Chapter1 of Part 1 Exterminators

<body> <center> <table border="0" width="730"> <tr> <td> <center> <table border="0" width="730"> <tr> <td> <a href="#history">A History</a><br> <a href="#attack">Storming the Bianox</a><br> <a href="#butcher">The Butcher's Way</a><br> <a href="#pyser">Pyser</a> <br></br> <br></br> </td> <td> <a href="#bradarock">Bradarock</a><br> <a href="#exterminators">Exterminators</a><br> <a href="#isabell">Isabell</a><br> <a href="#nightcaller">Night Caller</a> <br></br> <br></br> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="730"> <tr> <td> <a name="history"></a> <h2>EXT- CITY- DUSK</h2> <p>Stretching across the land to the river is, or what was, an advanced city with high towers, skyward bridges and no ground insight.</p> <p>But now it lays in ruin. Those towers have all but crumbled. The bridges are left as gnarled husks. Its bottom swallowed by eons of living earth.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH (vo)<br> Long ago, before any of your ancestors were born, there was an age of wonder.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>But just beyond the crushed inklings of civilization is the city's heart, though decimated, still giant and breath- taking.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH (vo)<br> (cont'd)<br> A time when man's works shattered the imagination and his power threatened even God. He defeated death and defiled nature, making himself immortal and twisting life into a monstrosity.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Like weathered corpses, steel skeletons protrude from the building's skin. Pillars stand high, but only hold a fragment of road. And, though the place is lush with vines and trees, it is a graveyard.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH (vo)<br> (cont'd)<br> But we were saved from the darkness of man and his genius. His cities were crushed, his works were scattered, and his species sent back to the dark ages - keeping the world from his clutches forever.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>But the destruction is just a curtain shielding a demon in wait.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="730" cellspacing="20"> <tr> <td> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH (vo)<br> (cont'd)<br> Or so it was hoped. For, though every danger was demolished, the worst was left behind - the Bianox.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>For, in the center of civil death, it sits, a monolithic giant, unscathed by time or war: the BIANOX.</p> <p>A red gem in the setting sun, the black thing glows, containing a light so controlled, so subdued, that it has become organic.</p> <p>Yet, for all its divine advancement, it is infested with torches and bonfires, having been overrun by a very medieval ARMY.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH (vo)<br> (cont'd)<br> It does the simplest, greatest thing: to make a single man God. And, for this atrocity, we have been cursed to war over it till the end of our race.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> </td> <td> <img src="bnxwa1.jpg" width="400" alt="Bianox"> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>EXT- BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>A dusty speck across open expanse, a SCOUT rides to the BIANOX. He cuts through that silent army, passing bronze clad TROOPS by their cannons and on their horses.</p> <p>Weapons held tight till the leather creaks, the quiet is seeping in, and each man is showing their strain.</p> <p>Something is coming.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY- NIGHT</h2> <p>But this army is ready - in position. Even their CAVALRY is set, poised alone amidst those looming ghost buildings.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY EDGE- NIGHT</h2> <p>At the outskirts, ARCHERS string their bows, staring with their grim CAPTAIN at the tall wheat. Far down, THINGS are moving within it, slinking quietly closer.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CAPTAIN<br> Arrows ready!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The archers raise flaming missiles over his head, tips twitching with fire.</p> <h2>EXT- OUTSKIRTS- NIGHT</h2> <p>At outskirts' edge, a portion of that dark thing cometh waits on horseback - ORCS. Bald simians, deformed in their manufactured evolution, stand hunched with sword drawn and gun trained.</p> <p>But some arch tall and strong, displaying themselves as the honored best of their kind.</p> <p>One, the most noble, is GREYGEN, their king, mounted on his white steed, adorned in silver armor. From his helm, a leather-clad antenna stretches like an ear, a mic extending to his thin ape lips.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>From the monolith's plateau tip, CALISTO, immortal high priest, sees with his ARCHERS and GENERALS the SCOUT ride to the BIANOX's gate.</p> <p>Overhead, in the clouds, they watch DRAGONS cut the moon.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GENERAL<br> What kind of hell's army is this?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <a name="attack"></a> <h2>EXT- BUILDING TOP- NIGHT</h2> <p>Far from them, perched on a withered skyscraper, ISAGOTH, Sargos's dragon, spies on the BIANOX.</p> <h2>EXT- ISAGOTH- NIGHT</h2> <p>Bundled and strapped to his throne with his concubine, HELGA, is ALDRIC.</p> <p>His eyes glisten over the ruined city, the view making him dreamy for times long past. So much so, he almost doesn't hear Helga speak into her headset.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA (into radio)<br> Bravo, this is Alpha, do you copy, over? Ten-four, there's a cavalry line just north of the main structure, can you spare a squadron?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Her skin is pale, almost luminescent. Her eyes gleam just as white. She fumbles with a crudely redrawn map, cross-referencing what her finger has marked.</p> <p>The muffled crack bleeps to her ear.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BRAVO LEADER (on radio)<br> Yes, ma'am. Charlie can take them out.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Aldric still ignores her, lost in his nostalgia.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA (into radio)<br> Charlie, secondary target: cavalry line north of main structure, sixth... sixth avenue, copy?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CHARLIE LEADER (on radio)<br> Ten-four.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Helga nods and turns to Aldric.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Everything is in place, my lord. Aldric?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> So many childhood stories about this land...</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He caresses her chin, holding it firmly.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> I could bore you to tears.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Should I give the order?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Unleash the storm.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He tries to kiss her. She breaks away.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA (into radio)<br> Form and engage.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Aldric twists her face back to his.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Tonight, we win back our future.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>And, then, he forces Helga into an embrace. She surrenders, not of want but subservience.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>Before CALISTO and the GENERALS eyes, the DRAGONS arch, twirl, and dive.</p> <h2>EXT- BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>For a split second, the TROOPS can see the fireballs lighting the sky. In a short hell storm, the DRAGONS take out their targets: the men, the cannons, the artillery.</p> <p>Within the screams and shouts of mere moments, the Bianox's main defenses have been consumed.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY- NIGHT</h2> <p>A wall of fire crashes upon the CAVALRY. In a chorus of shrieks and howls, it plows the dirt, throwing shadowed men and horses mid air.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY EDGE- NIGHT</h2> <p>Explosions dance around the TROOPS. The CAPTAIN screams.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CAPTAIN<br> Archers now!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Flaming arrows are launched, igniting the dry wheat and oil below. The intended blaze erupts. But, to the Captain's horror, those things in the field now stampede towards them.</p> <p>In a hail of screams and gunfire the BLACK BEASTS leap from of the inferno, flames trailing their mass assault.</p> <p>With teeth, swords, and fully automatic firepower, the men are torn apart. Archers pull arrows but are ripped open by a burning, shrieking, machine-gunning BEAST.</p> <p>The Captain rolls over, only to have his sight swallowed by lighted fangs.</p> <h2>EXT- BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>Despite their racing, despite their vigor: the TROOPS, manning those catapults and slings, are devoured. In washing strokes, the fireballs level all.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>A DRAGON rockets by CALISTO, throwing him to the floor. Clamoring back to the ledge, his terror peers over the city, now in heart-sinking holocaust.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY EDGE- NIGHT</h2> <p>The last TROOPS swing their swords in vain, useless against the burning BLACK BEAST flood. Beneath teeth, claws and screeches, they're buried.</p> <h2>EXT- OUTSKIRTS- NIGHT</h2> <p>GREYGEN and ORCS watch the HORDE slaughter the FRONT LINE. An ORC draws his sword.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GREYGEN<br> Wait.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He speaks into his headset.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GREYGEN (into radio)<br> (cont'd)<br> Clear the fire.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>A screeching wind hits them as two fiery punches smash into the burning field, tearing the dirt and smothering the blaze.</p> <p>Now Greygen draws his flamberge and, with it spinning, he howls, igniting a unison shriek from his orcs.</p> <p>His horse spearing the charge, they pound into the city.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY- NIGHT</h2> <p>A few roasting BLACK BEASTS leading them, the ORCS stampede through that towering graveyard.</p> <p>Steeds tear the land. Orcs tear the TROOPS. And GREYGEN, gnarled long blade swooning, carves down the last men standing.</p> <h2>EXT- BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>Horses flying over wreckage, the ORCS devour the MEN with steel and lead. Whatever lives between them and the gates, dies.</p> <p>And the screams rise.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF THE BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>The screams rise to CALISTO. Seeing the ORCS ride in, his head falls, defeated. With a deep breath, he runs inside... to fulfill his last and sad plan.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <p>His shout echoing beyond the TROOPS to his PAPISTS, CALISTO unleashes his vengeful command.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CALISTO<br> Self-destruct! Start it!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Glancing to each other, biting their lips, the Papists type into the main board. Solemnly, one PAPIST clicks the intercom and makes the announcement.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>PAPIST (into intercom)<br> Begin program.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>INT- BIANOX</h2> <p>Hands cranking a generator, the PAPISTS heave the giant pistons into a thudding roll.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <p>As PAPISTS type into the main board, live electricity is fingering up the walls, sparking against the wires.</p> <p>Above them, monitors glimmer in stale digits - a clock.</p> <p>Switches are flicked. Levers are pulled. And that clock descends.</p> <p>The countdown has begun.</p> <h2>EXT- BIANOX'S GATE- NIGHT</h2> <p>Emerging from the crowd of apish ORCS, PRIESTS - human disciples of Aldric - leap to the steel hatch. They pry open the computer lock and hot-wire it.</p> <p>From the orcs, GREYGEN is watching, already impatient.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GREYGEN<br> Hurry up!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>PRIEST (to himself)<br> Yeah, bite me, ape.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>With a beep and a buzz, the latches release and the thick barrier grinds open.</p> <p>Time again for orc.</p> <p>Giving the Priests enough room to dive away, Greygen leads his storm in: horses, sword, gun and all.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX</h2> <p>A HUNDRED TROOPS greet the ORCS, their ARCHERS sending arrows. Hiding behind tall shields, the orcs block the first barrage. They return it with an onslaught of rapid-fire, mowing down the troop force.</p> <p>Orcs scale the columns, jumping into the open corridors, pushing the shooting mayhem.</p> <p>Shields held high, the orcs race in and spread. From the other side, troops are doing the same. The shield wall fans out, unleashing GREYGEN's CAVALRY upon them, carving through the men in a bestial force.</p> <p>Wielding that spiked and twisted flamberge, Greygen is sending the human resistance flying. He dives from this steed and rampages up the grated stairs, chopping past man after man.</p> <p>Now on the grates above, an arrow nicks his silver armor. Drawing a pistol, he shoots the ARCHER. Sword and gun twirling, he clears the bridge.</p> <p>But then he stops, for Greygen sees the PAPISTS. Guarded by TROOPS, they're pumping the surrounding generators. All around him, brilliant energy is surging.</p> <h2>EXT- BIANOX - NIGHT</h2> <p>Sparks crackling up those veins of circuitry, pulsing with sheers of light, the BIANOX is starting to glow pure white.</p> <h2>EXT- ISAGOTH- NIGHT</h2> <p>Witnessing the BIANOX blink and flare, HELGA goes cold, not hearing ALDRIC's scoff.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> That's not normal.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Looks like Calisto is attempting a self-destruct.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>His smile shows no worries. But Helga's scared peering reveals he's the only one. So, rubbing her shoulders, he surrenders and speaks into the mic.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC (into radio)<br> (cont'd)<br> Take us in.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Their face shields close, holding on as Isagoth drops.</p> <h2>EXT- CITY- NIGHT</h2> <p>Swooning past building tops, ISAGOTH nose-dives to the BIANOX's peak.</p> <h2>EXT- ISAGOTH- NIGHT</h2> <p>HELGA holds tight with ALDRIC, shouting into her head set.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA (into radio)<br> They've started a self-destruct. Cleanse this place, now!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>INT- BIANOX</h2> <p>Already marching with his ORCS to the PAPISTS and TROOPS, GREYGEN answers her.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GREYGEN(into radio)<br> As my lord wishes.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Teeth locked, the troops charge in, meeting headfirst against Greygen's high flung blade.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>Wide eyes seeing the glint upon the moon, an ARCHER spots ISAGOTH.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ARCHER<br> There!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Too late, he and the ARCHERS are blasted before an arrow is sent.</p> <p>And Isagoth lands.</p> <p>An ARCHER who escaped the flames, pulls his bow. To late too, his head snaps back, a bullet having pierced through.</p> <p>Isagoth's rider, SARGOS, slings his rifle, glancing to the second dragon landing.</p> <p>This one has PRIESTS. From commando straps, they leap off its back, racing to the plateau's open sunroofs.</p> <p>Grabbling hooks stabbed into any available crack, the Priests grip their ropes tight and swing in.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <p>Before CALISTO, repelling upon the TROOPS and PAPISTS, the PRIESTS fire. The rain of lead cleanses the platform. But the main-board, with plenty of those Papists and troops, is untouched.</p> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>Those PAPISTS and TROOPS are left for HELGA who dives in from above - no rope.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <center> <table border="0" width="730" cellspacing="20"> <tr> <td> <img src="hwa1.gif" width="400" alt="Helga"> </td> <td> <p>Crashing in their middle, HELGA unleashes her gladius and shield for the PAPISTS. She whips to the TROOPS, revealing the machine-gun under the shield and sprays a hole.</p> <p>Using the path, a PRIEST scurries to her. Not a word exchanged. Hands to keys, they both just start typing.</p> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>EXT- TOP OF BIANOX- NIGHT</h2> <p>His rider helmet is set on ISAGOTH's saddle. Two weapons lashed against her neck are unsheathed. His favorites: pick and chopper. And, adorning his battle helm, SARGOS falls into the fray.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <center> <table border="0" width="730" cellspacing="20"> <tr> <td> <p>Landing among dozen of TROOPS, SARGOS, in a dance of pure motion, slices and dices the foes with hands and feet, throwing a knife in the face of the last.</p> <p>A TROOP gets in though, smacking his helmet off. To that, the knight stumbles, caught in the glare of Sargos's shark/hyena stare. Within his stalling, the man-beast bites his whole face and launches the knight over shoulder.</p> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> <br></br> </td> <td> <img src="srgwa1.gif" width="400" alt="Sargos"> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The countdown still goes as HELGA and PRIEST fly through programs. Both hit dead ends.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>PRIEST<br> None of the codes are working.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Try a bypass.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>PRIEST<br> We're locked out.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Then we'll do it manually.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>From her utility belt, she gets a screwdriver. But ALDRIC grabs her hand.</p> <p>To her dismay, he simply shakes his head.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX</h2> <p>GREYGEN sends a TROOP high over the railing as ORCS chop and shoot through the wall of MEN.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <p>PRIESTS shoot. SARGOS carves. TROOPS and PAPISTS keep coming. The battle rages: unaware of the Bianox's great pendulum gliding to its pedestal.</p> <p>But HELGA sees it and she can't stop it. ALDRIC is holding her. She's forced to only watch.</p> <p>Blades clash. Shots flare. Bodies fall.</p> <p>She ignores it all, her fear locked on the lights dancing between the closing pendulum and base.</p> <p>The countdown hits zero. The points meet. And, in a flash of power, the whole thing shuts down, engulfing everyone in blackness.</p> <p>In that moonlight, Helga sees only Aldric's smile.</p> <p>For soon a glitter of light embraces them, the system beeping back. Gone for only a moment, the computers come alive, the lights return.</p> <p>Being nothing worse than a hiccup, the Bianox is back online.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX</h2> <p>From the blackness, GREYGEN and the ORCS are illuminated again, surrounded by dead TROOPS. The orc king, Greygen, laughs. His orcs join him and howl.</p> <h2>INT- BIANOX CONSOLE- NIGHT</h2> <p>From the blood bath, SARGOS twists a grin with the PRIESTS, all TROOPS now corpses: the few shots and screams left merely a relieving tedium.</p> <p>His body slumped against the pedestal, CALISTO closes his eyes to the cheers surrounding.</p> <p>But HELGA doesn't hear their joy. She only keeps her awed gaze on ALDRIC and his smile.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Omnipotent, omniscient, and utterly invincible.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>And he's right. Lowering his head, this is a fact Calisto can no longer hope against.</p> <a name="butcher"></a> <p>The gates open. And GREYGEN enters, stained and dented. Locking eyes with him, Helga trips as Aldric leads her from the console.</p> <p>ORCS drag Calisto to his feet and present him to Aldric. From his daze to a petrified awe, he knows who it is.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Hello, Calisto.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CALISTO<br> Aldric.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Katana hissing out, Aldric looms over this immortal, now only a scared child.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>CALISTO<br> (cont'd)<br> You're suppose to be dead. Magwitch killed you. I saw him kill you. You're supposed to be dead!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> It's amazing what wonders ignorance keeps at bay.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>In one slice, Aldric removes Calisto's head. The body drops. And the head glares back upon Aldric: haunted then dead.</p> <p>Aldric gives Calisto's terrified face a humble nod.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> Goodnight, old friend.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>But his eyes leave Calisto's, stretching out to that still sparking pendulum. In the aim of his gaze, cut into the pedestal, is the fanged keyhole.</p> <p>Almost floating, Aldric reaches the hole, caressing the air above it.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> Does it work?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> It has power, though I don't know from where since it doesn't have batteries or any real generators.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> It doesn't need them: the power of life, the Earth, the moon, right here in this conduit.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Sargos eases close, this hideous killer meager before his Lord.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>SARGOS<br> We've won.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> Not yet. One more piece. One more chore left.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Aldric leaves the keyhole, announcing across the console.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> Greygen, Helga, I leave the prize to you.<p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Still, with a fatherly wink, he speaks softly with her.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> Take care of it for me.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She too is quiet, respectful.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> I will, my lord.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> I know. Sargos, you and I will campaign to the south...</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Robes fluttering, Aldric marches out, Sargos right behind.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ALDRIC<br> (cont'd)<br> ...to carve and burn our way to God.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>INT- MAGWITCH'S CAVE</h2> <p>A white light flares in the darkness, pushing open MAGWITCH's sleepy eyes. But the sight charges him, throwing him from slumber to face the medallion.</p> <p>The glow chills him though, saddened by this strange alarm.</p> <h2>EXT- MOUNTAIN- NIGHT</h2> <p>Mounting his mule, MAGWITCH looks back to his home, those greens and leaves of woodsy seclusion. He breathes deep its peace for one last time, lamenting this inevitable mission, and then rides off.</p> <h2>INT- CATHAY KEEP- NIGHT</h2> <p>RHINEBACK marches with a GUARD past AGATHA. She stays close to the wall: watches and listens.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>GUARD<br> It just started. I heard the hiss you warned me off.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RHINEBACK<br> Open it up.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>GUARDS push the temple doors aside. Inside, on its large technologically advanced shrine, sits the pill shaped KEY.</p> <p>It gives the same warning, spilling brilliance upon Rhineback's horror.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RHINEBACK<br> (cont'd)<br> No.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Agatha isn't afraid though. Caressing the cold stones, the glow entrances her. Hungrier than ever: this woman's passions have bloomed.</p> <a name="pyser"></a> <h2>EXT- PYSER- DAY</h2> <p>The kingdom is simple, almost pathetic. Crudely built cottages line a small stone keep sparingly: no civil design, just meager outcrops of wood and hay.</p> <p>But there's something else - something sinister. The trees around are scorched. The fields are but petrified ashes. Even the dirt sparkles with bits of raw-formed glass.</p> <p>The keep is in ruins. Great black strokes have seared the walls and all its wood now just dark tinders. And the cottages are crude because they are new: quickly raised shelters expected to die soon.</p> <p>Amidst the open dirt court a large hay roof sits on oak columns, housing the celebrating inhabitants.</p> <h2>INT- ROOF- DAY</h2> <p>The air of the PEASANTS though is quiet, morose. There are only a few bursts of laugh or scream.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH(vo)<br> Now the time has passed that this power of all powers is no longer safe. A time when man must face the darkness to bring back the light.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>At a table before a cage, four men sit, two guards, MATHE and RIENS, and MAGWITCH, and a stranger.<p> <p>The other three lean back from the old man Magwitch's smell, his face pot-marked and already welted.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> And that is why I talk to you two.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Yeah, but these are tales for kings?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> Or muck-eating mercenaries.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The guards chuckle, their gnarled teeth grinning wide.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Is that it, you're looking for men? Humble sir, the scurvy has gotten to your head. We are the king's retainers and fight wars for no other man. Try him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>All eyes fall on JOHN, the stranger, politely shrugging off their communal stench.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> A nice story. But it'd be better if we got back to the game.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> And who are you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> John and I'm a muck-eating mercenary.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The guards laugh.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> And who are you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> Magwitch lach Feragh.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John scoffs, shooting him an arrogant glance.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Magwitch the immortal.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The knowledge stuns Magwitch. He eyes John's clean face, alien from the bearded men, and wonders.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> The only immortals I know are of Dubris, Anderita, Cathay, but no Magwitch of shit.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Their cackles are hardy but he doesn't bother. Instead, Magwitch keeps his gaze on the out of place John.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> Where're you from?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Here and there.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Mathe twists himself to John.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Where is here and there?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> It's here and there. But if you win the next round, I'll tell you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Riens's claymore slams the oak table, bringing the rest to grim seriousness.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> You can tell me now.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He laughs. Despite the blade pointed right at him, John blows it off and tips his chin to the cage.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> See the gold behind you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>In the cage there's a generous pile of gold trinkets.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> It's for the dragon, Bradarock. Look around. See the demon's handy-work. Lush forests and harvest now only desert and bones. A brimming kingdom down to what you see here.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>His attention snaps to Magwitch.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> (cont'd)<br> Just you wait old man. With all the beasts and devils, soon there won't be a man left on Earth to threaten your mythical Bianox.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> If only.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> So what does that make you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> An exterminator.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Mathe huffs.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> A dragon slayer.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> No, exterminator.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> How can you kill a dragon?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> With one arrow.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> Even I don't believe that.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> We'll find out.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> I've lost fifty brethren to that devil and now you show. It's owed to my blade and I look forward to seeing you buried.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> I'll bet. Speaking of betting, you going to play or what?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He lines the three cups. Riens jabs one and John exposes the pebble underneath.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> Pitiful waste of time.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Want to raise the stakes?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> No wages left.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> How about some of the gold?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> You do fancy it, don't you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Another sudden thud, Reins has stabbed his dagger by John's hand, gloating with his maniacal sense of manhood.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> (cont'd)<br> For your leggings, they look clean.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John resets the cups and slides them around.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> You are very clean for someone in the mire with us.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> What can I say? I got skills.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Again, Riens picks but, this time, John reveals an empty cup.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> This game has hardened since bets have been placed.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Such is life.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John reaches for the dagger. Riens grabs it. Mathe grabs Riens.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Hold fast, you still have duties.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> This thief won't take long at all.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Hey, hey, you lost fair. Don't believe me?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John turns to the crowd. Buried within them, he finds another clean face man like him. But this guy is big.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Hey, you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>People turn to John, but the man keeps his back to him.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Hey! You!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The crowd points to themselves, each other, yet that one man still seems to be oblivious. He's tapping. Whoever he is, he doesn't want to part-take. A MAN shrugs and calls back.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAN<br> Who?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Rolling his eyes, John just fingers him out.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The man nudges him and BOB finally turns about, eyeing John with a chewing sarcasm.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Me?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Yeah... get over here.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Bob weeds out of the people, coming to their table. Riens is already fuming, seeing a man with the same alien style of clothes and grooming as John.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> And I'm supposed to believe that you two aren't together.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> We're not. Here, see the game.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Sure.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Frantically, John drops the pebble, sets the cups and spins them about. Displaying them to Bob, the game is ready. Riens has already sheathed his dagger and taken his sword.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Where's the pebble?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> In your lap.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> It's under a cup.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Teeth clenched, Bob just won't have it.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> No, I see it. It's in your lap.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Eyeing Bob, Riens peers over, spotting the pebble. He snarls. Mathe stands. Magwitch backs away.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> I don't know what's going on. But I should thank your honesty. And, if you want my dagger...</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He throws the table over, leaving nothing between him and John. Still, John just sits there.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>RIENS<br> (cont'd)<br> You can have my sword.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Riens strikes down his claymour, hitting Bob's iron blade. With a shrug, Bob decks him, jumping right into the fight.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Thieves!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He charges John who's already squirming into the crowd. The people, at Mathe's call, reach for him. So, John dives and crawls.</p> <p>More men draw their swords to Bob. He grabs a jug and jumps on the table. He reverses strategy and shields with his sword and attacks with the jug, slapping angry faces with the heavy copper.</p> <p>Riens slams his sword ahead of him. Leaping back, Bob flips the table into Rien's chin.</p> <p>Tumbling across the dirt, Bob kicks the wine barrels, letting them roll into the men.</p> <p>Popping up, John finds a pretty girl, her teeth exposed with a sneer. He smiles and points.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Hey, you still have teeth.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>To that, she bites his finger. Screaming, John decks her, escaping the coming hands. He scurries through the crowd, Mathe right after him.</p> <p>Jumping on another table, John halts. Reaching hands have him surrounded. So he calls Bob.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Bob!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Seeing him in trouble, Bob nods and leaps to the beams above. Swinging fast, he saves John by kicking him hard over the people.</p> <h2>EXT- PSYER- DAY</h2> <p>Flying, JOHN crashes to the dirt, spinning away. He does stop finally, dazed but able to stand.</p> <h2>INT- ROOF- DAY</h2> <p>Seeing John escape, MAGWITCH slinks his way outside. BOB bodysurfs the mob, sliding to momentary safety. He tucks and rolls grabbing a sword.</p> <p>They come, but before them Bob is dancing with the sword, twirling it around his body and out at them. This stalls the people, no one eager to be the first to charge.</p> <p>With a wave, Bob eggs them on and then they do come. Using the blade's broad side, he starts smacking heads.</p> <a name="bradarock"></a> <h2>EXT- PYSER- DAY</h2> <p>As the PEOPLE shout under the roof, JOHN watches the sky, picking something out of his satchel. MAGWITCH catches up.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> What are you doing?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Looking for the guest of honor. I've watched his moves for weeks. Timed them. Now I know him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> You're that confident?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He points to the sky, Magwitch following his finger.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Tell me if I should be.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>There, passing through the clouds above, is the slim bat shadow of BRADAROCK. The thing from his pouch is a little mirror. John finds the sun and lets it shine.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Why do dragons like gold?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Magwitch inquires with a testing smirk.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> Because their thieves?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Because they like shining things.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The fact makes Magwitch grin ear-to-ear, admiring John's down-to-earth expertise.</p> <p>And, finally, the shadow swerves to the glint of mirror and dives. Intensifying, John nods.</p> <p>RIENS is racing to him, sword flung high.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Okay.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John runs: tumbling under Riens's swing and tripping the guard. Not stopping, John is up and charging back to the riot.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Bob! Get your shit together!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>From the fight, BOB peeks his head out, seeing the sky. He's on the move.</p> <p>Magwitch, eyes up, stumbles back and sprints for cover. Above him, the shadow has grown gigantic in its descent.</p> <p>Riens staggers back to his feet, hoisting his sword, only to be washed away by flames.</p> <p>The screech and wind smacks the people and everyone goes quiet. They find the dragon, watch it arch back and aim for them.</p> <p>Now a new panic shows as the peasants rampage over each other to flee the coming inferno.</p> <p>The dragon strikes, knocking out a dozen cottages in a single strafing run. Half-ducking from the explosion, John reaches his horse. The beast has gone wild with fear, yanking desperately at its reins.</p> <p>Taking his moment, John jumps in and steals his saddlebags from the wooden rail.</p> <p>He runs into Bob, smacking and pushing him along.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Get to work, man!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> You're not even ready.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Go!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Bob walks on. John spots the cage of gold and goes, suddenly diving from a bright boulder. Shaking himself off, he rediscovers the cage and charges.</p> <p>Next to John's frantic horse is another mare. But, despite the hellish destruction around, it doesn't move. It just calmly waits for Bob. This is his horse - LUCY.</p> <p>Another blast lights her, but still she's quiet, Bob reaching her side, petting the mane.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Hey, Lucy, doing okay girl?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He sees her lethargic face and shrugs, readying his quiver and bow beside her.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> (cont'd)<br> Say, after this we'll go on vacation: Cantebee River.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>That bowling-ball eye twists to him, peering as if she knows better.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> (cont'd)<br> What? We take breaks.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>It is then that a fireball smashes the cottage in front of them, launching debris over head. Bob hits the dirt, but Lucy morosely stands her ground. Again, he pops back up, sighing.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> (cont'd)<br> That was a close one. Almost saw you blink there, girl.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She just snorts.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> (cont'd)<br> Yeah, I know, I'll talk to him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>And, speak of the devil, John's back, his saddlebags packed.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> (cont'd)<br> Are you done?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Dumping the bags on the rail again, he cocks his head.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Let's get paid.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>And so they march. Lucy unties her own reins, frees herself and follows.</p> <p>Ahead of them is MATHE wielding his claymore. But John and Bob just keep walking.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Should we care?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Lucy.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Just then, Mathe is trampled by Lucy. Clamoring to his knees, he comes face to face with her back kick. Mathe flies.</p> <h2>EXT- SKY- DAY</h2> <p>BRADAROCK dips into the wind, spotting JOHN and BOB standing in the open. It howls, glands swelling.</p> <h2>EXT- PYSER- DAY</h2> <p>Holding ground on open dirt, JOHN steps aside, hands on hips, coolly waiting as BOB pulls the arrow back tight.</p> <p>Above them, BRADAROCK is entering range, sliding right to them.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Got him?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Bob is steady, his gaze locked down the shaft.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Got him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Still they wait.</p> <h2>EXT- SKY- DAY</h2> <p>BRADAROCK's howl seizes into a roar as it sucks the air deep, building for the blast.</p> <h2>EXT- PYSER- DAY</h2> <p>JOHN's face confident, he lets BOB gauge his target.</p> <p>And then...</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Take him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>In a sharp, straight-line the arrow flies, spinning like a drill to home. BRADAROCK is upon them.</p> <p>But the arrow hits just above the collarbone. The dragon belches and soars over their heads, twirling right into the dead trees - dead itself.</p> <p>Bob lowers the bow like a true stone-face hero, looking to John who just smiles a shrug.</p> <a name="exterminators"></a> <p>Gazing to the torn and scourged village, they watch as the PEOPLE peek from the castle keep. Carefully, they stumble into the kingdom, their eyes transfixed on the giant corpse at forest's edge.</p> <p>From the dust, they see John and Bob standing tall, as if this day was nothing for them.</p> <p>The one who takes the greatest note though is MAGWITCH. He limps over to them, unable to hide his grim awe.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> One arrow.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> I noticed. So, who are you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Like I said, we're exterminators.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Orcs. Dragons. Fairies. Whatever is giving you a problem.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MAGWITCH<br> I'll remember that.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>No more time for them, the peasants have floated in. The mob has become an orgy of mysticism. They touch John and Bob, petting them with reverence.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Bath?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Yep.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Suddenly, horns sound. The KING and his ROYALS have crawled out from their hidy-hole in the keep. Though above the rest, they are still just as ragged and starved.</p> <p>That King's voice croaks and gurgles, shouting like a dying man still trying to rule.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>KING<br> My humble heroes, you are in my people's gratitude. May this day forth be of celebration for our children to come.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The people cheer and John chuckles with them, calling back to the king.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Excuse me your majesty! Excuse me! Majesty!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The crowd quiets and the king leans out to him with a foxy stare, waiting for the expected.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> I thank you for the holiday - an honor. But we had agreed to other forms of payment.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The king's drained face smiles.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>KING<br> You tell me your kindness carries a bounty?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Those faces of holy awe, the peoples' faces, now drop into cold, hard stares of death. The crowd starts sounding off.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>WOMAN<br> Yeah.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>OLD MAN<br> Yeah.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Yeah, John, what's wrong with you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John leers at him, whipping back to the king.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Heroes have to eat!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>KING<br> And our hope will follow you till days' end. But we have nothing to give.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The peasants eye them like wolves ready for the kill. John prods Bob back and the both ease away, the people staying with them every step.</p> <p>They mount their horses, Bob looking back to John. He sighs.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> You wanted me to ask. I asked. Now lets go.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The mares - John's and LUCY - gallop, taking them into the clear. The people cheer, waving them off. But, in the commotion, MATHE notices the cage and the gold... it's empty.</p> <p>A snarl creasing his face the guard howls.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>MATHE<br> Kill them!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Like a switch, the peasants are wild again, rampaging to lynch their saviors.</p> <p>Letting the mad folk pass, Magwitch still watches the heroes, marking them.</p> <h2>EXT- ROAD- DAY</h2> <p>JOHN and BOB put their horses in a casual charge and flee.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Hey, it was a good day.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Yep.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Behind them, the last people of Psyer stampede after them.</p> <a name="isabell"></a> <h2>EXT- DUNLAN KINGDOM- DAY</h2> <p>Far beyond the racing, flowing from the peaks of quaint hilly ranges, is a classic kingdom - a land of earthy greatness. This is Dunlan, made of farms and cottages, of smoking chimneys and kindly peasants.</p> <p>For the Exterminators, this is home.</p> <p>Well, it contains home. For wedge in the kingdom's meek urban center, there's a building, short and unnoticed.</p> <p>Isabell's house.</p> <h2>INT- ISABELL'S HOUSE- NIGHT</h2> <p>A pile of dry herbs and flowers is lifted, what is revealed is a little buggy man with wings: a FAIRY.</p> <p>It's sprayed until it faints, JOHN lifting it out with tongs. He drops it in a bucket. Behind him is the robust ISABELL, looking not too happy.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Well those are ruined.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John smiles and shakes his head.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Just soak them and dry. It'll be fine.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Why do I keep getting these damnable fairies?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> It's the dill weed. Fairies like dill weed.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Well I like it too.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Holding the spray tank, BOB scoffs quietly.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Put garlic next to it.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> They don't like the smell?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Nobody likes the smell.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He scopes the place some more, tonguing his lips.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Maybe there's a nest somewhere.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The place is quaint, filled with fruits, potpourri, and bread.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> I don't know. I'll look into it tomorrow.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Thank you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He hands the pump back to Bob. Her eyes have lowered, drumming up the courage to ask the question.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> (cont'd)<br> So, why don't you go home?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> I take it you're not talking about here.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She sighs. He comes over.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> You have been very kind, but...</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> The king.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> People are talking. You can't just run from your father and go hide in the local widow's house.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He looks away, twiddling a nut.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> (cont'd)<br> Sooner or later, there'll be repercussions and I can't be near them.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Her panic released, she softens.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> (cont'd)<br> John, you're so bright, why be just a stiff?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She shoots a glare to Bob.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> (cont'd)<br> And you, you bull/ox, holding a tank instead of a sword.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> He's my ward. I go where he goes.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Perfect excuse. If I where his retainer, I'd drag him back.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Coming close to John, she holds his shoulder.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> (cont'd)<br> Great things are in that castle, why aren't you taking them?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>John finds her eyes again, petting her plump cheek.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Because they're not really there.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He gets up, going to his bedroom door.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> We'll talk in the morning. Bob, could you clean...</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Bob's already tying up the hose.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Thanks.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>With a nod, he disappears into the darkness of his room. When he's gone, Isabell snaps at Bob.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Help him.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The spray tank packed, he goes to.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> I am.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>INT- BEDROOM- NIGHT</h2> <p>Lying in a straw bed, JOHN lays his head and stairs at the ceiling. But then he leans over and opens the saddlebags: Pyser's spoils. Reaching in, he pulls out a medallion. Garnished in gold and gems, it's a crest, a royal crest.</p> <p>He ponders over it, letting it dangle from his fingers.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Kings, kingdoms.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Jabbing the thing under his pillow, John wraps up and closes his eyes.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> (cont'd)<br> Ashes and graves is all they ever see.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <a name="nightcaller"></a> <h2>EXT- ISABELL'S HOUSE- NIGHT</h2> <p>Later, outside, a shadow under the wooden sign "Exterminators," stands HELGA in a black cloak.</p> <p>Like Death from folktales, she raps on the door.</p> <h2>INT- BEDROOM- NIGHT</h2> <p>The knocking awakens JOHN. Groggy, he feels around, checking for his saddlebags.</p> <p>They're gone.</p> <p>Now he's up. He looks, they're definitely missing. Seeing Bob's bed across the room, he finds him gone too.</p> <p>John cringes.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Oh no.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>He leaps out of bed, yanking up his leggings and running out the back door.</p> <h2>EXT- ISABELL'S HOUSE- NIGHT</h2> <p>Casually ambling around, HELGA sniffs the air around the blackened windows. She finds one she likes.</p> <h2>INT- ISABELL'S ROOM- NIGHT</h2> <p>Sleeping soundly, ISABELL's peaceful face is swallowed by HELGA's blackness. This time, she raps on Isabell's bedpost.</p> <p>She awakes. Then starts, finding Helga lighting a lamp under her veiled face.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Who are you? What are you doing here?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> It says "Exterminators" above your door. What do they exterminate?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Couldn't you call at a decent hour?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Slipping off her hood, Helga reveals her animal eyes and silver fangs. Isabell crosses herself.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Where are they?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She doesn't answer. Smelling the air, Helga finds out herself and smiles, showing Isabell the hilt of her gladius.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> (cont'd)<br> You're right, I am a devil. So stay where you are.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Slinking into the dark, she's hunting.</p> <h2>INT- BEDROOM- NIGHT</h2> <p>Her face close to the straw mattress, HELGA gets a whiff of John's sent. Spying the other bed, she crawls over and gets the fragrance of Bob too.</p> <h2>INT- ISABELL'S ROOM- NIGHT</h2> <p>Cautiously gripping the lamp, ISABELL searches the room, huddled in the corner. A shadow moves. She puts the light to it - nothing.</p> <p>But, to her gasp, HELGA grabs her hand, sliding over, stopping Isabell's scream at the throat.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Where do they go at night?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>She stutters but answers.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ISABELL<br> Sometimes the One-Eyed Cow.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Thank you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>With a grin, she blows out the light and disappears, leaving Isabell to hold her heart.</p> <h2>EXT- CHURCH- NIGHT</h2> <p>Storming through the aisles of cottages, JOHN is on a quest: a quest that is satisfied when he finds BOB and LUCY. The saddlebag over his shoulder, he scoops out a handful of gold for a PAPIST.</p> <p>The holy man bows and vanishes into the sanctuary just before John can reach them. Seething, he yanks the bags from Bob, searching desperately the empty leather.</p> <p>He finds two coins. Stumbling, John is almost weeping. Finally his rage meets Bob.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Where did it... where did it go!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Churches, some cottages, there's an orphanage that needed a lot.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Orphanage? I guess that makes it all okay, huh?!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> It's my duty to protect you, and your morals.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> My morals.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The coins clasped in a death grip, John marches away, still steaming.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> My morals. My morals!!!</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Not another word, he is off.</p> <p>Lucy nudges Bob's shoulder. He pats her snout.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Yeah, I know. Just giving him some space.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>INT- ONE-EYED COW- NIGHT</h2> <p>In the hot lodge of dirty MEN and whoring WOMEN and joyous laughter, JOHN sits across the local, fat ORDER TAKER. At their table is a game of conquest: an elegant board of bare and stained squares decorated with polished stone pieces.</p> <p>John slaps his two coins on the table. The order taker smiles.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>ORDER TAKER<br> Is that all you have?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Eyeing the man's money pouch, he smiles back.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Don't worry, I'll have more to bet soon.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The man laughs.</p> <h2>INT- ONE-EYED COW- NIGHT</h2> <p>BOB leans against the doorway, listening to the ORDER TAKER laugh even louder.</p> <p>Snatching the two coins up, the Taker roars his cackle. JOHN just laughs with him, hiding his tears.</p> <h2>EXT- ONE-EYED COW- NIGHT</h2> <p>From the fires and laughs, BOB steps out to find HELGA's bare thigh, the white enhanced by black cloth.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="730" cellspacing="20"> <tr> <td> <img src="h2wa1.gif" width="400" alt="Helga and Lucy"> <br></br> </td> <td> <p>She's with LUCY, stroking her mane, letting her nuzzle her neck. But her attention's grabbed by a whiff of air, drawing her gaze to Bob.</p> <p>He approaches coolly, examining her veiled silver grin.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> I think she likes me.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> She's figuring out your scent.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Well I know yours.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The hood slides off, revealing her glimmering animal eyes. But Bob notices something else - her gladius.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Nice sword.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Really.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Drawing it slow, she hands it to him hilt first. He takes it, feeling the blade out with a twirl.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> (cont'd)<br> It's Roman.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> What's Roman?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> A long time ago.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Bob gives it back.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> (cont'd)<br> You're an exterminator, right?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> Sure, Orcs, dragons, fairies - one of them bothering you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>The answer brings a sparkle to her.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> All of them.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Now he really looks at her.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>BOB<br> What are you?</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>Letting go the insult, she just smiles again and speaks just as soft.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>HELGA<br> Your one chance.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <h2>EXT- ONE-EYED COW- NIGHT</h2> <p>Slamming out from the people, JOHN storms to BOB, confronting him.</p> <center> <table border="0" width="230" cellspacing="10"> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>JOHN<br> Well, that's the last of it. Thanks Bob.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </center> <p>But Bob isn't looking at him. Instead, he watches HELGA pass on her horse. She eyes them both with wanting and then she's gone.</p> <p>Now he turns to John, leaving him with questions.</p> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="760" height="60"> <tr> <td body align="center"> <br></br> <p><a href="brhmpg.htm">Home</a>|<a href="cntctpg.htm">Contact</a>|<a href="aboutit/abtit1.htm">About it</a>|<a href="gallerygatepg/gllrygt.htm">Gallery</a>|<a href="extermgatepg/extgt.htm"> Exterminators</a>|<a href="gdgatepg/gdgt.htm">God Dog</a>|<a href="../index.htm">Gate</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p>© all rights reserved, artwork and screenplays, E Felter 2003. This website was posted on 2/10/05</p> </td> </tr> </table> </body>