J. Rowling - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

ANGLE ON THE ROOF OF A DEPARTMENT STORE—we see a thin blue tail slither inside a small attic window. Suddenly the building shakes and tiles break away as the creature’s size expands to fill the whole room.

The glittering Art Deco headquarters of a media empire. Many journalists are hard at work in an outer office.

An elevator opens and Langdon Shaw bustles excitedly through the room, leading the Second Salemers. He carries maps, several old books, and a handful of photographs.

Mary Lou is composed, Chastity looks shy, and Modesty is excited, curious. Credence looks nervous—he doesn’t like crowds.

LANGDON

. . . and so this is the newsroom.

Langdon spins around excitedly, eager to show the Second Salemers that he holds authority here.

LANGDON

Let’s go!

Langdon moves around the office and speaks to some of the workers.

LANGDON

Hey, how are you? Make way for the Barebones! Now, they’re just putting the papers to bed, as they say.

Looks of veiled amusement from journalists as Langdon leads his group to double doors at the end of the open-plan area. Henry Shaw Sr.’s assistant—Barker—stands up, anxious.

BARKER

Mr. Shaw, sir, he’s with the senator—

LANGDON

Never mind that, Barker, I wanna see my father!

Langdon pushes past.

A large, impressive office with spectacular views across the city. The newspaper magnate—Henry Shaw Sr.—is talking to his elder son, Senator Shaw.

SENATOR SHAW

. . . we could just buy the boats . . .

The doors burst open to reveal a harassed-looking Barker and an excitable Langdon.

BARKER

I’m so sorry, Mr. Shaw, but your son insisted—

LANGDON

Father, you’re going to want to hear this.

Langdon moves toward his father’s desk and begins spreading out photographs. We recognize some of the images: The destroyed streets from the start of the film.

LANGDON

I’ve got something huge!

SHAW SR.

Your brother and I are busy here, Langdon. Working on his campaign. We don’t have time for this.

Mary Lou, Credence, Chastity, and Modesty enter the office. Shaw Sr. and Senator Shaw stare. Credence stands with his head bowed, embarrassed, nervous.

LANGDON

This is Mary Lou Barebone from the New Salem Philanthropic Society, and she’s got a big story for you!

SHAW SR.

Oh, she has, has she?

LANGDON

There’s strange things going on all over the city. The people behind this—they are not like you and me. This is witchcraft, don’t you see.

Shaw Sr. and the senator look dubious—all too used to Langdon’s harebrained little projects and interests.

SHAW SR.

Langdon.

LANGDON

She doesn’t want any money.

SHAW SR.

Then either her story is worthless, or she’s lying about the cost. Nobody gives away anything valuable for free.

MARY LOU

(confident, persuasive)

You are right, Mr. Shaw. What we desire is infinitely more valuable than money: It’s your influence. Millions of people read your newspapers and they need to be made aware about this danger.

LANGDON

The crazy disturbances in the subway—just look at the pictures!

SHAW SR.

I’d like you and your friends to leave.

LANGDON

No, you’re missing a trick here. Just look at the evidence—

SHAW SR.

Really.

SENATOR SHAW

(joining his father and brother)

Langdon. Just listen to Father and go.

His eyes shift, focus on Credence.

SENATOR SHAW

And take the freaks with you.

Credence perceptibly twitches, disturbed by anger in his vicinity. Mary Lou is calm but steely.

LANGDON

This is Father’s office, not yours, and I’m sick of this every time I walk in here . . .

Shaw Sr. silences his son and motions for the Barebones to leave.

SHAW SR.

That’s it—thank you.

MARY LOU

(calm, dignified)

We hope you’ll reconsider, Mr. Shaw. We’re not difficult to find. Until then, we thank you for your time.

Shaw Sr. and Senator Shaw watch Mary Lou as she turns, leading her children out. The newsroom has fallen quiet, everyone craning to hear the row.

As he departs, Credence drops a leaflet. Senator Shaw moves forward and bends to pick it up. He glances at the witches on the front.

SENATOR SHAW

(to Credence)

Hey, boy. You dropped something.

The senator crumples up the leaflet before putting it in Credence’s hand.

SENATOR SHAW

Here you go, freak—why don’t you put that in the trash where you all belong.

Behind Credence, Modesty’s eyes burn. She clutches Credence’s hand protectively.

Tina and Newt stand on either side of an ailing Jacob, trying to keep him steady.

TINA

Take a right here . . .

Jacob makes various retching sounds, the bite on his neck clearly affecting him more and more.

As the group rounds a corner, Tina hurries them to hide behind a large repair truck. From here she peers at a house across the street.

TINA

Okay—before we go in—I’m not supposed to have men on the premises.

NEWT

In that case, Mr. Kowalski and I can easily seek other accommodation—

TINA

Oh no, you don’t!

Tina quickly grabs Jacob’s arm and pulls him across the road, Newt dutifully following.

TINA

Watch your step.

Newt, Tina, and Jacob tiptoe up the stairs. They have just reached the first landing when Mrs. Esposito, the landlady, calls out. The group freezes.

MRS. ESPOSITO (O.S.)

That you, Tina?

TINA

Yes, Mrs. Esposito!

MRS. ESPOSITO (O.S.)

Are you alone?

TINA

I’m always alone, Mrs. Esposito!

A beat.

The group enters the Goldstein apartment.