Stonemaiden (7) 102. INT./AFTERNOON, MELINA'S ROOM MELINA lies on the bed staring at the ceiling. SHE must use self hypnosis to delve into her unconscious and beyond... DISSOLVE TO: 102a. UNDER WATER, MELINA walks on the sea floor towards an enormous door. It opens as she nears and a brilliant light spills out, seems to enfold her and draw her into the room. Inside this structure everything is made of light, as MELINA floats toward the source of the light a resonant voice greets her. POSEIDON It is lovely to see you again, I've never quite forgiven myself for your torments... HE shimmers into focus before her, SHE smiles. MEL I never blamed you. I know you sent the dolphin, I wanted to thank you. POSEIDON Don't be ridiculous, that was the least I could do, besides they really enjoy it. MEL I suppose you know why I've come. POSEIDON Yes, tonight in your mortal time is the full moon if I am not mistaken. MEL I am frightened, what will happen if I fail? POSEIDON Let's hope you won't have to find out. MEL But what should I do? POSEIDON What you must do is seek reconciliation with Athena. (reaction MELINA, a mixture of fear and anger) Ah yes I know you were wronged... It was her petty jealousy and your stubborn pride which started this whole mess after all. But the old wound must be allowed to heal. MEL I suppose you are right, how will I find her? POSEIDON How did you find me? MEL Yes but will she let me find her. POSEIDON extends his hand, a beam of light flashes from it into MELINA'S, SHE looks down to see she is holding a small crystal scepter, a miniature of POSEIDON'S trident. POSEIDON Offer her that, it is something she has wanted for a long time. It won't make her happy to see you, but it will make her listen. MEL Thank you my lord... POSEIDON (smiles) Stop flattering me and get to task, you haven't much time left to prepare. God speed my beauty, God speed... DISSOLVE TO: 102b. THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA, as it was in ancient times. MELINA appears before it like an apparition, SHE enters slowly and assumes a position of supplication, laying the scepter out before her she summons ATHENA. MEL Great mistress of wisdom and valor, I come begging peace. ATHENA appears over her, the scepter gleams and SHE makes a motion of her fingers so it rises into her grip. ATHENA State your case suppliant. MEL You know what they intend to do, but to stop them I humbly beg your assistance. ATHENA Oh yes I know very well what is transpiring, you wish to stop them so you will have the power of the Demiurge... MEL The power isn't what is important to me, I would lie if I said I don't want it, but I would be willing to give it up to save one that I love. He is in grave danger, and many others too, if they succeed. Reaction ATHENA, SHE regards MELINA appraisingly. ATHENA How noble, I wouldn't have expected that of you. What else are you prepared to give up? MEL (choosing her words carefully) I have petitioned you as a suppliant, it is not for me to tell you what I will give, but for you to tell me what you demand. ATHENA (sly smile) You have learned a lot since our last meeting... You are a brave woman, you face your fears, that is something I have the duty to respect. (thoughtful) I will grant you to take the power, but only for healing, the power to destroy you will surrender to me. As for the one you love... what I demand is a sacrifice of a different sort. You may go to him, and heal him, and then you must leave him. He must despise you, if you are strong enough to complete such a sacrifice, then all injuries between us shall be mended. MEL I... but why... ATHENA Do you question my will? MEL No. ATHENA Then go and do what you must, you will have my protection tonight. But if you even think to betray me, your soul will suffer eternal woe. MEL Yes mistress... DISSOLVE TO: 102c. INT./DUSK, MELINA'S ROOM HER eyes flutter open, they are wet and the trails of her tears still visible on her cheeks. SHE sits up slowly and looks at the clock, 8:30 p.m. SHE stands and goes to the bath to prepare. 103. EXT./NIGHT, THE TEMPLE MELINA stands looking out over the water to the eastern horizon, SHE wears the same gossamer dress of the night before. The edge of the moon just starts to rise as her SISTERS approach silently from behind. MEL Hello my darlings, the time has come hasn't it. SHE turns to face them, as the moon rises behind her we see ever so faintly her image superimposed on it. MELINA'S POV, for the first time we see THEIR faces. THEY each have only one eye, the WOMAN the left, the VOICE the right, in the place where the other eye should be is just bare skin, and a barely discernible scar running from their foreheads, curving near their noses and disappearing at the temple, THEY are Siamese twins who were joined at the head, THEY and MELINA having developed from separate eggs. THEIR faces otherwise are beautiful, their features delicate, THEIR lips tremble as they look from Melina to the moon and back again. MEL You have come to kill me haven't you, my poor misguided darlings. The VOICE starts to cry. WOMAN Don't listen to her, can't you see what she is doing! MEL What am I doing Elizabeth? SHE holds out her hands to them. MEL You can't fight me any more, come and let me heal you. The VOICE takes a tentative step forward, the WOMAN pulls her back. WOMAN Don't you dare abandon me now! SHE lunges at MELINA who merely raises a hand and SHE is thrown back 10 feet. The VOICE runs forward and kneels at MELINA'S feet sobbing. VOICE I never wanted to hurt you. MELINA strokes her head gently. MEL I know you didn't Rebecca, you never did, not even mommy and daddy. But Lizzie did, isn't that right... You took advantage of her gentleness, you threatened her that if she didn't do what ever you told her the white men would come and do horrible things to her. You always blamed them, and you always hated me because I was whole and you weren't. The truth is none of us were whole, until now. WOMAN Shut up! I'm warning you Becky she is telling you lies! MEL Come on now Lizzie, tell her about your secret plan... You see Becky after she killed me, you were supposed to have a terrible accident, so she could take your eye and be whole. But it is too late, the hate has made such a big hole in her spirit that mere physical beauty would be no consolation. She would have to keep killing, and you understand I can't let that happen... 104. EXT./NIGHT, THE PATH ABOVE THE TEMPLE The OFFICER and his MEN arrive. THEY can see the WOMEN below in the moonlight. The VOICE at MELINA'S feet, the WOMAN a bit farther off, suddenly the WOMAN takes off running. OFFICER You two go cut her off, you follow me... 104a. MELINA pulls the VOICE to her feet. VOICE What is going to happen to us? MEL You have taken many lives, you must be catharsized. I'll make sure nobody harms you. The OFFICER and the other POLICE MAN run down with their weapons drawn. MELINA hugs the VOICE to her and gestures for them to holster their guns. MELINA It's all right, she won't resist. Go with the Police Man Becky, he will take care of you. SHE goes to HIM reluctantly but MELINA nods. HE places the cuffs on her as gently as possible. MEL (to the OFFICER) The others? OFFICER They have her cornered. MEL Good, take me to the hospital now... 105. INT./NIGHT, HOSPITAL, ICU MELINA walks up to JASON'S bed, HE is asleep. HER eyes begin to well with tears as she looks down at him. SHE pulls up the stool and sits next to him holding her hands out stretched just above his abdomen. HE stirs but doesn't awaken. SHE pulls her hands away, gazing at him a moment. MEL God, why did it have to be like this... SHE stands and starts to walk towards the door. JASON'S eyes flutter open. HIS POV, SHE is blurred at first but quickly comes into focus. JASON (raspy) Where do you think you're going. MELINA stops, her back to him, we see her face contort. SHE wipes her eyes and swallows hard. MEL (coolly) I have to leave. JASON Just like that... Turn around, let me see you. SHE turns around slowly, chin high, her gaze cold and calculated. MEL I have enjoyed you Jason, but I have what I came for now, I just don't need you any more. HIS expression is a mixture of shock, hurt and disbelief. JASON But you said... MEL People say a lot of things, it's what they do that means something, you're a cop, you should know that better than anybody. (HE starts to say something but can't find the words) In two days you'll be back at work, and this week will just be a story you tell to pass the time. Farewell Jason, farewell... SHE turns and walks out before HE can find his voice. 106. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE ICU As MELINA emerges from the room SHE bursts into sobs. SHE leans against the wall and tries to collect herself. Further down the corridor the doors to the ambulance entrance burst open, EMT'S push a gurney followed by the OFFICER and the TWO POLICE MEN who were chasing the WOMAN, it is HER on the gurney. POLICE MAN ...The crazy bitch jumped! There was nothing we could do... The chief PHYSICIAN asks the EMT'S what they've got... EMT Comatose, multiple skull fracture, and probable fractures to the lumbar and thoracic... PHYSICIAN Jesus, O.K. people get me full life support, and radio a plane to stand by, this one's going to Athens... While this is happening MELINA has been approaching slowly, SHE grabs the doctor's sleeve. PHYSICIAN Not now lady... MEL Excuse me doctor, I'm her sister... HE wheels around and stares at HER, then takes her by the elbow, but MELINA stops. MEL I want to know what the chances are... HE looks at her, HER expression is earnest. PHYSICIAN Listen, I can't be positive, but based on the injuries she's suffered, it doesn't look good. MEL Do we have to send her to Athens? I could charter a flight to London, you see if she is going to... she has a twin, I was thinking of the eye... (SHE starts crying) PHYSICIAN (consoling) Let us get her hooked up and stabilized, we can handle the details later O.K. MEL Yes, thank you... The OFFICER approaches her tentatively. OFFICER Sorry things worked out like this. MEL There was nothing you could do... But now there is. (HE looks at her warily) Your case is solved now, but I think it is pretty obvious that Rebecca is in need of psychiatric treatment. I would like to have her committed in a competent psychiatric facility in London, where I could follow her treatment. I am willing to cover the costs of transportation for any experts the prosecution might wish to have examine her, but I want her in London pending trial. OFFICER I can respect that, I'll see what I can do. MEL Thank you 107. INT./AM, INSTITUTE FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PARAPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH. MELINA walks down the corridor flipping through a file and humming to herself. As SHE passes an open doorway a head pops out looking after her, it is GWEN. GWEN Hey when did you get back? MELINA turns smiling. MEL Three weeks ago, where on earth have you been? GWEN They stuck me on field duty the Monday after you left. MEL Ew, nasty eh. GWEN (steps out into the hall) That's an obscene understatement. So? MEL (uncomfortable) So what? GWEN How was it! Any wild new romance? MEL (sardonic smile) Well not exactly... GWEN What's going on with you? I mean you seem much calmer, but a little sad somehow. MEL Well the path to self awareness isn't usually strewn with roses... GWEN You did the "find myself" trip! MEL Listen I have to get out to state to see a patient, call this weekend, we'll have a drink and I'll fill you in O.K. GWEN Can't wait. 108. EXT./DAY, ROAD APPROACHING A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, COUNTRYSIDE MELINA drives at a moderate pace, her expression is calm, introspective. 109. INT./DAY, HEALTH FACILITY The attending PHYSICIAN meets MELINA as SHE walks toward the private rooms. PHYSICIAN Nice to see you again so soon. MEL How is she doing doctor? PHYSICIAN Much better, actually you are just in time, we are going to remove the bandages today. MEL That's fantastic! PHYSICIAN We have to take it slowly though, I still don't know if she will actually be able to see with it, and it may take a while to develop the necessary muscle coordination. 108a. THEY reach the door, HE opens it for HER she goes directly to the bedside. MEL (taking her hand) Becky darling, are you awake? BECKY Melina... Oh I'm so glad you are here, I'm frightened. MEL Don't worry love I'll be right here with you. PHYSICIAN Melina would you be so kind as to pull the drapes, after having her eyes bandaged so long the light would be painful. MEL Of course. SHE gets up and pulls the drapes, the Doctor sits down next to the bed. PHYSICIAN How are we feeling to day Rebecca. BECKY Fine... I'm just a bit nervous. PHYS. That is quite natural, are you ready? SHE holds out her hand. BECKY Melina... MEL (takes her hand) Here I am. BECKY O.K. Doctor... HE slowly begins to unravel the bandages. PHYS. Now just try to relax, everything is going to be blurry at first, and it may take a little time for the muscles and nerves to get to know each other... MELINA holds her breath as the last layer of bandaging comes off, the skin around the eye area is still a bit discolored, and a very fine scar is still visible, but the placement is perfect. SHE smiles at the Doctor. PHYS. Now I want you to open your eyes very slowly, the skin may feel a bit tight, but that will go away in a couple of days. BECKY'S POV, as her eyes open at first all we see are dark fuzzy shadows, but gradually everything comes into focus. The two clear blue eyes look slowly from the Doctor to Melina. BECKY smiles and starts to cry, tears roll only from the one eye. SHE notices it and looks at the doctor worried. PHYS. Unfortunately we could not reconstruct the tear duct, I will give you some drops to put in a couple times a day, no more trouble than if you wore contact lenses. BECKY (touching her cheek tentatively) Seems strangely appropriate, Lizzie never cried, not even when we were children. How do I look? MEL Beautiful... BECKY Can I see? PHYS. I don't see why not, don't worry about the discoloration of the skin, that will fade in about another week. HE gives her a hand mirror. SHE closes her eyes a moment then holds it up and looks. HER jaw falls open, she stares in disbelief and starts to cry again. MELINA embraces her. BECKY I never dreamed... MELINA holds her a moment rocking her gently. Then lays her back on her pillow. MEL Darling I have to go now, but I will come back tomorrow and we can spend more time together O.K. BECKY nods, wiping her eye. PHYS. I'm just going to walk her out and I'll be right back. SHE watches them go, as soon as the door closes behind them the blue eyes grow cold. SHE looks around spotting the scissors that the doctor used for the bandages. SHE grabs them and hides them under her pillow. BECKY Yes darling, do hurry back... 108b. CORRIDOR The DOCTOR and MELINA walk towards the entrance. PHYS. It would be best if you could come every day, at least for the first two weeks. In transplant cases there are always feelings of guilt, but in this case, with the loss of the twin, it may be much more intense. MELINA I understand, I'll work it out. Thank you Doctor. PHYS. I'm just happy it was such a success. MELINA turns and walks out, the DOCTOR turns and heads back towards Becky's room. THE END
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |