Writing Group: Scene Rewrite

The prompt this week was to change an element in a scene from a piece of media. I selected the ROUS scene from the Fire Swamp in the Princess Bride. Despite my overall love of this movie, and understanding that certain directorial choices were made, it always bothered me that Buttercup just watched in this scene. Westly just saved her from the lightening sand and now she is just watching him get taken out by a giant rat? No thank you.

I hope you enjoy my rewrite of these scene. Yes, I did take some liberties on the scene direction but it’s creative writing, not an actual screen play. My hope if I were to rewrite the rest of the story from here would be that Buttercup finding her bravery here would help her in the rest of the film.

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Scene Setting – Fire Swamp

Scene direction: Buttercup and Westly are walking through the fire swamp having escaped the lightning sand.

Buttercup: We might not survive this place.

Westly: Nonsense, we have discovered the secrets of the fire swamp. The flame spurt is preceded by a popping sound that we can easily avoid. The lightning sand, that you were so clever to discover, now that we know what it looks like we can avoid it too. 

Buttercup: Westly, what about the ROUSes?

Westly: Rodents of unusual size? Let’s keep a wary eye out for them.

Scene direction: ROUS body slams Westly into the ground and knocks his sword from his hand.

Buttercup: –Screams–

Scene direction: ROUS is biting into Westly’s arm while pinning him to the ground. Westly struggles to throw the giant rodent off him. Buttercup stares in shock at the creature she wasn’t sure existed five seconds ago. 

Westly: –Roars in pain–

Scene direction: Buttercup knows she needs to act, to help save Westly after he just saved her. The sword is on the far side of the fight. She looks around desperately for a weapon and finds a fallen tree limb. Picking it up she begins to beat the ROUS with it. Yes, she accidentally hits Westly with the branch when he manages to throw off the ROUS. 

Westly: –grunts in pain– 

Scene direction: The ROUS turns its attention to Buttercup while Westly is distracted attempting to retrieve his fallen sword. Buttercup desperately beats the ROUS over the head while backing up. Her retreat is stopped by a tree. She falls in a tangle of limbs and petticoats. 

Buttercup: Westly!

Westly: –Under his breath– damn it

Scene direction: It is Westly’s turn to body slam the ROUS before it harms Buttercup. They hear the popping noise that proceeds the flame spurt. While practically riding the ROUS Westly forces the both of them to roll, being crushed by the ROUS at times, following the sound of the flame spurt. 

ROUS: –Screams as it burns-

Scene direction: Westly turns his face away as the heat hits him. Buttercup brings Westly his fallen sword and helps him to his feet. Taking the sword from her he turns and stabs the still burning ROUS. 

Westly: Well, that was certainly an adventure. Thank you, my dear. 

Buttercup: –smiles ruefully– You’re welcome. Can we leave now?

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Thank you KW Photography for allowing me to use your wonderful photos!

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