It was a blessing that when the words ran out, Billy still had time to act, and now a long recording lay ahead of him, just as the legend of the Headless Horseman began to take on a deeper life.
--We may have to do some work with all those effects. —Tim replied from a distance. Billy heard him with keen attention, without pausing over the simple details of his own life, wondering instead what truly moved people at such moments.
Billy remained standing, watching all the movement while trying to steady his mare. He was not the finest rider, but of course he knew how to ride; he had learned long ago in Texas. In truth, he did a respectable job.
Scene 20, Take 4. -
Ichabod and Katrina, riding together, arrive at the ruins of a cabin. Almost nothing remains except the hearth and part of a chimney.
Ichabod dismounts and helps Katrina down from the horse, taking her by the hand.
Before releasing him, she notices the small scars in his palm. She takes his hands and studies them.
KATRINA
They're strange... What are they...?
ICHABOD
I wish I knew. I've had them for as long as I can remember.
Katrina holds his hands a moment longer; their eyes meet. Then she releases them and steps into the ruins.
A red cardinal perched on a branch—the same kind of bird he had in New York—draws Ichabod's attention.
He reflects for a moment and then turns to see Katrina crouched beside the hearth. She has placed a flower in her hair.
KATRINA
I used to play beside this hearth. It was my first drawing school, and my mother was my teacher.
Without realizing it, Katrina imitates the dream Ichabod once had. She takes a small twig and begins to draw on the stone of the chimney—just as Ichabod's mother did in his dream.
Ichabod's blood runs cold, though she does not see it. Then she notices that small wildflowers grow from the old chimney. Ichabod feels short of breath and steadies himself against the stones.
KATRINA (CONTINUED)
Oh, look! I had forgotten! —look— carved into the back of the chimney... the Archer!
With her fingers she brushes away the dirt around a simple carving of a man holding a bow and arrow.
KATRINA (CONTINUED)
This was here long before we ever lived here.
She turns to show it to Ichabod and notices that he looks strange.
KATRINA (CONTINUED)
Are you well?
Ichabod nods, recovering, saying nothing.
Katrina relaxes. Suddenly her attention—like Ichabod's—is drawn to the cardinal.
KATRINA (CONTINUED)
(pointing)
Oh, look! A Cardinal! My favorite! I would love to have one tamed, but I would never dare to cage it.
Ichabod opens his satchel.
ICHABOD
Then I have something for you.
He produces a PAPER DISC with a BIRD on one side and an EMPTY CAGE on the other, threaded through with a twisted string that allows the disc to spin. He demonstrates it like a magician. It is the same toy his mother once gave him.
ICHABOD (CONTINUED)
A Cardinal on one side and an empty cage.
Katrina watches attentively. Ichabod spins the disc.
ICHABOD (CONTINUED)
And now...
The bird appears to be inside the cage.
Katrina is astonished and delighted.
KATRINA
You can perform magic! Teach me!
ICHABOD
It is not magic. It is optics.
Ichabod gives her the toy and shows her how to spin it.
ICHABOD (CONTINUED)
Separate images that become a single image when they spin... much like the truth I must turn here...
Katrina spins the disc, the bird appearing within the cage.
-cut.-
Both of them take their time to do a substantial job, and what remains between them is the quiet, postponed sense of continuing to perform their work. Billy sighs and stands there drinking a glass of water, pausing only a few steps away.
--I'm afraid you'll have to ride a horse even more. —Cristina replied.
It was true. He handled it poorly at times, but it carried a strange nostalgia. Whenever he rode he remembered the wind rushing past him, his grandfather plainly beside him perhaps ten years ago, and his cousins doing their part of the work that remained in their favor. It felt oddly new again.
Scene 21, Take 2. -
EXT. PHILIPSE HOUSE — NIGHT
A moving point of view observes the Town House. Through the lit windows, figures of men can be seen pacing inside, apparently arguing.
Philipse is packing his belongings, preparing to leave... while three men—Steenwyck, Doctor Lancaster, and Hardenbrook—argue animatedly. Their raised voices form an indistinct uproar. The horse from the observing point of view snorts sharply. Could it be Daredevil?
Steenwyck approaches the window as though he has seen something... but
simply closes the shutters.
REVERSE reveals that it is Ichabod who has been spying.
Ichabod steps back and mounts Gunpowder, looking thoughtful, then resolute.
A swift shot that tries to give life to the way the film builds its tension, a careful moment that shows how the story contains many supernatural elements. It is perfect—very good. One can see that the film carries a strong trail between suspense and terror, supported by a powerful legend. It is almost like reading a book.
EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE THE TOWN — NIGHT
A man approaches riding a heavily burdened pack horse... Philipse
is fleeing Sleepy Hollow. As he reaches the foreground,
Ichabod on Gunpowder intercepts him, grabbing the bridle of the pack horse.
PHILIPSE
What are you doing? Let go!
ICHABOD
What are you fleeing from, Magistrate Philipse?
PHILIPSE
Damn you, Crane...
ICHABOD
You'll stir the whole town.
Philipse calms slightly.
ICHABOD (CONTINUED)
You intended to help me.
PHILIPSE
Yes—and I found myself in mortal terror of...
ICHABOD
Of... what?
PHILIPSE
Powers against which there is no defense.
ICHABOD
How did you know the widow was expecting a child?
PHILIPSE
She told me.
ICHABOD
Then I deduce that you are the father.
PHILIPSE
I hope your deductions serve you better in your contest against the Hessian. I am not the father.
ICHABOD
Did she tell you the name of the child's father?
PHILIPSE
Yes, she did. She came to me for counsel, as I was the town magistrate.
Ichabod hears sounds... sheep disturbed in the distance, but he urges Philipse to finish his story.
PHILIPSE (CONTINUED)
...to protect the rights of her child. I was bound by my oath to keep the secret.
ICHABOD
Do you believe the father killed her?
PHILIPSE
(staring at him in disbelief)
The Rider killed her! —You damned fool, do you think the Rider stops to leave our women with child?
ICHABOD
The Rider? How many times must I tell you there is no Rider! There never was a Rider! And there never will be!
Ichabod grabs him roughly, pulling at the amulet Philipse wears around his neck.
PHILIPSE
Let go! It is my talisman that protects me from the Rider.
ICHABOD
You are a magistrate! And yet your head is filled with nonsense! Now tell me the name of—
A flock of sheep rushes across the path, bleating wildly.
The horses panic, rearing and braying. A distant sound is heard:
THUNDERING HOOVES. The wind rises.
Philipse looks toward the forest. A flock of birds bursts upward.
PHILIPSE
Oh God... oh God, oh God...!
PHILIPSE runs. The roar of the hooves grows louder, approaching. Ichabod faces the forest.
The woods suddenly part, foliage bending aside as the Headless Horseman gallops forth atop Daredevil.
Ichabod stands stunned. He lowers his gaze to draw his flintlock pistol, but the Rider roars before he can raise it; a violent gust of wind knocks Ichabod from his horse.
After that, everything happens very quickly...
The Rider pursues Philipse.
Philipse glances over his shoulder.
The Rider draws his sword.
Philipse gathers his courage and stops, turning to face him. He raises his iron key talisman before him. The Rider charges forward...
ICHABOD
Philipse!
Philipse holds the talisman high, trying not to fear. The Rider swings his sword against the talisman—
CLANK!
Philipse's severed head spins away. His body collapses and folds.
The two pieces of Philipse's talisman, an Iron Key, fly through the air toward Ichabod, who barely manages to rise and retrieve his fallen pistol.
The Rider turns Daredevil in a wide circle...
Daredevil completes the turn with a piercing scream as the Rider charges straight toward Ichabod...
Before Ichabod has time to aim, the Rider has already passed him, heading toward Philipse's corpse... bending effortlessly to spear the head upon his sword.
With the head as his prize, the Rider gallops away into the darkness.
Ichabod turns and watches the Rider disappear toward the forest.
Ichabod stands there, shaken. He faints.
-cut.-
Billy managed to strike his hand a little as he fell; it was simply part of the work, painful in its own small way.