INT – VENICE, ANTIQUE SHOP – SAME DAY
Carlo looks around in the antique shop. The old Jewish SALESMAN greets him
SALESMAN
I have special goods for you.
The salesman opens up the cupboard and gets a beautiful jewel-box (the box from the Hunting House) and places it on the counter before Carlo
CARLO
Who did it belong to?
SALESMAN
To the roman Empress Messalina!
Carlo slides his fingers across the box
CARLO
It has no lock?
SALESMAN
(smiles)
I’d rather show you
(the salesman’s hand moves the apple into the bird’s beak and the box opens)
Voila!
CARLO
Rita will love this.
The salesman shows Carlo various compartments inside the box. Each is filled with ladies’ jewels. The piece de resistance is a large roman comb with pink pearls
SALESMAN
Your bride will be delighted, signore.
Carlo picks up the comb and looks at it
CARLO
It will look magnificent in Rita’s dark curls!
EXT – VENICE, STREET – SAME AUTUMN DAY
Carlo walks along the cobbled Venetian street. Wheels of carriages roll past him, frilled hems of the ladies’ gowns move along and a single blue blossom falls from the basket of the street flower seller, lying on the rough cobblestones
CARLO’S VOICE
(behind the scenes)
Up until now, if you do not count my mother’s fit and the disappearance of her favorite dog, everything was simple and logical.
After that we were plunged into something we could not understand
END OF THE MEMORIES
EXT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, GARDEN-SUMMER DAY
BEGINNING OF YOUNG CARLO’S MEMORIES
Count Frederick and his family doctor walk in the western part of the garden
TITLE: 1832
COUNT FREDERICK
She is recovering well, even her complexion is improving.
The doctor looks at his clock on the chain
FAMILY DOCTOR
The fresh air will be good for her, but still, don’t leave her alone by herself.
COUNT FREDERICK
I am worried about her hallucination, the one about the snake.
They stop and look at each other. The doctor puts the clock into the pocket
FAMILY DOCTOR
I am telling you, she put the necklace on herself.
COUNT FREDERICK
Well, either way, she will never see that damned necklace again.
The doctor looks at his feet and then at the count again
FAMILY DOCTOR
There is a strange epidemic in the village. Seems to affect girls and young women.
Count Frederick thrusts his hands into the pockets of his trousers. He fidgets in place. He doesn’t like this conversation
COUNT FREDERICK
Do you think it is somehow connected to what had happened to my wife?
They walk further along the garden
FAMILY DOCTOR
No, I don’t think so.
COUNT FREDERICK
So, why are you so worried, my friend?
The doctor looks around as if afraid that someone can hear them and stops near a rose bush
FAMILY DOCTOR
Old beggar-woman saw a well-dressed, elderly gentleman who was walking away from the village in the direction of the castle.
Lucy appears suddenly and drags Carlo from his hiding place behind the rose bush. Count Frederick and the family doctor see the children and fall silent
LUCY
I caught you!
EXT – CARDIE’S CASTLE, BALCONY – SAME EVENING
A funeral bell tolls from the direction of the village. Everyone crosses themselves.
Countess Maria lies propped up on the chaise lounge, surrounded by her family. Her private balcony is large enough to resemble a terrace. The Countess shivers.
Count Frederick and Petro stand nearby on the balcony
COUNTESS MARIA
Another death in the village?
COUNT FREDERICK
I am sure it is nothing, my dear. Do you want me to send Petro to find out?
PETRO
You will see, my lady, that the Count is right and there is nothing to worry about.
COUNTESS MARIA
Go, Petro, find out, perhaps they need help.
She falls back onto her pillows, tiredly. The bells start to ring once more
The Count mutters in Petro’s ear…
COUNT FREDERICK
She must never learn of the epidemic.
PETRO
I will come up with something.
EXT-GARDEN OF THE WIDOW’S HOUSE-SUMMER EVENING
A small village house is surrounded by a garden. One part of the garden faces the main village road.
WIDOW’S DAUGHTER (17 years old) and a young servant girl LISA (16 years old) pick berries in the garden.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN (aka American Servant 80 years old) walks towards the garden wall from the main road. He addresses Lisa
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
May I have some water, my child?
He hands the girl a silver coin over the fence. She stares at it for a brief moment then takes the coin.
INT-CARDIE’S CASTLE, MUSICAL SALON – SAME EVENING
Count Frederick’s fingers glide masterfully along the keys of the piano.
Countess Maria listens to her husband play the piano. The children and the servants headed by Petro are all nearby.
EXT-GARDEN NEAR THE WIDOW’S HOUSE – SAME SUMMER EVENING
Lisa walks along the garden path, carrying a pitcher of kvass. She trips