[NEW YORK STREET-DAY]

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

[ANOTHER STREET, STEPS OF THE CITY BANK-DAY]

Rose, intrigued by the noise of shouting, approaches a rally of the new Salem philanthropic society.

Sera 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.

Sera (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!"

Rose slows down and watches Sera as she would observe a foreign species: no judgment, simply interest.

Nearby stands Yin Goldstein, hat low on his head, upturned collar. He is eating a hot dog, mustard smeared on his upper lip. Rose accidentally bumps into him as she makes her way to the front of the rally.

Rose "oh... so sorry"

Sera "but where there is light there is shadow, friend. something is stalking our city, wreaking destruction and then disappearing without a trace..."

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

Sera "we have to fight- join us, the second salemers, in our fight!"

Oliver makes his way through the gathered crowds, also pushing past Yin.

Oliver "excuse me, sir, just trying to get to the bank- excuse me- just trying..."

Oliver trips over Rose's case, falling to the floor momentarily. Rose hauls him up.

Rose "I'm so sorry- my case-"

Oliver "no harm down-"

Oliver struggles on, heading past Sera and up the steps of the bank.

Oliver "excuse me!"

The kerfuffle around Rose draws Sera's attention.

Sera (charming, to Rose) "you, friend! What drew you to our meeting today?"

Rose is startled to find herself the center of attention

Rose "oh... I was just- passing..."

Sera "are you a seeker? a seeker after truth?"

a beat.

Rose "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

Sera "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 Rose'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.

Sera "... and laugh if you dare: witches live among us!"

Sera's three adopted children, adults shade and James, and chi(an eight-year-old), hand out leaflets. Shade appears nervous and troubled.

Sera "we have to fight together for the sake of our children- for the sake of tomorrow!" (to Rose) "what do you say to that, friend?"

As Rose looks up toward Sera, something seen from the corner of her eye catches her attention. The Niffler, a small, furry black cross between a mole and a duck-billed platypus, is sitting on the steps of the bank, hastily pulling the beggar's hat full of money out of sight behind a pillar.

Rose, startled, looks down at her case.

{ANGEL ON THE NIFFLER}

busy shoveling the beggar's coins into a pouch in its belly. The Niffler looks up, notices Rose's gaze, and hurriedly gathers the rest of the coins before tumbling away and into the bank.

Rose jolts forward.

Rose "excuse me"

{ANGLE ON SERA}

she looks confused at Rose's lack of interest in her cause.

Sera "witches live among us"

{ANGLE ON YIN}

moving through the crowds, eyeing Rose suspiciously.