Preview from "Episode #1"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pratton, Connecticut -- EXT. Blackwell Grange -- Crypt
Late Afternoon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sky is gray and darkening as each minute passes. The tall trees in the forest surrounding the estate cast shadows on the small cemetery behind the Crypt.
Dr. Hugh Black walks solemnly towards the small cemetery. He is carrying roses. His loyal butler stands behind him with a somber look on his face. He is Reginald Ash.
MR. ASH
(in a gravelly voice)
“Sir?”
DR. BLACK
(sighing as he reaches his mother’s gravestone)
“You didn’t have to follow me, Reggie.”
MR. ASH
(touching the corner of the gravestone and shutting his eyes slowly)
“Today is the anniversary of her death. I wanted to pay my respects like I do every year.”
DR. BLACK
“I’m fine, Reggie. I know that we’ve gone together every year since I was a child, but honestly, I am fine.”
Mr. Ash glances over at the Family Crypt as a single raven lands on the stone, mansard roof.
DR. BLACK
(looking at the Crypt)
“I avoided going to the Crypt as much as possible throughout my childhood because I was afraid of what was inside of it. The only reason I still avoid this place is because of all these hollow reminders. Too many of these graves are empty. Too many just stand as reminders that some bodies were simply never recovered... and the bodies that have been recovered...”
Mr. Ash looks down at his feet in sadness.
MR. ASH
(stepping back to give Dr. Black space)
“I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean for you to dwell on it.”
DR. BLACK
“We haven’t had an open casket funeral since little Cousin Jet drown in the lake, have we?”
MR. ASH
“And yet, here you are. Roses in hand.”
DR. BLACK
(slowly setting the roses on top of the gravestone)
“Mother always loved roses... or so I’ve been told. I was robbed of ever knowing her personally...”
Dr. Hugh Black walks solemnly towards the small cemetery. He is carrying roses. His loyal butler stands behind him with a somber look on his face. He is Reginald Ash.
MR. ASH
(in a gravelly voice)
“Sir?”
DR. BLACK
(sighing as he reaches his mother’s gravestone)
“You didn’t have to follow me, Reggie.”
MR. ASH
(touching the corner of the gravestone and shutting his eyes slowly)
“Today is the anniversary of her death. I wanted to pay my respects like I do every year.”
DR. BLACK
“I’m fine, Reggie. I know that we’ve gone together every year since I was a child, but honestly, I am fine.”
Mr. Ash glances over at the Family Crypt as a single raven lands on the stone, mansard roof.
DR. BLACK
(looking at the Crypt)
“I avoided going to the Crypt as much as possible throughout my childhood because I was afraid of what was inside of it. The only reason I still avoid this place is because of all these hollow reminders. Too many of these graves are empty. Too many just stand as reminders that some bodies were simply never recovered... and the bodies that have been recovered...”
Mr. Ash looks down at his feet in sadness.
MR. ASH
(stepping back to give Dr. Black space)
“I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean for you to dwell on it.”
DR. BLACK
“We haven’t had an open casket funeral since little Cousin Jet drown in the lake, have we?”
MR. ASH
“And yet, here you are. Roses in hand.”
DR. BLACK
(slowly setting the roses on top of the gravestone)
“Mother always loved roses... or so I’ve been told. I was robbed of ever knowing her personally...”
MR. ASH
(stepping back to give Dr. Black space)
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
DR. BLACK
(speaking to his mother’s gravestone)
“I never got a chance to know you. I’ve only heard about you through stories being told by Father and the household staff. Those stories have been regurgitated over and over... but those stories mean nothing to me anymore. I never got a chance to make memories of my own. There are no stories for me to tell. In my earliest memories, you were already gone. It isn’t fair...”
A breeze drifts through the small cemetery. Mr. Ash notices the trees on the forest’s edge dancing and swaying in stronger winds.
DR. BLACK
(closing his eyes as he gets angrier)
“You were taken too early! You were stolen from my life! You could have changed everything!”
The growing force of the breeze causes Dr. Black’s eyes to water up. He dabs his pocket-square on his eyes.
MR. ASH
“Sir, perhaps we should head inside for coffee and brandy. It could start raining at any moment. Mrs. White was taking the laundry off the line earlier for that very reason.”
DR. BLACK
(ignoring Mr. Ash)
“I will correct the madness this family has suffered.”
The raven croaks suddenly. Mr. Ash takes a deep breath and approaches Dr. Black.
MR. ASH
(putting a tentative hand on Dr. Black’s shoulder)
“Your father was obsessed with madness. It lead him to his own downfall. Insanity does not need to be explained. It consumes whoever tries to understand it. Just look at your half-brother - the mad professor.”
DR. BLACK
(shrugging off Mr. Ash’s hand)
“Peter is a narcissist and a liar. He was broken before he found his roots and moved into my house. Father never should have reached out and introduced us to his bastard.”
Mr. Ash lowers his head.
DR. BLACK
“Nothing would bring me more peace than to be rid of Peter and his exhausting personality. I’m getting married for god’s sake! My family doesn’t need to be tarnished with his face appearing at every meal and gathering.”
MR. ASH
“No doubt, Professor Plum is an exhausting man.”
Mr. Ash thinks for a moment before speaking.
MR. ASH
“Sir, after all these years... surely you must be starting to feel consumed and exhausted from all this studying? You will never understand why your brother murdered your mother at six years old. You will never find the comfort you desire. Let it go, sir. Let them go. They are the ghosts of the past.”
Dr. Black closes his eyes as tears steadily stream down his cheeks. His hands tighten into fists.
MR. ASH
“Leave them behind with these roses.”
DR. BLACK
(staring at the roses blankly)
“Go back to the manor. Make sure that Mrs. White has everything that she needs for my nephew’s return home.”
MR. ASH
(unsettled by Dr. Black’s mood)
“... and the weekend preparations?”
DR. BLACK
(continuing to stare at the roses)
“No. We’ll discuss everything in full tomorrow.”
MR. ASH
(trying to keep the conversation going)
“Ah, but Frau Bloom surely needs...”
DR. BLACK
(growing annoyed)
“Frau Bloom has already shopped and stocked up for the full menu that I have prepared. Yvette has put fresh linens in all the guest rooms... Just be sure John’s room is locked up and appears untouched.”
MR. ASH
“Does young Master Boddy know that Colonel Mustard will be in attendance this weekend?”
DR. BLACK
(slamming his fists against the top of the gravestone in a fit of rage)
“I’m not telling you again! We’ll talk later, Reggie. Leave me. Go!”
Mr. Ash nods and leaves Dr. Black alone without a word. He glances back at his employer with worry and fondness before entering the manor through the backdoor.
DR. BLACK
(whispering to the gravestone)
“I will make things right. Sooner or later, luck will shine back on our family. Even if I have to reopen the asylum that nearly cost us everything, I will not give up. I will fully understand homicidal maniacs and cure the world of their blood-lust. I failed Samuel and Margaret, but I will not fail you!”
The raven croaks loudly from the Crypt’s roof and flies away. Dr. Black stands up as a strong breeze comes off the lake. Dr. Black turns towards the manor, walking around towards the front.
(stepping back to give Dr. Black space)
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
DR. BLACK
(speaking to his mother’s gravestone)
“I never got a chance to know you. I’ve only heard about you through stories being told by Father and the household staff. Those stories have been regurgitated over and over... but those stories mean nothing to me anymore. I never got a chance to make memories of my own. There are no stories for me to tell. In my earliest memories, you were already gone. It isn’t fair...”
A breeze drifts through the small cemetery. Mr. Ash notices the trees on the forest’s edge dancing and swaying in stronger winds.
DR. BLACK
(closing his eyes as he gets angrier)
“You were taken too early! You were stolen from my life! You could have changed everything!”
The growing force of the breeze causes Dr. Black’s eyes to water up. He dabs his pocket-square on his eyes.
MR. ASH
“Sir, perhaps we should head inside for coffee and brandy. It could start raining at any moment. Mrs. White was taking the laundry off the line earlier for that very reason.”
DR. BLACK
(ignoring Mr. Ash)
“I will correct the madness this family has suffered.”
The raven croaks suddenly. Mr. Ash takes a deep breath and approaches Dr. Black.
MR. ASH
(putting a tentative hand on Dr. Black’s shoulder)
“Your father was obsessed with madness. It lead him to his own downfall. Insanity does not need to be explained. It consumes whoever tries to understand it. Just look at your half-brother - the mad professor.”
DR. BLACK
(shrugging off Mr. Ash’s hand)
“Peter is a narcissist and a liar. He was broken before he found his roots and moved into my house. Father never should have reached out and introduced us to his bastard.”
Mr. Ash lowers his head.
DR. BLACK
“Nothing would bring me more peace than to be rid of Peter and his exhausting personality. I’m getting married for god’s sake! My family doesn’t need to be tarnished with his face appearing at every meal and gathering.”
MR. ASH
“No doubt, Professor Plum is an exhausting man.”
Mr. Ash thinks for a moment before speaking.
MR. ASH
“Sir, after all these years... surely you must be starting to feel consumed and exhausted from all this studying? You will never understand why your brother murdered your mother at six years old. You will never find the comfort you desire. Let it go, sir. Let them go. They are the ghosts of the past.”
Dr. Black closes his eyes as tears steadily stream down his cheeks. His hands tighten into fists.
MR. ASH
“Leave them behind with these roses.”
DR. BLACK
(staring at the roses blankly)
“Go back to the manor. Make sure that Mrs. White has everything that she needs for my nephew’s return home.”
MR. ASH
(unsettled by Dr. Black’s mood)
“... and the weekend preparations?”
DR. BLACK
(continuing to stare at the roses)
“No. We’ll discuss everything in full tomorrow.”
MR. ASH
(trying to keep the conversation going)
“Ah, but Frau Bloom surely needs...”
DR. BLACK
(growing annoyed)
“Frau Bloom has already shopped and stocked up for the full menu that I have prepared. Yvette has put fresh linens in all the guest rooms... Just be sure John’s room is locked up and appears untouched.”
MR. ASH
“Does young Master Boddy know that Colonel Mustard will be in attendance this weekend?”
DR. BLACK
(slamming his fists against the top of the gravestone in a fit of rage)
“I’m not telling you again! We’ll talk later, Reggie. Leave me. Go!”
Mr. Ash nods and leaves Dr. Black alone without a word. He glances back at his employer with worry and fondness before entering the manor through the backdoor.
DR. BLACK
(whispering to the gravestone)
“I will make things right. Sooner or later, luck will shine back on our family. Even if I have to reopen the asylum that nearly cost us everything, I will not give up. I will fully understand homicidal maniacs and cure the world of their blood-lust. I failed Samuel and Margaret, but I will not fail you!”
The raven croaks loudly from the Crypt’s roof and flies away. Dr. Black stands up as a strong breeze comes off the lake. Dr. Black turns towards the manor, walking around towards the front.