unclips his skis. He walks slowly past Zero’s frozen legs and approaches the precipice.
M. Gustave is clutching onto a knob of jagged ice while his feet dangle above a rocky chasm a thousand feet deep. He stares up at Jopling, frightened but furious. He says quietly:
M. GUSTAVE
You sick, pathetic
creep
. I hate you. (
Shouting.
) Run, Zero! Save yourself, I suppose!
Zero’s feet are frozen in place. A distant wolf howls. Pause.
Jopling lifts his foot and stomps his boot down with all his might. The ice crackles and fissures. M. Gustave sighs miserably. He swallows. Jopling stomps again. The ice around M. Gustave begins to crumble. As Jopling continues to stomp, over and over, M. Gustave sadly recites:
M. GUSTAVE
‘“If this do be me end: farewell!” cried the wounded piper-boy , whilst the muskets cracked and the yeomen roared,“Hurrah!” and the ramparts fell. “Methinks me breathes me last, me fears!” said he –’
There is a powerful thump, and Jopling flies headfirst, screaming, off the cliff over M. Gustave’s head. Zero, in the midst of a diving shove, lands on his face and nearly goes over the edge himself. He is covered with snow. M. Gustave shouts, ecstatic:
M. GUSTAVE
Holy shit! You
got
him!
Far, far below: Jopling’s arms and legs flail as he disappears down into the deepest reaches of the chasm. M. Gustave says proudly in elation:
Well done, Zero!
M. Gustave looks greatly relieved as he continues to hang precariously and his fingers stiffen toward frost bite. Zero gasps for an instant, then thrusts his arms down, stretching, to seize M. Gustave by the wrists.
Cut to:
A binocular shot of Zero dragging M. Gustave back up onto solid ground. They dust the snow off their bodies and catch their breath.
Henckels’ voice shouts over a megaphone:
HENCKELS
(
out of shot
)
Halt!
M. Gustave and Zero look across the hillside to the next slope. A hundred advancing troops hurry toward them, descending swiftly. The tiny figure of Henckels at the head of the squadron continues forcefully:
Gustave H.! You’re a fugitive from justice! Do not attempt to flee! Surrender lawfully, and I personally vouchsafe your fair treatment! Repeat: do not attempt to flee!
M. Gustave turns to Zero. Zero says, unsure:
ZERO
What do you think?
M. GUSTAVE
(
weary
)
I don’t know. I’d rather jump off this cliff right now than go back to fucking prison.
M. Gustave looks lost and tired. Zero stares at him. He nods. He says calmly:
ZERO
I say we steal that sick maniac’s motorcycle, go fetch Agatha, take back ‘Boy with Apple’, and head for the Maltese Riviera, once and for all.
M. Gustave’s face lightens. He is moved and deeply impressed.
M. GUSTAVE
Very
good! You’re
so
extraordinary, Zero. Thank you. (
Gravely.
) A moment of silence in memoriam of a devoted servant killed violently during the conduct of his duties.
M. Gustave and Zero stare solemnly into space for about five seconds. Bloodhounds bark in the far distance. Zero says quietly:
ZERO
Goodbye, Serge.
M. Gustave nods suddenly. He and Zero break into a sprint, race over to the motorcycle, and jump on. Zero kick-starts the engine, and M. Gustave, on the rear fender, hangs on tightly as they rumble away down the icy road.
Cut to:
Henckels watching from the distance. He lowers his binoculars. He looks worried.
MR. MOUSTAFA
(
voice-over
)
The war began at midnight.
Cut to:
M. Gustave and Zero winding along the highway. Zero yells back over his shoulder:
ZERO
What’s it like, by the way? The Maltese Riviera!
M. GUSTAVE
(
pause
)
Charming, really! The weather’s exquisite. The local cuisine is simple but excellent! The people are warm, kind, honest! Rather dusky-complexioned. You’ll fit right in, actually!
Zero nods, pleased.
Title:
24 HOURS LATER
Montage:
Various white-gloved hands in action: one rings a bell on the concierge desk with a quick tap. Another slips an envelope into a message box. Another picks up a room
M. Gustave is clutching onto a knob of jagged ice while his feet dangle above a rocky chasm a thousand feet deep. He stares up at Jopling, frightened but furious. He says quietly:
M. GUSTAVE
You sick, pathetic
creep
. I hate you. (
Shouting.
) Run, Zero! Save yourself, I suppose!
Zero’s feet are frozen in place. A distant wolf howls. Pause.
Jopling lifts his foot and stomps his boot down with all his might. The ice crackles and fissures. M. Gustave sighs miserably. He swallows. Jopling stomps again. The ice around M. Gustave begins to crumble. As Jopling continues to stomp, over and over, M. Gustave sadly recites:
M. GUSTAVE
‘“If this do be me end: farewell!” cried the wounded piper-boy , whilst the muskets cracked and the yeomen roared,“Hurrah!” and the ramparts fell. “Methinks me breathes me last, me fears!” said he –’
There is a powerful thump, and Jopling flies headfirst, screaming, off the cliff over M. Gustave’s head. Zero, in the midst of a diving shove, lands on his face and nearly goes over the edge himself. He is covered with snow. M. Gustave shouts, ecstatic:
M. GUSTAVE
Holy shit! You
got
him!
Far, far below: Jopling’s arms and legs flail as he disappears down into the deepest reaches of the chasm. M. Gustave says proudly in elation:
Well done, Zero!
M. Gustave looks greatly relieved as he continues to hang precariously and his fingers stiffen toward frost bite. Zero gasps for an instant, then thrusts his arms down, stretching, to seize M. Gustave by the wrists.
Cut to:
A binocular shot of Zero dragging M. Gustave back up onto solid ground. They dust the snow off their bodies and catch their breath.
Henckels’ voice shouts over a megaphone:
HENCKELS
(
out of shot
)
Halt!
M. Gustave and Zero look across the hillside to the next slope. A hundred advancing troops hurry toward them, descending swiftly. The tiny figure of Henckels at the head of the squadron continues forcefully:
Gustave H.! You’re a fugitive from justice! Do not attempt to flee! Surrender lawfully, and I personally vouchsafe your fair treatment! Repeat: do not attempt to flee!
M. Gustave turns to Zero. Zero says, unsure:
ZERO
What do you think?
M. GUSTAVE
(
weary
)
I don’t know. I’d rather jump off this cliff right now than go back to fucking prison.
M. Gustave looks lost and tired. Zero stares at him. He nods. He says calmly:
ZERO
I say we steal that sick maniac’s motorcycle, go fetch Agatha, take back ‘Boy with Apple’, and head for the Maltese Riviera, once and for all.
M. Gustave’s face lightens. He is moved and deeply impressed.
M. GUSTAVE
Very
good! You’re
so
extraordinary, Zero. Thank you. (
Gravely.
) A moment of silence in memoriam of a devoted servant killed violently during the conduct of his duties.
M. Gustave and Zero stare solemnly into space for about five seconds. Bloodhounds bark in the far distance. Zero says quietly:
ZERO
Goodbye, Serge.
M. Gustave nods suddenly. He and Zero break into a sprint, race over to the motorcycle, and jump on. Zero kick-starts the engine, and M. Gustave, on the rear fender, hangs on tightly as they rumble away down the icy road.
Cut to:
Henckels watching from the distance. He lowers his binoculars. He looks worried.
MR. MOUSTAFA
(
voice-over
)
The war began at midnight.
Cut to:
M. Gustave and Zero winding along the highway. Zero yells back over his shoulder:
ZERO
What’s it like, by the way? The Maltese Riviera!
M. GUSTAVE
(
pause
)
Charming, really! The weather’s exquisite. The local cuisine is simple but excellent! The people are warm, kind, honest! Rather dusky-complexioned. You’ll fit right in, actually!
Zero nods, pleased.
Title:
24 HOURS LATER
Montage:
Various white-gloved hands in action: one rings a bell on the concierge desk with a quick tap. Another slips an envelope into a message box. Another picks up a room
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