(CHIMING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(SCREAMING)
(SCREAMS)
(EXCLAIMS)
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
INSPECTOR: With all due respect, Doctor.
I still can't believe that these sinister goings-on in Whitechapel
are the work of a man in his sixties. I mean, be serious, Dr. Xavier!
You must believe me, Inspector!
Dr. Nathaniel Essex is responsible for these crimes!
Every person who has seen this butcher
agrees that he's a younger man.
And I can't credit a man of science with these inhuman atrocities!
Essex isn't human, Inspector! Not anymore.
And after tracking him round the world for half my life,
I begin to think he never was!
(WHINNYING)
Whoa!
Hey, move this wagon out of the way!
Now, Doctor, how is it you know this mad doctor, Essex?
I first became aware of his obsessions in the year of our lord, 1859,
while in the employ of Lord Grey, his patron and father-in-law.
Essex had been fascinated with the theories of Charles Darwin.
In particular, the groundbreaking work assembled in his Origin of Species.
DARWIN: And therefore, I am convinced
that natural selection has been the main,
but not exclusive means of species modification.
I open the floor for questions.
(AUDIENCE CLAMORING)
Mr. Darwin, while your theory may explain diversity in the lower animals,
how can your "natural selection" account for the human soul?
Were we not created in God's own image?
I have not, as yet, applied my observations to mankind.
Though I may do so at some future point.
But, Mr. Darwin, shouldn't natural selection operate
within any naturally occurring population,
be it animal, vegetable or man himself?
Yes, yes, quite right.
And, given that we have removed ourselves from the mechanisms
of natural selection, isn't mankind overdue
for the next evolutionary step?
No, no, not at all.
Man is still in direct competition with his fellows
and thus subject to natural selection. Yes, you had a question.
-Mr. Darwin, I am Dr. Nathaniel Essex. -Ah. A pleasure, Doctor.
Gentlemen, I wanted to speak to you about my own research.
I have made detailed observations on mutated humans
incorporating some of your theories.
I must caution you, these are dangerous times
for free-thinking men of science.
I shall very much look forward to reading it, when you publish it, sir.
But I have irrefutable evidence to back up my claims.
And I'm sure with your support...
In light of the lukewarm reception my theories received here, sir,
I believe it is I who am in need of your support.
-Thank you, sir. -Be patient, my boy. And discreet.
(COUGHING)
Oh, Mr. Darwin, may I present Dr. James Xavier,
family physician to Grey Hall.
So, Dr. Xavier,
do you believe me a heretic or merely a madman?
l have the utmost respect for your early work, sir,
but natural selection seems to deny the divine hand in creation.
(CHUCKLES) Heretic it is, then.
(COUGHING)
Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me.
But I grow weary of this debate. How is Rebecca faring?
If my wife's condition has changed at all, it is for the worse.
Will you be coming by to check on her this evening?
Of course.
XAVIER: Though Essex was qualified to treat his wife's disorder,
it was considered improper then, as now
for a physician to treat members of his own family.
James, can you give me any good news about my daughter?
Not as yet, sir.
But I'm confident my treatments will prove effective in time.
"Treatments"? Why can't you admit
you haven't the slightest idea what's wrong with my wife?
-You insult me, sir! -No, I--
Please forgive me, my friend. My frustration got the better of me.
I understand.
Lack of sleep, I expect. I bid you goodnight.
It is his work that worries me, sir.
I tell you, his ideas verge on blasphemy.
I understand. But he is my son-in-law.
And one of the few things that bring a smile to my daughter's lips.
XAVIER: Though I dared not admit it, Rebecca's illness confounded me.
Rebecca, darling, I need another sample of your blood.
Am I your wife, or your guinea pig?
You are the most precious thing in all the world to me.
And that is why I must do everything within my power to make you well.
XAVIER: Essex's laboratory
was located in an asylum for the physically infirm
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
on the west end of the estate.
As director of the asylum,
Essex took in those poor unfortunates, who
through some accident of birth, could not function in normal society.
Disreputable procurers knew he would pay well.
So they aided him in
seeking out these curiosities in the traveling carnivals and dumb shows,
where they were obliged to earn their keep.
I shall never forget the day I arrived, along with Darwin,
to witness the unveiling of Essex's "great work".
You've caught me in good health and high spirits, Dr. Essex.
We're all most eager to hear of your discoveries.
And so you shall, gentlemen. Please, step this way.
As you know, my interest lies not in the gradual mutations
that occur over millennia, but in the leaps that
manifest themselves in a single generation.
Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the men of tomorrow.
Mr. Fuente.
You will, no doubt, recognize the electroscope, a device for
demonstrating the effect of an electromagnetic charge.
Mr. Flannery, if you please.
Dr. Essex, I am speechless.
I came today expecting some minor breakthrough in biology,
and instead, you insult these learned men
-with parlor tricks and quackery! -But, but...
Now if you'll excuse me, "doctor", I have no time for such foolishness!
No! Wait! I have discovered the mechanisms of heredity!
In time, I shall bring an end to hereditary disorders.
To all disease!
Man shall at last possess complete mastery over his own body!
We shall become more than men!
-We shall be Gods! -Good heavens!
You're quite mad!
Fools! You blind old fools! You require proof?
I'll provide you with proof! In abundance! I shall show you.
I shall show the world!
But I don't see what that's got to do with the butchery here in the East End.
That's only half the tale, Inspector. Please, if you could just...
Well, Doctor, do you still think this is the work of a slighted scientist?
He has altered nature itself.
I believe the creature responsible for this outrage
to be the result of this man's sinister experiments.
Inspector, I implore you to accompany me to Mansell Street!
This may be a chance to stop the most diabolical madman
the world has ever known!
I shall finish the tale as we ride.
After his expulsion from the Royal Society,
Essex became even more obsessed with his research.
But still he met with failure after failure.
As time passed, he grew more reclusive.
Eccentric. A fanatic.
Stories of strange goings-on at the Grey Hall Asylum
circulated around Parliament and made their way into the papers.
Essex and Lord Grey became estranged,
while Rebecca's condition worsened.
Even the most advanced techniques of medical science were to no avail.
And though Essex still fought to save Rebecca, his growing fascination with
human mutation became all consuming.
Yes! Yes! I've done it!
(LAUGHING TRIUMPHANTLY)
Mad, am I, Darwin? Fool! You are a mere spectator to creation,
while I, I have become the creator!
(LAUGHING MANIACALLY)
Excellent. I feel like a new man!
-What are you doing to us? -Have no fear, my friends.
With these transfusions, you shall become more than men! Much more!
(GASPS)
Remarkable! Not even a blister!
(LAUGHING)
I don't understand it. Other than a slight pallor,
your daughter is making quite an amazing recovery, Lord Grey.
(GIGGLES)
What is it, my dear?
He made me promise not to tell you. I suppose it doesn't really matter now.
Nathaniel has been giving me treatments!
He's been what?
-What kind of treatments? -No professional jealousy, James.
You said yourself my recovery was amazing!
How dare he! That arrogant, insolent, little jumped-up pipsqueak!
Sir, I think we'd best not disturb Rebecca at this critical stage.
James, you must speak with Essex. Perhaps he'll listen to you!
We must learn what that madman has given to my daughter!
Essex! It's Xavier. Please, I must speak with you.
Very well, James. Do come in.
-Dr. Essex, I... -I am no longer a doctor, James.
Tell me, do they speak of me still at the Royal Society?
Indeed. They speak of sinister experiments
-you are rumored to perform. -Sinister.
I'll have to remember that when Queen Victoria knights me.
After you.
(ALL MOANING)
This is your asylum?
(EXCLAIMS)
Thus out of small beginnings, greater things have been produced.
-Please, sir, no more! -Good lord, man!
Even animals don't deserve such treatment!
And the treatment they'd receive outside these walls would be better?
Release these poor creatures! At once!
They are unfinished, Doctor.
ESSEX: I cannot allow you to do this!
(EXCLAIMS)
(GRUNTS) You truly have gone mad.
I am not mad!
(ALL CLAMORING)
(GRUNTING)
I won't let you stop me, James.
(GRUNTS)
(ALL SHOUTING)
It is over, Nathaniel!
No! My work! My subjects!
(GRUNTS)
-What are you... -Don't go! My children! No!
(ALL SHOUTING)
(WHINNYING)
Demons! Spawn of the Devil himself!
They appeared from the darkness, demons spewing the fires of Hades!
(STAMMERING) I didn't mean to...
Flannery, Vochek! My children!
(PEOPLE CLAMORING)
MAN: Get him!
FLANNERY: I'm frightened, Lord.
Why do you forsake me so? If you truly have mercy, deliver me from this.
(CRYING) Oh!
-Please don't hurt me, sir. -The lord cares for all his creatures.
Why do you believe he has forsaken you?
I only wanted to find work so I could send money back
to my family in Ireland. The famine. We...
(CRYING)
I'm not going to hurt you. My name is James Xavier.
-I'm a doctor. -No! No, that's what the other one said!
I'm nothing like that madman! I want to help you.
What's your name?
Flannery, sir. Thomas Flannery.
(PEOPLE CLAMORING)
There's one of them! Demon!
-Stay where you are! Listen to me! -That's Dr. Xavier! Let him speak!
-This man is no demon! -He's a monster!
No! He is different, true! Born with abilities that may frighten us.
But he had no choice in the matter.
Any more than we choose the color of our eyes.
The true monsters walk amongst us undetected.
There is your monster. Nathaniel Essex!
-Essex! -That madman at Grey Hall! Butcher!
-Heretic! -No! Stay away from me.
What in blazes!
Fools! Who are you to judge me?
(PEOPLE GASPING)
(ALL SHOUTING)
What is going on? The noise!
My dear, we must flee at once to the continent.
What is this all about?
(EXCLAIMS)
You're hurting me!
(EXCLAIMS)
What have you done to yourself? The treatments.
(GASPS)
-What have you done to me? -Do not fear, my darling.
Together we shall be the Adam and Eve of a new genesis.
(ALL SHOUTING ANGRILY)
Rebecca! Rebecca!
XAVIER: The mob's justice was swift. Nothing was spared their vengeance.
Essex was gone, his laboratory and notes destroyed in the fire.
All I could find in the rubble was the madman's journal.
Lord Grey spent his remaining years quietly working
on behalf of the mutant humans of London.
Most of whom disappeared into the sewers.
Rebecca never spoke another word.
As for myself, I traveled the world in search of Essex,
chronicling the carnage left by his terrible experiments,
by his unfortunate "new men".
And here my search has ended. I've tracked Essex to the upstairs flat.
Let's go, men!
I got the samples you wanted, Dr. Essex.
Jack, you fool! I told you I wanted this one alive!
I gave you life, Jack.
Do you doubt I could undo my own creation?
Sorry, Dr. Essex.
Essex is no more. From this day forward,
you shall address me as Mr. Sinister!
I do not understand.
(ESSEX LAUGHING MANIACALLY)
A final taunt. I fear now I shan't catch him in my lifetime.
But if I cannot, then I pray that someone else can.
(ESSEX LAUGHING MANIACALLY)
Succumb to the power of Vertigo.
(BOTH SCREAMING)
They will give you no further trouble.
(HISSES)
Excellent.
Now we take them to the Master!
It is for him to decide whether they live as his slaves,
or perish like the dogs they are.