The Gate of Shambala By Timothy Sheridan (c) 2013-2015 EDIT VER. 1.2.9 info@theubie.com 215-242-8340 (with scene 1 updates) OPEN EXT/INT. CUBA LARGE VILLA LATE AFTERNOON Father and son exit their ford falcon in front of a villa. They are dressed in white tie. The father carries a small wooden box. The valet drives away. They walk to the villa. ERNST How do I look. KIT Good. ERNST Now pay attention. I’ll show you how this is done. KIT Yea, Sure. GREETER Buenos tardes. ERNST Ernst Aton and his Son Kit. GREETER Right this way. Please enjoy your visit. Ernst and son traverse a grand foyer to a large reception room. They wait in a short line and greet their host. ERNST How do you do Mister Presidente. And Misses Presidente. EL PRESEDENTE Seinor Aton. Your reputation precedes you. You have the item. ERNST Yes, Here it is Mister Presedente. The cup of ToxicKettle. EL PRESEDENTE Ah, Very good. I would like to present this at dinner. ERNST Of course. EL PRESEDENTE And the University will receive these precious items. ERNST Ah.. Here it is. We've been very eager to get this. The mask of TotaCockAndBull. The museum is very excited about this. Its a good trade. El Presidente Excelent. Please make your selves comfortable. Dinner will begin in a few minutes. ERNST We’ll wait for cofee and introductions then we’ll leave. These things can go all night. ..Hi. Kit drinks down a glass of champagne. KIT I’m ok. ERNST Hey, don’t drink it all at once. KIT This is my first one. ERNST Yea, I know. Helo.. INTERESTED GUEST Misure Aton I have read of your work in pre-Columbian history. ERNST Thank you. We're finding tribal history is much older than the text books would have you believe. INTERESTED GUEST Oh. ERNST In fact the 4000 year timeline is only a starting point. Last year we found artifacts at much lower strata than the traditional kiln fired work. I think we can add centuries or more to the time line for habitation. INTERESTED GUEST Really, I will be very interested to hear more of this. ERNST The University will be publishing very soon. It's the start of a whole new era for the field. INTERESTED GUEST Ah..mm.. A dinner bell chimes. STEWARD If you will come this way, dinner is served. Guests assemble at dinner. INT. DINNING ROOM LATE AFTERNOON Guests assemble in a large dining room with a wall of French beveled windows. A guard speaks something to the presedente who then welcomes the guests. He introduces Ernst and son and explains the art items. Kit picks up his napkin and looks at it. Ernst places his napkin on his lap. The son follows suit. ERNST Misses Presidente, its such a pleasure to be in your country this time of year. I hear you expect a banner harvest. The son is now handling the fingerbowl and butter knife. MRS PRESIDENTE Thankyou. We are fortunate. Though there have been more strikes. But we are very happy to have you and you son. The son receives a tray of butter, replaces the finger bowl takeing a roll. Father raises his just filled glass. ERNST To a good year. El Presendente stands and the guests cease their murmuring. EL PRESIDENTE Thank you all for coming, and sharing this meal with us. This is a time of struggle and challenges. But it is good to have with us so many friends. We hold strong to our beliefs and history. And tonight we have two distinguished guests, senior Aton and his son, who bring to us a special piece of our heritage for, the national museum, a very rare pottery which, is thousands of years in age. So we bow our head in thanks for this meal and the many good things we share. Rebels storm the gate. Panes of glass break from shots. Guests react only as though a fork has dropped. Then a mirror breaks on the far end. The Guests shriek. A decanter is shattered. The guests duck. The centerpiece fruit terrine breaks apart and a water glass. The Presidente walks to the dinning room door to meet the guards. The guests run about the room gathering away from the breaking glass. The Guards turn and point their weapons at the window. ERNST Everyone Stay down! (to kit) This doesn't look good. El Presidente (to guards) Secure the entrances. Quickly. KIT Jesus what are they doing? ERNST (to kit) Things broke apart faster than I expected. KIT You expected this? ERNST Well Expected? No. There'd been some problems.. But uh.. Can we talk about this later? Ernst rises and joins the Presidente and guards in the rear. EXT FRONT OF VILLA Guards in fromt of the villa fan out and take positions in the door and collums and behind a garden wall to return fire. INT DINNING ROOM Cont. ERNST Mister Presndente are you all right? EL PRESEDENTE Si, bueno. But someone is upset. ERNST There are more guards? EL PRESEDENTE Si, in the front. We hear gun fire out front. ERNST Everyone stay away from the window. Over here. We should seal the far door. (to a guard) Come Help me. The Presidente nods to the guard. Ernst and Guard try to maintain cover as they push a buffet against the far door. Shots hit the wall and light. KIT Look out! Ernst and the guard duck as they push the buffet in front of the far door, then run back to the group in the corner. EXT FRONT OF VILLA There is commotion and yelling in front of the villa as more shots are fired. INT DINNING ROOM Cont. More Guards arrive and check on the presidente. GUARD El Presidente, Estas Bein? EL PRESIDENTE Si Bueno. Ve rapido ! The guards try to shoot from the broken window but are repelled. ERNST Get back. Ernst tries to look out the window to the right but shots fire. He returns to the group and politely asks one of the ladies. ERNST Can I borrow your compact? He uses the mirror to look around the corner. He sees only puffs of gun smoke and figures in the distance. Frustrated he turns and pulls a mounted maritime spy glass from the wall then draws near the window as the fire fight rages. He holds the mirror in front of the spyglass looking out the window to the right. Ernst sees the rebels, their old truck and a large banner. Banner: Capitalistas es Muerte Transation: Capitalists are death EXT FRONT OF VILLA The soldiers defend the front entrance. A few more soldiers arrive at the dinning room. INT DINNING ROOM Cont. Ernst is perplexed. ERNST They look organized. They must have a plan. Keep everyone here. Kit, Come with me. Ernst and kit circle through the estate to the main hall behind the forward fire. Several guards run past. Earnst and Kit move to the rear of the hall, away from the fire. There is a noise. Someone enters from a window on the rear stairs. Ernst and Kit duck into a closet under the ajacent stairs careful not to disturb a drum set stored there. KIT So were, just... doing this in the middle of a revolution. ERNST Shh. Sometimes countries have problems. KIT Problems? ERNST Hey, It’s not my fault! The Assassin descends the stairs. He is a cafe' poet of a youth. We see the first rebel gun, a rusty pistol. He moves toward the dinning room. ERNST Alright, lets go. Ernst signals as He and Kit go a different route. They enter a series of smaller hallways, navigateing left then right. Ernst and kit pass the room with the guests and Presidente. They pause and duck into the shadows. The Assassin appears, he sees the guards defending the president. The Assassin draws near, he steps into the light, he lifts his pistol. Ernst appears, punching him, dropping the assassin. A beat. Ernst catches the pistol as it falls into his arms. Ernst grabs the assassin and drags him into the dinning room. The group turns to Ernst as the Guards raise their their rifles. ERNST They're just kids. Students. EL PRESIDENTE This is not a children's game. ERNST No it isn't The Guards bring the other rebels to the Presidente. EL PRESIDENTE Take them away. The guards haul away the rebles. EL PRESIDENTE (to guard capitan) And place more guards! GUARD Si. MIGUEL No! Step away from the capitalist pig. A guest in fine military dress points an elaboratly tooled revolver. The guests are taken aback. The guards are caught unaware. One guard begins to reach for his gun. El Presidente gestures for him to stop. EL PRESIDENTE Miguel, Do you betray me in my own home? MIGUEL You have raped our country long enough. EL PRESIDENTE But I do not control the price of sugar. MIGUEL No, but you let them opress the workers. Now Prepare to Die. EL PRESIDENTE (sensitivly) But food is pleantiful. And the workers, they have so many children. MIGUEL It is not enough! EL PREDISENTE Then before you kill me, remember, there is always someone else, who has the upper hand. Miguel gathers his resolve, then raises the gun slightly to aim. The guests wince. The hammer pulls back. But Ernst rushes quickly with a serving tray which catches a bullet and spins wildly away. Ernst continues punching the gunman then grabbing his gun hand. The Assassin punches back, Ernst knees Assassin, then grabs the other hand. They lock eyes. Kit klunks the Assassin on the head with a heavy glass Tray. The Assassin falls. Ernst steps away regarding his son, then frisks the Assassin, picks up the gun and turns. ERNST (to Kit) Good work. The Guards posture to Ernst. Ernst raises his hands to reveal he has sliped the gun into his cumberbun. EL PRESIDENTE Lower your weapons. These are our friends. FADE TO INT VILLA MAIN ENTERENCE Ernst and Presidente walk the hall before the front door. EL PRESIDENTE Senior Aton, You have done a great service for us today. El Presidente signals and an attendant brings a bottle of fine Champagne. El Presidente nods. The gift is given to Ernst. Earnst's Car arrives. ERNST Thank you, Mister Presidente. It was a difficult situation. EL PRESIDENTE Let us have fewer of them ! ERNST Yes Mister Presidente. Good Night. Kit. KIT Uh, Good night. EL PRESIDENTE Buenos Notches. ERNST (to Mrs Presidente) Buenos Notches CUT TO Ernst takes the wheel and he and kit drive off. It is the first glow of early evening. ERNST Well, what do you think of diplomatic life? KIT I'm a little disillusioned. But I'll be ok. ERNST That was more than we bargened for. KIT Yea dinner with rifle fire. Shared laugh. ERNST Hold on.. looks like we have trouble. A truck follows them. The truck bumps them, then again, And again. ERNST (frustrated) How does anyone get anything done around here? The truck pushes them. Turn. Reactions. Turn. Reactions. Ernst and son are pinned down in a circle with a fountain. They are surrounded by police. The rebels close in and begin shooting it out with police. ERNST Woa.. This isn’t our fight. Let’s go. Come on… Ernst and son flee down a covered alley. They hotwire a car. ERNST cont.. Over here. Go get in. KIT Uh isn't this stealing? ERNST Only if they stop shooting. Ok. Hold on. Uh. There. KIT You better move it. Ernst and son turn a corner and drive down a dusty alley. But they are stopped surrounded by more police and arrested. ERNST Woa. Looks like the jig is up. Just stay quiet. Let me do the talking. Some police fight over items in the car then leave seperate ways. Others fight over the car. Earnst and Kit enter the police car. EXT/INT. JAIL Ernst and his son are taken to the four room jail house. They enter the office opposite a jail door and a protruding wall. The path to the jail is separated by a low espanianate railing. The rest of the office is 4 brown wooden desks and 3 low cabinates. Metal Veniceian blinds adorn the two windows. Ernst exchanges glances with a suited figure (Benne). JAILER What is it? COP (still walking) A couple car thieves. JAILER (still sitting) Put them in the back. KIT Were not!.. ERNST (interupting) Hey, don’t bother. They're not interested. Just sit tight. I made a couple plans. Police use radios now. KIT Good. Cause they don't look too friendly. They are lead into the back room and slammed in to a cell. FADE TO INT JAIL CELL The 2 jail cells are blistering whitewashed stone block with rusted window bars and partly whitewashed front wall of bars. Moments later Benne appears. He quietly frees them and strums some money, plucking some out and handing Ernst the rest. ERNST Benne. Am I glad to see you. BENNE I should think so. There's not much time. ERNST You have it? BENNE' Here. This should get you there. And here's something for the air field. ERNST Thanks. I’m going to need a car. BENNE In the back. Just pump the gas petal. Benne hands Ernst the keys. ERNST Thanks Benne. Another time. BENNE Another time. INT. THIRD CAR RIDE Ernst and son flee in an old car provided by the friend. But they no longer have the item. ERNST That was close. You all right? KIT Yea I’m learning a lot. Thanks. ERNST There’s no need to be sarcastic. We had a little obstacle. These things happen sometimes. KIT I think we hit another one.. (pursuer) ERNST Yea. Hold on. They are rammed by the same truck which gives chase down a long plantation road along with an irrigation ditch. KIT They're shooting at us! ERNST You don't have to tell me! KIT Well what do we do? ERNST Benne was supposed to leave a pistol in the glove box. KIT Oh.. so what was this for? ERNST For contingencies. Here.. (checks it) Just point and shoot. Not too fast. KIT (pow, pow ,pow) It’s not working! ERNST It rarely does. KIT (pow pow pow) Ok I got to reload. ERNST Oh Damn. KIT What? ERNST Looks like the bridge is out. Hang on. I'm going to have to make a short cut. KIT huh? Oh. no. No no, I can walk. ERNST There's no time for that. KIT Oh no. No. No no, no no no no no. Kaflump crash klang. The car lands on the other side of the irrigation ditch. But the soldiers are not far behind and the car is wrecked. ERNST She’s' stuck. Let's go. Ernst and his son flee the car. Earnst gets his berring from the nearby hills. He and Kit run across a banana field. But the pursuers are maiking their way across the stream. ERNST This way. They run diagonally hitting ocasional plants. Kit passes Earnst. ERNST (panting) Ok.. stay with me.. This way. (continues running) Ernst runs into a barrell of petrol. Its heavey. ERNST Woa. Here. Watch out. This ought'a slow them down. Ernst overturns the barrell in a shallow irrigation channel. KIT Hurry they’re getting across. ERNST Just wait. There. Come on! Ernst throws a burning leaf on the petrol. It flashes the groud cover and flairs along a irrigation furrow. They run from the flames through the tall plants. Ernst and kit find the plane hidden in the bushes. They remove palm branches. ERNST Over here. Get in. KIT What’s a matter? no hanger space? ERNST It's still here isn't it? Hurry. Just turn it. KIT Good point. It's not starting. ERNST Try again. Are you pumping it? KIT Yea I'm.. (pumping the choak) Nothing. ERNST We’re running out of time. Ok Again.. Again.. Again.. The persuers are visible now. KIT They're coming? Ernst rips off his sleeves, throws open the engine cover and pumps the engine as Kit tries to start it. He hits it repeatedly with a wrench, to unload the plugs and carburetor. It starts! ERNST Ha Ha! Ernst hunches over the wing as the plane circles. The persuers shoot.. Blam Blam, Blam KIT Woa! Ernst climbs in the cockpit looking around. ERNST There’s not enough runway! We'll have to turn around! KIT And they're shooting at us! The plane turns back toward the attackers. ERNST Ok just hold it there and pull up when I tell ya! The persuers shoot.. Blam Blam, Blam Blam Ernst takes the gun from Kit and shoots, blam, blam, blam ERNST Ok now, now. Pull up! Pull up! The persuers shoot.. Blam Blam Blam Blam Ernst shoots more.. blam, blam.. click, click.. The plane takes-off narrowly missing an isolated house and a truck and the men who shoot at them. They soar upward through the raging flames of the plantation. Ernst looks back. Ernst and son cheer. CUT TO The ember sun reflects off the sea as father and son fly to Florida. OPENING CREDITS INT. HOME BREAKFAST TABLE A sunny bungalo in a freshly built suburban housing tract, the flat spacious yards have a few new trees and roses. The morning dew rises away from the bright green lawns. Ernst is finished breakfast and reading the paper. He can’t sit still. Joy putters at the bright sink window. ERNST Congress, holds more hearings. Since when it is illegal to join a political party? JOY What do you think about a vegetable Garden? We can grow our own saffron. ERNST Look at this. The Russians have the bomb, music is all jitterbug and our guys are putting monkeys in space! Can you believe it? JOY Oh that’s just how they test the rockets. My instructor says its Dharma. ERNST Don’t start with that. I’m serious. Next thing you know they’ll want to land on the moon. JOY But maybe that’s our bliss? ERNST The only bliss around here is when people come home at a reasonable hour. Where were you? KIT I had things to do. ERNST You were out all night. KIT I was with friends. ERNST Your mother was worried. KIT Sorry. ERNST What’s this? KIT Stereos. ERNST Your selling stereos? KIT I’m helping a friend. ERNST Well apologize to your mother. KIT Yes. ERNST What? KIT Yes sir. I'm Sorry. ERNST Thank you. KIT Oh, and I’m suspended. ERNST What? KIT I wasn’t cheating! They were copying me! ERNST You expect me to believe that? KIT Yes. ERNST All right. If you say so, then I believe you. KIT Thanks. JOY See that’s your karma. The peace maker. ERNST Don’t start with me! JOY Fine. I believe you. KIT Thanks mom. ERNST Things are going to have to change around here! INT. ERNST AT WORK The Sunny panneled office of his boss. ERNST I’m broken up about it too. There was no way out. We were trapped. BOSS I understand. There was nothing any of us could do. But it does put us in a bind. ERNST I’m Sorry BOSS It wasn’t your fault. ERNST No but I should have seen it coming. BOSS Well it has set us back. We were counting on the deal. ERNST I’ll get you something. There’s a dig in Guatemala. I’ve already made inquiries. BOSS We need you in Paris. The consortium has made a deal for the summer. In exchange we receive artifacts from the Louvre, and British museum. ERNST You sold me? BOSS We need you. ERNST You sold me. And.. cheap. BOSS I have no choice in the matter. We could send Commings or Steadman. ERNST You sold me. BOSS Think of it as a sabbatical. ERNST I'll be a door stop. BOSS You'll be wonderful. INT. HOME GATHERED IN LIVINGROOM FOR FAMILY TALK Ernst sets the family down in the living room and demands they go on a vacation. The wakefield couch and coffee table flanks a rough stone wall with an unlit fireplace. Behind and left are the wallnut panneled shelves and a low cradenza and a window. A closet opposes the fireplace. A pole holds three modest lights. ERNST I’ve decided to take a sabbatical. We’re going to travel together. KIT We just took a vacation. You set the place on fire. ERNST Yea. Well this is different. KIT I can’t. I have school. ERNST You're suspended! KIT I have friends. ERNST You can see them when you get back. JOY I have my class. The sensei feels I have a very bright aura. ERNST You can take the book! GROUP (hemming and hawing) I wouldnt want to miss the chapter. Who's gona do the lawn? ERNST We’re going to take this vacation. GROUP (Hemming and hawing) I'd need new clothes. I just got, suspended. ERNST This is not up for discussion! GROUP (Hemming and hawing) It's really not possible right now. I dont see how I can get away. ERNST We're going to Paris - as a family! EXT. PARIS HOTEL. LATE MORNING A taxi stops and out rises Ernst with duffle bag. Then Joy with two suit cases, a hat box, cosmetic case and two coats. They drag this a slight distance toward the doorman who assists. Kit appears with a small case, his jacket and a map. ERNST Ah.. Paris. City of lights. JOY Oh just a minute. Let me, this and uhh thank you.. oh. Thank you. KIT I don’t know. It looked bigger in the picture. It's all right. INT. HOTEL The family enters the lavish loby emboldened. And Ernst knows the staff. ERNST Piere’ how are you? PIERRE Ah misure. ERNST Got the family on vacation. PIERRE And you’ve come to spend a little time in Pari, wonderful. ERNST It’s good to see you again. PIERRE Oui, Se bon. And Misses Aton. JOY Hi Pierre. PIERRE And this.. KIT I'm Kit. Were a family. PIERRE Eh Bien ERNST I’ll be needing a bigger room. Of course. PIERRE (waives) Ah Oui, Take measur' and his family to the balcony suite. Traversing the grand salon, the Son sees many beautiful women. ERNST Pace yourself; it’s a big city. ERNST Here. (placing a handkerchief in Kits Pocket) Now you look like a gentleman. KIT What's this? ERNST It was your grandfather's. KIT Monogrammed. Thanks. JOY It looks nice on you. KIT Thanks JOY Remember materiality is an illusion. ERNST Yea an expensive one. INT. MUSEUM LOADING DOCK Ernst oversees the loading dock of the museum. They intake a Sarcophagus with an unknown star map.. and a curse.. referring to gliphs which indicate truth, protector and avenger. The dock is 2 large rooms the larger with a double barn door flanking a built-in untility closet next to the museum hall door. The rear room is unlit and under renovation. ERNST Ok Steady. Take it down. Good. Let’s get it open. Mentuhotep the second. Early Middle kingdom. It’s unusual, it has a star clock. Tells the rising star for each hour of the night. And the offset for each month. CURATOR What’s that? ERNST A curse. CURATOR Oh ERNST And to them, who are false, in the presence of the pharaoh, death. CURATOR A curse of truth. ERNST Yea. He didn’t mess around. It's a good piece. We’ll have it cleaned and mounted in a couple days. Here take this. Listen, I’m meeting the misses and some friends at the café de France your welcome to join us. CURATOR Thank you, I think I will. ERNST Great. See you there. Oh Enri, (the watchman) You’ll take care of the pharaoh for us? ENRI Yes sir Misure Aton. (checks locked door) EXT. MUSEUM SIDE ENTERENCE 5:00PM Ernst finishes work and leaves the collumned side entrance. There is Joy who is now laden with shopping bags. ERNST I though you said the material world was an illusion. JOY I though you said it was expensive. ERNST (quietly) Yea that was me. He helps her with the bags. Around the corner (same shot) is the son is kicking around the city alone. He enters a boulangerie. INT BOULANGERIE AFTERNOON Several steps in front, the corner cake shop is a converted Jewelry store with delicate curios and cases displaying pastries. Kit meets Andelece, a flowery fit sandy blond with an apron. KIT What is this? Give me one of these. And this. ANDELECE Deux franks. KIT I don’t know what is this? She picks the coins out of his hand. KIT Uh Thanks. So you work here? Do you make all these? All these. You make all these? This one? You make this. How do you do that? Is that baked? You bake them? And that stuff, you put that on after or before? She smiles. KIT Hey you know. Maybe um. Well you Know, why don’t you, you know.. I'm in town for a while. maybe, we could, I dont know. She hangs up her apron, rinses and hangs a towel. KIT What time do you get off of work? She turns the sign on the door. Locking it behind as they leave. EXT BOULANGERIE They proceed down the steps. She starts to leave. (Indirect light) KIT Uh hey, its early. How about we take a walk? You wanta take a walk? Your probably hungry. You wanta to go to a cafe? ANDELECE Une Cafe, uhhh oui.. KIT You’re hungry? ANDELECE un petite. KIT Oh.. Uh.. Good. They walk. INT. CAFÉ Kit and Andelece sit in a sunlit corner café with large open window pannels between angled streets as they get comfortable with one another. KIT This is good. Oh I like this. We have these. So tell me about you. ANDELECE Vous, les Américains. Je travaille à la boulangerie. Je étudie à l'Ecole debosart. Mais je pars pour un semestre. nous verrons. (translation : You Americans. I work at the bakery. I study at the of fine art. But I'm off for a semester. We'll shall see.) KIT uh..I don't understand you but um.. that sounds good. They laugh.. EXT QUICK MONTAGE Kit and Andelece walk joking in dappled light near a book seller. Kit and Andelece pause to bristle at an orgin grinder's spry monkey. EXT. WAlKING IN PARK BY RIVER KIT So I’m here with my family. It’s a working vacation. Dad works at the museum. He’s a um well, he does a lota different stuff. Hey you should see it. Do you go to museums? You like that? Come on. EXT. DARK ALLEY BEHIND MUSEUM Kit jimmies the lock of the street level dock alley entrance, large charcole black double door with a pad lock. near a coper rainspout and a large painted wooden box. A tiny half scale dumpster and a barrel are further down the dead end alley. KIT It's alright my father works here. I come here at night. I just have to.. uh.. uh.. wait a minute. there. Come on. Its kind of interesting. He opens the door. ANDELECE I think perhaps you are a criminal? KIT Huh? Nah. Come on? You'll see. INT. MUSEUM LOADING DOCK / RESTORATION Kit grabs a flashlight from a metal closet.. KIT just a minute.. here.. You take one. Now, we go over here. see.. lights. See look at all this stuf. This is some kind of ancient writing. And this is a mummy or pharaoh or something. These symbols all mean something. This is a calendar. And these are uh extra stars or something. ANDELECE Étoiles KIT Yea. They just pause looking at one another. KIT Here you take this. He gives her a pith helmet. He takes a visor with magnifying lens.. and gives her a drafting brush. KIT And there. They laugh. He spreads out "his new handkerchief” and reveals a split of Champagne and the stuff he bought at the bakery. He feeds her. They are picnicking on the cask of mentuhotep. She brushes him with the drafting brush. He uses the magnifying glass on her. She leans in closer. He lifts his visor. A beat. There is a sound ! KIT It’s alright. It’s probably the guard. A truck bursts through the dock door! Daylight! Two men with tommy guns are followed by a decorated Asian general. KIT Woa! Just stay down.. the watchman never comes back here. GUNMAN 2 Quaisu de! ('quickly') The kids hide behind the sarcophagus as men ransack the other room. The men take the sarcophagus box! The kids have moved! Gunman1 hears something. GUNMAN 1 Zai Zhe ('It's over here.') Gunman1 opens fire. Ba da da da. GUNMAN 2 Zai Shang? ('what is it?') GUNMAN 1 Lung bein peing kenu ('It's just a rat.') GUNMAN 2 Ye dong ta ('Move it') Quaisu de! ('quickly!') Gunman1 fires a single shot! The rat flips, dead. Gunman1 Surveys. He hears the kids in a scaffold above! He strafes the scaffolding with bullets. The scaffolding collapses. The kids rise from the debris with hats on. Both men point machiene guns at them. The pharoah is boxed. GUNMAN 2 Nem por cow! ('Bring them!') Gunman1 loads the kids into the back of a truck. Enri, the Security Guard, arrives in the hall. His appearance in the doorway draws machine gun fire splintering the doorframe. He high-steppes back into the hall sweating and panting against the wall. GUNMAN 2 (shooting) clin ya pay mah ('move it' !) The sarcophagus is loaded into the truck. The other security guard arrives. The two nod then open fire from the doorway. The same soldier strafes the door again. And the two guards swim-run out of the way taking cover flanking the doorway. A third guard arrives. The first two guards eye each other’s frightened resolve. Gunman2, watching the doorway, draws near the hall door. But from the alley, Gunman3 calls to him. GUNMAN 3 Bi-ken-ker ! ('Let's go!') The first security guard grabs a look and runs to the truck which leaves into the shade of the alley. His gun is wobbling. He takes aim. But he does not see a shot. INT. CAFE D' FRANCE A crowded cafe with a lyrical accordian, singer and piano. The parents dine with friends. ALEX So he plucks it out of his hands and says, too late I already bought it ! GROUP (laughter) CURATOR I bet they were surprised. ALEX Not as surprised as the university when they saw the bill. GROUP (laughter) A waitress brings GENDARME Monsieur Aton, here has been a burglary. You will come with me? ERNST Hey pal we walked here. GENDARME You are Ernst Aton who works at the Paris museum ? ERNST Yea what’s this about? GENDARME The Museum has been Robbed. CURATOR Robbed? Sir, I’m Gilean Sebastion I curate the Egyptology department. GENDARME Then I must ask you to come also. ERNST You stay here. JOY No I'm going with you. ALEX (re his wife) We're coming too. INT. MUSEUM LOADING DOCK Ernst, joy and friends arrive at the museum. There are police standing under a warehouse single light near a few crates and a wooden palate against the far wall. ERNST Jeffrey, Enri, what’s going on? JEFFERY They’ve taken Mentuhotep. ENRI They entered through the loading dock. The dock doors are crudely closed. INSPECTOR You were the last to see the..? ENRI Sarcophagus. yes ERNST Actually this is the sarcophagus but it contained an inner cask. INSPECTOR (to Ernst) And you were working on the, cask? ERNST Yes. Mentuhotep II, first pharaoh of the middle kingdom. Known for justice, rule of law. We were cataloging its return to France. CURATOR But who would take it? It would be almost impossible to sell, even on the black market. INSPECTOR Please. That is what we will find out. You also can vouch for Monsieur Aton and his wife? ALEX Yes we were having dinner at the restaurant. INSPECTOR And, can you, identify this? (handkerchief) ERNST Can I see that? This belongs to Kit. My son. INSPECTOR And where is your son? ERNST I don’t know. He was supposed to meet us at dinner. INSPECTOR Can you explain what he was doing here? ERNST He must have been here when they took the pharaoh and inner coffin, but.. INSPECTOR And this? (an earring) Ernst grins. ERNST Heh. Well there must have been someone with him. But I can assure you he's not involved. INSPECTOR You will remain available? ERNST Yes, Of course. EXT. MUSEUM Father and wife leave the museum across the large concourse and hasten to contact a friend at the Moulin Rouge. They hail a cab. ERNST (to wife) I didn’t want to tell the gendarme, but if anything is going on in this town I know somebody who can tell us what it is. Ernst hails a cab. EXT MULIN ROUGE Ernst and Joy traverse an overboard sidewalk to a right sized Mulin Rouge flanking blinking neon and movie style posters. Pedestrians crisscross as a hawker hands out pamphlets. INT. MOUIN ROUGE Ernst and Joy press through the crowd to a central bar. The bar tender cleans a mug, collecting coasters and tips. He holds up an empty bottle. A waitress replaces it. ERNST Rusty, how are you? RUSTY Ernst Aton this is a surprise. How long has it been? ERNST Too long. RUSTY But now, am I seeing double? ERNST Rusty this is my wife Joy. RUSTY It’s a pleasure madam. ERNST Rusty we have a problem. My son is missing and there was a robbery at the museum. RUSTY That is a problem. But not unexpected. ERNST No? What do you hear? RUSTY Well there’s been a lot of odd characters in here. And not the kind you would want. One of them is right over there. The suspicious character sees them talking about him. Ernst approaches him. Ernst waives and says hello. But the spy hastens down a hall near the stage! Ernst follows. INT. BACK STAGE MOULIN ROUGE The spy moves down the hall with chairs, coats, a desk and a podium. ERNST I just want to ask you a couple questions. Ernst grabs his shoulder. But the SPY turns and throws a punch and runs overturning a podium. He heads down another hall. Ernst follows. The spy turns and lunges. The two begin fighting in the dressing room. Two women leave. ERNST Who robbed the Museum!? They struggle landing in the dress rack. ERNST They stole a, sarcophagus, who was it? A kick separates them scattering a table of cosmetics. ERNST I’m not going to harm you. They have my Son. The spy overturns a small cabinet and runs out another exit as Ernst grabs him. They whirl through the curtains onto the stage. INT. ONSTAGE WITH THE CAN CAN The two exchange punches causing them to reel back and forth behind the dancers. The spy tries to flee as Ernst grabs him. They spin as dancers recede behind the two men. More punches tip the men off balance. The audience cheers. The dancers advance again ignoreing and ducking the men effortlessly. The dancers spread out, reverse bow then retreat regrouping. The dancers come forward as others recede. The spy is doubled over by a punch and rushes Ernst pushing him back. Ernst lifts the spy by the collar. ERNST Who was it? The spy pushes him away rolling under the curtain. Ernst searches for a break in the curtain. The can-can separates as the spot light lands on Ernst. He turns to the audience and smiles. The dancers close in again. Ernst turns and leaves under the curtains. The bartender sees Ernst and leaves the bar to assist. Rusty nods and waves to a waiter who take over the bar. Ernst checks doors in a hallway and sees the spy climbing up a ladder and grabs his legs but is kicked away. Ernst climbs the ladder. The spy hits him with a chair as he emerges. Ernst grabs his leg and pulls him down. INT. THE MOUIN Ernst and the spy tumble in the glare of the low sun searing through a small window against the dark frame of the walls. They are inside the windmill. It is full of chairs and boxes of paper. The spy leaps up and tries the window but is pressed against it by Ernst, breaking it. The spy hangs out of the window. ERNST Who knocked over the Paris Museum? The spy grabs a window blind and presses it against Ernst’s throat pushing him away. The two of them twirl into a pile of chairs. Ernst blasts the Spy with a chair. The spy falls, then runs down an adjoining stairwell. Ernst jumps him and the two tumble down the stairs, smashing through the landing and falling on a buffet of plates and cups. The Can-Can is still loudly covering their activities. INT. MULOIN RUGE 1ST FLOOR AGAIN The spy runs searching his way through the layers of curtains and leaps off the stage. Ernst follows, leaping through the center of the can-can into the audience over a table and into the crowd as the two scramble for the exit. The Spy passes the bar and looks back to see Ernst politely making his way. The spy is struck by a whiskey bottle and lands hard on the crowded floor. Joy holds the broken bottle end. She is frozen in a moment of disbelief that the vacation has led her to such intrigue. Ernst arrives at the bar. He eyes his wife who shrugs. He grabs the spy and questions him. ERNST Who was it? SPY The General. He robbed the museum. Military types. From Bangkok. ERNST Where are they? Where have they taken my son? SPY You’re too late. The train has already left. They fly from Luxemborg. They have airmen too. ERNST Sorry for the mess Rusty, we need a plane. RUSTY Well there’s an airfield a couple minutes from here. I can take you there. I know the colonial. EXT. CAR RIDE TO AIRPORT RUSTY Word is, there was a delegation from Bangkok, a rich general and some shady characters but nothing out of the usual. But what does he want with a Egyptian mummy? ERNST Beats me. Not easy to sell something like that, even on the black market. It changes hands a few times and somebody gets left holding the bag. JOY What do they want with Kit? ERNST I don’t know. EXT. AIRFIELD -AFTERNOON RUSTY There’s been a robbery at the Paris Museum. Were here to See Colonel Anderson. AIR GUARD I can’t let you in. Rusty shows a military ID. AIR GUARD Oh Sorry lieutenant. (salutes) The gate opens. They drive in. EXT. HANGER They exit the car and enter the hanger office. They talk with the hanger guard. RUSTY Jack I need a plane. Tell Anderson there was an attack on the Museum. And they've got a hostage. (shows ID again) Go! Entering the hanger. HANGER GUARD Yes sir. But the only thing I have with fuel right now is that old Crop-duster. ERNST It'll due. They traverse the hanger. Grabbing headgear and jackets as they walk. RUSTY You know what you’re doing? ERNST I’ll be all right. The train runs on the hour we’re not that far behind. We’ll catch up to them. Be sure to alert the consolate. (to Joy) Here.. It gets cold up there. Ernst wiggles the wing. Rusty bangs on the side of the plane. RUSTY You got gas. Rusty wiggles the steering wheel as Earnst moves the ladder for Joy who climbs in. He looks at the machine gun mount. ERNST Does this work? Rusty hands him the machine gun for the plane. RUSTY It does now. Let’s hope you don’t need it. Ernst fixes the gun to the plane and jumps in. ERNST This goes here. This pulls back. Joy ratchets the gun to readiness. ERNST Careful with that thing. He tightens her buckle. You point up! JOY Oh.. ERNST And don’t hit the wings! JOY Right. Ernst starts the engine and they take off buzzing into the air. EXT. IN THE AIR Ernst and Joy pursue the train but are intercepted by three other planes. ERNST Alright. There's the train station. The train departs east. We'll take it east from here. The General’s entourage should be easy to spot. I’ll try to get ahead of them. Joy Sspots the Train. JOY OK.. Look! There! ERNST Right. Hey what’s this? A plane pulls up alongside. ERNST Oh, we’ve got trouble. The plane begins shooting. Ba da da da da da da Ernst dives. ERNST Hold on. The first plane dives but they see a second plane as they do. The pilot grins. Ernst pulls back and flies his landing gear into the second plane which veers off. A third plane aligns next to them. The first plane continues shooting. Ba da da da da da da da. Ernst rolls away. ERNST Ok! Start Shooting! (A beat) Start Shooting! JOY I am! This thing is stuck! The second plane draws back and fires making inconsequential holes. Ernst turns toward the sun and flies low. JOY The general’s getting away! ERNST I know that! The three planes follow. Two begin shooting again. Ernst Veers as he passes over the river. He climbs and rolls. Ernst climbs back and flips the safety for joy. ERNST Here! Aim up! Joy begins shooting at the planes. Ernst points. Joy shoots at the first plane which passes. Ernst points and turns. Joy reels around shooting the second. The third passes. Ernst points at it and veers again. The first planes circles back. Joy Shoots at it. Joy is quickly out of bullets. JOY I’m out! What do we do now? ERNST I don’t know! I’m winging it, Hold On! He narrowly avoids a collision with the second of the planes. He makes a severe roll. The machine gun falls off. A tool box floats up into Joy's arms. The other plane passes below. Joy begins throwing the tools. She chips the propeller of the first plane as its sound changes. Smoke begins to pour from it's engine as the damaged pursuer descends. ERNST What are you doing? JOY I’m Winging it! Look out! The second plane soars into them ripping their upper wing. Ernst flies lower to evade the pursuers. JOY Woha! If we make it out of this you’re in big trouble. ERNST Not now! Ernst runs along the river but the third plane shoots. The plane nears shooting. Ernst veers low along the river. JOY Look out! Ernst and Joy pass under a bridge on the seine and lose their top wing. JOY I said look out! ERNST I was! The pursuer crashes into the bridge. Ernst and Joy cheer. BOTH Hooray. Ha haaaa! But the second is heading right for them. Ernst veers over some mansard roofs taking out a weather vane and a clothes line. Ernst flies along a busy street, past alley ways, buzzing a café, a flower shop, a small park with a pedestrian and a dog on a leash. The other plane is in hot pursuit. The planes fly over a topiary garden in succession. Vrooooooom...Vrooooooom... The pursuer fires again. Ernst pulls upward again over the place de Concorde and down the Champs Islese’. Ernst flies side to side in the larger street and over the arch de triumph. Ernst climbs upward. The other plane follows. It shoots. Ernst begins to stall then swoops straight down. The other plane follows, fires more holes in the remaining wing. Ernst continues his long decent and swoops under the Eiffel Tower. JOY Oh No.. Ohhh! She closes her Eyes and ducks. The Parents make it through the Eiffel Arch. But the last pursuer clips his wing on the tower struggling to maintain stability and lands roughly against the statue d' liberte’. Spinning and flopping to a halt. The parents see this and cheer. BOTH Yeaa.. Haaaa!! Earns looks up to heaven and rolls his eyes. Ernst looks at the sun and heads east again. ERNST You all right? JOY Yea! But you’re in hot water mister. ERNST Good. We’re not far behind. Keep your Eyes open. We need to find that train before dark. JOY There it is ! They fly nearer. ERNST That’s it! That’s the General’s Train! They pull up along-side the train. JOY Good now what? ERNST I’ll take us ahead to the next station! They pull away and pass it. But they begin running hot then sputtering. They are out of gas. They land in a field. EXT. PLANE - FARM FIELD -DUSK Ernst and Joy land in a Farm field. Ernst must hop over several hey stacks before landing. JOY Look out! Oh! Oh! Oh! They land. JOY Nice flying, sailor. ERNST They must have got the fuel tank. JOY Well fix it. ERNST I would but were out all the tools. JOY Well I had to do something. ERNST Don’t worry. We'll find them. We’ll get the next train. I’ll have Gil cable ahead. INT LOCKED IN TRAIN BAGGAGE CAR Kit tries to picks lock. Andelece attends, but the effort is Unsuccessful. They sit back together against the wall under the ray of afternoon light. She demurs to him. He tries to be tough and assuring for her. He's cautiously working his charm but being kidnapped is cramping his style. KIT Sorry, I didn't know these guys were gona steal that thing. Can you understand. ANDELECE Qui. I think perhaps you are not the criminal. KIT Thanks, but I don't like being treated like one. We have to get out of here. ANDELECE The train is free. They share a moment. Then Andelece finds a bobby pin connecting a tag to some luggage ANDELECE (untranslated) Voila' Essayez Matinant! KIT Here give me that. Kit uses the bobby pin. It Works! They out of are out of the luggage cell but the train is stopping for water! KIT Woa. hold on. Kit And Andelece are confronted by the asian men with machine guns. Kit prepares to overcome the guard when another guard appears. GUARD Yun dong ta men (Move Them) GUARD cont.. Kuai dain!. Wo menzou ba. (Quickly! Lets go!) Kit And Andelece are taken into the evening glow and loaded onto a large Airplane waiting in a makeshift field as the train is watered. GUARD Jimang ! Huo chi bi xu qu! (Hurry The Train must go) EXT LUXEMBOURG AIRFIELD - BRIGHT SUNSET A pathetic jalopy of a plain lands in Luxembourg airport and taxis to the to a hanger several airport workers run to see the plain. Aching Ernst and Joy dismount the plane. The men stare at carrots plugging the holes in the gas tank. ERNST Transport is under Anderson, from Paris. A beat. She's having some problems with the upper wing. INT. Luxemborg U.S. CONSULATE The Streets are still badly dilapidated from the war. Ernst and Joy stand around a large desk. ERNST Nobody saw anything? SINGER They may have used another route. I'm not surprized. ERNST Well, If they can smuggle a mummy, they can smuggle Kit along with it. We'll have to find them in bangkok. SINGER Agreed. I recommend you take the next flight. ERNST We’ll stay on his heels. SINGER I’ve arraigned for you to meet Our man in Bangkok. He should have something by the time you arrive. ERNST Thank you. Ernst and joy exchange reasuring looks. SINGER Oh and Be careful these fellas are not RAF. JOY AND ERNST I will. SINGER Oh, you’re not taking the Misses? JOY (flairs with anger) You listen. ERNST (pulls her away) Come on Honey we don’t want to be late. Thank you for your help. EXT. BANGKOK STATION –LATE MORNING A massive locomotive steams through the Asian jungle toward Bangkok station. It stops and the parents exit. A hot breeze sweeps over them. The smell of rattan and roasting meat fills the air. They meet Lieutenant Roderick Codwell II. LIEUTENANT Mister Aton? Misses. Aton. ERNST Hello. ERNST Lieutenant Codwell II. I’m sorry to hear of your predicament. Let me assure you we will do all we can to find your son. Come with me. I’ve arraigned a meeting with a local art dealer. If anything has come in he should know about it. Fella by the name of Saurus. ERNST Galen Saurus? LIEUTENANT Why yes. ERNST Attended Oxford a couple years deals in black market antiquities, mostly fakes. Published some theories about Pre Mesopotamian Astrology being the root of Egyptian Ontology. LIEUTENANT If the Sarcophagus is here he should know. ERNST Actually, It’s not a Sarcophagus but the inner Burial Cask. It holds the Mummy. LIEUTENANT Yes.. Right This way. EXT. SAURUS ESTATE Ernst and Ltnt. Roderric Codwel II Investigate a Local Art Dealer by the name Of Galen Darian Saurus. The lush vegetation does not conceal the sizable two story estate. They pull into the circle and knock. A butler answers. They find Saurus in his ‘Aviary’ of stuffed birds, among jars of deformed fetuses and two headed animals. LIEUTENANT How do you do I’m lieutenant Codwell and this is Mister & Misses Aton we are here to speak with Mister. Saurus. BUTLER Right this way. INT. SAURUS ESTATE SARUS Ah, Mister Aton. ERNST Hello Galen. SAURS and.. LIEUTENANT Codwell, Lieutenant Codwell the second. SARUS What a pleasant surprise. I’m sorry for your misfortune. How can I help? LIEUTENANT We’re looking for a Sarcophagus which went missing from the Paris Museum along with a young man. What can you tell us about it? ERNST A burial cask, early middle kingdom, contains the remains of Mentuhotep II. SAURUS Obviously I have no knowledge of it. Why? Are you interested in it? ERNST They Have my Son. SAURUS I’m sorry. That is very serious. LIEUTENANT We understand you deal in artifacts of uncertain origin. We’d like any information you can provide. This would remain strictly confidential. SAURUS I only know that a General Twang controls most of the trade in this region. If it were here, he would be the most likely front. If he has them, they would be held at the General’s Warehouse on the river. And you Mister Aton, have you uncovered any artifacts of uncertain origin? ERNST I sell to museums, Galen. SAURUS Of course you do.(tea arrives) Gentlemen I wish you the best of luck. INT. Codwell’S OFFICE -DAY Parents and Codwell discuss the situation over tea -without sitting down. LIEUTENANT Nothing out of the ordinary. Of course we’ve been monitoring him for some time. ERNST He’s dirty. LIEUTENANT I think we agree. ERNST What happened to the Generals train were you able to spot anything? LIEUTENANT Nothing. But that doesnt mean your son is'nt here. ERNST I’ll need take a look at that warehouse. LIEUTENANT I understand. However, things here are somewhat complicated. JOY Can’t you just search the warehouse? ERNST Our treaties are rather tenuous. Repercussions could be serious. The General controls most of the business in town. And his men are, very loyal. JOY So where is my Son? LIEUTENANT That is the question. And, I’m afraid the General has little to fear here. I recommend caution. I am somewhat limited in what I can do. However if you were to pay him, a visit. ERNST I understand. JOY So you can’t just search the place. LIEUTENANT I’m afraid that might start a civil war. And it would not be advantageous. But I can help you with logistics. ERNST (sarcastic) Great. LIEUTENANT I understand your concern. I will do what I can from here. The General’s Warehouse is here. The best access would be from the alley here. We’ll have men here and here. But I’m afraid we will be of little help against the General’s men should things so rotten. ERNST The whole thing’s rotten. LIEUTENANT Yes it is. But we’re behind you. And we’ll be close by. ERNST Thank you for your help. Let’s hope I don’t have to come calling. LIEUTENANT Good. I’ll brief the men. God speed. EXT/INT. BANGKOK WAREHOUSE The Parents case the warehouse. Ernst quietly enters the warehouse and finds the sarcophagus. But a curtain draws away behind it revealing two soldiers with machineguns. Ernst waves and smiles. He tips the sarcophagus toward the men and runs across a long well-appointed table which is diced by gunfire. He slides and rolls off behind a crate which is blistering from shots. He runs behind a large vase which breaks away under fire. The gunmen advance. Ernst climbs up the crates and pushes them over toward the gunmen. He swings from the chandler over them and runs through the narrow isle between more crates. He quietly spies the gunmen splitting-up to corner him. Ernst is trapped in a short isle of crates. He throws a goblet in one direction then waves to the gunman at the other end. He turns back, placing his hat on a statue. The two gunmen round the corners and open fire from opposite directions on the wobbling statue with the hat. Ernst rolls over from atop the crates looking back down at the vanquished gunmen. Ernst crawls over the crates and through a window. He sees two more men running to the warehouse. He drops to an interior court yard then slips down the opposite hall toward the light. The hallway opens into a covered dock on a canal with a boat. He continues down the corridor which becomes a second hallway. Another guard arrives from an adjacent hallway. Ernst grabs his machine gun and punches him, taking it. Ernst continues down the hall looking in rooms. Room, Room. He reaches a bright transom and kicks in the door to a small enclosed courtyard. There is a gate. Ernst is trapped and the machine gun he took from the guard in the hall is useless because they are behind him now. On the other side of the gate soldiers hold his wife. INT. GENERAL'S OFFICE Ernst and Joy are taken to a second location and questioned by the general. They are reunited and do family introductions with the Pastry Girl. Husband and wife argue that they would be invaluable if the general is seeking artifacts. GENERAL'S AID Here they are sir. We caught them trying to steal the sarcophagus. GENERAL You are accused of very serious crime. What do you have to say for yourselves? ERNST That Sarcophagus is stolen. It belongs to the Paris museum and Were not the only ones who know about it. We’re willing to make you a deal. Hand it over to the museum and I can arrange a fee, no questions asked. GENERAL Tempting Offer. But you are in no position to negotiate. ERNST Oh, well if you plan to sell it. You'll need someone who can verify it. We're experts. We can guarantee its authenticity. We can draft a provenance, a detailed history, for a small fee of course. GENERAL Ah but I already have experts. Where are my two experts? GENERAL'S AID Bring them in. KIT Stop your pushing. You really have a problem you know that? ERNST Kit JOY You're all right. KIT You see I told you my father'd come for me. GENERAL You know these people? KIT Them? Yea. You're in trouble now. Cause, tell em. Go on. Let em’ have it. ERNST These are no experts. That's my son. And... uhh KIT Oh uh.. mom dad this is... ANDELECE Andelece. ERNST Oh hello. JOY I'm his mother. It's nice to meet you. ERNST It's a pleasure. GENERAL I am not interested in introduction! Now I have four experts. I don't need four experts! KIT Oh see that's where you're wrong. He's Really smart with old stuff you know. And she's really good with cultures. See that's in addition to us. We are different experts. You know, writings and wood. Things made of wood. Whatever you need exerts for, that's all of us. That's what we do. They're invaluable. Invaluable to our work. GENERAL Silence! You are all different Experts? KIT Yea that's right. ERNST Well.. JOY Basically. Yea. Yea So what do You want? GENERAL Put them away, we sort this our later. KIT Hey just watch it. I told you before. ANDELCE Ceci est votre famille? (This is your family?) KIT (embarrassed) Yea, thats my family. ADELECE They seem, nice. KIT Thanks. EXT. STEAMER ON A TROPICAL RIVER DAY A small steamer chugs up a tropical river. Steep valley walls rise on either side. A thick humid mist lays on the water. The first mate leaves a bowl of slop and a loaf of bread. The four captives are resolute in their plan to wait for an opportunity to escape. ERNST I figure were about half way up the Mi-jang. But I can’t be sure. KIT I can do it. I’ll swim to shore and get help. ERNST You'll get shot and ruin a nice vacation. The whole trip will be for nothing. Besides the water’s teaming with those. (Kimono dragons) And when there’s a lot of em, you can bet they’re hungry. We’ll hold tight until there’s an opportunity. JOY Can you at least give us some idea where you’re taking us? CAPTAIN You’re in no position to ask. KIT I’m telling you I can take them. ERNST Settle down. We’ll need our strength wherever were going. They’re up to something. Maybe something valuable. JOY Oh That’s just like you. Always thinking of material gain. ERNST Yea and were gona need it if we don’t recover that pharaoh. JOY Can you tell us how much longer? ERNST Don’t bother. Look. Though the mist they see it. The Giant Buddha. The statue is carved into the cliff face and rises ten stories above them. ERNST It’s supposed to be a legend. The men must have uncovered it from the undergrowth. EXT. GIANT BUDDHA DOCK At the dock there is a flurry of activity. Men prepare scaffolding and ropes in the oppressive heat. The family de-boards at gun point, through the crowded new dock. The family meets their captor, the rich Collector from Bangkok! SAURUS Ah Good. They are all in one piece. Excellent. Mister Aton it’s so nice to see you again. I hope your trip was pleasant. I see you have found your Son. ERNST You don’t need the kids Saurus. Let them go. SAURUS I’m afraid I cannot do that. You see it was a fortunate mistake finding them. The men thought they were kidnaping you. But there is so much to discuss after you locate the secret temple. ERNST I don’t know what you’re talking about. SAURUS The Secret Temple of Indra. Surly you have read the myths. The early Mithrians worshiped their sun god in caves. And time does not forget such things. ERNST What does that have to do with a Hindu deity? SAURUS The future is always built atop of the past, Mister Aton. I believe this statue conceals something very unique. And you are going to find it for me. ERNST You already found the statue. Why don’t you quit while your ahead? SAURUS Ah, but I neither sell it nor take it with me. ERNST Then write a book. SAURUS Ha ha. No, I want what the statue conceals. That is where you come in. Take them. (the children) JOY No.. ERNST No.. (struggle, guns a-ready.) Alright I’ll do what you ask, just don’t hurt them. SAURUS Always a reasonable man. The group proceeds to the statue. KIT (quietly) We’ll take em. When we get to the top, we’ll take em. ERNST (quietly) Slow down. First, let’s see if there’s anything in it for us. KIT I have to get in to that? SAURUS I’m afraid so. ERNST Just do what he says. SAURUS (to guard) If he moves, shoot him. They are forced to climb high in the rickety lift then repel onto the face of the great sculpture to find to find the Secret Temple of Indra. ERNST If there’s an earlier temple on this site then it’s probably accessed through the upper chakra. KIT Huh? ERNST The head. Early sun worshipers held their initiations underground. Probably for safety. But they’d have to leave an air hole. If it’s out there I’ll find it. Have your men throw down some ropes. WORKMAN churlee shuo ! (ropes here!) The men throw down two ropes. Ernst ties the other ends to the scaffold and tests them. The sweat drips from his brow. He hands one rope to the Son. KIT Oh no. This’s not good for me. ERNST What’s a matter? KIT This is your line of work. I’m not good with falling. Ernst grabs the rope tightly Wrapping it around his arm. WIFE No! ERNST It’s alright. Well get to the bottom of this. He steps to the edge preparing to swing across. ANDELECE (gasp) ERNST Sorry. Ernst swings across. He finds nothing in the upper head. Then he traverses and lowers himself to the face. The massive eye. The nose. The rope dislodges some rocks at the top. He falls inches. ANDELECE (Scream) JOY I can’t look. The rope holds. He lowers himself again and walks precariously across the chin. He clears a hand hold and finds a snake in a ledge just at eye level. He rolls away in revulsion. He resists his fear and swats it off the ledge. He tries to see if any more remain. Then he repels across the cheek to the ear on the near side. Then the far side. He moves a large rock then stands on a ledge. There is just enough room to turn a stone and slip in. ERNST I found it! Have your men lower the scaffolding! He crouches inside the Ear of the giant statue. EXT/INT. GIANT BUDDAH CAVE ENTRANCE DAY The workmen bring scaffolding (establishing shot music) The family is forced to enter the giant Buddha, followed by the villains. Inside they can stand. There are bats covering the ceiling. A guard disturbs them. The Father shouts “Duck”. Bats swarm out of the cave. ERNST Duck. OTHERS (9 sec) Oh! Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhhhhhhhh! ERNST They’re just bats. INT. CAVE TEMPLE Ernst and family enter. The workmen bring in a table, lights and equipment. The rich collector enters. He is accompanied by a Kidnapped Gypsy, a Blind Sketch Artist and a Technical Person who arranges various psychic ephemera. ERNST Looks pre vedic, a temple to Mithra. But this looks like a statue of sache and Indra her husband. First kingdom maybe older. SAURUS Much older if I am correct. You should be happy to know you have discovered the secret temple of Indra. ERNST It predates the others by centuries. SAURUS By a thousand years Mister Aton. As you see this temple its self was built upon a temple of Mithra before it. ERNST (refering to a carved eye on the wall) The Eye. He’s right. SAURUS You are all so very lucky to participate in my discovery. ERNST All right you found your temple now let us go. SAURUS Oh but we are just beginning. Asia is full of temples. I am seeking something more illuminating. This temple holds the memory of the origin. The eternal city. ERNST Eternal city? SAURUS Surly you have heard of the legend of Shambala. ERNST According to the Vedas. It’s where the last incarnation of Buddah will rule forever. SAURUS You have done your homework. The legend recalls that 150 years after his death, an image of the Buddha visited king Manjusrikirti while on an excursion in the south of India. There he instructed him on the path to enlightenment. He named his kingdom after the teachings. He called it Shambala. I am seeking that original city. The true Shambala. ERNST Your insane. Shambala is a myth. A spiritual city. A city of the mind. Explorers have scoured the Himalayas for thousands of years and found nothing. SAURUS Oh but the ancient texts agree with me. From Adam and eve to the Kalachakra Tantra. From Hinduism to Buddhism, Mister Aton. Even the old testament records the lost Eden. ERNST Those writings have a thousand meanings. SAURUS Ah yes, but a common origin. An ancient city. And I am going to find it. Work men have installed table and chairs and gear. The sarcophagus is carried in with a pole and two ropes. An assistant starts the arc generator with smoke/arc vessel. A wire recorder is turned on. And a theremon is connected. The Séance begins. But Ernst secretly unties the rope. SAURUS Good. Leave us. Now that we are all assembled. I am sure you want to know what you are doing here. KIT Yea what is all this? SAURUS Archeology is such a tattered science. So little remains of the past. I plan to contact the dead to uncover the truth. Think of the impact on a world at war to find, the ancient Eden. Have you ever participated in a séance Mister Aton? ERNST Hocus pocus, parlor tricks. You’re out of your mind. SAURUS Am I? Here, we have already found the secret temple of Indra by your own admission. Built upon the ruins of an older Mithran cave, built by ancients to mark the path we must follow. But forgive my manners, let me introduce you to Dr. Sawgunoff, who’s work I think you will find most enlightening. He will assist Miss. Beenalova. Her powers have already yielded much success. And this is Mister Tendow his special skill is to record what we cannot see. I trust you are already acquainted with the Pharaoh who was so kind to lend his abode. The ancients knew the answers we seek. And you, my young friend, are going to tell us. KIT You can forget it. I’m not going to tell you anything. You’re wasting your time. SAURUS I would not be so sure. This relic before you was chosen for a purpose. Perhaps you are aware that it bears a curse which insures that we will be fruitful in our endeavor. I must warn you it is a curse of death, upon the untruthful. The Pharaohs of the middle kingdom were strict in their worship and law. KIT You can go ahead but I’m not saying anything. ERNST You want to find the city of a future Buddha? SAURUS According to the kalichacra. Yes And here we are in the great future Buddha they constructed to mark the trail. ERNST The Future Buddha. That could mean anything, Christ, Mohamed or even Lau Tsu. Your grasping at straws. SAURUS Am I? We shall soon find out. Our work requires someone with a detailed knowledge of ancient history. Which I have. ERNST You’ve got me, so let the others go. SAURUS Oh but they have a connection to you which will aid in our work. I'm told someone of relative youth. The appearance of your son and his acquaintance was simply my good fortune. Their youth will enhance the connection as well. Doctor if you will. The lights dim and the séance begins. MRS BEENALOVA Yes, we begin. KIT What connection? MRS BEENALOVA Forces of darkness. Mystery. Mystery. Forces eternal. Rise. Rise. SAURUS We appeal to you here shielded from your great eye in the eternal darkness beneath the earth. In all your incarnations. Great Eye. We call upon you. Reveal. Reveal. MRS BEENALOVA From Death Reveal. Reveal. Reveal the ancient Shamballa. Keeper of the secrets. (She lurches) Place your hands upon the ancient body. uhhhhhhhhhhhAhhhhhh! ERNST Go on, just do what they say. Crackling arc generator. Kit’s eyes grow heavy. KIT It’s nothing. I’m fine. SAURUS Tell me way to the ancient Shambala. Crackle wizzzzz! The son lerches. KIT Oh is that all you got. It’s nothing. I’m having a party. I’m not saying anything. You'll never make it across the gate. MRS BEENALOVA Where? Where is it? Where is the ancient gate? Tell us the way? KIT Uh Uh. mm. no I’m thinking of nothing. Nothing. You can forget it. I’m clearing my mind. MRS BEENALOVA Lead us to the gate of shambala! Crackle sizzle.. pop pop Wizzz..! Shreeek! KIT Ahhhh! Ahhhhh! No. No. I don’t know. Aghhh.. Enter smoke and mirrors The séance gets freaky. The thereon monitor and electric arc enricher begin shrieking and crackling wildly, shapping arcs causing brief images appear in the smoke retention vessel. The smoke retention vessel is a simple globe hanging from a coiled spring. Inside are are 12 blades with electrodes. Two large magnet coils flank the smoke retention globe. The arc generator has a static arc which supplies a large capacitors which then spark occasionally on one of two sets of three points in the bottom of smoke vessel arcing to two other sets of three opposing points in the top of the vessel. Mr Tendow also draws his blind man's impressions. The shocked Son feels the curse. His veins throb. He breaks and tells the father various trivial white lies he had kept from him earlier. The cask vibrates intermittently as the arcs snap. KIT Uuuhhhh Ahh! Oh I said I was Studying, all night at school, and we had a big exam, but I just wanted the car so I could go out drinking with my friends. All night. Just drinking, with my friends. I was wrong. There I said it. I just want to get that off my chest, ok?.. I’m fine. Nothing. You're getting nothing. MRS BEENALOVA Reveal. Reveal. KIT Ahhhh.. Ahh! I shirk on my chores. You know. I put the lawn clippings into Mister Wilk’s garbage. Alright? There. I’m a garbage poacher. Ok? MRS BEENALOVA More.. more.. KIT Ahhhhh Ahh! Naaah I broke the window in the den. We were doing a stupid stunt with a bat. I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. It cost you 2 dollars and fourteen cents and I’m sorry. Ahhh! No! I’m not telling you anything. You’ll have to find somebody else. Uhhhhh! Ahhh! Mmm!. MRS BEENALOVA Lead us. Lead us. Oh great one. Lead us to the Shambala. Then it gets scarier. The son’s face darkens with veins. He is near death. JOY Stop! ERNST Saurus! JOY Your Killing him. Kit becomes possessed. He mumbles strange things. The gypsy translates. The proceedings reveal they cannot enter Shamballa without the “qutara”- a golden sword. The blind sketch artist confirms. KIT (Mumbo jumbo…) MRS BEENALOVA The way you cannot go. Sealed by fire. Prison of darkness. The Qutara, The Qutara. Sword of fate. Only with the Qutara shall any pass. ERNST That translation is closer to sword of fire. But it could mean sword of death or truth. You’ve got what you want. Now Let him go! The villain presses for more information. SAURUS The Qutara. Tell us how. How do we find the Qutara? Where is it? KIT (Mumbo jumbo…) MRS BEENALOVA The Qutara is forever hidden without the sacred words. SAURUS And what are they? Tell us the incantation. What is it? Reveal to us the Qutara! KIT (Repeating) Ny hery Mahery... ('the force is strong' in malagasey) The possessed Son begins chanting in an unknown language. Kit topples the table and lights. A lantern falls. Saurus waives to shoot. The guard flashes shoots missing. The cave is nearly dark except for the arcs and gunfire. Participants begin fighting, ducking, hiding, crawling. Saurus Draws but cannot see who to shoot. The fallen theremin grumbles. And electric arcs spark. Ernst jumps up punching the guard. The guard keeps shooting but now in the air. Burrip Burrrip burrrip. Sawgunoff draws a sawed-off shotgun as Joy punches him. Kit continues to whirl and chant as the crystal ball falls and Mrs Beenalova crawls after it. Dr Sawgunoff uncorks a flask of acid from the arc machine and throws it, missing Joy and hitting Mrs Beenalova, melting the gypsy's Cravat. The second guard shoots at Ernst fighting with the first guard. Joy kicks him and then runs ducking as more shots spark off the cave walls. Tendow slides down a wall dead. Kit rocks a Shiva sculpture chanting. The sword breaks off in his hand. He swings it wildly, whirling, chanting. It is covered with clay which begins to break away. It glistens freakishly. Saurus takes aim at Kit, the bullets richochet off the sword which flashes in the half darkness. Ernst throws the machinegun at saurus and rushes the other guard. The machine gun slides past andelece. Joy ducks down with andelece. Twirling Kit kicks the machine gun back sliding across the floor. The fighting kicks it back again. The men overturn the hanging image vessel which sparks on the floor. Kit twirls with the sword which bumps the wall. The sword is stuck. It smokes and glows at the point of entry. The rock explodes the cliff-side out and a guard with it. The son regains his senses. He is shocked. The sword is crawling with moving flame engravings. He drops the blade. Mrs Beenalova flees in the light with the crystal ball. Light streams in from the gaping hole in the cave. The fight continues. Guns are kicked, punches are thrown, crate overturned, hopping across tables, ducking, crawling, punching, a few more stray bullets cross the room. A table leg is swung. Kicks, ducking, kit pulls the girls from the guard. JOY grabs a stick of dynamite and lights it on the overturned lamp fire. She grins intently at her triumph. Everyone Stops, stepping slightly back. Slowing to a halt. Joy points the stick of dynamite at the villains grinning. Reactions: Kit repells the freaky sword. Mrs Beenallova slips out. Ernst cautions with his hands. Saurus looks at the guard as the other guard looks at saurus. The Guard looks at his gun. Joy is unflinching. She points the dinomite at the guard. Mr Tendow looks dead. Dr. Sawgunoff rises. The villains look to the opening then back defensively Andelece runs behind Kit. Everyone is frozen in peril. Ernst looks imploringly at Joy. Reality sets in and Joy yells. JOY Run! She drops the Dynomite. The family runs into the cave. Ernst Grabs the crate of dynomite and lantern as they run. The villains jump to the scaffolding. The blast explodes. SAURUS Find them! Bring the crane! Go, Go! INT. TEMPLE CAVERNS Beyond the Carved Collumns of the anti chamber is a cave. The carved walls of the cave branch in many directions. Ernst Stops in a moment of indecision then takes one. INT. CAVE TEMPLE CONT.. Men follow into the cave. Saurus remains. SAURUS Lower the scaffold! INT. TEMPLE CAVERN CONT.. The Family races around obstacles and through the half glow. There is a massive spider web. Water runs into a deep hole they must step around to cross. Some villains fall in to the hole. Family reaches the end of the tunnel overlooking the river. Father pushes stones away revealing the light. KIT Woa, ERNST It’s too high to jump. Stay back. He sees men running in through the missing temple wall. Father throws a stick of dynamite into the opening. Stone and scaffolding break away. Men scream and fall away and leap from the opening to the scaffolding. The blast throws the family to the edge. A billow of smoke puffs out from behind them. Ernst helps the family stand up again. They are spotted. Men open fire. The family crawls back inside. Father throws a stick of dynamite at shooters below. The men are lowering the lift. Father grabs a rope from the collapsed scaffold and swings toward the Buddha, landing on the lift. There is more shooting. He lodges a stick of dynamite and swings back. The lift blows up, causing it to fall crashing onto the rocks below, scattering the shooters. From a scaffold Saurus directs the general to the family. The General directs a large gun at the cliff face. Father loosens a large rock which falls taking out more men. The Family turns back. The General’s cannon widens the opening after they leave. Rocks tumble down scattering more men. The family returns to the deep hole with water flowing in. But there are more men and they duke it out. Knocking out one, then another falls into the hole. But instead of crossing the hole, the Family takes another path. Then there is another split. The Father stops and lights his zippo. He sees which way it blows. ERNST Come on this way. The family runs run as flashlights and voices follow in the labyrinth. They pause to hear them. There is a room of stalagmites, a room of stalactites. They run up a raised tunnel and enter a large rocky area. Bones litter the floor. They proceed cautiously through the piles of bones. A white tiger appears from the darkness on a large rock snarling. Ernst bends the rope like snake and stings the beast the nose. He whips it again. It snarls. ERNST Stand Still. Don’t look at him. The pursuers arrive. They grin at the situation. Then they turn their guns from the family to the tiger. Ernst yells. ERNST No! Don’t fire! You’ll frighten it. The beast snarls loudly. But they shoot and the Tiger attacks the shooters as the family escapes. ERNST That tiger means there’s another exit. Ernst spies more bats near one direction. Quieting the group he points. They go that way. There are smaller stalactites. The Family finds a room with a hole in the ceiling. They hear more shooting and screaming from the caves. Father climbs up through the leaves of the forest into the tangled jungle. He helps the family through. They start off through the leafy groundcover. EXT. DAPPLED JUNGLE -DAY The Family runs through a small tree filled glen. It is a kimono dragon den. They are cornered. They run across the stream rocks as Ernst whips the Dragons on either side. They press their way through the jungle and see the upper villain encampment. EXT. VILLAIN UPPER ENCAMPMENT -DAY Ernst leaves the family in the tree line and runs across The clearing to steal a truck. He punches a guard. Ernst pulls the guard out of a truck, jumps in and rams into another active truck pushing it over the edge of the cliff. One truck sits idle. Villains begin shooting, a villain climbs in. They fight as the truck spins close to the cliff, then Ernst kicks him out. He hits a soldier with the truck door while turning around Then some barrels near the tin roof house on the far side. Ernst rear-ends the crane which falls into the house. The barrels explode. Ernst picks up the family at the edge of the wood. They Speed off. But a fourth truck was just returning. The returning truck picks up four monks who have cudgels with long ax blades on either end. They speed after the family. JOY Think you made them mad enough? ERNST I wasn’t thinking about protocol. JOY (looking back) Well you better start. The villains follow and twirl razor sharp cudgels atop the truck. The cudgles have long large curled battle-ax blades both ends. They ram the truck, jumping on and push and shove on the dirt road. The cudgels repeatedly slash the canvas of the truck and frighten the Kids who are in back. The kids fight back with bits of lumber. ERNST Take the wheel! JOY What? Oh! Two more monks climb onto both of the the truck doors. Ernst opens his door throwing off one. The monks on the top of the truck continue stabbing at the kids through the canvas. The kids reel side to side. The other monk is at Joy’s door. Ernst bumps into the other truck crushing the other monk. This throws the stabbers to the other truck. EXT HERO TRUCK -DAY But one monk remains and stabs the cab! Ernst slips out the door and climbs up on the truck. The cudgel is stuck! He punches the guy off and takes the cudgel. But the other truck rams back! And two more monks step onto the canvas. Ernst punches one and kicks the other off. Joy is annoyed and rams back. As Ernst stands he is thrown to the other truck! And three more monks have climbed on top it. EXT MONK TRUCK -DAY A monk swings at Ernst with a sharp cudgel. Ernst ducks and jumps. The trucks collide. The trucks collide again and they are now all on Ernst’s truck! EXT HERO TRUCK -DAY Ernst ducks and spins one as the others reels back. Ernst punches him and he falls away hanging on his pole between the two trucks. The Kids poke at him with lumber. EXT MONK TRUCK -DAY Ernst now has a cudgel. The other villain jumps off the truck. Ernst runs across The stuck pole to take the other truck but two more villains climb on. He swings clashing with the villains. The villains chop the blade off the end of Ernst’s cudgel. Ernst is cornered over the cab. They chop the other end off. Ernst throws the stub at the two monks who wince and duck. Ernst rushes them. They struggle getting over him. They stab at him as he lays on the top of the truck. Ernst kicks the monk hanging on the stuck pole who falls back hanging on the pole again. Ernst ducks side to side as they stab at him. He grabs the two cudgels. The villains pull. This elevates Ernst. Surprize. He punches one and kicks the other. The kicked villain loses his balance and falls. Ernst struggles with the last villain. They struggle over the cudgel. He punches. The cudgel is lost. They lock. They roll back and forth atop the villain truck and fall off! The villain falls away but Ernst is now hanging on the pole between the two trucks. He punches the villain hanging on the pole. He punches Again the villain falls away. The trucks separate. Ernst hangs by the hooked pole. He climbs on the villain truck removing the driver and steers the truck back toward the other and climbs back over to drive again. The other truck tumbles away into a ditch. EXT HERO TRUCK -DAY But before he can get in the cab, a third truck arrives with the same configuration of crazed monks whirling cudgels on top! Ernst is too exhausted to fight them. He hangs outside the door. He raps on the window signaling Joy to roll it down. Joy acquiesces. Ernst steers across the road and takes the left lane. As the monks pulls up, he smiles and waves hello then veers pushing them into the rice paddy. Splashhhhhhhh. The monk truck is stuck. But everal monks fell onto the Hero Truck in the process. Ernst steers back. They Fall off into the same rice field. Ernst climbs back in the cab with the family. INT. HERO TRUCK (OPEN CAB TO REAR) ANDELECE Mon Dieu! KIT Are you alright? ERNST Were fine. JOY Your father just wanted to show us a good time. ERNST What were you doing back there? JOY Defensive driving! KIT Listen, that sword in the cave looked really valuable. ERNST Yea It’s the Qutara according to that psychic. KIT I had it right in my hand. ERNST The sword would have brought a good price but it won’t pay for the sarcophagus we lost in the explosion. KIT That was no explosion, that was the sword with some kind of magic power. It blasted those men out of the cave. ERNST I don’t know what you saw, But That was dynamite kid. And right now were out the cost of the trip and the goods too. KIT Yea. ERNST That’s just not how it works in this business; I’m going to have to go get it back. The Family protests vehemently. FAMILY No…! / Absolutely not… / Oh no way… Meard”. ERNST ! I didn’t say I was dumb enough to go up against the General and his men to get it. FAMILY Well then how are you..? / Then it’s impossible./ Mais alors comment allez-vous faire cela? qu'il est impossible?” (Mais qu'est-ce donc?) ERNST ! No, I plan to use my head! (calm) I’m going to have to see an old friend. The truck drives into the distance. EXT/INT. INDIA MAHARAJA’S PALACE -MID DAY Knowing only that the rich villain was trying to find “The Gate of Shambala”, Father consults the Raj in Delhi. There are farm protests and festivals. (he lives in the white palace) ERNST Ernst Aton, a friend of his highness. ROYAL ATTENDANT Come this way. JOY Oh look at this. It’s so. KIT This guy does pretty good for himself. JOY Oh I like your tiara. That’s a beautiful sari. ROYAL ATTENDANT The others will wait here. KIT Yea fine. You want a drink of water? Is this a drinking fountain? The Father is admitted while the others are entertained. He enters the inner palace like Moses parting the red sea. He and the Raj share old times and the amazing artifact he once recovered for him. The intrigued Raj makes him an offer. ROYAL ATTENDANT Ernst Aton Antiquities RAJ Mister Aton. ERNST Your Highness. RAJ You may step forward. ERNST Dale. RAJ Ernst. How have you been? ERNST Oh you know. Ups and downs. RAJ It’s good to see you. How long has it been? ERNST Too long. RAJ Yes it has. I wish to tell you how grateful I am for your help. Thank you. The stone is a treasured part of our history. ERNST Thank you, your highness. RAJ Do you want to see it. ERNST May I? RAJ Please. (leaning forward to show the stone in his turban) ERNST (leaning forward to see it) There is none finer in all the world. RAJ I think we agree. ERNST You have good taste. RAJ I am indebted to you for recovering it. So what brings you to India? ERNST A quest, your highness. A quest for enlightenment. RAJ Ah now I am intrigued. Go on. ERNST We just uncovered a cave in Leshan a hidden Temple of Indra. There was a sword called the Qutara. It’s linked to an ancient legend. A Gate of Shambala. We need to find the ancient myth that tells the way to it. I hoped perhaps your highness would have some record of it in the ancient manuscripts. RAJ Shambala I have heard of. But this sword I do not know. ERNST It’s some kind of key to open the gate. RAJ Well my friend I have not forgotten our rugby matches. My libraries are open to you. (motions to attendant) You will tell me the outcome? ERNT I will. RAJ And, if you are successful, there will be an expedition? ERNST Well Yes. RAJ Then I will supply all you need for the expedition! (raises a finger, the footman bows) ERNST You won’t regret it. They shake then hug. RAJ Take care my friend. INT. ROYAL LBRARY --DAY Ernst is accompanied to the library by one of the Raj’s men. They find the books but one is missing. ROYAL ATTENDANT By his excellence the Maharajah. LIBRARIAN Enter. How may I assist you. ERNST I’m looking for the Gate of Shambala. LIBRARIAN You may want the Bhagavad-Gita, It has a reference to the city of Shambala. Here are the Upanishads. And various prophesies. ERNST There is a volume missing? LIBRARIAN Oh. That book is not kept here. It is kept by the Yogi, fara-sadra-nanda. (translation: solemn and quiet) ERNST How do I find him? LIBRARIAN He has the villa a mile from the palace near the city. ERNST Thank you. INT. RETURN TO OUTER PALACE --EARLY AFTERNOON Ernst goes through the big doors again. INT. PALACE OUTER CHAMBERS --EARLY AFTERNOON The ladies are dolled up in eastern dress. The Son is fed canapés which he picks over. ERNST We’ve got access to the royal library. KIT Oh. ERNST Don’t yawn kid. The archives have been closed to all but the royal family for centuries. KIT Yea ok. It’s a big honor. I’m with ya. ERNST Where’s your mother? Joy. Look at you. Don't you both look wonderful. KIT I hope your happy. JOY Delighted. ERNST Not planning on staying are you? JOY I considered it. ERNST I bet you did. Come on. You’ll fit right in. EXT/INT. THE YOGI RESIDENCE –DAY They arrive at the Yogi residence. ERNST We need to speak with his holiness the Yogi. YOGI AID This way. ERNST Your grace, We seek the prophesy of the Gate of Shambala. YOGI Shambala. How do you come to be on such a quest? ERNST We have found a temple of Indra and an object called the Qutara. A sword with power to open the Gate. YOGI Do you have the sword? ERNST No. YOGI (laughing) Then you will need much help. What can I do? ERNST We need to know the route to Shambala. YOGI Ah.. that is in the book of prophesies. But I do not have it. ERNST Then who has the book? YOGI The swami. You must see the swami. ERNST Where is the Swami? YOGI He is one mile, toward town, near the square. ERNST Thank you. Thank you. (makes a small donation) EXT. STREETS --DAY ERNST We’ve got to find that book. We need to know exactly what the legend says. The swami should be able to translate. ERNST hailes a surry and they are carried toward town. The villians are watching and hail the next surrey. EXT/INT. SWAMI RESIDENCE --DAY The swami lives near a busy square. There is a large protest and numerous religious events. ERNST and family exit early and walk. ERNST We are here to see the Swami. AID What is this concerning? ERNST He has a book, from the Yogi. It's part of the Maharaja's collections. We need to see it. And we ask his help in the translation. AID Come this way. (he whispers to swami) SWAMI Ah travelers. I am blessed. How may I help you? ERNST We need to know the legend of the way to Shambala. His grace the Yogi tells us you have a book of prophesies. SWAMI Yes this is true. In the seventh century, the wife of the third maharishi wrote an epic poem. ERNST Can you tell us what it says about the route to Shambala? SWAMI Yes. But I should also tell you, no one has ever found it. The monks believe it is located in Tibet... Family brases themselves. The Sawmi opens the book. SWAMI (cont..) It is this. The passage reads: East from the wall of the great city, through the river of the serpent. And on to the mountain of light. ERNST That's it? SWAMI I am afraid so. ERNST Thank you for your time your excellency. Ernst makes a donation to a readdy assistant. SWAMI Your generosity is blessed. The streets are very busy. Please use the rear exit for your safety. EXT. SWAMI RESIDENCE REAR – TOWN CENTER --DAY The family exits and discusses the matter. But they are Overheard. JOY So what does all this mean? East from the great river? KIT Yea I think he was playing us. River of the serpent. Mountain of light. That could mean anything. ERNST We have a long trip ahead. According to legend, xa-in-gala was somewhere in eastern India. But that sword was eary Mesopotamian. The great city isn't in india. They’re talking about ancient Assyeria. It’s not Sha-im-bala, its Ka-ding-arra. Ancient Babylon! Thatt's 40 miles south of Bagdad. We’ll depart from there. KIT This gives us an advantage! We’ll beat Sarus to the site! ERNST It's Saurus's men! This way! We'll lose them in the square. The family flees toward the square. The streets are full of protesters. The family climbs a platform in the square. ERNST Up here. (a beat) That swami double crossed us!. THE CROWDS Yea!! Yeaaa. Yea.. ERNST (turning to the crowds) No not you. THE CROWDS No!! No. He motions for them to quiet down but the crowd imitates him and begins chanting. ERNST No, No. THE CROWDS Mayhee, Mayhee, Mayhee. (no …) ERNST (gestering harger) No! THE CROWDS Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! The crowd cheers and a riot breaks out. ERNST No No No.. Come on! The family runs as commotion overwhelms the square. The streets are filled with chaos. The henchmen grab the pastry girl. KIT Look out! ANDELECE (Scream) Ahhh! Kit punches them. Thwalp. Pow. The family runs through the croud. ERNST This way. We'll be safe at the palace. We just need to get to the other side. The henchmen ascend the platform close behind and enter the crowds in persuit. ANDELECE Oh non. Regarde! ERNST Come on! But the crowds are too dense and the family must climb over horses then trucks and carried shrines. Some of the occupants complain, others carrying the shrine, cheer. The family flees down an alley. But the crowds are blocking the other end. There are three snake charmers’. The Father grabs an oboe and throws the cobras at the villains who scream. The Family climbs upon a retaining wall and runs along it. They descend to a less crowded area and run through the mayhem. INT. BUILDING WITH BALCONY --DAY The family hides in a building but fighting bursts in. So they run to the second floor. From the inner balcony they see the villains follow. The family runs to the outer balcony. The Family must leap onto gigantic elephant gondolas(howdahs). They climb on to hide. But the villains jump into more passing elephants. ERNST Over here. Jump! Go. KIT (to andelece) Woa, Here! JOY Oh, they are so majestic. ERNST Not Now Joy. Jump! Joy Jumps onto an elephant. Ernst must take the next one. JOY (Scream) EXT. ATOP ELPHANTS --DAY The family rides three elephants in the dense crowds the young elephant guides flee in fright. The family is followed by villains in elephants. ERNST Stay there I’ll.. I’m come to you ! JOY Aton I hope you know what your doing ! Ernst is overtaken first. The villain jumps Ernst. They fight and Ernst throws him off. A second Villain attacks. Ernst Dispatches that villain. The other villains are gaining on the family. Ernst lags all. The brawling crowds are throwing things. Ernst pulls off his belt. He rolls it up in one hand and whips the elephant’s butt. Elephant rears up and begins running. The crowds flee screaming, hands in the air. Charging Elephant approaching. Elephant passing. Elephant view as crowds flee. Elephant coming. Elephant view as crowds flee. The lephant roars. Ernst rams the villain elephants which also rear up. They run into the family knocking them down in their gondolas. This causes all the elephants to run. More roaring. All Elephants coming. Elephant view of people fleeing elephants. Ernst must whip again to catch up. The massive riot is now frantically running. The elephants are running. They hit a truck knocking it out of the way as the fleeing crowds swarm away. The elephants trample a kiosk, crumpling it. The family tries to unite into the same gondola. Joy tries to reach the kids. Villains try to reach joy, The Kids ride precariously, Villains near joy. Ernst is jumped by pursuers. He fights and throws them off. Joy fends off an attacking gondola. Ernst jumps to the villain’s gondola and fights. The villain falls into the stampede. VILLIAN 1 Uh! Uh! Ahhaa! One henchman approaches the kids but is flung off by a tree branch. VILLIAN 2 Uhhhhg! Another henchman prepares to jump the kids’ gondola. JOY Look out! The kids defend from the villain with an umbrella. The Joy takes a poke at villains. Andelece hits villain with a brass carafe. Thwack thwack.. Pow.. Klunk.. Ernst whips his elephant to intercept then jumps to the villain’s elephant. They duck a tree branch as Cavalry are pressed out of the way. Before Ernst can jump to the villian attacking the kids, another villain jumps on to the back of Ernst's gondola and they fight. He dispatches that villain throwing him off. He jumps to the gondola attacking the kids. He fights and throws the villain over the back. But the two men roll off the back. Ernst catches himself as the villain falls away. VILLIAN 3 Woah. Ahhhh! Ernst holds the back of the gondola but the wood breaks away. He grabs another piece, then another but loses ground! He falls off the back of the elephant! Ernst lands on the tusks of his former elephant up to his shoulders. He rights himself toward the elephant still up to his shoulders. A villain jumps onto the tusks and Ernst throws his legs up and hurls vaulting the villain in front of the stampeding elephant. Ernst climbs up to sit on the elephants tusks, clinging for safety, hugging it's massive head. The kids are saved by another passing tree which separates them from their pursuers.. Still galloping, Ernst slowly climbs up to stand but there is another villain waiting for him with an evil grin. Ernst, now angry, just throws the villain out of the gondola. Ernst is standing on the tusks trying to get back atop the elephants head. A villain tries to reach for Joy from a gondola. Joy wallops the villain with the cushion from her gondola holding him at bay. Ernst now jumps to the villain’s elephant and struggles with the villain, punching him. wack wack.. The villain falls hanging on the tusks. Father tries to whip the villain’s hands but the whip is stuck on the tusk. Another pursuer jumps on stepping on the firsts’ fingers, forcing him to fall away. VILLIAN 4 Ahhhh! Ernst struggles with the new villain then punches him and he falls away. But the whip is still stuck. VILLIAN 5 Ahhhhh! Ah! The other elephants rear-end Ernst with a jolt. He falls backward. The remaining villains are near the Joy's elephant. The kids steer to push the villain out of the way. Before Ernst gets to his feet, A tall villain jumps on to the head of Ernst's elephant and towers over Ernst with his sword. TALL VILLIAN Ha Haaa ! Ernst crawls back away from him. The villain raises his sword. But Ernst pulls the stuck whip, the elephant bucks and slows as the villain tumbles backward screaming into the stampede. TALL VILLIAN AhhAhh! Joy thwarts knife-swings from a passing gondola. Ernst jumps to the back of joy's gondola and climbs down to the ground. He is running with the bulls. He runs under the pursuer’s gondola and begins unhitching it. Tusks and trunks are swinging around his head. But the giant belt is stuck. He is hanging on the buckle, his feet are barely touching the ground. One villain jumps to the villian elephant standing outside the gondola Ernst pulls him off the villain gondola. VILLIAN 6 Ahhh! Finally the belt breaks free. Ernst hangs a moment longer to regain his footing. He runs back and climbs up into Joy's gondola. The villain gondola draws closer but Ernst kicks it. It rolls off into the stampede and the remaining villain with it. The villains are vanquished. Joy and Ernst cheer. JOY AND ERNST Ha Ah! The stampede slows at a fork and halts in a clearing of trees. The family dismounts in the dapled clearing as small children run to collect their elephants. ERNST Is everyone all right? KIT Were fine. ERNST All right. Listen. With what we have now, the Maharaja will fund the expedition! Were back in business! EXT LARGE SHIP -DAY Large ship forges through the sea CUT TO BOW MEDIUM CUT TO BOW REVERSE CLOSE Water droplets dance upward in morningn sun. CUT TO BOW MEDIUM We drift backward from the bow as it passes more quickly then slow to 2 portholes and ZOOM toward the hull. EXT/INT. LARGE SHIP - CARGO HOLD - DAY Father sees the camels and speaks with an assistant (Adeze), making sure the plans are correct. ADEZE Ten Camels, 4 for your party, three for local guides and three for supplies. ERNST The camels, they’re good for.? ADEZE Twenty days, thirty if anything goes wrong. ERNST Good and supplies. ADEZE We have water and dried foods. ERNST We’ll pick up the rest when we dock. And protection.. ADEZE pats rifle and holster. ADEZE My men are good a shot. No problems on the trail. ERNST Thanks ADEZEs. You’ll dine with us tonight. ADEZE Yes sir. Thank you. EXT. SHIP’S DECK - MID DAY The young lovers play cards on the sun deck. Father climbs the stairs to the deck and enters the quarter lounge. KIT Look Three aces, that’s three of a kind. Beats two of a kind. You have three of a kind. Let’s try again. ERNST Don’t wear out your luck. KIT I don’t know. She’s a natural. I’m down two to one. It’s not fair. ERNST It never is. Come on in you’ll want to hear this. INT. QUARTER LOUNGE --MID DAY ERNST Alright were fully supplied. Ten camels, three guides and three for supplies. This is going to be dangerous, a two-day trek across open desert, the most inhospitable place imaginable. The earth is bone dry. The sand storms can bury a camel overnight. We’ll have to take camels because the trails disappear as fast as they’re cut. It it’s too dangerous to bring all of you. So I’ll have to go in alone. You can stay in Bagdad. But I should be back in a week, maybe two. JOY Oh you don’t. You know our rule. ERNST Rule? That was about me being away with work, all the time. This is different. Your with me! JOY You know how I feel about our time together. ERNST Oh do we have to talk about this now? Pardon us for a minute. I’m not risking you and them out there in the unknown. JOY Unknown? You’re forgetting I grew up in the Desert. I know it just as well as you, maybe better. ERNST That’s what I’m worried about. It’s dangerous. JOY Not as dangerous as if you leave me behind. ERNST Behind? You’re staying in Bagdad. JOY I’m going with you. ERNST NO you’re not! JOY Yes I am. (grabbing Andelece’s arm) Were in this together. ANDELECE Oui Solidard. KIT What? I don’t even get a say? A beat. ERNST Fine. Were leaving at 0-800. JOY Fine. ERNST Ok Now listen. We head east toward the desert, across the bad lands. If our directions are right that should put us in range of the next landmark. Adiez will arrange with the locals for three guides. And by day two we meet the foot hills and the river of the serpent. Alright? A beat ERNST What? JOY I just love it when you admit you're wrong. EXT SHIP The Massive Ship Passes along through the sea. INT SHIP TAILOR - AFTERNOON The 'ship passing' becomes Ernst's arm passing as the camera follows the tape measure along it's length. Kit is also measured along side him. The two are given nice hangers with jackets and ties. Ernst signs the slip and they leave. The Tailor Shop is near the end of a row of shops. Natural light fills the hall and shop window giving it the look of a bright heavily painted commissary. CUT TO INT SHIP DRESS SHOP Ernst and Kit pause in the hall, in front of an adjacent window. The Dress shop is between halls with windows front and back. Day light filters down the hall into the dress shop's main window. Ernst and Kit see women trying lavish pretty dresses. They watch captivated with their hangers in hand. ERNST Expenses. KIT Uh Huh. (Yea) EXT SHIP -SUNSET The ship passes as evening approaches. INT ELEVATOR The family rides the elevator. Ernst checking his watch. INT DINNING HALLWAY The family exits the elevator and carefully Descends the two steps to the Main dining room. INT DINNING HALL Ernst is fumbling with his invitation. ERNST It's uh number 4 We see wide buffets, Candle lit tables, scance lit columns in half light, the waiters dashing in and out of the kitchen and an the captain's alcove to the right. FADE TO INT CAPITAN'S TABLE All 4 heroes are gathered, Adeze and a few others. The blue evening port hole light behind the captian is about the same intensity as light in the dinning room. TRACK Captain's Table busy eaters, chatters etc.. All Ahhh! A Busby Berkly arrey of Lobsters arrives on a serving table as waiters fill glasses. Kit has learned to sip his champaigne. The guests chat. CAPTIAN Mr Aton is this your first time in the Indian Ocean? ERNST Actually the misses and I flew over recently on a trip to Thiland. CAPTAIN And what did you think the island? ERNST Oh, Captivating. A bit cramped, but survivable. JOY Everything we expected. Son helps girl with her lobster pliers. She is happy to let him. Father and mother are amused to see the two getting on together. CAPTIAN And how are your accommodations? JOY Much nicer. Thank you. CAPTAIN So tell me, what did you think of india? ERNST You know, hecktic but exciting. JOY Very Beautiful. And so many interesting people. CAPTAIN I hear in wedding season the elephants can fill the streets. The traffic can be quite hectic. Reactions Kit, Joy then Earnst. CAPTIAN And now Baghdad. What brings you to arabia? ERNST Oh Just the sun and sand mostly. I hear they have wonderful rugs. JOY And baskets. KIT (distracted with girl) Yea, those are good. As Kit was speaking he sees.. The waiter has a VILLAIN TATTOO on his wrist! (Tattoo clearly visible three times during the elephant stampede) The tattoo is ''Crossed Swords over a skull''. Kit is shocked. He points this out to the father. CAPTAIN (while kit sees the tattoo) I recall we were coming up from Madagascar, we had a load of pigmy ostriches.. a most curious kind. Well one of the them, a bright fellow had loosed his door and several of the creatures. We had a dozen of them wandering the forward galley taking over the desert table. The natives believe they are unlucky or so we hear. Well have you've ever seen such a thing? It was a shock i tell you. Ernst follows the waiter. Kit sees this and runs after. Father and son follow the waiter throught the busy kitchen past a wall of massive lobster tanks, a wall of massive bread ovens, a wall of dish washers. Past a room of flowers. They follow down, down into the bowels of the ship. INT SERVICE HOLD Ernst and Kit cross a tooling area. But the waiter turns off The lights! The door on the far side shuts. PITCH BLACK. The father lights a zippo, cupping it in reverse. They make it across and open the door. Light bursts in from the opened door as they enter the Engine Room. The machienes roar like rushing water. INT ENGINE ROOM Ernst and Kit walk precariously on the catwalk among the muti-story turbines and boilers. Crew busy themselves at the far end with a wall of large gauges, dials and knobs. Ernst and Kit and spot the waiter placing a bomb! Ernst points for Kit to wait. Kit shrugs in protest! Ernst points again, motioning him to close the door and wait outside. Ernst retrieves the bomb, a wad of dynomite with a 'travel clock'. Ernst looks at the bomb and waives the blasting caps gently out of the dynamite then hides as the Spy passes overhead. He returns to Kit. The light goes out from the open door. He joins Kit. INT SERVICE HOLD We see the sign, Flooding Risk: Keep Door Closed. KIT Where were you? He's getting away? ERNST Gum. KIT Huh? Ernst holds out his hand. Kit hands him his wad of gum. Ernst unscrews a knob and removes a wire from the cylinder. He sticks the gum on the loose wire. ERNST Let's Go. Ernst and kit run for the far door which is left ajar. They close it and follow. They notice all the doors are left ajar. They follow the spy topside. They follow up a spiral service stair to the nearly dark sun deck where the Spy enters a life boat and hides. Father approaches quietly. He flicks his lighter.. Then Again. The Spy lifts the canvas to look around, father punches the waiter and drags him out and walks the staggering terrorist away. INT THE BRIG They arrive at the brig with the wobbly disoriented spy. A Sargent at Arms stands close and tall over the three visitors. Ernst hands the spy to the Sargent at arms. ERNST Too much to drink. Ernst then hands him the bomb from his pocket. The Sargent at arms looks at the bomb and then Ernst. The sargent gives a slow burning scowl at the spy. He nods and drags him through a door to the cells. INT CAPTAINS TABLE Guests cheer for the triple-decker marzipan-flambe chocolate-cream fruit-surprise with string-candy as the Coffee is also poured. Ernst and Kit return to the ladies as guests are served the elaborate gooey treat. Kit remains distracted but Andelece distracts him from his thoughts. INT CABIN DOORS Ernsy, Joy, Kit and Andeece arrive at the two Cabins. ERNST The captain says we'll be in to port early. We'll need our rest. KIT Thank you for translating. ANDELECE Merce Boucop. KIT Yea we have to do this again. ERNST We have a big day tomorrow. Ernst kisses mother good night (quick cheek) JOY Good night KIT I had a nice time. A Beat. Kit kisses the girl good night (same on the cheek). KIT Good night ANDELECE Ohrevoa'. The ladies leave to their own room and close their door. A beat The Father and Son adjourn also. ERNST Well. Son and father enter their room. The door closes. EXT. STAGING AREA NEAR DOCK --LATE MORNING The Massive Ship has docked south of Bagdad at a small river stop near the ruins. The Sun is low in the east above a hill and distant mountians. Several men unload the boat and pack camels. ERNST That’s nine camels. Where’s ten? From the boat Adiez leads a stubborn camel CAMMEL Errrrrhh! ADEZE Come on! Come on!. You beast. CAMEL Phhhhh! Errrhh! (stubborn camel antics) ADEZE There you are ten. ERNST Ten? I’m not.. JOY Just pay the man Aton and let’s get out of here. ERNST Here. Keep in mind I might be back. ADEZE (smiling) But I do not know this. ERNST Yea I bet you don’t. All right! Let’s get these animals ready. MOZIRE Hesmadulahum! (pack them) Duh-hydruka!(move) Lenasheba! (lets go) ERNST We’ll have supplies for a week. And the animals can last a month. These are our three local guides. This is MOZIR, BACHIR, and ROCKMAN. ROCKMAN How do you do. ERNST Mozere is the leader. If you need anything, you ask him. Were loosing daylight so we had better get a move on. We’ll want to travel early. The Men Bring a crate. ERNST Put them over there. Thanks ADEZE. The men pry the crate and begin handing everyone a rifle. JOY What’s this? ERNST What do you mean. JOY Rifles? ERNST You bet your sweet.. KIT I don’t think that’s such a bad idea. ERNST Yea it’s a good chance for the Boy to learn how to shot. Andelece does a one handed reload. (A beat) ANDELECE Oh, le Cinema? JOY I don’t like this. ERNST Look, We’ve been lucky so far. But were up against some bad characters. I don’t want any problems. KIT Yea He’s right (Slinging a belt of ammo over his shoulder.) ERNST I’ll teach him, the basics. They can handle themselves. JOY Aton. ERNST It’s for safety. (a beat) It’s just a precaution. (a beat) They’ll stay in the holster! JOY Fine. ERNST Ok get on em. They mount the beasts. ERNST You just watch Mozir.. Ok. See just break down and hop on. Come on you. The stubborn camel ignores him. Kit feigns to help the pastry girl then gets on his. KIT Woahh. Mother is more tactful. JOY Come on dear. Hah.. (the camel rises) See that? ERNST Come on you stinking, pile of.. CAMEL pffffffhhhhh ERNST Camels. He knees it in the leg and it drops. ERNST Good Boy. Camel turns its head. ERNST Watch-it you. (Mounts) Ok Up!.. The camel still does nothing. Ernst gives a sigh.. then kicks. the camel rises. ECU A beat. ERNST Ok Let’s Go! EXT. DESERT The heroes embark on a trek across the desert. The vista is wide. The trail is long. The trail is hot. Soon Ernst throws a cloth over his sholders and face. Slowly the others follow. Each wears it a little different. Kit keeps adjusting his cloth, dabbing his face, replacing it. Joy trys to hold on. They have become nondescript travelers in a sea of blazing earth. The travelers are persistent. The Sun is persistant. The glare of the sun is like a different form of night. ERNST (ridding in to camp) Water.. Kit stops pulling the cloth from his face and dismounts. Hot sand pours into his shoe. He hops on one foot emptying. KIT Ow! EXT. OASIS LATE AFTERNOON There is life in the desert. The tired travelers break at sundown. The oasis is alive with people. A young woman bakes bread. The sun sets over the camp. ERNST (walking cammels) We’ll camp here for the night. According to Mozir this is the last waterhole before the mountains so drink up. Kit ducks under shade, relieved by its cooling power. The family gathers water at a well. Kit breaks up a chocolate bar for a couple small children then deals some salt for bread. KIT Here. Look see? Salt. You eat it. BEDIOUN No no.. KIT See look good quality. Taste it. BEDOUIN Ah ya.. mm.. KIT Thanks good choice.. Mmm.. (mouth full) Oh.. mm. Yea.. Oh.. Hey..! we have bread… Ernst ascends a rise near the camp and looks out over the horizon. Wife joins him. JOY It’s beautiful isn’t it. ERNST Yea. It’s beautiful. But it worries me. Call it instinct. JOY Were alone out here. Nobody in their right mind would follow this far out. ERNST That’s what bothers me. Saurus won’t stop till he finds what he’s looking for. If he’s out there, there could be trouble. JOY Don’t get soft on me now. I know that look. ERNST That sword was at least 4 thousand years old. But that's not what bothers me. The ancient Babylonians had sophisticated astronomy. Sophisticated enough to find their location anywhere on earth. The angle of the sun would give them a latitude. The rising star on the shortest day of the year would tell them longitude. If this thing is lost, then it’s lost for a reason. JOY So we’ll find out. ERNST I know. EXT. OASIS --NIGHT Parents join the Kids at the camp fire. Father and Son decipher the cartouches from the Sarcophagus which the Kit has written on his arm during his captivity. This makes the Father wonder if he really was cheating in college. But the Mother defends him. There is music and dancing under the moonlight. ERNST Did you get enough to eat? KIT Yea this is great. ERNST Oh? The snake or the locust? KIT This one. ERNST Oh the locust. Yea that’s good. More bread? KIT (nolonger hungry) No thanks. I thought we packed food. ERNST We don’t want to be inhospitable. Here, try the goats milk. KIT Thanks, I had a big breakfast. ERNST What’s this? KIT After we were captured I wrote down the star patterns from the Sarcophagus. ERNST uhh? KIT Uh Inner cask. I thought it might be useful. ERNST Let me see that. So this how you study? KIT What are you saying? That I’m cheating? We were captured. JOY Where was he suppose to write it? KIT Yea. ERNST Well it looks a little damning. KIT It helps me remember. JOY I think it’s resourceful. KIT Thank you. ERNST Now stop taking his side. I’m just saying that it could be confused with cheating. KIT Well it’s not. ERNST Here, let me see that. These are the rising stars for hours of the evening. And they repeat offset for each month of the year. The rising star changes throughout the year. So this is a weekly calendar and clock. But this. And this. This is Sirius the brightest star in the sky which would rise at dawn during the start of the rainy season. The beginning of their year. But this is a number. The height of the sun measured against the horizon. This is a latitude. A location for the calendar. When the star was directly overhead on the shortest day of the year. It would be the center of the world according to their system. JOY That a boy. KIT Oh so now it’s useful. ERNST Well. yea. But 4 thousand years ago the stars would be rotated slightly. But it looks like we're on course. A woman dances for the music. EXT. DESERT DAY TWO Day two, the family leaves the oasis. The little children run after and wave good bye. A long trek across desert. The day is hot, again. The fever of the desert continues. Hey pause to water themselves. Ernst checks a map. ERNST We should be near the location on that star map. Drink up. Have some of this. You need salt. (to the guides) Were coming up on the location. Not far. Let’s head on. The expedition continues on. But the guides will not continue past the desert into the foothills which hum beneath their feet. They deep within the tall dunes. ROCKMAN Ohh woa.. Mela-Ona. BACHIR No.. Mela-ona.. ERNST What’s the matter? MOZIR The men. They will not go further. The hills, they say are cursed. ERNST It’s just singing sand. MOZIR We cannot go into the hills. ERNST Tell him its just the noise of the sand. Quiet. Quiet. He leaps off his camel and runs to the top of a dune and runs down thumping causing more sound. The men talk among themselves. ERNST You see? Just sand. MOZIR He says it’s not the sound of the sand they are afraid of. They say the demons live out there. ERNST Well what am I paying you for? MOZIR If your quest is honorable, Allah will protect you. We will wait for you at the Oasis. 5 days. ERNST I can’t believe your gona walk off on us. MOZIR We’ll take one of the supplies camels. ERNST Alright we go alone from here! JOY Well this is optimistic. KIT Aren’t you glad I brought a star map? The family continues in the hilly landscape. The singing sands chanting beneath them.(sound of mens choir ('ohhhh') Kit pauses before riding down the next hill. There is a dung beetle. The sun beats down relentlessly. Water jugs are passed around. Ernst spots vultures in a valley among the dunes. He leaps off his camel and runs to the top of a dune. He sees the villains. He runs down. ERNST It’s Saurus and his men. Wait here. He runs through the dunes and spies the villains. One of their trucks is stuck. He runs to it and looks in the back. There are two crates. He opens the large one and it’s the sarcophagus. He opens the smaller one and it’s the sword. He eyes its freakish flame engravings. He starts to take it but puts everything back and returns. ERNST It’s them. They have the cask and the sword. We’ll have to wait till dark to recover them. KIT Why didn’t you take the sword? ERNST And tip Saurus’ men? We’d loose the sarcophagus. CUT TO The Sun sets. The Family refreshes and eats. Ernst checks his watch. Kit runs down the hill to the family. ERNST In another hour I’ll be able to go in. KIT You better come see this. A sand storm is approaching filled with light of the setting sun. ERNST Change of plans. Get these camels down. Hold them. Don’t let them up! Cover the supplies. Stay here till I get back. Don’t move. JOY What are you going to do? ERNST I’m not sure but I won’t have long. EXT. VILLIAN CAMP As the sand storm approaches there is a flurry of activity at the villain camp. They cover trucks and collapse tents. The men working on a stuck truck are told to stop. SAURUS Leave it! Secure the supplies! Everyone in the trucks! Ernst cowers under the 400 foot wall of dust. The sandstorm strikes. The silt is oppressive. He wretches and coughs and covers his face. Borrowing against the winds as he breaks for the villain camp. EXT. VILLIAN CAMP --LATE AFTENOON SANDSTORM He overcomes the two drivers and steals the truck but its stuck. The wheels spin hopelessly in the storm. Flashlights pierce the dust and Ernst runs behind the truck. He opens the truck and climbs inside. He removes the sword placing it in the sarcophagus crate. But the crate is too heavy so he takes the sarcophagus out of the crate. He extends it over the back of the truck. He climbs down and shoulders the sarcophagus. The villains see the flapping burlap on the back of the truck and begin scurrying around. Ernst takes the sarcophagus and continues but the winds and Dust are too much. The villains search the area around the truck. Ernst must drop the cask burying it behind a small dune. Nearly suffocating, Ernst tries to find his way back. But he’s lost. He must hold out the night in the dunes under his scarf. The moon is occasionally visible through the thick clouds of sand. EXT. DESERT MORNING Ernst wakes and finds the trucks gone. The sarcophagus is nowhere to be found. He circles around and finds the family half buried in sand. The camels are gone. ERNST What happened? I leave you for five minutes. KIT They ran off. The camels, went crazy and ran off. ERNST Saurus and his men are gone. I should have kept the sword but it won’t bring the kind of money that we’d get for a pharaoh. Where are the supplies? Is this it? KIT We have to find the camels. ERNST No. We have to find water. EXT. AMONG THE DUNES --LATE MORNING The family is alone in the vast desert. They continue east on foot toward the mountains to look for water. Suddenly they are surrounded by horsemen. The Father is quick to strike a stand-off which the horsemen respect. They laugh and take the family to the Yazidi leader. ERNST Don’t make any sudden moves. El-ar-a-be-at-o ? (Arabic?) Da-hed-da-so-brad-bay ? (Speak Arabic?) HORSEMEN Ha ha ha.. Ernst points a pistol at him. Several rifles are raised. Their leader laughs amused. REBEL LEADER Ahh.. Ak-ha-Hr-hum! (bring them) The family is given two horses and they climb on. ERNST Go on. KIT Get on? ERNST They’re helping us. You don’t want to be a poor guest. We’ll sort this out when we get where were going. Just follow my lead. KIT Travel the friendly skys, see the world. EXT. REBEL CAMP The family is marched into the yazidi camp. There is music. ERNST They’re probably an offshoot of the yazidi. Considered rebels by their own people. Considered devil worshipers by the outside world. If I’m right they’ll take us to their leader. JOY Yea.. with any luck we could get sold into slavery and not die in the desert. ERNST Don’t knock it. This is as good as it get around here. EXT INT YAZITI TENT The family is presented to the tribal leader who offers them water and food. ERNST They’ve been isolated in this part of the desert for 2000 years. Maybe they’d like some company. Just eat whatever they give you. Hello. By-hah-lend TRIBAL LEADER Ah baheed dahala edjsoluso (greetings come sit) ERNST I think he wants us to sit with him. The dialect is hard to understand. TRIBAL LEADER (Claps) Bahabud Bahabud (bring bring) A feast is laid out. They refresh themselves as the young lovers make eyes at each other and the parents listen to the old man tell stories. YAZITI ELDER (Untranslated) ERNST He says they have lived in this part of the desert since the beginning. But they rarely see young people from the outside. Their people are the regional people descended from Adam. And the hills are sacred to them. But most outsiders are unfriendly. He says they will give us what we need to continue. JOY Tell him thank you. His karma is very kind. ERNST He says thank you. Sucrend. (Thankyou) Deshcoriba. (Many thanks) YAZITI ELDER (Untranslated) ERNST He says men with ..uh machines Trucks passed this way last night. Are we with them? With them? No. Leh. (No) Those are bad men. Ara-ju-lon,-see. (Bad men) The old man is told that the day is ¾ with a gesture from a younger man. ERNST He wants us to follow him (the younger man) The leader gives them their own supplies back and they prepare to depart. But the guard stops them. He questions the Ernst in a foreign language and becomes angry. ERNST They’re giving us our supplies back. Minus one of the supply camels it looks like. (To the stubborn camel) Good. It’s about time we got rid of you. CAMEL ppppppshhh ERNST Thank you. Sucrend. (Thankyou) The stable guard is offended. He steps forward as others look on. He holds out his hand indignantly. YAZITTI GUARD Aenal-hieah!? (Where is the gift?) Yeshe-wo a-nia-ku na-kiadic!! (it must be so.) JOY What is it? YAZITTI GUARD Aena-hou!! (Where is it?) ERNST I don’t know. He wants something. What? What do you want? I can’t understand it’s too fast. JOY Thank you for your hospitality. YAZITTI GUARD Aena-hou!! (Where is it?) ERNST Listen pal I don’t know what your. The father offers money. It is rejected. He offers water. It is rejected. Salt.. nothing satisfyies him. ERNST Here. No? Take it. No? Here. YAZITTI GUARD Leh! Aena-hou! (No! Where is it?) il-Nah-Ho-I-puwa!! (It is required!) The men gather clenching their rifles and threatening. The shouting is more intense and he is knocked to his knees. Kit raises his gun. But is clearly out guned. ERNST (to kit) Put it down. I'll handle this. (to stable guard) I don’t know.. Uh.. The family Squirms. The Guard is adamantly shouting. Then the father removes something from his pocket. The guard draws his sword! Ernst holds small transistor radio with an earplug. The Father turns it on. There is nothing. YAZITTI GUARD In-Nah How-a aj-u sun jid-dan!! (He is very old?) Kan Nah Sad Jee An Jiddan !! (He was veru generous) Nothing but static. Static. Static. Static. Then a channel with Glen Miller. The guard lowers his sword. The guard takes the radio to the leader who is amused. The Guard is suddenly friendly again and encouraging the Father to get up. The Group agrees the gift is good. The family is saved. They bid Farwell to the tribe. ERNST (to kit, smilelig) See? Just haggling. (to the guards, standing) Ba-da-kat, Shu-kurun Shu-kurun (blessings, Thank you) Lets go. Ernst, Joy, Kit and Andelece mount and ride out. ERNST They're sentimental about personal keepsakes. But now we could return if needed. (a beat) As long as the chief is there. JOY Well you pulled it off Aton. I’m proud of you. ERNST Were not out of this yet. Let’s try to get some distance. KIT Yea I’m fresh. How about you? ANDELECE Bon. EXT. DESERT AFTER YAZITI The Family continues on. The day is long and hot. They reach the end of the dunes and ride into the foothills. ERNST Alright we go on foot from here. We don’t want to override the camels. It’ll give them time to rest. EXT. DESERT SHADE The family breaks for a tiny sliver of shade in an outcrop of rock. KIT (exhausted) Ok.. I’m fine. ERNST Your dehydrated. Take more salt from the pack. We’re looking for the river of the serpent. KIT River!, There isn’t water in a hundred miles of here. ERNST Yea but ten thousand years ago this region was a fertile grassland. This arroyo should be the largest for several miles. We'll follow it. The family comes upon an outcrop of rock that looks like a cobra. ANDELECE C'est ça KIT There it is! ERNST The River of the serpent. (looking to up into the sky) And Sirius is nearly setting. Morning star, 11 hours later. We're close. Very close. Now we follow this river until the mountain of light. JOY What does it mean? ERNST I don’t know. Keep your eyes open. More marching. A snake confronts them. Father whips the snake. ANDELECE Scream! ERNST Look out! (pistol shot) Must be a dry year. They usually keep to themselves. Then they see it. The sun has set across the desert but one mountain stands out illuminated. ERNST There it is. JOY The mountain of light. ERNST We go there. EXT. MOUNTIAN Arriving the mountain the family discovers the villains down in a deep rift. They look down on the villain camp. ERNST Woa Stay Back. KIT Which way now? ERNST Lets have a look. They inch toward the edge stopping to the ground for saftey. KIT There they are! JOY Out here? KIT We'll take em. ERNST Ok Listen. If we take the sword they’ll scour the hills for us. We’ll need to disable the vehicles. I’ll go in you stay here. JOY No we can help. It’ll be faster. ERNST I can’t risk it. I need you here if things go bad. JOY What do you mean if things go bad? ERNST I don’t know yet. JOY Yet? ERNST Yea. JOY That doesn’t sound very good. ERNST Well it was never this complicated. JOY What’s that supposed to mean? ERNST Can we talk about this later? Just wait here. EXT VILLIAN ENCAPMENT -DUSK The father tries to steal the sword but is captured in a net and apprehended. The mother and kids are devastated. They decide to take action. The Son and Girl drain the gas tanks. But they are caught. The mother tries to rescue them but is also captured. SAURUS Mister Aton. How surprised we all are to see you. Did you really think you could take this? Now where are they? That lovely family of yours? (to guards) Find them. We are just preparing for our ascent. I’m sure you won’t be joining us. Above the encampment watching. KIT No! It’s up to us. We have to do something. I’m going in there. ANDELECE Non. Solidarde. JOY Yea, we’ll do this together. Ernst is marched at gunpoint to the camp center is the sarcophagus, lights and two large flaming torches. Aton is under gunpoint. SAURUS You know success is a fickle mistress. But patience is a golden virtue. And we have been very patient. Haven’t we? Now where are they? Then the trucks blow up. Kaboom! fire ploom. Kaboom! another fire ploom. SAURUS Ah. The young ones. Get them. The guards find the Son. Then the women appear with rifles. The guards point machineguns at the Father and Son. JOY Hold it right there. You’re wrecking my bliss buster. SAUURUS Oh. How do you do misses Aton? But tell me. Which of them are you going to shoot first? Joy raises her gun at the one guarding the Kit. SAURUS But what about your husband? Andelece lifts her gun and points at the guard near the Ernst. Saurus laughs dismissively. Avdelece flicks the safety. SAUUS Huh huh.. Such bravery. But I am afraid you are out gunned. He pulls a revolver from his pocket and points it at the Father then raises it toward his head. SAURUS Two against three. The Women lower their weapons. SAURUS I’m glad we could all be reasonable. Light the fires! Prepare the table! While you were ransacking the world for treasures I was seeking wisdom. Yes. Mister Aton. The Egyption book of the dead. And I have it. The original light, in the pen of the prophet. You followed riches. But I have followed hune on the tombs stars of kings. Now we are here before the Patala. The Nashi-mu. Vaejah, Avalon. We stand before The Gate Of Shambala! Now we will summon the mighty Origin. But the ancient prophets were very clear. The spells can only be read by a young male who has not known women. KIT Oh, well, now you’re done. Your plans are over, Cause It won’t work! I can tell you right now. SAURUS Oh but I think it will. I have seen you look at the girl. KIT Yea well. That’s just me. You know. I’m worldly. But it’s not going to work, ok? That’s all I can tell ya. ERNST It just means unmarried. Go on. Do what he says. KIT Pachiyambi, ndinu woyamba yekha wangwiro. (In the beginning, you are the First, the only, the perfect.) Kit reads the sky turns darker. Lightening encircles the mountain. It wrecks the camp as the villain laughs manically. SAURUS Yes! Yes! Read! Read on! Yes. Now. Now. KIT Kutsegula njira kwa ife. (Open the Gate to us.) It begins to rain violently then stops. The lightening diminishes. They have stirred the forces of the divine. SAURUS Thank you. Gather the equipment! Prepare to ascend the mountain! Suddenly a roar, an enormous torrent! A quick scuffle and some punches. The entire arroyo is washed away, the tents, the trucks, the gear and the villains. The family takes shelter behind a giant boulder as the water roars around them. When the water stops the mountain remains aglow. Only the family remains. They proceeds up the mountain. ERNST Were safe for the moment. KIT We go up, don’t we? ERNST We go up. Looks like this way. Watch your step. KIT Uhh..Are you sure about this? Cause I feel like we’re getting beyond archeology here. ERNST This is what we came for. You’re not gona back out now are you? KIT No, I‘m sure this is a typical for you. Business as usual right? ERNST You can ask your mother about that. KIT (to joy) So? (a beat) JOY Things happen. EXT. ROCK FACE DUSK The family reaches the rock face and the father finds a fissure in the rock. The opposing edges don’t match. They move a rock and proceed inward. The walls are covered with spiders. The lightening is more distant and echoeing now. ERNST (making a tourch) Alright were here. The Tibetan legends speak of an underground cave. Over here. These edges don’t match. Give me a hand. This glow is probably an electrical property of the rock. JOY There’s something on the walls. ERNST It'a just spiders. KIT Spiders? ERNST Relax, It’s all right. As long as they’re not the jumping kind. EXT. ROCK FACE A beat, they all come running out of the cave screaming and flailing. They proceed back in with more torches. ALL Ahhhh. Ahhh! Ahhhh! Oh ooooh Aghhh Ak! Oh Ah!.. KIT I though you said it was all right. ERNST (making aother tourch) I didn’t say make friends with them. Now come on. Just don’t touch the walls. They reach a dead end. ERNST This rock, it’s been sealed. It’s some kind of door but we’d need a crane to break through. KIT I got a bad feeling about this. The villain arrives with two guards. He carries the recording of the incantations the Son spoke in the séance SAURUS Ah, but I have a very good feeling about this. Yes, very much alive, and my two friends. I have solved this impediment. If you will stand away from the encasement. Thoroughness is a habit of mine and this sojourn is so very important to me. Saurus activates the recording "nahary mahary..". The sword of fire which comes alive with mooving engravings. Astonishment and curiosity at the sword activating. SAURUS It was no leap of faith that the Qtara is the fabled sword of fire. You see the legends are not wrong they are merely difficult to obtain. The villain touches the sword to the rock which cracks and blasts away. Inside they discover an elaborate Babylonian temple with an unadorned wall flanked by two pillars and lion statues. There is a golden tablet which the villain reads. They proceed inward flanked by the guards. JOY Ok Aton, what have you got us into now? KIT What is it? ERNST Not a tomb. Maybe a temple. But pre Zoroastrian. Very early. SAURUS I don’t wish to interrupt but it is the Cave of Adam it’s self. And now we shall see. Mister Sang, the scrolls. Kutsegula kwa ife wakale njira. (Open to us the ancient way) KIT It's not working. SAURUS Keewah.. Kaywahh… Kutsegula kwa ife wakale njira. (Open to us the ancient way) SAURUS It is not working. Bring the Boy. KIT No I don’t think so. SAURUS Take her. If he resists, shoot her. ANDELECE Ohh.. KIT No, No! Don’t hurt her. Ok, I’ll read it. Kutsegula kwa ife wakale njira. (Open to us the ancient way) Nothing appears to happen. KIT Ok You found a golden tablet. You should be happy. You can let us go. JOY Not so fast. Look. Then slowly.. the wall becomes a portal. The mist swirls and Olive trees glisten unnaturally on the other side. There is a stream in the distance. The wall is alive with imagery. The winds swirl inside the scene. It is Paradise. SAURUS HA HA! The portal’s landscape quickly becomes more tranquil. ECU SAURUS (to him self) Edenu. HA HA…! The Eden. And it is mine. GUARDS (kneeling) Jen-atu-add-na! (eden) Ad-dno..(The Eden) Mu-kudesun (holy) El-th-lru-lena (Forgive us) SAURUS Get up you fools. I hold the sword. It is me you should fear. GUARDS Mu-kudesun Jen-atu-add-na! (holy eden) El-th-lru-lena, El-th-lru-lena.. (Forgive us, Forgive us) SAURUS It is the gate of the east. The Shambala! The great portal! And I shall Enter! The Villain marches forward with the golden sword. But an ethereal 14’ apparition in a tunic appears and defends the portal from him. Its sword moves bluring, reappearing in position each time. It pierces the ground in front of the villain sending him backward. Brightened sky light rays streek from of the portal as though it briefly awakenes. One guard opens fire. He is pierced by the apparition who’s scale changes making his arm and sword longer. The guard is dissolved in flame. The other guard moves defensively. He raises his gun and is also dissolved. The sky glare is gone. Saurus lowers his sword and steps closer testing the angel. The angel no longer defends the portal. He steps forward into the 7 foot glow zone surrounding from the portalwall. Saurus glows with the light of the portal. He steps forward and now becomes translucent. He drops the sword in amazement and walks slowly toward the (now) Siren Song of the portal. Ernst yells. ERNST Saurus ! Don’t do it! The portal responds with shifting sky and light and wind. As Saurus enters he is consumed by the portal as his flesh is torn away layer by layer and seeping into his bones which also wither to a wisp of dust. Rytheing. Then quiet. His shocked spiritbody, distorted flees into the scene. Saurus walks to his paradise. In the distance an ancient figure receives him. He waves as some rocks become birds. The potal becomes tranquel again. KIT Woa. It’s over. ERNST It’s over. KIT I’ll get it. I'll be ok, as long as I don’t cross to the other side. Kit walks cautiously toward the glow zone. Ernst shouts! But it is too late. Kit has stands in the glowing light. ERNST No! KIT I’m ok. It’s so peaceful. I… I… Kit Steps forward closer to pick up the sword. But now he’s glowing translucent. The portal scene becomes a verdant but active. Sunlight streeks through the trees into the room. He turns to the family. KIT I have it! But I.. I.. ERNST Just stay where you are! Don’t move! A joyful glaze comes over his eyes. He turns toward the portal! ANDELECE No! Andelece runs to grab him! She looks back then toward Kit then back again unable to move. Indecision comes over her. Andelece turns toward the portal and starts to enter still holding Kit. The portal's color and light increace.. JOY STOP! Joy steps just into the glow holding Andelece. The Portal now shows Vegitable plants, its mom's hoped for garden, even the safron, and a humming bird. Again it becomes slightly brighter and more colorful. JOY Hold on! Don’t do it! ERNST JOY ! Ernst Reaches into the glow pulling on Joy and the others. Archetectural adornments appear in the scene and birds of paridise. His face penetrates the glow. His jaw drops. But he strains to keep his face outside the light. He can just reach the alter behind him and grabs a hand hold in the unhewn rock. Ernst pulls them free. Each awakens from their trance as they emerge from the emanating glow of the Gate. The gate returns to its tranquel olive grove. Kit Drops the sword. Earnst Hungs Kit. KIT Ok I've seen enough. ERNST Me to. JOY What are you going to do? The family is horrified. The Father picks up the sword and hurls it into the scene where it is consumed by fire. There is a quake and the exit is sealed. Flames pour out of the wall where the sword pierces. ERNST Look out! KIT No! It's sealed! (the way out) JOY You are in such trouble. ERNST Get Down! The flames grow stronger and stronger until they become a wind from the portal. Nearly scorching them family. They family ducks down from the intense heat. Then a powerful white light begins to surround the cave. It grows stronger and stronger nearly overwhelming the family who fall to the ground from the intense light. The light overcomes them. As the light grows stronger the ethereal apparition becomes more solid. The angel's shadow protects the family from the overwhelming illumination. Its forward-stretched wings shelter them. The intense light subdues the flames. Then seemingly without dimming, the light simply dissolves into the peaceful glowing rock of the cave. It is over. And they have prevailed. The sword falls from the inanimate stone wall onto the dust of the cave floor. The father rises and walks cautiously forward. He looks up at the blank stone wall and lifts the golden tablet. He regards it and turns to the family. ERNST We’re not meant to walk into paradise, were meant to build it, here, in this world. Kit grabs the golden sword. They family turns to find the exit was reshaped by the wings of the apparition during the flames. They walk through the now rounded arch of rock into the predawn. EXT. DESERT ARROYO -DAYBREAK Ernst secures the sarcophagus, tablet and sword then boards his Camel. The sound recorder bulges from the rear pack. The family rides briskly into the sunrise. [Theme Music] FADE INT. MUSEUM DECENDING CRANE The parents present the golden tablet. MUSEUM DIRECTOR This piece is on loan with thanks to Ernst Aton and his Wife. Mister Aton. ERNST Thank you. This was recovered from a cave in the southern Ararat mountains. It’s believed to be pre second millennium BC and as you can see it has an inscription which is a prayer to return to eden. We were also fortunate to recover the Cask or inner sarcophagus of Mentuhotep the second which is on display here in the Egyptology wing. Thank you. INT. MUSEUM EGYPTOLOGY WING The kids give museum tours about the restored sarcophagus with the star map and they dismiss the last tour of the day. KIT And uh this is the cask of Mentuhotep. Which we recovered when it was nearly destroyed in a flood. It has a star calendar which tells the rising star for each hour of the night. And this little thing here is actually a star map. For the rising star at sundown. Take your time enjoying the exhibit. The museum will be closing soon. ANDEECE Ce tonneau est Mentuhotep. Cela a été récupéré à partir d'un suivi terribles. Le motif étoile que vous voyez est un calendrier pour les heures de la nuit. Et un peu carte des étoiles il au fond. (Translation: This cask is entuhotep. This was recovered from a terrible flood. The Star pattern you see is a calendar for the hours of the night. And a little star map there at the bottom.) EXT. PARK BENCH After work, the young couple makes-time on a park bench near a famous fountain. KIT Over here. Do you want to sit down. So uh you never told me your last name. ANDELECE Veronique. KIT Oh. Hm.. They kiss. EXT. HOTEL BALCONY The parents celebrate on a balcony with a sunset view of the Eiffel tower. ERNST (pouring Champaign) I have it right here. There you are. JOY There we are. We needed a break. Didn’t we? ERNST Yea we did. JOY So what are you planning now Aton? ERNST I’ll let you know. A beat They kiss. END