The Vampire Lestat
by D.L. Warner & Jon Cunningham
based on "The Vampire Lestat" by Anne Rice

 

This is not a piece of fanfiction. This treatment was written in 1997 and delivered to David Geffen's office in response to a challenge to adapt "The Vampire Lestat," a novel which had defied all screenwriters who had approached it. Never having received a reply, we are now offering up this material as our solution to the impossible adaptation. 
 

Black.

"Above all else, remember never to tell anyone what you have learned, and in particular never reveal to a mortal what you are."

Cut to a salon inside Marius' lair in the Aegean. MARIUS explains to LESTAT the need for secrecy. "If you cannot lie, say nothing. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

A single violin starts its soulful melody.
 
 

Begin opening credits. A series of textures pass by, fields of red and gold. When the title of the film is shown, the melody boosts to heavy rock. The lyrics are strong and clear. It reveals; my name is Lestat, I am a vampire, I'm very old, I'm evil, and I'm going to kill you.

We see more detail of the underlying image, including bits of glass, wood and letters. Lestat sings a question. "Who am I? Why are you doomed? Where does your soul go?"

The image is revealed to be the gold record and accompanying sleeve for "The Vampire Lestat."

Fade to white.

"What is my story?"
 
 

The white becomes a snow covered field. The camera trucks to reveal a dead animal carcass. It is one of several. A French peasant from the 1770's comes across the bodies and loads one onto a cart.

He pushes the cart through the streets of Auvergne, the armpit of Southern France. The farmer goes from one merchant to another, telling his plight of dead cattle at the hands of wolves. They agree to go to the Marquis.

They take the animal to the manor house to plead their case for help. The wolves are on the lord's land and only his family may hunt there. The MARQUIS is blind and tired, and his sons are indifferent. His youngest son, LESTAT, comes forward and offers to stop the wolves himself. His brothers scoff at his folly. Only his mother, GABRIELLE, shows any concern.
 
 

On his best horse, and with his two best mastiffs by his side, a heavily armed Lestat goes out into the wilderness to hunt the wolf pack singlehandedly. Five wolves attack. The mastiffs take out three before they themselves are overwhelmed. Lestat shoots another. Then three more appear. Lestat fires once, misses, then kills another with his last shot. Reaching the tree line, Lestat's horse is taken down, as he slices one with a sword. The remaining wolves attack Lestat, and after a brutal and bloody fight, he kills the remaining two.

Cold, exhausted and badly wounded, Lestat goes to his injured horse's side. He reloads his pistol and ends its suffering.

Carrying one of the wolves over his shoulder, Lestat starts the long trek back.
 
 

At the manor house his brothers react to his story with disbelief and indifference. Lestat collapses onto the floor.

Lestat awakes in his bedroom, his mother tending to his wounds. She tries to comfort him. Lestat tells of his desire to leave, even to the point of killing his own family. Gabrielle admits to having similar thoughts from time to time. Then she explains that she is dying, and will be gone by next winter. Lestat is crushed, but she tells him not to worry.
 

Lestat is drinking with his friend, NICHOLAS, pouring out all of the hatred for the family that destroyed his mother, and the society that encourages them. Nicholas is in complete agreement, as his father, a prominent merchant is horrified by his sinful desire to play the violin.

That night, the two wander to the Witches' Place, where the witches were burned for their crimes. There they drink and dance and sing. Lestat decides that the only answer is to run away, and leave for Paris. Nicholas is unsure, but is convinced when he realizes the scandal it would bring.

Lestat is in his room, considering what to take, how to choose what would define a lifetime. His mother enters. She quietly tells Lestat that she knows what he is planning. At first he denies it. She gives him some gold coins and tells him to write her often while he is in Paris. She admires his strength and asks Lestat to see the world as she was never able to. They embrace, and then he slips into the night.
 
 

A well manicured garden maze, beautiful and timeless. A figure emerges, and walks towards the camera. It is the vampire Lestat, dressed in modern clothes. He walks past the camera to the modern mansion beyond. Quietly, he sneaks to its walls and scales its sides, half climbing, half jumping. Once on an upper floor balcony, he opens the door and slips inside.

It is a posh bedroom. Lestat's room. Lestat turns on the lights, and hits the answering machine. He checks his clothes in the mirror. There are three messages, one from his lawyer about his upcoming concert, one from his agent congratulations for his new gold record and a death threat from the other vampires for his planned concert. He erases the messages and heads out into the hallway.

Lestat brings his black Porsche 911 up to the entrance of his recording studio. He is greeted by the guard and let inside.

Everyone knows him there, the great eccentric rock star, The Vampire Lestat. His lawyer, CHRISTINE, has some concerns over the contract for his book. He is polite but brushes her aside, eager to join his band in the studio. As he heads down the corridor, he notices GETZ exchanging something with one of his band members. He doubles back and intercepts Getz in a bathroom.

He confronts Getz over dealing drugs to the band. Getz is indignant. Lestat has no trouble over the drugs themselves, but hopes that none of his friends end up dead like others Getz has dealt with. Getz loses his temper and pulls a knife. Lestat thanks him and attacks.

Lestat arrives in the studio to see his band tuning up. "Are we ready to make some magic?"
 
 

Lestat pulls back up to the mansion. He steps into his room and immediately senses that something is wrong. He turns and sees LOUIS sitting in a chair by the balcony. Lestat is overjoyed at the reunion, but Louis is somewhat colder. He keeps his distance as if he would need to escape. He demands to know why Lestat is drawing such attention to themselves, why the records, and the videos and the concert. Lestat is unimpressed, holding up a copy of "Interview With The Vampire." Louis counters that there were never images of him for all the world to see.

Louis comments that Lestat always held himself above all others. They are soon arguing over the past, over Lestat's recklessness, over his controlling need to have things his way and his constant lies. Lestat is hurt, and tries to make peace. He offers Louis a present, a special gift he had been holding just for him. It is a galley copy of "The Vampire Lestat," Lestat's autobiography. He wants Louis to read it. Read it and understand. Slowly, Louis takes the book and begins to flip through it.

"Dear Mother," It begins...
 
 

Cut to the streets of 1770's Paris. Lestat narrates to his mother about his adventures as an actor in Paris. The montage does not paint quite as rosy a picture as Lestat describes, but at least he and Nicholas are happy.

The theater is packed. Lestat is giving it his all in a performance as Lelio. Nicki is playing in the orchestra. Suddenly, Lestat notices his mother seated in the audience. He stops, then resumes, playing the part of the young lover directly to her. The audience gives a standing ovation.

Lestat and his mother are reunited backstage. She is quiet but proud. She is also obviously more frail, but determined to be with her son. He introduces her to the rest of the troop. The exchanges have an excess of formality and enthusiasm on both sides. Lestat is introducing her to Nicholas when they notice that Gabrielle has become weak. She casts aside offers of help, then collapses.

When she awakes she is in a theater dressing room. Lestat is by her side. She admits that her condition is worsening. Lestat offers to get help, but Gabrielle knows that it is too late. That is why she is here. She had to see him one last time, to do something completely of her own will.

Night passes into day, then back into night. Lestat is still by her bedside. He is exhausted. Concerned, Nicholas finally sends him to his own bed, promising to wake him the moment anything happens.

A physically and psychically drained Lestat crawls into his bedroom on the top floor of the theater. He collapses on the bed and begins to sob to himself. "Wolfkiller," he hears. A tall, bent man, MAGNUS, stands motionless by the window, like a statue. He hears the word again, although the figure does not speak. Lestat goes for the pistol by his bedside, but finds himself unable to grasp it. He looks at the terrible smiling face, and finds himself unable to turn away. He cannot run, or attack, or even cry out, all he can do is move towards him as every fiber of his being tries to resist. Lestat is hyperventilating. Magnus touches Lestat's hands, then lovingly wraps his arms around his waist. He stares long into Lestat's eyes, and then attacks, biting deep.

Magnus scoops Lestat up in his arms, then explodes through the windows out into the Paris night. As Lestat loses consciousness he is dimly aware of flying over the rooftops, far above the streets. The last thing he sees is Magnus smiling down on him.
 
 

Lestat awakes with a start. He is in a dingy cell high up in a tower on the outskirts of Paris. He takes stock of surroundings and discovers that the room has dozens of chests loaded with a vast fortune in gold, silver and gems. He is pocketing some when Magnus enters. Lestat backs away from him, pleading to God for his life. Magnus is angry for his mention of the Lord. He hits Lestat, knocking him across the floor. He keeps saying what a beautiful boy Lestat is.

Lestat attacks him, fighting Magnus with all his might. Magnus ignores it. He bites Lestat's neck, draining him to the point of death. As Lestat lies sprawled on the floor, Magnus asks if he wishes to live. Lestat does, and Magnus feeds him his own blood. Lestat drinks with gusto. As the change begins he experiences a terror not seen before; Magnus offers no explanation of what is happening.

Lestat has a flash of a sarcophagi in a dark chamber bound in chains. Magnus stands over the body inside, reaching over to feed from the arm struggling inside.

The vampire Lestat awakes to a wonder of a world seen through greatly enhanced senses. Even the tiniest movements of a cockroach on the floor hold a fascination to him. Magnus offers kind words now, finally asking Lestat to accompany him. In a daze, he agrees.

They travel down through the tower, Magnus quietly laying out the barest details of what is necessary to survive as a vampire. At the bottom of the stairs, Magnus takes a torch and leads Lestat into another chamber.

Lestat reacts to the horrible smell first, so powerful he can barely enter. Then he notices the details. A putrid meal stacked on an old barrel. The corpse of a young blond man chained to the wall beside it. Another blond body next to it. Then another. And another. Lestat is horrified to see a vast pile of rotting blond corpses filling the huge room. Magnus says his goodbyes. Lestat asks him to stay and teach him of his new life. Magnus lights the bodies ablaze. He revels in the carnage and begins to dance around the human bonfire. Lestat begs him to stay. Magnus laughs and throws himself into the fire. He is burned utterly. Horrified, Lestat runs from the tower into the night.

Lestat runs through the night towards Paris, running faster than any mortal might. He is uncontrollable in his fear and anguish.

"Outlaw."

Lestat hears the thought and stops, finding himself by the edge of the cemetery of le Innocents. He looks about and sees nothing. "Outlaw," it repeats. He calls out to the sound, but hears nothing in response. He tries to entice it. Nothing. His only answer is a THIEF, who steps out of the shadows to rob him. His mind a million miles away, Lestat only half pays attention to him. The thief drives a knife between his ribs. That gets Lestat's attention. The thief is picked up off the ground, Lestat being fascinated by his own strength. Then he kills the thief by drinking him dry. Afterwards the body is cast aside, and Lestat casually pulls the knife out of his own chest. "Outlaw," he hears again, but Lestat no longer cares. He heads back towards the theater.
 
 

The doctor finishes examining Gabrielle. Taking Nicholas aside, he apologizes that the end is near. Lestat enters, and asks that they both leave. Nicholas is hesitant, no one could find Lestat earlier, they were quite worried about him. Lestat does his best to stay out of the candle light. He tries to be polite, but is very firm. They must leave. Reluctantly, Nicholas agrees.

Lestat tenderly awakes his mother. She is glad to see him. She knows the end is coming. Lestat offers her an alternative, but says that the price will be high. Gabrielle wants to live. Lestat drains her, then asks once again what she wants. She wants to live. Lestat feeds her. As she screams from the transformation, Lestat holds her in his arms, trying to calm her. The noise attracts the others attention, and they begin knocking on the door.

Gabrielle awakes, beautiful, vibrant and entranced by the new world around her. She is fascinated by her hands, then the mirror, then a candle flame. She is oblivious to the urgent knocking on the door and by Lestat's own words. Finally Lestat takes hold of her to try and talk, concerned about the others reaction to her 'miraculous' recovery. She is indifferent about them, and goes for the window. She leans out, taking a deep breath. She pulls up her skirts and climbs out the window, heading for the roof.

The knocking is now a pounding. Not sure of what to do, Lestat goes out to follow her. He climbs out the window just to see the last edge of her yellow dress disappear beyond the parapet. He races up the side of the building.

When he reaches the top she is already gone, a distant yellow figure hurrying into the night. Lestat starts to run after her.

They run across the roofs of Paris, leaping from street to street, above the evening crowds that never look up.

Finally he catches up with her at the edge of a square, standing beside a chimney staring intently at a spider's web. She expresses its beauty to Lestat, who is concerned for her well being. She is very pale, and begins to feel a bit weak again. Lestat explains that she must feed. She nods, and looks about the square for a victim.

Gabrielle climbs and drops to the street. She steps out of an alley and approaches a young man alone nearby. Lestat watches from the shadows as she walks up, whispers is his ear, takes him about the waist and kills him. When Lestat approaches she casts the body aside and explains that she wishes to continue to explore. Lestat asks her to stay. Let us learn and explore, but let us do it together. She is indifferent, but agrees.

They head away from the square towards a nearby tavern. Then they both hear it in their minds. "Outlaw." Lestat tells her not to worry. They enter the tavern.
 
 

Back at the studio, Lestat bursts through the doors and greets his AGENT. He introduces him to Louis and is warmly received. The agent has lined up a meeting for Lestat tomorrow, which is declined as it would be during the day. The agent shrugs. He explains about the final preparations for the concert. He is a very oily man, and Lestat answers every suggestion with a predatory smile.

Louis is introduced to Lestat's head of security as a friend with free access to all areas. There have been numerous threats against him and his band despite the secrecy. He finds them pathetic, but has taken ample precautions nonetheless.

Louis is amazed that Lestat is so open about his identity. Lestat points out how determined the modern mind is to not believe that vampires really exist. To prove his point, he explains to his agent that Louis is the source for "Interview With The Vampire." The agent is polite, but clearly doesn't believe a word of it. Lestat says that it is more likely to be seen as aliens from another world than as vampires.

As Lestat continues to show Louis around the building, he explains that even he has a certain measure of discretion when it comes to identity and his habits.
 
 

Lestat is in a tavern talking with his latest victim. Because of his telepathy we hear a three way conversation between what the man says, what he believes and Lestat's response to both.

He leads the man into an alley and kills him. Gabrielle arrives and admonishes him not to play with his food.

As they walk through the streets Lestat tries to justify his behavior. He offers her a crucifix he took from his victim, but she refuses. They here the Presence again, this time stronger than ever. Lestat tries to ignore it, but Gabrielle is a little nervous.

Suddenly they are attacked by three vampires, ragged, dirty creatures. The attack takes them by surprise, but Lestat and Gabrielle fend them off long enough to run. Almost immediately they are attacked by three more. Cornered, Lestat goes on the offensive, easily overpowering six with Gabrielle's help. Lestat is surprised at how weak they are.

More vampires appear all around them, too many to fight on their own. Lestat and Gabrielle make a break for it, moving so quickly through the streets that the citizens seem like statues.

The other vampires follow along the streets and across the rooftops.

They reach the square before Notre Dame. Gabrielle pauses, unsure what Lestat means to do. She is nervous about Lestat's plan to enter the cathedral. The psychic voices of their pursuers grow stronger. With great unease, they enter the building.

Quietly, they walk through the sanctuary. Nothing happens. Thoughts cry out, "Blasphemers." The vampires are gathered on the outskirts of the square, unwilling to get any closer. They are safe but trapped. Stalemate. They look about, admiring the grand peaceful beauty.

"Come out of the church. We will not harm either of you if you only come out of the church."

They are both startled by this new mental voice. It comes from ARMAND, a man walking slowly towards the nave, dressed in clothes from hundreds of years ago.

Lestat demands that he explain why they were attacked, but at first Armand seems lost in the beauty of the church. Armand says that Lestat and Gabrielle have sinned but can be forgiven. He again offers them haven within his coven. Lestat realizes that Armand has sent his own followers away so that they cannot see that he has entered a church. Armand claims that only he can show them the true path and meaning of their existence. He is using the force of his will to influence Lestat's mind. It ultimately doesn't work.

Finally, Armand produces Nicholas' jacket. Face judgement or his friend will be destroyed. Lestat is devastated. Gabrielle doesn't care about Nicholas, but will stay by Lestat's side.

They go into the cemetery, the other vampires keeping watch by their side. They travel down into the crypt.

The sight of decomposing bodies is horrific, the smell overpowering. Lestat is mystified why they choose to live like this.

They travel far underground to an enormous crypt. In the center is a huge pile of wood, with a caged Nicholas at the top. Vampires are everywhere. Lestat surveys the scene. He notices a curiosity bordering on envy. Lestat wonder aloud if they are merely the creatures of children's nightmares. One female vampire, ELENI, counters with accusations of sin when Armand and the VAMPIRE QUEEN come forward. All is quiet.

Armand explains the charges against them, living among mortals, entering churches, and generally not living in the service of Satan. Lestat rebuffs his authority and accuses Armand of being archaic. The Queen comes to Lestat's defense, envying his choice of the Devil's Road. Armand and the Queen begin to rehash an argument they have had many times over the years over a vampire's true purpose.

A vampire asks Lestat what life among mortals is like. This infuriates Armand who orders Nicholas burned. No one moves. Armand grabs a torch. Lestat takes it from him, knocking Armand to the ground. He then produces the crucifix, forcing all the vampires back. Faced by the contradiction of a vampire bearing a holy symbol, the coven falls apart. The Queen laughs.

Lestat goes to free Nicholas. Armand takes up another torch and means to light the pyre. The Queen wishes Lestat well and throws herself onto the torch. Armand is stunned. All of the vampires scatter.

Lestat rejoins Gabrielle. Now completely lost, Armand begs for Lestat to stay. Lestat finds Armand's lack of faith disgusting and leaves.

Back at Magnus' tower, Nicholas is dying. Lestat is at a loss for what to do. He also finds that he has questions about the origin and purpose of vampires.

Lestat moves through the tower when he is suddenly ambushed by Armand. They have a brutal no holds barred fight which Lestat wins by pinning him with a torch. All of the fight drains out of Armand.

Lestat asks why vampires exist, a question Armand finds very foolish. Lestat reminds Armand of his maker, Marius, a very powerful vampire who lived among mortals and sought to know everything about their kind.
 
 

Flashback to Marius, painting murals by candlelight. Armand watches him work.

One night Armand is roused by Marius to escape a band of attacking vampires. Fleeing across the roof, Marius is burned and Armand is captured.

The vampires question him about Those Who Must Be Kept, but Armand knows nothing. They insist that Armand devote his life to Satan, which he does. A celebration of blood and fire commences.

Armand explains that he has served in the name of Satan ever since. His life has been devoted to a ritual that he has never really believed in. As far as he knows Marius perished. Lestat has a flash of the body in Magnus' sarcophagi; Marius, alive.

Armand begs Lestat to show him how to live in this new world. Gabrielle arrives and is horrified by Armand's presence. Armand counters that only he can be a true companion for Lestat, since it is the nature of vampires to leave their makers. Lestat cares for none of this and kicks him out. Reluctantly Armand leaves.

Gabrielle has to come to say that Nicholas' death is near. She sees the look in Lestat's eyes and warns him not to make Nicholas.

Lestat goes to Nicholas' side and promises to make everything better if only he does as Lestat asks. In a daze, Nicholas agrees. Lestat cuts his wrist and Nicholas begins to feed.
 
 

In the present, Lestat rises in a start from his daze before a piano.

He goes to his room where Louis is stretched out on a sofa reading Lestat's manuscript. He takes a moment to enjoy the image of Louis relaxed. Lestat needs a break and wants to take Louis shopping. That perplexes Louis. He is also reluctant to stop reading. Lestat persists, turning on the charm, making Louis smile and agree.

At the mall, Lestat picks out new clothes for Louis, fussing over his grunge tastes. He is careful not to touch him and Louis notices this. Louis is amused at the attention and Lestat's dim view of mall workers. He laments the lack of pride and craftsmanship in the modern world.

Now better dressed, they walk about the food court talking about modern vampires. Louis mentions the vampire bars, which Lestat finds fascinating. They discuss the new 'rules,' like the importance of disposing of bodies.

Lestat makes a case for his own morality, explaining his choice of victims in "Interview." He has always believed in feeding on only the doomed and the damned. His voice has pride, but as he turns his face shows pain.
 
 

Nicholas is catatonic, sitting in a chair. Lestat despairs to Gabrielle that they have been able to feed him but not to ever truly rouse him. Gabrielle is indifferent. She has learned all that can from Paris and wants to move on. It is clear that she plans to leave soon with or without Lestat. Lestat wants to search for Marius, convinced that he is alive, but he cannot leave Nicholas helpless. If only he could find something familiar and comforting to him...

Nicholas is taken to the theater, now closed down. Lestat puts Nicholas in the orchestra and asks him to remember their good times there. Nothing.

Lestat goes to their old room and finds Nicholas' violin. He also finds several other vampires, including Eleni, cowering in the shadows. Armand has destroyed the coven, burning most of the vampires in their coffins. Only these few survived, now searching for a new way to live.

Lestat takes Nicholas the violin and asks him to play it. Slowly, Nicholas picks up the instrument and begins. He produces a beautiful and haunting melody. The other vampires come out to hear. Sensing an audience, Nicholas plays a happier tune, powerful and odd. The vampires are entranced and start to dance. Faster and more enthusiastic it becomes, their movements spellbinding and unnatural. Nicholas hits a shattering climax and screams, "We are the Theater of the Vampires."

The other vampires cheer, but Lestat is shocked. He finds Nicholas' plan beautiful but petty. Nicholas doesn't care. All of his life he has tried to shock and horrify by defying convention and always Lestat has helped. But Lestat never understood Nicholas' true heart and always advanced on when Nicholas only sought doom. Now he has eternity, and Lestat can hold his ambitions down no longer. Lestat is stunned.

He goes back to Gabrielle and agrees to see the world and look for Marius.

The theater is opening. Nicholas greets the audience for their first performance.

Lestat and Gabrielle leave Paris.
 
 

Lestat is with his editor discussing the cutting on his latest music video. It is a song about his travels with Gabrielle. Louis watches him work. He asks about why Lestat found vampires when he did not. Lestat can spot them better, and the local vampires may have wished to avoid Louis and Claudia. The editor leaves for a break.

Lestat tells Louis about the kinds of vampires he met. The images are from the video. While traveling, they received letters from Eleni.

She tells of the success of the theater. Flashes of performances, led by a progressively more manic Nicholas. Armand has joined them, sulking in a solitary room. The others defer to him out of habit.

Back to the video showing Lestat singing for an ever more distant Gabrielle. Lestat explains that she would leave him for weeks on end.

Lestat says that since rumors of first ones pointed towards Egypt, they traveled to Cairo.
 
 

Recently arrived in Cairo, Lestat is worried that they have not heard nothing from the theater recently. Gabrielle asks him not to worry but come with him to the tombs. It is the strongest lead yet about a line to Those Who Must Be Kept.

They reach the ancient tomb. Gabrielle thanks the guide then kills him. They proceed inside.

Finally, they enter a large burial chamber. They find a large sarcophagi and open it with their vampire strength. It's empty.

Lestat does not know of any further clues to follow. They sit. After a while Gabrielle presents her theory of a truly evil being; one who could rally all the vampires to the single task of destroying all of the works of man. Compared to such a creature, their own existence is petty. Lestat is shocked but she assures him that she has no ambition to do such a thing.

She wants to go further down into Africa, living in the earth and on those she encounters, a pure force of nature. She asks Lestat to join her, but he cannot leave the company of mortals.

They return to their place. A packet is waiting. It is Nicholas' violin and a letter from Eleni.

We see flashes of what she writes as she tells briefly of Nicholas' growing insanity. Finally Armand imprisoned him and confiscated his hands. After five days he regained his senses. He was allowed to write a stack of plays and was given a pyre in which to burn himself. Nicholas is dead.

Lestat is crushed. He does not know what to do next. Gabrielle again asks him to leave with her, but he refuses. She sees no choice and departs.

Lestat wanders about the desert in the predawn hours, the violin in his hands. The sun begins to rise, causing unbearable pain. He begins to burn. Lestat digs a hole into the earth, burying himself from the deadly rays.

Day. Then night. Then day. Lestat lives, near death, buried in the earth, uncaring.

Night. Someone walks to his grave. He sticks his hand straight into the ground and pulls Lestat's ragged body out in one swift motion.

"My name is Marius. I believe you've been looking for me."

He is immaculately dressed. He opens a vein and allows Lestat to drink. Lestat then passes out.
 
 

An island in the Aegean. Night. Lestat awakens in a coffin. He goes out, through a long stone passage and a secret door beyond into a palatial bedroom with a panoramic view of the sea. The violin sits on a table.

He wanders about the mansion, room after room of museum grade artifacts.

Finally, in a fine salon, he sees Marius calmly staring out to sea. They talk about the philosophy of vampirism, and it is quickly apparent that they are of similar minds. Marius is glad to finally meet Lestat, he so rarely sees a vampire of his drive and understanding. He was surprised that Lestat went to ground so early, something that happens to all vampires occasionally as a way of coping with their existence.

He explains that vampires are older than Christianity, that they are beyond issues of God and Satan. He mentions Those That Must Be Kept, the first, and most powerful vampires ever. He is their guardian. "Understand, I will tell you all there is to know, but do not assume that knowing the truth will be enough. I have no answers about God or our purpose. You must find your own reason to exist."

He takes Lestat down far below the ground to their lair. Lestat is a little spooked, but Marius tells him not to worry. Their chamber is behind an enormous doors, locked with heavy beams both within and without. The later is moved by hand, the former by Marius' mind.

Their chamber is large, well maintained, with beautiful murals on the walls. Around the room are statues and trinkets, which Marius explains are things they enjoy looking upon. At one end of the room is a huge tabernacle, also securely locked. Marius opens it to reveal to alabaster figures seated on their thrones, one male one female. They are incredibly beautiful and unmoving. Lestat asks to touch them and is shocked when he realizes that they are alive.

They never speak, and rarely move, and never in Marius' presence. They are so ancient they no longer need to do so. They never feed. They are indestructable. Lestat suddenly realizes that the woman's name is Akasha.

Marius tells briefly, without flashbacks, of their story; ENKIL and AKASHA, husband and wife who ruled over Egypt, the first of the pharoahs. One day the husband attempted to excise a spirit that was plaguing a house, and was possessed. His wife went to his aid and was also possessed. The beings left their minds intact, but transformed into what they are now, the first vampires to walk the Earth.

Lestat notices that one of them has changed position slightly. Marius mentions that this happens occasionally, or that objects in the room will be found moved or destroyed. Enkil never moves except in defense of Akasha, and then there are always deaths.

Marius asks a favor, that Lestat talk to them, and tell them about himself. Lestat is nervous but with some prodding, begins. He fumbles around a bit about who he is and where he is from, but quickly lapses into praising their beauty. He finds himself drawn to Akasha repeating over and over about her grace and beauty. Before he knows it, he is kissing her.

Shocked at his own actions, Lestat pulls away and asks to leave. Marius agrees and takes him away, locking the tabernacle as they go.

Just outside the door of the chamber, they hear the tabernacle open itself.

Back in the salon, Lestat wishes that their was some way to wake them. Marius used to feel the way he did, but after enough centuries passed he became content to merely care for them.

Marius briefly explains, without flashbacks, his own story; son of Roman aristocracy, a scholar, seeking to learn all that their was to know of the world. While in Gaul, he was imprisoned by druids and asked to replace their dying god, an ailing vampire. Something had gone horribly wrong, and the old vampire asked him to go to Egypt to find the answer. That creature was a prisoner of the druids, used to dispatch evil doers.

Those Who Must Be Kept are the first ones, the ones all other vampires are descended from. Their fate is the fate of all vampires. One day, their keeper, tired of his burden, put the ancient ones in the sun, and that morning all vampires everywhere were destroyed or horribly burned. After being made, Marius escaped and traveled to Alexandria. There he found and rescued the ancient ones and has been their guardian ever since. He has been allowed to feed from them, and is now probably just as indestructible.

Lestat wonder if all vampires should know about Those Who Must Be Kept, that that might encourage a better understanding of their lot and act as a force to unify them throughout the world. Marius is adamant. It is paramount that their location, even their existence, be kept a secret from all, even other vampires. After the rise of Christianity, many vampires in the West began to think of themselves as children of Satan, and would be unable to accept the notion of beings created by accident millennia before Christ. That was what caused the crisis that almost killed himself and Armand. Marius does not want a repeat of that tragic event, and warns Lestat that he has the ability to destroy him, from a distance if necessary, if he were to breach his trust. But he does not want to do so.

Lestat ponders what he has learned in his room. Finally, he takes the violin and goes down to the vault.

When he reaches the vault, he finds the doors already open, as are those of the tabernacle. For a moment, Lestat just stands before them, waiting to figure out just the right approach. He holds up the violin, explains what it is, and offers to play for them. He never has before, but he's always been a quick study. He hopes they enjoy it.

Lestat plays for them, uncertainly at first, then with greater and greater confidence. It is fantastic. He throws himself into the music, not noticing at first that there is a voice accompanying it. It is Akasha, standing before him, singing a single high note. Lestat stops playing. The note continues, louder and higher until he can no longer stand it. He begs her to stop, and she does.

Lestat stares at her, then approaches closer. He pauses by her neck, then bites. The feeling for him is incredible. He notices that her arms are around his. He opens his eyes and sees Enkil standing before him. He pulls back in shock as Enkil hits him once, sending flying across the room. Lestat heads for the door, which closes and locks before him. Enkil hits Lestat again, and then closes in for the kill. Akasha has never moved.

From the hallway, Marius cries out for Enkil to stop, threatening to kill Akasha if he does so. That works. Marius rushes in, and dismayed at Lestat's behavior takes him from the room and orders him to head for the beach. Marius stays behind as Lestat hurries out.

Lestat waits by the shore. Marius comes to him and explains that they have been returned to their tabernacle but that for everyone's sake Lestat must leave. There is a boat waiting by the shore, and with his powers he could row to the next island before dawn. Lestat claims that he could see into her mind and that Akasha wants to leave Enkil and see the world. Marius disagrees, saying that those who have been around her often project their own wishes on her. In the end, there can be no Akasha without Enkil and no Enkil without Akasha.

Marius believes that Lestat's problems are a product of his youth. Marius had had a full happy life before he became an immortal. Gabrielle had at least experienced life and almost death. Lestat was made too early, as was Nicholas. Marius recommends that Lestat have a mortal life, experience all of its joys and pains and try and gain a true understanding of living. Perhaps in the New World. After enough time has past, there will come a time when Lestat is ready, and they will meet again.

Lestat doesn't want to leave, but recognizes the wisdom in Marius' words. He goes to the boat to leave.
 
 

New Orleans. Lestat sees Louis cheat death in a bar, and follows him outside.
 
 

Louis finishes reading the manuscript. Lestat is watching. Knowing all that he knew, why did he make Claudia? Lestat admits that it was a mistake, but he had to know. And he did follow one piece of Marius' advice, he only made others out of love. Louis thinks. Lestat moves closer. He reaches out to stroke Louis' face. This time Louis doesn't flinch. He closes his eyes at the touch then allows Lestat to pull him into a long and tender embrace.

Lestat asks him to come with him to the concert. Louis wants Lestat to reconsider the concert, that it's just too dangerous. Lestat is not worried, he has plenty of human bodyguards. Besides, he has to know what would happen. He again asks Louis to come with him and Louis agrees shaking his head in acceptance.

Security is very heavy. The band travels in a limo, Lestat and Louis in his Porsche. The stadium is pandemonium. There are tens of thousands of screaming fans, some dressed as vampires, desperate to get in. The media presence is high. The engineers do their final checks.

Lestat's makeup is given a last once over, as the band is announced on stage. Before he heads out he reaches out and kisses Louis, then rushes to his destiny.

The performance is very theatrical, in a rock and roll sort of way. Lestat is enjoying the joy of performing on stage that he hasn't felt in two hundred years. He sings the title song from the beginning, rocking it off with his fellow band members.

The audience is going nuts. Some beg for Lestat to drink their blood. Just barely visible are pale individuals scattered throughout the immense crowd who don't cheer or wave, but just stare in bitter anger.
 
 

The television cameras watch everything. The broadcast is seen in homes, in bars, all over the country and the world.

A skyscraper in San Francisco. Deep, deep in the sub basement. Down a long corridor, past a heavy titanium vault door. Inside is a concrete chamber of conduits and murals, full of objects of great beauty. On one wall is a giant projection tv, running the concert. The tabernacle is open. Marius watches the concert in disbelief.

In a well furnished apartment somewhere in the world, Armand is also watching silently.
 
 

Lestat does a rousing finale. He leaves the stage in triumph. Louis is happy for Lestat but nervous, he cans sense the presence of others. So can Lestat. He has the band sent immediately to their secret compound for the after show party.

As they thread their way to their car amidst heavy security, they start to pick out the individual vampires closing in. Mortal teenagers are beating on the hoods of the band cars, blocking their paths.

Suddenly, all hell breaks loose. The vampires take out the guards, snapping their necks. Throwing the crowd aside, they lunge at Louis and Lestat attacking them with huge scythes. The two fight back, but between the crowd and the numbers of attackers, things start to look bad.

Suddenly, their attackers burst into flames. The crowd panics and rushes away. Lestat's Porsche roars to life and charges through the crowd to their side. Gabrielle opens the door and yells for them to get inside. They do so, and Gabrielle peels out of the parking lot.

They drive away from the stadium. Lestat introduces Louis to Gabrielle, who accepts graciously.

They are being followed. One car and at least one motorcycle. They are shooting at them, which Lestat finds ridiculous. Gabrielle points out that they are aiming for the tires. The freeway traffic is slowing them down, and keeping the Porsche from reaching top speed. Lestat realizes his mistake, that he had calculated his resources in the modern world, but not theirs.

The motorcycle pulls alongside, but Gabrielle knocks it off the road.

Louis wonders what destroyed the vampires back at the stadium. Lestat thinks that it might have been Marius, probably based somewhere in the city. If that is the case, then they're heading the wrong way, out of Marius' range. Gabrielle doesn't care, since she doesn't want them to be anywhere near something that dangerous.

The car tries to ram them. Gabrielle holds on, but just barely. Lestat decides to put an end to it, and starts to climb out of the car onto the roof.

A bullet hits one of the tires, and Gabrielle looses control. The Porsche rockets off the freeway, over an embankment, throwing Lestat clear. Lestat is dazed, but sees Gabrielle and Louis pull themselves from the wreck. About a half dozen rounds hit Lestat, knocking him to the ground.

The other car has pulled over to the side, and the vampires have gotten out. They put their guns away and come after Lestat, armed with machetes. Louis cries out and runs to Lestat's side, pushing the first one out of the way. Lestat is still dazed. The vampire brings up his knife to cut Louis down when he suddenly bursts into flame. Lestat staggers to his feet to face his opponent when he too catches alight.

The other vampires turn and run. Lestat starts after them, threatening to kill them all until Gabrielle holds him back. She tells him that they have to run. The police sirens can already be heard.
 
 

Back at Lestat's mansion, he is on the phone checking on the band's condition. They are all safe and unaware. He is assured that the police will be dealt with. Gabrielle is admonishing Lestat for his actions as only a mother can. She felt the presence that destroyed the others and doesn't believe it was Marius. Lestat tries to brush it all off. No one buys it. She has to leave but wishes him well and tells him to be careful. "After all, that music could wake the dead."

Louis resists saying I told you so. He also has to leave, to find a new place for them to live. He was thinking of New Orleans, which Lestat thinks is a fine idea.

Alone at last Lestat wonders aloud, "Where are you, Marius?" He hears nothing. Finally, he turns to leave the mansion when he hears a voice say: "Lestat, danger!" He looks around and sees nothing. He pauses, reaching out with his mind and senses nothing.

Lestat heads back through the garden maze, just as dawn is about to break. In the center of the maze is a statue, which Lestat moves aside, to reveal his crypt underneath.

Once inside, he goes to his coffin, and opens the lid. Lestat pauses, and then slowly turns around. Akasha is standing behind him.

End Credits

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