Moonspender (2) You shouldn't walk in these hills alone, it is dangerous...unclean...especially during the full moon. (comes closer) Lucky for you I am here, otherwise they might have seduced you. BETTY Who? MONK (eyes narrowing) The ancient ones, HIS servants. (glares at her accusingly) 16 MONK (continuing) Maybe they already have, maybe they sent you to tempt me...why do you stand beyond the threshold? (points an accusing finger, bellowing) If you are a clean spirit remove your shoes and kneel humbly before God. Betty realizes that this monk is not living in the same century as she. from the look in his eyes it is clear that he would all too gladly build a fire and burn her on the spot. She quickly removes her shoes and crosses herself in the Orthodox manner before entering and once again as she kneels before the icon, head bent in humble silence. The Monk returns to his task, eyes darting in her direction every few seconds. He then walks around her slowly. satisfied, her lifts her chin, savoring his sense of power as he gazes down at her in her supplicant position. She looks up at him wide eyed, afraid of what he might ask her to do next, but he turns away abruptly. MONK Go now, straight back to the village and speak to no one on the way. She gets up quickly, crossing herself again as she bends to kiss the icon. BETTY Yes, father, thank you. She puts on her shoes as fast as she can without making her panic too obvious, afraid he might change his mind, then heads down the mountain without looking back. He stands in the doorway and watches her disappear into the darkness. BETTY (to herself) They drop from the trees! CUT TO: EXT> VILLAGE (NIGHT) 17 TRAVELLING SHOT, we follow Betty as she makes her way through the narrow streets to the widow's house. Just as she reaches the door to her room, it opens, she and the widow nearly scaring each other to death. the Widow quickly jumps to explain herself (in Greek). MARTHA Sorry, I just wanted to leave you a piece of pie, thought you might like some dessert before bed, forgive me. BETTY Of course, that's very sweet of you, I just wasn't expecting it, that's all. MARTHA (laughs) Neither was I!, well, goodnight. BETTY Martha, wait...could I offer you a cup of tea? Something strange happened tonight. I'd like to hear what you have to say about it. Martha's eyes light up, there's nothing she would like better. CUT TO: INT> BETTY'S ROOM (NIGHT) Betty is removing the boiling tea from the hot plate and strains it into 2 cups, as well as all of the proper accoutrements. (Greek) MARTHA ...by all means look out for that one, he is a strange sort. I am acquainted with a few of his devotees, each battier than the one before. He rarely goes out of the monastery, doesn't need to, those crazy women fight over who is going to feed him, wouldn't be at all surprised if they bathe him and iron his shorts as well. Fills their heads with all sorts of nonsense. If he tells one of them she has been influenced by evil spirits, she will start wailing and tearing her hair on the spot 18 MARTHA (continuing) As far as I'm concerned, he is the only evil spirit circulating in these parts, but I dont dare say anything, those groupies of his can be vicious! Betty sips her tea thoughtfully. BETTY What do their families say? MARTHA Bah, they are all old maids or widows whose husbands and fathers are long dead, barren the lot of them. BETTY You dont suppose there is anything... else..going on there? MARTHA (wicked grin) Let's just say I dont believe all that piety goes unrewarded. FADE TO: INT> REGISTRAR'S OFFICE (AM) The Registrar sits at his desk absently flipping through a girly magazine when his secretary knocks. (Greek) SEC It's the archeologist, sir, your 10:00 appointment. He examines his watch, it is 10:00 on the dot. REG Mmmm...Right, bring me another coffee and tell her to wait., I'll see her after I've gone to the toilet. SEC Again? REG Out! CUT TO: 19 INT> REGISTRAR'S OFFICE (AM) Betty is pacing back and forth nervously when the secretary emerges. SEC Miss Garanis, the Registrar will see you shortly, he must attend to an urgent matter. Can I get you some coffee? BETTY (clasps her trembling hands) No, thank you. SEC Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable. BETTY (continues pacing) I'm as comfortable as I'm going to get. CUT TO: CU on a small desk clock, it reads 10:45 POV pulls back as Betty sets it back on the desk. She picks up a paper weight and examines it, hefting the thing like a weapon. The Secretary looks on warily, the intercom buzzes and she sighs with relief. SEC You may go in now. BETTY (let's the paper weight drop) Thank you SO much. POV follows her into the REGISTRAR'S OFFICE. REG Good morning, Miss...? BETTY Garanis. The Registrar gestures to a chair. REG Ah, yes. What can I do for you? 20 BETTY (incredulous) Sign my permit for a start. He registers a blank. The Ministry told me that the only thing holding up my permit is your signature. REG Really? And what is this permit for? BETTY (trying not to lose it) To begin some preliminary excavations at the Lykaion site, I'm preparing a study on the ancient Arcadians. REG (overacting) Ah...now I seem to recall...as soon as it is cleared by the subcommittee, you have my word I will send it priority to Athens, just be patient. BETTY And how long does the subcommittee take to reach a decision? REG 4-6 weeks, depending on their agenda... BETTY Ah...very good, the Ministry told me that your office has had it for 5 weeks already, that means it will be ready any day now, is that correct? REG Well...uh...yes, that may be right. BETTY (getting bitter) You will call me the moment you sign? REG (without looking at her) Just recap the matter for my secretary and leave your name and a phone. BETTY Thank you SO much, sir. 21 She exits, he looks after her. REG Psychotic ball-breaking bitch. He picks up a phone. SPLIT SCREEN: PROFESSOR'S LIBRARY/ REGISTRAR'S OFFICE PROF MacKinnen here... REG How is the manuscript coming along, Professor? PROF Pappas, I hope this is a pleasant surprise. My work is progressing. REG Yes, it always is. PROF Come to the point. REG It's about the girl. PROF (clears his throat) I thought as much. She's on your case for the permit, I suppose. REG I told her I'm waiting for the "sub- committee" report, that can buy us maybe a week, but she is getting close to the edge. PROF Yes, I know...Send it through, I'll call Vittorio myself. REG Are you sure? PROF If we put it off any longer she'll just become more of a nuisance. 22 REG A nuisance! How do you put up with it? PROF She's fun to watch. She's also young and beautiful and she finds me fascinating. What am I supposed to do?, spit in her eye? REG But... PROF You got off light. When she first decided that she liked me, she started telling me about her construction worker boy friends and describing their penises and I am screaming: I am not your girlfriend! I am your thesis advisor! Dont tell me this shit! I finally got her to shut up about that. REG But... PROF You dont want to have to deal with her again...do you? REG NO! PROF Then sign her permit. REG But that's just the beginning PROF Once she's digging happily in the dirt, she'll forget everything else, I know her. REG Very well, I'll take care of it. FADE TO 23 EXT> VILLAGE (DAY) Betty returns to the village disgruntled with the Registrar's attitude. She parks her car in front of the general store and goes to see if there are any messages for her, there is one, she is to call the Registrar's office at once. Her heart sinks, the only possibility she can think of is that the subcommittee has denied her request for some inexplicable reason. Biting her lip, she toys with the idea of putting it off, but with the thought she starts getting depressed instead of just angry. if it is bad news, she wants to know immediately so she can plan a new assault. She slowly and deliberately dials the number prepared for the worst, the response catches her completely off guard. BETTY Yes, this is Miss Garanis returning Mr. Pappas' call. The Secretary greets her warmly and puts her through at once. When the Registrar comes on the line, his friendly tone is a contrast to his studied indifference of a few hours earlier. REG (V.O.) (filtered) Miss Garanis! I looked into your case right after you left, I want to you to be assured that we do want to help, we just get backlogged sometimes. BETTY (wary) I can appreciate that. REG (V.O.) (filtered) You'll be happy to know that the subcommittee returned your file yesterday afternoon, it simply hadn't reached my desk yet this morning. BETTY Happy to know...in other words, my application cleared. 24 REG (V.O.) (filtered) I am signing it as we speak, you did request that I inform you the minute I signed. BETTY (close to tears) I..I cant believe it...I was sure... That doesn't matter now. Thank you! Thank you so much... REG (V.O.) (filtered) Just doing my job, if you need anything else now, dont hesitate to call. The Ministry will have the permit by tomorrow morning, I'll send it by courier. Good digging, Miss Garanis. BETTY Thank you, I really appreciate your letting me know. She hangs up in somewhat of a daze, having some difficulty absorbing this sudden turn of events. As the reality of it envelops her, she is over come by excitement. She jumps up and down squealing in glee, people poke their heads out and look at her in bewilderment, she blows kisses to everyone jumps in her car and takes off down the road. FADE TO: EXT> PROFESSOR'S VILLA AT PYLOS (AFTERNOON) Betty pulls up to the villa which is nestled in the hills surrounding the gulf and city of Pylos. The door is open and she rushes right in, calling for the Professor (English) CUT TO: EXT> BALCONY The Professor is tending to his potted plants when hears the young woman's voice, looking up in surprise as she bursts out of his living room. 25 BETTY Whoops!, I just barged in, the door was open and I have the most fantastic news! PROF (smiling) Well, let's hear it. BETTY (like an excited child) This morning I had an appointment with the Registrar, right, got all dressed up. She gestures to her suit, he raises his eyes in approval. I go there, he makes me wait 45 minutes, you know the effect that has on me, then when I go in he's totally indifferent. When I left I was sure it would be another month before I had any news. I just couldn't help myself, a little sarcasm did manage to escape me which could only make matters worse. I get back to the village and there's this urgent message from his office. Now, I'm positive they're calling me to say that my request has been denied and I can go jump off a bridge for all they care, but the most amazing thing happens: The guy gets on the phone and it's like talking to a totally different person my long lost friend who wants to help CU REACTION the Professor. Low and behold, my signed permit will be delivered to the Ministry tomorrow by courier! PROF (turns around with a wide smile) Well done, girl! That's brilliant! He hugs her affectionately. I hope you will allow me the pleasure of treating you to a celebratory dinner. 26 He goes to the wet bar on the balcony and pours them both a brandy. BETTY I'll just have to leave a message for widow to let her know I'm not coming, she worries more than my own mother, oh, and I have to call Stamatis, he'll never forgive me if I dont tell him. PROF No problem, make yourself at home... You know I was afraid that after the other day... BETTY (cuts him off awkwardly) Oh that...Listen my reaction was probably childish, I'm not saying that I agree with a lot of the things you said, no way, as a matter of fact, I have avoided thinking about it. I know you mean well, that you want to prepare me for situations I am going to have to deal with if I continue to work in the field...I dont know, I'll just be happy to get down to work. PROF (understanding smile) Believe me I know how frustrating it can be sometimes, but I also know that when you are forced to sit and wait your imagination becomes somewhat overactive. It happens to all of us, every delay makes you all the more certain that everyone is conspiring against you. I hope now you will see that things aren't quite as shifty as you might have thought. BETTY (looking out a the gulf) You're probably right. She raises her glass BETTY (continuing) "Difficulty at the beginning." PROF Confusion to the enemy! FADE TO 27 EXT> DOCK IN EGION (AFTERNOON) The small waterfront town is milling with tourists and the dock is full of passenger cars and panel trucks waiting for the next ferry. Among the crowd, Betty bounces up and down in eager anticipation. whoever she's waiting for is obviously someone she hasn't seen in some time or who she did not expect to come. When the ferry blast its horn to signal its arrival, the crowd surges forward. Betty scrambles up onto a railing to try to see over the wall of heads. Stamatis' Datsun is in the midst of all the chaos. Betty begins pushing her way through the crowd. She pounds on the window of the little pick up and Stamatis gets out to hug her. The other cars and trucks behind him blare their horns impatiently, the drivers shouting a colorful variety of Greek epithets, the two quickly get into the truck and pull away, Betty's lips glued to the side of Stamatis' face. CUT TO: EXT> MEGASPILEO (AFTERNOON) The immense monastery is built right up against the rock face of the mountain, 1500 m high. It has a spectacular view to the north and west. Beneath its ominous visage is nestled a tree shaded tavern overlooking the deep gorge and facing another mountain range. The Datsun pulls up in front of the tavern, the 2 young lovers get out and embrace again, taking in the surroundings. (Greek) BETTY Isn't it amazing...Egion is fun at night, but here it's so peaceful. STAMATIS (kisses her) It's nice, but I didn't come to see the sights. 28 BETTY (smiles up at him) That's good to hear...you hungry? I'm absolutely famished... STAMATIS (laughs) OK, let's go eat. CUT TO: CU, Stamatis gazing at Betty's hands which he holds between his, the table is strewn with empty plates, Betty rattles on enthusiastically about her plans for the excavation, her voice a warm murmur in the background. She realizes he isn't listening and pulls her hands away. BETTY You haven't heard a word I said, have you? STAMATIS What was that, Baby? Sorry, I was just thinking. BETTY Of all moments you choose this one to meditate, thanks a lot. STAMATIS It concerns you as well as me. BETTY That makes me feel much better, at least you weren't sitting across from me thinking about whether or not you remembered to take the trash out this morning. STAMATIS I'm serious, Betty. BETTY So am I...So, are you going to share these thoughts on your own or am I supposed to guess. STAMATIS Well, first of all, the company I work for has just been commissioned to take on a new industrial complex... 29 STAMATIS (continuing) It's a really big job and they need 3 additional supervisors to oversee it... and I was offered 1 of those 3 positions. That means an automatic 60% salary increase. BETTY (not seeing the point) That's very nice, I'm glad for you, but you say it was though it were a problem. STAMATIS Well, I was thinking that, as soon as you get this out of the way, we could... BETTY (cuts him off) "Get it out of the way" Christo, I have planned and agonized over this project for nearly 3 years, I didn't invest that kind of time and energy just so I could get it "out of the way" when the time came. STAMATIS Sorry, that didn't come out right. BETTY (gathering momentum) You bet it didn't come out right, now things are starting to make sense. Do you realize that you haven't even congratulated me, you've said every thing else except "Bravo Betty, I'm really happy for you!" You never believed I could do it, did you? STAMATIS Oh my God, I think I'm getting a nose bleed. BETTY Last time it was your asthma. STAMATIS Last time you put me into intensive care for 3 days. 30 BETTY That's right. You'd die before you let me take this job. STAMATIS That's not true, I know how capable you are, it's just... BETTY It's just that you were hoping that my applications would be denied. And you feel cheated, yes? STAMATIS That's not fair. BETTY Is it fair that you find it so easy to dismiss something I have dedicated years of my life to realizing. Is that supposed to make me feel good? Feel loved?
Copyright © 1999 Victoria King |