Sanson Excerpt

An excerpt from an early draft of Sanson, a feature screenplay written by Shiva Rodriguez & D. Duckie Rodriguez.




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.

































































 





No comments: