INT. Coven Banquet Hall, night
The banquet hall is filled with people, about two-thirds of them are human. The humans are more scantily clad than the vampires and more excited, in the party mood. Most of the humans look pretty healthy, but a few look a bit like people in need of something. These ones are bothering particular vampires for attention and are usually squatted away like flies. The vampires are more subdued, more smartly dressed and for the most part just interested in the other vampires, although they do notice the healthiest looking humans but they give them only passing attention.
Every vampire has a very attractive air. They come in various shapes, sizes, ethnicities, but each one looks physically strong with a very attractive air. Most of the vampires look like they are in their mid-late 20s, though there are some who look older or younger.
There is a hierarchical social order in the coven and it is clear that some vampires have a more elevated status than others.
At the head of the banquet hall is a throne. To its right is an ornate door, to its left a simple plain one. Halfway down the wall on the right are large double doors. This is the main entrance the vampires seem to use. On the wall to the left there is another set of double doors which leads into a games room. This is the entrance the humans enter by. There are also various cast iron decorative slabs in a few places along the walls.
In front of the throne are two long narrow tables covered with platters of fruit/meats/breads and servants go around with trays offering guests drinks and food.
The servants are vampires also and they too appear to be in excellent physical shape but they do not exude the same air of self-importance as the other vampires.
The man and woman are standing close to the throne.
Lars enters with Talee through the main entrance at the side. She is transformed. Her hair is longer, shinier and thicker, and more vibrant in colour. Her complexion is perfect. Her body is more toned and shapely. She is very pale though. She’s dressed smartly in a dress, jacket and shoes.
Talee doesn’t have the composed air of the other vampires. She has no idea what is going on. She’s stares at every human she passes. She’s starving and isn’t aware or doesn’t care how she appears.
Cyrus is a few steps behind. He is the one the vampires are interested in. Some of the vampires that he greets return a friendly enough greeting but many simply stare back.
Lars, with Talee, stops in a clearing in front of the throne. He can see the reception Cyrus is getting and is concerned.
Talee continues to stare at humans who seem happy to encourage the attention. One of them starts to approach Talee but Lars stops them. Talee looks at him questioningly.
LARS
Just wait. It’s coming.
The SIRE of the coven appears through the doorway behind the throne. He’s very handsome. He manages to give off a relaxed, understanding air while at the same time being obviously fully in control of everything and everyone. He looks a little older (30s) than most of the vampires but younger than the man and the woman. Conversation stops and all the vampires have sort of come to attention, though it’s a subtle motion. They all now face the throne. Talee stares at the Sire temporarily forgetting her hunger. The Sire briefly looks her up and down but he doesn’t seem too interested in her.
SIRE
Might I ask our guests to retire to the games room? I am afraid we have some business matters to attend to before this evening’s festivities can commence. It shouldn’t take too long. Thank you.
The Sire sits on his throne. The servants herd the humans out of the room, some carrying trays of food and drink.
Other servants now enter the room. One places a stand a couple of feet in front of the throne and another places a large chalice on top of the stand.
The Sire’s mood seems to darken as he watches this.
Sire
Cyrus, you have decided that we should make inaugurations a nightly event, I see?
Cyrus bows his head contritely.
Sire
And the karuzelu? For rat’s blood?
CYRUS
No Sire. I had one of the unonstem drained.
Sire
Ah, for the progeny of a two night old newborn? A two night old mistake?
The Sire looks at Lars.
CYRUS
It is all my fault Sire, I []
Sire
Yes.
The Sire resignedly goes over to the chalice, picks it up and walks over to Talee.
Sire
Who shall perform the anointing?
Lars bows deferentially towards Cyrus. Cyrus takes the cup and turns to Talee. He dips his thumb and forefinger in the blood and then strokes Talee’s left wrist
CYRUS
Through the darkness death is defeated.
He strokes her neck.
CYRUS
Life flows through the blood.
He strokes her lips.
CYRUS
May the blood flow.
He raises up the chalice.
Crowd
May the blood flow.
Cyrus lowers the chalice to Talee’s lips.
CYRUS
Drink.
Talee starts to drink, takes hold of the chalice and drains it. Colour returns to her face and eyes and she looks more alert and alive.
SIRE
Wonderful. You are now part of my coven.
The Sire retakes his seat.
Sire
And what I want to know is, exactly why you are part of my coven?
Cyrus
Sire, I assure you[]
SIRE
I was not speaking to you.
He turns to the woman.
CYRUS
Your assessment of our newborns please.
Woman
He is naturally subservient though not in a lowly way; he is loyal, cautious, willing to take the initiative when needed but he is careful not to overstep the mark, and importantly this does not appear to be the result of some calculating or manipulative nature but rather it is because he has an inherent respect for authority. If he is some impulsive accident, a mistake, he is an impressive one.
The Sire now stares at Cyrus who meets his eye with an open, questioning look. The sort of artless response you would expect from an innocent man who has nothing to hide.
Sire
And?
He gestures towards Talee.
Woman
It is too early to say. I cannot make any judgment at this stage.
Sire
Your first impression - please.
WOMAN
Well, it is far too early to say. And many newborns take time to adjust - but you asked for my first impression, well, she may be an idiot.
Lars now looks directly at the Sire. The Sire sees the concern Lars has for his progeny and his expression softens a little.
Sire
Is there anything you would like to say?
Talee
I - I don’t know. I don’t understand what’s going on.
Woman
She may just be adjusting.
Sire
A mistake?
WOMAN
Most certainly.
Sire
Thank you.
The Sire now turns towards the man.
Man
In the 214 years that he has been part of this coven he has made 11 such mistakes. 6 of these occurred in the last 50 years. His mistakes have also made mistakes, and so his progeny already outnumbers many members who are century or more older than he.
The Sire looks at Cyrus, with a slight air of disgust and anger.
CYRUS
What is it that you suspect me of?
SIRE
Insurrection.
CYRUS
Never.
Man
Whether it is a series of accidents or something more deliberate, it must not be allowed to pass.
Cyrus gaze falls to the ground, certain now that he is doomed.
The Sire is looking at him, no longer angry now that the matter is decided.
SIRE
Cyrus, you are first generation - a most treasured child. My own blood made you. And I feel you now. I feel your fear, your sadness, and that same sadness is felt by many here. You were a worthy addition to my coven. You have pleased me many times over the passing years. Your progeny, those I planned for, and the rest, I have also been proud to call my own. My decision to turn you was a good one and I will not regret it. Cyrus, your time with us has drawn to a close. It is your time to discover what world awaits us at dawn. And should we meet again on the other side of night, I hope that the bonds that unite us will have survived the fiery light.
Cyrus takes a deep breath nods and then bows deeply.
CYRUS
Sire, might I spend the remaining hours with my progeny so that I may make my farewells?
Sire
No. Your farewells will be made here and now.
CYRUS
Sire, I humbly beg that you will not punish my progeny for my foolishness.
The Sire nods.
Cyrus, starting with Talee and then moving through the hall, takes the face of each of his progeny in his hands and kisses them on the forehead - around 30 vampires altogether.
Some are not pleased to be associated with him and receive the embrace coldly but many are moved and some are upset with tears of blood welling up in their eyes and spilling on to their cheeks.
Talee has been watching Cyrus move through the crowd and when she sees the tears of blood, the penny finally drops.
Talee
They’re vampires!
Nobody pays her any attention - it’s like a toddler talking during a funeral service.
Lars turns to her to quieten her down. She stares at him wild-eyed.
Talee
(whispers)We’re vampires.
Lars
Yes. Be quiet.
Talee now starts looking around her properly and she can as no one is paying her any attention. All attention is focused on Cyrus.
Cyrus finishes making his goodbyes. He comes back to stand in front of the Sire and bows deeply once more. He is then led out the exit they came in by servants.
When the doors are closed, the vampires start to break into their circles discussing events.
The Sire slumps back on his throne. The mood is very sombre.
Lars looks quite lost. Talee grabs him, pulling his ear right by her mouth.
Talee
(whispers)If we kill the head vampire we will return to normal.
Lars is shocked and the crowd has come to a stop. All conversation has stopped and the Sire is now sitting up straight leaning forward. Although she spoke in the quietest of whispers it’s clear that every vampire heard her.
Most of the vampires are more amused than anything. The Sire and the woman exchange a look as if this determines things. Talee’s outburst has effectively lightened the whole mood, but Talee and Lars are not aware of this.
Everyone is staring at Talee and she starts to step back - as if to back away from the attention.
Suddenly the Sire is right behind her, his mouth right beside her ear.
Sire
(whisper)Even if you kill all other vampires in this our dark world, you, my dear dear child, will still be a vampire. There is no return. There is no normal.
The crowd has now encircled Lars, Talee and the Sire.
SIRE
Ah. What to do? What to do? To roast such a little lamb seems harsh, no? And human blood was used so she cannot be made a servant now? No. Torture? Hmm, but what would be the point? No. What to do? - You know child not every creature is made to run with the pack. Perhaps what you need is to discover for yourself just what being one of us means? So what do you say?
Talee
What’s the question?
Sire
Are you ready to face the dark night alone?
Talee
You’re going to … to let me go?
Sire
Yes. But only if promise not kill any vampires.
Talee
O.K. Yeah. I - I promise.
The crowd finds this hilarious.
Sire
Now Lars what will be your parting words of wisdom to your child? As I’m sure your maker told you, most newborns, without the support of a coven, will cease to be within the first few nights of being turned. However most newborns, even with the support of a coven, have not sired their own young within 2 nights of being turned, so perhaps there is reason to hope that this is a special case. So think carefully - what are the most important rules to pass onto a newborn?
Lars
I am sorry for - well for everything. I never meant to kill you.
The Sire coughs.
Lars
Yes. 1) Sunlight will finish you completely. Sunlight - no. 2) You must make sure that wherever you go to rest at sunup is completely closed off to natural light and that no humans can enter there. OK? That’s really important, OK? No sunlight, no humans. I think we naturally rest at sunrise, but it’s not like sleep. It’s very difficult to wake a vampire at rest - maybe you would wake if you’re being attacked, but I’m not sure.
Lars looks to the Sire who shrugs. Some in the crowd are sniggering.
Lars
OK, so no sunlight and rest somewhere covered and inaccessible to humans, yes? OK, 3) You know how a snake delivers poison with its bite? Well we, we deliver euphoria with ours.
The crowd start laughing and can barely contain themselves for the rest of his speech.
Lars
They are laughing because I’m not explaining it well but what I’m telling you is true. Humans - bites are like drugs to humans, OK? And you can feed off a human without killing them, I’m not sure how ... but figure it out as you won’t draw attention to yourself if you don’t kill. OK, so - no sunlight.
Talee
No sunlight.
Lars
Sleep somewhere covered where humans don’t go.
Talee
Somewhere covered, no humans.
Lars
Bites are like drugs.
Talee
Bites are like drugs.
Lars
Feed without killing.
Talee
Feed without killing.
Lars
You’ve fed enough for tonight. Concentrate on finding a safe place to stay.
Lars kisses Talee on the forehead, copying Cyrus’ goodbye.
Sire
Now my dear, whether we shall be amused by your charming company again is for the fates to decide. If the night deems you worthy, who knows?
Servants surround Talee and move her towards one of the large cast iron decorative slabs. A couple of them move in front of it, make some movements and the slab opens to reveal a doorway. Talee is marched through the doorway by a couple of servants. The doorway once again is covered by the cast iron slab and the servants return to other parts of the hall.
Sire
Have our guests rejoin us!
SIRE
(to Lars)You have a lot to learn my boy. We must toughen you up. Some starvation will be good for you. But not tonight, tonight we feast!
