DARK MUSIC EERIE VOCAL MUSIC SINISTER MUSIC DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSE MUSIC CRICKETS CHIRRUP UNSETTLED MUSIC, THUNDER RUMBLES THUNDERCLAP CRASHES Oi! (Horses snort) OMINOUS MUSIC HORSE GROANS LOUDLY HORSE WHINNIES SWORD SCRAPES SCABBARD FRANTIC MUSIC METALLIC SLICING HORSES' HOOVES RUMBLE DRAMATIC MUSIC (Breathes rapidly) INTENSE MUSIC (Gasps) THUNDERCLAP CRASHES EERIE MUSIC (Exhales) (Horse snorts) SWORD SCRAPES SWORD SCRAPES METALLIC SLICING DRAMATIC MUSIC BELL TOLLS DISTANTLY BELL RINGS MAN: Help here. Lend a hand here. Anyone. Constable Crane. Ichabod Crane, is that you? None other. Not only me. I have found something which was lately a...a man. Burn it. Yes, sir. Just a moment. We do not yet know the cause of death. When they're found in the river, cause of death is drowning. Possibly so, if there's water in the lungs. By pathology, we might be able to determine whether he was dead before he entered the river. I will need to examine the body. Cut him up? Are we heathens? What happened to him? Nothing, sir. Arrested for burglary. (Groans) (Yells) Good work. CRANE: The millennium is almost upon us. In a few months, we will be living in the 19th century, yet our courts continue to rely on medieval devices of torture. Stand down! I stand up for sense and justice. Our jails overflow with men and women convicted on confessions no more than this one. Constable Crane. This is a song that we have heard from you more than once. Now, there are two courses open to me. First, I can let you cool your heels in the cells until you learn respect for the dignity of my office. I beg pardon. But why am I the only one who sees that to solve crimes, to detect the guilty, we must use our brains to recognise vital clues, using up-to-date scientific techniques? Which brings me to the second course. There is a town upstate, two days journey to the north, in the Hudson highlands. It is a place called Sleepy Hollow. Have you heard of it? EERIE MUSIC I have not. An isolated farming community, mainly Dutch. Three persons have been murdered there all within a fortnight, each one found with the head...lopped off. (Hoarsely) Lopped off? Clean as dandelion heads apparently. You will take these experimentations of yours to Sleepy Hollow. And there, you will 'detect'...the murderer. Bring him here to face our good justice. DARK MUSIC Will you do this? I shall. And remember, it is you, Ichabod Crane, who is now put to the test. BIRD CHEEPS (Cheeps) UNSETTLED MUSIC DRAMATIC MUSIC WOLF HOWLS EERIE MUSIC GOAT BLEATS DISTANTLY UNCERTAIN MUSIC DARK MUSIC (Both moan) JOLLY VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS LIVELY CHATTER (Children talk animatedly) The pickety witch, the pickety witch. Who's got a kiss for the pickety witch? The pickety witch, the pickety witch. Who's got a kiss for the pickety witch? Is it Theodore? No. Pardon, miss. I am only a stranger. Then have a kiss on account. I'm...looking for Baltus Van Tassel. I am his daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. Who are you, friend? We've not heard your name yet. I've not said it. Excuse me. You need some manners. Brom! Come, come. We'll have no raised voices. It is only to raise spirits during this dark time that I and my dear wife are giving this little party. Young sir, you are most welcome, even if you are selling something. Thank you, sir. I am Constable Ichabod Crane, sent to you from New York to investigate murder in Sleepy Hollow. Then Sleepy Hollow is grateful to you, Constable Crane. And we hope you will honour us by remaining in this house. Well spoke, dear. Well, come sir. We'll get you settled. Play on. (Musicians play lively tune) Excuse me. Thank you. Please tell Mr Van Tassel I will be down in a moment. I will, sir. Thank God you're here. DOOR CREAKS NOISILY VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS QUIETLY Ah! Excellent. Come in. Uh, leave us, my dear. Oh, we are joined by Dr Thomas Lancaster, Reverend Steenwyck, our able magistrate, Samuel Philipse, and lastly, this fine fellow is James Hardenbrook, our notary. (Hesitantly) And you, sir? A simple farmer...who has prospered. The town looks to me as friend and counsel. And landlord and banker. Can we proceed? Thank you. So... (Slowly) Three persons murdered. UNEASY MUSIC First, Peter Van Garrett... ..and his son, Dirk Van Garrett. Both of them strong, capable men, found together... ..decapitated. One week later, the widow Winship... ..also...decapitated. Now, I will need to ask you many questions. But firstly, let me ask, is anyone suspected? (Chokes) How much have your superiors explained to you, Constable? Only that the three were slain in open ground, their heads found severed from their bodies. Mmm, the heads were not found severed. Their heads were not found at all. The heads are...g-gone? Taken. Taken by the headless horseman. Taken back to hell. Pardon, I-I don't... Perhaps you had better sit down. Yes. The horseman was a Hessian mercenary, sent to these shores by German princes to keep Americans under the yoke of England. But unlike his compatriots, who came for money, the horseman came for love of carnage. When battle was joined, there you'd find him. EERIE MUSIC He rode a giant black steed named Daredevil. (Yells savagely) He was infamous for riding his horse hard into battle, chopping off heads at full gallop. He'd filed his teeth down to sharp points to add to the ferocity of his appearance. INTENSE, DARK MUSIC (Snarls) GUNSHOT (Neighs) This butcher didn't finally reach his end until the winter of '79... (Groans quietly) ..not far from here in our western woods. GUNSHOT, DRAMATIC MUSIC GUNSHOTS DOOM-LADEN MUSIC MUSIC BECOMES TENDER (Grunts softly) Shh! DRAMATIC MUSIC (Yells savagely) (Yells painfully) They chopped off his head with his own sword. Even today, the western woods is a haunted place where brave men will not venture. For what was planted in the ground that day... ..was a seed of evil. (Neighs frantically) And so it has been for 20 years. But now the Hessian wakes. He's on the rampage, cutting off heads where he finds them. CUP RATTLES Are you saying... Is that what you believe? (Eerily) Seeing is believing. They tell me that you've brought books and trappings of scientific investigation. This... ..is the only book I recommend you read. I see. Reverend Steenwyck, gentlemen... ..murder needs no ghost come from the grave. We have murders in New York without benefit of ghouls and goblins. You're a long way from New York, Constable. The assassin is a man of flesh and blood and I will discover him. * OWL HOOTS EERILY UNCERTAIN MUSIC SHEEP BLEAT WHOOSH! Come out, devil. ANIMALS GALLOP CREEPY MUSIC, HORSE GALLOPS MUSIC INTENSIFIES GUNSHOT, HORSE NEIGHS DRAMATIC MUSIC HOOVES THUNDER QUIET MUSIC (Grunts) His name's Gunpowder. He shall do just fine, Mr Killi...Mr Killian. Thank you. Good luck, sir. If you need any help, call my name. Much appreciated. Now don't you worry about a thing. Everything's going to be just fine. Thomas! Inside. Go along for your breakfast. Kiss your mother once for you and twice for me. (Shoots) Murder! The horseman's killed again! All right, Gunpowder. We're off. Come on. Come on. No, no, come on. The other way. No, turn around. (Horse grunts) Yah! Good horsie. GRAVE MUSIC, BLACKBIRD CAWS (Sombrely) Mr Miller, ride back for the coffin cart. Yes, sir. The rest of you keep a sharp lookout. It's all right. I'm here now. The fourth victim, Jonathan Masbath. I see. And...the head? (Fearfully) Taken. Taken. Interesting. Very interesting. What is? In headless corpse cases of this sort, the head is removed to prevent identification of the body. But we know this was Jonathan Masbath. Precisely, so why was the head removed? Why? Right. You have moved the body? I did. You must NEVER move the body. Why not? Because. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC The stride is gigantic. The attacker rode Masbath down... ..turned his horse... ..came back. Came back to claim the head. LOUD HISS Yeah. There's a chemical reaction. It shows there was a powerful, singular thrust to the neck. (Exclaims quietly) EERIE MUSIC (Exclaims in revulsion) Interesting. What is it? The wound was cauterised in the very instant... ..as though the blade itself were red-hot. And yet, no blistering, no scorched flesh. The devil's fire. MAN: "Be vigilant," as it saith in the Book of Peter, chapter 5, verse 8, "because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, "seeking whom he may devour." God rest Jonathan Masbath. Mr Constable, sir. Ah. You are young Masbath. I was young Masbath, but now the only one. Masbath at your service, in honour, bound to avenge my father. Well, one and only Masbath, I thank you very much, but your mother will need you more than I. CHURCH BELL TOLLS My mother is in heaven, sir. She has my father now to care for her. But you have no one to serve you. I am your man, sir. Yes, and a brave one too. But I cannot be the one to look after you. I'm sorry for your loss, young Mr Masbath. POIGNANT MUSIC Constable Crane. Mr Philipse? Something you should know. Jonathan Masbath was not the fourth victim... ..but the fifth. The fifth?! Aye. Five victims in four graves. OMINOUS MUSIC WIND HOWLS Young Masbath. Find a place in the Van Tassels' servants' quarters. Wake me before dawn. I hope you have a strong stomach. Peter Van Garrett. Dirk Van Garrett. Jonathan Masbath. (Quietly) Five victims, four graves. The...widow Winship. GRIM MUSIC (Exclaims) THUD! Bring the widow in. This is most irregular, Constable. I should hope so, doctor, but in this case, necessary. We need to operate immediately. Operate? But she's dead. When we say 'operate', we mean, of course, I will need the operating table. Once more, the neck wound cauterised. The... ..sword thrust to the stomach, same. But to what purpose? To what is your purpose is the question. What manner of instruments are these? (Frustratedly) Some of my own design. All right, then. Step outside, young Masbath. Thank you very much for your help, Mr Killian. And if you don't mind, doctor, my concentration suffers greatly when I am observed. EERIE MUSIC, MEN MUTTER SQUELCH! I am finished. What, in the name of God, have you done to her? We are dealing with a madman. What did you find out, Constable? The widow Winship was with child. OWL HOOTS EERIE MUSIC FROG CROAKS (Horse nickers) FROG'S CROAK ECHOES (Strange voice echoes with croaks) Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. STRANGE CROAKING STOPS (Horse nickers) (Horse whinnies) HORSE'S HOOVES CLOP Who's there? HORSE'S HOOVES CLOP DRAMATIC MUSIC (Horse whinnies) FRANTIC MUSIC (Horse whinnies) (Horse whinnies) LOUD RUSH (Both laugh) DISTANT LAUGHTER ETHEREAL MUSIC (Voice echoes) Ichabod. Ichabod. Ichabod. CHORAL SINGING THUNDER RUMBLES SINISTER MUSIC (Gasps) INSECTS CHIRRUP Oh. Pardon my intrusion. I saw a light. It is no intrusion. I come here to read when I am wakeful. To read books which you must hide? They were my mother's books. My father believes tales of romance caused the brain fever that killed my mother. She died two years ago come midwinter. The nurse who cared for her during her sickness is now Lady Van Tassel. There was something else too. Why did no one think to mention the Van Garrets are kith and kin to the Van Tassels? Why, because there's hardly a household in Sleepy Hollow that is not connected to every other by blood or marriage. I see. This land we're looking at was Van Garrett land, given to my father when I was in swaddling clothes. The Van Garretts were the richest family around these parts. When my father brought us to Sleepy Hollow, Van Garrett gave him an acre and a broken-down cottage. My father worked hard for his family and prospered and built this house. And I owe my happiness to him. I remember living poor in the cottage. Should I show you? Yes. Take this. It is my gift for you. No. I have no use for it. Are you so certain of everything? It was your mother's. Keep it close to your heart. It is sure protection against harm. Are you so certain of everything? PLEASANT MUSIC These are strange. These markings, what are they? I've had them since I can remember. I used to play by this hearth as a child. It was my first drawing school and my mother was my teacher. CURIOUS MUSIC Oh, look. See? Carved into the fireback. The archer. (Exhales) I'd forgotten it. This was from long before we lived here. Are you all right? Yes. Thank you. BIRD WHISTLES A cardinal. My favourite. I'd love a tame one, but I wouldn't have the heart to cage him. Well, then, I...have something for you. Cardinal on one side. An empty cage. And now... You CAN do magic. Teach me. It is no magic. It is what we call 'optics'. Separate pictures which become one in the spinning. It is truth, but truth is not always appearance. * OMINOUS MUSIC MUFFLED VOICES (Horse whinnies) What are you running from, Magistrate Philipse? Damn you, Crane. You were a mind to help me. Yes. And it's put me in mortal dread of.. Of what? Of powers against which there is no defence. How did you know the widow when she was expecting? She told me. Then I deduce you are the father. I'm not the father. Did she tell you the name of the father? Yes. She did. She came to me for advice as town magistrate to protect the rights of her child. I was bound by my oath of office to keep the secret, but... Do you believe the father killed her? The horseman killed her. How often do I have to tell you there's no horseman? There never was a horseman. There never will be a horseman. What is that...thing? My talisman. It protects me from the horseman. You a magistrate and your head full of such nonsense. Now tell me the name of... THUNDERCLAP, SHEEP BLEAT OMINOUS MUSIC SCARECROW CREAKS OWL HOOTS HORSE WHINNIES Oh my God. DRAMATIC MUSIC, HORSE'S HOOVES THUNDER SWORD SCRAPES SCABBARD (Gasps) (Horse whinnies) (Horse whinnies) DRAMATIC MUSIC (Horse whinnies) SCARECROW CREAKS BALTUS VAN TASSEL: Constable Crane. Constable Crane. Has he not come out at all? It was a headless horseman. You must not excite yourself. It was a headless horseman! Of course. That's why you're here. No. You must believe me. It was a horseman, a dead one - headless. I know. I know. You don't, because you weren't there! It's all true. But of course it is. I told you. Everyone told you. I...saw him. I suppose it's back to the city, then. ETHEREAL MUSIC DOOR CREAKS DRAMATIC MUSIC (Gasps) (Whimpers) DRAMATIC MUSIC BOOK THUMPS (Cries out) DOOR CREAKS DRAMATIC MUSIC (Gasps) All right. This time, I'll go to New York myself. I won't be fobbed off on an amateur deductor. This time, it's a magistrate that's dead and... Gentleman, I need able men to go with me into the Western Woods. You. We thought you'd shot your bolt. I have faced my fears and come out determined to locate the horseman's grave. In short, to pit myself against a murdering ghost. Who's with me? Me. The Van Garretts, the widow Winship, your father - Jonathan Masbath - and now Philipse. Something must connect them. Did your father have dealings with the Van Garretts? He worked for them. We lived in the coach-house. It's nothing. But there was something that happened one night a week before the murder. An argument upstairs between father and son. And my father was later sent for by Mr Van Garrett. An argument between father and son. After which the elder Van Garrett sent for his servant Masbath. Listen. I hear nothing. Nor I. No birds. No crickets. It's all gone so quiet. (Horse snorts) EERIE MUSIC Quicken pace. GHOSTLY SINGING DOOR CREAKS Pardon our intrusion. But, uh, perhaps you could help us. WOMAN: You found the hollow? Yes. In a way, yes. I should like to say that I...I make no assumptions about your occupation, nor your ways, which...WHICH... which...which are nothing to me, whatever you are. Each to his own. DRAMATIC MUSIC Oh. Do you know of the horseman, ma'am? The Hessian? (Makes cutting sound) That'll be him, ma'am. DRAMATIC MUSIC You, come with me. Go out, child. Keep away. Whatever you hear, keep away. (Slams door) What might he hear that he must keep away from? CHAINS RATTLE He rides to the hollow and back. I hear him. (Sniffs) I smell the blood on him. Do you? Well...I'm here to find him and make him stop. FRANTIC SQUEAKING (Squeaks) You seek knowledge of the nether world? I can show you. What are you doing? Don't move or speak. When the other comes, I will hold him. The other? Silence. (Sniffs) He comes now. (Breathes deeply) WIND BLOWS STRONGLY (Whispers) Madam. Madam, do you hear me? TENSE MUSIC CHAINS CRASH You seek the warrior drenched in blood, the headless horseman. Follow the Indian trail to where the sun dies. Follow to the tree of the dead. Climb down to the horseman's resting place. DRAMATIC MUSIC We're leaving. What happened? We are leaving now. What happened? We are leaving now. * Take the Indian trail to the tree of the dead. How will we recognise it? Without difficulty, I rather fear. And "climb down to the horseman's resting place". His camp? His grave. OMINOUS MUSIC Stay here. TENSE MUSIC Halt and turn. I have a pistol aimed. Katrina. I might have killed you. Why have you come? Because no one else would go with you. Well, I'm now twice the man. It is your white magic. ROMANTIC MUSIC Pardon my intrusion. I think you'd better come and look at this. CROWS CAW TENSE MUSIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES DRAMATIC MUSIC The tree of the dead. Blood. Stay where you are. (Grunts) SQUELCHING What is it? Stay where you are. Don't move. SQUELCHING DRAMATIC MUSIC (Breathes heavily) This tree is a gateway. A gateway between two worlds. TENSE MUSIC This ground has been disturbed. The soil is loose. Bring the shovel. DRAMATIC MUSIC (Breathes heavily) The...skull is gone. Taken. That is why the horseman returns from the grave. To take heads till his own is restored to him. THUNDERCLAP DRAMATIC MUSIC, THUNDERCLAP SQUELCHING Ichabod. (Horse snorts) (Horse whinnies) DRAMATIC MUSIC (Horse whinnies) FRANTIC MUSIC Yah! Yah! Split up. Glenn. Theodore. * CRICKETS CHIRP Don't pick your teeth. You'll teach Thomas bad habits. I am a bad habit. There's nothing for it. Oh, isn't there? (Chuckles) WIND BLOWS Come on. Let's get ready for bed. Yes. EERIE MUSIC THUNDERCLAP FLAMES ROAR DRAMATIC MUSIC THUNDERCLAP Beth, run! FRANTIC MUSIC AXE WHOOSHES (Grunts) You stay quiet. METALLIC SLICING (Breathes heavily) DOOR OPENS (Gasps) DOOR CREAKS CHILLING MUSIC LOUD FOOTSTEPS (Breathes erratically) (Cries out) METALLIC SLICING INTENSE MUSIC THUNDERCLAP TENSE MUSIC LOUD CRASH DISTANT SCREAM Yah! SINISTER MUSIC (Horse grunts) TENSE MUSIC (Horse whinnies) (Horse neighs) DARK MUSIC (Grunts) (Yells) THUNDERCLAP (Groans) Wait. He's not after you. I'll get him. (Grunts) We cannot win this. SLOW FOOTSTEPS LOUD THUMP (Yells) DRAMATIC MUSIC THUNDERCLAP, DRAMATIC MUSIC THUNDERCLAP THUNDERCLAP * Remarkable. A wound like this should have killed him. But it needs no stitch and there's hardly a loss of blood. (Gasps) You must be still. The fever is on you. (Breathes forcibly) Katrina. (Recites spell in indistinct language) (Breathes forcibly) Katrina. I tried to stop Brom, but... Shh. Drink this down. It will make you sleep. The horseman was not set to kill Brom or me. Had Brom not attacked him... Later. Rest now. I have discovered something. The horseman does not kill at random. His victims are chosen by someone who controls him. By that very person who took his skull. Someone who knew where to dig. Someone of flesh and blood. As I have always said. These are ravings. Shh. Drink. (Breathes erratically) DRAMATIC MUSIC SPURS JANGLE (Woman calls dreamily) Ichabod. Ichabod. DOOR CREAKS INTENSE MUSIC Ichabod. DRAMATIC MUSIC DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES CREAKING LOUD RUMBLE DRAMATIC MUSIC (Gasps) (Exhales forcibly) Shh. You were dreaming. Oh, yes. Things I had forgotten. And would not like to remember. Tell me what you dreamt. My mother was an innocent, a child of nature. Condemned. Murdered...by my father. Murdered by...? Murdered to save her soul... ..by a bible-black tyrant behind a mask of righteousness. I was seven...when I lost my faith. What do you believe in? Sense and reason. Cause and consequence. I should not have come to this place. My rational mind has been so controverted by the spirit world. Will you take nothing from Sleepy Hollow that was worth the coming here? No. No, not nothing. A kiss from a lovely young woman before she saw my face or knew my name. Yes. Without sense or reason. Forgive me. I...I speak of kisses. And...you have lost your brave man Brom. I have shed my tears for Brom. And yet, my heart is not broken. Do you think me wicked? No. But perhaps there is a bit of a witch in you, Katrina. Why do you say that? Because you have bewitched me. GLORIOUS MUSIC Oh. You slept like the dead. You're too kind to me. I do not look to be served by the lady of the house. Oh, nor would you be, but that the servant girl has vanished. Sarah? Run away, like so many others. They're all leaving in fear. Where is Katrina? She watched over you till dawn. Now it is her turn to sleep. (With effort) Well, I'm fit for another day, I think. Fit enough to face a mortal adversary. Dr Lancaster, Reverend Steenwyck... ..hmm...Notary Hardenbrook and Magistrate Philipse... ..who tried to cut and run and lost his head. Four frightened men, arguing together on the very night Magistrate Philipse was killed. There is conspiracy here. The doctor, the reverend, the notary and the magistrate. What is the secret that unites them? Magistrate Philipse knew there were five bodies to four graves. He knew the widow was pregnant. He would not tell me the name of the father. What does this point to? We must proceed by a process of elimination. I shall make a list of every man and woman in Sleepy Hollow, starting with its chief citizen, Baltus Van Tassel. I feel we're getting very close. Yes, I suppose Baltus is the chief citizen, now that old Van Garrett is dead. (Thoughtfully) Yes. The Van Garretts. I'd almost forgotten them. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC Come with me. Where? To Notary Hardenbrook's. Have you thought of something? Yes. I have. UNSETTLED MUSIC Hopeless. My father's satchel. Why's it here? DOOR CREAKS NOISILY (Exclaims in fright) Leave me alone. Notary Hardenbrook. Leave me alone! Just as soon as you show me the last will and testament of old man Van Garrett. The will leaves everything to his son. Who died with him. So the estate passes to the next of kin. Naturally. All legal and above board. Sir. (Fearfully) I'm a dead man. (Sobs pathetically) Van Garrett's seal, broken. Seems Van Garrett made a new will just before he died, naming... ..widow Winship?! And here. Look. A marriage certificate. Aha. Old Van Garrett secretly married the widow, left everything to her and her unborn child. So the new will stood between the Van Garrett fortune and the person who would otherwise have inherited everything. It's true. But we four were drawn in against our will. Your will? He means... Of course. The four town elders. Now I see what parts you had to play. Reverend Steenwyck knew the secret because he performed the marriage. Doctor Lancaster attended the pregnant woman. Magistrate Philipse gave protection of the law. And Notary Hardenbrook concealed the documents, which had been entrusted by Van Garrett to his faithful servant. The four conspirators drawn into the plot. We did not know it was a murdering plot. But I have not finished, sir. First, the Van Garretts, father and son, slain by a horseman raised from the grave to chop heads. Up pops a widow with a claim on the fortune. Off with her head. But murder begets murder. It was the servant, Jonathan Masbath. The night father and son quarrelled over the new will, Jonathan Masbath was summoned upstairs to bear witness. Here is his signature. I'm afraid it was his death warrant, young Masbath. The horseman came for him. He came for him at the bidding of someone who had power over him. Someone who dug in the earth in the Western Woods and stole the skull. The missing head, which must be restored to the horseman before he will return to hell. Someone who stood to gain or lose a fortune. None other than Van Garrett's next of kin - Baltus Van Tassel! DRAMATIC MUSIC Katrina, why are you in my room? Because it is yours. Was it wicked of me? No. No, not at all. I missed you. Where did you go? To the notary. I had questions to ask Hardenbrook. And did you learn anything of interest? Perhaps. My father... Your father? Yes. My father thinks you should return to New York. Really? Why is that? I don't know. Perhaps he looked in your ledger and did not like what he saw. What have you there? Evidence. Now, I'm sorry. I must ask you... Then I'll leave you to your thoughts. (Gasps, squeals) It's just a spider. Kill it! Kill it. No, no. Stun it. There's something under here. What is it? Help me move the bed. No, no. I mustn't. You do it. DRAMATIC MUSIC The evil eye. It is someone casting spells against you. The evil eye. CREEPY MUSIC * DISTANT THUD TENSE MUSIC SPOOKY MUSIC Wait here. TENSE MUSIC HEAVY BREATHING DRAMATIC MUSIC (Exhales) DRAMATIC MUSIC Katrina. You took the evidence and burned it. So you would not have it to accuse my father. I accuse no one. But if there's guilt, I cannot alter it, no matter how much it grieves me. And no spells of yours can alter it either. Your father has the motive. He stands to profit from these murders. If you knew him, you would not have such harsh thoughts about him. No. Nor if you felt anything for me. I am pinioned by a chain of reasoning. Why did his four friends conspire to conceal... You are the constable, not I. So find another chain of reasoning and let me be. I cannot. Nor the one or the other. And I'm heartsick with it. I think you have no heart. And I had a mind once to give you mine. Yes. I think you loved me that day you followed me into the Western Woods to have braved such peril. What peril was there for me? That was my own father who controlled the headless horseman. Goodbye, Ichabod Crane. I curse the day you came to Sleepy Hollow. (Horse whinnies) She will not see you. Did she...say anything? (Sighs) Only that she will not come down. I see. Thank you. Constable. (Sighs) You have not asked me how I have hurt my hand since yesterday, which would have been polite. In fact, you have been as careful not to look at it as not to mention it. (Gasps) Yes. Um, I'm sorry. How did you... I know you saw me. What? I know you followed last night. And you must promise not to tell my husband what you saw. (Sharply) Promise me! DOOR OPENS Town is in ferment. Horror piled on tragedy. Hardenbrook is dead! Oh, no. That harmless old man? Hanged himself in the night. Hanged himself? Reverend Steenwyck has called a meeting in the church tonight. Every man, woman and child is going to speak out against you. If you are wise, you will leave this place. What is that? Oh, I was careless with the kitchen knife. The wound looks angry. I will bind it later with some wild arrowroot flowers. I know where some grow. BELL TOLLS (Hums) BELL TOLLS IN DISTANCE Come on. Hurry up. The meeting bell has started tolling. THUNDER RUMBLES THUNDERCLAP TENSE MUSIC THUNDERCLAP, DRAMATIC MUSIC URGENT VOICES The horseman! Katrina! Father! The horseman saved me. He killed her. The horseman killed your stepmother. LOUD THUNDERCLAP (Horse whinnies) DRAMATIC MUSIC Oh, God! (Horse whinnies) FRANTIC MUSIC HOOVES THUNDER (Horse whinnies) MAN: Fire! (Horse whinnies) (All shout frantically) (Horse whinnies) (All shout frantically) WOMAN: Where are you? (Woman screams) DRAMATIC MUSIC (Both grunt) You'll kill us all. You're the one the horseman wants. THUNDERCLAP DRAMATIC MUSIC (Horse neighs) AXE WHOOSHES (Horse neighs) He cannot enter. The horseman cannot enter! Why should we die for you? The horseman cannot enter. He cannot cross the gate. We have to save ourselves. The next person to lay a hand on me will get a bullet! GUNFIRE He's coming back! (Horse whinnies) THUNDERCLAP Enough have died already. It's time to confess our sins. What is it that you know? Your four friends played you false. We were damnably possessed by one who... (Groans) DRAMATIC MUSIC Arrgh! (Groans) Get away! Stand back. Stay back! GUNFIRE GROANING Back! Stay back. DRAMATIC MUSIC There is a conspiracy here and I will seek it out. TENSE MUSIC LOUD CRUNCH (Screams) DRAMATIC MUSIC SWORD SCRAPES SCABBARD (Gasps) MYSTICAL MUSIC It was an evil spirit possessed you. I pray God it is satisfied now and that you find peace. The evil eye has done its work. My life is over, spared from a lifetime of horrors in my sleep, waking each day to grief. (Whispers) Goodbye, Katrina. SENTIMENTAL MUSIC HORSES APPROACH MAN: Whoa. Whoa! You think it was Katrina, don't you? That can never be uttered. A strange sort of witch with a kind and loving heart. How can you think so? I have good reason. Then you are bewitched by reason. And beaten down by it. It's a hard lesson for a hard world. You had better learn it, young Masbath. Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue. Farewell. POIGNANT MUSIC TROUBLED MUSIC Van Ripper, turn the coach. What? (Purposefully) Turn around now! MELANCHOLY MUSIC (Knocks) Pardon my intrusion. TROUBLED MUSIC No blood flow. No clotting, no healing. When this cut was made, this woman was already dead. SINISTER MUSIC Dear stepdaughter. (Breathes fitfully) You look as if you'd seen a ghost. FRANTIC MUSIC Yah! * (Whispers) Rise up once more, my dark avenger. One more night of beheading! Rise up with your sword. A head... ..for a head, my unholy horseman! Rise! Come now...for...Katrina! THUNDER CRACKS LOUDLY (Neighs) TERRIFYING MUSIC LADY VAN TASSEL: Awake at last. Did you think it was all a nasty dream? Father saw the horseman kill you. He saw the horseman come towards me with his sword unsheathed. But it is I who govern the horseman, my dear, and Baltus did not stay to watch. ICHABOD: Hyah! Hyah! But there was a body. The servant girl, Sarah. (Laughs) And I always thought she was useless. But it seemed she had a purpose after all. Who are you? My family name... ..was Archer. The archer. (Horse neighs) I lived with my father and mother and sister in a cottage not far from here. Until one day my father died and the landlord, who had received many years of loyal service from my parents, evicted us. No one in this God-fearing town would take us in because my mother was suspected of witchcraft. But she schooled her daughters well while we lived as outcasts in the Western Woods. She died within a year. CARRIAGE RUMBLES LOUDLY My sister and I remained in our refuge, seeing not a soul. Until one day, whilst gathering firewood, we crossed the path of the Hessian. Ssh. I saw his death. At that moment, I offered my soul to Satan if he would raise the Hessian from the grave to avenge me. HOOVES POUND LOUDLY Avenge you? Against Van Garrett! The landlord who showed us no mercy and left us to starve whilst Baltus Van Tassel and his simpering wife and girl-child stole our home. I swore I would make myself mistress of all he had. The easiest part was the first. To enter your house as your mother's sick-nurse and put her body into the grave and my own into the marriage bed. Not quite so easy was to secure my legacy. The widow had to go, of course. And the servant Masbath. And then just the other day, that silly midwife Killian told me the widow had told her a big secret. And she told me this right in front of her husband! What a goose! Ha! So, another little job for the horseman. But lust delivered the Reverend Steenwyck into my power. Fear did the same for the notary Hardenbrook and the drunkard Philipse. And the doctor's silence I exchanged for my complicity in his fornications with the servant girl, Sarah. Yes. You have everything now. No! YOU have, my dear. By your father's will. I get everything in the event of your death. Oh, my sister, by the way, sadly passed away. Quite recently. You killed your own sister? She brought it on herself. By helping you and your master! By helping you and your master! (Gasps) (Cackles) You're just in time to have your head cut off. The horseman comes! And tonight, he comes for you! ICHABOD: Katrina! Thank God. HORSE NEIGHS Watch your head. (Both groan with exertion) ICHABOD: To the roof! I have an idea. (Yells) Jump for the sails! MILL CREAKS Jump! (Grunts) Hurry! Is he dead? That's the problem. He was dead to begin with. Hyah! HORSE NEIGHS Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! (Horse whinnies and grunts) Where are we going? Anywhere but here. (Whinnies) Here. Take the reins. Ichabod! (Snorts) (Grunts) Hyah! (Whinnies) Arggh! (Grunts) (Groans) SWORD SCRAPES SCABBARD (Whimpers) Black bag! (Groans) (Chokes) Jump! (Moans) (Grunts) Whoa! Still alive? Run, Katrina! Yes, do run. And jump! And skip! NO! (Squeals) Here! Take her! She's yours! Sir... (Excitedly) You're not dead! THUNDERCLAP, MUSIC INTENSIFIES (Grunts repeatedly) INTENSE, DOOM-LADEN MUSIC (Yells) THUNDERCLAP Horseman! MUSIC SUBSIDES SQUELCH DARK MUSIC (Snarls painfully) HOPEFUL MUSIC, THUNDER RUMBLES (Horseman snarls savagely) FOREBODING MUSIC DOOM-LADEN MUSIC (Neighs) Hyah! HOOF BEATS SLOW TO A WALK Ha! UNCERTAIN MUSIC WOOD STRAINS SQUELCH! Mmm... TENSE MUSIC (Snarls softly) DOOM-LADEN MUSIC (Exclaims mutedly) (Screams) Hyah! (Neighs) (Screams) GRIM MUSIC EERIE VOCAL MUSIC UPLIFTING MUSIC (Sheep bleat) Ah. Just in time for a new century. HOPEFUL MUSIC You'll soon get your bearings, young Masbath. The Bronx is up, the Battery is down and home is this way. MUSIC BECOMES GENTLE SOFT CHORAL MUSIC Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2020