PANSLABYRINTH

(ElLaberintodelFauno) By GuillermodelToro

(PANSLABYRINTHisinSpanishwithEnglishsubtitles. ThisisanEnglishtranslationofthescript.)

Picturehouse2006.Allrightsreserved.

DARKNESS. Afemalevoicehumsasweetlullaby. SUPERIMPOSITION: SPAIN,1944. THECIVILWARISOVER. HIDDENINTHEMOUNTAINS,ARMEDMENFIGHTTHENEW FASCISTREGIME.MILITARYPOSTSAREESTABLISHEDTO EXTERMINATETHERESISTANCE. Then:theraw,raspySOUNDofachildstrugglingtobreathe.

FADEIN: EXT.LABYRINTHNIGHT Intheforeground,OFELIA 11yearsold,skinwhiteas snow,rubylipsandebonyhairissprawledontheground. Athickribbonofbloodrunsfromhernose. But thebloodisflowingbackwardintohernostril.Drop bydrop, thebloodleapsupanddisappears. Ofelia'spupilsdilate NARRATOR LongagointheUndergroundRealm... CAMERAMOVESINTOTHEDARKPUPIL

BLACKSCREEN NARRATOR ...wheretherearenoliesorpain,there livedaPrincesswhodreamtofthehuman world.

Thesoundofmuffledwind. NARRATOR Shedreamtofblueskies,thesoftbreeze andsunshine... AdarkCASTLEtakesshape.Here,atower...there,a turret...andlightedwindows. Finally,thedamp,mildewedwallsofawaterwellcomeinto focus. NARRATOR Oneday,eludingherkeepers,the Princessescaped. Awoman'ssilhouettecrossesCAMERA NARRATOR Onceoutside,thebrightnessblindedher anderasedhermemory... Acircularstaircaseleadsup...towarddaylight,wherethe image... NARRATOR Sheforgotwhoshewasandwhereshecame from.Herbodysufferedcold,sickness andpain.Eventually,shedied. FADESTOWHITE:

EXT.BOMBEDCITY DAY CAMERATRACKSpastscenesofdestruction:bombedout buildings...cathedralsinruins. NARRATOR Herfather,theKing,alwaysknewthat thePrincesswouldreturn,perhapsin anotherbody,inanotherplace,at anothertime. Onhalfdemolishedwalls,FalangistpostersdeclareFranco's

triumph.Amongtheruins,smaller,poignanttracesofwar: shoes,brokeneyeglasses... NARRATOR Andhewouldwaitforher,untilhedrew hislastbreath,untiltheworldstopped turning Throughtheruinedbuildings,aSMALLCARAVANOFBLACK BENTLEYCARScomesintoview. TheshinychromefenderspassdirectlybyCAMERAtheybear alltheFascistinsigniasandflags.

INT.MAINCARSAME Lookingoutthewindow:OFELIA. She'sdressedinplain,slightlyfrayedclothing.Notvery dainty.Onherlapisabookoffairytales. CAMERAstudiesoneofthewatercolorsthatadornthepages: anillustrationofalittlegirldancingwithseveral fairiesflyingaroundher. Atherside,asmallpileofsimilarbooksinabookstrap. CARMEN Idon'tunderstandwhyyouhadtobring somanybooks,Ofelia. Ofeliaturnshergazetowardthe oppositeseat,whereher mother,CARMEN,28,isnapping,herenormousstomach evidenceofadvancedpregnancy.She,too,hasblackhair. CARMEN We'regoingtothecountry...the outdoors...plentyoffreshair. ShetakesthebookawayfromOfelia. CARMEN Fairytales?You'retoooldtobefilling yourheadwithsuchnonsense.

Shepauses,feelingnausea. CARMEN Askthemtostopthecar please Ofeliaknocksonthepartitionwindowofthesedan.The Driverstops.

EXT.WOODSSAME Thecaravanofcarsstops.Carmenhurriedlyclimbsdownand movestothefrontofthemaincar. Gaspingforair,shebattlesthenausea.Ofeliatimidly approachesher. CARMEN Ofelia,waitup. Shegrabsherpregnantabdomen. CARMEN Yourbrother'snotwell. Ofelianodsandmovesaway.SERRANO,amilitaryman,climbs outofthecarbehindthemandapproachesCarmensolicitous. SERRANO Madam,areyoufeelingill? CARMEN Water justabitofwater SERRANO (tooneofhismen) Water,bringwaterfortheCaptain's wife. Ofeliawalksalongsidetheroad,movingintothewoodsand furtherawayfromthecaravan ofcars. CAMERAsurveystheheavyforest:atangledtapestryofmoss andfog.

Thetrees,swayedbythewind,murmursoftlyaroundOfelia. Shestumblesuponastrangestonebythesideoftheroad. Roughlythesizeofafistcarvedonit,theoutlineofa humanEYE. Fascinated,theyounggirlpicksitup. Shelooksaroundandfindsamidsttheshrubsanancient stonemonolithincisedwithCelticlettering. It'scrownedwiththegrotesquefaceofasatyrmouthopen wide. Apieceofthebrutishfaceismissing:aneye. Ofeliafitsthepieceofengravedstoneinthemissingarea. Aperfectfit. Frominsidethestatueaclickingnoiseemerges.Thewind picksupand outofthesatyr'sopenmouth,aSTICKINSECT lazilycrawls out.Ofeliasmiles.Theinsectclimbsatopthestonehead andstudiesthegirlforamoment.Then CARMEN Ofelia?? ThesoundofCarmen'svoicestartlesthecreature,whichflies off. Ofeliarunstohermother'sside. OFELIA (enthusiastic) AfairyIsawafairy!! CARMEN Ohlookatyourshoes!!They'recovered inmud! Theyheadbacktothecaravan. CARMEN

WhenwegettothemillIwantyouto greetCaptainVidal. Thatmanhasbeenverygoodtous, darling.Youhavenoidea So,Iwantyoutocallhim"Father."Do youhearme?"Father..." It'sjustaword,Ofelia. TheStickInsectlandsinanearbytreeandobservesinquisitively asMotheranddaughterclimbintothemaincarandheadoff. A beatlater,theStickInsectfliesafterthem. CUTTO:

INT.WATERMILL DAY CLOSEUP:agoldpocketwatch,onaheavychain.Theglass dialiscracked... A glovedTHUMBsnapsthecovershut.AVOICECAPTAINVIDAL muttersinirritation. VIDAL Fifteenminuteslate. ANGLEWIDENStodescribeadilapidatedWATERMILL. Thesiteconsistsofapairofdarkstonebuildingswith corrugatedroofs,connectedtothemillbyasmallstone bridge.Alargewaterwheelhangsoverthedryriverbed. ThewoodenbeamsandcolumnsbearsculptedCelticmotifsand hereandthere,small,odd,carvedcreatures. Thewallshavebeenreinforcedwithhundredsofsandbags andwoodenpontoons,asifpreparingforanattack. CAPTAINVIDALandasmallgroupofSERVANTSandSOLDIERS waitpatientlyoutside.

SOLDIER Captain!!They'rehere ThecaravanofBentleysstopsinfrontofthebuilding.Vidal andhisgroupmovesin.ServantsandSoldiersunloadluggage withymilitaryefficiency.InchargeisMERCEDES,ayoung butstrictcountrywoman. VidalgreetsCarmen. VIDAL CarmenWelcome Withapleasantsmile,hetouchesherpregnantbellyand thenpointsatawoodenwheelchairpushedtoCarmen'sside byasmall,nervousmanSGT.GARCS.Byhissidestands DOCTORFERREIRO,apleasant,scholarlymaninhismid forties. CARMEN I Idon'tneeditIcanwalkbymyself. VIDAL DoctorFerreiroprefersthatyoudon't exertyourself. CARMEN Nno... Vidalleanstowardsherandwhisperseversosoftlyinher ear: VIDAL Thendoitforme... Sheobeys.Asshesits,Ofeliaexitstheautomobile,holding herbooksclosetoherchest. CARMEN Ofelia.GreettheCaptain. Sheiswheeledaway.Anawkwardsilencepassesbetweenthe younggirlandtheCaptain. VIDAL Ofelia

Thegirlextendsherhand.Hegrabsit,firmbutcold.Itis herlefthand. VIDAL It'stheotherhand,Ofelia. Heturnstotheservants. VIDAL Mercedes,takemywife'sluggagetoher room MERCEDES Yes,sir. MercedesglancesbacktofindOfeliacuriouslygazingat apileofsandbags.Perchedontop thebigStickInsect. Itfansoutitsmultiplewings.Twice.Ofeliarunsoverand triestocatchit. ButtheStickInsecttakesoffandescapes.Thegirldropsher booksandgoesafterit.

EXT.GARDENSFURTHER CONTINUOUS OfeliafollowstheStickInsecttotheedgeofasmallrise. Shefollowsitwithhereyesandsees,about100meters away,surroundedbytrees,theruinsofagardenLABYRINTH. TheCAMERAglidesupforabetterview.Thelabyrinthis circular,itspathsovergrownandpartiallyblocked. Ofeliaentersthelabyrinththroughan archway.Sheventures downoneofitspathwaysandstops MERCEDES It'salabyrinth

Ofeliaturns theyoungwomanstandsbyherside.Ofelia's booksinhand. MERCEDES Justapileofoldstones. They'vealwaysbeenthere,evenbefore themill.Betteryoudon'tgonearit Youcouldgetlost. Arayofsunlightbreaksthroughthegreycloudsand illuminatestheoldruins.Mercedeshandsherthebooks. OFELIA Thankyou. MERCEDES Haveyoureadthemall? Garcsshoutsfromthemill: GARCS Mercedes! (Mercedesreacts) TheCaptainscallingyou. MercedesmakesasmallgestureofgoodbyetoOfelia. MERCEDES Yourfatherneedsme. Sheturnsandwalksaway OFELIA He'snotmyfather. Mercedesdoesn'tunderstand.Thegirlrunsuptoher. OFELIA TheCaptainhe'snotmyfather.My fatherwasatailor.Hediedinthewar. TheCaptainsnotmyfather! Mercedescan'thelpbutsmileatthegirl'ssudden vehemence. MERCEDES

Well,you'vemadethatclearenough. Theywalkawaytogether. OFELIA Didyouseemymother? (Mercedesnods) She'sprettyisn'tshe? (Mercedesnods) Yousawherbelly?She'ssickwithchild. Astheygointothehouse,theStickInsectperchedatop thelabyrinth'sarchway monitorstheireverymove. CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT VIDAL Theguerillasarestickingtothewoods becauseit'shardtotrackthemdownup there. Vidalisstandingatanenormousdiningtable.Serrano, Garcsandafewlowerrankingofficialssurroundhim. VIDAL Thosepricksknowtheterrainbetterthan anyofus.Weneedtoforcethemdown Vidalstickspinsintooneofthelargermaps. VIDAL let'sblocktheiraccesstomedicineand supplies. Mercedesentersbearingatrayofolives,coldcutsanda bottleofOrujoliquor. VIDAL We'llsetupthreecommandposts.Here, hereandhere. Mercedesglancesbrieflyatthemaps,concealingavid

interest. Suddenly,VidalgrabsMercedesbythearm. VIDAL HaveDr.Ferreirocomeseeme. MERCEDES Yes,Sir... Turninghisattentionbacktohismaps,Vidaltakestwo olivesandpopsthemintohismouth. VIDAL (chewing) Thosebastardsaregoingtostarve... you'llsee...

INT.UPPERBEDROOMDUSK Thedoctorstirssomedropsofmedicineintoaglassof water.Carmenliesbackinamonumentalcarvedbed.Onher lapthereareseveralplayingcards. DOCTOR Justfourdropsatbedtimeandyou'll sleepallnightlong. Hegivesherthewaterandthemedicinevial.Carmendrinks weakly.Ofeliastandsbyherside. DOCTOR Don'thesitatetocallifyouneed anything,Madame.You oryourlittle nurse. HegrinsatOfelia,thenexitstheroom.CarmengivesOfelia themedicinevial. CARMEN Go.ClosethedoorsoIcansleep.

INT.FOYER/STAIRWAYNIGHT Inthehallway,thedoctorfindsMercedeswaitingforhim. Theyproceedinsilencedownthehallwayandlookdowninto thefoyer:empty. MERCEDES Youmustcomeupthemountainandseehim thelegwounditsgettingworse... ThedoctornodstimidlyandgivesMercedesasmallPACKAGE wrappedindarkpaperandneatlytiedinstring. DOCTOR ThisisallIcouldget.I'msorry. Mercedessighs,disappointed. MERCEDES He'sdownstairsdon'tkeephimwaiting. Thedoctormovesdownstairs.Mercedesglancestowardthe Upper Bedroomand discoversOfelia,watchingherattentivelyhowlonghas shebeenthere? Thegirlclosesthedoorquietly.

INT.UPPERBEDROOMNIGHT Ofeliatakesoffhershoesandclimbsintohermother'sbed. Asshecuddlesclosetohermother CARMEN JesusYourfeet they'refrozen. ShecaressesOfelia'shead.Thewindpicksupandthehouse timbersmoanandcreak. CARMEN Areyouscared?

OFELIA Alittlebit. OFELIA What'sthatnoise? CARMEN Nothing,justthewind.Nightshereare differentfromcitynights.There,you hearcars,trains.Herethehousesare oldandcreaky. Thehouseuttersaseriesofdeep,rumblingnoises. CARMEN Almostlikethey'respeaking. Tomorrow,I'mgoingtogiveyousomething special. OFELIA Abook? CARMEN No, somethingmuchbetter. A beatofsilenceandthen OFELIA Whydidyouhavetogetmarried? CARMEN Wewerealonetoolong. OFELIA Youweren'talone.Youwereneveralone. CARMEN Whenyou'reolderyou'llunderstand.It hasn'tbeeneasyforme. Shewincesinpain CARMEN Yourbrother'she'sactingup.Tellhim oneofyourstoriessohe'llcalmdown.

Ofeliagentlyleansonhermother'sstomachandtapsitwith onefinger,asifitwereatelegraphkey. CARMEN Mybrother,mybrother... Carmencloseshereyesandlistenstoherdaughter'svoice OFELIA along,longtimeagoinagrey,sad country

INSIDETHESTOMACH Floatinginalimboofamnioticfluid,theBABYopenshis eyesandlistens. OFELIA Therewasamagicrosethatmadewhoever pluckeditimmortal.

EXT.MAGICALMOUNTAINSUNSET Againstascarletsky:aBLUEROSE.Itsthornystemclutches thedaggerlikecrestofablackgranitemountain. Thethornsgrowaroundthegranitelikesuffocating serpents. OFELIA(V.O.) Butnoonewoulddaregonearitbecause itsthornswerefullofmortalpoison. TheStickInsectlandsononeofthethornsandthenfliesoff intothenightsky OFELIA(V.O.) Soamongstthementalesofpainand deathweretoldinhushedvoices. But therewasnotalkofeternallife... becausemenfearpainmorethanthey

wantimmortality. up,upandthenthrough

EXT.GARDENS TWILIGHT theWINDOWoftheUpperBedroom. Throughtheglass,theStickInsectobserveshowOfeliahugsher mother. OFELIA Soeverydaytherosewiltedunableto bequeathhisgifttoanyone TheStickInsectclicksitsjawsinexcitement. CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY DAY Theimprovisedofficeisinoneofthelowerrooms,where thegiganticmillwheelandthewoodengearslieinaheap. OFELIA(V.O.) Aloneandforgottenatthetopofthat mountain.Forgottenuntiltheendof time Smallsteelgearsshinelikemetallicstarsonasmall swatchofblackvelvet. Tweezerspickthemupand putthemintoplacewithintheworkingsofawatch. Usingajeweler'smagnifyingglass,Vidaloilsandclosesup hispocketwatchwhilehelistenstocupl(traditional Spanishmusic)onaphonograph. Thedoctorcomestothedoor.Vidalmotionsforhimto enter.

VIDAL Comein Howisshe? DOCTOR Veryweak. Vidalclosesthewatch. VIDAL She'llrestasmuchassheneedsto.I'll sleepdownhere. Andmyson? DOCTOR Your? SerranoandGarcsentertheroom. GARCS Excuseus,Captain... Vidalmotionsforthemtobesilent.Thenhelooksatthe Doctoragain. VIDAL Myson.Howishe? DOCTOR Forthemoment,there'snoreasontobe alarmed. VIDAL Good.Thatsgood. DOCTOR Captain. Yourwifesheshouldn'thavetraveled thislateinthepregnancy. VIDAL Isthatyouropinion?

DOCTOR Myprofessionalopinion,yessir. VIDAL Well,aboyshouldbebornwhereverhis fatheris.Andthat'sthat. Heheadsforthedoor. DOCTOR Captain... Vidalstopsandlooksathimfixedly. DOCTOR Onemorething,sir.Whatmakesyouso sureit'saboy? VIDAL Don'tfuckwithme. Heexitsthemill. CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHT Themillandthetentsaresilhouettesinthenight. Soldierspatrolthegravelpaths. Vidal,GarcsandSerranowalktowardstheouterWater Wheel.There,asmallgroupofsoldierssurroundsanOLDMAN andhisyoungSON. GARCS At8o'clock,wedetectedactivityinthe southeasternsector.Gunfire.Sergeant Bayonacapturedasuspect.Theother prisonerishisson,who'sherefrom town. SON

Captain,myfatherisanhonorableman. VIDAL I'lldecidethat.Takeyourhatoffwhen youtalktome. TheSonquietlyobeys.BAYONAhandstheCaptainasmall gaugerifleandaleatherpouch. VIDAL Wefoundthisweapon.It'sbeenfired. SON Hewashuntingrabbits VIDAL Shutup,damnit. Vidaltakesopenstheleatherpouchandfindsafarmer's almanac.Hereadsaninscriptionprintedonthebackpage: VIDAL "...NoGod,norGovernment,norMaster?" GARCS Redpropaganda,sir. SON It'snotpropaganda,Sir. Vidal,impatientlymotionsforhimtobesilent. OLDMAN "It'sanoldalmanac we'refarmers,sir." VIDAL Goon. OLDMAN Iwasintheforesthuntingrabbitsfor mydaughters.They'resick. VIDAL Rabbits,uh? Inthepouch,Vidalfindsahalfemptybottleofwine.

SON Captain,ifmyfathersayssohewas huntingrabbits. VidalhandsGarcsthepouchandmovestowardstheboy, bottleinhand. BAM!!Withoutwarningheflattenstheboy'snosewith the bottlebottom.TheFatherscreams,horrified,butwithout thegutstointervene. VidalliftstheSonup,basheshisnoseagainandagain, levelingboneandcartilage. FATHER No!!No!!Youkilledhim!!Yousonofa bitch!! Vidaldropstheboy,whofallstothegroundspittingblood. HeturnstotheFatherandshootshimtwiceincoldblood, thenturnstotheSonandshootshimonce,inthehead. Thenallissilence.Thedistantwhistleofatraincanbe heard.VidalheadsbacktowardsGarcsandcalmlysearches thepouch:Insidehefindstwoscrawnyrabbits. VIDAL Learntofriskthesemotherfuckersbefore youcomebotheringme. GARCS Yes,myCaptain. Hemovesaway.Andhetakestherabbitswithhim. CUTTO:

INT.UPPERBEDROOMNIGHT Eyeswide,Ofeliahearsadryrattle,followedbyasoft ululationatthewindow,whichishalfopen.Thecurtains billow.

Themillgroans.Ofeliaisrestless. Thenadryclickingnoise. OFELIA Mama,wakeup Carmendoesn'tmove.Ascuttlingnoisereachesherearsas somethingsmallandquickskittersoverthefloor. OFELIA Motherplease!There'ssomethinginthe room Impossible.Ofeliagetsupandcarefullyputsonhershoes. Somethingshiftsintheceilingbeams.Ofelialooksup, searching. Nothing.Suddenly,somethingthesizeofahumanhand scurriespastherfeetandhidesunderthebed. Then,pullingatthegoosedowncomforter,theStickInsectclimbs upintothebed.Ofelialeansoverit,shocked. OFELIA HhelloDidyoufollowmehere?? TheStickInsectclicksitsmandibles. OFELIA Areyouafairy?? TheStickInsectregardsherwithcuriosity. OFELIA Look Thisisafairy Shepicksuponeofherbooksandopensittoan illustration:abeautifulfairy. TheStickInsectscrutinizestheillustrationandsitsupright.It opensandclosesitswings,transformingintoaGREENFAIRY atinyhumanformwithstripedwings. TheGreenFairyfliestothefootofthebed,pointingto

thewindow. OFELIA Youwantmetogowithyou?Outside? Where? CUTTO:

EXT.GARDENSNIGHT TheGreenFairyfliesswiftly,butOfeliafollowsclose behind.Suddenlyitstops! Theyreattheruinsofthelabyrinth,whichisbathedin moonlight. Treesandrootscrowdthebrokenniches,asiffusedwith thestone.Someofthepathwaysareblockedbygnarledtrees thathavegrownthroughtherock.

LABYRINTHCONTINUOUS Ofeliarunsthroughthenarrow,spookypathways,butshehas lostsightoftheGreenFairy. Ofeliastopsandlooksarounduntilshespotsit,waiting forherat

ROTUNDA ATCENTEROFLABYRINTH NIGHT TheGreenFairyalightsonanancientmonolithattheedgeofan emptystonepool.It'sdecoratedinCelticlettering,just liketheoneintheforest. Anothermonolithstandsatitscenter. Ofelianearstheedgeofthepool. OFELIA Hello?!

Thepoolreturnshercry,againandagain.Thetreetrunks creak andacloudcoversthemoon. OFELIA Echo!Echo! Then,shehearsthesoundofsomethingbigclatteringabout onhooves,likeahorseorabull. VOICE It'syouIt'syouYou'vereturned!! TheVOICEiscoldandfullofsibilance.Thecloudmoves aside... Onitshindquartersintheshadowsisthetwistedand sinisterfigureofaFAUN.He'scoveredinrootsandmoss. Ofeliabacksawayspeechless. FAUN No no don'tbeafraidIbegyou!! Look!! Heopensasmallwickerbasketandfromitemergetwomore FAIRIES:oneBLUE,oneRED. Ofeliasmiles. OFELIA MynameisOfelia.Whoareyou? FAUN Me?I'vehadsomanynames.Oldnames thatonlythewindandthetreescan pronounce. TheGreenFairyfliestowarditscolorfulcompanions. FAUN Iamthemountain,theforestandthe earth.Iam...afaun. Ashebowstoher,moonlightdappleshisbody.Hiscoarse hoovesandthestrangeangleofhislegsmakehiscourtly

mannerclumsyyetoddlygracious. FAUN YourHighness OFELIA No,I'm FAUN YouarePrincessMoanna,daughterofthe KingoftheUnderworld. OFELIA No Myfatherwasatailor. FAUN Youarenotbornofman.Itwas themoon thatboreyou. Lookonyourleftshoulderandyouwill findamarkthatprovesit. Ofeliainstinctivelytoucheshershoulder,withastrange expressiononherface. FAUN Yourrealfatherhadusopenportalsall overtheworldtoallowyourreturn.This isthelastofthem. Heopenshisarmandgesturesatthewellaroundthem. FAUN Butwehavetomakesurethatyour essenceisintact,thatyouhavenot becomeamortal. Toinsureyourreturn,youhavethree taskstofulfill beforethemoonis full. TheFaunstepsbackafewpaces.Hedepositsalargeleather boundbookontheground,aswellasaleatherbag. FAUN ThisistheBookofCrossroads.Openit

whenyou'realoneanditwillshowyou yourfuture showyouwhatmustbedone. ThenheandtheFairiesfadebackintotheshadows. Ofeliagoestothebookandopensit.Nomatterhowmany pagessheturns theyareallblank. OFELIA There'snothinghere Butsheisalone.Absolutelyaloneinthewell.MUSICstarts CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY BATHROOMEARLYMORNING Vidal,shirtless,shaveswithaswitchbladewhilelistening tomusic. CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMDAY Now,aloneinthemassivediningroom,Vidalshineshis boots.Methodically. Thisisobviouslyadailyritualforhim.Byhisside:the twoscrawnyrabbitsheimpoundedthenightbefore. Mercedesbringshimacupofcoffee. VIDAL Mercedes,preparetheserabbitsfor dinnertonight. Mercedeseyesthescrawnyanimals MERCEDES Theyaretooyoung.

VIDAL Well,seeifthey'lldoforastew. MERCEDES Yessir. SheturnstoleavebutVidalstopshergently. VIDAL AndThiscoffeewasburnt.Tasteit yourself. Shedoes.Vidalplacesahandonhershoulder. Thereissomethingunpleasantaboutthissuddencontact, somethingtoofamiliar.Shebearsitinsilence. VIDAL Youshouldkeepaneyeonit. MERCEDES Yes,sir. Shemovesinto

INT.KITCHEN LATER Thekitchenisenormous.Theopencharcoalcookstoveistwo metershighbyfivemeterswide. MERCEDES (handsouttherabbits) Takethemtothetable Twoold,stoutcooks,JACINTAandPAZ,washthegigantic worktablewithboilingwater. MERCEDES (totheothers) Hedidn'tlikethecoffee. JACINTA AghHe'snothingbutafussydandy.A

dandy! MERCEDESpicksupapailofhotwater. MERCEDES We'regoingtoneedsomebeefandone morechicken.Wehavemoreguests Conchita,PalomaandtwootherGIRLSpluckchickens,peel potatoes,etc. PAZ Well,wherearewesupposedtofindthat? MERCEDES Thedoctor'swifeandthemayor's,too. JACINTA Well,theyeatmorethanapig. PAZ Andtheydon'tshutup JACINTA notevenunderwater.

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY MercedesandConchitaemptybucketsofhotwaterintoa porcelainbathtub.

INT.UPPERBEDROOMBEDROOMDAY Carmenopensoneofhertraveltrunks. CARMEN Ofelia.Yourfatherisgivingadinner partytonightLookwhatI'vemadeyou. Sheliftsoutabeautifulgreendressinshinysilkand ivorytulle.

Ofeliastudiesthedressasifitwereastrangeartifact ratherthansomethingshemightwear.Mercedesenterswitha breakfasttray. CARMEN Doyoulikeit?WhatIwouldn'thave giventohaveadressasfineasthis whenIwaslittle. Inareverie,Carmentakesoutapairofnewpatentleather shoesandagreensilkhairribbon. CARMEN (toOfelia) Andlookattheseshoes!Doyoulike them? Ofeliamakesaneffortandsmilesaweaksmile. OFELIA Yes,theyareverypretty. ButCarmenisnotfooled CARMEN Goon,now.Takeyourbath.Go OfeliaobeysSheenters

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY Ofelia,aloneinthebathroom,opensthemagicalbook.At first, thepageisblank,butawondrousimagetakesshape: Ofeliaandfivechestnuts.Squattingatherside,undera hugetree:amassiveTOAD. ThenaKNOCKonthedoor CARMEN'SVOICE Ofelia

INT.UPPERBEDROOMDAY

Alonenow,Carmenreadiesthelittlegreendress. CARMEN Hurryup.Iwanttoseethedressonyou. Iwantyoutobebeautifulforthe Captain...

INT.BATHROOM,UPPERBEDROOMDAY Onherrightshoulder,Ofeliaexamines,exactlyastheFaun said,abirthmarkintheformofthecrescentmoon... CARMENSVOICE You'lllooklikeaprincess Ofeliasmiles. OFELIA (toherself) ...aprincess... CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN LATER Mercedesorganizesthekitchen. MERCEDES Makesurethosechickensarecleaned properly...andthebeans... Mercedestakesoutasmall,sharpknifefromthefoldsin herapron.Sheskillfullychopsanonion. Thebustlesuddenlystops.Everyonelookstowardthedoor, where,amongchickenfeathersfloatinglikeconfetti,Ofelia stands,dressedingreensilk. CONCHITA Youlookmarvelous,mygirl,just gorgeous.

JACINTA Whatadress!! Mercedessmiles.She'spleasedtoo,butsheclapsherhands together MERCEDES Getbacktowork,stopwastingtime. Theyobey.MercedesgoesnexttoOfelia. MERCEDES Dowantsomemilkwithhoney? Ofelianodseagerly.

INT.STABLELATER Mercedesputsabucketunderahugemilkcow. MERCEDES Stepback,Idon'twantyougettingmilk onyourdress,withyoulookingso pretty. Mercedesbeginstomilkthecow. OFELIA Mercedes,doyoubelieveinfairies? MERCEDES No.ButwhenIwasalittlegirl,Idid. IbelievedinalotofthingsthatI don'tbelieveanymore. OFELIA Well,lastnight,afairyvisitedme.And itwasn'talone,therewerelotsofthem andafaun,too. MERCEDES A faun??

Mercedespicksupthebucketandfillsawoodenbowlwith milk. OFELIA Hewasveryold,verytallandsmelled likedirt. MERCEDES Mymotherwarnedmetobewaryof fauns Suddenly,VidalandGarcsapproachthem. VIDAL Mercedes,comewithme. CUTTO:

EXT.STORAGEBUILDING MILL DAY VidalandMercedeswalktowardthebodega,orstorage building,adjoiningthemill. Guardsunloadgiantsacksofprovisionsfromtrucks.ACivil GuardCAPITANsupervisestheoperationandgreetsVidal. CAPITAN Captain,everythingishere.

INT.BODEGA MILL CONTINUOUS Themenfilltheenormousbodegawithgrain,bottlesof wine,barrelsofoil,saltandsugar,etc. CAPITAN Flour,salt,oil,medicine,olives, bacon,tobacco... Vidalgrabsapacketof tobacco. VIDAL Tobacco,huh?Real tobacco!

TheCAPITANhandsoversomepaperswiththeFalangist letterhead. CAPITAN Andtherationcards. Mercedesisstunnedbythequantityoffoodandsupplies. Vidalchecksthepadlockonthedoor. VIDAL Mercedes,thekey MERCEDES Yes,sir. Mercedeshandsoverthekeyfromherlargekeyring. VIDAL (toMercedes) Isthistheonlycopy? MERCEDES Theonlyone. Vidallocksthepadlock.Yanksonit:niceandstrong. VIDAL Fromnowon,I'llcarryit. Fromoutside,Serranocallshim. SERRANO Captain!! VidalhurriesovertoSerranowhohandshimapairof binocularsandpointstosomethingonthehorizon SERRANO Captain,perhapsit'snothing. Throughthebinoculars,VidalseesaplumeofSMOKEonthe horizon. VIDAL

It'sthem.

EXT.FOREST DAY Garcs,Vidalandafewofhismenridethroughtheforest onhorseback. OFELIA (V.O.) Whentheforestwasyoung,afigtree tookrootandgrewtocolossalsize. CUTTO:

EXT.WOODSDAY Ofeliawalksawayfromthemillandintothewoods. OFELIA (V.O.) Whentheforestwasyoung,itwashometo creatureswhowerefullofmagicand wonder...

EXT.WOODSDAY Vidalandhismenridethroughtheforest. OFELIA (V.O.) Attheheartofthisforeststooda colossalfigtree.TheForestFolkslept initsshadow.

EXT.EDGEOFTHEFOREST DAY OFELIA (V.O.) Butnow,thetreeisdying.Itsbranches aredry,itstrunkoldandtwisted. OfeliafindsherselfunderahugeFIGTREEthathastwisted

intoanarchreachingtoanearbycrag. OFELIA (V.O.) Amonstroustoadhassettledinitsroots andwon'tletthetreethrive. Ofeliaopensherleatherbag.Insidetherearefivelarge chestnuts. OFELIA (V.O.) Youmustputthethreemagicrocksinits mouthandretrieveamagickey from its insides.Onlythenwillthefigtree flourishagain. Thetreerootsarepartlyexposed.Thetreeitselfis surroundedbyalargemudpuddle. Ofeliadecidestotakeoffherfancysilkdress.She carefullyhangseverythingincludingherhairribbon on thetreebranches.Finallyshe'sdowntoonlyasimple cottonslipandhershoes. Assheenters Thewindpicksupandmovesherhangingdress.Then,a suddengustsendsthehairribbonflying.

INT.GALLERYUNDERFIGTREEROOTS DAY Ofeliacrawlsslowlythegapsbetweentherootsarenarrow andclaustrophobic. Afewbig,blackpillbugsarenestledinthemud. Ofeliakeepsgoing. CUTTO:

INT.CAMPSITEINTHEMIDDLEOFTHEFOREST DAY Vidalandhismenprobeaforestcave.Inside,theyfindthe

remainsofacampfire.Vidalremovesagloveandtouchesthe embers. VIDAL Lessthantwentyminutes,theyleftina hurry. Hefindstheremainsoffoodanddrink. VIDAL Adozenmen,atmost... Inthedirt,hediscoverstheremainsofthepackagethe doctorgavetoMercedes. Insidehefindsemptyantibioticscontainers. VIDAL Antibiotics... Garcscomesuponahalfburntlotteryticket. GARCS (showinghimthelotteryticket) Shit Theyforgotthislotteryticket. Vidalmotionsforsilence. VIDAL They'rehere.Thosebastardsarehereand theyarewatchingus. Hestandsinraptsilence.Thetreesswaygently.Hehefts theemptypackagelikeatrophy. VIDAL Youleftthisbehind!Andthelottery ticket!Comebackandgetit!!Thiscould beyourluckyday ! Silence. Then,theymountupandrideoff. Invisibleunderthetrees,sixGUERRILLASareindeed watching.AmongthemisPEDRO,atallandseriousyoungman.

Inaflash,theyalldisappearintotheunderbrush. CUTTO:

INT.GALLERYUNDERFIGTREEROOTS DAY Ofelia'sprogressisslow.Wateroozesfromthesurrounding rootsandmud. Bugscrawlonherarms. Shehearsasudden,soggymovementupahead.Shetakesout thefivechestnuts whicharesolargetheybarelyfitin herhandsandworksherwaytowardthenoise. Soon,shecomesfacetofacewith an immenseTOAD,asbigasaboar.Hisgoldeneyesblink hischeekspuffrhythmicallyinandout. OFELIA Hi TheToad'slongtongueflicksout,trappingacoupleof beetlesandpullingthembackintohismouth.Their chitinousshellscrunchnoisily initsslimyjaws. Ofeliashuddersandtriestostandup.Asshespeaks,a largeredpillbugclingstohercheek. OFELIA IamI'mprincessMoannaandI'mnot afraidofyou TheToadobservesher,unmoved. OFELIA Aren'tyouashamed?Livingdownhere, eatingall thepillbugsandgettingfat whilethetreedies! FWAPPPP!!!!TheToadsendsoutitssoftpinktongue,which flattensagainstherface,thenslidesoff,takingthepill bugandleavingagelatinousgoo.

Threeofthechestnutsrolltotheground.Ofeliaspitsin disgust. TheToadhunkersdown,shakingviolentlyasitcroaks. Ofeliabackpedals,frightened.TheToadresumesitsresting position. Ofeliascoopsupthechestnuts.Twofallbackintothemud. Shekneelstogetthemand deftlypalmsajuicy,fatpillbug.Itcurlsitselfintoa tightball.Shekeepsitinthesamehandasthechestnuts. TheToadcroaksagain,shootsoutitstongue,whichwraps aroundherwrist.Shestayscalm.Whenthetongueretracts, coveringherhandwithviscousspittle,thepillbugis gone. Andsoarethechestnuts. TheToadcroaksviolentlyandsuddenlyburpsupagigantic pearlybubble,whichfloatsintheair,bathedinbloodand saliva. Andwiththis,theToadshrivelsaway,likeaserpent sheddingitsskin. Ofeliapicksupthewarty,emptyskinandlooksatthe bubble. Initscenter:aGOLDKEY. Ofeliaplungesherhandsintothebubbletograbit.

EXT.EDGEOFTHEFOREST TWILIGHT Ofeliaemergesfromunderthetreewiththegoldenkeyin hand.She'sfilthy,sweatyandexhausted. Shenearstheplacewheresheleftherdress butit'snotthere!

Afterabriefsearch,shefindsherhairribbon.Coveredin mud. Afewmetersaway,thedresscoveredinwet,mossymud. Itstartstorain. CUTTO:

EXT.MILL DUSK ApairofBENTLEYSsweepsintothedriveway.Elegantdinner guestsgetoutofthecars:theMAYOR,hisWIFE,anda parishPRIEST. Vidalstandsatthefrontdoortogreetthem.He'sinhis formaluniform.

INT.DININGROOMSAME Carmen,inavelvetmaternitydressandinherwheelchair, wringsherhandsinanguish.Thediningroomislookingits best,withsparklingcrystalandchinaateachplace setting. CARMEN (toMercedes) Haveyoucheckedinherroom??Andthe garden?? MERCEDES Yes,madam. TheVOICESofthedinnerguestsgetlouder.AsVidalenters VIDAL MayIintroduceyoutomywife,Carmen. Carmenmanagesawansmileofgreeting.TheMayor'swife smilesback

MAYOR'SWIFE Enchanted. MERCEDES Pleasuretomeetyou.

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT ArationcardwiththeFalangiststampsonit.TheMayor examinesit. VIDAL Fromnowononerationcardpeerfamily. Seatedaroundthetableare:thedoctor andhisWIFE,themayorandhis wife,Garcs,Serrano,Carmen,theGuardiaCivilCapitan,andthePriest. Carmenisstonyfacedinherdistraction. MAYOR One??Captain,I'mnotsureit'llbe enough. PRIEST Ifpeoplearecareful,itshouldbe plenty. Heeatsmorepotatoes. VIDAL Whatwecan'tallowisforanyonetosend foodtotheguerillasin themountains. They'relosinggroundandoneofthem iswounded. DOCTOR Excuseme,Captain,howcanyoubeso sure? VIDAL Wealmostgotthemtoday.Theyhadthis. Vidalpullsoutoneoftheantibioticvials. VIDAL

Antibiotics. MercedesbrieflycatchestheDoctor'seye. PRIEST Godhasalreadysavedtheirsouls.What happenstotheirbodies,well,ithardly matterstoHim. MAYOR Wellhelpyouinanywaywecan, Captain. Weknowyourenotherebychoice Vidalpausesandlockseyeswithhim. VIDAL You'rewrongaboutthat. Theguestsgrowsilent. VIDAL IchoosetobeherebecauseIwantmyson tobeborninaclean,newSpain. Becausethesepeoplehavetheideathat we'reallalike.Butthere'sabig difference:Thewarisoverandwewon. Andifweneedtokilleachofthose motherfuckerstoagreeonit,thenwell killthemall.Andthatsthat. Heraiseshisglassandtoasts. VIDAL We'reallherebychoice. Alltheguestsraisetheirglasses. ALL Bychoice. Mercedesquicklyleavesthediningroom.

INT.KITCHEN LATER ThekitchendooropensandMercedesenters,trembling.On thevergeoftears,shegrabsalanternandreadiesto leave. MERCEDES Putthecoffeeon.I'mgoingformore wood. Sheleavesthekitchen.

EXT.MILL BACK NIGHT Themillrecedinginthedistance,Mercedeshurriesuphill. Shepausesnexttoalargewoodpileandsadlygazesatthe forest. Usingherhandtoshieldthelantern'slightshesignalsthe woods one,two,threetimes.Thensheturnsaround Shesees MERCEDES Ofelia Shivering,coveredinmud,Ofeliaclimbsdownhillandinto Mercedessarms. CUTTO:

INT.DININGROOMNIGHT Everyoneeatswithrelish,impeccablyattendedbythe kitchenstaff. MAYOR'SWIFE AndHowdidyouandtheCaptainmeet? VidalseemsuncomfortablebutCarmengentlytoucheshis

hand. CARMEN Ofelia'sfatherwasatailorheusedto maketheCaptainsuniforms MAYOR'SWIFE Isee CARMEN andafterhedied,Iwenttoworkatthe shop.Alittlemorethanayearago,the CaptainandImetagain... VidalmoveshishandawayfromCarmen's. MAYOR'SWIFE Curious,isn'tit?Findingeachother aftersuchalongtime. DOCTOR'SWIFE Curiousindeedverycurious... VIDAL Please,forgivemywife.Shehasn'tbeen exposedtotheworld.Shethinksthese sillystoriesareinterestingtoothers. Carmengrowssilent.Ashamed. MercedesdiscreetlycomesovertoCarmenandspeakstoher. Carmenpushesbackfromthetable. CARMEN Please,excuseme. AllthemengetupasCarmenleavesthediningroom.The GuardiaCivilCapitansmilesatVidal. CAPITAN HaveItoldyouthatIwasacquainted withyourfather,Captain? Vidalcan'tsuppressabriefgrimace. VIDAL

No Ihadnoidea. CAPITAN InMorocco.Imethimonlybriefly,but heleftagreatimpression. Vidalchewshisfoodnervously. VIDAL Anexcellentsoldier. CAPITAN Themeninhisbattalionsaidthatwhen GeneralVidaldiedonthebattlefield,he smashedhiswatchonarocksothathis sonwouldknowtheexacthourandminute ofhisdeath. Sohewouldknowhowabravemandies. AlleyesturntoVidal. CAPITAN Nonsense.Hedidn'townawatch. CUTTO:

INT.UPPERBEDROOM/BATHROOMMOMENTSLATER Ofeliaisfloatingonthewarmwaterofthetub. CARMEN Whatyou'vedonehurtsme.Whenyouget outofthetub,you'llgotobedwithout dinner. Ofelialistensinsilence,holdingback. CARMEN Areyoulistening?SometimesIthink you'llneverlearntobehave. You'vedisappointedme,andyourfather, too.

OFELIA TheCaptain? CARMEN YesHimmorethanme. ThefaintesttraceofsatisfactionisvisibleonOfelia's face.Carmenleaves. TheGreenFairyfliesinthroughtheopenwindow.Ofelia greetsit. OFELIA I'vegotthekey.Takemetothe labyrinth.

EXT.LABYRINTH THE WELL NIGHT Withthebookandthekeyinhand,Ofeliastepstothe centerofthewell.Sheiswearingastripedrobe. Sheexaminestheengravingsonthemonolith:theFaun, embracingagirlandababy. FAUN That'smeandthegirlisyou. FromoutoftheshadowscomestheFaun.TheGreen Fairy hurriestohim. OFELIA Andthebaby? TheFauncomesnearOfeliachewingachunkofrawmeat. FAUN Iseethatyougotthekey TheGreenFairylandsonhisshoulder.Hefeedshersomemeat. FAUN She'sverygladyousucceeded.She's believedinyoufromtheverystart.

Keepthekey.You'llbeneedingit.And thisalso Outofnowhereheproducesapieceofwhitechalk. FAUN apieceofchalk Ofeliatakesthechalk. FAUN Therearestilltwotasksleftandthe moonisalmostfull.Bepatient. Hecaressesherfacewithhisdirtyhands,whicharecovered withcreepingbugs. FAUN We'llsoonbestrollingthroughtheseven circulargardensofyourpalace. OFELIA HowdoIknowthatwhatyousayistrue?? Ashecomescloser, theFaun'sfaceagaincomesintothe light.Awickedgrinisrevealed FAUN Whywouldapoorlittlefaunlikemelie toyou? Ofelialeavesthewell. CUTTO:

EXT.MILL SUNRISE VIDALopensthewarehouse. AlargeCROWDOFPEOPLElinesupforrations. ThesoldierskeeporderasVidalsupervisesthedistribution ofwheat,cookingoilandtobacco.

VIDAL Proceed. SERRANO Haveyourcardsinhandandready.Let's go.Yourname? Inalogbook,hemakesnoteofeveryhandout. Mercedes,ConchitaandPazcomeoutofthegranarycarrying basketsofbread.Eachpieceiscontainedinabrownbag withalegendprinted.TheGuardiaCivilCapitangrabsa pieceandstartsrecitingtheprintedlegend. CAPITAN ThisisourdailybreadinFranco's Spain!Whichwekeepsafeinthismill. TheRedsliewhentheysaythere'shunger inSpain.BecauseinaunitedSpain, there'snotasinglehomewithoutawarm fireorwithoutbread. Mercedeslookstowardthemountains. CUTTO:

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAWN Ofeliawakesupnexttohermother.Shequietlyslipsoutof bedhermothersleepson.AsOfeliareachesthemiddleof theroom,hermothermoanssoftly.

INT.BATHROOMNORTHBEDROOMDAWN Ofeliaopensthespecialbook.Impatient,shestartsturning thepages NOTHING. Shekeepsflippingthrough,lookingandlooking.Buteach pagefadestowhite.

Ofelialooksatabeamofsunlightcominginfromthesmall bathroomwindow.Shereachesoutherhandandplayswithit. Shelooksdownatapageinthebook.Asmallredstainhas appeared.Blood. Itspreadsrapidly,untilitcoversthewholepage. Frightened,Ofeliadropsthebook.Thebloodflowsontothe nextpageandcoversit,too. Ofelianoticesabloodstainonhernightgown. Shestepsback.Opensthedoor. CARMEN(V.O.) (weak) Ofelia...

INT.NORTHBEDROOMMORNING Ofeliareturnstohermother.Hugetorrentsofbloodflow fromthebedontothefloor.Carmenextendsabloodyhand towardthegirl. CARMEN (barelyawhisper) Ofelia...helpme... Shegetsoutofbedthelowerhalfofherbodyis completelybloody. Ofeliarunstoher.Carmendisappearsfromherarms.

EXT.MILL EARLYMORNING OfeliahurriesfromthebuildingandgoestoVidal,who supervisesthefoodrationing. OFELIA Captain!Comequickly!

CAMERApullsbacktofollowVidalasherunsinsidethe mill. Thedayisjustbeginning. CUTTO:

INT.MILL DAY Itsraining.VidalandtheDoctorstandnearthefront entrance: DOCTOR Yourwifeneedsabsolutebedrest.She'll besedatedfromnowon.Thegirlshould sleepsomewhereelse.I'llstayhere untilthebirth. VIDAL Takecareofher.Healher.Idon'tcare whatitcostsorwhatyouneed,makeher well.

INT.ATTIC LATEAFTERNOON Ofeliasurveysthefilthyatticandthedark,lowceiling, fullofholes. MercedesandConchitamakeabedwithalargecomforterand severalfluffypillows. Conchitaleaves. MERCEDES Don'tworry.Yourmotherwillgetbetter soon,you'llsee.Havingababyis complicated. Ofeliashakesherhead. OFELIA

ThenI'llneverhaveaone. Mercedessitsbyherside. OFELIA Youarehelpingthemeninthewoods, aren'tyou? Thiscomesoutoftheblue.Mercedesfreezesandaftera longbeat: MERCEDES Haveyoutoldanyone? OFELIA No,Ihaven't Idon'twantanythingbad happeningtoyou. MERCEDES Ormetoyou Theyembracesoftly. OFELIA Doyouknowalullaby? MERCEDES Onlyone,butIdon'trememberthewords. OFELIA Idon'tcare.Istillwanttohearit. Asshesingswe CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT Mercedesisaloneinthekitchen.Shecarriesacanvasbag. Thereisalowflameburningonthecharcoalrange. Shekneelsdownandremovesatilefromthefloor:shehas hiddensomefood,abottleofOrujoandsomepapers.She transferseverythingtothecanvasbag.Someonecomesinto

thekitchen,startlingher. DOCTOR Dontbeafraiditsjustme Mercedesexhales,relieved. MERCEDES Areyouready? DOCTOR Yes. MERCEDES Well,let'sgo.

EXT.FOREST/RIVER NIGHT Carryingthebag,Mercedeswalksthroughtheriverwiththe Doctor. Theystopinfrontofalarge,halfcuttree. DOCTOR Thisissheermadness.Whenthatman findsoutaboutus,he'llkillusall. Haveyouthoughtaboutthat? MERCEDES Areyouthatafraidofhim,Doctor? Afteralongbeat DOCTOR It'snotfear,atleastnotformyself. Anoise.Thensilence.Thetreetrunksswayandcreak softly.Somethingmovesamongthetrees... Mercedestakesacouplesteps...andsuddenly,someoneis there:itisPedro,theyoungguerrilla.Hehugsher. MERCEDES Pedro,Pedro Mybrother.

Hekissesheronbothcheeks.TheDoctorlooksaroundwith alarmastwentymoremenappearfromoutoftheshadows. CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT Ofeliaislyinginbed. FAUN Yourefusedthetask Ofeliaisstartled:theFaunisperchedonthefootrail of her bed,likeabigcrow. OFELIA Nnomymotherissick. FAUN That'snoexcusefornegligence. TheFaunlooksinatatteredbag,takesoutatwistedroot ofMANDRAKE. FAUN Look,thisisamandrakeroot.Aplant thatdreamtofbeinghuman.Putitunder yourmother'sbedinabowloffresh milk.Eachmorninggiveittwodropsof blood. Ofelia,revolted,takestheroot. FAUN Now,wehavenotimetowaste.Thefull moonwillbeuponus. Letmypetsguideyouthrough Hehandsherhisbasket.TheFairieschitterchatterinside it. FAUN You'regoingtoaverydangerousplace,

sobecareful. Thethingthatslumbersthere,it'snot human... Hehandsherasmall,darkhourglass. FAUN Youwillseeasumptuousbanquet,but don'teatordrinkanything. Yourlifedependsonit.

EXT.CAVENIGHT Mercedes,PedroandtheDoctorarriveatalargecavemouth. GUERILLAsentriesallowthemtopass.

INT.CAVENIGHT Thewallsarecoveredwithsoot. Adozenmoreguerillassitaroundanopenfireinthemiddle ofthecave. Mercedesopensupthecanvasbagandstartshandingout letters,food,tobaccoandnewspapers. MERCEDES I'vebroughtsomeOrujo,tobacco,cheese. Somemailfor"Trigo"and"Piloto.". Themendivideanewspaperamongthemselves.Onepageeach. Thedoctorapproachesagroupofwoundedmen.Oneofthem, FRENCHIE,isveryweak.Hislegisbandaged. DOCTOR Letsseehowthatlegisdoing,Frenchie FRENCHIE Well,howdoyouthinkitsdoing??It's

fuckedup STUTTER ...NorthAmerican,BbbritishandCc canadianTttroopsdisembbbarkedona smallbeachintheNorthofFFfrance STUTTER,athinguyinhisthirties,readsaragged newspaper. TRIGO Gimmethat,youstammeringpieceofshit! MuscleboundTRIGOgrabsthenewspaperfrom Stutter. TRIGO Morethan150,000soldiers...underthe commandofGeneralDwightD.Eisenhower whosaid:"Wewillnotacceptanything lessthancompletevictoryoverGermany." TheDoctorcutsthebandagesoff Frenchie'sleg.Itlooks horrible. FRENCHIE Isitbad,doctor? DOCTOR Look,FrenchieThere'snowaytosave it. Everyonegoesquiet

INT.CAVELATER TheDoctorreadiesastainlesssteelbonesaw. DOCTOR I'lltrytodoitinasfewcutsasI can. ThemengiveFrenchiethebottle.Hegulpsdownhalfofit. FRENCHIE

(stoically) Waitasecond,doctor,justasecond. Frenchielookslonginglyathisleg.OnelasttimeThen,he takesholdofTrigoandRubio'sarms.MercedesandPedroput alltheirweightontheinjuredlimb. TheDoctortoucheshissawtotheleg andcuts. CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE Ofeliatakesthebook outfromunderherbed.Openingit, sheseesherselfillustratedinaroomwithalavishtable fulloffood.Inthewallarethreeniches.Andatthefar endofthetable,apalehumanfigure. OFELIA (V.O.) Usethechalktotraceadooranywherein yourroom.Openitandstartthe hourglassletyourselfbeguidedbythe Fairies Ofeliadrawstheoutlineofadooronthewall...andthen opensitontoalonghallway.Ofeliagoesthrough,wearing thewickerbasketaroundherneck. OFELIA Don'teatordrinkanythingandcomeback beforethelastgrainofsandfalls through...

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL SUNRISE Thegirlwalksdownacorridorwithalowceilinganda multitudeofarches.Eachcolumnrepresentsatreewith fanningbranches.Anelaboratemosaicpatternspreadsover thefloortheceilingfrescodepictsthelunarcycle.

INT.BANQUETHALL SAME Inthenextroom,alarge,woodentableoverflowswitha cornucopiaofcakes,meat,fish,liquor,exoticfruits... Lightandwarmthpourforthfromaroaringfireplace. APALEMANwithagaunt,featurelessfaceandskeletalbody sitssilentlyatthefarendofthetable. He'sominouslystill,hisheadhangingatanoddangle.In frontofhim,asmallmetallicplatedisplaystwohuman eyeballs. It'sveryhot:beadsofsweatrolldownOfelia'sface.Her hungrystomachgrowls. Shespotsthethreeniches. Shetakesouthergoldenkeyandconsidersthedoors.Each onecladinsmoothgold,withidenticallocks. Thewickerbasketstartstoshakefuriously.Ofeliaopens it.TheFairiesflyout. Theybuzzaroundthethreeniches,likefliesaroundhoney. Theyfantheirwingsrepeatedly,vibrating,communicating, sniffingthegolddoors. SteppingbacktolettheFairiesinvestigate,Ofeliaknocks overaplatterofgreengrapes. Shepicksthemupandputsthembackonthetable.Oneof thegrapesremainsonthefloor. TheGreen Fairystopsinfrontofthedoorinthemiddle, announcingitsdecision. Ofeliagoestothedoorandputsthekeyinthelock. OFELIA No It'sthisone shegoestotheadjoiningdoor,sticksthekeyinthelock

andturnsit.CLACK. Sheopensthedoorandreachesthroughthedoorwaytotake whateveristhere. Herhandnearsapackage,about16centimeterslong,wrapped inadirtyrag. Ofelialooksaround:nothinghashappened.Alliscalm.The PaleManisimmobile. Ofeliareadiestoexit,butthenshespotsaplatefullof ripegrapes:somanyofthem!! Shelooksbackattheeerie,sittingfigure:immobileand seeminglylifeless.TheFairieswarnherrepeatedly,trying topreventherfromeatinganygrapes.Butthegirlsneakily picksoneupandeatsit. UnseenbyherThePaleManliftshisheadandgrabsthetwo humaneyeballsfromthemetallicplateinfrontofhim. Heintroducestheeyeballsintotwinstigmatasinhispalms anduseshishandstolookaround,splayinghisfingerslike excitedpeacockfeathersashediscovers Ofeliaeatingyetanothergrape. ThePaleManjerkstowardher,inspastic,disembodied steps.Hecroucheslikeananimalreadytopounce. Ofeliaturnsjustintime.ThePaleManroars.TheFairies flyathimandattack! Flailinghisarms,themonsterturnsoverthe table,dumping allthefood.Swattingandsnapping,heeatstwoofthe Fairies.TheyHOWLashebitesdown... Ofeliaruns,carryingthepreciouspackage.TheGreen Fairy followsher. ThePaleMancomesafterher.

INT.LONGHALLWAY

Ofeliagetstotheendofthehallway.Shepoundstheblank wallwheremomentsagotherewasadoor.

INT.ATTIC Ofelia'sthumpingisbarelyaudible.

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL OfeliaseesthePaleMan'ssilhouettecomingupthehallway. Ofeliasearchesherpocketsforthechalk.Findingit,she standsontiptoeandtracestheoutlineofadoor! Ofeliapushesagainstitandopens

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE Atrapdoorintheatticfloor.

INT.HALLWAYLEADINGTODININGHALL Ofeliacrawlsoutthenewexit.Herlegsdanglebriefly. Thepalemonsterleapsatthem,snarling.Ofeliapulls herselfupandoutjustintime.TheGreenFairyfollowsshortly thereafter.

INT.ATTIC SUNRISE Ofeliaslamsthedoorbehindher.Themarksonthefloor disappearanditsealsitselfshut. Allthewhile,somethingdirectlybelowbumpsviolently, almostburstingthroughthefloor.

Whenalliscalm,Ofeliasitsonthebed,exhausted.The GreenFairyfluttersandchirps,excitedly. CUTTO:

EXT.RIVER SUNRISE TheDoctor,MercedesandPedrostartdownthemountain. PEDRO We'llsoonhavereinforcementsfromJaca. Fifty menormore.Thenwe'llgoheadto headwithVidal. DOCTOR Andthenwhat?Youkillhim,they'll sendanotherjustlikehim.And another...

LATERRIVERBED TheDoctorwasheshisbloodyhandsandhissurgical instrumentsinthestreamthatrunsthroughthemountains. DOCTOR You'rescrewed,noguns,noroofover yourheads...Youneedfood,medicine. YoushouldtakecareofMercedes.Ifyou reallylovedher,youwouldcrossthe borderwithher.Thisisalostcause. PEDRO I'mstayinghere,Doctor.Theresno choice. Hemovesaway,towardsMercedes,whoawaitshimnearby.She handshimacopyofthewarehouseKEY. MERCEDES Heresthekeybutyoucan'tcomedown now.It'sexactlywhathewants

Hekissesheronthecheek. PEDRO Leaveittome. MERCEDES I'macoward. PEDRO No,you'renot. MERCEDES Yes,Iamacowardforlivingnextto thatsonofabitch,makinghisbed,feeding him... WhatiftheDoctor'srightandwecannot win? PedrolooksatMercedes,hugsherfiercely. PEDRO WellAtleastwe'llmakethingsharder forthatbastard. ASONGstartsup,fullofgoodcheer.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY BATHROOMSUNRISE Oncemore,Vidal,shirtless,isshavingwithhisswitchblade whilelisteningtomusicontheVictrola. Onthesink:hisfather'sgoldandsilverwatch. Vidallooksatitandthenstudieshimselfinthemirror,as ifsizingupanoldenemy.Heplacesthesteelbladeonhis ownreflectionand cutsswiftly. CUTTO:

INT. UPPERBEDROOMDAY ThemusicdriftsupstairsintotheUpper bedroom. Ofeliaapproacheshermother,whoisasleepinbed,sweating profusely.Shecaressesherface. Thereisabreakfasttrayonthenightstand. Ofeliaemptiesaglassofmilkintoabowlandpullsthe mandrakerootoutfromunderherclothing.Shesubmergesit inthemilk,thenslidesthebowlunderthebed. Shebitesherfingeruntilasmalldropofbloodappears.It fallsintothemilk... Themandraketwitches,suckingavidlyatthepinkliquid. Therootuncoilsintothefloor,spirallingaroundthelegs ofthebedframe. OfeliahearsFOOTSTEPS:somebody'scomingintothebedroom. Ofeliastaysdown:shecanseeapairofshoes. ItistheDoctor.HechecksCarmen'spulseandtemperature. DOCTOR CaptainVidal! Vidalpacesnervously,nearby DOCTOR Hertemperatureisdown... VIDAL Butshestillhasafever? DOCTOR Yes,butit'sagoodsignherbodyis responding. VidalstaresattheDoctor,notatraceofemotioninhis eyes. DOCTOR

Listentome.Ifyouhavetochoose,save thebaby.Thatboywillbearmynameand myfather'sname,too. Ofeliahearsthisfrombeneaththebed. Suddenlyanexplosionshakestheroom.Vidallooksoutside, thenanotherexplosionrattlesthewindows. Bitsofplasterdropdownfromtheceilingontotheground nearOfelia. Cursing,Vidalrushesfromthebedroom.TheDoctorfollows

EXT.GARDENSDAY Vidalhurriesouttothegarden.Theguardshavecomeoutof theirtentsandlookat acolossalcolumnofsmokeandfireinthedistance. Anotherexplosionshakestheground.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMCONTINUOUS Ofeliacomesoutfrombeneaththebed.Tentatively,shenears hermother'sbelly. OFELIA Brother,brother,ifyoucanhearme... Sheleansherheadgentlyonit. OFELIA ...thingsoutherearen'ttoogood.And soonyou'llhavetocomeout.Momisn't doingwell. Unexpectedly,thegirltearsup. OFELIA I'maskingyouforonething,justone: don'thurther.

She'sverypretty,you'llsee.Even thoughshe'ssadsomeofthetime.You'll see,whenshesmilesyou'llloveher. SoifyoudowhatIsay,I'llmakeyoua Princeinmykingdom... IpromiseyouaPrince...

EXT.TRAINTRACKSINCOUNTRYSIDE DAY Somethinghasblownalargecraterintotheruralrailroad track. Tippedintoitisthesmokingruinofalocomotive. VidalinspectsacoupleofcharredBODIESbythewreckage. ENGINEER Isoundedthewhistlebuttheywouldn't move.Itriedtostop,butitwastoo late Thelongfreighttrainhasderailedinthemiddleof nowhere. Dozensof GUARDIASCIVIL patrolthedisaster. TheengineerandtheFIREMANwalkamongtheburnedfreight carswithVidalandhismen. SomeGUARDIASCIVIL rideupand dismount. VIDAL Whatdidtheystealfrominsidethe freightcars? FIREMAN NothingTheydidn'topenasingleone. VIDAL Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout? FIREMAN Thiswholemessandtheydidn'topenany ofthecars.Theydidn'ttakeanything. VIDAL Nothing,areyousure?

FIREMAN Nothing,whothehellknowsthatthey wanted otherthantomakeuswasteour time. And,justasVidal realizeshe'sbeentricked.Thesoundof DISTANTGUNFIREreacheshisears. CUTTO:

EXT.MILL DAY RainisfallingasVidal'sBentleyroarstoastopinfront ofthemill. Agunfightisraging.Stayinglow,theCaptainrunsoverto Garcs.Thereareseveralcadaversstrewnontheground. Guardshavetakencoveramongthetrees.Somebloody, woundedsoldierscowerontheground. Garcsisbleedingfromawoundonhisforehead. GARCS (pointing) CaptaintheycameoutofnowhereThey havegrenades... Vidalseestheopenbodega.Ithasbeenthoroughlylooted: jugsandemptycratesarescatteredeverywhere. Hetakesspecialnoteof theopenlock,hangingfromthedoor. Serranohurriesuptohim. SERRANO Onegroupstayedbehind uponthecliff withrifles...We'vesurroundedthem

EXT.DEEPFOREST DAY Holdinghisgun,Vidaladvancesonfootthroughthedripping forest.Heisaccompaniedbyasquadofguards. GUNSHOTS.ApairofGUERRILLASjumpsoutfromapileof boulders,blastingaway.AguardfallsdowndeadatVidal's feet,threebulletsinhischest. Vidal,SerranoandGarcstakecoverbehindacraggy outcropping.Bulletsexplodeontothestone. Excited,VidalglancesathisFather'swatchandsmiles. VIDAL Cmon,Serrano,thisistheonlydecent waytodie. Heleapsout,firing.Twobulletswhizbyhisheadandbury themselvesinatree. Vidalkeepsshooting,woundingtwooftheguerrillas.Garcs follows,alsofiring. VidalandGarcsgetto theboulders:kneelingthereisaYOUNGGUERRILLA,panting, torntopiecesbythegunfire. VIDAL LetmeseeCanyoutalk?? TheYoungGuerrillagaspsforair:agapingwoundonhis neckbleedsprofusely. VIDAL Pity. HeemptieshispistolintotheYoungGuerrilla.Garcsis appalled.Vidalreloadsandfinishesoffthesecondonewith ashottothetemple. VIDAL (toSerrano) ThisisuselessweneedonealiveJust one

Garcsspotssomethingnearby. LurkinginthebushesisaWOUNDEDMAN,gaspingforair, woundedintheleg. Hisfaceremainshidden. GARCS Captain,thisonesstillalive.He'sgot alegwound. CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN LATEAFTERNOON Mercedescomesdowntheservicestairsintothekitchen.She runstothewindow.Allthekitchenmaidsarethere. MERCEDES What'shappened? CONCHITA Theytookoneofthemalive.Andthey're takinghimtothestoreroom. Mercedesdartsoutintotherain.

EXT.MILL LATEAFTERNOON CONCHITA Mercedes! Mercedesheadstowardtheoldbodega.Sheseestheguards dragamaninside.

EXT.BODEGA LATEAFTERNOON Mercedesstands,inthemiddleoftherainnotknowingwhat todo wheretogowheretorun

Vidalapproachesher. VIDAL Mercedes? MERCEDES IIneededtogetinthebodega VIDAL Notnow,Mercedes. Aguardcomesout.Mercedescansee

INT.BODEGA LATEAFTERNOON theprisonerisStutter. StutterandMercedeslookeachotherintheeye ThereisamixtureofreliefandpityinMercedes'eyes. Aguardclosesthedoor. CUTTO:

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT Mercedestakes thehiddenknifefromherapronandpeels vegetables.Rapidlyandmechanically.Thekitchenis bustlingwithactivity,buthermindismilesaway. Shepicksupadinnertray.

INT.VESTIBULEMILL NIGHT Shecarriesthetrayupstairs.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMNIGHT Sheplacesthetrayonthenightstand.CarmenandOfelia playcardgamesbythelightoftheoillamp. TheDoctorreadiesCarmendailydozeofsleepingmedication intoaglassofwaterforCarmen. DOCTOR Thisishalfthedose:onlyonedrop AsOfeliacomestothebedside,aweakbutconsciousCarmen pushesthemedicineaway. CARMEN Idon'tthinkIneedit.Ifeelbetter. DOCTOR Idon'tunderstandit.ButImglad. Ofeliasmiles. CUTTO:

INT.BODEGA NIGHT Vidalfinishesrollingacigarette.He'sstandinginfront ofStutter,whoistiedtoaconcretepost. VIDAL Damn!Thiscigaretteisgood.Realgood tobacco Heoffershimapuff. STUTTER Ffffuckyou Garcsentersandsetsdownatableandsomechairs. VIDAL Wecatchoneandheturnsouttobea stutterer.Fuck!We'llbehereallnight.

GARCS Aslongashetalks,Captain VIDAL GarcsisrightYoubettertellus everything.Because,tomakeithappen,I broughtalongafewtools.Nothingfancy Thingsyoupickupalongtheway. Hegoesovertoatoolboxandtakesoutahammer,some needlenosepliersandaleatherworkingblade. VIDAL AtfirstIwon'tbeabletotrustyou.. ButwhenIusethisone Heliftsthehammer. VIDAL you'llownuptoafewthings... Next,heshowsoffthepliers. VIDAL Whenwegettothisone,we'llhavea closerrelationship,almostlike brothers.You'llsee. Hepicksuptheblade. VIDAL Andwhenwegettothisone,I'llbelieve everythingyoutellme. Vidal picksupthehammer. VIDAL Now I'llmakeyouadeal.Ifyoucan counttothreewithoutstttuttering, youcango. Heapproachestheshiveringman,wholooksaroundasifin searchofananswer. VIDAL Don'tlookaround,lookatme.There'sno

oneaboveme. GarcsIfIsaythisassholecanleave GARCS Thenhecanleave,Captain VIDAL So,therecounttothree. AndStutter triessweatingmakingasupremeeffort STUTTER One VIDAL Good. Again,Stutterstrugglesandmanagesa STUTTER Two. VIDAL Onemoreandyouwillbefree. Andhegoesforit.But STUTTER Tttt HelooksupatVidal,imploring. VIDAL Pity. Hisarmisablurasthehammerlandsaterribleblow. DISSOLVETO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT Thunder,lightning,it'srainingagain.Ofeliaisasleepin herbed.Ashadowpassesoverherbody

FAUN Yourmotherismuchbetter, YourHighness Youmustberelieved!! Ofeliaisstartledawake.TheFaunloomsoverher. OFELIA Yes,thankyou.Butthingshaven'tturned outsowell. FAUN No?? Shegiveshimthepackage.TheFaunopensit:insidethere isalong,golddagger.It'sbeautiful.Thebladeis engravedwithCelticletteringandonthehandleisthe figureofasatyrhuggingagirlwhoholdsababy. OFELIA No.Ihadanaccident. FAUN Anaccident?? ShehandshimtheFairybasket.Outofitcomesthedamaged Green Fairy,whoimmediatelyperchesatophisshoulderand startschatteringandpointingatthegirl. FAUN Youbroketherules! OFELIA Itwasjusttwograpes!Ithoughtnoone wouldnotice FAUN Wemadeamistake!! OFELIA Amistake? FAUN Youfailed.Youcannevergoback. Themoonwillbefullinthreedays.

Yourspiritwillstayforeveramong humans. You'llliveamongthem,you'llgetold likethem,you'lldielikethemand yourmemoryofuswillfade. Andwe'llvanishalongwithit! TheFaunbacksintothedarkestcorneroftheattic. FAUN Youwillnever,everseeusagain. Aflashoflightningbrieflyilluminatesthecorner:The Faunisgone. CUTTO:

EXT.BODEGA SUNRISE Vidalcalmlysmokesacigaretteunderanumbrella.Garcs arriveswiththeDoctor. VIDAL Goodday,Doctor.Sorrytowakeyouso early,butIthinkweneedsomehelp. TheDoctorgoesinside.

INT.BODEGA MILL SUNRISE TheDoctorcomesintothebodega.Vidalstaysatthedoor. Stutteriscurledupontheground.Hisnoseisflattened, oneeyeisbloodshotandaheadwoundisbleeding.Flies buzzaroundhim. DOCTOR MyGod,whathaveyoudonetohim? VIDAL

Notmuch.Butthingsaregettingbetter. Vidalsurreptitiouslyremovesavialofantibioticsfromthe Doctor'smedicalbag.Hewrapsitinalinenhandkerchief. VIDAL Ilikehavingyounear,Doctor.Ithas itsadvantages. Hemovesawayalongwith Garcs. VIDAL Serrano,stayhere Oncealone,theDoctoropensuphisbagandtakesoutsome alcoholandgauzetocleanthewounds. STUTTER Ispoke.NotmuchbbbutIdid TheDoctorseestheman'shand:it'samessofbrokenbones andlacerations. DOCTOR I'msorry HeglancesatSerrano,outsidesmokingacigarette. STUTTER No...Killme,killmenow. TheDoctorlookshimintheeye,unsurprised.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY DAWN Vidalbringsoutthepacketofmedicinefromthecave.He takesoutavialofantibioticsandcomparesitwiththeone fromtheDoctor'sbag. Theyareidentical. VIDAL Sonofabitch

INT.BODEGA SUNRISE TheDoctorpreparesaninjection. DOCTOR (toStutter,inawhisper) Itwillbeoversoon. Stuttergratefullysqueezeshishand.Afterabrief hesitation,theDoctoradministerstheinjection. Themenstareatoneanother.Slowly,thelifeebbsfrom Stutter'seyes.

INT.MILLVESTIBULE SAME Vidalbrisklyleaveshisstudy.Hearingadoorclickshut somewhereabovehestops VIDAL (toGarcs) GocheckonDoctorFerreiro.I'llbe theresoon. GARCS Yes,Captain. Vidalgoesupstairs.

INT.NORTHBEDROOM Ofeliaiscrawlingunderthebed Thereshefindsthemandrakeroot,bloatedandimmobile. OFELIA You'renotmovingareyouill? Suddenly,Vidalyanksheroutfromunderthebed.

BEDROOMCONTINUOUS VIDAL Whatthehellareyoudoingdownthere? Vidallooksunderneaththedustruffle

EXT.BODEGA DAY Garcswalkstothebodega.Serranosnuffsouthis cigarette. GARCS Whereishe?Callhimouthere SERRANO Who? GARCS Whodoyouthink,youidiot?Ferreiro! HepushesSerranoaside,entersthebodega

INT.BODEGA SAME TheDoctorholdsthedyingStutterinhisarms.Garcssees thesyringeinhishands.Heunderstandsimmediately.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAY VIDALdragsoutthemandrakerootfromunderthebed.Its foulsmellmakeshimwince. VIDAL(CONT'D) Whatthehellisthis? Heripsitoffthemilkplate.

OFELIA No!Nooo! Vidalisabouttohitthegirlwhen CARMEN Please,leaveherbe! Vidalturns:Carmenhasawakened.Shemotionsforhimto stop. VIDAL Lookwhatshehidunderyourbed?! Whatdoyouthinkofthis? HehandsCarmenthemandrakeroot.Ashenfacedandweak, Carmenlooksatthedisgustingthing,tryingtomakesense ofit. CARMEN Ofelia,whatisthisdoingunderthebed? OFELIA (matteroffact) It'samagicroottheFaungaveme! VIDAL Thisisallbecauseofthatjunkyoulet herread.Lookwhatyou'vedone CARMEN Leaveusalone,I'llspeaktoher, Darling... VIDAL Asyouwish. Vidal,furious,leavestheroom. OFELIA TheFauntoldmeyouwouldgetbetter andyoudid! CARMEN Youhavetolistentoyourfather.You

havetostopallthis. Ofeliahugshermotherwithallhermight. OFELIA No Iwanttoleavethisplace!Please, let'sjustgo CARMEN Thingsarenotthatsimple. Carmenpriesheroffandlooksherintheeye. CARMEN Asyougetolder,you'llseethatlife isn'tlikeyourfairytales.Theworldis acruelplace. Shemovesawayandneartheopenchimney.Thefirelight castshadowsoverhersweatyface. CARMEN Andyou'lllearnthat,evenifithurts. Shethrowstherootintothefire!! OFELIA Noooo!! CARMEN Ofelia!!Magicdoesnotexist! Shegrabsthegirlbytheshoulders,shakingher. CARMEN Notforyou,meoranyoneelse! Thenahorrible,inhumansqueal.Thedyingshriekofthe mandrake!!!Ofeliawatchesinhorrorasthehumanoidroot writhesandsquealsin thechimneyflames!!! Carmengaspsanddoublesoverinpain,clutchingher stomach.Ofeliaholdsherasbestasshecan. OFELIA Help,help,help!

INT.BODEGA SAME TheDdoctorandVidalstudyeachother. VIDAL Whydidyoudoit? DOCTOR ItwastheonlythingIcoulddo. VIDAL No.Youcouldhaveobeyedme? DOCTOR Icouldhave.ButIdidnot. Fromsomewhereinthehouse,someoneCRIESOUT.Theyheara commotionamongtheservants.TheDoctorstandsupand collectshisbag. VIDAL Butitwouldhavebeenbetterforyou Vidalgripshisarm,stoppinghim. VIDAL Idon'tunderstandWhydidn'tyouobey me?? Alongbeat.TheDoctorknowsthathisresponsewillseal hisfate. DOCTOR Toobeywithoutthinkingjustlikethat Wellthat'ssomethingonlypeoplelike youcando Captain VidaltakesouthisgunandshootstheDoctor,whodropsto theground.Vidalstandsoverhimandfinisheshimoff. AstunnedGarcslookson.Itbeginstorain.Jacintaand ConchitaapproachVidalanurgentmurmur.

VIDAL Garcs!!Havethetroopparamediccometo mywife'sroomrightaway!! CUTTO:

INT.UPSTAIRSHALLWAYMILL LATEAFTERNOON Astreamofservantshustlesupanddownthestairswith steamingbasinsandcleantowels.Somegoinandoutofthe bedroom.TheSOUNDofCarmen'sscreams. VidalandOfeliawaitimpatientlyoutsidethebedroom. Beyondthehalfopendoor:chaos.Mercedeswashesherbloody handsinawashbasin. Ofelialistenstohermother'scries. Carmen'sscreamsstop,replacedbyaNEWBORN'SCRY.The PARAMEDICwalkstowardsVidalandwhispers PARAMEDIC Yourwifeisdead Vidalhurriesintotheroom. Ofeliaisnowaloneinthecorridor.There'snoonearound. Shehearsthecryinginfantinhermother'sbedroom. APRIEST'seulogycanbeheard. DISSOLVETO:

EXT.CEMETERYONAHILL LATEAFTERNOON Abeautifulafternoon:thesunisshining,theskyisclear. GatheredaroundagravearetheMayor,hiswife,thePriest, allTHESERVANTSFROMTHEMILL,theguardsandVidalina civilianblackdresssuit,withhisnewbornsoninhisarms.

Ofeliaweepssilently.MercedesputsherhandonOfelia's shoulder. Theylowerthecoffinintothegrave.

INT.NORTHBEDROOMDAY Ofeliaclosesthetrunkthatheldhermother'sdresses.She putsawayhermother'smakeup,lettersandphotographs. Variousmedicinesandthebottleofsleepingdropsareon thenightstand.Sheputseverythingintoasmallsuitcase. CUTTO:

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT Vidalwipesarecordwithhisshirtsleeve.Heplacesiton theVictrola. Mercedeslaysthesleepingbabyinasimplewoodencradle. VIDAL YouknewtheDoctorwell,didn'tyou Mercedes? MERCEDES Weallknewhim,sir.Everyonearound here. VIDAL Thestuttererspokeofaninformanthere insidethemill.Canyouimaginethat? Rightundermynose. Vidalplacestheneedleontherecord. VIDAL Mercedes,please. Hepointsatanemptyseatinfrontofhisdesk.Themusic startsup.

VIDAL Whatmustyouthinkofme,mydearyoung woman?YoumustthinkI'mamonster. MERCEDES Whatsomeonelikemethinksofyou hardlymatters,Sir HepourshimselfaglassofOrujoandpoursoneforheras well. VIDAL Wouldyougotothebodega,Mercedes?And bringmeanotherbottleofliquor. Please. Heglancesatthebottle:aquarteroftheliquorstill remains. MERCEDES Yes,sirrightaway. VIDAL Aren'tyouforgettingsomething? MERCEDES Sir? VIDAL Thekey.Ihavetheonlycopy,don'tI? MERCEDES Yyes. VIDAL Youknow?Something'sbotheringme.It's notimportant,atiny detailbuttheday theybrokeintothestorehouse,withall thosegrenadesandexplosives,thelock itselfwasneverforced. ButasIsaidIt'sprobablynot important. Hegivesherthekeyandhoversdangerously.

VIDAL Beverycareful. MERCEDES Goodnight,sir. Vidalwatchesherleaveashesipshisliquor.

INT.KITCHEN NIGHT ThemusicfromVidal'sstudycarriesintothekitchen. Mercedespriesuptheloosefloortileandfillshercanvas bagwithlettersandgroceries.Shehearsanoise,and stops:nothing... Shehurriedlykeepspacking.

INT.ATTIC NIGHT Ofelia,soundasleep.Ashadowloomsoverher.Shewakesup MERCEDES Shh.OfeliaI'mleavingtonight. OFELIA Whereareyougoing? MERCEDES Ican'ttellyou. Ofeliaputsherarmsaroundherneck. OFELIA Takemewithyou,please. MERCEDES Ican't,mychild OFELIA Takemewithyou.

CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHT OfeliaandMercedescautiouslymoveawayfromthemill. Mercedesusesanoldumbrellatoshelterthegirlfromthe rain.

INT.RIVERBED NIGHT Thetwowomenwadetheshallowendoftheriver.Suddenlya noise Mercedespauses,agitated. MERCEDES Iheardsomething Shelistensintently. MERCEDES NothingItwasnothing. Whensheturns,she'ssurprisedtodiscover Vidal,Serranoandhalfadozenmensurroundingthem.Vidal nodsatthem,gentlemanly. VIDAL Mercedes Thenhegazesdownathisstepdaughter. VIDAL Ofelia... CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT

VidalpushesOfeliaintotheattic. VIDAL Howlonghaveyouknownabouther??Uh?? Heslapsthegirltwice. VIDAL Howyoumusthavelaughedatme,you littlebitch!! Heturnstohismen,awaitingordersbythedoor. VIDAL Lockthedoor Keepaneyeonherandifanyonetriesto getin,killherfirst. Heexits.Leavingtheweepinggirlaloneintheenormous attic.

INT.BODEGA DAY VidaltakesthecanvasbagfromMercedes.Heopensitand bringsoutafewmeageritems. VIDAL DrymeatTobacco ifyouhadaskedfor it,Iwouldhavegivenittoyou, Mercedes Then,asmallpacketofletters. VIDAL Iwantthenamesofanyonenamedinthese lettersandIwanttheminfrontofme firstthinginthemorning. GARCS Yes,Sir! GarcsnodshefinishesropingMercedestotheexactsame woodenpostwhereStutterwastied.

VIDAL Youcanleave,Garcs. GARCS You'resure,Captain? VIDAL ForGod'ssake,she'sjustawoman. Garcsleersandleaves. MERCEDES That'swhatyoualwaysthought.That's whyIwasabletogetawaywithit.Iwas invisibletoyou. Vidalrollsuphissleevesandunbuttonshisshirtcollar. VIDAL Damn.Youfoundmyweakness:arrogance. Howperceptive. Butwereheretofindyourweakpoints. Vidalbusieshimselfwithhistools:thehammer,pliers,etc. VIDAL It'sverysimple:youwilltalk...and I havetoknowthateverythingyousayis thetruth. Strainingagainsttheropes,Mercedesmanagesreachthe knifeinherapron. VIDAL Atfirst,Iwon'tbeabletotrust SuddenlyWHACK!!! Vidalsbodyshudders heputshishandtohisleftshoulderblade.Helooksat hisbloodyfingers.Heturnsaroundandstumbles. Mercedesholdstheknife.Vidalreachesforhisgun.

Mercedesstabshimagain,thistimedeepinhisupperarm. AsVidaldoublesoverinpain,shestickstheknifeinhis mouth. MERCEDES Atfirst,Iwon'tbeabletotrust I'mnotsomeoldman !Notawounded prisoner!Sonofabitchsonofabitch Dontyoudaretouchthegirl...Youwon't bethefirstpigI'vegutted ! Withabrutalthrust fromtheinsideout sheslicesopen hischeek.Vidalcollapses,gurglingblood.Mercedesuses theknifetocuttheropesasquickasshecan. Oncefree,Mercedesrunstowardthedoor.

EXT.BODEGA NIGHT Outside,noonehasanyideaofwhathasjusthappened. Garcs,Serranoandotherguardsgoabouttheirbusiness. Garcs,infact,islisteningtoaradio,tunedtothe NATIONALLOTTERYresults.Heholdsinhishandthe Guerrilla'sabandonedticket. RADIOANNOUNCER ...thewinningnumbersare... Mercedes,surreptitious,movesawayintothewoods.Serrano spotsheratthelastminute. SERRANO (toGarcs) Helethergo! GARCS Shh Helistenstotheradioandfinally,gruntingcrumplesthe lotteryticketandmovestowardsSerrano. GARCS Whatthefuckareyoutalkingabout??

SerranopointsatMercedes,alreadyhalfwayintothewoods. GARCS Hey!! Shestartstorun. Garcspullsouthisgunandreadiesit. Vidalstumblesoutofthebodega,bleedingandcoveringhis facewithhisrighthand. VIDAL (toGarcs) Gether!!! GarcsisshockedaninjuredVidal??? GARCS Captain!What?? VIDAL Bringhertome,Goddamit!!! Heuncovershisslashedface. Garcs,startledrunstocomply. GARCS (toallmen) Mountup!!!

EXT.DEEPFOREST NIGHT Mercedesrunsthroughthetrees. Suddenlyarumblemakesherturnaround:Agroupof TENMEN onhorsessurgesintoview. Shestumbles,losingground. Mercedesgetsup,limpingnow Shegetstoaclearing.Closingin,Garcsdismounts.Six otherriderssurroundher.Mercedesflashesherknife.The horsementightenthecirclearoundher.

GARCS It'llbebetterifyoucomewithout struggling.TheCaptain Sheputsthebladetoherownthroat. GARCS Don'tbefoolish,sweetheart,ifanyone isgoingtokillyou Hetakesouthisgun. GARCS It'llbeme Hewalksuptoher.Suddenly,agunshothitshiminthe chest,andthenanotherandanother.Hefallstotheground, dead. Aseriesofgunshotspickofftheotherhorsemen. Thelastthreesoldierstrytoescape.Oneiskilledbya furioushailofbulletsSerranoandanotheronemanageto getaway. AbloodspatteredMercedesseesmenemergingfromthe forest:PedronowleadsFORTYARMEDGUERRILLAS. Brotherandsisterembrace.TheGuerillasfinishoffthe injuredsoldiersontheground. CUTTO:

INT.ATTIC NIGHT Ofelialiesonthefloor,motionless,defeated,whenthe GreenFairyappears. Ofeliasitsup,andtheFaunisthere. FAUN I'vedecidedtogiveyouonelastchance.

Mesmerized,Ofelianods. FAUN Youpromisetolisten,todoeverythingI tellyou?Withoutquestion? Ofelianodsagain. FAUN Verywell,then:Pickupyourbrotherand bringhimtothelabyrinthasfastas youcan.YourHighness... OFELIA Mybrother? FAUN Weneedhim. OFELIA Why FAUN (irritated) Nomorequestions. OFELIA Thedoor'slocked. TheFaungivesherpieceofchalk. FAUN Then,createyourowndoor. CUTTO:

EXT.MILL NIGHTFALL Serranoandtheinjuredsoldierreturntothemill.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT

Vidalsewshissplitcheekandthenwrapsabloodstained bandagearoundit. Ofeliastealsin,pasttheCaptain'sdesk. Inthecradle,thebabystartscrying. Thebaby'swailsgrowlouder.TheCaptainturnsaround Ofeliahidesbutleaveshermagicchalkbehind. Vidalgoestoasmalltableandserveshimselfthelastof theOrujo.He'stakesasip.Thebandagesoaksupinblood andalcohol.Hegrunts and pourshimselfanotherone. He'sabouttotakeasipwhenheseesthechalkonhisdesk. Heinstinctivelyreadieshisgun...Then SERGEANT CaptainCaptainPleasecome,quickly VIDAL Nowwhat? SERGEANT Serranoisback.He'swounded. VIDAL Wounded? Heleavesthestudy.Ofeliacomesoutfromhidingandlooks atthecradle,atthecryinginfant. Shetakesouthermother'sbottleofsleepingmedicineand emptiesitintoVidal'sliquor.

EXT.MILL NIGHT AdozenmengatheraroundtheWOUNDEDGUARD. VIDAL Whathappened??WhereisGarcs??

Serranoshakeshishead. VIDAL Howmanywerethere? WOUNDEDGUARD Idon'tknow,sir.Theshotscamefrom allaroundus.Fiftyatleast SERGEANT Noneofthewatch postsareresponding, Sir VIDAL Howmanymenhereincamp? SERRANO Twenty,maybeless,sir Vidaldoesthemath.

INT.VIDAL'SSTUDY NIGHT Ofelialiftsherbrotherfromthecradle. OFELIA We'releaving.Together.Don'tbeafraid. Nothingisgoingtohappentoyou. Shewrapshiminablanketandtriestosoothehim.Halfway tothedoor,shehearsfootstepsandhidesinanook. VIDAL Puttheremainingmenonpicketdutyat thetreelinewhenanothersquadgets back,haveitreportimmediatelytome. Vidalcomesbackin,followedbytheSergeant. VIDAL Callforreinforcements. SERGEANT Yes,sir.

TheSergeantleaves,Vidalgoestohisdrink.Buthestops topickuphisgoldandsilverwatchhewindsitandslips itintohispocket. Finally,hedrinkshisOrujo. Intheshadows,Ofeliatakesafewstepstowardsthedoor. Outside,thesoundofSHOUTINGandGUNFIRE.Anexplosion illuminatestheroom,revealingOfeliaandthebabyto Vidal. Vidaltakesouthisgunandtakesafewfalteringsteps. VIDAL Puthimdown Thegirledgestowardthestudydoor.Vidalstumblestoward her.Outside,aterribleexplosionshattersthewindowand shakesthewholehouse. VIDAL I'mwarningyouputhimdown Hetripsonhisdesk,barelystayingonhisfeet.Ofelia runsaway.Vidaltriestoshakehimselfawakeandgoesafter her.

INT.MILLVESTIBULE NIGHT Thegirlrunstowardthekitchen.Anotherexplosionlights uptheroom,allowingVidaltoseeher.Heheadsstraightat her.

EXT.BEHINDTHEMILL NIGHT Ofeliarunsoutside,holdingherbrother.Shelooksup.The moonisFULL. Sherunstowardthelabyrinth.

Vidalstaggersoutbehindher.Inthebackground,more explosions,flamesandburstsoffire.Abattleragesinthe forest. SomebulletswhizpastVidal,buthekeepsgoing. CUTTO:

INT.STAIRWAYTOATTIC Mercedeswalksuptheatticstairs,followedbyPedroanda fewofhismen.

INT.ATTIC NIGHT Shefindstheatticempty.Onawallthereisachild's chalkdrawingofadoorway. CUTTO:

EXT. LABYRINTHNIGHT Ofeliadashesintothelabyrinth.Vidalisnotfarbehind. Thesleepingmedicinemakeshimstumbleandfalter.He slumpsagainstawall.Ofeliagainsonhim. Butrightaway,shelosesherway,buttheleafywallsmove asidetoguideher! firstone,thenanother andyetanother. Vidal,meanwhile,bumpsintoobstaclesateveryturn.Head spinning,hepauses.

INT.ROTUNDAINCENTEROFLABYRINTH NIGHT

Reachingtherotunda,OfeliaseestheFaunwaiting,halfway upthestonestaircase. Ofeliacalmsthebabyandstartsdown thestairstowardhim. FAUN Quickly,YourMajesty,givehimtome. Thefullmoonisalmosthereandweneed himtoopentheportal. OFELIA (seeingsomething) What'sthatinyourhand? It'sthegoldendagger. FAUN Theportalwillonlyopenifweshedthe bloodofaninnocent.ApinprickThat's all.Justadropofblood It'sthelasttask!!Hurry!! Thebasketshakesfuriously.TheGreenFairyescapesand buzzesfuriouslyaroundOfelia. FAUN Youpromisedtodoit,sogivemethe boy.Iwanttoleavethisplace,Ican't waitanylonger! TheFauncomesclosertothegirl.Hisfaceradiatesa wickedhunger.Shestepsback,horrified. OFELIA No.Mybrotherstayswithme. FAUN Youwouldgiveupyoursacredrightsfor thisbrat? OFELIA Yes,Iwould. FAUN

Youwillgiveupyourthroneforhim?He whohascausedyousuchmisery,such humiliation? Vidalcomesintotherotunda.HeseesOfelia,alone.He can'tseetheFaun.Withenormouseffort,Vidalliftshis gun. OFELIA Iwill. FAUN AsyouwishYour Highness Asherecedesintothedarkness,Vidalshoots.Thebullet hitsOfeliainthestomach.Shefallsgentlytotheground, attheedgeofthewell,clutchingherbabybrother. Thebooklandsnexttoher. Vidalpicksuptheinfant.Ofeliareachesoutforhelp, tearsinhereyes.Vidalignoresher,spitsontheground andleaves. CAMERAclosesinonOfelia'sface.Aribbonofbloodstreams fromhernose.

INT.LABYRINTHNIGHT Vidalrunsdownthelastpathofthelabyrinth,leadingto theexit

EXT.LABYRINTHNIGHT wherePedroandhismenarewaiting.Intheirmidst: Mercedes. WithaloudbanggunshotstearintoVidal.Vidalfallsto hisknees,hoistinghishowlingsonintheair. VIDAL Myson

Mercedeswalksforward.VidalandMercedeslookateach other. VIDAL TellhimabouthisfatherAboutthetime hisfatherdied Mercedestakesthebaby inherarms. Vidalunderstandsthesituation.Hetakesouthispocket watchandsmashesitontheground. VIDAL Tellhim MERCEDES No PedrostepsovertoVidal,guninhishand. MERCEDES (toVidal) Hewontevenknowyourname. Mercedes'wordsareVidal'slastandmostpainfulwound.His facegoespale andPedroshootshiminthehead. Vidalcollapses,dead.

INT.ROTUNDA INCENTEROFLABYRINTH MercedesandPedroreachtherotunda.Mercedeskneelsnext tothedyinggirl.Crying,MercedeshumsasweetGalician lullaby. Ofelia'spupilsdilate. Herbloodrunsdownintothewell,intothepuddleatthe bottom.Themoon'sreflectionshimmers. Inthebook,animagetakesshape:Ofeliaataroyalcourt,

infrontofafabulousbanquet. KING/FATHER(O.S.) Arise,mydaughter.

INT.VASTHALL NIGHT Ofeliastands.Thelabyrinthhasdisappeared. Thisisanimmensehall,inadark,sumptuouscastle.A swarmoffairiesfloatsaroundherhead.Beforeher,ona goldenthronesitstheKINGOFTHEUNDERWORLD. Athisside,analmostunrecognizableCarmen radiantand gilded,shehastransformedintoaFAIRYQUEEN.Between them,thereisanotherthrone,empty,waiting. OfelialooksattheKing OFELIA (awhisper) Father... KING Itwasyourbloodandnotthatofan innocentthatmadeyouworthyofthe throne.Itwas thelasttask.Themost importantone... AndoutfrombehindapillarcomesouttheFaun.Smiling, surroundedbytheFairies. FAUN Andyouchosewell,YourHighness... Hebowsdown. QUEEN So,comesitbyyourFathersside,my child?Hesbeenwaitingsolong. TheGreen FairyfliesaroundOfelia,celebratingherreturn. Ofeliaischeeredbyahundredvoices.

Ofeliasmiles

INT.LABYRINTHNIGHT andfinallydies.Inhereye:onefrozentear.Mercedes hugsthedeadgirl. CAMERAdolliesback.Themoonisreflectedatthebottomof thepool.BuzzinginthenightairistheStickInsect. NARRATOR AnditissaidthatthePrincesswent backtoherfather'skingdom Andthatshereignedwithjusticeanda kindheartformanycenturies.Andthat shewaslovedbyallhersubjects...

EXT.EDGEOFFOREST SUNRISE Thesunlightemanatesgraduallyfromthedarknessandshines onthesilhouetteofthefallenfigtree. NARRATOR And,likemostofus,sheleftbehind smalltracesofhertimeonearth. Visibleonlytothosethatknowwhereto look... Thefigtreeisfloweringagain. FADETOBLACK.