10 Little Indians - SCRIPT - Part #4

BLORE
You know Doctor, it doesn't seem right to me. I shouldn't have said Marston was a suicidal type of gentleman.

ARMSTRONG
I agree.
CUT TO:
INT. MARSTONS BEDROOM – NIGHT

Armstrong and Lombard covered up Marston’s body with a sheet. There were no words spoken. We can see Mr. Rogers coming out of another room across the hall.
CUT TO:
INT. DRAWING ROOM – NIGHT

The rest of the group sat still shivering from the experience.

MISS BRENT
We'd better go to bed. It's late.

The clock showed that it was past twelve o'clock. The suggestion was a wise one -- yet everyone hesitated. It was as though they clung to each other's company for reassurance.
WARGRAVE
Yes, we must get some sleep.

Armstrong, Rogers and Lombard enter the drawing room. No one says a word to them.
ROGERS
I haven't cleared yet --- in the dining room.

LOMBARD
Do it in the morning.

ARMSTRONG
Is your wife all right?

ROGERS
Sleeping beautiful, she is.

ARMSTRONG
Good. Don't disturb her again.

ROGERS
I'll just put things straight in the dining room and make sure everything's locked up right, and then I'll turn in.

Rogers’s exits and the others exited in a slow procession out the door.
CUT TO:
INT. WARGRAVES BEDROOM – NIGHT

In his pleasantly, softly tinted room, Mr. Justice Wargrave removed his garments and prepared himself for bed. Wargrave sat thinking about the Seaton case. Wargrave wound up his watch carefully and placed it by the bed. Carefully, Mr. Justice Wargrave removed his false teeth and dropped them in a glass of water. The shrunken lips fell in. It was a cruel mouth now, cruel and predatory. Hooding his eyes, the judge smiled to himself.

WARGRAVE
Seaton ... I cooked your goose.

With a slightly rheumatic grunt, he climbed into bed and turned out the light.
FADE TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – NIGHT
MOVE IN SLOW TO INDIAN FIGURES AND CIRCLE AROUND THEM

There is one of the Indian China figurines missing.

PAN UP TO ROGERS
Rogers’s stands puzzled at the missing Indian China figure

ROGERS (Soft)
That's a rum go! I could have sworn there were ten of them.
CUT TO:
INT. MACARTHURS BEDROOM – NIGHT

Macarthur tossed from side to side. Macarthur kept thinking of Arthur Richmond. Staring at the ceiling Macarthur remembered he had sent Richmond to death. Closing his eyes.

MACARTHUR (Softly)
I did send you to your death....and I will never leave this Indian Island.

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. VERA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Vera lying in the same position as Macarthur stares at the ceiling. The light beside her was on. She was frightened of the dark.

VERA (To herself)
Hugo.... Hugo.... Why do I feel you're so near to me tonight? Somewhere quite close ... where are you? I don't know. You just went away out of my life.
Vera could hear the water outside smashing on the rocks and gets up and walks toward the window.

CUT TO:
EXT. ROCKS – NIGHT

Water crashes hard onto the dark black rocks. We can see Vera standing in the window.

CUT TO:
INT. VERA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Vera closes her eyes.
CUT TO:
EXT. ATLANTIC BEACH – DAY

Vera and Hugo sit together hand in hand on the beach, and Cyril a young boy swims out toward a large rock. Hugo a handsome man has Vera’s attention.

CYRIL (Calling from the water)
Miss Claythorne, watch me swim toward the rock!

VERA
It's too far Cyril.

Cyril continues towards rock.
CUT TO:
INT. VERA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Vera can still hear Cyril's cries echoing in her head as she walks away from the window. As she passed the mantelpiece, she looked up at the framed poem. She intently looked at the first two lines and read aloud.

VERA (Reading softly)
Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; one choked his little self and then there were nice.
Vera looks away with a frightened grin.

VERA (Cont. to herself)
Horrible.
CUT TO:
INT. OPERATING ROOM – DAY

Armstrong stood with a scalpel in his hand and looks around the room with sweat rolling down his face. With the other clammy hand he wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead. Looking down at the woman’s body Armstrong thinks to himself…
ARMSTRONG (V.O.)
You can do it Armstrong. It will be easy. So easy to do a murder.
Armstrong tries to calm his shaky hands. The staff in the room are not fazed by it.
ARMSTRONG (Shaking/drunk)
Her face is covered. Who is the patient?

NURSE (Reading chart)
Clees, Louisa...

Armstrong pulls the sheet back quickly.
CUT TO:
INT. ARMSTRONG'S ROOM - MORNING

Armstrong wakes up sweating as bad as his dream. Sunlight poured into his room from the curtains being yanked open fast. Then he realized someone else was in the room coming at him quickly blurred against the sunlight coming in. It is Rogers.
ROGERS
Doctor - Doctor!

ARMSTRONG (Groggy)
What is it?

ROGERS
It's the wife, doctor. I can't get her to wake. My God! I can't get her to wake. And, she doesn’t look right to me.

CUT TO:
INT. THE ROGERS BEDROOM – MORNING

Armstrong bent over Mrs. Rogers who was lying peacefully on her side. Lifting her cold wrist he looked for a pulse. Then Armstrong gently raised and closed the eyelids. It was some few minutes before he straightened himself and turned from the bed.
ROGERS (Whispered)
Is she…
Rogers trying to stay composed at a distance.

ROGERS (Cont.)
Is…she…
Rogers passed a tongue over a dry quivering lip. Doctor Armstrong turned to comfort Rogers.
ARMSTRONG (Nodding)
Yes, she's gone.

Armstrong’s eyes rested thoughtfully on the man before him.

ROGERS (Composed)
Was it her heart, doctor?

Armstrong paused to think and then turned back toward Mrs. Rogers.

ARMSTRONG
What was her health like normally?

ROGERS
She was a bit rheumaticky.

ARMSTRONG
Any doctor been attending her recently?

ROGERS
Doctor?
Rogers staring toward Armstrong confused.

ROGERS (Cont.)
Not been to a doctor for years -- neither of us.

ARMSTRONG
You's no reason to believe she suffered from heart trouble?

ROGERS
No, doctor I never knew of anything.

ARMSTRONG
Did she sleep well?

Rogers’s eyes begin to evade Armstrong and his questions.

ROGERS (Evading)
She didn't sleep extra well…no.

ARMSTRONG (Sharply)
Did she take things to make her sleep?

ROGERS (Surprised)
Take things? To make her sleep? Not that I knew of. I'm sure she didn't.

Rogers went over to the washstand. There were a number of bottles on it, hair lotion, lavender water, cascara, glycerin of cucumber for the hands, mouthwash, tooth paste and some Elliman's. They rumbled through drawers then Rogers stopped.
ROGERS
She didn't have anything last night, sir, except what you gave her.
FADE TO:
EXT. SUMMIT OF ISLAND BEHIND HOUSE – MORNING

Waves splash against the rocks gently. The morning is cold and slightly windy, but not as bad as the night before. Vera and Lombard approach Blore who is standing looking over the water at the Summit portion of the Island.

BLORE
No sign of the motorboat yet. I've been watching for it.

A GONG SOUNDED FOR BREAKFAST

LOMBARD
Just got out here! Bloody hell.

VERA
9 O'clock breakfast.

Vera looked at Lombard then at Blore still looking for a boat. Devon can be seen in the distance.
VERA
Devon's a sleepy county. Things are usually late.

Lombard was looking the other way, out to sea.

LOMABRD
What d'you think of the weather?

They all glanced at the sky.

BLORE
Looks all right to me.

Lombard pursed his mouth into a whistle.

LOMBARD
It will come on to blow before the days out.

BLORE
Squally -- eh?

ANOTHER BOOM OF THE GONG

LOMBARD
Bloody breakfast! Well, I could do with some.

Lombard and Blore allow Vera to walk ahead.
Vera shakes her head at Lombard’s language, but smiles at his chivalry.

INT. DINING ROOM - MORNING

Rogers held the door open for the group as they entered. Miss Brent noticed Rogers pale face and turns toward Dr. Armstrong.

MISS BRENT
That man looks ill this morning.

ARMSTRONG
You must excuse any…er…shortcomings this morning. Rogers has had to do the best he can for breakfast single-handed. Mrs. Rogers has…er…not been able to carry on this morning.
MISS BRENT (Sharply)
What's the matter with the woman?

Armstrong avoids eye contact with Rogers and as he reaches for a plate notices the missing Indian China figurine.

ARMSTRONG (Nervous)
Let us start our breakfast. The eggs will be cold. Afterwards, there are several matters I want to discuss with you all.

Everyone took the hint and took their places at the table. Nobody said anything about the missing Indian China figurine.

FADE TO:
INT. DRAWING ROOM – MORNING

Dr. Armstrong walks in the Drawing Room leaving Rogers clearing plates from the table in Dining room. Rogers and Armstrong nod to one another as Armstrong slides the doors shut. Many of the group returning to the spots they stood or sat the prior evening. Dr. Armstrong sits back in a chair, cleared his throat importantly.
ARMSTRONG
I thought it better wait until you had your breakfast before telling you a sad piece of news. Mrs. Rogers died in her sleep.
There are startled and shocked ejaculations.

VERA (Exclaiming)
How awful! Two deaths on this island since we arrived!

Wargrave eyes narrowed.
WARGRAVE
H'm, very remarkable, and what was the cause of death?

ARMSTRONG
Impossible to say offhand

WARGRAVE
There must be an autopsy?

ARMSTRONG
I certainly couldn't give a certificate. I have no knowledge of the woman's state of health.
VERA
She was a nervous looking creature. And she had a shock last night. It might have been heart failure, I suppose?

ARMSTRONG
Her heart certainly failed to beat, but what caused it to fail is the question.
Emily Brent, her lips tight and hard.

MISS BRENT
Conscience!

ARMSTRONG
What do you mean?

MISS BRENT
You all heard. She was accused, together with her husband, of having deliberately murdered her former employer -- an old lady!

Miss Brent looks unsympathetic.

MISS BRENT (Cont.)
I think that accusation was true. You all saw her last night. She broke down completely and fainted. The shock of having her wickedness brought home to her was too much for her. She literally died in fear.
Dr. Armstrong shook his head doubtfully.

ARMSTRONG
It is a possible theory. One cannot adopt it without more exact knowledge of her state of health. If there was cardiac weakness…
Miss Brent reaches in her bag for yarn and pulls out a knitting needle. Miss Brent holds it like knife about to plunge into someone like a dagger.

MISS BRENT (Interrupting)
Call it, if you prefer Doctor an Act of God.

Everyone looked at Miss Brent in shock.

BLORE
That's carrying things a bit far, Miss Brent.

Looking at the group with her shining eyes Miss Brent’s chin goes up. Wargrave strokes his own chin their eyes matched. Pulling out her patchwork project form her bag she begins to knit.

MISS BRENT
You regard it as impossible that a sinner should be struck down by the Wrath of God! I do not!
WARGRAVE (Irony in his voice)
My dear lady, in my experience of ill-doing, Providence leaves the work of conviction and chastisement to us mortals, and the process is often fraught with difficulties. There are no short cuts.

Miss Brent shrugged her shoulders and knits.

BLORE (Sharply)
What did she have to eat or drink last night before she went to bed?
ARMSTRONG
Nothing. Rogers assures me she had nothing whatsoever.

BLORE (With a tone to his voice)
Ah. But he might say so!

VERA (Interrupting)
I don't think Mrs. Rogers ever felt safe in this place.

Blore looks at Vera shaking his head annoyed by the young governess.

BLORE
Just like a woman.

Miss Brent stops knitting and she and Vera turn their wicked gazes to Blore.

BLORE (Cont.)
Maybe Rogers slipped something in her tea and makes sure that her mouth is shut permanently.
ARMSTRONG
There was nothing by the bedside.

BLORE
Of course not! First thing he would do is clean up.
There was a long pause.
MACARTHUR (Doubtfully)
It may be so. But I should hardly think it possible that a man would do that…especially to his wife. There is another pause and before anyone could speak, the door opened and Rogers came in.

ROGERS
Is there anything more I can get any of you? I'm sorry there was so little toast, but we've run right out of bread. The new bread hasn't come over from the mainland yet.

Wargrave stirred in his chair.

WARGRAVE
What time does the motorboat usually come over?

ROGERS
Between seven and eight, sir. Sometimes it's a bit after eight. Don't know what Fred Narracott can be doing this morning. If he is ill he'd send his brother.
LOMBARD
What time is it now?

ROGERS
Ten minutes to ten sir.

Lombard's eyebrows rose. He nods slowly to himself. Rogers waited and was about to walk out.
MACARTHUR (Sudden and explosive)
Sorry to hear about your wife, Rogers. Doctor's just been telling us.

Rogers inclines his head and begins collecting empty dishes.

Rogers (Soft)
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Rogers took the empty dishes and left the room.

CUT TO:
EXT. TERRACE – MORNING

On the terrace, Blore, Lombard and Macarthur stand looking out onto the water for the motorboat.
LOMBARD
About this motorboat…

BLORE (Nodding)
I know what you’re thinking, Mr. Lombard. I've asked myself the same question. Motorboat ought to have been here nigh on two hours ago. It has not come. Why?
LOMBARD
Found the answer?

Blore and Macarthur look at each other blankly.

LOMBARD (Cont.)
You don't think it will come?

MACARTHUR (Sharply)
Of course it won't come! We're counting on the motorboat to take us off the island. That's what this is all about isn't it? We're never leaving this island. None of us will ever leave. It is the end; you see! The end of everything.

Blore and Lombard in shock do not reply. Macarthur turns abruptly and walks away along the terrace. Blore and Lombard watch as he walks down toward the sea talking to himself.

MACARTHUR (Cont.)
That's peace…real peace. To come to an end…not to have to go one…yes, peace...

BLORE
There goes another who's blamey! Looks as though it'll end with the whole lot going that way.
LOMBARD
I don't fancy you will, Blore. And, at this minute I feel quite sane.

Dr. Armstrong came out onto the terrace. Armstrong stood there hesitating. To his left is Blore and Lombard and to his right was Wargrave, slowly pacing up and down, his head bent down. Armstrong, after a moment of indecision turned towards Wargrave. Before Armstrong could say anything Rogers came quickly out of the house.
ROGERS (To Armstrong)
Could I have a word with you, sir, please?

Armstrong turned and startled at what he saw. Rogers face grayish green. His hands shaking.
ROGERS
Please, sir, if I could have a word with you. Inside, sir.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM – MORNING

Rogers and Armstrong enter the dining room. In the foreground the Indian figures are blurred as the men speak.

ROGERS
You's think I am crazy sir. You'll say it isn't anything. But it's got to be explained, sir. It's got to be explained. Because it doesn't make any sense.

ARMSTRONG
Well, man, tell me what it is. Don't go on talking riddles.
Rogers points to the center of the table where the Indian China figures stand.
Two of the Indian figures have been broken off the centerpiece.

ROGERS
It's those little figures' sir. In the middle of the table
The Indian figures come into focus as Rogers’s points to them.

ROGERS (Cont.)
The little China Indian figures. Ten of them, there were. I'll swear to that, ten of them. Two broken off…missing.

Armstrong and Rogers come closer to the figures.

ARMSTRONG
Yes, ten, we counted last night at dinner.

ROGERS
I noticed last night there were nine and thought it was queer. But, now, sir, when I came to clear away. See for yourself if you don't believe me. There's only eight, sir! Only eight! It doesn't make sense, does it? Only eight...

CLOSE ON THE FIGURES
FADE TO:
EXT. SUMMIT OF ISLAND - AFTERNOON

Miss Brent and Vera Claythorne sit on the summit looking toward Sticklehaven for the motorboat. The two most opposite women in the world sat there hoping to catch a glimpse of the boat, but only a hill above Sticklehaven jutting-out.

VERA (Calm/cool)
It's all so extraordinary. There seems no…meaning in it all.

MISS BRENT
I'm very annoyed myself. That letter was absurd when you come to examine it. But at the time I had no doubts.

VERA
I suppose not.

MISS BRENT
One takes things too much for granted.

VERA
Did you really mean what you said after breakfast?

MISS BRENT
Be a little more precise, my dear. To what in particular are you referring?
VERA (Low voice)
Do you really think Rogers and his wife did away with that old lady?
Emily Brent gazed out to sea as her wicked words fell on the crisp air of the summit.
MISS BRENT (Proud)
I am quite sure of it. Quite as sure as I know I had nothing to do with the death of Beatrice Taylor who was in my service. An immoral woman who took her own life. So, you see I had nothing to do with her death.

VERA (Horror struck)
She killed herself?

Miss Brent turned to face Vera with a menacing grin. There was no self-reproach, no uneasiness in those eyes. They were hard and self-righteous. Miss Brent sat on the summit of Indian Island, encased in her own armor of virtue. The elderly spinster was no longer slightly ridiculous to Vera. Suddenly she was terrifying.

CUT TO:
EXT. TERRACE - AFTERNOON

Dr. Armstrong came back onto the terrace to see Wargrave sitting in a chair. Lombard and Blore were over to the left smoking, but not talking. There is a curious wavering sense in Armstrong as he looked back and forth between the men. Armstrong looked back and for the between them and finally calls to Lombard.
ARMSTRONG
Lombard, can I speak to you for a minute?

LOMBARD
Of course.
CUT TO:
EXT. SLOPE TOWARDS THE WATER – AFTERNOON

Armstrong looked back toward the house and terrace to make sure they were out of earshot of the others. Lombard keeps a safe distance from Armstrong.

ARMSTRONG
I want a consultation.

LOMBARD (Curious)
My dear fellow, I've no medical knowledge.

ARMSTRONG
No, no, I mean as to the general situation. Frankly, what do you think of the position?

Lombard puffed smoke into the air unclear as to what Armstrong is getting at.
ARMSTRONG
What are your ideas on the subject of that woman? Do you accept Blore's theory? And what about Marston?

LOMBARD (Grinning)
Why make me say it? When it's on the tip of your own tongue. They were murdered of course.

Dr. Armstrong draws in a deep breath.

LOMBARD
I could see suicide for each death, but two unexplained deaths. We need a theory to explain them both.

ARMSTRONG
I can give you some help to that theory...

Lombard turns to Armstrong inquisitively.
ARMSTRONG
The China figurines.

LOMBARD
Yes, the Indian figures...
Armstrong looks out to the sea and begins to recite the poem.