PUPPET WARS I: Jay Woelfel & Dave Parker
DARKNESS fills the screen. The sounds of digging and scraping rise from nowhere. Suddenly something breaks through sending out a blinding shard of light. Voices can be heard, GERMAN. Other shards of light break through our barrier of black, and form the title of our film:
PUPPET WARS: CURSE OF THE PUPPET MASTER
INT. EGYPTIAN TOMB - DAY
A group of NAZI AFRIKA KORPS SOLDIERS enter, through the hole they've just created, carrying shovels, torches, and guns. They are led by CURT, a young, handsome, and ambitious S.S. lieutenant. They travel down a narrow passageway, their torches occasionally lighting dusty cobwebs aflame. The air is still and dead.
ANGLE ON WALL
The torch light reveals HIEROGLYPHICS of death and resurrection.
RESUME GROUP
From behind Curt, PROFESSOR SHULTZ, nebbish, and weather beaten, stops Curt, and pulls him to the wall
SHULTZ
(excited, scared)
You see, Lieutenant! These hieroglyphics prove Mesmer's theory about the statue.
Shultz looks around pensively. A slight stale breeze wafts his thinning hair.
SHULTZ (CONT'D)
(frightened)
We have found the place of death. And hopefully rebirth.
Curt examines the drawing closely. It shows a JACKAL collecting the severed limbs and head of a dead man, putting them back together, and then leading the dead man to heaven.
CURT
This will help us save the Reich?
SHULTZ
Yes, But if we fail...the result will be worse than any death imaginable.
Curt looks down into the darkness ahead, listening to the silence.
CURT
You are too superstitious. Nothing could be worse than the fall of the Reich.
Curt continues forward, going deeper into the tomb. The rest of the party follows after him, except for ONE MAN who brings up the rear of the group.
This dark imposing figure is GENERAL KRON. We see the glistening insignia of his rank and the slight scar under his left ear. His eyes are deeply set and dangerous. He is not a man to be messed with.
Kron looks at the paintings on the wall and slowly, thoughtfully, his thin lips curl slightly into a smile. Then, when he's good and ready, he continues deeper into the tomb. We follow behind him as he enters into the...
INT. BURIAL CHAMBER - DAY
The rest of the Nazis are already there in the deepest chamber of the tomb. Kron enters the room just as ERIK, one of the torch bearing soldiers asks.
ERIK
(sarcastically)
Where's the mummy?
Kron answers his impertinent question. He speaks for the first time and everyone listens.
KRON
Boy, this is not a tomb for the dead...
Kron grabs the torch from Erik's hand and thrusts it forward at the camera to reveal:
THE BURIAL CHAMBER
We see it clearly for the first time. It's round, with various treasures scattered about. On top of a large stone altar is the STATUE OF ANUBIS.
KRON
(continued)
...this is the tomb of a god!
ANGLE ON ANUBIS STATUE
It rests on its haunches, like a dog, staring coldly at the unwelcome visitors. It is fashioned out of a black stone, gold leaf, and black lacquer. It is so smooth and black, it's like looking into an abyss. No dust falls onto it, even though it blankets everything else in the chamber.Kron, Curt, and Professor Shultz walk up to the statue, the NAZI SOLDIERS gather behind, shifting nervously.
Kron stares at the statue, face to face. Its emerald eyes almost seem alive. He looks down and notices a large jeweled eye hanging from its neck.
CU OF JEWEL
As Kron snatches it off of the statue.
Kron raises the jewel up to eye level, RACK FOCUS to reveal Shultz in bg looking as well. (This jewel will be known from this point on as THE EYE OF OSIRIS.)
CU EYE OF OSIRIS, spinning slowly while Kron holds it.
CURT
General, shall we proceed?
KRON
(displeased)
You have forgotten my orders, Lieutenant?
Curt rushes to cover his hesitation. He wants to impress Kron above all things.
CURT
(to the others)
Clean this place out nothing left.
Around Kron the soldiers begin to strip the chamber of its contents. Kron continues to stare at THE JEWEL spins and it hits torch light flashing brightly as we...
DISSOLVE
INT. BURIAL CHAMBER-LATER
We pull out from the FLAME OF A MATCH as Curt lights a hand- rolled smoke. He watches as...The last nail is being hammered into A CRATE that contains the statue. The rest of the chamber is now empty, cleaned out.
Close-by, Kron turns and watches as FOUR SOLDIERS lift the crate. It GROANS with the weight. The soldiers slowly walk out, Shultz follows closely behind them.
SHULTZ
(leaving the chamber)
Be careful. You can destroy in seconds what has been waiting here for thousands of years.
As soon as the statue is past the doorway the torches slowly dim and then go out completely. Kron looks at the dim scene with cold eyes. He takes the jewel out of his pocket and looks at it again.
KRON
(starring at jewel)
You were to be the jewel of my eye. But a stone in my heart, you became.
Curt walks up to Kron respectfully and quietly.
CURT
A poem, General?
KRON
(pauses before answering)
Something my mother used to say to me. I guess I was something of a disappointment to her.
Curt looks at Kron, who smiles viciously.
KRON (CONT'D)
Let's move out, we're wasting time.
Kron laughs heartily, leaving Curt and the soldier Erik alone.
ERIK
Curt, what was that about his mother? Is Kron going soft?
Curt is angered by Erik's question.
CURT
I'm a lieutenant now and you should address me as such.
ERIK
Curt we've know each other for...
CURT
We don't have time for this sentimental pap. Don't you know what happened to General Kron's mother?
ERIK
(carefully)
Obviously not Lieutenant, or I wouldn't have asked.
CURT
She was executed as a enemy of the Reich. Kron turned her in himself. He is an example for us all.
Curt grabs a torch from the wall and puts it into Erik's hand.
CURT (CONT'D)
You know what to do.
Curt leaves the soldier alone in the chamber to perform the final insult.
ANGLE ON WALL
As the Erik begins to BURN a swastika on the wall. Sparks and ash fall from the burning torch, as the black embered symbol begins to take shape. Erik swings his torch back to deal the last stroke when...
A HAND
...old, clawed, and powerful, grabs the soldier's wrist and breaks it with a loud SNAP!
CU ERIK
A look of terror in his eyes, death is breathing on him. The soldier screams as THE HAND grabs his face, its nails digging into his flesh.
ANGLE OF WALL
We see Erik in the fg getting dragged down out of frame, but we can still see his shadow, and that of THE MYSTERIOUS KILLER, as he tears off the soldier's head off.
BLOOD splatters the wall, strangely completing the swastika. The soldier's last SCREAM carries over as we....
DISSOLVE
EXT. SPEEDING TRAIN - DAY
The scream of a TRAIN WHISTLE. It's the TRANS EURO EXPRESS, blasting its way through the ragged Eastern European mountains at top speed, belching smoke and steam.
TOULON
(voice over)
March the 2nd, 1945. My name is Andre Toulon. I am on board the Trans Euro Express en route to Switzerland. From there I intend to escape what can only be the end of this dreadful World War. I hope to settle in the United States, but if I should not survive this diary will remain as a record of what I have seen and know....
INT. TRAIN HALLWAY - DAY
It's a narrow passageway with cabins to one side and windows on the other, shaking roughly as the train rockets along.
COMING UP THE HALLWAY
...is a group of Nazis. Shultz is pushing an aging man in a wheelchair.
This is DOCTOR MESMER a German Archeologist and master mind. General Kron is also part of the group following close behind.
A MAN CARRYING A SACK, who has his back to us, is walking towards the Nazi's. Mesmer's wheelchair and the thinness of the hallway make it impossible for him to pass. The Nazis and the man face off in the hallway.
KRON
(pushes his way to the front to see)
Why have we stopped?
Mesmer pushes the sack out of his face. It has knocked off his glasses.
MESMER
(to the man)
Step aside.
The man and his sack finally manage to get past them with much pushing and shoving. Kron is not willing to let it go at that. He grabs the man by the shoulder.
KRON
Not so fast fool!
Kron turns the man around and we see that it is....
ANDRE TOULON
Toulon smiles serenely at the Kron.
TOULON
Excuse me, I am nobodies' fool and certainly not another fools.
Kron's jaw locks in rage. Shultz and Mesmer watch in anticipation of an explosion.
KRON
(barely controlled anger)
You old bastard! Give me your papers.
SHULTZ
(interjects)
Don't you know who you're dealing with? General Kron has had people killed for less.
TOULON
I'm sure he has.
Toulon keeps a slight smile on his face and politely hands over HIS PAPERS. Kron's whole expression changes as he sees the papers. He clicks his heels together and hands the papers back to Toulon.
KRON
My apologies, Colonel Kraus. This damn Swiss train ride has me on edge.
TOULON
Yes, only we Germans know how to run a railroad properly.
KRON
Can I have someone help you with your...uh...bundle?
Kron points at the large sack Toulon is carrying.
TOULON
That won't be necessary. I'm just going to store it in the baggage car. Thank you though.
Toulon turns to go. Kron won't let Toulon leave that easily.
KRON
May I ask what's inside?
Toulon turns back around.
TOULON
You may ask....
He lets this hang for a moment, then flashes a friendly smile. He sets down the bag and reaches inside.
TOULON (CONT'D)
Next you'll ask to see what's inside. So let me show you.
Toulon pulls BLADE out of the bag and hands him over to Kron. Kron, Shultz, and Mesmer look at it with puzzled expressions.
KRON
A strange...toy.
TOULON
For strange times. Be careful!
Kron has cut one of his fingers on Blade's knives. Blood rises from the wound on his finger.
KRON
Damnit. The thing's dangerous. What are you doing with it?
Toulon takes the puppet back.
TOULON
We confiscated them. When we find who's responsible we will deal with them quickly.
Toulon puts the puppet away and hefts the sack.
TOULON (CONT'D)
Now if you'll excuse me. I think we both have things to do.
KRON
(salutes)
Yes, Colonel.
TOULON
(returns the salute)
Perhaps we can share a drink later, General.
KRON
My mission here commands all of my attention. You understand.
TOULON
Certainly. Goodbye then.
Toulon turns and continues on down the hall towards the baggage car. The three Nazi's watch.
MESMER
(to Kron)
You out rank him, General. Why did you let him treat you that way?
KRON
He's an S.S. Colonel. I've heard of him. He's one of Himmler's relatives.
SHULTZ
(derisively)
The God damn S.S! They were only supposed to be policeman! They think they can win the war by running concentration camps? They're nothing more than butchers and janitors.
Toulon has vanished around a corner. Kron turns to urge them to continue.
KRON
Watch your tongue if you enjoy keeping it in your mouth. And forget about the S.S. Shultz. I am going to win this war.
(pause)
With both or your help--of course.
They exit.
WIPE TO
INT. BAGGAGE CAR - DAY
Toulon enters the large and dimly lit baggage car and closes the door behind him. He sets his bag on the ground and looks around to make sure that he is alone.
TOULON
All right my friends. We are alone.
ANGLE ON
The bag as TOULON'S PUPPETS push open the top and look around. (For the record at this point in time, they are BLADE, PINHEAD, JESTER, SIX SHOOTER, TUNNELER, and LEECH WOMAN)
Blade shows off the DROP OF KRON'S BLOOD on his knife to the other Puppets. Jester's head spins around to reveal his happy face. Six Shooter laughs.
TOULON
Yes Blade very clever. But never cut a Nazi unless you intend to kill him. We must hide ourselves. Do you understand?
THE PUPPETS nod in unison.
TOULON (CONT'D)
(looking around the car)
You deserve something better than a sack. There must be something we can use....
Toulon and the puppets wander towards the back of the car. It is filled with boxes, crates and suitcases. Toulon checks several, but they are full.
LEECH WOMAN pulls at Toulon's pant-leg. He sees that she is pointing to a half open trunk off to one side. It is the PUPPET MASTER TRUNK that we have come to recognize from the other Puppet Master films.
Toulon goes to it and pulls it open. It's empty.
TOULON (CONT'D)
It's perfect. Now all of you inside.
But when he turns to motion them in, he finds that all of the Puppets except Leech Woman are nowhere to be seen.
TOULON (CONT'D)
(calling to the puppets)
Where are you? Come back here...what did I just say about hiding?
Toulon picks up Leech Woman and together they move even deeper into the car until he sees....
THE PUPPETS TOGETHER
...in front of a HUGE CRATE. They stand there frozen, looking up at it. It has German Military labels on it that say: PROJECT NIGHT EAGLE.
The Puppets aren't responding to Toulon's voice.
TOULON
What's got into all of you?
There is an UNLOCKED PADLOCK dangling from the door. Toulon removes it and then pulls open the hinged door to the huge crate. There is something large inside. As Toulon opens the crate light slowly spills in to reveal....
ANUBISES' GLEAMING WHITE EYES
The gloss black jackal god's head looks out of him. A cold wave of fear rushes through Andre Toulon. Then...
A VOICE
...comes from behind him.
AHMAD BEY
(off screen)
Anubis, god of sepulchral chamber: ruler of the "funeral mountain..."
Toulon turns and sees AHMAD BEY as he walks into the light. His skin is tight, old...like the skin of a snake. He is Egyptian and wears a gallabea the clothing of his country. There is a uniformed S.S. Officer with Bey. This is CURT. His gun is drawn and aimed at Toulon's head.
AHMAD BEY (CONT'D)
(continues)
He is the "Opener of the Ways" that the dead follow to rebirth.
(stops walking not far from Toulon)
He is not for you to disturb.
Toulon quickly hides Leech Woman behind his back. His other puppets have hidden behind boxes nearby.
TOULON
I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm.
Bey says no more. Curt steps forward and presses his pistol into Toulon's stomach.
CURT
I doubt that, old man. Where are your papers?
Toulon gives his papers to Curt. Curt is in the S.S. will he recognize Toulon's S.S. papers as bogus? Will he know that Toulon is posing as Kraus, who is in reality, a dead man?
CURT (CONT'D)
So you are the famous Colonel Kraus, eh?
(heavy pause)
I've always wanted to meet you, but you are older than I expected.
Toulon snatches the papers back.
TOULON
Is the S.S. so desperate now that we recruit from high schools?
Curt holsters his gun.
CURT
I am ready and willing to give my life for the Reich.
TOULON
I'm sure you believe that, but it's no substitute for duty. I walked in here completely unhindered. Who is in charge of guarding this crate?
Toulon has Curt nailed. He looks immediately guilty. He stammers without an answer. Toulon paces around him and, unseen, sets Leech Woman down on a box.
TOULON (CONT'D)
I can't hear you son.
Curt is taken off the spot as a final character enters the scene. This is CLAIRE, a beautiful, intelligent, and cruel scientist for the Reich.
CLAIRE
He was with me. He is part of our top secret project for the Fuhrer himself.
TOULON
(carefully)
I am S.S. Colonel Kraus.
(extends his hand)
Who might you be?
CLAIRE
(shakes his hand)
Dr. Hanna Claire. I am chief scientist for Project Night Eagle and second in command to General Kron.
TOULON
Yes, General Kron and I met earlier.
(apologetic)
Look I must apologize for stepping into where I clearly don't belong.
CLAIRE
Apology accepted, Colonel. You couldn't have known what we were doing.
TOULON
And now I know more than I want to. I am only a passenger on this train and, as such, I will stay out of your way from now on.