Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Mary Lou’s three adopted children, adults Credence and Chastity, and Modesty (an eight-year-old girl), hand out leaflets. Credence appears nervous and troubled.

MARY LOU (O.S.)

We have to fight together for the sake of our children—for the sake of tomorrow!

(to Newt)

What do you say to that, friend?

As Newt looks up toward Mary Lou, something seen from the corner of his eye catches his 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.

Newt, startled, looks down at his case.

ANGLE ON THE NIFFLER, busy shoveling the beggar’s coins into a pouch in its belly. The Niffler looks up, notices Newt’s gaze, and hurriedly gathers the rest of the coins before tumbling away and into the bank.

Newt jolts forward.

NEWT

Excuse me.

ANGLE ON MARY LOU—she looks confused at Newt’s lack of interest in her cause.

MARY LOU (O.S.)

Witches live among us.

ANGLE ON TINA, moving through the crowds, eyeing Newt suspiciously.

SCENE 8

INT. LOBBY OF BANK—MOMENTS LATER—DAY

A large, impressive-looking bank atrium. In the center, behind a golden counter, clerks are busy at work serving customers.

Newt skids to a halt in the entrance of the space and looks around to find his creature. His dress and demeanor make him out of place among the smartly dressed New Yorkers.

BANK EMPLOYEE

(suspicious)

Can I help you, sir?

NEWT

No, I was just . . . just . . . waiting . . .

Newt motions toward a bench and backs away, taking a seat next to Jacob.

Tina peers at Newt from behind a pillar.

JACOB

(nervous)

Hi. What brings you here?

Newt is desperately trying to spot his Niffler.

NEWT

Same as you . . .

JACOB

You’re here to get a loan to open up a bakery?

NEWT

(looking around—preoccupied)

Yes.

JACOB

What are the odds of that? Well, may the best man win, I guess.

Newt spots the Niffler, which is now stealing coins from someone’s bag.

Jacob holds out his hand, but Newt is off.

NEWT

Excuse me.

Newt darts away. In his place on the bench lies a large silver egg.

JACOB

Hey, mister . . . Hey, mister!

Newt doesn’t hear; he is too engaged in hunting the Niffler.

Jacob picks up the egg just as the door into the bank manager’s office opens, and a secretary looks out.

JACOB

Hey, fella!

SECRETARY

Mr. Kowalski, Mr. Bingley will see you now.

Pocketing the egg, Jacob heads toward the office, steeling himself.

JACOB

(under his breath)

Okay . . . Okay.

ANGLE ON NEWT, surreptitiously pursuing the Niffler as it moves through the bank. He finally spots it removing a glittering buckle from a lady’s shoe before scurrying onward, eager for more shiny objects.

As Newt watches, helpless, the Niffler jumps lithely between cases and into bags, snatching and pilfering.