this?
ICHABOD (pause, softening) You do not know all that has happened. (pause) You cannot understand.
EXT. VAN TASSEL ESTATE-NIGHT
A coach, with Gunpowder as one of its team, waits in the orchard. Van Ripper comes to meet Ichabod and Masbath.
ICHABOD Half now. Half when we reach the city.
Ichabod hands Van Ripper money. Van Ripper takes the baggage. Ichabod looks to the Manor House. Only one light shines, in a second floor window.
Katrina can be seen there a moment as she closes curtains.
Ichabod turns to Young Masbath, who is beginning to cry.
ICHABOD This is farewell.
YOUNG MASBATH Take me with you. There’s nothing left for me here.
ICHABOD I cannot. (bends to Masbath) You should not worry. (pause, sorrow) Van Ripper and his wife will look after you. They will. You will be well cared for.
Young Masbath hugs. Ichabod hugs back, swallowing.
ICHABOD I am sorry. (quietly) Forgive me. I failed you.
Ichabod releases and goes quickly away, finding this misery unbearable. He climbs in the coach.
YOUNG MASBATH Do not go, Constable. How can you leave?
INSIDE THE COACH, Ichabod slumps back in darkness and closes his eyes. He pounds twice on the coach wall.
OUTSIDE, Van Ripper whips the reins. The coach starts. Young Masbath follows. The coach picks up speed on the long straight road.
Young Masbath stops, wiping tears.
