Truepoint (4) Yeah, that's it. CASSIE One of the two children of Wiraqocha, their Sun God. Manco Capac was sent to earth to create a culture with his sister Mama Ocllo at Lake Titicaca. ADAM (impressed) You're quite the historian! CASSIE Different time periods have always fascinated me. ADAM Maybe you'll discover a few more here. BRENDA Hopefully, we won't be around to check that out. CARL Anything else on the legend, Cassie? CASSIE They rose from the water like gods in human form. They married and founded the city of Cuzco, then considered the center of the world. BRENDA Kind of like the Atlantis legend? CASSIE Exactly. CARL So if they considered Burke a god, why'd they throw him in the pit to die? CASSIE Good question. BURKE They found me on the beach as I crawled out of the water. CARL When did Scott show up? BURKE Several hours later. They had him tied when they brought him in. ADAM So then there were two gods to choose from? BURKE Who? CASSIE You and Scott. They probably couldn't decide which one of you was real. CARL Makes sense. Then the pit was a test. BRENDA With a passing grade for only one of them. CARL We've got to find him. Quick! BRENDA If Scott escaped from the pit, they'd think he was the real one. Right? ADAM Not necessarily. CARL True. CASSIE The real god wouldn't need to return. BRENDA Oh, boy. ADAM That might be the ceremony tonight. BURKE Ceremony? ADAM Sacrifice. CASSIE If they decide Scott's human � CARL He becomes their victim. BRENDA To think I was gonna have just one nightcap. BURKE (brightening) Instead of this? ADAM Too late for regrets, I'm afraid. BRENDA I know. (looks at Burke) And there are none. (looks at Adam) With either of you. Adam smiles while Burke has a worried look on his face, realizing the attraction between Brenda and Adam. CARL We better move. ADAM This way. CASSIE (shaking her head and whispers) Fighting to survive one triangle and another one forming in the middle. WIPE TO: EXT. BASE OF EARTHEN CARVED PYRAMID Torches illuminate the area as Scott is carried up on a tree limb litter. He is tied, spread-eagled with heavy security surrounding him. Nearing the base, the tribesmen turn the litter upward to a standing position. The council elders stand to one side as two Incan priests begin pouring a mixture of coca leaves down his throat. Scott begins gagging, vainly trying to keep from swallowing. SCOTT NO! I WON'T!! INCAN PRIEST 1 No Manco Capac! No venibo hecho a la derecha las maldades de la humanidad con culturidad. (subtitle: You are not Manco Capac. And didn't come to right the evils of mankind with culture.) SCOTT (forced to swallow) I'M NOT GONNA DIE LIKE THIS! INCAN PRIEST 2 Los gentes dice muerto! (subtitle: The people say death.) SCOTT (starts crying) Please, you don't understand. I don't belong here. One of the tribal elders steps forward, lowering a cowl to reveal a beautiful Incan woman, with dark hair and sparkling eyes. She is called Nispa, the daughter of the highest Tupac. NISPA (quietly) We know you don't. SCOTT You speak English! NISPA Not everyone. Just the chosen. SCOTT They're gonna kill me. NISPA Yes. SCOTT Why? NISPA Because you are not a son of the Sun God. SCOTT They don't know. I could be. NISPA You alone escaped from the pit. SCOTT I had help. NISPA (eyes widening) From who? SCOTT From Burke. He was the other guy with me. NISPA No more. No one survives the mountain at night. SCOTT (getting groggy) Tell them it's a mistake. NISPA By law, you will die. SCOTT I could help your people. NISPA We have lived here for centuries. There is no need for outsiders. SCOTT It's so primitive. NISPA We prefer the term "basic." SCOTT I have friends. They will search for me. NISPA They will not find you. SCOTT If you kill me, they will destroy you and your people. NISPA I do not think so. SCOTT (pleading) Don't let them do this. Don�t � His voice trails off as his head slumps forward. Nispa motions and the guards turn the litter horizontal and attach it to an elaborate vine and pulley system that begins raising it to the top of the pyramid. NISPA Go to your ancestors! Leave us in peace. TRIBAL ELDER We must locate the others. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as a gaunt older aged figure lowers his cowl behind her. Except for the appearance of long hair and a clean shaven countenance, he is the spitting image of Adolph Hitler. NISPA Why, Tito Nachu? NACHU Because they will come. And my brother will lead them. CUT TO: EXT. EDGE OF THE CITY Cassie and Brenda are staring impatiently into the gathering dusk. In the distance, they see the brightly-lit pyramid and crowds surrounding the base. BRENDA Looks like Saturday night at the Copa. CASSIE Hmm. I'm sure it wasn't quite the action that's going on over there. BRENDA I wish they'd hurry. CASSIE I'm praying nobody discovers them. BRENDA Sounded like Adam knew his way around. CASSIE Yeah, but I wish I knew why. BRENDA You don't trust him? CASSIE Not entirely. BRENDA Any particular reason? CASSIE Can't put my finger on it yet. But it'll come to me. BRENDA You don't think he'd double-cross us? After all, he did show up against the griffin. CASSIE True. BRENDA And he helped get Burke out of the pit. CASSIE I know. BRENDA Well, then, what's not to like? CASSIE You don't think it's odd that he managed to survive all these years on his own? BRENDA What's to think? He's well built � CASSIE Very. BRENDA And no slouch with plotting strategy either. CASSIE A natural attribute, I'm sure. BRENDA Oh, my gosh. You're right. CASSIE I find it a little hard to believe someone with that genetic disposition could be the exact opposite of his father. BRENDA He's got his mother in him, too. CASSIE Let's hope it's enough. CUT TO: EXT. BACK SIDE OF THE PYRAMID Adam and Carl hurriedly climb as Burke is seen standing over two unconscious guards. CARL There's not enough time. ADAM Keep going. There's a hidden shortcut two levels up. CARL For what? ADAM To reach the top. The priests have used it for years. CARL You know a lot about this tribe. ADAM You learn a lot over time. CARL Yeah, but why live so near the danger? ADAM Comes with the territory. CARL There's other places to live here. ADAM True. CARL And? ADAM I'll explain later. The door is here. They reach a rusted iron door, hidden in the dense overgrowth. Adam reaches for the handle, but Carl's hand closes over the older man's hand. CARL I think you'd better explain now. ADAM Inside, then. They enter a darkened hallway lit by torches. ADAM There isn't much time. CARL How do you know that? ADAM My brother works quickly to eliminate outsiders. CARL Your brother is here? Among these people? ADAM Yes. We were fraternal twins. The aides separated us after we arrived. CARL Why? ADAM (sighs) We were created for one purpose. Greatness. CARL Created? ADAM Genetic experimentation gave us both minds and bodies beyond normal human capacity. CARL To do what? Rule here? ADAM No. This was the only way to save us. CARL From what? ADAM I think you know what atrocities my father's responsible for. CARL Then you do know about the other side. ADAM Only what the aides told me and my brother. CARL So you're locked in combat on this side? ADAM Unfortunately, yes. CARL The same conflict hatched by that monster, dragged through the void. ADAM (angrily) He was my father! CARL Do you know the millions of people he killed? ADAM I will not listen! CARL Oh yes, you will. Because you haven't been honest from the start. What's your real reason for helping us rescue Scott? ADAM He is your friend. You all have become mine. CARL No, we haven't. Brenda is torn apart over her grandmother. She nearly died trying to escape the death camps run by your father. Cassie isn't convinced you're on our side. Burke's concerned over your involvement with Brenda. No, I don't think you can honestly count us as friends. ADAM Then I will leave you. Save your friend alone. Survive as you can. CARL I don't think you'll do that either. ADAM And why not? I owe you nothing. CARL You came back to save my life with the griffin. ADAM A simple gesture in good faith. CARL I don't believe that either. You wanted something. Needed us to help you get it. ADAM (laughs softly) What's that? CARL The compass pin. ADAM Why would I need that? CARL Because you're just as convinced as I am that it's the key to get off this island. ADAM I could have found out on my own. CARL Yes. You could have. But that's the reason I kept you part of this plan up until now. ADAM Now you confuse me. What plan? CARL To get the pin. I wanted to see how close my calculations were about your motives. ADAM (guardedly) And what have you determined? CARL I believe you're a good man, Adam. I was afraid you were after the pin for the wrong reasons. I didn't know about your brother. But I didn't want to unleash the evil that brought you here onto our world again. I needed to know you were on our side. ADAM And if I weren't? CARL I was prepared to destroy the pin. ADAM Condemning us all to this side? CARL Yes. ADAM Then I'm glad I met your expectations. I do want to help you. I don't know what would have happened if my brother and I had been switched here. I seriously doubt that I could have become tribe leader. Not with what I know about the bible. I can thank my mother for that. She lived in fear of my father most of her life. That's what the aides told me. CARL And your brother? ADAM He's led these people in a primitive existence for years. Never changing rituals or trying to give them a better life. That's what kept me here. Hoping. Always thinking next day, or month, or year, he'd give me a reason to be proud to be his brother. But it didn't happen. They pause, hearing SOUND EFX as trumpets sound outside. CARL Maybe tonight will change his mind. ADAM Maybe. (pauses) Let's go save your friend. CARL Our friend. Both men exchange smiles and a firm handshake. Then they head off down the corridor. CUT TO: EXT. TOP OF THE PYRAMID Scott is securely tied to a stone sacrificial altar. His mind numbed, he is struggling vainly to move his head. SCOTT Burke � somebody � help. INCA PRIEST 1 Divino Muerto, selos escuche. (subtitle: God of Death, hear us.) INCA PRIEST 2 (handing over a pair of forceps) El creacion eso no debe permitirse propago un embuste. (subtitle: His lies must be stopped in death.) In the background, Nachu is seen as he ascends the pyramid steps into view. His expression is emotionless, ready for the sacrifice to be accomplished. NACHU Por que esperes? (subititle: Why do you wait?) Se lo matanza! (subtitle: Kill the animal) CLOSE SHOT of the ceremonial dagger being raised as the forceps are forced into Scott's nose. At the same instant, Adam and Carl emerge from a hidden trap door. ADAM WAIT! The Incan priests freeze, horrified that the ceremony has been interrupted. NACHU YOU!!! ADAM Yes, brother. I've returned. CARL (notices Scott) Not a moment too soon. NACHU You have violated a sacred ceremony. For that, you will die. ADAM You would murder your own brother? NACHU Only that by birth. It was destined that I rule. ADAM In fear? Terror? NACHU (gestures outward) Look at what my people have accomplished. Civilized progress in the most primitive way. CARL You call organized death civilized? NACHU It is our way. ADAM Not any more. You can't kill this man. NACHU (grimacing) Him and the both of you! Nachu raises his hand and reveals a pendant of a golden griffin with a button in the center. He pushes it and immediately a roar from the distance fills the air. NACHU Now feel the wrath of Nachu! CARL (glancing into the sky) Something's coming. ADAM It is God from the mountain. CARL In that case, we really need to say our goodbyes! Carl dashes to help free Scott as the Incan priests fight him off the victim. Adam tackles Nachu, knocking them both to the ground. Wrestling with the pendant, Nachu's hand slams against the stone altar and releases the talisman. NACHU You cannot win! ADAM You won't either! WIPE TO: EXT. PYRAMID AREA Cassie and Brenda are threading their way closer to the action at the top of the pyramid. They see two messengers hurrying away with a small pile of clothes on top of a short litter. BRENDA That looks like Scott's stuff. CASSIE You're right! He's gotta be close. BRENDA Let's see if we can even up the odds then. She steps directly into the path of the porters. CASSIE What are you doing? They'll kill you for sure. BRENDA Men � a good looking woman! C'mon. That much hasn't changed on this side of the void. Get behind those bushes and grab the clothes when I distract them. The porters stop as Brenda steps in front of them. BRENDA Hey, boys! How about a little fun on the run? Cassie reaches out and grabs the clothes unnoticed. PORTER 1 Seles impedio, tu muerto! (subtitle: If you interfere, you die) BRENDA Seems to be a basic misunderstanding. The second porter nods and both drop the litter to try grabbing Brenda. Instead, Brenda fends them both off with a drop kick and forward fist thrust. Then takes off running with Cassie. CASSIE Where'd you learn that? BRENDA First week I was on the job at the club. The porters give chase and the group heads closer to the pyramid, breaking through lines of people and at one point, Cassie trips, sending Brenda over top of her into a pile of baskets. CASSIE Sorry. BRENDA (picking up the clothes) Hey, they needed washing anyway. As Brenda picks up the last piece of clothes, a shirt, the small gold compass pin falls to the ground. CASSIE The pin, Brenda! Forget the clothes. BRENDA Gotcha! Now we don't need Scott. CASSIE (glancing upward) No, but my husband doesn't know that. And they're up there. BRENDA (points at a fast moving object in the sky) Look at that! CASSIE Oh my God! It's the griffin. Around a corner of the pyramid, Nispa appears tightly gripping a spear. NISPA Neither of you need worry about that. You won't be around to see it descend. BRENDA Who the hell told her she's Xena? NISPA I am Nispa, queen of Incas. CASSIE In my book, you're just crap with a mouth! Cassie begins battling with Nispa. CASSIE Brenda! Get the pin to Carl. He'll know what to do. BRENDA Gotcha! She heads up the side of the pyramid steps. BRENDA (pauses once to look down) Damn! Don't do that again. CUT TO: EXT. TOP OF THE PYRAMID Storm clouds begin gathering, and a strong wind has erupted, blowing the dagger and other ceremonial instruments off the side of the pyramid. The Incan priests run for the trap door and vanish inside. Carl is fending off six guards while Adam is in a life or death struggle with Nachu. CARL You guys need personality. Then again, with Nachu as leader, that's understandable. GUARD 1 Muertaba! (subtitle: You will die!) Carl ducks the attack and slams one guard into another, knocking them aside for the moment. The whirring of wings overhead grows louder. CARL Beastie coming, boys! Hope you said prayers. GUARD 2 Muerto! Muerto! (subtitle: Die! Die!) CARL Don't say it unless you mean it. DIFF ANGLE as Nachu slams Adam against the stone altar. NACHU You should have died years ago. ADAM And leave all this for you to rule in peace? NACHU It is the way. ADAM But not the truth � or light! NACHU You speak in old terms. ADAM Mother followed righteousness. NACHU Our father knew the power of force. The fight continues as the griffin nears. ADAM You rule by pain and hardship. People don't deserve that. NACHU I tell them what they deserve. ADAM That's so wrong. NACHU And you judge me? ADAM I judge no one but myself. NACHU You side with strangers. ADAM You're the stranger. Why not help others with modern ways. NACHU They're not modern people. ADAM They could be. With a little help. NACHU The island ways must be law. ADAM Forever? Nothing stays the same. NACHU It will here. It must. ADAM Only if you continue to rule in such ignorance. NACHU Father was right to annihilate your kind. You're weak. Unfit. ADAM (grins, missing a blow to his head) But ultimately the meek will inherit the earth. NACHU Not here. ADAM Everywhere. It's written. NACHU I do not believe your writings. They are the work of useless minds. ADAM But consider � the work of so-called "useless" minds has outlasted armies, kingdoms, empires � NACHU On the other side. Not here. ADAM Maybe that's why I'm here. To establish the principles. NACHU Then I will kill you and destroy them! ADAM You may destroy me, but others are here now to carry on. Your reign is over. NACHU We shall see! CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as the griffin descends and lands between Carl and the guards. The battalion is terrified and only a few stand their ground to fight and quickly fall victim to the creature. CARL (looking upward at the creature) Who rattled your chain? (starts running) Time to hit the showers. He turns and sees Adam pushed to the brink of the pyramid. Carl races to help, but Nachu pushes him off. Scott groggily awakens and starts yelling for help upon seeing the griffin. CARL ADAM!!! NACHU Now it is your turn to sleep with ancestors! CARL You better bring more than you got in your pockets! Carl dodges and manages to land on his feet on the opposite side. Frantically, he realizes in the process, he's placed himself in the middle between Nachu and the griffin. At the same moment, Brenda's head pops over the side of the pyramid. BRENDA CARL! I've the pin � catch! NACHU (turns to face her) The transmitter! Die, outsider!! As Nachu reaches for her, Brenda tosses the pin into the air. SLOW MOTION as the pin begins vibrating and glowing. The griffin launches into the air to swallow Carl, but in the background, Burke is seen clamoring through the trap door and dashes to tackle Carl as the griffin hurtles past. ANOTHER ANGLE as lightning fills the sky and the void opens, sending a network of rain, wind and thunder booming around the top of the pyramid. Carl is knocked to the ground by Burke's advance as the griffin misses, swallows the pin and lands on top of Nachu. He screams as the griffin tears into his head. EFX as a bright light glows around the griffin and the remains of Nachu. They vanish into the cloud of smoke and light and two sets of enormous animal feet move across the top of the pyramid as though walking through a mudpuddle. The light brightens into a rainbow of colors, deepening into crimson and then the feet fade as the cloud dissipates. Carl and Burke are lying, stunned, against the altar. SCOTT Man, this stuff kicks! BURKE (rolls his eyes) Nothing like a threat of sleeping with your ancestors to keep a guy awake. WIPE TO: EXT. ADOBE HOUSE NEAR THE PYRAMID The entire group is inside. Adam is resting comfortably on a small bed with his leg propped up. An Incan woman and her daughter are serving refreshments, pleased to be out from under Nachu's rule. BRENDA And when Adam came hurtling past me, I couldn't hang on to him and the side. CARL But you did manage to break his fall enough to land on the next level. ADAM For which I will be eternally grateful. BURKE One broken leg � one saved civilization. Seems a fair trade. ADAM I have no wish to rule. CARL Still someone's got to get them going in the right direction. BRENDA Yeah, they can't stay servants all their lives. CASSIE (grins) Except maybe one. Cassie raises a small clay bell and rings it once. Nispa enters with a tray of fruit. NISPA You summoned, O Queen? CASSIE Fruit needs freshening. NISPA Already done. CASSIE Good! I believe by the terms of our agreement, you're free to go now for the evening. NISPA (smiles guardedly) I shall return at daybreak. Nispa turns to leave, but Cassie picks up an apple, frowns and then tosses it to her. CASSIE By the way � NISPA (catches the apple) Yes, highness? CASSIE Might want to wash these a bit more next time. Seems to be an extra hole in this one. NISPA (frowns, then brightens) By your command. Nispa leaves. CARL Hmm, looks like you're breaking in the new help quite well. CASSIE Might take a bit more training. To keep from being poisoned, you know. BRENDA Better than what would have happened if the tribe had gotten their hands on her. ADAM True. Without Nachu, she would have been executed. CASSIE I think she realizes that. SCOTT So what happens now that the transmitter's gone? ADAM We wait. Until it returns. CARL If it returns. Without the griffin, there's nothing to control the panel. ADAM I think I mentioned there are other truepoints on the island. BRENDA With more griffins? ADAM Luckily, no. But there are far worse things than griffins here. BURKE That will keep opening the doorway. ADAM Yes. But we have something stronger now to survive with. CASSIE Combined strength. ADAM Yes. And with that, a chance to rebuild the island. CARL Into a society fit for everyone to live in peace. BURKE Hear, hear. ADAM To friends! EVERYONE FRIENDS! FADE TO: CLOSE SHOT of another Miami nightclub. It is in full swing, and music is blaring up and down the beach. TIGHT SHOT of a metal detector being moved over the sand as a pair of flip-flops plod tiredly in the cool night air. SOUND EFX as a small blip sounds. CLOSE SHOT as two hands reach down and uncover the small gold compass pin, almost buried in the sand. CLOSING MUSIC UP FADE TO BLACK END CREDITS ROLL THE END
Copyright © 2002 Emmett O Saunders Iii |