The Strain: Another Season
Episode 3
The Books
Chapter One
Stoneheart building, Manhattan, Present Day
Eichhorst's bathroom
The bathroom is just as spacious and opulent as the rest of the apartment. It must have been designed for a human resident because there is the usual human ablutionary equipment in evidence, including a huge grey marble bath in the centre. In the dim light, it seems to have been run for someone. A guest perhaps? There's only one robe hanging up, though.
German opera music is being piped in via built-in speakers. Many large mirrors reflect the subdued lighting. The whole atmosphere is tranquil and luxurious. If Eichhorst is entertaining, it is in lavish style.
The surface of the water ripples and it becomes clear that the liquid is not water but blood. And there's something in it. Something's been submerged for several minutes but now, Eichhorst erupts in one smooth movement and stands, allowing the blood to drip easily off his waxy epidermis. Oddly, his eyes avoid all the mirrors and he swishes the robe around him.
Poland 1944
Human Eichhorst is in the bath. The quarters and process are much more utilitarian than those of the present day Eichhorst but still an unimaginable dream compared to the privations that young Abraham Setrakian and his fellows are enduring.
Eichhorst plunges his head under the water and doesn't hear the front door opening. No one calls out to announce themselves. Bloodstained boots tread quietly over the rugs downstairs.
There is no music playing here but Eichhorst starts to sing an aria as he shampoos his hair, disguising the footfalls on the hallway's parquet. Down goes his head once more to rinse the suds as the boots start slowly and carefully up the stairs. Up he comes again and tilts his head to get the last of the water out of his ears and the singing resumes. The boots have reached the landing now and slow down. Eichhorst loses the melody and stops - exactly as a floorboard squeaks. He freezes.
Eichhorst looks around at his uniform hanging on the back of the door and his Luger and its cartridge on a chair in the opposite corner. His empty, uncocked Luger. Trousers or gun. Dignity or security. He makes his decision and leaps out of the bath as the door bursts open and the boots run in...
They run in to the wrong room - a bedroom, giving Eichhorst the dubious luxury of a few more seconds to try to get dressed as well as armed.
He runs out of time and the bathroom door is kicked off its hinges, making Eichhorst's soapy feet slip on the wood. He is sent clattering backwards with one ankle in his trousers. His flailing arms pull the towel holder and chair on top of him. But at least his weapon is ready for action and pointing at the intruder.