1.

FADE IN:

1       EXT. HOUSE (NEW ORLEANS) - NIGHT

A figure stands atop a turreted roof of a French-style house, silhouetted against the moon like a large, black bird.

2       ANGLE ON FIGURE'S BOOTS

Nineteenth-century winkle-picker style, standing steadily on the roof's steep gable. We PAN UP the leg TO the figure's hand, holding a leather-bound journal.

VOICE (V.O.)
There comes a time for every
vampire when the idea of eternity
becomes momentarily unbearable.
The wounds suffered from love and
failed friendships don't heal like
a human's, but seem to only gape
larger. The longing to be mortal
returns, a longing for finiteness.

The hand drops the journal down the chimney.

3       EXT. LA FAYETTE CEMETERY (NEW ORLEANS) - NIGHT

An empty breeze blows across a deserted cemetery as the figure's boots come INTO FRAME, strolling past headstones.

The sound of a HORSE and CARRIAGE ECHO in the distance.

4       WIDER - FIGURE

enters an alabaster tomb and closes the door.

VOICE (V.O.)
In 1883 I suffered such a spell
and decided to cease feeding on
blood. Just lie in the earth and
let time return to its natural state...

As the WIND PICKS UP, the LEAVES of a fledgling vine growing up the side of the tomb begin to RATTLE FASTER and FASTER, until curiously, time seems to speed up. Night passes to day and back to night.

Shadows from the sun and moon drift across the tomb.

(CONTINUED)

2.

4       CONTINUED:

As days and months fly by, the vine winds and grows in circuitous patterns all around the tomb.

VOICE (V.O.)
I had hoped the sounds of the
passing eras would fade out, and a
kind of death might happen. A
kind of forgetting where I would
be healed from my wounds.

The CLIP-CLOP of HORSES and the SQUEAK of PERAMBULATORS DISSOLVE INTO the THUMP and SCRAPE of INDUSTRIAL ENGINES.

VOICE (V.O.)
But as I lay there, the sounds
didn't fade but grew with the
world.

The BUZZ of PROP ENGINES MELT INTO the sound of a JET STREAMING overhead. CARS, MACHINES, RADIO BROADCASTS MERGE INTO a medley of MUSIC from this century -- JACK BENNY, MUDDY WATERS, ELVIS, HENDRIX, SEX PISTOLS.

VOICE (V.O.)
A new fearless attitude had
possessed the world, brave and
Godless. I began to wonder if it
was not time to resurrect. But
the thing that eventually brought
me back -- the decisive thing
really -- came like a bolt out of
the blue.

GUITARS STRIKE, DRUMS CRACK and the MUSIC SLAMS OUT, raw and dark.

Slender hands with long, painted nails, Gothic rings, and a half-pound of silver bracelets play their instruments. Long hair, body-piercings, Celtic tattoos, and brightly-coloured nylons show a lot of pale, smooth flesh. In the confusion of glimpses, it's hard to tell who's a boy or girl, but they're all young, thin and beautiful.
Breaking in on the CACOPHONY of MUSIC COMES ONE GUITAR CLOSER and LOUDER than all the rest....

(CONTINUED)

3.

4       CONTINUED:  (2)

A SCRAPING ROAR, like a bandsaw being twisted into the most gorgeous, powerful chords, almost religious in its emotion

VOICE (V.O.)
A music so sublime, so deeply
vampiric, I had no doubt it could
be heard in Hades. I had no
choice.

An ULTRA-FAST TECHNO BEAT BEGINS and the FULL-SOUND of a BAND RUSHES IN, creating a sense of vertigo with its energy.

5       INSIDE TOMB

The BAND’S sounds ECHO about the stone chamber, thrumming a deep, life-giving pulse.

Suddenly, the LID of a sarcophagus SCRAPES and slides to one side.

6       EXT. LA FAYETTE CEMETERY (NEW ORLEANS) – NIGHT

The figure re-emerges from the crypt, his cape now in tatters -- posture bent. He creeps across the cemetery in unnatural, staccato movements as if hindered by the physics of distance and time.

All the while the SONG plays, drawing the figure toward it.

7       EXT. FRENCH QUARTERS - NIGHT

The figure moves through the shadows avoiding the spill of yellow light from the street lamps.

Stopping in a darkened alleyway, he gasps for air, exhausted by his movements. He listens again to the mesmeric tune of the band in the distance, when…

From down the alley, a voice…

DEALER (O.S.)
Hey… Need somethin’?

 

8       CLOSE ON FIGURE'S EYES

stare hungrily at…

4.

9       BACK TO SCENE

A DEALER proffering a little parcel wrapped in foil. His LOOKOUT stands by, watching for cops.

Pulling deeper into the shadows, the caped figure beckons the dealer over. As the two men approach, their faces twist in disgust.

DEALER
What’s that smell?

LOOKOUT
Damn! Somethin’ crawl inside you
and die?

With a wild animal cry the figure lunges like a phantom.

A flash of teeth…

The Dealer is on the ground, the figure set upon him.

OVER this scene the BAND’S SONG RUSHES IN LOUD again, reaching an incredible CRESCENDO as the violent frenzy continues -- the monster gnawing at the dealer’s neck.

The Lookout is frozen with fear, the knife in his hand trembling as he stabs…

A skeletal claw shoots out, grabs his hand. The Lookout screams -- pain turns to fright.

The caped figure lunges.

10       CLOSE ON FIGURE’S HAND

It's vein refilling with the flow of warm blood -- skin regaining a youthful tautness.

The dead Lookout’s body drops to the ground. PULL BACK to reveal…

11       VAMPIRE LESTAT

Twenty-five years old before he was made immortal – long, blonde locks, pale blue-grey eyes and perfect skin like a marble statue. He is now dressed in a hip, tight shirt, leather jeans and coat – youthful but expensive. He douses the corpses with gasoline, lights a match and watches the inferno, a boyish grin playing on his full lips.

5.

12        INT. NEW ORLEANS HOUSE - CLOSE ON TV - NIGHT

A ROCK VIDEO featuring the latest "Gothic Rap" craze -- hip-hop kids rapping over spooky heavy-metal rhythms. We PULL BACK to reveal the members of Satan's Night Out watching TV and getting high. JAMES (18), ALEX (20), LOUISA (20) and their lead singer/keyboard player MAUDY (17), lying over each other with a level of intimacy that would suggest they were all sleeping together, if they could be bothered.

JAMES
We're as good as these clowns...

ALEX
Forget those losers. If we could just
get a decent gig...

Maudy climbs up to change the channel...

MAUDY
Yeah yeah yeah... 'If we could
just get a decent gig, we'd rule
and everything'd be cool. Talk
talk talk talk...

Something causes her to freeze. Slowly, she rises to her feet.

JAMES
Maudy, move your ass...

Seeing Maudy's stunned face, Alex and James turn to see Lestat perched like a raven on top of the stack of speakers. He drops to the floor without a sound.

ALEX
Who the hell are you?

LESTAT
An admirer.

JAMES
How did you get in here?

LESTAT
The door, of course.

Alex and James look at the door on the other side of the attic -- they should have seen him.

Meanwhile, Maudy stares at Lestat, quite taken by the handsome vampire's looks.

Drinking Maudy in with his eyes...

(CONTINUED)

6.

12        CONTINUED:

LESTAT
Your music woke me from the
longest sleep. It's sublime. In
two hundred years I've never heard
anything quite like it.

JASON
Who the hell are you?

LESTAT (V.O.)
The question provoked an
irresistible urge...

LESTAT
I am the vampire Lestat.

As we REMAIN ON the stunned looks of the band's faces --

LESTAT (V.O.)
It just rolled out of my mouth.
With one simple sentence I had
betrayed everything about my kind.

ALEX
What the hell is this?

LESTAT
Your lucky day.

They spin around to see Lestat right behind them, smiling.

13        FLYING ACROSS NIGHT SKIES

as the distinctive dark sound of SATAN'S NIGHT OUT KICKS IN to join LESTAT'S SOARING VOCAL.

LESTAT (V.O.)
It was a bold move, I admit. It
took a little more convincing, but
from that moment on, or close to
that moment, they were my friends,
my children, my band. Together we
rode on the wave of my
preternatural ambition to super-
stardom, giving the world a new
god... me. Well, that's the way I
remember it. It all doesn't
matter now, only to say that I
don't regret what happened, not
one thing.

(CONTINUED)

7.

13        CONTINUED:

We COME ACROSS the city lights of L.A... smoldering in their yellow night haze.

Below, police cars section off a few blocks of Sunset Boulevard where a huge crowd has gathered.

SUPERIMPOSE: LOS ANGELES (6 MONTHS LATER)

Through the crowd a limousine snakes its way toward the Tower Records Building, where a video-clip of Lestat and his band plays on a huge outdoor screen.

14        INT. STRETCH LIMOUSINE - NIGHT

ROGER SMYTHE, their business manager (40s), sites oblivious to the "thump thump" of screaming fans pressing their breasts and necks up against the limousine, as he initials a few pages of the documents on his lap.

In the back of the limousine, Lestat sits, smiling devilishly, between two huge mastiff dogs as "thump, thump, thump," fan after female fan flings herself on the car.

Opposite Lestat, Alex and James in a drugged-out haze, ogle at the sight of nubile flesh as Maudy, totally jazzed by the whole scene, writhes in her seat, highly aroused.

Pressing his face right up against one of the windows, Lestat rolls his tongue out its full six inches and licks the window.

Outside, groupies scream with pure excitement.

LESTAT
I think I've got my pulse back.

The band laughs.

Waving the legal documents in his hand.

ROGER
(all business)
I need you guys to sign off on the
recording rights to the concert
this week. And I don't want this
interview to go on over ten minutes,
alright -- want to avoid any
personal questions.

In the back seat, Maudy points to a near-naked fan outside.

(CONTINUED)

8.

14       CONTINUED:

MAUDY
Check that out.

ROGER
(craning his neck around)
Is anybody listening to me.

As they pile out of the car...

LESTAT
Of course not.

The two MASTIFFS SNARL at Roger who gives them a snarl back.

15        EXT. TOWER RECORDS - NIGHT

Confusion of screams, security guards trying to hold the line of hysterical fans.

A very long, black limo pulls up and James, Alex, Louisa and Maudy climb out. Rows of fans dressed as Goths, ghouls and vampires scream out "Lestat! Lestat!" Hysteria in the air.

FANS
Where's Lestat? Where is he! Oh
God, I have to see him. Please!

The fans scream and moan.

FANS
I want him! I want his blood!

Maudy and James exchange looks -- this is all too weird and out of control even for them. Roger is by their side, hustling them through the crowd.

ROGER
Just buy your tickets for the
concert! Let's keep it moving...!

Finally, Lestat emerges from the limousine. A wave of hysteria hits the crowd.

16        LESTAT - SLOW MOTION

scans the crowd, smiles as FLASHBULB'S POP.

17        LESTAT'S POV - SEA OF ADORING FACES

mouthing his name, reaching out to touch him.

9.

18        BACK TO SCENE

Roger goes into action and hustles Lestat and the band through the crowd and up the stairs into Tower Records past the giant billboard with their own images written huge, Lestat's smiling face above them all, and the annonuncement -- LESTAT -- LIVE & UNDEAD -- OCTOBER 31, ALL HALLOW'S EVE, DEATH VALLEY. We PUSH IN RAPIDLY ON the GIANT SCREEN playing the latest "VAMPIRE LESTAT".

19        INT. TOWER RECORDS - SOON AFTER

The CD racks have been removed to make room for a podium, a long table and a giant promotional display in the background. They are faced by an audience of over fifty journalists and then another fifty photographers and TV cameras. Lestat sits in the center, flanked by Roger and the band. A straight CNN-type LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST is standing, in mid-question.

LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST
How do you account for your
popularity, because frankly, I
haven't seen anything like this...

LESTAT
I represent something to my fans
they can't get anywhere else.

LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST
What's that exactly?

LESTAT
Reality.

The journalists laugh.

LESTAT
No, I'm serious. I'm here to show
the world 'there are more things
in heaven and earth...'

A pretty FRENCH JOURNALIST stands.

FRENCH JOURNALIST
So, you are the real thing.

LESTAT
That's correct.

FRENCH JOURNALIST
(flirting)
You don't look that different.

(CONTINUED)

10.

19        CONTINUED:

LESTAT
I've been feeding -- it gives me a
rosy complexion, so I don't
frighten you all away.

FRENCH JOURNALIST
Could you prove it. You know,
give us a demonstration of you
powers.

Lestat gives her an evil smile.

LESTAT
If you like, I'll give you a
private demonstration in your
hotel room tonight.

The journalists laugh again. The French Journalist sits down, a little frightened/fascinated by Lestat's leer. A younger, hipper MUSIC MAGAZINE JOURNALIST pipes in...

MUSIC JOURNALIST
I was listening to your CD
before the show today and well,
it's very cool.

LESTAT
Thank you.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
Its sort defies all categories.
How would you describe your
influences?

MAUDY
Sex, blood and rock 'n' roll.

Laughter. Maudy and Lestat exchange smiles -- partners in PR.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
There are rumors flying 'round the
internet 'bout the hidden meanings
in your songs.

LESTAT
Only when you play them backwards.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
I was.

Laughing.

(CONTINUED)

11.

19        CONTINUED:   (2)

LESTAT
Everything is there for those who
can hear. My music is for
everyone, including other
vampires.

This time an older TABLOID JOURNALIST stands.

TABLOID JOURNALIST
Is it true you hung out with
Marilyn Manson?

LESTAT
We exchanged eyeliners once.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
Correct me if I'm wrong, but what
I remember about vampires, you
know from all the movies and
things, you guys usually keep
quiet about your identity.

LESTAT
I've hidden in the shadows for
centuries. Now, it's time to
share myself with the world.

LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST
Doesn't hurt the record sales,
huh?

LESTAT
Our label isn't complaining, no.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
Come out of the closet.

LESTAT
Out of the casket.

Laughter.

LESTAT
I'm like the Pied Piper. Ratting
them all out.

An appreciative laugh from the press core -- they're enjoying this performance although no one seems to be taking it very seriously.

(CONTINUED)

12.

19        CONTINUED:

TABLOID JOURNALIST
Any relationships you'd care to
share with the audience. I mean,
does the 'Vampire Lestat' have
a...

LESTAT
A girlfriend?

TABLOID JOURNALIST
Or boyfriend, we're open minded.

LESTAT
Anything with a heartbeat is the
general rule of thumb.

TABLOID JOURNALIST
(snickers)
You'd starve in New York then.

Laughter.

MUSIC JOURNALIST
These other vampires, aren't they
going to be pissed that you're,
you know, giving away their
secrets?

LESTAT
I imagine I am, yes.

LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST
Do you have anything to say to the
other vampires listening out
there?

LESTAT
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do...

Leaning slightly into the light, Lestat smiles at the TV camera.

MATCH CUT TO:

20        INT. BAR - TV

showing the same video.

LESTAT (V.O.)
Come and get me if you can.

CAMERA BOOMS DOWN to reveal...

13.

21        INT. HICK BAR (BAKERSFIELD) - NIGHT

We SETTLE ON a group of dangerous VAMPIRE BIKERS with face tattoos staring stony-faced up at the screen, their eyes glowing strangely in the ultra-violet light.

TATTOOED VAMPIRE #1
That fucker gonna get us all
killed.

TATTOOED VAMPIRE #2
I say, he gets on that stage, we
kill him, 'fore this shit gets
outta hand. Bleed him dry. You
know what I'm sayin'.

TATTOOED VAMPIRE #1
I'm with that. When I was up in
Seattle, they was sayin' the same
thing. They was sayin' they're
comin' from all over.

TATTOOED VAMPIRE #3
I dunno... if he's as old as they
say, he's gotta be pretty
strong...

TATTOOED VAMPIRE #1
Yeah... let's see how he handles a
hundred of us at once.

They get up from the bar, pick up their motorcycle helmets and exit as we REVEAL Lestat sitting in the corner, smiling.

CUT TO:

22        STARING EYE

PULL BACK to reveal a 19th-century porcelain doll, beautiful, perfect but with those staring unsettling eyes. We TRACK ACROSS rows and rows of dolls from different eras, all exquisitely detailed. TRACK PAST the billowing floor-to-ceiling curtains to reveal a five-year-old girl lying awake in bed, Jesse, green eyes and long red curls. LAUGHTER wafts in with the breeze. Everything seems big -- the bed, the door, the room - too big for a child.

23        INT. CORRIDOR

Jesse's bare feet pad down the endless corridor. The little girl is dwarfed by the stone pedestals, all lit with candles. LAUGHTER ECHOES through the halls.

14.

24        INT. GREAT HALL

Jesse moves past rough-hewn columns, watching with great curiosity.

25        JESSE'S POV

A grand party is in progress. There are about thirty vampires, all thin, pale and beautiful. An eclectic bunch, elegantly-dressed in Indian silks, Arabic veils, mixed with a few gaudy Versace outfits.

26        BACK TO SCENE

Jesse stands watching. Behind her, we GLIMPSE a giant mural of names cut into the stone walls. A family tree, extending up onto the ceiling and down to the floor.

27        JESSE'S POV

Guests lean into each others necks showing blood-red tongues and fangs.

28        BACK TO SCENE

A young VAMPIRE picks Jesse up and puts her on his knee.

VAMPIRE
When you're grown up, you can be
with us forever. You'll like
that, won't you?

WOMAN (O.S.)
(urgent)
Jesse!

VAMPIRE
Would you like that?

WOMAN (O.S.)
(more urgent)
Jesse!

29        INT. JESSE'S BEDROOM - PRESENT

JESSE sits up with a start. She is 18 -- a budding beauty with the same red locks and green eyes.

JESSE
Weird.

(CONTINUED)

15.

29        CONTINUED:

CAMERA FOLLOWS as Jesse heads for the john in her T-shirt and socks. She EXITS FRAME to reveal a wall devoted to the Vampire Lestat -- posters, magazine cutouts.

30        EXT. LONDON BUS - NEXT DAY

Lestat's image pasted on a red London double-decker bus. The bus CLEARS FRAME to reveal...

Jesse, her arms overflowing with books and magazines.

31        EXT. TALAMASCA HEADQUARTERS - SOON AFTER

Jesse runs in the driveway of an old Tudor manor.

JESSE (V.O.)
I don't have the complete picture
yet... and I'm going to need
approval for a field trip to
L.A... but...

32        INT. TALAMASCA HEADQUARTERS - TALBOT'S ROOM - SOON AFTER

Floor-to-ceiling books, Persian rugs and old leather couching. Jesse stands before the grand old desk, looking tired, nervous and excited.

JESSE
... I think that I might have
found a vampire.

Her audience is DAVID TALBOT (60's), distinguished, white-haired, handsome. Talbot sits in his old leather chair and examines the folder while Jesse continues her presentation.

JESSE
He calls himself the 'Vampire
Lestat,' and claims to be several
hundred years old...

Talbot looks up over his reading glasses.

TALBOT
You're talking about the rock 'n'
roll group?

(CONTINUED)

16.

32        CONTINUED:

JESSE
Yes, David, he's in a rock band.
It's not exactly 'rock', it's more
neo-Gothic metal, with a hip-hop
groove and a strong lyric
component...

Talbot gives Jesse a knowing, ironic look -- she knows he has no idea what she's talking about.

JESSE
... If you could study the lyrics,
you'll see that most of these
references could be derived from
years of research in the
Bibliotech de Paris, which seems
unlikely for a young rock star in
his early twenties, but...
(leans over table for emphasis)
... there are historical details
Lestat describes that don't exist
in any book, letter, parchment,
engraving or any of the major
library catalogues... except in
our library within the Talamasca.
As you can see, they refer to
'Marius, the great white lord' who
ruled over a group of islands off
the bay of Naples in the late
eighteenth century.

Talbot studies the photocopies in front of him.

TALBOT
Hmmm, yes... this is very good,
Jesse.

JESSE
There are several accounts of a
similar figure -- the 'Great
Master, Ruler of the Night,'
etcetera.

Jesse waits for Talbot to respond. Finally, he looks up, nods, is about to speak when...

... door opens and another TALAMASCA MEMBER comes in with a stack of files.

TALAMASCA MEMBER
The transcripts you asked for. We
have five different confirmations
of the poltergeist sightings...

(CONTINUED)

17.

32        CONTINUED:   (2)

Jesse rolls her eyes impatiently and sits down.

TALBOT
Thank you, just put them down.

Talbot waits for his underling to leave. As soon as the door shuts, Talbot stands.

TALBOT
Jesse...

Jesse looks up with distressed eyes.

JESSE
What...?

TALBOT
My dear, are you ill?

JESSE
No! No, I'm fine. I haven't been
sleeping. I guess I get a little
too wired.

Talbot stands, moves around to the front of the desk.

TALBOT
Is there something on your mind?

She shakes her head.

JESSE
I feel stupid talking about it...

Jesse takes a deep breath.

JESSE
When I can't sleep, I go out...
just walking around. I go
places...

TALBOT
Go on.

JESSE
I go to dangerous places. Bad
neighbourhood. Dark alleys. The
worse it is, then I have to go. I
can't help myself.

David considers, looks into Jesse's eyes.

(CONTINUED)

18.

32        CONTINUED:   (3)

DAVID
I think you're right. That is
a problem.

JESSE
... I feel this terrible sadness.
Like I don't belong here.

TALBOT
Well, that's not so unusual...

JESSE
There's something else.

Talbot waits.

JESSE
The reason I'm not sleeping...
(deep breath)
I keep having these... dreams. I
dream I'm a little girl, and I'm
living in this house with all
these... vampires.

TALBOT
Vampires...

JESSE
Real vampires. They're so real!
But they're so beautiful. And I
feel so happy when I'm with them.
In the dream, I love them.

Jesse looks up, afraid to see what Talbot might be thinking. Talbot comes to a decision, rises to his feet.

TALBOT
Jesse, when you came to apprentice
here three years ago, I felt badly
that you'd lost your parents. I
must admit I fell in love with
that precocious teenager
immediately. You demonstrated
such extraordinary instincts -- I
was proud as a peacock. But I
feel that I've done you a
disservice.

JESSE
David, please... I can handle it.
I love my work here.

Talbot pauses as the door opens again and Talbot's secretary comes in with a pile of old books.

(CONTINUED)

19.

32        CONTINUED:   (4)

TALBOT
(impatiently)
Yes, yes, just leave them there.

He sighs as his secretary beats a hasty retreat.

TALBOT
I don't know if I'm making a
mistake here. What will be will
be...

He crosses to the bookshelf, reaches deep inside, and the entire wall swivels to reveal a hidden door...

(Continued...)

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