Vampyres

Good afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon. Could I have a room for the night, please?

- Single? - Yes, please, with bath, if possible.

Okay, that'll be fine. If you'd just like to fill in this form-name and address.

Thank you.

Gentleman's an old client.

We haven't seen you down here for years. Years have gone by since then.

- Do you remember me? - I'm sorry, no.

I'm positive I have seen you here before.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

I'm sorry. I must have confused you with someone else.

- I'll show you to your room. - Thank you.

- Do you have some luggage? - No, none.

It's getting dark already.

Take a look at the map, will you, see where we are.

Did you see that woman?

There were two.

I only saw one.

Yeah, there was another one.

She was hiding behind the trees.

Really?

Sure, she was hiding.

Perhaps you're seeing things.

No. I'm sure.

Well, if they are hitchhikers someone's bound to give them a lift.

Could you give me a lift? It's not very far.

Sure. Hop in.

Thanks very much.

Well, we've certainly covered a good distance in the last few days.

Yes, we have.

What's the matter?

Me? Nothing.

You look worried.

Have you noticed that house over there?

Yeah. Looks abandoned.

- This place frightens me. - It's not the first time we've camped in the woods.

And we're both tired.

Perhaps.

You'll be more cheerful after a night's sleep.

I think I'll go down to the lake tomorrow, see if there's any fish.

Why should one of them be hiding behind a tree?

What?

Why should one of them be hiding behind a tree?

I didn't see anyone hiding.

Well, I did.

One woman stood on the edge of the road.

The other one was hiding in the woods, watching for something. Perhaps just waiting.

Perhaps she was waiting whilst her friend stopped the car.

There's somebody in that house.

I just saw a light move in one of the windows.

- John! John! - What on earth's the matter?

- There's somebody outside! - What? What do you mean?

I saw a big hand right there on the window.

At this time of night and in this weather nobody's gonna be outside.

- You must have been dreaming. - No.

First of all, I heard a scream. It woke me up.

Then when I was awake I suddenly saw this horrible hand outside.

Oh, come on, darling. Let's go back to sleep.

Sleep?

You don't honestly think I can get any sleep now, do you?

There's no one out there, Harriet darling, so relax.

You've got to convince yourself that you were dreaming.

You're late!

It was the chiming of the church clock that woke me.

Then I saw them pass by...

the same two women that were close to the road yesterday.

- A coincidence. - Yes, but it was them.

They were walking quickly, one behind the other.

Well, perhaps they live somewhere close by.

Even so, what on earth were they doing at that hour of the morning?

They didn't look normal.

No? Well, what did they look like then?

Can't explain exactly,

but they gave me a very strange feeling.

Since we arrived at this spot everything's seemed strange to you.

You see hands and ghosts just about everywhere.

You're not the usual kind of hitchhiker.

- What's your name? - Fran.

Fran? Like Frances?

No, just Fran.

My name's Ted. What are you doing on the road at this time of evening?

I decided to take a stroll and then realized it was getting late.

I don't live far from here.

You remind me very much of someone I knew a long time ago.

Yes, very much indeed.

Slow down. We're almost there.

It's the next on the left.

Are you sure that this track is meant for cars?

It's a short cut. It's not often used.

- Are you English? - What makes you ask?

- You don't look English. - Hmm.

Well, what are you then?

- If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. - Try me.

Hey, John, look.

Hmm?

- It's one of those women with a man. - Oh, again?

That's his car, if you need convincing.

I don't need convincing. I just don't see anything peculiar about it, that's all.

Ah.

Does this kind of thing excite you?

Sometimes.

Why?

Now, don't be too impatient.

Come.

I get the impression that you're not too keen on this kind of expedition.

Don't worry.

Now listen here.

I find you very attractive, but this stroll is becoming rather boring.

What the hell is this all about?

You can't tell me that you use this place for your dates.

Certainly not.

But where we're going is quite different from all this,

and it's too late to go back now.

Well, I mean it would be a shame to retrace our steps after having arrived so far.

And we are nearly there.

This is my place. Do you like it?

Well, it's better than the rest of the house.

Can't believe it.

- Does it all belong to you? - I'm only a guest.

What other surprises have you got for me?

We'll see.

Now, be a darling and light the fire while I get us something to drink.

Make yourself comfortable. Relax. The worst's over.

- I was asking myself... - Asking?

Well, I don't pretend that you should divulge all your secrets, but...

Go on. Ask.

Is there a limit to the questions?

There's a limit to the answers.

Do you, uh, live here alone?

I often receive guests.

What do you do for a living?

I'm searching all the time.

Searching for interesting people.

It's difficult to find really interesting people.

I know, but I keep searching.

I know how to fend for myself.

I feel happier here than anywhere else.

These walls have become my friends,

my confidantes.

You're not easy to understand.

That's the way I have to be accepted,

with no questions and no explanations.

This is my lucky day.

Don't ever say that.

Never mind. I don't mind unusual situations. They come on their own.

Like our meeting on the road today.

Are you sure we're alone?

What makes you ask?

I get the strong feeling we're not.

Hey!

Who's there?

Fran?

Fran!

Where the bloody hell do people go here in the mornings?

Excuse me for intruding, but I've hurt myself.

- Yeah, of course. Come on in. - Thank you.

- Uh, sit down. - Thanks. It's nothing serious.

Just one moment.

It's only a little cut, but it hurts a bit.

That's quite a deep cut.

Did it on a piece of glass.

Well, I must have had a few too many last night...

and fallen over a broken glass.

Yeah, that's pretty swollen.

First I'll disinfect it. Sorry.

- It's all right. Carry on. - Yeah, it might hurt, but it helps.

- Thanks for your help. - Why, don't mention it.

With my arm in this state I couldn't have driven very far.

- You know, you ought to rest for a while. - Well, I feel fine now.

- You sure? - How about stay with us and have a cup of coffee?

- Oh, no. No, thanks. - She's right, you know. Hot cup of coffee'll do you good.

Well, that's very kind of you. Thank you very much.

Have you got the correct time, please?

Um, 10:15.

It's ridiculous, but my watch stopped. It's never done it before.

Well, I'd best be on my way.

- Many thanks for the coffee and your help. - That's okay.

Does anyone live in that house?

That's a question I asked myself earlier,

and I still haven't found an answer.

- Good-bye. - Bye.

Hey.

The urge was too strong.

You had to ask him...

or you would have exploded.

- Mmm. But he didn't answer my question, did he? - No.

Look. He's going back to the house.

Yeah. Yeah, I can see.

He's going back to the house.

I'm sorry about this morning.

I had to get up at the crack of dawn, and I couldn't get back any earlier.

I had so much to do. Will you forgive me?

Oh, not to worry. You're here now.

Oh, I almost forgot. I'm not alone. I'm with friends.

I'm sure you'll like them.

That's Miriam and her friend.

Oh, it's freezing in here.

Well, I'll have this alight in a jiffy.

- Do you like that? - Mmm.

- Look, may I make a phone call? - Afraid not.