3Author´s note: Have you ever read the first draft of Alice in Wonderland 2010? Here it is. (I will post it in Spanish soon)
Disclaimer: I don´t own this. This belongs to Linda Woolverton. No profits made from this.
ALICE
screenplay by Linda Woolverton
inspired by
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
and
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
by Lewis Carroll
First Draft
Feb. 23, 2007
1
FADE IN:
Falling fast into an endless abyss with fleeting surreal
images: a lush but off-kilter landscape, strange misshapen
people, a blue caterpillar floating in smokey mist, the wry
smile of a man in a top hat, a weeping turtle, an egg man on a
fence, a griphon and the silhouette of a huge-headed woman
screaming.
RED QUEEN (0.5.)
Of f with her head! Of f with
her head! OFF WITH HER HEAD!
ALICE'S MOTHER (0.S.)
Alice?
ON ALICE KINGSLEY
Alice comes out of her daydream with a start. She is bright,
young and lovely with a wild mane of blonde hair.
INT. A CARRIAGE - 1865
Alice sits in the back of a carriage. Her mother reaches out a
hand to her.
ALICE'S MOTHER
Are you all right?
ALICE
Mother...
She wants to tell her about the dream that's been plaguing her
since she was young. She wants to confide in her the way she
confided in her father. But it wouldn't be the same.
ALICE'S MOTHER
I know this is difficult. But
try to find a way to smile
just for this afternoon.
EXT. THE ASCOT ESTATE - A GARDEN PARTY
The grounds of the Ascot mansion are vast with topiaries,
statues, fountains and rose gardens. A summer party is in full
swing. Everyone has turned out in their summer finery:
crinolines and bonnets, parasols and boaters. Guests play
croquet on a long stretch of green lawn. Skiffs drift lazily
on a meandering river.
Alice and her mother stand on the steps. Her mother gently
straightens her unruly hair. Alice musters up a weak smile as
LORD and LADY ASCOT approach.
LADY ASCOT (0.5.)
There you are, at last!
Lord Ascot is stately, aristocratic and kind man. His wife,
however, is all airs and superiority.
ALICE'S MOTHER
Lord and Lady Ascot.
LADY ASCOT
Helen. Alice, dear. You're looking
as lovely as ever. Hamish has
been waiting to dance with you.
Her mother nudges her. With a sigh, Alice goes to join the
other young people of marriageable age.
LORD ASCOT
She's not doing well, is she?
ALICE'S MOTHER
Alice and her father were
very close.
LADY ASCOT
Poor dear. I hope it's not too
long before she's herself again.
ALICE'S MOTHER
I'm sure this afternoon will lift
her spirits immeasurably.
Lady Ascot pats her hand.
LADY ASCOT
I'm certain of it.
LORD ASCOT
Madame, in this world, there are
very few people with vision.
Your husband had vision.
LORD ASCOT (CONT.)
Charles Kingsley could see opportunity
in the most strange and
exotic places.
ALICE'S MOTHER
That he could.
LORD ASCOT
It's a shame you have to sell
his company.
ALICE'S MOTHER
2
3
I wish I didn't. But it's a
consolation knowing it will
be in your capable hands.
EXT. THE GARDEN - A QUADRILLE
Alice dances with the Ascot's son, HANISH. He's more like his
mother than his father, refined and immaculately dressed with
an aristocratic arrogance. Dancing has made Alice's smile more
genuine. She looks up at a flock of geese flying overhead.
ALICE
Hamish, have you ever wondered
what it would be like to fly?
HAMI S H
I don't waste my time wondering
about impossible things.
ALICE
My father says...
(catching herself)
...used to say...believing in the
impossible is the only way to
make it possible.
HAN I SH
Did he?
ALICE
He said he sometimes believed in
six impossible things before
breakfast.
She laughs at the memory. Hamish looks pained. The dance ends.
HAMISH
Alice, I need to speak with you
in private. Meet me at dusk
under the gazebo.
ALICE
Dusk?
HAN IS H
Exactly.
He moves off. Alice wonders aloud.
ALICE
When is dusk. . . exactly?
She is set upon by a pair of giggly females, THE CHATAWAYS.
FAITH
Alice!
FIONA
We have a secret to tell you.
ALICE
If you're telling me, then it's
not much of a secret.
FIONA
(to Faith)
Perhaps we shouldn't.
FAITH
Of course we should.
FIONA
If we tell her, she won't be
surprised.
ALICE
Tell me what?
FAITH
Will you be surprised?
ALICE
Not if you tell me.
F I ONA
Then we shouldn't.
ALICE
But now you've brought it
up, you have to.
FAITH
No, we don't.
ALICE
I wonder if your mother knows
that you two swim naked in the
Havershim's pond?
FAITH
You wouldn't.
ALICE
Oh, but I would.
FIONA
Well, uou didn't hear it from
us. But Lady Ascot told Mrs.
4
fluckwall who told Lady
Whit t 1 ewoo d...
FAITH
That's not how it went. Lady
Ascot told Lady Whittlewood
who told Mrs. fluckwall...
ALICE
I'm going to find your mother!
Alice turns to walk away. Fiona grabs her.
F IONA
Alice. Hamish Ascot...
FAITH
...is going to ask for your hand.
They squeal and giggle. Alice is stunned.
ALICE
I need my sister.
Alice rushes off to find her recently married older sister,
MARGARET MANCHESTER.
ALICE
Margaret!
One look and Margaret can see that Alice knows.
MARGARET
Who told you?
ALICE
The Chattaways.
MARGARET
They'll have to be strangled.
Now the surprise is ruined.
And everyone went to so much
effort to keep the secret.
Alice looks at the other guests.
ALICE
floes everyone know?
MARGARET
Of course. It's why they've all
come. This is your engagement party.
ALICE
5
6
Today? But how does he know
I'll accept?
Margaret laughs as if she's joking.
MARGARET
Hamish will ask you under the
gazebo at dusk. When you say
"yes", musicians will play...
ALICE
But I don't know if I want to
marry him.
MARGARET
Are you mad? Look around you.
ALICE
I wouldn't be marrying his
house. I'd be marrying Harnish.
She looks at Hamish who's blowing his nose. He studies the
contents of his kerchief before he folds it and puts it in his
pocket.
MARGARET
Do you have someone else in mind?
ALICE
Not at the moment.
MARGARET
Well, you won't do better than
a Lord. And you can't wait much
longer.
(as if she's Mathusela)
You're almost twenty, Alice.
That pretty face won't last
forever. You don't want to end
up like Aunt Imogene.
They look at their middle-aged aunt, IMOGENE, with over-rouged
cheeks and a yellowing white dress that's too young for her.
MARGARET
Such a embarrassment. And now that
Father is gone, you can't depend
on Mother to support you. You don't
want to be a burden, do you?
She's succeeded in making Alice feel not only insecure but
guilty as well.
ALICE
Of course not.
MARGARET
So you will marry Hamish. You
will be as happy as I am with
Lowell and your life will be
perfect. It's already decided.
Lady Ascot appears. She entwines her arm around Alice's.
LADY ASCOT
Walk with me through the rose
garden and we'll get to know
one another.
Alice looks back at her sister who nods with encouragement.
EXT. THE ROSE GARDENS - CONT.
LADY ASCOT
You're such a lovely girl, Alice.
You're certain to have gorgeous
children. Do you know what I've
always dreaded?
ALICE
What's that?
LADY ASCOT
Ugly grandchildren. But with
you that's not a possibility.
1-lamish tells me you're quite
imaginative.
ALICE
My father encouraged me to...
Lady Ascot sees something off.
LADY ASCOT
Incompetence! The gardeners planted
white roses when I specifically
asked for red.
ALICE
I like white roses.
LADY ASCOT
You couldn't possibly. They're
too bland.
She hurries her onto a winding path up a hill.
7
8
LADY ASCOT (CONT.)
As lady of the household it often
falls to me to make difficult
decisions, even to be ruthless.
LADY ASCOT (CONT.)
Do you think you could be ruthless
if you had to be?
ALICE
I doubt it very much. I can't even
kill a gnat.
LADY ASCOT
Now look what they've done! They've
left the topiary unclipped? The
gardeners will all have to be let go.
Just then, Alice hears a jingling sound. She catches a glimpse
of SOMETHING LaRGE AND WHITE dart past.
ALICE
Did you see that?
LADY ASCOT
See what?
ALICE
Something ran past. A rabbit,
I think.
LADY ASCOT
Yes. We're plagued with them. I
set the dogs on them whenever I
can.
She leads Alice relentlessly up the hill towards the gazebo.
LADY ASCOT (cont.)
Shall we discuss dining? If my
son eats the wrong things he
is certain to get a blockage.
Alice hears a string quartet warming up. She sees musicians
positioned discreetly in the shadows, for dramatic effect no
doubt. She glances up at the sun. It's just above the hill.
LADY ASCOT (cont.)
Alice? Are you listening?
ALICE
A blockage.
9
She hears that jingling again and catches a fleeting glimpse
of a LARGE WHITE RABBIT in a waistcoat, standing on its hind
legs. It stares directly at Alice for a moment, as if trying
to catch her eye, before darting behind a tree.
ALICE
There! Did you see it?
LADY ASCOT
See what?
ALICE
The rabbit.
LADY ASCOT
And they've let the wisteria
wilt as well!
ALICE
Excuse me.
Alice hurries into the wooded area of f the path.
EXT. THE WOODED AREA - DAY - CONT.
She sees the Rabbit darting between the trees as Aunt Imogene
approaches.
IMOGENE
Alice? What's this I hear that
you don't want to marry Hamish?
ALICE
I didn't say that. I'm not certain...
IMOGENE
Marry him, Alice. If you don't,
you'll lay awake at night in your
cold, cold bed, growing older and
older waiting for the perfect man
who never comes.
Alice takes this in with a look of dread. She pulls the bushes
back to see if the rabbit's hiding there.
IMOGENE (cont.)
What are you looking for?
ALICE
Can you keep a secret?
IMOGENE
To my grave.
10
ALICE
(secretive)
I saw a white rabbit run through
here...wearing a waistcoat.
IMOGENE
(secretive)
How very strange. What kind of
waistcoat?
ALICE
Brocade, I think. What does
it matter? It was a rabbit wearing
a waistcoat!
IMOGENE
I'm sorry, you'll have to go
someplace else to look for
your rabbit. I'm waiting here
for my fiance.
ALICE
You're engaged? I didn't know.
IMOGENE
No one does. I've been secretly
engaged for years.
ALICE
Who is he?
IMOGENE
A prince.
AL I CE
Where did you meet a prince?
IMOGENE
Alas, he cannot marry me
unless he renounces his throne.
ALICE
(worried now)
I...see.
IMOGENE
Run along now. And marry Hamish,
Alice. You don't want to end
up a spinster like some of those
poor women we know.
It's a cautionary tale. Alice continus to look for the elusive
rabbit. She hears rustling ahead and peeks around a
11
tree...surprising a man and a woman kissing. The woman gasps and
runs off. The man turns. It's Margaret's husband, Lowell.
ALICE
Lowell?
LOWELL
Alice. We were...Katrina is an
old friend.
ALICE
(upset)
I can see you're very close.
He's caught and he knows it. So he goes on the offensive.
LOWELL
You won't tell your sister
about this, will you?
ALICE
I don't know. I need time to
think.
LOWELL
Think of Margaret. This would
be devastating to her.
ALICE
I know!
LOWELL
Marriage is based on trust. She
would never trust me again. You
don't want to ruin your sister's
marriage, do you?
ALICE
But I'm not the one...
LOWELL
She must never know about this.
Hamish approaches.
HMI IS H
There you are, Alice! Lowell.
LOWELL
Hamish.
HAN I SH
Come under the gazebo.
12
As Hamish pulls Alice away, Lowell places his finger on his
lips. Hamish pulls her insistently to the gazebo. The shadows
of the pillars fall on her like prison bars. She glances at
the musicians. They're at the ready...bows poised. Hamish drops
to his knee. Alice glances over at an artist who's drawing the
moment for posterity.
HAN I SN
Alice Kingsley...
She notices something on his shoulder.
ALICE
Hamish.
HAN I SH
What is it?
ALICE
You have a caterpiller on
your shoulder.
HAN IS H
Well, get it off me!
He frantically brushes at his shoulder.
AL I CE
Don't hurt it! Hold still.
Alice lets the caterpiller crawls onto her finger, then places
it gently onto a tree branch.
HAN I SN
You'll want to wash that finger.
(starting again)
Alice Kingsley...will you be my
wife?
The question hangs in the air. The musicians' bows are poised.
The party has fallen silent. It seems the whole world is
listening. Unsure of herself, unsure of her future, unsure of
anything in that moment, Alice stammers.
ALICE
I...I...would have to say...everyone
thinks I should...and there ' s no
reason not to...so I suppose my
answer would have to be...I would
have to say...
She trails off as she sees the WHITE RABBIT leaning against a
pillar, glaring at her with undisguised impatience.
13
ALICE (cant.)
I need a moment.
She turns and runs, whether she's running after the Rabbit or
away from Hamish is a question that she'll often ask herself
in the future.
EXT. THE MEADOW - DAY - CONT
She spots the White Rabbit bounding across a meadow.
ALICE
Wait!
She runs into the meadow. But she's lost him again. She peeks
over the hedgerow. No rabbit. Stumped, she looks around.
CLOSE ON ALICE'S ANKLE
A white paw reaches up from out of the ground and grasps her
by the ankle. With a quick jerk, it pulls her down into the
rabbit hole. She screams.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
...and keeps screaming as she tumbles head over heels down the
rabbit hole. She frantically grabs at the walls which are hung
with exotic objects: paintings, ancient maps, cracked mirrors,
demonic masks, etc. She pulls out books, jam jars, a crystal
ball, a badger claw, a monkey's hand and a human skull in her
frantic effort to stop herself. And down she falls.
She looks up and sees the round bright circle of the rabbit
hole and the blue sky above which grows smaller the further
she plunges.
Gradually, it grows darker as the day passes into night. And
still she falls. Now she can see stars twinkling in the dark
round circle of the hole as she plunges deeper and deeper
beneath the earth's surface. Finally, after what seems like
hours, Alice dozes off. And still she plunges until...
INT. THE ROUND HALL
WHAN! She hits the bottom, hitting her head onto a wooden
floor and knocking her wind out. Alice gasps. After a moment,
she's able to breathe again. She rubs the bump on her
forehead.
ALICE
That falling dream again.
14
She looks around. She's in a round hall lit by lanterns on the
walls and many doors.
ALICE (cont.)
Only I've never hit bottom
before.
She tries a door. It's locked. She tries another one and
another. She knocks.
ALICE (cont.)
Hello? Hello! Anyone there?
No answer. She moves around the hall from door to door,
knocking and calling. Every door locked.
ALICE (cont.)
No way out.
She turns around to see a three-legged glass table with a
little golden key sitting on top. She picks up the key and
tries it in a door. But the key is too small for the lock.
ALICE (cont.)
Too small. But if there's a key
there must be a lock it fits.
She sees a curtain and pulls it aside to reveal a little door
about two feet high.
ALICE (cont.)
Ah.
She tries the key in the door. It fits. She opens the little
door and bends down to look through to the other side.
THROUGH THE SMALL DOOR
She sees a garden with a fountain. She tries to fit through
the door, but her shoulders get stuck. She pulls back.
Stumped, she goes back to the table and replaces the key. But
now there's a bottle on the table.
ALICE (cont.)
Was this here before?
She looks at a label. "DRINK ME".
ALICE (cont.)
Drink me. What if it's poison?
She sniffs the contents, recoils, puts the bottle down, stares
at it.
15
ALICE (cont.)
But how can it hurt me if I'm
dreaming?
She picks up the bottle and takes a drink, gags from the
taste. In a moment, she notices that the table is getting
larger.
ALICE (cont.)
Curious. Is the table getting
larger or am I getting smaller?
She's getting smaller. Alice SHRINKS to two feet high.
HER POV
The doors loom above her. She takes a step, trips on her nowoversized
clothes. Dragging them behind, she tries to open the
door. But it's still locked. She groans as she realizes.
ALICE (cont.)
I did mt leave the key on
the table I
She runs back to the glass table and looks up. She can see the
golden key through the glass.
ALICE (cont.)
Alice! You are not using your
head!
CUT TO:
ON ALICE - THROUGH A KEYHOLE
We hear VOICES as they watch Alice through a keyhole.
THE DODO (O.S.)
No, she most certainly is not.
THE DORMOUSE (O.S.)
You'd think she would remember all
this from the first time.
THE PLATYPUS (0.5.)
Eggsactually.
THE DORMOUSE (O.S.)
You've brought us the wrong Alice.
WHITE RABBIT
She's the right one. I'm certain
of it.
DODO (O.S.)
Watch to see what she does.
16
INT. THE ROUND HALL - CONT.
Alice attempts to climb the glass table leg. But she gets
tangled in her too-big clothes and keeps sliding off. She sits
frustrated and now she notices a little box under the table.
She opens it. Inside, there's a cake with the words "EAT ME"
written out in ornate icing letters.
ALICE
If the drink made me shrink,
then the cake should make me
grow. But then, dreams are
never that logical.
She takes a tiny taste of the cake. Not bad. She takes another
bite. There's a beat and WHOOSH! Alice shoots up toward the
ceiling. He clothes fit her again, but she keeps growing.
Buttons pop, seams are strained and her skirt gets shorter.
The ceiling gets closer...too close! She squeezes her eyes shut
and stops growing just as her head grazes the ceiling. She
bends down and takes the golden key. Crouching low, she makes
her way to the little door and fits the key in the lock.
ON ALICE - THEIR POV
THE DORMOUSE (0.5.)
She's the wrong Alice.
PLATYPUS (O.S.)
Eggsactually.
WHITE RABBIT (0.5.)
You haven't given her a chance.
DODO (0.5.)
If she manages to get through the
door, then we'll know she's the
right one.
INT. THE ROUND FLAIL
Alice laughs.
ALICE
Where's my head?
She goes back to the table and picks up the little bottle.
ALICE (cont.)
Hope there's enough left.
She takes another drink, shivers from the bad taste and waits.
In a second, she starts to shrink.
17
ALICE (cont.)
Down again.
Alice shrinks to two feet high, drags her clothes behind
again, runs to the door, puts the key in the lock, opens it
and steps into...
EXT. A GARDEN IN UNDERLAND - DAY
...a fantastical world. tjnderland is bizarre, illogical, often
dangerous, absurd, and strangely beautiful. The garden is
brown and tangled, its statues broken and overgrown, the mossy
fountain is silent. Alice hears a bellow/sneezing sound as a
GREEN PIG dashes past. The TALL FLOWERS have gaunt, haunted
HUMAN FACES. A LIZARD/BADGER with a corkscrew nose pokes it
into a log in a search for food. SHABBY, THIN BIRDS walk on
stalk legs past a bench where a fat DUCHESS sits rocking a PIG
like a baby. DRAGONFLIES, HORSEFLIES and ENORMOUS GNATS do
fierce battle in the sky above. Alice is transfixed, not by
fear, but fascination.
ALICE
Curiouser and curiouser.
WHITE RABBIT
I told you she's the right
Alice.
She turns to see A DODO BIRD with eye glasses and a walking
stick, a female DORMOUSE in breeches; a DUCKBILLED PLATYPUS,
the WHITE RABBIT and two round BOYS with their arms thrown
over each others shoulders. They all study her critically.
THE DORMOUSE
I'm not convinced.
The White Rabbit throws up his hands.
WHITE RABBIT
Well, that's gratitude for you! You
cannot know how difficult it was to
find her. Trailing one Alice after
the next for weeks on end...not to
mention almost being eaten by large
drooling creatures waving meat
cleavers at me. And you would not
believe how uncivilized the animals
WHITE RABBIT (CONT.)
are up there. They wander around entirely
unclothed, growling and barking and
yipping. And they do their. . .ahem...
shukm in public. Can you imagine? I
had to avert my eyes! I'm still very
upset by the entire experience.
THE DODO
Let's have a look at her.
The Dodo removes his glasses to study Alice.
THE DODO
She could be the right Alice.
The TWEEDLES have Dee and Dum embroidered on their collars.
TWEEDLEDEE
And if she was, she might be.
TWEEDLEDUM
But if she isn't, she ain't.
TWEEDLEDEE
But if she were so, she would be.
TWEEDLEDUM
But she isn't. Nohow.
ALICE
But you don't even know me.
Dum shakes her hand, speaking very fast.
TWEEDLEDEE
How d'ye do? I'm Tweedleehe's
Tweedledum.
TWEEDLEDUM
Contrariwise. I 'mTweedledum
he ' sTweedledee.
TWE EDLEDUM
And who are you?
ALICE
Alice.
He points an accusing finger at her.
TWEEDLEDtJM
Wrong!
Dee shakes her hand.
TWEEDLEDEE
How dye do? Wrong Alice.
ALICE
18
19
How can I be the 'wrong Alice"
when this is dream?
DOflO
We should consult the Oraculum.
THE PLATYPUS
Eggsactually.
TWEEDLEDEE
I'll fetch it.
Tweedledee runs off.
TWEEflLEDUT1
No. I will.
Tweedledum grabs him and pulls him back.
TWEEDLEDEE
No, I will!
Dum grabs flee and drags him back. Then flee drags flum, then flum
drags flee. This goes on, neither of them getting anywhere.
DORMOUSE
Omaque, fetch the Oraculum.
There's a good duck.
The Platypus goes off while the Tweedles still tussle.
TWEEDLEDEE
Leave of f!
TWEEDLEDUIVI
Let go!
TWEEDLEDEE
Not now! Nohowl
ALICE
(to the Rabbit)
Are they always this way?
WHITE RABBIT
Family trait.
The Platypus returns carrying an ancient PARCHMENT, yellowed
with age and rolled into a SCROLL. He places it with great
reverence on a broken pedestal. Alice reads the title.
ALICE
"The Oraculum: Being a Calendrical
Compendium of tJnderland'
The Dodo unrolls the scroll. It's a timeline depicting the
major events of each day. Every day has a title and an
illustration.
ALICE
It's a calendar.
THE DODO
Compendium. It tells of each and
every day since the Beginning.
You see, here is Griblig Day...in
the Time of the Bloody Queen.
Dee points to the illustration.
TWEEDLEDEE
That being today. Griblig.
TWEEDLEDUM
I thought today was being
Quillian.
THE DORMOUSE
It's Griblig. Tomorrow's Quillian.
PLATYPUS
Eggsactually.
Alice looks at the illustration. It shows all of the animals
peering at the Oraculum, at that exact moment.
ALICE
Curious.
THE DORMOUSE
In Underland, we have a name
for every day.
ALICE
So do we. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...
WHITE RABBIT
But ours never repeat.
ALICE
The names never repeat?
DODO
Why would they when no day is
ever the same?
ALICE
But don't you get confused?
20
ALL BUT TWEEDLEDUM
Just Tweedledum.
TWEEDLEDUM
Not so!
The White Rabbit glances skyward nervously.
WHITE RABBIT
I really must be off now. There
are things I'm late for doing.
ALICE
Wait, I need you to show me
the way out!
He runs off with another nervous glance over his shoulder.
Alice laughs, catching herself.
ALICE (cont.)
No, I don't. This is a dream.
All I have to do is wake up.
TWEEDLEDEE
(to the Dodo)
Tell the part about the Jabberwocky.
TWEEDLEDUM
That being on the Frabjous Day.
The Dodo turns the scroll further. The Oraculum SPEAKS
in a voice that resonates with wisdom and age. The Voice of
Destiny.
THE ORACULUM
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gypre and gimble in the waba..
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
ALICE
What language is that?
THE DODO
Outlandish. It's an old tongue
they speak in the Outlands.
The Tweedles yawn from boredom.
TWEEDLEDEE
Hurry on to the bloody bit.
The Dodo skips ahead in the scroll.
21
22
0 P UM
Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws
that catch!
Beware the Jubjub Bird and shun
the frumious Bandersnatch!
The Tweedles yawn again.
TWEEDLEDEE
Something's going to have to get
slayed veeery soon.
DODO
Let Alice see herself.
He pulls her closer so she can see.
CLOSE ON THE OPACULUM
The picture is three dimensional and moves to illustrate the
story. The girl in the story is dressed in full Arthurian
battle regalia with chain mail, a helmet and long blonde hair
that trails down her back. She has her back to the readers.
THE ORACULUM
She took her vorpal sword in hand...
TWEEDLEDUM
The Vorpal sword being the only
thing can kill the Jabberwocky.
TWEEDLEDEE
No other swords. Nohow.
TWEEDLEDEE
If it ain't Vorpal, he ain't dead.
THE ORACULUM
Long time the manxome foe she sought
So rested she by the Tumtum tree
TWEEDLEDUM
No resting! No Tumtum tree!
TWEEDLEDEE
Get on to the fighting.
THE ORACULUM
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
23
CLOSE ON THE ORACULUM
The Jabberwocky is as large as a dinosaur with Pterydactyl
wings, reptilian scales, long sharp claws, a pronged tail,
cold deadly eyes and a vest.
THE DODO
Note the Jabberwocky is wearing a
vest. The vest indicates good taste
which means a high intelligence
which makes him much harder to kill.
OPACtJLtJT"l
One two! One two! And through
and through...
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
THE DODO
That's you there.
CLOSE ON ORACULUM
The girl fights the Jabberwocky with grace and skill. She
swings the sword, revealing her face to the readers. The girl
unmistakably Alice. She wears a fierce expression. There's
bloodlust in her eye.
THE GARDEN
Alice backs away...frightened by what she saw in herself.
ALICE
You have the wrong Alice.
TWEEDLEDEE
I said so.
TWEEDLEDEE
No. I said so.
TWEEDLEDtJM
Contrariwise, you said she might be.
TWEEDLEDEE
No. You said she would be if
she was.
TWEEDLEDUM
No. I said she isn't. Nohow.
ALICE
Well, it's been nice meeting all
of you. But it's time for me to
wake up. Good-bye.
24
She closes her eyes and pinches herself hard. She opens them
again. The animals are still there.
ALICE (cont.)
Still dreaming.
She pinches herself again. The animals just look at her.
ALICE (cont.)
That's odd. I can't wake up
no matter how hard I pinch
myself.
The Dormouse pulls a long sharp hat pin/sword from her
scabbord.
THE DORMOUSE
I could stick you if it would help.
ALICE
It might actually. Thank you.
THE DORMOUSE
My pleasure.
Mab stabs her in the ankle with relish.
ALICE
Ow! Stick not stab!
(looking around)
And I'm still dreaming.
Without warning, a huge BEARLIKE CREATURE smashes through the
garden walls.
TWEEDLEDEE
Bandersnatch!
They scatter. The BANDERSNATCH is an enormous creature with
the body of a bear and the head of a rabid bulldog. Drool
oozes from his squashed muzzle. His fur is caked with blood
and filth. His teeth are sharklike and broken, stained with
blood. A foul stench emanates from him.
As the animals flee from the Bandersnatch, they're intercepted
by RED KNIGHTS wearing the RED QUEEN'S CREST: a heart in
flames. The Knights are led by the ILOSOVIC STAYN, the grim
KNAVE OF HEARTS. Stayn has a flaming red birth mark which
covers half of his face, his neck and his enormous hands. He
rides a huge RED PANTHER with yellow eyes and fur the color of
blood. The Knights ensnare the fleeing animals and toss them
into caged wagons.
25
The Platypus picks up the Oraculum, struggling to carry the
ungainly rolls with his underdeveloped wings. As he waddles
away, he's snatched up by a Knight. The Oraculum falls to the
ground as he is thrown into a wagon. Ilosovic Stayn sees the
parchment roll on the ground. He picks it up curiously, looks
through, and sees something that alarms him. He tucks it into
his saddlebag, leaps astride his panther and rides of f.
EXT. THE GARDEN PATH - CONT.
Running down the path, Alice trips over her skirt. She ties it
up and keeps running. She looks back to see the Bandersnatch
thundering after her. Suddenly, she stops.
ALICE
Wait. This is a dream.
She turns around to face the Bandersnatch. It comes closer.
She doesn't move. The Dormouse watches from nearby.
THE DORMOUSE
What is she doing?
(to Alice)
Run!
ALICE
This is a dream. It can't hurt me.
The Bandersnatch towers over her. It leans its smashed muzzle
down. She recoils from its hot fetid breath. Trembling, heart
pounding, she holds her ground.
ALICE (cont.)
Can't hurt me.. .can't hurt me.
The Dormouse leaps onto the Eandersnatch and pulls herself up,
hand-over-hand to its shoulder. The Bandersnatch opens its
mouth to eat Alice. Thick viscous drool drips down on her.
THE DORMOUSE
AHHH!
The Dormouse drives her hatpin into its eye. It bellows. The
Dormouse attempt to pull the hatpin out, but the whole eye
pops out. Bandersnatch howls and whips around raking Alice's
arm with its long claws. She gasps. The pain shocks her into
action. She runs.
EXT. THE CROSSLING - DAY
Alice runs down the path, but it diverges in opposite
directions. A road sign points south to "SNUD" and east to
"QUEAST". Tweedledum leaps out from the bushes.
26
TWEEDLEDUM
This way!
He grabs her arm and pulls her down one path.
She cries out from the wound on her arm.
ALICE
My arm!
But she's pulled back the other way.
TWEEDLEDEE
No, this way!
They pull her back and forth between them.
TWEEDLEDUM
She should go yadder to Queast.
TWEEDLEDEE
Contrariwise, she'll be safer
in Snud.
TWEEDLEDUM
Queast!
TWEEDLEDEE
Snud!
From the sky, there's an ear-slitting SCREECH and the enormous
JUBJUB BIRD lands in front of them. The JUBJUB is part monkeyeating
eagle and part ostrich. The Tweedles wave their chubby
arms to distract it from Alice.
TWEEDLEDEE
Over here!
TWEEDLEDUN
Contrariwise, over here!
The JubJub snatches them both up and takes flight.
EXT. FLYING WITH THE JUBJUB BIRD
WE STAY with the Jubjub bird as it flies over the barren red
earth of Crims with its wriggling prey in its claws. It
approaches Salazen Grum and the castle of the Red Queen on the
shore of the Crimsen sea. Her flag with the Heart in Flames
flies atop the spires. The Jubjub swoops down.
CUT TO:
INT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE- DAY
A long hall is lined with FROG FOOTMEN. The RED QUEEN'S voice
emerges from behind closed doors.
27
RED QUEEN (0.5.)
I had three hundred and thirty
three exactly. I count only three
hundred and thirty.
The Footfrogs look at each other nervously. The doors bang
open to reveal IRACEBETH the RED QUEEN. She has a huge
oversized head, extremely large features, and bright red hair.
She strides accusingly down the long row of nervous Footfrogs
followed by a Fish Butler.
RED QUEEN
Someone helped themselves to
three of my squimberry tarts. If
the guilty one does not confess.
he will rue the dayl
She leans into the face of a frog.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Did you steal them?
The frightened Frog shakes its head.
FOOTFROG #1
No, your Majesty.
RED QUEEN
Did you?
FOOTFROG #2
No, your Majesty.
She walks down the row, studying the faces of each frog. At
the end, she whirls around to leer into the face of one
trembling frog.
RED QUEEN
Did you steal my tarts?
FOOTFROG #3
(terrified)
No, Your Majesty.
She reaches out and wipes a telltale bit of jam from the side
of its mouth. She holds her finger up and sniffs the juice.
RED QUEEN
Squimberry.
FOOTFROG#3
(confessing)
I'm so hungry and they smelled
28
so good.
The Queen's face turns beet red with fury.
RED QUEEN
He stole my tarts! OFF WITH HIS
HEAD!
Red Knights converge on the guilty Frog.
FOOTFROG #3
No! Please...I have little ones
to look after! I'm begging you!
The Knights drag him out. The Queen turns to the Fish Butler.
RED QUEEN
Go to his house and collect the
little ones. I love tadpoles
on toast points...almost as much
as I love caviar.
The Fish butler suppresses his revulsion and anger.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Anyone else want to steal my
tarts?
The Frogs are silent, eyes straight forward.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Maj esty?
The Queen's face lights up to see him.
RED QUEEN
Ilosovic Stayn...you knave.
Where have you been lurking?
He drops to his knee.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
In the south, Majesty, rooting
out White Loyalists in Snud and
Witzend. On our return, we were
rounding up random creatures for
your castle staff when I found this.
He hands her the Oraculum. She barely looks at it.
RED QUEEN
An old parchment roll. How nice.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
29
Majesty. It's the Oraculum.
RED QUEEN
The Oraculum? I thought it would
be more ornate. It looks so ordinary
for an oracle.
He lays it on a table and rolls it out.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Look here. On the Frabjous Day.
He shows her the illustration of Alice (with her back to the
reader)fighting with the Jabberwocky.
RED QUEEN
I'd know that tangled mess
of hair anywhere. Is it Alice?
Back again?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I believe it is.
RED QUEEN
I never liked that tedious little
girl. There's precocious and then
there's "Ask me one more irksome
question and I'll pluck out your
tongue." What is she doing with the
Jabberwocky?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I believe she's slaying it.
They look down at the illustration as the Oraculum speaks.
ORACULUM
One two! One two! And through and
through...
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
Alice left it dead, and with its head
She went galumphing back.
RED QUEEN
She killed my pet!
She throws the Oraculum onto the floor and kicks it in a rage.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
No. It hasn't happened yet. It will
occur on the Frabjous Day.
RED QUEEN
I knew the little pratter wasn't
as innocent as she appeared. I
30
should have taken of f her head
when I had the chance. Find her1
Stayn. Find her!
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Calm yourself, Majesty. We'll
find Alice. I will personally bring
her head and lay it at your feet.
RED QUEEN
No. Bring the whole girl. I want
to do it myself.
He kisses her hand. She sighs. Stayn goes out, glancing at the
Footfrogs who keep their eyes trained safely ahead.
EXT. THE TULGEY WOOD - DAY - CONT.
Alice is still running. She stumbles and falls, looking back
fearfully.
CHESHIRE CAT (0.5.)
There's nothing after you, if that's what you're worried about.
The voice is coming from the disembodied head of a GRINNING
CAT which hovers above a tree limb. Alice stares, unsure of
her eyes.
ALICE
I must be going mad.
CHESHIRE CAT
Then you should feel right
at home. We're all mad here.
She winces suddenly from pain. There are deep gashes in her
arm.
ALICE
I thought I was dreaming, but
this couldn't happen in a dream.
CHESIRE CAT
It looks like you ran afoul of
something with wicked claws.
ALICE
The benner or banner...
CHES IRE CAT
Bandersnatch? You're lucky to
be alive. I'd better have a look
at that.
31
The Cat's head disappears, then he reappears next to her as a
whole cat. CHESStJR is a dapper TABBY, in ascot, waistcoat, and
spats. Always calm and casual, there's a catlike sensuality
about him. The grin is seductive. He inspects the wound.
CHESIRE CAT (cont.)
The slightest scratch made by the
frumious Bandersnatch will fester
and putrify unless it's purified
CHESIRE CAT (cont.)
by someone with evaporating skills,
like myself.
He lifts her arm and tries to lick the wound. She pulls back.
ALICE
What are you doing?
CHESIRE CAT
It needs cleaning out.
ALICE
I'd rather you didn't.
CHES IRE CAT
At least, let me bind it for you.
She allows him to use his handkerchief to bind the wound.
ALICE
I've never seen a cat smile
before.
CHESIRE CAT
I sleep all day and carouse all
night. Why would I not be smiling?
(a beat)
What do you call yourself?
ALICE
Alice.
CHESIRE CAT
The Alice?
ALICE
There's been some debate about
that.
His attitude shifts. He ties the binding tight then steps
back.
CHESHIRE CAT
32
You'd best be on your way. I make
it a rule never to get involved in
politics.
ALICE
Can you at least show me the
way out of this place?
CHESHIRE CAT
If you are The Alice the only
way out is to slay the Jabberwocky.
That's all I'm going to
say about it. But you should talk
to the Hare and Hatter. They're
the ones to help you. Be off now.
ALICE
Where to? I don't know the way.
CHESIRE CAT
Fine. I'll take you there. But
that's the end of it.
He disappears suddenly. She looks around. He reappears in the
woods ahead.
CHESIRE CAT (cont.)
Come on then.
She hurries to catch up with him.
EXT. THE GARDEN - DAY - LATER
Stayn sits astride his Red Panther as the Knights hold a
growling BLOODHOUND bound by a spiked collar and heavy ropes.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Find the scent of human girl.
The Bloodhound has an exotic accent.
BLOODHOUND
Find it yourself, ye urpal slackum
scrum.
The Knights jerk the ropes, driving the spikes into his neck.
He growls and snaps.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Help us find the girl and you will
earn your freedom.
The Bloodhound considers the offer.
33
BLOODHOUND
For my wife and pups as well?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Everyone goes home.
The Bloodhound sniffs the ground, picking up Alice's trail. He
BAYS and runs off. Stayn strokes his panther's neck.
THE PANTHER
Dogs will believe anything.
EXT. THE CROSSLING - DAY
The Bloodhound sniffs the ground. It howls again following
Alice's path into the woods.
EXT. THE TULGEY WOODS - DAY - CONT.
As Alice and the Cat proceed, he disappears then reappears
ahead.
CHESIRE CAT
This way.
He disappears again, reappearing ahead.
CHESIRE CAT (cont.)
Over here.
ALICE
Will you stop doing that?
CHESIRE CAT
The Queen's Knights are everywhere.
I'd like to keep my head if you
don't mind. Here we are.
EXT. HOUSE OF THE MARCH HARE - DAY
The house is living thing...part hare part house. The chimneys
are ears, the roof is thatched with fur. The picket fence is
rabbit feet...doorknob a bunny tail. Windows are pink rabbit
eyes which look round and blink.
A tea party is in progress in the yard. The MARCH HARE suffers
a mental disorder. He's slovenly. His nice clothes have gone
to seed and he twitches. The MAD HATTER wears a colorful, odd
admixture of clothing from across time, including the iconic
tattered top hat. He has an intense energy driven by his
passion for the "cause" which lends him a very sexy quality.
He's the first human Alice has encountered.
34
They're all laughing at the Dormouse who's standing at one end
of a long table doing an imitation of Alice's encounter with
the Bandersnatch.
THE DORMOUSE
"He can't hurt me...he can't hurt
me!" He was about to do her in. So
I had to go up there and pop out its
eye. I keep it with me for good luck.
She holds up the Bandersnatch's eye. They react to the sight
and smell.
MAD HATTER
Put it away, Mallymkun. It's
frumi ous.
The Hare/house's window/eyes shift. One ear taps the March
Hare on his head. They turn to see Alice and the Chesire Cat.
THE DORMOUSE
Well, look what the cat dragged in.
MAD HATTER
The very Alice in question.
MARCH HARE
Join us for tea? Are you free
for tea? Tea, anyone?
CHESIRE CAT
I'm not staying.
He disappears.
ALICE
He's always doing that.
THE DORMOUSE
Don't we know it.
MAD HATTER
Chessur lives to please himself.
MARCH HARE
(sings)
Only himself, always himself.
Just him, his own self.
The Cat's reappears, sitting in a chair.
CHESIRE CAT
Fine, a cup of tea then.
35
The Hatter offers Alice a chair.
MAD HATTER
Have a chair.
THE DORMOUSE
There's no room.
ALICE
There's plenty of room.
Alice sits down in an empty chair. The Hare screams suddenly.
MARCH HARE
Not there! Can't you see the
dishes are dirty? And there's no
time to wash them! We're already
late for tea! Move down! Move
down!
They all get up and move down one place. The Hatter holds the
chair for Alice again. He studies her.
MAD HATTER
You don't look anything like
yourself.
And yet, there's something very familiar about him.
ALICE
Have we met?
He smiles enigmatically.
CHESIRE CAT
Now I've brought Alice to you,
you can't say I've done nothing
for the cause.
MAD HATTER
(sarcastically)
Yes, thank you for the heroic
effort. We'll take the rest
of revolution from here.
CHESIRE CAT
You'll pardon me if I don't give a
guddler's scut who wears the crown.
The Red Queen has never bothered me.
The Hatter angrily slams his fist onto the table.
MAD HATTER
No matter that she's enslaved
half the population!
CHESIRE CAT
I don't know any of them personally.
MAD HATER
No matter that she stole the crown
from her sister!
CHESIRE CAT
The White Queen should have
put up a better fight.
MAD HATTER
No matter the Red Queen rules
with fear, terror and torture!
CHESIRE CAT
I fail to see what any of that
has to do with me.
MARCH HARE
He failed! He must be punished!
Shall we butter his ears?
The Hare picks up a butter knife. The Hatter puts a hand on
his arm, speaking Outlandish.
MAD HATTER
Naughtier usel, Thackery. Chessur
being siurvish...
CHESIRE CAT
(insulted)
Si urvish!
MAD HATTER
You are, Chessur. You always
have been. You'll never change.
CHESIRE CAT
And you're always so angry, Tarrant.
I remember when you used to
enjoy life. You used to do the
best Futterwacken in all of Witzend.
The Hatter's smile is brief and bittersweet.
MAD HATTER
On the Frabjous day, when the White
Queen wears the crown again. On
that day I'll Futterwacken.
36
The Hatter and the Cat look at each other like bitter,
estranged brothers.
CHESIRE CAT
Look after that arm, Alice.
He disappears. Alice turns to the others.
ALICE
I want you to know, right off.
I'm not slaying anything.
THE DORMOUSE
As if you could.
ALICE
There must be another way for
me to get back to where I came
from.
MAD HATTER
No other way. It's slay the
Jabberwocky with the Vorpal
MAD HATTER (CONT.)
sword at Brillig on the Frabjous
Day.
ALICE
I'm not that Alice!
The Hare puts his hands on his ears and shouts.
MARCH HARE
Stop all the shouting! I
cannot abide the shouting!
He throws a teacup at her. She ducks to avoid it.
MAD HATTER
But you're the only Alice
we've got. Without you, the
Resistance will fail.
The Hare/House taps March Hare on the shoulder again.
MARCH HARE
Red Knights!
Hatter takes a small bottle from his pocket.
MAD HATTER
Drink this.
ALICE
37
38
No I
They throw her down onto the table and force the liquid down
her throat. She gags and coughs then shrinks to three inches
high. They stuff her forceably into a teapot and cram her now
extremely over-large clothes in behind her. They cram and
cram.
ALICE
(muffled)
Stop!
They stop. Alice's head emerges from the pot.
ALICE
You're suffocating me with
my dress.
The March Hare picks up a sharp knife, wild-eyed.
MARCH HARE
We'll hack it off!
He hacks most of her dress off and they stuff her back in.
The Hatter closes the lid.
MAD HATTER
Watch your head.
INT. THE TEAPOT - DAY
It's dim inside, except for a stream of light from the spout.
She bangs on the lid.
ALICE
Let me out!
EXT. THE TEA PARTY - DAY - CaNT.
MAD HATTER
(to the Dormouse)
Gal lymog-gers.
The Hatter does a headstand in his chair. The Dormouse climbs
into a soup tureen. The Hare lays on the table. The Bloodhound
runs in, nose to the ground, followed by Stayn and the
Knights.
MAD HATTER
Greetings, gentlemen -
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Well, if it's not my favorite trio
of lunatics.
39
The Hare dips his pocket watch into his teacup and looks at
it.
MARCH HARE
You're late for tea, as usual.
MAD HATTER
How fares the Red Queen? Or is it
White? Who ia sitting on the
throne these days?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
We're looking for the girl
called Alice.
The Bloodhound sniffs the ground around the table. The
Dormouse pretends to sleep but keeps one eye on him.
MARCH HARE
Speaking of the Queen, here's a
song I sang at her concert:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat!
How I wonder where your at!
Alice looks out the spout as Stayn grab him around the throat,
choking off the song.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
The Alice! Have you seen her?
MAD HATTER
Before we answer that, you'll have
to answer a riddle.
MARCH HARE
Why is a raven like a writing desk?
MAD HATTER
That's a good one. Answer that
if you can.
Red Knight Number Two cracks him with the end of his weapon,
knocking him of f the chair.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Have you seen her?
The Hatter climbs back up.
MAD HATTER
Have you guessed the riddle?
Number Two cracks him again. To keep his anger in check, the
Hatter laughs crazily. The March Hare joins him.
RED KNIGHT #2
(to Dormouse)
You there. Wake upl
He pours a cup of hot tea onto her head. She gasps and
sputters.
THE DORMOUSE
Thank you. That's just what I
needed.
She yawns and falls back to sleep. Stayn is getting
frustrated.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
If you are hiding an enemy of the
Queen, you'll lose your heads.
MARCH HARE
Already lost them. Sing together
now 1
HARE/HATTER/DORMOUSE
Up Above the World you fly,
Like a teatray in the sky
The Knight hits the Hatter again. Stayn chokes the Hare.
Knight Number Three forces Dormouse's head into a full cup of
tea then brings her up, gasping and dripping.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Where is the 9irl Alice?
They keep singing despite being hit, choked and dunked.
HARE/HATTER/DORMOUSE
Twinkle, Twinkle, Twinkle...!
The Bloodhound rears up and and plants its paws on the table,
sniffing the teacups...getting closer to Alice's teapot.
INT. THE TEAPOT - ALICE'S POV
Alice can see his big nose sniffing at the spout.
EXT. THE TEA PARTY
The Hatter watches the Bloodhound nervously. He whispers.
MAD HATTER
Downal wyth Bluddy Behg Hid.
40
41
The Bloodhound stops, surprised to hear Outlandish. The Hatter
shoots a sharp glance at the teapot. The Bloodhound
understands. He drops to the ground, pretends to catch a new
trail. He BAYS.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Follow him.
The Knights release the Hare and Dormouse to follow the
Bloodhound. Stayn lingers, still suspicious.
KNAVE OF HEARTS (cont.)
You're all mad.
He strides off into the woods. The Hatter lifts the teapot
lid.
MAD HATTER
You're safe now. The Bloodhound
will lead them away.
He helps Alice out of the teapot. She can see he's bleeding.
The Dormouse spits water, half-drowned. The March Hare coughs
and rubs his neck. Alice feels oddly responsible.
ALICE
I wish I could help you. But
I'm not who you think I am.
The Hatter lifts Tiny Alice in his palm.
MAD HATTER
You'll speak to Absolem. He'll
know who you are.
ALICE
But can he tell me how to get home?
MARCH HARE
He's wise. He's absolute. He's
Absolem.
Hatter puts her down on the table.
ALICE
Do you have any of that cake
that made me grow before?
THE DORMOUSE
Do you mean. . upelkuchen?
Do we have any, Thackery?
The March Hare looks under the table, shakes his head.
THE DORMOUSE
Sorry, no upelkuchen.
The Hatter sweeps his top hat of f and puts it on the table.
MAD HATTER
Your carriage, mademoiselle.
AL I CE
You mean, the Hat?
MAD HATTER
Anyone can travel by horse or
rail. But only the best people
travel by Hat.
Alice climbs up onto his top hat and sits on the crown. He
puts it on.
MAD HATTER
By the way, Thackery, how a
raven like a writing desk?
MARCH HARE
If you don't know, I'm not telling.
Ta-ta, Alice.
They start off. The Dormouse follows.
THE DORMOUSE
I can't wait to see what Absolem
does when he finds out she's
pretending to be the Alice.
MAD HATTER
Sorry, Mallymkun. Just us this
time. You know how Absolem can get.
The Dormouse frowns, jealousy in her eyes.
MARCH HARE
Wait, you haven't had your tea!
MAD HATTER
(to Alice)
Watch your head.
A teapot hurtles toward them. She ducks.
EXT. THE TULGY WOODS - DAY
Traveling by hat is actually a very pleasant way to see the
sights.
42
43
ALICE
Your name is Tarrant?
MAD HATTER
Hightopp. I was a hatter by trade
in the White Queen's Court until
the Horunvendush Day.
ALICE
What happened on that day?
MAD HATTER
White fell to Red. It was here in
the Tulgey Wood...
He looks off as he tells the tale. In the dark woods ahead, WE
see the story unfold.
EXT. THE TULGY WOOD - THE HORUNVENDTJSH DAY
The White Knight holds the shining Vorpal Sword, waiting to
fight the Jabberwocky. He shoots a confident smile to the
White Queen who sits astride her white horse with other
members of the Court, including the Hatter, the March Hare and
the Chesire Cat.
MAD HATTER (V.0.)
The mood was festive. The Queen
was confident in her champion.
And then the woods turn dark as enormous leathery wings block
the sun. Faces fill with awe as they look up at the fearsome
creature. The Knight is stunned by its fierceness and
magnitude. The Jabberwocky fixes him with its fiery eyes. The
Knight's hands shake as he lifts the Sword.
MAD HATTER (V.0.)
But fear overcame him. He
dropped the Vorpal Sword.
The Knight drops the sword and runs. The Jabberwocky laughs at
the easy victory. He flicks his long pronged tail catching the
Knight on its horns. People scream as the Knight falls dead.
Then the Jabberwock turns on the crowd, shooting fire from
his eyes. The Queen's horse rears, but the Hatter grabs the
reins. He swings up behind her and they gallop away.
MAD HATTER (V.0.)
I helped the Queen to safety and
so I missed the worst of it.
Ilosovic Stayn rides his panther to the fallen Sword and picks
it up.
44
MAD HATTER (V.0.)
The Red Knights captured the Sword
so there was nothing to stop
the Jabberwocky.
People try to escape. But the Jabberwock does his work,
rending, tearing, burning. The Chesire Cat vanishes. The Hare
stands in the melee, shocked and horrifed.
MAD HATTER (V.0.)
The massacre was so terrible,
Thackery went mad from the sight
of it.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE WOODS- ALICE AND THE HATTER
MAD HATTER
(impassioned)
On that day, I swore I would
not stop until the Red Queen
falls.
Alice is quiet, deeply moved by the story.
ALICE
And the White Queen?
MAD HATTER
Sh&s in exile in Marmoreal
waiting for a champion to kill
MAD HATTER (CONT.)
the Jabberwocky and return her
crown. In the meanwhile, Thackery,
Mallymkun and others like us work
secretly for her cause.
EXT. IPLAN - A BARREN FIELD - LATER
They pass out of the woods and come upon an open plain of
charred barren earth.
MAD HATTER
This used to be fertile fields
But nothing has grown in Iplam
since the Jabberwocky desecrated
the land.
EXT. AN ABANDONED VILLAGE - LATER
They move through the empty streets of a deserted village.
ALICE
Where has everyone gone?
45
MAD HATTER
Many have been taken as slaves for
the Queen's court. Others has fled
to the Outlands. Ony a few strays
remain.
A female CAT appears in a doorway wearing a slinky dress
reminiscent of a French chanteuse. She leans against the
door.
THE CAT CHANTEUSE
Hello, Hatter.
MAD HATTER
Cauol. It's been a long time.
(to Alice)
She'll know where we can find
Absolem. Wait here.
He takes off the Hat and puts it on a small café table.
He goes to speak to the cat. Alice hears LOUD PURRING and sees
a very thin, very hungry feral CAT looking up at her from
below.
ALICE
Hello, kitty.
FERAL CAT #1
Hello, mouse.
ALICE
I'm, actually, not a mouse.
The cat is joined by another equally hungry cat. Alice glances
over at the Hatter who's conversing quietly in Outlandish with
his friend.
FERAL CAT #1
I saw it first.
The second cat leaps onto the table.
ALICE
As you can see, I'm not a
mouse at all.
FERAL CAT #2 slinks toward her. Alice takes a step back as
FERAL CAT #1 leaps onto the table.
FERAL CAT #1
It's mine.
46
Alice moves back to the edge of the table as a THIRD cat lands
on the table. Alice looks at the Hatter who has his back to
her.
WEAN! She's hit by a FURRY PAW which knocks her sideways where
she's hit by another FURRY PAW, knocking her the other way.
The CATS toy with her, amusing themselves as they bat her
between them. Alice stumbles to the edge of the table and
falls, landing on the chair. She tries to get the Hatter's
attention.
AL I CE
Hatter!
A cat lands on the chair. Alice jumps to the floor. She lands
hard with the cat right behind, followed by the other two. She
turns to face them as they stalk her.
FERAL CAT #3
Run, mouse.
FERAL CAT #2
We like it when they run.
Alice runs. She dives behind table and chair legs. The cats
enjoy the chase, catching her and batting her between them.
She finally breaks free and runs toward the Hatter.
ALICE
Hatter I
But a paw lands on her dragging dress tail, stopping her. She
struggles to pull free as another cat stalks her from the
front. And another from the side. She yells.
ALICE
TARRANT HIGHTOPPI
She can't get away. The cats move in for the kill, all
playfulness gone.
MAD HATTER
SSSSSSTT!
The Hatter's foot kicks a cat away. He stomps at the others.
They hiss and back off. He picks Tiny Alice up. She's fuming.
ALICE
There are starving cats here! I'm
the size of a mouse! What did you
think would happen?
MAD HATTER
I didn't remember the feral ones.
47
Forgive me.
He puts her in the pocket of his coat and picks up his hat.
THE CAT CHANTEUSE
By the way, have you seen Chessur?
MAD HATTER
Only briefly. You know how he comes
and goes.
THE CAT CHANTEUSE
If you see him, tell him he's
slurking- urpal s]ackush scrum.
ALICE
What does that mean?
MAD HATTER
(embarrassed)
It means...be glad you don't speak
Outlandish right now.
EXT. IPLAM - BEYOND THE DESERTED TOWN
Alice sits in the Hatter's coat pocket as he walks across the
blackened plain dotted with shriveled stumps and trees.
MAD HATTER
We've half a day's walk to reach
Absolem.
The sky turns suddenly dark, tinged with red. He ducks under a
large tree with wide gnarled branches.
ALICE
Why are we stopping?
MAD HATTER
Red storm coming.
The sky opens and red hail stones pelt the earth.
MAD HATTER
It won't last long.
He sits down with his back to the tree. He takes Tiny Alice
out of his pocket and puts her on his knee. Seeing his face
looming above her, she realizes where she's seen him before.
ALICE
I know why you look familiar to me.
You're in my dream. I've had the
same dream all my life. There's a
an egg man on a wall, you in your
hat, a blue caterpillar...
MAD HATTER
(knowingly)
Blue caterpillar. Did you ever think
this dream is trying to tell you
something?
ALICE I don't know what it would be.
MAD HATTER
Perhaps something you already know.
ALICE Possibly. My father used to say...
dreams are the way we whisper
into our own ears.
MAD HATTER
An excellent way of putting it.
Your father is saganistute.
ALICE W saganistute. And that had
better be a compliment!
MAD HATTER It means a wise man of poetry and
vision.
She smiles. They sit in silence for a moment. The hail stops.
The Hat holds his hand out for her.
MAD HATTER (cont.)
Shall we on to Absolem?
EXT. IPLAN - DAY - CaNT.
They cross the barren plain until they reach a wide field of
mushrooms. The Hatter puts the hat on the ground.
MAD HATTER
You're your own from here.
ALICE
You're not coming?
MAD HATTER
Absolem can be temperamental.
I'll wait here.
48
49
EXT. THE FIELD OF MUSHROOMS - DAY
Alice walks through a misty field of thick mushrooms the size
of trees.
THE CATERPILLAR (0.5.)
Who are you?
She squints throuugh the thick mist.
ALICE
Ab sol em?
THE CATERPILLAR (0.5.)
Who ARE you?
She still can't see the speaker.
ALICE
I'm not who you think I am.
THE CATERPILLAR (0.5.)
Who do I think you are?
She can see a form ahead where the mist rises in a steady
plume from top of a mushroom. The mist is coming from a
hookah. There's a CATERPILLER smoking it. He's blue. Alice
stops dead, her mind reeling.
ALICE
Absolem?
THE CATERPILLAR
I don't think you're Albsolem,
I think I'm Absolem. I think
you're Alice.
ALICE
You cannot be real.
THE CATERPILLAR
Of course, I'm real.
He blows smoke rings in her face. She coughs.
ALICE
Have we met before?
THE CATERPILLAR
You don't recall? You were young
then, although larger than you
are now. You called it "Wonderland".
50
He chuckles and his whole body jiggles like green jelly.
THE CATERPILLAR (cont.)
Stupid girl.
The name sparks a distant memory.
ALICE
Wonderland.
Her daydream comes flooding back...falling, the lush but offkilter
landscape, strange misshapen people, a blue caterpillar
surrounded by smokey mist, the wry smile of a man in a top
hat, a disembodied cat's grin, a weeping turtle, an egg man on
a fence, a griphon and the silhouette of a huge-headed woman
screaming.
RED QUEEN (0.5.)
OFF WITH HER HEAD!
Alice wakes this time with a revelation.
ALICE
It wasn't a dream at all.
THE CATERPILLAR
Of course not. Stupid girl.
He blows more smoke rings in her face. She waves them away
impatiently.
ALICE
I'm not stupid! And stop blowing
smoke in my face!
THE CATERPILLAR
You're just as impertinent as
ever.
ALICE
The Hatter said you could tell
me how to get home.
THE CATERPILLAR
Quite simple. Do what you came
here to do.
ALICE
Just because I've been here before
does not mean I can suddenly start
slaying things. I couldn't kill a
51
Jabberwocky if my life depended on
it.
THE CATERPILLAR
It will. So I suggest you have
the Vorpal Sword on hand when the
Frabjous Day arrives.
He blows more smoke and obliterates himself from view. She
looks around, marveling.
ALICE
Wonderland.
She hears CLASHING SWORDS through the mist. She runs through
the mushroom forest. But she can't find her way out. She turns
in circles, lost, until she sees something through the mist
ahead, a grin, a disembodied cat's grin. She runs toward it.
EXT. THE EDGE OF THE MUSHROOM FOREST - CaNT.
Alice eme to see the Hatter singlehandedly fighting three Red
Knights. Stayn watches as they overpower him and tie his
hands.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Take him to Salazen Grum.
Alice watches helplessly as the Knights gallop off, forcing
the Hatter to run beside them. When he stumbles, they drag him
by his hands. Alice sees his top hat lying on the dirt, but
she's too small to pick it up. She hears a footfall behind
her. It's the Bloodhound. She turns on him angrily.
ALICE
This is your doing? He trusted you!
THE BLOODHOUND
They have my wife and pups.
This information barely lessens her anger.
ALICE
Sit!
He cocks his head and looks down at her curiously.
THE BLOODHOUND
What did you say?
ALICE
Sit!
He sits, amused if nothing else. Then something occurs to him.
52
THE BLOODHOUND
Would your name be "Alice" by
any chance?
ALICE
flown!
He lies down, willingly now.
THE BLOODHOUND
I thought you would be taller.
She climbs up his long ear and sits on his shoulders.
ALICE
What's your name?
THE BLOODHOUND
Bayard.
ALICE
You're taking me to Salazen
Grum, Bayard. And don't forget
the Hat.
The Bloodhound picks up the top hat in his teeth and runs. His
long ears and hanging jowls blow back in the wind. Alice holds
onto the spike collar to keep her seat.
EXT. GUNMER SLOUGH - DAY
They make their way toward Gummer Slough where the Bloodhound
sinks to his chest in viscous red mud. He holds his head high
with the Hat in his mouth as he forges through. Reaching the
other side, he pulls himself up onto dry land. He drops the
Hat, panting heavily. Mud drips for his drooping shoulders.
ALICE
You should rest for a bit.
She slides off. He lays down, reciting quietly.
THE BLOODHOUND
Beware the Jabberwock, my son
The jaws that bite, the claws
that catch...
ALICE
You know the Oraculum?
BLOODHOUND
I was raised in the Outlands.
We all know the Oraculum. We've
been waiting for your return. But
this is not foretold. You should
go to the White Queen and prepare
to meet the Jabberwocky.
Alice finally lets loose with her pent-up frustration which
has been building before and after "the fall."
ALICE
I have had enough of being told
what I must do and who I must
be! I!m going in Salazen Grum
and I'm going to rescue the
Hatter. Are you taking me or
do I have to walk?
So fierce is her determination, he gives up the protest. She
climbs on his back. He picks up the Hat and they press on.
EXT. CRIMS - DAY
Alice and the Bloodhound race across the red desert of Crims
toward Salazen Grum and the dark castle that sits on the
tempestuous shore.
EXT. SALAZEN GRtJN - CASTLE OF THE RED QUEEN
The walls are high and foreboding. A surrounding moat keeps
intruders at bay. Guards are strategically placed.
EXT. THE CASTLE WALLS - DAY - CONT.
Alice and the Bloodhound approach the thick red waters of the
moat. They see large lumpish objects which appear to be the
heads of the recently executed, both animal and human. The
Bloodhound growls angrily.
THE BLOODHOUND
Downa] wyth B]uddy Behg Hld.
They looks around for a way across.
THE BLOODHOUND (cont.)
You'll have to swim it.
Alice gathers her courage for the task.
ALICE
Wait for me as long as you can.
If I'm not back with the Hatter
in two days...
She trails off, no need to state the obvious.
53
54
THE BLOODHOUND
I'll be close by.
Alice turns to face the horrors of the moat. She lowers
herself in, gasping at the cold.
THE BLOODHOUND (cont.)
We await the Frabjous Day.
INT. THE GRIM MOAT - DAY - CONT.
Tiny Alice swims across the bloody moat, avoiding the rotting
heads which are as large as boulders to her. When she reaches
the other side, she pulls herself out and vomits onto the
ground. She wipes a hand across her mouth and looks up at the
wall she has to scale, fortunately covered with tangled vines.
Remembering the I-Tat, she calls across to the Bloodhound.
ALICE
The Hat!
He picks up the Hat in his teeth, turns in a circle like a
discus thrower and releases it. The Hat sails across the moat
and lands nearby. Alice grabs a vine and pulls herself up. She
reaches down for the Hat with her other hand. Then she begins
the slow climb upward pulling the Hat behind her. She hears
the Bloodhound BAY his farewell, but she doesn't look back.
THE WALL
She finally reaches the top, pulling the Hat up. She pushes it
over the other side. Wincing at the pain from the Bandersnatch
wound on her arm, she loses her grip and fall/slides the rest
of the way...
EXT. THE QUEEN'S GARDEN - DAY - CONT.
.making a hard landing mere inches away from the hat.
Standing up, she winces again, rubs her arm.
ALICE
Couldn't have fallen on the
hat.
She hears a loud WHACK, a small cry of pain, then cheers and
laughter. She looks through the bushes.
EXT. THE GREAT LAWN — DAY - CONT.
She sees a well-manicured lawn where the Queen and her
Courtiers play croquet. The Red Queen with her huge head is
surrounded by several powdered and painted COURTIERS with
equally out-sized body parts: a woman with an EXTRA-LARGE
NOSE, another with LONG HANGING EARS, a man with a HUGE,
55
PROTRUDING BELLY. The Duchess is also there with her pig baby.
Whereas the moat was horrific, this sight is bizarre, even
grotesque -
The Queen swings her pink mallet. There's the small cry again.
Alice looks around, unsure of the source. The Queen's ball
rolls a few feet in Alice's direction. It lays, furry and
gasping, in the grass. Alice realizes that the ball is a small
animal, a HEDGEHOG tied by its four legs into an awkward ball.
Its fur is matted and filthy, its face buried in the grass.
THWACK! The hedgehog cries out as its hit by the mallet again
which Alice sees is a miserable FLAMINGO tied by its feet. The
hedgehog rolls directly toward Alice's hiding place and stops.
The two make direct eye contact. But there is no hope in its
eyes, only pain and the expectation of more to come. Alice
steps out and attempts to untie it. It cries again, trembling
with terror.
ALICE
Shhh. I want to help you.
She works at the encrusted knot.
RED QUEEN (0.5.)
Where's it gone to? Who stole
my ball? Pagel Where's he
gone to? PAGE! My ball!
Alice manages to work the knot free. The hedgehog staggers to
its feet, staring mutely at her before it stumbles into the
foliage. She turns to see two large white furry feet. Her gaze
travels up...
...to the White Rabbit, dressed in court page attire. He blinks
at her.
WHITE RABBIT
Oh dear.
RED QUEEN
Have you found it?
His eyes dart nervously in her direction.
WHITE RABBIT
Looking, Majesty!
RED QUEEN
I'm not a patient monarchl
WHITE RABBIT
It must have rolled into the
bushes I
He pretends to look in the bushes, beckoning Alice.
IN THE BUSHES
He looks down at Tiny Alice.
WHITE RABBIT
Why are you the size of a
gerbil?
ALICE
Why are you working for the
Red Queen?
WHITE RABBIT
I most certainly am not.
ALICE
(accusing)
Then why did you leave in such
a convenient hurry just before
the Bandersnatch arrived. You
knew what was coming.
WHITE RABBIT
I never did.
ALICE
You did!
WHITE RABBIT
My! Haven't we become the
the suspicious one?
ALICE
And there's something else.
She beckons him closer. He bends down to her level. She hits
him. Even at her size, it's a solid punch which knocks him
down.
ALICE (cont.)
That's for dragging me down
here against my will!
WHITE RABBIT
(sulky)
I'm beginning to think you're
not the right Alice, after all.
Now there's going to be a bruise.
Is there?
He shows her his chin. She looks, indulging him.
56
57
ALICE
No.
RED QUEEN
PAGE 1
WHITE RABBIT
Still looking, Majestyl
(to Alice)
What are we going to do with
you? Wait, I might have some
upelkuchen left.
He digs in his garments and comes up with some of the cake she
ate to grow larger.
WHITE RABBIT (cont.)
Take a nibble.
She shakes her head, suspicious still.
ALICE
Not likely.
WHITE RABBIT
You must trust me. I'm loyal to
the White Queen.
ALICE
(still skeptical)
So you say.
WHITE RABBIT
The Red Queen set the Jubjub
Bird on my nieces and nephews...
for sport.
(angrily)
Downa] wyth Bluddy Behg Hid.
Hearing the now-familiar Outlandish, Alice takes the
upelkuchen. She has a nibble.
WHITE RABBIT (cont.)
When you meet the Queen...don't
mention anything about her head.
ALICE
I didn't come to meet the Queen.
I came to rescue the Hatter. Mmm.
I hadn't realized how hungry I am.
58
WHITE RABBIT
Not all of it!
Too late. She's downed all the cake. WHOOSH! Alice suddenly
shoots upward, growing at a tremendous pace. Buttons fly off
her torn garments, seams strain and give way.
WHITE RABBIT (cont.)
Oh no, stop, don't do that!
She grows and keeps growing out of the shreds of her remaining
clothes until she bursts through the bushes...stark raving nude.
EXT. THE GREAT LAWN - DAY - CONT.
Alice finds herself looking at the Red Queen and her
courtiers. Fortunately, the tall bushes hide all but her head
and shoulders. Everyone stares at her in stunned silence.
RED QUEEN
And WHAT is this?
The White Rabbit emerges, improvizing like mad.
WHITE RABBIT
It's a "who", Majesty. This is...uh
um...
RED QUEEN
Urn?
WHITE RABBIT
From Urnbradge.
RED QUEEN
Uum from tJmbradge.
ALICE
Yes, your Majesty.
RED QUEEN
What happened to your garments?
ALICE
I outgrew them. I've been growing
very fast lately. Now I tower over
everyone in Umbradge. And so I
came here, hoping you will grant
me a place in your court.
RED QUEEN
My dear girl. Anyone with a
head that large is welcome here!
59
The courtiers with their equally out-size body parts laugh.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
SOMEONE FIND HER SOME CLOTHES!
USE THE DRAPERIES IF YOU MUST
BUT CLOTHE THIS ENORMOUS GIRL!
She smiles up at Alice.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
You'll be my new favorite.
The Courtiers exchange nervous, competitive glances,
especially the LADY with the very long ears.
CUT TO:
INT. THE QUEEN'S CASTLE - THE GREAT HALL
Big Alice, clothed in a hastily constructed garments, walks
next to the Queen as she proceeds down the great hall which is
filled with more Courtiers. Like the others, each Courtiers
has an outsized body part: chins (double, triple, quadruple),
derrieres, lips, feet, breasts, etc. Their appendages seem
oddly disproportional and they all wear strained, forced
smiles as if this thin veneer of elegance covers some greater
pain.
Along with the Footfrogs, DUCKS serve as waiters, their beaks
bound tightly and used as serving platters for drinks and
tidbits. Alice is shocked to see the DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS
among them. At the sight of her, his eyes indicate his
recognition, but his beak is tied shut. MONKEYS hold up tables
and chairs with their arms and heads. GUINEA PIGS serve as
doorstops, some piled one on top of the other. Exhausted BIRDS
hover, flapping their wings to stay aloft with lamps hung from
their beaks. There are humans too, thin, bedraggled SCULLERY
MAIDS and FLOOR SWEEPERS. There is a pervasive sense of the
bizarre and grotesque in the Red Queens' court and everyone
seems to be suffering, animal and human.
RED QUEEN
We'll take tea in the parlor.
She goes into the parlor followed by Alice and the Rabbit.
Alice has to duck to fit through. The whole court attempts to
follow, led by LADY LONG-EARS. The Queen turns on them.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Just me and my new favorite.
She kicks the guinea pig doorstop away and the door closes in
their faces. LADY LONG-EARS is very upset by the rejection.
INT. THE PARLOR - DAY - CONT.
60
The Queen plops down on a settee held up by SPIDER MONKEYS who
strain and tremble under the weight. She kicks of f her shoes
and holds her legs up in the air.
RED QUEEN
I need a pig here!
A small pig hurries over and lays down belly up. She puts her
feet on his belly and sighs.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
I love a warm pig belly for my
aching feet. Would you like one,
Uum?
Alice perches on a small stool to avoid sitting on an animal.
Her knees are bent up almost to her chin.
ALICE
No, thank you.
RED QUEEN
Where are my Fatboys? You must
meet them! Fatboys!
Alice is shocked as the Tweedles are led into the parlor by a
Footfrog. Their faces have been painted and powdered with
hearts on their cheeks and red heart lips. They're bound
together by a gold belt around their waists, like twin pets.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
There they are! Aren't they adorable?
And they have the oddest way of
speaking. Speak boys. Amuse us.
They keep their eyes lowered, downtrodden and silent. The
Queen kicks Tweedledum.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Speak!
Dum lifts his eyes and sees Alice. He nudges Dee.
TWEEDLEDUM
Is that being...?
White Rabbit frowns and gives a tiny shake of his head, not to
let on.
TWEEDLEDEE
No, it isn't. Not a bit.
But Dum didn't notice the Rabbit's admonition.
61
TWEEDLEDUM
Contrariwise, I believe it is so...
TWEEDLEDEE
No! It ain't so. Nohow!
He stomps on Dum's foot to make his shut up. Dum pinches him.
Dee pinches him back and so on. The Queen laughs raucously.
RED QUEEN
I love my Fatboys.
One of spider monkeys can't hold the settee anymore. He drops
his end. The Queen crashes to the floor.
RED QUEEN
Of f with their heads!
The Monkeys screech and run around. The Footfrogs attempt to
catch them. It's chaos. Alice laughs nonchalantly.
ALICE
You don't mean that.
Everything stops. The monkeys stop screeching. The Footfrogs
stop chasing them. No one dares move. The Queen turns slowly
to fix Alice with a dark glare.
RED QUEEN
Did you say something?
ALICE
You can't have the poor things
executed because they couldn't bear
your weight. It's just...silly.
RED QUEEN
I'm going to forgive you this
time because you're a big clumsy
girl from Umbradge and you don't
know any better. But do not EVER
contradict your Queen!
(to the Rabbit)
Off with...
She trails off with a sideways glance at Alice.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
These useless monkeys. Send me
something stronger. Send me
chimpanzees.
62
The door opens and all the monkeys run out with grateful looks
at Alice. Ilosovic Stayn enters. The Queen lights up to see
him.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Stayn! How lovely to see you.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Maj esty.
RED QUEEN
This is my possible new favorite.
He barely nods to Alice.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I need to speak with you regarding
the prisoner.
RED QUEEN
Leave us!
Alice unfolds herself off the stool. As she stands up, Stayn's
eyes follow her with sudden interest.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Who did you say this is?
RED QUEEN
tjurn.
ALICE
From Umbradge.
Stayn takes Alice's hand.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Ilosovic Stayn, at your service.
ALICE
Pleasure.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
The pleasure is all mine.
He holds her hand a little too long. Alice gets the willies.
She pulls her hand away and wipes it surreptiously on her
dress.
RED QUEEN
Go away now.
Stayn watches Alice lasciviously as she goes out.
EXT. THE HALL - CONT.
The Tweedles are delighted to see Alice again.
TWEEDLEDEE
Alice! Howdoyedo again.
They shakes her hands vigorously.
TWEEDLEDEE
How is it you're being so great
big?
TWEEDLEDEE
She ain't great big. This is how
she normal is.
TWEEDLEDUM
I'm certain she is smaller
when we met.
TWEEDLEDEE
She had drank the pishsa]ver,
to get through the door, recall
it?
ALICE
Shhh.
She listens at the door.
KNAVE OF HEARTS (O.S.)
I have tried every form of
persuasion.
INT. THE PARLOR - CONT.
RED QUEEN
Are you certain he knows where
she is?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
He knows. He taunts me with his
eyes, even as I subject him to
unbearable pain.
I-fe squeezes his large hands in frustration as if choking the
life out of the Hatter. The Queen sinks into self-pity.
RED QUEEN
I know the commoners don't love me
the way they loved my sister.
63
KNAVE OF HEARTS
They do.
RED QUEEN
Don't lie!
64
KNAVE OF HEARTS
They do not. Eut isn't it far
better to be feared than loved?
RED QUEEN
No doubt. But without the
Jabberwocky to keep the rabble
in line, they would surely rise
against me. You must not allow
Alice to kill my best weapon.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I have pushed the Hatter to the
brink and still I cannot break him.
RED QUEEN
Then take off his head. We'll
see if he talks then.
He looks at her strangely. She laughs at her joke, sees his
look.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
You thought I was serious.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
(caught)
I didn't, not at all. If nothing
else, his execution will serve as
an example to the White Loyalists.
INT. THE HALLWAY - CONT.
ALICE
They're going to kill the
Hatter.
TWEEDLEDEE
No, they ain't!
TWEEDLEDUM
Nohow.
TWEEDLEDUM
We'll fight 'em!
Alice turns to the Rabbit urgently.
ALICE
Take me to him.
WHITE RABBIT
It's not that simple to stroll
65
into the dungeon with a seven
foot girl...
ALICE
(suddenly sweet)
You never told me your name.
He draws himself upright, sniffing his pink nose officiously.
WHITE RABBIT
Sir Nivens McTwisp, Esquire,
Junior, the fifty-seventh.
ALICE
Sir McTwisp...you are the most
well-spoken, best-dressed
rabbit I've ever encountered.
WHITE RABBIT
Well, naturally.
ALICE
I am confident you'll find
a way. We'll go to the Hatter
as soon as I return.
She hurries off.
INT. THE PARLOR- THE QUEEN
The Queen has gone to the window, lost in the stormy sea of
sibling rivalry.
RED QUEEN
My little lily white limp
dish rag of a sister...why do
they still follow her?
Stayn comes up behind her, but he doesn't touch her.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I cannot fathom it. You are
KNAVE OF HEARTS (CONT.)
clearly superior as a Queen and
a woman.
RED QUEEN
I know. But she has a nasty
little talent that I lack.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Which is...?
RED QUEEN
66
67
She can make anyone fall in love
with her. Even my dear husband
fell under her spell.
Her dark, bitter gaze travels down to the grim moat below.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
I had to do it. He would have
left me.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I know. The humiliation.
RED QUEEN
I have never understood what they
all see in her, being as ugly as she
is. I think it is because she's always
agreeable. That's not so difficult.
Anyone can do it. I can be agreeable.
He almost laughs.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Of course you can, Majesty.
RED QUEEN
Iat them love her! Why do I need
their loyalty when I have you?
She reaches back, clutching for his hand. He lets her grope
for a moment before he allows her to find it. She leans her
large head back...her eyes dewy and cowlike.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
I do have you, don't I, Stayn?
He smiles but does not answer.
EXT. THE GREAT LAWN - NEAR THE BUSHES
Big Alice searches in the bushes for the Hat. She passes the
hedgehog she freed. He's cleaning the caked dirt of f his fur.
ALICE
Ah!
The hedgehog pauses in his ministrations to watch as Alice
picks the Hat up...normal size to her now. She wipes the mud off
and straightens it out with loving care.
INT. THE DUNGEON - DAY
Prisoners moan in the shadows. Others sob. Some howl
piteously. Water drips from somewhere. The Dungeon Keeper, a
PROBOSCIS MONKEY, is slovenly and passed out from too much
wine. The White Rabbit approaches, clears his throat
officiously.
WHITE RABBIT
The Queen has requested a complete
inventory of all the prisoners.
DUNGEON KEEPER
A what?
WHITE RABBIT
List. Names, how long they've been
imprisoned, what they've been
charged with.
DUNGEON KEEPER
There's no telling. Some of 'em
have been here since before I can
remember. I think there's a few
dead ones back there.
WHITE RABBIT
Then we'll need the names of the
deceased as well. She'll also need
day of execution, type of execution,
be it hanging, beheading, poisoning,
slow starvation or foot rot and if
there was any torture...what type?
As they talk, big Alice in cloak and hood crouches low and
passes by in the shadows.
WHITE RABBIT (cont.)
You had best get started. The Queen
requires the inventory by tonight.
DUNGEON KEEPER
What does she expect of me? I
can't do it all myself.
WHITE RABBIT
And so, I've brought my aides
c/a campe to assist you.
The Tweedles step forward with paper and writing utensils.
TWEEDLEDUM
We'll be writing the names.
Last names first.
TWEEDLEDEE
No. First names last.
68
69
TWEEDLEDUN
This is what I said. First
names last.
TWEEDLEDEE
Contrariwise, you said last
names first.
TWEEDLEDUM
It's being the same.
TWEEDLEDEE
It's not being the same.
The Dungeon Keeper looks utterly bewildered.
WHITE RABBIT
I'll leave you to your work.
INT. THE DUNGEON - DAY - CONT.
Alice moves through the dark tunnels lined with prison cells.
Inside, prisoners, both human and animal, huddle together in
the cold or pace, driven half-mad by the darkness and
solitude. Alice is overwhelmed by the cruelty and deprivation.
An imprisoned courtier reaches out for her as she passes.
IMPRISONED COURTIER
Help me, sister. I've done nothing
wrong. All I did was mention the
size of her head.
ALICE
I'm sorry. I'll do what I can.
She moves on, passing a Bloodhound pacing her cell. Alice
stops.
ALICE (cont.)
Do you know if there is a Hatter
imprisoned here?
FEMALE BLOODHOUND
Just up there. He's a strong one.
They've put him through hell.
Alice notices her pups shivering in the corner.
ALICE
I believe I met your husband.
The bloodhound's ears perk up. Life fills her face.
FEMALE BLOODHOUND
Bayard? Where is he?
ALICE
(gently)
Very near. He's very near.
The Bloodhound sighs, comforted by the thought.
FEMALE BLOODHOUND
Thank you for telling me.
Alice moves on past more cells with more pitiable creatures,
then comes upon the Hatter
THE HATTER'S CELL - CONT.
He's slumped on the floor. His clothes torn and bloodied.
ALICE
Tarrant?
He looks up. His face is bruised and marked with lacerations.
Confusion, then recognition cross his face followed by
surprise at her new size.
MAD HATTER
You've grown.
ALICE
Blame it on an overindulgence
of upelkuchen.
He smiles, but the effort is painful.
ALICE (cont.)
I've brought you something.
She passes the Hat to him through the bars. He puts it on.
ALICE (cont.)
There you are. You look yourself
again.
MAD HATTER
Should I wear it to my execution,
do you think?
ALICE
We're going to get you out
before that!
MAD HATTER
You must not worry about me.
The Vorpal sword is here in the
70
castle. Retrieve it and...
ALICE
I came here to help you.
MAD HATTER
You will be helping me and
everyone in Underland.
ALICE
Tarrant, they're going to execute
you! Don't you want to live?
MAD HATTER
Not in a world of her making!
ALICE
But this world would not be
the same without you in it.
His eyes soften. He reaches through the bars and gently
touches her cheek.
MAD HATTER
You could almost make me forget
what I have sworn to do.
The White Rabbit arrives, breaking their private moment.
The Hatter nods to him, all business once again.
MAD HATTER (cont.)
Retrieve the Sword, Alice. Return
it to the White Queen in Marmoreal.
It's the only chance we have.
ALICE
Where do they keep it?
MAD HATTER
Nivens will take you.
ALICE
When I come back, we'll all
go to Marmoreal together.
He adjusts his hat to a daring angle.
MAD HATTER
Thank you for my hat.
With a last look at him, she allows the Rabbit to lead her
off.
INT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE - LATER
71
72
Big Alice follows the Rabbit. The courtiers nod to her with
reluctant respect. Courtier Long-Ears smiles stiffly as she
passes.
EXT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE - NIGHT
The White Rabbit leads her out of the back of the castle
toward an extremely large barnlike structure in the distance.
EXT. THE STABLES- NIGHT
They reach the out-building. The Rabbit attempts to lift the
heavy bar across the door. She has to help him. As the door
swings open, they both react to the horrific stench which
emanates from inside...a smell that Alice recognizes.
ALICE
The Bandersnatch!
WHITE RABBIT
Shh! Come in.
INT. THE BANDERSNATCH STABLE - DAY - CONT.
It's dim inside. A thin shaft of light shines down on the
Bandersnatch. He's lays alone in his stall, the bones of a
recent meal scattered in the mud. The creature is filthy. It
lays its huge ugly head on its paws and moans. The socket with
the missing eye oozes puss and blood. Maybe it's because Alice
is bigger now, but the Bandersnatch seem less intimidating.
The sight of the lonely, miserable creature is almost heartwrenching.
ALICE
Where's the Sword?
The Rabbit motions to the stall.
ALICE (cont.)
In there with him?
Alice turns and goes back outside.
EXT. THE BANDERSNATCH STABLE - CONT.
The Rabbit runs out after her.
ALICE
I can't do it. It's not possible!
WHITE RABBIT
You haven't even made an attempt.
73
ALICE
That creature tried to kill me!
Look what he did to my arm!
She shows him the wound on her arm. It's larger, very swollen,
red streaks emanate from the still open wound. He gasps.
WHITE RABBIT
The Bandersnatch did that?
He gets very nervous and twitchy.
WHITE RABBIT (cont.)
Dear oh dear! Why haven't you
mentioned this?
Even Alice is surprised at how bad it looks.
ALICE
It wasn't this bad before.
He starts breathing fast, flapping his paws.
WHITE RABBIT
Dear oh dear...
ALICE
What's wrong with you?
WHITE RABBIT
I'm a bit.. .squeamish.
His eyes roll back and he faints. She sighs and crouches down
to fan him.
INT. THE CASTLE KITCHEN - LATER
It's chaos in the kitchen with squirrel cooks, cat scullery
maids, pig pastry chefs, et al. Alice finds a pot of boiling
water. She dips a cloth into it and slips out again.
INT. A CHAMBER - DAY - CONT.
She ducks into a small chamber to clean the wound on her arm.
The door opens as the Fish Butler and the Dormouse enter.
She's dressed as a house maid.
FISH BUTLER
You can start by dusting this
room. Leave not a speck.
The Dormouse curtsies awkwardly.
THE DORMOUSE
Not a speck, sir.
The Fish goes out.
ALICE
Mal lymkun?
THE DORMOUSE
You again!
ALICE
I'm glad you've come. You can
help me free the Hatter.
THE DORMOUSE
I come to free the Hatter on
my own. I don't need help.
Looking at her, Alice has a sudden thought.
ALICE
Do you still have the Bandersnatch
eye?
The Dormouse hikes up her maid's skirt to reveal her breeches
beneath, the Bandersnatch eye still at her waist.
THE DORMOUSE
It's my good luck charm. I
wouldn't be without it.
ALICE
I'll be needing that.
The Dormouse's hand goes to it possesively. Stayn looks in.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
There you are, Uum. The Queen's
looking for you.
(to the Dormouse)
Get out.
The Dormouse doesn't move. He pushes her out forceably. In
his eagerness to be alone with Alice, he doesn't notice the
door is left ajar. He turns to her with a sly lascivious
smile.
KNAVE OF HEARTS (cont.)
You are very beautiful.
ALICE
I should be going...
74
She tries to move past him, but he grabs her arm. She cries
out from the pain of the wound. He pushes her against the
wall, planting both hands on either side of her.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
If you are nice to me, I can make
life very easy for you here.
Courtiers pass by the open door including Lady Long Ears.
Seeing them, she hangs back, her long ears attuned to every
whisper.
ALICE
I can make my own way in the
Queen's court, thank you.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
You are so very...wonderfully
large.
He leans in for a kiss. Seeing this, Lady Long Ears hurries
off.
ALICE
No!
She pushes past him and runs out.
INT. THE HALLWAY - CONT.
Lady Long Ears is whispering to the outraged Queen.
RED QUEEN
After all I've done for her!
They glance up as Alice comes out, followed by Stayn. A
damning sight. Stayn puts the blame on Alice.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
She's not shy, this Uum. I told
her my heart belonged to
another, but she wouldn't listen.
The Queen goes bright red with rage.
RED QUEEN
Of f with her head!
The guards grab Big Alice. It takes four of them to subdue
her.
RED QUEEN (cont.)
Wait. Send her first to
Uglification and then to
75
76
Derision and after that...
off with her head.
They drag Alice off. The Dormouse watches from the corner.
INT. THE UGLIFICATION ROOM - LATER
A Man and Woman in surgical white study Alice who's been tied
to a chair. The Man has a PROTRUDING BELLY and the WOMAN has a
very PRONOUNCED NOSE. Several unidentifiable but very sharp
silver instruments sit on tray nearby. Alice is very
frightened.
BIG BELLY MAN
What should we do to her?
BIG NOSE WOMAN
The first thing is shave of f
her pretty yellow locks. But
what after that?
BIG BELLY MAN
Should we cut off her nose?
BIG NOSE WOMAN
To spite her face?
BIG BELLY MAN
Or poke out those big blue eyes?
BIG BELLY MAN
Or slice off those luscious
lips.
As the Woman leans in, her NOSE falls off and lands in Alice's
lap.
ALICE
You dropped something.
The woman feels for her nose which is still there but normal
sized. She gasps, grabs the fake and hurries away with it.
Alice's eyes narrow suspiciously. As the man turns she can see
straps above his pants which hold the protruding belly in
place. She smiles to herself as the woman comes back with her
long nose reattached.
ALICE (cont.)
You can do anything to me, just
not the shrinking. I cannot bear
to be shrunk.
The woman smiles evilly. She whispers to BIG BELLY who reaches
for a vial of liquid.
77
ALICE (cont.)
Is that pishsalver? No please
anything but that!
Alice struggles against her bonds dramatically. They grab her
head and force her mouth open.
BIG BELLY MAN
DRINK!
They pour the whole vial down her throat. Alice coughs and
gags. And in a moment, she SHRINKS...down to two feet again.
ALICE
(tragically)
Why? Why did you do it?
BIG NOSE WOMAN
Take her to Derision.
The Guards take SMALL ALICE of f to another room. After she's
gone, the woman adjusts her fake nose.
BIG NOSE WOMAN
Do you think she noticed?
CUT TO:
INT. THE COURT OF DERISION - LATER
Small Alice stands in the center of a court room. The Queen
and all the Courtiers sit in tiers above her. They all point
and laugh as they ridicule her.
LADY LONG EARS
Look at her...the little ugliness.
BIG BELLY MAN
She's a gnome.
LADY THREE CHINS
A runt.
MAN WITH HUGE FEET
A nothing!
BIG-LIPPED WOMAN
Meager and meaningless!
LONG NECK MAN
Less than dirt!
LADY LARGE ASS
A little knotgrass of
insignificance.
78
ALICE
(to the Queen)
I have something to say!
RED QUEEN
Speak then before we silence
you forever.
ALICE
Majesty, your courtiers are
playing you for a fool. They
only pretend to be as they are.
Tug on your Lady's ear. Give
it a tug.
Lady Long Ear smiles nervously. The Queen reaches over and
playfully tugs on her ear. It comes off in her hand. Long Ears
screams. Shocked, the Queen holds the long dangling ear up.
RED QUEEN
What is this?
LADY LONG EARS
I'm not the only one, Majesty.
Her chins are not real.
She grabs Lady Triple Chins chins and pulls. They come off
like Halloween wax chins revealing the woman's real chin
beneath.
BULBOUS NOSE MAN
Counterfeit chins. You should be
ashamed of yourself.
LADY THREE CHINS
Me? What about that nose youre
so proud of?
THREE CHINS grabs his BULBOUS nose off and tosses it into the
crowd. The room goes wild. The Queen glares as her courtiers
pull off each other's fake body parts.
RED QUEEN
Liars! Cheats! Falsifiers!
In the chaos, Alice slips out passing the White Rabbit.
ALICE
Nivens, have you seen Mallymkun?
He stares at the room of courtiers gone mad.
WHITE RABBIT
In the dungeon with the Hatter.
INT. THE DUNGEON - A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Alice races through the dungeon, slipping past the weary
Keeper who's still working on the list with the Tweedles.
TWEEDLEDtJN
That's Prisoner Number Two
done. Prisoner Number Four.
TWEEDLEDEE
You missed Number Three.
TWEEDLEDUTVI
We did him before.
TWEEDLEDEE
Ain't so.
TWEEDLEDEE
Is so.
The Keeper groans. Alice runs to the Hatter's cell.
INT. DUNGEON - HATTER'S CELL
Mallymkun stands on a pile of boxes, picking the lock on his
cell. The Hatter sees Alice approaching. There's a click. He
steps out eagerly.
MAD HATTER
Do you have the Sword?
ALICE
You didn't tell me it's
guarded by the Eandersnatch!
Without a second thought, he steps back into his cell and
closes the door. Click. The Dormouse throws up her hands.
ALICE (cont.)
(to the Dormouse)
I need the eye.
THE DORMOUSE
No! It's my good luck charm.
ALICE
We don't have much time.
Alice tries to take it. The Dormouse swats her hand away.
THE DORMOUSE
79
It's mine!
AL I CE
I need that eye!
THE DORMOUSE
Then come and get it.
She draws her hatpin sword.
THE DORMOUSE (cont.)
Wait, you take this.
She gives Alice the hatpin.
THE DORMOUSE (cant.)
I'll take...
She takes a steel torture poker from the wall.
THE DORMOUSE (cant.)
This.
She assumes the stance. Alice is smaller than her with a much
smaller weapon.
ALICE
Well, it's hardly fair.
THE DORMOUSE
Do you want the eye or don't
you?
Alice clumsily goes at her with the hatpin/sword. Mally's
quite adept at swardplay. The Hatter coaches Alice in
Outlandish.
MAD HATTER
Alice. . orgal!
ALICE
What?
MAD HATTER
Orga]!
ALICE
I don't know what that means!
She gets knocked sideways by Mally's weapon.
MAD HATTER
Watch your left.
Mally comes at her again.
80
81
MAD HATTER (cant.)
Noge! Noge I
He indicates ducking. Alice ducks. Mally's weapon barely
misses her head. The Hatter continues to coach her and she
gradually picks up the words and the associated actions. Now
the Dormouse fights in earnest, thrusting and parrying with
relish.
MAD HATTER (cont.)
(left...right)
! Now 5 tang.
(slowly, not now)
Slothish...nunz.
(behind you)
Zounder!
Alice cuts the thin rope at Mally's waist which holds the
leather bag with the eye. The bag drops. Alice catches it...and
runs. It's now the size of a basketball to her. The Dormouse
doesn't give chase. The Hatter nods.
MAD HATTER (cont.)
Well done.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BANDERSNATCH STABLE
Suffering from the use of her wounded arm, Alice opens the
stable door. She groans from the pain.
INT. BANDERSNATCH STABLE - CONT.
Now that she's small again, the Bandersnatch is more
intidimating. He's laying down, staring at nothing with his
one good eye. As she approaches, he growls.
ALICE
I have your eye.
She holds it up for him to see. It's bloody, dripping, phlegmy
and greenish. Seeing his lost eye, the Bandernatch goes quiet.
She can't tell how much he understands. Holding the eye up,
she slowly lifts the bar to open the stall door.
ALICE (cont.)
I'm coming in now.
THE BANDERSNATCH STALL
She carefully steps into the stall. He growls but doesn't make
a move toward her. She steps forward, heart pounding, and
places the eye on the ground within easy reach. She steps back
and wipes away the trickle of sweat dripping down her brow.
82
The Bandersnatch sniffs his eyes, whines, and pulls it closer
with his paws. While he's distracted, Alice slowly makes her
way around him to the back of the stall.
At the back, a tarp covers what looks to be a chest. Keeping
her eye on the Bandersnatch, Alice removes the tarp to reveal
an ornate metal chest chained to the wall with a large lock.
Disheartened and feverish, Alice slumps to the ground.
She pulls back her sleeve to look at the wound. It's infected.
Red streaks radiate outward from the swollen wound. She
touches it, stifles a cry of pain. She glances at the
Bandersnatch, still busy with his eye. She sees a large rock
in the mud. She lifts it, trembling from weight and and bashes
the lock with it. It doesn't budge. Hyperventiating and
starting to shiver uncontrollably, she attempts to lift the
rock again. She blinks and shakes her head as her vision
clouds and then, the world goes black.
CUT TO:
ON ALICE - A FEW MINUTES LATER
She opens her eyes to see the Bandersnatch looming over her.
He's somehow managed to shove the eye back into its socket. It
stares upwards uselessly, but he seems to feel better for
having it back in place. She eases backwards, but the wall
behind prevents her escape. The Eandersnatch sniffs at her.
She pulls back and notices a large key on a chain hung around
its neck. The key to the lock. She slowly reaches for it. As
she does, the Eandersnatch sniffs her arm and the wound he
inflicted. She winces, but she will not be deterred from the
key. She grasps it and tugs the key off his neck.
The Bandersnatch continues to sniff the wound and then gently
licks it. The touch of his tongue is cool and soothing. She
breathes a sigh and allows him to lick the wound clean. When
he's finished, she looks at it. Perhaps it has something to do
with the wound being purified by the very creature that
inflicted it, but miraculously, the infection is gone. The red
streaks have receded and the swelling is down. She moves it
around. No pain. He looks at her, one eye askew.
ALICE
I suppose you think this makes
us even now.
Alice fits the key into the lock on the chest. She turns it
and the lock drops away. She lifts the top of the chest.
THE CHEST
The Vorpal Sword is beautiful, sharp and silver, with an
ornate handle. It's large for Small Alice. She lifts it and
holds it up to the light. There appears to be runes engraved
on the blade. She carries it out of the stall to the stable
83
door. She glances back at the Bandersnatch briefly before she
goes out.
INT. THE DUNGEON
Alice approaches the Tweedles and the sleeping Dungeon Keeper.
Alice motions to them. They notice how small she is.
TWEEDLEDEE
Somebody's been into the
pishsalver again.
ALICE
I have the Sword. Help me
get the Hatter out.
She runs on. Tweedledee starts to follow.
TWEEDLEDUN
Where are you off to?
TWEEDLEDEE
To free the Hatter.
TWEEDLEDUTVI
But we ain't being finished with
the list
Tweedlee drags him away.
INT. THE HATTER'S CELL - DAY
Stayn watches with growing frustration as the guards give the
Hatter one last going over, punching and kicking him.
Mallymkun watches from the shadows.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Tell me where she is and this
will stop. Where is Alice?
Alice comes round the corner followed by the Tweedles.
ALICE
I have the Sword!
They stop as they take in the scene. Everyone looks at each
other. Then, Mally tosses the Hatter a weapon.
THE DORMOUSE
IC! o t chyn /
He catches it and they fight. Alice tries to use the Sword
which is much too big for her small size.
MAD HATTER
84
Not yet! Take it and run.
ALICE
I'm not leaving...
THE DORMOUSE
Alice! Run!
Stayn heard that. He looks at her with sudden revelation.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Alice?
HATTER/DORMOUSE
RUN!
She runs. Stayn and two of his Knights follow.
INT. THE DUNGEON - CONT.
She runs through the tunnels with Stayn and the Knights
behind. But she's small. They catch up quickly. She dives
through their legs and keeps running.
EXT. THE DUNGEON - DAY
She bursts out the dungeon and runs toward the stables with
Stayn and the Knights not far behind. They catch up easily,
surrounding her.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Alice. Of course. Why didn't I see
it? Well, it has been a long time.
And you were just a little tyke.
Give me the Vorpal Sword.
ALICE
Stay back!
He distracts her as the Knights come up behind.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
The Queen will be so pleased.
She'll take great pleasure
in taking off your head. I
believe she wants to do the
deed herself.
The Knights grab her. She struggles uselessly. Stayn grips the
Sword, but she won't let go. As he pulls, he hears a deep
rumbling GROWL. The Bandersnatch snatches up a Red Knight in
his mouth, crunches down, then flings the body away. He lowers
his head and runs at Stayn, snapping viciously. Stayn releases
the Sword to leap out of the way. The Bandersnatch lowers his
85
head for Alice. She pulls herself onto his back as Stayn and
the Knights watch with astonishment. She holds the sword high.
ALICE
Downal ciqth Bluddy Behg Hid!
INT. THE CASTLE - THE LIBRARY
The White Rabbit reads the Oraculum. Looking out the window,
he sees Alice on the Eandersnatch, weilding the Vorpal Sword.
WHITE RABBIT
I'm always right. Why do people
question me?
He rolls up the Oraculum.
EXT. THE COURTYARD
Alice and the Bandersnatch approach the open drawbridge.
RED GUARDS
Close the drawbridge!
Seeing the Bandersnatch, the drawbridge MEN abandon their
post. The Bandersnatch pounds across.
EXT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE - DAY
Waiting on a hill nearby, the Bloodhound sees the Bandersnatch
racing away from the castle with, remarkably, Alice on its
back. He dashes out to meet them. Running alongside, he hails
Alice.
BLOODHOUND
Ho, Alice!
ALICE
Bayard! To Marmoreal!
He races ahead leading the way as the Bandersnatch follows.
EXT. MARMOREAL - CASTLE OF THE WHITE QUEEN
Beautiful, shining, it's made entirely of white marble. A
White Guard looks out across the open plain at the strange
sight of the Bandersnatch approaching at a dead run.
WHITE GUARD #1
Bandersnatch on approach!
WHITE GUARD 4*2
There's someone riding it.
The Dodo is standing neaby. He lifts a spyglass and sees
Alice.
THE DODO
Alert the Queen.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE QUEEN'S CASTLE - THE COURTYARD
The castle doors swing open. The people step back fearfully
as the Bandersnatch lopes into the courtyard. Eayard follows.
Alice dismounts. She sees the Dodo with the White Queen.
ALICE
Dodo?
THE DODO
Welcome to Marmoreal. Your
Highness...this is Alice.
The White Queen is not ugly at all. She's very beautiful, in
fact.
THE WHITE QUEEN
No need for introductions,
Uilleam. Alice and I are old
friends.
ALICE
It's good to see you again, your
Highness. I have something that
belongs to you.
Alice hands her the Vorpal sword.
WHITE QUEEN
You have our deepest gratitude.
INT. THE ARMORY - DAY - LATER
The White Queen places it in the hand of a suit of silver
armor.
WHITE QUEEN
The Vorpal Sword is home again.
The Armor is complete. Now I
await my new champion.
(to Alice)
You were younger when last we
met and yet, you seemed larger
somehow.
ALICE
I cannot tell you how much
pishsalver I've had to swallow
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lately.
WHITE QUEEN
Ah. Would you care to join me
in the kitchen?
INT. THE WHITE QUEEN'S KITCHEN
MARCH HARE (0.5.)
Too much pepper!
As they enter, a pepper mill flies acros the room and hits the
wall.
WHITE QUEEN
Since I've been in exile, we
haven't had the luxury of a
kitchen staff. Thackery has
been kind enough to help out
with the cooking.
MARCH HARE
Alice 1 Come for tea, luv?
WHITE QUEEN
She's not here for tea. She's
in need of upelkuchen. I'm
going to bake some up for her.
MARCH HARE
No good! There's already too
many people crowding up my kitchen.
It's empty, but for the three of them.
WHITE QUEEN
We'll stay out of your way.
The Hare lifts a pot lid and listens as if the soup is talking
to him.
MARCH HARE
No, I won't listen. I've had
enough of your salty love-talk.
You had your chance with me.
You broke my heart and now I'm
done with you!
He picks up the pot and throws the soup at the wall.
THE OVENS
The White Queen prepares the batter for a cake. She opens a
cupboard filled with jars of herbs, spices, dried insects,
shriveled fingers, eyeballs, and other odious things.
Intermixed with these are bags of flour, salt and sugar.
WHITE QUEEN
Let me think. Two cups flour,
one cup sugar,a pinch of fungas,
worm fat, tongue of blowfish. I've
been baking upelkuchen since I was
a child. My mother taught us how
to concoct all the medicinal cures
and transformational dishes.
(more ingrediants)
A pinch of thyme, three coins from
a dead man's pocket and two tablespoons
of Wishful Thinking.
She spits into the batter, then pours it into the cake pans.
WHITE QUEEN (cont.)
My sister preferred to study
Dominion Over Living Things.
Tell me, how does she seem to you?
ALICE
She's completely mad.
WHITE QUEEN
She wasn't always that way.
And her head?
ALICE
Bulbous, bloated, like a blimp.
The Queen puts the cake into the oven.
WHITE QUEEN
I think she may have some kind
of growth in there...something
pressing on her brain.
ALICE
You can't imagine the things
that go on in that place.
WHITE QUEEN
When a champion steps forth to
slay the Jabberwocky, the people
will rise against her.
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ALICE
The Oraculum says that I will
slay the Jabberwocky.
WHITE QUEEN
That is not going to happen
because it has been foretold. If
the events occur, it will be
because you cause them to.
ALICE
But if I don't slay the Jabberwocky,
how will I get home?
The Queen opens the door to check on the cake.
WHITE QUEEN
All done.
She takes the cake out.
ALICE
It takes a lot longer to
bake a cake where I come from.
WHITE QUEEN
Then you're putting too much
thyme in it.
WHITE QUEEN (cont.)
I hope it tastes all right.
She gives her a big piece. Alice eats it with relish. She
holds out the empty dish.
ALICE
More please.
The Queen takes the plate away firmly.
WHITE QUEEN
It's not cake, its .
WHOOSH! Alice grows to her original size.
WHITE QUEEN (cont.)
Feel better?
ALICE
Much. Thank you.
WHITE QUEEN
Come. You'll tell me of your
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world while we await the arrival
of my new champion.
CUT TO:
INT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE - DAY
Stayn has just finished telling the Queen about Alice.
RED QUEEN
You let her escape?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
On the Bandersnatch.
RED QUEEN
She took my Bandersnatch? What
kind of power does this girl
possess?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
And the Vorpal Sword.
She's so angry she slaps him.
RED QUEEN
How could you let this happen?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
(stinging from the slap)
I may have underestimated her. But
we have her conspirators. The
Hatter and a Dormouse.
RED QUEEN
(dark)
Let their heads roll.
INT. THE HATTER'S CELL - NIGHT
The Hatter awaits his execution at dawn. He glances at the
Dormouse asleep in the cell across from his. The Cheshire Cat
suddenly materializes on the other side of the bars.
CHESIRE CAT
I've always admired that hat.
MAD HATTER
Hello, Chessur.
CHESIRE CAT
Would you consider bequeathing
it to me, since you won't be
needing it anymore?
MAD HATTER
Wither my head goes, that way
goes my hat.
CHESIRE CAT
Tell me, Tarrant, is worth it?
MAD HATTER
Alice holds the Vorpal Sword.
If she has the courage to use
it, then yes.
CHESIRE CAT
(musing)
One life lost for a world
set free.
He disappears and reappears in the cell with the Hatter.
CHESIRE CAT (cont.)
I'm serious about the Hat.
MAD HATTER
You want my hat.
CHESIRE CAT
It's an excellant hat. I'll wear
to all the finest occasions.
The Hatter considers his request.
INT. THE WHITE QUEEN'S PARLOR - LATER
The White Queen and Alice sit in the parlor. Alice looks out
the window, anxious and fretting.
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WHITE QUEEN
You keep looking out the window.
What's troubling you?
ALICE
I'm worried about the Hatter.
WHITE QUEEN
Tarrant Hightopp?
ALICE
I don't know what's become
of him. Your sister ordered
his execution.
The Queen can see the spark of love there.
WHITE QUEEN
Tarrant is very resourceful.
You must trust him. If there is
a way out, he will find it.
Alice nods and takes a deep breath. The Queen sneaks a look
out the window.
ALICE
Now you're the one looking
out the window.
WHITE QUEEN
You caught me.
ALICE
Your champion will come.
WHITE QUEEN
Yes. I am certain of it.
EXT. THE RED QUEEN'S COURTYARD - THE FRABJOUS DAY - DAWN
The Courtiers look like they've been through a brawl.
Disheveled, clothes torn, out-sized body parts ripped off,
they're bruised, battered and ready for someone's blood.
The Hatter (wearing his Hat) and the Dormouse are forced to
walk though the angry mob to reach the executioner who
sharpens his sword. They keep their heads down as the people
jeer and throw rotten vegetables at them. The Tweedles and the
White Rabbit are present as well, blending in with the crowd.
The Queen and Stayn watch from the castle balcony.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Brilliant, whoever conceived of
the dawn execution. It's the
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perfect way to start the day.
RED QUEEN
I love that we have so much
in common.
He shoots a dark glance her way, the memory of the slap still
stinging.
THE BEHEADING PLATFORM
Guards prod the Hatter and Dormouse up the steps.
EXECUTIONER
Who will be the first to die
on this fine morning?
The Hatter steps forward, pushing the Dormouse behind him.
THE DORMOUSE
Courage. I'll be right behind you.
The Executioner attempts to take off his hat, but he mumbles.
THE HATTER
I want to keep it on.
EXECUTIONER
Suit yourself. As long as I
can get at your neck.
The Hatter places his neck on the beheading stone.
The Tweedles and the White Rabbit look on with pained
expressions.
The Executioner raises his sword. The crowd goes quiet.
The White Rabbit looks away.
WHITE RABBIT
I can't bear to watch.
The Executioner's sword comes down toward the neck of the
accused. But just as it's about to make contact, the accused's
body disappears. The crowd gasps. Sword hits the stone,
jarring the executioner who stares at the hovering head.
Everyone stares in disbelief.
TWEEDLEDEE
It's gone.
The Rabbit still hasn't looked.
WHITE RABBIT
He was such a fine fellow.
TWEEDLEDUM
Look!
The Rabbit looks to see the floating head with no body
attached.
EXECUTIONER
I can't behead nobody if there's
no body!
The Chesire Cat's disembodied head floats upright and hovers
above the atonished crowd. He grins.
THE DORMOUSE
Chessur, you dog!
He winks at her. The Hatter (sans Hat) leaps up on to a
balustrade and shouts to the crowd.
MAD HATTER
To the abused and enslaved of
the Red Queen's court, stand
and fight with us! Downa] wyth
Bluddy Behy Hid!
The Platypus holds a tray of tarts on his bound beak. He
tosses them away and pulls the rope off.
THE PLATYPUS
EGGSACUTALLY!
Other billed animals do the same. Footfrogs and the Fish
Butlers, Cat Maids and Human Floor Sweepers take up the
slogan.
VARIOUS SERVANT/SLAVES
Downa] wyth B]uddy Behy Hid!
ON THE QUEEN AND STAYN
RED QUEEN
What are they saying about me?
KNAVE OF HEARTS
I think it's to do with the size
of your head.
The Queen's face goes crimson with rage.
RED QUEEN
Loose the Jub-jub Bird!
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INT. THE COURTYARD
The Rabbit approaches the Chesire Cat, the Hatter and the
Dormouse with the Tweedles.
WHITE PABBIT
Well done, Chessur. Well done!
MAD HATTER
Congratulations. You've just
commited your first noble act.
CHESIRE CAT
It was just this one time.
And I got to wear the Hat.
The Hatter holds out his hand. Chessur reluctantly gives up
the Hat. There's a bloodcurdling SCREECH overhead as the
JubJub Bird swoops down on the onlookers below. He strafes the
screaming crowd indiscriminatly. Snatching fleeing onlookers
in his beak, he flies up, then opens his mouth to let them
fall to the ground. He rakes others with his razor sharp
claws. He stabs and bites and tears.
The Queen watches the blood-letting with a vengeful smile.
Stayn stands at her side.
RED QUEEN
You're right, Stayn. It is far
better to be feared than loved.
Prepare the Jabberwocky for
battle. We're going to visit my
little sister.
ON THE HATTER ET AL.
The Hatter, the Dormouse, the White Rabbit, the Tweedles and
the Platypus gather to escape.
MAD HATTER
Wait for me at the drawbridge.
There's something I want to do.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE WHITE QUEEN'S CASTLE - LATE AFTERNOON
She stands on the parapet searching the horizen. Alice, the
Dodo and the Bloodhound stand nearby. All is silence.
WHITE QUEEN
I would have thought I'd have
a champion by now.
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BLOODHOUND
Look there!
The Dodo lifts his spyglass.
THE HORIZON - HIS POV
The group of escapees approach.
DODO
It's the Hatter!
Alce grabs the spyglass and looks.
ON THE GROUP - HER POV
The Hatter, the Dormouse, the White Rabbit and the Platypus
approach, plus...
THE PARAPET
Alice hands the spyglass to the Bloodhound.
ALICE
Bayard, have a look.
The Bloodhound looks through and sees...
ON THE GROUP - HIS POV
...his wife and pups running with the others.
BLOODHOUND
(overwhelmed)
Bielle.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE QUEEN'S CASTLE - LATER
The group enters the castle. Alice and Bayard can't hold
themselves back. They run.
ALICE
Tarrant!
Alice throws herself into Tarrant's arms. She clings to him
with profound relief and happiness. The Dormouse looks on with
jealous eyes. Bayand, his wife and their pups leap, jump,
whine and nuzzle each another with pure joy. The Bloodhound
stops to look at the Hatter.
BLOODHOUND
Forgive me.
MAD HATTER
Nothing to forgive.
A disembodied cat's head appears.
ALICE
Is that Chessur?
He materializes and kisses her hand.
CHESIRE CAT
Lovely to see you again.
How's the arm?
ALICE
All healed.
But the White Queen has no one to greet.
WHITE QUEEN
I don't believe anyone is coming.
ALICE
I am sorry. But why don't you
kill the Jabberwocky yourself?
You must have the power.
WHITE QUEEN
In the healing arts. It is against
my vows to bring harm to any
living thing.
The Hatter steps forward.
MAD HATTER
I will slay the Jabberwocky.
CHESIRE CAT
You would hardly last a minute.
You have very poor evaporating
skills. I should be the one.
TWEEDLEDUN
No. I should.
Dee pushes Dum behind him.
TWEEDLEDEE
No, I!
Dum pushes Dee behind him.
TWEEDLEDUM
Contrariwise!
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TWEEDLEDEE
Not now! Nohow!
TWEEDLEDUN
Leave of f!
TWEEDLEDEE
Let go!
Alice is warmed by her friends' willingness to take her place.
The White Rabbit holds up the Oraculum and the illustration of
Alice slaying the Jabberwocky. Everyone goes quiet. Finally,
the Tweedles speak.
TWEEDLEDUN
No other slayer, nohow.
TWEEDLEDEE
If it ain't Alice, he ain't dead.
All eyes turn to Alice. The feeling is not unlike that
uncomfortable moment under the gazebo. Overwhelmed, she runs...
EXT. A TOPIARY GARDEN - LATER
...and runs until she falls onto a garden bench and weeps.
THE CATERPILLAR
Stupid girl. Nothing was ever
accomplished with tears.
ALICE
Absolem?
THE CATERPILLAR
On the leaf.
She sees him on a leaf hanging upside down, spinning a
chrysalis. He's small to her now that she's her own size.
ALICE
Why are you upside down?
THE CATERPILLAR
I've come to the end of this
life.
ALICE
You're going to die?
THE CATERPILLAR
Transform. The Frabjous Day
is upon us. And brillig is
approaching.
99
ALICE
What does "bril Jig" mean?
THE CATERPILLAR
Evening, when it's time to
begin broiling things for dinner.
The chrysalis begins to cover his body.
ALICE
Please don't leave. I don't know
how to get home.
THE CATERPILLAR
What does it matter if you
don't know who you are?
AL I CE
But I do know who I am! I'm
Alice Kingsley, daughter of
Charles Kingsley, the visionary
and entrepreneur.
THE CATERPILLAR
Exactly. Remember, the Vorpal Sword
knows what it wants. All you
have to do is take it there.
Farewell, Alice. Perhaps I will
see you in another life.
He disappears inside the green chrysalis.
INT. THE ARMORY - LATER
Alice stands, silently gazing on the White Knight's armor. The
White Queen joins her.
WHITE QUEEN
If you take up the sword against
the Jabberwocky, you must do so
not because it has been foretold,
or because it is the only way to
get home. You must do so because
you believe it is just. And understand,
there is no certainty to
the outcome.
The Queen leaves her to make her decision alone.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BORDER OF MARMOREAL
100
The Red Queen rides a black steed, Ilosovic Stayn his red
panther. Behind them, the Red Knights and other MONSTROUS
DENIZENS under the Queen's control march steadily toward
Marmoreal. The Jubjub flies overhead...
CUT TO:
EXT. THE WHITE QUEEN'S CASTLE - CONT.
Everyone has gathered just outside the castle walls: the White
Queen, the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, the White Rabbit, Chesire
Cat, the March Hare and all the Queen's followers. They wait
with nervous anticipatipn for Alice to make her decision.
WHITE PABBIT
She's coming.
The Bandersnatch lopes out. A White Knight sits astride him,
her armour shining in the sun. Alice's long blonde hair hangs
down the back. She holds the Vorpal sword high. A rousing
cheer rises up.
WHITE LOYALISTS
Alice! Alice! Alice!
But the cheer fades as they see in the far distance...
...a dust cloud rising up from the army of the Red Queen on a
high hill. Alice is undaunted.
ALICE
To the Tulgey Wood!
The Bandersnatch takes off at a loping run as the others
charge after her into the woods.
EXT. THE TULGEY WOOD - A CLEARING - BRILLIG
The White Queen and her allies meet the Red Queen and her army
at a clearing in the wood. Silence descends as the two
opposing forces face off.
RED QUEEN
Greetings, Mirana.
WHITE QUEEN
Iracebeth.
The White Rabbit blows his trumpet.
WHITE PABBIT
On this the Frabjous Day, the
Queens, Red and White, shall send
forth their champions to do
battle on their behalf.
101
WHITE QUEEN
To the Victor, goes the Crown.
RED QUEEN
But it looks so much better
on my head than yours.
WHITE RABBIT
No one shall intervene until
until one of the combatants
signals defeat.
RED QUEEN
Or dies a gruesome death.
WHITE RABBIT
Call forth your champion.
RED QUEEN
JABBERWOCKY!
Behind her, a dark form rises. The Jabberwocky's vast wingspan
darkens the clearing. It swings its reptilian head, whips its
pronged tail, extends one deadly claw and adjusts its vest.
CLOSE ON ALICE
Taking in the daunting size of the creature, Alice can barely
contain her fear. The Hatter takes her hand.
MAD HATTER
Listen for my voice.
ALICE
But this is impossible.
MAD HATTER
Only if you believe it is.
His words spark a memory of her father.
ALICE
"Sometimes I believe as many
as six impossible things before
breakfast".
MAD HATTER
An excellent practice, but
just at the moment, you should
focus on the Jabberwocky.
She smiles.
RED QUEEN
102
Where's your champion, little
sister?
Alice steps into the clearing, alone.
ALICE
Here.
ON ALICE AND THE JABBERWOCKY
She looks up at the huge terrifying creature. The Jabberwocky
roars. Alice whispers to herself, her voice trembling.
ALICE
Six impossible things. Count them,
Alice. One! There's a potion that
can make you shrink. Two! And a cake
that can make you grow.
She draws the Vorpal Sword. The Jabberwocky lowers its huge
head and hisses.
JABBERWOCKY
So my old foe, we meet on the
battlefield once again.
Alice is shocked. She hadn't thought that it could talk.
ALICE
We have never met.
JABBERWOCKY
Not you, insignificant bearer.
My ancient enemy, the Vorpal one.
He strikes out suddenly with his long spiked tongue. Alice
lifts the Sword to defend herself and the Sword slices off the
Jabberwocky's tongue. It falls to the ground wriggling in the
dirt. The Jabberwocky thrashes his head, but he can only make
a burbling sound.
ALICE
That's enough chatter.
The Jabberwocky whips its pronged tail, knocking her to the
ground. She lays there for a moment, catching her breath and
continuing her six impossible things.
ALICE (cont.)
Three. Animals can talk.
The Jabberwock drives its spike tail down to stab her, she
barely manages to roll out of its way in time.
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ALICE (cont.)
(faltering)
Four. Four, Alice I
She pulls herself to her feet.
ALICE (cont.)
Cats can disappear.
The Hatter shouts.
MAD HATTER
(behind you)
Zounder!
She ducks in time to avoid the creature's snapping jaws.
ALICE
Five. There is a place called
Wonderland.
It swipes at her with his long curved claws.
MAD HATTER
(to the right)
Stang!
She leans right to avoid the claws.
ALICE
Six.
She stands still for a moment, then slowly lifts her head to
face her nemesis. All fear is gone. There is nothing but
relentless intent and bloodlust in her eye.
ALICE (cont.)
And I can slav the Jabberwocky!
She swings the Sword and attacks with fury. The Jabberwocky is
surprised by her fierceness. They do battle. The Hatter gives
her the occasional warning in Outlandish.
MAD HATTER
Ezel! Sloth now.
ALICE
What?
She turns, distracted. CLAWS scrape down the back of her
armour.
MAD HATTER
I said. . . sloth.
104
Alice backs up toward him, fending off the Jabberwocky.
ALICE
I can manage. Thank you.
The Red Queen sees them talking.
RED QUEEN
The Hatter's interfering!
Of f with his head!
Stayn runs toward him, sword drawn. The Hatter is only too
eager to fight Stayn and the well-ordered duel erupts into a
full-scale battle with Alice and the Jabberwocky in the eye of
the storm. During the battle...
...Bayard fights with Stayn's red panther...
...Mallymkun takes on a three-headed LEOPARD...
...Chessur disappears and reappears to confuse the Red Queen's
Knights...
...the Bandersnatch and the JubJub Bird fight viciously...
...the Tweedles battle Red Knights back to back with perfect
precision and timing and not a single argument...
...even the Platypus and the Dodo do well against a SABERTOOTHED
BADGER.
...the March Hare laughs and sings as he throws projectiles at
the Red Knights until he gets slammed hard. Then he screams
and goes crazy, fighting like a wild man.
ON ALICE AND THE JABBERWOCKY
Alice leaps up onto the Jabberwocky, pulling herself up his
scales as he twists and snaps trying to shake her off. The
Vorpal Sword practically pulls itself out of her hand in its
relentless pursuit of the creature's head. Alice makes her way
to the Jabberwocky's vest where she clings and tries to slash
its neck with the sword.
The vest buttons strain with Alice's weight. They
snap...one...two...three...only one left holding the vest on by a
thread. She clings desperately as the Jabberwock's thrashes
its head. Alice slashes with the Sword. And just as the last
button gives way, Alice propels herself into the air.
ALICE
OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!
105
With one powerful thrust, she cuts off the Jabberwocky's head.
Both Alice and the head fall at once, the Jabberwocky's jaws
still snapping at her in its death throes.
Alice hits the ground hard. The Jabberwock's head rolls a few
feet away. Silence descends in the clearing. Alice lays on
the ground, breathing heavily. Finally, she stands up and
picks up the Jabberwocky's head. She carries it to the Red
Queen and drops it at her feet. The Queen stares it, then up
to Alice with a furious glare.
RED QUEEN
Kill her!
The nearest Red Knight throws down his weapon.
RED KNIGHT
We follow you no more...bloody
big head.
RED QUEEN
How dare you! Of f with his head!
But no one is listening. The others throw their weapons down.
Suddenly, the crown lifts off the Red Queen's head. She
snatches for it as it floats over to the White Queen where it
gently lowers to her head. The Chesire Cat materializes next
to her.
WHITE QUEEN
Iracebeth of Crims, your crimes
against Underland are worthy of
death. But that is against my
vows. Therefore, you are
banished to the Outlands. No one
is to show you any kindness or
ever speak a word to you. You will
will have no one to speak to...
not a friend in the world.
Stayn bows unctiously to the White Queen.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Majesty, I hope you bear me no
ill will.
WHITE QUEEN
Except this one. Ilosovic Stayn you
will join Iracebeth in banishment
in the Outlands from this day until
the end of Underland.
She motions to her White Guards who grab Stayn and chain him
to Iracebeth.
106
RED QUEEN
At least, we have each other.
In a last panic, Stayn pulls a knife and tries to stab her.
She screams. The Hatter knocks the knife away. Stayn drops to
his knees and begs.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
(to the White Queen)
Kill me...please.
WHITE QUEEN
But I do not owe you a kindness.
Take them!
The White Guards drag them off.
RED QUEEN
You tried to kill me! YOU TRIED
TO KILL ME!
ON ALICE AND THE HATTER
MAD HATTER
Oh Frabjous Day! Callou! Callayl
He bursts into an enthusiastic dance of unbridled joy.
ALICE
What's he doing?
CHESHIRE CAT
Futterwacken.
At the end of his dance, the Hatter grabs Alice and kisses her
passionately.
Chessur puts a comforting arm around the disappointed
Mallymkun.
The White Queen leans down to the still bleeding neck to catch
a drop of its blood into a vial.
WHITE QUEEN
And blood of the Jabberwocky.
She approaches Alice.
WHITE QUEEN
Alice. You have our everlasting
gratitude. And for your efforts
on our behalf.
107
The Queen hands the vial to her. Alice takes it.
ALICE
Is this the way home?
WHITE QUEEN
Drink.
Alice lifts the vial to her lips.
MAD HATTER
Don' t.
ALICE
What?
MAD HATTER
Stay with us.
She gasps at the idea...the crazy mad idea. She looks at him and
her gaze travels to the strange and wonderful beings she's met
in this strange and wonderful place. But then, thoughts of her
mother and sister and unfinished business intrude on her
fantasy.
ALICE
I wish I could. But there are
questions I have to answer.
She glances at the White Rabbit.
ALICE (cont.)
And things I'm late for doing.
She drinks the potion, shuddering at the taste.
MAD HATTER
You won't remember me.
ALICE
I will!
He abruptly kisses her one last time. He whispers.
MAD HATTER
Fairfarren, Alice.
ALICE
Fairfarren, Tarrant.
She lifts a hand to the others, struggling with her emotions.
ALICE
Fairfarren all.
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Their faces and the world itself starts to shimmer and then
dissolve into...
CUT TO:
INT. THE RABBIT HOLE
Grass. Alice finds herself face down in the field, clinging to
the edge of the Rabbit hole, legs dangling precariously.
EXT. THE MEADOW - DAY
Alice pulls herself up and looks around, blinking in the
bright sun. She shakes her head...all memory of Underland gone
once again. She looks down at her clothes, confused by their
ragged, torn, filthy condition. She looks down at the rabbit
hole.
ALICE
...must have fallen in...
EXT. THE ASCOT ESTATE — THE GARDEN PARTY
The party is still going on although a bit subdued. Hamish
speaks to the confused guests.
HANI S H
She ran off and left me standing
there without an answer.
F I ONA
A case of nerves, no doubt.
People fall silent as Alice wanders back onto the lawn,
looking like she's been through a war.
HAN I SN
Alice?
LORD ASCOT
Good Lord. Are you all right?
ALICE'S MOTHER
What happened to you?
ALICE
I think I fell down a hole and
hit my head.
LADY ASCOT
You look a frightful mess.
Alice turns to Hamish. Her adventure, although unremembered,
has given Alice unwavering confidence and self-awareness.
ALICE
I'm sorry Hamish, I can't
marry you. You're not the
right man for me.
(to her sister)
You shouldn't act so smug,
Margaret. Your life may not
be as perfect as you think
it is.
She whispers the truth about her husband in Margaret's ear.
Margaret gasps and glares at the suddenly sheepish Lowell.
ALICE
(gently to Aunt Imogene)
There is no prince, Aunt Imogene.
You need to talk to someone
about these delusions.
(to Lady Ascot)
I happen to love white roses,
Lady Ascot, as well as rabbits.
She turns to her mother.
ALICE (cont.)
Don't worry, Mother. I won't be
a burden. I'll find something
useful to do with my life.
(to the Chatterly's mother)
Your daughters swim naked in
the Havershim's pond.
(to the sisters)
Sorry, girls.
She looks around.
ALICE (cont.)
Is that everyone?
Lord Ascot lifts a finger.
LORD ASCOT
You've left me out.
ALICE
No, I haven't. You and I have
business to discuss, sir.
They're all surprised to hear the word coming out of a young
woman's mouth.
LADY ASCOT
Impertience!
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110
LORD ASCOT
I'd like to hear what she
has to say.
ALICE
May we speak in the study?
INT. ASCOT MANSION - THE STUDY
A map of the world is been laid out on the table. Alice
studies it carefully.
ALICE
My father told me he planned to
expand his trade route to
include Bombay.
LORD ASCOT
Bombay.
ALICE
But I don't think he was looking
far enough.
LORD ASCOT
You don't?
ALICE
No. Why stop in India? Why not
expand the company's trade route
all the way to China? It's vast,
the culture is rich and we have a
ALICE (CONT.)
foothold in Hong Kong. Imagine
the possibilities.
Lord Ascot sees the spark of genius in her eye, the same spark
he saw in Charles Kingsley's.
LORD ASCOT
I'm very sorry you're not going
to marry my son, Alice. But I
may have a way to keep you in
the family.
She's intrigued.
ALICE
Go on.
CUT TO:
EXT. A SAILING SHIP - SEVERAL MONTHS LATER
A crowd has gathered to see the China Trading Company's maiden
ship off to distant lands. Alice stands on the deck, waving
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to her mother, sister and Lord Ascot. As the ship pulls away
from the dock, a beautiful Monarch butterly with blue tinged
wings lands on Alice's shoulder. She smiles.
ALICE
Hello, Absolem.
The butterly takes wing. As Alice watches it soar skyward we:
FADE OUT.
THE END.
A/N: Did you like it? Do you see now the way that Disney arruined HatterxAlice relationship?