INT. THE DINING AREA
OF THE INN – DAY
The inn is
patronized by nobility and wealthy professionals. Charles sits at a
table with a glass of wine. He spots the lovely Countess HELENE
TIQUET (20s) who also sits alone. She notices him looking at her and
flashes him a smile.
Helene summons a
SERVING MAN and whispers into his ear. The serving man nods and
approaches Charles.
SERVING MAN
Sir, the young lady
would be
honored if you would
join her for
dinner at her table.
Charles looks back
over at Helene who smiles at him demurely. He nods and walks over to
join her.
CHARLES
I had not expected
the pleasure of
dining in such
lovely company. I
am Charles,
Chevalier de Longval.
Helene looks him up
and down, then she smiles with approval. She offers her hand to him.
HELENE TIQUET
The pleasure is
mine. I am Helene
Tiquet.
Charles kisses her
hand and sits down.
HELENE TIQUET
So, Chevalier
Longval, what brings
you all the way out
to this remote
little inn?
Certainly not the
food.
Charles chuckles.
CHARLES
No, certainly not
that. I was on
my way back to
Paris. I usually
stop here after a
hunt for a drink
before the long
ride.
HELENE TIQUET
Is Paris home?
CHARLES
Yes, I’m an
officer of the court.
HELENE TIQUET
That must be
terribly boring,
listening to all
that squabbling.
I have a cousin in
Paris. Perhaps
you’ve heard of
him, Andre Chelot?
CHARLES
No, I’m afraid my
work forces me to
turn my attention
more towards the
less agreeable
members of society.
HELENE TIQUET
That’s too bad.
Perhaps you shall
visit me at his
house sometime.
I’m in Paris quite
frequently in
the summer months.
He smiles at her
politely.
HELENE TIQUET
Of course, we should
get to know
each other better
first. Don’t you
agree?
Helene leans forward
with a lustful look in her eyes.
HELENE TIQUET
I’m not really
hungry... for food.
She pushes back her
chair and stands up. Charles quickly rises from his chair as well.
HELENE TIQUET
Would you walk me to
my room? We
may finish our
drinks there.
Charles smiles
apologetically and shakes his head.
CHARLES
I’m truly sorry,
but I cannot. I
still have a long
ride ahead of me.
HELENE TIQUET
Surely you don’t
mean to leave
tonight.
CHARLES
I’m afraid I must.
I have urgent
business in Paris
first thing in
the morning.
Helene pouts.
HELENE TIQUET
Well, if you must
go... You will
look me up won’t
you? For other,
urgent business?
Charles smiles,
noncommittally, and gives a small bow.
CHARLES
Good evening,
Mademoiselle.
Helene sits as she
watches him go.
A GENTLEMAN bumps
into him accidentally as he is leaving.
GENTLEMAN
Pardon me, Sir.
As the Gentleman
turns, his eyes widen in surprise. Charles hurries out the door. The
Gentleman approaches Helene with a knowing expression on his face.
GENTLEMAN
One comes across the
most peculiar
people here, don’t
they,
Mademoiselle?
HELENE TIQUET
Do you know the
Chevalier de
Longval?
GENTLEMAN
Longval? You mean
the man who was here?
HELENE TIQUET
Yes. Do you know
much about him?
GENTLEMAN
I dare say not! That
was Charles
Sanson, the Paris
executioner.
I’ve seen him at
the Palace de
Greves many times.
Helene reels back in
shock and disgust. She waves her hand frantically for a serving man
to attend to her.
GENTLEMAN
Oh, my dear, I
thought you were
indulging some
morbid curiosity…
HELENE TIQUET
No, sir, I certainly
was not!
She turns sharply
toward the serving man.
HELENE TIQUET
Bring me a bowl of
water! I must
wash my hands.
Sanson is a historical biography story of the Paris executioner during the French Revolution. It is currently competing in screenwriting festivals.
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