J. Rowling - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

As they are about to stand, a light becomes visible underneath the ice. A deep rumbling sound echoes. The children stare as a glowing beast glides under the ice beneath them, and off into the distance.

Newt and Jacob walk along another deserted street on the way to Central Park. The shops around them are full of expensive jewelry, diamonds, precious stones. Newt, carrying his case, scans the shadows for small movements.

NEWT

I was watching you at dinner.

JACOB

Yeah.

NEWT

People like you, don’t they, Mr. Kowalski?

JACOB

(startled)

Oh—well, I’m—I’m sure people like you too—huh?

NEWT

(not very concerned)

No, not really. I annoy people.

JACOB

(not sure how to answer)

Ahh.

Newt seems thoroughly intrigued by Jacob.

NEWT

Why did you decide to be a baker?

JACOB

Ah well, um—because I’m dying—in that canning factory.

(off Newt’s look)

Everyone there’s dying. It just crushes the life outta you. You like canned food?

NEWT

No.

JACOB

Me neither. That’s why I want to make pastries, you know. It makes people happy. We’re going this way.

Jacob heads off to his right. Newt follows.

NEWT

So did you get your loan?

JACOB

Er, no—I ain’t got no collateral. Stayed in the army too long, apparently—I don’t know.

NEWT

What, you fought in the war?

JACOB

Of course I fought in the war, everyone fought in the war—you didn’t fight in the war?

NEWT

I worked mostly with dragons, Ukrainian Ironbellies—Eastern Front.

Newt suddenly stops. He has noticed a small shiny earring lying on top of a car bonnet. His eyes move downward: Diamonds are scattered across the pavement leading toward the window of one particular diamond shop.

Newt stealthily follows the trail, creeping past shop windows. Something catches his eye and suddenly, he pauses. Very slowly, he tiptoes backward.

The Niffler is standing in a shop window. In order to hide, it is emulating a jewelry stand, little arms outstretched, covered in diamonds.

Newt stares at the Niffler in disbelief. Sensing Newt’s stare, the Niffler slowly turns. The two of them make eye contact.

A beat.

Suddenly the Niffler is off: Scurrying farther into the shop and away from Newt. Newt whips out his wand:

NEWT

Finestra.

The window glass shatters and Newt leaps inside, seizing at drawers and cupboards, desperate to find the creature. Jacob stares down the street, incredulous as he watches Newt, who, from an outsider’s perspective, appears to be looting the diamond shop.

The Niffler appears, scurrying over Newt’s shoulders in an attempt to get higher and away from his clutches. Newt jumps onto a desk after him, but the Niffler is now balancing on a crystal chandelier.

Newt reaches out and trips, both he and the Niffler now hanging from the chandelier as it swings wildly round and round.

Jacob looks around the street nervously, checking if anyone else can hear the chaos coming from within the shop.

Finally the chandelier crashes to the floor, smashing. Straight away the Niffler is back up, clambering across cases full of jewelry, Newt in hot pursuit.

A catch opens on Newt’s case, and a roar comes from within. Jacob fearfully looks toward the case.

The Niffler and Newt continue their chase, finally climbing onto a jewelry case that can’t take their weight. The case, with them both on top, falls to rest against one of the shop windows. Both Newt and the Niffler become very still . . .

Jacob breathes deeply and slowly moves forward to close the latch on the case.

Suddenly a crack appears on the window. Newt watches as the crack spreads across the pane of glass and the window bursts open, shattering across the pavement—Newt and the Niffler crashing to the ground.

The Niffler is still only for a moment before running off down the street. Newt quickly gathers himself, drawing his wand:

NEWT

ACCIO!

In slow motion the Niffler sails backward through the air toward Newt. As he flies, he looks sideways at the most glorious window display yet. His eyes widen. Jewelry falls from his pouch, flying toward Newt and Jacob, who duck and dive as they run forward toward the creature.

Passing a lamppost, the Niffler stretches out an arm, spinning around the pole and flying onward, out of the trajectory Newt had him on, and toward the glorious window.

Newt casts a spell toward the window, turning it into a sticky jelly, which finally traps the Niffler.

NEWT

(to the Niffler)

All right? Happy?

Newt, now covered in jewelry, pulls the Niffler from the window.

We hear police sirens in the background.

NEWT

One down—two to go.

Police cars come racing through the streets.

Newt once again sets about shaking all the diamonds from the Niffler’s pouch.

The police cars pull up, and policemen run out, guns aimed at Newt and Jacob. Jacob, also covered in jewels, holds up his hands in surrender.

JACOB

They went that way, Officer . . .

POLICE OFFICER 1

Hands up!

The Niffler, stuffed into Newt’s overcoat, pokes out its little nose and squeaks.

POLICE OFFICER 2

What the hell is THAT?

Jacob suddenly looks to the left, his face one of terror.

JACOB

(barely able to speak)

Lion . . .

A beat and then, in unison, the police turn both their eyes and their guns toward the other end of the street.

Perplexed, Newt looks too . . . A lion is stalking toward them.

NEWT

(calm)

You know, New York is considerably more interesting than I’d expected.

Before the police can look back, Newt grabs Jacob and they Disapparate.

Newt and Jacob hurry through the frost-covered park.

As they cross a bridge, they are almost bowled over by an ostrich, which tears past them—running for its life.

A loud rumble can be heard in the distance.

Newt tugs protective headgear out of his pocket and hands it to Jacob.

NEWT

Put this on.

JACOB

Why—why would I have to wear something like this?

NEWT

Because your skull is susceptible to breakage under immense force.

Newt runs on. Utterly terrified, Jacob puts on the hat and chases after Newt.

Tina and Queenie lean out of their bedroom window, craning into the dark. Another bellowing roar reverberates through the winter night. Other windows open, neighbors stare sleepily over the city.