Untitled Film Scenario

From a Collection of Crowley's Plays and Scenarios

Boy discovered in small Inn somewhere in Europe — parents aged and poor. Boy decides to leave for U.S.A.

Lapse of time. Parents now very poor indeed. Inn not well patronized, only means of livelihood the small sum Boy sends home occasionally.

Bar scenes? Establish Girl, Boy, Villain. (The latter presumably a friend of boy?)

Boy goes out into snowstorm on a dare. Does not return. Sought by Mounted Police & others; reported dead.

His parents notified; his papers, etc., etc., returned to his home in Europe.

After a time Boy gets back in a wretched state. Explains his wanderings, how he got lost, finally came across on old Pioneer in fight with wild animal which has wounded Pioneer. Boy succeeds in killing or driving off the beast, but Pioneer so wounded he dies after a day or two. Boy has nursed him, and the old man out of gratitude gives him certain papers establishing his right to a Claim on which he has discovered some gold. Shows Boy some of the ore. After Pioneer's death, Boy locates lode, digs somewhat himself, and finds it has great possibilities.

Boy and Girl in love. Girl stakes him to go home and get parents' oath, returned papers, etc. Plan that he shall call unannounced and surprise old folks with fortune. And that he will go unshaven — with beard he has acquired while in the wilds. Girl to go with him but to stop a day in a city near home of parents, and join the family next day, and so double the joy.

Villain hears the plan. Gets on same boat crossing the Atlantic. While passengers are landing at Cherbourg, gets boy into his cabin by a ruse, chloroforms him and steals his deeds.

Girl is jostled off boat alone; is distressed over this, but finally decides to go on to the agreed-upon city and next day go to the Inn.

Villain makes up as Boy with the beard, and goes to the Inn. Wires Girl from Inn not to come; but she fails to get this message, and comes on next day.

Villain in Inn flashes money.

Old folks are broken over son's death, and desperate as Father is incapable of earning anything.

During night Father stabs Villain and robs him.

Girl arrives next day, greets old folks and asks for Boy. It is then discovered Father has killed his own son.

(Father, Girl & Public must think victim the Son until denouement.)

Boy discovered himself on way to Southampton. Flies from England. (While waiting for boat decides to shave; does so.)

Arrives at Inn. Confronts dead Villain, tears off beard.

All agree to hush up the murder. Justified as Villain has attacked Girl and tried to get rid of Boy by stealing his food so as to ensure his death.

Query: Why doesn't Villain declare himself at once at Inn?

Answer: He does. But the old folks do not believe him. They were trying to commit suicide, were in a dazed state, and Father kept repeating: “Yes, yes; he's dead. Poor lad! Poor lad!” So Villain plans to convince them on the morrow.

Note. The likeness between the two men must not be sufficiently striking to let the audience get the idea that a personation is likely to be attempted. The denouement is to come as a complete surprise.

Aleister Crowley.

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