1931 D R A C U L A cast Count Dracula....................Bela Lugosi Mina Seward...................Helen Chandler John Harker....................David Manners Renfield.........................Dwight Frye Van Helsing.................Edward van Sloan Dr. Seward...................Herbert Bunston Lucy Western....................Frances Dade T R A N S Y L V A N I A EARLY AFTERNOON In a Coach in the Carpathian Mountains A young woman reads to four passengers from a travel brochure YOUNG WOMAN: "Among the rugged peaks that frown down on the Borgo Pass are found crumbling castles of a bigone age." The woman is knocked from her seat by the jostling coach RENFIELD: I say, driver, a bit slower. MAN: Oh, no! Must reach the inn before sundown! MADAM: And why, pray? MAN: It is Walpurghis Night, the night of evil! Nosferatu! MAN'S WIFE: (places her hand over his mouth) MAN: On this night, madam, the and to the Virgin we pray. LATE AFTERNOON A Village Inn Villagers anxiously greet the coach RENFIELD: I say, porter, don't take my luggage down. I'm going on to Borgo Pass tonight. PORTER: (speaks in Hungarian to the Innkeeper) RENFIELD: No, no, please, put that back up there. INNKEEPER: The driver, he is afraid. Walpurghis night. Good fellow, he is. He wants me to ask if you can wait and go on after sunrise. RENFIELD: Well, I'm sorry, but there's a carriage meeting me at Borgo Pass at midnight. INNKEEPER: Borgo Pass? RENFIELD: Yes. INNKEEPER: Whose carriage? RENFIELD: Count Dracula's. INNKEEPER: Count Dracula's? RENFIELD: Yes. INNKEEPER: Castle Dracula? RENFIELD: Yes, that's where I'm going. INNKEEPER: To the castle? RENFIELD: Yes. INNKEEPER: No, you mustn't go there. We people of the mountains believe at the castle there are vampires. Dracula and his wives! They take the form of wolves and bats. They leave their coffins at night, and they feed on the blood of the living. RENFIELD: But that's all superstition. Why I...I can't understand why... INNKEEPER: Look, the sun! When it is gone, they leave their coffins. Come, we must go indoors. RENFIELD: But, wait. I mean, just a minute. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not afraid. I've explained to the driver that it's a matter of business with me. I've got to go, really. Well, good night. INNKEEPER'S WIFE: Wait! Please, if you must go, wear this for your mother's sake. Innkeeper's wife places crucifix around Renfield's neck INKEEPER'S WIFE: It will protect you. Exit coach carrying Renfield SUNDOWN The Crypt at Castle Dracula Dracula and three vampiresses awaken from their coffins MIDNIGHT Borgo Pass Renfield's coach arrives Renfield dismounts and the coach speeds away RENFIELD: (approaches awaiting coach) The coach from Count Dracula? COACHDRIVER: (motions to get in but does not speak) RENFIELD: (enters coach) The coach speeds away. RENFIELD: (peering out the coach window) Hey, driver! The coach is led by a flying bat. LATER THAT NIGHT The entrance to Castle Dracula Renfield arrives at the castle RENFIELD: I say, driver, what do you mean by going at this...? There is no driver A door into the castle opens Renfield enters the castle Inside Castle Dracula Enter Renfield Enter Dracula down a long flight of stairs DRACULA: I am...Dracula. RENFIELD: It's really good to see you. I don't know what happened to the driver and my luggage and...well...with all this, I thought I was in the wrong place. Dracula: I bid you welcome. Dracula heads upstairs Offstage: Wolf call DRACULA: Listen to them...children of the night. What music they make! Renfield follows Dracula, breaking a path through spiderweb DRACULA: A spider spinning his web for the unwary fly. The blood...is the life, Mr. Renfield. RENFIELD: Why, yes. Renfield's Bedchamber Enter Dracula and Renfield DRACULA: I'm sure you will find this part of my castle more inviting. RENFIELD: Oh, rather! It's quite different from outside. Oh, and the fire! It's so cheerful. DRACULA: I didn't know but that you might be hungry. RENFIELD: Thank you. That's very kind of you. But I'm a bit worried about my luggage. You see, all your papers were in... DRACULA: I took the liberty of having your luggage brought up. Allow me. RENFIELD: Oh, yes. Thanks. DRACULA: I trust you have kept your coming here...a secret? RENFIELD: I've followed your instructions implicitly. DRACULA: Excellent, Mr. Renfield, excellent. And now, if you're not too fatiqued, I would like to discuss the lease on Carfax Abbey. RENFIELD: Oh, yes. Everything is in order, awaiting your signature. Here is the lease. I hope I've brought enough labels for your luggage. DRACULA: I am taking with me only three...boxes. RENFIELD: Very well. DRACULA: I have chartered a ship to take us to England. We will be leaving...tomorrow...evening. RENFIELD: Everything will be ready. DRACULA: (pointing to bed) I hope you will find this comfortable. RENFIELD: Thanks. It looks very inviting. Renfield cuts his finger on a paperclip. RENFIELD: Ouch! DRACULA: (stealthily approaches Renfield) Renfield's crucifix falls over the cut finger. DRACULA: (turns quickly away) RENFIELD: Oh, it's nothing serious. Just a small cut from that paperclip. It's just a scratch. DRACULA: (pouring a glass of wine) This...is very old wine. I hope you will like it. RENFIELD: Aren't you drinking? DRACULA: I never drink...wine. RENFIELD: Well, it's delicious. DRACULA: And, now, I'll leave you. RENFIELD: Well, good night. DRACULA: Good night, Mr. Renfield. Exit Dracula RENFIELD: (opens windows) Enter Bat RENFIELD: (faints) Enter three vampiresses and Dracula DRACULA: (motions vampiresses back) Dracula approaches Renfield ************************************************** SEVERAL WEEKS LATER A B O A R D T H E V E S T A -- B O U N D F O R E N G L A N D NEAR SUNDOWN On Deck The crew battles a raging storm In the hold Renfield awakens Dracula RENFIELD: Master, the sun is gone. DRACULA: (leaves his coffin) RENFIELD: You will keep your promise when we get to London, won't you, master? You will see that I get lives...not human lives but small ones...with blood in them. I'll be loyal to you, master. I'll be loyal. Exit Dracula to the deck *********************************************** E N G L A N D THE NEXT MORNING Whitby Harbor On the deck of the Vesta VOICE OF MAN 1: Here now! Here now, get back! Nobody goes aboard this here boat until the authorities are here. VOICE OF MAN 2: The captain dead, tied to the wheel. Horrible tragedy! Horrible tragedy. In the hold Renfield whispers to Dracula's coffin RENFIELD: Master, we're here! You can't hear what I'm saying, but we're here. We're safe! On deck VOICE OF MAN 1: They must've come through a terrible storm! Offstage: Renfield laughs VOICE OF MAN 1: What's that? Why, it's come from that hatchway! Hatchway opens to reveal Renfield RENFIELD: (laughs) VOICE OF MAN 1: Why, he's mad! Look at his eyes! Why, the man's gone crazy! From the Whitby Newspaper Late edition CREW OF CORPSES FOUND ON DERELECT VESSEL SCHOONER VESTA DRIFTS INTO WHITBY HARBOR AFTER STORM BEARING GRUESOME CARGO Sole survivor a raving maniac. His craving to devour ants, flies and other small living things to obtain their blood, puzzles scientists. At present he is under observation at Dr Seward's Sanitarium near London. MANY NIGHTS LATER A Sidewalk in London Dracula approaches young girl selling violets FLOWERGIRL: Violets! Violets! For your buttonhole, sir! Here's a nice one. DRACULA: (drinks her blood) FLOWERGIRL: (screams) LATER A Symphony Theatre in London An usherette leads Dracula inside DRACULA: And after you've delivered the message, you will remember nothing I now say. Obey! The Sewards' box Seward, Harker, Mina and Lucy listen to the symphony Enter Usherette USHERETTE: Dr. Seward? SEWARD: Yes? usherette: You're wanted on the telephone. SEWARD: Thank you. Well, excuse me. MINA: Oh, Father, if it's from home, will you say I'm spending the night in town with Lucy? SEWARD: All right, dear. Seward steps from the box DRACULA: Pardon me? SEWARD: Yes? DRACULA: I could not help overhearing your name. Might I inquire...if you are the Dr. Seward whose sanitarium is at Whitby? SEWARD: Why, yes. DRACULA: I'm Count Dracula. I have just leased Carfax Abbey. I understand it adjoins your ground. SEWARD: Why yes, it does. I'm very happy to make your acquaintance. May I present my daughter Mina... MINA: Count Dracula. SEWARD: ...Miss Western... LUCY: How do you do? SEWARD: ...and Mr. Harker. HARKER: How do you do? SEWARD: Count Dracula has just taken Carfax Abbey. LUCY: Oh, it will a relief to see life in those dismal old windows! SEWARD: It will indeed. Well, you will excuse me. I'm wanted on the telephone. Exit Seward HARKER: The abbey could be very attractive, but I should imagine it will need quite extensive repair. DRACULA: I shall do very little repairing. It reminds me of the broken battlements of my own castle...in Transylvania. LUCY: The abbey always reminds me of that old toast about "..........lofty timbers, The walls around are bare Echoing to our laughter As though the dead were there." HARKER: Nice little medley. LUCY: There's more, even nicer. "Pass a cup to the dead already, A glass to the next to die..." MINA: Oh, never mind the rest, dear. DRACULA: To die...to be really dead...that must be glorious. MINA: Why, Count Dracula! DRACULA: There are far worse things...awaiting man...than death. Music begins LATER THAT NIGHT Lucy's Bedroom Mina prepares to leave as Lucy prepares for bed MINA: "It reminds me of the broken battlements of my own castle...in Transylvania." Oh, Lucy, you're so romantic! LUCY: Laugh all you like. I think he's fascinating. MINA: Oh, I suppose he's all right, but give me someone a little more normal. LUCY: Like John? MINA: Yes, dear, like John. LUCY: Count Dracula! Transylvania! MINA: Well, Countess, I'll leave you to your Count and his ruined abbey. Good night, Lucy. LUCY: Good night, dear. Exit Mina LUCY: (opens the windows) Dracula peers up at Lucy's open window Lucy lies down on her bed Enter bat DRACULA: (materializes and approaches Lucy) THE NEXT DAY An autopsy theatre DOCTOR: Another death! Dr. Seward, when did Miss Western have the last transfusion? SEWARD: About four hours ago. DOCTOR: An unnatural loss of blood which we've been powerless to check. On the throat of each victim, the same two marks. SEVERAL DAYS LATER The Grounds of the Seward Sanitarium Offstage: Renfield screams FEMALE PATIENT: He probably wants his flies again. Renfield's Room Renfield pleads with Martin RENFIELD: No, Martin, please. Please, don't, Martin. No, Martin, please. Please, Martin. No, Martin. Oh, Martin, please. No, No, Martin, please. No, Martin. Martin, don't. MARTIN: Here, give it to me. RENFIELD: Don't throw my spider away from me. Oh, Martin, oh! MARTIN: Ain't you ashamed, now, ain't ya? Spiders now, ain't it? Flies ain't good enough? RENFIELD: Flies? Flies? Poor puny things. Who wants to eat flies? MARTIN: You do, you loony! RENFIELD: Not when I can get nice fat spiders. MARTIN: All right, have it your own way. MEANWHILE A Laboratory at the Sanitarium Van Helsing, Seward and doctors analyze a blood sample HELSING: Gentlemen, we are dealing with the undead. DOCTOR: Nosferatu! HELSING: Yes, nosferatu, the undead, the vampire. The vampire attacks the throat. It leaves two little wounds, white with red centers. Dr. Seward, your patient Renfield, whose blood I have just analyzed, is obsessed with the idea that he must devour living things in order to sustain his own life. SEWARD: But Professor Van Helsing, modern medical science does not admit of such a creature. The vampire is a pure myth, superstition. HELSING: I may be able to bring you proof that the superstition of yesterday can become the scientific reality of today. LATER THAT AFTERNOON Seward's office Van Helsing and Seward confer SEWARD: But Professor, Renfield's cravings have always been for small living things. Nothing human. HELSING: As far as we know, Doctor. But you tell me that he escapes from his room. He's gone for hours. Where does he go? Enter Renfield and Martin HELSING: Well, Mr. Renfield, you are looking much better than you did this morning when I arrived. RENFIELD: Thanks, I'm feeling much better. HELSING: I am here to help you. You understand that, do you not? RENFIELD: (shakes hands with Helsing) Why, of course, and I am very grateful. (drops Helsing's hand) Keep your filthy hands to yourself! SEWARD: Now, now, Renfield. RENFIELD: Oh, Dr. Seward, send me away from this place. Send me far away! HELSING: Why are you so anxious to get away? RENFIELD: My cries at night. They might disturb Miss Mina. HELSING: Yes? RENFIELD: They might give her bad dreams, Professor Van Helsing, bad dreams. SUNSET The crypt at Carfax Abbey Dracula rises from his coffin. MEANWHILE Seward's Office Van Helsing, Seward and Martin discuss Renfield Offstage: Wolf call HELSING: That sounded like a wolf. SEWARD: Yes, it did, but I hardly think there are wolves so near London. MARTIN: He thinks they're wolves. Me, I've heard 'em howl at night before. He thinks they're talking to him. He howls and howls back at 'em. He's crazy! HELSING: I might have known. I might have known. We know why the wolves talk, do we not, Mr. Renfield? And we know how we can make them stop. Van Helsing holds up a sprig of wolfbane RENFIELD: (screams and turns away) You know too much to live, Van Helsing. SEWARD: Now, now, Renfield. HELSING: We will get no more out of him now for a while. SEWARD: Take him away, Martin. MARTIN: On your way, old fly eater. RENFIELD: I'm warning you, Dr. Seward. If you don't send me away, you must answer for what will happen to Miss Mina! SEWARD: All right, Martin. MARTIN: Come along, now, come along. SEWARD: What was that herb that excited him so? HELSING: Wolfbane. It is a plant that grows in central Europe. The natives there use it to protect themselves against vampires. SEWARD: Renfield reacted very violently to its scent. HELSING: Seward, I want you to have Renfield closely watched by day and night, especially by night. THAT NIGHT Renfield's Room at the Sanitarium Renfield lies in his bed, crying Enter Dracula under Renfield's window Offstage: Wolf call RENFIELD: Yes, master. Master, you've come back. Oh, master, please. Please don't ask me to do that. Don't. Not her. Please, please don't, master. Don't, please. Please. Oh, don't. LATER THAT NIGHT Mina's Bedroom Mina lies asleep in her bed Enter Dracula SEVERAL EVENINGS LATER The Seward Parlour Mina and Harker sit on couch MINA: I laid in bed for quite a while...reading. And just as I was commencing to get drowsy, I heard dogs howling. And when the dream came, it seemed the whole room was filled with mist. It was so thick, I could just see the lamp by the bed, a tiny spark in the fog. And then I saw two red eyes staring at me and a white livid face came down out of the mist. It came closer and closer. I felt breath on my face...and then, its lips! HARKER: Dear, it was only a dream. Enter Van Helsing and Seward MINA: And then in the morning, I felt so weak. It seemed as if all the life had been drained out of me. HARKER: Darling, we're going to forget all about these dreams and think about something cheerful, aren't we? HELSING: Allow me. HARKER: Certainly, Professor. HELSING: Think for a moment. Is there anything that might have brought this dream on? MINA: No. HARKER: (whispering to Seward) Doctor, there's something troubling Mina, something she won't tell us. HELSING: And the face in the dream...you say it seemed to come closer and closer? The lips touched you? Where? Is there anything the matter with your throat? MINA: Why, no, but I...! HELSING: Permit me. MINA: Oh, no, please! HELSING: Yes...yes...How long have you had those little marks? HARKER: Marks? Mina, why didn't you let us know? HELSING: Do not excite her. Well, Miss Mina? MINA: Since the morning after the dream. HARKER: What could have caused them, Professor? Enter Maid MAID: Count Dracula! Enter Dracula DRACULA: It's good to see you back again, Doctor. I heard you had just arrived. You, Miss Mina, you're looking exceptionally... HELSING: Pardon me, Dr. Seward, but I think Miss Mina should go to her room at once. MINA: Professor Van Helsing, I don't believe it's as important as you seem to think it is. SEWARD: Excuse me. Count Dracula...Professor Van Helsing. DRACULA: Van Helsing. A most distinguished scientist whose name we know...even in the wilds of Transylvania. MINA: I had a frightful dream a few nights ago, and I don't seem to be able to get it out of my mind. DRACULA: I hope you haven't taken my stories too seriously? HARKER: Stories? DRACULA: Yes. In my humble effort to amuse your fiance, Mr. Harker, I was telling her some rather...grim tales of my far off country. HARKER: I can imagine. MINA: Why, John! Harker opens cigarette case with mirrored top Van Helsing notices that Dracula casts no reflection DRACULA: I can quite understand Mr. Harker. I'm sorry. SEWARD: I'm afraid it's quite serious. My dear, I'm sure Count Dracula will excuse you. You must go to your room, as Professor Van Helsing suggests. MINA: Oh, but really, father, I'm feeling quite well. DRACULA: You had better do...as your father advises. Harker notes that Dracula casts no reflection MINA: Very well. Good night. John. DRACULA: Miss Mina, may I call later to inquire how you are feeling? MINA: Why, yes, thank you. Exit Mina DRACULA: I'm sorry, Doctor. My visit was so ill-timed. SEWARD: Not at all. HELSING: On the contrary, it may prove to be most enlightening. In fact, before you go, you can be of definite service. DRACULA: Anything I can do, gladly. HELSING: A moment ago, I stumbled upon a most amazing phenomenon...something so incredible, I mistrust my own judgement. Look. Van Helsing holds mirror to Dracula DRACULA: (slaps mirror to the floor) Dr. Seward, my humble apology. I dislike mirrors. Van Helsing will explain. For one who has not lived even a single lifetime, you are a wise man, Van Helsing. Exit Dracula HARKER: Whew! SEWARD: What on earth caused that? HARKER: Did you see the look on his face? Like a wild animal! SEWARD: Wild animal? Like a madman! HARKER: What's that running across the lawn? Looks like a huge dog! HELSING: Or a wolf? HARKER: A wolf? HELSING: He was afraid we might follow. SEWARD: Follow? HELSING: Sometimes they take the form of wolves but generally of bats. HARKER: What are you talking about? HELSING: Dracula. HARKER: But what's Dracula got to do with wolves and bats? HELSING: Dracula is our vampire. SEWARD: But surely, Professor. HELSING: The vampire casts no reflection in the glass. That is why Dracula smashed the mirror. HARKER: I don't mean to be rude but that's the sort of thing I expect one of the patients here to say. HELSING: Yes, and that is what your English doctors would say, your police. The strength of the vampire is that people will not believe in him. MEANWHILE Outside the Sanatarium Mina enters the garden where Dracula stands waiting The Seward Parlour Van Helsing, Seward and Harker talk HARKER: But professor, vampires only exist in ghost stories. HELSING: The vampire, Mr. Harker, is a thing that lives after its death by drinking the blood of the living. It must have blood or it dies. Its power lasts only from sunset to sunrise. During the hours of the day, it must rest in the earth in which it was buried. SEWARD: But then, if Dracula were a vampire, he would have to return every night to Transylvania. That's impossible! HELSING: Then he must have brought his native soil with him. Boxes of it. Boxes of earth large enough for him to rest in. Offstage: Renfield laughs SEWARD: Renfield? What are you doing there? Come here. Enter Renfield SEWARD: Did you hear what we were saying? RENFIELD: Yes, I heard something. Enough. Be guided by what he says. It's your only hope. It's her only hope. I begged you to send me away, but you wouldn't. Now it's too late. It's happened again. SEWARD: What's happened? RENFIELD: Take her away from here. Take her away before... Enter Bat RENFIELD: No, no, master. I wasn't going to say anything. I told them nothing. I'm loyal to you, master. Harker shoos bat outside HELSING: What have you to do with Dracula? RENFIELD: Dracula? I never even heard the name before. HELSING: You will die in torment if you die with innocent blood on your soul. RENFIELD: Oh, no. God will not damn a lunatic's soul. He knows that the powers of evil are too great for those of us with weak minds. Offstage: Maid screams MAID: Oh, Mr. Harker! Mr. Harker, it's 'orrible! Enter Maid from the Terrace MAID: Oh, it's 'orrible! Dr. Seward! Miss Mina...out there dead! HARKER: Out where? MAID: Out there! Exit Harker, Van Helsing and Seward to garden RENFIELD: (laughs) MAID: (faints) On the Sanatarium Lawn Van Helsing and Seward find Mina HARKER: (carries Mina) SEWARD: Thank heavens, she's alive. Thank heaven for that. HELSING: Alive, yes, but in greater danger for she's already under his influence. SEWARD: Horrible, Van Helsing, horrible. Incredible. HELSING: Incredible, perhaps, but we must... Van Helsing, Seward, Harker and Mina exit into the house Dracula peers out from behind a tree LATER THAT NIGHT A Park in London Policeman walks down the park path Offstage: A child cries Exit Lucy into the shadows THE NEXT DAY The Seward Sanatarium Martin reads a newspaper to two nurses MARTIN: "...several attacks on small children committed after dark by the mysterious woman in white took place last night. Narratives of two small girls, each child describing a "bootiful lady in white" who promised her chocolates, enticed her to a secluded spot, and there bit her slightly in the throat. NURSE: Ghosts! MARTIN: Vampires. LATE THAT AFTERNOON Mina's Bedroom Van Helsing, Harker and Mina sit on the terrace HELSING: And then, Miss Mina? HARKER: How could she know anything about the woman in white? It's bad enough for her to read it in the newspaper without... HELSING: Please, please, Mr. Harker. And when was the next time you saw Miss Lucy after she was buried? Exit Harker MINA: I was downstairs on the terrace. She came out of the shadows and stood looking at me. I started to speak to her, and then I remembered she was dead. The most horrible expression came over her face. She looked like a hungry animal...a wolf. Then she turned and ran back into the dark. HELSING: Then you know the woman in white is... MINA: ...Lucy. HELSING: Miss Mina, I promise you that after tonight she will remain at rest, her soul released from this horror. Enter Harker MINA: If you can save Lucy's soul after death, promise me you'll save mine. HARKER: Darling, you're not going to die, you're going to live. MINA: No, John, you mustn't touch me, and you mustn't kiss me ever again. HARKER: What are you trying to say? MINA: You tell him. You make him understand. I can't. Exit Van Helsing MINA: Professor? It's all over, John, our love, our life together. Oh, no! No, no, don't look at me like that. I love you, John...you...but this horror! He wills it to me. HELSING: (calling from inside Mina's bedroom) Mina, you must come indoors. You must. Mina and Harker come inside HARKER: Do you know what you're doing to her, Professor? You're driving her crazy. HELSING: Mr. Harker, that is what you should be worrying about. The last rays of the day's sun will soon be gone and another night will be upon us. Enter Seward HARKER: Dr. Seward, I'm taking Mina with me to London tonight or I'll call in the police. SEWARD: But, John! HARKER: Mina, please get your bags packed. HELSING: Seward, I must be master here or I can do nothing. Right, Miss Mina? Both this room and your bedroom have been prepared with wolfbane. You will be safe if Dracula returns. HARKER: She'll be safe alright because she's going with me. Mina, I will be waiting for you in the library. Exit Harker MINA: Oh, John! Father, talk to him. Please don't let him go. Exit Seward and Mina HELSING: Oh, Briggs. Enter Briggs HELSING: Miss Mina is to wear this wreath of wolfbane when she goes to bed. Watch her closely and see that she does not remove it in her sleep. BRIGGS: I understand, professor. HELSING: And under no circumstances must these windows be opened tonight. BRIGGS: Very well, sir. SUNDOWN The Crypt at Carfax Abbey Dracula awakens from his coffin Offstage: Wolf call LATER THAT EVENING The Seward Parlour Enter Van Helsing, Harker and Seward HELSING: You will recollect that Dracula casts no reflection in the mirror. SEWARD: Yes? HELSING: And that three boxes of earth were delivered to him at Carfax Abbey. SEWARD: Right. HELSING: And, knowing that a vampire must rest by day in his native soil, I am convinced that this Dracula is no legend but an undead creature whose life has been unnaturally prolonged. HARKER: Well, Dr. Seward, what about it? Is Mina going with me or not? HELSING: If you take her from under our protection, you will kill her. SEWARD: Now, John, please. Please, be patient. HELSING: Mr. Harker, please, come here. HARKER: Well? SEWARD: John, I know you love her, but don't forget she's my daughter, and I must do what I think is best. HELSING: Mr. Harker, I have devoted my lifetime to the study of many strange things...little known facts which the world is perhaps better off for not knowing. HARKER: I know. But professor, all I want is to get Mina away from all of this. HELSING: That will do no good. Our only chance of saving Miss Mina's life is to find the hiding place of Dracula's living corpse and to drive a stake through his heart. Enter Renfield RENFIELD: Isn't this a strange conversation for men who aren't crazy? SEWARD: Renfield, you're compelling me to put you in a strait jacket. RENFIELD: You forget, Doctor, that madmen have great strength. HELSING: Dracula has great strength, hey, Renfield? RENFIELD: Words, words, words! SEWARD: (talking on telephone) Hello, Martin, didn't I warn you to keep a strict watch? The Sanitarium Ward Martin speaks on the telephone MARTIN: What? Again? Yes, sir. At once, sir. Yes, sir. Right away, sir. Here, the doctor's pet loony is loose again. The Seward Parlour Renfield talks to Van Helsing, Harker and Seward RENFIELD: He came to my window in the moonlight. He promised me things. Not in words, but by doing them. HELSING: Doing them? RENFIELD: By making them happen. A red mist spread over the lawn, coming on like a flame of fire. And then he parted it, and I could see that there were thousands of rats with their eyes blazing red like his only smaller. Enter Martin RENFIELD: And then he held up his hand and they all stopped. And I thought he seemed to be saying, "Rats...rats...rats! Thousands! Millions of them! All red blood! All these will I give you if you will obey me." Enter Dracula at the terrace door HELSING: What did he want you to do? RENFIELD: That which has already been done. MARTIN: Strike me down dead, Doctor. He's got me going. Now he's twisted and broken them iron bars as if they was cheese. HELSING: Dracula is in the house. SEWARD: In the house? HELSING: Doctor, this time he can do no harm. We are ready for him. SEEWARD: Martin, come with me. I'll show you where we can put Mr. Renfield where he won't escape again. MARTIN: Well, all right, but I have me doubts. Come on, old fly eater. Exit Seward, Renfield and Martin DRACULA: Van Helsing! Now that you have learned what you have learned, it would be well for you to return to your own country. HELSING: I prefer to remain and protect those whom you would destroy. DRACULA: You are too late. My blood now flows through her veins. She will live through the centuries to come...as I have lived. HELSING: Should you escape us, Dracula, we know how to save Miss Mina's soul if not her life. DRACULA: If she dies by day. But I shall see that she dies by night. HELSING: And I will have Carfax Abbey torn down stone by stone, excavated a mile around. I will find your earth box and drive that stake through your heart. DRACULA: Come here. Come...here. HELSING: (Takes three steps toward Dracula, then backs up) DRACULA: Your will is strong, Van Helsing. Dracula approahces Van Helsing Van Helsing reaches into his pocket DRACULA: More wolfbane? HELSING: More effective than wolfbane, Count. DRACULA: Indeed? Van Helsing pulls out crucifix DRACULA: (snarls and turns away) THAT NIGHT The Hallway outside Mina's Bedroom Harker listens in as Briggs prepares Mina for bed MINA: Open the window, Briggs, so that you can let in some air. The awful smell from that horrible weed. It's stifling. I can't stand it. BRIGGS: But the professor gave orders. MINA: Oh, never mind the professor now. BRIGGS: Now, please, go back to bed at once. I'm going to call your father. Exit Briggs into the hallway HARKER: What is it, Briggs? BRIGGS: I don't know, Mr. Harker. I felt strangely dizzy. And when it cleared away, Miss Mina was up and dressed and out on the terrace. And I can't get her to go to bed. HARKER: Well, let me see her. Tell her I'm here. Harker enters Mina's room Mina stands out on the terrace MINA: John? Oh, John, I'm so glad you're here. What have they been doing to me, dear? Locking me in my room! Oh, and the horrible smell of that awful weed. It's been like a nightmare. What's been the matter? Why are you looking at me like that? HARKER: Mina, you're so...like a changed girl. You look wonderful. MINA: I feel wonderful. I've never felt better in my life. HARKER: I'm so glad to see you like this. I've been awfully worried about you. Enter Briggs BRIGGS: Mr. Harker, you've got to bring Miss Mina inside. HARKER: That's all right, Briggs, now that I'm here. MINA: Run along, Briggs, don't worry. Exit Briggs MINA: John, look! The fog's lifting. See how plain you can see the stars. HARKER: Yes, millions of them. I've never seen them so close. Why, it looks as though you could reach out and touch them. Would you like me to get your hat? Why, what's the matter? MINA: Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Come. Let's sit down. MEANWHILE The Seward Parlour Exit Van Helsing and Seward towards the stairs HELSING: Seward, that which I feared from the beginning has happened. SEWARD: What? HELSING: Dracula boasts that he has fused his blood with that of Miss Mina. In life, she will now become the foul thing of the night that he is. SEWARD: But, Van Helsing... HELSING: No, no, come, Seward, come. There's not a moment to be lost. Mina's bedroom Mina and Harker sit together out on the terrace MINA: Oh, but I love the fog! I love nights in the fog! HARKER: But only yesterday you said you were afraid of the night. MINA: But darling, I could never have said anything so silly. I couldn't! I love the night. That's the only time I feel really alive. Enter Bat HARKER: There's that bat again! MINA: Yes? HARKER: Look out. He'll get in your hair. BAT: (squeaks) MINA: Yes? HARKER: My, that was a big bat! BAT: (squeaks) MINA: I will. HARKER: You will what? MINA: Why, I didn't say anything. HARKER: Yes, you did. You said, "I will." MINA: Oh, no, I didn't. John, come, sit down. Enter Van Helsing and Seward into Mina's bedroom SEWARD: There must be some way...some way to save her. HELSING: There is only one. MINA: (unaware of Van Helsing and Seward's presence) John, that funny little old professor. He has a crucifix. I want you to get it away from him and hide it. HARKER: But why, dear? MINA: Oh, he'll be wanting to protect me again from the night or Count Dracula or whatever it is. HARKER: Well, I don't know. He may be right, Mina. Your eyes! They look at me so strangely. Mina! Mina, you're... Mina bends forward to bite Harker's neck SEWARD: No, Mina, no! Helsing runs forward with crucifix) MINA: (screams) HARKER: Give me that. What's the idea? Are you crazy? What are you trying to do...frighten her to death? HELSING: No, I was trying to save her. HARKER: Save her? That's a fine way. It's all right, darling. MINA: Oh, John, darling. You must go away from me. The cross! Put it away. After what's happened, I can't bear to look at it. HARKER: What's happened? MINA: I can't tell you, I can't. HARKER: But you must. You must tell me. I have a right to know. MINA: Oh, John. You can believe everything he says. It's all the truth. Dracula, he... HARKER: Dracula? What's he done to you, Mina? Tell me. MINA: He came to me. He opened a vein in his arm, and he made me drink. Offstage: Sound of gunshot SEWARD: (looking over terrace wall) What is it? Who is it, Martin? Below on the Lawn Martin and Maid look after bat MARTIN: It's that big grey bat again. HELSING: There's no use of wasting your bullets, Martin. They cannot harm that bat. MARTIN: No, sir. Exit Van Helsing MAID: He's crazy. MARTIN: They're all crazy. They're all crazy except you and me. Sometimes I have me doubts about you. MAID: Yes. Exit Martin LATER THAT NIGHT Mina's Bedroom Briggs watches Mina sleep Dracula peers in window BRIGGS: (removes wolfbane and opens windows) Enter Dracula A FEW MINUTES LATER The Front Gate of the Sanitarium Van Helsing and Harker prepare to depart They see Renfield approach Carfax Abbey HARKER: That's Renfield. What's he doing at the Abbey? HELSING: Come, Mr. Harker. Inside Carfax Abbey Enter Mina and Dracula Enter Renfield RENFIELD: Master! Master, I'm here! Outside Carfax Abbey Van Helsing and Harker look for a way into the Abbey HELSING: Where else would he be going but to Dracula? Inside Carfax Abbey Renfield approaches Dracula and Mina RENFIELD: What is it, master? What do you want me to do? Outside Carfax Abbey Van Helsing and Harker find an opening into the Abbey HARKER: Look, here's an opening. Mina! Mina! Inside Carfax Abbey Dracula approaches Renfield RENFIELD: I didn't lead them here, Master. I didn't know, I swear! I'm loyal to you, Master. I'm your slave. I didn't betray you. Oh, no, don't! Don't kill me! Let me live, please! Punish me, torture me, but let me live. I can't die with all those lives on my conscience...all that blood on my hands! DRACULA: Throws Renfield down the stairs Enter Van Helsing and Harker Exit Dracula and Mina HARKER: Mina! Mina! He'll kill her if we don't get to her! HELSING: We must not be too late! We have him trapped! Day is breaking! We have him trapped! Offstage: Mina screams HARKER: Hurry! Mina! Mina, where are you? Mina! Mina! Mina, where are you? Mina! Mina! Mina! Mina! HELSING: (seeing coffins) Harker! Harker! Come! HARKER: Where? Where are you? HELSING: Here! Here, Harker, I have found them! Get me a piece of stone...anything to help me drive the stake through their hearts. Van Helsing opens Mina's coffin HARKER: Is she? How is she? HELSING: She is not here! HARKER: Then...then she may be alive! Mina! Mina! Mina! Mina! HELSING: (Drives stake through Dracula's heart) DRACULA: (gasps) MINA: (screams) HARKER: Mina! Mina! Mina! MINA: Oh, John! John, darling! I heard you calling, but I couldn't say anything. HARKER: We thought he'd killed you, dear. MINA: The daylight stopped him. Oh, if you could have seen the look on his face! HELSING: There's nothing more to fear, Miss Mina. Dracula is dead forever. No, no, no! You must go. MINA: But aren't you coming with us? HELSING: Not yet. Presently. Come, John. Exit Harker and Mina Offstage: The Sound of Church Bells THE END