INT. OUTSIDE THE DINING HALL - EVENING
Two massive, masked guards, with halberds escort Dolph to the dining hall.
One guard throws the doors open to reveal the dining hall.
A multitude of Corwin's creatures indulge in pandemonium about the dining hall. An
ensemble of mutant musicians plays wild music in one corner. Mad dog is swinging
from a chandelier.
A long dining table is stretched out at the opposite end of the room. Corwin sits in the center
of twelve mutants.
A server bends over to pour Corwin a drink and for one instant a bizarre replication of the last
supper is recreated. Dolph starts at the halo that briefly suspends over Corwin's head.
Corwin looks up as Dolph strides into the room.
A two legged, four armed, four eyed man drops from the ceiling on a tendril of silk. He lands in
Dolph's face with a scream. Dolph lurches and falls on his butt. Corwin jumps up and screams.
CORWIN
Look everybody! It's Spider Man!
Oohs and aahs. Corwin sings the theme song from the Spiderman saturday morning cartoon. Some
subjects join in.
CORWIN
Spider Man! Spider Man! Does
whatever a spider can! Can he
swing from a web? Take a look
overhead! Hey there, there goes
the Spider Man.
Dolph picks himself up. Corwin snickers at him.
CORWIN
What's a matter? Big bad warrior
fall down and go boom?
Dolph is dressed in an outfit that mixes classic pirate with modern day linebacker.
Corwin has provided Dolph with a jersey that sports the number zero.
The room quiets as Dolph brushes himself off.
SERENA
You tried to dress him the fool,
Corwin, but he still looks dashing.
Corwin looks at her askew.
CORWIN
Are you trying to make me jealous,
Serena? Of that big dumb, linebacker,
professional wrestling, Nordic, Nazi, brain
dead, ozone depletin' dipshit.
Serena pats his leg.
SERENA
Games of that nature are for
the likes of Lucinda, my love.
I'm merely stating fact.
CORWIN
Oh, that makes me feel much better.
Corwin turns to Dolph who is observing the chaos ensuing about him.
CORWIN
So, Dolph, how do like your outfit?
DOLPH
Cute. I especially like the zero.
You're real subtle, Corwin.
Corwin shrugs his shoulders.
DOLPH
But not as smart as you think.
If you grab both ends of a zero and
twist it the zero becomes the sign
for infinity.
Corwin frowns, then smiles and adopts a space head voice.
CORWIN
Nothing and yet everything. How Zen,
Man. Like totally cosmic.
Turns to Serena.
CORWIN
I think I underestimated this guy.
DOLPH
How do you know about football?
CORWIN
Say what?
DOLPH
Do they play football on this world?
CORWIN
(disgusted)
No. The only game they play
here is Scootch.
ENTIRE ROOM
SCOOTCH! Scootch! Scootch.
CORWIN
All right! All right! AFTER we take
over Malvalle, then we can get another
game together.
The entire room sighs in disappointment.
CORWIN
Listen it's not my fault Hewey ate the
Plecnock and Mad Dog broke both Farthings.
FLIPPER
Can't play without a Plecnock and
Farthings.
CORWIN
That's right.
DOLPH
You're from earth.
CORWIN
Figured that out, did you? Didn't
Adomass tell you you'd be killing
a fellow American?
DOLPH
He said he had summoned you,
but not from where.
Corwin stares intently at Dolph.
CORWIN
I believe you. Come. Sit next to me.
Corwin claps his hands.
CORWIN
All right! Time to eat! Everyone go to
your seats. Mad Dog, come down from
the chandelier. Gump, off the table. Bring
on the Roast Beast!
EVERYONE
Roast Beast! Roast Beast! Roast Beast!
Dolph sits next to Corwin in a chair that makes him a full head shorter than Corwin.
Corwin gives Dolph a wise ass grin.
A tall thin man dressed in a maitre d's outfit announces the princess.
THIN MAN
Her bitchiness, the Princess-
Oooffff!
Drusilla elbows the thin man in the ribs and storms past him. She is a twin to Lucinda
DRUSILLA
Out of my way, stick man!
THIN MAN
(gasping)
Drusilla.
SERENA
We're in luck, she's in a good mood.
All manner of fearful mutants scurry out of Drusilla's way. She finds a chair next to Dolph.
Corwin stands.
DRUSILLA
Who's this buffoon?
Dolph stands and her eyes go wide for a second.
DRUSILLA
Large buffoon.
CORWIN
This is the King's champion, Dru.
He's here to save you.
She snorts and sits.
DRUSILLA
Not much of champion if he's alive
and sitting at your table.
SERENA
Isn't she charming, Dolph?
DOLPH
Corwin has promised to let me escort
you back to Malvalle.
DRUSILLA
Aren't you going to kill him first? I've
been treated very badly.
Corwin and Dolph sit. The meal is brought out.
CORWIN
You are full of shit, Lady. You get treated
better than I do.
DRUSILLA
That's because I AM better then you and
your collection of freaks.
SERENA
Caution, Drusilla. Dolph can not protect
your sharp tongue from my fists. I grow
tired of your constant harangues.
A fleeting look of fear crosses Drusilla's face. She grows silent.
Drusilla attacks her meal like a storm trooper.
SERENA
Charming.
A mutant orchestra plays in one corner of the room. Some of the mutants hum and
sway as they eat.
CORWIN
Tomorrow you can return Dru to her father.
Dolph picks at his food.
DOLPH
If you're so hot to have her returned,
why haven't you done it yourself?
Drusilla interrupts through a mouthful of food.
DRUSILLA
Because he's a coward.
CORWIN
BECAUSE, Malvalle is sure to have
an ambush waiting and I don't want to
lose anymore of my people over this bitch.
SERENA
The entire enterprise has been a mistake.
CORWIN
Come on, Sweets, I already said I screwed up.
Serena smiles at her little boy.
DRUSILLA
You whine like a woman, Corwin.
SERENA
And what would you know of being a
woman, Drusilla?
Dolph falls back into his chair and starts roaring with laughter. Corwin and Serena smile.
DRUSILLA
What's so funny, Buffoon?
DOLPH
Are meals always so entertaining
around here?
CORWIN
Just one big happy family.
Drusilla gags.
DOLPH
Dysfunctional family.
A creature that looks like a large beach ball with fur holds an entire leg of beast over his
cavernous mouth.
CORWIN
Gump! Use a fork and a knife!
Gump gives Corwin a sheepish look. He places the beast back on his plate.
CORWIN
He eats the bones and then takes
a week to pass them.
SERENA
His moans keep the entire castle awake.
THE MUTANTS
Corwin! Corwin! Corwin! Corwin!
CORWIN
Excuse me, my adoring public calls.
Drusilla grimaces.
DRUSILLA
You're not going to make that dreadful
music again are you?
Corwin frowns and flips her the bird.
To Dolph's amazement, Corwin leaps several feet into the air over the dining table.
He joins the orchestra and picks up a Fender Strat.
CORWIN
OK, Boys, time to switch gears.
The musicians trade instruments for those more suited to rock and roll.
The room goes wild with applause. Corwin straps on his guitar and turns to Dolph.
CORWIN
Do you have any idea how hard it is
to conjure up a Fender Strat?
He strums a chord and the room goes wild.
DOLPH
Where's the amp?
CORWIN
This is a world that runs on magic,
Dolph. I don't need one.
Corwin races into a blistering run down the neck of the instrument. He turns to the rest
of the band.
CORWIN
Stormy Monday in the key of G. Animal, your count.
Animal, the drummer, beats out a four count. Corwin leads off the band into the blues standard.
As Corwin plays the mutants cavort, dance and go crazy. Serena and Dolph watch in amusement.
Drusilla picks at her food and scowls.
INT. CORRIDOR - EVENING
Flipper leads Corwin, Serena, Dolph, and two bodyguards down a stone corridor. They stop
outside a stout wood door.
CORWIN
This is your digs, Man. These dudes
will guard you.
DOLPH
From what?
CORWIN
All the big nasties in my castle.
DOLPH
All of the big nasties I've seen seem
like children to me.
CORWIN
Aahhh, you're starting to catch on...
Sleep tight, Dolph, you have a long
journey tomorrow.
SERENA
Dream well, Warrior.
Flipper leads Corwin and Serena down the hall. Dolph enters his room. The bodyguards
take position.
INT. THE HALL OUTSIDE OF CORWIN'S BEDROOM - SAME
Flipper leads Corwin and Serena down the hall.
SERENA
He doesn't seem a bad sort to me.
CORWIN
I'll reserve judgment. I don't like jocks.
Serena pulls Corwin to one wall.
Flipper waddles further down the hall and turns away.
SERENA
What, my love, is a Jock?
CORWIN
A big dumb jerk, who likes to throw his
weight around and play sports all of
the time.
SERENA
They play Scootch all the time?
CORWIN
Actually football, baseball, basketball,
hockey and a dozen others.
SERENA
Your home world is very strange, Corwin.
They kiss.
SERENA
But it tastes very sweet.
CORWIN
I want to tell him the truth so bad,
Serena.
She places here fingers on his lips.
SERENA
You mustn't, My Love. He must
discover it on his own. Then he
will be ours.
Flipper screams as he is slammed to the ground from behind.
Augustus and six warriors let out a blood curdling scream as they attack.
INT. DOLPH'S BEDROOM - SAME
Dolph hears the cries of the warrior and bolts out of bed.
INT. THE CORRIDOR BEFORE DOLPH'S BEDROOM - SAME
The bodyguards are gone. Dolph runs in the direction of the screams.
INT. THE HALL OUTSIDE OF CORWIN'S BEDROOM - SAME
Corwin and Serena break. They dodge Augustus' wild swings.
Flipper rolls under a warriors feet and trips him up. The warrior goes flying.
Corwin tangles the warrior's up in each other. He is obviously a martial artist.
Corwin's hands blur. They end at a warriors groin. The warrior doubles over. Corwin draws
the warrior's knife from his waist. He buries it in the back of the warrior's head.
Flipper yells to Corwin. He has snatched up a dropped blade. He tosses it to Corwin.
Corwin snatches it out of the air.
Flipper is run through from behind.
CORWIN
No!!!!
Dolph's two bodyguards enter the fray. Serena snatches up a blade and slits a warrior's throat.
Augustus looks panicked.
Corwin kills with relentless fury.
Dolph enters the hall. All but are Augustus are dead.
Augustus swings at Corwin's head. Corwin bats the blade down and knocks it out of the warrior's
hand.
With one hand Corwin grabs Augustus by the throat.
Effortlessly he lofts Augustus up against the stone wall. Corwin turns to Dolph.
CORWIN
You betrayed me! I showed you
hospitality and you set me up,
you fuck!!!!
Dolph starts to protest. Corwin turns to a gagging Augustus.
CORWIN
(with venom)
You should have stayed at home,
Augustus. How many times do I
have to kick your ass before you
get the message?
AUGUSTUS
We will have your head yet, Traitor.
Corwin lays the point of his blade on Augustus' stomach.
CORWIN
Brave words... for a dead man.
Dolph watches in horror as Corwin slowly impales Augustus.
Serena turns away in disgust.
Corwin drops the dead warrior like a sack of beans.
Corwin drops his sword and goes to Flipper. He gently cradles the dying mutant's head.
FLIPPER
Flipper not faster than lightning.
Corwin smiles. A tear pools up. Serena joins him.
CORWIN
Flipper, you're supposed to be my
helper, not my bodyguard.
FLIPPER
Flipper save Corwin?
CORWIN
Yes.
FLIPPER
Flipper miss Corwin.
Flipper exhales and dies. Tears stream down Corwin's face.
CORWIN
Corwin miss Flipper.
Corwin wipes away the tears.
He moves on Dolph like he is going to break him in two.
SERENA
Corwin! We need him!
Corwin grabs Dolph by the collar and yanks him to his knees.
CORWIN
Disappointed? Your boys didn't
quite get my head, did they?
DOLPH
I had nothing to do with this. They
were ordered to leave.
CORWIN
You see that little guy, Dolph? That
was my best friend. That LITTLE guy
taught me more about being a man than
anyone anywhere!
DOLPH
I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just
came for the girl.
Corwin throws Dolph like a rag doll against the far wall.
CORWIN
I trusted you! I was beginning to
like you! And how do you reward
my friendship?
Corwin points at the dead men behind him.
CORWIN
You let this trash into my home!
Corwin addresses the bodyguards.
CORWIN
Take him downstairs. He can
sleep on a bed of stone and chains.
DOLPH
I didn't have anything to do with this, Corwin.
CORWIN
Get him out of here.
The bodyguards do as they are bid. Corwin turns to Serena.
SERENA
You judge him too harshly, Corwin.
I believe him.
CORWIN
Oh really! Then how did these
scumbags get in the castle? Get
someone to clean up this mess.
Corwin storms into his room and slams the door shut.
Serena contemplates the corpses.
INT. DUNGEON - LATER
Dolph hangs by chained hands, half asleep, up against a stone wall.
A slender hand gentle caresses his cheek. Dolph starts awake to a staring Serena.
SERENA
Do not judge him too harshly. He
loved the little one. There are things
you do not understand.
DOLPH
He butchered Augustus like an
animal. I didn't like the guy either,
but that's no way to treat a human
being.
Serena gives him a knowing smile.
SERENA
Augustus was much less than a
human, Dolph.
DOLPH
Because he serves Malvalle?
Serena ponders Dolph's words.
SERENA
Have you wondered why I wear
this mask, Warrior?
Silence.
SERENA
Of course you have. I served Malvalle
long before Corwin arrived. I was
beautiful then. Lucinda and Drusilla
were insanely jealous of my beauty.
Serena stands.
SERENA
But the king was taken with me
and protected me from their vile
tricks.
Serena draws a slim dagger. She plays with it as she speaks.
SERENA
Then Adomass summoned Corwin
and I was taken with him. Before Corwin
was sent on his quest to slay Magnus, I
told Corwin the truth of our lands.
DOLPH
What truth is that?
SERENA
One you must discover on your own.
DOLPH
What has all this to do with your mask?
SERENA
In the kingdom of Malvalle the truth
is against the King's law. Adomass
took my face because I broke that law.
Serena seductively kneels close to Dolph.
SERENA
But not all of it. He left me these
eyes, these lips-
Serena plays her lips about Dolph's face. He breathes harder.
SERENA
My raven hair, to remind of what I was.
Would you see my face, Warrior? Or
does the thought scare you.
DOLPH
You don't frighten me, Serena.
Serena is in Dolph's face. She smiles and with a yank strips off her mask.
She is a skull with lips, eyes and hair. Dolph starts.
SERENA
Not too pretty anymore, am I?
She replaces the hood.
SERENA
I was stripped of my beauty and my
pride... Corwin never stopped loving me.
DOLPH
You will do whatever he asks.
SERENA
To the death, Warrior.
DOLPH
Even if it is wrong?
SERENA
Hold your judgment about what
is right and wrong.
DOLPH
Killing is always wrong.
SERENA
Not in defense, Warrior.
DOLPH
I hear Corwin is about to go
on the offensive with some big
magical weapon.
Serena looks troubled.
SERENA
I have tried to talk him out of this,
but Malvalle has driven him to this
insanity.
DOLPH
Then you believe Corwin is wrong.
SERENA
I believe he may be going too far.
She kneels down beside Dolph again.
SERENA
You are from his world, Dolph. I
believe you can convince him to
cease this madness.
Dolph laughs and holds up his chained hands.
DOLPH
I don't think he's too crazy about
me right now.
SERENA
This will pass. When you return to
Malvalle, seek out the truth and then
return to us.
DOLPH
Why don't you just tell me what
the truth is?
Serena stands and smiles.
SERENA
You believe most what you discover
on your own. Dark times are ahead
for you, Warrior.
DOLPH
The truth is dark, huh?
SERENA
Black.
DOLPH
And where do I find the truth?
Serena smiles
SERENA
In the reflections of your enemies.
Serena leaves a confused Dolph hanging.
EXT. A ROCKY PATH BEFORE CORWIN'S CASTLE - MORNING
Corwin and guitar are silhouetted by the sun. He sits on a rock, strumming a sad refrain.
Serena and two of Corwin's bodyguards escort Dolph and Drusilla to Corwin's position.
CORWIN
Sleep well, Dolph?
DOLPH
Not really. I got a little hung up
on my way to bed.
DRUSILLA
I will tell my father of my treatment here,
Corwin. He will not be pleased.
Corwin grabs a bag from his feet. He tosses it to the bodyguard closest to Drusilla.
CORWIN
A gift for your father.
The body guard hands the bag to Drusilla. She reaches in, pulls out the contents
and screams.
She drops Augustus' head. Dolph frowns.
CORWIN
That's no way to treat the dead, Dru.
SERENA
You are vile! Despicable!
CORWIN
Hey! I was just trying to help you get
a-head... start!
Corwin chuckles. Drusilla goes silent. The guard repackages the head and stuffs it into
Drusilla's saddlebags.
CORWIN
Tell your father I'm coming for him.
Tell him I warned him to stop pushing
me. And tell Adomass he's going to
pay for his crimes.
Corwin turns to Dolph.
CORWIN
You really disappointed me.
DOLPH
I might say the same.
Corwin scowls. Corwin throws Dolph a plain gold ring. Dolph snatches it out of the air.
CORWIN
A little going away gift. If you're
ever in trouble, read the inscription
on the inside and then kiss the ring.
Dolph places the ring on his finger.
DRUSILLA
He'll have plenty of trouble for not
bringing Father your head.
Corwin frowns at Drusilla.
CORWIN
Get the bitch out of here;
she drives me crazy.
Dolph grabs the reins to Drusilla's horse and they start down a rocky canyon.
Corwin returns to his guitar.
INT. THE KING'S HALL - EVENING
The doors to the room burst open.
All eyes raise as Drusilla runs into the room to her father.
DRUSILLA
Father! Father! Father!
The king jumps from his throne and snatches up his daughter.
Dolph enters the room. He carries the bag with Augustus' head.
KING MALVALLE
Oh my beloved Drusilla you are returned
to me!
DRUSILLA
It was terrible Father, the tortures I
endured! The food was terrible!
Lucinda parts from the onlookers. She fairly attaches herself to Dolph. She steals a kiss.
LUCINDA
Welcome back, Fair Knight. A
small reward for a successful quest.
DOLPH
Maybe not as successful as your
father would like.
The king escorts Drusilla to Dolph and Lucinda. The two sisters exchange venomous looks.
DRUSILLA
Lucy.
Lucinda responds by thrusting out an open hand. Drusilla frowns, pulls off her earrings. She
drops them into her sister's hand.
LUCINDA
And don't ever take them again.
KING MALVALLE
Where is the head, Warrior? I would have
it now.
Drusilla snatches the sack from Dolph and hands it to her father.
Dolph starts to protest.
DRUSILLA
Here it is, Father. I brought it for you.
The King withdraws Augustus' head.
KING MALVALLE
What is this!
DRUSILLA
It's the head, Father.
KING MALVALLE
It's supposed to be Corwin's head, not
the king's champion!
DRUSILLA
Oh... This one could not obtain that head.
He is a buffoon.
KING MALVALLE
What say you, Warrior! Why have you failed
to bring me what I have ordered?
Adomass joins the group.
DOLPH
I told you I would bring only the girl.
I'm not an assassin.
The King screams in rage and makes to toss the head against the wall. Adomass snatches
the head from the king.
KING MALVALLE
What!
Adomass whispers an incantation. An evil black glow suffuses Augustus' head as it becomes
animate.
ADOMASS
Report.
AUGUSTUS
We did as you told us, Adomass. We
followed the large one, well out of sight.
When they were at dinner the Lady Drusilla
let us in.
Dolph starts.
KING MALVALLE
And why is your head before me and not Corwin's?
AUGUSTUS
They fought well, My King.
KING MALVALLE
Fought well!
The King grabs Augustus' head from Adomass. He flings it through a window. He turns to Dolph.
KING MALVALLE
It would seem that everyone from your
world is useless to me!
DOLPH
Not all of us are murderers.
KING MALVALLE
Take him to the Wizard's laboratory!
Several guards move on Dolph. Dolph grabs the closest.
He throws the guard into several others. A melee ensues. Dolph breaks for the main doors. Drusilla
trips him up. Dolph rises to his knees. He catches a glimpse of Drusilla's reflection on the surface
of a polished shield.
The reflection is distorted and certainly not human.
Dolph is clubbed down.
Click here for PART IV of "The Beautiful People"