Code:
"Salem Massachusetts - 1692"
EXT. FIELD - TWILIGHT
Strong winds. The trees and grass blow wild.
PETER SALT, 30's, is taking a leak. Several feet away, his
horse is tied to a tree.
The wind intensifies, snapping a thin branch. The horse is
spooked. It jumps out of control.
The horse breaks free from its rope and races away.
PETER
Hey!
He is left alone. Still peeing. In the wind.
EXT. MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - NIGHT
The wind gusts are unrelenting.
Peter lumbers through the cold. Each step forward is a
battle. He keeps his chin tucked into his chest and clenches
the lapels of his jacket together tightly. Puffs of his
breath clearly visible in the crisp cold air.
In the distance is a simple old house surrounded by nothing
but trees and a small garden. Candlelight flickers through
the windows. Smoke rises from the chimney.
PETER
Mmgrgg. Food. Foooooodddmrrg.
He reaches the front door. Kicks it twice.
PETER
Food. F-f-food.
No answer. He kicks harder.
PETER
Grrgh. F-food. Food!
He hears the door unlock. It opens and a warm glow escapes
from an apparent roaring wood burning stove.
An OLD LADY, about 70, greets him.
OLD LADY
Yes?
No teeth. Balding with patches of greasy silver hair. A
thin mustache. Hairs sprouting out of the moles on her
wrinkled acne-scarred face. Mucus trails from her nostrils
with crust formed around her mouth.
PETER
Uhhh. I'm sorry. Wrong house.
He turns away to leave.
She takes his arm.
OLD LADY
Young man? Wont you come inside to
eat and be warm? Put some rat
skunk stew in your belly. Come.
Shivering, he looks her over. And the inviting glow and
crackle from the stove behind her.
OLD LADY
Please. I won't bite.
As she gives him a wide toothless smile of swollen infected
gums.
He unenthusiastically accepts as she helps him inside and
closes the door.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. TRAILSIDE - MORNING
Peter wakes up. He's lying on the ground. Groggy and
disoriented, he gets up. Squints from the harsh morning sun.
On his feet, he looks around. Total bewilderment.
He collects himself and walks down the trail.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - LATER
A few TOWNSPEOPLE mill about. Some on foot. Some on horses.
Peter reaches the center and reads the various signs on the
buildings. He spots one with "Deputy Governor" written on
its front door.
INT. DEPUTY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE - LATER
The office is full of books and various manuscripts. Peter
sits opposite the Deputy Governor.
PETER
And, so, needless to say, I am
lost. My horse ran away. Along
with my parcels. But what really
troubles me is this woman.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Yes. And it should trouble you.
PETER
Why do you say that?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
In the past month, there have been
eight other men just like yourself.
All with the same story.
PETER
What?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Nobody knows much about her. She
keeps to herself. Rarely leaves
the cabin.
PETER
Who is she?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Well you ask most people - they'll
tell you she's a witch.
PETER
A witch?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Some even say possessed by the
devil himself. But one thing's for
certain. Every man that comes out
of that cabin is afflicted.
PETER
Afflicted? How so?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
It is difficult to explain. It
is...shall I say...in a way...a
feeling of being burned alive.
Without the flames.
PETER
My God. That is horrible.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The belief is that it will
eventually lead to actual death by
burning. With real flames.
PETER
So are you saying--
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
I'm saying she cast a spell on you.
And everyone else who has come out
of that house.
PETER
A curse?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
A curse.
Peter lets this sink in. He takes a moment.
PETER
So I am doomed. Is there no hope?
What shall I do?
OTHER MAN
Well. You were cursed by a witch.
Perhaps you can be cured by one.
PETER
What do you mean?
OTHER MAN
There is a man. A scientist. Who
claims to be from the future. He
came here once. Said he would like
to help those who believe to be
cursed by the witch.
PETER
Yes. But. The future? Can he be
trusted?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
He's odd. But otherwise harmless.
And he says he will be returning to
the future very soon. Once he
repairs his time machine. So. It
is a risk. But. What other chance
have you got?
PETER
Would you do it?
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
I am doing it. I too have been
cursed.
EXT. SCIENTIST'S CABIN - DAY
The Deputy Governor, Peter, and SEVEN OTHER MEN are assembled
at the door of a nice brand new cabin.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
This is it. Last chance to turn
back.
He surveys the men behind him.
PETER
It's our only choice.
The other men nod in agreement.
Deputy Governor knocks on the door.
The SCIENTIST answers. In his 60's, his clothing is no
different than anyone else's, except for the Ray Ban
sunglasses and simple six-shooter holstered at his side.
SCIENTIST
Deputy. Welcome. So glad you
came.
He offers his hand. Both men shake.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
This is all of us. As you
requested.
SCIENTIST
Ah yes. The village of the damned.
And so the experiment begins.
He lets out a little chuckle, expecting everyone else to join
him. They don't.
SCIENTIST
Come on my friends. Turn those
frowns upside down. We're gonna
get to the bottom of this. Trust
me.
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