FADE IN:
EXT. SEABURGH, EAST ANGLIA - DAY 1925
VIEW of the coastal village with its church, scattered
cottages, marshland intersected with dykes, windmill,
seafront, town square, and the BEAR HOTEL located on the
promenade.
The flat countryside seems idyllic, yet the silence is
unnatural.
In the b.g., a CYCLIST, JOSEPH PAXTON, (20s), is seen riding
along the country lanes.
SAUNDERS (V.O.)
I knew Seaburgh well, years ago.
(beat)
I have never been back there since.
Not after that particular incident
of which I still have nightmares.
Paxton stops as he nears an isolated cottage. The former home
of the AGER’S.
ANGRY.
He grips the handlebars of the bicycle.
Stares at the weather-beaten cottage and the well, STONES
DISLODGED, at the end of the boundary wall.
Does not see the GHOSTLY FIGURE of WILLIAM AGER,(20s), who
stands by the side of the well.
EMOTIONLESS.
Ager watches Paxton’s movements.
The cottage appears to be uninhabited.
NERVOUS.
Paxton continues down the lane until he reaches the
embankment that overlooks the NORTH SEA.
Paxton’s POV: he stares at the FOREST OF FIR TREES that
covers the other side of the COASTLINE.
PAXTON
(to himself)
Fear is an illusion.
(beat)
(MORE)
PAXTON (CONT’D)
You and William should still be
here, Marie.
WAVES smash against the rocks.
Paxton’s stare wavers.
Plagued by memories
FACE is pale, HAGGARD.
Unsure of what to do next. He appears to have little
strength.
Paxton does not see the MONGREL DOG running across the beach.
He grabs hold of the handlebars of the bicycle and walks back
up the incline.
(O.S.), asthmatic breathing.
WORRIED.
Glances behind.
Sees nothing.
Legs nearly fail him.
Continues to walk.
EXT. SEABURGH, EAST ANGLIA - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Sea TEMPESTUOUS.
SKY darkens with rain clouds.
MIST rolls in from the sea.
COASTLINE appears deserted.
LIGHTHOUSE in the b.g.
SANDY BEACH is uninhabited, except for the mongrel dog that
runs across the stones.
No OWNER in SIGHT.
Dog HESITATES.
Stares at the TREES on the incline, EERIE, with the rising
MIST.
FEARFUL.
The dog walks up the slope.
(O.S.), SEAGULLS heard, the SEA increases in its turmoil.
The dog ambles down the path.
OBSERVANT.
It senses an UNSEEN PRESENCE.
Dog stops.
INSERT CUT: Footprint, almost skeletal in the damp mud,
filled with water.
The dog laps from this, as SHADOWS appear in the long grass.
THICK, SENSUOUS COILS, the shadows appear to be reaching out
towards the dog.
ALERT.
The dog senses this.
Runs straight into the woods.
The dog sees the clearing.
STOPS.
No SUNLIGHT appears through the branches.
FAINT ORBS of light around the burial mound.
TENDRILS OF MIST rise from the ground.
The MOUND, covered with PATCHY GRASS, senses the dog’s
approach. Evidence of past EXCAVATIONS around the sides, now
OVERGROWN with WEEDS and BRAMBLES.
DANGER.
The dog whimpers, turns.
There are WILD HEDGEROWS in place of the path it has just
taken.
Dog whimpers. Shivers.
UNDECIDED as it senses CALAMITY.
Dog sees the FRESH SKELETAL FOOTPRINTS leading to the mound.
CAUTIOUS.
It sniffs the ground.
(O.S.), CHATTERING, UNINTELLIGIBLE.
Almost a DIRGE for LOST SOULS.
DOG sentient.
Shadows edge nearer to the mound.
Dog senses an INVISIBLE PRESENCE.
Rears up on its back legs, stretches, reaching out to what is
unseen.
(0.S), SILENCE, then the anguish of the DOG’s DYING HOWLS.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
2 -
The Crown of the Dead
INT. BEAR HOTEL. PAXTON’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Paxton, feverish, sweating, twists and turns in bed as he
hears, (0.S.), the SEXTON.
SEXTON (V.O.)
(cackles)
Them here knows bloody nothing when
it comes down to it. Them three
crowns of East Anglia be known by
every kiddie.
(beat)
You know they were buried along the
coast.
(beat)
If it hadn’t been for one of them
crowns, then the Germans would have
invaded the country during the last
war...
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
- Paxton stands and looks at the coat of arms in the porch of
the church that show the THREE HOLY CROWNS of EAST ANGLIA -
- He then walks to the graveyard. He kneels down and stares
at the inscription on a tombstone: WILLIAM AGER. DIED AT
SEABURGH, AGED 28. Turns, for he senses a presence watching
him. There is no-one behind him. Nervous. He gets to his feet
and walks down the path. -
- Paxton idly rummages through books in a curiosity shop. He
picks up a soiled leather copy, hinges cracked, and stares at
the first page. He barely contains his excitement as he
reads:
INSERT CUT: We have been the custodians since Ivar the
Boneless massacred our people. Nathaniel Ager is my patronym
and England be the land of my birth. The North Field is my
dwelling-place and Christ is the kingdom of God within me.
When I am dead and in my grave, and my bones are rotten, I
hope the Lord will think kindly on me when I am forgotten.
END FLASHBACK
SEQUENCE
Paxton shifts.
RESTLESS
PAXTON
(whispers)
Forgive me.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Paxton carries a rucksack and shovel.
Pays no heed to the COTTAGE of the AGERS.
Walks past.
(O.S.), a DOG barks from within the cottage.
Paxton hesitates.
Notices the STEEP PATH is clear to walk down to the coast.
SUN blinds him.
He holds his hands to his eyes as he stares at the FOREST
where the mound is located.
NERVOUS.
Unsure of himself as he treads the pebbles on the beach.
Finds it difficult to breathe.
PERSPIRES.
(O.S.), he hears an ancient battle being refought, with the
ECHOES of the dying anguish of the warriors in his mind.
His VISION darkens.
When he opens his eyes, he walks along the path the dog took.
SHOCKED.
No understanding of how he reached this juncture.
No DAYLIGHT pierces through the trees.
He holds his shovel tight as he hears branches break.
MOVEMENT.
From the corner of his eye, Paxton sees the ETHEREAL FORM of
WILLIAM AGER disappear into the foliage.
Paxton follows.
Ager stands by the MOUND.
Paxton sees him with a SKULL in his hands.
Ager kneels, as if submerging the skull in WATER.
Ager’s INDISTINCT FEATURES are SKELETAL.
Ager drinks from the skull and FADES into the mound.
STUNNED.
Paxton falters.
He hurries toward the area where Ager disappeared.
He starts to dig.
SWEAT runs into his eyes.
BURNS THEM.
Paxton closes his eyes.
When he opens them, he is in a TUNNEL he has dug.
Little light from the CANDLE in his CAP.
He digs more and sees the base of the burnished ANGLO SAXON
CROWN.
SKULL FRAGMENTS within it.
Does not reach it.
The flame of the candle dies out.
The tunnel starts to collapse.
Paxton tries to move backward, but fails.
He swallows EARTH and
awakens in bed.
FRIGHTENED.
DAYLIGHT streams through the window.
Breathing erratic.
He tries to calm himself; fails.
His FEAR is evident.
Stares at the FINGERS on both hands that are TORN and
BLOODIED.
GRIMACES.
Closes his eyes.
He then opens them.
Slightly RELAXED.
He now looks at his hands that are unmarked.
(O.S.), HOARSE BREATHING in bedroom. FOOTSTEPS in the
corridor.
A KNOCK at the door.
SAUNDERS (O.S.)
Joe?
(beat)
It’s past nine. I’m going to have
breakfast in my sitting-room.
(beat)
Will you join me? We have much to
discuss.
Paxton doesn’t believe it is Neville Saunders. In two minds
whether to answer as he gets out of bed and puts his dressing
gown on.
PAXTON
(hesitant)
I’ll join you in about ten minutes.
(beat)
Is there anyone in the corridor?
SAUNDERS (O.S.)
No.
(beat)
It will be good to see you again
after you’ve hidden yourself away
like this. We are the only
residents, for goodness sake!
PAXTON
(tired)
I will join you after I have had a
swill.
(O.S.), Saunders’ footsteps heard in the distance as he walks
down the corridor.
Paxton is relieved.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
3 -
The Crown's Curse
INT. SAUNDERS’ SITTING-ROOM - CONTINUOUS
NEVILLE SAUNDERS, (60s), puts his knife and fork on the plate
and smiles.
Paxton hasn’t touched his breakfast.
Seems agitated.
Hand shakes as he picks up his cup of tea.
PAXTON
(curious)
What happened to Henry, Neville?
Saunders stirs his tea.
SAUNDERS
He had to travel back to Thetford.
(beat)
One of his grandchildren, a little
girl, has scarlet fever and is in
the cottage hospital.
(Paxton is shocked)
He was told the doctor’s believe
she will pull through.
PAXTON
(sighs)
That’s good.
(beat)
I hate to see a child suffer.
SAUNDERS
When was the last time you had a
good night’s sleep?
PAXTON
Weeks ago.
(speaks to Saunders; does
not see him)
I should never have put the cottage
up for sale.
(beat)
I know that now. Marie would have
stayed here if the roles had been
reversed.
SAUNDERS
I know how much the two of you were
looking forward to the birth of
your first child.
PAXTON
(shakes his head)
Not now, Neville. I don’t know
whether I am coming or going.
(beat)
You mean well. I know that. I doubt
if I will ever come to terms with
Marie and the baby’s death.
SAUNDERS
(gentle)
Had you decided on a name?
PAXTON
William.
(beat)
After my father.
SAUNDERS
Your father would have been
overjoyed with that, Joe.
Saunders wary. He sees Paxton, brow furrowed, as if he
listens to something only he can hear.
Paxton turns.
PAXTON
(sharp)
Did you say something?
SAUNDERS
(concerned)
What is wrong with you, Joe?
PAXTON
(subdued)
He is in my mind and in every dream
that plagues me.
(beat)
He has power over my eyes.
Paxton runs his hand through his hair as he gets up and paces
the room.
He hardly keeps still.
SAUNDERS
Of whom do you speak?
Paxton stops, stares at Saunders as if he doesn’t recognize
him.
PAXTON
(with disbelief)
William Ager.
(beat)
The recluse whom the villagers seem
to have erased from their memories.
(beat)
I have been told that he never
resided in that cottage on North
Field.
(beat)
The old sexton told me the truth,
whilst the vicar prevaricated over
the Agers and dismissed their
significance.
Saunders stares at Paxton as he sits back down.
An unanswered question.
PAXTON (CONT’D)
(angry)
None of us were the same when we
returned from France.
(he puts his hands over
his eyes)
Tiredness never leaves me.
SAUNDERS
It’s just idle superstition about
the three holy crowns of East
Anglia.
Paxton is disturbed.
Keeps his temper.
PAXTON
(firm)
You are mistaken.
(beat)
I remember the version of the story
Marie told me she had heard when
she was a child. I became obsessed
with the search after I read the
notes Marie made.
(beat)
I still don’t understand how it
could have been forgotten.
(beat)
The crown was a threshold guardian
to ward off diseased spirits and
barbarians from invading these
isles.
(uneasy silence)
Bran was decapitated and his head
buried beneath Tower Hill.
SAUNDERS
Of course.
(beat)
There are similarities.
Paxton’s bloodshot eyes refuse to focus.
PAXTON
(sighs)
The wind will be ferocious this
evening.
(hesitant)
You must assist me.
(beat)
The last but one crown was
unearthed in Rendlesham forest.
(Paxton shifts
uncomfortably)
He watches me at all times.
SAUNDERS
(nervous)
Ager?
PAXTON
(nods)
Yes.
(beat)
I have the last crown, Neville.
ALERT.
Saunders sits up.
SAUNDERS
You actually found it?
Paxton rises from the chair.
EXITS the bedroom.
Saunders in two minds as whether to follow him.
DOOR OPENS.
Paxton returns.
UNCERTAIN.
Holds a canvas satchel bag that has dried mud caked over it.
He fetches the small table, places it between himself and
Saunders, as he puts the satchel bag on top of the table.
SCEPTICAL.
Saunders waits for an explanation.
Paxton forces himself to unbuckle the satchel.
FINGERS TREMBLE.
Wrapped in HANDKERCHIEFS, he places the still HIDDEN CROWN on
the table.
He peels away the handkerchiefs.
INSERT CUT: A burnished silver crown with jewels missing from
the sockets, still encrusted with DRIED MUD.
Saunders is about to pick it up.
Paxton grabs his arm in a forceful grip.
PAXTON
(sharp)
What has afflicted me will plague
you as well if you touch it. It is
inside my mind.
(hesitant)
There were fragments of a skull
beside the crown when I uncovered
it.
(beat)
Under the mound in the forest I
dug. The tunnel collapsed on me.
(MORE)
PAXTON (CONT’D)
When I shook the dirt off my
clothes, I was followed when I made
my way back to the hotel.
(blunt)
I violated a sanctuary infused with
remembrance. They are the essence
of all who guard its secrets.
(listens)
Can you not hear the scratching?
(Saunders shakes his head)
It has been constant since last
week.
SAUNDERS
(almost whispers))
When do you want to return it, Joe?
Paxton takes a deep breath.
PAXTON
(with relief)
Tonight, if you will accompany me.
(beat)
I should never have interfered in
something I don’t understand.
(beat)
What time is it?
SAUNDERS
About half-past ten.
(beat)
I will speak to the boots and make
some excuse to cover us. He will
stay up and keep the door open
until our return.
(concerned)
You are still grieving, Joe.
SULLEN.
Head bowed, Paxton is silent.
He speaks; doesn’t see Saunders.
PAXTON
I have forfeited my life.
(beat)
The hillock, where I dug, is never
to be found in the same place.
Shoulders slumped, Paxton stares at Saunders.
PAXTON (CONT’D)
I will await your knock on my door.
(nervous)
Make sure there is no-one in the
corridor.
Paxton retrieves the satchel, opens the door, looks up and
down the corridor before stepping out, and closes the door.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
4 -
The Stolen Crown
INT. CORRIDOR. BEAR HOTEL - NIGHT
CLARKE,(30s), THE BOOTS, looks behind him down the dim
corridor.
He holds a LAMP in his hand.
Senses something.
(O.S.), there are soft footfalls ascending the stairs.
Clarke is confused.
SMILES.
Saunders approaches him.
The glow from the lamp shows Saunders, impassive, as he
passes Clarke.
BEWILDERED.
He stares at Saunders.
Saunders knocks Paxton’s door.
ENTERS.
Clarke stops.
FROWNS.
TROUBLED.
Pauses by the top of the stairs.
TURNS.
Walks back down the corridor.
Saunders emerges from his room, wearing his overcoat and
gloves.
He sees the shock in Clarke’s eyes.
SAUNDERS
(with surprise)
What’s the matter, man?
Clarke points to Paxton’s door.
CLARKE
(shocked)
You just past me a moment ago and
went into Mr.Paxton’s room.
(beat)
Seconds ago it be.
ALARMED.
Saunders proceeds to Paxton’s door.
SILENCE.
Clarke follows.
Saunders taps at the door.
There is no reply.
SAUNDERS
Joe?
Clarke is wary as Saunders is as he tries the door knob.
It turns at the first asking.
SHADOWS DEEPEN as the light pierces the gloom.
The room RANSACKED.
Paxton lies by the side of the bed.
Saunders takes the lamp off Clarke.
He shines it on the battered face of Paxton.
Saunders closes his eyes.
Clarke stifles a cry.
Paxton’s dead eyes are frightening.
His battered bruised jaw is broken.
His open MOUTH has been filled with SAND and PEBBLES, MUD,
that dribbles from his gouged mouth.
SAUNDERS (CONT’D)
Ring for the police and Doctor
Herries, Clarke.
ASHEN.
Clarke stays silent as he hurries from the room.
Saunders shines the lamp on the carpet.
The imprints are of MUDDY SKELETAL FEET.
Shines the light towards the wardrobe.
The CANVAS SATCHEL has been torn to shreds.
There is no sign of the HOLY CROWN.
Saunders kneels beside Paxton.
His hand shakes as he closes Paxton’s eyes.
SAUNDERS (CONT’D)
(gentle)
May you find eternal peace, my
friend.
Saunders closes his eyes, still kneeling beside Paxton.
FADE TO BLACK.