10 Little Indians - SCRIPT - Part #6

VERA
I went back to the house. Then, before lunch, I went out again and up behind the house. I have been restless all day.

Wargrave stroked his chin.

WARGRAVE
There remains Rogers. Though I doubt his evidence will add anything to our sum of knowledge.

CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN – AFTERNOON

Rogers comes in with an arm load of firewood. He sets the firewood down next to a hatchet. Rogers goes from the kitchen into dining room. Rogers’s stops in the dining room there are only seven China Indian figures left.
Lightning crashes over and over as Rogers walks around the dining room table toward the living room.

WARGRAVE (V.O.)
Whilst probability in some cases is against certain people being implicated, yet we cannot say definitely that any one person can be considered cleared of all complicity. I reiterate my positive belief that of the seven persons assembled...Rogers stops when he reaches the living room door and lightning crashes again.
FADE TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING

It is evening and everyone has gathered into the living room. The living room is much larger and more elegant than the drawing room. A fire roars while the thunder and lightning continue outside. Wargrave continues talking to the group as if they are in a court of law.

WARGRAVE (Cont.)
…one of us is a dangerous and insane criminal. I would ask you all to consider this carefully and to give me any suggestions that may occur to you. In the meantime I warn everybody to be upon his or her guard.

LOMBARD (Murmuring)
The summoning will now take place.

WARGRAVE (Cont.)
Rogers are there still just the seven figures?

ROGERS
Yes Judge there were eight figures when I set the table this morning, now there are seven. Everyone looked at each other. Lombard leaned over to Vera again.

LOMBARD (Murmur)
The court will now adjourn.

Wargraves chin sinks down into his neck like a tortoise. Then the lightning crashed into darkness.
FADE TO:
EXT. TERRACE – EVENING

Vera and Lombard sit on the window sill in the drawing room. Outside the rain pours down and the wind howls in great shuddered gusts against the window panes.
VERA
Do you believe it?
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM WINDOW SILL – EVENING

Vera and Lombard sit close to one another. A fire crackles in the background.
LOMBARD
Yes.
VERA
Who do you think it is?

LOMARD
Well, I don't think it is you. I'd plump up for Wargrave!

VERA
Why?
LOMBARD
Hard to say exactly. But, I am sick of him holding court and playing God Almighty here.
VERA
I suppose that's possible. I think it is Armstrong.

LOMBARD
The doctor, eh? I would have put him last at all.

VERA
You’re sticking up for him?

LOMBARD
He would have had no time to kill Macarthur. There would have been no time.
VERA
What about when he went to get him for lunch?

LOMBARD
That is a clever idea of yours. I wonder…
CUT TO:
INT. MISS BRENTS BEDROOM – EVENING

Miss Brent had scratched the words 'the murderer's name is Beatrice Taylor'.
Miss Brent’s eyes grew vague and filmy. The wind whistled an eerie sound, a word, a name she thought to herself. Miss Brent looks towards the window.

MISS BRENT
What was the name?

Miss Brent looks back down at her notebook.

MISS BRENT (Cont.)
Why did I write that? I must be going mad........

CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING

The storm increased. The wind howled against the side of the house. The group was all together. They sat listlessly together. And, surreptitiously, they watched each other. Rogers enters with the tea tray as Miss Brent follows from behind.
ROGERS
Shall I draw the curtains? It would make it more cheerful-like.
Receiving an assent to this, the curtains were drawn. The room grew more cheerful. A little of the shadow seemed lifted from the group with lights on and curtains closed. Miss Brent sat and began looking for something in her knitting bag. Vera reaches for the tea pot.

VERA
Miss Brent would you pour out the tea?

MISS BRENT (Upset)
No you do it dear, that tea pot is so heavy. That is odd I had lost two skeins of gray knitting wool.
ROGERS (Upset)
Does anyone know what's become of the bathroom curtain? That is missing as well.

Lombard's head went up. Everyone became inquisitive.

ROGERS
It's gone. Clean vanished.

WARGRAVE
Was it there this morning?

ROGERS
Oh, yes, sir.

BLORE
What kind of curtain was it?

ROGERS
Scarlet oil silk, sir. It went with the scarlet tiles.

LOMBARD
And it is gone?

ROGERS
Gone sir.

Inside the room, the pall of fear had fallen anew as the storm thundered again. They continued to watch each other. Just then the large grandfather clock rang it was 9 o’clock. Miss Brent rose to her feet frustrated by her missing yarn.
MISS BRENT
I'm going to bed.

VERA
Me too.
LOMBARD
I do not need to remind you all to lock your doors.

WARGRAVE (Menacing grin)
Good night, gentlemen and ladies. May we all meet safely in the morning and no Indian tricks tonight.
ROGERS
Goodnight. I am going to set-up for breakfast.
Rogers left to set-up for breakfast. Everyone left the living room off to bed
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – EVENING

Rogers watched the women walk onto the landing towards their rooms. The men all followed and when they reached the landing the women’s doors locked in unison. Rogers locked up everything and put a key into his pocket. Rogers looked closely at the Indians on the dining room table. Happy to see another one was not missing then with a menacing grin thinks of something.

ROGERS (Quietly evil)
No more Indian tricks tonight? I will see to that…

FADE TO:
INT. HALLWAY – MORNING

Lombard knocked on Blore's door and looked at his watch nervously it reads twenty-five minutes to ten. Blore answered the door cautiously. Before Blore could say anything Lombard began a line of questions.

LOMBARD
Sleeping the clock round? Well, shows you have an easy conscience. Do you know the time? Have you seen Rogers?

BLORE
What do you mean?

LOMBARD
I mean I think Rogers is missing. Get dressed.
Lombard began knocking on other doors and waking up the other guests.

CUT TO:
INT. WARGRAVES ROOM - MORNING

Wargrave was in a deep sleep and woke to the banging noise at the door and the storm outside.

CUT TO:
INT. ARMSTRONGS ROOM – MORNING

Armstrong could hear the banging and finished dressing.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY – MORNING

Armstrong met Lombard out in the hall when Vera came out of her room from the commotion, but NO Emily Brent.

VERA (low voice - still not awake)
What's going on?

Lombard rushes past her quickly and she quickly follows.

LOMBARD
Rogers is missing.

VERA (low voice still/firm and assured)
You don't think he's -- hiding somewhere -- waiting for us?

Lombard said nothing heading towards the stairs to the lower level. Blore comes out of his room still buttoning up his jacket. Armstrong and Blore closely follow Lombard down the steps.

ARMSTRONG
He must be on the island somewhere.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – MORNING

As the three men came to the bottom of the steps the front door opened quickly. The wind caught it and slammed against the inside wall. There was a scream. It was Emily Brent. She had on a mackintosh.

MISS BRENT
The sea is as high as ever. I shouldn't think any boat could put out today.
BLORE
Have you been wandering about the island alone, Miss Brent? Don't you realize that that's and exceedingly foolish thing to do?

MISS BRENT
I assure you, Mr. Blore, that I kept an extremely sharp lookout.
The three men look at each other inquisitively.

BLORE (Grunting)
Have you seen Rogers?

MISS BRENT (Eyebrows rose)
Rogers? No, I haven't seen him this morning. Why?

Wargrave hopples down the steps to join them.

WARGRAVE (Interrupting)
Ha, laid the table for breakfast, I see.

LOMBARD
He did that last night.
Vera came down behind the judge and she screams. Everyone is caught off guard and looks toward Vera who is looking at the Indian centerpiece.

VERA
The Indians look!

There are only six China Indians left on the table another one broken off by the stemmed feet.
CUT TO:
EXT. LITTLE WASH HOUSE – MORNING

The wash house door creaks back and forth in the wind storm. Lombard holds open the door so that the rest of the group can see. Rogers lay on the ground next to a pile of chopping sticks with a small chopper in his hand. The same chopper he had in the kitchen. A bigger chopper, a heavy affair, was leaning against the door -- the metal of it stained a dull brown and red. It corresponded only too well with the deep wound in the back of Roger's head.
VERA lets out a scream! The group stared uncomprehendingly at her. It was as if this sane, well-balanced girl had gone mad before their eyes.

VERA (Unnatural voice)
Don't stare at me like that! Do you not all see what is going on? Have none of you read that idiotic rhyme? It's up in all your bedrooms -- put there for you to study! We may have come here straightaway if we'd had sense. 'Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks.' (PAUSE - unnerving). Well, you know the next verse, but I know the whole thing by heart, I tell you! The next part 'Six little Indian boys playing with a hive. So, where is the hive? Do they keep bees on the island? Isn't it funny? -- Isn't it damn funny? Vera laughed wildly again. Dr. Armstrong rode forward. He raised a hand and struck her a flat blow on the cheek. She gasped, hiccupped -- and swelled. She stood motionless a minute and controlled herself.

VERA (Calm)
Thank you.

Vera turned and went across the yard. Everyone watched her in a state of shock. Vera stopped and turned back to look at everyone. Vera touched her slapped cheek.
VERA
Miss Brent and I are getting you breakfast. Can you bring some sticks for the fire?
MISS BRENT (Surprised)
We are?
Miss Brent followed after Vera toward the house. Blore leaned over to Armstrong quietly.
BLORE
Well, you dealt with that didn't you doctor?
FADE TO:
INT. KITCHEN – MORNING

Vera stands over the stove and we can hear eggs frying. Vera appears mesmerized by the eggs and thinks to herself.

EGGS MORPH INTO ROCKS BY THE SEA:
EXT. SEA – AFTERNOON - DREAM

Vera can hear the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks and Cyril calling out to her.
CYRIL (Echo)
Miss Claythorne, watch me swim toward the rocks…

VERA (V.O.)
No Cyril…

ROCKS MORPH BACK INTO EGGS – BACK TO REALITY:
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING

Vera not paying attention the bacon and eggs are beginning to burn

VERA (to herself)
Cyril....Hugo....why did I make such a mistake....such a fool.....
MISS BRENT (Interrupting sharply)
Miss Claythorne, the bacon is burning!

VERA (Snapping out)
Oh, sorry, Miss Brent. How stupid of me.

The two continued to work on breakfast.

VERA
You're wonderfully calm, Miss Brent.

MISS BRENT (Pressed lips together)
I was brought up to keep my head and never make a fuss. Let’s bring in breakfast shall we?

CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – MORNING

Breakfast was a curious meal. Everyone was very polite, saying please and thank you, but also ignoring the missing China Indian figures. After they finished with breakfast Vera stood up and began clearing the table.

VERA
I'll clear away and wash up.

WARGRAVE (Clearing his throat)
It would be advisable; I think if we met to discuss the situation in the drawing room?

Everyone agreed. Miss Brent, rising to her feet, sat down quickly again.

MISS BRENT
Oh, dear?

WARGRAVE
Anything the matter, Miss Brent?

MISS BRENT
I just feel a bit giddy.

ARMSTRONG
Can I get you something?

MISS BRENT (Bursting)
NO!
Armstrong turns a flush red.

MISS BRENT
I will just sit here until the giddiness passes off.
Vera finished taking dishes into the kitchen. Miss Brent was left alone sitting in the dining room. She could hear a faint murmur of voices from the other room. Smiling, she realized the giddiness was passing. Feeling drowsy now, she could possibly go to sleep. There was a buzzing in her ears. Looking around she noticed a bee crawling up the window pane. Miss Brent focused on the bee intently until she heard a dripping sound, and a sound of footsteps behind her. A figure is behind her we cannot tell if it male or female.

MISS BRENT
Beatrice...

The buzzing sound came louder. She turned her head slightly. . . And then she feels the prick.
MISS BRENT
Oh…
The shadow of someone behind her disappears. Miss Brent’s eyes close. The bee is still on the window pane.
FADE TO:
INT. DRAWING ROOM – MORNING

In the drawing room the group waited for Miss Emily Brent. Vera stood up.

VERA
Shall I go fetch Miss Brent?

BLORE
Just a minute.

Vera sat down again. Everyone looked inquiringly at Blore.

BLORE
Look here, everybody, my opinion's this, and we needn't look farther for the author of these deaths than the dining room at this minute. I'd take my oath that woman's the one were after!

ARMSTRONG
Miss Brent? And the motive?

BLORE
Religious mania. What do you say, doctor?

ARMSTRONG
Perfectly possible. But we've no proof.

VERA
She told me the story of Beatrice Taylor. You all remember, the woman she was accused of killing on the gramophone. She was completely un-moved.

BLORE
Hearts as hard as flints, these righteous spinsters! Envy, mostly!
WARGRAVE
Summon Miss Brent. She should be here now.

BLORE
Are you going to take action?

WARGRAVE
I fail to see what action we can take. This is all suspicion. Let us now go into the dining room.

CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – MORNING

Blore swings open the doors to the dining room quickly to get Miss Brent’s attention. The group stops, and stands at the door to the dining room seeing Emily Brent in the chair in which they had left her. From behind they saw nothing amiss, except she did not seem to hear them enter. Then they saw her face, suffused with blood, with blue lips and starting eyes.

BLORE
My God, she's dead!

A bee walked out of Miss Brent’s mouth and flies past another Indian figure missing.
CUT TO:
INT. ARMSTRONGS BEDROOM – MORNING

The group stands in around watching Armstrong rummage through his case.

ARMSTRONG (Not surprised)
It is not here. Every doctor carries them, but, mine is missing.
VERA (Crying)
I saw the bee in the window. Remember what I said this morning.

WARGRAVE
So, you’re certain she was injected by a poison?

ARMSTRONG
She was with a hypodermic syringe, and mine is missing!

WARGRAVE (Interrupting)
I propose that the doctor's supply of drugs, my own sulphonal tablets, Lombard’s firearm and anything else in the nature of drugs or firearms should be collected together and placed in a safe place. Than we all submit to a search of our own persons and our effects.

LOMBARD
My revolver is in my room.
CUT TO:
INT. LOMBARDS ROOM – MORNING

The group stands in the room as Lombard open the drawer. There was no revolver in the drawer.
BLORE
It’s on you!

Everyone looked at Lombard who began stripping down to his skin and said nothing. Vera stepped out of the room. When he finally got down to his briefs and the other men checked the room without saying a word Lombard spoke.

LOMBARD
Satisfied? What about you?

BLORE
There is no reason for me to remove my clothes.
CUT TO:
INT. BLORE'S BEDROOM – MORNING
Everyone checked Blore's room.

CUT TO:
INT. VERA'S BEDROOM – MORNING
Then they check Vera's room.

CUT TO:
INT. WARGRAVE'S BEDROOM – MORNING
The group walks from Wargraves room directly to Armstrong's room.
CUT TO:
INT. ARMSTRONG'S BEDROOM – MORNING
When they finished checking Armstrong's room they all went to the hallway. By now it is afternoon.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - AFTERNOON
As the group leaves Armstrong’s room and he locks the door.

WARGRAVE
We should return to the drawing room.

VERA (Scared)
It scares me that we cannot find the revolver.

BLORE (Looking at Lombard)
Well, one of us knows where it is.

ARMSTRONG
It is time for lunch.
FADE TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - AFTERNOON

The group sat quietly eating lunch out of tin tongue and fruit. Their eyes looked at each other in fear and question. The wind, rain and thunder were the only sounds heard.
CUT TO:
EXT. ISLAND – AFTERNOON

The rain poured all over the island and the wind whipped waves as high as five to eight feet onto the rocks. The house seemed to move with the wind and light only came from a few drawing room windows.
CUT TO:
INT. DRAWING ROOM - AFTERNOON

The rain came pouring against the window. Five people -- five frightened people. Five people who watched each other, who now hardly troubled to hide their state of nervous tension. Armstrong agitated tries lighting a cigarette.
ARMSTRONG
We -- we shouldn't just sit here doing nothing! There must be something - surely, surely, like a bonfire? Blore looks out the window with blood shot eyes.

BLORE (Heavily)
In this weather?
WARGRAVE (Small clear voice)
In time.
Wargraves reptilian smile reaches from ear to ear.
WARGRAVE (Cont.)
We must be careful.
Lighting crashes and the lights went out.
WARGRAVE
There are packets of candles in the larder, I saw them, better use those.
FADE TO
INT. DRAWING ROOM - EVENING

After lighting candles throughout the areas of the house they used the group returns to the drawing room. Vera stood up lighting another candle. The darkness from outside was met inside now.

VERA (Weary)
My head aches. I am going to my room.

Shockingly no one stopped her and Vera did not ask for an escort.
CUT TO:
INT. VERA'S ROOM – EVENING

As Vera opened the door she could hear the storm getting louder. She halted in the door quivering. Vera with her nostrils flared she is reminded of a smell. A smell of the sea...she can hear something in the back of her mind. Vera
closes the door behind her, forgetting to lock it, she listens carefully…
CYRIL (V.O.)
Can I swim out to the island, Miss Claythorne? Why can't I swim out to the island?

Vera took a step forward into the dimly candle lit room.
VERA (To herself)
Don't be a fool Vera, they are all downstairs.

Vera moved forward slowly, there 'was' someone in the room. She heard something - yes. Then something cold and clammy touched her throat. It look and felt like a hand. Vera screamed! And screamed - screams of the utmost terror. Felt like a long time when the door to her room flung open! Vera collapsed on the floor as they entered.
BLORE
What happened? What is that?

Vera came to her senses looking up at the ceiling she began to laugh hysterically. There hanging from the ceiling...seaweed...

VERA
That was the smell, seaweed and only seaweed...