The Kiss of the Vampire

I suppose he's been drinking again.

He's coming here.

(Loud thud followed by sudden loud screaming)

What did you say?

I said, I think we need some petrol.

As I was saying, I think we need some petrol.

Sorry, it was my fault, darling.

These roads twist so it's impossible to follow them.

It's not your fault. I should have dipped the tanker way back.

Bone dry.

I'll have to see if I can get some help, I'm afraid.

- Someone to tow us. - Shall I come with you?

- No, it'll be quicker if I go alone. - All right.

Now, you stay in the car. You'll be quite safe.

Gerald!

- Try not to be long. - I'll try.

Stop running.

Go back to your car!

- Do you hear me? - Yes.

Go back to your car! Go!

Gerald, I was so frightened!

Oh, don't leave it there.

- Someone may want to come in. - They won't, sir.

- Won't they? - No one ever comes here now, sir.

Why not?

Why not?

Goodnight, sir.

- Well, what do you think, Gerald? - Well... l...

We'd better get under shelter!

'Why can't you leave us alone?'

We wondered if you might have a room.

- A room? You want a room? - Yes. For the night.

- You're strangers then? - Well, yes.

Please come in.

Come in, please. Come in.

Oh, you're wet!

Come in and dry yourselves, please.

Anna! We have people... Guests! Come quickly!

Excuse me. What a night!

- You've left your horses outside? - We came by motorcar.

Motorcar?

You must be very rich, young man.

It's my father's car. We borrowed it for our... journey.

Oh, so...

Anna, look! We have guests!

Would you show these good people a room while I get their luggage?

I'll get your luggage.

Oh please, you'll get soaked. Wait until the rain stops.

I have an umbrella.

Will you sign here, please?

What room do you want?

- I beg your pardon? - Which room? They are all vacant.

All except one...

Nothing too expensive. We still have a long way to travel.

- Five marks? - Yes, that'll be fine.

It is the best we have.

This way...

I will bring you fresh linen and hot water. ls there anything else you require?

- Some tea, perhaps? - Certainly.

My husband will lay a fire for you.

Just as soon as he returns with your luggage.

Well...

Anna... Anna, look!

- Well? - Well, don't you see? This is rice!

I found it among their luggage.

Don't you see what this means? They're just married.

This is their honeymoon.

We must do everything we can to make them comfortable.

I am fetching them hot water now. What more can I do?

Oh Anna... Anna, try to forget.

Please. Just for tonight. For their sakes. Please.

- Tea, darling! - Shan't be a moment.

It looks good.

- Now, wait. - Hello, we've got company.

- What is it? - Someone's just delivered a letter.

Somebody pretty important too, by the look of the carriage.

- Oh... come here. - What's wrong?

- It's your ear. - Stop it, darling.

- The tea will get cold, darling. - I know.

Come in!

- A letter for you, sir. - For me? But that's impossible.

No, it's addressed to you, the English gentleman, the Grand Hotel.

- That's us. - Who can it be from?

- Ravna. - Yes, that's the Herr Dr Ravna.

Very fine gentleman. He has lived at the chateaux now for some years.

Is that the one we saw on the mountain?

Yes, madam.

- He wants us to have dinner with him. - What?

Well, that's what it says.

"L should like to offer you my sympathy

"and extend an invitation to dine with me tonight.

"You'll find the food at the hotel..." I'll skip that bit...

My wife is a good woman, but a cook?

"My carriage will call at 8:00 which I trust will be convenient."

Well, what do you say?

- I... I haven't anything to wear. - He's forestalled you there...

"Come just as you are. We shall not be formal."

- I think we should go. - Oh, you should go, madam.

The Herr Doctor is a very charming gentleman

and his table is one of the best in the country.

- It'll be an experience for you, madam. - Very well.

Good evening. Dr Ravna is expecting us.

- More surprises. - Pleasant ones, I hope.

You expected the inside of my house to be as unattractive as the outside.

- Is that it? - Well, um...

If it were, I could not live here.

I like only to be surrounded by beautiful things,

and as I am fortunate enough to have the means to satisfy my wish

but there I go, please excuse my appalling manners.

We have so little company here that I sometimes forget how to behave.

My name is Ravna.

Gerald Harcourt, and my wife Marianne.

Welcome to my house.

- It was very kind of you to invite us. - It was indeed.

I still can't quite understand how you found out about us so quickly.

To tell the truth, I was spying on your motorcar.

Such things are a rarity in these parts.

When I heard the sound, I used my telescope to watch you drive by.

- We didn't. We broke down. - That is true.

Before I could do anything to assist you,

you had taken the initiative yourself, Mr Harcourt.

Now, please come and meet the rest of my family.

Oh, that was beautiful!

Thank you, madam.

And now, may I introduce my children to you.

- My daughter, Sabena... - How do you do?

- Carl, my son. - How do you do?

- Mr and Mrs Harcourt. - How do you do?

- Will you play some more for us? - Later, I think, Carl. After dinner.

Why have you not been to see us, my sweet? Why have you waited so long?

You must know how much we have missed you.

You should not be lying here all alone.

'A few years ago I conducted a series of scientific experiments,

'one of which went wrong.

'I was to blame, of course. I'd made a mistake. Scientists sometimes do.

'Anyway, that is why I can never return to the city of my birth,'

why I live here, locked in this ornate coffin.

Oh, but it's beautiful here.

It often happens in life

that the most beautiful things are made from the most unpromising of materials.

That wine we enjoyed at dinner.

- You did enjoy it, I hope? - It was delicious!

Made from grapes trampled by the feet of a peasant.

Dirty feet, as like as not.

- Father! - Well, it's true, isn't it?

That pheasant we ate, it had been hanging for five...

Father, please!

Perhaps Mrs Harcourt would like to hear you play?

Oh, please!

Something of your own, perhaps, Carl?

Certainly, Father.

Something you've composed yourself? How exciting!

Thank you.

You have a singularly lovely wife, Mr Harcourt.

Thank you.

- Marianne, are you feeling all right? - Please don't stop.

Father?

No more now.

I'm sorry.

I thought...

Marianne... I thought you were going to faint.

Perhaps it's too warm in here.

Oh no, it's not that. It's just that she's had rather a long day.

- I think, if you'll excuse us... - Of course.