21. Adram's Folly - Eric

Recommended listening/viewing for this script - Hope Sandoval's "Butterfly Mornings" and Hope Sandoval's "The Drop."

FADE IN:

EXT. FIELD MARKET-DAY

A market place bustles with activity. A wide field’s beautiful but unkempt flowers and weeds droop towards the market place. They seem to either guard it or surround it like weary soldiers.

Dust-laden Caravans nestle themselves in the field among the carts and little thatched huts. The throng of merchants has set up shop in two rows, inadvertently creating a narrow road between them that seems to stretch on forever. They display all kinds of exotic goods: blown glassware, shiny trinkets, strange, colorful fruit, and odd-looking animals. Several Gypsies perform magic tricks-lightening sparkles from one hand, while another has a strange glow about her. From time to time she becomes translucent. Several Pucks whistle out an enchanting melody on a flute. Iridescent birds flutter from shop to shop and hang on the same chains with the trinkets.

ADRAM, a disheveled, weather-beaten man, wearing only a long, tattered, leather tunic trudges his way through the field. A heavy burlap sack is slung over his shoulder, and looks more like it is carrying him, than he it. He is panting heavily and hunched over, but finally makes his way to a shop. A sign over the shop reads: ALL LIFE’S NEEDS MYSTIC MYRIA’S SCARABS. Adram lets the burlap sack fall to his side like a heavy anchor. He is oblivious for the moment that MYRIA is peering at him.

She is a tall, slender woman with pointy features and bright, violet EYES. A faint, red aura seems to exude from her. Although she is beautiful, her facial features and body seem to point accusingly at the passersbys.

MYRIA
My, you look famished! Gremel! Don’t just stand there you nincompoop!
Make yourself useful and prepare this man some food!

GREMEL scuffles around the corner, he is a short, red-bearded dwarf with a stout nose that dares you to look at it. He is carrying a plate full of potatoes, steaming slices of meet in glittering sauce and various, sumptuous vegetables. He holds out the plate, more like a weapon than an offering.

Adram doesn’t look at Gremel or anything else but the PLATE of food. He immediately seizes it and shovels handfuls of food into his mouth. He looks like a starved animal; bits of food smear his face, and drop on his tunic. After he is finished Gremel shoves a cloth at him and impatiently waits for him to grab it and clean his face. Abram is moving slower and slower, his eyes slowly close and then open again upon hearing his name.

MYRIA
Wake up now dear, we can’t have any intoxicated patrons.
The guards will come.

ADRAM stumbles forward, unable to hold himself up. An angry Gremel hoists him up on his shoulder and carries him around the wood stand to the back of the shop. He flops Abram down on a quilt like dirty rags; feathers flutter out of its side like little, white butterflies.

MYRIA
I told you to go easy on the glitter sauce,
now this scoundrel is plum out of it!
He doesn’t even know where he is!

GREMEL
Sorry Madame. I’m still trying to get used to the proper dosage.
I didn’t take into account that he was already famished and weary.

MYRIA sighs, and rolls her eyes. She grabs a metal pail from a corner, dodging the red, beaded curtains that sway like snakes. She dips the bucket in a metal troth and splashes it on ADRAM. He comes to, but his eyes roll in the back of his head and he is nodding on and off.

MYRIA
Wake up, my intoxicated friend. You came to buy wares and I’m here to sell them.
I have other customers so I can’t have you nodding out on me.
Quickly, tell me what you seek.

ADRAM
I seek five things, Madam. But what I cannot recall,
for I feel I am walking around in someone else’s dream.

MYRIA
My, my, Gremel. Maybe you didn’t do such a bad job.
Okay, Sir, do you have any family?

ADRAM (slowly)
Yes… my wife left me forlorn and empty, where she’s gone I cannot say.
I have to raise my son alone and our cattle and pets; they’re dying every day.
I think I am cursed beyond help. All my fortune is lost to dust,
my beloved friends have abandoned my trust.

MYRIA leans her head to the side. Her hand cradles her chin in pensive thought. Gremel is sweeping the floor and preparing lunch.

MYRIA
Hmmm…Perhaps I can work with this. You have a son to raise on your own.
And your wife left you. Your friends have abandoned you,
and all of your cattle and pets are dying. You are penniless.
You are a mess, my friend. But I think I have the remedy.
I know just the Scarabs that can fix you up.

Myria walks to an atrium in the back. We see thousands of little scarabs buzzing around like June bugs with hives similar to honeybees’ nests. They seems to form a rainbow as they swirl around, each Scarab is a unique color and shade. Myria walks over with a plastic case and a small butterfly net. She swoops methodically at the Scarabs, swaying smoothly like a dance. Seconds later we see five Scarabs in her net colored: emerald green, light red, violet, gold, and white. She empties the net into the case.

Myria walks over to Adram, who is still groggy and places the case of scarabs at his feet.

MYRIA
That will be 5,000 Forints.

Adram stares at her, like a lame animal. Drool runs from either corner of his mouth. He searches his pockets and pulls out a satchel of coins. He empties them into her hands. She counts them, and looks displeased.

MYRIA (haughty)
Is this some kind of joke?
There’s only two crowns here.
I’ll need three more!

Adram stares at her blankly. Myria calls Gremel to search his pockets and his burlap sack. He drops the broom hastily and sighs as he walks over to Abram, who seems to be oblivious to everything. He seems unaware that he is being shook down. After turning his pockets inside out to reveal nothing, he opens the burlap sack. Inside the sack is a young BEAGLE. He is skinny and sickly looking. There are also a few tinned rations of food.

MYRIA
Great! Just great! What are we going to do with this sickly mutt?
Hmm…Very well, we shall have to take something from Adram.
Get the equipment ready.

Gremel walks to a glass hutch and takes out several sharp knives. A swelled flower, similar to a poppy is dripping resin. Gremel takes the bulb and the tools and walks over to Adram. He turns Abram’s head up, and squeezes the resinous bulb into his mouth. Amber goop seeps into his mouth. He falls unconscious. Gremel takes Adram’s tunic off and leans him back on the quilt. He begins making harsh cuts on the left side of his chest.

EXT. FIELD-MORNING

Adram is lying on the ground, in the middle of the flowered field where so many merchants stood the day before. He slowly stirs and sits upright, holding his head. He looks down at a STUMP, where is hand once was. He yelps, and bleaches white. He unbuttons his tunic and notices a large SCAR where his heart should be. He is crying. WORBEL barks, and crawls from the burlap sack, licking his wounds. Adram smiles, and hugs Worbel.

He stands up and leafs through the sack, opening the tin of rations. He shares it with Worbel, letting him eat and lick from the same container. Although sick, Worbel seems to be resilient and lively. He yelps, and spins in circles.

ADRAM
Worbel, what did we do last night?
It is but a faint shooting star in my memory.

Worbel barks five times.

ADRAM (embracing Worbel)
Oh, so that’s what we did.

ADRAM leafs through the sack again and finds the glass case with the colorful Scarabs. Pinned on top is a parchment. He unrolls it and begins reading: Red is for passion, for your long lost wife, Gold is for fortune you need the most, Green is for healing your cattle’s life, Violet is for charisma, for all that you lack, White is to remove the curse that haunts you like a ghost. Feed them for all your life’s needs to the one that lacks, and he will be given.

He begins to open the case, but then hesitates. He places it back in the sack. After he is finished eating.

We see ADRAM slowly walking out of the field across a plain that becomes desert; Worbel trails eagerly behind.

EXT. DESERT-NIGHT

Adram leafs through the sack and pulls out a long, yellow candle. Its wick slowly grows several feet, like a snake winding its way across a desert. He manages to muster out a few sparks that suddenly die, but eventually lights the long wick. They huddle around the candle and rub their hands together, gathering warmth. Adram opens another tin of food and they eat. A few minutes later they lie down and close their EYES.

Several minutes later, a Scorpafly burrows up through a tiny hole in the desert sand. It stealthfully flys to the sack and crawls inside. It boroughs its way through the case and stings the Scarabs with its scorpion tail. The Scarabs are seemingly unharmed by the sting, but they begin to transpose their colors. The Scorpafly snickers briefly, and then retreats back into the sand.

EXT. DESERT-MORNING

Adram wakes, sitting up slowly. He moistens his hand with spit and puts out the wick of the candle. He wraps it in the sack and grabs a tin ration from the bag. There is only one other left. He opens the tin and shares it with Worbel, who looks even more sickly than before. His fur is matted and mangy, his eyes have a yellowish tint.

ADRAM
What troubles have we fallen in, my dear friend?
Only one ration left. I’m afraid we’re at our journey’s end.
No fear my dear Worbel, we have Scarabs, they will ease our trouble.

Worbel squeaks and yelps as he opens the sack. Adram pulls out the Scarab CASE and parchment. He reads the parchment, and grabs the Scarab that has become GREEN. He calls for Worbel, who is evading him. Worbel is shaking his head, and posturing Adram. He finally seizes Worbel and shoves the live Scarab down his throat. Worbel whines and rolls over obediently.

They began, once again to slowly walk across the desert. Several dervishes start to form. Thick gusts of sand, as dense as a severe shower, pelt Adram and Worbel. They take shelter behind a rock, holding the sack over their heads to block out the sand. Several minutes later all kinds of animals appear. A large elephant hoists Worbel up on his back with his trunk and then does the same with Adram. Thick vultures collect on Worble and Adram, forming a dense armor, shielding them from the desert sand. Hundreds of birds flock by their side, and circle above them. Hundreds of other animals trail behind them, wolves, lions, bears, camels and even insects. It looks like a long parade.

ADRAM
What madness is this, Worbel? Is this a blessing or a curse?
No, it’s a blessing, nothing can get worse.
They have blocked the desert storm from us.

Worbel is still sick, but we see a change in his mood. His tongue is out, and he seems to be smiling. He yelps from time to time and licks Adram’s stump. They continue their journey across the desert and finally make their way to a grassland. They finally make their way to a village, all the animals are still trailing behind. Several villagers gather at the sight. They are knee high in water; the village is flooded. To the side of the village hundreds of workers are shoveling away, and building dams, to irrigate. A few drop from exhaustion. Some guards appear, holding spears out front. Adram raises his hands in peace and dismounts from the elephant, falling to the ground. He finally steadies himself, and slowly rises. He is sickly and pale. He is skinny and there are dark circles under his eyes.

GUARD
And what shall ye be?

ADRAM
I am but a hero, who has lost his way. I’m tired and starving.
I have been traveling night and day.
To remove this curse and win back my life.
To get back my heart, stole by knife.

GUARD
Curse, we want nothing to do with the likes of a curse.
And why do you speak in rhymes, boy? It is rather annoying.

ADRAM
It’s part of the curse.
My friends have left my wife has left and I’ve no money in my purse!
I beseech you dear guard, I ask only for food and shelter and a bath in a copper pot.
My life has become so strange and hard.

GUARD (pointing at the workers)
You just told me you’ve no money fool.
I’m not running a poorhouse here, there’s plenty of work to do.

ADRAM (panting)
I’m too wearied and famished for to work,
but I have in my bag a gold remedy, let me look.

The guards with spears surround him as he leafs through his sack. When he pulls out the case of Scarabs they gasp and leap back. The crowd slowly moves backward, away from Adram. He pulls out the SCARAB that has become gold and eats it. Several villagers gag at the sight. Suddenly, Adram grows in height, some three or four feet. He has turned from pale to tan, and is livid with energy. A medley of shock and bewilderment, and joy materializes on his face, as he digs through his pockets, only to find them empty. He frowns.

GUARD
What madness is this? What kind of witchcraft do you meddle in?
You have no gold you fool! Off with you!

Several guards swarm Adram. Adram ignores them ad nonchalantly lifts the giant elephant with one hand over his head. The guards retreat and gasp. He walks over to the irrigation workers and grabs a shovel. He is working so fast he becomes a blur. Second by second he digs hundreds of feet, completing the irrigation line. The villagers are motionless statues, with mouths agape. Adram walks over to the guard and hands him the shovel.

GUARD
Err…uhh, well. Can I take back all those names I called ye?

EXT. VILLAGE-MORNING

Adram leaves the village. The Elephant carries a huge duffel on it’s back. Worbel rests on top of it. Adram is wearing a clean, shiny ring of mail and shiny leather breeches. He mounts a camel and is cordially escorted off by the guards. The village is dry and the villagers smile and wave goodbye to Adram and his caravan of animals. He leaves, waving goodbye.

ADRAM
Well, Worbel. It seems fate has turned its blind eye toward us once again.
I feel we shall make it to our journey’s end.
They told me where I shall find my lost love, she now lives in the village of Dove.

EXT. MARSHLAND, DOVE VILLAGE-TWIGHLIGHT

Adram and the caravan travel in a single line, finally coming to a marshland. The birds take shelter in willow trees, chirping happily. The village appears deserted. People shut their windows upon his arrival. There are no guards at the gate. Several thatched huts have fallen over. The FIELD outside is withered, and so are the villagers that appear to crawl out of wood shacks from time to time.

ADRAM dismounts from his camel and whistles for Worbel. He cautiously approaches the village gate, which looks like nothing more than varnished whicker tied together. He lifts the gate lock and walks through, calling for someone.

A withered lady, wearing a burqa, peers through slats in wood shutters.

MATILDA
What business have you here, stranger?

ADRAM
I come seeking Gloria, my long lost love.
I was told I could find her here in the city of Dove.

MATILDA (shaking her head, whispering to herself)
Thinks he a poet, phewie on you. Ahem…fine sir! I am she!
These are hard times sir, I bid you off, for we are under a plague.
We have no money for the cure, Dove is no longer the beautiful village it once was,
for we are accursed. We have no governor.

ADRAM
Do not fear, fair damsel. I think I have a cure for you in my satchel.
But you must eat a tiny bug.

MATILDA
What is this madness that you speak of?

ADRAM (pointing to the animals)
Do not doubt me, Gloria. Through high and low, I withstand.
I’ve even every beast in the field at my command.

WORBEL rolls his eyes and shakes his head. He points at himself with his paw. Matilda comes through the shack door and gasps in amazement at the throng of animals.

ADRAM (holding up the Scarab Case)
I have the cure for curses in this case,
I only ask that you share with me a piece.

He opens the case again after looking at the parchment. He grabs the SCARAB that has become white. He breaks it in two and splits it with Matilda. Moments later a dark cloud travels over the village. Matilda looks up at it and rolls her eyes, and sighs. It starts raining gold. Little coins pelt the village shacks and huts like raindrops. Several people peer through boarded windows and begin slowly walking outside. Moments later the village is alive with activity; people wrapped in rags and scarves pour out of their huts and begin colleting the gold. Adram reaches down and grabs handfuls, and places them in the bag.

MATILDA (embracing Adram)
You have saved us my dear sir!
This is a miracle from God.
You are truly a Holy man.

ADRAM (frowning)
But my love you are still withered.
What’s the use of a gold blizzard?

MATILDA
You nincompoop! We can afford the cure now!
The doctors will come swarming in here with all this gold.

Matilda and the villagers are swimming in gold, throwing it above their heads and relishing.

EXT. WOODLAND-SEVERAL DAYS LATER-MONRING

Matilda, still wearing her burqa sits behind Adram on the camel. Worbel is fatter and livelier; he runs back and forth on the elephants back. The elephant playful stops from time to time, and spurts guts of water on Worbel with his trunk. They are travling through the woodland. In the distance a small dwarf hides behind a tree. A bird breaks from the circle above the caravan and swoops on Worbels shoulder. It hops closer and closer to his ear, and leans forward, whispering something. Worbel barks and a moment later Adram halts the camel.

ADRAM
What is it Worbel?

WORBEL
Bark! Bark! Bark!

ADRAM
Oh, is he? Scoundrel, show yourself! I believe you have something of mine,
you stole it from me when I was drunk with your wine!
You are surrounded you little thief!

The red-bearded dwarf GREMEL, from the market shop peeks his head around the corner. He slowly comes out and bows.

GREMEL
Please, please. Have compassion on me!
I was bewitched by Myria, the same as you were.
She has used me up and thrown me out of her shop like a dirty husk.
I have no friends. No one wants a bearded dwarf working for them.
Especially a red-bearded one. Please, have compassion on me!
I have your heart and you hand.

ADRAM (haughty)
Very well, come forth, thief!

Gremel opens a satchel and holds out a beating heart. He opens the bag for Adram to see, and inside the bag is his hand. Gremel hands him the bag. Adram places his heart back inside his chest and puts the hand on the stump. Worbel barks and several amber- glowing salamanders crawl on his hand, little tongues flick at the stump. The crevice between his stump and hand glows brightly, and a moment later they are mended. He is overjoyed.

ADRAM
I know this witch you speak of is a devil.
She walks in shadows carrying a miasma,
but for your gratitude I bestow upon you the gift of charisma!

Adram opens his satchel and pulls out the Scarab case. Gremel’s eyes shine with life and disbelief. He hurries over to Adram and takes the Scarab that has become VIOLET. He quickly chews the living bug and swallows it.

GREMEL
Thank you, thank you great sire! You are truly kind and benevolent.
I shall have all the friends I will ever need. I shall never want for work again!

A moment later Gremel becomes starry-eyed. He stares contently at Adram. He bats his eyes.

GREMEL
My fairest king, how I love thee! May I ride with you?

ADRAM
Love, I think we should drop him off back at the city of Dove.
Sure, but you shall have to mount another camel,
or take your pick of any mammal.

Gremel looks taken back and reluctantly mounts another camel following Adram. The continue.

EXT. ADRAM’S VILLAGE OF CLEAVER-EVENING

ADRAM
Gloria! Worbel! We have arrived. Can you believe we have survived?
It’s been days and days. I want nothing more to rest and then love you in every way.

They dismount from the animals. Adram helps Matilda down. Gremel brushs the dust off of Adram’s tunic and begins combing Adram’s hair. Adram flinches and ushers him off. The animals wait outside the village. Adram holds Matilda’s hand as they walk through the village, followed by Worbel and Gremel. Everyone is motionless, staring at Adram. He finally makes his way to his hut.

In the hut ADRIANA, a round, gray-haired mother in law stands with her arms crossed. His frail, young son, Trevor sits at a table eating soup.

ADRIANA
And where, may I ask have you been traipsing off to!
You’ve been gone for days! And who is this harlot!

ADRAM
Mother mother, my eyes have seen things you cannot believe,
I’ve been working hard, there’s been no reprieve.
I’ve found Scarabs, they’re magical. I’m a hero.
I have my long lost love back, and all the animals I could ever handle.
Take this Scarab Gloria and eat it! It will bring our love back!

Adriana grabs a rolled parchment and begins beating Adram over the head with it. She grabs the Scarab from his hand.

ADRIANA
First of all this harlot is not Gloria! I don’t know who she is.
Gloria is in the back, suffering with consumption because you were too lazy to work!
She’s tired of your incessant rhyming. It’s enough to drive anyone mad!

Worbel nods. Gremel bats his eye lashes.

ADRIANA
That’s why I sent you off! To get a job, to find some kind of work.
Not going wandering the country side. This isn’t some Fairy tale, boy!

ADRAM
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how annoying the rhyming was.
You know I love Gloria. I went to the Mystic market to find work,
but I met this strange lady. They did all kinds of terrible things to me.
And these Scarabs, although they haven’t done any such thing there supposed to,
have served me well.

ADRIANA (softening)
I know my boy. I hoped you would come back with something,
that’s why I sent you. I know you love my daughter, but please.
I love you too, I just want you to be a hero here.
You don’t have to wear silly things like this (pointing to the ringmail).
You can be a hero here. I know you have it in you.
Now go on back there and see your wife. I think you have something for her.
And you, you little home wrecker, leave!
Not so fast little dwarf, I think I can put you to work. Do you mind baby-sitting?

Adriana holds out her hand, and a SCARAB that has become red crawls around her hand. Adram takes it and walks back to a bedroom. GLORIA is coughing. She is pale, and glistens with sweat. She has a pan next to her bed filled with bile and vomit. Adram embraces her and kisses her softly on the neck. He hands her the red SCARAB.

ADRAM
Please take this honey. It will restore the love we once had.
It has passion in it.

Gloria eats the Scarab. Moments later her skin regains a ruddy color. She is no longer sweating or coughing. A smile appears on her face. She is glowing with life. She hugs Adram.

GLORIA
Adram, what happened to you out there? You’re not rhyming anymore.
Oh, you’ve changed so much and I think I like it!

ADRAM
So many things have happened you would hardly believe me.
I can tell you all about it later. Let’s just say
that I’ve done a lot of thinking about us,
and I’m falling more and more in love with you
and being your hero that you need, at home.

INT. BEDROOM CHAMBER-NIGHT

Adriana sits in front of a crystal ball, and rubs it gently. Moments later, MYRIA’S face appears.

MYRIA (smiling)
Hello sister. I take it he finally made it back?

ADRIANA (smiling)
Indeed. And I have to say he’s changed. He didn’t have to do all of this.
We only needed the red Scarab. And he only needed to work and be a man,
and none of this would have ever happened to begin with.
By the way, were you ever planning on giving him back his heart?

MYRIA
Yes, yes. He has changed. This was a marvelous plan.
And, I never took his heart to begin with.

ADRIANA
Thank you. Thanks so much.
You’ve really changed everything for the better.

MYRIA
Nah, I was just furniture,
the lad deserves some credit don’t you think?

FADE OUT