Sleepy Hollow Page #4

INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, PARLOR -- DAY

DOCTOR LANCASTER, 50, dour and always sweaty, takes a seat by

the fire, joining Baltus and three other elders. A pretty

servant, SARAH, brings a pipe cradle while Lady Van Tassel

sets down food. Ichabod is standing.

BALTUS:

That will be all, ladies.

(waits as they exit)

We are joined by Doctor Thomas

Lancaster, Constable. And to his

left are, Clergyman Steenwyck and

our able magistrate, Samuel Philipse,

both keeping order in their own ways.

PHILIPSE is youngest, eyes bloodshot, mug in hand and pipe in

mouth. CLERGYMAN STEENWYCK is formidably built, wearing a

constant look of disapproval.

BALTUS:

I myself am in charge of financial

matters and the regulation of

currency in our commonwealth. And,

lastly, this fine fellow is James

Hardenbrook, our Notary.

HARDENBROOK is oldest, ancient, with one eye pale and blind.

ICHABOD:

An honor, gentlemen. In time I

will need every detail of the

three murderings you've had, but,

for now, I ask only if you have

any theory at all as to who the

killer might be?

DOCTOR LANCASTER

Excuse me?

ICHABOD:

I say, is there any one person

suspect in these acts?

DOCTOR LANCASTER

I was afraid of this.

Philipse shoots a look to Baltus. Angst amongst the elders.

PHILIPSE:

Well, Constable... are you aware...

to be honest, you are not what we

expected. We sent for the militia.

ICHABOD:

The militia?

FATHER STEENWYCK

Why not tell us what you have heard?

Hmm? How much have your superiors

bothered to tell you?

ICHABOD:

All I know is three are slain, their

heads found severed from their

bodies...

FATHER STEENWYCK

The heads were not found severed.

The heads were not found at all.

Withered Hardenbrook leans forward, his voice cragged.

HARDENBROOK:

Taken. Taken by the Headless

Horseman. Taken back to hell.

ICHABOD:

Pardon me?

BALTUS:

You have not been well informed of

our troubles, sir. If you would...

Baltus gestures for Ichabod to sit. Baltus lights his pipe.

BALTUS:

The Horseman... he was a Hessian

mercenary, sent to our shores by

German princes to help keep

Americans under the thumb of

England. However, unlike his

compatriots who came as muscle in

trade for currency, he came

willingly. For love of carnage.

FLASHBACK -- AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD -- DAY

The HESSIAN HORSEMAN rides his black steed into a gory,

close-quarters clash, his cloaked uniform adorned with edged

weapons. He cuts down Americans left and right.

BALTUS (v.o.)

He was infamous for taking his

horse, Daredevil, hard into

battle... chopping off heads at

full gallop.

He dismounts, hoisting a battle axe. With sword and axe, he

annihilates. Blood gushes. Bones crack.

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