EXT. WESTMINSTER ABBEY - NIGHT
A shadow begins moving across the manicured grounds borne on the thick mist like a dark phantom. V glides toward the rectory, cloak undulating against the dark, wet wind.
INT. BISHOP'S BEDROOM
It is extravagantly furnished, somewhere between posh and pimp. The Bishop is sitting very close to Evey on his plush water bed.
LILLIMAN
Of course, "hate the sin, love the sinner." I always say. Take your dress off, please.
Evey stammers, backing up along the bedside.
EVEY
Listen -- I was kind of hoping --

He paws at her, groping hands pushing the front of her dress down as she backs up against the nightstand.
EVEY
No --

EXT. MAIN GATE - NIGHT
The guards look out into the night, fear suddenly gripping their faces.

V emerges demonically through the parting veils of fog, the white smiling mask bobbing eerily up and down as he rushes them.
A cigarette drops from the first guard's mouth, red embers exploding when it hits the wet cement.
Close as the two guards claw for their arms and the white hot flash of V's knives --
That slice like talons.
The two men crumple to the ground, clutching their gaping,
gurgling wounds. A whisper. V sprints into the courtyard.

INT. BISHOP'S BEDROOM
Evey grabs a metal table lamp and swings it down on the Bishop's head. There is a shuddering clank and he collapses to the floor.
LILLIMAN
You -- You filthy whore!

His blood speckles the white bearskin throw rug as the Bishop slowly rises after the retreating Evey.
LILLIMAN
I'll kill you, you fucking sow.
He charges after her but freezes dead in his tracks as V swings around the corner in front of him.

LILLIMAN
What's this? Who --
V
Please allow me to introduce myself...
V bows.
V
I'm a man of wealth and taste.

LILLIMAN
Dennis?

Instantly, the point of one of V's knives is against the Bishop's throat. V presses a finger to his frozen smile.
V
Shh. It isn't polite to disturb the dead on their journey.

Evey watches from around the corner.
V
A courtesy I'll most respectfully extend to his grace.

EVEY
V?
Lilliman swallows audibly.
EVEY
V, what are you doing?
V
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici, Evey.

Evey looks down at the knives on his belt, dripping blood.
EVEY
Oh no.
She begins backing to the door.
EVEY
You can't kill him!
V
Death has followed his grace the whole of his career. Is it any coincidence it has finally followed him here?
EVEY
Oh god, V. I can't -- I can't --

V turns back to Lilliman as Evey runs.
V
Let us pray.



The Ghost of Christmas Past