_ACT ONE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR BORAGORA ROAD - DAY A straggling group of locals approaches, dressed in their eclectic blend of traditional and modern clothes, laughing and bantering in the island polyglot. One man is with his wife and son. Later we'll learn his name is Paul. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - THE SUN - STOCK blindingly tropical, but partially covered by the silhouette of the eclipsing moon. Throughout the following scenes we continue to intercut the advancing eclipse. BACK WIDE The island Citroen pulls around a corner behind and passes. The locals heartily acknowledge Louie's cheery greeting from the car. PAUL Bonjour, Monsieur le Magistrate.... Corky leans out of the passenger's seat, looking up. INT./EXTERIOR CAR - DAY - MOVING WITH IT CORKY (off screen) It's startin' already, Jake. Get the lead out. Jake is driving, Willie and Louie in the back seat, all three sharing Corky's enthusiasm in contrast to Sarah and Jack, also in the rear, looking glum. EXTERIOR CAR - DAY - HILLSIDE - MOVING WITH THEM Jake brakes the straggling car. They all get out and start trudging up the hillside. JAKE Lead's out. Faster to walk up the hill. Jake pulls the emergency brake. Willie is thumbing a star guide. WILLIE Yah...first the penumbra...then the umbra at three-twelve-twenty Central Pacific time. SARAH Who cares? Jack barks twice, agreeing with Sarah. LOUIE Well, for one...moi. We are about to witness one of God's more spectacular diversions. SARAH (to herself) I've seen an eclipse before. (to Louie) Do you know he turned down a perfectly good charter, just for this. (to Jake) We could be on Samoa, right this minute. JAKE I never break even flying to Samoa. Besides, I don't want to miss this either. SARAH Well I do.... They continue trudging up the steep hill. CUT TO EXTERIOR OBSERVATORY CLEARING - DAY Through the curious twilight, we see several small refracting telescopes arrayed around a sizable reflecting scope fitted with a plate camera. This amateur observatory is protected by a thatch shelter, an opening through the roof for the telescopes, situated in a clearing near a waterfall. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen on the rock face near the fall. The astronomer, Avery Theil, taps a laboratory thermometer, notes the temperature on a clipboard chart. We hear voices off screen. Theil looks up to see Jake and the others and waves them back like a mother guarding her sleeping child. LOUIE (whispering) Bonjour, Monsieur Theil. The moment is upon us, n'cest pas? Theil nods, unable to contain his child-like enthusiasm. THEIL Try not to kick up the dust. You know how diffusion can drive you nuts. Jake, Willie and Louie trade looks but they are lost on Theil. THEIL (cleaning lens) Ain't this a kick in the head. Betcha I get a better shot than any of the pros. While Jake, Corky and Willie look over the equipment, Louie studies the sky through his own piece of smoked glass. LOUIE An interesting fact...there's never been a successful observation of a solar eclipse down here. They sent Captain Cook in 1769 all the way around the Horn to view one in Tahiti. All he saw was rain. You may be the first. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - SARAH She is huddling, trying to keep warm, Jack on the ground next to her. Sarah is mumbling something to herself. JAKE Come on. You'll miss everything. SARAH There's nothing to miss. It just gets dark and the birds stop singing. And it gets cold. Jake listens and, indeed, it's already growing quiet, the darkness even deeper. Sarah suddenly quakes with the shivers and closes her eyes, again mumbling to herself. Jake's a little worried. JAKE You're imagining things, Sarah. It's not cold. SARAH It will be. Jack won't stop shaking. JAKE That's because I let him have espresso for breakfast. Caffeine winds him up like a top. Jack looks up long enough to bark once for no. He is indeed trembling, and now he begins to growl. JAKE (continuing) Admit it. You get cranky, and mean. Camera adjusts to discover a man standing past the falls. This is Lucien, a native Boragoran of mixed French and Polynesian blood. He is slightly built, refined, wearing Western dress; dark jacket and open shirt. A wind is beginning to blow in the gathering darkness, plucking at Lucien's jacket and hair. Sarah follows Jake's gaze. SARAH I thought he might come. Sarah steps closer to Jake. WIDE Theil is busy with his astronomical duties as the total eclipse approaches, Willie and Corky with him. Louie has seen Lucien also, and joins Jake and Sarah. LUCIEN You realize you are defiling a sacred place? LOUIE (sighs) We are standing here, watching the sun, Lucien...not defiling. LUCIEN Stick to your French laws, Magistrate. At least you know something about those. (re: Theil) Tell him to leave. Or I will. Lucien strolls nearer. His manner a curious mix of intense purpose and amused indolence. Jack growls from beside Jake, but Lucien ignores this. Jake gently puts Sarah behind him, and approaches Lucien more or less man to man. JAKE Don't start anything, Lucien. He's come halfway around the world with that stuff, and all he needs is the next five minutes. He doesn't need a political tirade. Neither do I. ANGLE TO INCLUDE LOCALS The group we saw walking along the road has arrived. Lucien gestures them away. LUCIEN Go home. None of us should be here to see the way they mock us. The people generally ignore Lucien, several of them trading "get him" looks. Then they politely gather around Theil's equipment, curious, but not in a primitive way. Theil is loading film backs onto his telescopes. ON SARAH momentarily alone again, trying to ignore the eclipse. The freshening wind is making her shudder, much like Jack. She lowers her eyes to the ground, sees something and picks up a stone idol of a native god from basalt. Now it's almost completely dark and Sarah can't help looking up and is immediately frightened. She covers her eyes, mumbling again to herself. We can only make out a few of her words, but there is a chanting rhythm to them that is distinct. Almost imperceptibly, smoke begins to drift through the scene, growing denser every moment. SARAH ...Warning bell...close your eyes...shout of thunder.... During this: PAST LUCIEN TO INCLUDE JAKE AND LOUIE Lucien looks up momentarily, smelling the smoke. In the process his eyes take in Sarah who has the idol clenched near her face. LUCIEN Go home! You're not going to see anything. Pele won't permit an eclipse. Not today. LOUIE (repressing a laugh) Lucien. You can not order these people...and you can order the heavens even less. LUCIEN Ask them. They know. The signs are all there. The fruit is rotting. The fish are stinking. They know. By now the wind is really whipping. Sarah is hyperventilating, chanting. ANGLE TO OBSERVATORY The darkness is nearly full. Paul points skyward, laughing, enjoying himself at Lucien's expense. PAUL Wrong again, Lucien...there it is. Total eclipse. UP ANGLE PAST THEM TO ECLIPSE The dark disc of the moon slides completely over the sun. For an instant we see what's known as the "diamond" effect, and then everything is blotted out in a pall of black smoke. WIDE There is confusion, shouting, commotion in the smoke as people become disoriented. THEIL (coughing) Where the hell'd this come from?! Stay away from my equipment. LOUIE Stand still. Halte! LUCIEN You should have listened to me. Now we'll all answer to Pele. Pele! ON JAKE AND SARAH Behind them, Corky, Willie and Theil struggle to keep the people away from the telescopes, but in the blinding smoke they crash through the gear anyway. Someone bangs solidly into Sarah, and she stumbles into Jake. She still has her eyes tightly covered. JAKE What's wrong with your eyes? SARAH Nothing...I'm fine. She pulls away from Jake and runs down the hill. Jake looks over to see Lucien, a dire smile on his face looking after Sarah. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR SKY - DAY - THUNDERHEADS - STOCK A tremendous pileup of towering anvil clouds overhead, black with promise. Lightning licks in the distance, but the air is deathly quiet. EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY - SARAH mesmerized by the approaching storm, shivering, leaning on the railing looking out to sea. The stone idol she found is in one hand, ignored. Jake approaches from behind and wordlessly drapes one of her sweaters over her shoulders. Nothing stirs and the water is flat calm. He stands beside her for a few beats before she speaks. SARAH Cold. JAKE I guess...for six degrees south, anyway. SARAH There wasn't a sign of this storm before. JAKE You know how fast it can change here. SARAH Not this fast. The sun hasn't been out again, either. Not since Lucien.... JAKE Lucien. If I was Louie, I'd throw him off the island, or at least out of the bar. He's in there now spouting his revolutionary claptrap. Sarah is turning the idol over and over. Even with the sweater on, she chatters through her teeth. SARAH He was right about the fish. INSERT - THE WATER dozens of dead fish lie in the stagnant lagoon. BACK ON SCENE JAKE The temperature drop probably got them. SARAH It shouldn't be this quiet. The birds never starting singing again after the eclipse. JAKE Hey, Sarah.... SARAH (hands him the idol) This is Pele, isn't it? JAKE The local version, yeah, I think so. SARAH Well, don't you find that bizarre? The very instant I found this thing, Lucien was shouting...'Pele...we'll all answer to Pele'. JAKE We were in their old burial ground. On any island like this with a volcano, Pele is about the only god they give a damn about...or did. CLOSER Jake hands back the idol. As if on cue, a huge clap of thunder startles Sarah. She instinctively covers her eyes and begins to mumble. Jake puts his arm around her and gently uncovers her eyes. Wind comes out of nowhere, suddenly shrieking. JAKE (continuing) You're acting like a little girl. What are you afraid of? SARAH I told you I didn't want to see the eclipse. (beat) When I was a little girl, my daddy and I went to an eclipse in Cambridge. I got lost in the dark, that's all. NEW ANGLE - MOVING WITH THEM The wind redoubles its intensity. Jake gently turns her and begins back toward the bar. JAKE We'd better get you inside. Sarah lets Jake propel her as she covers her eyes and mumbles. JAKE Sarah! What are you doing? SARAH It's a poem he taught me the day I got lost. He told me to say it over and over and look inside until I realize whatever's scaring me is too far away to hurt me. I still do it. But it only works if I cover my eyes. They walk a distance, covering her eyes, Sarah begins to recite. This time we can understand her. SARAH (reciting) 'When you hear the warning bell, the hounds of hell, that trumpet the trembling terror of your fears. Just close your eyes, and you'll realize, it's but a distant shout of thunder in your ears.' The sounds of her own words calm her and she puts her head on Jake's shoulder as they continue to walk. The wind hits them from behind in gusts, and another slam of thunder rolls by. CUT TO INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - DAY Louie is talking with Theil. Several of the locals who were at the eclipse, including Lucien, give Sarah funny looks when she enters. Corky leaves Jack covered with his jacket on a chair and intercepts Jake. Really worried, Corky uses the tone people use in a hospital room when they don't want the patient in the bed to hear. CORKY He's stone cold, Jake. Not like he gets when he goes swimming. I mean cold. ANGLE TO JACK Huddled under Corky's jacket, he's shivering. Glad to forget her own troubles, Sarah puts her idol on a table and kneels. She recoils when she feels Jack's head. SARAH Poor Jack. You're like an ice cube. I know what you need...cod liver oil. Jack manages one shaky bark before Sarah gathers him, coat and all. He still trembles. CORKY Forget it, Sarah. I tried to give him some once and it's lucky I can still play piano. ON LOUIE As Corky and Sarah worry over Jack, Louie takes Jake's arm. JAKE How's Theil? LOUIE Depressed. He did not get one picture. But, this time, I think the jinx had a helping hand. (beat) Seņor Henriquez radioed from his plantation. Someone put his cane field to the torch. JAKE Let me guess...around three-twelve? Louie nods and he and Jake turn together to find Lucien already meeting their gaze. WITH JAKE He signals Ahmed for a beer and leans in next to Lucien. JAKE I guess you and Pele have a working relationship...you start his fires and he lets you drop his name. Lucien sips his beer and mulls this over. The effect, just as he intends, is of one impervious to such slander. When he speaks quietly, Lucien has a professional quality. LUCIEN Not even a hundred and fifty years ago, a remark like that would have earned you a red hot stake through the tongue. An unusually loud, nearby crash of thunder startles everyone in the bar. Louie goes to look out a window. JAKE Those days are gone, Lucien. I don't care how many clumsy stunts you pull, and chants you chant, nobody's getting on the bandwagon. Nobody. Another hammer blow of thunder, worse than the first. Lucien raises his voice, becoming more prophet-like as the tempo of the wind shrieks through the louvers. LUCIEN It's coming to pass, my friend, like it or not. All over the world, not just in the Marivellas. The days of imperialist exploitation are numbered. Don't forget I've been to France. I've seen that degenerated, corrupted pit --- JAKE You don't need to shout, Lucien. I've heard all kinds of nonsense from you before. You keep forgetting...You're a revolutionary without a revolution. LUCIEN (almost to himself) It's never been just mine.... NEW ANGLE - INCLUDE SARAH Lucien gives a last sigh, as if almost weary at the inevitability of what he's going to do. Then, drawing himself up to much more than his slight frame, he wheels, hurling an accusing finger at Sarah. LUCIEN This woman has robbed the grave of Pele...and she must atone in the fire! Even Jake takes a moment to react to this outrageous accusation. Sarah's eyes widen, putting her hand to her chest as if to ask, "Me?". Jake swings Lucien back. JAKE You've lost your mind --- ON LUCIEN He pulls away from Jake and the debate is ended by the most stunning bolt of lightning yet. It shudders the entire hotel. ON THE WINDOWS They blow out as a palm tree hurtles through the louvers sending Louie flying. The other customers scurry away from the windows, one man too late to avoid being crunched by a flying batwing door. Vicious rain slashes through the ruined windows, and something else...hail. Large hail stones begin peppering the bar like machine gun bullets. People cower behind tables. Jake rushes to help Louie as Corky covers Sarah and Jack. ANGLE - FROM JAKE TO LUCIEN Lucien strides into the teeth of the hail storm, impervious, turning once to survey the bar. The bar lights flicker and in a moment of darkness, Lucien is framed in the door, hail, rain and lightning screaming around him. LUCIEN She will atone! When the lights come back up, Lucien is gone. FADE OUT _END OF ACT ONE_ _ACT TWO_ FADE IN EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR HOTEL - MORNING In the background we can see the damaged Monkey Bar Hotel. But in the daylight, it doesn't look as serious. Jake and Jack walk along the water's edge on a beautiful morning. Over this: JAKE'S VOICE OVER It's funny...as bad as the hail storm was last night, the morning was full of the kind of sunshine you only dream about. As if God was making amends for a bad temper by wrapping up a blue sky and tucking it under your pillow. (beat) But there was something wrong with his gift. Missing was the familiar song of birds, or the playful cries of the jungle animals. That and Jack's strange behavior gave me an uneasy feeling that this wasn't the beginning of a happy ending. CUT TO CLOSEUP - BRASS MONKEY STATUE as we see a large toad sitting on its head. Over this: LOUIE'S VOICE Careful not to scare it this time.... Willie's hands come into frame...just as the toad jumps off. Pull back to: INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - MORNING as Willie scrambles across the room, trying to retrieve the toad. A few locals sit at tables, enjoying the "show." Also one or two tourists. Ahmed, the bartender, is mopping up the floor from the storm the night before...while Gushie wheels around the room, holding a bucket on his lap. He is trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the "captured" toads in the bucket. Louie is looking over to Corky who is coming out from under the bar with a toad. Corky plops the toad into Gushie's bucket. Jake comes into the bar, followed by Jack. Gushie wheels past him. GUSHIE I'd better dump these into the lagoon. As Gushie goes out the batwings, Louie approaches Jake. LOUIE (re: toads) I don't know what is bringing them down from the high country. They're even in the rooms. JAKE Bring us some coffee, Louie, and let's figure it out. (a face) Hold the toads. Jake sits, knocking a toad off his seat. Louie joins him with two coffees. JAKE (continuing) We've got...what...ah, unusual weather, the animals are acting strange.... The sound of someone shouting outside begins to leak under the conversation. Several locals go to the windows, then outside. CORKY Even the generator, it's acting weird, probably take the rest of the day to fix. Willie turns, holding a toad, smiling proudly. WILLIE The birds, I don't see them around.... The toad is in Jake's face. JAKE Nice job with the toad, Reverend. Would you throw it outside. Gushie comes back into the bar. GUSHIE Jake, I think you better come out here. He took the bucket away from me. JAKE Who did? CUT TO EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR - CLOSE ANGLE - LUCIEN standing in front of the flagpole. He is holding two toads from the bucket out in front of him. The winds are beginning to build up again. They are cold. Lucien shouts to the crowd: LUCIEN See for yourself, they are trying to hide it from us! The Konja toad has never before been seen on the beaches...I am only asking for your eyes to tell the truth! As we widen we can see a small group of locals gathered around Lucien, including Paul. The two locals from the bar have joined the rest. In the background we can see Jake and Willie as they look out from the batwings and begin over. Sarah comes down the stairs, still wearing her sweater. LUCIEN (continuing) Why, I ask you, are they following the birds and fleeing our island? PAUL Maybe they can't stand listening to you anymore. The group laughs. Lucien tenses up at this. He is losing them. LUCIEN Most of you lost your crops in the Kaloana...the hail storm last night. I hope for your sake that the belly full of laughter you have now will be able to save you and your families from hunger this year! They quiet down. Lucien sees Sarah et al and, dropping the toads, points to her. The group turns around. LUCIEN And if they should go hungry, I ask you not to come to me for answers, but to talk with _that woman_, for she is the one who removed Pele from our sacred grounds. ANGLE - SARAH AND JAKE as she approaches Jake and looks over to Lucien in disbelief. SARAH How can he say something like that? JAKE Just ignore him. SARAH (suddenly) No I won't. She storms over to the crowd. Followed by Jake, Jack and Willie. SARAH (to Lucien) Look, I'm sorry...I made a mistake. You can have your statue back anytime.... LUCIEN It is too late for that. The insult has been done. You can't undo it. The winds gain power as the crowd begins to get uncomfortable. JAKE No one believes your superstitions anymore, Lucien. LUCIEN Superstitions are but the shadows of great truths. (to Willie) Is that not right, Reverend? Is it not your Book that tells us 'your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil?' WILLIE I must go...I have blessings to attend to. LUCIEN Blessings...or last rites? That really gets the locals buzzing. He is stirring up the hive. JAKE (sarcastic) Oh that's just terrific, Lucien. 'Last rites'...just beautiful. Now tell me, did you make that one up on the spot, or have you been rehearsing it in your hut for the last few days? The group laughs again, but not as much as before. LUCIEN A woman has angered our gods, and she will pay...along with _everyone_ on this island. Time is the great prover of all truths. He has the crowd back again. He is stirring up a fear in them which is growing. Louie makes his way into the crowd. LOUIE Unfortunately your time is up, Lucien. As Magistrate de Justice, I must ask you, politely, to leave. LUCIEN Which is your right...for now. He steps down and walks through the crowd. They part as he goes through. We can see the beginnings of a newfound respect. More disturbing is the way some of the locals look at Sarah as they walk by. The effect of their stares are not lost on her. Lucien stops in front of her as the others continue to walk past and look at her. LUCIEN (to Sarah) I have no hate for your actions, only pity...for your fate. The tension in the air is at a hair trigger as Lucien turns and walks away from her. Sarah looks up at Jake, helpless. JAKE as he looks at Sarah. He doesn't know what to say to calm her down. CUT TO CLOSEUP - CANDLE as it is being lit. We pull back to: INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - NIGHT All the tables are lit with candles, as is the bar. It gives the place a warm, soothing glow. Some tourists are already dining, and a few locals are playing billiards. Gushie has finished lighting the candles, as Jake comes through the batwings. He is wearing his dress white suit. Jack comes in behind him. Louie comes out from the kitchen. Ahmed is pouring wine into several long-stemmed glasses. LOUIE (to Jake) To your specifications? JAKE It's great, Louie. I can't thank you enough. Sarah can use something like this. As they drink Sarah comes into the room. She is wearing an extraordinary cream gown that fits tight against her body. The candlelight only makes her look that much more lovely. The group turns and sees her. She smiles at them, somewhat sheepishly. Jake and Louie walk over to her. LOUIE Sarah, you are an absolute vision. SARAH Well, you said to dress nice, and I had this...ol' thing hanging around... (then; looking at Jake's white suit) Look, Jake, we match. We could be a dance team. Louie takes a few steps forward to the first table and pulls out a chair. CLOSER ANGLE - TABLE as Sarah sits down, and then Jake sits across from her. LOUIE We have a very special dish this evening. Cuisse de grenouille, in a red wine sauce. SARAH Sounds delicious...what is it? LOUIE Frog legs. Jake gives Louie a look. LOUIE (devilish grin) But perhaps the veal would suit you better. Louie nods, then leaves. Sarah looks around the bar. She has a child- like innocence about her this evening. Louie puts a record of a string quartet on the phonograph. SARAH Candlelight...what a lovely thought. JAKE You deserve it. Besides, Corky hasn't fixed the generator yet. SARAH Such a romantic. Then, standing up, bright: SARAH Oh, Jake, you know what this just reminded me of? When my father would take me to Hiliary Gardens on Sunday nights...and he'd let me have a small glass of Bernardini before dinner. Sarah begins to the bar. JAKE Where're you going? Sarah goes behind the bar and begins searching far up the back wall of bottles for something. SARAH I hid a bottle of it, when I was tending the bar that time...didn't want anyone to get to it. It's the most wonderful almond liqueur in the world! (then) Here it is! At that moment the lights pop on. Sarah turns around with the bottle in her hand. Before she faces us we: CUT TO VARIOUS SHOTS of Jake, Louie, Ahmed as they look at Sarah in shock. Jack looks up and growls. Over this: SARAH'S VOICE I used to always start giggling after a few sips, and father would have to.... SARAH as she stops, having noticed everyone's reaction. We can see what they are staring at: the entire front of her gown is covered in blood. It is indeed a horrifying sight. Corky comes into the room, wiping his hands on a greasy rag. CORKY Got the generator working. He stops in his tracks as he looks at Sarah. Sarah turns to the mirror and sees herself. She screams, dropping the bottle of Bernardini, which crashes to the ground. Jack jumps up on the bar and begins to growl at the carved monkeys overhead. Corky sees what Jack has discovered. CORKY Jake! The monkeys. They're...they're bleeding! CARVED MONKEYS looking up at them we can see a blood red liquid coming from their eyes, mouths, and ears. A steady stream silently pours out, coming down on the bottle of liquor. FULL as Louie, Gushie, and Jake go towards the bar. We can see a group of locals at the batwing...they also look in shocked horror at the sight. They slowly walk into the bar, and begin chanting the Lord's Prayer in Polynesian. Jake runs to Sarah who is in silent shock as she continues to stare at the monkeys. CUT TO INTERIOR SARAH'S ROOM - NIGHT as the door bursts open and Jake, carrying Sarah, enters the room, placing her gently on the bed. His dress whites are now smeared with the "blood" from her gown. Jake helps Sarah out of her bloodied gown. She is wearing a satin slip underneath. Jack brings Jake a washcloth from the dresser. Jake takes it and begins to wipe the "blood" off her face and arms. Suddenly Sarah sees the "blood" on Jake's jacket. The whole episode hits her. She screams, and begins to cry hysterically. SARAH Jake, there's blood...everywhere, and it's all my fault...Jake...the blood is my fault! Jack barks once for no. Jake grabs her hard, holding her...rocking her. JAKE No! No, it's not your fault. Outside the chant of the Lord's Prayer becomes louder. Sarah is not helped by Jake's words. She is still hysterical. Jake gently puts his hand over her eyes, then in a calm and soothing voice: JAKE (reciting) 'When you hear the warning bell, the hounds of hell, that trumpet the trembling terror of your fears. Just close your eyes, and you'll realize, it's but a distant shout of thunder in your ears.' This does it. Sarah quiets down. She looks up to Jake and smiles. They look at each other for a moment, then Sarah reaches out and, taking Jake's face in her hands, brings him towards her. They begin to kiss, long and passionate. We hold a moment, then the chanting outside turns to shouts and yells. Jack jumps off the bed and runs to the window. SARAH What is it? JAKE Stay there. Jake runs to the window and looks out. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - BEACH BELOW A very crude dummy in a white gown -- similar to Sarah's and smeared with the "blood" of the monkeys -- has been attached to the flag pole rope. A crude head is attached to it. One of the locals runs to the dummy with the Monkey Bar's mop, which is also soaked in the "blood." He rips it from its stick and places it on the "head" of the dummy, giving it red hair. Another local immediately lights the dummy, which bursts into flames as they hoist it up. JAKE as he watches. Sarah comes over. JAKE Don't look. It's too late. Sarah looks out. HER POINT OF VIEW as Louie runs out with his gun and tries to get the people away. At the same time, Corky and Willie are putting out the fire with a hose Gushie has unraveled for them. SARAH looking out, her hand over her mouth in a silent scream. Jake looks over to her. CUT TO EXTERIOR SMALL VILLAGE - DAY - HIGH ANGLE A few huts, a small fire, and a small group of locals (many of whom were at the "burning" the night before) are sitting quietly in front of the largest hut. We see Jake and Jack as they make their way through the group to the door of the hut. INTERIOR HUT - DAY as Jake and Jack walk in. Jake is red with anger. The hut is bare, except for Lucien who sits in front of a two-foot high table, carefully mixing dark colored teas with dried herbs in a mason jar. He is quiet, serene, but there is a messianic gleam in his eyes. JAKE It's over, pal. We've put up with your 'medicine show' long enough. Last night you came this close to whipping up a lynch mob. Lucien does not look at Jake, but just continues to mix his brew. LUCIEN Why have you come to me. I wasn't there. I am not responsible for what is happening. Ask my converts. JAKE Your 'converts' -- if you'd open your eyes and look -- are outside your hut playing dominos and drinking Papillon beer! It's not a very religious experience. Then grasping his "table" and pulling it away from him so that it crashes against the wall. JAKE And dammit, look at me when I'm talking to you! Lucien looks up at Jake with self-satisfied smile. Jack begins towards the door of the hut. JAKE (to Jack) And you stay where you are; I'm not finished here yet. Jack barks twice for yes. JAKE No, I'm not. (then; to Lucien) Wait a minute. Of course. You don't give a damn about the statue. You've just jumped onto an opportunity to scare the natives into doing your dirty work. LUCIEN Do you really believe that? JAKE Come on, Lucien...fess up. We had that freak storm, hell, you saw you were on to a good thing. _Anything_ that happened after that you can blame on Sarah. And the more you blame, the more they fear. Jack is scratching at the door of the hut. He wants out. LUCIEN In your mind I'm an opportunist. In mine, I've been 'chosen.' It is my destiny to use these events to bring these people to the right cause. JAKE In other words, you're just a damn fake. All these events are unrelated to the statue. Lucien gives him the smile again. Jake begins to the door. JAKE And it's about time they found out. As Jake goes for the door, Jack barks once for no. JAKE (to Jack) Well make up your mind, first you want me to go out, then.... Jake stops. There is an eerie silence. A total dead silence as if all living matter has suddenly been sucked into space. Jake looks over to Lucien who is just as surprised as he is. Then we can hear a low rumble, and the ground begins to shake the walls of the hut rattling. Lucien gets to his feet. LUCIEN Toshania! EXTERIOR HUT as Lucien, then Jake and Jack run out. The small group are also on their feet shouting "Toshania!" as they run from their village. The ground is rocking with more force. HUT - STOCK as it crumbles under the earthquake. JAKE as he begins to run back to the Monkey Bar. HIGH ANGLE - VILLAGE - STOCK as it crumbles under the shaking ground. CUT TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA - DAY (NOTE: The rest of Act Two is covered with the heavy rumble of the earthquake; the following events happening in rapid fire.) The entire area is shaking under the now massive earthquake. The Monkey Bar Hotel is shaking as we see lamps, plants, etc. fall off -- a beam in the center splits. All around us villagers are running every which way trying to find a safe place. We can see Sarah trying to make her way down the stairs of the exit of the Monkey Bar as it sways. The church bells ring under the momentum of the quake as Jake and Jack run through the group of villagers to the Monkey Bar. He makes his way to the porch just as a section breaks off and crashes down as he goes inside. CLOSE ANGLE - CHURCH as we see Willie helping some of his "girls" out of the shaking church. WIDER ANGLE - CHURCH - STOCK as the steeple crumbles down. ANGLE - PLANKING - STOCK as each piece of wood flies up as if the devil were using it as a xylophone from underneath. INTERIOR MONKEY BAR Gushie is in the bar, unable to move, his chair entangled in debris. Overhead the lights and fans are swaying in a strange, simultaneous rhythm. Jake tries to push Gushie out of his entanglement. Everyone yells over the din: JAKE Where is everyone? GUSHIE I don't know, Jake...I don't know! Suddenly the wall behind the bar shakes violently, causing the bottles to tumble down and the mirror to crack. Just as Jake gets Gushie free, one of the hanging plants tumbles down on the spot that Gushie was in. Jack turns and begins up the stairs to Louie's office. JAKE (yelling out) Jack! Stop! STAIRS as the stairs separate from the landing, Jack runs up them. One of the locals at the top of the stairs loses his balance and, grabbing another hanging plant, tumbles down to the floor below, taking the plant with him. Jake follows Jack up the stairs. GUSHIE as he is being bounced around in his chair. He looks over as the piano next to him seems to be dancing in the same bouncy rhythm. We can see Jake helping Louie down the stairs which continue to rock. EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR as it continues to sway we can see first Jack, then Jake helping Louie come out. Gushie is able to wheel himself out. We can see Sarah and Willie as they are helping injured villagers. They see Jake and the group. LOUIE Thank God we're all safe. DOCK as it sways back and forth like a water snake. Cargo and people are falling off it as it shakes. We can see Corky by the Goose trying to secure it. JAKE as he begins towards the dock -- and Corky. He hears a shout. LUCIEN'S VOICE Jake! Jake stops, then turns around. About ten feet away is Lucien. Behind him we can still see the Monkey Bar as it sways. LUCIEN Go ahead...you have my permission. Tell them _now_, Jake. Tell them now that I am a fake! Just then in the sand between Jake and Lucien, a small fissure appears, splitting the ground open. Immediately, steam begins to shoot out from the crack between Lucien and Jake. It obliterates our view of Lucien as the hot steam continues from the bowels of the earth. FADE OUT _END OF ACT TWO_ _ACT THREE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR BORAGORA - DAY - ANGLE TO MONKEY BAR - STOCK A steady flow of islanders are heading for the waterfront past the hotel, their belongings bundled in their arms and carried on their heads, children in tow. There is no panic, but certain purpose to leave the island. INTERIOR LOUIE'S OFFICE - DAY - ACROSS LOUIE TO WINDOW Louie is using a small brass spy glass out his opened window for a better look at Soufrier, Boragora's central peak, which has begin erupting clouds of black ash. We hear a deep, nearly subliminal booming rolling down the jungled slopes to us from the volcano. Little has been done to correct the rampages of the earthquake, which turned over Louie's bookcase and skewed his pictures. Louie turns at the opening of a door off screen. NEW ANGLE TO INCLUDE JAKE entering with a pad of paper and a flight "computer" wheel which he is hurriedly using while he walks. LOUIE I will know in the future not to scoff at signs and portents. The birds, the toads...Jack knew it was coming. I suppose, for that matter, so did Lucien. (re: volcano) Who ever thought that old monster would waken again. JAKE It's not the thought that counts. How much should we be worrying? LOUIE (considers) Difficult...Soufrier has not been active in living memory. However the plume from its eruption in 1604 is what led Gaston de Marivella to these islands in the first place. Much ash...but the lava flow was minimal. JAKE 1604 is one thing...Just last year is another. That volcano on Baku blew away half the island only eighty miles from here. LOUIE I am not forgetting, Jake, and neither are the islanders. Most of them are already leaving in boats, and we will take no chances, either. ON JAKE He completes a final calculation with his wheel and jots it on his pad. JAKE We've got six hundred and twenty gallons of gas on the dock...I'll fill up in Tagataya and deadhead two more drums on every return leg...So, with lucky winds and no storms to dodge...three trips for sure, I can squeeze out four. LOUIE (smiling) I'm certain you can, mon ami. We have only nine guests to evacuate from the hotel. Then we will go...bon. JAKE (consults list) Also two pregnant local women I'll take out on the first flight... (beat) ...with Sarah. LOUIE Yes...insist that she go now, Jake. Already this morning I have heard some disquieting...conjecture. JAKE You mean threats. LOUIE The angry talk of frightened people. But, as I said, we should take no chances. WIPE TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY - ON THE GOOSE Corky is levering the hand pump on a drum of gas, topping off the tanks on the Goose. His back is to the shore, and although we don't see Jack, Corky speaks to him anyway. Behind them the dock is busy. Tourists are dressed for travel, busy bringing luggage. Dr. Theil is piling the cases of his telescopes. CORKY How do you like it, Jack? A little kick in the pants from a half- pint volcano and everybody hightails it like rats off a sinking ship. We've seen worse...lots worse, huh? No reply. CORKY Remember in the Andes? Ka-pow! Top blew off that baby like it was a case of green beer left in the attic. Jack? No reply. CORKY Even I remember that. Corky looks around now for Jack and doesn't see him. This steams Corky a little. He looks over and under a few things. CORKY (continuing) You're supposed to be helpin' out, you know...not sawin' Z's. You wouldn't do this if Jake was here. Two barks off screen make Corky spin around. REVERSE TO JACK He's got a toy dog with wheels in his mouth, the kind of toy children pull behind them, except Jack is pulling something holding onto the other end of the string. Camera adjusts to discover a curly headed little boy of three or four, obviously the lost child of a tourist. The boy is obediently following. Jack pulls him along until they are standing in front of Corky. Corky kneels. CORKY (continuing) I guess you weren't goofin' off. Was he lost? Two barks. CORKY (to boy) Hey, buddy...you okay? The little boy lowers his gaze shyly, even whimpering a little. Corky raises the boy's gaze with a finger under his chin. CORKY There's nothin' to worry about. I was just tellin' Jack...that's him...we've seen way worse'n this. One bark. CORKY Play along, Jack...the kid's upset. (to boy) Look...we've got rules on Boragora, and rule number one is no long faces. Can't have 'em. I'll bet you can do better than that. Corky begins making faces at the boy which slowly but surely make him forget being lost. Corky finally gives the boy a big raspberry and is rewarded with a laugh. NEW ANGLE - INCLUDE END OF DOCK A tall tourist is approaching, obviously worried and relieved when he sees his son. He hurries over and scoops the boy into his arms. FATHER Thank the man for helping you. The boy playfully returns Corky's raspberry. Not understanding, the father looks embarrassed and walks away with his son. Corky gives the boy a big wink as he looks back over his father's shoulder. CORKY Okay, Jack...let's get back to -- Jack! ANGLE TO JACK Ignoring Corky, Jack is busily following after the father and son, pulling the forgotten toy by its string. CUT TO EXTERIOR CHURCH - DAY Willie is inspecting the fallen steeple, sighing with the realization of the work required to fix his church. His sleeves are rolled up and collar loosened showing he's already had a busy morning. A few islanders are straggling past him into the church like refugees. ANGLE TO INCLUDE NATIVE GIRL AND HER MOTHER This is Tiki, a pretty member of Willie's flock, and her mother, who has put on a few pounds since she was her daughter's age. Tiki hands Willie an armload of folded sheets. WILLIE Bless you, my child. TIKI (shocked) Now? WILLIE No, no... (to mother) Just a figure of speech. TIKI But, we are all frightened. I told my mother you said the best thing for being afraid is a good blessing. Willie is stumped for a reply for Tiki's mother who is worriedly expecting one, when Sarah call him off screen. SARAH (off screen) Reverend...I need your help. ANGLE TO CHURCH Sarah is in the door. She also has the look of someone working very hard. Willie holds up a finger to Tiki and her mother as if to say, "Just a second." INTERIOR CHURCH - DAY The chapel is full of islanders, surrounded by bundles of their belongings; again, the sense of a group of refugees. Willie leads Sarah through the door and towards us between the pews. Hostile eyes follow her, and the animosity of the islanders is more apparent than ever. SARAH There's a woman here who's complaining about her arm, but she won't let me help her. NEW ANGLE Some of the islanders we saw going to the eclipse are on the front pew, including Paul. His wife is favoring her arm which she holds to her chest. Sarah spreads a sheet out on the pew. Paul stands to place himself between his wife and Sarah. PAUL I told you to leave us alone. WILLIE My son, be reasonable. God would want you to let this woman serve. PAUL Your god. Mine wants her to atone. SARAH (fighting back) I've heard just about enough of that talk. I've got nothing to atone for...to this god, or that god...or any damn god you'd care to name! ANGLE ACROSS JAKE TO SARAH He has entered through the rear. Sarah is positioned to see him past the island man. She angrily stuffs the sheets into Willie's arms and stomps over to Jake, arms crossed, snorting with outrage. SARAH You should hear them, Jake. It'd make you sick. Twenty-four hours ago they were perfectly reasonable human beings. Now they all sound like Lucien. JAKE It's not your fault. I'm taking you out on the first flight. About five minutes from now, so powder your nose. Sarah is astounded, even hurt by Jake's suggestion. SARAH I am not a quitter. JAKE (knows what's coming) Sarah...quitting is one thing, and it's not this thing. The other team is playing a little too rough for you to be worried about that. SARAH I've gotten dirty looks before. These people need my help! (lowers voice) Besides, I've got a job to do, remember. I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on Boragora for Uncle Sam. I'm supposed to know everything that goes on here. JAKE The only thing that's going on on Boragora is that people are leaving it...including you. EXTERIOR CHURCH - DAY Jake stomps out of the church without Sarah, stuffing an unlit stogie in his jaw and nearly biting it in two. Sarah is a few steps behind, but she does not follow. She leans in the door, smiling after him. Camera adjusts to discover Lucien, studying her from nearby cover. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR SKY - NIGHT - PREDAWN a new Pacific day, the sky just beginning to lighten. The Goose lets down from a bank of pink clouds. JAKE'S VOICE OVER There's a look people give you when they think you've delivered them from the jaws of death. INTERIOR THE GOOSE'S COCKPIT - DAY The sky outside the windows is only a bit lighter than the dark cockpit. Jake's face is stubbled from flying all night, the same unlit cigar in his teeth. But he is satisfied. Jack is in the copilot's chair, sleeping. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) After three trips, I put eleven people on Tagataya who all gave me the same look. It made me feel a little guilty. They thought I'd saved their bacon and hell, all I did was fly the plane. JAKE Rise and shine, Jack. Sun's coming up. Jack yawns, stretches, and sits up. He looks ahead and barks once. JAKE (continuing) You're still dreaming, Jack. Bring me the thermos and I'll give you some coffee. Right there is the sun --- Jack barks once again and begins to growl. Now Jake squints ahead, puzzled, and checks his watch. JAKE (continuing) Hold it...If that's the sun, it's four minutes early and three degrees south...my God! An orange light breaks on his face along with the terrible realization that he has mistaken the erupting volcano for the rising sun. Intercut the cockpit with: EXTERIOR VOLCANO - NIGHT flaming lava is spewing over the lip of the crater. Jake hurriedly adjusts the controls, shifting the pitch of the engines, and banking. JAKE (continuing) I want a closer look at that...even if it singes our whiskers a little. Jack barks once and heads for the rear of the plane. Jake grins and rubs his beard. EXTERIOR SKY - DAY - THE GOOSE looping around for a pass on the volcano. By now the dawn sky has brightened considerably, but the orange light of the crater is a dominant hue. INTERIOR THE GOOSE'S COCKPIT - DAY - JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - THE CRATER - STOCK through the windshield and filling the view. Debris from the heart of the volcano strikes the Goose. EXTERIOR SKY - DAY - THE GOOSE pulling up from its pass over the crater and swinging away. WIPE TO EXTERIOR LAGOON - DAY - VARIOUS SHOTS - THE GOOSE splashing down for a landing, taxiing, and finally pulling next to the dock. EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY - VARIOUS SHOTS Louie is there to gather in the rope Jake throws from the bow. Jack leaps onto the dock. A fine snow-like ash is falling, a thin layer of it on the dock. JAKE Don't go far, Jack. Next bus is in five minutes. LOUIE The last flight...did it go well? JAKE Best yet. We've got gas to burn. Where's everybody? MOVING WITH THEM toward the hotel. LOUIE All the islanders who wanted to leave have gone...the others are back at the village. Reverend Tenboom is collecting church papers. Gushie is draining the gasoline from the generator...it might help. JAKE You've seen the lava? LOUIE It began flowing down an hour ago...maybe a little longer. Mostly on the far side of the island. JAKE Yeah...but about three streams are coming this way. I just flew over the crater, Louie. It's full. Jake picks up his speed, toward the hotel. EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR - DAY - ANGLE DOWN STAIRS Jake sprints to the stairs and up. Camera follows him onto the veranda. INTERIOR SARAH'S ROOM - DAY Jake pokes his head in the open door. Sarah is folding some clothes into a suitcase. Corky is sitting in a chair. JAKE How about breakfast in Tagataya? Sarah tries to maintain her self-possession, but in the end she gives in and jumps on Jake for a big hug and a kiss. JAKE I'm not the freshest. SARAH You smell wonderful. At least better than that volcano. CORKY You should've been here. It shot out a blast of hot air that burned my eyebrows...look. JAKE Jack'll be glad to hear that. (then) Ah, Corky...there's a little problem with the port magneto. Take you a second to tweak it up before we go. (to Sarah) And you...only one suitcase. SARAH One! She thinks better of complaining. EXTERIOR VERANDA - DAY Jake leads Corky out of Sarah's room, smelling the air and making a face. Out of her earshot, Jake stops. JAKE Anybody give her a real hard time? CORKY Nobody I couldn't handle. I was with her every second, Jake... almost, anyway. JAKE I wasn't worried. (beat) Nothing's wrong with the magneto, Corky. I've got something else I want you to do. CORKY Yeah, sure. JAKE Don't speak so fast. I want you to fly the Goose to Tagataya. CORKY Tired?...I'll bet. I can do it, Jake. You'll take her off and I can do the rest. JAKE You'll take her off. I won't be with you. It doesn't take but a second for this to sink in. CORKY Low on gas, huh? JAKE A headwind came up before dawn. You can make it back to Tagataya, but only if the Goose is one passenger light. (off his reaction) I'll be fine. I can watch the hotel, put out any fires that start. I'll be fine. CORKY Jack's not gonna like this...And neither will Sarah...or me, for that matter. JAKE There's no time to argue. Just get Louie, Willie and Gushie on board and cast off. I'll jump back to the dock. CORKY I don't know --- JAKE I'll be fine! CUT TO INTERIOR SARAH'S ROOM - DAY She's just snapping her suitcase closed. Jake puts his arms around her allowing one moment of gentleness. JAKE I'm mad at you, you know...but I'm also proud as hell. We'll get drunk in Tagataya and then I won't even be mad. There's a loud crash from inside the Monkey Bar. Jake pulls away from Sarah to investigate through the inner door. She starts to follow. JAKE (continuing) Go on down to the Goose. I'll see. INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - DAY - SECOND FLOOR LANDING Nothing has been done to repair the earthquake damage. Jake steps out of Sarah's door and onto the balcony. REVERSE - JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - BELOW The bar is eerily empty below...tables upended, the bar contents scattered across the floor. Another loud bang. JAKE Gushie...you down there? No answer, then Jack appears from the rubble and lopes up the stairs to Jake. Jake kneels to pet him. JAKE Was that you, Jack? One bark. JAKE Gushie? Louie? One bark. SARAH (off screen) I'm going to the Goose, Jake. JAKE (looking around) I'm right behind. Nothing out here. Jake turns and goes back into Sarah's room. EXTERIOR VERANDA - DAY Jake emerges from Sarah's room in time to see her back disappear around the corner from the stairs. He looks back for Jack. JAKE Any time, Jack.... Jack scoots out of the room, stops, growls, and then races ahead around the corner after Sarah. Jake follows at a quick walk. EXTERIOR VERANDA STAIRS - SECOND FLOOR - DAY empty, except for Jack, who is growling at something unseen. Jake comes around the corner and halts in his tracks. He dashes to the stairs and looks down. OVER JAKE'S SHOULDER - ANGLE DOWN THE STAIRS The stairs are empty. Beyond them, talking in a group, are Corky, Louie, Willie, and Gushie. They look up at Jake. JAKE (alarmed) Is Sarah down there with you? All of the others shake their heads. LOUIE Isn't she with you? JAKE Yes! I mean, I was _right_ behind her and she had to come down these stairs. Sarah. Sarah! No reply, and in the distance, the volcano booms. FADE OUT _END OF ACT THREE_ _ACT FOUR_ FADE IN CLOSEUP - JACK as camera follows him, he walks down the veranda, a "rope" ladder in his teeth, the length of which drags along behind him. We pull back to: EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR HOTEL - VERANDA - DAY as Jake and Louie come out of two of the rooms. They see each other. There is a spark of urgency to the scene. JAKE This is useless, Louie. She wouldn't be hiding in any of the rooms. Willie and Corky run up from the stairs. They are out of breath. CORKY There's no footprints...nothing, Jake. WILLIE And the roof, it is clean as a Swiss hotel. JAKE (frustrated) Well, she couldn't have just disappeared into thin air. Jack has reached Jake. He drops the ladder at his feet, then barks once for no. Jake picks it up. It is crudely made...of vines and wood, but looks very strong. JAKE What is this? Louie takes it. He sighs. LOUIE It is unfortunately our answer. A dajati ladder used centuries ago by tribes to snatch women for ceremonial reasons. They must have taken her over the back of the veranda. JAKE I thought they only did that kind of thing for weddings. LOUIE There is one other reason to use the dajati. JAKE (hitting him) Sacrifices. For the Pele god. That's what Lucien's been working up to. Once he gets these people to murder...they'll be no turning back. LOUIE The entire Marivellas would soon be in revolt. (with a sigh) Politics mixed with pagan rites. Strange...but very powerful bedfellows. CORKY But where are they taking Sarah? LOUIE There is only one place to sacrifice to the god of fire. He looks up. CLOSER ANGLE - ON JAKE AND LOUIE as they look out from the veranda. In the background we can see the smoking volcano of Soufrier. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR BURIAL GROUNDS - DAY They have changed since the eclipse. The foliage is charred by the volcano, the petroglyphs have turned brown from the heat. To the right we can see a small lava flow as it makes its way down the mountain. We hear the sounds of a Polynesian hymn as camera picks up a line of natives, still in their Western garb, but with serious determination in their walk. Two of the large natives, one of whom is Paul, are holding Sarah who is still in her dress we last saw her in, but now has a bright red Pele cloth tied around her head. She continues to struggle as she is led up the path. Lucien is next to her. He carries the mason jar full of dark liquid. Sarah is desperately trying to stay in control, although we can see she is scared to death. SARAH (to Lucien) You seem to forget I'm an American citizen. I have connections in very high places...if anything happens to me...you...you _all_ are going to be in a whole lot of trouble.... The group stops at the grounds, but continues to chant. Sarah looks around. She doesn't like this. SARAH What's going on? Why'd you stop? Lucien walks over to her. He has a hypnotic calm about him, which is very unnerving. LUCIEN Don't you recognize where you are? This is where you stole our idol.... SARAH I've really had it with your accusations.... Lucien lifts up the mason jar and begins to pour it into Sarah's mouth. She clamps her lips tight, but the liquid covers her nose, mouth and chin. LUCIEN It is only tea, Sarah. The rest of the journey promises to be extremely hot. Sarah looks around. We can see that she has an idea. SARAH All right, maybe I am a little thirsty...but I'm a big girl and would rather drink it myself. Lucien smiles and hands her the jar. He motions to the "guides" to let her go. Sarah takes the jar and holds it up to her mouth, then taking a beat, she turns and gives Paul a sharp elbow in the solar plexus, fells another with a trained judo chop, then runs toward the mountain. SARAH as she runs. We can see that the "tea" on her lips is beginning to take effect as she stops, staggers, then tries to control her balance. She is right next to the lava flow. SARAH What's happening...what have you given me? She looks over to the jar which is now on the ground, then over to the lava flow. SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW - LAVA FLOW In her drugged state, it dissolves from the hot fiery liquid into a cool, babbling brook. Her hands reach out to touch it. FULL as Lucien runs over and pulls her away. Sarah is changing right before our eyes. She is not drunk, but rather totally in a state of euphoria...child-like, and having a hell of a good time. SARAH I want a drink from that stream. LUCIEN That 'water' is much too hot. Trust me. I'm your friend and only want to make you happy. Everything I say makes you happy, doesn't it? Sarah looks at Lucien, serious for a moment, then begins to giggle. SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW - LUCIEN as he smiles at her. His face dissolves back and forth from Lucien to Jake. LUCIEN I am the only one you can trust. And you will do everything I say. SARAH She is by now totally taken in. SARAH Sure...anything you say. Come on...I wanna see a big ol' volcano. She begins to giggle again. CUT TO EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR - ON BATWINGS - DAY as Jake bursts out of them, strapping on his gun. Corky, Louie, Willie and Gushie are right behind. They follow as they talk. JAKE Lucien must have taken the front path, the south trail is a shortcut.... CORKY It's not a trail, Jake, just a lot of rocks and stuff. LOUIE And there's no way to know how much is covered in lava. JAKE Only one way to find out...go up there and look. Jake lengthens his stride, the others follow suit. Jake turns around. JAKE What are you all doing? CORKY We're going with you. JAKE What the hell are you talking about? Sarah's about to be dumped into the mouth of the crater! CORKY Exactly. We care for her as much as you do. You know, Jake, when it comes to helping people you're always cutting in line. JAKE (weak defense) No I don't. LOUIE I'm afraid he has a point, mon ami. WILLIE Yah, you do tend to be the glory hog. Jake looks over to Gushie. He looks down for a moment, then: GUSHIE You got me all the way. (a beat) At least to the end of the porch. The tension is broken. JAKE Come on then, we've wasted enough time. The others get up and begin off the porch to Jake. Jake looks down at Jack. JAKE I suppose you want to come, too? Jack barks once for no. JAKE At least someone's still sane around here. CLOSER ANGLE - GUSHIE AND JACK as he rolls to the end of the porch and watches the group head out to the volcano. GUSHIE Thanks away, Jack, but...I can take care of myself. Jack looks up to Gushie, then peels off to the group. CUT TO INTERIOR VOLCANO CRATER - DAY - HIGH ANGLE We start on a close angle of the bowels of the crater as the hot molten rock boils up from deep in the earth. We crane up and over the edge of the pool. One side is a solid wall and continues up and out of frame. Halfway to the top is a man-made platform of stone, and coming down the side of the sheer wall is a carved out, crude, stair-like ramp. To the right of the ramp is the second level in which a large finger-shaped rock juts out and over the crater. We can hear the rhythmic hymn as camera picks up the procession. The natives are now holding large palm fronds which they place down on the rocky ramp as they walk up to it. The fronds steam from the heat. We can almost feel the "furnace blast" shock of the crater as the natives cringe at the intense temperature. Even Lucien is slowed down by it. Everyone is sweating profusely -- everyone that is except Sarah, who in her hallucinatory state is as cool as a cucumber. CLOSER ANGLE - SARAH AND LUCIEN She is also singing -- quietly to herself -- a child-like rendition of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." As the other people back away from the bubbling crater and take positions at various spots on the ramp and "shelves" in the wall, Sarah calmly walks right to the edge and looks down. SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW - CRATER as it dissolves from the hellish inferno to the quiet calming sight of the blue lagoon. FULL as Lucien pulls her back just as some rock loosens under her feet and crashes into the pit. She looks over to him. SARAH It looks wonderful. I want to go swimming. LUCIEN You will. But it would be more fun if you dive from up there, don't you think? Sarah looks up at the platform above her. The natives are placing palm fronds on the stone -- the immediately begin to steam. CUT TO OTHER SIDE OF MOUNTAIN - ON LAVA RIVER A grayish crust has formed over the lava flow. In different places we can see where the crust has split and the white hot lava flows underneath, smoke and fire licking out. Camera pulls up to the dark faces of Jake, Corky, Louie and Willie. They are soaked to the bone with sweat. It looks like the end of their journey. JAKE All right...it's not so bad, we'll just walk across it. CORKY Jake, you can't just skate over the lava as if you were on the Hudson in the winter. JAKE Would you guys just listen. The lava is flowing slower in the area right in front of me, which has caused it to cool. Now watch. He picks up a large rock and throws it out onto the flow. It bounces as if hitting asphalt. He looks over to them. They are not convinced. JAKE If we go one at a time, it'll be just fine. He sighs, then grabbing Jack and stuffing him in his jacket, he carefully begins across. ANOTHER ANGLE - LAVA FLOW The crust almost instantly begins to crack as Jake walks on it, causing smoke, steam and fire to sneak out. He carefully continues across. Jack peeks out, then buries himself back inside. VARIOUS SHOTS - CORKY, LOUIE AND WILLIE as they watch with intense concentration as Jake continues across. His shoes begin to smoke. FULL - LAVA FLOW He is now halfway across. Suddenly, the crust behind him begins to crack wide open, exposing the flow underneath. CORKY (shouting out) Jake! The crust is breaking. Jake looks behind him as the crust continues to shatter like a sheet of ice on a hot skillet. Jake makes it to the other side just as the crust is breaking underneath him. Then, the entire crust breaks apart. Jake looks over to the other side. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - OTHER SIDE Through a haze of massive heat waves, we can see the group. They seem a million miles away. Corky tries a smile, then shrugs. CORKY I guess someone didn't want us with you after all. Willie takes a small circular medal on a gold chain from under his collar and rips it loose. WILLIE Jake, take this. It was given to me by an old friend. It is a Saint Christopher medal. He is the patron saint of safe travel. He throws it across. JAKE as he catches it on the other side. JAKE (touched) Thanks, Reverend. He looks at the medal, is about to stuff it in his pocket, then: JAKE Wait a minute...Willie. This isn't Saint Christopher...it's Saint Jude. WILLIE Yah? Who is Saint Jude? JAKE The patron saint of lost causes. Jake grins as he turns and continues up to the volcano. Willie turns to the others. WILLIE How was I supposed to know...I'm Dutch Reform! WIPE TO CLIFF ON SOUTH SIDE OF VOLCANO as Jake reaches the cliff. He looks up. We can see right above him the smoking crater. He is right at the bottom of the outer lip of the crater. He checks Jack in his jacket and begins up the cliff. CUT TO INTERIOR CRATER - FULL as we see Sarah precariously standing at the edge of the platform, looking down calmly, giggling, and having a great time. It is a truly unnerving sight. She is still singing. Lucien stands on the jutting rock below her, as the natives, standing on the ramp and below, continue to sing. The crater rumbles a little stronger than before. Sarah looks down at the crater. SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW as we see another perspective of her "view" of the crater, as the cool and inviting lagoon. HIGH ANGLE The natives watch her in awe as they continue to sing. Sarah walks right to the edge. We see to our left, Jake as he climbs up onto the edge of the crater from the cliff. He gets up and sees Sarah; Jack jumps out of his jacket. JAKE (shouting) Sarah...don't! Sarah turns her attention from the crater to Jake. She looks at him. SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW - JAKE as his pleading face suddenly turns into a bloody monkey head. SARAH as she screams, losing her balance and slipping on the palm fronds. She falls onto the platform, almost going in. SARAH Keep him away from me! He is bad. FULL as the natives react to her response. Lucien smiles at Jake. The crater begins to shake more violently. LUCIEN She sees the evil. SARAH Get him away! JAKE (to natives) Don't you see? You're in the same kind of spell that Lucien put Sarah in. Except all he needed for her was probably some drug and a little suggestion. It took a lot more to get you riled up...a hail storm, an earthquake and this volcano. LUCIEN (to natives) He is the one who is casting spells. I am merely showing the truth. (to Sarah) All of his evil will be gone when you jump. Sarah, still on the floor of the platform, crawls to the edge and is about to jump in. Jake runs to the base of the ramp. The Saint Jude medal falls out of his pocket. The back of it strikes the sun which glares up at Sarah. It stops her for a moment, giving Jake a few more precious seconds. LUCIEN Do not hesitate. The evil will only grow. The singing is getting louder, and the crater rumbles more violently as Jake tries to scream over it. Jack darts up the ramp as Jake yells out: JAKE Sarah...listen...Remember the poem? Your father's poem? LUCIEN Sarah, his words are lies. JAKE Ah...'When you hear the warning bell... The...the trumpet of'...no, that's not it.... Lucien starts to scream simultaneously. LUCIEN JAKE All the foreigner's words are lies.... (continuing) they're killing us with their lies. 'When you hear the warning bell... They want to grind us into the soil The hounds of hell...that trumpet of our own island, until we are the trembling terror of your fears no more than just under their feet! ...Just close your eyes....' Jack has reached the platform and runs to Sarah, who sits at the very edge. JAKE (suddenly) Your eyes! Sarah! It only works if you close your eyes. Jack barks twice for yes. He is way ahead of Jake. With his paws, he pulls at Sarah's head scarf, causing it to flap over her eyes. JAKE That's it, Jack! (then) Just close your eyes and you'll realize...'it's but a distant shout of thunder in your ears!' Sarah is quiet for a moment, then suddenly she rips the scarf off. She looks down at the crater with real terror. It's the old Sarah. At the same moment, the crater lets out with a new force. An eruption is imminent. SARAH (terrified) Jake! Oh my God, get me down! As everything begins to shake and the smoke and the fire of the crater begin to rise, the natives begin to run down the ramp as Jake runs up to Sarah. Over this: LUCIEN Stop! It's a trick. Just a simple trick. He has implanted evil into her. You must stay where you are! Paul turns to Lucien at the base of the rock. PAUL The only evil here is in your tricks, Lucien, and in our weakness to be sucked into them so easily. ANGLE - SARAH AND JAKE as he grabs her and, along with Jack, begins to go down the ramp. ANGLE - RAMP as we see the natives running out, and down the path away from the crater as the ground begins to shake more violently. Lucien continues to stand on the rock. Fire and smoke all around him. Jake turns to him. JAKE Lucien. It's over. Get down. It's not worth it! He begins toward Lucien. Fire and steam shoot up in front of Jake. Paul has to pull him back. PAUL (to Jake) It's too late for him. He's screamed his own lies for so long that he really believes them now. Jake tries to break away. JAKE Lucien! There is a massive jolt which throws Jake to the ground. Sarah pulls him back away from the crater. HIGH ANGLE - CRATER as Lucien -- now all alone, stands tall at the edge of the rock. As fire and smoke surround him: CUT TO EXTERIOR BURIAL GROUNDS - BASE OF VOLCANO as we see the natives fleeing the volcano. Through the crowd we see Sarah, Jake and Jack. Jake stops and turns around. JAKE I could have saved him. SARAH He didn't want to be, Jake. They look up. VOLCANO - STOCK as it blows a fireball out of its far side and high into the air. JAKE AND SARAH as she buries her head into Jake as he continues to look at the fireball - - its inferno reflected on his face. FADE OUT _END OF ACT FOUR_ _TAG_ FADE IN INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - NIGHT - CLOSE ON SHOVEL scooping into a pile of broken glass and rubble which has been swept together in the middle of the floor. WIDER Corky swings the heavy shovelful of debris into a wheelbarrow which is nearly full. He still has plenty of work ahead, and so does everyone else before the Monkey Bar can open for business. Gushie is wielding a hammer, working on broken chairs and tables. Jake is on a table fixing the blades on a fly fan. Jack is sleeping on the bar, and Sarah is standing on a ladder behind, cleaning the dried "blood" off the monkeys. A piece of one of the carvings comes away in her hand. SARAH Drat!..Louie's not gonna like this. CORKY It was the quake, Sarah. You didn't break it. Sarah puts the broken piece on the bar. Jack begins to check it out. Louie comes down the stairs with a radio flimsy in his hand. LOUIE You'll be relieved to know, mes ami, the early warning system is working to perfection. The seismic station on Tagataya reports we can expect a massive earthquake...force ten on the Mercalli scale. Also, possible vulcanism. Jake steps off the table. JAKE Did you tell them they're two days late? LOUIE Of course not...They were so proud, I did not have the heart. GUSHIE Wait 'til they find out we've got ten acres of new island on the back side of Boragora. as Jack begins growling at the broken carving. Jake idly picks up the carving as he leans on the bar. JAKE Fish out a couple of beers, will you, Sarah. CORKY And two for me -- (shocked beat) Jake! Your hand. Jake's hand is smeared with wet "blood". He reacts, then studies the carving he's holding as the others gather around him. Jake turns the carving and more blood spills out of a perforation, along with a wet ooze of the same color. Jake rubs the ooze between his fingers. JAKE It's some kind of earth...clay maybe. This thing is hollow and filled with it. LOUIE And when I bought this place that bandit told me they were solid mahogany. CORKY The wind was driving that hail storm so hard it must've forced the rain through the roof. SARAH So it was only colored rain water coming out of the monkeys. Why didn't we think of that before? Why did we automatically think it was some kind of mystical sign? JAKE Because there's something inside all of us that still believes, Sarah...and Lucien knew it. LOUIE For all his faults, that man was one of a vanishing breed. Sadly, I'm afraid we _are_ erasing this culture...in not too many more years, no one will even remember the old gods. While he has been making his point, Louie has stooped and picked up a native mask of one of the island gods off the floor. He puts it on the bar as they all return to their clean up tasks. Camera moves in to the stone idol Sarah found earlier which is sitting on the bar next to the mask. The eye of the idol wells with blood and a bloody tear overflows the eye and runs down the idol's cheek. FREEZE FRAME FADE OUT _THE END_
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