FLASHBACK
EXT. TOWN SQUARE – DAY
GARRETT'S POV
(Editing note: FLASHBACK scenes should be filled with jump cuts, breaks in chronology and breaks in reality, as if we were watching a schizophrenic dream)
(GARRETT remains TEN YEARS OLD throughout the FLASHBACKS)
A CROWD presses together to watch what is about to happen. The weather is hot and dusty. GARRETT moves amidst the CROWD. Throughout this scene the CROWD heckles and curses THE PAGANS. FATHER KRILLAS, speaking in a shrill, piercing tone, addresses the CROWD from a RAISED STAGE in the centre of the TOWN SQUARE. Behind KRILLAS, in the centre of the STAGE, stands a 10-foot emblematic HAMMER.
KRILLAS (O.S.)
As lo their foul works lain bare the
heathens doth weep in anguish and cry
for mercy, but none cometh for, it is
told, the Master Builder found the pagan
in his iniquity and pummeled him
forthright. 'REPENT' shouteth he in righteous fury.
'REPENT OF WICKEDNESS AND KISS THE
FOUNDATION WHICH I HAVE LAIN BEFORE YE.
MINE TOIL IS PURE; MINE EDGE IS SHARP;
MINE WALL STANDETH STRAIGHT AND WITH
PURPOSE. THOU VILE PAGAN REPENT AND BE
STRAIGHTENED IN MINE HAMMER'S GLORY.'
During KRILLAS' speech GARRETT lifts a heel of BREAD from the PURSE of a WELL-DRESSED MAN. GARRETT masticates the BREAD while continuing on to a MERCHANT. The MERCHANT shakes a raised fist in anger. GARRETT spies a SILVER BRACELET shaking a bit loosely on the MERCHANT'S wrist and, as he passes the MERCHANT, GARRETT nabs the SILVER BRACELET by bumping the MERCHANT'S back, misdirecting his attention. GARRETT retreats hastily as the MERCHANT turns to see who bumped into him.
GARRETT looks at the RAISED STAGE and sees 8 PAGANS (5 men, 2 women, 1 boy age ~12) being brought by HAMMERITE SOLDIERS onto the STAGE, each with his or her hands locked in STOCKS. During the following speech the HAMMERITE SOLDIERS encase each PAGAN's head in an iron SCOLD'S BRIDLE. Some of the BRIDLES have ANIMAL EARS mockingly welded to the sides. The PAGANS are released from their STOCKS but each BRIDLE is connected to an ANVIL by a SHORT CHAIN. The BOY PAGAN is given a SMALL ANVIL. The HAMMERITE SOLDIERS stand in front of the PAGANS, holding each ANVIL.
KRILLAS
Upon this day the Master Builder doth
witness the silencing of prevaricating
tongues. This sun shineth upon
cessation of hateful disseminations
by the acolytes to chaos...
GARRETT spots ARTEMUS lurking in the shadows beyond the RAISED STAGE. ARTEMUS is only discernible because a magical shimmer of BLUE LIGHT outlines his figure. Entranced, GARRETT moves to ARTEMUS. GARRETT crossing through the CROWD in a way that keeps a significant chunk of the RAISED STAGE within GARRETT'S POV.
KRILLAS
...for perversity shall fester in this
bounteous city no more. Witness the
holy redemption of a corrupted body
who proves its appreciation and
devotion to the Master Builder by
donning his instruments, and when the
limbs doth fail shalt they bow in piety.
At this the HAMMERITES, not entirely simultaneously, drop the ANVILS and the PAGANS are yanked face-first to the ground by the CHAINS connected to their BRIDLES.
KRILLAS
(smiling)
Such pacific servility.
Slowly the PAGANS lift their ANVILS and regain their posture. A WOMAN PAGAN is not ready for the weight so she drops her ANVIL again. The OTHER PAGANS leave the RAISED STAGE and enter the CROWD, who jeer and hassle them. As GARRETT gets within reach ARTEMUS whirls and seizes GARRETT'S wrist.
ARTEMUS
How do you see me, boy? What magic have
you stolen?
A RUSTED BLADE in GARRETT'S free hand is drawn across the back of ARTEMUS' hand, spilling BLOOD.
ARTEMUS
Culvert!
GARRETT twists his arm free and runs into the nearby ALLEY, spooked by the encounter. He slows after a bit, turns to look behind him, then returns his gaze forward to see, out of the corner of his eye, that BLUE LIGHT has pooled along the wall beside him, forming a PORTAL. GARRETT recoils, but not far enough to escape ARTEMUS' hand, which reaches through the BLUE PORTAL, takes GARRETT by the collar, and pulls him through.
INT. MANOR HOUSE STUDY – NIGHT
INSIDE THE SAFE
GARRETT'S legs start twitching in spasms. He rocks back and forth trying to maintain blood flow, using what little space he has available.
GARRETT
(whispering steadily, crazed)
Two thousand, six hundred and forty-six.
Two thousand, six hundred and forty-five.
Two thousand, six hundred and forty-four.
GARRETT reaches for a POUCH at his side. GARRETT'S fingers barely touch it. After several agonizing attempts he manages to spill the contents of GREEN POWDER into the SAFE. GARRETT licks a finger, runs it through the SPILLED GREEN POWDER, coating the finger green, then returns his finger to his mouth.
GARRETT
Two thousand, six hundred and forty-three.
Two thousand-
GARRETT moans contentedly and relaxes.
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 1 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
In a small, shadowy ROOM GARRETT crouches behind a WOODEN WARDROBE. The STONE FLOOR is a patchwork of bright and dark splotches where dancing rays of CANDLELIGHT filter through obstructions. A STAINED GLASS WINDOW high above depicts a metal soldier impaling a centaur on a javelin. To the side of the WARDROBE is a CREDENZA. GARRETT peers around the side of the WARDROBE to see ARTEMUS, two feet away, staring straight at him.
ARTEMUS
No. Again.
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 1 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
Same position as before, this time GARRETT watches ARTEMUS' position using the reflection from the BRONZED POST of the CREDENZA. GARRETT focuses on the IRON KEY hanging from ARTEMUS' BELT. ARTEMUS stares directly in GARRETT'S direction. Time passes slowly (signified by jump cuts). The second that ARTEMUS shifts his weight from one leg to the other GARRETT zips silently to the CREDENZA.
ARTEMUS
No. Again.
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 2 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
GARRETT focuses on a CANDLE sitting 18 inches from his face. The FLAME flickers as GARRETT stares into it. His vision turns blurry and doubles, then refocuses. He hallucinates muted audio that varies in volume: bizarre pagan speech and animal noises.
PAGAN (O.S.)
Lifts the Woodsie Lord above,
thems manfool freakish darting trove.
Horror hatesie Hammerheads
breaksie skullsie death and fled.
Sneaksie hide be here anon
them torment, burning fires flung.
A lie, a lie, a trickster be
skulking shadow city street.
Sneaksie wary o the vine,
them metal vinesie intertwine
round windpipe gasping bellows air
him is borne of fire fair.
Unto them earthsie come anon.
Unto them waters drowns anon.
GARRETT blinks, cutting the audio instantly. Off-screen ARTEMUS raps GARRETT across the head with a THIN REED. GARRETT refocuses. His eyes are dry and burning. They tremble. As ARTEMUS' REED returns for a second lash GARRETT lifts a hand to block it. Immediately he is thrown on his back with ARTEMUS' knee pressed to his chest.
ARTEMUS
A keeper NEVER retaliates. He dies
before he is provoked. He is the risen
wind: never touched but touching all.
GARRETT
I'm not a keeper.
ARTEMUS
No, you are not.
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 2 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
A STONE SLAB drops from considerable height onto GARRETT'S fingernails. GARRETT stoically refuses to express any pain. The first time the SLAB hits we cut to-
INSIDE THE SAFE
GARRETT winces slightly in painful memory.
GARRETT
One hun-
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 2 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
The SLAB continues to hit.
ARTEMUS (O.S.)
The senses heighten as the nerves dull.
The body is a tool: YOUR tool to use as
you need. Does the sword swing the soldier?
Does the baker heed the dough? When the
sheep bleats does the butcher stay his arm?
The body is slave to the mind and no
master cries when his slaves are beaten.
FLASHBACK
INT. KEEPER ENCLAVE TRAINING ROOM 1 - DAY
GARRETT'S POV
GARRETT is crouched on top of the WARDROBE holding a LINE with a HOOK that drips down to the IRON KEY at ARTEMUS' side. GARRETT attempts to hook the KEY but misses. The next attempt succeeds. Without turning to acknowledge GARRETT ARTEMUS says:
ARTEMUS
Now how will you lift my key and not shift
its weight? I will sense its absence.
Ah, but disrupt my concentration and I
will forget how my key weighs my side.
GARRETT looks around. He spies a PEBBLE. He tosses it to ARTEMUS' distant side.
ARTEMUS
What's this? The first of our seasonal
granite downpour? Hmmmph, Is the
weather rocky tonight?
GARRETT pulls the LINE but the KEY remains fastened to ARTEMUS' side.
ARTEMUS
It is tied to my belt. This-
ARTEMUS takes the LINE and snaps it.
ARTEMUS
-is for fishermen.