Moonspender (3)
STAMATIS Damn it, it's because I love you that I hate to see you putting up with these hassles, you have a steady job teaching, you dont need this! BETTY How can you be so sure what I need? You know I love teaching, but you have known from the beginning that this is what I really wanted and worked so hard for all those years. If you cant handle it... well, maybe you better try to figure out exactly who you've been trying to fool all this time, you or me. STAMATIS I dont know what I said yo bring this on. BETTY (fighting back the tears) My car is in Egion. If you dont mind, I have work to do, the ferries run until midnight. STAMATIS Betty...I dont know what to say. 31 BETTY No problem, call me when you do. She marches away. STAMATIS (to himself) You're not that beautiful. CUT TO: INT> TAVERNA (AM) Stamatis is drinking Metaxa and talking to COSTAS, the bartender. STAMATIS She's in a steady state of rage all the time about everything. COSTAS Then none of it's the real reason. STAMATIS It's all the same reason: The world is there to serve her. If anyone has a selfish motive, besides her, she has a rage fit. COSTAS Is she worth it? STAMATIS The Sufis have an angle on it: God is not just, he is not merciful, he is not good, but he is beautiful and that's enough. COSTAS Is it? (no answer) The reason I ask, happiness consists of knowing what you want and exactly how much you're willing to pay for it. Is it worth it? STAMATIS We've been going out for 6 years. COSTAS And you dont know how to get out of it. 32 Stamatis nods and Costas refills his glass. POV pulls back. There's AN AMERICAN GIRL writing a letter 2 stools down. STAMATIS Writing a letter by hand? What is is that? some crazy new religion? GIRL (laughs) I forgive you. Stamatis drains his glass and Costas refills it. FADE TO: EXT> BIG TOWN (AM) Betty walks down the main street, stops to ask directions from a man hammering on a wine barrel in front of his workshop. She continues, turning up a very narrow side street. CUT TO: INT> SHERIFF'S OFFICE (AM) A large single room dominated by a disorganized desk backed by cluttered shelves. The decor consists of 3 worn out chairs, a map of Greece, poster (in Greek) for ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST and an icon. CLOSE ON the SHERIFF, late 30's stupefied with boredom, he sits with his feet up watching a small portable TV. he nonchalantly removes his feet from the desk and turns off the TV when Betty enters. (Greek) BETTY Excuse me... SHERIFF (looks he up and down) Yeah, sure. (gestures to a chair) BETTY I wanted to file a report, vandalism and possible theft. 33 SHERIFF (raises his eyebrows) Hmmm...name? Searches the desk top for a blank piece of paper. He gives up, resorting to the back of an envelope. BETTY Garanis, Betty. SHERIFF (looks across at her) So, you are the scientist. (settles back in his chair) I've been meaning to come and check you out, looks like you saved me a trip. Care for a beer? Ouzo? (picks up the phone and dials the kafeneon) BETTY Isn't it a little early. He rolls a cigarette, offers it to her before lighting it himself. SHERIFF I've been at this post for 4 years n time ceases to be an issue long ago. (to the phone) Yeah, morning, have Yorgi bring me a karafaki and an orange juice...fresh of course. (he hangs up) So vandalism and possible theft, someone messing with your car? BETTY I was referring to the archeological site. SHERIFF You're pulling my leg, right? The boy from the kafeneon arrives, winking at the sheriff as he exits. BETTY Not at all. 34 SHERIFF Ma'am, these mountains have been pillaged and vandalized non-stop for 3000 years now. Where would you suggest I start? Do you have any names? Catch anyone carrying off a 500 ton marble block. Any leads at all? The fact that it doesn't match Pavsanias description is not evidence. BETTY But there is evidence, very fresh evidence that items have been removed. SHERIFF Let's say there is, can you tell me exactly what has been removed. Give me some clue what we are looking for. BETTY (lowers her head) I understand how you feel, you make it very clear, you dont have to patronize me as well. SHERIFF Hell, I'm not patronizing you, yet, it's just common sense. If someone did happen to stumble across something significant that miraculously survived all these years, you can be damn sure they dont have it in their living room. Those things move fast and I am only one man. You know where your temples and stoas are, dont you?, do you expect me to go around from village to village telling people to tear their houses down because some nosey little stranger would like to put the temples back together. BETTY (stands abruptly) Please excuse me for wasting your time. (moves toward the door) SHERIFF Listen a minute before you go. I'm stranger here too, but I've been here long enough to learn how these people operate. 35 SHERIFF (continuing) They can be friendly, even hospitable, just dont fuck with their livelihood and no one is going to bother you. BETTY I'll keep it in mind SHERIFF One more Yuppy who thinks she's bullet proof, finds out she isn't and starts screaming that it must be somebody else's fault. You must love Oliver Stone movies. She glares at him and exits. FADE TO: EXT> THE MOUNTAIN (DAWN) The caravan of donkeys and mules loaded with various equipment and supplies reaches the summit and Betty begins to set up camp. She dashes around giving instructions. She has managed to gather 12 workers with some help from Grigoris, ages ranging from 14 to 60. Sometimes, they look to Grigoris for confirmation of her orders and she pulls another rage fit. Once the pack animals have been unloaded and are grazing placidly on meadow grass, she divides the men into 3 groups and assigns various tasks. The 1st group will construct a small shed to house the equipment, the 2nd group will begin clearing away the weeds so what remains of the foundations of the structures can be measured and accurate distances calculated. the 3rd group is to pry away the chunks of stone piled over the altar site and remove the cross. The 3rd group stirs uneasily, is she sure that she wants them to do that? Yes, she's sure and will take responsibility and they finally go to work. They work at a pace which for Betty is maddeningly slow, but it was all she could do to raise this many hands, if she asks any more of them she just might be stuck digging on her own. 36 EXT> THE SAME (1:00 PM) The women arrive bearing the noon meal for their husbands and sons. All activity comes to a screeching halt, which frustrates Betty as she knows that Greeks do not know the meaning of lunch "hour", they may eat in an hour, they may eat in an hour but then require 2 hours to assimilate the experience. Luckily, Martha arrives, she has taken it on herself to bring Betty's meal, she is curious to see what is going on, but mainly does not want to be left out. (Greek) MARTHA You had better prepare yourself for a visit from that crazy monk and his brood. BETTY What's wrong now? Martha gestures toward the cross on the pole. What about it? Martha nods, her mouth full. Take your time. MARTHA For you it is a flagpole, for them it wards off evil spirits. You see, he goes around telling everyone they were performing human sacrifices on that altar and that the cross prevents the damned souls of the victims from tormenting the surrounding villages. BETTY ...and you have just violated tribal taboo 231, section 18, paragraph j, subparagraph 5 so we have to burn you at the stake. MARTHA It happens, especially when it provides a convenient excuse. Dont take me or Grigoris as examples, we're too damned cynical to believe in anything, but the peasants think you have horns and a tail. 37 BETTY I'll burn that bridge when I come to it. MARTHA The bridge is coming to burn you. CUT TO: THE SAME (EARLY EVENING) Betty surveys her 1st days work, she would have liked to get more accomplished, but at least there is some visible evidence of a beginning. As the crew prepare to return to the village, a boisterous group of people can be heard approaching. BETTY Here comes the comic relief. Over the knoll appears a procession led by the Monk who is followed by a handful of women in black. There is also the Sheriff and old Grigoris who curses, spits and breathes heavily trying to keep up. (Greek) MONK (shouting) See! You all see, she wants to ruin us. Betty approaches the group, the workers looking on in bemused detachment. The Monk warns her off. MONK Far from me unclean spirit! Why have you come to torment us?! BETTY Because we've been watching you and WE KNOW! The Monk faints and his followers cross themselves frantically and move behind him for protection. Betty throws a bucket of water in his face and he comes around. BETTY (continuing) Father, I will personally pay to a erect a better cross the moment I have the samples I need. I just need to dig down to the 1st layer of ash. 38 MONK You hear! She admits it. She wants to bring down damnation upon us! BETTY Father, I respect the shrine and will continue to do so. The Sheriff steps forward and puts his hand on Betty's elbow. She pulls away from him. SHERIFF (harsh whisper) You must be out of your mind. BETTY Sheriff, it is a flagpole, dont tell me you're also one of his believers. SHERIFF I know it's a God damned flagpole, what you dont know is what a pain in the ass that maniac can be. BETTY I think I'm starting to get an idea ...could I get a restraining order? SHERIFF Now I know you're as crazy as he is... You know what will happen if you piss this idiot off? He'll go to the synod, not that the church gives a rat's ass about him, but if it's a matter of reaffirming their influence in the area, they'll jump at the opportunity. BETTY What am I supposed to do, join his cult? We're talking about 2 or 3 days work at most. SHERIFF No, we are talking about you telling your people to put the flagpole back NOW and just maybe he'll bet off your back and let you dig elsewhere. 39 BETTY (outraged, as usual) Let me dig! SHERIFF What makes a fool a fool is an inability to take even his own good advice...Before your complaint would even reach Athens, he could get a mob together and physically throw you off the mountain and there is not a God damned thing I could do about it. BETTY You know what backing down now will do to me in their eyes? She gestures to the workers. SHERIFF The only thing I know is that if you dont back down now, tomorrow, they'll be sitting in the kafeneon swapping anecdotes about you and you will be on your way back to Carditsa. His tone is ever but not vindictive. She looks at him and he nods. Swallowing hard she turns and walks over to the workers to give the order. They were expecting it after all. They go about the task and when she turns, the Monk glares down at her triumphantly. GRIGORIS Forget about it, kid, there's no making sense with that crazy mallaka. BETTY Sorry, they had to drag you up here. GRIGORIS That's what I get for letting them elect me mayor. At my age, I should know better. SHERIFF Shows over, I think we all have better things to do. The Monk and his devotees surround the cross swinging incense and chanting hymns. 40 BETTY Sounds suspiciously like The Love Boat Song. A disheartened Betty takes Grigoris's arm and rest of the caravan heads toward the village. FADE TO: EXT> ANCIENT OLYMPIA (DAY) Betty and the professor stroll among the ruins, stopping to rest under a huge plane tree. (English) BETTY Thanks for suggesting this, I think I'm almost relaxed. PROF You mustn't take it all so personally, pussycat, you cant expect them to share or even understand your passion. For them it's simply 500 drachma a day to move dirt around. BETTY They're just so slow, so often I wish I had a whip! PROF Steady there, girl, I thought you were Greek, not Roman. I guess it's time someone taught you how your own people think. Even if you were giving them an MP's salary, they would probably move even slower. The only way to make a Greek productive is to inspire him, and to inspire them they must adore you. BETTY Brilliant theory, but what else can I do? I am courteous to everyone, no matter how insufferably obnoxious they are, I bite my tongue every time someone tries to pull me into a political argument, and you dont know how hard that is sometimes. 41 PROF That, my dear, is diplomacy, not public relations and no one gives a care for diplomats. You're still missing the most important point. BETTY These inspirational cliches are fine for organizing the emotions, but they are the opposite of analysis. PROF Oh, my God! BETTY Just try to avoid the use of abstract nouns. PROF It's really so simple, you just aren't involved. BETTY Not involved! I care more about their history than they do! PROF Their history is just that, history. What is real for them is their community. If you want them to do more than merely tolerate your presence, you have to show them that they are more important to you than a bunch of old stones. Otherwise, you are just another outsider trying to capitalize on their history for personal gratification. You've made a start from what I gather, the mayor... BETTY Mr. Cannellopoulos? PROF Mr...? I guess you like him, but if you keep company exclusively with him, the others may very well feel slighted. BETTY I never thought of that. 42 PROF I know how it is, a lot of the time our enthusiasm for our work makes us forget that there are other people around. have you gone to a church service? BETTY (surprised) No, I've been working Sundays. He shakes his head disapprovingly. PROF That's one mistake, you think that extra day is going to make a difference. Leave Sundays alone, put on a dress, go to church, chat with the women about their kids, after all it is a social gathering, really. If they start really working those 6 days, you can afford to relax and enjoy the 7th. BETTY I feel so ridiculous. PROF What on earth for? BETTY You know my country better than I do. He pinches her chin, they resume walking. PROF Experience, my dear, it's no substitute for intelligence, but it will do... Any expectant mothers in the village, you could always baptize a child. FADE TO: INT> SHERIFF'S OFFICE (NIGHT) The Sheriff is in his usual position with his feet up, the Prof sits to the left of the desk, and VITTORIO (well dressed, Italian or Rumanian, late 50's) sits to the right. Between them an empty chair waits for the Registrar. By the door stands Vittorio's "90cm" cleaning his nails with a small stiletto. The Sheriff looks at him. (English) 43 SHERIFF He sees too many American movies. PROF So do you. The Registrar enters, he appears agitated. VITTORIO Nice of you to join us, Mr. Pappas. REG Women's clubs!, I apologize for the delay, but I have to make my token appearance at these bloody fund raisers otherwise the old bats make my life miserable. PROF I can imagine. VITTORIO Let's get down to business then, I'm expected back in Corfu. As I'm sure all of you are aware, we have 2 serious issues which demand attention, that Friar...his name escapes me...and Miss Garanis. REG Yes, couldn't that damned girl be gotten rid of somehow? Vittorio's henchman laughs, but is silenced by a severe look from his master. VITTORIO Actually, the Professor and I were considering another option. Our front, the Friar seems to have ideas of his own. I have very serious buyers waiting in Corfu and now he is refusing to deliver the objects unless, along with his usual fee, I provide him with explosives. Reaction: Sheriff 44 VITTORIO (continuing) Of course, it would be foolish to expect rational requests from such an irrational man, but I think you can all appreciate the delicacy of the situation. PROF He pulls some king of stunt, lets say he's planning to destroy some archeological site, all of our interests in the area will be shut down indefinitely. VITTORIO Precisely, that is where the girl comes in. The Monk is insane and it is to our advantage that the fact is widely known in the immediate area The girl, is young, inexperienced, but very ambitious, traits which lend themselves to the kind of career guidance we can offer. She is, after all, a scientist, a much more official front. We could lose the asylum of the monastery, but my connections in Athens could arrange the titles and permits necessary to close the site to outsiders and let our young scientist work undisturbed. SHERIFF The short version is: we get rid of the Monk and the girl is grateful. VITTORIO Basically, yes. Of course, it could not happen over night, the Monk must be removed quietly to avoid drawing unwanted attention to the area. PROF Killing him is not an option. These things always sound simple, but they never go as planned. We dont want questions, we dont want to involve the Ministry of Public Order. The Sheriff and the Registrar become increasingly uncomfortable, this is deep water and the sharks can close in at any time. 45 VITTORIO It would be preferable if he could be closed away in some institution where... SHERIFF
Copyright © 1999 Victoria King |