Frankenstein By Nick Dear Based on the novel by Mary Shelley Characters: The Creature Victor Victor Frankenstein, a scientist Gretel a prostitute Gustav a bear !laus a bear De "acey a blind #an Feli$ his son %atha his dauhter&in&la' The Fe#ale Creature (li)abeth "aven)a Victor*s +iance Clarice -er #aid .illia# .illia# Frankenstein Victor*s Victor*s brother Monsieur Frankenstein Victor*s Victor*s +ather ('an an /rkney islander 0ab -is nephe' % Constable To'nspeople /+ 1nolstadt Servants o+ the Frankenstein household SC(N( /N( Europe, around around 1818 Darkness. There’s There’s the sound of a heartbeat. BOM-BOOM. Then another heartbeat, then another: BOM-BOOM. BOM-BOOM. Sudden flash of brilliant hite li!ht. There is a "erti#al fra$e on hi#h so$ethin! like a hu$an for$ is suspended. %t $o"es. &ubber tubes, like drips, are are inserted into it at "arious points. Ba#k to darkness BOM-BOOM. BOM-BOOM. BOM-BOOM. 'nother blast of li!ht. Stru!!lin! to free free hi$self is the (reature, (reature, ho is naked and leakin! blood as he rips the tubes out o ut of his "eins. BOM-BOOM. BOM-BOOM. Then darkness. )i!ht: the (reature (reature has !ot don fro$ the fra$e. *e s+uats on the floor. floor. *e see$s #onfused. *e has no spee#h and his $o"e$ents are errati#. Spurts of blood #o$e fro$ fro$ the sutures in his skin. %t !oes dark a!ain. o e realie hat’s hat’s happenin!: it !ets li!ht hen he opens his ees. The (reature (reature see$s to realise this too. *e puts a hand #lu$sil to his e e. *e holds it open. %t stas li!ht. *e lets his hand fall and his ee #loses a!ain. %t !ets dark. /ith /ith both hands he for#es his ees open and holds the$ open. %t !ets li!ht and it stas stas li!ht. SC(N( T./ The (reature #rals a#ross a#ross the floor. floor. *e is in a din! !arret. *e hauls hi$self shakil to his feet. *e stru!!les to keep his balan#e and take a fe steps.
*e falls. *e lies still. Then he tries a!ain. *e pads ba#k and forth un#ertainl, takin! harsh little little breaths. *e is $ade in the i$a!e of a $an, as if b an a$ateur !od. 'll the parts and there, but the neurolo!i#al pathas are unorthodo0, the $us#ular $o"e$ents odd, the bod and the brain un#oordinated. *e li#ks at the blood on his skin. SC(N( T-0(( The (reature plas ith a kettle, sittin! on the floor. floor. *e #hes it and ban!s it. The (reature spins like a top, on his tailbone, pushin! hi$self round round and round and round. 'nd round round and round so$e $ore. *e stands, and is di. di. *e falls o"er. o"er. *e lau!hs. ' $an is approa#hin! slol and #autiousl: i#tor i#tor 2rankenstein, late tenties. *e ears a lon! #loak. *e at#hes the (reature intentl. intentl. i#tor !oes #lose to the (reature, (reature, ho doesn’t doesn’t see hi$ at first. i#tor is #urious, but then repulsed b the filth, sli$ bein! spraled in front of hi$. The (reature turns and sees i#tor. i#tor. *e rea#hes out to hi$, babblin! in#oherentl. *e !i"es a !hastl s$ile. i#tor i#tor is appalled. *e ba#ks off. The (reature pursues i#tor, $o"in! siftl a#ross the floor. V1CT/0 : No2keep a'ay2no2 a'ay2no2 The (reature !ets to his feet-and no i#tor is orried. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : -a'uurh4 -a'uurh 4 V1CT/0 : Do as 1 say4 The (reature lun!es at i#tor i#tor,, as if to e$bra#e hi$, or $abe to stran!le hi$-ho knos3 i#tor pani#s. *e has nothin! ith hi#h to defend hi$self. *e pulls the #loak fro$ his shoulders and thros it o"er the the (reature, (reature, and runs fro$ the buildin!. Blinded, the (reatures (reatures roars, spinnin! round and round, #onfused. *e p ulls the #loak fro$ his head. But i#tor i#tor is !one. SC(N( F/30 i!ht. The (reature (reature $akes his a throu!h the streets streets of %n!olstadt---an earl- industrial industrial lands#apes, s$o!! and stran!e. *e’s *e’s rapped in the #loak, the #ol #o"erin! his head. 4nderneath he is naked. There are stran!e noises---sounds of for!es, for!es, fa#tories, #oa#hes, ani$als. Ele#tri#it is in the air5 e e see prototpes of ne $a#hines. The (reature (reature is lost lost and #onfused. There are passers-b, passers-b, but the i!nore hi$. *e passes a ta"ern. ' !roup !roup of tons$en are sin!in!, drinkin! $u!s of beer. beer. This s#ares the (reature (reature and he runs aa. Then there is a sound hi#h arrests hi$: a o$an is s#rea$in!. G0(T(" : -elp4 -elp4 -elp4 The (reature stops and listens. The passers-b slip aa . *e is alone on the street. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : -nunh5 -nunh 5
*e falls. *e lies still. Then he tries a!ain. *e pads ba#k and forth un#ertainl, takin! harsh little little breaths. *e is $ade in the i$a!e of a $an, as if b an a$ateur !od. 'll the parts and there, but the neurolo!i#al pathas are unorthodo0, the $us#ular $o"e$ents odd, the bod and the brain un#oordinated. *e li#ks at the blood on his skin. SC(N( T-0(( The (reature plas ith a kettle, sittin! on the floor. floor. *e #hes it and ban!s it. The (reature spins like a top, on his tailbone, pushin! hi$self round round and round and round. 'nd round round and round so$e $ore. *e stands, and is di. di. *e falls o"er. o"er. *e lau!hs. ' $an is approa#hin! slol and #autiousl: i#tor i#tor 2rankenstein, late tenties. *e ears a lon! #loak. *e at#hes the (reature intentl. intentl. i#tor !oes #lose to the (reature, (reature, ho doesn’t doesn’t see hi$ at first. i#tor is #urious, but then repulsed b the filth, sli$ bein! spraled in front of hi$. The (reature turns and sees i#tor. i#tor. *e rea#hes out to hi$, babblin! in#oherentl. *e !i"es a !hastl s$ile. i#tor i#tor is appalled. *e ba#ks off. The (reature pursues i#tor, $o"in! siftl a#ross the floor. V1CT/0 : No2keep a'ay2no2 a'ay2no2 The (reature !ets to his feet-and no i#tor is orried. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : -a'uurh4 -a'uurh 4 V1CT/0 : Do as 1 say4 The (reature lun!es at i#tor i#tor,, as if to e$bra#e hi$, or $abe to stran!le hi$-ho knos3 i#tor pani#s. *e has nothin! ith hi#h to defend hi$self. *e pulls the #loak fro$ his shoulders and thros it o"er the the (reature, (reature, and runs fro$ the buildin!. Blinded, the (reatures (reatures roars, spinnin! round and round, #onfused. *e p ulls the #loak fro$ his head. But i#tor i#tor is !one. SC(N( F/30 i!ht. The (reature (reature $akes his a throu!h the streets streets of %n!olstadt---an earl- industrial industrial lands#apes, s$o!! and stran!e. *e’s *e’s rapped in the #loak, the #ol #o"erin! his head. 4nderneath he is naked. There are stran!e noises---sounds of for!es, for!es, fa#tories, #oa#hes, ani$als. Ele#tri#it is in the air5 e e see prototpes of ne $a#hines. The (reature (reature is lost lost and #onfused. There are passers-b, passers-b, but the i!nore hi$. *e passes a ta"ern. ' !roup !roup of tons$en are sin!in!, drinkin! $u!s of beer. beer. This s#ares the (reature (reature and he runs aa. Then there is a sound hi#h arrests hi$: a o$an is s#rea$in!. G0(T(" : -elp4 -elp4 -elp4 The (reature stops and listens. The passers-b slip aa . *e is alone on the street. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : -nunh5 -nunh 5
o e see 6retel, a prostitute, prostitute, bein! beaten up b her #lient in a dark alle. G0(T(" : 6lease, help #e4 #e4 So#eone4 The (reature doesn’t doesn’t kno ho to respond. *e turns this a and that. 6retel is bein! thron about b her hair. hair. The (reature (reature alks slol toards the$ and at#hes ith #uriosit. 6retel sees hi$. G0(T(" : /h, thank you, #ister, #ister, thank thank you4 The #lient looks round and sees the (reature (reature behind hi$. The (reature raises both hands in the air and spins round and round. %t’s %t’s s#ar-unintentionall so. The #lient du$ps 6retel on the !round and runs. She pi#ks herself up and dusts don her skirts. She doesn’t doesn’t !et a !ood look at the (reature et. G0(T(" : /ne ood turn deserves another an other77 .ant .ant to co#e 'ith #e5 1*ve ot o t 'ine7 .e .e can drink7 She si!s fro$ a fla!on of ine, and be#kons hi$. G0(T(" : Co#e closer7 closer7 .hat*s .hat*s your na#e5 1*# Gretel7 The (reature (reature !oes to her and i$$ediatel drops to his knees and puts his nose to her "a!ina and sniffs, hard. G0(T(" : -ere, 'hat are you playin at5 Give us a kiss, at least4 least4 Christ4 6retel pulls hi$ to his feet and pushes ba#k the #ol fro$ his head. She !oes to kiss hi$---but then she sees his fa#e. She !asps, and takes a step ba#kards. The (reature stands ith his ar$s at his sides, s$ilin!. 6retel ba#ks aa slol, slol, trin! to sta as #al$ as she #an. G0(T(" : 1*# not oin to screa#7 1*# 8ust oin to 'alk a'ay7 %ll riht, #ister5 9ust 'alkin a'ay7 a'ay7 %ll riht5 2inall 6retel turns and runs. runs. The (reature (reature doesn’t doesn’t noti#e. *e’s *e’s bus e0a$inin! the ine she left behind. *e takes a si!. *e spits it out: it’s it’s dis!ustin!. SC(N( F1V( The (reature is on the outskirts of the ton. Do!s bark. *e turns to look ba#k. %n the distan#e e #an see the li!hts and toers of %n!olstadt. Se"eral tons$en run toards hi$. The keep their distan#e. The (reature stares at the$ un#ertainl. M%N : There it is4 The thro stones at hi$, and he turns and runs. SC(N( S1 Dan. (ountrside. The (reature (reature is asleep on the !round, rapped in the #loak. *e akes, stiffl. stiffl. *e $oans and sits up.
*e stands and looks around. The #loak falls and he is naked. Sunli!ht plas throu!h throu!h the lea"es. The birds sin!. *e #lut#hes at bea$s of li!ht. *e lau!hs. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : -uh, huh4 *e’s *e’s 'da$ in the 6arden of Eden---an Eden---an inno#ent. *e listens to the birdson!. *e tries tries to flap his in!s. *e i$itates birdson!. birdson!. &ain falls. The !entle tou#h of $oisture pleases hi$. *e ashes hi$self in the rain. *e dries hi$self ith his #loak. SC(N( S(V(N The (reature (reature anders throu!h the oods. *e has a #olle#tion of thin!s to eat, hi#h he tries one b one. Sti#ks are not "er ni#e. /eeds /eeds are #he. Best of all are berries. 7ui#e runs don his #hin. SC(N( (1G-T The (reature sits under a tree. *e fid!ets. *e’s bored. %n the po#ket of his #loak he finds a battered notebook: 2rankenstein’s 2rankenstein’s ournal. *e looks at the ritin! fro$ se"eral different "iepoints but it re$ains $eanin!less. *e stuffs it ba#k into his po#ket. *e stands and addresses us: a spee#h of #onfusion and so$eti$es so$eti$es distress, but ithout ithout a#tual ords. ' solilo+u of !runts and ails. C0(%T30( C0(%T30( : .urrh&ah&ah4 .urrh&ah&ah 4 . .urh, urh, 'urh7 'urh 7 Chick chick7 chic k7 %'ah5 %'ah5 ;aya ;aya yaya4 yaya 4 ;uh4 ;uh4 See$in! to ha"e $ade his point, he lea"es. SC(N( N1N( i!ht. ' be!!ar, be!!ar, 6usta", 6usta", #o$es throu!h the oods. G3ST%V G3ST%V
!"%3S : 1 #et a 'o#an in %usbur once, her husband 'as a baker7 1 hun around %usbur +or a very lon ti#e7 G3ST%V : Nice place, %usbur7 !"%3S : Very nice place7 .elco#in7 The (reature approa#hes, dran to the fireli!ht. C0(%T30( : Gnnah7 The be!!ars leap to their feet. The (reature ad"an#es toards the$. The pull ba#k, s#ared. G3ST%V : .hat*s that5 .hat is it5 !"%3S : 1 don*t kno'4 G3ST%V <'avin his ar#s=: 6iss o++4 Buer o++4 !"%3S : .atch out4 C0(%T30( : Gnnah4 Gnnah4 The (reature points to the pan of food han!in! o"er the fire. !"%3S : 0un4 >uick4 G3ST%V : But the +ood&&& !"%3S : "eave it, Gustav4 0un4 G3ST%V : % #onster4 6iss o++4 Buer o++4 !"%3S : "ook at the state o+ hi#4 G3ST%V : 0un4 The be!!ars run aa. The (reature tries to pi#k up the pan, but it’s hot and burns his hand. *e elps ith pain. But he ants the food. *e e0peri$ents ith the ooden spoon. *e finds that ith it he #an brin! food to his $outh. *e eats. o he e0a$ines the fire. %t’s ni#e. But hen he puts his hand in it, it’s not ni#e. *e sees that the be!!ars ha"e left their knapsa#ks behind. *e pulls out the #ontent--- tattered #lothes, a ball of strin!, a pipe, a Bible. one of these $ean $u#h to hi$. *e lies don b the fire and !oes to sleep. SC(N( T(N Mornin!. The (reature akes to the sound of the to be!!ars ellin!. The run at hi$, brandishin! sti#ks. !"%3S : There he is4 Get hi#4 The atta#k the (reature and beat hi$ sa"a!el. C0(%T30( : .aaah4 G3ST%V : 1*ll teach you to scare us4 !"%3S : (at our supper4 G3ST%V : No' piss o++, you uly bastard4 !"%3S : %nd don*t co#e back4 The dri"e the (reature aa. The be!!ars #olle#t up their belon!in!s and e0it hurriedl.
SC(N( ("(V(N Deep in the oods, the (reature hols ith pain. *e is an!r and #onfused. *e spins round and round, shriekin! in an!uish. SC(N( T.("V( De )a#e’s #otta!e. 2eli0, his son, !uides blind De )a#e to his #hair, as his dau!hter- in-la '!atha pla#es food on the table. %G%T-% : 1*# leavin your +ood on the table7 %nd there*s so#e #ilk7 D( "%C(; : Thank you, #y dear7 ;ou treat #e 'ell7 F("1 : .e*re oin to 'ork, Father7 .e*ll be back at niht+all7 %G%T-%
De )a#e leans his !uitar a!ainst the all. The (reature see$s to !rasp that he’s not in dan!er. D( "%C(; : ;ou*ve no reason to har# #e7 1 'on*t hurt you7 1 can*t see you7 1 don*t +iht on any side7 Go on, citi)en, take the +ood7 C0(%T30( : -nnarh5 De )a#e indi#ates the table. The (reature stuffs food in his $outh. D( "%C(; : Can*t you talk5 Maybe you can*t7 1t*s nothin to be asha#ed o+7 "ook at #e?1*# blind7 There 'as a cannonball and 1 @ 1 'ent blind7 No' #y son looks a+ter #e7 ;ou look a+ter the# 'hen they*re little, they look a+ter you 'hen you*re old7 That*s the 'ay it is7 But 'e +ell on hard ti#es, 'hen the soldiers ca#e throuh7 .hen people are not oppressed, they*re +ull o+ brotherly loveA but 'hen ti#es are hard2'ell, then you +ind out 'ho your +riends are, don*t you5 The (reature, ha"in! finished the food, pi#ks up the !uitar. *e tries #lu$sil to stru$ it, but ust $akes a horrible noise. *e #las hopelessl at the strin!s, then #ries out in frustration. C0(%T30( : .aaarh4 6isso++ buero++4 D( "%C(; : 1 be your pardon5 C0(%T30( : 6isso++ buero++4 The (reature plonks the !uitar don in De )a#e’s lap. D( "%C(; : /h, you 'ant #usic5 ;ou 'ant so#e #ore #usic5 C0(%T30( : M#2#oo2 D( "%C(; : Music7 1t*s a i+t +ro# God7 Go on7 Say it7 Music7 C0(%T30( : Moo2sic2 D( "%C(; : ;ou see, you pluck the strins, like this2 De )a#e plas the !uitar. The (reature listens, transported. SC(N( T-10T((N '!atha and 2eli0 sur"e the top field. 2eli0 #arries a hoe o"er his shoulder. %G%T-% : "ook at the stones4 The +ield is +ull o+ the#4 F("1 : 1*# sorry, %atha7 1t has to be cleared7 1 can*t plouh until it*s done7 %G%T-% : /h 'ell?the sooner 1 start4 She s$iles and kisses 2eli0. 2eli0 e0its. '!atha be!ins to ork. She sin!s. She has the feelin! that she’s bein! at#hed. But hen she looks around, she #an’t see anone. '!atha re$ains orkin! in the field as e #ut ba#k to: SC(N( F/30T((N The #otta!e. The (reature and De )a#e sit to!ether at the table. The ha"e paper and #har#oal pen#ils before the$. De )a#e s#rals a letter and the (reature i$itates hi$. D( "%C(; : 6uh7 C0(%T30( : 6uh7 D( "%C(; : %h7
C0(%T30( : %h7 D( "%C(; : 0uh7 C0(%T30( : 0uh7 D( "%C(; : %h7 C0(%T30( : %h7 D( "%C(; : Duh7 C0(%T30( : Duh7 D( "%C(; : %ye7 C0(%T30( : %ye7 D( "%C(; : Sss7 C0(%T30( : Sss7 D( "%C(; : (h7 C0(%T30( : (h7 De )a#e puts don his #har#oal. D( "%C(; : 6ara? C0(%T30( : 6ara? D( "%C(; : && dise7 6aradise7 .rite it out7 The (reature rites. C0(%T30( : 6aradise7 My like7 Nice 'ord7 De )a#e rea#hes out to tou#h his fa#e. The (reature flin#hes. D( "%C(; : Don*t be a+raid7 This is ho' 1 see7 6lease5 De )a#e feels the (reature’s head. The (reature is at first tense, but then rela0es. C0(%T30( : Gurrurrh, eheh7 D( "%C(; : My, you have been in the 'ars7 .hat happened to you5 .here are you +ro#5 .here are your #other and +ather5 The (reature has lost interest, and #on#entrates happil on his ritin!. C0(%T30( : 6ar&a&dise7 -nah4 De )a#e si!hs. The sta in the #otta!e as e #ut ba#k to: SC(N( F1FT((N The fields. '!atha is in hi!h e0#ite$ent. %G%T-% : Feli$4 Feli$4 2eli0 runs to her. F("1 : .hat is it5 %G%T-% : "ook, 8ust look4
2eli0 sur"es the field, and !asps. F("1 : But that*s? %G%T-% : 1t*s incredible4 1t*s a #iracle4 F("1 : /r #aic7 %G%T-% : (very stone is one4 (very one4 F("1 : .e can till the soil4 %G%T-% : .e can so'7 F("1 : -elp #e hitch up the plouh4 The e0it. /e #ut ba#k to: SC(N( S1T((N The #otta!e. /eeks later. De )a#e and the (reature. The (reature is distra#ted b the sno sirlin! outside the indo. C0(%T30( : .hite4 .hat5 .hite4 .hat5 D( "%C(; : .here5 C0(%T30( : 1n the air4 D( "%C(; : That*s sno'7 1t*s not very interestin?a natural pheno#enon, no #ore7 No' please stop leapin about, 'e need to concentrate7 C0(%T30( : Sno'4 Sno'4 D( "%C(; : Sit4 .e*ve 'ork to do7 The (reature sits at a pile of books, rather !ru$pil. D( "%C(; : Thank you7 Today: oriinal sin7 C0(%T30( <'ritin 'ith a sco'l=: /riinal sin7 D( "%C(; : There are t'o school o+ thouht7 /ne says that 'e are all #ade i#per+ect, and reuire the assistance o+ a hiher authority?a deity?to overco#e the sin o+ bein born7 The other school o+ thouht?to 'hich 1 subscribe?insists that 'hen 'e leave the 'o#b 'e are pure, that a babe in ar#s is untainted by sin, that evil is the product o+ social +orces, and that God has nothin to do 'ith ho' a #an turns out, be it ood or be it bad7 C0(%T30( : Me not do bad thins7 D( "%C(; : 1 kno' you do not do bad thins7 ;ou have a ood heart7 1 kno' that7 C0(%T30( : .hy #y hunry5 D( "%C(; : (h5 C0(%T30( : .hy #y hunry5 .hy no +ood +or #e5 D( "%C(; : 1 ive you hal+ o+ #y +ood7 C0(%T30( : Still hunry7 D( "%C(; : 1t is the condition o+ #en to be hunry7 C0(%T30( <8abbin a +iner at his books=: Not kins4 Not e#perors4 D( "%C(;
D( "%C(; : ;ou have never told #e your na#e7 C0(%T30( : Gnaaah4 Never heard7 Not kno'7 D( "%C(; : ;ou are a poor lost thin7 C0(%T30( : "ost thin7 D( "%C(; : But 1 have tauht you ho' to speak4 -o' to read4 There is hope7 .ho kno's 'hat you #ay acco#plish5 C0(%T30(
F("1 <'hispers=: Faerie +olk7 %G%T-% : Faerie +olk5 F("1 : "ittle people4 (lves and sprites4
uestions but no ans'ers7 .ho a# 15 .here a# 1 +ro#5 Do 1 have a +a#ily5 D( "%C(; : ;ou have us7 My son 'ill not turn you a'ay, 1 pro#ise you7 Co#e alon and say hello to
hi#7 C0(%T30( : No4 D( "%C(; : But 'hy not5 1t*s a si#ple reuest7 .hat is your&&5 The (reature suddenl sho"es De )a#e and lea"es his side. C0(%T30( : Do not reuest it aain7 De )a#e sta!!ers, and re#o"er his balan#e. But he #annot see here he is. The (reature keeps his distan#e. C0(%T30( : 1 have been readin 6lutarch7 The "ives o+ the (#perors7 D( "%C(; : %h yes, the +ounders o+ the ancient 0o#e?#en 'ho sho'ed that the 'orld could be i#proved4 C0(%T30( : .hy do #en live in herds in cities5 1 cannot i#aine a city7 1 cannot i#aine 0o#e4 The nu#bers are too reat7 D( "%C(; : .e band toether to help one another, and do ood7 C0(%T30( : But then you #assacre each other4 D( "%C(; : ;es, it*s inconsistent7 The (reature spins round a #ouple of ti$es. C0(%T30( : 1 do not like inconsistent4 .hy #ust it be so5 D( "%C(; : 1 don*t kno'7 %s you et older, you 'ill learn to? C0(%T30(
dan#e unlike anthin! ou $i!ht ha"e seen before. SC(N( T.(NT; Su$$er. De )a#e’s #otta!e. *e and the (reature are at the table. The (reature has 2rankenstein’s ournal open in front of hi$. C0(%T30( : 1 ran +ro# a buildin7 1t 'as dark7 1 'as +rihtened7 D( "%C(; : 1s that all you can re#e#ber5 C0(%T30( : 1 do not kno' ho' to re#e#ber7 D( "%C(; : But you have a #e#ory, you have re#e#brance? C0(%T30( : But ho' is it done5 .hat is the process5 D( "%C(; : 1 don*t kno' ho' it*s done4 C0(%T30( : Then ho' a# 1 doin it5 D( "%C(; : 1 do not kno'4 ;ou ran +ro# a buildin5 %nd this 'as in 1nolstadt5 But the author o+ this 8ournal says he*s +ro#? C0(%T30( : Geneva7 -e says he*s +ro# Geneva7 <0eads +ro# the +ront pae7= Victor Frankenstein, citi)en o+ Geneva?* D( "%C(; : Frankenstein5 *e shakes his head. C0(%T30( : .here is Geneva5 D( "%C(; : To the south and 'est, #any days* ride7 0ead on7 C0(%T30( : 6reparin a +ra#e +or the e$peri#ent, 'ith all its intricacies o+ +ibres, #uscles and veins, is a 'ork o+ reat di++iculty7 Should 1 atte#pt the creation o+ a bein like #ysel+, or on e o+ si#pler orani)ation5* D( "%C(; : % bein like #ysel+*5 #eanin 'hat5 % #an, a 'o#an5 C0(%T30( : De "acey?1 see thins in #y sleep4 D( "%C(; : They are called drea#s7 .hat did you see5 C0(%T30( : So#eone4 -er hair 'as lon2and her eyes 'ere? D( "%C(; : 1t 'as a ood drea#5 C0(%T30( : 1t 'as pleasin4 1s that ood5 D( "%C(; : % ood drea# doesn*t #ean it 'as #orally ood7 1t only #eans it 'asn*t a bad drea#7 C0(%T30( <'orried=: There are bad drea#s5 2eli0 and '!atha are approa#hin! the #otta!e. '!atha is hea"il pre!nant. %G%T-%
D( "%C(; : 1*# here4
%G%T-% : But it 'asn*t a #an4 D( "%C(; : .hat have 1 done5 Dear God, 'hat have 1 done5 SC(N( T.(NT;&/N( The (reature enters #arrin! aloft a blain! firebrand. *e dan#es a ar dan#e. *is an!er $akes hi$ inarti#ulate. C0(%T30( : 3h rr uh4 .ayaarh4 .ayaarh4 *e approa#hes De )a#e’s #otta!e. C0(%T30( : .hat do they do 'hen they +eel like this5 -eroes, 0o#ans?'hat do they do5 1 kno'7 They plot7 They revene7 *e sets fire to the #otta!e. ' all of fla$e sprin!s up. C0(%T30( : 1 s'eep to #y revene4 De )a#e, 2eli0 and '!atha are #onsu$ed b the fla$es. The s#rea$ for help. The (reature ba#ks aa. The #otta!ers burn. SC(N( T.(NT;&T./ B the shore of a lake. Sno-#apped $ountains in the distan#e. Se"eral o$en enter at a run. The are Eliabeth )a"ena, tenties, her $aid (lari#e, and h ouse$aids. ("1%B(T- :
-ide4 -ide4
The run and hide, !i!!lin!. 'll e0it as /illia$, a oun! bo, enters. *e ears a sailor suit ith a hat. *e has the heels of hands pushed into his ees and is spinnin! round and #ountin!. .1""1%M : T'enty&+our, t'enty&+ive, t'enty&si$2Get ready, everyone4 T'enty&seven, t'enty&eiht, t'enty&nine, t'enty&nine and a hal+?thirty4 0eady or not, 1*# co#in4 <-e staers7= /ops, 1*# iddy4 <-e lauhs7= ;ou*d better be 'ell hidden4 The (reature has entered behind /illia$. C0(%T30( : -ello7 Boy7 .1""1%M : ;es, sir5 /illia$ starts to turn around. C0(%T30( : No4 Don*t turn around7 .1""1%M : .hat5 C0(%T30( : 1 said don*t turn around4 6lease don*t4 .1""1%M : Very 'ell, sir7 C0(%T30( : .here a# 15 .1""1%M : Near Geneva7 C0(%T30( : Geneva5 .1""1%M : ;es, sir7 The lake?can*t you see it5 1t*s there4
The (reature sees the lake and is pleased. C0(%T30( : The lake7 -o' it listens4 @ 1*ve co#e a lon 'ay7 .alkin at niht7 Fish in the strea#s7 Do you +ish5 .1""1%M : /h, yes4 C0(%T30( : .hat do you catch5 .hat bait do you use5 .1""1%M : 1 should o to #y +riends7 .e*re playin4 The (reature steals up behind /illia$ and holds hi$ ti!ht. C0(%T30( : Guess 'ho 1 a#7 .1""1%M : %re you a +riend o+ the +a#ily*s5 C0(%T30( : ;es7 .1""1%M : Then you*re a 8ude, or a #inister, perhaps7 C0(%T30( : 1 a# a 8ude7 /illia$ tries to turn around. C0(%T30( : Don*t look4 .1""1%M : .hat5 C0(%T30( : Don*t look at #e4 .1""1%M : 1 shan*t7 C0(%T30( : .hat*s your na#e5 .1""1%M : .illia#7 .hat*s yours, sir5 C0(%T30( : ;ou can be #y +riend, .illia#7 .e could o hikin7 .e could cli#b those #ountains over there4 .1""1%M : Cli#b Mont Blanc5 C0(%T30( : ;es4 .1""1%M : Great4 C0(%T30( : "et*s o, +riend4 .1""1%M : No, 1*# not allo'ed7 Sorry7 Father 'ould be anry7 C0(%T30( : Foret hi#7 Co#e 'ith #e7 "et*s cli#b Mont Blanc4 .1""1%M : 1*d like to, but 1 can*t7 C0(%T30( : .e #ust be +riends7 (veryone has +riends7 .1""1%M : 1 have to +ind #y +ather4 "et #e o4 "et #e o4 /illia$ stru!!les. C0(%T30( : 1 'ill release you i+ you ans'er #y uestion7 .1""1%M : .hat is it5 C0(%T30( : 1 seek a #an called Frankenstein7 -ave you heard o+ hi#5 .1""1%M : That*s #y na#e4 C0(%T30( : ;ou5 Frankenstein5 Suddenl "er #urious, the (reature lets /illia$ !o. /illia$ turns, looks, and ells. .1""1%M : %arh4 ;ou*re uly4 "eave #e alone4 /illia$ tries to run, but the (reature #at#hes hi$.
C0(%T30( : Victor Frankenstein5 -e is your +ather5 .1""1%M : No4 Victor*s #y brother4 C0(%T30( : .here is he5 .1""1%M : -e*s at ho#e, he*s al'ays at ho#e @ C0(%T30( : Can 1 see hi#5 .1""1%M : No, o+ course you can*t4 C0(%T30( : .e #ust be +riends, .illia#7 .e*ll cli#b those #ountains7 0iht to the top7 %+ter you take #e to Victor7 .1""1%M : No4 ;ou*re revoltin4 C0(%T30( : .hat is he5 .hat does he do5 .1""1%M : -e*s a scholar, a enius4 C0(%T30( : .as he ever in 1nolstadt5 .1""1%M : ;es, he studied there, he*s co#e ho#e to #arry (li)abeth, but he*s silly, he never leaves his roo#4 -e*s #issin everythin4 C0(%T30( : ;ou 'ill brin hi# to #e7 Co#e7 .1""1%M : No4 1 shan*t4 C0(%T30( : Co#e7 The (reature pi#ks up the stru!!lin! /illia$. .1""1%M : My +ather*s a #aistrate4 -e*ll punish you +or this7 ;ou*ll o to prison4 -elp4 C0(%T30( : >uiet, boy7 The (reature !a!s hi$. *e $akes off toards the $ountains. SC(N( T.(NT;&T-0(( The sa$e pla#e, so$e ti$e later. %t’s no ni!ht. Ser"ants of the 2rankenstein household enter, sear#hin!. The #arr fla$in! tor#hes. S(0V%NTS : .illia#4 .illia#4 The are oined b Monsieur 2rankenstein, i#tor’s father, and Eliabeth and (lari#e. M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : This is 'here you 'ere playin5 ("1%B(T-
M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : Victor, it doesn*t help anybody 'hen you beco#e aitated @ V1CT/0 : -e*s #y brother4 "et #e 8oin the search4 1 #ust4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N
S(0V%NTS : Monsieur4 Co#e and see4 /n the lake4 E"erone runs to the shore. M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : .hat is it5 S(0V%NT E : %n open boat4 But see @ it*s dri+tin aainst the current4 ("1%B(T- : That*s i#possible4 S(0V%NT : %ainst the 'ind4 ("1%B(T- : 1s so#eone pullin it5 S(0V%NT : No, no one4 V1CT/0 : 1s there anyone aboard5 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : -aul it in4 The Ser"ants ade into the lake and dra! a s$all boat ba#k on to the shore. E"erone runs to it. i#tor #li$bs in. V1CT/0 : .illia#4 C"%01C( : 1s it the child5 ("1%B(T- : /h, please, no4 i#tor lifts /illia$’s lifeless bod fro$ the boat. >apers torn fro$ i#tor’s ournal flutter fro$ the bod = dia!ra$s and e+uations. V1CT/0 : -e*s dead, Father7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : 1s it hi#5 C"%01C( : %nels in heaven4 "ittle .illia#4 -ave #ercy on h is soul4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : My boy7 Give #e #y boy7 i#tor passes /illia$ into his father ’s ar$s. (lari#e pras. Eliabeth is studin! the ournal pa!es. ("1%B(T- : .hat are these papers5 Victor5 1t looks like your hand7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : "et #e see7
i#tor as#ends Mont Blan#. ' sno asteland, hi!h in the 'lps. V1CT/0 : %re you here5 .here are you5 %re you here5 *is #ape billos in the holin! ind. *e has a stout sti#k. V1CT/0 : .here are you5 Sho' yoursel+, you #onstrous thin4 There is a sound like a !reat e0halation of breath, as the !la#ier shudders and shifts. Throu!h the snostor$ the (reature is suddenl "isible, standin! "er still on the i#e. *e $akes a !reat leap toards i#tor. V1CT/0 : My God4 Muscular coordination @ hand and eye @ e$cellent tissue @ per+ect balance4 %nd the sutures have held4 1 +ailed to #ake it handso#e, but 1 ave it strenth and race7 i#tor #ir#les the (reature. The (reature si"els to keep an ee on hi$. V1CT/0 : .hat an achieve#ent4 3nsurpassed in scienti+ic endeavour4 God, the #adness o+ that niht @ the heat, the s'eat, the in+usions, the #o#ent 'hen 1 sa' it cra'l to'ards #e, and 1 @ and 1 @ C0(%T30( : ;ou ran a'ay7 V1CT/0 : .hat5 C0(%T30( : ;ou abandoned #e7 V1CT/0
V1CT/0 : ;ou killed #y brother4 ;ou did it, not #e4 @ 1 curse the day 'hen you dre' breath7 Since then 1*ve lived in darkness7 C0(%T30( : 1s this the reion, this the soil, the cli#e, Said then the lost %rchanel, this the seat That 'e #ust chane +or -eaven, this #ourn+ul loo# For that celestial liht5* V1CT/0
V1CT/0 : 1 'on*t arue 'ith you4 My God, 1*# hal+'ay up a #ountain, debatin 'ith a @ a @ C0(%T30( : % livin creature4 V1CT/0 : % nothin, a +ilthy #ass o+ nothin4 1 a# your #aster, and you should sho' respect @ C0(%T30( : % #aster has duties @ you le+t #e to die4 1 a# not a slave7 1 a# +ree7 1+ you deny #y reuest 1 'ill #ake you #y ene#y, 1 'ill 'ork at your destruction, 1 'ill dedicate #ysel+, 1 'on*t rest until 1 desolate your heart4 <6ause7= 1 apoloise7 1 d id intend to reason7 1 a# capable o+ loic7 1 do not think 'hat 1 ask is i##oderate5 % creature o+ another se$, but as hideous as 1 a#7 1+ you consent, 'e*ll disappear +or ever7 .e*ll o to the 'ilds o+ South %#erica, and 'e*ll build our little paradise, and live there in peace7 %nd no hu#an bein 'ill see us aain7 .hat do you say5 V1CT/0 : 1 a# a#a)ed7 ;ou*ve learnt so #uch, so +ast4 C0(%T30( : %re you proud o+ #e5 V1CT/0 : 6roud5 No7 C0(%T30( : .hy not5 V1CT/0 : Because your loic is +la'ed7 C0(%T30( : 1s it5 V1CT/0 : ;ou say you*ll o abroad and disappear, yet you also say you yearn to be accepted by society7 But 'on*t you ro' tired o+ e$ile5 .on*t you return, and try o nce #ore to live a#on people, only to #eet 'ith their detestation5 Because that is 'hat you 'ill #eet 'ith7 But no', 'hen you run 'ild, there 'ill be t'o o+ you, and double the destruction7 .hy should 1 +acilitate this5 C0(%T30( : Because 1 a# lonely4 (very creature has a #ate7 (very bird in the sky4 (ven you are to be #arried4 .hy a# 1 denied the co#+orts you allo' yoursel+5 % #o#ent ao you 'ere a#a)ed at #y intellect, but no' you harden your heart7 6lease, do not be inconsistent, 1 +ind it in+uriatin4 %ll 1 ask is the possibility o+ love7 V1CT/0 : "ove5 C0(%T30( : ;es4 V1CT/0 : ;ou think it is a possibility5 C0(%T30( : ;es4 V1CT/0 : For you5 C0(%T30( : % ood #an deserves it4 V1CT/0 : %re you a ood #an5 C0(%T30( : 1 'ould be4 /h, 1 'ould be4 V1CT/0 : 1 reret that you are lonely7 1 did not +oresee @ C0(%T30( : That 1 #iht have +eelins5 V1CT/0 : ;ou 'ere an euation7 % theore#7 1 con+ess it7 % pu))le to be solved7 But i+ you are @ sentient @ and i+ you 'ill @ depart @ C0(%T30( : Frankenstein, i+ you ive #e a co#panion, 1 'ill uit (urope +or ever, 1 'ill vanish into air7 There 'ill be no #ore destruction7 1 'ill be one7 ' pause. i#tor thinks. V1CT/0 : .ill you s'ear to be peace+ul5 C0(%T30( : ;es4 1 be you to believe #e4 V1CT/0 : 1+ you ave #e your 'ord that you*d leave here +or ever, and never return @ never4 1+ you 'ere to s'ear, and s'ear sole#nly @ C0(%T30( : 1 s'ear by the blue sky, by the 'hite sno', by the +ire o+ love that burns in #y heart, that i+ you rant #y reuest, you 'ill never have to look on #e aain, +or as lon as the 'orld turns round4 V1CT/0 : ;ou think it turns round5 C0(%T30( : .ell, o+ course7 V1CT/0 : ;ou #ust understand @ the 'ork is hard @
C0(%T30( : ;ou alone can do it7 ;ou alone have the skill7 V1CT/0 : 1 alone @ in the 'hole 'orld @ and no one to share the secret4 @ "ook, do'n there7 <-e points do'n the #ountain7= Do you see the#5 "ittle #en, 'ith little lives7 C0(%T30(
his post on a tra. C"%01C( : ;our post, sir7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N
!la#ier. i#tor senses that the (reature is obser"in!. Eliabeth enters. ("1%B(T- : ;our +ather tells #e you are leavin us7 .hy, Victor5 .hy #ust you o to (nland5 V1CT/0 : Because in (nland they are at the +ore+ront o+ electro&che#istry7 1*ve heard o+ real breakthrouhs by vitalists, alvanists7 1 #ust o and see #ysel+4 ("1%B(T- : %nd +or that, you*ll put o++ our 'eddin5 V1CT/0 : ;es4 1t*s critical +or #y e$peri#ents7 ("1%B(T- : .hat are your e$peri#ents5 V1CT/0 : 1*d say they*re beyond a 'o#an*s scope7 ("1%B(T- : 1+ you think 1*# oin to #arry so#eone 'ho talks to #e like that, you can think aain7 .hich part #iht be beyond #y scope5 V1CT/0 : %ll o+ it, actually7 ("1%B(T- : %re you suestin 1*# less intellient than you5 V1CT/0 : ;es7 1 #ean @ less educated7 ("1%B(T- : That*s hardly #y +ault7 1 'asn*t allo'ed to o to school4 But 1 can learn7 1 could be your assistant7 V1CT/0 : .hat is a Voltaic pile5 % "eyden 8ar5 (lectric es5 ("1%B(T- : ;ou kno' per+ectly 'ell 1 don*t kno'7 .hat is a voltaic pile5 V1CT/0 : 1t*s +or storin an electrostatic chare7 ;ou link several 8ars in parallel, and 'ith that you can @ ("1%B(T- : /h, please, take #e 'ith you4 1t sounds so e$citin4 V1CT/0 : 1 'ill o +irst to /$+ord, and spend several #onths at the 3niversity7 Believe #e, there*s nothin e$citin about that7 ("1%B(T- : 1 don*t care4 1*ll co#e7 V1CT/0 : 1*ll be in the library all day7 ("1%B(T- : 1*ll be as uiet as a #ouse7 "et #e co#e4 V1CT/0 : Subseuently 1*ll travel to the islands o+ Scotland @ barren rocks in a barren ocean7 1t is, 1 a# told, and a'+ul place7 ("1%B(T- : 1 don*t care4 .e*ll be toether4 V1CT/0 : (li)abeth @ it*s no situation +or a 'o#an @ ("1%B(T- : .hat, and you think this is5 The 'orld is turnin, and 1*# sittin in S'it)erland, 'atchin it4 1 kno' it*s picturesue, the #ountains, the lake, but it*s so uiet it*s oppressive, and the people are dull7 1 'ant to o to 6aris, 0o#e, %#erica4 1 'ant to talk to you about your 'ork, about the 'orld, about #usic, politics, everythin4 V1CT/0 : 1 have no interest in #usic or politics7 ("1%B(T- : -ave you any interest in #e5 <6ause7= Victor, are you hidin so#ethin5 V1CT/0 : No4 ("1%B(T- : But there is so#ethin on your #ind @ and 1 believe 1 kno' 'hat it is7 1 believe 1 kno' 'hat obsesses you7 V1CT/0
("1%B(T- : But you are constantly preoccupied, as i+ you are yearnin to be 'ith so#eone else @ V1CT/0 : No, it*s you, (li)abeth, it*s al'ays been you4 There*s no one else7 1 pro#ise4 ("1%B(T-
V1CT/0 : For #y needs, it*s +ine7 ;our 'i+e can brin #e so#e +ood5 (.%N : She can, sir, but it*s si#ple7 Fish, #ainly7 .e don*t touch #eat, do 'e, 0ab5 3nless it s'i#s, 'e don*t eat it7 0%B : (s, 'e eat es7 (.%N : That*s the e$ception7 (s7 0%B : /atcakes7 Turnips7 (.%N <larin at 0ab=: %ll riht4 @ .here do you 'ant it, sir5 The enter the #roft. V1CT/0 : Set it do'n there7 Thank you, entle#an7 -ere*s the price 'e areed7 For the porterae and three #onths* rent7 i#tor las don $one. Ean !oes to pi#k it up, but i#tor stops hi$. V1CT/0 : But 1 'ould be prepared to ive you very #uch #ore, ('an, i+ you could per+or# another service +or #e7 arti#ularl sas and kni"es5 !al"ani# batteries and #oils of ire5 oltai# pile, et#. 0%B : 1 don*t like the sound o+ that7 (.%N : >uiet, 0ab7 .e don*t #ove in acade#ic circles7 uiet, 0ab4 @ 1*ll do nothin on #y o'n island7 But 'hat is it e$actly that you*re a+ter5 V1CT/0 : -ave you heard o+ any youn 'o#an 'ho has died very recently5 (.%N
(.%N : ;ou did7 0%B : 1 liked her sister7 V1CT/0 : She 'as beauti+ul5 0%B : Not bad7 V1CT/0 : Good7 %re you prepared to 'ork to #y e$act speci+ications5 (.%N : .ell, 0ab, he can*t read, but @ 0%B : 1 can read7 (.%N : Do hi# a dra'in7 0%B : 3ncle ('an @ (.%N : ;ou, be uiet, and do as the entle#an says4 V1CT/0 : -o' +ar is it to 0onaldsay5 SC(N( T.(NT;&S(V(N The Orknes. i!ht. ' !ra"eard. /ind and rain. Ean and &ab ha"e du! up a !ra"e. The are inside it, for#in! a #orpse into a hessian sa#k. %t’s not eas ork. (.%N : 1s she in5 0%B : There*s a bit stickin out7 (.%N : .hat is it5 0%B : 1 don*t kno', it*s a irl7 (.%N : Co#e on @ push, laddie4 The su##eed in tin! the sa#k. (.%N : She*s in4 The rest. (.%N : ;ou have strane taste, 0ab, that*s all 1 can say7 1 +ind her terribly skinny7 0%B : 1 said the sister7 The sister is +atter7 uiet, 0ab7 Meat +or the dos7 Nothin you*re not +a#iliar 'ith7 The e0it, dra!!in! the sa#k. The (reature e$er!es fro$ hidin!. *e is soakin! et fro$ the
rain, but untroubled b it. C0(%T30( : .as this ho' 1 'as +or#ed5 *e approa#hes the !ra"e. C0(%T30( : Stolen at niht +ro# 'et soil5 Made out o+ #eat +or the do5 (ven 1 can +eel disust4 .ill he +ashion #e a beauty, +ro# this +ilth5 %nd 'ill 1 'ant her, stinkin o+ death5
.1""1%M : So ho' do you do it5 V1CT/0 : 1t*s late, you should be in bed7 .1""1%M : -o' do you brin dead thins to li+e5 1s it easy5 V1CT/0 : No, it*s hard7 1t*s so#e kind o+ #iracle7 .1""1%M : Tell #e the secret7 .hen did you start5 V1CT/0 : %t school7 .1""1%M : Did you brin the teachers to li+e5 That really 'ould be a #iracle7 V1CT/0
C0(%T30( : Frankenstein4 The (reature is hi!h up in the rafters. *e’s been there a hile. /illia$ runs off. i#tor akes fro$ his drea$. C0(%T30( : .here is she5 V1CT/0 : She is here7 The (reature sin!s don to the !round. C0(%T30( : Sho' #e, enius4 V1CT/0 : .ait7 i#tor !oes behind the #urtain and reappears ith the 2e$ale. *e steadies her as she alks under her on "olition. She has $ini$al ani$ation but apparentl no $ental fun#tion. C0(%T30( : /h4 "ook4 i#tor supports the 2e$ale as the (reature’s ees iden ith deli!ht. *e sinks to his knees before her. V1CT/0 : 1sn*t she +ine5 C0(%T30( : /h, she is beauti+ul4 V1CT/0 : ;es7 C0(%T30( : ;our 'ork is so detailed4 The hairs on her ar#s @ the curve o+ her hips4 The (reature tou#hes her !entl. The 2e$ale $akes a sli!ht $o"e$ent in response. V1CT/0 : She is per+ect7 % per+ect 'i+e7 C0(%T30( : Frankenstein, 1 ad#ire you7 V1CT/0 : 1 can*t ive her to you7 C0(%T30( : .hy not5 V1CT/0 : -o' do 1 kno' 'hat 'ill happen @ i+ 1 brin her +ully to li+e5 1 didn*t kno' ho' you*d turn out @ ho' danerous you*d be @ ho' can 1 kno' about her5 C0(%T30( : Sir7 1+ it has been possible +or #e to overco#e #y disustin oriins, and trans+or# #ysel+ into a rational bein, she, #y 'i+e, c an do the sa#e7 V1CT/0 : %nd i+ she doesn*t5 C0(%T30( : But she 'ill7 1 'ill teach her #orality, as De "acey tauht #e @ V1CT/0 : But you have s'orn to live as an outcast7 Supposin she pre+ers the to'n5 C0(%T30( : She has no choice, 'e o to %rentina @ V1CT/0 : But 'hat i+ she re+uses to accept a barain #ade be+ore she 'as even created5 Co#e on, use your brain7 She #iht re8ect you7 She #iht abhor the siht o+ you4 She #iht take one look at you and run @ she #iht say she 'ants to live 'ith a #an, not a #onster4 C0(%T30( : Stop talkin4 ;ou are cruel4 V1CT/0 : But look at her4 "ook4 ($uisitely constructed, don*t you aree5 "ook at her cheeks, her lips, her breasts4 .ho 'ould not desire those breasts5 .hat i+ she leaves you5 .hat i+ she +inds so#eone else5 -o' 'ill you +eel i+ you*re deserted by one o+ your o'n species, the only one o+ your o'n species, the only one you can take to your bed @ ho' 'ill you react5 C0(%T30( : 1 'ill run #ad i+ she leaves #e4
V1CT/0 : 1t*s a risk, then, isn*t it5 C0(%T30( : No, because 1 'ill ive her such adoration, such devotion, she 'ill never 'ant to leave4 V1CT/0 : So it is a risk 1 should take5 C0(%T30( : ;ou #ust4 ;ou #ust4 *e strokes her hair. C0(%T30( : She is #ine7 6lease7 6lease7 V1CT/0 : %re you sayin you 'ill protect her5 C0(%T30( : ;es, oh yes7 Nobody 'ill har# her7 1 'ill be there7 V1CT/0 : %re you sayin you 'ill love her5 C0(%T30( : ;es, 1 a#4 V1CT/0 : Because love is not so#ethin one can teach, not so#ethin one can learn7 (ither you +eel it in your soul, or @ C0(%T30( : /h, #aster4 1 do4 1 love her4 1 do4 V1CT/0 : ;ou*re tellin #e you have a soul5 C0(%T30( : 1 #ust4 Say you believe #e @ V1CT/0 : -o' does it +eel, to be in love5 C0(%T30( : 1t +eel like all the li+e is bubblin up in #e and spillin +ro# #y #outh, it +eels like #y luns are on +ire and #y heart is a ha##er, it +eels like 1 can do anythin in the 'orld4 %nythin in the 'orld4 V1CT/0 : 1s that ho' it +eels5 C0(%T30( : ;es4 ' heartbreakin! $o$ent in hi#h it be#o$es #lear that the (reature $a be $ore #apable of lo"e than i#tor is. C0(%T30( : That is ho' it +eels7 Brin her to li+e, and 1 'ill cherish her +or ever7 V1CT/0 : Those are the 'ords 1 'as 'aitin to hear7 ;ou have sho'n #e you have so#e rasp o+ the e#otion 'e call love7 No', be patient7 1 'ill co#plete her7 i#tor leads the 2e$ale ba#k behind the #urtain. V1CT/0 : ;ou can help #e7 .e 'ill not send her out in the 'orld in this cond ition7 .e 'ill dress her @ dress her has a ueen7 C0(%T30( : % ueen4 V1CT/0 : Go to the trunk7 1t contains so#e clothes @ #y +iance*s7 Select the +inest, +or your bride7 @ No', let #e 'ork7 1*ll call you 'hen you*re needed7 i#tor e0its ith the 2e$ale. The (reature !oes to the trunk, and opens the #at#hes. C0(%T30( : 1*ll clothe her in lace and velvet7 1*ll ive her silks and pearls7 1 'ill 'alk in the arden 'ith #y +air anelic (ve4 1 'ill be %da#, she 'ill be (ve4 %nd all the #e#ory o+ hell 'ill #elt like sno'7 The (reature pulls fro$ the trunk a dust book. 'nd another. There are no #lothes. *e realises he’s been tri#ked, and turns to hear an unpleasant noise. *e tears aside the #urtain to find that i#tor is ha#kin! up the 2e$ale ith a #lea"er. i#tor s#atters the li$bs of the 2e$ale. She’s utterl destroed.
C0(%T30( : .aarh4 V1CT/0 : .hat do you kno' o+ the po'er o+ love5 1t is irrational, a pool o+ unreason4 1t is anarchic, volatile, vertiinous, #ad4 %bove all it is uncontrollable4 Millions o+ you on the earth5 Couplin, procreatin5 No4 ;ou are the only one o+ your species @ and that is ho' you 'ill stay4 The (reature sinks to his knees a$on! the bod parts. C0(%T30( : %'ake, #y +airest, #y espoused4 %'ake4 %'ake4 V1CT/0 : She 'ill never a'ake7 The (reature !rabs i#tor b the throat. *e be!ins to throttle hi$. There is a ha$$erin! at the door. C/NST%B"(
M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : 1 ive you #y 'ord7 Co#e ho#e7 M. 2rankenstein leads i#tor out of the #roft. C/NST%B"( : .hat has he been doin here5 ;ou, #an: speak7 (.%N : Medical research, as he said, sir7 The (onstable sur"es the blood s#ene. C/NST%B"( : Medical research5 -oly Christ4 The e0it. SC(N( T.(NT;& N1N( The 2rankenstein house, b )ake 6ene"a. Ser"ants enter, #elebratin! ith $u!s of ine. The sin!. S(0V%NTS : The vo's are s'orn The knot is tied The arlands thro'n /n roo# and bride7 "i+t up your voice %nd raise your 'ine To bless the house /+ Frankenstein7 The Ser"ants e0it. Eliabeth enters in her eddin! dress, ith (lari#e. /e’re in the $aster bedroo$5 there is a lar!e bed. The #an hear eddin! bells in the distan#e. C"%01C( : "isten @ you can still hear the bells rinin, over the 'ater7 ("1%B(T- : So you can7 The listen for a $o$ent. C"%01C( : Many conratulations, Mistress7 1t 'as a splendid day7 ("1%B(T- : Thank you7 6lease et #e ready +or bed7 C"%01C( : ;es, Mistress7 (lari#e pro#eeds to help her undress. ("1%B(T- : 1 'ant to look beauti+ul7 C"%01C( : ;es, Mistress7 ("1%B(T- : 6erhaps then he*ll @ C"%01C( : 1*# sure he 'ill7 Eliabeth breaks don and sobs. ("1%B(T- : -e never touches #e4 -e never co#es near4 -e barely spoke to #e a+ter the service4 C"%01C( : .ell, he has al'ays been peculiar7 ("1%B(T- : But 'hat have 1 done 'ron, Clarice5 C"%01C( : ;ou*ve done nothin, Mistress7 Men, you kno' @ they*re as nervous as 'e are on their 'eddin niht7 % lot o+ the# have no e$perience 'hatever7 ("1%B(T- : 1*# not nervous4 C"%01C( : 1 kno' you*re not, Mistress7 %nd yet you don*t kno' 'hat to e$pect, do you5 None o+ us
do, +irst ti#e7 1t can co#e as uite a shock7 -ere 'e are, Mistress @ you*ll look as p retty as a picture7 (lari#e helps her into a lon! ni!ht!on, and unpins her hair. C"%01C( : So#e ladies never et used to it at all, to be per+ectly honest7 /h, but 1*# sure you 'ill7 ("1%B(T- : .here is he5 C"%01C( : -e*ll be alon shortly, Mistress7 ;ou 'ait and see7 -avin a lass or t'o, probably, i+ he*s anythin like #y husband7 -e*d put a ba on #y head i+ he could7 Co#e alon no', let*s pop you into bed7 ("1%B(T- : First 1 #ust pray7 @ That*s all7 C"%01C( : Goodniht, Mistress7 God bless7 (lari#e #urtsies and e0its. Eliabeth kneels b her bed and pras. i#tor enters. *e has a pistol in ea#h hand and a ild look on his fa#e. 'fter hi$ #o$e to Ser"ants ar$ed ith $uskets. ("1%B(T- : Victor4 V1CT/0 : 0eport4 S(0V%NT E : .e patrol the terrace and the roo+7 S(0V%NT : .e have #en do'n at the lake7 V1CT/0 : Good7 .ait +or #e outside7 1*ll 8oin you presently7 The ser"ants e0it. i#tor hastil drinks a !lass of spirits. Eliabeth is #onsiderabl alar$ed. ("1%B(T- : Victor, 'hat is oin on5 V1CT/0 : The lode is secured7 There are uards at every door7 ("1%B(T- : .hy5 .hat is oin on5 Tell #e7 V1CT/0 : 1 should have told you be+ore7 ("1%B(T- : ;es, 1 think you should4 V1CT/0 : 1t is one o+ #y e$peri#ents, (li)abeth7 ;ou 'ill +ind this hard to credit, and there is little ti#e to e$plain, but the si#ple +act is @ 1 built a #an7 ("1%B(T- : ;ou did 'hat5 V1CT/0 : 1 built a #an7 %nd succeeded in ani#atin hi#7 ("1%B(T- : Say that aain5 V1CT/0 : 1 built a #an4 ("1%B(T- : %ni#atin hi#5 Do you #ean brinin hi# to li+e5 V1CT/0 : ;es, brinin hi# to li+e @ #y creature, 1 brouht hi# to li+e4 ("1%B(T- : ;our creature7 V1CT/0 : ;ou don*t believe #e7 ("1%B(T- : ;es7 ;es 1 do7 1+ you say you have #ade a creature, and brouht hi# to li+e, then @
("1%B(T- : The 'eddin5 Did you send hi# an invitation5 Victor4 -e 'asn*t on the list4 V1CT/0 : (li)abeth @ this is serious4 6lease believe #e4 ("1%B(T- : ;ou*re askin #e to believe that you have created so#e sort o+ #onster5 V1CT/0 : ;es, 1 @ ("1%B(T- : .hy5 V1CT/0 : 1 be your pardon5 ("1%B(T- : .hy5 .hy did you do that5 V1CT/0 : Because 1 had a vision, a vision o+ per+ection7 1 +ollo'ed nature into her lair, and stripped her o+ her secrets, 1 brouht torrents o+ liht to a darkenin 'orld7 1 did it, (li)abeth, 1 did it4 ("1%B(T- : 1*ve never doubted your brilliance7 V1CT/0 : 1 have beaten death4 1 have done it4 1 have #ade a livin thin4 ("1%B(T- : But i+ you 'anted to create li+e @ V1CT/0 : That*s it, that*s e$actly 'hat 1 'anted4 ("1%B(T- : .hy not 8ust ive #e a child5 .e could have #arried years ao4 V1CT/0 : No, no, that*s not the @ ("1%B(T- : Because that is ho' 'e create li+e, Victor @ that is the usual 'ay4 V1CT/0 : 1 a# talkin about science @ ("1%B(T- : No, you are talkin about pride4 ;ou have been tryin God*s 'ork @ is that 'hat you*re tellin #e5 %nd it has one a'ry7 V1CT/0 : 1n you 1 +ound paradise7 But the apple is eaten7 .e cannot o back7 ("1%B(T- : ;ou*ve #eddled 'ith the natural order, and led us into chaos, because you 'orship the ods o+ electricity and as4 .hat is 'ron 'ith you #en5 i#tor takes up his pistols. V1CT/0 : 1 have uards all round the house7 1 'ill kill this thin that 1 +oolishly #ade, and then 1 'ill co#e back to you7 ("1%B(T- : 6lease, don*t o, hold #e4 6lease4 V1CT/0 : Ti#e +or that 'hen this is done7 <(arnestly7= 1 'ill try to love you, (li)abeth7 ("1%B(T- : Victor4 i#tor runs out. Eliabeth has her ba#k to her bed. The (reature suddenl sprin!s fro$ inside it, and ra#es toards her. *e pins her ar$s behind her and #la$ps his hand o"er her $outh. She stru!!les, but he is too stron!. C0(%T30( : Don*t screa#4 1 'ill not hurt you7 Don*t screa#4 1 need your help7 Eliabeth stru!!les less. Still he pinions her. C0(%T30( : Can you uess 'ho 1 a#5 Ees ild ith fri!ht, Eliabeth nods. C0(%T30( : But he didn*t #ention 'hat 1 look like, did he5 Eliabeth shakes her head. C0(%T30( : %re you curious5 (li)abeth5
Slol, despite her fear, she nods. C0(%T30( : Do not screa#7 1 'ill release you7 (arefull, he lets !o of Eliabeth. She doesn’t $o"e. C0(%T30( : Turn around7 "ook at #e7 Eliabeth does so. She !asps. C0(%T30( : 1 need your help7 1 have a rievance7 ("1%B(T- : Victor did this 25 C0(%T30( : Do you think he*s clever5 ("1%B(T- : % enius4 C0(%T30( : /h yes, that*s riht4 She peers at hi$ ith #uriosit, !oin! in#reasin!l #lose. ("1%B(T- : .hat*s your na#e5 C0(%T30( : My na#e5 /h, 'hat lu$ury that 'ould be4 -e didn*t ive #e one7 Touch7 Eliabeth is s#ared. The (reature !rasps her hand and puts it to his fa#e. C0(%T30( : .hat do you +eel, (li)abeth5 ("1%B(T- : -eat7 *e pla#es her hand o"er his heart. C0(%T30( : -ere5 ("1%B(T- : % heartbeat7 C0(%T30( : 9ust like yours7 The (reature pla#es his hand on Eliabeth’s breast, and !rins 7 ("1%B(T-
("1%B(T- : -e #ust learn that he has to take responsibility +or his action, and that @ C0(%T30( : Surely he desires you5 /n your 'eddin niht5 ("1%B(T- : && and that 'e #ust al'ays stand up +or the disadvantaed7 C0(%T30( : /h, absolutely, ive voice to the oppressed7 .ill you put #y case5 ("1%B(T- : .hat is it you 'ant5 C0(%T30( : 1 did not ask to be born, but once born, 1 'ill +iht to live7 %ll li+e is precious @ even #ine7 -e pro#ised to ive #e the only thin 1 lack, the only thin 1 need to be content, but then he broke his 'ord7 1 'ant a +riend4 That*s all4 ("1%B(T-
C0(%T30( : That 'as ood4 i#tor points his pistol but he #an’t pull the tri!!er. C0(%T30( : Shoot #e7 Go on7 !ill #e4 The (reature lau!hs harshl and es#apes throu!h the indo. i#tor !oes to Eliabeth’s #orpse and #lut#hes at her. (lari#e and the ser"ants burst in. C"%01C( : Sir4 V1CT/0 : 6ick her up4 Brin her to #y roo#s4 C"%01C( : Sir, she*s dead4 V1CT/0 : Carry her4 C"%01C( : But sir, she*s one, she*s @ V1CT/0 : 1 can brin her back, Clarice, 1 can brin her back4 *e instru#ts three Ser"ants to pi#k up Eliabeth. (lari#e $eanhile runs out. V1CT/0 : >uickly4 1 have the euip#ent, 1 can reverse the process @ she is still 'ar# and she has lost no blood4 >uickly there4 The Ser"ants #arr Eliabeth to the door, and i#tor follos. Monsieur 2rankenstein burst in ith (lari#e. C"%01C( : Sir, you #ust prevent hi#4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : Victor, Victor, 'hat have you done5 ;ou are still ill4 Stop this at once4 C"%01C( : She*s dead, sir, uite dead4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : /h, #y dear (li)abeth4 @ Did he kill her5 V1CT/0 : No, no, 1 @ M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : "ay her on the bed and cover her7 No'4 The Ser"ants do so. V1CT/0 : 1 can brin her back7 1 have the skill7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : .hat do you #ean5 V1CT/0 : 1 #ean resurrect her7 Trust #e4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : .hat are you sayin5 C"%01C( : -e*s one #ad, sir4 V1CT/0 : 1 a# not #ad4 1 have po'ers beyond your co#prehension7 -o' dare you call #e #ad5 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : Victor, this is not odly4 1 cannot bear it4 i#tor #alls out of the indo to the (reature. V1CT/0 : ;ou4 .henever you look behind you, 1*ll be there4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : 0estrain hi#7 i#tor tries to es#ape but is restrained. M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : .hat have you done5 First .illia#, no' (li)abeth7 Death is every'here4
;our #ind is disordered, it*s @ V1CT/0 : My #ind is superb4 1t*s superb4 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : Take hi# a'ay7 1 can*t look at hi#7 -e*s #onstrous4 The Ser"ants take i#tor out. M. 2rankenstein sinks to his knees and eep terribl. M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : /h, dear God, +orive #e4 C"%01C( : Sir, be still7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : .hat have 1 brouht into the 'orld5 C"%01C( : ;ou did your best7 M7 F0%N!(NST(1N : 1 +ailed7 SC(N( T-10T; The polar i#e-#ap, inside the 'r#ti# (ir#le. ' bliard hols. ' hu!e $oon do$inates the s#ene. The (reature ears nothin! $u#h, but he #arries a sa#k. *e is untroubled b the #old. *e addresses us: C0(%T30( : My heart is black7 1t stinks7 My #ind, once +illed 'ith drea#s o+ beauty, is a +urnace o+ revene4 Three years ao, 'hen 1 'as born, 1 lauhed +or 8oy at the heat o+ the sun, 1 cried at the call o+ the birds @ the 'orld 'as a cornucopia to #e4 No' it is a 'aste o+ +rost and sno'7 2ro$ his sa#k the (reature takes sil"er #utler, a plate, a peter !oblet, a napkin. *e las a pla#e on the i#e. *e pla#es strips of fresh $eat on the plate, and fills the #up ith ine fro$ a flask. C0(%T30( : The son beco#es the +ather, the #aster the slave7 1 have led hi# across the Black Sea, throuh Tartary and 0ussia7 1 have led hi# past %rchanel, and out on to the ice7 .e o north, al'ays north7 -is dos are deadA his supplies e$ha usted7 But 'e have a co#pact 'e #ust keep: he lives +or #y destruction, 1 live to lead hi# on7
stupidity4 .hat +ool said pre8udice can be overco#e5 V1CT/0 : ;ou have brouht it upon yoursel+7 C0(%T30( : -ave 15 -o'5 -o' did 15 Did 1 ask to be created5 Did 1 ask you to #ake #e +ro# so#e #uck in a sack5 1 a# di++erent, 1 kno' 1 a# di++erent4 1 have tried to be the sa#e but 1*# di++erent4 .hy can 1 not be 'ho 1 a#5 .hy does hu#anity detest #e5 @ The only one to sho' pity 'as (li)abeth7 "ovely (li)abeth7 1 can still taste her lips, her stra'berry lips2 1 can +eel her 'ar# breast2 her thihs2 i#tor tries to stru!!le to his feet. But he is too ea k and he #ollapses. C0(%T30( : 3p you et4 .e o on, on to the 6ole4 "et*s +ind the source o+ the #anet4 "et*s #ake so#e discoveries4 .hat do you say5 Brin liht to the da rkness4 3p4 3p4 i#tor lies fa#e don in the sno, still in his harness. C0(%T30( : Master5 i#tor re$ains still. C0(%T30( : Don*t tell #e you are dead already7 Master5 Don*t you have #ore sta#ina than this5 .hy, 'e*ve hardly started4 The (reature is orried. C0(%T30( : Don*t leave #e7 Don*t leave #e alone7 ;ou and 1, 'e are one7 The (reature kneels and !entl #radles i#tor. C0(%T30( : .hile you live, 1 live7 .hen you are one, 1 #ust o too7 Master, 'hat is death5 .hat 'ill it +eel like5 Can 1 die5 i#tor re$ains still. C0(%T30( : /h, Frankenstein7 .ill you +orive #e #y cruelty5 6lease +orive #e7 1 a# driven on, 1 cannot stop7 The #oon dra's #e on7 The solitary #oon4 .e can only o +or'ard, 'e cannot o back7 @ Master4 Drink4 1t*s ood 'ine7 Drink7 The (reature pours ine into his $outh. The #laret runs into the sno. The (reature eeps. %ll 1 'anted 'as your love7 1 'ould have loved you 'ith all #y heart7 My poor creator7 Suddenl i#tor re"i"es. C0(%T30( : Master4 ;ou do love #e4 ;ou do4 V1CT/0
