The Sandman (Vertigo) Page #4

7.

INT. BURGESS MANOR - CELLAR - CIRCA LATE 1940S - NIGHT

CLOSE ON:
Sandman's eyes. He's sitting up now, hugging his

knees to his chest. But still unmoving.

Burgess, nearly twenty years older, sits in a chair opposite

him, studying him.

BURGESS:

I know you can grant me boons. Power.

Immortality. A promise you won't seek

revenge.

(beat)

Well? I know you can understand me. Say

something!

Sandman does not respond. Does not move. Just stares.

BURGESS (CONT'D)

Damn you.

The door pivots, and ALEX BURGESS pushes in. He's seven, and

he wants nothing more than to please his father. He carries a

large folio, dusty and falling apart.

ALEX:

Sir! I found it!

BURGESS:

Yes, Alex?

ALEX:

See? Here. In the Paginarum Fulvarum.

He leafs through the folio. It is filled with old drawings

and paintings. We catch quick glimpses of figures titled

Destiny, Death, Desire, figures we will learn more of later.

ALEX:

You said he had to be one of the Endless.

But it wasn't Death. And it's not Desire,

or Despair -- or Destiny. That'd been

brilliant if you'd caught him -- um ...

Burgess has fixed him with a stern look, humbling him.

ALEX (CONT'D)

Uh, anyway ... Here.

He finds the drawing he's looking for, displays it:

A Heirmonyous Bosch-like portrait of Sandman in his helm and

cloak. Terrifying. The drawing is inscribed 'Here is said

thee Kinge of Dremes.'

8.

ALEX (CONT'D)

See? He's Dream.

(reading)

Morpheus, Lord Shaper. the Prince of

Stories ... the Sandman.

Burgess takes the folio, examines it, nodding.

BURGESS:

Yes. I was hoping you'd work it out on

your own one day. And you have. Well

done, Alex.

ALEX:

Thank you, father --

BURGESS:

Father?

ALEX:

(chastised)

Thank you, Lord Magus.

(gathers his courage)

Sir ... Since you know his true name,

can't you make him do what you want?

BURGESS:

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