TODAY – IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein Hello, I’m scientist Viktor Frankenstein. And I’m here in the Arctic, the end of the Earth, because I’m looking for the Creature which destroyed my happiness. The last time I was happy was… with Elizabeth. Our wedding day was coming…
IN THE PAST – AT THE FRANKENSTEIN’S HOME IN GENEVA
Elizabeth Let me check the guest list again… How many guests have we planned earlier, Mr Frankenstein?
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father There were 60, the last time I counted, dear Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Is the house big enough for all our guests?
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father Yes, it is, my darling. Invite more people. Let’s have a banquet and plenty of good wine!
Elizabeth How much wine shall we order? Are two hundred bottles too many?
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father No.I’ll pay for it all gladly. Nothing is too expensive for my dear son and his bride. Let’s all drink and be merry! It will be a wedding nobody will ever forget! Are you happy, my dear?
Elizabeth Oh, I’m very happy!
TODAY – IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein It’s very cold here! Well, Elizabeth and I got married on a warm day. There was a lot of catching up with friends. Elizabeth looked so pretty. But I was worried. I got used to walking around with a gun in my pocket. The threat by the Creature was very much alive in my mind…
IN THE PAST
Creature I’ll have my revenge. I’ll be with you on your wedding night!
TODAY – IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein I didn’t give the monster a bride so it said it would destroy my life. It killed my best friend Henry, my brother William and his nanny Justine was blamed for the boy’s murder… and now it was coming after me. This was in my thoughts when we arrived for our honeymoon at the house we rented by the side of Lake Como in Italy. It was raining heavily…
IN THE PAST – AT A HOUSE BY LAKE COMO, ITALY
Elizabeth It’s a pity we have to close the windows. The view of the lake is fantastic!
Viktor Frankenstein Yes. But I’m sure the rain won’t last. Why don’t you go to the bedroom, my darling?
Elizabeth Aren’t you coming?What are you looking for, dear Viktor?
Viktor Frankenstein I just want to make sure that everything is alright and we are safe. I’ll go as soon as I do that, my sweet Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Are you expecting someone?
Viktor Frankenstein No, darling wife. Go and I’ll join you as soon as I can. I don’t want anything to worry you.
TODAY – IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein I was indeed expecting something to happen: a battle to the death between me and the Creature. I didn’t care if it was too strong for me. I had enough hate in my heart to defeat the monster. I just didn’t want Elizabeth to see the fight. I left the house with my gun and decided to walk around to check if it was there. But all of a sudden, a scream…
IN THE PAST – AT A HOUSE BY LAKE COMO, ITALY
Elizabeth Ahhhhhhh!
Viktor Frankenstein Elizabeth! Elizabeth!
INSIDE THE HOUSE
Viktor Frankenstein My dear Elizabeth! My beloved wife… is dead!!
Creature Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
Viktor Frankenstein You, horrible Creature! I’ll kill you! I’ll put a bullet in your head!
SHOOTING
Viktor Frankenstein I hate you! I hate you with all my heart! My Elizabeth!
TODAY – IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein William, Justine, Henry and now Elizabeth. There was nothing else for me and… for my father. As soon as he heard that my wife was killed on our wedding night, he fell ill and died heartbroken. And all because of me! I’d thought about telling Elizabeth that I had created a monster. But there wasn’t enough time… After her death I tried to warn others and I was put in a hospital for a while. Nobody believed me… So I decided to put an end to the problem I had created and find the creature at once. The world is not big enough for both of us. I’m still looking for it. I might find it next time.
Vocabulary
guest list names of people who are asked to come to a party
banquet large formal meal
merry happy and animated
catching up discussing what happened since the last time you met someone
honeymoon a holiday for the new husband and wife after the wedding
Credits
Story adapted and produced by Graciela Damiano
Cast: Peter Kenny, Sophie Napleton, Simon Haynes, Will Harrison-Wallace
Illustration: Carolina Thwaites-Lastra
English Language Teaching consultant: Nicola Prentis
Studio Manager: Philip Bull