PANSLABYRINTH(ElLaberintodelFauno)

By

GuillermodelToro

(PANSLABYRINTHisinSpanishwithEnglishsubtitles.ThisisanEnglishtranslationofthescript.)

Picturehouse2006.Allrightsreserved.

DARKNESS.

Afemalevoicehumsasweetlullaby.

SUPERIMPOSITION:

SPAIN,1944.

THECIVILWARISOVER.

HIDDENINTHEMOUNTAINS,ARMEDMENFIGHTTHENEWFASCISTREGIME.MILITARYPOSTSAREESTABLISHEDTOEXTERMINATETHERESISTANCE.

Then:theraw,raspySOUNDofachildstrugglingtobreathe.

FADEIN:

EXT.LABYRINTHNIGHT

Intheforeground,OFELIA 11yearsold,skinwhiteassnow,rubylipsandebonyhairissprawledontheground.

Athickribbonofbloodrunsfromhernose.

But thebloodisflowingbackwardintohernostril.Dropbydrop, thebloodleapsupanddisappears.

Ofelia'spupilsdilate

NARRATORLongagointheUndergroundRealm...

CAMERAMOVESINTOTHEDARKPUPIL

BLACKSCREEN

NARRATOR...wheretherearenoliesorpain,therelivedaPrincesswhodreamtofthehumanworld.

Thesoundofmuffledwind.

NARRATORShedreamtofblueskies,thesoftbreezeandsunshine...

AdarkCASTLEtakesshape.Here,atower...there,aturret...andlightedwindows.

Finally,thedamp,mildewedwallsofawaterwellcomeintofocus.

NARRATOROneday,eludingherkeepers,thePrincessescaped.

Awoman'ssilhouettecrossesCAMERA

NARRATOROnceoutside,thebrightnessblindedheranderasedhermemory...

Acircularstaircaseleadsup...towarddaylight,wheretheimage...

NARRATORSheforgotwhoshewasandwhereshecamefrom.Herbodysufferedcold,sicknessandpain.Eventually,shedied.

FADESTOWHITE:

EXT.BOMBEDCITY DAY

CAMERATRACKSpastscenesofdestruction:bombedoutbuildings...cathedralsinruins.

NARRATORHerfather,theKing,alwaysknewthatthePrincesswouldreturn,perhapsinanotherbody,inanotherplace,atanothertime.

Onhalfdemolishedwalls,FalangistpostersdeclareFranco's

triumph.Amongtheruins,smaller,poignanttracesofwar:shoes,brokeneyeglasses...

NARRATORAndhewouldwaitforher,untilhedrewhislastbreath,untiltheworldstoppedturning

Throughtheruinedbuildings,aSMALLCARAVANOFBLACKBENTLEYCARScomesintoview.

TheshinychromefenderspassdirectlybyCAMERAtheybearalltheFascistinsigniasandflags.

INT.MAINCARSAME

Lookingoutthewindow:OFELIA.

She'sdressedinplain,slightlyfrayedclothing.Notverydainty.Onherlapisabookoffairytales.

CAMERAstudiesoneofthewatercolorsthatadornthepages:anillustrationofalittlegirldancingwithseveralfairiesflyingaroundher.

Atherside,asmallpileofsimilarbooksinabookstrap.

CARMENIdon'tunderstandwhyyouhadtobringsomanybooks,Ofelia.

Ofeliaturnshergazetowardthe oppositeseat,wherehermother,CARMEN,28,isnapping,herenormousstomachevidenceofadvancedpregnancy.She,too,hasblackhair.

CARMENWe'regoingtothecountry...theoutdoors...plentyoffreshair.

ShetakesthebookawayfromOfelia.

CARMENFairytales?You'retoooldtobefillingyourheadwithsuchnonsense.

Shepauses,feelingnausea.

CARMENAskthemtostopthecar please

Ofeliaknocksonthepartitionwindowofthesedan.TheDriverstops.

EXT.WOODSSAME

Thecaravanofcarsstops.Carmenhurriedlyclimbsdownandmovestothefrontofthemaincar.

Gaspingforair,shebattlesthenausea.Ofeliatimidlyapproachesher.

CARMENOfelia,waitup.

Shegrabsherpregnantabdomen.

CARMENYourbrother'snotwell.

Ofelianodsandmovesaway.SERRANO,amilitaryman,climbsoutofthecarbehindthemandapproachesCarmensolicitous.

SERRANOMadam,areyoufeelingill?

CARMENWater justabitofwater

SERRANO(tooneofhismen)

Water,bringwaterfortheCaptain'swife.

Ofeliawalksalongsidetheroad,movingintothewoodsandfurtherawayfromthecaravan ofcars.

CAMERAsurveystheheavyforest:atangledtapestryofmossandfog.

Thetrees,swayedbythewind,murmursoftlyaroundOfelia.Shestumblesuponastrangestonebythesideoftheroad.

Roughlythesizeofafistcarvedonit,theoutlineofahumanEYE.

Fascinated,theyounggirlpicksitup.

ShelooksaroundandfindsamidsttheshrubsanancientstonemonolithincisedwithCelticlettering.

It'scrownedwiththegrotesquefaceofasatyrmouthopenwide.

Apieceofthebrutishfaceismissing:aneye.

Ofeliafitsthepieceofengravedstoneinthemissingarea.Aperfectfit.

Frominsidethestatueaclickingnoiseemerges.Thewindpicksupand

outofthesatyr'sopenmouth,aSTICKINSECT lazilycrawlsout.Ofeliasmiles.Theinsectclimbsatopthestoneheadandstudiesthegirlforamoment.Then

CARMENOfelia??

ThesoundofCarmen'svoicestartlesthecreature,whichfliesoff.

Ofeliarunstohermother'sside.

OFELIA(enthusiastic)

AfairyIsawafairy!!

CARMENOhlookatyourshoes!!They'recoveredinmud!

Theyheadbacktothecaravan.

CARMEN

WhenwegettothemillIwantyoutogreetCaptainVidal.

Thatmanhasbeenverygoodtous,darling.Youhavenoidea

So,Iwantyoutocallhim"Father."Doyouhearme?"Father..."

It'sjustaword,Ofelia.

TheStickInsectlandsinanearbytreeandobservesinquisitivelyasMotheranddaughterclimbintothemaincarandheadoff.

A beatlater,theStickInsectfliesafterthem.

CUTTO:

INT.WATERMILL DAY

CLOSEUP:agoldpocketwatch,onaheavychain.Theglassdialiscracked...

A glovedTHUMBsnapsthecovershut.AVOICECAPTAINVIDAL muttersinirritation.

VIDALFifteenminuteslate.

ANGLEWIDENStodescribeadilapidatedWATERMILL.

Thesiteconsistsofapairofdarkstonebuildingswithcorrugatedroofs,connectedtothemillbyasmallstonebridge.Alargewaterwheelhangsoverthedryriverbed.

ThewoodenbeamsandcolumnsbearsculptedCelticmotifsandhereandthere,small,odd,carvedcreatures.

Thewallshavebeenreinforcedwithhundredsofsandbagsandwoodenpontoons,asifpreparingforanattack.

CAPTAINVIDALandasmallgroupofSERVANTSandSOLDIERSwaitpatientlyoutside.

SOLDIERCaptain!!They'rehere

ThecaravanofBentleysstopsinfrontofthebuilding.Vidalandhisgroupmovesin.ServantsandSoldiersunloadluggagewithymilitaryefficiency.InchargeisMERCEDES,ayoungbutstrictcountrywoman.

VidalgreetsCarmen.

VIDALCarmenWelcome

Withapleasantsmile,hetouchesherpregnantbellyandthenpointsatawoodenwheelchairpushedtoCarmen'ssidebyasmall,nervousmanSGT.GARCS.ByhissidestandsDOCTORFERREIRO,apleasant,scholarlymaninhismidforties.

CARMENI Idon'tneeditIcanwalkbymyself.

VIDALDoctorFerreiroprefersthatyoudon'texertyourself.

CARMENNno...

Vidalleanstowardsherandwhisperseversosoftlyinherear:

VIDALThendoitforme...

Sheobeys.Asshesits,Ofeliaexitstheautomobile,holdingherbooksclosetoherchest.

CARMENOfelia.GreettheCaptain.

Sheiswheeledaway.AnawkwardsilencepassesbetweentheyounggirlandtheCaptain.

VIDALOfelia

Thegirlextendsherhand.Hegrabsit,firmbutcold.Itisherlefthand.

VIDALIt'stheotherhand,Ofelia.

Heturnstotheservants.

VIDALMercedes,takemywife'sluggagetoherroom

MERCEDESYes,sir.

MercedesglancesbacktofindOfeliacuriouslygazingat

apileofsandbags.Perchedontop

thebigStickInsect.

Itfansoutitsmultiplewings.Twice.Ofeliarunsoverandtriestocatchit.

ButtheStickInsecttakesoffandescapes.Thegirldropsherbooksandgoesafterit.

EXT.GARDENSFURTHER CONTINUOUS

OfeliafollowstheStickInsecttotheedgeofasmallrise.

Shefollowsitwithhereyesandsees,about100metersaway,surroundedbytrees,theruinsofagardenLABYRINTH.

TheCAMERAglidesupforabetterview.Thelabyrinthiscircular,itspathsovergrownandpartiallyblocked.

Ofeliaentersthelabyrinththroughan archway.Sheventuresdownoneofitspathwaysandstops

MERCEDESIt'salabyrinth

Ofeliaturns theyoungwomanstandsbyherside.Ofelia'sbooksinhand.

MERCEDESJustapileofoldstones.They'vealwaysbeenthere,evenbeforethemill.Betteryoudon'tgonearitYoucouldgetlost.

Arayofsunlightbreaksthroughthegreycloudsandilluminatestheoldruins.Mercedeshandsherthebooks.

OFELIAThankyou.

MERCEDESHaveyoureadthemall?

Garcsshoutsfromthemill:

GARCSMercedes!

(Mercedesreacts)TheCaptainscallingyou.

MercedesmakesasmallgestureofgoodbyetoOfelia.

MERCEDESYourfatherneedsme.

Sheturnsandwalksaway

OFELIAHe'snotmyfather.

Mercedesdoesn'tunderstand.Thegirlrunsuptoher.

OFELIATheCaptainhe'snotmyfather.Myfatherwasatailor.Hediedinthewar.TheCaptainsnotmyfather!

Mercedescan'thelpbutsmileatthegirl'ssuddenvehemence.

MERCEDES

Well,you'vemadethatclearenough.

Theywalkawaytogether.

OFELIADidyouseemymother?

(Mercedesnods)She'sprettyisn'tshe?

(Mercedesnods)Yousawherbelly?She'ssickwithchild.

Astheygointothehouse,theStickInsectperchedatopthelabyrinth'sarchway monitorstheireverymove.

CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT

VIDALTheguerillasarestickingtothewoodsbecauseit'shardtotrackthemdownupthere.

Vidalisstandingatanenormousdiningtable.Serrano,Garcsandafewlowerrankingofficialssurroundhim.

VIDALThosepricksknowtheterrainbetterthananyofus.Weneedtoforcethemdown

Vidalstickspinsintooneofthelargermaps.

VIDALlet'sblocktheiraccesstomedicineandsupplies.

Mercedesentersbearingatrayofolives,coldcutsandabottleofOrujoliquor.

VIDALWe'llsetupthreecommandposts.Here,hereandhere.

Mercedesglancesbrieflyatthemaps,concealingavid

interest.

Suddenly,VidalgrabsMercedesbythearm.

VIDALHaveDr.Ferreirocomeseeme.

MERCEDESYes,Sir...

Turninghisattentionbacktohismaps,Vidaltakestwoolivesandpopsthemintohismouth.

VIDAL(chewing)

Thosebastardsaregoingtostarve...you'llsee...

INT.UPPERBEDROOMDUSK

Thedoctorstirssomedropsofmedicineintoaglassofwater.Carmenliesbackinamonumentalcarvedbed.Onherlapthereareseveralplayingcards.

DOCTORJustfourdropsatbedtimeandyou'llsleepallnightlong.

Hegivesherthewaterandthemedicinevial.Carmendrinksweakly.Ofeliastandsbyherside.

DOCTORDon'thesitatetocallifyouneedanything,Madame.You oryourlittlenurse.

HegrinsatOfelia,thenexitstheroom.CarmengivesOfeliathemedicinevial.

CARMENGo.ClosethedoorsoIcansleep.

INT.FOYER/STAIRWAYNIGHT

Inthehallway,thedoctorfindsMercedeswaitingforhim.Theyproceedinsilencedownthehallwayandlookdownintothefoyer:empty.

MERCEDESYoumustcomeupthemountainandseehimthelegwounditsgettingworse...

ThedoctornodstimidlyandgivesMercedesasmallPACKAGEwrappedindarkpaperandneatlytiedinstring.

DOCTORThisisallIcouldget.I'msorry.

Mercedessighs,disappointed.

MERCEDESHe'sdownstairsdon'tkeephimwaiting.

Thedoctormovesdownstairs.MercedesglancestowardtheUpper Bedroomand

discoversOfelia,watchingherattentivelyhowlonghasshebeenthere?

Thegirlclosesthedoorquietly.

INT.UPPERBEDROOMNIGHT

Ofeliatakesoffhershoesandclimbsintohermother'sbed.

Asshecuddlesclosetohermother

CARMENJesusYourfeet they'refrozen.

ShecaressesOfelia'shead.Thewindpicksupandthehousetimbersmoanandcreak.

CARMENAreyouscared?

OFELIAAlittlebit.

OFELIAWhat'sthatnoise?

CARMENNothing,justthewind.Nightsherearedifferentfromcitynights.There,youhearcars,trains.Herethehousesareoldandcreaky.

Thehouseuttersaseriesofdeep,rumblingnoises.

CARMENAlmostlikethey'respeaking.

Tomorrow,I'mgoingtogiveyousomethingspecial.

OFELIAAbook?

CARMENNo, somethingmuchbetter.

A beatofsilenceandthen

OFELIAWhydidyouhavetogetmarried?

CARMENWewerealonetoolong.

OFELIAYouweren'talone.Youwereneveralone.

CARMENWhenyou'reolderyou'llunderstand.Ithasn'tbeeneasyforme.

Shewincesinpain

CARMENYourbrother'she'sactingup.Tellhimoneofyourstoriessohe'llcalmdown.

Ofeliagentlyleansonhermother'sstomachandtapsitwithonefinger,asifitwereatelegraphkey.

CARMENMybrother,mybrother...

Carmencloseshereyesandlistenstoherdaughter'svoice

OFELIAalong,longtimeagoinagrey,sadcountry

INSIDETHESTOMACH

Floatinginalimboofamnioticfluid,theBABYopenshiseyesandlistens.

OFELIATherewasamagicrosethatmadewhoeverpluckeditimmortal.

EXT.MAGICALMOUNTAINSUNSET

Againstascarletsky:aBLUEROSE.Itsthornystemclutchesthedaggerlikecrestofablackgranitemountain.

Thethornsgrowaroundthegranitelikesuffocatingserpents.

OFELIA(V.O.)Butnoonewoulddaregonearitbecauseitsthornswerefullofmortalpoison.

TheStickInsectlandsononeofthethornsandthenfliesoffintothenightsky

OFELIA(V.O.)Soamongstthementalesofpainanddeathweretoldinhushedvoices. Buttherewasnotalkofeternallife...becausemenfearpainmorethanthey

wantimmortality.

up,upandthenthrough

EXT.GARDENS TWILIGHT

theWINDOWoftheUpperBedroom.

Throughtheglass,theStickInsectobserveshowOfeliahugshermother.

OFELIASoeverydaytherosewiltedunabletobequeathhisgifttoanyone

TheStickInsectclicksitsjawsinexcitement.

CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY DAY

Theimprovisedofficeisinoneofthelowerrooms,wherethegiganticmillwheelandthewoodengearslieinaheap.

OFELIA(V.O.)Aloneandforgottenatthetopofthatmountain.Forgottenuntiltheendoftime

Smallsteelgearsshinelikemetallicstarsonasmallswatchofblackvelvet.

Tweezerspickthemupand

putthemintoplacewithintheworkingsofawatch.

Usingajeweler'smagnifyingglass,Vidaloilsandclosesuphispocketwatchwhilehelistenstocupl(traditionalSpanishmusic)onaphonograph.

Thedoctorcomestothedoor.Vidalmotionsforhimtoenter.

VIDALComein

Howisshe?

DOCTORVeryweak.

Vidalclosesthewatch.

VIDALShe'llrestasmuchassheneedsto.I'llsleepdownhere.

Andmyson?

DOCTORYour?

SerranoandGarcsentertheroom.

GARCSExcuseus,Captain...

Vidalmotionsforthemtobesilent.ThenhelooksattheDoctoragain.

VIDALMyson.Howishe?

DOCTORForthemoment,there'snoreasontobealarmed.

VIDALGood.Thatsgood.

DOCTORCaptain.

Yourwifesheshouldn'thavetraveledthislateinthepregnancy.

VIDALIsthatyouropinion?

DOCTORMyprofessionalopinion,yessir.

VIDALWell,aboyshouldbebornwhereverhisfatheris.Andthat'sthat.

Heheadsforthedoor.

DOCTORCaptain...

Vidalstopsandlooksathimfixedly.

DOCTOR

Onemorething,sir.Whatmakesyousosureit'saboy?

VIDALDon'tfuckwithme.

Heexitsthemill.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHT

Themillandthetentsaresilhouettesinthenight.Soldierspatrolthegravelpaths.

Vidal,GarcsandSerranowalktowardstheouterWaterWheel.There,asmallgroupofsoldierssurroundsanOLDMANandhisyoungSON.

GARCSAt8o'clock,wedetectedactivityinthesoutheasternsector.Gunfire.SergeantBayonacapturedasuspect.Theotherprisonerishisson,who'sherefromtown.

SON

Captain,myfatherisanhonorableman.

VIDALI'lldecidethat.Takeyourhatoffwhenyoutalktome.

TheSonquietlyobeys.BAYONAhandstheCaptainasmallgaugerifleandaleatherpouch.

VIDALWefoundthisweapon.It'sbeenfired.

SONHewashuntingrabbits

VIDALShutup,damnit.

Vidaltakesopenstheleatherpouchandfindsafarmer'salmanac.Hereadsaninscriptionprintedonthebackpage:

VIDAL"...NoGod,norGovernment,norMaster?"

GARCSRedpropaganda,sir.

SONIt'snotpropaganda,Sir.

Vidal,impatientlymotionsforhimtobesilent.

OLDMAN"It'sanoldalmanac we'refarmers,sir."

VIDALGoon.

OLDMANIwasintheforesthuntingrabbitsformydaughters.They'resick.

VIDALRabbits,uh?

Inthepouch,Vidalfindsahalfemptybottleofwine.

SONCaptain,ifmyfathersayssohewashuntingrabbits.

VidalhandsGarcsthepouchandmovestowardstheboy,bottleinhand.

BAM!!Withoutwarningheflattenstheboy'snosewith thebottlebottom.TheFatherscreams,horrified,butwithoutthegutstointervene.

VidalliftstheSonup,basheshisnoseagainandagain,levelingboneandcartilage.

FATHERNo!!No!!Youkilledhim!!Yousonofabitch!!

Vidaldropstheboy,whofallstothegroundspittingblood.HeturnstotheFatherandshootshimtwiceincoldblood,thenturnstotheSonandshootshimonce,inthehead.

Thenallissilence.Thedistantwhistleofatraincanbeheard.VidalheadsbacktowardsGarcsandcalmlysearchesthepouch:Insidehefindstwoscrawnyrabbits.

VIDALLearntofriskthesemotherfuckersbeforeyoucomebotheringme.

GARCSYes,myCaptain.

Hemovesaway.Andhetakestherabbitswithhim.

CUTTO:

INT.UPPERBEDROOMNIGHT

Eyeswide,Ofeliahearsadryrattle,followedbyasoftululationatthewindow,whichishalfopen.Thecurtainsbillow.

Themillgroans.Ofeliaisrestless.

Thenadryclickingnoise.

OFELIAMama,wakeup

Carmendoesn'tmove.Ascuttlingnoisereachesherearsassomethingsmallandquickskittersoverthefloor.

OFELIAMotherplease!There'ssomethingintheroom

Impossible.Ofeliagetsupandcarefullyputsonhershoes.

Somethingshiftsintheceilingbeams.Ofelialooksup,searching.

Nothing.Suddenly,somethingthesizeofahumanhandscurriespastherfeetandhidesunderthebed.

Then,pullingatthegoosedowncomforter,theStickInsectclimbsupintothebed.Ofelialeansoverit,shocked.

OFELIAHhelloDidyoufollowmehere??

TheStickInsectclicksitsmandibles.

OFELIAAreyouafairy??

TheStickInsectregardsherwithcuriosity.

OFELIALook Thisisafairy

Shepicksuponeofherbooksandopensittoanillustration:abeautifulfairy.

TheStickInsectscrutinizestheillustrationandsitsupright.Itopensandclosesitswings,transformingintoaGREENFAIRYatinyhumanformwithstripedwings.

TheGreenFairyfliestothefootofthebed,pointingto

thewindow.

OFELIAYouwantmetogowithyou?Outside?Where?

CUTTO:

EXT.GARDENSNIGHT

TheGreenFairyfliesswiftly,butOfeliafollowsclosebehind.Suddenlyitstops!

Theyreattheruinsofthelabyrinth,whichisbathedinmoonlight.

Treesandrootscrowdthebrokenniches,asiffusedwiththestone.Someofthepathwaysareblockedbygnarledtreesthathavegrownthroughtherock.

LABYRINTHCONTINUOUS

Ofeliarunsthroughthenarrow,spookypathways,butshehaslostsightoftheGreenFairy.

Ofeliastopsandlooksarounduntilshespotsit,waitingforherat

ROTUNDA ATCENTEROFLABYRINTH NIGHT

TheGreenFairyalightsonanancientmonolithattheedgeofanemptystonepool.It'sdecoratedinCelticlettering,justliketheoneintheforest.

Anothermonolithstandsatitscenter.

Ofelianearstheedgeofthepool.

OFELIAHello?!

Thepoolreturnshercry,againandagain.Thetreetrunkscreak andacloudcoversthemoon.

OFELIAEcho!Echo!

Then,shehearsthesoundofsomethingbigclatteringaboutonhooves,likeahorseorabull.

VOICEIt'syouIt'syouYou'vereturned!!

TheVOICEiscoldandfullofsibilance.Thecloudmovesaside...

OnitshindquartersintheshadowsisthetwistedandsinisterfigureofaFAUN.He'scoveredinrootsandmoss.

Ofeliabacksawayspeechless.

FAUNNo no don'tbeafraidIbegyou!!Look!!

HeopensasmallwickerbasketandfromitemergetwomoreFAIRIES:oneBLUE,oneRED.

Ofeliasmiles.

OFELIAMynameisOfelia.Whoareyou?

FAUNMe?I'vehadsomanynames.Oldnamesthatonlythewindandthetreescanpronounce.

TheGreenFairyfliestowarditscolorfulcompanions.

FAUNIamthemountain,theforestandtheearth.Iam...afaun.

Ashebowstoher,moonlightdappleshisbody.Hiscoarsehoovesandthestrangeangleofhislegsmakehiscourtly

mannerclumsyyetoddlygracious.

FAUNYourHighness

OFELIANo,I'm

FAUNYouarePrincessMoanna,daughteroftheKingoftheUnderworld.

OFELIANo Myfatherwasatailor.

FAUNYouarenotbornofman.Itwas themoonthatboreyou.

Lookonyourleftshoulderandyouwillfindamarkthatprovesit.

Ofeliainstinctivelytoucheshershoulder,withastrangeexpressiononherface.

FAUNYourrealfatherhadusopenportalsallovertheworldtoallowyourreturn.Thisisthelastofthem.

Heopenshisarmandgesturesatthewellaroundthem.

FAUNButwehavetomakesurethatyouressenceisintact,thatyouhavenotbecomeamortal.

Toinsureyourreturn,youhavethreetaskstofulfill beforethemoonisfull.

TheFaunstepsbackafewpaces.Hedepositsalargeleatherboundbookontheground,aswellasaleatherbag.

FAUNThisistheBookofCrossroads.Openit

whenyou'realoneanditwillshowyouyourfuture showyouwhatmustbedone.

ThenheandtheFairiesfadebackintotheshadows.

Ofeliagoestothebookandopensit.Nomatterhowmanypagessheturns

theyareallblank.

OFELIAThere'snothinghere

Butsheisalone.Absolutelyaloneinthewell.MUSICstarts

CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY BATHROOMEARLYMORNING

Vidal,shirtless,shaveswithaswitchbladewhilelisteningtomusic.

CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMDAY

Now,aloneinthemassivediningroom,Vidalshineshisboots.Methodically.

Thisisobviouslyadailyritualforhim.Byhisside:thetwoscrawnyrabbitsheimpoundedthenightbefore.

Mercedesbringshimacupofcoffee.

VIDALMercedes,preparetheserabbitsfordinnertonight.

Mercedeseyesthescrawnyanimals

MERCEDESTheyaretooyoung.

VIDALWell,seeifthey'lldoforastew.

MERCEDESYessir.

SheturnstoleavebutVidalstopshergently.

VIDALAndThiscoffeewasburnt.Tasteityourself.

Shedoes.Vidalplacesahandonhershoulder.

Thereissomethingunpleasantaboutthissuddencontact,somethingtoofamiliar.Shebearsitinsilence.

VIDALYoushouldkeepaneyeonit.

MERCEDESYes,sir.

Shemovesinto

INT.KITCHEN LATER

Thekitchenisenormous.Theopencharcoalcookstoveistwometershighbyfivemeterswide.

MERCEDES(handsouttherabbits)

Takethemtothetable

Twoold,stoutcooks,JACINTAandPAZ,washthegiganticworktablewithboilingwater.

MERCEDES(totheothers)

Hedidn'tlikethecoffee.

JACINTAAghHe'snothingbutafussydandy.A

dandy!

MERCEDESpicksupapailofhotwater.

MERCEDESWe'regoingtoneedsomebeefandonemorechicken.Wehavemoreguests

Conchita,PalomaandtwootherGIRLSpluckchickens,peelpotatoes,etc.

PAZWell,wherearewesupposedtofindthat?

MERCEDESThedoctor'swifeandthemayor's,too.

JACINTAWell,theyeatmorethanapig.

PAZAndtheydon'tshutup

JACINTAnotevenunderwater.

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY

MercedesandConchitaemptybucketsofhotwaterintoaporcelainbathtub.

INT.UPPERBEDROOMBEDROOMDAY

Carmenopensoneofhertraveltrunks.

CARMENOfelia.YourfatherisgivingadinnerpartytonightLookwhatI'vemadeyou.

Sheliftsoutabeautifulgreendressinshinysilkandivorytulle.

Ofeliastudiesthedressasifitwereastrangeartifactratherthansomethingshemightwear.Mercedesenterswithabreakfasttray.

CARMENDoyoulikeit?WhatIwouldn'thavegiventohaveadressasfineasthiswhenIwaslittle.

Inareverie,Carmentakesoutapairofnewpatentleathershoesandagreensilkhairribbon.

CARMEN(toOfelia)

Andlookattheseshoes!Doyoulikethem?

Ofeliamakesaneffortandsmilesaweaksmile.

OFELIAYes,theyareverypretty.

ButCarmenisnotfooled

CARMENGoon,now.Takeyourbath.Go

OfeliaobeysSheenters

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY

Ofelia,aloneinthebathroom,opensthemagicalbook.Atfirst, thepageisblank,butawondrousimagetakesshape:Ofeliaandfivechestnuts.Squattingatherside,underahugetree:amassiveTOAD.

ThenaKNOCKonthedoor

CARMEN'SVOICEOfelia

INT.UPPERBEDROOMDAY

Alonenow,Carmenreadiesthelittlegreendress.

CARMENHurryup.Iwanttoseethedressonyou.IwantyoutobebeautifulfortheCaptain...

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY

Onherrightshoulder,Ofeliaexamines,exactlyastheFaunsaid,abirthmarkintheformofthecrescentmoon...

CARMENSVOICEYou'lllooklikeaprincess

Ofeliasmiles.

OFELIA(toherself)

...aprincess...

CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN LATER

Mercedesorganizesthekitchen.

MERCEDESMakesurethosechickensarecleanedproperly...andthebeans...

Mercedestakesoutasmall,sharpknifefromthefoldsinherapron.Sheskillfullychopsanonion.

Thebustlesuddenlystops.Everyonelookstowardthedoor,where,amongchickenfeathersfloatinglikeconfetti,Ofeliastands,dressedingreensilk.

CONCHITAYoulookmarvelous,mygirl,justgorgeous.

JACINTAWhatadress!!

Mercedessmiles.She'spleasedtoo,butsheclapsherhandstogether

MERCEDESGetbacktowork,stopwastingtime.

Theyobey.MercedesgoesnexttoOfelia.

MERCEDESDowantsomemilkwithhoney?

Ofelianodseagerly.

INT.STABLELATER

Mercedesputsabucketunderahugemilkcow.

MERCEDESStepback,Idon'twantyougettingmilkonyourdress,withyoulookingsopretty.

Mercedesbeginstomilkthecow.

OFELIAMercedes,doyoubelieveinfairies?

MERCEDESNo.ButwhenIwasalittlegirl,Idid.

IbelievedinalotofthingsthatIdon'tbelieveanymore.

OFELIAWell,lastnight,afairyvisitedme.Anditwasn'talone,therewerelotsofthem andafaun,too.

MERCEDESA faun??

Mercedespicksupthebucketandfillsawoodenbowlwithmilk.

OFELIAHewasveryold,verytallandsmelledlikedirt.

MERCEDESMymotherwarnedmetobewaryof fauns

Suddenly,VidalandGarcsapproachthem.

VIDALMercedes,comewithme.

CUTTO:

EXT.STORAGEBUILDING MILL DAY

VidalandMercedeswalktowardthebodega,orstoragebuilding,adjoiningthemill.

Guardsunloadgiantsacksofprovisionsfromtrucks.ACivilGuardCAPITANsupervisestheoperationandgreetsVidal.

CAPITANCaptain,everythingishere.

INT.BODEGA MILL CONTINUOUS

Themenfilltheenormousbodegawithgrain,bottlesofwine,barrelsofoil,saltandsugar,etc.

CAPITANFlour,salt,oil,medicine,olives,bacon,tobacco...

Vidalgrabsapacketof tobacco.

VIDALTobacco,huh?Real tobacco!

TheCAPITANhandsoversomepaperswiththeFalangistletterhead.

CAPITANAndtherationcards.

Mercedesisstunnedbythequantityoffoodandsupplies.

Vidalchecksthepadlockonthedoor.

VIDALMercedes,thekey

MERCEDESYes,sir.

Mercedeshandsoverthekeyfromherlargekeyring.

VIDAL(toMercedes)

Isthistheonlycopy?

MERCEDESTheonlyone.

Vidallocksthepadlock.Yanksonit:niceandstrong.

VIDALFromnowon,I'llcarryit.

Fromoutside,Serranocallshim.

SERRANOCaptain!!

VidalhurriesovertoSerranowhohandshimapairofbinocularsandpointstosomethingonthehorizon

SERRANOCaptain,perhapsit'snothing.

Throughthebinoculars,VidalseesaplumeofSMOKEonthehorizon.

VIDAL

It'sthem.

EXT.FOREST DAY

Garcs,Vidalandafewofhismenridethroughtheforestonhorseback.

OFELIA (V.O.)Whentheforestwasyoung,afigtreetookrootandgrewtocolossalsize.

CUTTO:

EXT.WOODSDAY

Ofeliawalksawayfromthemillandintothewoods.

OFELIA (V.O.)Whentheforestwasyoung,itwashometocreatureswhowerefullofmagicandwonder...

EXT.WOODSDAY

Vidalandhismenridethroughtheforest.

OFELIA (V.O.)Attheheartofthisforeststoodacolossalfigtree.TheForestFolksleptinitsshadow.

EXT.EDGEOFTHEFOREST DAY

OFELIA (V.O.)Butnow,thetreeisdying.Itsbranchesaredry,itstrunkoldandtwisted.

OfeliafindsherselfunderahugeFIGTREEthathastwisted

intoanarchreachingtoanearbycrag.

OFELIA (V.O.)Amonstroustoadhassettledinitsrootsandwon'tletthetreethrive.

Ofeliaopensherleatherbag.Insidetherearefivelargechestnuts.

OFELIA (V.O.)Youmustputthethreemagicrocksinitsmouthandretrieveamagickey from itsinsides.Onlythenwillthefigtreeflourishagain.

Thetreerootsarepartlyexposed.Thetreeitselfissurroundedbyalargemudpuddle.

Ofeliadecidestotakeoffherfancysilkdress.Shecarefullyhangseverythingincludingherhairribbon onthetreebranches.Finallyshe'sdowntoonlyasimplecottonslipandhershoes.

Assheenters

Thewindpicksupandmovesherhangingdress.Then,asuddengustsendsthehairribbonflying.

INT.GALLERYUNDERFIGTREEROOTS DAY

Ofeliacrawlsslowlythegapsbetweentherootsarenarrowandclaustrophobic.

Afewbig,blackpillbugsarenestledinthemud.

Ofeliakeepsgoing.

CUTTO:

INT.CAMPSITEINTHEMIDDLEOFTHEFOREST DAY

Vidalandhismenprobeaforestcave.Inside,theyfindthe

remainsofacampfire.Vidalremovesagloveandtouchestheembers.

VIDALLessthantwentyminutes,theyleftinahurry.

Hefindstheremainsoffoodanddrink.

VIDALAdozenmen,atmost...

Inthedirt,hediscoverstheremainsofthepackagethedoctorgavetoMercedes.

Insidehefindsemptyantibioticscontainers.

VIDALAntibiotics...

Garcscomesuponahalfburntlotteryticket.

GARCS(showinghimthelotteryticket)Shit Theyforgotthislotteryticket.

Vidalmotionsforsilence.

VIDALThey'rehere.Thosebastardsarehereandtheyarewatchingus.

Hestandsinraptsilence.Thetreesswaygently.Heheftstheemptypackagelikeatrophy.

VIDALYouleftthisbehind!Andthelotteryticket!Comebackandgetit!!Thiscouldbeyourluckyday !

Silence.

Then,theymountupandrideoff.

Invisibleunderthetrees,sixGUERRILLASareindeedwatching.AmongthemisPEDRO,atallandseriousyoungman.

Inaflash,theyalldisappearintotheunderbrush.

CUTTO:

INT.GALLERYUNDERFIGTREEROOTS DAY

Ofelia'sprogressisslow.Wateroozesfromthesurroundingrootsandmud.

Bugscrawlonherarms.

Shehearsasudden,soggymovementupahead.Shetakesoutthefivechestnuts whicharesolargetheybarelyfitinherhandsandworksherwaytowardthenoise.

Soon,shecomesfacetofacewith

an immenseTOAD,asbigasaboar.Hisgoldeneyesblinkhischeekspuffrhythmicallyinandout.

OFELIAHi

TheToad'slongtongueflicksout,trappingacoupleofbeetlesandpullingthembackintohismouth.Theirchitinousshellscrunchnoisily initsslimyjaws.

Ofeliashuddersandtriestostandup.Asshespeaks,alargeredpillbugclingstohercheek.

OFELIAIamI'mprincessMoannaandI'mnotafraidofyou

TheToadobservesher,unmoved.

OFELIAAren'tyouashamed?Livingdownhere,eatingall thepillbugsandgettingfatwhilethetreedies!

FWAPPPP!!!!TheToadsendsoutitssoftpinktongue,whichflattensagainstherface,thenslidesoff,takingthepillbugandleavingagelatinousgoo.

Threeofthechestnutsrolltotheground.Ofeliaspitsindisgust.

TheToadhunkersdown,shakingviolentlyasitcroaks.

Ofeliabackpedals,frightened.TheToadresumesitsrestingposition.

Ofeliascoopsupthechestnuts.Twofallbackintothemud.Shekneelstogetthemand

deftlypalmsajuicy,fatpillbug.Itcurlsitselfintoatightball.Shekeepsitinthesamehandasthechestnuts.

TheToadcroaksagain,shootsoutitstongue,whichwrapsaroundherwrist.Shestayscalm.Whenthetongueretracts,coveringherhandwithviscousspittle,thepillbugisgone.

Andsoarethechestnuts.

TheToadcroaksviolentlyandsuddenlyburpsupagiganticpearlybubble,whichfloatsintheair,bathedinbloodandsaliva.

Andwiththis,theToadshrivelsaway,likeaserpentsheddingitsskin.

Ofeliapicksupthewarty,emptyskinandlooksatthebubble.

Initscenter:aGOLDKEY.

Ofeliaplungesherhandsintothebubbletograbit.

EXT.EDGEOFTHEFOREST TWILIGHT

Ofeliaemergesfromunderthetreewiththegoldenkeyinhand.She'sfilthy,sweatyandexhausted.

Shenearstheplacewheresheleftherdress

butit'snotthere!

Afterabriefsearch,shefindsherhairribbon.Coveredinmud.

Afewmetersaway,thedresscoveredinwet,mossymud.

Itstartstorain.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL DUSK

ApairofBENTLEYSsweepsintothedriveway.Elegantdinnerguestsgetoutofthecars:theMAYOR,hisWIFE,andaparishPRIEST.

Vidalstandsatthefrontdoortogreetthem.He'sinhisformaluniform.

INT.DININGROOMSAME

Carmen,inavelvetmaternitydressandinherwheelchair,wringsherhandsinanguish.Thediningroomislookingitsbest,withsparklingcrystalandchinaateachplacesetting.

CARMEN(toMercedes)

Haveyoucheckedinherroom??Andthegarden??

MERCEDESYes,madam.

TheVOICESofthedinnerguestsgetlouder.AsVidalenters

VIDALMayIintroduceyoutomywife,Carmen.

Carmenmanagesawansmileofgreeting.TheMayor'swifesmilesback

MAYOR'SWIFEEnchanted.

MERCEDESPleasuretomeetyou.

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT

ArationcardwiththeFalangiststampsonit.TheMayorexaminesit.

VIDALFromnowononerationcardpeerfamily.

Seatedaroundthetableare:thedoctor andhisWIFE,themayorandhiswife,Garcs,Serrano,Carmen,theGuardiaCivilCapitan,andthePriest.Carmenisstonyfacedinherdistraction.

MAYOROne??Captain,I'mnotsureit'llbeenough.

PRIESTIfpeoplearecareful,itshouldbeplenty.

Heeatsmorepotatoes.

VIDALWhatwecan'tallowisforanyonetosendfoodtotheguerillasin themountains.They'relosinggroundandoneofthemiswounded.

DOCTORExcuseme,Captain,howcanyoubesosure?

VIDALWealmostgotthemtoday.Theyhadthis.

Vidalpullsoutoneoftheantibioticvials.

VIDAL

Antibiotics.

MercedesbrieflycatchestheDoctor'seye.

PRIESTGodhasalreadysavedtheirsouls.Whathappenstotheirbodies,well,ithardlymatterstoHim.

MAYORWellhelpyouinanywaywecan,Captain.

Weknowyourenotherebychoice

Vidalpausesandlockseyeswithhim.

VIDALYou'rewrongaboutthat.

Theguestsgrowsilent.

VIDALIchoosetobeherebecauseIwantmysontobeborninaclean,newSpain.

Becausethesepeoplehavetheideathatwe'reallalike.Butthere'sabigdifference:Thewarisoverandwewon.

Andifweneedtokilleachofthosemotherfuckerstoagreeonit,thenwellkillthemall.Andthatsthat.

Heraiseshisglassandtoasts.

VIDALWe'reallherebychoice.

Alltheguestsraisetheirglasses.

ALLBychoice.

Mercedesquicklyleavesthediningroom.

INT.KITCHEN LATER

ThekitchendooropensandMercedesenters,trembling.Onthevergeoftears,shegrabsalanternandreadiestoleave.

MERCEDESPutthecoffeeon.I'mgoingformorewood.

Sheleavesthekitchen.

EXT.MILL BACK NIGHT

Themillrecedinginthedistance,Mercedeshurriesuphill.Shepausesnexttoalargewoodpileandsadlygazesattheforest.

Usingherhandtoshieldthelantern'slightshesignalsthewoods one,two,threetimes.Thensheturnsaround

Shesees

MERCEDESOfelia

Shivering,coveredinmud,OfeliaclimbsdownhillandintoMercedessarms.

CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT

Everyoneeatswithrelish,impeccablyattendedbythekitchenstaff.

MAYOR'SWIFEAndHowdidyouandtheCaptainmeet?

VidalseemsuncomfortablebutCarmengentlytoucheshis

hand.

CARMENOfelia'sfatherwasatailorheusedtomaketheCaptainsuniforms

MAYOR'SWIFEIsee

CARMENandafterhedied,Iwenttoworkattheshop.Alittlemorethanayearago,theCaptainandImetagain...

VidalmoveshishandawayfromCarmen's.

MAYOR'SWIFECurious,isn'tit?Findingeachotheraftersuchalongtime.

DOCTOR'SWIFECuriousindeedverycurious...

VIDALPlease,forgivemywife.Shehasn'tbeenexposedtotheworld.Shethinksthesesillystoriesareinterestingtoothers.

Carmengrowssilent.Ashamed.

MercedesdiscreetlycomesovertoCarmenandspeakstoher.Carmenpushesbackfromthetable.

CARMENPlease,excuseme.

AllthemengetupasCarmenleavesthediningroom.TheGuardiaCivilCapitansmilesatVidal.

CAPITANHaveItoldyouthatIwasacquaintedwithyourfather,Captain?

Vidalcan'tsuppressabriefgrimace.

VIDAL

No Ihadnoidea.

CAPITANInMorocco.Imethimonlybriefly,butheleftagreatimpression.

Vidalchewshisfoodnervously.

VIDALAnexcellentsoldier.

CAPITANThemeninhisbattalionsaidthatwhenGeneralVidaldiedonthebattlefield,hesmashedhiswatchonarocksothathissonwouldknowtheexacthourandminuteofhisdeath.

Sohewouldknowhowabravemandies.

AlleyesturntoVidal.

CAPITANNonsense.Hedidn'townawatch.

CUTTO:

INT.UPPERBEDROOM/BATHROOMMOMENTSLATER

Ofeliaisfloatingonthewarmwaterofthetub.

CARMENWhatyou'vedonehurtsme.Whenyougetoutofthetub,you'llgotobedwithoutdinner.

Ofelialistensinsilence,holdingback.

CARMENAreyoulistening?SometimesIthinkyou'llneverlearntobehave.

You'vedisappointedme,andyourfather,too.

OFELIATheCaptain?

CARMENYesHimmorethanme.

ThefaintesttraceofsatisfactionisvisibleonOfelia'sface.Carmenleaves.

TheGreenFairyfliesinthroughtheopenwindow.Ofeliagreetsit.

OFELIAI'vegotthekey.Takemetothelabyrinth.

EXT.LABYRINTH THE WELL NIGHT

Withthebookandthekeyinhand,Ofeliastepstothecenterofthewell.Sheiswearingastripedrobe.

Sheexaminestheengravingsonthemonolith:theFaun,embracingagirlandababy.

FAUNThat'smeandthegirlisyou.

FromoutoftheshadowscomestheFaun.TheGreen Fairyhurriestohim.

OFELIAAndthebaby?

TheFauncomesnearOfeliachewingachunkofrawmeat.

FAUNIseethatyougotthekey

TheGreenFairylandsonhisshoulder.Hefeedshersomemeat.

FAUNShe'sverygladyousucceeded.She'sbelievedinyoufromtheverystart.

Keepthekey.You'llbeneedingit.Andthisalso

Outofnowhereheproducesapieceofwhitechalk.

FAUNapieceofchalk

Ofeliatakesthechalk.

FAUNTherearestilltwotasksleftandthemoonisalmostfull.Bepatient.

Hecaressesherfacewithhisdirtyhands,whicharecoveredwithcreepingbugs.

FAUNWe'llsoonbestrollingthroughthesevencirculargardensofyourpalace.

OFELIAHowdoIknowthatwhatyousayistrue??

Ashecomescloser, theFaun'sfaceagaincomesintothelight.Awickedgrinisrevealed

FAUNWhywouldapoorlittlefaunlikemelietoyou?

Ofelialeavesthewell.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL SUNRISE

VIDALopensthewarehouse.

AlargeCROWDOFPEOPLElinesupforrations.

ThesoldierskeeporderasVidalsupervisesthedistributionofwheat,cookingoilandtobacco.

VIDALProceed.

SERRANOHaveyourcardsinhandandready.Let'sgo.Yourname?

Inalogbook,hemakesnoteofeveryhandout.

Mercedes,ConchitaandPazcomeoutofthegranarycarryingbasketsofbread.Eachpieceiscontainedinabrownbagwithalegendprinted.TheGuardiaCivilCapitangrabsapieceandstartsrecitingtheprintedlegend.

CAPITANThisisourdailybreadinFranco'sSpain!Whichwekeepsafeinthismill.TheRedsliewhentheysaythere'shungerinSpain.BecauseinaunitedSpain,there'snotasinglehomewithoutawarmfireorwithoutbread.

Mercedeslookstowardthemountains.

CUTTO:

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAWN

Ofeliawakesupnexttohermother.Shequietlyslipsoutofbedhermothersleepson.AsOfeliareachesthemiddleoftheroom,hermothermoanssoftly.

INT.BATHROOMNORTHBEDROOMDAWN

Ofeliaopensthespecialbook.Impatient,shestartsturningthepages

NOTHING.

Shekeepsflippingthrough,lookingandlooking.Buteachpagefadestowhite.

Ofelialooksatabeamofsunlightcominginfromthesmallbathroomwindow.Shereachesoutherhandandplayswithit.

Shelooksdownatapageinthebook.Asmallredstainhasappeared.Blood.

Itspreadsrapidly,untilitcoversthewholepage.

Frightened,Ofeliadropsthebook.Thebloodflowsontothenextpageandcoversit,too.

Ofelianoticesabloodstainonhernightgown.

Shestepsback.Opensthedoor.

CARMEN(V.O.)(weak)

Ofelia...

INT.NORTHBEDROOMMORNING

Ofeliareturnstohermother.Hugetorrentsofbloodflowfromthebedontothefloor.Carmenextendsabloodyhandtowardthegirl.

CARMEN(barelyawhisper)

Ofelia...helpme...

Shegetsoutofbedthelowerhalfofherbodyiscompletelybloody.

Ofeliarunstoher.Carmendisappearsfromherarms.

EXT.MILL EARLYMORNING

OfeliahurriesfromthebuildingandgoestoVidal,whosupervisesthefoodrationing.

OFELIACaptain!Comequickly!

CAMERApullsbacktofollowVidalasherunsinsidethemill.

Thedayisjustbeginning.

CUTTO:

INT.MILL DAY

Itsraining.VidalandtheDoctorstandnearthefrontentrance:

DOCTORYourwifeneedsabsolutebedrest.She'llbesedatedfromnowon.Thegirlshouldsleepsomewhereelse.I'llstayhereuntilthebirth.

VIDALTakecareofher.Healher.Idon'tcarewhatitcostsorwhatyouneed,makeherwell.

INT.ATTIC LATEAFTERNOON

Ofeliasurveysthefilthyatticandthedark,lowceiling,fullofholes.

MercedesandConchitamakeabedwithalargecomforterandseveralfluffypillows.

Conchitaleaves.

MERCEDESDon'tworry.Yourmotherwillgetbettersoon,you'llsee.Havingababyiscomplicated.

Ofeliashakesherhead.

OFELIA

ThenI'llneverhaveaone.

Mercedessitsbyherside.

OFELIAYouarehelpingthemeninthewoods,aren'tyou?

Thiscomesoutoftheblue.Mercedesfreezesandafteralongbeat:

MERCEDESHaveyoutoldanyone?

OFELIANo,Ihaven't Idon'twantanythingbadhappeningtoyou.

MERCEDESOrmetoyou

Theyembracesoftly.

OFELIADoyouknowalullaby?

MERCEDESOnlyone,butIdon'trememberthewords.

OFELIAIdon'tcare.Istillwanttohearit.

Asshesingswe

CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT

Mercedesisaloneinthekitchen.Shecarriesacanvasbag.Thereisalowflameburningonthecharcoalrange.

Shekneelsdownandremovesatilefromthefloor:shehashiddensomefood,abottleofOrujoandsomepapers.Shetransferseverythingtothecanvasbag.Someonecomesinto

thekitchen,startlingher.

DOCTORDontbeafraiditsjustme

Mercedesexhales,relieved.

MERCEDESAreyouready?

DOCTORYes.

MERCEDESWell,let'sgo.

EXT.FOREST/RIVER NIGHT

Carryingthebag,MercedeswalksthroughtheriverwiththeDoctor.

Theystopinfrontofalarge,halfcuttree.

DOCTORThisissheermadness.Whenthatmanfindsoutaboutus,he'llkillusall.Haveyouthoughtaboutthat?

MERCEDESAreyouthatafraidofhim,Doctor?

Afteralongbeat

DOCTORIt'snotfear,atleastnotformyself.

Anoise.Thensilence.Thetreetrunksswayandcreaksoftly.Somethingmovesamongthetrees...

Mercedestakesacouplesteps...andsuddenly,someoneisthere:itisPedro,theyoungguerrilla.Hehugsher.

MERCEDESPedro,Pedro Mybrother.

Hekissesheronbothcheeks.TheDoctorlooksaroundwithalarmastwentymoremenappearfromoutoftheshadows.

CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

Ofeliaislyinginbed.

FAUNYourefusedthetask

Ofeliaisstartled:theFaunisperchedonthefootrail of herbed,likeabigcrow.

OFELIANnomymotherissick.

FAUNThat'snoexcusefornegligence.

TheFaunlooksinatatteredbag,takesoutatwistedrootofMANDRAKE.

FAUNLook,thisisamandrakeroot.Aplantthatdreamtofbeinghuman.Putitunderyourmother'sbedinabowloffreshmilk.Eachmorninggiveittwodropsofblood.

Ofelia,revolted,takestheroot.

FAUNNow,wehavenotimetowaste.Thefullmoonwillbeuponus.Letmypetsguideyouthrough

Hehandsherhisbasket.TheFairieschitterchatterinsideit.

FAUNYou'regoingtoaverydangerousplace,

sobecareful.

Thethingthatslumbersthere,it'snothuman...

Hehandsherasmall,darkhourglass.

FAUNYouwillseeasumptuousbanquet,butdon'teatordrinkanything.

Yourlifedependsonit.

EXT.CAVENIGHT

Mercedes,PedroandtheDoctorarriveatalargecavemouth.GUERILLAsentriesallowthemtopass.

INT.CAVENIGHT

Thewallsarecoveredwithsoot.

Adozenmoreguerillassitaroundanopenfireinthemiddleofthecave.

Mercedesopensupthecanvasbagandstartshandingoutletters,food,tobaccoandnewspapers.

MERCEDESI'vebroughtsomeOrujo,tobacco,cheese.Somemailfor"Trigo"and"Piloto.".

Themendivideanewspaperamongthemselves.Onepageeach.

Thedoctorapproachesagroupofwoundedmen.Oneofthem,FRENCHIE,isveryweak.Hislegisbandaged.

DOCTORLetsseehowthatlegisdoing,Frenchie

FRENCHIEWell,howdoyouthinkitsdoing??It's

fuckedup

STUTTER...NorthAmerican,BbbritishandCccanadianTttroopsdisembbbarkedonasmallbeachintheNorthofFFfrance

STUTTER,athinguyinhisthirties,readsaraggednewspaper.

TRIGOGimmethat,youstammeringpieceofshit!

MuscleboundTRIGOgrabsthenewspaperfrom Stutter.

TRIGOMorethan150,000soldiers...underthecommandofGeneralDwightD.Eisenhowerwhosaid:"WewillnotacceptanythinglessthancompletevictoryoverGermany."

TheDoctorcutsthebandagesoff Frenchie'sleg.Itlookshorrible.

FRENCHIEIsitbad,doctor?

DOCTORLook,FrenchieThere'snowaytosaveit.

Everyonegoesquiet

INT.CAVELATER

TheDoctorreadiesastainlesssteelbonesaw.

DOCTORI'lltrytodoitinasfewcutsasIcan.

ThemengiveFrenchiethebottle.Hegulpsdownhalfofit.

FRENCHIE

(stoically)Waitasecond,doctor,justasecond.

Frenchielookslonginglyathisleg.OnelasttimeThen,hetakesholdofTrigoandRubio'sarms.MercedesandPedroputalltheirweightontheinjuredlimb.

TheDoctortoucheshissawtotheleg

andcuts.

CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE

Ofeliatakesthebook outfromunderherbed.Openingit,sheseesherselfillustratedinaroomwithalavishtablefulloffood.Inthewallarethreeniches.Andatthefarendofthetable,apalehumanfigure.

OFELIA (V.O.)Usethechalktotraceadooranywhereinyourroom.OpenitandstartthehourglassletyourselfbeguidedbytheFairies

Ofeliadrawstheoutlineofadooronthewall...andthenopensitontoalonghallway.Ofeliagoesthrough,wearingthewickerbasketaroundherneck.

OFELIADon'teatordrinkanythingandcomebackbeforethelastgrainofsandfallsthrough...

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL SUNRISE

Thegirlwalksdownacorridorwithalowceilingandamultitudeofarches.Eachcolumnrepresentsatreewithfanningbranches.Anelaboratemosaicpatternspreadsoverthefloortheceilingfrescodepictsthelunarcycle.

INT.BANQUETHALL SAME

Inthenextroom,alarge,woodentableoverflowswithacornucopiaofcakes,meat,fish,liquor,exoticfruits...

Lightandwarmthpourforthfromaroaringfireplace.

APALEMANwithagaunt,featurelessfaceandskeletalbodysitssilentlyatthefarendofthetable.

He'sominouslystill,hisheadhangingatanoddangle.Infrontofhim,asmallmetallicplatedisplaystwohumaneyeballs.

It'sveryhot:beadsofsweatrolldownOfelia'sface.Herhungrystomachgrowls.

Shespotsthethreeniches.

Shetakesouthergoldenkeyandconsidersthedoors.Eachonecladinsmoothgold,withidenticallocks.

Thewickerbasketstartstoshakefuriously.Ofeliaopensit.TheFairiesflyout.

Theybuzzaroundthethreeniches,likefliesaroundhoney.Theyfantheirwingsrepeatedly,vibrating,communicating,sniffingthegolddoors.

SteppingbacktolettheFairiesinvestigate,Ofeliaknocksoveraplatterofgreengrapes.

Shepicksthemupandputsthembackonthetable.Oneofthegrapesremainsonthefloor.

TheGreen Fairystopsinfrontofthedoorinthemiddle,announcingitsdecision.

Ofeliagoestothedoorandputsthekeyinthelock.

OFELIANo It'sthisone

shegoestotheadjoiningdoor,sticksthekeyinthelock

andturnsit.CLACK.

Sheopensthedoorandreachesthroughthedoorwaytotakewhateveristhere.

Herhandnearsapackage,about16centimeterslong,wrappedinadirtyrag.

Ofelialooksaround:nothinghashappened.Alliscalm.ThePaleManisimmobile.

Ofeliareadiestoexit,butthenshespotsaplatefullofripegrapes:somanyofthem!!

Shelooksbackattheeerie,sittingfigure:immobileandseeminglylifeless.TheFairieswarnherrepeatedly,tryingtopreventherfromeatinganygrapes.Butthegirlsneakilypicksoneupandeatsit.

UnseenbyherThePaleManliftshisheadandgrabsthetwohumaneyeballsfromthemetallicplateinfrontofhim.

Heintroducestheeyeballsintotwinstigmatasinhispalmsanduseshishandstolookaround,splayinghisfingerslikeexcitedpeacockfeathersashediscovers

Ofeliaeatingyetanothergrape.

ThePaleManjerkstowardher,inspastic,disembodiedsteps.Hecroucheslikeananimalreadytopounce.

Ofeliaturnsjustintime.ThePaleManroars.TheFairiesflyathimandattack!

Flailinghisarms,themonsterturnsoverthe table,dumpingallthefood.Swattingandsnapping,heeatstwooftheFairies.TheyHOWLashebitesdown...

Ofeliaruns,carryingthepreciouspackage.TheGreen Fairyfollowsher.

ThePaleMancomesafterher.

INT.LONGHALLWAY

Ofeliagetstotheendofthehallway.Shepoundstheblankwallwheremomentsagotherewasadoor.

INT.ATTIC

Ofelia'sthumpingisbarelyaudible.

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL

OfeliaseesthePaleMan'ssilhouettecomingupthehallway.

Ofeliasearchesherpocketsforthechalk.Findingit,shestandsontiptoeandtracestheoutlineofadoor!

Ofeliapushesagainstitandopens

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE

Atrapdoorintheatticfloor.

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL

Ofeliacrawlsoutthenewexit.Herlegsdanglebriefly.

Thepalemonsterleapsatthem,snarling.Ofeliapullsherselfupandoutjustintime.TheGreenFairyfollowsshortlythereafter.

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE

Ofeliaslamsthedoorbehindher.Themarksonthefloordisappearanditsealsitselfshut.

Allthewhile,somethingdirectlybelowbumpsviolently,almostburstingthroughthefloor.

Whenalliscalm,Ofeliasitsonthebed,exhausted.TheGreenFairyfluttersandchirps,excitedly.

CUTTO:

EXT.RIVER SUNRISE

TheDoctor,MercedesandPedrostartdownthemountain.

PEDROWe'llsoonhavereinforcementsfromJaca.Fifty menormore.Thenwe'llgoheadtoheadwithVidal.

DOCTORAndthenwhat?Youkillhim,they'llsendanotherjustlikehim.Andanother...

LATERRIVERBED

TheDoctorwasheshisbloodyhandsandhissurgicalinstrumentsinthestreamthatrunsthroughthemountains.

DOCTORYou'rescrewed,noguns,noroofoveryourheads...Youneedfood,medicine.YoushouldtakecareofMercedes.Ifyoureallylovedher,youwouldcrosstheborderwithher.Thisisalostcause.

PEDROI'mstayinghere,Doctor.Theresnochoice.

Hemovesaway,towardsMercedes,whoawaitshimnearby.ShehandshimacopyofthewarehouseKEY.

MERCEDESHeresthekeybutyoucan'tcomedownnow.It'sexactlywhathewants

Hekissesheronthecheek.

PEDROLeaveittome.

MERCEDESI'macoward.

PEDRONo,you'renot.

MERCEDESYes,Iamacowardforlivingnexttothatsonofabitch,makinghisbed,feedinghim...

WhatiftheDoctor'srightandwecannotwin?

PedrolooksatMercedes,hugsherfiercely.

PEDROWellAtleastwe'llmakethingsharderforthatbastard.

ASONGstartsup,fullofgoodcheer.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY BATHROOMSUNRISE

Oncemore,Vidal,shirtless,isshavingwithhisswitchbladewhilelisteningtomusicontheVictrola.

Onthesink:hisfather'sgoldandsilverwatch.

Vidallooksatitandthenstudieshimselfinthemirror,asifsizingupanoldenemy.Heplacesthesteelbladeonhisownreflectionand

cutsswiftly.

CUTTO:

INT. UPPERBEDROOMDAY

ThemusicdriftsupstairsintotheUpper bedroom.

Ofeliaapproacheshermother,whoisasleepinbed,sweatingprofusely.Shecaressesherface.

Thereisabreakfasttrayonthenightstand.

Ofeliaemptiesaglassofmilkintoabowlandpullsthemandrakerootoutfromunderherclothing.Shesubmergesitinthemilk,thenslidesthebowlunderthebed.

Shebitesherfingeruntilasmalldropofbloodappears.Itfallsintothemilk...

Themandraketwitches,suckingavidlyatthepinkliquid.

Therootuncoilsintothefloor,spirallingaroundthelegsofthebedframe.

OfeliahearsFOOTSTEPS:somebody'scomingintothebedroom.Ofeliastaysdown:shecanseeapairofshoes.

ItistheDoctor.HechecksCarmen'spulseandtemperature.

DOCTORCaptainVidal!

Vidalpacesnervously,nearby

DOCTORHertemperatureisdown...

VIDALButshestillhasafever?

DOCTORYes,butit'sagoodsignherbodyisresponding.

VidalstaresattheDoctor,notatraceofemotioninhiseyes.

DOCTOR

Listentome.Ifyouhavetochoose,savethebaby.Thatboywillbearmynameandmyfather'sname,too.

Ofeliahearsthisfrombeneaththebed.

Suddenlyanexplosionshakestheroom.Vidallooksoutside,thenanotherexplosionrattlesthewindows.

BitsofplasterdropdownfromtheceilingontothegroundnearOfelia.

Cursing,Vidalrushesfromthebedroom.TheDoctorfollows

EXT.GARDENSDAY

Vidalhurriesouttothegarden.Theguardshavecomeoutoftheirtentsandlookat

acolossalcolumnofsmokeandfireinthedistance.Anotherexplosionshakestheground.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMCONTINUOUS

Ofeliacomesoutfrombeneaththebed.Tentatively,shenearshermother'sbelly.

OFELIABrother,brother,ifyoucanhearme...

Sheleansherheadgentlyonit.

OFELIA...thingsoutherearen'ttoogood.Andsoonyou'llhavetocomeout.Momisn'tdoingwell.

Unexpectedly,thegirltearsup.

OFELIAI'maskingyouforonething,justone:don'thurther.

She'sverypretty,you'llsee.Eventhoughshe'ssadsomeofthetime.You'llsee,whenshesmilesyou'llloveher.

SoifyoudowhatIsay,I'llmakeyouaPrinceinmykingdom...

IpromiseyouaPrince...

EXT.TRAINTRACKSINCOUNTRYSIDE DAY

Somethinghasblownalargecraterintotheruralrailroadtrack. Tippedintoitisthesmokingruinofalocomotive.VidalinspectsacoupleofcharredBODIESbythewreckage.

ENGINEERIsoundedthewhistlebuttheywouldn'tmove.Itriedtostop,butitwastoolate

Thelongfreighttrainhasderailedinthemiddleofnowhere. Dozensof GUARDIASCIVIL patrolthedisaster.

TheengineerandtheFIREMANwalkamongtheburnedfreightcarswithVidalandhismen. SomeGUARDIASCIVIL rideupanddismount.

VIDALWhatdidtheystealfrominsidethefreightcars?

FIREMANNothingTheydidn'topenasingleone.

VIDALWhatthehellareyoutalkingabout?

FIREMANThiswholemessandtheydidn'topenanyofthecars.Theydidn'ttakeanything.

VIDALNothing,areyousure?

FIREMANNothing,whothehellknowsthattheywanted otherthantomakeuswasteourtime.

And,justasVidal realizeshe'sbeentricked.ThesoundofDISTANTGUNFIREreacheshisears.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL DAY

RainisfallingasVidal'sBentleyroarstoastopinfrontofthemill.

Agunfightisraging.Stayinglow,theCaptainrunsovertoGarcs.Thereareseveralcadaversstrewnontheground.

Guardshavetakencoveramongthetrees.Somebloody,woundedsoldierscowerontheground.

Garcsisbleedingfromawoundonhisforehead.

GARCS(pointing)

CaptaintheycameoutofnowhereTheyhavegrenades...

Vidalseestheopenbodega.Ithasbeenthoroughlylooted:jugsandemptycratesarescatteredeverywhere.

Hetakesspecialnoteof

theopenlock,hangingfromthedoor.

Serranohurriesuptohim.

SERRANOOnegroupstayedbehind uponthecliffwithrifles...We'vesurroundedthem

EXT.DEEPFOREST DAY

Holdinghisgun,Vidaladvancesonfootthroughthedrippingforest.Heisaccompaniedbyasquadofguards.

GUNSHOTS.ApairofGUERRILLASjumpsoutfromapileofboulders,blastingaway.AguardfallsdowndeadatVidal'sfeet,threebulletsinhischest.

Vidal,SerranoandGarcstakecoverbehindacraggyoutcropping.Bulletsexplodeontothestone.

Excited,VidalglancesathisFather'swatchandsmiles.

VIDALCmon,Serrano,thisistheonlydecentwaytodie.

Heleapsout,firing.Twobulletswhizbyhisheadandburythemselvesinatree.

Vidalkeepsshooting,woundingtwooftheguerrillas.Garcsfollows,alsofiring.

VidalandGarcsgetto

theboulders:kneelingthereisaYOUNGGUERRILLA,panting,torntopiecesbythegunfire.

VIDALLetmeseeCanyoutalk??

TheYoungGuerrillagaspsforair:agapingwoundonhisneckbleedsprofusely.

VIDALPity.

HeemptieshispistolintotheYoungGuerrilla.Garcsisappalled.Vidalreloadsandfinishesoffthesecondonewithashottothetemple.

VIDAL(toSerrano)

ThisisuselessweneedonealiveJustone

Garcsspotssomethingnearby.

LurkinginthebushesisaWOUNDEDMAN,gaspingforair,woundedintheleg.

Hisfaceremainshidden.

GARCSCaptain,thisonesstillalive.He'sgotalegwound.

CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN LATEAFTERNOON

Mercedescomesdowntheservicestairsintothekitchen.Sherunstothewindow.Allthekitchenmaidsarethere.

MERCEDESWhat'shappened?

CONCHITATheytookoneofthemalive.Andthey'retakinghimtothestoreroom.

Mercedesdartsoutintotherain.

EXT.MILL LATEAFTERNOON

CONCHITAMercedes!

Mercedesheadstowardtheoldbodega.Sheseestheguardsdragamaninside.

EXT.BODEGA LATEAFTERNOON

Mercedesstands,inthemiddleoftherainnotknowingwhattodo wheretogowheretorun

Vidalapproachesher.

VIDALMercedes?

MERCEDESIIneededtogetinthebodega

VIDALNotnow,Mercedes.

Aguardcomesout.Mercedescansee

INT.BODEGA LATEAFTERNOON

theprisonerisStutter.

StutterandMercedeslookeachotherintheeye

ThereisamixtureofreliefandpityinMercedes'eyes.

Aguardclosesthedoor.

CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT

Mercedestakes thehiddenknifefromherapronandpeelsvegetables.Rapidlyandmechanically.Thekitchenisbustlingwithactivity,buthermindismilesaway.

Shepicksupadinnertray.

INT.VESTIBULEMILL NIGHT

Shecarriesthetrayupstairs.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMNIGHT

Sheplacesthetrayonthenightstand.CarmenandOfeliaplaycardgamesbythelightoftheoillamp.

TheDoctorreadiesCarmendailydozeofsleepingmedicationintoaglassofwaterforCarmen.

DOCTORThisishalfthedose:onlyonedrop

AsOfeliacomestothebedside,aweakbutconsciousCarmenpushesthemedicineaway.

CARMENIdon'tthinkIneedit.Ifeelbetter.

DOCTORIdon'tunderstandit.ButImglad.

Ofeliasmiles.

CUTTO:

INT.BODEGA NIGHT

Vidalfinishesrollingacigarette.He'sstandinginfrontofStutter,whoistiedtoaconcretepost.

VIDALDamn!Thiscigaretteisgood.Realgoodtobacco

Heoffershimapuff.

STUTTERFfffuckyou

Garcsentersandsetsdownatableandsomechairs.

VIDALWecatchoneandheturnsouttobeastutterer.Fuck!We'llbehereallnight.

GARCSAslongashetalks,Captain

VIDALGarcsisrightYoubettertelluseverything.Because,tomakeithappen,Ibroughtalongafewtools.NothingfancyThingsyoupickupalongtheway.

Hegoesovertoatoolboxandtakesoutahammer,someneedlenosepliersandaleatherworkingblade.

VIDALAtfirstIwon'tbeabletotrustyou..ButwhenIusethisone

Heliftsthehammer.

VIDAL you'llownuptoafewthings...

Next,heshowsoffthepliers.

VIDALWhenwegettothisone,we'llhaveacloserrelationship,almostlikebrothers.You'llsee.

Hepicksuptheblade.

VIDALAndwhenwegettothisone,I'llbelieveeverythingyoutellme.

Vidal picksupthehammer.

VIDALNow I'llmakeyouadeal.Ifyoucancounttothreewithoutstttuttering,youcango.

Heapproachestheshiveringman,wholooksaroundasifinsearchofananswer.

VIDALDon'tlookaround,lookatme.There'sno

oneaboveme.

GarcsIfIsaythisassholecanleave

GARCSThenhecanleave,Captain

VIDALSo,therecounttothree.

AndStutter triessweatingmakingasupremeeffort

STUTTEROne

VIDALGood.

Again,Stutterstrugglesandmanagesa

STUTTERTwo.

VIDALOnemoreandyouwillbefree.

Andhegoesforit.But

STUTTERTttt

HelooksupatVidal,imploring.

VIDALPity.

Hisarmisablurasthehammerlandsaterribleblow.

DISSOLVETO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

Thunder,lightning,it'srainingagain.Ofeliaisasleepinherbed.Ashadowpassesoverherbody

FAUNYourmotherismuchbetter, YourHighnessYoumustberelieved!!

Ofeliaisstartledawake.TheFaunloomsoverher.

OFELIAYes,thankyou.Butthingshaven'tturnedoutsowell.

FAUNNo??

Shegiveshimthepackage.TheFaunopensit:insidethereisalong,golddagger.It'sbeautiful.ThebladeisengravedwithCelticletteringandonthehandleisthefigureofasatyrhuggingagirlwhoholdsababy.

OFELIANo.Ihadanaccident.

FAUNAnaccident??

ShehandshimtheFairybasket.OutofitcomesthedamagedGreen Fairy,whoimmediatelyperchesatophisshoulderandstartschatteringandpointingatthegirl.

FAUNYoubroketherules!

OFELIAItwasjusttwograpes!Ithoughtnoonewouldnotice

FAUNWemadeamistake!!

OFELIAAmistake?

FAUNYoufailed.Youcannevergoback.

Themoonwillbefullinthreedays.

Yourspiritwillstayforeveramonghumans.

You'llliveamongthem,you'llgetoldlikethem,you'lldielikethemandyourmemoryofuswillfade.

Andwe'llvanishalongwithit!

TheFaunbacksintothedarkestcorneroftheattic.

FAUNYouwillnever,everseeusagain.

Aflashoflightningbrieflyilluminatesthecorner:TheFaunisgone.

CUTTO:

EXT.BODEGA SUNRISE

Vidalcalmlysmokesacigaretteunderanumbrella.GarcsarriveswiththeDoctor.

VIDALGoodday,Doctor.Sorrytowakeyousoearly,butIthinkweneedsomehelp.

TheDoctorgoesinside.

INT.BODEGA MILL SUNRISE

TheDoctorcomesintothebodega.Vidalstaysatthedoor.

Stutteriscurledupontheground.Hisnoseisflattened,oneeyeisbloodshotandaheadwoundisbleeding.Fliesbuzzaroundhim.

DOCTORMyGod,whathaveyoudonetohim?

VIDAL

Notmuch.Butthingsaregettingbetter.

VidalsurreptitiouslyremovesavialofantibioticsfromtheDoctor'smedicalbag.Hewrapsitinalinenhandkerchief.

VIDALIlikehavingyounear,Doctor.Ithasitsadvantages.

Hemovesawayalongwith Garcs.

VIDALSerrano,stayhere

Oncealone,theDoctoropensuphisbagandtakesoutsomealcoholandgauzetocleanthewounds.

STUTTERIspoke.NotmuchbbbutIdid

TheDoctorseestheman'shand:it'samessofbrokenbonesandlacerations.

DOCTORI'msorry

HeglancesatSerrano,outsidesmokingacigarette.

STUTTERNo...Killme,killmenow.

TheDoctorlookshimintheeye,unsurprised.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY DAWN

Vidalbringsoutthepacketofmedicinefromthecave.HetakesoutavialofantibioticsandcomparesitwiththeonefromtheDoctor'sbag.

Theyareidentical.

VIDALSonofabitch

INT.BODEGA SUNRISE

TheDoctorpreparesaninjection.

DOCTOR(toStutter,inawhisper)

Itwillbeoversoon.

Stuttergratefullysqueezeshishand.Afterabriefhesitation,theDoctoradministerstheinjection.

Themenstareatoneanother.Slowly,thelifeebbsfromStutter'seyes.

INT.MILLVESTIBULE SAME

Vidalbrisklyleaveshisstudy.Hearingadoorclickshutsomewhereabovehestops

VIDAL(toGarcs)

GocheckonDoctorFerreiro.I'llbetheresoon.

GARCSYes,Captain.

Vidalgoesupstairs.

INT.NORTHBEDROOM

Ofeliaiscrawlingunderthebed

Thereshefindsthemandrakeroot,bloatedandimmobile.

OFELIAYou'renotmovingareyouill?

Suddenly,Vidalyanksheroutfromunderthebed.

BEDROOMCONTINUOUS

VIDALWhatthehellareyoudoingdownthere?

Vidallooksunderneaththedustruffle

EXT.BODEGA DAY

Garcswalkstothebodega.Serranosnuffsouthiscigarette.

GARCSWhereishe?Callhimouthere

SERRANOWho?

GARCSWhodoyouthink,youidiot?Ferreiro!

HepushesSerranoaside,entersthebodega

INT.BODEGA SAME

TheDoctorholdsthedyingStutterinhisarms.Garcssees

thesyringeinhishands.Heunderstandsimmediately.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAY

VIDALdragsoutthemandrakerootfromunderthebed.Itsfoulsmellmakeshimwince.

VIDAL(CONT'D)Whatthehellisthis?

Heripsitoffthemilkplate.

OFELIANo!Nooo!

Vidalisabouttohitthegirlwhen

CARMENPlease,leaveherbe!

Vidalturns:Carmenhasawakened.Shemotionsforhimtostop.

VIDALLookwhatshehidunderyourbed?!Whatdoyouthinkofthis?

HehandsCarmenthemandrakeroot.Ashenfacedandweak,Carmenlooksatthedisgustingthing,tryingtomakesenseofit.

CARMENOfelia,whatisthisdoingunderthebed?

OFELIA(matteroffact)

It'samagicroottheFaungaveme!

VIDALThisisallbecauseofthatjunkyouletherread.Lookwhatyou'vedone

CARMENLeaveusalone,I'llspeaktoher,Darling...

VIDALAsyouwish.

Vidal,furious,leavestheroom.

OFELIATheFauntoldmeyouwouldgetbetter andyoudid!

CARMENYouhavetolistentoyourfather.You

havetostopallthis.

Ofeliahugshermotherwithallhermight.

OFELIANo Iwanttoleavethisplace!Please,let'sjustgo

CARMENThingsarenotthatsimple.

Carmenpriesheroffandlooksherintheeye.

CARMENAsyougetolder,you'llseethatlifeisn'tlikeyourfairytales.Theworldisacruelplace.

Shemovesawayandneartheopenchimney.Thefirelightcastshadowsoverhersweatyface.

CARMENAndyou'lllearnthat,evenifithurts.

Shethrowstherootintothefire!!

OFELIANoooo!!

CARMENOfelia!!Magicdoesnotexist!

Shegrabsthegirlbytheshoulders,shakingher.

CARMENNotforyou,meoranyoneelse!

Thenahorrible,inhumansqueal.Thedyingshriekofthemandrake!!!Ofeliawatchesinhorrorasthehumanoidrootwrithesandsquealsin thechimneyflames!!!

Carmengaspsanddoublesoverinpain,clutchingherstomach.Ofeliaholdsherasbestasshecan.

OFELIAHelp,help,help!

INT.BODEGA SAME

TheDdoctorandVidalstudyeachother.

VIDALWhydidyoudoit?

DOCTORItwastheonlythingIcoulddo.

VIDALNo.Youcouldhaveobeyedme?

DOCTORIcouldhave.ButIdidnot.

Fromsomewhereinthehouse,someoneCRIESOUT.Theyhearacommotionamongtheservants.TheDoctorstandsupandcollectshisbag.

VIDALButitwouldhavebeenbetterforyou

Vidalgripshisarm,stoppinghim.

VIDALIdon'tunderstandWhydidn'tyouobeyme??

Alongbeat.TheDoctorknowsthathisresponsewillsealhisfate.

DOCTORToobeywithoutthinkingjustlikethat

Wellthat'ssomethingonlypeoplelikeyoucando Captain

VidaltakesouthisgunandshootstheDoctor,whodropstotheground.Vidalstandsoverhimandfinisheshimoff.

AstunnedGarcslookson.Itbeginstorain.JacintaandConchitaapproachVidalanurgentmurmur.

VIDALGarcs!!Havethetroopparamediccometomywife'sroomrightaway!!

CUTTO:

INT.UPSTAIRSHALLWAYMILL LATEAFTERNOON

Astreamofservantshustlesupanddownthestairswithsteamingbasinsandcleantowels.Somegoinandoutofthebedroom.TheSOUNDofCarmen'sscreams.

VidalandOfeliawaitimpatientlyoutsidethebedroom.

Beyondthehalfopendoor:chaos.Mercedeswashesherbloodyhandsinawashbasin.

Ofelialistenstohermother'scries.

Carmen'sscreamsstop,replacedbyaNEWBORN'SCRY.ThePARAMEDICwalkstowardsVidalandwhispers

PARAMEDICYourwifeisdead

Vidalhurriesintotheroom.

Ofeliaisnowaloneinthecorridor.There'snoonearound.Shehearsthecryinginfantinhermother'sbedroom.

APRIEST'seulogycanbeheard.

DISSOLVETO:

EXT.CEMETERYONAHILL LATEAFTERNOON

Abeautifulafternoon:thesunisshining,theskyisclear.

GatheredaroundagravearetheMayor,hiswife,thePriest,allTHESERVANTSFROMTHEMILL,theguardsandVidalinacivilianblackdresssuit,withhisnewbornsoninhisarms.

Ofeliaweepssilently.MercedesputsherhandonOfelia'sshoulder.

Theylowerthecoffinintothegrave.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAY

Ofeliaclosesthetrunkthatheldhermother'sdresses.Sheputsawayhermother'smakeup,lettersandphotographs.Variousmedicinesandthebottleofsleepingdropsareonthenightstand.Sheputseverythingintoasmallsuitcase.

CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT

Vidalwipesarecordwithhisshirtsleeve.HeplacesitontheVictrola.

Mercedeslaysthesleepingbabyinasimplewoodencradle.

VIDALYouknewtheDoctorwell,didn'tyouMercedes?

MERCEDESWeallknewhim,sir.Everyonearoundhere.

VIDALThestuttererspokeofaninformanthereinsidethemill.Canyouimaginethat?Rightundermynose.

Vidalplacestheneedleontherecord.

VIDALMercedes,please.

Hepointsatanemptyseatinfrontofhisdesk.Themusicstartsup.

VIDALWhatmustyouthinkofme,mydearyoungwoman?YoumustthinkI'mamonster.

MERCEDESWhatsomeonelikemethinksofyouhardlymatters,Sir

HepourshimselfaglassofOrujoandpoursoneforheraswell.

VIDALWouldyougotothebodega,Mercedes?Andbringmeanotherbottleofliquor.Please.

Heglancesatthebottle:aquarteroftheliquorstillremains.

MERCEDESYes,sirrightaway.

VIDALAren'tyouforgettingsomething?

MERCEDESSir?

VIDALThekey.Ihavetheonlycopy,don'tI?

MERCEDESYyes.

VIDALYouknow?Something'sbotheringme.It'snotimportant,atiny detailbutthedaytheybrokeintothestorehouse,withallthosegrenadesandexplosives,thelockitselfwasneverforced.

ButasIsaidIt'sprobablynotimportant.

Hegivesherthekeyandhoversdangerously.

VIDALBeverycareful.

MERCEDESGoodnight,sir.

Vidalwatchesherleaveashesipshisliquor.

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT

ThemusicfromVidal'sstudycarriesintothekitchen.

Mercedespriesuptheloosefloortileandfillshercanvasbagwithlettersandgroceries.Shehearsanoise,andstops:nothing...

Shehurriedlykeepspacking.

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

Ofelia,soundasleep.Ashadowloomsoverher.Shewakesup

MERCEDESShh.OfeliaI'mleavingtonight.

OFELIAWhereareyougoing?

MERCEDESIcan'ttellyou.

Ofeliaputsherarmsaroundherneck.

OFELIATakemewithyou,please.

MERCEDESIcan't,mychild

OFELIATakemewithyou.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHT

OfeliaandMercedescautiouslymoveawayfromthemill.Mercedesusesanoldumbrellatoshelterthegirlfromtherain.

INT.RIVERBED NIGHT

Thetwowomenwadetheshallowendoftheriver.Suddenlyanoise

Mercedespauses,agitated.

MERCEDESIheardsomething

Shelistensintently.

MERCEDESNothingItwasnothing.

Whensheturns,she'ssurprisedtodiscover

Vidal,Serranoandhalfadozenmensurroundingthem.Vidalnodsatthem,gentlemanly.

VIDALMercedes

Thenhegazesdownathisstepdaughter.

VIDALOfelia...

CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

VidalpushesOfeliaintotheattic.

VIDALHowlonghaveyouknownabouther??Uh??

Heslapsthegirltwice.

VIDALHowyoumusthavelaughedatme,youlittlebitch!!

Heturnstohismen,awaitingordersbythedoor.

VIDALLockthedoor

Keepaneyeonherandifanyonetriestogetin,killherfirst.

Heexits.Leavingtheweepinggirlaloneintheenormousattic.

INT.BODEGA DAY

VidaltakesthecanvasbagfromMercedes.Heopensitandbringsoutafewmeageritems.

VIDALDrymeatTobacco ifyouhadaskedforit,Iwouldhavegivenittoyou,Mercedes

Then,asmallpacketofletters.

VIDALIwantthenamesofanyonenamedintheselettersandIwanttheminfrontofmefirstthinginthemorning.

GARCSYes,Sir!

GarcsnodshefinishesropingMercedestotheexactsamewoodenpostwhereStutterwastied.

VIDALYoucanleave,Garcs.

GARCSYou'resure,Captain?

VIDALForGod'ssake,she'sjustawoman.

Garcsleersandleaves.

MERCEDESThat'swhatyoualwaysthought.That'swhyIwasabletogetawaywithit.Iwasinvisibletoyou.

Vidalrollsuphissleevesandunbuttonshisshirtcollar.

VIDALDamn.Youfoundmyweakness:arrogance.Howperceptive.

Butwereheretofindyourweakpoints.

Vidalbusieshimselfwithhistools:thehammer,pliers,etc.

VIDALIt'sverysimple:youwilltalk...andI havetoknowthateverythingyousayisthetruth.

Strainingagainsttheropes,Mercedesmanagesreachtheknifeinherapron.

VIDALAtfirst,Iwon'tbeabletotrust

SuddenlyWHACK!!!

Vidalsbodyshudders

heputshishandtohisleftshoulderblade.Helooksathisbloodyfingers.Heturnsaroundandstumbles.

Mercedesholdstheknife.Vidalreachesforhisgun.

Mercedesstabshimagain,thistimedeepinhisupperarm.AsVidaldoublesoverinpain,shestickstheknifeinhismouth.

MERCEDESAtfirst,Iwon'tbeabletotrustI'mnotsomeoldman !Notawoundedprisoner!SonofabitchsonofabitchDontyoudaretouchthegirl...Youwon'tbethefirstpigI'vegutted !

Withabrutalthrust fromtheinsideout sheslicesopenhischeek.Vidalcollapses,gurglingblood.Mercedesusestheknifetocuttheropesasquickasshecan.

Oncefree,Mercedesrunstowardthedoor.

EXT.BODEGA NIGHT

Outside,noonehasanyideaofwhathasjusthappened.Garcs,Serranoandotherguardsgoabouttheirbusiness.

Garcs,infact,islisteningtoaradio,tunedtotheNATIONALLOTTERYresults.HeholdsinhishandtheGuerrilla'sabandonedticket.

RADIOANNOUNCER...thewinningnumbersare...

Mercedes,surreptitious,movesawayintothewoods.Serranospotsheratthelastminute.

SERRANO(toGarcs)

Helethergo!

GARCSShh

Helistenstotheradioandfinally,gruntingcrumplesthelotteryticketandmovestowardsSerrano.

GARCSWhatthefuckareyoutalkingabout??

SerranopointsatMercedes,alreadyhalfwayintothewoods.

GARCSHey!!

Shestartstorun. Garcspullsouthisgunandreadiesit.Vidalstumblesoutofthebodega,bleedingandcoveringhisfacewithhisrighthand.

VIDAL(toGarcs)

Gether!!!

GarcsisshockedaninjuredVidal???

GARCSCaptain!What??

VIDALBringhertome,Goddamit!!!

Heuncovershisslashedface.

Garcs,startledrunstocomply.

GARCS(toallmen)

Mountup!!!

EXT.DEEPFOREST NIGHT

Mercedesrunsthroughthetrees.

Suddenlyarumblemakesherturnaround:Agroupof TENMENonhorsessurgesintoview.

Shestumbles,losingground.

Mercedesgetsup,limpingnow

Shegetstoaclearing.Closingin,Garcsdismounts.Sixotherriderssurroundher.Mercedesflashesherknife.Thehorsementightenthecirclearoundher.

GARCSIt'llbebetterifyoucomewithoutstruggling.TheCaptain

Sheputsthebladetoherownthroat.

GARCSDon'tbefoolish,sweetheart,ifanyoneisgoingtokillyou

Hetakesouthisgun.

GARCSIt'llbeme

Hewalksuptoher.Suddenly,agunshothitshiminthechest,andthenanotherandanother.Hefallstotheground,dead.

Aseriesofgunshotspickofftheotherhorsemen.

Thelastthreesoldierstrytoescape.OneiskilledbyafurioushailofbulletsSerranoandanotheronemanagetogetaway.

AbloodspatteredMercedesseesmenemergingfromtheforest:PedronowleadsFORTYARMEDGUERRILLAS.

Brotherandsisterembrace.TheGuerillasfinishofftheinjuredsoldiersontheground.

CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

Ofelialiesonthefloor,motionless,defeated,whentheGreenFairyappears.

Ofeliasitsup,andtheFaunisthere.

FAUNI'vedecidedtogiveyouonelastchance.

Mesmerized,Ofelianods.

FAUNYoupromisetolisten,todoeverythingItellyou?Withoutquestion?

Ofelianodsagain.

FAUNVerywell,then:Pickupyourbrotherandbringhimtothelabyrinthasfastasyoucan.YourHighness...

OFELIAMybrother?

FAUNWeneedhim.

OFELIAWhy

FAUN(irritated)

Nomorequestions.

OFELIAThedoor'slocked.

TheFaungivesherpieceofchalk.

FAUNThen,createyourowndoor.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHTFALL

Serranoandtheinjuredsoldierreturntothemill.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT

Vidalsewshissplitcheekandthenwrapsabloodstainedbandagearoundit.

Ofeliastealsin,pasttheCaptain'sdesk.

Inthecradle,thebabystartscrying.

Thebaby'swailsgrowlouder.TheCaptainturnsaroundOfeliahidesbutleaveshermagicchalkbehind.

VidalgoestoasmalltableandserveshimselfthelastoftheOrujo.He'stakesasip.Thebandagesoaksupinbloodandalcohol.Hegrunts

and pourshimselfanotherone.

He'sabouttotakeasipwhenheseesthechalkonhisdesk.Heinstinctivelyreadieshisgun...Then

SERGEANTCaptainCaptainPleasecome,quickly

VIDALNowwhat?

SERGEANTSerranoisback.He'swounded.

VIDALWounded?

Heleavesthestudy.Ofeliacomesoutfromhidingandlooksatthecradle,atthecryinginfant.

Shetakesouthermother'sbottleofsleepingmedicineandemptiesitintoVidal'sliquor.

EXT.MILL NIGHT

AdozenmengatheraroundtheWOUNDEDGUARD.

VIDALWhathappened??WhereisGarcs??

Serranoshakeshishead.

VIDALHowmanywerethere?

WOUNDEDGUARDIdon'tknow,sir.Theshotscamefromallaroundus.Fiftyatleast

SERGEANTNoneofthewatch postsareresponding,Sir

VIDALHowmanymenhereincamp?

SERRANOTwenty,maybeless,sir

Vidaldoesthemath.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT

Ofelialiftsherbrotherfromthecradle.

OFELIAWe'releaving.Together.Don'tbeafraid.Nothingisgoingtohappentoyou.

Shewrapshiminablanketandtriestosoothehim.Halfwaytothedoor,shehearsfootstepsandhidesinanook.

VIDALPuttheremainingmenonpicketdutyatthetreelinewhenanothersquadgetsback,haveitreportimmediatelytome.

Vidalcomesbackin,followedbytheSergeant.

VIDALCallforreinforcements.

SERGEANTYes,sir.

TheSergeantleaves,Vidalgoestohisdrink.Buthestopstopickuphisgoldandsilverwatchhewindsitandslipsitintohispocket.

Finally,hedrinkshisOrujo.

Intheshadows,Ofeliatakesafewstepstowardsthedoor.

Outside,thesoundofSHOUTINGandGUNFIRE.Anexplosionilluminatestheroom,revealingOfeliaandthebabytoVidal.

Vidaltakesouthisgunandtakesafewfalteringsteps.

VIDALPuthimdown

Thegirledgestowardthestudydoor.Vidalstumblestowardher.Outside,aterribleexplosionshattersthewindowandshakesthewholehouse.

VIDALI'mwarningyouputhimdown

Hetripsonhisdesk,barelystayingonhisfeet.Ofeliarunsaway.Vidaltriestoshakehimselfawakeandgoesafterher.

INT.MILLVESTIBULE NIGHT

Thegirlrunstowardthekitchen.Anotherexplosionlightsuptheroom,allowingVidaltoseeher.Heheadsstraightather.

EXT.BEHINDTHEMILL NIGHT

Ofeliarunsoutside,holdingherbrother.Shelooksup.ThemoonisFULL.

Sherunstowardthelabyrinth.

Vidalstaggersoutbehindher.Inthebackground,moreexplosions,flamesandburstsoffire.Abattleragesintheforest.

SomebulletswhizpastVidal,buthekeepsgoing.

CUTTO:

INT.STAIRWAYTOATTIC

Mercedeswalksuptheatticstairs,followedbyPedroandafewofhismen.

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

Shefindstheatticempty.Onawallthereisachild'schalkdrawingofadoorway.

CUTTO:

EXT. LABYRINTHNIGHT

Ofeliadashesintothelabyrinth.Vidalisnotfarbehind.

Thesleepingmedicinemakeshimstumbleandfalter.Heslumpsagainstawall.Ofeliagainsonhim.

Butrightaway,shelosesherway,buttheleafywallsmoveasidetoguideher!

firstone,thenanother

andyetanother.

Vidal,meanwhile,bumpsintoobstaclesateveryturn.Headspinning,hepauses.

INT.ROTUNDAINCENTEROFLABYRINTH NIGHT

Reachingtherotunda,OfeliaseestheFaunwaiting,halfwayupthestonestaircase.

Ofeliacalmsthebabyandstartsdown thestairstowardhim.

FAUNQuickly,YourMajesty,givehimtome.Thefullmoonisalmosthereandweneedhimtoopentheportal.

OFELIA(seeingsomething)

What'sthatinyourhand?

It'sthegoldendagger.

FAUNTheportalwillonlyopenifweshedthebloodofaninnocent.ApinprickThat'sall.Justadropofblood

It'sthelasttask!!Hurry!!

Thebasketshakesfuriously.TheGreenFairyescapesandbuzzesfuriouslyaroundOfelia.

FAUNYoupromisedtodoit,sogivemetheboy.Iwanttoleavethisplace,Ican'twaitanylonger!

TheFauncomesclosertothegirl.Hisfaceradiatesawickedhunger.Shestepsback,horrified.

OFELIANo.Mybrotherstayswithme.

FAUNYouwouldgiveupyoursacredrightsforthisbrat?

OFELIAYes,Iwould.

FAUN

Youwillgiveupyourthroneforhim?Hewhohascausedyousuchmisery,suchhumiliation?

Vidalcomesintotherotunda.HeseesOfelia,alone.Hecan'tseetheFaun.Withenormouseffort,Vidalliftshisgun.

OFELIAIwill.

FAUNAsyouwishYour Highness

Asherecedesintothedarkness,Vidalshoots.ThebullethitsOfeliainthestomach.Shefallsgentlytotheground,attheedgeofthewell,clutchingherbabybrother.

Thebooklandsnexttoher.

Vidalpicksuptheinfant.Ofeliareachesoutforhelp,tearsinhereyes.Vidalignoresher,spitsonthegroundandleaves.

CAMERAclosesinonOfelia'sface.Aribbonofbloodstreamsfromhernose.

INT.LABYRINTHNIGHT

Vidalrunsdownthelastpathofthelabyrinth,leadingtotheexit

EXT.LABYRINTHNIGHT

wherePedroandhismenarewaiting.Intheirmidst:Mercedes.

WithaloudbanggunshotstearintoVidal.Vidalfallstohisknees,hoistinghishowlingsonintheair.

VIDALMyson

Mercedeswalksforward.VidalandMercedeslookateachother.

VIDALTellhimabouthisfatherAboutthetimehisfatherdied

Mercedestakesthebaby inherarms.

Vidalunderstandsthesituation.Hetakesouthispocketwatchandsmashesitontheground.

VIDALTellhim

MERCEDESNo

PedrostepsovertoVidal,guninhishand.

MERCEDES(toVidal)

Hewontevenknowyourname.

Mercedes'wordsareVidal'slastandmostpainfulwound.Hisfacegoespale

andPedroshootshiminthehead.

Vidalcollapses,dead.

INT.ROTUNDA INCENTEROFLABYRINTH

MercedesandPedroreachtherotunda.Mercedeskneelsnexttothedyinggirl.Crying,MercedeshumsasweetGalicianlullaby.

Ofelia'spupilsdilate.

Herbloodrunsdownintothewell,intothepuddleatthebottom.Themoon'sreflectionshimmers.

Inthebook,animagetakesshape:Ofeliaataroyalcourt,

infrontofafabulousbanquet.

KING/FATHER(O.S.)Arise,mydaughter.

INT.VASTHALL NIGHT

Ofeliastands.Thelabyrinthhasdisappeared.

Thisisanimmensehall,inadark,sumptuouscastle.Aswarmoffairiesfloatsaroundherhead.Beforeher,onagoldenthronesitstheKINGOFTHEUNDERWORLD.

Athisside,analmostunrecognizableCarmen radiantandgilded,shehastransformedintoaFAIRYQUEEN.Betweenthem,thereisanotherthrone,empty,waiting.

OfelialooksattheKing

OFELIA(awhisper)

Father...

KINGItwasyourbloodandnotthatofaninnocentthatmadeyouworthyofthethrone.Itwas thelasttask.Themostimportantone...

AndoutfrombehindapillarcomesouttheFaun.Smiling,surroundedbytheFairies.

FAUNAndyouchosewell,YourHighness...

Hebowsdown.

QUEENSo,comesitbyyourFathersside,mychild?Hesbeenwaitingsolong.

TheGreen FairyfliesaroundOfelia,celebratingherreturn.Ofeliaischeeredbyahundredvoices.

Ofeliasmiles

INT.LABYRINTHNIGHT

andfinallydies.Inhereye:onefrozentear.Mercedeshugsthedeadgirl.

CAMERAdolliesback.Themoonisreflectedatthebottomofthepool.BuzzinginthenightairistheStickInsect.

NARRATORAnditissaidthatthePrincesswentbacktoherfather'skingdom

Andthatshereignedwithjusticeandakindheartformanycenturies.Andthatshewaslovedbyallhersubjects...

EXT.EDGEOFFOREST SUNRISE

Thesunlightemanatesgraduallyfromthedarknessandshinesonthesilhouetteofthefallenfigtree.

NARRATORAnd,likemostofus,sheleftbehindsmalltracesofhertimeonearth.

Visibleonlytothosethatknowwheretolook...

Thefigtreeisfloweringagain.

FADETOBLACK.