Later, Pretorius re-visits Henry and his new bride.
Henry: Send him away. I won't see him.
Pretorius: Good evening, Henry. Baroness, I've not yet had the opportunity of offering you my congratulations on your marriage.
Elizabeth: I don't know what your business is but, whatever it may be, I tell you frankly that I am not frightened of it or of you. Henry's been very ill. He's in no state to be alarmed or annoyed. Your visit now is most unwelcome. Henry, I heard the carriage drive up. I'll see that the baggage is put in. Then we're leaving.
Pretorius: I think you know why I am here, Henry. All the necessary preparations are made. My part in the experiment is complete. I have created by my method a perfect human brain, already living but dormant. Everything is now ready for you and me to begin our supreme collaboration.
Henry: No, no. Don't tell me of it. I don't want to hear. I've changed my mind. I won't do it!
Pretorius: I expected this. I thought we might need another assistant. Perhaps "he" can persuade you.
Henry: Nothing can persuade me.
Pretorius: We shall see.
To persuade Frankenstein to join in his part of the experiment, Pretorius opens the outer door revealing the Monster, providing a harrowing confrontation between the creature and his creator.
Henry: No, not that.
Pretorius (connivingly): Oh he's quite harmless, except when crossed.
Monster (pronounced in a deep, gutteral tone tinged with hate): Frank - en - stein.
Pretorius: Yes, there have been developments since he came to me.
Monster (motioning Henry): Sit down.
Henry: What do you want?
Monster: You know.
Henry (to Pretorius): This is your work?
Pretorius: Yes.
Henry: I'll have no hand in such a monstrous thing.
Monster: Yes, must.
Henry: Get him out! I won't even discuss it until he's gone.
Pretorius (to Monster): Go now. . . . Go!
The Monster growls. As he leaves, he turns.
Monster: Must do it!
Henry: Never! Nothing can make me go on with it.
The Monster angrily grumbles.
Pretorius (in an aside to the Monster): Now!
To extort Henry into complying and to force his cooperation, Pretorious orders the Monster to kidnap Frankenstein's bride on her wedding day.
Elizabeth: Put the bags in the carriage and I'll be out in a moment. Go and tell the master to hurry, Minnie, or we shall lose the train.
Minnie: Excuse me for being so nervous, milady, but I don't like leaving you alone.
Elizabeth: Oh, nonsense, Minnie, I shall be all right.
Minnie: I hope so, milady.
Elizabeth: Is that you, Henry? Henry! Henry, help! Henry!
Minnie: Milady!
Henry: Elizabeth. What is it? What's the matter?
Minnie: Oh, sir, she's gone! The monster, he's got her! I saw it. The baroness is gone!
Henry: This is Pretorius' doing. Quick, search parties. There's not a moment to lose.
Pretorius: I charge you as you value your mistress' life to do nothing and say nothing of this episode. I assure you that the Baronness will be safely returned if you will leave everything to me. Nothing, that is, except what he demands.
The Monster deposits Elizabeth in a dark, mountain cave.
Henry: I admit I'm beaten. But if you can bring her back, I'll do anything that you want.
Pretorius: Are you ready to complete with me this final experiment?
Henry: What about Elizabeth?
Pretorius: She is well, and will be safely returned if you will proceed.
Amidst lab equipment in the stone-tower laboratory, now-reopened, work begins as the two mad scientists resume their experiments. But the human heart that they have procured appears unsound.
Pretorius: It is interesting to think, Henry, that once upon a time, we should have been burnt at the stake as wizards for this experiment.
Henry: Doctor, I think the heart is beating!
A drumbeat is heard.
Henry: Look, it's beating, but the rhythm of the beat is uneven.
Pretorius: Increase the saline solution. Is there any life yet?
|