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Out of
New -- 21 April 2006 Humanki -- Episode Five At the airport at Aswan, Egypt, a commercial jet lands. Inside the terminal building, ALEX approaches DAWN who is standing, studying a display map of the area. ALEX
DAWN
ALEX
DAWN and ALEX are walking along a narrow street within the residential district of Elephantine, adjacent to a white, stucco, twelve foot high, walled enclosure. The enclave is well designed and maintained, the walls showing not a single brick or crack on its exterior surface and suggesting a residence of some repute. Unlike virtually all of the other buildings in the vicinity, the residence is isolated, with no other walls from adjacent buildings encroaching upon it. ALEX and DAWN circumnavigate the building, and come upon a heavy wooden gate. Next to the gate is a small bell, set some nine feet off the ground, and with a short remnant of a cord attached. The bottom of the truncated cord is about eight feet off the ground. ALEX looks at the bell, as if thinking of jumping, when DAWN pushes against the gate, and the wooden door opens. She then steps inside. ALEX looks surprised, but then shrugs his shoulders and follows DAWN. Inside, ALEX and DAWN find a small garden patio with fig trees, flowers and a small vineyard. Herbs and other small plants are also growing in tiny plots, carefully separated by stone and mortar walls -- the plots all at different levels, shapes and configurations. Adjacent and just beyond the patio is a columned porch, with the hint of openings in the shaded gloom. After standing by the gate for a few seconds, the two see a large Egyptian woman lean to one side in order to see around an intervening tree. Her expression at seeing the intruders is a combination of surprise and outrage. DAWN
The woman says nothing, but moves more clearly into view, keeping her eyes on the twosome. She is a large, muscled woman, and gives no hint of retreating. ALEX
The woman doesn't reply, cocking her head to one side. HAL (low and deep)
ALEX, DAWN and the woman turn to see HAL, a tall male figure standing at one end of the shaded porch. He is wearing an Egyptian tunic, but is otherwise hidden by the shadows. DAWN
HAL
DAWN
HAL responds with a silent laugh; his head thrown back accompanied by a sharp intake of breath. His stance eases and with a casual gesture, he steps forward to place one hand on the nearest column, stepping further into the light. His face remains in the shadow with the hint of a smile. HAL
DAWN
HAL does not answer immediately. After a moment, he begins walking along the porch, his head still in the shadows. As he approaches one of the darkened openings, he speaks. HAL
DAWN leads ALEX into the shadows, following HAL inside. As they come in from the bright sun, they stumble slightly, their eyes squinting as they adjust to the darkness and the lack of lighting other than dull white walls giving off reflections of sunlight. A darkened interior can be seen to include a nine foot high ceiling in an unfurnished foyer-like room. HAL unlocks a set of double doors and opens them. The doors themselves are eight feet high, and open to reveal another darkened room, but one lit with two intricately carved spherical bronze lamps which give off a flickering light through their carved openings, and provide a dimly lit mosaic of light, flickering with a degree of randomness. The decor of the room itself is barely seen, but includes a throne or alter facing the doors, along with wall paintings resembling the interior of an ancient Egyptian tomb. DAWN and ALEX enter the room quietly and slowly, their heads bent slightly in reverance as HAL closes the doors behind them and then moves forward toward the throne/altar. The two follow HAL who gestures for them to stand at one point, while he moves over to a position between the two supplicants and the empty throne/altar (the same positions DAWN, ALEX, and IRIS had taken during the audience with the Mother at Machu Pichu). A voice then begins to speak, sounding like a deeper resonance of HAL, but coming from the direction of the throne. The voice recites in a detached manner, as if reading from a scripture, and only marginally addressing anyone in the room. VOICE
HAL
DAWN and ALEX
VOICE (increasing in intensity with each "What then is it?")
(louder and more insistent)
ALEX
DAWN
VOICE
(pausing, and then increasing in power)
(as if giving a benediction)
As DAWN and ALEX continue to stand transfixed, HAL moves quietly to stand between them and the throne/altar. He seems to quietly address it, and then turns back to them to lead them out of the room, opening and closing the double doors behind them. As DAWN and ALEX squint at the sun's bright reflection from the outer opening, HAL gestures to them, leading them along the porch and down its length. HAL leads them to a small outdoor area, where three chairs are situated around a small table, on which three containers rest. On three sides of the space are vine-covered walls, flowers growing in every cranny, and multi-colored stones used for paving and decoration. HAL gestures to the table inviting his guests to sit down. HAL
Both sit, and without hesitating to wonder what the liquid is, drink virtually the entire contents. As HAL takes the remaining seat, he takes some of the liquid himself. DAWN, refreshed, begins studying HAL, a tall, clean-shaven figure with a dark, ancient face. A family resemblance to ANNA, NINKI, and KURT is apparent, as well as a light blue shading of HAL’s skin. His eyes follow every movement, but appear disinterested, the head never moving. DAWN
HAL
ALEX
HAL
(pausing to smile mischievously)
ALEX
HAL looks at ALEX, smiling encouragingly.
Scene shifts to KURT’S War Room, where he is in his customary chair, with several computer display screens arrayed before him. On one is NATHAN (KURT’s older brother, and a man whose appearance is both ancient and evil). KURT is clearly displeased, while NATHAN’s tone is simply cold and deadly. KURT
NATHAN (crusty and threatening)
KURT
NATHAN
KURT
NATHAN
KURT
NATHAN
KURT
NATHAN’s voice takes on a much more menacing tone. NATHAN
The scene shifts to a tramp steamer (the Kylik), still tied to a wharf. DAWN and ALEX are leaning against the amidships railing, looking out on to a section of the Port of Alexandria, Egypt. Their stance is casual, as they breathe in the sea air. DAWN
ALEX
DAWN (turning to face ALEX directly)
ALEX
DAWN
ALEX (sheepishly)
ALEX looks away, swallowing slightly.
Later, with the Kylik at sea for a long time, the night’s darkness complete, DAWN and ALEX are on the otherwise deserted fantail of the ship. The churning waters from the screws are the only indications of the calm sea below. Both are dressed sparingly in shorts and shortsleeve tops. Each has a bag or packback wrapped in plastic and strapped to their body. DAWN (in a low, but intense voice)
ALEX is struggling to manhandle a large, deflated life raft up onto a small flat section of the ship’s superstructure, overlooking the churning waters immediately below. ALEX
DAWN begins to help, and they manage to lift the raft and position it for inflation. ALEX
DAWN
ALEX
DAWN
ALEX
With the life raft in position, ALEX pulls the cord to inflate it. The raft begins inflating, but in the process gets out of control and goes over the fantail, the cord slipping out of DAWN's hand. ALEX
DAWN, seeing her life raft go into the drink, doesn't hesitate, and quickly scampers over the rear safety line and jumps into the water, grabbing for the life raft. By the time DAWN resurfaces, the life raft has completed the process of inflating and is now floating gently on the water. DAWN strikes out for it with a vengeance, swimming in primarily a dog paddle, and keeping her head well above water. She manages to grab one of the ropes circling the raft and slings her other arm over the side of the raft. Hanging onto the side, she rests and catches her breath. ALEX, with strong swimming strokes, reaches her shortly thereafter. ALEX
DAWN (panting)
ALEX smiles and scrambles into the life raft. Just as quickly, he reaches back and begins helping DAWN into the raft. Once in, they fall back into the raft in a tumble and share a relieved laugh. Still in something of a tangle, DAWN leans over and kisses ALEX on the cheek. DAWN
ALEX leans forward for a more profound kiss. DAWN responds enthusiastically. After a passionate moment, they come up for air. ALEX is beaming and staring intently at DAWN. She smiles in return and then sits up to look around. The aft running light of the Kylik and its silouette on the water can be seen in one direction, and then 90 degrees to the left, a string of lights on the horizon. ALEX stands up to get a better view. . ALEX
DAWN
(suddenly subdued)
DAWN and ALEX look around at the bare bones nature of the life raft. FADE OUT Episode Four -- And the Lady Forward to: Episode Six-- Kali Lumenes
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