Horror / 
   
 
Landis, John
American Werewolf In London. (1981)
A wolf whose bite is definitely worse than his bark chomps a young backpacker taking a shortcut across the British moors one night. Before long, the traveler gets long in the tooth! But this howler has a different twist: a sharp sense of humor blacker than the Arctic sky on the winter solstice. John Landis wrote the screenplay and directed.

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Landis, John. American Werewolf In London.


Landis, John. American Werewolf In London.
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American Werewolf in London Script

  FADE IN

1    MAN’S FOOTPRINT

     on the moon.

     EXT. MOON

     Camera begins to pull back slowly, straight up - the
     song "Moon Shadow" by Cat Stevens begins.  Once we are
     high enough to see the entire moon, the main title is
     superimposed.

               An American Werewolf in London

     We continue to retreat from the moon, looking on as it
     grows farther from us, continuing credits until the
     full moon is the size it appears to us from earth.

2    EXT. CROSSROADS ON THE MOORS - NIGHT

     Tree branches enter into the frame, the camera pans
     down and we see a truck approaching.  We are at a
     crossroads in the moors, looking sinister enough to
     have earned their literary reputation.

     The truck stops at the crossroads, the DRIVER,
     mustached and wearing tweeds, boots, and a muffler,
     climbs down.

     "Moon Shadow" ends.


                                                  CUT TO:
Loud bang of the back grating on the truck as it slams down. Revealed among the sheep are two rudely-awakened young American boys. They look exhausted. They both carry backpacks, two American kids on a jaunt in Europe. They are both in their late twenties. It is very cold and they clamber out of the truck none too happily. Pushing sheep aside they step out and stretch.      JACK GOODMAN AND DAVID KESSLER

     They’ve been cramped for hours.

                         TRUCK DRIVER
               Here, lads, East Proctor and
               all about are the moors.  I go
               east here.

                         JACK
               Yes, well thank you very much
               for the ride, sir.  You have
               lovely sheep.

                         TRUCK DRIVER
                    (as he clambers back
                     up on his truck)
               Boys, keep off the moors.
               Stay on the road.  Good luck
               to you.

                         DAVID
               Thanks again!

     He drives off.  LONG SHOT of the two boys as the lorry
     pulls away.  Surrounding them are the moors.  They put
     on their packs, David points to the signpost pointing
     towards East Proctor.

     EXT. ROAD ON THE MOORS - NIGHT

     As they walk, their breath visible:

                         JACK
               Are you cold?

                         DAVID
               Yes.

                         JACK
               Good.

     They walk on, finally:

                         DAVID
               Jack.

                         JACK
               David.

                         DAVID
               You’re not having a good time
               are you?

                         JACK
               Oh, I don’t know.  I mean look
               around.  Isn’t this a fun
               place?

     The camera shows us the moors - desolate, cold,
     foreboding.

                         DAVID
               Well, I like it here.

                         JACK
               I’m sorry.  Northern England
               first, Italy later.

                         DAVID
               Right.

     They walk on.
                         JACK
               Do you think she’ll meet me in
               Rome?

                         DAVID
               I think Debbie Klein is a
               mediocre person with a good
               body.

                         JACK
               Debbie is not mediocre and she
               has one of the great bodies of
               all time.

                         DAVID
               She’s a jerk.

                         JACK
               You’re talking about the woman
               I love.

                         DAVID
               I’m talking about a girl you
               want to fuck, so give me a
               break.

                         JACK
               Well, anyway, do you think
               she’ll be there?

                         DAVID
               I don’t know.

                         JACK
                    (like an announcer)
               Rendezvous in Rome starring
               Jack Goodman and Debbie Klein.
               The love affair that shocked
               Europe!  See torrid lovemaking
               at its most explicit!  See
               Jack and Debbie expose their
               lust in the sacred halls of
               the Vatican!  Never has the
               screen dared....

                         DAVID
               If you don’t stop, I’m going
               to kill you.

                         JACK
               I have to make love to her.
               It’s very simple.  She has no
               choice really.

                         DAVID
               It just fascinates me that you
               can spend so much energy on
               someone so dull.

                         JACK
               It is impossible for a body
               like that to be dull.

                         DAVID
               We’ve known Debbie what, since
               the eighth grade?  How many
               years of foreplay is that?

                         JACK
               She says she `likes me too
               much’.

     David just laughs and laughs and laughs.


                                                  DISSOLVE
                                                  TO:

3    EXT. EAST PROCTOR MAIN STREET - NIGHT

     David and Jack entering East Proctor.  It is brightly
     moonlit.  East Proctor consists of a few shops, all
     closed, a petrol pump and a pub.  East Proctor has a
     very small population and the place looks empty.  David
     and Jack enter the middle of town and look about.  The
     camera sees what they see.  A few shops, dark and
     shuttered.  Light and laughter come from the pub.

4    EXT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT

     Its traditional shingle shows a ferocious wolf’s bloody
     head on a pike, and tells us the pub’s name, "The
     Slaughtered Lamb".

                         JACK
               The Slaughtered Lamb?

                         DAVID
               Of course, The Slaughtered
               Lamb.  Why else would they
               have a severed fox head on a
               spear as their symbol?

                         JACK
               That’s a wolf’s head.

                         DAVID
               Of course, The Slaughtered
               Lamb.  Why else would they
               have a severed wolf’s head on
               a spear as their symbol?

                         JACK
               That’s not a spear.  It’s a
               pike.

                         DAVID
               A severed wolf’s head on a
               pike as their symbol.

                         JACK
               David, before we go in there I
               want you to know that - no
               matter what happens to us -
               it’s your fault.

                         DAVID
               I assume full responsibility.

                         JACK
               Okay.

                         DAVID
               Shall we?

5    INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT

     The pub was apparently "modernized" sometime in the mid-
     fifties.  Its traditional Englishness combines with
     greasy stainless steel and glass.  It is populated by
     mostly pale young men with longish hair.  Several older
     men are ruddy complexioned and sport large mustaches.
     Four or five are watching a chess game.  Two men are
     playing darts.  The conversation is loud and there is
     often laughter.  But there is something unsavory about
     these people.  A look of leanness and poverty.  They
     seem inbred and somehow sullen.  We establish the types
     and the general level of noise in the room.

     The door opens revealing David and Jack.  There is dead
     silence and all are staring in a not friendly way at
     the two boys who are made uncomfortable by all the
     strange attention.  They give each other a "what?"
     look, then turn to the assembled populace.

                         DAVID
               Hello.

                         JACK
               Nice to see you.

     FACES

     Silent and staring.

                                                  CUT TO:

     DAVID AND JACK

                         DAVID
                    (smiles)
               It’s very cold outside.  May
               we come in?

     The WOMAN BARKEEP nods.  The boys walk carefully over
     to a table and very self-consciously remove their
     packs, place them on the floor, and sit down at the
     table.  There is a long, awkward wait.  The Woman
     finally comes over to them.

                         JACK
               Do you have any hot soup?

                         WOMAN
               No.

                         DAVID
               Well, do you have any coffee?

                         WOMAN
               No.

                         JACK
               Hot chocolate?
                         WOMAN
               We’ve got spirits and beer.
               If it’s something hot you
               want, you can have tea.

                         JACK
               Then you have some hot tea?

                         WOMAN
               No.

                         JACK
               Oh.

                         WOMAN
               But I can heat some up for you
               if you’d like.

                         DAVID & JACK
               Yes, please.

     As the Woman turns to prepare the tea, everyone resumes
     what they were doing; talking, drinking, playing chess
     and darts, and the boys breathe easier.

                         JACK
               Nice looking group.

                         DAVID
               Listen, at least it’s warm in
               here.

                         JACK
               Look at that.

                                                  CUT TO:

     JACK’S P.O.V.

     On the wall is painted a red pentangle (a five-pointed
     star) and on either side burns a yellow candle.

                         DAVID
               What about it?

                         JACK
               It’s a five-pointed star.

                         DAVID
               Maybe the owners are from
               Texas.

     The Woman brings them their tea.

                         JACK
                    (to Woman)
          Remember the Alamo?

                         WOMAN
               I beg your pardon?

                         DAVID
               He was joking.  Thank you.

                         WOMAN
               Joking?  I remember The Alamo.
               I saw it once in London, in
               Leicester Square.

     Jack and David look startled.  One of the CHESS PLAYERS
     explains:

                         CHESS PLAYER
               She means in the cinema, that
               film with John Wayne.
                    (turns to board)
               Checkmate.

                         DAVID
               Oh, yes, of course.

                         JACK
               Right, with Laurence Harvey
               and everybody died in it.  It
               was very bloody.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Bloody awful if you ask me!

     This sends everyone into gales of laughter.  Jack and
     David smile politely.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Here, Gladys, Tom.  Did you
               hear the one about the
               crashing plane?

                         WOMAN
               No, but we’re about to.

     Laughter.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               You be quiet, woman, and let
               me speak.

                         WOMAN
                    (heavy sarcasm)
               Quiet, everyone!  Hush!  Shhh!

     Uproarious laughter.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               All right, laugh then.  I
               shan’t tell it.

                         WOMAN
               Oh, come on, tell us.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               No.  You’ve had your chance.

     The men all coax him to tell the joke.

                         JACK
                    (to David)
               Ask them what the candles are
               for.

                         DAVID
                    (to Jack)
               You ask them.

                         JACK
                    (to David)
               Listen, that’s a pentangle, a
               five-pointed star.  It’s used
               in witchcraft.  Lon Chaney,
               Jr. and Universal Studios
               maintain it’s the mark of the
               wolf man.

                         DAVID
                    (to Jack)
               I see.  You want me to ask
               these people if they’re
               burning candles to ward off
               monsters.

                         JACK
                    (to David)
               Right.

                         DAVID
                    (to Jack)
               Wrong.
     The drinkers have gotten the Chess Player to tell the
     joke as everyone knew he would.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Oh, all right.  There was this
               airplane over the Atlantic on
               its way to New York.  It was
               full of men from the United
               Nations.

                         WOMAN
               That’s very funny, that is.

     Uproarious laughter.

                         JACK
                    (to David)
               Go on, ask them.

                         DAVID
                    (to Jack)
               You ask them.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Here now, let me finish!  So
               halfway over the ocean the
               engines run low on petrol so
               they have to lighten the
               plane.  So they heave out all
               the baggage, but it’s still
               too heavy.  So they chuck out
               the seats, but it’s still too
               heavy!  Finally this Froggy
               steps up and shouts "Viva la
               France" and leaps out.  Then
               an Englishman....

                         DART PLAYERS
               Hear!  Hear!

                         CHESS PLAYER
                    (undaunted)
               ...steps up and shouts `God
               save the Queen!’ and leaps
               out.  But the plane is still
               too heavy.  So the Yank
               delegate from Texas steps up,
               shouts, `Remember the Alamo!’
               and chucks out the Mexican.

     This is apparently the funniest joke the inhabitants of
     East Proctor have ever heard.  The laughter is
     uproarious, choking, knee-slapping, incredible.  As the
     Chess Player goes to take a drink of beer, the Dart
     Player gasps out...
                         DART PLAYER
               Remember the Alamo!

     ...causing the Chess Player to spit out his beer
     causing even harder laughter.  Complete hilarity.

                         JACK
               Excuse me, but what’s that
               star on the wall for?

     Dead silence.  A dart lands in the wall.  David and
     Jack are understandably bewildered.  The villagers look
     hard indeed.

                         DART PLAYER
                    (angry)
               You’ve made me miss.

                         JACK
               I’m sorry.

                         DART PLAYER
               I’ve never missed the board
               before.

                         DAVID
               Jack, we’d better go.

                         JACK
               What do you mean?  I’m
               starving.

                         DART PLAYER
               There’s no food here.

     The villagers look threatening and David’s voice is a
     bit urgent.

                         DAVID
               Come on, Jack, shall we go?!!

                         JACK
               Apparently so.

     The boys pick up their backpacks and move uncertainly
     for the door.

                         WOMAN
                    (to men)
               You can’t let them go.

                         DAVID
                    (worried)
               How much do we owe you?

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Nothing, lads.  Go, God be
               with you.

                         DAVID
               Uh, thank you.

                         WOMAN
               Wait!  You just can’t let them
               go!

                         DART PLAYER
               Go!  And stay on the road.
               Keep clear of the moors.

                         DAVID
               Yes, well, thanks again.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Beware the moon, lads!

     David pushes Jack out.

6    EXT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT

     It is very cold.

                         JACK
               What the hell was that all
               about?

                         DAVID
               I don’t know.  Let’s see if
               there’s an inn or something up
               the road.

                         JACK
               Beware the moon?

                         DAVID
               Come on, I’m freezing.

     They start up the road into the night.

7    INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT

     It is quiet.

                         WOMAN
               You can’t let them go.

                         DART PLAYER
                    (angry)
               Should the world know our
               business?!

                         CHESS PLAYER
               It’s murder then.

                         DART PLAYER
               Then murder it is!  It’s in
               God’s hands now.

     The wax drips from the Pentangle’s candles onto the
     floor.

                                                  DISSOLVE
                                                  TO:

8    EXT. A ROAD ON THE MOORS - NIGHT - DAVID AND JACK

     walking on the road surrounded by darkness.

                         DAVID
               That was weird.  I guess
               leaving was the best idea.

                         JACK
               I don’t know.  Now that we’re
               out here and it’s three
               degrees, I’m not so sure I
               wouldn’t rather face a blood-
               thirsty mob.

                         DAVID
               Well, not quite a blood-
               thirsty mob.

     They keep walking.

                         JACK
               What do you think was wrong?

                         DAVID
               I have no idea.

                         JACK
               Maybe that pentangle was for
               something supernatural.

                         DAVID
               I see and they were too
               embarrassed to talk about it,
               because they felt so silly.
     There is a flash of lightning that sends a ghostly
     illuminating sheet of light over the boys’ faces.  The
     clap of thunder follows loud and rumbling.

                         DAVID
               Please don’t rain.

     Downpour.  The boys are walking in a deluge.

                         DAVID
               Of course.

     They walk getting soaked.

                         JACK
               Say, David....

                         DAVID
               I’m well aware of how pleasant
               the weather is in Rome at the
               present time thank you.

     Jack spreads his arms and sings.

                         JACK
               Santa Lucia...Santa Lucia.

9    INT. THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB - NIGHT

     The rain is loud on the roof and beating on the
     windows.  The gathered continue to drink, play chess
     and darts, but all are silent and contemplative.

                         WOMAN
               Perhaps they’ll be safe in the
               rain.

     The Chess Player slams his hand on the table.  Shouts:

                         CHESS PLAYER
               No one brought them here!  No
               one wanted them here!

                         WOMAN
               You could have told them!

                         DART PLAYER
               Are you daft?  What do you
               think they’d say?  They’d
               think us mad.

                         WOMAN
               Listen!

     The rain is subsiding.  There is a very faint howl.

                         WOMAN
               Did you hear it?  We must go
               to them.

                         DART PLAYER
               I heard nothing.

                         CHESS PLAYER
               Nor I.

     The camera lingers as the Chess Player’s hard face
     shows the man’s struggle.  Another howl.  The Chess
     Player turns suddenly.

10   EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT

     David and Jack are now completely out of sight from
     East Proctor surrounded by darkness and wet.  There is
     a light drizzle.  They are standing, listening.  The
     drizzle stops.

                         JACK
               Did you hear that?

                         DAVID
               I heard that.

                         JACK
               What was it?

     David begins to walk, Jack with him.

                         DAVID
               Could be a lot of things.

                         JACK
               Yeah?

                         DAVID
               A coyote.

                         JACK
               There aren’t any coyotes in
               England.

                         DAVID
               The Hound of the Baskervilles.

                         JACK
               Pecos Bill.

                         DAVID
               Heathcliffe.

                         JACK
               Heathcliffe didn’t howl.

                         DAVID
               No, but he was on the moors.

                         JACK
               It’s a full moon, `beware the
               moon’.

     Another howl, this one long and loud.  It is a very
     inhuman noise, terrifying, and closer this time.

                         JACK
               I vote we go back to The
               Slaughtered Lamb.

                         DAVID
               Yeah.

     They are both visibly worried and walk briskly back
     from where they just came.  Although after a bit of
     fast walking they are getting nowhere.  They stop out
     of breath.

                         DAVID
               We’re lost.

     Another bloodcurdling howl.

                         JACK
               Shit!  David, what is that?

                         DAVID
               I don’t know.  Come on.

                         JACK
               Come on, where?

                         DAVID
               Anywhere!  I think we should
               just keep moving.

     A growl.  A low guttural growl comes from out of the
     darkness.  We stay on the boys, but we hear something
     out there.  It starts to walk.

                         DAVID
               It’s moving.

                         JACK
               It’s circling us.

     And indeed it is.  The boys strain to hear its four
     footfalls and they turn slowly, following it.  A snarl.

                         JACK
               Fuck.

     We hear the wolf-monster stop (for that’s what it is -
     we know it’s there even though we’ve not seen it).  It
     sits breathing heavily.

                         DAVID
               What’s the plan?

                         JACK
                    (nervously)
               Plan?

                         DAVID
                    (not too relaxed
                     himself)
               Let’s just keep walking.

     They do and David keeps talking as they walk.

                         DAVID
               That’s right, a lovely stroll
               in the moors.  Tra-la-la,
               isn’t this fun?

     The thing stalking them seems to speed up.  The boys
     hesitate as they sense it run past them.  It stops.

                         DAVID
               It’s in front of us.

                         JACK
               Do you think it’s a dog?

     Jack and David strain to see what waits ahead of them.

     BOYS’ P.O.V.

     Something is waiting in the darkness.  Its hulking
     shape is barely discernible, but its eyes glow eerily
     and its breath is visible.

                         JACK
               Oh shit.  What is that?

                         DAVID
               A sheep dog or something.
               Turn slowly and let’s walk
               away.

     The boys keep talking as they move faster and faster.

                         JACK
               Nice doggie.  Good boy.

                         DAVID
               Walk away, Jack.

                         JACK
               Walking away, yes, sir.  Here
               we are walking away.

     They are in a full-out run by now.  After a few minutes
     flight they stop, panting.

                         DAVID
               See anything?

                         JACK
               No.

     A moment of quiet, then a howl.

                         DAVID
               It sounds far away.

                         JACK
               Not far enough.  Come on.

     They walk briskly.

                         DAVID
               Jack?

                         JACK
               Yeah.

                         DAVID
               Where are we going?

                         JACK
               I’ll tell you when we get
               there.

                         DAVID
               Well.  I’m glad we...WHOAA!!

     David shouts as he slips suddenly in the mud, scaring
     Jack, and us, and himself a great deal.  He lays
     startled on the wet ground for a moment, then he and
     Jack laugh.

                         JACK
               You really scared me, you
               shithead.

                         DAVID
               Are you going to help me up?

     Jack takes David’s extended hand to help him up when
     THE WOLF MONSTER SPRINGS!

     EXT. MOORS - NIGHT

     The lunging beast brings Jack down in one fell swoop.
     David falls back on his ass.  Jack is screaming and
     struggling as he is torn to shreds.  David scrambles to
     his feet and runs in complete panic.  Jack’s screams
     and the wolf’s roars combine.

                         JACK
               Jesus fuck!  David!  Please
               help me!  Please!  David!
               Shit!  Help me!  Oh God!

     EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT

     David runs and runs.  Finally he falls, out of breath.

                         DAVID
               Jack?  Oh my God, Jack!

     He gets up and runs back to find Jack a torn and bloody
     mess on the ground.  He stares in horror.

                         DAVID
               Jack....

     EXT. NIGHT - VARIOUS FLASH CUTS

     THE WOLF SPRINGS!  The camera adopts David’s P.O.V. as
     he fights the dark savage shape on top of him.  Fangs
     clamp down on his shoulder when shots ring out and the
     hulking form rolls off of him.

     EXT. ROADSIDE ON THE MOORS - NIGHT

     David, dazed and bloody, looks and sees the men from
     The Slaughtered Lamb armed with shotguns and torches
     running towards him.  Looking over at his attacker,
     instead of a wolf he sees a very old, naked man laying
     in the mud riddled with bullet holes.  As the villagers
     crowd around, David falls back and faints.

                                                  FADE OUT


     FADE IN

11   INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

     David is in a small, clean and very white hospital
     room.  He lays on his back in bed, his shoulder
     bandaged and his arm plugged into a bottle of plasma.
     There are several cuts and abrasions on his arms and
     face, but he really doesn’t look too bad.  He opens his
     eyes slowly, blinks, and tries to sit up and look
     around, but is unable to because of the pain.  He calls
     out....

                         DAVID
               Jack?!

     ...and passes out.  However his shout has fetched a
     nurse.  She is ALEX PRICE, very English, very
     beautiful.  She goes to the bed.

                         ALEX
               Mr. Kessler?

     She looks into his eyes, lifting the lids with her
     thumb, and then checks his chart at the end of the bed.

                         ALEX
               Mr. Kessler?

     David remains unconscious.  Another young nurse, MISS
     GALLAGHER, comes in.

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               He all right?

                         ALEX
               Yes, I should think.  He
               called out just now.

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               He’s an American, you know.
               Dr. Hirsch is going to fetch
               round one of those Embassy
               fellows to see him.

                         ALEX
               Chart says he’s from New York.

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               I think he’s a Jew.

                         ALEX
               Why on earth do you say that?

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               I looked.

                         ALEX
                    (smiles)
               Really, Susan, I don’t think
               that was very proper, and
               besides, it’s common practice
               now.

     A voice startles the girls.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Yes, Miss Gallagher, Miss
               Price is quite right.

     DR. HIRSCH enters.  He is an older man wearing the
     customary lab coat.  A very commanding and reassuring
     presence.  The girls are embarrassed.

                         ALEX
               Dr. Hirsch, Mr. Kessler cried
               out a minute ago.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Miss Gallagher, surely you
               must perform some function
               here at the hospital.

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               Yes, Doctor.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Then get on with it.

                         MISS GALLAGHER
               Yes, Doctor.

     She exits.  Dr. Hirsch begins to examine David.  Alex
     watches.  Dr. Hirsch turns to Alex.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Can I be of service, Miss
               Price?

                         ALEX
               Dr. Hirsch?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Go about your duties.

                         ALEX
               Yes, Doctor.

     She starts to exit.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Oh, Miss Price?

                         ALEX
               Yes, Doctor?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               What exactly did he call out?

                         ALEX
               He said `Jack’.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               That would be Jack Goodman,
               the boy who was killed.

                         ALEX
               What happened to them?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               The police report said an
               escaped lunatic attacked them.
               He must have been a very
               powerful man.  Although I
               really don’t see that it is
               any of your concern, Miss
               Price.

                         ALEX
               No, sir.  Of course, sir.
               Good day, Doctor.

     She exits as Dr. Hirsch continues his examination,
     looking into David’s eyes.

12   EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY

     The camera is handheld, running furiously through the
     almost dense greenery.  On the soundtrack are the
     footfalls and heavy breathing of the runner.  The
     camera abruptly stops and turns, sharply looking about,
     the panting continuing.  The breathing gets louder and
     harder, then too loud when we:

                                                  CUT TO:

13   INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

     David opens his eyes quickly, the silence and whiteness
     contrast sharply with the preceding fantasy.  Standing
     beside the bed are Dr. Hirsch and MR. COLLINS.  Mr.
     Collins wears a bow tie and is holding a briefcase.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Hello, David.  I am Dr. Hirsch
               and this is a countryman of
               yours, Mr. Collins.

                         DAVID
               Where am I?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               You’re in a hospital in
               London.

                         DAVID
               London?  Where’s Jack?  I had
               a strange dream.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               I should think so after your
               recent traumatic experiences.

                         DAVID
               The guy I was with.  Is he all
               right?  How did I get to
               London?

                         DR. HIRSCH
                    (quietly)
               Now, David, I want you to
               prepare yourself; your friend
               is dead.
     David jolts up in bed and shouts.

                         DAVID
               What?

     The sudden exertion and strain hurt.

                         DAVID
               Ow, shit!

     He sinks back down.

                         DAVID
               Jack’s dead?

                         MR. COLLINS
               Mr. Kessler, I am Mr. Collins
               of the American Embassy here
               in Grosvenor Square.  Both Mr.
               Goodman’s parents and your
               parents have been notified of
               your injuries and everything’s
               in order.

                         DAVID
               Everything’s in order?  What
               are you talking about?

                         MR. COLLINS
               Mr. Goodman’s body has been
               air-freighted back to New York
               for burial and your parents
               have wired funds for your stay
               in the hospital until you are
               well enough to fly home.

                         DAVID
                    (controlled tears)
               You don’t crate and ship Jack
               like some side of beef.
                    (approaching hysteria)
               Who the hell are you people?
               What’s going on here?  Where
               is Jack?  I demand to see him!

                         DR. HIRSCH
                    (holds David down,
                     calls out)
               Miss Price!  Miss Price,
               please!

                         DAVID
                    (shouting)
               Get your fucking hands off me!
               What the hell is going on
               here?

     Alex enters amidst David’s shouting and confusion.

                         MR. COLLINS
                    (distraught, clutching
                     his briefcase)
               I realize how upsetting this
               must be for you, Mr. Kessler,
               but please try to refrain from
               hysterics.

     David continues shouting and struggling.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Prepare a hypodermic, please,
               Miss Price.

     The shot is administered and David is held down by Dr.
     Hirsch and Alex until his breathing becomes more
     normal.

                         MR. COLLINS
               Now, Mr. Kessler, try not to
               excite yourself.  Everything
               has been arranged.  I shall
               come back to check on your
               progress and send a report to
               your parents.  The police have
               requested to interview you and
               I have given them permission
               to do so.

     Dr. Hirsch walks Mr. Collins to the door.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Thank you very much, Mr.
               Collins.  He’ll rest now and
               I’m sure everything will be
               fine once he’s adjusted.  He’s
               had quite a shock.

                         MR. COLLINS
               These dumb-ass kids never
               appreciate anything you do for
               them.

     Mr. Collins exits.  Dr. Hirsch crosses back to the bed.

                         DAVID
               How long have I been here?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               You’ve been unconscious since
               you were brought in two weeks
               ago.

                         DAVID
               Two weeks?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               You’ve suffered some rather
               severe cuts and bruises, lost
               a bit of blood, but nothing
               too serious; black and blue
               for a while.  You’ll have some
               dueling scars to boast of.
               That lunatic must have been a
               very fierce fellow.  They say
               a mad man has the strength of
               ten.

                         DAVID
                    (softly, as the drugs
                     take hold)
               Lunatic?

                         DR. HIRSCH
               Now we’ve just given you a
               pretty strong sedative, so try
               to get some rest now.  Miss
               Price will see to your needs.
               Rest now.

     Dr. Hirsch watches as Alex straightens David’s covers.

                         DAVID
                    (softly)
               It wasn’t a lunatic.

                         ALEX
                    (puzzled)
               I beg your pardon?

                         DAVID
               It was a wolf.

                         ALEX
                    (bends down close
                     to hear)
               What?

                         DAVID
               A wolf.

     David passes out.  Alex looks to Dr. Hirsch.
                         DR. HIRSCH
               Did he say a wolf?

                         ALEX
               Yes, I believe he did.

     Dr. Hirsch regards David thoughtfully.

14   INT. DR. HIRSCH’S OFFICE - DAY

     Dr. Hirsch is on the phone, he is referring to a desk
     calendar.

                         DR. HIRSCH
               But Roger is so terribly
               boring.  Yes, dear, but
               couldn’t we...I