Sleepy Hollow
ICHABOD’S DREAM-MARKET SQUARE-DAY
A busy, muddy street lined by wares and produce. Young Ichabod walks with FATHER, an emotionless man. Father stops to examine tools. Young Ichabod stays by him, but something captures his attention…
Across the way, Mother is involved in a argument with a FREAKISH-LOOKING WOMAN. They shout. People stop to watch. Can’t make out words, but Freakish Woman is furious.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-STORM SKY-NIGHT
LIGHTNING flashes over tree tops. THUNDER BOOMS.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Ichabod jerks awake in his bed.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, KITCHEN-NIGHT
Ichabod enters with a lantern and his ledger. He sits, studies notes, then notices there’s a light down the hall.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SEWING ROOM-NIGHT
Opposite an elaborate loom, Katrina reads by candlelight. She looks up, seeing Ichabod enter.
ICHABOD Sorry for disturbing you. I thought a forgotten candle was burning.
Katrina self-consciously closes her shabby book, puts it with another on her lap and covers them.
KATRINA You do not disturb me. Please stay. Having trouble sleeping?
ICHABOD May I ask… why do you cover your book that way?
KATRINA You pay great attention to small things. I hide these as I hide all my books. Father would not approve, lest it were the Bible.
ICHABOD I, um… I have something to show you, if you have a moment.
Ichabod sits, looking through his ledger.
KATRINA These are strange… may I?
She takes his hand, spreads the fingers to the palm. She touches the many evenly spaced scars.
KATRINA These scars. How did you get them?
ICHABOD I have had them since childhood. I cannot remember what from.
KATRINA It would be interesting to find out.
Their eyes meet. Ichabod gets back to the ledger. Katrina seems to relish the effect she has. Ichabod finds a paper disk on string, illustrated thusly:
ICHABOD Here it is. A bird on one side. His cage on the other. Now, stare at it. (spinning it) The bird seems to be in his cage.
KATRINA Yes, he does. May I try?
Ichabod gives it. She spins it, smiling.
ICHABOD He only appears to be inside the cage. The point being…
KATRINA You made this, and the drawings?
ICHABOD Yes, but listen. The illusion is easily explained. The eye retains each image, till they combine. And yet, some would call this toy magic.
KATRINA Don’t you see why? Look closely a moment. Put your intellect aside. (spinning it) Can’t you see what is inexplicable?
Ichabod watches it spin. He shakes his head, unimpressed.
KATRINA Oh, you are hopeless. May I keep it at least?
ICHABOD If you want. But…
KATRINA Then, I also have a gift for you. True magic which even you will not be able to deny.
She hands him a book. “ROMEO AND JULIET.” Ichabod stands, offering it back, but she will not take it.
ICHABOD Thank you. No. Here…
KATRINA I insist that you have it.
ICHABOD (resigned, leaving) Very well. But, it will only sit gathering dust.
KATRINA That would be a pity. Those words might show you something you’ve never seen before.
Ichabod stops at the door, looks back. He exits.
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE-NIGHT
A light glows in Ichabod’s window. LOOKING IN: Ichabod’s in bed, fully dressed. He sits up. Pause. He crosses to pick up “Romeo and Juliet.” He begins to read.
EXT. PHILIPSE’S FARM-DUSK
Ichabod walks with Philipse. Young Masbath follows with the horses. CICADAS CHATTER from a vast corn field.
PHILIPSE Not more than a year ago, a mob hung a man for stealing a horse. For stealing a horse! And, you dig up our dead.
ICHABOD Are you saying I should be frightened? Is this a message passed on from Clergyman Steenwyck?
The CICADAS SUDDENLY go SILENT. Young Masbath notices.
PHILIPSE We are farmers here, not lawyers or bankers, or even constables. Every penny we earn comes from what we send down the Hudson.
ICHABOD I know it.
YOUNG MASBATH Um…. excuse me, sirs…
PHILIPSE (still to Ichabod) Because of the Horseman, our migrant workers flee for their lives. There is a danger that our crops will rot. So, if you are going to help us, you stop the Horseman. That is your task… to kill an undead thing.
Young Masbath looks to a fenced grazing area, worried. The sheep there are agitated, all running one direction away.
ICHABOD Listen to what you say….
PHILIPSE No, you listen! You may think we are a pack of superstitious dullards…
ICHABOD At times I do.
YOUNG MASBATH Sirs… please!
PHILIPSE What will it take for you to realize this is no laughing matter?
The horses go crazy, braying and rearing. The reins yank Young Masbath off his feet as the horses flee.
Ichabod and Philipse look to Masbath. A SOUND is HEARD, distant: THUNDERING HOOFBEATS. Wind kicks up. HOOFBEATS seem to come FROM ALL DIRECTIONS.
Philipse looks to the corn field. A flock of birds alights; a great sheet of black against the sky.
PHILIPSE Oh my… oh my oh my oh my…
Philipse runs towards his house, past Masbath. HOOFBEATS are LOUDER, CLOSER. Ichabod faces the corn field.
The field explodes open, stalks bending to make way as the Headless Horseman gallops into view atop Daredevil.
Young Masbath runs, following Philipse.
Ichabod’s stunned. He looks down to draw his flintlock pistol, but the Horseman blows by before he can raise it. A blast of air knocks Ichabod off his feet.
The Horseman chases Masbath and Philipse.
Ichabod follows.
The Horseman draws his sword.
Young Masbath falls in the grass…
Daredevil’s pounding hooves will certainly crush him.
Daredevil leaps over Young Masbath, continuing the charge.
Philipse has a long way to go before home. He looks over his shoulder. No way he’ll make it.
Ichabod, running, watches Philipse slow.
Philipse gathers all his courage and stops, turning. The Horseman is closing, sword held high.
Philipse raises his talisman.
ICHABOD Philipse!
Philipse holds the talisman up, trying to be fearless. The Horseman swings-WE HEAR the CLANK of sword on talisman…
Philipse’s severed head spins. His body falls and folds.
Ichabod runs past Young Masbath.
The Horseman halts just as Ichabod reaches a point in front of dead Philipse, aiming his pistol. Daredevil lets out a SCREECHY CRY. The Horseman rides toward Ichabod.
Ichabod gets on one knee, trying to steady his pistol. The Horseman closes. Ichabod sweats bullets. FIRES…
The slug SLAMS the Horseman dead center-bursts through and rends his uniform without slowing him.
The Horseman is almost on Ichabod. Ichabod cringes, arms up… as the Horseman passes.
The Horseman leans to skewer Philipse’s head with his sword.
With the head as his prize, the Horseman races away.
Ichabod gets up, watches the Horseman head to the forest. Ichabod looks to Young Masbath, finds his legs will not support him, falls, trembling. THUNDER BELLOWS.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR HALL-NIGHT
Lady Van Tassel comes to a door, knocks. Sarah stands behind with a tray of food. Young Masbath is seated near.
LADY VAN TASSEL (to Young Masbath) Has he not come out at all?
Young Masbath shakes his head.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
KNOCKING is HEARD. Ichabod sleeps restlessly.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S BEDROOM-NIGHT
THUNDER BOOMS. WIND and POUNDING RAIN blast open a window. Mother comes to it, then moves to comfort fearful Young Ichabod in bed.
MOTHER’S VOICE (v.o.) Don’t be afraid… don’t be afraid.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S HOME-DAY
A keyhole. Young Ichabod’s eye peers in…
ICHABOD’S DREAM-P.O.V. THROUGH KEYHOLE
Mother is kneeled before flour on the floor. She draws patterns in it, whispering. She blows the flour away.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S HOME-DAY
The Freakish Woman (who argued with Mother) walks towards the home, supported by a SAD MAN. She weeps, carrying something in a blanket.
Young Ichabod comes a window, watching, scared.
The Freakish Woman is so weak that she falls. The blanket opens… the corpse of an infant tumbles to the dirt. The Freakish Woman’s WAILING GROWS LOUDER.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-FRONT OF YOUNG ICHABOD’S HOME-NIGHT
TWO MEN in black drag Mother to a coach. She looks back, fearful, pulled along. A THIRD MAN in black follows.
Young Ichabod struggles as Father restrains him.
YOUNG ICHABOD No… mother… no… !
The Third Man peers back, a gray-haired, Cotton Mather-ish man with a villainous face.
FREAKISH WOMAN (v.o.) The night of the great storm, I saw her cross my windows.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-COURTROOM-DAY
Many people in the gallery. The Third Man stands in front of the tearful Freakish Woman in the witness box.
THIRD MAN You are certain it was she?
FREAKISH WOMAN In the lighting, I did see her. (points) Her. Lady Crane…
Mother sits in shackles.
FREAKISH WOMAN I will never forget. The next moment, I found my infant dead… with the blood welt on his breast.
Those in attendance cry out at this. Ichabod is seated beside Father, eyes filled with tears.
ICHABOD’S DREAM-YOUNG ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
As before, a STORM RAGES. Ichabod is in Mother’s arms.
FREAKISH WOMAN (v.o.) The night of the great storm, I saw her cross my windows.
MOTHER Don’t be afraid…
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S BEDROOM-DAY
KNOCKING is HEARD. Ichabod gasps awake.
KATRINA (o.s.) Constable Crane?
Ichabod looks at his hands balled into fists. He opens them -has ONE HALF of PHILIPSE’S TALISMAN in each palm.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY-NIGHT
Katrina holds a tray of food. The DOOR is HEARD UNLOCKING.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-NIGHT
Katrina enters. Ichabod sits at his work table.
KATRINA Are you hungry?
Ichabod shakes his head, won’t look up. Katrina crosses.
She begins picking up pieces of the PLASTER HOOFPRINT CAST which lies shattered on the floor.
KATRINA You promised justice.
ICHABOD If these are the random stalkings of a monster, what good am I?
KATRINA People have put their trust in you.
ICHABOD They have done nothing of the sort.
KATRINA Won’t they still have that justice? (patience waning) Or, was it a vain promise?
Ichabod stews, head in his hands. Someone is HEARD RUNNING… Young Masbath enters, frightened.
YOUNG MASBATH Constable Crane… something has happened.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS-DAY
The Lenape Indian hangs dead in a tree, lynched. TOWNSFOLK are gathered. Ichabod makes his way through, followed by Young Masbath, looking up.
BROM (o.s.) We do not need you, Constable…
Brom strides towards Ichabod from a group of men spreading a sheet under the tree. Van Ripper’s there.
BROM The men who did this have been taken. We do not need you here.
Brom points to where TWO FILTHY MEN in chains sit in a horse-drawn cart. An armed man guards them.
ONE FILTHY MAN You should thank us. The killings will end. We saved you all!
The armed man shoves the filthy man to shut him up.
BROM They spend two days in chains.
ICHABOD Two days… ? For murder?
FATHER STEENWYCK For poaching. Or, would you remake our laws now that Magistrate Philipse has given up the ghost?
ICHABOD Does that look like an animal hanging?
BROM Looks like an Indian.
Van Ripper cuts the noose rope at the trunk. The Lenape corpse free falls, landing hard.
The Lenape lies in a heap on the sheet. Van Ripper and others come to lift the sheet with the Lenape in the middle. Ichabod watches, noticing…
The Lenape wears a WOVEN PIECE of REED GRASS a cord on his loin cloth, twisted in a pattern.
ICHABOD Wait. Give me a moment…
Ichabod kneels. He removes the woven piece, looking across the diseased Lenape’s body. Something else…
The Lenape’s mouth is agape; teeth rotting. Ichabod looks around, finds a twig. He uses it to pull the Lenape’s mouth open… gets close to peer inside the Lenape’s mouth.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, ICHABOD’S ROOM-DAY
A DRAWING of the Lenape’s WOVEN PIECE in Ichabod’s ledger. The piece lies near.
Ichabod sits staring at it, trance-like. Masbath waits. Long silence.
ICHABOD The Lenape Indian had much to tell once I opened his mouth.
YOUNG MASBATH How could he?
ICHABOD His teeth. Someone had cut them and chipped off rotten pieces far back in his mouth. The Lenape could not have done that for himself. (closes his journal) Someone out there cared for him.
Ichabod rises, deciding. He picks up his satchel and exits. Young Masbath is surprised. He follows.
EXT. WINDMILL-DAY
A massive, wooden WINDMILL, raised off the ground on a 7′ center post. Ichabod and Masbath walk to it.
INT. WINDMILL-DAY
Ichabod and Young Masbath enter via a ladder from the underbelly. Gears and counter wheels turn millstones. A few men work in the grain powder filled air.
Ichabod leads the way to a staircase, up twists and turns.
YOUNG MASBATH Where are we going?
ICHABOD Up.
EXT. WINDMILL ROOF-DAY
Ichabod and Young Masbath climb out a door to the roof. The rotors spin nearby. Ichabod searches the countryside.
Below, MANY MEN are ride up the long straight road.
ICHABOD What is it?
YOUNG MASBATH It’s payment day. Loan monies are given to Baltus the last day each month. Almost everyone borrows… for tools or to hire workers.
Ichabod sits, takes a bowl from his bag and gives it to Masbath, then produces a bottle of water… fills the bowl.
ICHABOD (points) Out there. What do you see?
YOUNG MASBATH The Western Woods.
ICHABOD Look again.
A plume of smoke rises from woods, far.
YOUNG MASBATH Smoke. Chimney smoke.
Ichabod holds a piece of straw in his mouth, rubs the point of a sewing needle against a small BLACK ROCK.
ICHABOD Are you familiar with magnets?
YOUNG MASBATH What kind of nuts?
ICHABOD Not for eating, I assure you. Watch here.
Ichabod shows the magnet grab the needle. Young Masbath is amazed, reaching for it. Ichabod watches him play with it.
YOUNG MASBATH It’s spectacular.
ICHABOD (smiles, pause) Yes… I suppose it is. Keep it.
YOUNG MASBATH No, I couldn’t…
ICHABOD I have others. All I need is this.
Ichabod takes the needle, poking its butt end into the tip of the straw. Young Masbath studies the rock, pockets it.
YOUNG MASBATH Thank you.
ICHABOD (nods, almost shy) Now, hold the bowl steady. Back to business.
Young Masbath lifts the bowl. Ichabod drops in the needle/straw which floats and turns compass-like.
ICHABOD If the Western Woods are truly the Devil’s Glen, we will see for ourselves.
YOUNG MASBATH (uneasy) Father said witches live there.
ICHABOD Witches do not exist. However…
Ichabod uses a knife to notch the bowl lip where the needle points, then surveys the smoke, making a second notch.
ICHABOD Not long ago, I would have said the same for Headless Horseman.
KATRINA (o.s.) Constable… !
Katrina’s on horseback below, unhappy.
KATRINA I need to speak with you. Alone.
EXT. VAN TASSEL GREAT LAWN-DAY
Ichabod and Katrina lead their horses. A heated argument.
KATRINA Why would you do such a thing?
ICHABOD No stone may be left unturned. It may appear harsh…
KATRINA I have misjudged you I think. I did not imagine you were so cruel.
ICHABOD You are not regarding it in full. The Widow Windsor had been run through by a sword. I followed the bloodless wound, a wound whose path I could not comprehend till I had seen the Horseman with my own eyes.
KATRINA What are you on about?
ICHABOD The child she carried was eight months grown at least… near to birthing. The sword had pierced its tiny heart exactly.
KATRINA Must I hear this?
ICHABOD There was no blind stabbing. This singular thrust found its target omnipotently, as if the Horseman made certain the unborn child died with its mother.
KATRINA And this gives worth to butchery?
ICHABOD It was not butchery.
KATRINA What is it then? Scientific method? How can any of this matter in the slightest?
ICHABOD I have no solution for its meaning yet, but I could not just ignore it.
KATRINA Take a lesson from Young Masbath’s desires, Ichabod Crane. He follows with you to avenge his father’s death. That I understand. But, what do you want?
ICHABOD To avenge his father, and the others.
KATRINA But, why? Tell me why.
Ichabod struggles for a reply.
KATRINA You falter with your answer because you strive without putting the whole of your heart into it. Can’t you see? You’ll bring dignity to the dead even if you have to chop them into little pieces to do it.
ICHABOD (fed up, growing anger) If it had been surgery on a living person, done to save that person’s life, you would not question it. Not for a moment. So, let me be the first to tell you, dear girl… on the other side of these sheltering mountains, a whole world has advanced beyond such plebeian thinking as yours. And someday, no matter how much you fear it, that world will come to roust Sleepy Hollow out of its slumber.
Katrina storms away. Ichabod’s already regretting.
EXT. BELLTOWER FIELD-DAY
Ichabod and Young Masbath ride to the Western Woods, horses loaded for expedition. At the Belltower remnants, Ichabod slows, looking to the wreckage.
At forest’s edge, Young Masbath waits.
Ichabod circles the tower. With a sigh, he rides to join Young Masbath. They head into the woods.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS-DAY
Dark, dense and creepy. Ichabod and Young Masbath move through. Young Masbath halts his horse and looks around.
ICHABOD What is it?
YOUNG MASBATH Listen.
ICHABOD (listens, looks) I hear nothing.
YOUNG MASBATH No crickets or cicadas calling. No bird songs.
Stark quiet. Ichabod notes this unhappily.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS-LATER DAY
Ichabod’s hand drops the needle/straw in the water bowl. The needle spins. The bowl is turned to match notches.
Ichabod points the way to Young Masbath.
ELSEWHERE, SOMEONE WATCHES: A MOVING P.O.V. WATCHES them as they ride, FOLLOWS.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, FURTHER ON-LATER DAY
Ichabod and Masbath reach a hill crest. They stop, uneasy. Below: a CAVE with a rock archway. An ill-fitting door covers the mouth. The chimney spews smoke.
ICHABOD We have apparently arrived.
EXT. CAVE HOME-DAY
The horses are tied to a tree. Ichabod walks to the cave door. Unsure, he hesitantly knocks.
INT. CAVE HOME-DAY
Ichabod and Young Masbath step in.
Walls are hung with skins and skeletons, dry flowers and reed grass in patterns. An OLD CRONE sits facing away.
The old Crone, a mountain woman with matted hair and grey features, sits disinterested. Ichabod edges closer.
ICHABOD Pardon. You did not answer when I knocked. Are we intruding?
OLD CRONE You are from the Hollow?
ICHABOD In a way, yes.
Ichabod looks at tables of gourd bowls of dead insects and acorns. Knifes, scissors, yellow bones. He takes the Lenape’s piece of reed grass from his pocket.
ICHABOD The Lenape who lived in these woods… do you know him? The Redman? (uncomfortable wait) I should tell you… he has been murdered.
OLD CRONE Leave me. You are not welcome here.
The old Crone places something on a table beside her-a dead cardinal, bright red.
Ichabod is afraid, backing away, but Young Masbath takes the woven piece and steps to the Crone.
YOUNG MASBATH Were you a friend to the Indian? (waits) You should have this… if you were his friend.
Young Masbath puts the woven piece beside the cardinal. He walks to join Ichabod in leaving.
OLD CRONE You seek remedy against the Horseman?
The Old Crone reaches to pick up the weaving. She stands, faces them. Tall. Ichabod nods.
OLD CRONE (to Young Masbath) Go out and keep away, child. (to Ichabod) You stay. Follow with me.
The Old Crone takes a candle and walks, deep into the cave.
INT. CAVE HOME, LOWER CAVE-DAY
The Old Crone comes through a passage in the wet walls. Ichabod enters, scared, bent under low ceiling.
OLD CRONE I hear him. He rides to the Hollow and back.
ICHABOD The Horseman. Yes.
OLD CRONE Sit.
Ichabod sits on crooked stool. The old Crone kneels with her back to him, gathers straw in a pile on the floor.
ICHABOD Can you help?
OLD CRONE You want to see into the nether world… I can show you. Whatever you see, do not move or speak. I will hold him.
She gathers bowls, putting grass and powder on the pile.
ICHABOD What… what are you doing?
OLD CRONE (turns, furious) Close your mouth! Keep silent.
She takes two jars from a table, pours ashes on the pile from one. She shakes the other roughly, takes the lid off and upends it. A baby bat squirms on the floor, dazed.
The Old Crone holds the bat, using a knife to cut off its head. She soaks the straw with blood, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, guttural. Using a wick, she lights the straw.
She grasps two METAL CUFFS with chains attached, slides these onto her bony wrists, then bends to inhale smoke.
OLD CRONE He comes now.
Ichabod would like to leave now.
EXT. CAVE HOME-DAY
Young Masbath, waiting by the horses, looks up. Through the trees, black clouds billow and block the sun.
INT. CAVE HOME, LOWER CAVE-DAY
The old Crone slumps, still with her back to Ichabod. She does not move. Wind howls through a hole/window. Rain.
Candles blow out. Ichabod stands, worried.
ICHABOD Excuse me… um…
She remains motionless. The STORM outside intensifies.
WE SEE the skin of the Crone’s wrists transform; swelling in the cuffs, hardening, cracking and bleeding.
Some thing Ichabod cannot see. He inches closer.
ICHABOD Are you alright… ?
The Crone turns, hideous, leaping erect-a half-human, half-demon CREATURE. Its black clawed hands reaching.
Ichabod recoils, crying out.
Chains on restraining cuffs yank the creature back.
Ichabod hits the floor, knocking over a table of bones. The creature is chained, but still wants Ichabod. It SCREECHES.
The Old Crone’s face seethes from transformation, eyes blood red, nostrils dripping, teeth now jagged.
CREATURE/OLD CRONE You seek the warrior bathed in blood… the Headless Horseman.
Ichabod slides back as far as possible while the creature claws the rock floor, yearning.
CREATURE/OLD CRONE Follow the Indian trail to where the sun dies. Follow to the tree of the dead.
The creature pulls, testing the chains. Behind, the BOLT holding the chains to the wall slips. The wall cracks.
CREATURE/OLD CRONE Climb down to the Horseman’s soulless place and let loose his silent shrieking. Do you hear? Do you hear?!
Ichabod nods, quaking, aghast. He glances to the exit.
The chain bolt gives more… coming loose…
CREATURE/OLD CRONE He who holds fast the Horseman’s desire will guide his reaping hand. Catch hold of his desire.
Ichabod bolts for the door. The creature HOWLS, leaping…
The chain bolt breaks…
Ichabod cries out, tackled to the floor…
It is the Old Crone who landed on him. She has returned to human form, semi-conscious. Ichabod shoves her off.
EXT. CAVE HOME-DAY
Ichabod runs out into the howling storm, past Masbath.
ICHABOD We are leaving.
YOUNG MASBATH What happened?
Ichabod scrambles onto Gunpowder, heading further into the woods, glancing back. Young Masbath follows.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS, FURTHER ON-EARLY EVENING
No rain. Dark. A lantern’s glow creates shifting shadows as Ichabod and Young Masbath ride.
YOUNG MASBATH Follow the Indian trail to where the sun dies. To the tree of the dead. (looking back) Maybe we passed it by.
ICHABOD How could something named “the tree of the dead” fail to draw attention?
A BIRD CRIES OUT. Ichabod’s startled, looking up. The BIRD is HEARD ALIGHTING. Leaves float downwards.
ICHABOD We should not go much further in this murk.
YOUNG MASBATH Should we go back?
ICHABOD We are far from the Hollow. (dismounts, troubled) Loath to say it… better to get our backs against a tree and stay till morning.
EXT. WESTERN WOODS (TIME CUT)-NIGHT
Horses are tied. Ichabod is seated against a tree. A campfire burns. Young Masbath lies on a blanket, rifle cross his chest, staring to treetops.
Leaves and branches shift in the wind. Bats fly wildly.
YOUNG MASBATH What does it mean… climb down to the Horseman’s soulless place?
ICHABOD “Let loose his silent shrieking.” Who knows, till we work at it? I admit not being anxious to find out. (pause) “He who holds the Horseman’s desire will guide his reaping hand.” Whatever the Horseman’s desire is, other than extinguishing lives.
A SNAPPING BRANCH. Ichabod raises his pistol.
ICHABOD (to Young Masbath) Do not move.
Ichabod rises. He creeps forward, pistol and lantern forward. Foliage is thick. CRUNCHING LEAVES are HEARD.
Ichabod crouches, puts down the lantern and picks up a branch. He tosses the branch to the foliage…
SOME ANIMAL darts away, a running blur.
Ichabod rises, following with his pistol.
ANOTHER ANGLE, MOVING P.O.V.: low to the ground, moving swiftly at Ichabod…
Ichabod spins, blindsided.
Young Masbath fires his rifle-CRACK!!
The ANIMAL is KNOCKED DOWN mid-leap, yelping…
The beast lands, a mass of grey fur.
Ichabod comes to stare down. Young Masbath arrives. They both look to the beast, horrified.
The creature lies helplessly spastic; a TWO-HEADED WOLF, with one head blown open to brain and gore. Its living head lifts, MEWING sadly, eyes pleading.
Ichabod step up with pistol. FIRES. MEWING STOPS.
ICHABOD What God-forsaken hell is this?
Ichabod swallows back sickness, looking away. Something catches his eye.
ICHABOD Christ…
Through the forest: the SKY’S LIT UP. Distant fire.
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.
