'Within Five Days'/Act 2
--Robert Dubh Nianque
(c) The Waterbearing Fish
DISCLAIMERS
What follows are scenes 5-6 for the pilot/first episode of a "Pupsical Storm" series, either tv or movie, based on Melissa Good's Dar and Kerry stories. This work was prepared from the posted version of 'Tropical Storm'--I've *NOT* read either the published version or the movie screenplay.
'Tropical Storm'--characters, story, settings--belong to Melissa Good and Ladyhawke Productions. Xena and Gabrielle, Dar and Kerry's spiritual (and actual?) ancestors, belong to Reniassance Pictures.
Violence--none (though rape is mentioned in scene 5).
Cursing--"Your security stinks..." (scene 5)
Subtext--none.
Comments are appreciated; insults are not. With many thanks to Eleanor and CC for their thoughts and impressions...
Robert Dubh Nianque
waterbearingfish@angelfire.com
Based on the book 'Tropical Storm' by Melissa Good
*Scene 5*
(Monday morning/noon)
Camera returns to KERRY'S office. Since scene 3, SHE'S been preparing HER staff's performance evaluations and nibbling on several carrots. SHE'S on the last evaluation, head bent over it, when SHE hears a slight knock. SHE looks up; RAY stands at the door; holding a soda in one hand
KERRY (sits in a chair; stunned by the news)
Oh...hi.
RAY
(raises an inquiring eyebrow)
Lunch? I hear they have pico de gallo in the cafe.
KERRY (makes a face)
Ew.
(puts the report down)
Two years and you'd think I'd be used to that by now...
(stretches to work a kink out from HER back)
but I fall asleep every time I eat it.
(fiddles with HER pen)
Besides, I'm not really hungry.
RAY (coaxes)
C'mon Kerrisita...
(waggles HIS eyebrows invitingly)
I'll buy you some flan; I know you like that.
KERRY (shakes HER head)
No thanks...
(smiles)
maybe tomorrow, ok?
(opens a desk drawer and pulls out a bag of miniature carrots)
Besides, I brought.
RAY (laughs)
You and your carrots. You'll grow floppy ears one day.
(sighs)
You sure?
KERRY (nods)
Yes...go on...I'll probably need you when those guys show up.
RAY (surrenders)
I'll be back in an hour.
HE leaves. KERRY gazes pensively at the door, sighs, props HER head up with one hand and looks at the report again. A respectful knock interrupts HER.
KERRY (miffed)
Look, Ray, I told you...
(glances up)
Um...sorry.
(blinks; stands)
I thought you were somebody else.
Camera, for the first time, gives a frontal view of DAR as SHE stands in the doorway. SHE'S tall and lean, olive-skinned, with midnight dark hair neatly cut and shaped. HER posture defines confident arrogance; HER blue eyes are cooly intense.
SHE wears a tailored grey skirt suit and black blouse. Its open top button reveals a thin gold chain holding a tiny teddy bear. Diamond studs are a subdued presence in HER ears. HER makeup is understated: a bit of gloss and a hint of eyeshadow.
SHE enters KERRY'S office as if it were HERS. SHE puts a black leather briefcase on the visitor's chair and extends a hand.
DAR (low and pleasant voice)
Dar Roberts.
KERRY (stands and grips DAR'S hand)
Kerry Stuart.
(THEY feel each other's strength in the handshake)
Are you...um...
(pauses)
I mean, you're from Merwolf Systems, right?
DAR (cool tone)
Yes I am.
KERRY (awkward tone)
I'm sorry...I wasn't expecting anyone until after lunch.
DAR (brisk tone)
I suspect my lunch time doesn't match yours. Sorry.
KERRY (aware that DAR is observing HER)
That's ok because I finished lunch already...but my staff is still out. Can I get you something? Coffee...
DAR (interupts)
No thanks. Let's just get started, shall we, it won't take long.
(motions to the desk)
Sit down.
(KERRY does, lays HER forearms on the desk surface, looks at Dar with a mixture of curiousity and trepidation)
You know why I'm here...
KERRY
(twists a piece of binding tie; DAR sits in the visitor's chair)
I know Merwolf Systems is taking over...your people didn't tell Robert much about what was going to happen.
DAR (curses inwardly)
They were supposed to...
(makes a mental note to discuss this matter with ELEANOR)
All right.
(pauses)
I'm not going to play games or beat around the bush. Bottom line: we purchased your business.
KERRY (concerned)
Ok...what does that mean, we report to different people, you want things done differently...
DAR (lifts a hand to silence KERRY)
It means we're interested in the services you provide. There's nothing you do here that we can't do better and cheaper.
KERRY (softly)
You're saying you don't need us?
DAR (cold tone)
Yes.
KERRY (protests)
We've been doing this for years. You can't replace us just like that.
DAR (resolute)
Yes I can. It's what we do.
(gestures towards the door)
I have a programming group in Huntingdon, a support group west of the airport, and a hardware installers division near the university. All waiting to take over.
(stands; leans against the back of the chair)
Your people are inefficient. They each take two sick days every three weeks, half are late every day, the programmers haven't met a deadline in two years, and you've had eighteen comp claims during the last four months.
KERRY (drops the tie; folds HER hands over HER desk)
How do you know about our personnel stats?
DAR (smiles at KERRY)
We broke into your server databases...
(smirks)
Your security stinks...
KERRY (looks at HER desk surface)
I guess I was right.
DAR (puzzled)
Right about what?
KERRY (raises HER head; looks into DAR'S eyes)
You're here to rape us.
DAR (inwardly flinches; outwardly composed)
That's not an appropriate way to refer to it.
KERRY (shrugs)
What are you going to do, Ms. Roberts, fire me?
DAR (tries to be sympathetic)
Look, Ms. Stuart, there's nothing personal...
(sees the anguish in KERRY'S face)
You want me dead.
KERRY (licks HER lower lip)
No, Ms. Roberts, I wasn't raised that way.
DAR
Sure you do. I felt the same when I was assimilated.
KERRY (shrugs)
Is there something else I can do for you? You seem to
already have all the information you need.
(swallows)
And I've got a lot of work to finish.
DAR
(returns to a business-like tone)
I need a list of your people so we can go over what you do and how you do it.
KERRY
(green eyes filled with quiet anger)
You want us to train our replacements?
DAR (nods)
Yes.
KERRY (clenches HER jaw)
All right...
(takes a breath)
I'll see what I can do...
(grabs the pen)
to get everyone out of here before they tell you anything.
DAR
(sits down, leans forward, gazes into KERRY'S face)
This is business, Ms. Stuart, not charity.
KERRY (soft tone)
These are people whose livlihoods you're about to take away...
DAR
And any one of them would leave Associated if offered more money.
KERRY
(lowers HER head for a moment)
They're really not that bad. Our customers like us, we do a good job, I don't see why we need to be thrown away.
(then lifts it)
Your people won't be able to do the job we do. I'll be
there laughing when you lose our accounts.
DAR (leans back; studies KERRY)
All right...
(purrs)
Prove it.
(watches a startled look appear on KERRY'S face; the pen drops from HER hand)
I can do this for half your budget. Come up with a plan to do the same, by Friday, and I'll consider it.
KERRY (jaw drops)
Fifty percent? It's impossible.
DAR (shrugs)
I can leverage out costs. If we've got someone who needs support, for example, I add them to our current load.
(smiles)
You can't do that.
KERRY
No...That means people would have to be let go.
(stares at DAR)
Ok...
(defiant tone)
You'll be hearing from me.
DAR
(sighs; SHE'S heard this before)
Fine. You can email it; you should be part of our network by now.
(pulls out a cell phone from the briefcase, dials a number, waits for a gruff voice)
Mark...you done?
MARK (chuckles)
Mail's opened up, servers locked down, anything else?
DAR
No...Thanks.
(disconnects; returns phone to the briefcase)
You're on our system...Tell your people not to change servers and expect a team here tomorrow to start going over things.
KERRY (quiet tone)
I see.
(pause)
Would you like to look around?
DAR (surprised)
Sure.
KERRY
(nods, runs a hand through HER hair, stands and steps around the desk; DAR stands as well)
Follow me.
THEY leave KERRY'S office, DAR slightly behind KERRY, camera dissolves.
*Scene 6*
(Monday afternoon/1-4 pm)
Camera focuses on DAR and KERRY as they leave KERRY'S office. KERRY is ahead yet DAR is the one in command.
KERRY (voice-over)
Legends tell of Achilles wearing woman's clothes before he went to Troy
I never understood how until I saw her among us.
(THEY begin with meeting RAY, ALEX, and SUSAN who appear the moment DAR and KERRY leave the office. KERRY'S supervisors are polite but uneasy. THEY don't want to give HER any more information; unaware that SHE already knows what THEY know.)
We are as Troy was
Lured by assurances as deceptive as a wooden horse
Free turned slave overnight.
She is as he was before the arrow hit
Certain of herself and her abilities
Easy to imagine her wearing armor and wielding a sword.
(DAR talks to RAY first...)
Lingering hope that she could be duped
The words and figure merely a bluff
That she herself was false.
(HE leaves)
Despair arrives with her words
Sharp-edged and cutting
A living blade.
(ALEX is next...)
Pale blue eyes sparkle with battle light
A slight smile hiding grim resolve
Now we know who we face.
A wolf among sheep
Whose canine protectors cannot defeat
Whose human guardian has fled.
(HE leaves)
Easy to chase the runners
Better to challenge those who resist
Perhaps to honor a kindred soul?
(DAR, KERRY, and SUSAN go the programmers' section. PROGRAMMERS come out; suspicious looks all around. DAR
ignores THEM; SHE concentrates on SUSAN. SUSAN pulls out printouts, shows DAR code, etc. DAR, attentive,
asks questions and thoughtfully considers the answers. THEY part on wary terms.)
DAR and KERRY go to the cubicle section; DAR still trailing KERRY. OPERATORS are talking to customers. DAR sees and overhears...
OPERATOR 1 (confident tone)
Yes--we can prevent that. Our security software is first rate...
DAR raises an eyebrow; KERRY hears only snatches of the OPERATOR'S words. THEY go to another cubicle.
OPERATOR 2 (bragging)
Support services? Why sure, if something goes wrong, our programmers will have your system up in no time.
DAR smiles a knowing smile; KERRY turns as SHE hears the OPERATOR'S tone. SHE sees DAR'S smile and DAR gives a little nod as well.
KERRY (voice-over)
Is she complementing or gloating
I wish I knew
Gestures have many meanings.
THEY pass by cubicles whose OPERATORS are telling the truth and DAR'S face reveals little emotion. Even when SHE talks to KERRY.
Aloof
Detached
As if she were judging the dead.
We are forfit
Destined to fall by the wayside
Yet we determine our fate through what we do.
There is hope
She implied as much
If we try.
THEY go through other sections; most STAFF MEMBERS ignore THEIR unexpected and unwanted guest. Those who do notice DAR'S presence say nothing but SHE senses THEIR resentment.
How must it been for Achilles among the Trojans
Surrounded by fury yet remaining above it
Each blow reducing the rage by one.
Her weapons here are words and gestures
Always polite while they cut
Finding the heart each time.
THEY pass by CHARLIE'S cubicle. HE'S on the phone as DAR walks by.
CHARLIE (harried voice)
Listen, honey, can I call you back? There's a tour going on and I may be visited...
(looks up into DAR'S gaze)
Bye...
(hangs up, DAR leans closer, SHE smiles a feral grin)
DAR (low voice)
You're twice lucky.
(HE gulps)
She didn't catch you and you're not working for me.
KERRY approaches DAR and CHARLIE; SHE sees HIM at HIS desk, a little paler, but nothing looks out of the ordinary.
KERRY (concerned)
Anything wrong?
DAR (nonchalant)
No--Charlie here is a man on the move. Just gave him some advice.
KERRY'S puzzled but CHARLIE'S nod reassures HER. Still, SHE senses something's wrong.
KERRY (partly convinced)
I see. Shall we continue?
THEY go to ANITA'S cubicle. SHE'S on the phone...
ANITA (low voice)
Meet you tonight at Dave and Busters. Seven all right? Great...
(looks up into KERRY'S face; hangs up)
Ms. Stuart...
KERRY (dismayed)
Anita...
DAR sees the change in KERRY'S features. Before SHE was determinely optimistic; now, for a moment, SHE seems defeated. KERRY notices DAR'S gaze, doesn't want to let DAR see HER dispirited, addresses ANITA in a gentle command voice...
Please get me this year's financial records. Printout copies. Bring them to my office as soon as you can.
ANITA (relieved at not being reprimanded)
Yes ma'am.
KERRY
Thank you.
ANITA leaves. KERRY glances at DAR and sees a fleeting image of an understanding smile.
Neither DAR or KERRY say a word as THEY go to the area's doors. At the doors...
DAR (slightly condescending)
Thank you, Ms. Stuart, for an interesting tour. The team should be here around ten tomorrow morning.
KERRY (slightly annoyed)
Thank you, Ms. Roberts, good-bye.
THEY do not shake hands. DAR goes towards the parking lot; KERRY returns to HER office. Camera dissolves.
NOTES:
Written during 1999 and 2000. An earlier version was posted and later deleted.
'Tropical Storm'
Part 1 (posted version)
Sources
Achilles
Trojan War
References
'Within Five Days'/Act 1
'Within Five Days'/Act 2...