Moonspender (4) No one can hear him scream? VITTORIO Precisely and, once the noise stops, he will be quickly forgotten. REG We are somewhat backward in Greece, civil rights aren't quite what they are in the Western world, even so, making him go quietly is no simple procedure. VITTORIO I have given the matter considerable thought. What is needed here is a violation of a taboo so deadly that it would be in the interests of the church as well as the locals to bury it at once. For instance, what if all his ravings about the satanic history of this place were just a cover for his own satanic cult, that in his madness he had actually come to believe in these powers and was creating his own coven to evoke them, that his various rites require the participation of certain underage members of the surrounding communities... REG No one will believe that! PROF No, but make the son of a bitch deny it! They are all laughing. SHERIFF And how the Hell am I supposed to make the charges stick?, on evidence? VITTORIO He has already created all the scenery and atmosphere, all that is missing are a few minor incriminating details and on witness to file the complaint. The Professor here had a very inspired suggestion for just the right person. 46 PROF The widow, Martha... SHERIFF You cant be serious, you might as well broadcast it on the evening news! VITTORIO You obviously haven't realized the most important trait of the chronic gossip, they never talk about their own dirty laundry. REG This is so disgusting, it must be brilliant. VITTORIO Thank you, she is perfect and would like nothing more than to get out of this one mule town, to move to Athens, have her son go to university. We can give that in exchange for this small service. I dont think it will take much convincing. She is vain and pragmatic, the perfect combination. After all, we certainly wont tell her why we want the monk locked away, she can think of enough reasons of her own. SHERIFF What about the girl? You assume that she will cooperate and there's no reason to believe that. From what I've seen, she has this righteous streak, probably her involvement with the left. Vittorio's henchman opens his mouth to say something. VITTORIO Shut up, Gino. (he stands) I must leave you gentlemen now to work out the details, must get back to my buyers and excuse the delays. Let me know when you are ready...Gino.. The henchman opens the door and the 2 men exit. The Sheriff, Registrar and Professor sit in silence for a moment as the gravity of the situation settles over them. 47 REG Are we really going to go through with this? PROF Do you think we have a choice? SHERIFF We aren't just looking the other way now, this is serious shit! PROF It's a little late to play virgin brides gentlemen. When this arrangement began we all know where the money was coming from and what kind of people were providing it. REG Yes, but... PROF But what? Did you actually believe that they wouldn't expect to cash in on their investment? You're just a prefect. Not even Supreme Court Justices get paid just to look the other way. We were all guilty the minute we accepted the first gift. It was only a matter of time before the deed would catch up with the guilt. The only reason I created this whole scheme with Vittorio was to avoid murder. SHERIFF But the girl!, I cant believe you want to involve her. PROF I dont! God knows I dont, I just dont see the alternative. (smiles sadly) You've both met her. If there were any possibility of telling her to go home and her listening... SHERIFF That's bullshit, if you told her the whole story, she's too damn smart to stick around. 48 PROF It would be such a brutal disillusionment, I just couldn't do that to her. REG You couldn't do that to her or you couldn't do that to you? FADE TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (AM) Betty examines herself in the mirror, she's dressed like a 'girl' in a very modest summer dress, face scrubbed, hair neatly combed, she cant help but laugh at herself. BETTY If the East Village could see me now... The church bells begin to ring, she picks up her sweater and moves to the door. BETTY (continuing) This had better work, Professor. CUT TO: EXT> VILLAGE (AM) As Betty walks slowly toward the church, her neighbors emerge from their houses to do the same. At first they stare at her in surprise, but the stares are quickly replaced by smiles and nods. She begins to feel more confident, greeting passers by... CUT TO: EXT> CHURCH (NOON) As the mass lets out, the people gather in front of the church to chat. Betty is still too self conscious to approach any of the clusters of conversation, debating whether she should stick around or not press her luck on this maiden flight. She is rescued by Grigoris, himself looking uncharacteristically dapper. (Greek) GRIGORIS I almost didn't recognize you. 49 BETTY Please dont tease me, I feel silly enough already. GRIGORIS What the devil for?, you look great, kid. BETTY Thanks. GRIGORIS Listen, my brood is all heading over to Aphrodite's for a bite to eat, I thought you might like to be my date. BETTY (smiles) Are you sure I wont be imposing? GRIGORIS Dont be silly, kid, I may be old but I'm still the boss, anyway, Aphrodite always makes enough food for an entire regiment and you could use a little fattening up. Martha will be there, we'll take care of you. Be a good chance for the kids to meet you too, maybe some of your brains will rub off on the them. BETTY (to herself) Some of the brains will rub off... (laughing, takes Grigoris' arm) Well, lead the way, Boss. CUT TO: INT> APHRODITE'S TAVERN (EVENING) Nearly the whole village is packed into the one tavern in town. Aphrodite is a robust woman in her mid 40's, she is Grigoris' niece married to the livestock broker Thanasis, equally robust, as are their 3 children. Every Sunday is a celebration with Aphrodite supervising the food, Grigoris the wine and various local musicians the entertainment. The mid-day meal has developed into a party in full swing. 50 At the big center table are gathered Grigoris and his family, with Betty to his right, the village priest next to her, Martha and the Doctor. Some of the tables have been pushed back so that the villagers can dance to their traditional songs. Betty is having the time of her life, all of her misgivings swept away by the local wine and the atmosphere. When the women get up to dance, Grigoris' daughter in law invites Betty to join them. She is reluctant but with prodding from Grigoris she relents. CUT TO: ACROSS THE STREET (EVENING) The Monk leading his donkey, has paused a moment to see what is the fuss. When he sees Betty dancing with the local women, his expression darkens. He mounts his donkey and trots away down the road. FADE TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (NIGHT) Betty sits alone going over her notes, her dress is draped over a chair and she wears a worn terry bath robe. There is a knock at the door. She assumes it must be Martha and opens it, and is shocked when she sees the Sheriff standing on the threshold. SHERIFF Always open your door without asking who's there. Expecting company A pretty girl ought to be more careful. She doesn't speak, just stares at him. SHERIFF (continuing) Well, can I come in or not? Betty steps back from the door to let him pass, pulling her robe more tightly around her. He closes the door behind him and moves toward the table. BETTY Why did you come here, what do you want? 51 The Sheriff sits looking around the room. SHERIFF You always such a shitty hostess? BETTY (angry at the intrusion, but afraid) What is it you want? He gives her an appraising glance up and down. SHERIFF No. (pauses to roll a cigarette) We can discuss what I want another time. (opens a small tin foil packet to season the tobacco with some mild Lebanese hash) For the moment, I come offering peace. (He offers her the joint, she declines, he shrugs and lights it himself) and some friendly advice. His tone unsettles her, she extracts a bottle of brandy and a glass from the cupboard, then thinking again, gets out another glass and offers it to him. He accepts and she pours, hands shaking slightly. BETTY Friendly advice (moves to sit as far away from him as possible) Such as? SHERIFF (never taking his eyes off her) You're a small town girl, I dont think I need to explain what it means to these people when a stranger comes to town. You're the chief topic of conversation. BETTY Like you say, I'm a small town girl so, tell me something I dont know. She looks into his eyes and hold him in a firm glance. He gets a little awkward. He wants to warn her with out giving himself away. 52 SHERIFF If you weren't so zoned out, this wouldn't need to be said, there's a lot of semi-illegal businesses set up in this region. BETTY No shit? SHERIFF Business that means cash flow, not only to them, but for people who are gonna be stuck living here long after your little field trip is over and you are pissing in it without even knowing that you're doing it. BETTY So? Incredulous, he stands and approaches her. SHERIFF Baby, there is no "So?", these people dont fuck around, you could have a permit from God himself, but you piss them off and they'll bury you in one of your own ditches. (When he sees fear in her eyes, he is satisfied) BETTY (stands and refills her glass) So, I dont know what's going on or what I'm doing. What specifically is it that you want me to do? SHERIFF (turns away from her) Just watch your ass, that's all. BETTY And they pay you off, right? They pay you to threaten me. And why should I believe you? SHERIFF (grinds out the joint, bitter) In my opinion, you shouldn't believe anyone...If you knew what I was thinking on the way over... 53 SHERIFF (continuing) If you knew, period! (moves to the door) Just finish up quick and get the Hell out of here, OK? BETTY (touches his arm) Thank you. He shrugs away and exits. CUT TO: EXT> THE MOUNTAIN (MORNING) Week have past, we can see the difference in the site and in the color of the leaves. Betty surveys the positions of the various structures now that the foundations are visible. The workers clear dirt from other areas. One of them discovers a slaughtered lamb that has been left on one of the structures of the site, he calls out to Betty. It's clear that it was killed with a knife and left intentionally. BETTY What next?, a horse's head in my bed? Bury it, Stavros. STAVROS Bury it?, that's lunch! BETTY But right now, everyone back to work. The men move off to their tasks, speculating among themselves what the meaning could be. Betty looks around just in case there's more VooDoo going on, but she finds nothing and quickly dismisses it. CUT TO: INT> MARTHA"S KITCHEN (EVENING) (Greek) Martha gathers the dinner dishes while Betty puts away the left overs. BETTY I almost forgot, did you hear about what happened today on the mountain? 54 MARTHA (unusually disinterested) No, dear, I dont. BETTY We found a lamb that someone had slaughtered, must have done it last night. MARTHA And they just left it there. BETTY It didn't go to waste, but I guess I'm supposed to be scared at the sight of blood. Who do we know who's that dumb? MARTHA (awkward) I cant possibly imagine. BETTY Shall I heat up water for tea? MARTHA What? BETTY Tea? MARTHA Yes, please. BETTY Is everything alright? MARTHA (nervous) Of course, why do you ask? BETTY Because no one tells me anything and then they're annoyed because I dont know what's going on. Like right now, you look guilty enough to hang without a trial. Martha pats Betty's hand then gets the tea things. MARTHA Oh, no dear, I've just been thinking Spyros, what he will do after the army. 55 MARTHA (continuing) I know he would like to study, but I also know he worries about me. I dont want to hold him back. BETTY You wont, just dont push him too far. Martha does a double take. CUT TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (NIGHT) Betty is sound asleep, the clock by her bed says 3:15 a.m. A clatter outside wakes her suddenly, she sits up and calls out. BETTY Martha, is that you? CUT TO: EXT> COURTYARD (NIGHT) CU Martha's face, she is momentarily panicked, but decides to answer. MARTHA Probably just some cats, dear, no one out here now, go back to sleep. FADE TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (DAWN) Betty is almost ready to head to work. She pulls on a sweat shirt, grabs her bag and heads for the door, when she opens it, she lets out a scream. A dead rooster is hanging from the door frame. Betty collects herself, her shock replaced by anger. She pulls the dead creature down. (Greek) MARTHA (OS) What is it? BETTY Lunch! I dont need this shit! 56 Martha and 2 neighbor ladies run out to see what happened. BETTY Someone hung this over my door last night. MARTHA That must have been the noise that woke you. WOMAN 1 Looks like Eleni's rooster. WOMAN 2 Yep, that's him. MARTHA Are you alright, dear? BETTY I'm fine. Here, Martha, boil it. MARTHA What? BETTY No reason for it to go to waste. It's that fucking monk. Where can I buy a gun? No, I'll borrow the shotgun from Grigoris. MARTHA What ever you say. CUT TO: EXT> THE MOUNTAIN (AM) As Betty reaches the summit she meets her workers heading back down toward the village. She asks them why, MOS, and they tell her that they wont work there again until the village priest blesses the place. She dashes up the hill to see smoke rising from the altar site. As she nears it, she can see the reason for the workers upset. Someone has burned a pentagram around the cross/pole. If you're in the mountains of Greece and dont even know that Rome has fallen, you take this shit seriously. 57 Betty is furious as usual. BETTY That will be quite enough, thank you very much. This shit is over! She storms off after the others. CUT TO: INT> CHURCH (DAY) Betty has been explaining the situation to the village priest. BETTY Father, I dont want to make unsubstantiated allegations. PRIEST Fuck the allegations, it's the Monk. Proving it is a matter for the Sheriff. These people, like all atheists, they are very superstitious. It makes me want to throw up. BETTY That wont help. PRIEST I will accompany you up the mountain tomorrow and give a benediction so you can get back to work. BETTY I cant tell you how much... PRIEST Dont try. CUT TO: INT> SHERIFF"S OFFICE (DAY) BETTY I know you just cant arrest him, but cant you do something? SHERIFF All I can do is question him, and the most likely outcome is that he will accuse you. 58 BETTY It's so damn frustrating, can I at least file a general complaint so there is some record that I reported these incidents? SHERIFF That much I can do, but without a witness, my hands are tied. BETTY I dont want to hear that civil rights bullshit, this isn't America. Cant you just kill him? SHERIFF Sure, resisting arrest, but I cant arrest him without a witness to a crime. FADE TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (AFTERNOON) Betty packs her knapsack and rolls her sleeping bag. There is a knock at the door. Martha enters. MARTHA Are you going somewhere? BETTY (without looking up) The Sheriff says we need a witness, it might as well be me. MARTHA A witness to what? BETTY I mean I'm going to stay up on the mountain until I catch whoever is doing this. MARTHA You cant be serious (Betty doesn't answer) I wont allow it. BETTY You are in no position to allow or forbid me any thing. 59 MARTHA Pleease think about this...If it is the Monk, we know he is crazy, in other words, dangerous. You would be playing right into his hands. But even if it's not him, it could be some crazy people, just the thought of you alone up there...The worrying would kill me. BETTY (slumps down on the bed) Oh, Martha...you re probably right, I just dont know what else to do. MARTHA From what I can tell, it's a battle of nerves, you must be patient...or get some man to handle it for you. BETTY I already asked the Sheriff. MARTHA Cry, there's no defense against a woman's tears, haven't you learned that? CUT TO: INT> BETTY"S ROOM (DAWN) Betty sips her coffee, trying to wake up. Outside we hear a shepherd passing with his flock, the bells on their collars clang softly mixed with occasional bleats and the clicking of small hooves. Betty sighs heavily. (Greek) BETTY I wonder what surprises today has in store. There's a knock on the door, she opens it, it's the Priest. Good morning, Father, can I offer
Copyright © 1999 Victoria King |