Corpse Bride Page #2

MAUDELINE/FINIS

According to plan!

Our daughter will wed,

According to plan!

And we will be led,

According to plan!

Out of the depths

Of deepest pov'rty!

Who would have guessed our daughter,

Ugly as an otter,

Would be the only valuable thing

We have to offer.

CUT TO:

INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM-DAY

VICTORIA EVERGLOT. Despite what her mother thinks, she's a pretty, sweet young girl. At the moment, she is being laced into tight corsets by her elderly maid, Hildegarde.

VICTORIA:

Oh, Hildegarde, do loosen it a tiny bit.

Hildegarde hesitates, then quickly loosens the corset. She helps Victoria put on a gray, high-collared dress.

VICTORIA:

(confiding)

Hilde, I'm nervous. What if Victor and I don't like each other?

There is a shocked, severe LAUGH from the doorway. Victoria and Hildegarde whirl to see the imposing figure of Maudeline. Finis is at her side.

MAUDELINE:

For heaven's sake, Victoria! 'Like' each other? As if that has anything to do with marriage? Do you suppose your father and I 'like' each other?

VICTORIA:

But surely you must, a little?

FINIS & MAUDELINE

(in unison)

Of course not!

VICTORIA:

But, you had me, didn't you?

FINIS:

You were conceived in a fit of... (what's the word?) responsibility!

The cathedral-like DOORBELL ECHOES through the mansion. Maudeline turns on her heel. Without looking back -­

MAUDELINE:

Get those corsets laced properly! I can hear you speak without gasping!

EXT. EVERGLOT MANSION - DAY

The Van Dorts stand before the massive front doors.

NELL:

(to Victor)

You really should be grateful,

For everything we've done.

Who else would sacrifice so much

For the good of their son?

INT. EVERGLOT ENTRY HALL - DAY

Finis and Maudeline step down the grand stairway. It's cold and imposing, feeling more like a financial institution than a home. They are the very image of old world high society.

NELL:

Marriage is a partnership,

A little tit for tat.

You'd think a lifetime watching us

Might have taught her that.

INTERCUT VAN DORTS.

ALL FOUR PARENTS

Everything will be perfect,

Once everything is perfect.

Assuming everything goes...

(big finish)

According to plan!

The Everglot's BUTLER opens the door, regarding the Van Dorts with barely concealed disdain.

The two mothers offer each other false smiles.

MAUDELINE:

(to Finis, under her breath)

Smile, darling, smile...

With tremendous effort Finis' mouth twists into a forced smile.

FINIS:

(to Maudeline, under his breath)

Let's get this over with, shall we?

(loudly)

Well Hello! What a pleasure. Welcome to our home.

The parents come together in an awkward ritual of handshakes, bows and air-kisses.

William Van Dort shakes Maudeline's hand.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote