Borrowed Time: or the Undisclosed Triumph of Despair
FADE IN:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
A babbling brook. Guttural mutterings. A middle aged man, FIN, cradles cool water between ravaged hands, sipping voraciously.
A snap. A crackle. Fin searches the forest: no one, nothing.
Fin grunts, groans, climbs to aching feet warily.
Pushed. Shoved. Tackled.
Fin falls to the ground. A man in white holds him down.
Fin struggles, strains, arms twisted, legs thrawrted, thrown onto his stomach; hands barred, forearms blocked. The man handcuffs Fin gruffly.
Standing, the man pulls Fin to his feet and drags him away.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Pushed, shoved, thrown. Fin falls onto the hood of a dilapidated sedan.
The man, his captor, reaches into a pocket and withdraws a small stone.
The man encircles the stone with a bruised thumb. Once. Twice. Three times. Four.
The stone glows with a false luminesence.
Fog fills the air. Impenetrable. Impassable.
Fin dragged, pulled, thrown.
EXT. FOG - DAY
Blasts of terror. Gun fire. Missles. Ammunition. Men screaming in wretched pain.
Fin stumbles, tumbles, rolls; Fin struggles to tender feet. Held back, down, on his knees.
Upon a rusted throne sits a woman in white, AURORA, bearing a crown of rotting thorns. A devilish smirk elongates her weary face.
Fin's captor salutes, walks away.
AURORA
For the high crimes of purgery and treason, what do you have to say?
Fin spits.
AURORA
Then so it is decreed. A life of eternity.
Armored men drag Fin to his feet and haul him away.
INT. DUNGEON - DAY
Tossed, thrown. Callused skin gashes. Fin lies on the ground, moaning in wretched agony.
Armored men chuckle, cackle, dissipate into the vapor.
Fin grumbles, groans, drags his beaten body to a stone wall.
A little girl, DES, on the other side of the gates, gawks, gapes, dropping a stick which once rattled iron.
FIN
Eternity, huh?
DES
Well you might call it paradise.
Fin digs through his pockets and withdraws a sallow bill. Fin folds the bill once, twice, three times, four. Fin struggles, strains, picks the lock, free.
Fin struggles to his feet, runs his hands along stone.
A click. A clack. A rock pulled back.
A small stone hidden.
DES
You were here before?
FIN
And soon again.
DES
You can't go back.
FIN
You never can.
A dense fog rolls in.
DES
And me? Where shall I be?
FIN
Where you've always been.
DES
Abandoned, then.
FIN
Again and again.
Fin steps into the haze, dissipates.
The little girl gawks: the cell empty.
INT. CASTLE - DAY
Fin wanders through a hypnotic haze, pausing as fog fades, standing upon the precipice of a dilapidated foyer.
Fin roams down an endless corridor, pausing at paintings which depict war and terror.
A young man, RAMY, approaches.
FIN
Why stay, when theres no one to cherish?
RAMY
Death awaits, no matter the destination.
FIN
But alone?
RAMY
And you? Dead too. All for a little company.
FIN
Somewhere else then.
RAMY
Just the same.
FIN
Is death so feared?
RAMY
Just so.
Fin sighs, nods.
FIN
Its cruel, what mother did to you.
RAMY
Life is a cruel mistress.
FIN
You've hardly lived at all.
RAMY
And you, more than your fair share.
FIN
Dinner, then?
RAMY
If you would be so kind as to indulge an ancient fool.
FIN
I must be off soon.
RAMY
How soon?
FIN
Twenty years or so.
RAMY
Strange, she was born just yesterday.
FIN
And soon a young woman.
RAMY
How I loath time.
FIN
How it cherishes you.
Ramy grimaces.
RAMY
If only that were true.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
A lavish, extravegent room, filled with the riches of a world gone wrong.
Across a long table sit Ramy and Fin.
RAMY
I've been told you've been imprisoned again.
FIN
Just a misunderstanding.
RAMY
Of what sort?
FIN
Perjury, treason, that sort of thing.
Ramy sighs.
RAMY
I had such high hopes for you, my boy.
FIN
And you, father, what has become of you?
RAMY
Food is plentiful. Drink too. Companionship, however, that is wanting.
FIN
Need it be?
RAMY
What choice do I have?
FIN
Dozens.
RAMY
Once, maybe.
FIN
Still a few more.
RAMY
Only two left.
FIN
More than enough.
RAMY
Killed, regardless.
FIN
Rather nothing?
RAMY
Who, pray tell, do you think she will blame?
FIN
No one but you.
RAMY
Don't play the fool Fin. It doesn't suit you. Of course she will blame you. And your sister too.
FIN
So I'll run then.
RAMY
And her?
FIN
Her too.
RAMY
I might as well sign your will.
FIN
Suicide, then?
RAMY
A sacrifice.
FIN
What good is a son without a father? Or a daughter for that matter?
RAMY
Better than dead.
FIN
At what cost?
RAMY
Cheap, considering.
FIN
You're a fool.
RAMY
A happy one.
FIN
You're miserable.
RAMY
To each his own.
FIN
Will nothing make you go?
RAMY
Nothing.
Fin sighs, irritable.
RAMY
It's time.
FIN
How long?
RAMY
Dawn.
Fin sighs. Ramy stands, steps over to Fin, hands him a stone.
RAMY
Every second counts.
Fin nods, stands, and wraps his fingers around the stone. A deep fog rolls in.
FIN
Until we meet again.
RAMY
If we ever do.
Fin steps into the fog.
INT. DUNGEON - NIGHT
Des, aged two dozen years, within a small cell, sleeps, snores, comes to; an opaque fog flutters through.
Fin withdraws from the haze.
DES
Why here, when you can go anywhere?
FIN
Only way to her.
DES
So you're not so clever.
FIN
Atomizer. I'd be tossed about the universe.
DES
Only rumors.
FIN
A gambling man doesn't bet on rumors.
DES
But a dead sister?
FIN
If I had another.
DES
I know. Yours are far too dated.
FIN
I'm sorry, Desdemona.
Des smiles sadly.
DES
What's done is done.
A gate opens. Fin seeps into the shadows. A guard mumbles, grumbles.
Des obliges, lumbers into the corridor, the irritable guard beside her.
Fin catches the gate just before it closes.
The guard drags Des down the hall, Fin lurking close behind.
Fin grabs, pulls, chokes, strangles. The guard struggles, strains, falls unconcious.
DES
Dead?
FIN
Not for long.
DES
Made in error.
FIN
Again, then.
DES
Paradox, Fin.
FIN
Farther back then.
DES
This old thing can barely go three.
FIN
So?
DES
I'd still be there.
FIN
All three years?
DES
Five long years.
FIN
So you'd meet yourself for once.
DES
Don't play the fool, Fin. The domino paradox. You know that.
FIN
Off planet then!
DES
Two weeks to charge and hardly a minute.
Fin hesitates. Des sighs. The clattering of feet marching.
DES
What will it be?
FIN
We fight.
DES
You'll die.
FIN
Better than you.
DES
We both will.
FIN
You could run.
DES
Where?
FIN
I can't abandon you!
DES
What else?
Fin hesitates, smiles.
FIN
Help me get this guard back to the cell.
DES
Why?
FIN
Rather the gallows?
Des sighs and helps carry the man back to the cell.
DES
Only a fool tampers with fate.
FIN
You and father both.
DES
The apple is sweet.
FIN
Surely death is not so inevitable.
DES
Immortality must be a burden.
FIN
It is youth that was mourned, not eternity
DES
You're not so young.
FIN
And you barely old.
The two toss the guard into the shadows.
DES
I'm tired, Fin. I want to go home.
FIN
Then go.
DES
Deja vu.
FIN
It's suicidal.
DES
All life is.
FIN
Not by choice.
Pushed, pulled, tackled. Fin thrown to the ground; the guard once again concious.
The two struggle, strain, first one on top, then the other.
The guard gains the advantage, chokes, strangles.
Coughing. Heaving. Not breathing.
Fin struggles, strains. Gagging, dying.
Des pushes, pulls, rips: cloth, fabric. Des drags the guard back, strangles.
Fin coughs, heaves, gains breath lost.
Des tosses the guard aside, unconcious. Fin nods in gratitude.
Footsteps gather from beyond the shadows. Fin drags the guard into the darkness.
Two men, dressed in uniform, march towards Des, jovial, juvenile; the two pause, hesitate: the gate half open.
Guards raise ancient weapons, aim, advance.
Closer. Closer. At the gate.
Fin withdraws from the shadows, dressed in a guard's uniform, face half shielded by a cloth mask.
FIN
No worries, gentlemen; we were only getting acquainted.
Fin winks; guards smirk.
GUARD 1
Care for another?
Des glowers.
FIN
Perhaps another time, yes? The queen awaits.
Fin clutches, pulls, drags Des past the two men and down the long corridor.
The two guards look to eachother, snicker.
EXT. GALLOWS - NIGHT
Fin feigns arrogance as he drags Des down the courtyard and to the gallows, head low as he approaches the platform.
Fin hesitates at the precipe. Des extinguishes a shallow breath. Fin pushes Des up the steps.
Atop the gallows, upon a cheap platform, Fin stands, clutching his false captive.
Upon a rusted throne, Aurora lounges, smiling, snickering.
AURORA
For the high crimes of collusion and treason, what do you have to say?
Des spits on the ground. Aurora chuckles.
AURORA
Then so it is decreed: death, by hanging.
Fin clenches his fists, takes a step forward. Des steps in front of him.
A man in black pushes Fin back, clutches a noose, wraps it around her neck.
AURORA
Time to come home, dear.
DES
(To Fin)
Go.
Fin doesn't move.
AURORA
You there! Soldier! What are your orders?
Fin doesn't move.
AURORA
My brave knight, your quest is complete. Please, I implore you, leave.
Fin refuses. Aurora sighs.
AURORA
Executioner, if you would be so kind.
The executioner approaches, towering, menacing.
Fin takes a step back. Another. Another. At the precipice of the gallows.
The executioner steps closer. Closer. Closer.
The executioner unsheaths his mighty sword. Fin snickers, steps forward.
The executioner swings, blocked, hand broken, sword dropped, caught, threatened.
Guards encircle the gallows. Fin holds the executioner hostage.
Aurora cackles. Guards ascend the rotting platform.
Closer, closer, undeterred by the threat of a man's death.
DES
Give in, brother. All is lost.
FIN
Not yet.
Fin pulls the sword across the man's neck. Blood spews, spatters, soils. Fin throws the man off the gallows.
Knights charge. Fin swings, cuts rope, clutches Des, and dives off the gallows.
Fin grunts, groans; Des curses, clears rock from torn skin. The two climb to aching limbs.
Guards besiege.
FIN
Get behind me.
Des withdraws her torn cloth.
DES
Bite me.
A guard lunges.
Blocked, wrapped, pulled by cheap cloth. The sword dropped, the man pulled, strangled, dropped, unconcious.
Des arms herself with the lost weapon.
Guards hesitate.
DES
The stones.
FIN
Paradox.
DES
I know.
Fin hands Des a stone. A thick fog rolls in. No one but Des and Fin to be seen.
A yell. A scream. A single man charges.
Blocked. Stabbed. Thrown.
Another charges, dodged, disappears into the fog.
Four guards gather, hesitate, surround.
A guard lunges. Blocked, stabbed, falters, falls. The other three charge.
Steel piourettes across callused skin; cutting, bleeding, pushing, shoving.
A guard kicked, shoved, screaming. Another thrown. Gone.
Fin captured, held hostage, threatened.
Des hesitates.
GUARD
The stone.
DES
Him first.
GUARD
Not gonna happen
DES
Go on then.
FIN
Des!
DES
Go on. Kill him.
FIN
Des!
GUARD
A bluff.
DES
Try me.
Trepidatious hesitation.
GUARD
Same time.
Des nods. The guard takes a step forward.
Another. Another. Closer. Closer.
Des lobs the stone into the air. The guard releases Fin, takes a step forward. Des lunges, lurches.
The guard catches, smirks, coughs blood, falls to his knees: stabbed in the stomach.
Des withdraws her sword and rips the stone out of the dead man's hand.
Fin glares.
DES
What?
FIN
My life is no gmable.
DES
Desperate times.
FIN
Death is no measure.
DES
You'd do just the same.
Fin moves to retaliate, hesitates.
DES
I'm not stupid, Fin. You'd just try again.
The two wander through the fog.
No one. Nothing. Fog recedes.
Dead bodies. Blood. Guts. Aurora no where to be seen.
FIN
Gone again.
DES
Where?
FIN
Doesn't matter. We need another.
DES
How?
FIN
Father.
DES
And her?
FIN
Nothing to be done.
DES
Till then?
FIN
We wait.
INT. TAVERN - NIGHT
Des sits at a bar, sipping a beer. Fin walks in, smirking.
DES
Two weeks and not even a worry.
FIN
I'm optomistic in that sort of way.
A thick fog rolls in. Des stands, hesitates.
DES
How did you know I'd be back there again? Caged in like some sort of animal?
FIN
I didn't.
DES
So luck, then?
FIN
Fate.
Des smirks.
DES
And you?
FIN
Unfinished business. No more than a few minutes.
Des nods and steps into the fog.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Des wanders out of the fog and into a hall, stumbling upon Ramy mumbling to himslef.
DES
Father?
Ramy pauses, stops, looks up. Eyes widen with genuine surprise.
RAMY
Why if it isn't dear Desdemona! Why, how you've grown! Just yesterday you were but a little girl!
DES
30 years ago, father.
RAMY
How time flies!
DES
Mother gives her praise.
RAMY
Yes. Yes. Of course. Of course. And how is your dear mother?
DES
Alive.
RAMY
And Fin?
DES
Some sort of unfinished business.
RAMY
So I suppose you've come for another?
DES
Of course not father.
RAMY
You're a terrible liar, just like your mother.
DES
Virtue or vice?
RAMY
Perhaps both.
DES
And the stones?
Ramy removes a stone from his coat pocket, fondles smooth granite, hands it over.
RAMY
The last.
DES
Mother said there were dozens.
RAMY
Once.
DES
And now?
RAMY
Just this.
A dense fog rolls in. Fin steps out of the fog.
Des turns on her heels, glares.
DES
You said there were more.
FIN
I said we needed more.
DES
There are no more!
FIN
Here? No. Only the one. And that rather old.
DES
Where, then?
FIN
Not where, when.
DES
You have more hidden?
FIN
No.
DES
Stolen, then?
FIN
No.
DES
When, then?
FIN
The future, my dear sister.
DES
Impossible.
Fin chuckles.
FIN
You don't know where we are, do you, Desdemona.
Des hesitates.
DES
Yes I do.
FIN
Where?
Des hesitates. Fin sighs. Ramy steps forward.
RAMY
A black hole, dear.
DES
Thats impossible.
FIN
Only beyond the event horizon.
DES
The what?
RAMY
The point of no return.
DES
But the stones.
Fin sighs. Ramy too.
RAMY
Perhaps dinner, first.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
The three sit at a table, equidistant from eachother.
Before them is the most lavish of food, drink, all laid bare for their ravenous consumption.
RAMY
You see, dear Desdemona, what your mother clearly never taught you is the science of teleportation.
DES
Is my ignorance so apparent?
RAMY
Of course not, Desdemona. But within a black hole
DES
Time is relative, I know.
RAMY
But you do not, dear Desdemona, for within a black hole, time is condensed.
DES
What do you mean?
RAMY
An hour here is years back home.
DES
You mean
FIN
Time travel, sort of. You can't travel forward in time, but you can, however, travel to planets where time is experienced differently. So, when you return
DES
Its as if you traveled forward in time.
RAMY
Precisely.
DES
But what, then, is the event horizon?
The two men look to each other, sigh.
FIN
Within a black hole, you are constantly gaining speed. Every second, every minute, every hour, you are hurdling through space at a faster velocity.
DES
So?
FIN
So, what happens when that velocity exceeds the speed of light?
DES
But the stones can travel faster than light.
RAMY
And where does that lead?
Des moves to speak, stops.
FIN
The event horizon is the point of no return. Faster than light travel sends us back in time, not space. It is then a black hole cannot be escaped.
DES
Which means...
RAMY
Desdemona.
DES
When?
FIN
Des...
DES
When goddamn't?!
The two men look to eachother, sigh.
RAMY
Sunrise.
Des turns to the clock: midnight.
DES
I won't go.
FIN
Des.
DES
I won't.
FIN
You have to.
DES
And what about him? Are we just supposed to abandon him?
FIN
What else?
DES
He's our father!
FIN
He's a lunatic.
DES
He gave us life!
FIN
By genocide!
Des moves to object, stops.
DES
What?
FIN
Father?
Ramy looks down, away. Fin sighs, stands, walks away.
Des hesitates, looks to her father. Ramy sadly smiles, nods.
Des follows Fin out of the dining room.
INT. DUNGEON - NIGHT
Fin lumbers down ancient steps. Des struggles to catch up.
FIN
Look familiar?
DES
I thought you said
The room morphs into an empty chamber.
INT. CHAMBER - NIGHT
Des stops, gapes.
FIN
A sort of peace offering. A measure of good will. The only thing left to him.
DES
Why?
Fin smirks.
FIN
Abandonment is no coincidence.
DES
But he's their keepsake. Their survivor. Their savior. He who remembers our ancestors.
Fin sighs, turns to their father, at the precipice of the room
FIN
Care to indulge?
Ramy shakes his head.
FIN
Then so be it.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
The room morphs, transforms, an 18 year old boy lounges on a queen sized bed, flipping lazily through a newspaper.
DES
Thats
FIN
Father.
Young Ramy steps off the bed, sets down the paper, and looks out the window. Upon the paper reads: COLD WAR HEATS UP!
The boy digs through his pockets and withdraws a smooth stone. The boy fondles the stone.
A thump upon a closet door. Another. Another.
Young Ramy looks back to the paper, sighs, hesitates, and steps out of the room.
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
Young Ramy knocks upon wood. A long pause. A door opens.
A middle aged man, scholary, bespectecaled, smiles at the sight of young Ramy.
Ramy reveals a smooth stone. The man looks at him oddly.
Ramy circles the stone with a callused thumb, gone, back, across the street, back again.
The man howls, screams, charges young Ramy, bursting with laughter, and drags the young man into the abode.
EXT. FACTORY - NIGHT
A cascade of trucks lumber down a dirt road, departing from a factory, pausing at a set of gates rusting.
A guard approaches, opens, surveys its vast contents.
Stones, dozens, hundreds, thousands.
The guard nods and the trucks continue on.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Young Ramy stands before two dozen men, revealing stones, revealing their worth, pointing out the window, up to a poster, the phrase OUR NEW HOME plastered onto the poster.
Men nod, yell, howl, cheer, grab suitcases filled with stones, and parade out of the room.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
Knocking, banging, clashing, bashing. Men, women, children, buying, selling, in one house and out another, corrobarating the brilliance that is the stone's magnificence.
A boy, a child, with a new stone in hand, stumbles out a door, to a yard, fondles the stone, and dissapears.
EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT
The boy yells, screams, terrified, horrified, a suffocating fog encompassing everything.
A young woman draws near, coos, cradles.
More and more step out of the haze, one after another after another after another, all looking up to a forboding castle.
Ramy withdraws from the decadent fortress. Men cheer. Women coo. Children stare in wondrous awe.
Ramy holds up his hands; the crowd immediately quiets.
Ramy withdraws a stone, reveals its significance, and nods to his compatriot.
A small fire alighted. Ramy throws the stone into the fire. Flames spit and spat and Ramy jumps back, all smiles.
The crowd cheers, charges, rids themselves of their burdens.
Ramy lumbers back into the castle.
INT. CASTLE - NIGHT
Ramy discards his cloak, his jacket, lumbers down a long hall, and withdraws a stone from his back pocket.
A dense fog rolls in. Ramy steps through.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Ramy stands amongst war, terror. Missles. Ammunition. Wails of agony.
Men charge, over ditches, past barbed wire, towards Ramy, towards eachother.
Patriotic flags. A stone upon each. An X drawn through one of the two.
Closer. Closer. Almost upon him. Ramy vanishes. The two sides collide.
INT. CASTLE - NIGHT
Ramy gawks, gapes, images of bloodshed rotting upon stale canvases.
A servant yells, screams, runs, sprints, reveals the day's paper.
Ramy snatches the paper, looks it over: THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING.
A scathing subhead: the blackhole and how we escape.
The servant looks to Ramy, nervous, cowering.
Ramy chuckles, cackles, shakes the man's hand and skips out of the castle.
EXT. CASTLE - DAY
A colossus spaceship.
Ramy turns back to his servants, to his staff, gone. Ramy looks around, befuddled, confused, and approaches the rocket.
EXT. ROCKET - NIGHT
Men, women, children, gather. Ramy steps closer, closer, stopped, held back, detained, handcuffed, dragged away.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT
Ramy sits alone, abandoned, only him and his worrisome thoughts.
Aurora steps into the room, cradling an infant girl; a boy, only 5, runs in close behind.
Ramy stands, smiles, holds.
Aurora leans in close, whispers. Joy becomes terror, ecstacy, misery.
Ramy holds the boy close, tight. Aurora grabs the boy's hand, tugs, pulls. Ramy won't let go.
Crying. Screaming. Begging. Pleading.
Harder. Harder. Resisting, refusing.
Aurora glares. Ramy releases.
The boy, given the little girl, stumbles out of the room.
Ramy moves to speak, stops.
Aurora removes a small bag, drops it at his feet. Ramy steps near, Aurora steps back. Bitter tears.
Ramy moves to comfort, console. Aurora runs out of the room.
Ramy tries the door: locked. Harder. Harder. Faster. Faster.
The door won't open, won't budge, won't even trimmer.
Ramy punches, kicks, smashes, slams his body into the monstrosity: nothing.
Ramy breaks down into miserable whimpers. Trimmering, shaking, convulsing liberally.
Earth quakes. Smoke suffocates. Engines rumble, rockets thunder.
Unbearable silence.
Ramy wipes away tears, crawls to the bag, opens it wide, sighs: a few dozen stones inside.
INT. CHAMBER - NIGHT
Des gawks, gapes, horrified.
RAMY
Extinction, Des. That was the gamble. A few billion less or the death of humanity.
DES
Genocide.
RAMY
For the sake of human kind.
Des scoffs, huffs, and stomps out of the room.
EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT
Warped by an inescapable gravitational pull, Des grumbles before an ever darkening sky, devoid of all but a few fading lights.
Des wanders down a rotting path, towards a tranquil lake, picking up rocks, skipping them across.
A figure upon the horizon. Small. Stout. Human.
Des hesitates, gawks. The figure escapes into the night.
Fin wanders down the well trodden path, stands close to Des, and stares out over the lake.
A long, trepidatious silence.
DES
Why doesn't Father go back?
FIN
Back where?
DES
Before they abandoned him.
FIN
Can't.
DES
Why not?
FIN
The stones. They're practically antiques.
DES
But three years.
FIN
Back home. Not here.
DES
What do you mean?
FIN
Einstein. Relativity. The planet's speed constantly gaining. The stone's limit is not a question of time, but speed.
DES
Which means?
FIN
The stones can only go so fast.
DES
So?
FIN
So he can't travel as far back.
DES
How far?
FIN
Here? Maybe an hour. Not much more.
DES
Why not before?
FIN
By the time he could, it was already too late.
DES
Why not leave?
FIN
No where to go.
DES
What do you mean?
FIN
She'd kill him.
DES
Who?
FIN
Mother.
DES
How?
FIN
Tracker, embedded in his skull. Suicide just trying to get it out.
A deep fog rolls in.
DES
And you? Where will you go?
FIN
I won't.
DES
What?
FIN
I'm not.
DES
Fin.
FIN
If you find what you need, you'll be back in mere seconds.
DES
If not?
FIN
I've lived my life. It's time you live yours.
DES
I don't even know what I'm looking for.
Fin hands Des a stone.
FIN
This, but better.
DES
But where? How?
FIN
The future is untold.
DES
So you have no idea?
FIN
No more than you.
DES
And if they don't?
FIN
We try again.
DES
And if they never do?
FIN
Then we die. Just like we always do.
DES
Then why even follow me into this black hole? Why not stay back where we were? Why travel to this wretched planet only to perish?
FIN
Death, otherwise.
DES
What do you mean?
FIN
Mother is no fool, Desdemona. This place is merely a safe house.
DES
So they'll be after me, the moment I leave?
FIN
Presumably.
DES
And you?
FIN
Safe, considering.
DES
I won't go. This is stupid. You have to go.
Fin chuckles, sighs, nods, holds out his hand. Des reluctantly shakes it.
Fin pushes, pulls; Des falls back into the fog.
Des stumbles, tumbles, steadies, jumps, leaps, charges, tackles, falls.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Des screams, curses, hurls the stone into the canopy.
Des calms, sighs, steps towards the stone, stops, reaches into her pocket, two others.
Des continues on, reaches the third, pockets it, sighs, and follows the river upstream.
EXT. COVERED BRIDGE - DAY
Before her, above her, upon a small precipice, rots a covered bridge, an ancient road betwixt.
Des climbs up the shallow hill.
Left, right, Des turns towards the bridge, steps through.
A rumble. A groan. A mechanical lull. Louder. Louder.
Tires crushing gravel. Wind resisting metal. The wail of a horn honking irrevocably.
Des turns on her toes, gawks at the monstrosity.
Closer. Closer. Faster. Faster.
Honking. Hawing. Desperate. Manic.
Pushed, shoved, thrown.
Darkness enshrouds.
INT. BAR - DAY
Des comes to, lying on a counter, groaning, moaning.
ELLA
Quite a fall you went and had back there. Wanna tell me what it was all about?
Des pushes, shoves, sits up, vomits.
ELLA
Yea, suicide will go and do that to ya.
DES
What?
ELLA
Suicide, ain't it?
DES
No...I...
ELLA
What? Didn't see that car coming right at ya?
DES
I didn't
ELLA
What?
DES
I don't know.
ELLA
Yea, well, gettin good and hit like that can be a bit discombobulating, so I won't count that much gainst ya. But I gotta say, your pretty lucky, considering.
DES
Lucky?
ELLA
Sure. Findin a doctor just when ya did. Ain't every day that kind of luck happens upon ya. I'll tell ya what kid, that good old lord is lookin kindly upon ya.
Des nods, stands, tumbles.
ELLA
Woah there buddy, you ain't no Chaplin, lets just give it a minute.
Ella helps Des back onto the counter.
ELLA
Now why don't ya none tell me what this is all about? Going around killing yourself.
Des reaches into her pocket, pauses, stops.
ELLA
Lookin for something?
Pure terror. Ella chuckles.
ELLA
Worryin bout that rock, are ya?
DES
Rock?
ELLA
Sure. That thing you went and wouldn't let go of, as if your life done depended on it.
DES
You mean them.
ELLA
Well I ain't no linguist or nothin, but I think just one gots to be it.
Des pushes herself up.
DES
What do you mean one?
ELLA
Less than two but more than none. Can't much think of another way of saying auch.
DES
But theres three. Three. There should be three.
ELLA
Well if there was, there ain't, sept that one you already got.
DES
How?
ELLA
I ain't no magician. Just be thanking your lucky stars you still got breath to breathe in.
Des moves to stand, held back.
ELLA
Woah there, buddy. Where do you think you're going?
DES
Please, I have to find them. My brother's life depends on it.
ELLA
On a couple of rocks?
DES
Stones.
ELLA
Well if its all that important, we'll see to it when you good and can again.
DES
Theres no time for that!
ELLA
Time or not, you're gonna have to wait.
Des pushes, struggles, stands, limps, leans, strains, hobbles, totters.
Towards the door. Closer. Closer. Closer.
Fall, stumble. Darkness.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Des comes to, Ella sitting beside her.
ELLA
Like I done said, its gonna take a good long while.
Des coughs, vomits.
DES
How long?
ELLA
Few weeks, months maybe. Not much more probably.
Des holds back bitter tears.
ELLA
Till then, you just go and get better.
Ella stands.
DES
Where...
ELLA
Back to the bar. Got business to go and take care of.
Des nods and succumbs to inevitable slumber.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Des comes to. Ella holding a plate of food.
Des eats, vomits, trys again, vomits again.
Des succumbs to darkness.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Des shivers, coughs, sweats, covered with blankets, cooled with damp towels.
Darkness ensues.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Des comes to. Yelling, screaming, beyond a door closed.
Des struggles, strains, stands, falls.
Ella rushes in, drags Des back into bed.
Darkness consumes.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Des comes to, coughs, sighs, pushes herself to her side.
A long pause. Des pushes, pulls, sits herself up.
Des closes her eyes, gathers lost breath, murmurs, prays, struggles, strains. Des stands, sways.
One step. Two steps. Three. Leaning against the window pane.
Des opens the window, pauses, hesitates. Rusted metal creaks.
Des turns. Ella stands, sillhouetted by false luminesence.
ELLA
Bout time you start doin somethin.
Ella approaches, steps closer, wraps an arm around her, and helps her back into bed.
ELLA
Now I know it ain't no privilage stayin in a place like this, but without no name or wallet or any sort of license, I was fraid you might be into some sort of trouble.
DES
What kind of trouble?
ELLA
You tell me.
DES
None, that I can think of.
ELLA
Well that just ain't none true.
DES
Is too.
ELLA
Then why's there so many folks poking around, asking bout some new girl in town, flaunting stones around?
Horror. Terror.
ELLA
Thats what I done thought. Now why don't ya done tell me what this is all bout.
DES
The stones.
ELLA
Well I done got that, stupid. What I mean is, what they want some stupid rocks for?
Des pauses, hesitates.
ELLA
Alright then, don't go and tell me. But heres how it is. Somehow, someway, we ain't got none.
Shock. Panic.
ELLA
Now don't you none worry too much about that, cus they ain't got none either.
DES
How do you know that?
ELLA
Still asking around.
Des sighs.
DES
What do we do now?
ELLA
I gotta good friend, goes way back, known for knowing this kind of stuff. You know, stolen and the like. And seeing you up again, and at it even too, I say, we go and see him real soon.
Des sighs, nods, and gives into consumption.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - DAY
Blinded by a rising sun, Ella slams upon the door of a run down ramshackle, a dilapidated trailer, clanging and banging and making all kinds of ruckus.
A man inside, JESSE, curses and hollars.
JESSE
I ain't got no money, Bill.
ELLA
It ain't no Bill!
JESSE
Ella, is that you?
ELLA
Why don't ya come on out and see for yourself?
Footsteps approach, hesitate.
JESSE
How do I know you ain't none tricking?
ELLA
Tricking bout what?
JESSE
Last time you came over you stole all my liqour.
ELLA
Now you know I ain't none drinkin.
JESSE
Got that badge?
ELLA
Its a token.
JESSE
Don't none care what it is lest I see it!
ELLA
Now how ya gonna good done see it if you ain't even gonna come on out here?
A long pause. The door opens.
Ella slams her body against the door and barges into the trailer.
INT. TRAILER - DAY
JESSE
Goddamn't Ella! You ain't never quit nothin!
ELLA
Nothin ever worth quittin.
JESSE
Well least promise me you ain't gonna steal nothin.
ELLA
I ain't no liar.
JESSE
Just a thief, then.
ELLA
Apples and oranges.
JESSE
I ain't got no fruit.
Ella walks off into the kitchen. Des hesitantly steps into the trailer.
JESSE
Who's she?
ELLA
Why don't ya done ask her?
JESSE
Hey you! Yea you there! Walking right on up into this here trailer? Who do ya think you are, breaking and entering?
DES
I thought this was a car.
JESSE
All with the jokes now, are ya? Think your funny, do ya?
DES
No.
JESSE
Yea, well, you ain't!
DES
Okay.
JESSE
Hey Ella, who is this chick anyways?
Ella walks back into the room, sipping a bottle of whiskey.
ELLA
Found her a couple weeks back tryin to get good and hit by a car or somethin like that, all suicidal like.
JESSE
One of those self killers, huh?
ELLA
Looks like it.
JESSE
Well what'd you go savin her for?
ELLA
Maybe out of the kindness of my heart, thank ya very much!
JESSE
You ain't never saved nobody without no good reason.
ELLA
Is too!
JESSE
Yea? Like who?
ELLA
What about you?
JESSE
Ah, you just wanted a good lay!
ELLA
Then why'd I go and save you?
JESSE
Well let me just tell you something right now Ella
DES
The stones.
JESSE
Whats that now honey?
DES
Where are they?
JESSE
Jesus Christ, Ella. Whats she done babbling on about now?
ELLA
Well thats just what I've been trying to done tell ya if you'd just start listenin!
JESSE
And whats that?
DES
The stones!
ELLA
Alright there Desdemona, we get where you're going, just let me speak for a minute.
Ella hesitates.
JESSE
Well? Go on then. Whats this all about?
Ella sighs.
ELLA
I heard you know somethin about them rocks.
JESSE
I ain't know nothin.
ELLA
Quit playin Jesse. I ain't none stupid.
JESSE
Maybe I do. Whats it to you?
ELLA
Thats her rock you're stealin.
JESSE
So?
ELLA
So, I think she ain't gonna take to it none kindly.
Jesse looks Des over, scoffs.
JESSE
Her and what army?
Ella sighs.
ELLA
Heres the deal, you help us out, and we'll make it worth your while.
Jesse sighs, curses.
JESSE
I ain't goin back there Ella. Not for nothin.
ELLA
No ones puttin ya in no clinker, Jesse. Just tell us where and we'll be outta here.
JESSE
How do I know you ain't gonna cheat me?
ELLA
Come with us if you're so gosh darn worried.
Jesse hesitates, nods.
JESSE
Alrighty then, I will. But I want half.
ELLA
Screw you!
JESSE
Then find someone else!
Des walks out the door.
JESSE
Where's she goin?
Ella shrugs. Jesse runs out the door.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - DAY
JESSE
Where the hell do you think you're going?
Des scoffs, walks on. Jesse chases after.
Grabbed, pulled, punched in the larynx.
Jesse falls to the ground, choking, coughing, gagging, not breathing.
Ella steps out of the trailer, cackles. Jesse struggles to scrambling feet.
JESSE
It ain't none funny!
ELLA
Looks pretty funny from where I'm standing.
JESSE
That slut just bout done killed me!
ELLA
You dead?
JESSE
Do I look it?
ELLA
Then quit complainin.
JESSE
Give me half and I won't say nothin.
ELLA
Make it a quarter.
DES
Quarter of what?
JESSE
Whatever we get for it, stupid.
DES
We won't get anything for it.
JESSE
What'd you just done say?
DES
It's not for sale.
JESSE
Like hell it ain't.
ELLA
Jesse, shut the hell up. Des, can we talk for a minute?
Des nods and follows Ella down the road a ways.
ELLA
I thought you done said this thing was rare.
DES
Increidbly.
ELLA
Then whats the point of holdin onto it for?
DES
My brother.
ELLA
What about him?
DES
Its the only way to him.
ELLA
By selling it.
DES
By using it.
ELLA
What's that supposed to mean?
DES
I can only show you.
ELLA
How do I done know you ain't just crazy?
Des shrugs.
DES
You don't.
Ella hesitates, studies Jesse, sighs.
ELLA
Well as far as he knows, we're selling the damn thing, got it? We can figure everything else out later.
Ella nods to Jesse and Jesse runs on over.
ELLA
You got a deal.
JESSE
Half?
ELLA
Quarter.
JESSE
I'll throw you under.
ELLA
Wouldn't expect any better.
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
The three pause at the precipice of a dilapidated bar, just beyond the sight of a security camera.
ELLA
You playin.
JESSE
Owner's been runnin his mouth off for a little long while now.
ELLA
He sellin?
JESSE
Ain't buyin.
ELLA
What for?
JESSE
Less you hidin a few million.
ELLA
He ain't askin that much, is he?
JESSE
Already offerin. Said to be gone any day now.
ELLA
You don't say.
JESSE
Guess you're just lucky in that sort of way.
ELLA
Spose so.
A long moment passes.
ELLA
Well, whatya waiting for?
JESSE
Them camera's got eyes on em, don't they.
ELLA
You done knowed they done had em.
JESSE
Course I did. Just thinkin, is all.
ELLA
Ya done?
JESSE
Sure I is. Give me that there rock over yonder.
Ella hands Jesse a rock.
Jesse throws the rock, smashes the camera, picks up another, and shatters a window.
An alarm wails. Squeals.
Jesse grabs another rock, smashes another window. Another. Another.
Dozens of alarms toll through the frigid air.
ELLA
What the hell you done do that for?
JESSE
Can't much stop the alarm from trippin.
ELLA
So you done just thought you trip em all?
JESSE
Ain't much of a chance they'll go lookin here first with all those others screamin and wailin. Gives us a chance to find what we're seekin.
ELLA
Thats just plain stupid.
JESSE
Gotta a better plan?
ELLA
Well its done too late for that now, ain't it?
JESSE
Then lets get going.
Jesse steps forward, kicks the door, shaking: once, twice, three times. The door won't open.
Des pushes Jesse aside and kicks the door open.
JESSE
I just loosened it for ya.
The three step into the bar.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
The ominous toll of a shrill alarm. A red light flashes. Again. Again. Again.
JESSE
Well? Where the hell is it?
Des looks down the counter, back: nothing.
Ella jumps over the counter, opens a drawer, another, another.
Sirens. Tires. Men in uniform marching.
Jesse bars the door with chairs and tables.
JESSE
Runnin out of time there ladies.
Des turns to a door at the end of the bar, approaches, kicks. Again. Again.
Mumbling. Grumbling. Footsteps approaching.
JESSE
(Whispering)
Jesus Christ girl, what ya done doin? You wanna get us good and killed?
Des kicks the door open, steps in.
Hitting. Banging. Slamming. Authrotative voices thundering.
Jesse withdraws a revolver from his back pocket, cocks it, fires.
Shots recipricated.
Jesse jumps, yodels, hops, over the counter and ducks behind it.
ELLA
Are you stupid or something?! Shooting at pigs! Robbery ain't nothing pared to no cop killing!
JESSE
I ain't going back there Ella! Ain't nobody make me!
The door to the bar bursts open. A dozen uniformed officers step into the building, guns raised, aimed, loaded.
OFFICER
Come on up now with your hands good and empty.
Neither Jesse nor Ella oblige. Shots fired.
Ella raises her hands.
JESSE
What in the hell do you think you are doing?
ELLA
Living. Thats what I'm doing.
Ella stands, arms raised, and climbs over the counter.
Handcuffed. Pushed, pulled. Out the bar and into a car.
OFFICER
Come on up now. We knows ya still back there.
Jesse curses, cocks his gun, fires over the counter.
Officers take cover, fire.
Jesse looks left, right: a back door close by.
Jesse crawls towards the door, firing over the counter, cursing as bullets wedge their way closer.
The end of the bar. Two feet between cover and the door.
Jesse sighs, reloads, closes his eyes, prays to his god, and sprints towards the door, firing six shots in quick succesion.
Push, pull, struggle, strain. The door won't open. Jesse shot a half dozen times.
Jesse falls to the floor, dead.
A thick fog rolls in. Shots fired blindly.
Des, with her stone in hand, makes her way through the fog and out the door.
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Des comes upon a car, a door. Ella sits within, handcuffed.
Des tries the door: locked. Des smashes the window, tries the door from within. Still won't open.
ELLA
Front door stupid.
Des smashes the front window and opens the door.
ELLA
You know how to drive this damn thing?
DES
No.
ELLA
Well let me out and I'll show you how.
Des stares at the wide array of frivilous buttons.
ELLA
The one on your left. No, stupid, your other left. No, not that one. Not that one either. Jesus Christ Des, ain't you ever done nothin?
Des unlocks the door, steps out of the car, and opens the back door.
Ella wiggles her way out. Des walks away.
ELLA
Are you stupid or something? Thats where the cops be!
Des shrugs, walks away.
Ella sighs, stares longingly at the car, and follows Des into the fog.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Fog dissipates. Des and Ella stand upon a small wooden platform.
ELLA
So all this hubub over a stupid cheap fog machine? Jesus Christ Des! Jesse just got done killed back there, and I almost done did, all for a cheap haze makin machine?
Des smirks.
DES
Would you be so kind as to hand me the paper?
ELLA
What?
DES
The paper, Ella. They still have those, yes?
ELLA
Screw you!
Ella walks away. Twigs snap far off. Des looks out into the shadows: no one, nothing.
A train nears.
DES
Plan to go back, handcuffed and all?
Ella sighs, turns back.
ELLA
The paper, huh?
DES
Over there.
Ella grabs a paper, hands it over.
Des folds the paper, reveals the date.
ELLA
So its old. So what?
DES
Not old, new.
ELLA
No, stupid. Look at the date.
Des smirks.
DES
Go ask him.
Des nods to a clerk counting loose change.
Ella scoffs, walks over to the teller, and speaks to him gruffly. Ella grows agitated, infuriated, huffs her way back again.
ELLA
Dummy doesn't even know what day it is!
DES
Does he? Or do you?
ELLA
Whats that supposed to mean?
Des smirks. The train stops. Doors open.
Des steps onto the train. Ella hesitates, follows.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Des pauses at a set of doors, a cabin.
Des gestures. Ella grumbles, mumbles, obliges. Des looks left, right, follows, closing the door securely behind her.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Des sits across from Ella.
ELLA
Will you get these damn things off me?
DES
Can I borrow a dollar?
ELLA
What for?
Des looks to the handcuffs.
ELLA
Stealin me blind, are ya?
DES
If you would be so kind.
Ella sighs, struggles through her pockets, and withdraws a hundred dollar bill.
ELLA
Will that do?
Des smiles, nods, folds it once, twice, three times, four.
Des picks the lock effortlessly.
Liberated, Ella sooths scuffed wrists. Des hands back the bill.
ELLA
What? Money ain't no good to ya?
DES
No use.
ELLA
Well we'll be seeing about that, won't we?
A long pause.
ELLA
Where we going, anyhow?
DES
Far.
ELLA
Far where?
DES
Anywhere thats not here.
ELLA
Well practiced, huh?
Ella winks. Des shrugs.
ELLA
Figures. Right when I get my life good and settled you come right on in and ruin it all over again.
DES
You can never go back there Ella.
ELLA
I ain't stupid, Desdemona. I know how the law works.
DES
Its more complicated than that.
ELLA
Yea? How so?
A knock on the door. The door opens. A man collecting tickets.
DES
What's the last stop?
MAN
Larime.
DES
Tickets for Larime, then.
ELLA
Now this is just stupid! Don't you done think? Don't you done think this is just plain stupid? I mean, all this hubub over a measly little nothin?
DES
No.
ELLA
No? What do you mean no?You can't just go and say no!
MAN
Perhaps I should come back later.
ELLA
Don't you dare goddamn't!
DES
Please, stay.
The man hesitates.
ELLA
Now why we going all the way to Larime for?
DES
The bar, remember?
ELLA
That ain't nothin!
DES
Its more complicated than that.
ELLA
How so?
Des nods to the man.
ELLA
Right, well, how much you gonna be puttin me back?
MAN
100, for the two of you.
Ella sighs, digs through her pockets, and withdraws a handful of crumpled bills.
Ella hands the man a hundred.
MAN
Is there anything else I can do for you? Food? Drink?
ELLA
No thanks.
The man turns to leave.
DES
Actually, if you wouldn't so mind, would you be so kind as to enlighten us with the date and time?
MAN
Of course. Today is Friday, April 15th, and it is currenly 3am.
DES
Thank you.
The man nods and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.
ELLA
Funny.
DES
Whats that?
ELLA
Thats just what that other guy said too.
DES
Who?
ELLA
The teller, back at the station. Said it was the 15th too.
DES
Because it is.
ELLA
Stop pullin my leg Des. I know it ain't.
DES
If the world's gone mad, and you're the only one sane, are you really all that sane?
ELLA
Whats that supposed to mean?
DES
Today's the 15th.
ELLA
Thats impossible.
DES
Improbable.
ELLA
Whats the difference?
DES
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.
ELLA
(Sarcastic)
Sure thing Sherlock.
DES
Its different, I know. And a lot to handle in a world without.
ELLA
Without what?
DES
Stones.
ELLA
You mean that stupid fog machine?
Des sighs, rubs the stone. A deep fog rolls in.
DES
Come with me.
Des steps out of the cabin and into the fog. Ella hesitates, sighs, follows.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Ella and Des stand before a platform, a station, hidden in shadows.
Two figures stand upon a rotting stage. Ella gawks, steps forward, pulled back.
A train tolls, nears.
ELLA
Is that?
DES
Us.
ELLA
It can't be.
DES
It is.
ELLA
How?
DES
The stone.
ELLA
You mean this can do that?
Des nods.
ELLA
Well what about them?
DES
What about them?
ELLA
Shoudln't we like go and kill them or somethin?
DES
Why would we do that?
ELLA
The butterfly effect.
DES
They are not us.
ELLA
Like hell they ain't!
DES
Killing them will do nothing more than leave them dead. We will be no more or less alive. The mere act of travel alters history, establishing an entirely new timeline. They are mere people just like us. Twins. Look alikes. Dopplegangers. Nothing more.
ELLA
Then why'd we have to go hidin in the shadows like that?
DES
We are never to interfere with ourselves.
ELLA
Why?
DES
The domino paradox.
ELLA
What's that?
DES
Imagine if we came upon ourselves just as we almost did. Would you still travel back again?
ELLA
Probably not.
DES
Thus altering all future histories. It is not merely them you affect, but every timeline after.
ELLA
But won't them going back create another timeline anyways? Isn't it better to close the loop than to let it go on forever and ever.
DES
And what if you're wrong? What if we can't? What if we fail?
ELLA
Then we try again.
DES
And so too will they. But not just them.
ELLA
Who else?
DES
More. And more. And more. Let them go and we never see another. Don't, and who knows how many more.
ELLA
But letting them go ain't gonna do nothin but create another. And another. And another. On and on. Forever and ever.
DES
Always has. Always will.
ELLA
Whats that supposed to mean?
The train tolls with a feral whistle.
DES
We should go.
ELLA
What about them?
DES
Hopefully, they did just as we did, and traveled back again.
ELLA
Otherwise?
DES
Lets just hope that they did.
Des climbs up the platform and onto the train. Ella hesitates, follows.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Ella and Des walk down the hall. A door opens, closes. The conductor looks up, jumps, startled.
DES
You must have us confused.
Ella and Des push past the conductor and towards the room.
The man gawks, gapes, bewildered, confused. A deep fog rolls in.
Footsteps, mumbling, grumbling. Des presses Ella against the wall. Two figures pass, dissapear into the fog.
Fog recedes. Des and Ella step into the cabin.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Ella sits across from Des, dumbfounded.
ELLA
So you're like, from the future or something?
DES
The past.
ELLA
But how did you go and get a stone then?
DES
From another.
ELLA
You stole it?
DES
It was given.
ELLA
Are there more?
DES
Dozens.
ELLA
Then why ain't we never see nobody?
DES
Interference is punishable by law.
ELLA
Your prime directive.
DES
What?
ELLA
Star trek.
DES
What?
ELLA
Nevermind. It doesn't matter. But if thats the case, why are you even here in the first place.
DES
My brother is trapped upon a planet orbiting ever closer to an event horizon.
ELLA
A what?
DES
The place where a black hole cannot be escaped.
ELLA
Why not just give him one of these?
DES
We only had one.
ELLA
I thought you had three.
DES
The others weren't ready.
ELLA
What's that spose to mean?
DES
Solar power. Too long to charge.
ELLA
So how do you plan on getting another then?
Des pauses, hesitates, looks away.
DES
I don't know.
ELLA
Now hold on a sec, just wait. Why don't ya just steal one of them from another, maybe?
DES
Who?
ELLA
Us. From the past. From seconds ago even.
DES
The paradox.
ELLA
Not our problem.
DES
They'll be trapped.
ELLA
He'll be saved.
DES
Your dooming them.
ELLA
Rather your brother?
Des hesitates.
DES
What if they already have?
A deep fog rolls in. Des rips her shirt in half.
ELLA
What are you doing?
DES
To tell us from them.
Ella does just the same.
Banging. Bashing. The door ripped open.
Pushed, shoved, Des thrown to the ground, Ella lost in the fog.
Struggling, straining, Des held back, down, her mirror image cackling.
Des pulls. Her betrayer falls, smacks her head against the ground. Des climbs on top, strangles.
Punched in the face. Blood spews. Des falls. The two roll away, climb to respective feet, facing eachother.
Des holds up a hand, reaches into her pocket, withdraws a stone.
Her future self hesitates.
Des heaves the stone as hard as she can. Struck across the head. Her image falters, sways, falls, doesn't move.
Des cautiously apporaches.
Closer. Closer. Closer.
Pushed, pulled, tripped, thrown to the ground. Des straddled, strangled.
Gagging. Coughing. Choking. Dying.
Des struggles, strains, can't break free.
Des grows weaker, weaker, weaker. Not breathing.
Darkness enshrouds, envelopes, ensues.
Closer. Closer. Closer.
Her image releases, falls.
Des gasps, coughs, breaths. Ella smirks, drops a suitcase.
Fog dissipates. Des gathers the two stones, studies her doppleganger.
ELLA
Dead?
Des shakes her head.
DES
Yours?
ELLA
Not worth the effort.
Des nods, stands, stuffs the stones into her pocket, and opens the door to the cabin.
INT. TRAIN HALL - NIGHT
No one, nothing. Des closes the door behind her.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Ella opens a closet, stuffs the dopplegangers into it.
DES
What about them?
ELLA
They'll live.
DES
And you?
ELLA
Without a stone, they'll probably be a lot more better.
Des sighs, nods.
ELLA
Well go on then. Get.
DES
Thank you Ella.
ELLA
Ain't nothin worth mentionin. Just pay me back when ya good and get the chance to.
Des smiles, nods. A deep fog rolls in. Ella waves. Des steps into the haze.
EXT. LAKE - NIGHT
Des withdraws from the fog, stands next to Fin, staring out over the lake.
FIN
Well?
DES
Too soon.
Fin sighs, nods.
DES
They're gone.
FIN
All of them?
DES
All but one.
Fin frowns.
DES
I found another.
FIN
How?
DES
A little self help.
FIN
And her?
DES
Alive.
FIN
Just imprisoned. And left me for dead on top of that too.
DES
I'll go back again.
FIN
Do the rules not apply to you?
DES
What do you want me to do?
FIN
Nothing. I want you to do nothing. I want you to live with your choices and do absolutely nothing.
DES
I can't just do nothing!
FIN
You can and you will. You should have all along. This is why there are rules in the first place.
DES
You would've died!
FIN
I did! Don't you get it! By altering one timeline, you altered all the others! That me, whatever me which is now trapped upon that wretched timeline, is now doomed to death for no good reason.
DES
It wasn't me.
FIN
What do you mean?
DES
Not this me, at least.
Fin hesitates.
FIN
Well it was still your decision.
DES
Well I'm sorry I couldn't stop myself from existing!
Fin sighs.
DES
I'll try again. I was close. I know it. I could tell.
FIN
And with your clear ignorance of our directive
DES
They'll have what we need.
FIN
And if they don't?
DES
I'll just let you die, like the rest.
FIN
Thats all I ask.
DES
But even if we do get off this planet, this wretched prison, you still have no way of finding her. For all we know, she could be almost anywhere, or anytime for that matter.
FIN
Where I come from, or rather, when, we had tools for tracking such anomalies. Such travel requires a great deal of energy, especially with the type of stone in her possession. While mine can hardly travel half a decade, hers can span centuries. If we can acquire one of those, along with a few of these, we should, hopefully, be able to find her.
DES
And then what Fin? Supposing we do? We just, what, kill her? Slaughter her? Murder our own mother?
FIN
She had no qualms killing you.
Des grimaces.
DES
What good will killing her do?
Fin shakes his head.
FIN
Its not about her. It's about the stone. What it can do. More powerful than anything in the cosmos.
DES
So greed, then?
FIN
No, Des, you don't understand. I don't want them. I want to destroy them. All of them. Every last one of them
DES
And what happens when they discover them again? When they build them again? When they realize Einstein didn't have everything figured out?
FIN
I'll stop them again.
DES
And what happens when you can't? When you're killed? When you're dead?
FIN
Another will.
DES
I won't.
FIN
I never said you.
Des looks away, agitated.
DES
A cheap knockoff and you want to start a brotherhood.
FIN
Maybe so.
DES
I think I need to be alone for a while.
Fin nods, looks back to the castle.
FIN
And him?
DES
A whole life to think over.
Fin nods, holds out his hand. Des chuckles, hugs Fin, pushes him into an unseen fog, dragged with.
The two fall, still before the lake, the castle.
FIN
Nice try.
DES
Next time.
FIN
Best of luck.
Fin clims to his feet and walks off into the shadows. Des looks out over the lake.
Another figure, sillhouetted by what few stars still shine, roaming across the vacant horizon.
Des shakes her head, looks back to the castle, sighs, and approaches the figure, rounding the lake.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
On the precipice of a forboding forest, Des pauses, searches, through trees, leaves: false luminecence sputters beyond darkness.
Des pauses, hesitates, steps into the forest.
A sweltering fog gains, overwhelms, nothing to be seen beyond a flickering light far in the distance.
Closer. Closer. Stumbling. Tumbling. Struggling through the ancient forest. Groping trees, bushes, anything she can get her hands on.
Snarling. Growling. Vicious warnings all around her.
Faster. Faster. Heaving. Hawing. Gasping. Straining. To the light. Closer. Closer.
Nosies gaining. Footsteps all around her. Feral teeth snapping at her.
Running. Sprinting. Closer. Closer. On the precipice. Jump. Leaps.
Outside the forest.
Des gathers lost breath, back where she was before.
Des sighs, reaches into her pocket, and fondles the stone.
A deep fog.
Des looks back to the forest, sighs, hesitates, and steps into the haze.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
Des steps onto the shoulder of a bustling highway, semi trucks speeding by with reckless abandon.
Des looks to her left, nothing but road, to her right, a city far beyond; Des sighs, irritable, unagreable, and approaches the metropolis.
EXT. CITY - DAY
Engulfed by vertigo inducing skyscrapers, Des walks along empty streets, practically abandoned.
With no destination, no rhyme, no reason, Des searches for that which cannot be found.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
Des stumbles upon a couple fumbling through an alley, to a door, balancing upon eachother, lost in the ecstacy of a drunken stupor.
The two knock, grumble, mumble, moan. The door opens. The two cheer, stagger through the corridor.
Des approaches, knocks.
A small slot in the door opens up: nothing but eyes.
MAN
Password?
Des hesitates, utters not a word.
The slot closes. Des sighs, withdraws stones, presses, nothing. Des sighs, knocks again.
MAN
Password?
DES
If you would just let me in, I
The slot closes again.
Des pushes, punches, kicks, slams. Harder. Faster. Reckless abandon.
Futile.
Des sighs, picks up a metal trash can, swings, hurls, throws. Not even a dent.
Des looks again at her stones: nothing still.
Des picks through the garbage can.
A rusted knife. Rubber bands.
Des constructs a makeshift slingshot.
Des knocks on the door. The slot opens.
MAN
Passw
The man hesitates. The rusted knife aimed at him, inches from him.
DES
Open or I'll shoot.
The man hesitates, releases a bolt. Another. Another.
A long pause.
The man throws the door open, Des stumbles back, the sling shot dropped. The man pulls the door shut as fast as he can.
Des jumps, leaps, throws her hand forward.
Snap. Crackle. Pop. Bone shatters.
Des' hand between the door and the frame.
The man gawks, horrified. Des cackles, rips the door open.
INT. HALL - DAY
The man stumbles back. Further. Farther.
A long hallway alighted by the flare of false luminescence.
The man stops, pauses, at the end of the corridor. The man hesitates, charges.
Pushed, pulled, thrown into the door, knocked unconcious.
Des studies broken bones, rips the man's jacket, wraps her hand, abandons him.
INT. BALLROOM - DAY
A masquerade. A waltz. Men, women, hand in hand, masked, hidden, pirouetting across polished marble, dancing to the rhythym of a veiled band, lulling the crowd into a hynotic trance.
Des searches the crowd, approaches a conspicious man, a forboding smile looming across his wrinkled complexiob.
MAN
What'll it be?
Des lays a stone onto the table.
DES
Some of these.
MAN
They don't come cheap.
Des lays another onto the table. The man whistles, studies.
MAN
Old news.
DES
Antiques.
MAN
Not worth much in this economy.
DES
What is?
The man studies the stones, sighs.
MAN
Theres a man, down by the docks, sells cheap knock offs. No real threat, but a pain nonetheless. Get rid of him, and we'll call it even. Say, four, for the troubles.
DES
I'm no assasin
MAN
Who said anything about killing?
The man smirks; Des sighs, considers the offer.
MAN
Its that or nothin kid. Take it while you still got somethin.
DES
Throw in a tracker and we'll call it even.
MAN
I'll see what I can do.
Des picks up the stones and walks out of the ballroom.
EXT. DOCKS - NIGHT
Alighted by the pale luminsence of a setting sun, Des makes her way down grimy docks, past whores, drug dealers, and children of a nefarious nature.
Each coos and awes and gestures and beckons. Des holds her head low, eyes lower, ignoring salicious invitations.
Des pauses at the bottom of the docks, looks out over the vast ocean, its bitter winds and freezing waters, turning as a man entices.
MAN
Whatya gone lookin for little miss lady?
DES
Depends.
MAN
On?
DES
The offer.
MAN
How bout a chance to see the world over? History in the making. Your whole life relived, revisited, refit. Every mistake, every regret, every stupid decision you ever made, gone, just in an instant.
DES
Yea?
MAN
Sure. And a whole lot more on top of that too.
DES
Prove it.
The man withdraws three stones.
DES
Rocks?
MAN
Oh no miss lady. Thats where you're mistaken. These, you see, these are newly minted.
DES
Whats the difference?
MAN
A whole world of difference! I'm talking about the past lived all over!
DES
Those can do that?
MAN
And so much more.
A deep fog rolls in. The man, entranced in his sale, doesn't notice.
DES
How do I know you're not just bluffing?
The man whistles. Chains rattle. From the shadows withdraws his mirror image, shackled.
DES
Just a twin.
MAN
My great great grandfather.
DES
Prove it.
The man nods to his compatriot. The man withdraws a newspaper from his coat pocket, hands it over: dated 1945.
Des gawks at the paper in feigned astonishment.
The man smirks. Des steps closer, closer, closer.
The man holds out a hand, demands.
Des grabs, pushes, pulls, shoves. The man tumbles, falls, dissapears into the fog.
The other, the supposed great great grandfather, runs, abandoning shackles clasped to nothing.
Des sighs, chases after.
Over crates, under ropes, past hookers and dealers and pimps and drug addicts.
Faster. Further. Farther.
At the edge of the docks. Frigid, terrible waters.
The man hesitates, Des too. The man turns, withdraws the stones, holds them out over the water.
Des holds her hands high, stone still in hand.
MAN
Drop it.
Des hesitates.
MAN
I said drop it!
Des obliges, sets down the stone. The man breathes shallowly, nervously, shaking uncontrollably.
MAN
Down on your stomach. Go on! Do it!
Des obliges.
The man reaches down to a knot, a rope, tosses it to her.
MAN
Tie yourself up.
DES
On my stomach?
MAN
Just do it!
Des sighs, obliges, ties her ankles and wristes together.
MAN
Okay...now...take a step back..go on...do it!
DES
How?
MAN
Well, just, inch yourself off the docks.
DES
Into the water?
MAN
Just...do it!
Des edges herself to the edge of the docks, hesitates.
MAN
Well go on then! Do it!
Des takes a deep breath and drops into the water.
The man hesitates, runs, sprints; down the docks and towards solid land, grabbing the stone as he runs past it.
But haze doesn't fade. Rather, it gains. Deeper. Darker. Harsher.
The man slows, stops, lost, unable to tell land from water.
Pushed, pulled, tackled, straddled. Des chokes, strangles.
The man struggles, strains, succumbs to darkness.
Des sighs, dries her eyes of bitter salt water, rips the stone from his hand, the fakes from his pockets, and drags the man into the haze.
Fog dissipates. Des walks away. The man nowhere to be seen.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Des knocks upon a door. A slot opens.
Eyes widen, gawk, gape. The slot closes. Footsteps fade.
Des sighs, withdraws a stone, pushes, presses.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Des steps down the atrium.
A click. A clank. Des stops in her tracks. The guard aims a gun, loaded.
Des sighs, holds her hands high.
The guard steps closer. Closer. Closer.
Des presses the stone, gone.
The guard grabbed from behind. Shots fired.
Choking. Gagging. Struggling. Straining.
The man grips her broken hand. Des screams in feral pain.
The man throws her onto her back, onto concrete, stones tumbling away.
The guard tripped, pulled. Another shot fired. The gun tossed aside, away.
Des stradles the guard, chokes, struggles, strangles.
The man flails, strains, knocks her across the temple.
Des falls to her side, ears ringing, discombobulated.
The man climbs on top, strangles.
Coughing. Choking. Not breathing.
The man cackles. Des strecthes, reaches, closer, closer, fingers just beyond the stone, growing weaker, weaker.
Grab, press, gone.
The man turns towards the gun, pointed, aimed, cocked.
The man hesitates, stands, takes a step forward; the trigger pulled.
Click. Clack. No ammunition.
The man charges.
Closer. Closer. Faster. Faster.
Des dissapears.
The man runs head first into the wall, falls to the ground, head cracked open, bleeding.
Des stands behind him, shakes her head, gathers lost stones, and walks away, abandoning the revolver.
INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT
Masked men pireotte across an abandoned ballroom, pushing and pulling reluctant partners, lost in the toll of a false classical rhythm.
Des steps through the crowd and to the man in the corner.
Des reaches into her pocket and withdraws a half dozen counterfits. The man studies them.
Des moves to speak. A hand held to stop her.
A waiter draws near. A silver platter.
Upon the platter reside four stones, a short stick. Des reaches, the waiter pulls back.
MAN
You first.
Des sighs, withdraws her two stones, hands them over.
The man studies the stones, smiles, pockets the stones, and nods to his compatriot.
The waiter hands over the stones, the stick.
Des picks up the stick, studies it.
DES
How does it work?
The man sighs.
MAN
Snap it in half.
DES
Thats it?
MAN
Thats it.
Des snaps it in half, studies the map, sighs, nods, rights the stick, pockets the four stones, and stands. A deep fog rolls in.
MAN
And girl, please, let that damn guard be.
Des smirks, snickers, and walks into the haze.
INT. CASTLE - NIGHT
Fin sits before a sallow portrait of a family long forgotten, staring remorsefully as a deep fog gathers.
Des steps through the fog and sits next to Fin.
FIN
Stones?
Des nods.
FIN
Tracker?
Again Des nods.
FIN
We should go.
DES
And father?
FIN
Sleeping.
DES
Through the end of it all?
FIN
What else?
DES
I want to say goodbye.
FIN
Be my guest.
DES
And you?
FIN
Back home.
Des nods, hands Fin a stone. Fin stands, sighs, and dissapears into the fog.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Des stands at the precipice of a solemn room, staring at a bed which matches neither furniture nor age, anachronistic not in its antiquity, but the lack there of it.
DES
Father?
RAMY
Desdemona.
Ramy stirs, sits, smiles. The room metamorphisises into a chamber.
INT. CHAMBER - NIGHT
Des instinctively takes a step back. Ramy chuckles. Des hesitates.
DES
Is...is it really all true? What Fin said about you?
Ramy nods.
DES
Why?
RAMY
I had to.
DES
Slaughter innocence?
RAMY
Dead regardless.
DES
Of their own free will.
RAMY
Prolonged and horrendus.
DES
You don't know that.
Ramy smiles sadly.
RAMY
I do.
DES
How could you?
RAMY
Are you so cruel as to assume genocide was my original intention?
Des pauses, hesitates. Ramy scoffs. Waves a hand.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Young Ramy lays next to his partner, young Aurora.
The two point to the sky, giggling and laughing.
From the clouds withdraws an ominous object, hurdling towards a city close by.
Young Aurora, not recognizing the object, sits up and turns towards the city.
A mushroom cloud where the city once was.
Aurora gawks at the monstrosity, dumbfounded. Ramy sits up, still smiling, turns towards what was once a beautiful city, now fire and horror.
Another blast, another cloud, another city destroyed.
Aurora jumps to her feet as an ashen cloud thunders in, dragging Fin away with a terrible worry.
INT. FOG - DAY
Running, sprinting, tripping, stumbling, tumbling, the two make their way in no direction.
Ramy stops. Aurora pulls. Ramy points to a barn not too far off.
Aurora hesitates, obliges. The two run into shelter.
INT. BARN - DAY
Thundering, roaring, wretched wails of agony; the two huddle, succumb to fear slowly overwhelming.
INT. BARN - NIGHT
Thunder seizes. Aurora coos, stands, opens barn doors: the world aflame.
Aurora steps out into the haze. Grabbed, pulled, stopped. Ramy grips, holds, terrified, ashamed.
Aurora shakes her head, smiles sadly, and pulls away, into hellfire.
Ramy breaks down into bitter tears.
INT. BARN - DAY
Ramy comes to.
Shaking. Banging. Bashing.
The barn doors rattling.
Ramy sits, stands, hesitates, grabs a crow bar, approaches.
Closer. Closer. The barn doors quaking.
Ramy closes his eyes, breaths, pauses.
A long moment passes.
Ramy rips the door open.
Aurora, bruised, beaten, offering food cheaply packaged. Ramy drops his weapon in blatant astonishment.
The two embrace.
EXT. BARN - DAY
Aurora steps out of the barn, yawning, smiling, a bright new day, two young children, a young boy and even younger girl, frolicking through a field of rye.
Aurora works the field, the day growing sweltering, blistering.
A bell tolls.
Ramy stands in the door, offering a warm meal.
Children sprint past their mother and towards their father, laughing and giggling as they stumble into shelter.
Spring becomes summer. Summer, fall.
A terrible storm.
Crops ruined. Snowfall.
INT. BARN - DAY
The two yell and scream and argue bitterly, hidden by walls, muffled by doors, children huddling close.
Ramy throws the doors open and stomps past the children.
Aurora stands at the door, tears in her eyes, arms open wide.
Children run, sprint, hug, hold.
Aurora dries bitter tears, dissapears into a choking smog.
INT. BARN - NIGHT
Ramy gathers children, coats, jackets, opens the barn doors, stares into hellfire, hesitates. Children pull, tug; the three venture out into the wilderness.
EXT. CITY - NIGHT
Ashes, rubble, dead bodies strewn across crumbling concrete; bodies rotting, molding, fed upon by radioactive beasts.
Further, farther, the three stumble through a frigid haze, stop.
Aurora, bleeding, shot, dead, fed upon by feral rodents.
Ramy falls to his knees, breaks down into unbearable tears.
A click. A clack. A man with a shotgun draws near.
Ramy climbs to his feet, draws his children behind him. The man guffaws, fires his shotgun.
Through Ramy, through the boy. Ramy injured. The boy dead.
Ramy screams, charges, knocked in the head, kicked while he's down, moaning in wretched pain.
The big man cackles, throws the little girl over his shoulder, and dissapears into the haze.
Ramy yells, screams, drags himself to his son, enacts CPR: futile.
Footsteps gather, approach. Ramy turns onto his back, ready for death.
Above him stands an old man, frowning. Ramg stares at him oddly.
The old man sighs, places a stone into the young man's hand, and drags him away.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Ramy comes to, bandaged and bruised, his mirror image strapped to a chair, unconcious, tied up.
Ramy sturggles to move, sit up.
The old man steps into the room. Ramy stops. The old man chuckles, hands Ramy a gun. Ramy gawks, stares, shakes his head.
The old man sighs, grabs the gun, and shoots the Ramy tied up.
Ramy jumps, squeals, terrified, horrified.
The old man shakes his head, sighs, drops a paper onto the young man's lap: THE COLD WAR HEATS UP!
Ramy gawks, gapes. The old man nods to the window: the city back again.
The image fades.
INT. CHAMBER - NIGHT
DES
And mother?
RAMY
Just the same.
DES
Why not change?
RAMY
Ironic, isn't it?
DES
But Fin said
RAMY
All too powerful. I know. No hand can grasp it. Or so I've been told. But then again, who am I to say? Billions slayed for the sake of two children. I'm no saint. I just find it ironic.
DES
But an eternity alone.
Ramy shakes his head.
RAMY
I've lived my life. Again and again. I can't do it again.
DES
But why here? Why alone?
RAMY
That's the deal I made with the devil.
DES
You're a stubborn fool.
RAMY
To each his own.
A deep fog rolls in.
DES
An eternity of misery for the delusion of self sacrifice. That's no way to live.
RAMY
Yet so I do.
DES
Will nothing make you go?
RAMY
Nothing.
Des sighs, hesitates, clears bitter tears. Ramy smiles, stands, and steps into the fog.
Des follows.
EXT. GALLOWS - NIGHT
Des withdraws from the shadows, stands next to her brother.
FIN
You won't believe this.
DES
What?
FIN
Look where she's run off to.
Fin hands over the stick and Des snaps it in two.
DES
Shit.
Des withdraws the fourth stone.
FIN
You or me?
DES
Trapped there.
FIN
Hers too.
DES
Unless she's gone.
Footsteps, shackles. Men in uniform gather, surround. A half dozen, weapons aimed at them.
FIN
Go.
DES
Bite me.
Fin sighs. Guards charge.
Bashing, slashing, the stone knocked away.
The two push, shove, duck, dodge, grapple, arm themselves with stolen weapons.
The two pirouette across the dilapidated courtyard, cutting, slicing, killing, blood spewing.
Guards fall. One after another after another after another.
One left standing, the size of three men.
Fin charges, dodged, weapon knocked aside, Fin tossed away, moaning in wretched pain.
The guard lumbers towards Des. One step. Two steps. Three.
A step back with every step forward. Des swings her weapon wildly.
The guard cackles, snatches, grabs, pulls, tosses the weapon aside.
Des takes a step back. Another. Another.
Back against the wall.
The guard swings. Des ducks. Rubble falls. The axe stuck.
The guard pulls, Des kicks. The guard stumbles back.
The guard chuckles, charges. Des pushes, dodges. The guard runs head first into the wall.
Blood trickles past demonic eyes. The man sways, smiles, rips the axe out of the rubble.
Des runs. The guard chases. Up the steps and onto the gallows.
The guard swings. Des jumps, clutches the noose, swings, kicks.
The man falls, back, down, off the gallows and onto unforgiving soil, dropping the axe, groaning, moaning.
Des walks down the steps, picks up the axe, and limps towards him.
Des leers over him, sneers.
GUARD
Mercy.
A feral swing.
Des abandons the axe and limps towards Fin, sitting down next to him.
FIN
Cruelty is no virtue.
DES
Mercy is a vice.
FIN
The teachings of a demented woman.
Des shrugs. Fin sighs.
FIN
I think it's broken.
DES
Can you walk?
Fin chuckles. Des stands, Fin grabs, holds.
FIN
Don't.
DES
I'll be back before long.
Fin nods to the guards.
FIN
So will they.
DES
What else?
FIN
We wait.
DES
For?
FIN
The stones.
DES
You can't.
FIN
I'll live.
DES
You won't.
FIN
You will.
Des hesitates, looks around, picks up a dropped stone. An impenetrable fog.
FIN
Des?
Des drops a stone into Fin's pocket and drags him into the haze.
FIN
Des! Don't! PStop! Des! Stop!
The two withdraw into the fog. A perilous howl.
Fog dissipates. Fin gone. Des alone.
EXT. SALOON - DAY
Fin falls onto dirt, soil, groans, moans, blood spitting, spewing, killing. Fin coughs, curses, drags himself to a well: empty.
Ella leans against a saloon, chuckling.
ELLA
Lookin for somethin?
FIN
Please...I can't walk.
ELLA
I ain't stupid.
FIN
Please...help.
ELLA
Yea? What for?
Fin struggles, strains, wriggles, writhes, reaches into his pocket, withdraws a stone.
Ella gawks, stares, hesitantly approaches.
ELLA
You ain't never met no Desdemona, have ya?
FIN
My...sister.
ELLA
You playin!
FIN
Please...
ELLA
Alright, alright. I'm comin, I'm comin.
Ella lumbers on over and drags Fin into the saloon.
INT. SALOON - DAY
Ella pushes, pulls, scatters ashes, glasses, and sets Fin gruffly upon the counter. Fin moans wretched wails of misery.
FIN
This is all you can do?
ELLA
Rather nothin?
Fin coughs, spits.
FIN
Whats the difference?
Ella winks and hands Fin a heavy spirit.
ELLA
Liquid courage.
FIN
Why would I need
Ella tugs, pulls. Fin screams in feral pain.
FIN
What was that for?!
ELLA
Realignment.
FIN
Maybe next time warn a guy.
ELLA
Whatya think I was doin?
Ella pushes, pulls, faster, harder. Fin howls in terrible agony.
FIN
Jesus Christ!
Ella snickers.
ELLA
So you're the famous brother, huh?
Fin nods, biting his lip in tumultous pain.
ELLA
And Des, wheres she?
Fin shakes his head.
ELLA
Abandoned, did ya?
Fin shakes his.
ELLA
No? Where then?
Fin nods to the door.
ELLA
Still back there? Back where you left her?
Fin shakes his head.
ELLA
No? Where?
Fin leans over the counter, coughs, gags, spits, vomits. Ella sighs.
ELLA
Better get you to bed. We can gab more in the morning, yea?
Fin nods, pure misery. Ella cackles, drags Fin off the table, and up a set of narrow steps tucked away behind the saloon.
INT. SALOON - NIGHT
Ella mixes a drink for a man beyond the throws of a drunken stupor, turning as the door to the bar sways. Des steps into the bar and sits at the counter.
ELLA
You're a sight for sore eyes.
DES
Who's looking?
ELLA
Ain't nobody but me and that drunk over yonder.
DES
And my brother?
ELLA
Sleepin.
Des nods, frowns.
ELLA
Whay about you?
DES
What about me?
ELLA
Pretty beat up by the looks of it.
DES
Family troubles.
Ella nods.
DES
And my brother?
ELLA
He'll make it.
DES
And you?
ELLA
Forget about me.
DES
I never could.
A long pause.
ELLA
How'd you know I'd be here? This town? This place?
Des shrugs.
DES
Lucky guess.
ELLA
And the saloon?
DES
I guess you'd call that fate.
The two smile. Ella withdraws a gifted stone.
ELLA
Say, do you think you could show me how to use this damn thing? Your brother went and traded his for nothin.
Des nods over to the drunken hooligan.
ELLA
Don't mind him, he ain't nothin.
Des hesitates, withdraws two stones. A look of mute terror.
ELLA
Whats wrong?
DES
There should be three.
ELLA
Well I ain't no mathmatician or nothin, but that sure looks a hell of a lot like two.
A deep fog rolls in.
DES
Go get Fin.
Ella hesitates, gawks at the bitter haze.
DES
Go!
Ella jumps over the counter and leaps up the steps.
Des hops over the counter, reaches under, gropes a shot gun, bullets, and loads it.
Des cocks the shotgun and aims it into the haze.
A man withdraws from the fog. Shot. Dead.
The drunken man cackles.
Another man. Another shot. Another dead.
Des reloads. A knife thrown. The stones struck, rolled, past the bar and into the fog.
Two guards withdraw. Three. Five. Ten.
Solemn, reverant, patinet.
One of the guards steps forward: shot, dead. Des cocks her gun again.
Another steps forward. Another shot. Another dead.
A long pause. Des hesitates, reaches for ammunition.
Closer. Closer. No retriubution.
A guard jumps onto the counter, swings his weapon.
Des ducks, dodges, blocks, trips, pushes the guard off the counter. Another hops over, charges.
Des pivots, turns, flips the man over, loads the gun, fires.
Six more guards hop over the counter, three on the left, three on the right.
Des fires into the line of three on her left. The first falls into the second and third.
Des turns, quick on her feet, to the other three, blocks, kicks. The guard stumbles back into the two behind him.
Des turns back to the other three, now two, blocks, pushes, throws one against the wall, hits the other with the shotgun, turns back to the first, held against the wall, knocks him unconcious, and then the other.
Des reaches for bullets; a knife strikes her shoulder. Des screams, writhes. Wretched misery.
Three guards charge.
Des rips the knife out of her shoulder, heaves, misses the first, kills the second who falls into the third.
The first doesn't slow.
Charge, stab, miss, thrown over the counter.
Another charges. Des dodges, side steps, knocks the man out with a hit from the shotgun.
Des reaches, grabs, bullets, ammunition, stops. A sword at her throat. The guard, so recently thrown, threatens.
Des hesitates, breathes heavily, drops her weapon.
The guard smirks.
Des grabs the sword with both her hands and slams the hilt into his head. The guard stumbles, tumbles, falls.
Des rolls over the counter and stabs him in the chest, hands torn, shredded, bleeding.
The guard coughs heaves, writhes, dead.
Des spits blood, cradles an injured shoulder, drops the sword, regains her shotgun, and aims it at the last guard left standing.
The guard holds out a hand, three stones. Des hesitates.
The guard sighs, shakes his head, removes his mask.
Des gawks, gapes: her mirror image staring back at her.
The man in a drunken stupor cackles, stands, stumbles between the two women, pauses, sways, and fumbles out of the saloon.
The guard chuckles, cackles, steps out of the saloon. Des hesitates, follows.
A long moment passes. Two shots fired.
Down the stairs limp Fin, Ella. The two gawk at the bloody monstrosity.
FIN
Des?
Des stumbles into the saloon.
FIN
What happened?
DES
One of the stones. I must've misplaced it. I thought I put it in my pocket. But...
FIN
Forget about that. What about you?
Des shakes her head.
DES
Ten men dead for no good reason.
FIN
We should go.
DES
Fin, no.
FIN
More will be here soon.
Fin withdraws his stone, a deep fog rolls in.
DES
What if they won't?
FIN
Don't be stupid.
Fin limps into the fog.
DES
Wait!
Des runs after. Fin pushes, shoves, a stone forced into her hand. Des falls back into the fog.
EXT. LAKE - NIGHT
Des falls onto grass dressed with morning dew. Fin limps in behind. Des climbs to her feet.
DES
What the hell is wrong with you?
FIN
I did what I had to.
DES
And the stones?
FIN
One left.
DES
How?
FIN
Given back.
DES
Not enough.
FIN
Her's also.
DES
And if she's gone?
Fin shurgs.
FIN
Dead regardless.
Fin pushes past Des and limps into the haze.
Des sighs, agitated, irritated, hesitates, follows.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
The two pause at the precipice of an ancient forest, Fin studying a map revealed by the stick once again broken.
A snip, a crack, a snap. Fin aims a revolver, Des a shotgun. A bunny hops into the forest.
Fin sighs, chuckles, pockets his weapon. Des also.
DES
Where is she?
Fin shakes his head.
FIN
Somewhere in there.
DES
Thats it?
FIN
There's something not right about this.
Fin withdraws the stones and hands them to Des.
DES
What are you doing?
FIN
We should be able to see her, find her; but we can't, we don't, and I have no idea why.
DES
So?
FIN
So I don't wanna lose you again.
DES
Again?
FIN
Nothing. Nevermind. Forget it.
DES
Forget what?
FIN
Just stay with the stones. If I'm not back before dawn, go.
DES
Fin...
FIN
I'm serious, Des. This isn't up for discussion.
DES
I'm not discussing anything. I'm telling you I'm going with you.
Fin sighs.
FIN
The stones, Des.
DES
Who cares about the stones?!
FIN
She can track them, see them. I don't know whats wrong with this thing, or this forest, but something tells me she has something to do with it, and something tells me it doesn't go both ways either.
DES
So we leave them. Hide them. Give them to father.
FIN
You think she hasn't thought of that already?
DES
What do you want me to do Fin?
FIN
Go home. Protect father. If I'm not back when the time comes, go.
DES
I won't leave you.
FIN
Just another death for no good reason.
DES
What do you want me to do?
FIN
Live.
DES
Why me? Why not you? Why feign the cloth of the sacrificial lamb?
FIN
Because she's my mother.
DES
She's my mother too!
FIN
Then let me save her.
DES
You'll kill her!
FIN
And you?
A deep fog rolls in.
Des hesitates. Fin sighs, shakes his head, holds out his hand.
Des pulls him in, wraps her arms around him.
Push, pull.
Fin stumbles, tumbles, falls.
EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT
Fin lays before a castle. Fin groans, moans, presses the stone, nothing.
Again. Again. Again.
Nothing still.
Fin curses, stands, approaches mamoth doors, pauses.
Fin feels his way along a stone wall, a loose rock. Fin pulls it out, back, hides the stones within.
Fin knocks upon wood. A long pause.
Doors open. Sallow, bitter hatred. Fin steps into the castle.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Des pushes past branches, leaves. A false luminesence flickers not far in the distance.
Des hesitates, withdraws her shotgun, approaches.
Closer. Closer. At the precipice of light and darkness.
Des sighs, cocks her gun, withdraws from the shadows.
A feral flame. A note. A letter.
Des hesitates, approaches. Closer. Closer.
Des picks up the letter, reads it, drops it, runs.
Upon the letter is written one line: TIME TO COME HOME, DEAR.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Des pushes, shoves, throws ancient doors open.
Aurora threatens. Fin captive, a knife dulled by virgin flesh.
AURORA
Desdemona! Darling! What a lovely surprise!
DES
Let him go.
AURORA
Why of course Desdemona. But first, the stones.
DES
Gone.
AURORA
Dear Desdemona, don't play the fool. It doesn't suit you. I commend you for your bravery, I do. But such foolishness offers little to you. The buffoonery, I admit, is assuredly admirable. And certainly beyond the recollection of anything I can bargain. But its grown rather dull, and tedious, too, always succumbing to such lazy endeavors. Its drudgery, dear, to watch you so flounder.
DES
What kind of mother sluaghters her own child?
AURORA
Why sweet Desdemona, have I somehow hurt you?
FIN
Shoot her, Des. Forget about me. Just shoot her. Do it. Don't think about me.
AURORA
Yes, Desdemona, please, shoot me. Don't play the coward. Don't end up like your father.
Aurora sneers.
Desdemona cocks, aims, takes a step forward. Another. Another.
Aurora draws blood. Fin winces, groans.
AURORA
Don't be childish, Desdemoma.
Twitching, quivering, pushing, pulling, finger trembling upon the taut trigger.
Tighter. Tighter. Tighter.
Fin grimaces. Aurora giggles. Ramy looks away, shamefaced.
Desdemona drops her weapon.
Aurora cackles. Fin curses. Ramy can't stand the sight of it.
Des reaches into her pocket, dissapears, reapears, behind Aurora.
Stabbed, pushed back, down, onto the ground, all while Aurora holds Fin hostage.
AURORA
Now go stand next to your father, dear.
Desdemona whimpers, moans. Aurora draws blood. Desdemona obliges, back against the wall.
Aurora takes a step forward. Another. Another.
Auroa places a foot under the shotgun, kicks it up to her, pushes Fin forward.
Fin stumbles, tumbles, rolls, groans, moans. Fin pulls himself up, smiles through blood, winks through injury, and valiantly charges.
Des screams, Ramy falters, Aurora giggles, Fin clutches the shotgun.
Push, shove, a shot misfired. A scream of wretched misery.
Struggling, straining, pushing, shoving. Aurora strikes Fin down with the butt of the shotgun.
Fin falls, tumbles, rolls, bleeding profusely.
Ramy lies on the floor, shot, dead.
A dense fog rolls in. Aurora fires into Fin's left knee.
Fin screams in wretched pain, writhing in agony.
Des charges. Aurora retreats.
Desdemona jumps, leaps, tackles, falls.
Aurora gone.
Desdemona shrieks with feral rage, smashes her hands against rotting stone.
FIN
Des...it's over.
Des wipes away tears, calms.
FIN
Lets at least watch the last sunrise.
Desdemona nods, stands.
Slowly. Surely. Heavily. Wearily.
Desdemona drags Fin across the floor and to the door.
Desdemona pulls the door open, resituates Fin, and sits next to him, watching light dissipate.
An eternal darkness overtakes their wretched bodies.
A deep fog rolls in.
FADE OUT