Vampire Journals (1997)

[bunniefuu]

ZACHARY NARRATING:

How many years

had passed since that

night I lost Rebecca?

And yet, the grief

still burned in my soul.

How many countries had I

crossed in my quest for revenge?

How many vampires had I slain?

And how many countless more

were spawned in that time?

For me, there is no answer,

no comfort, no rest.

The trail of blood

led me back again

to Eastern Europe in search

of Ash, the music lover.

ZACHARY NARRATING: Vampires are

the spawn of many bloodlines.

Some are monstrous

creatures forced

to hide their

faces from society.

Others are beings of

age-old grace walking freely

through the world of mortals.

[MUSIC - FRANZ LISZT,

"PIANO CONCERTO NO.

ZACHARY NARRATING: The music

filled my heart with rapture,

until my senses rose

to the scent of evil.

Ash was close at hand.

He was a master

vampire with powers

evolved over

countless centuries.

[MUSIC - FRANZ LISZT,

"PIANO CONCERTO NO.

ZACHARY NARRATING: He

reached into my eyes

and forced me to look away.

He was mesmerized by the

girl who played piano.

You can dance

next time on stage.

I won't mind.

Really?

Yeah.

Sofia.

Yes?

Please accept this small

token of my admiration.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

Ow.

If I may be so bold.

Please, you must pay us a

visit some evening as my guest.

Thank you.

Maybe sometime soon.

Whenever you wish.

I'm a patient man.

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

G... good night.

Good night.

He's weird.

This evening was great.

Yeah.

Thanks for coming.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Yeah.

It is our pleasure, you know?

I'll see you tomorrow.

OK.

Bye.

OK.

Bye bye.

Bye.

Bye.

ZACHARY NARRATING:

A master vampire

is invulnerable to

surprise attack,

except in the moments

when its bloodlust rises

and its senses are utterly

focused on its prey.

His senses were

focused on the girl.

It seemed a good time to

separate him from his neck.

Let me go!

It's all right.

You're safe now.

ZACHARY NARRATING:

In the last moment,

I chose her life

over the life of Ash.

It was a moment of weakness

I shall forever regret.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Thanks.

ZACHARY (OFFSCREEN):

He's gone now.

Well, this is perfect.

First night on stage,

I attract a stalker.

He gave you something

else, I believe.

His calling card?

Oh, yeah.

This.

"Club Muse"?

Why are you so curious?

What do you know about him?

Only that he seems to be

a great admirer of yours.

I'll walk you home, if I may.

Definitely.

Please, I'd appreciate that.

How was the concert?

The repertoire was sublime.

The concert was

mediocre at best,

except for the new

pianist, Sofia.

She has the gift.

How was the concert, Master?

Sublime, Cassandra.

I would like to attend

the symphony sometime.

Someday, perhaps,

we shall go together.

But leave us now.

Anything of interest?

The general is back again.

He's become enamored

with Angelica.

That could be amusing.

Anton knows you are

displeased with him.

He asked to speak with you.

I pray the fates

are smiling tonight.

Please, enjoy the night.

Drinks on the house.

Fetch me Anton.

You're American.

Yeah.

You?

I come from many countries.

Oh, really?

How's that?

I travel the world.

Doing what?

A sort of personal quest.

Oh.

That's cool.

I love this city.

It's so elegantly decayed.

It's one of the so-called

cities of mysteries.

Cities of mysteries?

I've never heard of that.

It's a city where

the ways of antiquity

exist in league with

the modern world.

Well, here's my place.

Thanks for everything.

I don't have a telephone,

but if you ever

want to have a cup of

coffee or something,

you know where to find me.

You must be careful here.

Don't walk alone at night.

Lock your doors and windows.

Please.

Hey, come on, Zachary.

You're scaring me.

I lived in New York.

I can take care of myself.

As you wish.

Good night.

Good night.

And thanks.

For nothing.

ZACHARY NARRATING: I had

seen the look in Ash's eye.

I had seen the same look

in a thousand others.

He'd be back to claim his prey.

The game had just begun.

I took it upon myself to

watch over her 'til the dawn.

ASH (OFFSCREEN): You

disappoint me, Anton.

Why, Ash?

What have I done?

We struck a bargain,

you and I. Immortality

and sanctuary in exchange

for half your worldly goods.

How dare you withhold a

portion of your wealth from me.

Ash, I swear to you.

I give you sanctuary,

blood to sustain you.

We share the sacred mysteries.

And you repay me with

such uninspired larceny?

Please, Ash.

That money is for my children.

You are the child now,

Anton, and I am the father.

I will rip your

children to pieces

if you dare to betray me.

No, Ash.

Please, spare my children.

I will do anything you ask.

You have scarcely begun

your passage into mastery.

You cannot survive without me.

One more chance, I beg of you.

You have two days to

correct this insult.

Iris will contact your

attorney tomorrow.

Thank you, Ash.

I'll call Walter tonight.

It will be taken care of.

I surprised you, Master.

Cassandra, your game

is a dangerous one.

Lie with me tonight.

Let me satisfy your cravings.

You distract me

with your sensuality.

Leave me to my meditations.

Ash, come quickly.

The general's had a problem.

It was an accident!

It was an accident!

b*stard!

You k*lled her!

I saw him!

THE GENERAL (OFFSCREEN):

It's not my fault!

General, relax.

I'm not here to enforce the law.

I'm here to serve you.

Yes.

Please, it's very important

to avoid a scandal.

The last thing any of us

wants is a scandal, my friend.

You and Dimitri

may dispose of her.

Let's get this over

with quickly, Cassandra.

The smell is disgusting.

I shall have to use

a liter of perfume

to find anyone to dance with me.

You don't appreciate the

smell of death, Dimitri?

I find it intoxicating.

Yes.

You're a depraved little b*tch.

Join me, Dimitri.

It's a shame to let

her go to waste.

What troubles you, child?

The wanderer you prophesied.

I faced him tonight.

At last, he has arrived.

He held the Blade of Laertes.

Draw him close to you.

Fear him not.

You are the stronger one.

You will prevail.

Excuse me.

You're Sofia

Christopher, aren't you?

You perform with the symphony.

Uh, yes, I am.

Can I help you?

My employer offers

his deepest apologies

for frightening you last night.

He asked me to

convey he was merely

seeing you safely to your home.

Oh, uh, I guess I

did sort of overreact.

His name is Monsieur Ash.

He's a wealthy

patron of the arts.

A bit eccentric, perhaps,

but a most gentle man.

He was quite taken

by your performance

and wishes to engage you in a

private recital at Club Muse.

Oh, really?

When?

Tonight, if possible,

for a fee of $1,000.

Tonight?

Uh, sure.

That's great.

I'll come around with

the car just after sunset.

OK.

That's great.

Zachary!

What are you doing here?

Hoping to see you.

You're going somewhere?

Yes.

The most amazing

thing happened today.

This woman stopped

me on the street

and hired me to play at

that place, Club Muse.

Club Muse?

This woman, she was

out in the daylight?

Yeah, it was daytime.

That man who followed

me, he's the owner.

He's a patron of the arts.

They're paying me $1,000

for one solo recital.

Sofia, you must come

with me and listen

carefully to what

I have to tell you.

Tell me tomorrow, OK, Zachary?

I've gotta go now.

Sofia, please, don't

get in that car.

Zachary, I'm nervous

enough as it is, OK?

I like you, but you're not

my boyfriend or anything.

So don't get bossy, OK?

ZACHARY NARRATING: The woman

in the car was no vampire,

but she reeked of evil.

I should've stopped her,

but something held me back.

With shame, I realized I

hesitated in the knowledge

that she would lead

me to his lair.

She crossed the threshold

of her own free will.

To intervene in

that moment would

have jeopardized my quest.

[LAUGHTER AND CHATTING]

This place is beautiful.

It suits our needs.

You may begin.

[PIANO PLAYING]

Please, continue.

[PIANO PLAYING]

ZACHARY NARRATING:

The hours passed.

Mortals came and went.

I gathered my courage and

went down for a closer look.

I'm sorry, sir.

It's a private club.

That's quite all

right, gentlemen.

I'm a private man.

ZACHARY NARRATING: The

place was a fortress,

an age-old den of evil.

The air of malevolence

dwarfed my senses.

Sir, I must ask

you to please leave.

You cannot enter here.

My mistake.

ZACHARY NARRATING: I

reached into her eyes,

but I could not master her.

This was not the time or place

to rush blindly into battle.

I pitied Sofia, but

I was not her keeper.

[PIANO PLAYING]

Don't leave me, Sofia.

You are a goddess of music.

I can make you immortal.

[MOANS]

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

ZACHARY NARRATING: I waited

for her until the dawn.

But in my heart, I

knew her fate was

sealed, as mine had been

sealed an eternity ago.

A fate of endless nighttime

and endless hunger

for innocent blood.

I drink in shame

only to survive.

I cannot bear to face my prey.

[GASPS]

Fear not, child.

I will not harm you.

[SCREAMS]

ZACHARY NARRATING: I am God's

most desolate creature...

A vampire with a mortal's

heart, a predator

cursed to feel

pity for his prey.

I destroyed the

one who spawned me.

I swear I will destroy his

entire bloodline, the ones who

stole me from warmth of the sun.

For me there is no

comfort, no peace.

Night has come.

Please, let me go.

Your apprenticeship

has just begun.

What have you done to me?

I have initiated you

into the mysteries.

Help!

Please, somebody, help!

Help!

There is no one to hear

you, no hope of rescue,

no possibility of escape.

What do you want from me?

Absolute devotion and the

pleasure of your music.

In return, I offer you

the secret sought by man

since the dawn of

time... eternal life.

No.

Let me go home now.

Embrace me willingly, and

your passage will be painless.

Resist me, and you will

agonize 'til the end of time.

I shall drink from

you slowly until you

embrace me as your master.

Like hell you will!

Let go of me!

Soon enough, you will

beg me for deliverance.

Cassandra.

I surprised you, Master.

I remind you, Casandra,

it is forbidden

to enter the master's lair.

You're keeping the

piano girl, aren't you.

She is a sweet one, isn't she.

Come, Cassandra.

Darkness calls.

Take me out into the

great night, Master.

I crave the hunt.

There is danger in the hunt.

The night is no longer

our exclusive domain.

It seems unnatural

to live as we do,

secluded from the pulse of life.

I hunger for the chase.

We shall hunt, Cassandra.

But it is a rare privilege.

Master, may I speak

with you in private?

Soon, Dimitri, soon.

I promise you.

Cassandra, leave us.

Wait for me below.

You abducted her.

She was irresistible.

You're becoming reckless, Ash.

You're jeopardizing everything.

You bring your prey in

through the labyrinth,

not through the front

door of my nightclub.

You are not the master, Iris.

You are not my master, Ash.

You're my employer.

Apropos of which, did you

speak to Anton's attorney?

I arranged for Anton to

meet with him tonight.

Eavesdrop on their discussion.

I'll be upstairs later.

I'm frightened, Master.

The night is so vast.

Sharpen your

sentences to the prey.

Don't let the chaos

of life confuse you.

Listen, Cassandra.

Vivaldi.

[WHISTLING - ANTONIO

VIVALDI, "SPRING"]

Hello.

Feel my heartbeat.

Let me feel yours.

Feel our hearts together.

Ahh!

Cassandra, I applaud

your depravity.

But you cannot carry on like

this in a public thoroughfare.

ZACHARY NARRATING:

Sofia still lived.

I could sense her

despair through the walls

of his stronghold.

My fear was not that

Ash would k*ll her,

for that would've

been the kinder fate.

My fear was he would curse

her with eternal life,

and her destruction

would fall to me.

You are a stranger here.

I am master of this city.

At midnight tonight, walk

through my door in peace.

(WHISPERING) Make certain that

your people have everything

prepared as we planned.

Remember to put the package on

the plane behind the baggage

compartment.

Ash.

We are discussing

the arrangements

for our business venture.

Excellent.

Thank you for coming, Walter.

Always a pleasure, Ash.

I'll tell Iris to

extend every courtesy.

Dimitri, take your

friend downstairs.

And Alexander?

Hmm?

Remove your head

from the bar and put

on some evening clothes.

ZACHARY NARRATING: A

vampire with a mortal ally

is master of both night and day.

The woman, Iris,

was a danger to me

and to the safety

of my resting place.

Ash invited me.

You are welcome here.

This way, please.

ZACHARY NARRATING:

Before me were

the spawn of Ash

co-mingling with mortals.

To purge this den would

be a bloody nightmare.

You are a stranger to my city.

You have stood between

me and my prey.

What is your name?

Zachary.

You stalk me.

What is it you seek?

The girl, Sofia.

Sofia is mine.

Release her to me, and

I shall leave in peace.

You are no hero.

The scent of death betrays you.

You are the hunter, the

scourge of our bloodline!

Fear him not, Ash.

It is you who will

strike the mortal blow.

Do not humiliate yourself.

You are no match for me.

Sit.

This is the Blade of

Laertes, a vampire slayer.

These symbols endowed

with magical powers.

It was mine once.

It was stolen from

me 700 years ago.

I offer you the blade

for the life of Sofia.

I claim the blade and the

life of Sofia, and your life

as well.

Our lives are

intertwined, Zachary.

Drink blood with me.

You heard the prophecy.

It is I who will prevail.

You are a pitiful creature.

You lust for blood, but your

heart cries out for mercy.

You deny your predatory nature.

I despise it, Ash,

but I do not deny it.

I am spawned from your

own cursed bloodline.

Who is your master?

I k*lled my master.

Let us strike a

bargain, Zachary,

in our mutual best interests.

I will give you sanctuary,

a willing consort

to feast upon this one night.

Tomorrow, you must leave

here and never look back.

If you agree to that,

I'll let you see Sofia.

All right.

I agree.

This is the largest underground

stronghold in Eastern Europe.

80 feet beneath the

city are labyrinth caves

with a dozen secret exits.

It was renovated

in the 18th century

by my predecessor and

master, Radu of Transylvania.

Here, we are free to pursue

our predilections with mortals

who appreciate the

pleasures of our gifts.

ZACHARY NARRATING: I followed

him into the heart of his lair.

He held me in his thrall.

Sofia was somewhere

close at hand,

but I was powerless

to act against him.

Drink without shame, Zachary.

She is a willing partner.

I leave you in peace.

Who is this stranger?

Why is he so sad?

He yearns for redemption,

but there is none.

Leave him be.

He is my plaything.

Kiss me.

I warn you, child.

Stand away from me.

Drink from me.

Take what you desire.

But please, spare my life.

Run from me, child.

I have no wish to

violate your flesh.

No.

Run from me!

Now!

Let me go, or I swear

to God I'll k*ll you.

Please, don't hurt me.

I have no wish to hurt you.

I offer you deliverance

from your pain.

My friends know I'm here.

They'll come looking for me.

I would welcome the diversion.

Sofia, to live forever is

life's most precious gift.

A priceless opportunity

to perfect your art

through the centuries.

Accept me as your

master, and you

will be an avatar

of the music world.

No!

Iris, I require more incense.

Then you shall

have it, Dimitri.

Ash, I must speak

with you at once.

Why do you disturb me?

Anton and Walter are

plotting to leave the country.

Where are they now?

Walter's in the brothel.

Anton's in his lair.

Tell Anton to meet me

above, and bring Walter

to us immediately.

You are my child, Anton.

My life blood courses

through your veins.

What compels you to defy me?

No, no, no.

Everything is taken

care of, Master.

Walter will make the

transfer immediately.

What reason is there to deceive

me when all that I possess,

all my comforts and

protections, are yours to share?

Have I not given you

all that I vowed?

Yes, Ash.

You are a man true to your word.

And you, Anton?

What good is your word to me?

I swear to you, there will

be no more irregularities.

Kiss my hand, Anton.

Declare your devotion.

You are my master, Ash.

Walter.

Please, join us.

Anton has made his

intentions clear to me.

The transfers will

be made tomorrow.

Iris can confirm

the transaction.

I am mortally

offended, gentlemen,

that you partake my

generosity and yet continue

to conspire against me.

No, Ash, we are

eager to cooperate.

Anton is being most generous.

In my opinion, he has no

legal obligation to you.

You, dear Anton,

disappoint me greatly.

And you, Walter, as a

practitioner of the legal arts,

are beneath my contempt.

No!

Both of you have

betrayed my trust.

Feast, Anton.

Have mercy, Master.

Please, he is my only friend.

Prove your devotion to me.

[SCREAMS]

You are my master, Ash.

Your cowardice is

a danger to us all.

All that I have given

you, I now take away.

Have mercy, Master.

There is no mercy, Anton.

Only darkness eternal.

You can't behave like

this in my nightclub.

I could not let them leave.

They would have exposed us.

And what happens now

when Walter's associates

call the police?

Witnesses can place

him here, and I'm

the one who must

face their questions.

You will deal with

it as you always

have, you and our

friends in high places.

What goes on in your

sanctuary is no concern to me.

But this?

This is where I draw the line.

Do not challenge me, Iris.

I have troubles enough.

I have been generous with you.

Do not betray me, or

I shall draw the line

across your throat.

b*stard.

CASSANDRA (OFFSCREEN):

I heard that.

Burn in Hell, Cassandra.

Master was

displeased with Anton,

as he grows displeased with you.

Anton tried to

gain his freedom.

Your master holds you

in eternal sl*very.

Stop that, Cassandra.

You're disgusting.

You are the disgusting one.

You are as guilty as we.

And yet, we shall live forever

while you grow old and ugly

and die.

How long have you

been Ash's protege?

Two centuries and a half.

Your reign as his

favorite one has ended.

Sofia has replaced

you in his affections.

Jealousy becomes you, Iris.

We joke amongst us how you

yearn for our master's kiss.

ZACHARY NARRATING: I

lay there in a reverie,

the innocent's blood like pins

and needles through my flesh.

I prayed for death to release

me from my oath of vengeance,

but God mocked my despair

with visions of Rebecca

and my last days of

happiness a century ago.

Absinthe and poetry were

my foolish passions.

Rebecca was my inspiration.

And Serena, the seductress

who stole my life from me.

I had tasted less than

one glass of her blood.

I needed little to sustain me.

And yet, she begged for more.

When can I venture into

the great night alone?

Patience, child.

There is still much

for you to learn.

Lie with me tonight.

I crave your affection.

Leave me, Cassandra.

My patience is short.

Master, I have a problem.

What is it, Dimitri?

I accidentally

k*lled my consort.

I'm sorry, Master.

I couldn't help myself.

Dispose what's left

of him in the pit.

But first, go to

the salon and help.

Iris dispose of

Anton and Walter.

Anton is dead?

How?

He betrayed my trust,

so I beheaded him.

My condolences, Master.

He was a vile man.

Go now.

Leave me in peace.

Sofia.

No.

Please.

Your friend Zachary

wishes to see you.

Zachary, here?

Come.

You must make yourself

more presentable.

No!

Sofia!

I have honored my

obligation to you.

No!

Sofia!

Sofia!

God damn you, Ash!

ZACHARY NARRATING:

My senses overwhelmed

by the innocent's

blood, I did not

hear them entering the chamber.

It was a moment of surrender

I would not repeat.

I searched for a crack in the

wall, a gap in the doorway

through which to escape.

But where no light can

enter, a shadow cannot pass.

Come on, Anton.

Don't be difficult.

Careful, it's hot.

Alas, poor Yorick.

Ow, brains!

Damn you, Anton!

Still making trouble.

Give me that, you idiot.

Careful, Iris.

Don't mess the floor.

Leave us, Dimitri.

Master, I'll be in

my lair freshening up.

Don't forget my incense, Iris.

This is the key

to Zachary's lair.

Tomorrow, when the

sun is at its zenith,

take his sleeping

body to the courtyard

and render him to dust.

I am not your

vampire slayer, Ash.

And from now on, I

want you to spare

me these intrigues of yours.

But this one favor

I'll do for you

if you give me

something in return.

Anything but what

you most desire.

The girl, Sofia... I

want you to k*ll her.

Do not mock me, Iris.

Sofia's life is more

precious to me than yours.

Oh, God, you're

in love with her.

What a poor, pitiful

Romeo you are.

As she grows stronger,

you grow weaker.

Destroy her, Ash, or

she'll be your ruin.

You have spirit, Sofia,

and a fierce will to live.

They will serve you well

in the centuries to come.

The hour has arrived to taste

the blood of your master.

No!

Please, don't!

I will have you, Sofia.

Embrace me willingly,

and I vow not

to spoil that

portion of your soul

which is the wellspring

of your artistry.

No!

I beg of you, Sofia.

I have no wish to defile

the music in your heart.

Stop!

You will be mine forever.

Zachary.

I'm sorry, my beloved.

Come to me.

Our lives can be redeemed.

Ahh!

Let go of me!

Where's Ash?

I said, let go of me!

Where's Sofia?

Take me to her!

I'll point you to his lair,

into the secret tunnels.

But first, you must

agree on three things.

I could k*ll you right now for

delivering her into his hands.

Oh, that would be

a foolish waste.

What are your conditions?

First, you must promise

not to betray my confidence.

You have my word.

Second, you must take Sofia

and leave this country never

to return.

I will leave when Ash and all

of his bloodline are destroyed.

I will not stand

between Ash and his fate.

Sofia, you rest at the

threshold of mortality.

Tell me your desire,

life or death?

Life.

Will you take me

as your master,

honor and obey me

until eternity?

Yes.

My blood will

suffuse you with life.

You are mine now, Sofia.

Cry, Sofia.

Let your sadness pass.

May I help you?

ZACHARY NARRATING: I had no

blade to finish him with,

so I did the next best thing.

I was too late.

She had tasted his blood.

He was immersed in her, which

gave me a moment's advantage.

Zachary!

Come with me!

Master, you're wounded!

Go after them, Cassandra.

Lead me to them.

I'm too weak to fly.

Yes, Master.

Do not falter, Sofia.

Keep moving.

I can't!

It hurts!

It is the coming of the dawn.

We must find shelter.

CASSANDRA (OFFSCREEN):

Master, this way.

Zachary!

Deliver Sofia to me, and I

promise you safe passage.

I can't go on!

I'm dying!

You must keep moving!

[SOBS]

Sofia, come to me!

You'll make a pretty

prize for my master.

Sofia, come to me.

The dawn approaches,

and soon it will

be too late to seek sanctuary.

Strike the first

blow, Cassandra.

Deliver me from

the hands of fate.

[SCREAMS]

Zachary, help me!

We must find a

resting place quickly.

Quickly!

Inside here.

We will lie here today.

Tonight, we'll find

a safer sanctuary.

Thank you, Zachary.

Do not thank me, Sofia.

I brought you no salvation.

Why?

What's going to happen to me?

Only one thing is for certain.

Never again will you feel

the warmth of the sun.

ZACHARY NARRATING: I had

stolen her from Ash's lair.

I could offer her protection,

teach her to survive.

But I was not her true master.

Her life, like mine, would

be an endless nightmare.