3. INT. TEA & TATTERED PAGES BOOKSTORE - AFTERNOON
DAN BROWN sits in a chair at the Tea and Tattered Pages bookstore in Paris, France. As he sits, books are one by one put in front of him, and he signs them. Each book is titled The Solomon Key and is thick in spine and large in height.
Dan signs each book placed in front of him, and then leans up.
DAN BROWN
Ici vous êtes ma’am.
(Subtitles, "Here you are, ma'am)
WOMAN (responding)
Merci, Mr. Brown.
(Subtitles, "Thank you Mr. Brown)
As Dan signs, a cell phone burst out with an annoying tone. Dan quickly realizes that his is his, and finds it in his pocket. The screen says BLYTHE. Dan answers.
DAN BROWN
Bonjour. Est-ce que je vous connais?
(Subtitles “Hello. Do I know you?”)
4. INT. BROWN HOUSE
Blythe rolls her eyes and smiles.
BLYTHE BROWN
Hi Dan.
DAN BROWN (smiles)
Oh Blythe, it's you.
BLYTHE BROWN
How'd the book signing go?
DAN BROWN
Actually that's kinda going on right now.
Dan turns to face the people crowding the table at which he sits. He smiles at them.
DAN BROWN (over Blythe)
Blythe.
BLYTHE BROWN
Oh then I can call you back. When are you-?
DAN BROWN
My flight leaves tomorrow at 4:00 pm.
BLYTHE BROWN
Oh I wish I could have come with you. You're staying in the Ritz, right?
DAN BROWN (forced)
Yes, well you go with me everywhere else. I would have thought you'd be sick of-
BLYTHE BROWN
Well unlike you may think I consider myself to be helping while on your "research trips." Besides, I like France.
DAN BROWN (jokingly)
Well, this crowd's getting pretty unruly.
BLYTHE BROWN
Oh yes, I’m sure you don’t want them tossing their café au lait all over you.
DAN BROWN
(laughs) Well I'll see ya Blythe.
BLYTHE BROWN
I'll call you tomorrow before your fligh-.
She hears a beep tone, and realizes that Dan has hung up.
5. INT. ROBERT LANGDON'S HOTEL RITZ SUITE - MIDNIGHT
A man sleeps in his luxurious suite with Louis XVI furniture, hand painted fresco walls, and a colossal mahogany four-poster bed until the phone beside (right) his bed starts ringing. He reaches to the right and turns on the light. He looks around. and grabs the telephone.
ROBERT LANGDON (to himself)
Where am I?
He notices the bathrobe hanging on the wall, bearing a monogram: HOTEL RITZ PARIS.
ROBERT LANGDON (Irritated, yet as if half asleep)
Hello?
CONCIERGE
Monsieur Langdon? I hope I have not awoken you? This is the concierge, monsieur. I apologize for this intrusion, but you have a visitor. He insists it is urgent.
ROBERT LANGDON (sighs)
I'm sorry, but I'm very tired and-
CONCIERGE (quieter)
Mais, monsieur. Your guest is an important man.
Robert looks at his clock and reads 12:32 AM. Then he puts his mouth back to the phone.
ROBERT LANGDON (has a rude tone)
If you would be so kind, could you take the man's name and number, and tell him I'll try to call him before I leave Paris on Tuesday? Thank you.
He hangs up.
6. INT. HOTEL RITZ LOBBY
The concierge hears a beep tone, and then speaks into the phone.
CONCIERGE
Monsieur Langdon? Monsieur Langdon?
He nods to a man waiting by the reception desk.
CONCIERGE
He has hung up, Lt.
LT. COLLET
Call him back. Tell him that if he does not want to welcome his guest properly, his guest will have to introduce himself.
CONCIERGE
Oui Lt.
The concierge grabs the phone and redials to Robert Langdon’s room.
Lt. Collet enters an elevator.
7. INT. ROBERT LANGDON'S HOTEL RITZ SUITE
The telephone in Robert Langdon's room rings again. Irritated, Langdon answers.
ROBERT LANGDON
Yes?
CONCIERGE
Mr. Langdon, again my apologies. I am calling to inform you that your guest is now en route to your room. I thought I should alert you.
ROBERT LANGDON (now awake)
You sent someone to my room?!
CONCIERGE
I apologize, monsieur, but a man like this...I cannot presume the authority to stop him.
ROBERT LANGDON
Who exactly is he?
After several seconds of silence, Robert realizes that the concierge has hung up. He then hears a banging on his door.
ROBERT LANGDON
Can't this wait until tomorrow?
The man on the opposite side of the door continues to bang on it.
8. INT. DAN BROWN'S HOTEL RITZ SUITE
Angry and awoken from the banging and noise coming from the room next to his, Dan Brown reaches for the phone aside his bed. He dials for the front desk.
CONCIERGE
Hello.
DAN BROWN
Hi, this is Dan Brown from suite-.
CONCIERGE
I understand sir. We have a matter in the room next to yours. However, it should be handled shortly.
Dan hears more banging from the room next to his.
DAN BROWN
Could you please call the room next door and have them-.
9. INT. HOTEL RITZ LOBBY
CONCIERGE
Please, monsieur Brown. I assure you that-.
The concierge hears a beep tone, and realizes that Dan Brown has hung up.
10. INT. DAN BROWN'S HOTEL RITZ SUITE
Dan bursts from his bed and grabs the bathrobe inside his bathroom. He then marches to the door and opens it.
11. INT. DAN BROWN'S HOTEL RITZ SUITE
Robert Langdon finally decides to open the door. He sees Lt. Collet standing at the door.
ROBERT LANGDON
Who is this?
Dan opens his door and sees Lt. Collet in Langdon's doorway.
LT. COLLET
I need to speak with you Mr. Langdon. My name is Lieutenant Jerome Collet. Direction Centrale Police Judiciaire.
DAN BROWN & ROBERT LANGDON
Who?
LT. COLLET
Lt. Collet of the DCPJ.
ROBERT LANGDON
Wait, the DCPJ.
Dan's face suddenly widens and his expression changes from anger to curiosity.
The screen flashes white, and then shows a copy of The Da Vinci Code sitting on a maple table. The cover opens, and flips to page 10. The words "Mr. Langdon? I need to speak with you." The man's English was accented-a sharp, authorative bark. "My name is Lieutenant Jerome Collet. Direction Centrale Police Judiciaire." are highlighted.
The screen shows Dan again. His facial expression changes to shock and awe. He lifts his hands in protest.
DAN BROWN
No please, Lt. You have the wrong man!
LT. COLLET
Wait, who are you?
DAN BROWN
Dan Brown, American.
ROBERT LANGDON
Wait, Dan Brown- the author, Dan Brown?
DAN BROWN
Yes. I know about Jacques Sauniere's murder. And the writing on the floor!
LT. COLLET
What, you mean-?
DAN BROWN
P.S. Find Robert Langdon. He's asking for his granddaughter, Sophie Neveu, to get help from Robert because he knows about the Priory, not accusing him of murder!
LT. COLLET
What about Agent Neveu?
ROBERT LANGDON
Lt. Collet. What is it you want?
LT. COLLET
I want both of you to get in my car. I am taking you to the Louvre.
MAIN TITLE.
12. INT. DCPJ VEHICLE - FIRST HOURS OF DAY
Dan Brown and Robert Langdon sit in the backseat of Lt. Collet's car, as Lt. Collet drives. Robert is in handcuffs, while Lt. Collet is on his radio receiver.
LT. COLLET
Yes, Capitaine. No, we ran into a little problem. Well, the author...
Lt. Collet's voice quiets as Robert turns to Dan and begins speaking.
ROBERT LANGDON
Mr. Brown-Dan, please explain how you know so much.
DAN BROWN
I wrote the book, the Da Vinci Code back in 2003. Everything you've experienced, from being at the American University in Paris to the incident in the Vatican City involving CERN last year was written by me.
ROBERT LANGDON
What, you mean?
DAN BROWN
Everything you know, everything that's happened up to this point was written by me.
Robert pauses, and then laughs.
ROBERT LANGDON
You really had me going there, Dan. No but seriously, how is it you know so much?
DAN BROWN
Okay, here's some more information. Jacques Sauniere's body was placed in the same form as Da Vinci's the Vitruvian Man, because he was protecting the Priory's secret.
At this point, Lt. Collet has turned around and is honing in on their conversation.
LT. COLLET
Wait, what's this Priory you're talking about?
DAN BROWN
I'm not sure, do you deserve to know?
LT. COLLET
Mr. Brown, your knowledge of a murder that has not yet been announced to the media or public puts you at the top of the suspect list.
DAN BROWN
I told you the truth but you didn't believe me!
LT. COLLET
I believe you're an author.
DAN BROWN
But you don't believe that I wrote this whole murder!
LT. COLLET
You just confessed!
DAN BROWN
I may have written the murder, but I didn't actually commit murder! It was by-
13. EXT. STREETS OF PARIS
Being so wrapped in Dan and Robert's conversation, Lt. Collet has not been paying attention to the road. His car suddenly collides with a black Audi.
The Audi hits Collet's car on the left side- Dan's side. The collision forces the door to bend, and forces it open.
A man-albino and wearing a brown cloak- emerges from the Audi. Holding two handguns (a thirteen round Heckler and a KOCH USP 40), the man sprints across the street.
Dan recognizes him. As his facial expression changes to curiosity again, he climbs from the DCPJ vehicle and follows him.
14. EXT. SAINT-SULPICE CHURCH
Dan slowly follows the monk, Silas, as he approaches the Saint-Suplice Church. Dan sees Silas greeted by Sister Sandrine after the massive wooden doors of the church open.
SISTER SANDRINE
Welcome, brother.
SILAS
Bonjour sister.
The two enter the church, and Dan waits outside.
15. INT. SAINT-SULPICE CHURCH
SISTER SANDRINE
Bishop Aringarosa tells me that you are an American.
SILAS
French by birth. I had my calling in Spain, and now I study in the United States.
SISTER SANDRINE
And you have never seen Saint-Sulpice?
SILAS
I realize that it is almost a sin itself.
Both jump at the sound of a large boom. Dan quickly runs from the door, and hides behind a pew.
SISTER SANDRINE
She is more beautiful by day.
SILAS
I am certain. Nonetheless, I am grateful that you would provide me this opportunity tonight.
SISTER SANDRINE
The abbe requested it. You obviously have powerful friends.
16. INT. FACHE'S DCPJ VEHICLE
FACHE (extremely angry)
Lt. Collet. Please, calmly, explain what happened to me!
17. INT. DCPJ STATION
LT. COLLET
Brown was explaining to Langdon the murder. Then we collided with a black Audi. The driver ran.
FACHE
Who is this Brown man you decided to arrest without the authority!?
LT. COLLET
He knew about the murder! Before I said anything he knew! He knew how Sauniere's body was laid out and the writing Sauniere left on the ground! He recited "P.S. Find Robert Langdon” to me!
FACHE
Calm down Lt.! What else did he say that specifically makes you think he killed Jacques Sauniere?
LT. COLLET (calmer)
The man's full name is Dan Brown.
FACHE
What the author? The American who gave that lecture at-?
LT. COLLET
The American University of Paris. He claims to have written a book about the whole murder!
FACHE
What's the name of the book?
Fache gets out of his car and walks into the DCPJ station where Collet is. He walks to the Lt.'s desk.
FACHE
Lt. Collet, get me a copy of the Da Vinci Code!
18. INT. SAINT-SULPICE CHURCH
Sister Sandrine sits in her residence in Saint-Sulpice, on the phone.
TELEPHONE
Bonjour, you've reached the house of Jacques Sauniere. I'm currently not available, but if you leave a message I'll return your call as soon as possible.
SISTER SANDRINE
They're dead! Please pick up! They're all dead! The floor panel has been broken! The other three are all dead! Please answer! Jacques- where are you?!
Sister Sandrine feels a cold heavy iron candle stand.
SILAS
Hang up the phone.
She gently puts the phone back on the cradle.
SILAS
They are dead. All four of them. And they have played me for a fool. Tell me where the keystone is.
SISTER SANDRINE
I don't know! The secret is guarded by others! Others who are dead!
Silas advances towards her.
SILAS
You are a sister of the church, and yet you serve the Priory of Sion?!
SISTER SANDRINE
Jesus had a message. I cannot see that message in Opus Dei!
Silas brings the candlestick up and lashes it at the woman. At that instant, Dan enters the room.
DAN BROWN
Silas no!
Silas turns and strikes Dan with the candlestick. The forces throws him several feet. The monk advances. As Silas raises the candlestick again to strike, Dan raises his feet and blocks his attacker. Instead, he continues to trip Silas.
As soon as Silas is on the ground, Dan grabs the candlestick away, a holds it in a threatening position.
DAN BROWN
Silas. You're done here.
Sister Sandrine stands slowly. She walks to Dan.
SISTER SANDRINE
Bless you, Saint.
DAN BROWN
Leave. Quickly.
SILAS
No!
Sister Sandrine quickly runs from the room. Silas tries to stand, but Dan stops him.
SILAS
You devil! How did you know that I had not found the keystone? How did you know I intended to kill the sister?
DAN BROWN
Because I wrote it that way.
19. INT. SAINT-SULPICE CHURCH - 15 MINUTES LATER
Dan and Silas sit in the pews of Saint-Sulpice.
DAN BROWN
I know about your past, the Bishop, and of your father.
Silas slowly looks up at him.
DAN BROWN
How you killed him.
SILAS
I don't understand. If you wrote about my life, if you chose my past, why did you make me so miserable? Why did you make me-?
DAN BROWN
Listen, Silas. I was just trying to write a novel! I didn't actually expect to meet you, ever! Or any other characters from the book!
SILAS
Wait! Who else do you know about?
DAN BROWN
Everyone! But, if I'm correct, everything will reset itself just as the book went.
SILAS
And what happens to me?
Dan slowly looks up at Silas. His expression dies down. Then he looks down.
DAN BROWN (quietly)
You...you die.
SILAS
What?
DAN BROWN
You die Silas!
SILAS
Why? Why would you kill me?!
DAN BROWN
Your character has put itself in a bad position- he lets himself be betrayed, and is discovered by the police to be Jacques Sauniere's true murder.
Silas stands and begins pacing the room.
SILAS
I'm so confused. Victory against the Priory was inevitable. What went wrong?
DAN BROWN
I chose to have the good guys win.
Silas has had enough. He grabs a nearby candlestick and swings at Dan. Dan has anticipated an attack, given he has created such a violent "monster." Dan quickly avoids the candlestick going through the air. He stands and runs towards the exit.
SILAS
Mr. Brown! I will not die tomorrow!
Dan continues running and Silas follows him in hot pursuit. He suddenly feels his pocket, and remembers the two handguns.
Dan has reached the exit, but being the doors are so colossal, he slowly opens them. He then hears a gunshot, and sees a bullet in the door. Dan slides through exit as Silas keeps shooting.
Dan continues running down the street. He sees a taxi with two people (a male and female) riding in the front seat turning onto the same street as the Saint-Sulpice is on. The female is holding a gun to the passenger in the back seat.
DAN BROWN
Of course! Robert and Sophie!
20. INT. TAXI CAB
ROBERT LANGDON
Sophie, you'd better drive.
The two switch seats and now Robert is holding the gun. He turns to Sophie.
ROBERT LANGDON
Which way is Rue Haxo?
SOPHIE NEVEU
The cab driver said it's adjacent to the Roland Garros tennis stadium. I know that area.
21. EXT. TAXI CAB
Dan runs down the street quickly trying to catch up with the car.
DAN BROWN
Robert Langdon! Sophie!
He waves his hands around trying to get Robert or Sophie's attention.
22. INT. TAXI CAB
Robert sees Dan following them.
ROBERT LANGDON
Wait Sophie! There's a man out there.
SOPHIE NEVEU
He probably just wants a ride.
ROBERT LANGDON
No stop. It's Dan Brown! Stop!
She pulls the car to a screeching halt. Robert gets out of the taxi as Dan runs toward him.
ROBERT LANGDON
Dan?
DAN BROWN
Quick Robert! Silas is coming!
They hear a gunshot from behind them and both duck. Both turn around and see the albino monk running at them. Robert turns to Dan.
ROBERT LANGDON
Get in the backseat.
Both climb into the taxi, Robert in the front seat.
DAN BROWN
Alright, do you guys have the keystone yet?
SOPHIE NEVEU
Keystone?
ROBERT LANGDON
I'll explain later. We're going to-
DAN BROWN
The Swiss Bank?
ROBERT LANGDON & SOPHIE NEVEU
It's a Swiss Bank?
DAN BROWN
Just keep going wherever you intended. Except for-
Dan moves his face towards Sophie and whispers in his ear.
DAN BROWN (whispers)
Sophie, please stop at the nearest open bookstore.
23. INT. DCPJ STATION
Captain Fache sits at his desk with a puzzled look on his face.
Lt. Collet enters.
FACHE
Collet. Did you get that book?
LT. COLLET
Here you are Captain.
Collet hand him the book and hovers over Fache as he opens it.
LT. COLLET
We recently got a tip from a cab driver, who said he had Langdon and Neveu in his backseat.
FACHE
Oh my god. That author wasn't lying. He has everything in here. The murder, the car crash, even what I'm doing at this exact moment.
LT. COLLET
What, sir?
Fache points to a line in the book.
FACHE
Read that line.
LT. COLLET
It's you, telling me to read that line. And what I just said, it's on the next. Where's the murder?
Fache flips to the beginning of the book.
FACHE
You know, Lt., this is ingenious. It wasn't Langdon that killed Sauniere. It was this albino man. Wait-.
Fache continues flipping through pages, and comes to one that is of him talking to a "teacher."
FACHE
Wait, this man is working for the teacher! Just as I-!
LT. COLLET
What, Captain?
FACHE
He played me like a fiddle!
Captain Fache angrily picks up the telephone on his desk. Just as he begins dialing, he sees a golden light come from the book. As he sees this, he opens to the page he had previously been on with Collet. He reads.
FACHE
Mary, mother of God.
LT. COLLET
What is it?
FACHE
Most authors aren't in their books, right Collet? Well, then why is Dan Brown saying so much?
He points to the page, and it reveals words being erased and re-written with Dan talking to Langdon.
LT. COLLET
Dan Brown is not supposed to be in his book.
FACHE
But the novel is giving him a lead role.
24. INT. BOOKSTORE
Dan runs to a shelf in the bookstore where copies of the Da Vinci Code are being kept. He grabs one and show it to Langdon.
ROBERT LANGDON
Whoa. You were telling the truth.
DAN BROWN
This book made quite the controversy.
ROBERT LANGDON
Why?
DAN BROWN
Well, it was about the Priory. And the grail.
ROBERT LANGDON
Well what happened?
DAN BROWN
The Catholic church went so nuts with it they started publishing books called Disproving the Da Vinci Code, like everything I said was true. I mean, I was just trying to write a novel.
ROBERT LANGDON
But isn't it real?
DAN BROWN
No, the whole true grail story was just an idea that came to me, and I said, hey! Why don't I write a book about that?
ROBERT LANGDON
So then-.
DAN BROWN
Yes. Everything that you've been trying to explain to Sophie in the past few hours doesn't exist in the real world. Yet there's so many who refuse to believe it. I mean, I'm a Christian, and it's hard for me to go to church now, without people saying things.
25. INT. TAXI CAB
Sophie, in the taxi turns to the hostage driver in the backseat.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Do you have a radio in this?
The driver nods slowly.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Good.
She turns to turn the radio on. As she flips through channels, she nods her head in like/dislike. Finally she hears a piano.
SOPHIE NEVEU
I love piano.
She sits in the cab, silent and relaxing, while she soon hears lyrics over the piano. She recognizes the voice, and turns to the cab driver in the backseat.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Have you heard Weird Al Yankovich before?
CABBIE
No.
SOPHIE NEVEU
He's this American that parodies other songs, here listen to the lyrics.
WEIRD AL
That night remember I can
I was staring at what once was the man
Jacques me when my family died
Now the man’s secret is at stake
So this is what it is? And it is true you said?
Secrets safe from the church and a cryptex
Surprised, I guess I was
The Priory could in fact destroy the church
With talk of Mary M. and Jesus
And of course, their daughter, Sarah
They think I’m apart of the Priory?
Their secret kept to long and their cryptex
And who’s to say that I am?
Though why would it be controversial to me
When I don’t even believe in God?
So I’m of Jesus’s bloodline, this situation I’m in,
I’m running for my life, from the Vatican
A secret haunting me, and a cryptex
A secret haunting me, and a cryptex
As Sophie listens to these lyrics, she starts crying. Through the lyrics she has realized that the parody is about her grandfather, and to show this as the lyrics go on her mind flashes back to his body in the Louvre, the night she saw him performing a ritual at a Priory meeting, and him & her as she is growing up.
Dan and Robert exit the store and get into the taxi.
SOPHIE NEVEU
What is it you're not telling me?
DAN BROWN
I wrote a book called the Da Vinci Code-.
He hands her the copy he and Langdon just bought.
DAN BROWN
It's abou- well just read the book jacket.
She reads intently, and then stops. She looks at Dan.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Mr. Brown, if this book is about my grandfather, and you wrote it, then why are you in it?
DAN BROWN
What?
SOPHIE NEVEU
Here, it reads: "As Langdon, the author Dan Brown and gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, sort through the bizarre riddles..."
DAN BROWN
But wait? I didn't write that.
ROBERT LANGDON
I think that you being here, meeting your characters and what not, has changed your book. Drastically.
DAN BROWN
Oh my god.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Wait, Mr. Brown. You're concerned about your changing book, but if this is happening, how on earth do you plan to get back to the real world?
26. INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH
Silas stands in a glass telephone booth, anxiously anticipating the teacher answering his call.
THE TEACHER
Yes.
SILAS
We have a problem. The four all lied.
THE TEACHER
Did they now? Well it was to be expected of course. What happened in Saint-Sulpice?
SILAS
I almost killed the nun, but then an author named Dan Brown showed up, and he claimed to have written a book about the murder of Jacques Sauniere.
THE TEACHER
What is this book?
SILAS
The Da Vinci Code.
27. INT. TAXI CAB
Moving again, the taxi drives through the streets of Paris. However, the three characters have left the driver at the bookstore.
ROBERT LANGDON
Well, I guess we don't have to go to that bank now.
DAN BROWN
No! No you do.
SOPHIE NEVEU
And why is this Mr. Brown?
DAN BROWN
My thought is that if you do everything just as the book was written, it will change back.
SOPHIE NEVEU
You're not concerned about your book still, are you? I mean, think about how much controversy you've said that this book caused.
DAN BROWN
That would be nice to avoid. But what am I thinking?! I can't just let this book be changed.
SOPHIE NEVEU
And why not Mr. Brown?
DAN BROWN
Because the changing of this book could change how well it did, which would change my life, my wife's life, my publisher's life, Ron Howard's life-.
ROBERT LANGDON
Wait did you say Ron Howard?
DAN BROWN
Yeah the movie came out last year. But please, listen. You have to do just as the book already has written. We have to go to the Swiss Bank and then go to Teabing's.
ROBERT LANGDON
What? After what I have read so far in this book, Teabing is going to betray us!
SOPHIE NEVEU
Well you'll be going with won't you?
DAN BROWN
No no no. The book has to be changed. Here. Pretend you never saw me tonight running down the street.
He grabs the book from Langdon.
DAN BROWN
Just continue as you were to the bank. I'm going to call my wife, and figure out if I can get out of this mess.
He gets out of the car and waves to the two as they drive off.
DAN BROWN
This is going to be interesting.
28. INT. TELEPHONE BOOTH
Dan dials home and waits patiently as the phone rings. On the third ring, Blythe answers.
BLYTHE BROWN
Hello?
DAN BROWN
Blythe. It's me. What time is it?
BLYTHE BROWN
It's about 8:30. Can you call back? I'm watching Grey's Anatomy.
DAN BROWN
Here Blythe please. Tonight I ran into Robert Langdon and other characters from the Da Vinci Code including Silas.
BLYTHE BROWN (sighs)
Honey.
DAN BROWN
No, I need you to do something for me.
BLYTHE BROWN
Pick up some prescribed medication? You know they need you here to do that.
DAN BROWN
No I need you to call the DCPJ here in France. Ask for Bezu Fache, and then tell him he cannot read the Da Vinci Code. Tell him to continue his original search for Langdon and Neveu.
BLYTHE BROWN
You want me to do this now?
DAN BROWN
Yes, please Blythe.
BLYTHE BROWN
But Grey's is on!
DAN BROWN
I love you. I'll see you tomorrow.
He hangs up and quickly deposits more quarters. The phone rings several times, then a man answers. He has a New-York accent.
RICHARD
Hello?
DAN BROWN
Hi Richard it's Dan.
RICHARD
Dan, thank god you called. Listen bud, we've been getting calls all night from all around the country.
DAN BROWN
Calls about what Richard?
RICHARD
People have been saying that as they read their copies of the Da Vinci Code, some of the lines have erased themselves and been rewrote.
DAN BROWN
You mean-?
RICHARD
Yeah, I'm sitting here with a copy myself, and it's totally weird. But here's another issue. It's changed itself so that Teabing wins at the end.
DAN BROWN
What?
RICHARD
At the end the man on the crutches, he opens the cryptex. And get this, you're in the story.
Dan's facial expression changes to an extremely stress look.
DAN BROWN
Richard, I gotta go find Robert and Sophie. Bye!
Dan then hangs up on Richard and runs from the phone booth.
RICHARD
Wait! Dan! What's happening? Dan?
29. EXT. STREETS OF PARIS
Dan continues walking down the street. Streets pass, and all is calm, until he hears a gunshot and sees a spark fly on the car parked along the street.
Dan looks back. It is Silas. Silas runs at a fast pace as he fires the handguns. Dan runs at as fast a pace as possible.
DAN BROWN
Why'd I have to make you so crazy?!
Dan sees a taxi, and jumps into the front seat.
DAN BROWN
Here. Take me to Chateau Villete!
The cabbie's mirror is suddenly shot by Silas. He gets out of the car.
CABBIE
It's all yours!
The cabbie runs and Dan hops into the driver's seat of the car. He drives away.
30. INT. CHATEAU VILLETE
Robert and Sophie sit in Sir Leigh Teabing's enormous mansion in France. Drinking Earl Grey tea with lemon, they discuss the Priory of Sion. Leigh's accent is English.
LEIGH TEABING
Here in France, Mary Magdalene had a daughter-.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Sarah.
Teabing looks at Robert suspiciously.
LEIGH TEABING
Robert I find it interesting that you tell me this woman is a grail virgin, and yet she has finished all of my sentences for the past half hour.
ROBERT LANGDON
Yes, it's interesting.
Sophie looks at Robert, amazed. She then stands.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Robert! I don't know how you can stand here and lie to this man! I don't know why we have come here!
ROBERT LANGDON
To have a knight help us on our grail quest.
Teabing looks confused.
LEIGH TEABING
Robert, is there something you're not telling me?
ROBERT LANGDON
No, Leigh.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Yes, Sir Teabing. We know that you're the teacher!
Robert puts his hand on his face and sighs. Sophie sits down.
ROBERT LANGDON
We read a book, Leigh, called the Da Vinci Code.
LEIGH TEABING
And what about this book?
ROBERT LANGDON
This book is about tonight, Jacques Sauniere's murder, and your trying to fulfill your lifelong agenda.
LEIGH TEABING
To prove that the Priory exists and that the world must no their secret?! Robert, you're a grail historian yourself! How can you of all people be so short with the small bit of vigilante justice done tonight to do this?!
ROBERT LANGDON
Small bit, Leigh? You've had four men executed!
LEIGH TEABING
For the right cause Robert! For the cause you and I have fought for!
SOPHIE NEVEU
Robert!
ROBERT LANGDON
You've taken it to far Leigh!
SOPHIE NEVEU
Robert!
ROBERT LANGDON
What Sophie?
She points to a book on the counter, and then proceeds to grab it. She shows it to Robert.
SOPHIE NEVEU
He has the Da Vinci Code!
ROBERT LANGDON
So what?
SOPHIE NEVEU
If we could change it based on our actions, - well. The point is that he knows the ending. And he-.
ROBERT LANGDON
Could change it!
The red haired Teabing gets up from his chair and grabs some crutches. He then proceeds to the cabinet.
ROBERT LANGDON
What are you doing, Leigh?
Leigh pulls a gun from the cabinet and moves towards Langdon and Sophie.
LEIGH TEABING
Exactly what you said, Robert. I'm going to change the Da Vinci Code.
31. EXT. CHATEAU VILLETE - 15 MINUTES LATER
Dan Brown exits the taxi cab after driving up to the gates of Chateau Villete. He climbs through them and enters the house.
32. INT. CHATEAU VILLETE
Dan walks throughout the mansion, looking for Langdon and Neveu.
DAN BROWN
I don't get it. They should have had the cryptex a while ago, which means that they should have been here a while ago.
A figure emerges from the shadows.
SILAS
They were here- about 15 minutes ago even.
Dan turns around to see the monk has him at gunpoint. He advances.
SILAS
If I were you Mr. Brown, I would not advance any further.
DAN BROWN
Wait, Silas. We can help each other out.
SILAS
How? I called the teacher, only to discover it was the old man who lived here. I told him about the book. He knows the ending. That's why he's taken Mr. Langdon and Ms. Neveu hostage. They're currently on their way to England.
DAN BROWN
No, Silas. You see, calling Teabing has benefited you even more. He wants to change the book so that he wins.
SILAS
How does that affect me Mr. Brown?
DAN BROWN
You're capable of changing it too.
33. INT. TEABING'S AIRPLANE - MORNING
Robert and Sophie sit in Leigh's airplane as if they were guests- not tied up or anything, just taking a trip to England.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Although you have indeed taken us hostage-.
Teabing "humphs".
SOPHIE NEVEU
I must say you are quite the host for your prisoners.
LEIGH TEABING
Oh Ms. Neveu. As soon as the Priory's secret is revealed as truth none of us will be prisoners any more, to the church's lies or-.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Then again. You do seem quite mad Mr. Teabing.
LEIGH TEABING
Are you saying I'm an angry person Ms. Neveu? Actually, thanks to you two, this has been the most exciting life of my night.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Actually I meant insane mad, not angry.
Robert stands and walks to Teabing.
ROBERT LANGDON
Well, do you have books, newspapers, anything to entertain your guests?
LEIGH TEABING
Hostages, Robert?
ROBERT LANGDON
Whatever you prefer.
Leigh walks to the opposite side of the plane.
LEIGH TEABING
Do you like the Herald Tribune, Robert?
Leigh hands Robert a newspaper.
ROBERT LANGDON
Heck I'll read it.
He looks around for a bit, then finds he is bored. His eyes suddenly spark though.
ROBERT LANGDON
Hey Sophie. Look at this.
She stands and moves next to him.
ROBERT LANGDON
It's an article, about Brown's new book. And the Da Vinci Code controversy.
LEIGH TEABING
Read it Robert.
ROBERT LANGDON
Vatican avoids Brown. Dan Brown’s first book premiere since the Da Vinci Code controversy keeps religious readers away. Dan Brown, highly acclaimed author of Angels and Demons and Digital Fortress is realizing the scar that the controversy from the Da Vinci Code on the Church and fans alike. Brown, a graduate of Amherst College in Massachusetts has been on the road the past week, in locations such as New York, Britain, and most recently, Paris. At book signings, including his most recent at the Tea and Tattered Pages Bookstore in Paris, Brown noticed the significant drop in sales to date. “I have no that this is a ripple effect from the Da Vinci Code.” In 2003, Brown published his controversial thriller, The Da Vinci Code, which caused an outburst among readers and the church. The novel suggested that Jesus Christ, son of God, had marital affairs with bible prostitute, Mary Magdalene, and continued to tell of the birth of their child after his [Jesus’s] crucifixion. An enraged Vatican went on to publish books like Disproving the Da Vinci Code in response. On May 19 of last year, “the Da Vinci Code” movie was released. “I found it strange that “The Passion of the Christ” was released as scheduled on Ash Wednesday, though the release of “Da Vinci Code” was delayed” said Henry Ravitz, a student at the American University of Paris and a Dan Brown fan.
LEIGH TEABING
Ah-ha! Exactly!
SOPHIE NEVEU
He's right Robert. The release of the Passion was on schedule but the Da Vinci Code was delayed.
ROBERT LANGDON
Yeah. But that thing about Disproving the Da Vinci Code. What do you think he's faced because of this?
LEIGH TEABING
Well, if we can change it enough maybe he just won't have it published.
ROBERT LANGDON
The reason we still came to your house was to change it back.
LEIGH TEABING
A mistake I'm sure you would not dare make again Robert.
ROBERT LANGDON
Wait, if you have the book, then why are we going to England?
Leigh looks at Sophie angrily.
LEIGH TEABING
Well Robert, I seem to have misplaced my copy. And I have no doubt in my mind Mr. Brown will be waiting for us at the Westminster Abbey.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Why?
LEIGH TEABING
I sent Silas to bring him here to England.
34. INT. WESTMINISTER ABBEY
Silas and Dan sit in the pews at the Westminster Abbey church. They anxiously wait for Langdon, Neveu, and Teabing to show up.
SILAS
Why did you kill me?
Dan turns to Silas.
DAN BROWN
What?
SILAS
Weren't there alternative ways for my character to end the story apart from death?
DAN BROWN
Well-.
SILAS
No. Through your writing, you made the Bishop and myself believe I was a Saint! Just like Saint-.
DAN BROWN
Silas. That was the intent.
SILAS
Well I see alternative endings to my story.
DAN BROWN
And what are those?
SILAS
I escape. Karma never catches up with me.
Dan laughs.
SILAS
Why you find my death amusing I'll never know.
DAN BROWN
I don't. I was trying to write a satisfying book. My readers would be more satisfied with your death. Why? Because you're in their eyes a bad guy? Why else? Because I never planned on having this discussion.
LEIGH TEABING
Ah, Mr. Brown.
Brown and Silas turn around. Langdon, Teabing, and Sophie are approaching them. Brown and Silas stand and advance. Leigh makes it quite noticeable that he has a weapon in his pocket, and will use it if necessary.
LEIGH TEABING
What now Mr. Brown?
DAN BROWN
I'm not going to tell you the password Teabing.
LEIGH TEABING
And why is that?
DAN BROWN
Only the worthy can know.
LEIGH TEABING
Let's get over your book and get on to what I want.
Robert advances.
ROBERT LANGDON
Dan, I tried telling him that the whole thing's not real anyways-.
LEIGH TEABING
You're sounding like the Vatican Robert! A hypocrite and tyrant!
As they speak Dan moves slowly back.
DAN BROWN
You don't get it Leigh! I'm from the real world! I wrote the story! I don't believe it's true!
LEIGH TEABING
Don't you remember the controversy this book called?! If we can change it enough, maybe we can avoid its publishing! Tell me Dan, after all the trouble you went through after people read this book, was it worth it.
DAN BROWN
I think you've helped me decide my answer to that question. Yes. It was worth it.
LEIGH TEABING
I've had enough of this!
Leigh pulls the trigger on the gun at Dan. Silas quickly jumps into the way of the bullet, before it hits Dan. As Silas's body falls, Dan grabs him.
ROBERT LANGDON
Silas! What have you done?!
SILAS
Remember we have to change the book back.
As Silas slowly dies, the bullet having had hit him in the chest, Sophie grabs the gun from Teabing.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Please! Call the police! Please!
35. INT. ST. JAMES PARK
Sophie, Dan, and Robert walk through the beautiful St. James park in England. Dan is holding the cryptex, and Sophie and Robert are holding hands.
SOPHIE NEVEU
You really think it was worth it?
DAN BROWN
Yeah.
He looks at the cryptex, and looks back at Sophie and Robert.
DAN BROWN
It was.
SOPHIE NEVEU
We read an article, in-.
DAN BROWN
In the Herald Tribune? Yeah, Blythe called me as soon as she read it.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Your wife sounds nice.
DAN BROWN
You two both look exactly as I pictured you when I wrote the Da Vinci Code.
Sophie lets go of Robert's hand and stands in front of Dan.
SOPHIE NEVEU
I know we've already screwed up the book enough. Please, just tell me what happens.
Dan looks at Robert, and then back at Sophie.
DAN BROWN
You Sophie, are of Jesus's bloodline. Princess Sophie.
SOPHIE NEVEU
Oh god I shouldn't have asked. Why are all of your characters so crazy?
DAN BROWN
Because it's fun to see their faces when you talk to them about it.
Robert spontaneously grabs the cryptex from Dan.
DAN BROWN
Hey hey hey!
ROBERT LANGDON
I doubt you'll be taking this back to the real world.
SOPHIE NEVEU
What Robert?
ROBERT LANGDON
Temptation is just terrible for a person like me.
Robert throws the cryptex up in the air, until it is out of sight.
DAN BROWN
Robert, it was so beautiful though.
36. INT. ST. JAMES PARK
The cryptex hits the ground, and as it does it shatters. The pieces begin floating in the air.
Dan stops. He notices that Robert and Sophie are no longer walking with him. He walks back to them. The two are frozen, though Dan is just fine.
The pieces of the cryptex form a great glass door in front of Dan. Slowly, he approaches, and eventually opens the door. As he walks through there is a great white flash of light. He proceeds.
37. INT. BROWN HOUSE - MORNING
Dan Brown is sitting in at his table in his kitchen. He looks down in his hand to see a familiar letter from Richard.
Blythe enters the room.
BLYTHE BROWN
You all ready to go to the airport? Oh, what's that?
DAN BROWN
This kid in Colorado sent it to the fan mail address. Richard forwarded it to me.
She picks it up. This time the camera shows the poem, and Blythe reads it aloud (see end notes for poem).
BLYTHE BROWN
Well, now's when we think about if the results of this book was worth it. Was it, Dan?
He looks at her, then sets the letter down on the table.
DAN BROWN
Now that I think about it. I have no doubt in my mind.
THE END
No, not really. Go to the next page.
38. INT. CAFE - MORNING
Robert and Sophie sit in a cafe, each with coffee or tea and a newspaper in front of them. Sophie takes a bite of muffin, then goes back to her work. Robert leans over to her.
ROBERT LANGDON
Sophie? You haven't finished that yet?
SOPHIE NEVEU
Robert, it's a crossword puzzle! What does it matter?
ROBERT LANGDON
I'm on the cryptogram puzzle.
SOPHIE NEVEU
You little over achiever!
She leans her head over and looks off of Robert's answers.
THE END
CRYPTEX
Parody of HUNDRED by the Fray
Parody lyrics by Tony Klava
VERSE 1:
The monk was a lone
I was staring at what once was the one
Jacques raised me when my family died
Now this man’s secret is at stake
CHORUS:
So this is what it is? And it is true you said?
Secrets safe from the church and a cryptex
VERSE 2:
Surprised, I guess I was
The Priory could in fact destroy the church
With talk of Mary M. and Jesus
And of course, their daughter, Sarah
CHORUS:
They think I’m apart of the Priory?
Their secret kept to long and their cryptex
BRIDGE:
And who’s to say that I am?
Though why would it be controversial to me
When I don’t even believe in God?
CHORUS:
So I’m of Jesus’s bloodline, this situation I’m in,
I’m running for my life, from the Vatican
A secret haunting me, and a cryptex
A secret haunting me, and a cryptex
HUNDRED
By the Fray
From the album How to Save a Life
Verse 1:
The how I can't recall
But I'm staring at what once was the wall
Separating east and west
Now they meet amidst the broad daylight
Chorus
So this is where you are, and this is where I am
Somewhere between unsure and a hundred
Verse 2:
It's hard I must confess
I'm banking on the rest to clear away
Cause we have spoken everything
Everything short of I love you
Chorus:
You’re right where you are, from right where I am
Somewhere between unsure and a hundred
Bridge:
And who's to say it's wrong
And who's to say that it's not right
Where we should be for now
Chorus:
So this is where you are, and this is where I am
So this is where you are, and this is where I've been
Somewhere between unsure and a hundred
Somewhere between unsure and a hundred
Double Voice Poem
The Vatican vs. Die-Hard Da Vinci Code Believers
Name:____________________________________________
Name:_________________________________________________________
Performance Task Assessment List
Multi Genre Student Choice:_______ Rubric
Name:____________________________