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Dr Faustus: Part Three

March 10, 2007 by David Gordon

EXT.  THE CLOCK TOWER

 

The REPORTER, trench coat on, and microphone in hand, speaks

to the CAMERA.

 

                             REPORTER

          Learned Faustus,

          To know the secrets of astronomy

          Graven in the book of Jove’s firmament…

 

A MOTORCYCLE with SIDECAR races in front of her, honking.

It drowns out her voice.

 

                             REPORTER

                    (shouts to make herself heard)

          Did mount himself to scale Olympus’s top…

 

From the other direction – THE MOTORCYCLE races past.

REPORTER

          BEING SEATED IN A CHARIOT BURNING BRIGHT…

                    (returns to normal voice)

          Drawn by the strength of yoky dragons’ necks.

 

She looks up.

 

ANGLE UP TO THE SKY ABOVE THE CLOCK TOWER

 

The MOTORCYCLE and SIDECAR fly across the face of the CLOCK.

MEPHISTOPHILIS drives; FAUSTUS, in sidecar, reads the MAP.

 

AT REPORTER –

 

She holds onto her hat to keep from being blown in their turbulence, and shouts her last lines.

 

                             REPORTER

          He now is gone to prove Cosmography,

          And, as I guess, will first arrive at Rome,

          To see the Pope, and manner of his court,

          And take some part of Holy Peter’s feast,

          That to this day is highly solemnized.

 

 

EXT.  THE AIRBORNE MOTORCYCLE FLIES OVER THE EARTH

 

The WORLD curves below.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS drives.

 

FAUSTUS wears a HAWAIIAN SHIRT under his leather jacket, and

a BASEBALL CAP that says “VEGAS.”  Some FUZZY DICE hang from the MIRROR.  Piled up in the sidecar around FAUSTUS are his SOUVENIRS of his travels:  STUFFED ANIMALS.  FAIRGROUND PRIZES.  MICKEY MOUSE EARS.  A MINI EIFFEL TOWER.  SNOW GLOBES.

 

FAUSTUS flicks through his COLLECTION OF POSTCARDS and WORLD GUIDE BOOKS.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Having now, my good Mephistophilis,

          Passed with delight the stately town of Trier,

          Environed round with airy mountaintops;

          From Paris next, coasting the realm of France,

          We saw the river Maine fall into Rhine,

          Whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines,

          Then up to Naples, rich Campania, 

          With buildings, fair and gorgeous to the eye,

          The streets straight forth and paved with finest brick.

          From thence to Venice, Padua, and the rest…

                    (sighs)

          Thus hitherto has Faustus spent his time.

 

He plays idly with a SNOWGLOBE, as MEPHISTOPHILIS lands

the MOTORCYCLE inside the WALLS OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH,

in ROME.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS dismounts; FAUSTUS gets up and stretches.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Tell me now, what resting place is this?

          Hast thou, as erst I did command,

          Conducted me within the walls of Rome?

 

                             MEPHISTOPHILIS

          Faustus, I have. 

          This is the goodly palace of the Pope;

          And ‘cause we are no common guests

          I choose his privy chamber for our use.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          I hope his holiness will bid us welcome..

 

 

INT.  CORRIDORS OF ST. PETER’S

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS leads the way, past windows looking out on Rome.

 

                             MEPHISTOPHILIS

          Tut,  ‘tis no matter, man, we’ll be bold with

          his good cheer.

 

FAUSTUS stops to look out a window past the statues, at the city beneath.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          I swear

          That I do long to see the monuments

          And situation of bright-splendent Rome.

 

FAUSTUS tugs at MEPHISTOPHILIS’ sleeve.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Come, therefore, let’s away.

 

                             MEPHISTOPHILIS

          Nay, stay, my Faustus.  I know you’d see the Pope

          And take some part of Holy Peter’s Feast,

          Where thou shalt see a troop of bald-pate friars

          Whose highest goodness is in belly-cheer.

 

 

He produces a CONE of PINK CANDY FLOSS, and hands it to FAUSTUS.

 

FAUSTUS takes it, turns his baseball cap backwards, and nods.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Well, I am content to compass then some sport,

          And by their folly make us merriment.

          Then charm me that I may be invisible, to do what I

          please unseen of any whilst I stay in Rome.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS waves his hand.  FAUSTUS disappears, leaving only the CANDY FLOSS floating in the air.

 

                             MEPHISTOPHILIS

          So, Faustus, now do what thou wilt, thou

          shalt not be discerned.

 

He indicates that FAUSTUS should toss the CANDY FLOSS away.  FAUSTUS does.

 

With a flourish, MEPHISTOPHILIS throws open a huge door.

 

 

INT.  THE POPE’S PRIVATE CHAMBER

 

Lavish with gold and velvet and marble.  A BANQUET takes  place. 

A BUFFET groans with FOOD.

 

At the table, the POPE sits at the head, on a throne.  CARDINALS, BISHOPS, MONKS, and FRIARS are in attendance.

 

VATICAN SWITZERS mount guard at the door.

 

FAUSTUS, unseen by all, enters.  MEPHISTOPHILIS, dressed as

a Vatican servant, enters and stands by the buffet.

 

                             THE POPE

                    (beckons to a CARDINAL)

          My lord of Lorraine, will’t please you draw near?

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Fall to, and the Devil choke you an you spare.

 

He vanishes.

 

The POPE, astonished, looks around for the source of the voice.

 

                             THE POPE

          How now, who’s that which spake?  Friars,

          look about.

 

A FRIAR lifts the tablecloth, looks underneath.

 

                             FRIAR      

          Here’s nobody, if it like your Holiness.

 

Pause.  The POPE clears his throat.  Continues.

 

                             THE POPE

          My lord, here is a dainty dish was sent me from

          the Bishop of Milan.

 

FAUSTUS reappears and snatches the dish.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          I thank you, sir.

 

He vanishes again.

 

                             THE POPE

          How now, who’s that which snatched the meat

          from me?   Will no man look?

 

But the GUARDS can find no one.  The POPE recovers himself.

 

                             THE POPE

          My lord, this dish was sent me from the

          Cardinal of Florence.

 

FAUSTUS reappears, grabs the dish, swallows the contents down.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          You say true, I’ll ha’t.

 

And disappears again.

 

                             THE POPE

          What, again!

                    (to the CARDINAL)

          My lord, I’ll drink to your Grace.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (reappearing)

          I’ll pledge your grace.

 

He snatches the goblet, gargles down the wine, and is gone again.

 

 

                             THE CARDINAL OF LORRAINE

                    (to the POPE)

          My lord, it may be some ghost newly crept out

          of Purgatory come to beg a pardon of your

          holiness.

 

                             THE POPE

          It may be so.  Friars, prepare a dirge to lay

          the fury of the ghost.  Once again, my lord,

          fall to.

 

The POPE crosses himself, takes up his fork.

 

                             FAUSTUS’ VOICE

          What, are you crossing of yourself?

          Well, use that trick no more, I would advise you.

 

GENERAL CONFUSION.

The POPE crosses himself again.

The others follow suit.

 

                             FAUSTUS’ VOICE

          Well, that’s the second time.  Aware the

          third, I give you fair warning.

 

The POPE crosses himself again.

FAUSTUS appears, hits the POPE over the head with the goblet.  Vanishes.

 

PANDEMONIUM.

 

All at the table jump up and run out the door.

 

Pause.  FAUSTUS reappears.  He looks bored.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS eats an apple he plucks from the mouth of

a suckling pig.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (discontented)

          Come on, Mephistophilis.  What shall we

          do now?

 

                    MEPHISTOPHILIS

          Nay, I know not.  We shall be cursed with bell,

          book, and candle.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (laughs)

          How!  Bell, book, and candle, candle, book, and bell.

          Forward and backward to curse Faustus to hell!

 

The doors swing open, and the FRIARS, MONKS, BISHOPS, CARDINALS and THE POPE process in, in full regalia, holding GOLD CROSSES, INCENSE CENSERS, MISSALS, BURNING CANDLES, etc.

 

All chant the RITE OF EXORCISM.

 

                             ALL PRIESTS

          Cursed be he that stole away His Holiness’s meat

                    from the table —  maledicat dominus!

          Cursed be he that took away His Holiness’s wine —

                    maledicat dominus!

Cursed be he that struck His Holiness a blow on

                    the face — maledicat dominus!

Cursed be he that disturbeth our holy dirge —

                    maledicat dominus!  Et omnes sancti!

           Amen.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS hands FAUSTUS a CREAM PIE.

 

FAUSTUS aims at the CARDINAL OF LORRAINE and lets fly.

 

The PIE hits the CARDINAL full on the face.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS appears by the CARDINAL, hands him a PIE.

 

The CARDINAL, thinking a MONK was responsible, throws the PIE

at him.  The MONK ducks.  The PIE hits the BISHOP.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS provides PIES FOR ALL.

 

As the POPE protests, the BISHOPS, CARDINALS, MONKS, and FRIARS join in a free for all.

 

A PIE hits the POPE.  He joins in the mad melee of pie throwing.

 

PIE PANDEMONIUM.

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS, laughing, leave unseen.

 

 

EXT.  THE CLOCK TOWER

 

The REPORTER continues her report to CAMERA.

 

                             REPORTER

          Faustus’s fame spread forth in every land…

 

 

EXT.  HILLTOP MANSION – LOS ANGELES

 

Fantastic view of LOS ANGELES, all the way to the ocean. 

 

FAUSTUS suns himself poolside, drinking a MAI TAI.  The DEVIL BATHING BEAUTIES wait on him hand and foot.

 

The TWO DEVILS pace the background, talking on their CELL PHONES.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS’ CELL PHONE rings.  He answers, hands it to FAUSTUS.

 

                             REPORTER’S VOICE

          Amongst the rest, the Emperor is one…

 

 

EXT. A ROAD IN AN IDYLLIC WINTER SNOW STORM

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS, wrapped in furs, ride on BLACK HORSES. 

 

They wave to CHEERING CROWDS OF MANY LANDS.

 

FAUSTUS wears a BACKPACK filled with his souvenirs.

 

                             REPORTER’S VOICE

          …Carolus the Fifth, at whose palace now

          Faustus is feasted ‘mongst his noblemen.

 

UP AHEAD – A BREAK IN THE SNOWFALL

 

And the ENORMOUS PALACE OF THE EMPEROR CAROLUS is revealed.

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS ride towards it.

 

                             REPORTER’S VOICE

          What there he did in trial of his art,

          I leave untold, your eyes shall see performed.

 

 

CUT TO —

 

 

INT.  THE EMPEROR’S PALACE

 

CAMERA CREWS filming the most luxurious and imperial palace imaginable.

 

The EMPEROR and his PREGNANT EMPRESS hold court from TWO HIGH THRONES, set beneath a GIANT CLOCK.

 

COURTIERS, NOBLES, SERVANTS abound.

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS ride their HORSES into the great hall.

 

The COURT applauds as they dismount.  LACKEYS run to lead their HORSES away.

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS shrug off their furs into the waiting arms of SERVANTS.

 

They are dressed like SIEGFRIED AND ROY.   Very wealthy, sequined entertainers, accustomed to performing before the highest of the land.

 

The EMPEROR addresses FAUSTUS.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Master Doctor Faustus, I have heard strange

          report of your knowledge in the black art —

          how that none in my empire, nor in the

          whole world, can compare with thee for

          the rare effects of magic.

 

FAUSTUS bows.

 

                             EMPEROR

          They say thou has a familiar spirit by

whom thou canst accomplish what

          thou list.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS bows.

 

                             EMPEROR
          This, therefore, is my request: that thou

          let me see some proof of thy skill, that

          mine eyes may be witnesses to confirm what

          mine ears have heard reported.

 

The COURT APPLAUDS.

 

FAUSTUS bows.

 

A SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON FAUSTUS.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (in a booming voice)

          My gracious sovereign, though I must

          confess myself far inferior to the report

          men have published, and nothing answerable

          to the honour of your Imperial Majesty,

          yet, for that love and duty binds me thereunto,

          I am content to do whatsoever your Majesty

          shall command me.

 

The COURT APPLAUDS again.

 

The EMPEROR holds up a hand for silence.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Then, Doctor Faustus, mark what I shall say.

 

Dramatic pause.

The COURT waits, expectant.

 

                             EMPEROR

          As I was sometime solitary set

          Within my closet, sundry thoughts arose

          About the honour of mine ancestors —

 

The COURT applauds.

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS bow.

 

                             EMPEROR

          How they had won by prowess such exploits,

          Got such riches, subdued so many kingdoms,

          As we that do succeed or they that shall

          Hereafter possess our throne shall,

          I fear me, never attain to that degree

          Of high renown and great authority.

 

The COURT murmurs “no, no,” and praise for the modesty of

the EMPEROR.

 

FAUSTUS and MEPHISTOPHILIS bow again.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Amongst which kings is ALEXANDER THE GREAT!

 

The COURT applauds this with extra enthusiasm.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Chief spectacle of the world’s pre-eminence,

          The bright shining of whose glorious acts

          Lightens the world with his reflecting beams —

          As when I hear but mention made of him

          It grieves my soul I never saw the man.

         

The COURT murmurs with sympathy. 

 

It is indeed very sad that their EMPEROR never met ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

 

The EMPEROR holds his hand up one more time for silence.

 

                             EMPEROR

          If, therefore, by the cunning of thy art

          Canst raise this man from hollow vaults below

          Where lies entombed this famous conqueror,

          And bring with him his beauteous paramour…

 

The COURT buzzes with excitement.

 

                             EMPEROR 

          Both in their right shapes, gestures, and attire

          They used to wear during their time of life,

          Thou shalt both satisfy my just desire

          And give me cause to praise thee while I live.

 

Even more APPLAUSE.  It dies down, and the COURT waits, expectant, for FAUSTUS’ REPLY.

 

He does not disappoint them.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          My gracious lord, I am ready to accomplish

          your request, so far forth as by art and power

          of my spirit I am able to perform.

 

He pauses dramatically. 

 

                             FAUSTUS

But if it like your Grace, it is not in my

          ability to present before your eyes the true

          substantial bodies of those deceased princes

          which are long since consumed to dust.

 

Disappointed murmurs from the COURT.

The EMPEROR and EMPRESS look concerned.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (in ringing tones)

          BUT SUCH SPIRITS AS CAN RESEMBLE

          ALEXANDER AND HIS PARAMOUR SHALL

          APPEAR BEFORE YOUR GRACE, IN THAT

          MANNER THAT THEY BEST LIVED IN, IN

          THEIR MOST FLOURISHING ESTATE…!

 

The COURT laughs, APPLAUDS.

 

The EMPEROR and EMPRESS beam and applaud.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (continues more modestly)

          Which I doubt not shall sufficiently content

          your Imperial Majesty.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Go to, Master Doctor, let me see them presently!

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (with a dramatic gesture)

          Mephistophilis, be gone!

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS vanishes.

 

The COURT GASPS.

 

Pause.  All that can be heard is the GIANT CLOCK TICKING.

 

Then, BEAUTIFUL MUSIC fills the hall.

 

All look around for its mysterious source.

 

And MEPHISTOPHILIS reappears, and with a sweeping gesture, introduces the TWO SPIRITS who materialize in front of him.

 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT and his paramour, ROXANA.

 

The EMPRESS, delighted at this, clasps her hands in excitement.

 

The COURT, amazed, applauds.

 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT and ROXANA parade up and down

the hall.

 

The EMPEROR, greatly impressed, rises from his throne, and escorts the EMPRESS down to a place closer to the SPIRITS.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Master Doctor, I heard this lady while she

          lived had a wart or mole on her neck.  How

          shall I know whether it be so, or not?

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (with great showmanship)

          Your Highness may boldly go and see.

 

The EMPEROR hesitates, but the EMPRESS urges him on.

He goes to the spirit ROXANA, and pulls back her hair.

 

He falls back, amazed.

 

The EMPRESS leads the COURT in APPLAUSE.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Sure these are no spirits, but the true

          substantial bodies of those two deceased

          princes!

 

FAUSTUS claps his hands, and ALEXANDER THE GREAT

and ROXANA pause for one last wave to the COURT.

 

Then they shimmer, dissolve, and disappear.

 

WILD APPLAUSE.

 

The EMPEROR goes to FAUSTUS, embraces him.

 

                             EMPEROR

          Believe me, Master Doctor, this merriment

          hath much pleased me.  Expect a bounteous

          reward!

 

This is FAUSTUS’ apotheosis.  But he is not finished yet.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          My gracious lord, I am glad it contents you

          so well.

 

He turns to the EMPRESS, who still giddily applauds him,

 

                             FAUSTUS

          But it may be, madam, that you take no delight

          in this.

 

The EMPEROR and the COURT laugh at this witticism.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Therefore, I pray you tell me what is the

thing you most desire to have?  Be it in

the world, it shall be yours.  I have heard

that great-bellied women do long for things

          that are rare and dainty.

 

                             EMPRESS

          Thanks, good Master Doctor.  And, for I

          see your courteous intent to pleasure me,

          I will not hide from you the thing my heart

          desires.  And were it now summer, as it is

          January, and the dead time of winter, I

          would desire no better meat than a dish

          of ripe grapes.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Alas, madam, that’s nothing.

                    (with GESTURE)

          Mephistophilis, be gone!

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS exits with a whoosh, and reappears immediately, holding a PLANT POT and STICK.

 

He gives the STICK to FAUSTUS, who displays it to the COURT,

and then, with many mysterious gestures, sticks it in the dirt of the PLANT POT.

 

He waves his hand.  The STICK bursts into a GRAPEVINE that grows and spills out of the PLANT POT into the hall.

 

GRAPES appear, growing in cascades down the vine.

 

As the COURT watches, enthralled, the GRAPES ripen.

 

More APPLAUSE.  The EMPEROR is delighted.

 

FAUSTUS picks the finest bunch of GRAPES, and, with a flourish, offers them to the EMPRESS.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          How do you like them, madam?

          Be they good?

 

                             EMPRESS

          Believe me, Master Doctor, they be the best

          grapes that e’er I tasted in my life before!

 

FAUSTUS

I am glad they content you so, madam.

 

                             EMPEROR

                    (to the EMPRESS)

          Come, madam, let us in,

          Where you must well reward this learned man

          For the great kindness he hath showed to you.

 

                             EMPRESS

          And so I will, my lord, and whilst I live

          Rest beholding for this courtesy.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (bowing)

          I humbly thank your Majesty.

 

                             EMPRESS

          Come, Master Doctor, follow us, and receive

          your reward.

 

FAUSTUS follows the EMPEROR and EMPRESS up the thrones, where COURTIERS appear, staggering under lavish gifts.

 

As the CAMERA CREWS film, the COURTIERS heap these upon FAUSTUS, filling his BACK PACK to overflowing.

 

Waves and waves of applause.  FAUSTUS bows over and over again.

 

TILT UP TO THE CLOCK ABOVE THE THRONE.

 

It ticks away.  Hands set at 1 o’clock.

 

As the IMAGE OF THE CLOCK DISSOLVES —

 

ANOTHER HUGE CLOCK APPEARS IN ITS PLACE.

 

The REPORTER’S VOICE is heard.

 

                             REPORTER’S VOICE

          When Faustus had with pleasure ta’en the view

          Of rarest things and royal courts of kings,

          He stayed his course and so returned home…

 

TILT DOWN – TO REVEAL A SINGLE THRONE UNDER THE CLOCK

 

FAUSTUS sits there, alone.  He has aged twenty years or more.

 

PULL BACK TO REVEAL —

 

 

The luxury of the palace hall.   SOUVENIRS and TREASURES

from around the world litter every surface.

 

This is FAUSTUS’ PALACE.  Even grander than that of the EMPEROR.

 

A BANQUET TABLE laden with lavish food and drink indicate that GUESTS are expected.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS stands by the door.

 

The REPORTER, microphone in hand, moves into frame.

 

                             REPORTER

          Where such as bear his absence but with grief —

          I mean his friends and nearest companions —

          Did gratulate his safety with kind words.

 

FAUSTUS inclines his head, and MEPHISTOPHILIS throws open

the door.

 

SCHOLAR #1, SCHOLAR #2, SCHOLAR #3, CORNELIUS, and VALDES enter, exclaim with wonder at the palace as the CAMERA CREW films their reactions.

 

They investigate the contents of the hall, amazed.

 

None are older than when we saw them last.

 

The SCHOLARS, astonished at the change in FAUSTUS, murmur about this among themselves.

 

FAUSTUS comes down from his throne to greet his guests.

 

PAN UP TO THE CLOCK – THE HANDS MOVE FAST THROUGH

THE HOUR

 

 

PAN DOWN TO THE GREAT HALL

 

The REPORTER continues her broadcast in the FOREGROUND.

 

Behind her — FAUSTUS entertains his GUESTS, through a multi-course meal, with his learning and wit.  All in SPEEDED-UP MOTION.

 

                            

REPORTER

          And in their conference of what befell,         

          Touching his journey through the world and air,

          They put forth questions of astrology,

          Which Faustus answered with such learned skill

          As they admired and wondered at his wit.

 

FAUSTUS makes a pronouncement; the GUESTS applaud.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS passes the port.

 

The SCHOLARS confer among themselves, goad SCHOLAR #1 to make a request.

 

                             SCHOLAR #1

                    (clears his throat nervously)

          Master Doctor Faustus, since our conference

          about fair ladies, which was the beautifullest

          in all the world, we have determined with

          ourselves that Helen of Greece was the

          admirablest lady that ever lived.

 

                             SCHOLAR #2

          Therefore, Master Doctor, if you will do us that

          favour as to let us see that peerless dame

          of Greece whom all the world admires for

          majesty…

 

                             SCHOLAR #3

          …we should think ourselves much beholden unto

          you.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Friends.

          For that I know your friendship is unfeigned,

          And FAUSTUS’ custom is not to deny

          The just requests of those that wish him well,

          You shall behold that peerless dame of Greece,

          No otherways for pomp and majesty

          Than when Sir Paris crossed the seas with her

          And brought the spoils to rich…

 

FAUSTUS’ flow of eloquence suddenly fails him.  He can’t remember what he was going to say.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS, passing by, prompts him.                     

 

                             MEPHISTOPHILIS

          Dardania.

 

 

                             FAUSTUS

          And brought the spoils to rich DARDANIA!

 

SCHOLARS and CORNELIUS and VALDES ooh and aaah.

 

FAUSTUS gestures to MEPHISTOPHILIS, who goes up to the throne’s dais, and pulls a WARDROBE onto CENTRE STAGE.

 

Music sounds.

 

                             FAUSTUS

                    (to his GUESTS)

          Be silent, then, for danger is in words.

 

All watch.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS, dressed as a MAGICIAN, pulls out a TOP HAT, dons it.

 

With a gesture, he flings open the WARDROBE DOOR.

 

It is empty.

 

He shuts the wardrobe, and makes a pass with his hands in front

of it.

 

He opens the wardrobe.

 

HELEN OF TROY steps from it.

 

The GUESTS gasp, as MEPHISTOPHILIS helps her down.

 

Wearing a spangled tutu, she pirouettes.  HELEN OF TROY is indeed beautiful.

 

                             SCHOLAR #2

          Too simple is my wit to tell her praise

          Whom all the world admires for majesty.

 

                             SCHOLAR #3

          No marvel through the angry Greeks pursued

          With ten years’ war the rape of such a queen.

 

                             SCHOLAR #1

          Whose heavenly beauty passeth all compare.

 

 

From his TOP HAT, MEPHISTOPHILIS produces ROSES and WHITE DOVES, which float around HELEN.

 

As the GUESTS watch, amazed, MEPHISTOPHILIS turns the WARDROBE on its side.  It becomes a COFFIN.  He helps HELEN

into this.  Shows her feet extending from one end, her head from the other.

 

Producing a SAW, MEPHISTOPHILIS SAWS HELEN IN HALF.

 

He opens the hinged coffin to show the EMPTY SPACE between her two halves.

 

Puts the halves together again.  Waves a hand.  Opens the coffin.

 

And HELEN OF TROY jumps out, whole and more beautiful than ever.

 

She bows to the GUESTS.

 

TILT UP TO THE CLOCK – as we hear the ‘ooooohs’ and ‘aaaaaahs’

of the GUESTS.

 

THE CLOCK HANDS MOVE FORWARD.

 

TILT DOWN TO THE HALL

 

FAUSTUS says goodbye to his GUESTS.

 

As they leave, MEPHISTOPHILIS hands them their coats.

 

                             CORNELIUS

          Since we have seen the pride of Nature’s works…

 

                             VALDES

          …And only paragon of excellence…

 

                             CORNELIUS

          …Let us depart, and for this glorious deed…

 

                             ALL

          …Happy and blessed be Faustus evermore.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Good friends, farewell; the same I wish to you.

 

The GUESTS depart.

 

FAUSTUS looks at the empty hall.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS watches him, concerned.   He lights a cigarette, smokes, as FAUSTUS walks heavily to his throne.

 

FAUSTUS, expressionless, sits on the throne.

 

The only sound is the ‘TICK, TICK, TICK’ of the clock.

 

FAUSTUS, restless, can’t settle.  He gets up from the throne. 

Goes to where the magic show took place.  Picks up a SPANGLE dropped from Helen’s tutu, puts it in his pocket.

 

Tick.  Tick.  Tick…

 

He takes a turn, looking at his SOUVENIRS and TREASURES. 

A huge collection of SNOW SCENES, a TREE of BASEBALL CAPS, CALCULATORS, ANTIQUE ABACUSES, SLIDE RULES, MOBILE PHONES, GLOBAL POSITIONING DEVICES, etc.

 

Tick.  Tick.  Tick…

 

Finally, he can’t stand it anymore.  Picking up his BACKPACK,

he goes to the door.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS looks a question.

 

                             FAUSTUS

          Now, Mephistophilis, the restless course

          That time doth run with calm and silent foot,

          Short’ning my days and thread of vital life,

          Calls for the payment of my latest years.

                    (pause)

          Therefore, sweet Mephistophilis, let us make haste

          To Wittenberg.

 

He goes out.

 

MEPHISTOPHILIS stubs out his cigarette and follows.

 

 

Filed Under: Screenplays.

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