'Pyramids': Cleopatra's Transformation from Bloodshed to Seduction
From lyrics to movie: Frank Ocean's 'Pyramid': The Death and Rebirth of Cleopatra
“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. Other women cloy the appetites they feed, but she makes hungry where most she satisfies; for vilest things become themselves in her, that the holy priests bless her when she is riggish." — Enobarbus: (Antony & Cleopatra)
Genre: Drama/Mystery
NOTE: Put the song on repeat for a better understanding of the screenplay and your listening pleasure.
The Death: The Golden Throne of Blood
EXT. PYRAMIDS — MORNING
The majestic pyramids of Egypt stand tall against the clear blue sky. The atmosphere is charged with tension and mystery.
INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – MOMENTS
Flashing lights. Sound of music fills the air.
Opulent and adorned with gold and precious jewels. Packed with people. Pulsating with energy and excitement.
Group of individuals gathered at the center, dancing, drinking, and eating.
CLEOPATRA, 20s, tall, brown-skinned, and beautiful sits on her throne, surrounded by her loyal legion and cheetahs. She watches the people as they party.
BUTLER #1 puts a tray of well-garnished ham on the table in front Cleopatra.
MAID #1 pours wine in Cleopatra’s chalice. Cleopatra takes the chalice and drinks the wine.
CHAMBER CORNER…
MAN #1 holds LADY #1 and they kiss and caress each other.
EXT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – MEANWHILE
A gang of angry-looking pirates wielding swords, cleavers, cudgels, and daggers walks toward the Royal Palace.
A notorious leader of the pirates named SEXTUS POMPEY, late 20s, tall, brown-skinned, and muscular stomps to the door and kicks it open.
INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – MOMENTS
Doors burst open.
Pirate #1 stabs one of Cleopatra's Warriors in the eye. Another Warrior cuts off the head of Pirate #1 from behind.
Blood splatters as the pirates fight with the legion.
Sound of footsteps and battle cries reverberate off the walls. Chandeliers tremble. Cymbals crash. Blood everywhere.
Cleopatra disappears into the crowd. Sextus tags after her, kicking and knocking down people on his way.
A cheetah jumps at Sextus. He crouches and stabs the cheetah on the neck. Grabs the cheetah, throws it at a warrior running towards him. The legion falls to the floor.
Another warrior jumps in front of Sextus. Sextus cuts him in the groin. Chops off his head with a cleaver.
Cleopatra trips and falls. Sextus grabs her by the neck. Cleopatra struggles to break free. Sextus pins her to the floor.
SEXTUS: You belong to me.
EXT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – LATER
Sextus pushes Cleopatra out of the door, his gang of pirates marching behind him. Some are wounded and limping. Some walking majestically.
Sextus ties Cleopatra’s hands with a rope. Carries her on a horseback.
INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – CONTINUOUS
Bodies on the floor. Blood on the wall.
A triumvir named LEPIDUS, 20s, tall and muscular furiously glances at the dead bodies on the floor. Shakes his head and stares at the warriors standing in front of him.
LEPIDUS: It's a shame that our royal chamber has become a cemetery of cowards. It's a shame that Cleopatra was taken right in front of our eyes.
Lepidus walks in front of the warriors, gazing into their eyes.
LEPIDUS: We need to catch the thieves. Set the cheetahs on the loose. The war has just begun.
EXT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – LATER
Cheetahs lurch out of the doors. Warriors follow closely behind.
Lepidus majestically walks out of the door.
LEPIDUS: Run… the throne of our queen is empty. Run and bring Cleopatra back to her glory.
Some warriors climb on horses and run after the pirates.
Some hold cheetahs and follow another path.
INT. DESERT - DAY
The gang of pirates rides swiftly across the desert on horsesback.
Sextus holds Cleopatra tight as he rides his horse.
But Cleopatra remains defiant, her eyes filled with determination.
INT. PATH - MEANWHILE
Lepidus and his warriors run through the path to track down the pirates.
LEPIDUS: The crown of our Pharaoh is gone. The throne of our queen is empty. We must bring Cleopatra back to her glory!
INT. PYRAMID - NIGHT
Lepidus and his warriors enter a secret passage beneath the pyramid, navigating through dark and treacherous corridors.
EXT. PYRAMID CHAMBER - LATER
Lepidus carries Cleopatra in his hands.
LEPIDUS: I found my black queen, Cleopatra.
Ledipus looks into Cleopatra's eyes.
LEPIDUS: The jewel of Africa, jewel. What good is a jewel that ain't still precious? How could you run off on me? How could you run off on us?
Ledipus puts Cleopatra on the ground and runs his hands through her cashmere-like hair.
LEPIDUS: Remove her, and send the cheetahs to the tomb. Our war is over, our queen has met her doom.
Four Warriors carry Cleopatra and put her on a horse.
INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS – LATER
Ledipus places Cleopatra on a golden bed. Shakes his head and slowly walks away.
LEPIDUS: No more, she lives no more. No more, he has killed Cleopatra.
Ledipus lifts his head to the ceiling.
LEPIDUS: Cleopatra!
INT. MOTEL SUITE - BEDROOM – MORNING
The Rebirth: Cleopatra's Seductive Spell in a New Era
A different time and place. Frank Ocean's 'Novocane' plays in the background.
Big sun comes strong through the blinds.
Cleopatra, reincarnated as a modern woman, stands naked in front of a big mirror, fixing her hair.
Her lover ANTONY, 30s, tall, black, athletic-built, and handsome watches her as she puts her panties on in the mirror. Then her red lipstick applies to her lips. She smacks her lips together and pushes up her boobs.
Antony lit a joint. Takes a long drag. Puffs.
Cleopatra takes a skimpy sequined gown from the bed and puts it on.
Antony stands, pulls her closer. Cleopatra wriggles, pulls away from Antony.
CLEOPATRA: I'm tired. Leave me alone.
Antony grabs Cleopatra's hands and hugs her.
ANTONY: "Give me a kiss…
Cleopatra deeply kisses Antony.
ANTONY: … even this repays me."
Cleopatra smiles.
CLEOPATRA: You're naughty by nature.
Antony chuckles and sings along with the song:
ANTONY: "Don't let the high go to waste but can you taste a little taste?”
Antony sits on the bed. Cleopatra sits on his thighs and sings along with the song:
CLEOPATRA: “Novocane, baby, baby. Novocane, baby I want you”.
Cleopatra grinds and winds on Antony's thighs. Antony gently cups her breasts.
CLEOPATRA: “Fuck me good, fuck me long, fuck me numb. Love me now, when I'm gone, love me none. Love me now, love me none. Numb, numb, numb, numb.”
Cleopatra springs up and adjusts her gown. Takes her six-inch heels by the bed and puts them on.
CLEOPATRA: Time to hit the strip and get your bills paid.
ANTONY: You always keep my black ass nigga bills paid.
INT. CHEETAHS TOPLESS LOUNGE - DAY
Cleopatra glides up the pole, dazzling the crowd with her mesmerizing dance.
She twists. Makes handstands. Pushes out her tongue and seductively licks her lips.
She glides down the pole. Clacks her heels. Touches her body, pushes up her breasts. Bends and twerks a storm.
Slowly takes off her panties and tosses them at a WHITEMAN beneath the stage. Climbs the pole, opens her legs wide.
INT. MOTEL SUITE - BATHROOM – EVENING
Antony kneels, pushes Cleopatra's legs wide open, gently caressing her clitoris. Cleopatra closes her eyes and slowly pushes up her head.
CLEOPATRA: Antony!
Antony looks at Cleopatra's face. Takes a soap and washes her body, touching her breasts, and kissing them.
INT. MOTEL SUITE – BEDROOM — LATER
Cleopatra rides on Antony who grabs her bouncing boobs.
EXT. PYRAMIDS STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
The second part of 'Pyramids' plays in the background.
Cleopatra, dressed in a dazzling gown, performs atop the pole. Money is raining on her.
The crowd watches in awe as she captivates them with her grace and power.