Stonemaiden (5) I seem to recall you begging me not to do that... MEL That is true, I am asking you to take a major risk. It is your choice. You could just arrest me now, and your men could corner them quickly enough I suppose. It will be a bit difficult to establish things like motive? Not to mention physical evidence to tie them to the murders is most certainly non existent. They are very cunning and aren't about to let anything keep them from this appointment with power. JASON What about you? MEL What do you mean? JASON (looks at her keenly) If you succeed in carrying out the remainder of the legend, albeit symbolically, then you inherit this "power" isn't that right? MEL That is a possibility, if one cares to believe in legends. JASON Do you want to believe it? MEL Listen I would be lying if I refused to admit that the idea is most intriguing... Not to mention that both my personal and professional curiosities have been peaked. As skeptical as I may be of legends, I am even more skeptical of coincidence. JASON What about this power? Is it evil? MEL That depends on the level and the recipient. The belligerence or benevolence of any natural force can only be measured in relation to it's consequences. A natural power, like fire for instance, in and of itself is neither good nor evil, it simply is. It can only be qualified according to how it is applied. JASON That is a very nice theoretical song and dance. Does that mean I am placing my life in the hands of the "good witch"? (she flashes him a resentful look) Listen sweetheart as fond of you as I may be I think I have the right to know what the hell you are after! Are we really going through all of this JUST to stop your sisters? Or is it that deep down you want this... power for yourself, maybe that's what you've really been after all along. MEL I won't deny that because it may very well be true... (long beat, SHE looks at him, then at herself in the mirror) Yes Jason, I want it, if it exists I want it. SHE turns and looks him directly in the eyes without wavering, HE smiles sardonically. JASON Well you may very well be nuts, but at least I can trust you. 63. EXT./AM, RESORT ENTRANCE MELINA emerges in what appear to be very high spirits, the doorman calls her a taxi and she heads toward the center of town. 64. EXT./AM, A RURAL PART OF THE ISLAND A small group of MEN with dogs stroll along goat paths chatting among themselves about recent events. Suddenly the dogs pick up a scent and break loose, their barks and howls trailing behind them. 65. INT./AM, POLICE STATION JASON sits at his desk, a bunch of gypsies before him babble all at once. HE holds up his hands in resignation. JASON Please! Just one of you, tell what is the problem. GYPSY WOMAN (SHE glares at one of the men before speaking) Some xeni women they pay take some pictures with my little girl, supposed bring back prin nyxta, but no. We loose money, sell flowers nyxta, want you find xeni women... JASON realizes these are the parents of Melina's "little girl" HE stands. JASON When did they take her? GYPSY WOMAN Yesterday morning. JASON What did they look like? GYPSY WOMAN (gestures to one of the Gypsy men). Two woman same body, I no want give child, but him... JASON And where did they meet you? GYPSY WOMAN Camp, outside town. JASON O.K. I will send some men to find your daughter, just give your name to the officer at then desk on your way out. HE nudges them toward the door, calling in one of his men. OFFICER Yes Captain? JASON How many men are not currently occupied? The OFFICER counts on his fingers. OFFICER Five counting Mitso who took the day off for his wife's birthday. JASON Call them in, all of them. Tell Mitso I'll give him an extra day at Christmas. OFFICER What is happening? JASON Just do it I'll brief you when everybody is here... The OFFICER leaves shaking his head. JASON calls the hotel... JASON Come on Melina... I've got witnesses for a positive ID now... Yes room 108 please... Shes out!... No no mesage... Shit. 66. EXT./DAY, IN TOWN MELINA emerges from a book store with a small bag and walks down the street towards a pharmacy. SHE enters... 67. INT./DAY, PHARMACY MELINA walks up to the counter with professional aplomb, opens her bag and extracts her physicians license. The PHARMACIST, a woman in her mid 30's greets her warmly. MEL Good morning, do you speak English? PHARMACIST (with a somewhat strained Hellenic/British accent) But of course. MEL Oh that is wonderful! I am travelling with a patient of mine who suffers from periodic anxiety attacks, I was hoping you might have some 5cc ampoules of Sodium Barbitol? The PHARMICIST glances at the Medical ID and smiles. PHARMACIST (slides a tablet toward MELINA) If you would kindly fill out a prescription form I'll set you right up. Do you need any syringes? MEL Yes, two intramuscular would do nicely. PHARMACIST Here we are... Cash or charge? MEL (somewhat suprised) Cash please. PHARMACIST Oh there is a 20% discount for doctors, in case you need any thing else while you are here. Take my card. MEL Why, thank you... SHE pays for her purchases then moves to leave but stops for a moment. PHARMACIST Is there anything else I can do for you? MEL Actually yes, we've been invited to a barbeque tomorrow night and I thought it might be nice to send them a suckling pig, you wouldn't happen to know which butcher is the best? PHARMACIST (with pride) Ah... for a suckling pig there is only one man to go to, Thanasis. Continue along the main road about 300 meters, then you'll find a very small street to your left, follow it all the way to the top and you can't miss it, he raises his own pigs! MEL Oh that's brilliant, thank you so much. PHARMACIST My pleasure of course... 68. EXT./DAY, A SMALL STREAM The VOICE the WOMAN and the GYPSY GIRL sit on the bank. The VOICE plays with the child, the WOMAN nudges her impatiently. WOMAN It's time. VOICE Do we have to? WOMAN Shut up, if you can't take it maybe you should join her. The VOICE hugs the child to her tears filling her eyes. VOICE You don't love me anymore, you want HER! WOMAN Stop being idiotic, you are much too sentimental sometimes. Of course I love you (SHE kisses the VOICE) Don't worry, the child won't suffer. VOICE You promise? WOMAN Yes I promise. You set up the tea party, I'll pour... The VOICE dutifully takes out 3 paper cups while the WOMAN opens a bottle of juice and a small vial with a diaphanous liquid. The first cup is for the child, the WOMAN empties the vial into it then fills it with juice, an then the two other cups. The child guzzles the first cup, obviously she is very thirsty. The Woman obligingly refills the cup as the tiny hands hold it up hopefully. By the time the CHILD has finished the second cup her eyelids are heavy, SHE nods off and quickly there after stops breathing. The VOICE starts to cry, the WOMAN slaps her. WOMAN Cut it out. VOICE (whimpers) She was just a child. WOMAN Yeah well a few hundred thousand kids die every year of starvation I don't see you crying for them! VOICE I never met them. WOMAN At least now her parents won't be using her for slave labor anymore, her death is serving a holy purpose, she'll go to paradise. VOICE (still not totally convinced) Yeah I suppose you are right. WOMAN Of course I'm right! SHE pickes up the small lifeless body and lays it in the stream, then smooths out their footprints with a twig. WOMAN Make sure you haven't left any traces. Once we get back on the fot path it doesn't matter but here, nothing! VOICE (despondent) O.K. 69. EXT./DAY, NEAR THE CAVE One of Jason's MEN emerges from the cave holding his nose, the dogs howl and whine. MAN 1 It's got to be at least 3 days. MAN 2 That bad, eh? MAN 1 That bad. MAN 2 Tassos! Get word to the Captain that we found him, and to get the coroner out here, I don't think any of us want to touch him. TASSOS Yes sir! 70. INT./AFTERNOON, MELINA'S ROOM MELINA emerges from the shower, her mood is one of strange and ethereal calm. There is a knock at the door and she goes and opens without asking, JASON stands in the threshold with a perturbed expression. JASON Is that intelligent, opening like that. MEL Relax, I knew it was you. JASON How? MEL I don't know, I just knew. Maybe it's THE power! JASON You are in an awfully good mood. MEL Is there any reason I shouldn't be? JASON We found VanGo's body. MEL What did the coroner say? JASON At least 48 hours, probably more but the low temperature in the cave preserved the corpse. MEL So, one point for Melina... JASON And I found the parents of your flower girl... MEL (suddenly serious) The child? JASON As it seems they didn't sell her, they just leased her out. They came to me because your sisters didn't return her when they said they would. MELINA'S Good mood dissolves. MEL So, she is dead. JASON I didn't say that. MEL No, but my premonition did. Have any butterflies? JASON What's that supposed to mean? MEL Well tomorrow night is your big performance. JASON Oh yeah, I tried to forget. MEL I would suggest you try to remember, it might prove more useful. JASON It's been a fuck of a day, I'm in no mood for word games alright? MEL What about other games? JASON Don't tell me you are actually horny. MEL Baby, I'm going to kill you tomorrow, isn't it natural to want to enjoy your company while I can? SHE sidles up to him and starts teasing, HE resists half-heartedly. JASON You are a sick woman. MEL (kisses him) I know, after all that is what you find so irresistibly attractive about me. 71. EXT./EVE., DUSK ON A CLIFF The VOICE and the WOMAN dance naked in the twilight, the nearly full moon is already rising from the eastern horizon. 72. INT./NIGHT, MELINA'S ROOM MELINA and JASON are making love, much more ravenously than the first time. 73. INT./PRE-DAWN, MELINA'S ROOM MELINA stands alone on the balcony, we see her from behind, SHE stares out at the sea. JASON rolls over, the emptiness of the bed wakes him... JASON Hey, anything wrong? MELINA turns, she is back-lit by the pale predawn light. MEL No, nothing's wrong, I was just thinking... SHE approaches the bed. JASON About what? MEL (laughs) About just how fucking unbelievable this whole situation is. JASON pats the bed, she climbs in next to him. JASON You're cold. MEL Is that a qualitative judgment? JASON (groans) Please I just woke up, I'm in no condition for a mind fuck before coffee. MEL (smiles and kisses him sweetly on the forehead) Sorry, occupational hazard I suppose. When in doubt, hide behind every trick you know. Any last requests? (she kisses him playfully) JASON What is that supposed to mean? MEL Well, you are a condemned man, or have you forgotten that you are going to die today? I thought last requests were customary in such situations. JASON Has anyone ever told you that you are a morbid bitch at times. MEL Now that you mention it, I can't say as I've heard that one before. But I can tell you it turns me on incredibly... SHE begins to kiss and fondle him. JASON Is this how you plan to kill me? MEL That isn't a bad idea, but unfortunately I've already made other arrangements. JASON In that case consider this my last request... 74. MONTAGE: As the sun rises we pass through a variety of shots. The island waking up. The tourists taking their positions on various beaches. In short nothing to indicate that this day should be any different than any other. 75. INT./AM, MELINA'S ROOM JASON emerges from the bathroom, ready for work. MELINA kisses him. JASON So business as usual. MEL Absolutely. JASON And when is the big event supposed to occur? MEL Just get back here in time for dinner and I'll let you know. JASON Tease. MEL Go to work. JASON (salutes) Yes sir! 76. EXT./AM, POLICE STATION As JASON nears HE cringes. JASON'S POV, both VanGo's and Mario's entire families are gathered outside screaming for the head of the murderer. Mothers beat their breasts, grandmothers tear at their hair, fathers and brothers brandish shot guns. A YOUNG OFFICER looks over them in desperation, when HE sees JASON his face registers momentary relief. THEY notice and turn on JASON like a flock of starving seagulls. VANGO'S FATHER See this! (he waves the shot gun under JASON'S nose) This is justice! ALL begin to shout simultaneously, threats, moans of grief, praise for the dead heroes. One of the grandmothers pushes toward JASON. GRANDMOTHER If you can't find who did it maybe Hardavelas can! JASON cringes once more, if they call in the media he'll be on his way to an early retirement without benefits. HE tries to quiet them unsuccessfully, then jumps up on a bench and fires his gun in the air, the cacophony comes to an abrupt halt. JASON Please! I understand your anguish, I have lost one of my best men! But standing here and listening to you shout doesn't bring me any closer to catching the killer. The airport and harbors are under the tightest security measures, and I have patrol boats circling the island continuously, the killer can't leave he is trapped. Various mumblings are exchanged among the members of the crowd. JASON cont. Now it is only a matter of time until we corner the killer, and you all will be able to help much more if you return to your homes and your jobs and keep your eyes and ears open. We are neighbors, we have to look out for each other. As soon as we are able to tell you more we will call you, and if any of you hear or see anything suspicious report it to us. If you let us do our job we will all be able to rest a lot easier... MARIO'S FATHER We'll give you 24 hours, then we take matters into our own hands. THEY begin to disperse, JASON heaves a huge sigh of temporary relief. OFFICER You really know how to handle them sir. JASON We'll see about that, you heard the man, 24 hours. Come on we have a hell of a lot of work to do. 77. INT./AM, MELINA'S ROOM MELINA carefully packs all of her props into a knapsack, opens the French doors so the room can air out, then leaves. 78. EXT./AM, RESORT ENTRANCE MELINA buys a bottle of water from the kiosk outside the hotel then starts walking along the road. It is a brilliantly clear day, warm but not stifling, SHE smiles to herself as she walks. A jeep load of TOURIST BOYS passes her whistling then stops about twenty meters down the road. TOURIST BOY (shouting) Hey gorgeous! Need a lift? MEL (laughs) Well if you chaps wouldn't mind dropping me off a bit further down the road... TOURIST BOY Mind! (to his companions) Any of you mind? THEY all shout no in unison, MELINA laughs and runs up to the jeep, they help her in and peal away. 79. EXT./DAY, A BEND IN THE ROAD To the left is a wooded area stretching down to the sea, the road continues to the right turning inland. MELINA jumps down from the jeep blowing kisses to the BOYS. MEL Don't you lot get into too much trouble now!
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |