The Stickman & the Crow
By
Joseph Peebles
(C) 2002
FADE IN:
FULL SHOT OF YONKERS, NEW YORK -- FOREST -- DAY
Perched high in a birch tree is a black, elderly crow.
It's piercing, blinking, eyes are fixed on the well-traveled dirt path
below. Lining the path is a thicket of maul berry bushes, and tall,
green grasses.
(O.S.) 1789
EXT. OF THE DIRT ROAD -- CONTINUOUS
An elderly gentleman is accommodated by two young women.
The gentleman is aged and dry-looking. The trio sing, drink, and laugh
loudly as they venture deeper into the forest.
THE CROW
(chirping)
Caw! Caw! Caw!
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(Shouts to the bird)
Shut up!
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(shouts)
I said shut up!
He picks up a stone and throws it at the crow.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(shouts)
Now shut up!
The two girls laugh and encourages Van Der Holland.
They, too, join in on the instigation. The crow is undisturbed by their
actions. It looks blankly at the trio.
AMBER
(playfully)
Let's go on a serious escapade.
She breaks from the group and dashes off gleefully into
the forest.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
Let her go on. Let's you and I go off and create
some fun of our own.
Arm in arm, he and Jilly, girl # 2, wonders off in the
opposite direction. They settle at the base of a low mountain. Jilly
lays down in the tall grass. She withdraws a metal drinking flask from
her bosom.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
Jilly, you naughty girl. Can I have some?
He lies down next to her. Together they drink from the
flask. He then tosses the flask aside and climbs on top of her. Their
playing is suddenly interrupted by the rapid fleeing of squirrels,
rabbits, and birds.
JILLY
What was that?
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(between kisses to her neck and bosom)
What was what? Don't worry about it. It's
probably Amber. She's playing a prank on us. Come on. Let's do
this.
They hear the swift galloping of an approaching horse.
Accommodating the dashing sounds are the snuffling and snorting of the
approaching horse.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(says quietly to himself)
Who is that?
He slowly rises to his feet.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
Amber, is that you? Amber?
The galloping stops.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
That can't be Amber. She doesn't have a horse.
We walked here.
He carefully inspects the forest.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(he calls out)
Who goes there?
A hush falls over the forest.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
Maybe they're gone.
As he continues to scan the forest he notices the
blinking crow looking down at him.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(quietly)
Get a life.
The galloping starts
Again. Van Der Holland fixes his eyes on the forest
directly ahead of him. Charging through the thickets, on a chestnet
colored horse, dressed fully in black, and wearing a black cape, was an
individual of mammoth portions. The rider is wearing black leather
pants, a huge, black leather belt, black, three-quarter-length, and a
leather jacket that's fastens at the neck.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(puzzled)
What the hell?
He turns to Jilly.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(shouts)
Run! It's the Pointed Stickman!
She scrambles to her feet, collects her dress, and runs
barefooted through the forest. Van Der Holland stands petrifies.
Wide-eyed, scared, and unable to move, he urinates on himself. The urine
flows steadily down his pants legs onto his boots.
As the charging Lancer approaches Van Der Holland, Van
Der Holland screams.
STEPHEN VAN DER HOLLAND
(shaking and screaming)
Ahhhhhhhhhh!
The Lancer holds his pointed lance forward and aims it
at Van Der Holland's chest.
Jilly runs into Amber. Amber covers Jilly's mouth.
AMBER
(whispers)
Shhhhhhh!
At ramming speed, the Lancer drives his lance deep into
Van Der Holland's chest. The Lancer celebrates by lifting Van Der
Holland's stout body high in the air via his lance. He revs up his horse
on its hind legs. He then rides off with Van Der Holland's body at the
end of his lance.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The crow flies off behind the Pointed Stickman.
DISSOLVE TO:
FADE IN: SOUND TRACK IN:
THEME SONG: THE POINTED STICKMAN (C), BY JOSEPH PEEBLES
Roll opening credits along with slit scan still action
shots from movie.
Sound track out. Credits out.
FADE IN:
FULL SHOT -- RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT -- THE
CONNECTICUT HORSE RIDING SHOW -- AFTERNOON
Mild Northeastern temperatures.
At a crowded, outdoor, stadium-like gathering, hundreds
of spectators are seated, witnessing skilled and talented horsemen
performing individual horse riding tricks.
Seated on a wooden platform is the stadium announcer. He
calls out the next riding contestant.
STADIUM ANNOUNCER
Up next, we have the young rider from Hartford,
Dante Cicero.
Dante mounts his bronze-colored horse. He prances his
horse along the stadium's inner ring. He then trots his horse to the
starting position. He then gives the stadium announcer a ready sign.
DANTE CICERO
(says to his horse)
Let's go, Phoenix. Let's give them a true
show-stopper's performance.
He is given an okay sign from the announcer.
Dante starts Phoenix into a rapid gallop. Midway in the
ring, he performs a head-stand on Phoenix's back. From a head-stand, he
performs a hand-stand. The crowd cheers wildly. As Phoenix makes his
first turn in the ring, Dante twirls himself several times on Phoenix's
back. He then flips himself from Phoenix's back and runs alongside the
galloping horse. He flips himself back and forth across Phoenix's back.
The crowd, waving white handkerchiefs, cheers wildly.
Dante performs several cartwheels as he jogs alongside
Phoenix. He then slides back and forth underneath Phoenix's belly. He
quickly mounts Phoenix. He steers Phoenix straight toward the judges'
table. As he approaches the table, he quickly dismounts Phoenix and
slide on his knees before the judges. The crowd goes wild. Dante stands
and bows before the wildly cheering audience.
Dante makes his way to the bull-pen section. He is
approached by a tall, stone-faced individual.
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
Dante Cicero?
DANTE CICERO
(breathing heavily)
Yes?
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
You rode magnificently. Sir, the Lord Magistrate
would like to have a word with you.
DANTE CICERO
(breathing heavily)
Now?
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
Yes sir.
DANTE CICERO
It can't wait?
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
Sir, this is of the utmost importance.
DANTE CICERO
Well in that case, I guess I should go and meet
with him. Take me to your leader.
Dante follows the Stone-faced gentleman to a
heavily-guarded tent.
INT. CHIEF JUSTICE'S TENT -- CONTINUOUS
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
My Lord, I introduce you to Counselor Dante
Cicero. Counselor Cicero, this is Chief Justice Harris.
Both men shake hands.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Please be seated, Counselor. I suppose you are
wondering why I've invited you?
Both men are seated.
DANTE CICERO
Was it my riding?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
In part, yes. I must say, you do give an
entertaining performance. Counselor, I would like for you to
investigate a string of murders from Yonkers, New York to New
Haven, Connecticut.
DANTE CICERO
Why me?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Let's just say, you've got friends in high
places.
DANTE CICERO
Oh oh.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
I've been asked to appoint you as special
investigator and prosecutor for the southern district for New
York and Connecticut. There has been a string of murders there.
Furthermore, as you may or may not know, President Washington is
seriously considering appointing the gentleman from New York. I
believe his name is...
STONE-FACED INDIVIDUAL
Alexander Hamilton.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Ah yes, Alexander Hamilton, to the position of
Secretary of the Treasury. What if we could get
you the nomination instead of Hamilton, or, a permanent
teaching position at the newly-formed Yale University?
The Chief Justice winks at Dante.
DANTE CICERO
Hamilton is pretty popular in New York. He
served as General Washington's confidential secretary and aide
during the war. Why would the president pick me over Hamilton?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
There are thirteen colonies. He needs to carry
Connecticut for election purposes. You are popular with the
common man. You speak his language. You understand his issues.
And more importantly, you understand the laws and etiquette of
the Federalist.
DANTE CICERO
Well, I don't know about all that. I do believe
in treating all men equally.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
(hits down hard on the table)
Exactly! That's why I want to submit your name
to the President.
DANTE CICERO
Tell me more about these murders.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Have you ever heard the of ... the Pointed
Stickman?
DANTE CICERO
Some Native American superstition about ...
about a demon who terrorizes the territory between New York and
Connecticut?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
It may be more than a superstition. Several
years back, actually 180 years ago, Henry Hudson was hired by
the Dutch East Indian Company to explore the northeast passage.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FLASHBACK SCENE - HENRY HUDSON'S SHIP --
MORNING
Gray, wintry conditions. Heavy snow falling.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
In September of the same year, Hudson entered
New York harbor and sailed north up the river. Unfortunately,
winter had set in early. Heavy snow fell on much of the region.
They then settled in for the winter.
Hudson and his crew seeking shelter in a cave.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
He and his men found something of great value.
His crew mutinied.
He and his crew find something large in a cave. Later,
while Hudson slept, they tied him and several others up. They then
escort Hudson and his loyal followers to the ship. Two of the mutineers
carry a burlap sack.
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
They took part of the valued discovery and set
Hudson, his son, and a few loyal followers adrift, in the cold.
Hudson, his son, and a few of his loyal followers are
forced to get into a life boat. They are lowered and set adrift.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CHIEF JUSTICE'S TENT -- FLASHBACK OUT:
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
To this day, the fate of Hudson remains a
mystery.
DANTE CICERO
So what's the connection?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
The legend goes, one of the mutineers was a
Portuguese Conquistador named Pablo Figarora. Unfortunately for
Figarora, there was no honor among thieves. To make matters
worst, the Portuguese lost its world trade monopoly and was
replaced as master of commerce between Europe and the East
Indies Trade. Supposedly, Figarora's lost his eye sight. The
mutineers left him behind and left him stranded on New York's
Long Island. Every autumn, in Yonkers, he returns. The locals
call this demon, the Pointed Stickman.
DANTE CICERO
Why?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Supposedly he rides with a pointed lance.
DANTE CICERO
This is a joke, yes?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Counselor, I'm not smiling. I'm under a great
deal of pressure to solve these murders. I want them stopped.
This Portuguese Conquistador is supposedly a skilled lance man and
an excellent horseman.
DANTE CICERO
Oooooh, I see. You want me to go heads up with
this Pointed Stickman?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
We want you to catch a murderer. If this
lanceman exist, it'll take someone with great riding abilities
to stop him.
DANTE CICERO
Someone like me?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
Someone like you.
DANTE CICERO
Well, I don't know if I want the Cabinet
position but the teaching position at Yale sounds interesting.
How soon do you want me to leave?
CHIEF JUSTICE HARRIS
As soon as possible. Good luck, Counselor. I'm
sure you're the best man for the job. The Chief Counselor in
Yonkers will be expecting you.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. YONKERS, NEW YORK -- LATE AUTUMN AFTERNOON
FULL SHOT OF YONKERS.
On horseback, Dante travels down a heavily-shaded,
fur-trapping trail just outside of Yonkers, New York. He leads Phoenix
to a small fresh water brook. He dismounts while the horse drinks. He,
too, drinks from the brook. Dante rinses his face. As he wipes his eyes,
he notices an unusually large, black crow perched high in a tree. The
crow stares down at him. Dante stares back.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Phoenix becomes startled. Phoenix lifts its head from
the brook.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Dante hears the distant sounds of a swiftly approaching
horse. He moves closer to Phoenix. The swift galloping stops. Dante
moves himself out of the crow's view.
The crow flies over Phoenix in search of Dante. It lands
on the ground next to Phoenix. The crow searches the ground. It is
unable to find Dante.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The approaching horse footsteps rushes pass Phoenix. The
footsteps dissipate in the forest. The crow flies off behind the
vanishing horse trots.
Dante resurfaces from the cold water brook. Soaking wet,
he catches his breath and takes a seat on a fallen log. He then takes
off his black leather boots and pours the water onto the pine-covered
ground.
Snap! He hears the release of a fur trap. He
immediately dons his boots and leaps onto Phoenix.
DANTE CICERO
Let's get out of here, Phoenix.
He steers Phoenix toward a covered bridge. The swift
galloping starts again.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Dante rides off swiftly and furiously. So does the
pursuing horse. On Phoenix, Dante hurdles fallen logs, maneuvers around
sharp turns, and ducks under low, overhanging branches.
Swiftly gaining distance on Dante is the Pointed
Stickman. Held out in front of the Pointed Stickman was his shiny,
pointy lance. It is aimed directly at Dante's back.
Serving as scout and lookout, the crow flies ahead of
the Pointed Stickman. It remains slightly behind Dante.
As the Pointed Stickman's lance moves closer to Dante's
back, Dante jerks onto Phoenix's reins, ordering the horse to stop. As
Phoenix comes to a skidding stop, with his hand, Dante orders Phoenix to
lower his head. The sudden stopping motion sends Dante sliding down
Phoenix's neck. As Dante slides down his horse's neck, the Stickman's
pointed lance zooms over Dante's sliding body.
The over-charging Stickman passes. So does the swiftly
flying crow. Dante quickly remounts Phoenix and rides off in the
opposite direction.
Dante rides off into a heavily-wooded section. He rides
up steep hills, over swift-moving streams, and hurdles fallen logs.
Flying overhead was the crow.
THE CROW
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The Stickman is once again gaining on them. The
Stickman's pointed lance is inches away from Dante's back. Dante spots
a low, overhanging branch. He steers Phoenix in that direction.
Approaching the branch, he leaps from Phoenix's back and grab hold of
the branch. He performs a gymnastic roll as Phoenix continues to ride
on. As he's nears completion of his over-head roll, the Stickman passes
underneath. As he completes his roll on the branch, his feet meets the
Stickman's back. He kicks the Stickman off of his horse. The Stickman
and his lance tumbles and rolls in the forest.
Dante whistles for Phoenix. The crow lands on the same
branch. Phoenix quickly rides underneath Dante. He and the crow make
direct eye contact.
DANTE CICERO
We'll meet again, my feathered nemesis.
Dante drops down onto Phoenix and rides off toward the
covered bridge.
