FADE IN:
EXT. YEAR 1024 - MEDIEVAL VILLAGE - NIGHT

The town is mysteriously quiet, as the half moon shines in the sky.
A tall, muscular MAN, with black hair and pale complexion walks down the streets by himself.
His pace quickens as a unearthly HOWL fills the air. He continues to approach, what seems to be a mob forming at the town square. On a podium, raised before them, is a cardinal PRIEST.

CARDINAL

It has been decreed by the church that this abomination will be destroyed in all forms. Psychically and on paper. Under no circumstances will it be given any mercy.

Another bone shaking howl. Some villagers are scared as the look up into the sky. As they look up a CREATURE climbs the podium and kills the cardinal.
The creature moves so quickly we can’t get a closer view of him. All we can see is a small CRUSICFIX worn around his neck with a small dragon skull in the center.
The villagers panic as the decapitated body flies out among them. The pale man stands still only staring at the beast as it ravages through its victims.
Some of them try to kill it but its speed is no match for them. At one point the takes to the air with large bat like WINGS and eats a young woman. Finally the town folk give up and run off. Some one screams “Vampire.”
The pale man walks ever closer to the beast, who is now devouring another body. The beast roars a warning to the man.

PALE MAN

My son.

The beast jumps through the air and lands on the man. He proceeds to devour the pale man’s entire body without a struggle. The beast roars once more and flies out into the sky.

EXT. FARM - NIGHT

Still without seeing the beast clearly, it swoops down from the sky onto a small farm and heads for the hut.

INT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

The beast moves swiftly inside the house. On the bed is a woman, she lies there de@d. The beast gently picks her up with compassion and caring. He lets out a loud roar of anguish and lays her back down.

The Pale man appears from no where. He slowly walks up to the beast walking through the bed as if it wasn't there.

The Pale man and the beast stare each other down. The massive beast tries to claw at the Pale man but only hits air.

PALE MAN

Your sisters death was necassary. In two hundred years you will do the same to another. No ties can be left to the past or you will never fulfill your duties.

As he had come the Pale man disappears. The beast once again roars in anger and sorrow and then disappears just the same.

EXT. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - 980 YEARS LATER - DAY

It's a basic large campus. Students are running about, some are sitting in the shadows studying.

One particular student, in his early twenties, is riding his bike. Athletic build but not overwhelming. Casual dress but wears the small crucifix with the dragon skull in the middle. He quickly rides his bike into the rack and runs into the building.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Our bicycle friend barges through the door into the class. Its a basic stadium classroom.

The teacher, about 55, is sitting with the students. A group of five are at the podium and have several charts on the projector that is rigged to a computer.

INSTRUCTOR

Mr. James Brace. Your group was about to give a lecture on the significance of legends in the dark ages.

James' group all look at him with grimaces across their faces.

JAMES

Well then, they seem to have it all under control. So I'll just stay out of the way.

INSTRUCTOR

On the contrary Mr. Brace. You will now present this information on your own for your own individual grade.

James seems confident and takes off his bookbag and jacket.

JAMES

All right.

He takes a look at the computer rigged to the projector and brings up several images of ancient vampires.

JAMES (CONT'D)
It seems that during the turn of the first millenium several papers, news articles, and religious papers seem to spawn theories and stories of vampirism and the legend of the lycanthrope almost overnight. Now most vampires are believed only to be able to come out at night and drink human blood as a way to sustain their own immortal life. However, knowledge of this time period proves that most stories tended to be exaggerated in the extreme, which means that vampires could have had a different biological clock than a human or someone just caught a couple sucking face one day and thought he was draining her.

Everyone chuckles

JAMES (CONT'D)
Now the thing about legends in the dark ages is that all stories did have a basis in truth. Meaning that it is possible that vampires did, perhaps, one day exist.

Everyone claps.

INSTRUCTOR

Well Mr. Brace, that was informative, insightful, and inteligent. But you never even mentioned how these legends affected the society of the dark ages. I never asked you if you thought vampires existed or not.

A tall, lanky fellow, from James' group leans over.

ZAK

Nice try James, and you've never even seen the project.

JAMES

Very funny Zak.

INSTRUCTOR

I will give you some credit, for knowing something in my class. Now if you would be so kind, your group has a lecture to give.

James smiles and takes off out the door. He runs back in and grabs his jacket and bookbag.

INT. CAFATERIA - DAY

Bottom level is where the food court is along with some seating. The top level is more seating and some public computers.

The screen suddenly closes. A, early twenties, beautiful, woman sits across from him.

James is sitting by himself playing a video game on his laptop.

JAMES

I was in the middle of something here.

JESSICA

So poor little Jessica Nichols has to sit and watch you play your little game all day.

JAMES

You can play too.

They both lean across the table.

JESSICA

Oh really, which game?

JAMES

I'll think of something.

They kiss. She then takes a seat besides him.

JESSICA

Heard you where late for another class.

JAMES

I've only been in there maybe twice.

JESSICA

You need the credit.

JAMES

It's not important to my major though.

JESSICA

So you want to be a journalist. But you still need the credit.

JAMES

Dark age legends is a far cry from the college newspaper. I guess it is my dad, he's always been into the old Dracula movies.

JESSICA

They're good. Especially Nosferatu. Classic if there was ever was one. Would you like to see it?

JAMES

Maybe some other day.

INT. JAMES APARTMENT - NIGHT

It's basically clean. The living room is attached to the kitchen and the bedroom is in the back. A computer sits in the room along with a TV.

James sits at the computer typing. He pauses for a minute and turns on the TV. He switches it from the news channel, who are talking about the billionaire Lamuel Shanks the newspaper tycoon, to a film channel. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is on as he switches it again. On the third channel is a old Dracula movie. James watches it for a moment as Zak runs in.

ZAK

I have here is the mother load. I give you two straight hours of girl on girl action. All for your viewing pleasure.

JAMES

Not tonight Zak.

ZAK

Not tonight, not tonight. Blasphemer.

James laughs.

ZAK (CONT'D)
What?

James motions for him to turn around. Zak does so only to see Jessica there, with hand on hip.

ZAK (CONT'D)
Oops.

JESSICA

Yeah oops.

She turns to James.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Not tonight?

James grins and shrugs. Jessica grabs the tapes.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Poisoning his mind?

ZAK

Poison is pleasure.

He grabs the tapes back and takes off to his apartment next door.

JESSICA

He's crazy you know.

JAMES

That's why I keep him around.

She sits on the couch and James joins her.

JESSICA

You need to call your father.

JAMES

No, not tonight.

JESSICA

You haven't spoke to him for over three months now.

JAMES

We have nothing to talk about. We just end up staring at each other.

JESSICA

Well, at least do that.

JAMES

Tomorrow.

JESSICA

Don't think I don't know what that means. It means next week or next month or something. It never means tomorrow.

He kisses her.

JESSICA (CONT'D)
Now your getting off the subject.

He kisses her again.

JESSICA (CONT’D)

Stop it. I mean it.

James plays around and mocks her.

JAMES

Don't think that I don't know what that means.

They continue to play around until it turns into sex.

INT. APARTMENT PARKING LOT - DAY

James is walking down the stairs when Zak joins him.

ZAK

Squeaky, squeaky, squeaky, squeaky. Remind you of anything. Squeaky, squeaky, squeaky.

JAMES

(sarcastically)
You're so funny.

ZAK

You guys where shaking the entire building. I could barely hear my own porn.

JAMES

Yeah, what about your Friday night parties?

ZAK

Hey those nights are a sacred part of life. They're completely necassary.

JAMES

Sure they are.

ZAK

So where are you going today?

JAMES

Down to the New York Times. I'm trying to get that internship that has opened up.

ZAK

Boring. Tonight, you, me, movies, women.

JAMES

No I can't. Promised a nice, romantic night with Jessica.

ZAK

We can double date.

JAMES

An expensive resturant.

ZAK

Squeaky girl calls you come. All right see ya man.

EXT. NEW YORK TIMES - DAY

James walks through the heavy New York crowd and walks up the New York Times stairs.

A gentleman across the street closely watches James. He wears a business suit, looks to be in his mid thirties. He also sports a pony tail and dark sunglasses so that we can't see his eyes. He has an intensity about him that is disturbing. Then he simply disappears into the crowd.

INT. NEW YORK TIMES PRESS ROOM - DAY

The press room is as busy as anyone can imagine. James is following a large, fat man around the room.

JAMES

But I need the scholarship that comes with it, Mr. Dawkins.

DAWKINS

Sorry kid, but we have filled the position already. Just like I've told you for times already.

JAMES

Today was the first day to register. There's no way you have already filled the position.

DAWKINS

There was at least a hundred kids here this morning around five o'clock. Now I'm not a very happy person in the morning so you can imagine how I feel now. Listen kid, you might be the greatest journalist of all time but you have to be on time to get the job. Alright?
LAMUEL (O.C.)
I don't know about that.

James and Dawkins turn around to see Lamuel Shanks. Its the man we saw on the street.

DAWKINS

Mr. Shanks? Mr. Shanks this is James Brace, came here for the internship. Brace this is Mr. Lamuel Shanks. Owner of the Times and countless other things.

James and Lamuel shake hands. Lamuel sees James' necklace.

LAMUEL

Interesting design.

JAMES

Yeah, my uncle gave it to me as a kid. I've worn it ever since.

LAMUEL

I don't know Mr. Dawkins, I believe we can find a place for Mr. Brace. Not an internship though, put him on the payroll. I believe he will be a great addition to the Times. Take care of him, I'll be checking.

JAMES

Thank you sir.

LAMUEL

I shall be expecting great things from you James, if I may call you that. Great things indeed.

Lamuel walks off.

DAWKINS

You just shook hands with one of the most powerful man in the world. And he likes you.

INT. MUSEUM - DAY

Jessica and James roam through the art exhibit, a day later.

JESSICA

And he just gave you the job?

JAMES

Pretty much.

JESSICA

That's strange.

JAMES

That's luck.

JESSICA

Did he say anything else?

JAMES

No, just complemented my necklace.

JESSICA

I don't know why you wear it. It's not really you.

JAMES

I don't know why either. But I promised my uncle.

JESSICA

You were a kid.

JAMES

And?
LAMUEL (O.C.)
And a promise should always be kept, no matter the time.

Jessica and James are startled with Lamuels presence behind them.

LAMUEL (CONT’D)

I'm sorry I startled you, but I could not help myself but to come over here and congratulate you with your new job. Ah, and I see you have brought a beautiful young lady with you.

Lamuel kisses her hand and bows.

LAMUEL (CONT'D)
Have I not seen you before? Perhaps on the stage?

JESSICA

You may have. I study theatre, mainly student stuff, but I did get on Broadway once. Just a small role.

LAMUEL

Ah yes, I remember, you were in Death of a Salesman. The part they gave you was hardly worthy of your grace.

JAMES

So Mr. Shanks what brings you to the art exihibit today? A man of your stature should have a gallery of his own.

LAMUEL

Please James, call me Lamuel. And you see this is my gallery. I am not one of those greedy computer software heads that hides everything they own. I rather share my wealth with the public. Therefore i have donated my entire collection to the museums of the world. And by the looks of it all the good artwork is still in storage.

JESSICA

That's very generous of you.

LAMUEL

Trust me, I wish to be nothing like my predecessor William Hearst. I will give freely to the public. He only made promises that he never kept. Now if you excuse me, I must be going. How about you two join me for dinner tonight.

JAMES

Tonight?

JESSICA

We would be glad too.

LAMUEL

That's wonderful. It's formal attire of course. You see I'm having several other, long time friends over as well. It will be around nine o'clock when guests are to arrive.

JESSICA

That's late for a dinner.

LAMUEL

It is never too late for a party. Now here's my card. I would enjoy it greatly if you would come. Good day.

He leaves. Jessica looks at the card handed to her.

JESSICA

He's rented out the entire Plaza Hotel.

EXT. PLAZA HOTEL - NIGHT

All kinds of limo's have been parked out front. Jessica and James, in a tux and dress, get out of thier cab and head in.

INT. DEN - NIGHT

The room is obviously connected to the Plaze. It's a massive den, with artwork decorating the walls and suits of armor guarding the doors. A single fire place lights the room.

Lamuel is sitting in a chair next to the fire. He's half dressed in his tux and slumps into his chair. He drinks a little wine. We can read from his face that he is tired and lonely.

Lamuel takes a small knife and cuts his finger. He lets the blood drip into a empty wine glass. After a few drops he fills the glass with red wine. Lamuel then gets up and finishes dressing.

INT. BALL ROOM - NIGHT

The room is filled with the very high class of New York. They are all chatting away. Large stairs connects the ballroom to the upper floor.

James seems totally out of his element as Jessica blends in and begins a conversation with a few people.

JAMES

This was a bad idea.

JESSICA

No it wasn't. Besides Lamuel hired you on the spot. It would be a bad gesture if you didn't come.

JAMES

I don't know anyone here.

JESSICA

Then be a reporter and find out. Did it ever occur to you, you could write an article about this night.

JAMES

But this is his party, I doubt Lamuel would want it in the papers.
LAMUEL (O.C.)
Can I have your attention please.

Everyone turns. Lamuel is in his tux and looks cheerful.

JESSICA

Handsome isn't he.

JAMES

Hey, who you dating here?

LAMUEL

I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Now please enjoy the evening. Dinner will be served in thirty minutes.

Lamuel joins the crowd, and starts shaking hands with everyone.

JAMES

Watch him not even notice me.

JESSICA

Grow a back bone.

Lamuel makes it around to James and Jessica.

LAMUEL

Ah James, Jessica, glad you could make it. James if I could I would like to talk to you after dinner.

Lamuel moves on as Jessica basks in her truimph.

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Several, long, large tables stretch across the room. One door from the kitchen and a large arch way to the ballroom.

Everyone is seated enjoying the meal being served. Lamuel sits with his guests, not at the head of any table.

Several times Jessica has to remind James of his table manners.