Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Watching Newt walk, we see in him an unselfconscious Keatonesque quality, a sense of a different rhythm to those around him. In his hand he clutches directions on a small piece of paper, but still shows a scientist’s curiosity about this alien environment.

SCENE 7

EXT. ANOTHER STREET, STEPS OF THE CITY BANK—

DAY

Newt, intrigued by the noise of shouting, approaches a rally of the New Salem Philanthropic Society.

Mary Lou Barebone, a handsome midwestern woman in a 1920s version of Puritan dress, charismatic and earnest, stands on a small stage at the steps to the City Bank.

Behind her stands a man parading a banner emblazoned with the organization’s symbol: Hands proudly grasping a broken wand amid bright yellow and red flames.

MARY LOU

(to the assembled crowd)

. . . this great city sparkles with the jewels of man’s invention! Movie theaters, automobiles, the wireless, electric lights—all dazzle and bewitch us!

Newt slows down and watches Mary Lou as he would observe a foreign species: No judgment, simply interest.

Nearby stands Tina Goldstein, hat low on her head, upturned collar. She is eating a hot dog, mustard smeared on her upper lip. Newt accidentally bumps into her as he makes his way to the front of the rally.

NEWT

Oh . . . so sorry.

MARY LOU

But where there is light there is shadow, friend. Something is stalking our city, wreaking destruction and then disappearing without a trace . . .

Jacob Kowalski moves nervously down the street toward the crowd, wearing an ill-fitting brown suit and carrying a battered brown leather case.

MARY LOU (O.S.)

We have to fight—join us, the Second Salemers, in our fight!

Jacob makes his way through the gathered crowds, also pushing past Tina.

JACOB

Excuse me, doll, just trying to get to the bank—excuse me—just trying . . .

Jacob trips over Newt’s case, disappearing momentarily. Newt hauls him up.

NEWT

I’m so sorry—my case—

JACOB

No harm done—

Jacob struggles on, heading past Mary Lou and up the steps of the bank.

JACOB

Excuse me!

The kerfuffle around Newt draws Mary Lou’s attention.

MARY LOU

(charming, to Newt)

You, friend! What drew you to our meeting today?

Newt is startled to find himself the center of attention.

NEWT

Oh . . . I was just—passing . . .

MARY LOU

Are you a seeker? A seeker after truth?

A beat.

NEWT

I’m more of a chaser, really.

ANGLE ON PEOPLE moving in and out of the bank.

A smartly dressed man flips a dime toward a beggar sitting on the steps.

CLOSE ON THE DIME, falling in slow motion.

MARY LOU (O.S.)

Hear my words and heed my warning . . .

ANGLE ON SOME LITTLE PAWS, which have appeared in the narrow crack between the lid and the body of Newt’s case.

ANGLE ON THE DIME hitting the steps with a musical clang.

ANGLE ON THE PAWS, now trying hard to prize open the case.

MARY LOU

. . . and laugh if you dare: Witches live among us!