SCENE TEN: LES INNOCENTS — THE CATACOMBS
Establishing Photograph: The crumbling catacombs beneath the cemetery of Les Innocents.
(A large domed chamber within the catacombs beneath the graves. NICOLAS is held by the vampires of ARMAND'S coven. He is caught up in the ecstasy of THE SWOON. ARMAND'S coven consists of eight vampires: young, old, men, women, dressed in remnants of human garments, caked with dirt, faces white, their feet bare, like living ghosts. LESTAT see NICOLAS.)
[Lestat:]
Nicolas.
(GABRIBLLE lays a strong hand on his arm.)
[Gabrielle:]
Wait.
[Armand:]
Release him.
(THE VAMPIRES pull back. NICOLAS collapses.)
[Lestat:]
[fiercely to Gabrielle] I will get us all out of this. Some way. This will not be our end.
[Eleni:]
Aimand has brought the blasphemers.
[Gilles:]
A curse on those who have dared to enter the House of God!
(THE VAMPIRES study them curiously: their clothes, their faces, the buckles on their shoes. One of them, a dark-haired female ELENI, reaches out as if to touch GABRIELLE's hair. GABRIELLE pulls away but she has seen something in ELENI's face.)
[Gabrielle:]
[whispers to Lestat] They're envious. It could be an advantage.
(LESTAT looks at each one of them. He brushes the dust from his frock coat and breeches. He smoothes his cloak, taking his time. He runs his hands through his hair, straightens his shoulders and stands with his arms crossed, a picture of righteous dignity.)
[Lestat:]
What is the explanation for all this? Why do you live among graves in the filth and stench? It's disgusting.
[Eugenie:]
Our leader is Satan. We suffer as he commands us to do.
[Lestat:]
Why? Are you to go to heaven on white wings at the end of this tortured existence? Is that what Satan promises? Salvation? I wouldn't depend on it if I were you.
[Armand:]
We exist as all evil does to reveal the power of God. Satan commands us to make mortals suffer so they will fear God's wrath.
[Eleni:]
[to Lestat] But you do not suffer as Satan commands. In vanity and wickedness you walk in places of light. You dare to live among mortals!
[Lestat:]
And why don't you? You would be beautiful if someone threw you under a waterfall and held you there for a while.
(ELENI shrinks back, pulling her robe around her demurely.)
I am a vampire like you. But I never promised my soul to the devil for this. If there really is a Prince of Darkness, then let the bastard come for me now!
Song: To Live Like This
[Armand:]
Just look at you
Who do you think you are?
To flaunt our laws with your rash ways
To mock our rules with disregard
Your presence here
Is poison in our veins
Your human traits sour our belief
Your arrogance should be your shame
In your Spanish leather boots
Silver buttons on your vest
Gold embroidery down your breeches
Diamond broach upon your chest
We were born the devil's darkest
And shun your forms of gaudiness
While you parade among the living
We haunt the solemn world of death
[Lestat:]
Just look at me
Well, I say look at you
You hug these walls like half-starved rats
A filthy tattered vermin crew
Where is it written?
Who said to live this?
Show me the face of such a fool
Who'd trade this Gift for shit and piss
[Armand:]
The chosen of Satan we are. We fear the power of God, the crucifix about the neck, the Sacraments…
[Lestat:]
[interrupting] And there it is, the whole philosophy founded on a lie. Those icons have no power over us.
(He takes a crucifix from his coat and holds it up for all to see. They shrink from the sight of the holy icon. Swinging the crucifix, he moves through them toward THE VAMPIRES nearest NICOLAS. When they pull back, he grabs NICOLAS and puts the crucifix around his neck.)
And now by your own rules you cannot harm him. And yet, it is a vampire who has given him God's protection. How do you explain that?
What's to fear on hallowed ground?
Cold stone angels bound to good
A crucifix is nothing more
Just a dead man on two bits of wood
Your self-imposed archaic ways
Are simply ties to bind your will
Above this wretched crypt you live in
Shine forms of light that cannot kill
Trust in me there is no need
For anyone to live like this and not believe
The night holds more than darkness and the stars
Don't fear the world out there
Because of who you are
So free yourselves and you will see
There is no need to live like this, no need
This sad ghost has held you in the grip of fear and superstition for too long. He comes from the dark ages. But this is a new age and I am the vampire for these times. I stalk the world in mortal dress, the worst of fiends, the monster who looks like everyone else. There is no romance in what he is. There is great romance in what I am. Gentleman Death in silk and lace, come to put out the candles.
[Armand:]
You act so bold
As if you have the right
To challenge us this ancient coven
While you are new to this cursed life
[Lestat:]
I bring you proof
You've seen it with your eyes
I've danced within the church of God
Seen operas sung and still survive
[Gilles:]
Tell us what happened when you went into the church?
[Gabrielle:]
Absolutely nothing! Ask your leader! He followed us there.
[Gilles:]
[shocked] Is this true, Armand? You ventured into the House of God?
[Armand:]
Lies! All lies! From this strutting peacock…
From one who'd drink his mother's blood
And quests to be some harlequin…
(LESTAT takes the crucifix from NICOLAS' neck and places it around ELENI'S. He holds his arms out as if to say… you see?)
[Lestat:]
I see the words dry in your mouth
It seems your hold is wearing thin
[Armand:]
Beware this smooth tongued libertine
He'll share with you his grand demise
[Lestat:]
See his logic crumbling like a corpse
No God or monster rules your lives
(As LESTAT sings, the other VAMPIRES join in, casting their lot in with his.)
[Lestat:]
Trust in me
[Armand:]
No. trust in me
[Lestat:]
There is no need
[Armand:]
He does deceive
[Lestat:]
For anyone to live like this and not believe
[Armand:]
No, trust in me
[Lestat:]
The night holds more than darkness and the stars
[Lestat/Armand:]
Don't/We fear the world out there
[Lestat/Armand:]
Because of who you/we are
[Lestat:]
So free yourselves
[Lestat/Armand:]
And you will see
[Armand:]
Do not believe
[Lestat/Armand:]
There is no need to live like this, no need
[Lestat/Vampires:]
Trust in me there is no need
For anyone to live like this and not believe
[Lestat:]
The night holds more than darkness and the stars
Don't fear the world out there
Because of who you are
So free yourselves and you will see
[Lestat/Vampires:]
There is no need to live like this, no need
[Armand:]
It is finished.
(ARMAND exits. LESTAT and GABRIELLE go to NICOLAS.)
[Laurent:]
Lestat. We want to be what you described. Vampires for this new age. Please tell us… how do we begin?
[Lestat:]
Go wash yourselves in the waters of the Seine and clothe yourselves like humans if you remember how.
[Gilles:]
But how will we survive?
[Lestat:]
[impatiently] Have you no craft? No cunning? Take the garments from your victims, take the money from their pockets. And then you can move among mortals as I do.
[Eugenie:]
We will need a new place to sleep.
[Lestat:]
Use my theatre. I'll send the troupe away and you can make it your sanctuary.
[Gabrielle:]
Yes, you can hide in the bright lights of the stage. If you conceal yourselves with paint and powder you can easily fool mortals. They will never guess what you really are.
[Lestat:]
If you are clever, you may even make a success of it.
[Laurent:]
Many thanks, Lestat.
[Eleni:]
We will not forget this!
(The other VAMPIRES go off, LESTAT and GABRIELLE go to NICOLAS.)
[Lestat:]
Help me take him to a safer place.
(The set transforms to the NICOLAS' dressing room.)