Michael A. Nickles

Lisle Von Rhuman: So warm, so full of life. This is life's ultimate cruelty. It offers us the taste of youth and vitality. And then, it makes us witness our own decay.

Madeleine: Well, it is the natural law.

Lisle Von Rhuman: Oh, screw the natural law!

[She opens a box to reveal a vile containing a potion]

Madeleine: What is that?

Lisle Von Rhuman: What you came for, a touch of magic in this world obsessed with science. A tonic, a potion.

Madeleine: What does it do?

Lisle Von Rhuman: How old would you guess I am?

Madeleine: I wouldn't.

[Continues looking at the potion vial]

Lisle Von Rhuman: Come on, don't try to flatter me.

Madeleine: 38.

[Lisle looks insulted]

Madeleine: Oh, 28. 3... 23.

Lisle Von Rhuman: I am 71 years old! That's what it does. It stops the aging process dead in its tracks and forces it into retreat. Drink that potion and you'll never grow even one day older. Don't drink it, then continue to watch yourself rot.

Madeleine: How much is it?

Lisle Von Rhuman: The sordid topic of coin, I'm afraid, is not so simple. The cost, you see, it's different for everyone.

Madeleine: Well, for me, how much?

[She does the arithmetic on a notepad, while Madeline tries to peak; she holds up the paper, showing the price]

Madeleine: Well, thank you very much. I think I should be going.

Lisle Von Rhuman: SIT!

[Madeleine sits]

Lisle Von Rhuman: Hold out your hand.

[She stabs Madeline's left index finger with a dagger]

Madeleine: OWWWW! WHAT ARE YOU, NUTS?

Lisle Von Rhuman: Watch.

[She dips the tip of the dagger into the potion, then drips the small drop into Madeline's wound, which takes the age of Madeline's left hand]

Madeleine: Check okay?

Lisle Von Rhuman: Fine.

[as Madeleine takes out her checkbook and begins writing out a check]

Lisle Von Rhuman: But you must make me a promise. The secret that we share must never become public. You may continue your career for 10 years, 10 years of perfect unchanged beauty. But at the end of that time, before people become suspicious, you have to disappear from public view forever. You can retire. You can stage your own phony death or... as one of my clients simply said, "I want to be alone".

Lisle Von Rhuman: No! She's not!

[Lisle nods reaffirmingly]

Lisle Von Rhuman: Wow!

[Madeleine hands Lisle the check, as Lisle hands Madeleine the potion vial]

Madeleine: Bottoms up.

[She drinks the potion]

Lisle Von Rhuman: Now a warning.

Madeleine: *Now* a warning?

Lisle Von Rhuman: Take care of yourself. You and your body are going to be together a long time, be good to it. Simpre vive: Live forever.

Rose: [Rose walks all the upstairs and into Madeline's bedroom, carrying a tray of Madeline's breakfast and a Book Party invitation, as Madeline is still asleep] Good Morning, madam. You look absolutely marvelous.

[Opening the curtains, waking Madeline]

Madeline Ashton: Wait. Aren't you forgetting something?

Rose: But it's only Thursday. You told me I'm supposed-...

Madeline Ashton: Never mind. I think I need to you say it every morning from now on.

Rose: Very well. Oh, madam, you look younger everyday.

Madeline Ashton: Thank you, Rose. Thank you so much, how sweet of you say.

[Grabbing the envelope]

Madeline Ashton: What is this?

Rose: Those are your invitations to Miss Helen Sharp's book party tonight. They just came.

Madeline Ashton: [Whispering, while opening the envelope] Helen Sharp.

[She opens the envelope and reads the title of Helen's book]

Madeline Ashton: "Forever Young"?

Rose: I like that title.

Madeline Ashton: [laughs histerically] "Forever Young and Eternally Fat". Oh, clever little witch, she sent seating assignments.

[Puts the invitations down]

Madeline Ashton: You know kind of find it hard to believe that he actually got up early and made his side of the bed.

Rose: Oh, no, madam.

Madeline Ashton: So, where'd he sleep?

Rose: [She points her index finger upwards]

Madeline Ashton: Again?